In researching something else, several lengthy articles on Milton Mills were encountered in the Sanford Tribune of October, 6, 1911. This first article dealt with Milton Mills village, its mills, its churches, its library and some notable homes. (This information may cause some minor revisions or additions to some earlier Observer articles).
Accompanying Sanford Tribune articles (to be reproduced separately) dealt with the Andrews-Wasgatt factory, the Miltonia Mill, the Central House hotel, and some prominent Milton Mills residents.
The original author has not been identified but whomever it may have been gave acknowledgement to Milton Mills residents Elbridge W. Fox and John U. Simes for some of the information used.
A GLANCE AT THE PAST AND PRESENT OF MILTON MILLS. Historical Sketch of an Enterprising New Hampshire Town Close by the Hills of Acton, Maine. Some of the Men Who Founded and Are Continuing Its Industries. TEN miles from Springvale, separated from Sanford by the hills of Acton, lies the fair famed village of Milton Mills on the Salmon Fall river situated mostly on the New Hampshire side. Like many places in Maine and New Hampshire that are located away from the railroads, Milton Mills is not far famed; not having been given the publicity that perhaps less worthy villages have enjoyed by the accident of railroad connections. Hence its well merited fame for natural beauty, splendid homes – farm and village – manufacturing and superior social and civic conditions is limited to those persons who have mingled with its people or lived near its borders.
This village lies in the northern part of the town of Milton, New Hampshire, Strafford Country, along the dividing line between Maine and New Hampshire, about five miles from the source of the river. The adjoining town of Acton, in Maine, contributes a section to the village and while having no part in the government, the people are in all other ways a part of the New Hampshire community; and some of Acton’s most valuable estates are within this section.
Milton Mills is seven miles from Milton Three Ponds, the railroad station within the town, but not the nearest to the village. Union on the Northern division of the Boston and Maine Railroad is only four miles distant, and it is there that the railroad connection, by stage, is made. So far apart are the two Milton villages that each governs itself much the same as if village corporations existed.
The town joins Rochester on the south. It was set off from that town and incorporated under its present name in 1802. At that time the settlement was several miles south of Milton Mills and gradually spread out going towards the ponds first. Plummer’s Ridge was the first section to be settled. That was in 1772. Twelve or more years later the West Branch River was settled. As was the case in many instances in those early times the troubles of the people were over taxes and particularly taxation without representation. S0 it happened that the church tax that was levied upon the people in the northern part of Rochester for the support of a church so far away that they could not attend it was the serious trouble of the inhabitants in that part of the town. The matter finally culminated in the separation of the town and the incorporation of Milton.
At that time Milton Mills section was called Shapley’s Mills. Notwithstanding the excellent water privileges in that section it does not appear that mill business was the inducement to settlers and it is probable that farming was the principle attraction. According to Arthur Thad Smith, in his 100th anniversary address delivered at the celebration in 1902, there is in Milton developed and undeveloped water power greater than that at Dover and as great as that at Somersworth. He estimated the horse power to be 3500 units. There are north of Milton Mills village, beginning with the Miltonia site, six different falls. It is claimed by some that there is a total declivity of 100 feet. Only a part of the power is now utilized and splendid opportunities exist for small manufacturing concerns. [See Milton Water Power in 1901].
At one time or another all these privileges have been used and the history of the various enterprises that have at one time or another flourished on the river at and above the village, would make a large and interesting chapter of town history. Many years ago Alpheous Goodwin [(1791-1850)] conducted a tannery on the Milton side of the river near the village and on the Maine side at the same time was a grist mill. The site where the weave shop of the Miltonia mills now is had been for many years a grist mill site. One had passed by and a new one built, and later that was changed to a threshing mill. Where the shoe factory now is there was on the Maine side, a grist mill, and on the New Hampshire side, a bobbin factory. They were burned more than sixty years ago [earlier than 1851] and not rebuilt. At the privilege now known as the Waumbeck, there was a shingle mill in operation owned by Moses Hanson about the same time. On the site next above the shoe shop privilege there was saw mill in operation in the earliest days of the settlement. It was owned by Gilman Jewett. Its last log was sawed more than sixty-five years ago [before 1846]. That was near the Hooper dam. An eighth of a mile above that there formerly existed a saw and grist mill. They were washed away in a freshet years ago and not rebuilt. Above that site about the same distance is the Rowe dam. These last three named privileges are unused now.
The real development of the mill business at the village was when a mill was erected on the Waumbeck privilege by the people. A popular subscription furnished the funds.
It did not prove a success and was sold to Alexander and Charles Durgin. It was bought from them by John Townsand. In 1861 it was burned. Mr. Townsand, an account of whose career appears elsewhere, rebuilt and then sold to E.R. Mudge-Sawyer Co. In 1893 that company ceased to operate the factory and sold it to Whipple & Fairbanks. They made some repairs and in 1898 it burned and about 1900 Mr. H.H. Townsand bought the privilege, built a dam and run a penstock to the mills below.
But out of the effort and failure to establish manufacturing in the place by popular subscription has resulted indirectly the present Miltonia mills, the best of the town’s assets. A full account of the development of these mills appear elsewhere. About the beginning of the Civil war there originated a felt manufacturing business of which Edward Briely was the owner. He bought the privilege where the shoe shop now is and for a number of years made a success of the business. In 1872 the factory was burned. Mr. Briely rebuilt it. The business later came into the possession of David H. Buffum of Somersworth. A similar business was carried on by him. After the death of Mr. Briely, his son Edwin J. Briely, conducted the business for a while.
He finally sold the property to Mr. Buffum, who in turn sold to Varney and Lane who sold to Gale Brothers. Andrews-Wasgott Co. bought from them and are the present owners. The last three concerns operated it as a shoe shop. The firm of Andrews-Wosgott Co. are operating the shop, an account of which will be found elsewhere.
As one views the beautiful village of Milton Mills and takes note of the comfortable homes, the absence of poverty, and the general condition of happiness and prosperity that prevails, and compares the situation with towns not far away, that are said to have taken opportunities that Milton refused, to her hurt, there comes a feeling that perhaps it is better as it is. The development of the remaining water power in Milton can be accomplished now without bringing in its train some of the features that have completely changed the character of New England communities. The time is close at hand when every available pound of water power will be put to service but there is no reason why such utilization can not be made without revolutionizing the society of the community.
It is not intended to reflect upon the communities in which the early development was made and where conditions arose that were incident to the rapidity with which things were done, and not any part of a plan; but the reflection as above recorded helps the native of Milton to look with less regret upon the “mistakes” of the father than did Mr. Smith in his anniversary address when he said: “It is a matter of history that the Great Falls Manufacturing company first determined to locate at Milton about 1820, and in fact had chosen the site but were driven away by a most senseless series of law-suits occasioned by shortsighted and grasping riparian owners. Let us see what that mistake has meant to the town. If the water power of Milton were utilized in the manufacture of cotton cloth each horsepower would mean forty-eight spindles. This would give the town about 120,000 spindles; as one person is employed for each eighty, there would be from 1600 to 2000 operatives. Had it then not been for the shortsighted selfishness of some of the early settlers, Milton would be a city of 10,000 to 12,000 inhabitants, with all the wealth and prestige that such population would bring.”
The Congregational church that was at Plummer’s Ridge when Milton was set off from Rochester continued as the town church of Milton but with a new organization. In 1833 a meeting house was built at Milton Mills. There were a number of Calvinistic Baptists there and they joined with the Congregationalists and built the first meeting house in Milton Mills village. In the course of time the Calvinistic Baptists became so few in number that they ceased to be a factor in the church affairs as a society and the Congregationalist society took over the church in 1871. There were regular services held there until 1904 and since then special services have been held occasionally but so infrequently that the pew owners were quite unanimous in voting to sell to the Odd Fellows. An account of that event appears elsewhere. The membership of the Congregational society at time of taking over the church was twenty. Rev. Darius B. Scott was the first minister.
The Methodists had grown quite strong and in the year that the Calvinistic Baptists ceased to exist they organized and in 1872 built a church. A cut of the edifice is herewith shown. The present minister is Rev. Frederick H. Sleep. He began his pastorate in the spring. He was formerly located at Thornton.
While the Calvin Baptists declined the Free Baptists became strong, particularly on the Acton side. Many of the prominent men had embraced that faith. That society had a church probably as early as 1833, on a site near where the present parsonage now is, on the same side of the road. Later another one was built on the opposite side of the road. In 1871 it was moved to its present site on the river road. It will be noticed that the year 1871 was one of great activity in the religious societies of the place. The Free Baptist church in Milton Mills has the honor of originating the famous Free Baptist Educational society that has had such an influence in the educational work in Maine. Rev. James W. Williams is the current pastor. He is now serving the third year. He is superintendent of the Acton schools. There is a high school at Milton village where the scholars from the Mills village attend after completing the grammar course at home. The grammar school is well conducted and the building well-constructed and handsome in appearance.
One of the town possessions that are its pride and good fortune is a public library. It is the gift by will of the late Lewis Worcester Nute, who died in 1888. He also left funds for various other public purposes including the high school, which is the result of his benefaction. Milton Mills profited indirectly by the benefaction because the library that had already been established in Milton was moved to the Mills. There are 1600 volumes in it. They are kept in the vacant store on Main street where John U. Simes formerly traded. Mr. Simes is the librarian and keeps the library open Tuesday and Saturday nights. Mr. Simes is an ideal librarian. He is a native, a man of rare intelligence, well informed on local and general matters. He has represented the town in the legislature and has served as selectman and on the school board. The writer is indebted to him for aid in the preparation of this article and also to Elbridge W. Fox.
The village, while not laid out in true square, presents that appearance and so far as the convenience and the grouping of the residences within a reasonable compass is concerned, has the effect that squares are designed to have. As viewed from the hills the effect is very pleasing – the village and winding river are of the poet seen in actual existence. Not one of the least of the attractions of the place is the splendid landscape view from the valley. The hillsides display the combined grandeur of undisturbed nature and the beauty of cultivated fields. The effect is still further heightened by the many fine dwellings that are to be seen in any direction the eye may roam. On the Milton side and to the east the residence of Mr. Robert S. Pike, the Stephen Ricker home, occupied by Joseph Boyd, and Mr. Benjamin Hoyle’s fine home, and others. The village has concrete and curbed sidewalks.
On the Acton side some of the near-by places that attract attention are the residences of Mrs. Edward J. Briely and Mr. Hermon L. Buck. The latter place is the home place of Dr. Ruben Buck who is said to have given Acton its name and to have been one of the pioneer temperance advocates in the country. On the Lebanon road and a little farther off is the farm home of Thomas H. Roberts. It is appropriately named Valley View. Near by is the residence of O.C. Titcomb. A little farther beyond are the well-kept farm homes of George Fox, on the west and John Laskey on the east side of the road.
There are in the surrounding country many summer homes and places where campers find recreation. There are between 700 and 800 people in Milton Mills who are permanent residents but during the summer the population is very largely increased.
Among the notable residences in the village is that of John C. Townsand. It is the home place of Henry H. Townsand and is the largest and most costly residence in the village. Mr. Townsand and his wife, the only daughter of the late owner, have the home place by agreeable settlement of the estate. Mr. Townsand is the son [-in-law] of the late Henry H. Townsand, who was for twenty years superintendent of the mills in Wilton [Maine] and held the same position in the mills of his brother [-in-law] in Milton Mills. For eleven years Mr. John C. Townsand was resident of Saugus, Massachusetts, where he was employed his uncle, Joseph Whitney, in the grocery business. Mr. Townsand was well known in Milton and when he returned to make his home there he was greeted very cordially, and has demonstrated that he is a man of worth and public spirit and is one of the most popular men of the place. He is Past Noble Grand of Miltonia Lodge, I.O.O.F., No. 52, and instrumental in bringing about the purchase of the old church by the lodge. He is also a member of the Masonic order.
On the opposite corner is the home of Mr. John E. Townsand, the owner of the mills.
The Milton town line goes close to Union village and the stage road between Milton Mills and Union is lined with very good farms and for the four miles between there is not to be seen an inferior set of buildings. Among some of the notably well appearing homes are those of Mr. S.G. Chamberlain and Mrs. Fellows. Mrs. Fellows only occupies her home during the summer. Mr. H.E. [Henry E.] Ayer has conducted the stage business on this route since July, 1909. He had been running the line to East Lebanon (Eastwood) for several years. Mr. Ayer was formerly engaged in the carriage business in Newfield. He has been a resident of Milton Mills for twelve years. He is a genial and accommodating man and is popular as a stage driver. He always drives a well appearing pair of horses and a trip with him is a pleasure. He makes two trips a day on the Union route. One a day on the Lebanon route. That is driven by his son Richard. He delivers mail on the R.F.D. route between Milton Mills and North Lebanon (Sanford Journal-Tribune (Biddeford, ME), October 6, 1911).
Hey there, everyone! Ready for this month’s adventures? This month, I’m beginning with a few words about the new or even occasionally referred to as the black Moon … when the night sky is at its darkest. May 19 is the date of the new Moon this month.
During a new moon in New Hampshire, the night sky is at its darkest, making it an excellent time to spot stars and planets. You can look for constellations like the Big Dipper and Orion, as well as bright stars like Sirius and Vega. On nights with clear skies, you might even be able to see the Milky Way, a beautiful band of light created by the billions of stars in our galaxy. The new moon also provides a perfect backdrop for observing planets like Venus and Mars, which shine brightly and are easy to spot with the naked eye.
Now, let’s explore the exciting celestial events happening in May:
May 3. Venus, the dazzling evening star. On May 3rd, Venus will be at its highest altitude in the evening sky, making it shine brighter than ever. Look up to see this beautiful, bright planet lighting up the sky.
May 5. Full Flower Moon, a blooming beauty. The Full Flower Moon on May 5th gets its name because of the many flowers that bloom in May. Watch as the moon lights up the night sky with its full, round shape.
May 6. η-Aquarid Meteor Shower, a sky full of wishes. On May 6th, the η-Aquarid meteor shower will put on a dazzling display. Gaze at the sky to see lots of shooting stars, and remember to make a wish for each one you see!
May 9. η-Aquarid Meteor Shower, more twinkling wonders. The η-Lyrid meteor shower on May 9th will bring more shooting stars to the sky. Keep making wishes and enjoy the sparkling show!
May 12. Last Quarter Moon, a half-lit wonder. On May 12th, the Moon will be at its last quarter, meaning half of it will be illuminated. Observe the half-bright moon and see if you can spot any differences from its other phases.
May 13. Moon and Saturn, a cosmic friendship. The Moon and Saturn will rise together on May 13th, appearing close and forming a celestial pair. Watch these two cosmic friends as they journey through the night sky.
May 23. Moon and Venus, a sky-high playdate. On May 23rd, the Moon and Venus will rise together towards the right, looking like they’re having a fun playdate in the sky. See if you can spot this friendly duo.
May 24. Moon and Mars, a bright and bold meeting. On May 24th, the Moon and Mars will rise together towards the right. Keep an eye out for Mars, the Red Planet, looking like a bright, fiery dot next to the Moon.
May 27. First Quarter Moon, another half-lit adventure. On May 27th, the Moon will be at its first quarter, meaning half of it will be illuminated again. Compare this phase to the last quarter and see if you can spot any differences.
May 29. Mercury’s big day in the sky. On May 29th, Mercury will be at its greatest distance from the Sun, which is called “greatest elongation west.” Look for this tiny, bright dot shining in the evening sky.
References:
Ford, D.F. (n.d.). April 2023. Retrieved from in-the-sky.org
John U. Sims of Milton was a male department student at the Wolfeboro and Tuftonboro Academy of Wolfeboro, NH, during its eleven-week Summer Term of 1853.
The members of this Academy are required to be present at the devotional, and other general exercises of the school; to be in the Academy building or in their rooms during study hours; to attend church regularly on the Sabbath; and to be punctual in the performance of all other duties enjoined by the regulations of the school. It is the aim of the teachers to secure to their pupils a though and systematical course of education; to be kind and affable, though firm and decided in all their relations with their pupils. They also consider it their duty to watch with particular care over the health and morals of those committed to their charge, and endeavor to excite in their minds those lofty aspirations for high intellectual, physical, and moral attainments, which are so sure a passport to success in life, and qualifies in so eminent a degree to subserve the great object and end of existence (Wolfeboro and Tuftonboro Academy, 1853).
B.U. Simes, a merchant, aged fifty-nine years (b. NH), headed a Milton household at the time of the Eighth (1860) Federal Census. His household included Martha Simes, keeping house, aged fifty years (b. ME), Elizabeth Simes, aged thirty-one years (b. NH), Ann Simes, aged twenty-one years (b. NH), Adda Simes, aged twelve years (b. NH), and John Simes, a merchant, aged twenty-four years (b. NH). Bray U. Simes had real estate valued at $1,200 and personal estate valued at $3,000. His household appeared between those of Elbridge W. Fox, a farmer, aged twenty-five years (b. NH), and George Simes, a carpenter, aged twenty-seven years (b. NH).
John U. Simes married in Dover, NH, October 1, 1863, Nancy R. Jewett, both of Milton. He was a trader, aged twenty-seven years, and she was aged twenty-four years. Rev. B.F. Eaton performed the ceremony. She was born in Milton, January 13, 1839, daughter of Asa and Mary A. (Richards) Jewett. (Gilman Jewett was her paternal grandfather).
(The children of John U. and Nancy R. (Jewett) Simes were: Ida Edee Simes (1864–1899), Everett Simes (1865–1866), Effie Simes (1867–1868), Walter Simes (1869–1946), Florence Simes (1871–1910), Hervey D. Simes (1874–1901), Percival Simes (1876–1877), Raymond U. Simes (1880–1880), and Chester Jewett Simes (1882–1936)).
Daughter Ida Edee “Eda” Simes was born in Milton, January 9, 1864. (She was the first child). Her father was a merchant. (He was mentioned in the Vulpes Letter of 1864, as being one of four Milton Mills “regular store” proprietors).
John U. Simes was elected Worshipful Master of the Unity Lodge of Masons just after the Civil War.
Unity Lodge, No. 62, A.F. and A.M., of Union – [By Charles W. Horne]. On the ninth day of June, 1857, A.L. 5857, Charles C. Hayes, Alvah Runnells, Joseph Sharpe, Oliver Seavey, Dr. William B. Reynolds, James Tucker, Dr. A.D. Merrow, and Hosea Runnells were granted a charter by the “Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of the State of New Hampshire, constituting them,” and “such others as shall thereafter join them,” a regular lodge of Free and Accepted Masons. The first officers were James Tucker, Worshipful Master; Charles C. Hayes, S.W.; Oliver Seavey, J.W.; William B. Reynolds, secretary; Lewis Plumer, treasurer; Herbert F. Stevens, S.D.; Alvah Runnells, J.D.; Lewis Plumer, chaplain; A.D. Merrow, S.S.; A.J. Lord, J.S.; Hosea Runnells, tyler. Bro. James Tucker continued to fill the master’s chair until May, 1862, when Charles E. Swinerton was elected. He occupied that position for one year and was succeeded by Herbert F. Stevens, who served two years. John U. Simes of Milton Mills was the next in order. He served one year and gave way to Hon. Asa M. Brackett, who served six years in succession. Now Herbert F. Stevens again takes the “gavel” for one year. Charles A. Varney serves three years and makes room for Charles C. Hayes for two years. Albert O. Robinson, Hiram O. Stevens, Frank B. Drew, Charles W. Horne and A.H. Chamberlain have each been master (Merrill, 1889).
Son Everett Simes was born in Milton Mills, September 21, 1865. (He was the second child). His father was a trader. He died in Milton Mills, June 30, 1866, aged nine months, nine days.
John U. Simes of Milton Mills paid a $10 tax for his retail dealer’s license and a $1 tax for his carriage in the U.S. Excise Tax of May 1866.
Milton voters sent John U. Simes and Hiram V. Wentworth to represent them in the NH House of Representatives during the 1867-68 biennium. Rep. John U. Simes occupied seat 5-33, and resided at G.L. Nutter’s boarding house; Rep. Hiram V. Wentworth occupied seat 2-42, and resided in the Eagle hotel (McFarland & Jenks, 1867).
They reportedly made a 156-mile round trip to Concord, NH, and each was credited with that distance for reimbursement purposes. The actual distance would have been more like a 90-mile round trip. One supposes that the additional 66 miles were accumulated through traveling somewhat indirectly by train.
Rep. Simes of Milton filed a bill with the Committee on Manufactures, June 10, 1868, which sought incorporation of the Milton Pleasant Valley Manufacturing Company. (Rep Simes was a member of the Committee on Claims). It appears to have passed in the NH House but to have been postponed by the NH Senate until the next session of the legislature.
Daughter Effie Simes was born in Milton Mills, June 29, 1867. She died in Milton Mills, April 10, 1868, aged nine months, twelve days.
John U. Simes appeared in the Milton directories of 1867-68, 1868, and 1869-70, as a Milton Mills merchant.
John U. Simes received a five-year appointment as a Milton justice-of-the-peace, June 13, 1868. (Henry H. Wentworth received his appointment that same day).
Son Walter Simes was born in Milton Mills, July 19, 1869.
John U. Simes, a retail grocer, aged thirty-four years (b. NH), headed a Milton household at the time of the Ninth (1870) Federal Census. His household included Nancy R. [(Jewett)] Simes, keeping house, aged thirty-one years (b. NH), Ida Simes, aged six years (b. NH), and Walter Simes, aged eleven months (b. NH (July)). John U. Simes had personal estate valued at $1,200. They shared a two-family residence with the household of Hiram Wentworth, a carpenter, aged twenty-six years (b. NH). Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of George W. Olney, agent for the woolen mill, aged twenty-nine years (b. KY), and Ann S. Jewett, keeping house, aged seventy-eight years (b. NH).
John U. Simes appeared in the Milton directories of 1871, 1873, 1874, 1875, 1876, 1877, and 1880, as a Milton Mills merchant.
Daughter Florence Simes was born in Milton Mills, December 24, 1871. (She was the fourth child [?]). Her father was a merchant.
John U. Simes received a renewal five-year appointment as a Milton justice-of-the-peace, June 11, 1873. (Joseph Mathes and Bard B. Plummer received their appointments that same day).
The Milton Superintendents, i.e., its School Committee, of 1873 were C.A. Sawyer, J.U. Simes, and A.H. Wentworth. The Milton Superintendents, i.e., its School Committee, of 1874 were J.U. Simes, A.H. Wentworth, and J.F. Joy.
Son Hervey D. Simes was born in Milton Mills, March 8, 1874. Son Percival Simes was born in Milton Mills, August 31, 1876. (He was the seventh child). His father was a trader. He died in Milton, June 1, 1877, aged nine months, one day.
The Milton Selectmen of 1875 were George Lyman, G.H. Plumer, and John U. Simes. The Milton Selectmen of 1876 were Geo. Lyman, G.H. Plumer, and John U. Simes.
Justice-of-the-Peace John U. Simes performed the April 1875 Milton Mills marriage between Benjamin F. Goodwin and Miss Emma A. Wentworth, he of Milton and she of Acton, ME. (They were residing in Milton Mills, with two young daughters, in 1880).
John U. Simes received a renewal five-year appointment as a Milton justice-of-the-peace, June 18, 1878.
Son Raymond U. Simes was born in Milton Mills, February 12, 1880.
John U. Simes, a trader, aged forty-three years (b. NH), headed a Milton household at the time of the Tenth (1880) Federal Census. His household included Nancy R. [(Jewett)] Simes, a housekeeper, aged forty-one years (b. NH), Edee Simes, at school, aged eleven years (b. NH), Walter Simes, at school, aged ten years (b. NH), Florence Simes, at school, aged eight years (b. NH), Harvey Simes, at school, aged six months (b. NH), and Raymond U. Simes, at house, aged three months (b. NH (February)). Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of [his brothers,] George E. Simes, a carpenter, aged forty-seven years (b. NH), and Edward S. Simes, a carpenter, aged thirty-seven years (b. NH). (John U. Simes was also the census enumerator).
Son Raymond U. Simes died of a convulsion in Milton, October 15, 1880, aged eight months, three days.
John U. Simes appeared in the Milton directories of 1881, 1882, 1884, 1887, and 1889, as a Milton Mills merchant.
Son Chester J. Simes was born in Milton, August 28, 1882. (He was the ninth child). His father was a trader, aged forty-six years, and his mother was aged forty-four years.
Father-in-law Asa Jewett died in Milton Mills, April 17, 1883.
John U. Simes received a renewal five-year appointment as a Milton justice-of-the-peace, July 17, 1883.
Father Bray U. Simes died of a heart ailment in Milton, July 15, 1885, aged eighty-four years, one month, and twelve days.
The Milton Board of Education, i.e., its School Committee, of 1887-88 were John Simes, Luther Hayes, and Martin V.B. Cook.
REAL ESTATE TRANSFERS. Martha Simes to John U. Simes, land in Milton, $1 (Farmington News, May 18, 1888).
John U. Simes received a renewal five-year appointment as a Milton justice-of-the-peace, July 10, 1888.
The Milton Board of Education, i.e., its School Committee, of 1889 were John U. Simes, Charles D. Jones, and B.B. Plummer.
The Unity Lodge of Masons, of Union, NH, elected Charles W. Horne, John U. Simes, and J. Frank Farnham as a Standing Committee, in 1889.
Mother Martha (Spinney) Simes died in 1891.
John U. Simes was one of the three original Trustees of the Milton Free Public Library.
Under the law of 1891 for the establishment of free public libraries, the town of Milton at its annual meeting in March, 1892, adopted the provisions of the act, passed the necessary votes for the founding and maintenance of the Milton Free Public Library, located it at Milton Mills, and chose three trustees for its care and management. The trustees chosen were Charles C. Hayes, Elbridge W. Fox, and John W. [U.] Simes. Following the action of the town, the state, through its Board of Library Commissioners, donated books to the town to the value of one hundred dollars as nucleus for the library (NH General Court, 1907).
The new Milton Free Public Library was situated initially in the store of its first librarian, Henry E. Wentworth (1865-1919), which was situated in the Miller block, i.e., the Ira Miller store, in January 1893.
The free public library at Milton Mills has been opened in the Miller block (Farmington News, January 27, 1893).
John U. Simes received a renewal five-year appointment as a Milton justice-of-the-peace, June 7, 1893.
Son Hervey D. Simes married in Milton, August 3, 1898, Lulu E. Manson, he of Milton and she of Acton, ME. He was a shoemaker, aged twenty-four years, and she was a weaver, aged eighteen years. Rev. Eugene J. Deane performed the ceremony. (They were divorced by 1900). She was born in Farmington, NH, August 2, 1879, daughter of George H. and Lizzie M. (Longfellow) Manson.
John U. Simes, r. [Republican], was elected Moderator of the November 1898 election. He prevailed over Leroy F. Corson, d. [Democrat]. Elbridge W. Fox, George D. Canney, and William T. Wallace were elected as a Republican slate for Supervisors of the Checklist over a Democrat slate of Nathaniel G. Pinkham, John H. Maddox, and George H. Plummer. Freeman H. Lowd, r., was elected as NH State Representative for the 1899-00 biennium, defeating Stephen M. Bragdon, d., 264-82 (NH Secretary of State, 1899).
Son Walter Davis married in Lynn, MA, November 23, 1898, Sarah “Sadie” Davis, both of Lynn, MA. He was a shoemaker, aged twenty-eight years, and she was an operative, aged twenty-seven years. Rev. Frank M. Holt performed the ceremony, She was born in Plaster Cove, Nova Scotia, Canada, circa 1870, daughter of John and Jane (Rose) Davis.
Daughter Ida Edee Simes died of pulmonary consumption in Milton Mills, March 12, 1899, aged thirty-five years, two months, and three days. She was a dressmaker. W.E. Pillsbury, M.D., signed the death certificate. (A.A. Fox was the undertaker).
The Pleasant Valley Grange, No. 272, of Milton Mills, elected A.A. Fox as its Master, John U. Simes as its Lecturer, and Mrs. Florence N. [(Norwood)] Hanson as its Secretary, in 1900. (Meanwhile, in West Milton, the Lewis W. Nute Grange, No. 193, elected B.B. Plummer as its Master, M.P. Dickey as its Lecturer, and Mildred L. Bragdon as it Secretary) (NH Dept. of Agriculture, 1901).
John U. Simes, a dealer in wood, aged sixty-three 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-seven years), Nancy R. [(Jewett)] Simes, aged sixty-one years (b. NH), and his children, Hervey Simes, runs McKay stitcher, aged thirty-six [twenty-six] years (b. NH), Florence Simes, aged twenty-eight years (b. NH), and Chester Simes, aged seventeen years (b. NH). Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of [his brothers,] Edward S. Simes, a carpenter, aged fifty-seven years (b. NH), and George E. Simes, a carpenter, aged sixty-seven years (b. NH). (John U. Simes was also the census enumerator).
Walter Simes, a shoe cutter, aged thirty years (b. NH), headed a Lynn, MA, household at the time of the Twelfth (1900) Federal Census. His household included his wife (of one year), Sadie D. [(Davis)] Simes, aged twenty-nine years (b. Canada), his sisters-in-law, Lottie R. Davis, a shoe stitcher, aged thirty-three years (b. Canada), and Gertie M. Davis, a shoe stitcher, aged twenty-three years (b. Canada), and his brother-in-law, Fred C. Davis, a shoe cutter, aged fifteen years (b. Canada).Walter Simes rented their house at 13 Fisk Street.
MIDDLETON. The twenty-fifth annual reunion of the sons and daughters of Middleton was held at the town hall on the 12th of this month. Abound one hundred and twenty-five sat down to a bountiful dinner which as usual, reflected great credit on our ladies. After doing ample justice to the bill of fare, the party adjourned to Republican hall, where a business meeting was held and the following officers were elected to serve for the ensuing year: president, Furber Hanson; vice president, Samuel D. Twombley; secretary, George H. Cook; treasurer, Mrs. F.A. Orne; chaplain, Charles S. Boody. Voted to change the date of meeting from September to Thursday of Old Home Week, when Middleton hopes to greet all of her absent sons and daughters. Committees were appointed for next year, then followed an auction of cakes, pies, etc. John Simes of Milton Mills was auctioneer and kept the company merry by his witty remarks. A goodly sum was realized. Mrs. Henry Stevens rendered the solo “When I Heard the Wee Birds’ Singing,” in a pleasing manner, and received a hearty encore. Arthur Perkins sang “The Golden City;” he has a sweet voice and his singing was a pleasure to all. Remarks were made by the president; Mr. Gibbs; Mr. Simes; and others. After singing “God be with you till we meet again,” the company broke up deciding, that the twenty-fifth reunion had been a success socially and financially. We were sorry to miss Mr. Orne, who was in Concord at the convention and also Mr. and Mrs. James D. Moore, who were in Springvale, from our reunion, but hope to have them with us another year (Farmington News, September 21, 1900).
Son Hervey D. Simes died of acute tuberculosis in Milton Mills, May 5, 1901, aged twenty-seven years, one month, and twenty-seven days. He was a shoemaker. Charles W. Gross, M.D., signed the death certificate. (A.A. Fox was the undertaker).
Milton Free Public Library librarian Henry E. “Harry” Wentworth gave up his men’s clothing store, at the corner of Main and Church streets, in or around 1900, and became a farmer.
At his retirement from trade the library was removed to its present location, a building formerly used as a store by John W. [U.] Simes, and for a number of years Mr. Simes has served as librarian (NH General Court, 1907).
John U. Simes succeeded Wentworth as librarian in a storefront that he owned and in which he had kept formerly his own store.
MILTON MILLS, N.H. John U. Simes has been sick and confined to the house for the past week (Sanford-Biddeford Tribune (Biddeford, ME), January 22, 1904).
Nancy R. (Jewett) Simes died of pulmonary tuberculosis in Milton Mills, April 4, 1904, aged sixty-five years, two months, and four days. She was a housewife and lifelong resident of Milton Mills.
John U. Simes was librarian of the Milton Free Public Library at Milton Mills in 1905-06, when it had 600 volumes.
MILTON MILLS, N.H. John U. Simes has been spending a week or two with his sons and other friends in Lynn and Boston, returning Tuesday evening with Walter Simes and wife (Sanford-Biddeford Tribune (Biddeford, ME), July 19, 1907).
John U. Simes was librarian of the Milton Free Public Library at Milton Mills in 1909, when it had 1,100 volumes.
John U. Sims, a farmer (home farm), aged seventy-three years (b. NH), headed a Milton household at the time of the Thirteenth (1910) Federal Census. His household included his daughter, Florence Sims, aged thirty-eight years (b. NH). John U. Sims owned their farm, with a mortgage. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of Charles Langley, a general store clerk, aged thirty-two years (b. ME), and Elizabeth Simes, aged eighty years (b. NH).
Walter Simes, a shoe factory cutter, aged thirty-nine years (b. NH), headed a Lynn, MA, household at the time of the Thirteenth (1910) Federal census. His household included his wife (of eleven years), Sarah D. [(Davis)] Simes, aged thirty-eight years (b. Canada), and his children, Roland D. Simes, aged four years (b. MA), Eda M. Simes, aged three years (b. MA), and Beatrice L. Simes, aged months (b. MA). Walter Simes owned their house at 12 Wagner Avenue, with a mortgage. Sarah D. Simes was the mother of three children, of whom three were still living. (She had immigrated in 1889).
Martha Torrey, aged sixty years (b. IN), headed a Milwaukee, WI, household at the time of the Thirteenth (1910) Federal Census. Her household included her daughter, Lorassia Torrey, aged sixteen years (b. WI), and her boarders, Herbert Mcdonald, manager of Boston Mfg. Co., aged forty years (b. MA), John Gregson, Falk Co. clerk, aged twenty-one years (b. ME), Chester Simes, a traveling salesman, aged twenty-seven years (b. NH), and Hans Müller, a R.R. shop mechanic, aged thirty-two years (b. Sweden). Martha Torrey owned their house, free-and-clear.
Mother-in-law Mary A. (Richards) Jewett died in Milton, August 7, 1910, aged ninety-six years.
Daughter Florence Simes died in Milton, October 22, 1910, aged thirty-eight years.
John U. Simes was librarian of the Milton Free Public Library at Milton Mills in 1912, when it had 1,700 volumes.
MILTON MILLS, N.H. Mrs. Walter Simes and family are staying with John U. Simes for the summer (Sanford-Biddeford Tribune (Biddeford, ME), July 5, 1912).
John U. Simes was librarian of the Milton Free Public Library at Milton Mills in 1917, when it had 1,700 volumes.
Elizabeth E. Simes, aged ninety-one years (b. NH), headed a Milton household at the time of the Fourteenth (1920) Federal Census. Her household included her brother, John U. Simes, aged eighty-three years (b. NH). Elizabeth E. Simes owned their house on Main Street, in Milton Mills Village, free-and-clear. Their household appeared in the enumeration between the two-family residence of Calvin S. Haines, an assistant to undertaker, aged fifty-eight years (b. NH), and Hattie M. [(Fox)] Fox, a widow, aged sixty years (b. NH), and Charles A. Langley, a retail grocery manager, aged forty-three years (b. ME).
Walter Simes, a shoe supplies salesman, aged forty-eight years (b. NH), headed a Milwaukee, WI, household at the time of the Fourteenth (1920) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Sarah [(Davis)] Simes, aged forty-seven years (b. Canada), his children, Roland Simes, aged fourteen years (b. MA), Eda Simes, aged thirteen years (b. MA), and Louise Simes, aged ten years (b. MA), and his brother, Chester Simes, a shoe supplies jobber, aged thirty-four years (b. NH). Walter Simes rented their house at 3921 Galena Street.
Sister Elizabeth E. Simes died of a cerebral hemorrhage in Milton Mills, April 4, 1922, aged ninety-three years, four months, and twenty-six days.
Chester J. Simes married in Milwaukee, WI, June 23, 1923, Jane A. “Jennie” Coleman, both of Milwaukee, WI. She was born in Whitewater, WI, July 24, 1878, daughter of Joshua L. Coleman.
Announcement was also made at the meeting this morning of the marriage of Miss Jane Coleman, Milwaukee, retiring state vice president, to Charles [Chester] Jewett Simes, Saturday, in the Grand Avenue Congregational church, Milwaukee (Captiol Times (Madison, WI), June 28, 1923).
Chester J. (Jane A.) Simes appeared in the Milwaukee, WI, directory of 1926, as a manufacturers agent at 67 Erie street, with his house at 1101 Hackett avenue. Walter (Sarah) Simes appeared also as a salesman for C.J. Simes, with his house at 3928 Walnut street. Louise Simes appeared as a student, residing at 3928 Walnut street; and Roland Simes appeared as an electrician, residing at 3928 Walnut street.
John U. Simes died in Milton, September 28, 1927.
Walter Simes, a shoe factory salesman, aged sixty years (b. NH), headed a Milwaukee, WI, household at the time of the Fifteenth (1930) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Sarah [(Davis)] Simes, aged fifty-nine years (b. Nova Scotia, Canada), and his daughter, Louise B. Simes, a life insurance cashier, aged twenty years (b. MA). Walter Simes owned their house at 3928 40th [Walnut] Street, which was valued at $8,000. They had a radio set.
Chester J. Simes, a sh0e factories manufacturing agent, aged forty-seven years (b. NH), headed a Shorewood, WI, household at the time of the Fifteenth (1930) Federal Census. His household included his wife (of seven years) Jane C. [(Coleman)] Simes, aged fifty-one years (b. WI), his daughter, Mary J. Simes, aged four years (b. WI), his adopted daughter, Nancy L. Simes, aged three years (b. WI), his mother-in-law, Mary Coleman, a widow, aged seventy-nine years (b. MI), his sister-in-law, Clara E. [(Coleman)] Groshong, a divorcee, aged fifty-nine years (b. WI), and his servant, Agnes Job, a private family servant, aged nineteen years (b. ND). Chester J. Simes owned their house at 1100 Summitt Avenue, which was valued at $3,000. They had a radio set.
Son Chester J. Simes died of heart disease in Milwaukee, WI, November 23, 1936, aged fifty-four years.
MANUFACTURER DIES. Milwaukee – (AP) – Chester J. Simes, 54, president of C.J. Simes, Inc., manufacturers’ agents for leather goods, died at his home yesterday of an attack of heart disease (Post-Crescent (Appleton, WI) November 24, 1936).
CHESTER J. SIMES. Chester J. Simes, brother-in-law of John C. Coleman, director of Vocation education in La Crosse, died suddenly in Milwaukee Monday evening, it was learned here. Mr. Simes was well known in this city, having visited here on a number of occasions. Mr. and Mrs. Coleman left for Milwaukee Monday night. Mr. Simes is survived by his wife, Jane Coleman Simes; two daughters, Mary Jane and Nancy Lou, and a brother, Walter Simes (LaCrosse Tribune (LaCrosse, WI), [Tuesday,] November 24, 1936).
Walter Sims, aged sixty-nine years, headed a Milwaukee, WI, household at the time of the Sixteenth (1940) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Sarah [(Davis)] Sims, aged sixty-eight years (b. Canada), and his daughters, Eda M. Sims, a county relief administration welfare investigator, aged thirty-three years (b. MA), and Louise B. Sims, a life insurance office cashier, aged thirty years (b. MA. Walter Sims owned their house at 3924 West Walnut Street, which was valued at $7,500. They had resided in the same house in 1935.
Jane [(Coleman)] Simes, a widow, aged sixty-one years (b. WI), headed a Shorewood, WI, household at the time of the Sixteenth (1940) Federal Census. Her household included her daughters, Mary Jane Simes, aged fourteen years (b. WI), and Nancy Simes, aged thirteen years (b. WI), and her servant, Helen Hathaway, a private family maid, aged twenty-four years (b. WI). Jane Simes owned their house at 3540 [Summit avenue], which was valued at $25,000. They had resided in the same house in 1935.
Son Walter Simes died in Milwaukee, WI, November 1, 1946, aged seventy-seven years.
Daughter-in-law Jane A. “Jennie” (Colman) Simes died in Mequon, Ozaukee County, WI, August 28, 1975.
Levi Jones headed a Milton household at the time of the Sixth (1840) Federal Census. His household included one male aged 60-69 years [himself], one female aged 50-59 years, one female aged 40-49 years [Sally ((Worster) Wallingford) Jones], one male aged 30-39 years [Joseph P. Plummer], one male aged 20-29 years [David Wallingford?], one female aged 15-19 years [Mary E. Wallingford], and one male aged 5-9 years [Charles Jones]. Three members of his household were employed in Agriculture. His household appeared in the enumeration between those of Sarah Plumer and James A. Ricker.
Father Levi Jones died in Milton, August 18, 1847, aged seventy-five years.
[Future] Father-in-law John H. Varney died of rheumatic fever in Strafford, NH, in January 1850.
Sally [((Worster) Wallingford)] Jones, aged fifty-seven years (b. NH), headed a Milton household at the time of the Seventh (1850) Federal Census. Her household included Charles P. Jones, a farmer, aged seventeen years (b. NH), Mary [E. (Wallingford)] Neal, aged twenty-eight years (b. NH), Kirk B. Neal, aged five years (b. NH), Jonathan Abbott, a farmer, aged sixty-two years (b. ME), and Charles W. Conway, a farmer, aged twenty-two years (b. NH). Sally Jones had real estate valued at $10,000. (Mary E. (Wallingford) Neal was Sally Jones’ widowed daughter and Kirk B. Neal was her grandson). Her household was enumerated between those of Nahum Tasker, a farmer, aged forty-six years (b. NH), and William Sanborn, aged forty-six years (b. NH [ME]).
[Charles Jones appeared in all the available records as bearing the middle initial “P” only in this single instance from the Seventh (1850) Federal Census].
Charles Jones married in Milton, November 11, 1857, Betsy Varney, both of Milton. Rev. Andrew Peabody performed the ceremony. She was born in Milton, March 18, 1834, daughter of John H. and Betsy W. (Cloutman) Varney.
(The known children of Charles and Betsy (Varney) Jones were: Fred Plummer Jones (1859-1941), Nellie Varney Jones (1861-1925), and Charles Dana Jones (1863-1908)).
Charles Jones received an initial five-year appointment as a Milton justice-of-the-peace, June 17, 1859. (Elbridge W. Fox received an appointment on that same day).
Charles Jones, a farmer, aged twenty-seven years (b. NH), headed a Milton (“Milton P.O.”) household at the time of the Eighth (1860) Federal Census. His household included Betsey [(Varney)] Jones, aged twenty-four years (b. NH), Fred P. Jones, aged eight months (b. NH), Salley [((Worster) Wallingford)] Jones, aged sixty-six years (b. NH), Lydia Worster, aged sixty-four years (b. NH), Abba Corliss, aged fourteen years (b. NH), and F.E. [Frank E.] Wallingford, aged eight years (b. NH). Charles Jones had real estate valued at $16,000 and personal estate valued at $6,000. Salley Jones had personal estate valued at $1,000. His household was enumerated between those of E.W. Plummer, a farmer, aged forty-five years (b. NH), and William Sanborn, aged fifty-six years (b. NH). (Lydia Worster (1795-1863) was a sister of Salley ((Worster) Wallingford) Jones. Frank E. Wallingford (c1852-1914) was an orphaned son of Ira and Delania D. (Thompson) Wallingford, his father having died in 1853 and his mother having died only several months before)).
Daughter Nellie Varney Jones was born in Milton, October 25, 1861.
Mother Sally ((Worster) Wallingford) Jones died in Milton, January 12, 1863, aged sixty-nine years, five months, and twenty-one days.
Charles Jones and Theodore Lyman (1812-1891) were Milton’s NH State Representatives in the 1863-64 biennium. They were allotted 90 miles as the length of their round-trip mileage.
Rep. Jones of Milton, and Rep. Lyman, were among the 190 [67.4%] representatives that voted against moving the State Capitol from Concord, NH, to Manchester, NH, while another 92 [32.6%] representatives voted in favor of the move. The State Capitol remains in Concord, NH.
Rep. Jones of Milton, and Rep. Lyman, were among the 229 [79.5%] representatives that voted in favor of providing relief for the creditors of the Sullivan Railroad, while another 59 [20.5%] representatives voted against providing relief for those creditors. (The Sullivan Railroad suffered serious train wrecks in 1860 and 1863).
Rep. Little of Manchester, NH, introduced a joint resolution:
Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened, That the pay of the members of the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives shall be two dollars per day, in gold, for the year 1865 and afterwards.
The NH House voted to indefinitely postpone the resolution – despite its having been reduced by amendment from $2.50 in gold to $2.00 in gold – but Rep. Hill of Manchester, NH, made a motion to reconsider. Rep. Jones of Milton, and Rep. Lyman, were among the 148 [56.3%] representatives that voted against reconsideration, while another 115 [43.7%] representatives voted in favor of reconsideration. (One may note that at least 115 of the legislators had hoped to be paid their per diem in gold, rather than in inflationary paper “Greenback” currency).
The NH House passed a resolution seeking to have the U.S. Congress propose and pass what would become in the following year the Thirteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
ARTICLE XIII. SECTION 1. Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime, whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction. SEC. 2. Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.
Rep. Jones of Milton voted with the 160 representatives [60.8%] that voted in favor of the resolution, rather than the 103 representatives [39.2%] that voted against it. (Rep. Lyman is not on record as having voted either way). The resolution passed the NH House and went on to the NH Senate. The actual Constitutional Amendment was in progress already in the U.S. Congress, and would come back to the NH House in the next legislative session.
Charles Jones paid a $1 tax on his 1-horse carriage, which was valued at $80, in the U.S. Excise Tax of May 1864. (See also Milton’s US Excise Tax of May 1864).
Charles Jones received a five-year renewal of his appointment as a Milton justice-of-the-peace, June 9, 1864. (Elbridge W. Fox received a renewal on the same day).
The Milton Selectmen of 1867 were Chas. Jones, Geo. Lyman, and E.W. Fox.
Charles Jones received a five-year renewal of his appointment as a Milton justice-of-the-peace, June 9, 1869. (Elbridge W. Fox received a renewal on the same day).
Charles Jones appeared in the Government of New-Hampshire entry of a NH business directory of 1869-70 as holding the District No. 2 seat on the five-seat Governor’s Council in 1870, under Governor Onslow Stearns, of Concord. By virtue of his seat on the Governor’s Council, Jones also held an ex-officio seat on the State Board of Education.
Charles Jones, a farmer, aged thirty-six years (b. NH), headed a Milton household at the time of the Ninth (1870) Federal Census. His household included Betsey [(Varney)] Jones, keeping house, aged thirty-three years (b. NH), Fred P. Jones, at school, aged ten years (b. NH), Nellie V. Jones, at school, aged eight years (b. NH), Dana Jones, at school, aged six years (b. NH), George H. Pike, a farm laborer, aged twenty-three years (b. NH), Josaphine Kimball, a domestic servant, aged twenty-two years (b. ME), and Frank E. Wallingford a farm laborer, aged eighteen years (b. NH). Charles Jones had real estate valued at $12,000 and personal estate valued at $21,000. His household was enumerated between those of Enoch W. Plummer, a farmer, aged fifty-five years (b. NH), and William Sanborn, a farmer, aged sixty-six years (b. ME).
Fred P. Jones, a farmer, aged twenty years (b. NH), headed a Milton household at the time of the Tenth (1880) Federal Census. His household included his siblings, Nellie V. Jones, keeping house, aged eighteen years (b. NH), and Charles D. Jones, at school, aged sixteen years (b. NH). They shared their residence with the household of James W. Nutter, a farmer, aged fifty-one years (b. NH), and his wife, Ruth V. [(Varney)] Nutter, a housekeeper, aged forty-nine years (b. NH). (The Jones Farm is now a part of the NH Farm Museum).
Son Fred P. Jones married in Lebanon, ME, November 20, 1881, Emma Jane Cowell, he of Milton and she of Lebanon. He was a farmer, aged twenty-two years, and she was a teacher, aged twenty-two years. Rev. Benjamin Dodge performed the ceremony. She was born in Lebanon, ME, August 27, 1859, daughter of Edmund E. and Elizabeth J. (Chamberlain) (Hussey)) Cowell. (Emma’s mother and brother were affiliated with Milton’s Classical Institute).
(The known children of Fred P. and Emma J. (Cowell) Jones were: Charles Jones (1885–1956), Robert Edmond Jones (1887–1954), Philip Cowell Jones (1891–1977), Elizabeth Jones (1894–1975), Alice Varney Jones (1896–1958), and Marjorie Jones (1899–1900)).
Son Fred P. Jones was installed as Guide of the Teneriffe Lodge’s United Endowment League, January 14, 1890. His brother, Charles D. Jones, was installed as both sentinel and medical examiner.
MILTON. Teneriffe Lodge, No. 5, United Endowment League, was successfully launched on its career Tuesday evening, January 14, by Supreme Organizer, Benjamin Holt of Lowell, Mass., and an efficient corps of assistants. The following list of officers was publicly installed for the term ending Dec. 31: President, Henry R. Johnson; vice president, John W. Avery; counsellor, A.C. Willey; secretary, Irving W. Tuttle; financial secretary, Harry L. Avery; treasurer, Hattie L. Pinkham; chaplain, Rev. G. Frank Durgin; guide, F.P. Jones; sentinel, Charles D. Jones, M.D.; medical examiner, Charles D. Jones, M.D.; guard, Hazen Plummer; trustees, Charles E. Lord, J.D. Willey, S.M. Bragden. This new comer among the fraternal orders of Milton has our best wishes (Farmington News, January 31, 1890).
(A United Endowment League was “one of a number of short-term endowment benefit fraternals that were popular in the 1880s and 1890s and then went bankrupt”).
Nellie V. Jones, circa 1882
MILTON. Miss Nellie Jones, who has been teaching in Clinton, Conn., has returned on a vacation (Farmington News, July 4, 1890).
Daughter Nellie V. Jones moved across country to Oakland, CA, in 1891, where she worked as a private school teacher, assistant principal, and, ultimately, a principal. (She would be teaching Latin at Miss [Sarah W.] Horton’s School in 1901 (Oakland Tribune, August 12, 1901)).
MILTON.Lewis W. Nute grange organized Friday night, twenty-six members, by Frank P. Wentworth of Rochester. Officers elected and installed: B.B. Plummer, master; Fred P. Jones, overseer; C.A. Jones, secretary; Dr. M.A.H. Hart, treasurer; W.K. Norton, lecturer; Miss F.A. Ober, assistant lecturer; Miss Birdie B. Harte, chaplain; S.E. Twombly, steward; R.H. Shaw, assistant steward; Miss Sarah L. Benson, lady assistant steward; Mrs. B.B. Plummer, Ceres; Mrs. W.K. Norton, Pomona; Miss Minnie Woodman, Flora; L.C. Hayes, gatekeeper (Farmington News, December 23, 1892).
REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS. DEEDS. TUESDAY, July 11. George H. Wilson to Nellie V. Jones, lot on the west line of Chestnut street, 100 feet south from Thirty-fourth, west 27 by south 50, block 676, Oakland; $1000 (Oakland Tribune (Oakland, CA), July 11, 1893).
RURAL HEALTH RETREAT. ST. HELENA, June 8. – The following is a list of the guests from San Francisco and Oakland at the Rural Health Retreat: … From Oakland – Mrs. Eugene Frisbie, Mrs. Sperl, Mary Burnham, Charlotte F. Center, Nellie V. Jones, A.J. Osborne, H. Saxtorph, wife and daughter, Mrs. J.C. Ainsworth and daughter, Miss Freddie Stevens. Mrs. Frank Saxby, Percy W. Lewis (San Francisco Examiner (San Francisco, CA), June 9, 1894).
Daughter Miss Nellie V. Jones, and her fellow teachers, Miss Sarah W. Horton, and Miss Mary M. Burnham, were members of the Oakland Whist Club when it convened for an informal reception on the evening of January 23, 1895 (Oakland Tribune (Oakland, CA), January 23, 1895).
MILTON NEWS LETTER. … The pupils of Mrs. Fred P. Jones gave a piano recital in the Free Baptist church last Saturday afternoon, assisted by B.O. Danforth, an accomplished vocalist of Cambridge, Mass. The entire program was finely rendered and the two songs by Mr. Danforth were a rare treat to all lovers of vocal music. Among well-known guests present were Hon. Charles S. Whitehouse, Mrs. Charles Brown, Mrs. Fannie H. McDuffee, J. Edgar McDuffee, of Rochester; Mrs. and Miss Shapleigh of Lebanon, with the Ole Bull carriages, and parties from Union and Dover. Miss Prescott of Milton Mills, Miss Annie Kimball, Master Mark Dickey, Miss Mamie Marshall, and Miss Moulton of Boston were among those whose talent was specially notable (Farmington News, June 11, 1897).
MILTON.Mrs. Fred P. Jones gave a pupil’s piano recital at the A.O.U.W. hall Monday evening, assisted by Mrs. J.G. Coffin, soprano, of Rochester, and Miss Annie Kimball, violinist. The recital was in every way a complete success. All the music selected was of the best. Mrs. Coffin was a pupil of Mrs. Dexter and sang two songs, each receiving a hearty encore. All who listened to Mrs. Coffin would gladly listen again. Miss Kimball played two selections, “La Sonnambula,” arranged by Singeler, and “Polonaise,” by Allen. Both selections were rendered in a manner very pleasing to the audience, and highly gratifying to her friends. Miss Kimball has had excellent teaching from the first and is now studying with Prof. Gibson of Henniker. Her violin is a Duke, which she was fortunate enough to obtain through Mr. Gibson and which is a great help to success in playing (Farmington News, March 11, 1898).
PERSONAL AND SOCIAL. Miss Nellie V. Jones will leave for Europe shortly where she will remain for about six months (Oakland Tribune (Oakland, CA), December 13, 1898).
Fred P. Jones, a farmer, aged forty years (b. NH), headed a Milton household at the time of the Twelfth (1900) Federal Census. His household included his wife (of eighteen years), Emma [(Cowell)] Jones, aged forty years (b. ME), and his children, Charles Jones, aged fifteen years (b. NH), Robert Jones, aged twelve years (b. NH), Phillip Jones, aged eight years (b. NH), Elizabeth Jones, aged five years (b. NH), and Alice Jones, aged three years (b. NH). Fred P. Jones owned their farm, free-and-clear. Emma Jones was the mother of five children, of whom five were still living. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of Walt L. Sanborn, a farmer, aged twenty-seven years (b. NH), and Bard B. Plummer, a farmer, aged fifty-three years (b. NH).
Richard M. Anthony, real estate & insurance, aged fifty-nine years (b. MA), headed an Oakland, CA, household at the time of the Twelfth (1900) Federal Census. His household included his wife (of twenty-three years), Lucy [(Horton)] Anthony, aged fifty years (b. MA), his sister-in-law, Sarah W. Horton, a school principal, aged fifty-four years (b. MA), his roomers, May B. Graham, at college, aged twenty-three years (b. IL), Nellie B. Jones, a school teacher, aged thirty-five [thirty-eight years] years (b. NH), Charlotte F. Center, a school teacher, aged thirty years (b. MA), Maude R. Bishop, in school, aged eight years (b. CA), and his servant, Jessie Ford, a servant, aged thirty years (b. Scotland). Richard M. Anthony owned their house at 964 Eighteenth Street, free-and-clear. Lucy Anthony was the mother of no children.
Charles D. Jones, a dry & fancy goods store [-keeper], aged thirty-seven years (b. NH), headed a Milton (“Milton Village”) household at the time of the Twelfth (1900) Federal Census. His household included his wife (of fifteen years), Pauline [(Hart)] Jones, aged thirty-five years (b. NH), his children, Katharine Jones, at school, aged fifteen years (b. NH), Levi Jones, at school, aged nine years (b. NH), Russell Jones, at school, aged six years (b. NH), and Varney Jones, aged nine months (b. NH), and his servant, Annabel Harvey, a housemaid, aged sixteen years (b. NH). Charles D. Jones owned their house, free-and-clear. Pauline Jones was the mother of four children, of whom four were still living.
LOCAL.Mrs. Fred P. Jones gave a fine musical entertainment in A.O.U.W. hall in that town on Monday evening, May 27. Mrs. Grace Coffin and J.G. Coffin of Rochester with B.O. Danforth of West Lebanon (formerly of Cambridge) assisted as vocalist; Miss Annie Kimball, violinist; W.H. Willey, cornetist; Mark Dickey, pianist (Farmington News, May 31, 1901).
Grandson Charles Jones attended Cushing Academy in Ashburnham, MA, in September 1901. He had graduated already from Nute High School.
MILTON. Charles Jones, eldest son of Fred P. and Emma Cornell [Cowell] Jones of Plummers Ridge and Annie Blanche Kimball of this village went to Ashburnham, Mass., Monday, to attend Cushing Academy under the instruction of Prof. H.S. Cowell. Mr. Jones is a graduate of the Nute High school and expects to spend some of his time in tutoring. Miss Kimball will continue the study of music with Prof. Whitcomb of Fitchburg, Mass. (Farmington News, September 13, 1901).
WEST LEBANON. Mrs. E.J. Cowell is at Milton with her daughter, Mrs. Fred Jones, for a few days (Sanford Journal-Tribune (Biddeford, ME), January 17, 1902).
WEST LEBANON. Mrs. E.J. Cowell, who has been visiting her daughter, Mrs. Emma Jones of Milton, N.H., has returned to her home (Sanford Journal-Tribune (Biddeford, ME), November 17, 1905).
MILTON, N.H. Mr. and Mrs. D.A. Cowell of Denver, Col., Prof. and Mrs. H.S. Cowell of Ashburnham, Mass., and Miss Maud Brackett of Washington, D.C., were guests of Mrs. Fred P. Jones one day last week (Sanford Journal-Tribune (Biddeford, ME), August 10, 1906).
MILTON MILLS, N.H. At the school meeting Fred P. Jones was elected on the school board in place of Frank Horne whose term expired. It was yoted to make the necessary appropriation to continue with Wakefield the present efficient school superintendent Channing T. Sanborn (Sanford Journal-Tribune (Biddeford, ME), March 22, 1907).
MILTON, N.H. The Plummer Ridge circle met with Mrs. Fred P. Jones this week (Sanford Journal-Tribune (Biddeford, ME), May 24, 1907).
MILTON, N.H.Fred P. Jones has purchased a portable steam saw mill and has begun sawing off the timber on the lot which he has recently sold (Sanford Journal-Tribune (Biddeford, ME), November 22, 1907).
UNION. The Eastern New Hampshire Pomona grange held their regular meeting with Reunion grange, of Middleton, June 11th, a large number being present from the different granges. A closed session was called at 11 a.m. and the filth degree was conferred on seven candidates. A dinner was served to about one hundred and fifty, after which a very interesting program was listened to in the church. Mrs. Emma Jones, of Lewis W. Nute grange, Milton, gave a fine essay on charity. An address was also given by State Lecturer Richard Pattee, and an address by Frank R. Marston, of Henry Wilson grange, Farmington (Sanford Journal-Tribune (Biddeford, ME), June 26, 1908).
Son Charles D. Jones died of typhoid fever in Milton, July 2, 1908, aged forty-four years, nine months, and ten days.
MILTON.Robert E. Jones is home on a short vacation. Miss Elsye Wallace of Rochester visited Mrs. Emma Jones last Sunday and gave an excellent vocal solo in the Congregational church in the morning. Miss Wallace’s singing is very popular in Milton (Sanford Journal-Tribune (Biddeford, ME), February 19, 1909).
Daughter-in-law Pauline E. “Lena” (Hart) Jones died of pneumonia (with pulmonary tuberculosis as a secondary cause) in Milton Mills, February 12, 1910, aged forty-four years, and three days.
Fred P. Jones, a farmer (general farm), aged fifty years (b. NH), headed a Milton household at the time of the Thirteenth (1910) Federal Census. His household included his wife (of twenty-eight years), Emma C. [(Cowell)] Jones, aged fifty years (b. ME), his children, Robert E. Jones, aged twenty-two years (b. NH), Philip C. Jones, aged eighteen years (b. NH), Elisabeth J. Jones, aged fifteen years (b. NH), Allice V. Jones, aged thirteen years (b. NH), and his servant, Henry M. Bowens, a farm laborer, aged fifty-five years (b. NH). Fred P. Jones owned their farm, free-and-clear. Emma C. Jones was the mother of six children, of whom five were still living. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of John M. Nutter, a farmer (general farm), aged fifty-six years (b. NH), and George B. Quint, an ice house laborer, aged fifty-four years (b. NH).
Chas. L. Goddard, a dentist, aged fifty years (b. WI), headed a Santa Barbara, CA, household at the time of the Thirteenth (1910) Federal Census. His household included his wife (of twenty years), Louise B. Goddard, aged forty-six years (b. ME), his children, Malcolm L. Goddard, at school, aged sixteen years (b. CA), and Florence, at school, aged fourteen years (b. CA), his cousin, Eleanor M. Brown, aged seventeen years (b. IL), his lodgers, Nellie V. Jones, a teacher, aged forty-eight years (b. NH), Charlotte S. Center, a teacher, aged thirty-four years (b. MA), Mary M. Burnham, a teacher, aged thirty-three years (b. MA), Adelaide Hoyt, at school, aged thirteen years (b. CA), and his servant, Mary O’Brien, a house servant, aged twenty-five years (b. Ireland). Chas. L. Goddard rented their house at 155 Splay East.
In 1910 son Fred P. Jones was paid $5 for his services as fire warden. Fred P. Jones, fire warden, and eighty-eight others, were paid $88 in total ($1 each) for fighting a forest fire “below Farmington Road,” on April 17, 1910.
Son Fred P. Jones, Union P.O. (Telephone 41-15) was State Forest Fire Warden for Milton in 1911-12, 1913-14, and 1915-16. Jones’ Forest Fire Deputies were Fred B. Roberts, Milton P.O. (Telephone 23-2); H.R. Jewett, Sanbornville P.O. (Telephone 9-4); Isaac L. Lord, Union P.O. (Telephone 6-21); and F. Leroy Tripp, Farmington P.O. (Telephone 42-15) (NH Forestry Commission, 1912; NH Forestry Commission, 1914; NH Forestry Commission, 1916).
The New Hampshire College football team elected grandson Philip Cowell Jones of Milton as its team captain for 1912. (Gov. Fred H. Downs had the college’s name changed to University of New Hampshire (UNH) in 1923). (See Milton in the News – 1911).
Daughter-in-law Emma C. (Cowell) Jones was appointed to the Reception Committee of the Milton Congregational Church in June 1913.
MILTON, N.H. The annual meeting and roll call of the Congregational church was held last Saturday afternoon and a large number was present. A most enjoyable dinner was prepared by the ladies of the church which was fully enjoyed by all. After an hour was spent in the discussing of the good things spread on the table, the members of the church for the election of the officers for the ensuing year and to listen to the reports from church officers. The report of the clerk showed a loss of two members by death the past year, George W. Tasker and Samuel Chamberlain, who had been Deacon of the church for over 53 years. Six members had been dismissed by letter to other churches. Three persons were elected to church membership to receive the hand of fellowship on Sunday. James M. Gage was elected as Deacon and Mrs. Emma Looney as clerk in place of Mrs. A.M. Roberts, who is in California. J.M. Gage was chosen as treasurer. The committees are Standing Committee, Rev. Clarence Pike, R.M. Kimball, Frank Dawson, Jr., Mrs. Chipman, and Mrs. J.B. Hart; Music, Mrs. Ella Hart, Mrs. Bertha Chipman and Mrs. Frank Dawson; Reception, Mrs. R.A. McIntosh, Mrs. Sarah Miller, Mrs. Fred P. Jones and Mrs. Ella Hart; Visiting Committee, Mrs. Ella Hart, Mrs. Lizzie Plummer, Mrs. C.L. Clements, and Mrs. Clara Corson. Letters were read from many who were unable to be present (Sanford Journal-Tribune (Biddeford, ME), June 13, 1913).
MILTON.Miss Elsye Wallace, of Boston, gave a song recital at A.O.U.W. hall last Thursday night; she was assisted by her sister, [and] Mrs. Fred P. Jones, and Miss Edith Whitehouse presided at the piano (Sanford Journal-Tribune (Biddeford, ME), June 13, 1913).
Grandson Robert Edmond Jones left the United States, June 25, 1913, arriving in Berlin, Germany, September 15, 1913, where he was engaged in “studying paintings.” His local address was Goethestr 69, i.e., 69 Goethe Strasse [Street], and the person to be informed in case of death or accident was F.P. Jones of Milton, N.H. He registered with the American consulate in Berlin, Germany, February 18, 1914.
Fred P. Jones, an owner (lumberman), aged sixty years (b. NH), headed a Milton household at the time of the Fourteenth (1920) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Emma C. [(Cowell)] Jones, aged sixty years (b. ME), and his children, Charles Jones, Y.M.C.A. physical director, aged thirty-four years (b. NH), Robert E. Jones, a theater costumes designer, aged thirty-two years (b. NH), Elizabeth Jones, aged twenty-five years (b. NH), and Alice V. Jones, aged twenty-three years (b. NH). Fred P. Jones owned their farm on the Plummers Ridge Road, free-and-clear. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of Charles E. Perkins, a teamster (lumberman), aged fifty-two years (b. NH), and Bard B. Plummer, a farmer, aged forty years (b. NH).
Richard Anthony, a real estate proprietor, aged seventy-nine years (b. MA), headed an Oakland, CA, household at the time of the Fourteenth (1920) Federal Census. His household include his wife, Lucy [(Horton)] Anthony, aged seventy years (b. MA), his sister-in-law, Sarah Horton, a private school principal, aged seventy-five years (b. MA), and his lodgers, Nellie Jones, a private school teacher, aged fifty-eight years (b. NH), Charlotte Center, a private school teacher, aged fifty-two years (b. MA), and Mary Burnham, a private school teacher, aged fifty-three years (b. MA). Richard Anthony owned their house 964 18th Street, free-and-clear.
Miss Sarah W. Horton (1844-1920), founder and principal of the Horton School, died in Oakland, CA, January 26, 1920, aged seventy-five years. Her assistant principals, Nellie V. Jones (1861-1925) and Charlotte F. Center (1867-1945), would continue the school as co-principals.
GUESTS AT FALLEN LEAF LAKE. Miss Nellie V. Jones and Miss Charlotte F. Center, of the Horton school staff, have gone to Fallen Leaf Lake for a month (Oakland Tribune (Oakland, CA), July 19, 1922).
CALIFORNIA. The Horton School, Perkins and Palm Sts., Oakland, was established as a day school in 1884 by Miss Sarah W. Horton, who conducted it until her death in 1920. It is now continued by Nellie V. Jones and Charlotte F. Center as joint principals. It provides instruction from kindergarten through college preparation (Sargent, 1923).
Daughter Nellie V. Jones died in Oakland, Alameda, CA, August 28, 1925. (Her co-principal, Charlotte F. Center, would run the Horton School alone for a year, before taking on Louise S. Edgar as her co-principal).
PRINCIPAL OF SCHOOL DIES. Miss Nellie Varney Jones, principal of the Horton School of Oakland, died this morning following a brief illness. Stricken on Sunday, her sickness was not regarded as serious until a few hours before her death. Funeral services will be held tomorrow from her home, 964 Eighteenth street. Miss Jones was anticipating the opening of the fall semester of the Horton School next Tuesday. She will be succeeded in the principalship by Miss Charlotte Center, associate principal, who came to California with Miss Jones in 1891, becoming a member of the Horton School faculty. Born in New Hampshire, Miss Jones finished her training in education in the Framington [Framingham] Normal School of Massachusetts. She became a teacher in the Horton School upon her arrival on the coast in 1891, and succeeded to the principalship in 1920 upon the death of its founder, Miss Sarah Horton. Miss Jones was widely known throughout educational circles on the coast. She had long been active in the Head Mistress Association of the Pacific Coast, comprised of private schools accredited to the state universities. She had held the office of state treasurer (Oakland Tribune (Oakland, CA), August 28, 1925).
Fred P. Jones, a farmer (general farming), aged seventy years (b. NH), headed a Milton household at the time of the Fifteenth (1930) Federal Census. His household included his wife (of forty-eight years), Cowell Jones, aged seventy years (b. ME), and his daughter, Elizabeth Jones, a poultryman (poultry farm), aged thirty-five years (b. NH). Fred P. Jones owned their house on Plummers Ridge, which was valued at $5,000. They had a radio set. Their house appeared in the enumeration between those of Frank Ramsey, aged forty-six years (b. NH), and Bard B. Plummer, a farmer (general farming), aged fifty-two years (b. NH).
Mr. and Mrs. Fred Plummer Jones will be at home Friday, November the twentieth, Nineteen hundred and thirty-one, Plummer’s Ridge, Milton, New Hampshire, from three to six, to celebrate their Golden Wedding.
Fred P. Jones, aged eighty years (b. NH), headed a Milton household at the time of the Sixteenth (1940) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Emma C. [(Cowell)] Jones, aged eighty years (b. ME), Elizabeth Jones, aged forty-six years (b. NH), and Alice B. Jones, aged forty-four years (b. NH). They had all resided in the same house in 1935, except Alice B. Jones who had resided in NY in 1935.
Daughter-in-law Emma J. (Cowell) Jones died in Milton, April 13, 1941. Son Fred P. Jones died in Milton, November 10, 1941.
Rochester Locals. Private funeral services were held yesterday afternoon at the home on Plummer’s Ridge in Milton for Fred P. Jones, 82, who died at the ancestral home late Monday night. He was born in Milton, the son of Charles and Betsy (Varney) Jones and was a lifelong resident of that community. He leaves three sons, Charles, Robert Edmund and Philip Cowell Jones and two daughters, Mrs. [Miss] Alice M. Varney [Jones] and Miss Elizabeth Jones. Burial was in the family lot on the Jones property (Portsmouth Herald, November 13, 1941).
Ichabod H. Wentworth was born in Rochester, NH, December 14, 1795, son of Ichabod and Keziah (Cook) Wentworth.
Ichabod H. Wentworth served in Long’s Command during the War of 1812. Major Edward Jennings Long (1771-1824) of Portsmouth, NH, was in charge of a NH militia artillery detachment, between October 5, 1814, and November 22, 1814. (See also Milton in the War of 1812).
Ichabod H. Wentworth married in Rochester, NH, December 18, 1817, Peace Varney, both of Milton. She was born in Dover, NH, in October 1794, daughter of Aaron and Annie (Clements) Varney.
Ichd H. Wentworth headed a Milton household at the time of the Fifth (1830) Federal Census. His household included one male aged 30-39 years [himself], one female aged 30-39 years [Peace (Varney) Wentworth], one female aged 15-19 years, one male aged 10-14 years [Hiram V. Wentworth], and one male aged 5-9 years [Eli Wentworth]. His household appeared in the enumeration between those of Jona Hurd, and Ichd Wentworth.
Mother Keziah (Cook) Wentworth died in Milton, April 4, 1833. Father Ichabod Wentworth died in Milton, April 16, 1834.
Ichabod H. Wentworth headed a Milton household at the time of the Sixth (1840) Federal Census. His household included one male aged 40-49 years [himself], one female aged 40-49 years [Peace (Varney) Wentworth], one male aged 20-29 years [Hiram V. Wentworth], one male aged 15-19 years [Eli Wentworth], one female aged 15-19 years, and one male aged 5-9 years. Four members of his household were engaged in Agriculture. His household appeared in the enumeration between those of John Plumer, Jr., and William Wentworth.
Son Hiram V. Wentworth married, circa 1842, Mary Jane Nute. She was born Milton, circa July 1820, daughter of John C. and Sarah A. (Varney) Nute.
Son Eli Wentworth married in Milton, July 23, 1843, Mehitable Jane “Jane” Howe, both of Milton. She was born in Milton, in 1822, daughter of Jonathan and Mehitable (Twombly) Howe. Jacob Davis performed the ceremony.
Ichabod H. Wentworth received an initial five-year appointment as a Milton justice-of-the-peace, July 6, 1846. Joseph Pearl and Robert Mathes received their appointments to that office on the same day.
Milton sent Ichabod H. Wentworth to Concord, NH, as its NH State Representative in 1846 and 1847. He served on the Unfinished Business Committee.
Rep. [Dr.] Nathaniel Low (1792-1883) of Dover, NH, drafted several preambles to a so-named “Personal Liberty” bill. It opposed slavery and its extension into new territories. But, beyond what was usually said on these issues, it contained a novel argument that slave labor constituted unfair competition against the free labor of northern farmers.
Whereas the interests of New-Hampshire have been opposed, disregarded and compromised in reference to that policy which opens to the farmer a near and ready market for his produce, stimulates enterprise, rewards industry, develops skill, employs labor and fills the land with a thriving and happy population, and Whereas the feelings and principles of her citizens on the great questions of human liberty and human rights have been so perversely misrepresented as to make them seemingly the advocates and champions of slavery; and Because the eagerness for territorial acquisition, in order to multiply new states, with forms of government making slavery perpetual, evinces a conspiracy to extend the hateful institution, to protect and confirm it by additional ties and fresh securities; whereby the expectation of the friends of liberty, who believed that, under the beneficent influence of our compact and form of Union, the foul blot of slavery would, at no distant period, be effaced our national escutcheon, have been grievously disappointed: Therefore, Resolved, That pending the choice of an individual to represent to this state in the Congress of the United States, it is expedient to declare, that the policy of protecting American free labor against unfair competition with the cheaper labor of other nations ought to be sustained; and as every man is born free and has an equal right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, we do Further solemnly disclaim, in behalf of the people of New-Hampshire, all sympathy with that odious system of oppression which robs him of these inestimable blessings, and asserts the doctrine that one man may rightfully hold and use another as property; such abominable principles being at war with the inalienable rights of man, abhorrent to every feeling of humanity, and to every dictate of religion and morality (NH General Court, 1846).
On June 9, 1846, Rep. Wentworth of Milton voted with the 160 representatives [70.2%] that voted in favor of this preamble to the so-named “Personal Liberty” bill, as opposed to the 68 representatives [29.8%] that voted against it.
On June 18, 1846, Rep. Wentworth presented the petition of Thomas Y. Wentworth (1798-1866), which sought to join a part of West Milton to neighboring Farmington, NH. The Committee on Towns and Parishes, to which the petition had been referred, postponed consideration until the next legislative session.
Mr. Wentworth presented the petition of T.Y. Wentworth and others, to disannex a portion of land in the town of Milton, and annex the same to the town of Farmington (NH General Court, 1846).
Rep. Wentworth of Milton voted with the 173 representatives [72.4%] that voted in favor of postponing the Northern Extension and Connecticut River Valley Railroad bill, as opposed to the 66 representatives [27.6%] that voted against postponing it.
Ichabod H. Wentworth, a farmer, aged fifty-five years (b. NH), headed a Milton household at the time of the Seventh (1850) Federal Census. His household included Peace Wentworth, aged fifty-five years (b. NH), and Nathan Nutter, a shoemaker, aged thirty years (b. NH). Ichabod H. Wentworth had real estate valued at $3,500. His household appeared in the enumeration between those of Asa M. Durell, a farmer, aged eighty-one years (b. ME), Eli Wentworth, a shoe manufacturer, aged twenty-nine years (b. NH), and Hiram B. Wentworth, a shoe manufacturer, aged thirty-one years (b. NH), in a three-family residence on one side, and, on the other side, Hiram Gerrish, a farmer, aged thirty-seven years (b. NH).
Ichabod H. Wentworth received a five-year renewal of his appointment as a Milton justice-of-the-peace, June 27, 1851. Joseph Pearl and Robert Mathes received their renewals on the same day.
Brother-in-law Hiram Varney died in West Milton, September 8, 1855.
Ichabod H. Wentworth received a five-year renewal of his appointment as a Milton justice-of-the-peace, June 24, 1856. Joseph Pearl and Robert Mathes received their renewals on the same day.
Ichabod H. Wentworth, a farmer, aged sixty-four years (b. NH), headed a Milton (“Milton P.O.”) household at the time of the Eighth (1860) Federal Census. His household included Peace Wentworth, aged sixty-four years (b. NH). His household appeared in the enumeration between those of George W. Jones, a shoemaker, aged twenty-six years (b. ME), and Alfred Tuttle, a farmer, aged fifty-five years (b. NH).
Ichabod H. Wentworth was an incorporator of the First Christian Society of Milton, when the NH Legislature authorized it in June 1860. (This was the Christian Church of which Daniel B. Goodwin (1811-1888) would be the Elder).
CHAPTER 2429. AN ACT to incorporate the First Christian Society in Milton. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened: SECTION 1. That Ichabod H. Wentworth, Joseph Cook, Isaac C. Young, Jonathan Howe, and Joseph Goodwin, and other proprietors and pew-holders in the Union Christian Chapel in Milton, their associates, successors, and assigns, be, and are hereby incorporated and made a body politic and corporate, under the name of the First Christian Society in Milton, with all the powers and privileges necessary and proper for effecting the object of their incorporation, and are authorized to ordain and establish such by-laws and regulations not repugnant to the constitution and laws of this State, as they may think proper, for the election and government of the officers and members, and the management of the property of said society. SEC. 2. Said society may take, hold, and possess by purchase, gift, devise, or otherwise, any real and personal property to the amount of three thousand dollars, the major part whereof being now invested in the meeting-house now occupied by the First Christian Society (so called) in Milton, with the land upon which the same is situated, for the purpose of maintaining a house of public worship, and other buildings connected therewith, and for the support of public worship therein. … (NH Secretary of State, 1860).
Son Eli Wentworth died of a fever at Snyder’s Bluff, Milldale, MS, July 18, 1863, aged forty-two years, six months. (He was a quartermaster in the U.S. Army). The Army death register had him as Lt. Eli Wentworth, a member of the Sixth NH Volunteer Regiment, which was then in the 1st Brigade, 2nd Division, 9th Army Corps. The Sixth NH Volunteer Regiment’s assistant surgeon, F.N. Gibson, recorded his death, from Feb. [Febrile] Typhoid.
Ichabod H. Wentworth, a farm laborer, aged seventy-four years (b. NH), headed a Milton household at the time of the Ninth (1870) Federal Census. His household included Peace Wentworth, keeping house, aged seventy-four years (b. NH), and Martha Hayes, aged seventy-six years (b. NH). Ichabod H. Wentworth had real estate valued at $1,200 and personal estate valued at $2,000. His household appeared in the enumeration between those of Luther Hayes, a farmer, aged fifty years (b. NH), and James H. Tibbetts, works for shoe factory, aged twenty-five years (b. ME).
Ichabod H. Wentworth made his will, presumably in Milton, October 28, 1871. He devised $200 and an undivided share in West Milton land to his son, Hiram V. Wentworth; $50 to Mary J. [(Nute)] Wentworth; $50 to Mehitable J. [(Howe)] Wentworth; $10 to Clara M. [(Wentworth)] Burley, wife of Daniel S. Burley; a life estate in all notes, bonds, money, and personal property to his wife, Peace [(Varney)] Wentworth; and, after her decease, the household furniture to Mary J. [(Nute)] Wentworth and Mehitable J. [(Howe)] Wentworth. He devised the remaining undivided share in the West Milton land to his grandsons, Henry H. Wentworth and Charles W. Wentworth, as well as any rest and residue not devised. (The land was bounded north by land of H.H. Pinkham, west by land of Joseph Horn, south by land of Joseph Barker, and east by land of David Furbush). John F. Hart, Ira S. Knox, and Ezra H. Twombly signed as witnesses (Strafford County Probate, 83:99).
Daughter-in-law Mary J. (Nute) Wentworth died in Milton, May 13, 1872, aged fifty-one years, ten months.
Ichabod H. Wentworth died of paralysis and fever in Milton, July 19, 1872, aged seventy-six years, seven months. He was a farmer. His last will was proved at Strafford County Probate court held in Dover, NH, in August 1872 (Strafford County Probate, 83:101).
Peace (Varney) Wentworth died of catarrh and age in Milton, August 14, 1873, aged seventy-six years, ten months. She was a widow.
Son Hiram V. Wentworth died in Milton, September 12, 1890, aged seventy-one years, ten months, and seventeen days. C.D. Jones, M.D., signed the death certificate.
Daughter-in-law Mehitable Jane (Howe) Wentworth died in Milton, April 30, 1895, aged seventy-two years.
Mother Sally (Jones) Mathes died in Milton, August 22, 1822.
Robert Mathes headed a Milton household at the time of the Fifth (1830) Federal Census. His household included one male aged 50-59 years [himself], one female aged 20-29 years, two male aged 15-19 years [Robert Mathes, Jr., and Joseph Mathes], and one female aged 10-14 years [Sarah Mathes]. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of D.M. Plummer and John Palmer.
Robert Mathes married in Dover, NH, June 3, 1838, Mary Fogg Moulton. She was born in Milton, May 8, 1817, daughter of Captain Josiah and Mary (Watson) Moulton.
(The known children of Robert, Jr., and Mary F. (Moulton) Mathes were Clara M. Mathes (1839-1931), Albert O. Mathes (1842-1907), Dana H. Mathes (1852-1924), and Aimee E. Mathes (1868-1880)).
Daughter Clara M. Mathes was born in Milton, in July 1839.
Robert Mathes [Jr.] headed a Milton household at the time of the Sixth (1840) Federal Census. His household included one male 20-29 years [himself], one female aged 20-29 years [Mary F. (Moulton) Mathes], one male aged 15-19 years, and one female aged under-5 years [Clara M. Mathes]. Two members of his household were engaged in Commerce. His household appeared between those of Jane Ellis and Benjamon G. Willey.
Sarah Mathes headed a Milton household at the time of the Sixth (1840) Federal Census. Her household included one female aged 40-49 years [herself], one male aged 15-19 years, one female aged 15-19 years, and one female aged 10-14 years. Her household appeared in the enumeration between those of Hopley Meserve and Daniel Goodwin.
Robert Mathes was the Milton Town Clerk in the years 1841-1851. He was preceded in that office by James M. Twombly and followed by Daniel E. Palmer.
Son Albert Orlando Mathes was born in Milton, July 21, 1842.
Robert Mathes received an initial five-year appointment as a Milton justice-of-the peace, July 6, 1846. (Joseph Pearl and Ichabod H. Wentworth received appointments that same day).
Milton sent Robert Mathes to Concord, NH, as its NH State Representative in 1850.
Late on the evening of what would become the all-night session of Friday, July 12, 1850, several representatives sought to table or otherwise delay several anti-slavery resolutions rather than have to deal with them. The resolutions were intended in part to direct New Hampshire’s U.S. Senators and Representatives.
Rep. Uri Lamprey (1809-1881) of Hampton, NH, led those trying to bypass, table, adjourn or otherwise dispose of those resolutions; Rep. Charles H. Butters (1818-1860) of Pittsfield, NH, led those determined to vote on the resolutions.
Mr. Butters moved that the resolutions be referred to the committee on Unfinished Business. Mr. Lamprey moved that the resolutions be laid upon the table. Mr. Butters moved that the House do now take a recess of thirty minutes until twelve o clock. The question being put upon agreeing to the motion. It was decided in the affirmative. So the House took a recess of thirty minutes.
Both sides likely used the recess to consult with their supporters. When the House returned from its recess,
The House proceeded to the consideration of the un-finished business upon the motion of Mr. Lamprey that the resolutions relating to slavery be laid upon the table. The question being put upon agreeing to the motion, It was decided in the negative. So the House refused to lay the resolutions upon the table.
The question recurring, Shall the resolutions be referred to the committee on Un-finished Business. It was decided in the negative. On motion of Mr. Butters – Resolved, That when the House adjourn, it adjourn to meet at four o clock the present morning. Mr. Burnham moved that the House do now adjourn. The question being put upon agreeing to the motion, It was decided in the negative. So the House refused to adjourn.
Mr. Butters moved that the further consideration of the resolutions be postponed to the next session of the legislature. On this question Mr. Butters demanded the yeas and nays.
Fifty-nine representatives [39.3%] voted to postpone the anti-slavery resolutions to another session, while ninety-one representatives [60.7%], including Rep. Robert Mathes, voted not to postpone them. After a second recess, until 4 AM, the anti-slavery resolutions passed.
Robert Mathes, a trader, aged thirty-seven years (b. NH), headed a Milton household at the time of the Seventh (1850) Federal Census. His household included Mary F. [(Moulton)] Mathes, aged thirty-three years (b. NH), Clara M. Mathes, aged ten years (b. NH), Albert O. Mathes, aged seven years (b. NH), Edwin Cowell, a clerk, aged twenty-five years (b. ME), and Abby D. Moulton, aged twenty-eight years (b. NH). Robert Mathes had real estate valued at $6,000. His household appeared in the enumeration between those of Samuel Washburn, a shoe manufacturer, aged twenty-seven years (b. MA) and Joseph Mathes, a carpenter, aged thirty-five years (b. NH).
Robert Mathes received a five-year renewal of his appointment as a Milton justice-of-the peace, June 27, 1851. (Joseph Pearl and Ichabod H. Wentworth received renewals that same day).
Son Dana Homer Mathes was born in Milton, December 18, 1852.
Robert Mathes received a five-year renewal of his appointment as a Milton justice-of-the peace, June 24, 1856.
Robert Mathes, a house carpenter, aged forty-seven years (b. NH), headed a Milton household at the time of the Eighth (1860) Federal Census. His household included Mary [(Moulton)] Mathes, aged forty-three years (b. NH), Clara M. Mathes, aged twenty years (b. NH), Albert O. Mathes, a house carpenter, aged seventeen years (b. NH), and Dana H. Mathes, aged seven years (b. NH). Robert Mathes had real estate valued at $400 and personal estate valued at $1,000. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of Samuel A. Kimball, a shoemaker, aged fifty-five years (b. NH), and Henry Downs, a farm laborer, aged forty years (b. NH).
Robert Mathes received a five-year renewal of his appointment as a Milton justice-of-the peace, June 15, 1861.
Daughter Clara M. Mathes married in Milton, November 1, 1863, Amos M. Roberts. He was born in Dover, NH, June 7, 1835, son of James C. and Lydia (Scates) Roberts.
Robert Mathes, a farm laborer, aged fifty-eight years (b. NH), headed a Milton household at the time of the Ninth (1870) Federal Census. His household included Mary F. [(Moulton)] Mathes, keeping house, aged fifty-three years (b. NH), and Frank W. Dearborn, a shoebox maker, aged twenty-six years (b. NH). Robert Mathes has real estate valued at $4,000 and personal estate valued at $350. They shared a two-family residence with the family of John L. Roberts, works in shoe factory, aged twenty-one years (b. NH). Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of John F. Hart, works in shoe factory, aged forty-one years (b. NH), and John O. Hayes, a stone mason, aged forty-seven years (b. NH).
Amos M. Roberts, works in shoe factory, aged thirty-five years (b. NH), headed a Milton household at the time of the Ninth (1870) Federal Census. His household included Clara M. [(Mathes)] Roberts, aged thirty years (b. NH). Amos M. Roberts had personal property valued at $300. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of John O. Hayes, a stonemason, aged forty-seven years (b. NH), and Ira S. Knox, works for shoe factory, aged forty years (b. ME).
Norton Scates, a laborer, aged eighty-one years (b. NH), headed a Dover, NH, household at the time of the Ninth (1870) Federal Census. His household included Hannah [(Cook)] Scates, keeping house, aged sixty-seven years (b. NH), and Albert Mathes, a clerk in savings bank, aged twenty-seven years (b. NH). Norton Scates had real estate valued at $1,200 and personal estate valued at $500.
Charles K. Chase, retail dry goods, aged forty years (b. NH), headed a Rochester (“Gonic P.O.”), NH, household at the time of the Ninth (1870) Federal Census. His household included Ellen M. [(Burleigh)] Chase, keeping house, aged thirty-eight years (b. NH), Charles S. Chase, at home, aged thirteen years (b. NH), Gracie M.J. Chase, aged ten years (b. NH), Henry W Chase, aged one years (b. NH), Dana Mathes, clerk in DG [dry goods] store, aged nineteen years (b. NH), and Charity Nutter, a domestic servant, aged twenty-eight years (b. NH).
Robert Mathes was clerk of the Milton Congregational Church in 1875.
Son Albert O. Mathes appeared in the Dover, NH, directory of 1876, as a clerk at the savings bank for the county of Strafford, boarding at the American house. Son Dana H. Mathes (Mathes & Co.), appeared as a hatter, at 4 Morrill’s blk., boarding at the American house. Mathes & Co. (D.H. Mathes), hatter, appeared at 4 Morrill’s new block, Franklin Sqr. (American house was also in Franklin Sqr.).
Robert Mathis, a farmer, aged sixty-eight years (b. NH), headed a Milton (“Milton 3 Ponds Village”) household at the time of the Tenth (1880) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Mary F. [(Moulton)] Mathis, keeping house, aged sixty-three years (b. NH), and his adopted daughter, Aimee E. Mathis, at school, aged eleven years (b. MA). Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of Joseph H. Avery, an excelsior manufacturer, aged thirty-seven years (b. ME), and George Blake, a laborer, aged sixty-seven years (b. NH).
Amos M. Roberts, works in shoe factory, aged forty-five years (b. NH), and his wife, Clara M. [(Mathes)] Roberts, boarding, aged forty years (b. NH), were boarders in the Farmington, NH, household of Daniel P. Cilley, a clergyman, aged seventy-four years (b. NH), at the time of the Tenth (1880) Federal Census.
Sarah J. [(Mathes)] Bliss, aged sixty-two years (b. NH), headed a Dover, NH, household at the time of the Tenth (1880) Federal Census. Her household included her granddaughter, Annie M. Bliss, at school, aged ten years (b. MA), and her boarders, Hannah E. [(Cook)] Scates, aged seventy-six years (b. NH), and Albert O. Mathes, a bank clerk, aged thirty-seven years (b. NH). They resided on Portland Street. [This record has a substantial tear from top to bottom].
Adopted daughter Aimee E. Mathes died in Lebanon, ME, July 11, 1880. (She had been born June 1, 1868).
Son Albert O. Mathes married in Woburn, MA, December 15, 1880, Mary Josephine Drew, he of Dover, NH, and she of Woburn, MA. He was a bank teller, aged thirty-eight years, and she was aged thirty-three years. Rev. Daniel March performed the ceremony. She was born in Woburn, MA, October 21, 1847, daughter of Stephen W. and Mary Y. (Chase) Drew. (Her father was a son of Milton’s Dr. Stephen Drew (1791-1872)).
Son Dana H. Mathes married, in 1881, Mary Lord Merrill. She was born in Maine, August 16, 1860, daughter of Thomas L. and Elizabeth C. Merrill.
Rep. Asa A. Fox presented the petition of Robert Mathes and others, June 21, 1881, which sought authorization for a Dover & Winnipesaukee branch railroad line from Alton Bay to Laconia, NH.
PETITIONS, ETC., PRESENTED AND REFERRED. To Committee on Railroads. By Mr. Fox of Milton, the petition of Robert Mathes and forty-seven others, citizens of Milton, praying for legislation to authorize the Dover & Winnipiseogee Railroad to build a road from Alton Bay to Laconia, and a branch to Weirs Landing (NH General Court, 1881).
Robert Mathes was clerk of the Milton Congregational Church in 1888, of which Rev. Frank Haley was pastor.
Robert Mathes was clerk of the Milton Congregational Church in 1894, of which Rev. Myron P. Dickey was pastor.
Robert Mathes died of valvular heart disease in Milton, July 31, 1894, aged eighty-two years, one months, and sixteen days. William F. Wallace, M.D., signed the death certificate.
HERE AND THERE. Mr. Robert Mathes of Milton died on Tuesday evening at the age of eighty-two years. He was a notable figure of Milton and was one of the best-informed men in the county, concerning local history. He had a quick and correct memory, and was an extensive reader of the best authors of the past and present, enjoying also the conversation of bright people. He had been out of health a long time and suffered intensely at times. He was of colonial family and had may interesting recollections of former days at his tongue’s end, and possessed some prized relics of a time long past. Mr. Mathes leaves a widow, a daughter, Mrs. Amos M. Roberts, two sons, Albert O. Mathes of the Strafford bank at Dover, and Dana Mathes of Oakland, California, and two grand-daughters Miss Lura Mathes of Dover, and Miss Molly Mathes of California, besides a brother, Mr. Eben Mathes of Rochester, and hosts of friends (Farmington News, August 3, 1894).
HERE AND THERE. The many friends of the family of the late Mr. Robert Mathes of Milton will be glad to learn that Mrs. Mathes is recovering from a very serious recent illness (Farmington News, July 26, 1895).
PERSONAL. Mr. and Mrs. Amos M. Roberts of Milton and Mr. and Mrs. Albert O. Mathes of Dover, who recently enjoyed a two weeks’ drive in the White mountains, called on Farmington friends last Friday, on their way to Milton from The Weirs. Among their souvenirs of the trip were some very fine specimens of the closed gentian (Farmington News, September 24, 1897).
Amos M. Roberts, a storekeeper, aged sixty-four years (b. NH), headed a Milton (“Milton Village”) household at the time of the Twelfth (1900) Federal Census. His household included his wife (of thirty-seven years), Clara M. [(Mathes)] Roberts, aged sixty-nine years (b. NH), his mother-in-law, Mary F. [(Moulton)] Mathes, a widow, aged eighty-three years (b. NH), his aunt, Abby D. Jones, a widow, aged seventy-nine years (b. NH), and his boarder, Thomas Kelly, a salesman in store, aged thirty-three years (b. MA). Amos M. Robert owned their house, free-and-clear. Mary F. Mathes was the mother of three children, of whom three were still living. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of Harry Amey, an attorney, aged thirty-one years (b. NH), and Ira S. Knox, a day laborer, aged seventy years (b. ME).
Albert O. Mathes, a bank clerk, aged fifty-seven years (b. NH), headed a Dover, NH, household at the time of the Twelfth (1900) Federal Census. His household included his wife (of nineteen years), Mary J. [(Drew)] Mathes, aged fifty-two years (b. MA), and his daughter, Lura Mathes, at school, aged fifteen years (b. NH). Albert O. Mathes rented their house at 56 Silver Street. Mary J. Mathes was the mother of one child, of whom one was still living.
Thomas L. Merrill, a clerk (water co.), aged sixty-four years (b. ME), headed an Oakland, CA, household at the time of the Twelfth (1900) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Elizabeth C. Merrill, aged fifty-nine years (b. ME), his son-in-law, Dana H. Mathes, a merchant (groceries), aged forty-six years (b. NH), his daughter, Mary L. [(Merrill)] Mathes, aged thirty-nine years (b. ME), his granddaughter, Bernice Mathes, at school, aged eighteen years (b. CA), and his servant, Catherine M. Hainy, a servant, aged twenty-nine years (b. CA). Thomas L. Merrill rented their house at 1215 Brush Street.
Son Albert O. Mathes speculated in the stock market, first with his own money and then with money belonging the bank in which he was employed. The loss was discovered in May 1903.
OUT OF BANK’S HANDS. No Move Yet in Case of Treas. Mathes. State Won’t Act Immediately, Says Pres. Brown. Alleged Shortage Not Likely to Be Increased. DOVER, N.H., May 21 – No action has been taken as yet by the attorney general or by County Solicitor Scott regarding the Strafford savings bank case. At least, the alleged defaulting treasurer, Albert O. Mathes, has not been placed under arrest. Said Pres. Brown of the bank tonight: “The case is entirely out of the bank’s hands, so far as action against Mr. Mathes is concerned. The state authorities are left to do as they see fit in the matter. There is really no necessity for haste on their part. Mr. Mathes cannot get away. He is safe in Milton, and I do not, therefore, imagine the state will take immediate action” (Boston Globe, June 1, 1903).
MILTON, N.H. Dana H. Mathes, a visitor from California, tried his luck with skates for the first time in thirty-five years the other afternoon (Sanford Tribune (Biddeford, ME), February 9, 1906).
Son-in-law Amos M. Roberts died of exhaustion following intestinal obstruction in Milton, August 10, 1907, aged seventy-two years, two months, and three days. He was a grocer and lifelong [SIC] resident of Milton. M.A.H. Hart, M.D., signed the death certificate.
IN MEMORIAM. AMOS MAIN ROBERTS. The several years spent by Mr. and Mrs. Roberts in Farmington cause it to be fitting that special note be made of the decease of the former in his native town of Milton, last Saturday, Aug 10, aged 72 years. He is survived by a sister, Mrs. Clara Hatch of this town. In early life Mr. Roberts was married to Miss Clara Mathes of Milton, who is left to mourn a most kind and indulgent husband. Mr. Roberts, like his recently deceased brother, John S. Roberts of the New Durham Ridge road, was of splendid physique, and of imposing figure, His admirable traits of character won the true respect of all with whom he was associated, and he was sincerely beloved by his friends and the members of his family connection. He had a fine tenor voice which was lent freely during many years to the First church, and in other interests, in Milton. Having conducted a general store for the long period since he returned from Farmington to Milton, he was well known to later residents as well as to old friends, and was held by all in a hearty liking. One of the best of citizens, he leaves a vacancy that hardly can be filled. Interment, following the funeral service, the 12th, was made in the family grounds in the cemetery (Farmington News, August 16, 1907).
Son Albert O. Mathes died of cerebral apoplexy at 6 Cushing Street in Dover, NH, July 20, 1907, aged sixty-four years, ten months, and thirty days. He had resided in Dover, NH, for forty-four years, i.e., since circa 1863, with his previous residence having been in Milton. G.B. Morgan, M.D., signed the death certificate.
MR. MATHES. Farmington people, like those of other districts, became more or less well acquainted with Albert O. Mathes in the course of the thirty-five years of his connection with the Strafford Savings bank in Dover, and the residence in the village, of his sister in a period long past, added to the number of the circle of friends of the family. All of these had a sad interest in the news of his decease from hemorrhage of the brain, last Saturday morning, July 20. He would have been 65 years old on July 21. Mr. Mathes was born in Milton and was one of the two sons of Robert and Maty (Moulton) Mathes. He leaves his venerable mother, his sister, Mrs. Roberts of Milton, and a brother in Cal., and is survived also by his wife and daughter. He was a Free Mason, belonging to local organizations. The simple funeral was held Monday morning in Dover, Rev. G.E. Hall, D.D., the attending pastor, who conducted also the committal service in Milton at noon. Bearers were E.R. Brown, J.T.W. Ham, G.F. Piper, Dr. J.H. Twombly, the latter of Milton. Mr. Mathes was naturally of most warm and generous impulses, ever mindful of the kindnesses that add to the happiness of one’s surroundings. He was passionately fond of nature and knew the haunts of countless varieties of wild flowers. His knowledge of county people and both the present and past conditions of the state made him an instructive as well as a pleasing companion. Profound sympathy is felt for his family on this occasion (Farmington News, July 26, 1907).
Mary Fogg (Moulton) Mathes died of acute indigestion in Milton, September 8, 1907, aged ninety years, four months. M.A.H. Hart, M.D., signed the death certificate.
LOCAL. The many Farmington friends of Mrs. Amos M. Roberts of Milton have deep sympathy for her in this year of her repeated afflictions, the decease of a brother and her husband having been followed by the passing away on Sunday morning of her mother [-in-law], Mrs. Robert Mathes. Mrs. Mathes, a most charming type of venerable women, respected and beloved, was ninety years of age last May. Having been very feeble it was only with great care and devotion that her life was prolonged until this month. Mrs. Roberts was left with one brother, Dana H. Mathes of Oakland, Cal., and with two nieces, her only surviving near relatives (Farmington News, September 13, 1907).
Clara M. [(Mathes)] Roberts, a widow, aged seventy years (b. NH), headed a Milton (“Milton 3 Ponds”) household at the time of the Thirteenth (1910) Federal Census. His household included her boarder, Ralph Frobisher, an engineer office draughtsman, aged twenty-five years (b. NH), and her servant (and his wife of six months), Elva Frobisher, a private family servant, aged nineteen years (b. NH). Clara M. Roberts owned their house, free-and-clear. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of Isador Storm, Jr., a sawmill sawyer, aged thirty-five years (b. Canada), and Ira S. Knox, own income, aged eighty years (b. ME).
Dana H. Mathes, a grocery store proprietor, aged fifty-six years (b. NH), headed an Oakland, CA, household at the time of the Thirteenth (1910) Federal Census. His household included his wife (of twenty-nine years), Mary L. [(Merrill)] Mathes, aged forty-nine years (b. ME), his daughter, Mary B. Mathes, aged twenty-seven years (b. CA), his mother-in-law, Elizabeth C. Merrill, own income, aged sixty-nine years (b. ME), his cook, Yung Sing, a private family servant, aged forty-four years (b. China), and his servants, Yung Lock, a private family servant, aged sixteen years (b. China), and Yung Swon, a private family servant, aged thirteen years (b. China). Dana H. Mathes rented their house at 1355 Madison Street. Mary L. Mathes was the mother of one child, of whom one was still living. Elizabeth C. Merrill was the mother of three children, of whom two were still living.
Cards have been issued by Mr. and Mrs. Dana Homer Mathes for the marriage of their daughter, Miss Mollie Mathes, and Lester A. Greene, the evening of Monday, February 27 at the family home in Jackson street. Sixty guests are included in the invitation (San Francisco Call (San Francisco, CA), February 11, 1911).
Malcolm A.H. Hart, a physician, aged fifty-eight years (B. NH), headed a Milton household at the time of the Fourteenth (1920) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Estell L. [(Draper)] Hart, aged fifty-six years (b. VT), his son, Ezra D. Hart, aged twenty-three years (b. NH), and his boarder, Clara M. [(Mathes)] Roberts, a widow, aged eighty years (b. NH). He owned his house on Lower Main Street, in Milton Village, free-and-clear. They appeared in the census enumeration between the households of Natt E. Young, a draftsman, aged forty-three years (b. ME), and Fred C. Downs, an ice company laborer, aged forty-two years (b. NH).
Dana Mathes, a grocer, aged sixty-seven years (b. NH), headed an Oakland, CA, household at the time of the Fourteenth (1920) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Mary [(Merrill)] Mathes, aged fifty-nine years (b. ME), his daughter, Mollie [(Mathes)] Green, aged thirty-seven years (b. CA), and his mother-in-law, Susan Mason, aged seventy-six years (b. ME). Dana Mathes rented their house at 1566 Madison Street.
Daughter-in-law Mary J. (Drew) Mathes died of a cerebral hemorrhage at 58 Silver Street in Dover, NH, August 24, 1922, aged seventy-four years, ten months, and three days. R.G. Blanchard, M.D., signed the death certificate.
Son Dana Homer Mathes died in Oakland, CA, March 4, 1924.
DIED. MATHES – In Oakland, March 4, 1924, Dana H. Mathes, beloved husband of Mary L. Mathes, loving father of Mollie Mathes Greene and brother of Mrs. Clara M. Roberts of Milton, N.H., a native of New Hampshire. Funeral services and interment strictly private. Kindly omit flowers (Oakland Tribune (Oakland, CA), March 4, 1924).
Harriet A. [(Lary)] Lord, aged fifty-five years (b. NH), headed a Milton household at the time of the Fifteenth (1930) Federal Census. her household included her son, Ernest A. Lord, aged seventeen years (b. NH), and her boarder, Clara A. [(Mathes)] Roberts, aged ninety-two years (b. NH). Harriet A. Lord rented their house, at $10 per month. They did not have a radio set. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of Charles A. Lawson, aged sixty-eight years (b. NH), and Thomas Voudomas, a retail merchant [“Milton Spa”], aged thirty-eight years (b. Greece).
Daughter Clara M. (Mathes) Roberts died of a cerebral hemorrhage on Main Street in Milton, June 8, 1931, aged ninety-one years, ten months, and twenty-six days. M.A.H. Hart, M.D., signed the death certificate.
LOCAL. Many friends of this community learn with deep regret of the death of Mrs. Clara Mathes Roberts of Milton. Mrs. Roberts, who was the widow of Amos Roberts, passed away at her home in that village a week ago last Sunday at the venerable of nearly 92 years. She was the last of one of Milton’s oldest and most respected families and herself a generous and helpful contributor to every interest of the town and its general welfare. She will be fondly remembered as “Aunt Clara” by all who had the pleasure of her acquaintance. Especially active in church work since she was 16 years of age, in this institution she leaves imperishable monuments to her memory (Farmington News, June 19, 1931).
Daughter-in-law Mary L. (Merrill) Mathes died in Oakland, CA, January 27, 1946.
Greetings one and all! Spring is the season for renewal.
April is an exciting month for astronomy enthusiasts as it presents several opportunities to observe various celestial events. One of the most anticipated events in April is the Lyrid meteor shower, which typically occurs around April 22-23. With the Lyrids, viewers can expect bright, fast-moving meteors that leave persistent trains, making it a stunning spectacle to witness.
Another exciting event to look out for in April is the conjunction of the Moon and the planet Mars. This conjunction will take place on April 25, and it will be visible in the eastern sky just before sunrise. Mars, the fourth planet from the Sun, is known for its distinctive reddish hue, and it will appear as a bright, reddish point of light next to the Moon.
In conclusion, April is a month that offers several exciting opportunities to observe the wonders of the universe. Whether it is the Lyrid meteor shower or the conjunction of the Moon and Mars, astronomy enthusiasts are sure to be thrilled with what the night sky has to offer. With clear skies and a little bit of patience, viewers can experience these celestial events firsthand and marvel at the beauty of the cosmos!
April 6: Get ready for the Full Pink Moon.
April 8: Look out for Mercury as it reaches its half-phase, also known as dichotomy.
April 11: Mercury will be at its highest point in the night sky and will be at its furthest point to the east from the Sun, also known as its greatest elongation east.
April 13: The Last Quarter Moon will be visible.
April 15: The Moon and Saturn will appear very close to each other in the sky, a phenomenon known as a conjunction.
April 16: The Moon and Saturn will make their closest approach.
April 23: Keep an eye out for the Lyrid meteor shower, which will be visible just before sunrise from the Constellation Hercules. The Moon and Venus will also be visible and will appear to be close together.
April 25: The Moon and Mars will be in conjunction, followed by a close approach of the two celestial bodies.
The Town election, delayed by the snowstorm of March 14, will take place instead tomorrow, March 28, 2023, at the Nute High School Gymnasium (22 Elm Street), between 8 AM and 7 PM.
As previously, the Milton Observer has been willing to publish statements from any and all candidates.
I received this candidate slate leaflet last weekend in front of the Transfer Station. I publish it here on election eve for your consideration.
One may find a link in the References below to the Town Warrant, including all those candidates that filed (Article 1 of the Town Warrant (minus any “Write-In” candidates)).
Best of luck to all who have put themselves forward for Town offices!
Asa Fox, a trader, aged thirty-nine years (b. ME), headed a Milton household at the time of the Seventh (1850) Federal Census. His household included Harriet W. [(Plummer)] Fox, aged forty years (b. ME), Charles D. Fox, a carpenter, aged sixteen years (b. NH), Enoch E.W. Fox, a trader, aged fifteen years (b. NH), and Asa A. Fox, aged thirteen years (b. NH). Asa Fox had real estate valued at $2,000. His three sons had all attended school within the last year.
Asa A. Fox married (1st) in Newfield, ME, in 1854, Hannah H. Howe. She was born in Newfield, ME, circa 1831, daughter of Samuel Howe.
(The known children of Asa A. and Hannah (Howe) Fox were Charles D. Fox (1856–1916), and Josephetta Fox (1858–1859)).
Son Charles D. Fox was born in Milton, March 6, 1856. Daughter Josephetta Fox was born in Milton in September 1858. She died in Milton, September 21, 1859, aged one year, and eleven days.
Asa A. Fox, father of the subject of this sketch, was born in Milton Mills where his schooling was acquired in the public schools. After his marriage he worked in and was a foreman in the rebuilding of the Pemberton Mill, and for a time worked at carpentering. He became interested in the manufacture of sail clothing, in connection with which he conducted a general store business. He finally closed out that enterprise to start up in undertaking, in which line he built up a lucrative business. He was succeeded in the management of the business in April, 1913, by his son, Charles D. Fox, and the business has been continued with the same success it previously enjoyed. The patronage of this firm extends over a radius of fifteen miles, including Wakefield, Milton, Brookfield, Lebanon, Acton and Newfield. They manufacture caskets to a limited extent, and carry a complete stock of caskets and robes. Asa A. Fox married Hannah Howe, who was born in Newfield, Maine, and was next to the youngest of eight children. Her father, Samuel Howe, died at Newfield, Maine. This marriage was blessed with but two children: Etta, who died at the age of two years and was buried at Milton Mills; and Charles D. (Scales, 1914).
The six-story Pemberton Cotton Mill in Lawrence, MA, collapsed suddenly about 5:00 PM on Tuesday, January 10, 1860, with 670 employees still inside. About 100 of them died and many were seriously injured. Asa A. Fox was said to have been employed as a carpentry foreman in the rebuilding of the “New” Pemberton Cotton Mill, which began in March 1860.
NEWS ITEMS. … The re-building of the Pemberton Mill, at Lawrence, has been contracted for. Mr. Caleb Crosby, of Lowell, is to do the brick work, and it is estimated that two millions of bricks will be used in the construction (Lancaster Examiner (Lancaster, PA), April 4, 1860).
A.A. Fox, a carpenter, aged twenty-three years (b. NH), headed a Milton (“Milton Mills P.O.”) household at the time of the Eighth (1860) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Hannah H. [(Howe)] Fox, aged twenty-five years (b. NH), Charles D. Fox, aged four years (b. NH), and Joseph E. [Josephetta] Fox, aged eleven months (b. NH). Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of Asa Fox, a farmer, aged forty-five years (b. NH), and Alfred Fox, a carpenter, aged thirty-five years (b. ME).
The Pemberton mill at Lawrence will soon be completed. It is to be one story higher than before. It will manufacture cotton and woolen goods and employ one thousand hands. We trust the awful lesson taught by the late disaster will not be lost upon the present builder (Fall River Daily Evening News (Fall River, MA), July 21, 1860).
The New Pemberton Mill at Lawrence. The Reporter of the Post has visited Lawrence, and obtained same interesting statistics of the manufacturing interest in that flourishing city. Tbs New Pemberton Mill, which wis commenced last March, is now roofed in, and will be in full operation in January next, giving employment to 1000 hands, male and female, in making ticking, shirting stripes, cotton flannels, cotton pantaloon cloths, cottonades, cotton vesting and ginghams. The mill has been rebuilt in the most thorough manner. It is 84 feet wide, 284 feet deep, 60 feet high to the cornice, and with a double attic 91 feet high to its highest point. It has 480 windows, 4 feet wide and 9 feet high, 4 feet 4 inches apart. The number of brick used is set down to 2,200,000. One contractor supplied 1417 barrels of lime and 521 barrels of cement. The cost of the whole mill, when completed, will exceed $60,000 (Boston Evening Transcript, October 29, 1860).
Asa A. Fox was mentioned in the Vulpes Letter of 1864, as being the express driver for Messrs. Canney & Co., for deliveries in the Milton Mills area. (Canney & Co. appeared in the Boston, MA, directory of 1872, as having their headquarters at 32 Court Square, Boston, and having express agents at Great Falls, Hayes Crossing, Milton Mills, Brookfield, W. Ossipee, Ossipee, Freedom, Conway, Bartlett, and Jackson, NH, as well as Limerick, ME, i.e., all locations near the Great Falls & Conway Railroad).
Asa A. Fox of Milton Mills paid a $2 tax on his carriage, which was valued at $150, in the U.S. Excise Tax of 1864.
8-5. Canney & Co.’s Express to Their Own Agent in [Milton Mills] New Hampshire. “Highly interesting combined Post Office and internal usage by this local post, from one Canney agent to another: Eggshell-white envelope with their purple masthead, trimmed from lettersheet to 1 3/4 x 4 1/2 and pasted by agent across back flap, ‘Canney & Co’s Express / Office, 32 Court Sq. [Boston] / M.B. Canney, L.W. Perkins.’ Circular black cancellation ‘Milton Mills / N.H. / Mar. 23’ (1868). On front, Scott #65, judged very pale brown red, large indistinct postmark but probably ‘…M[as]s.’ To ‘Canney & Co.’s Express, Milton Mills, N.H.’ Contemporary pencil notations at bottom, ‘Notified Express Co … See inside.’ Ink light but legible, sun-toned sliver at lower horizontal portion, handling evidence, else good plus. With enclosed letter of Canney Agent E.W. Fox, the manuscript ascender at salutation precisely completing his letterstrokes on the masthead, which he trimmed off and mounted on envelope. ‘Do your books of about Oct. 11, (18)67 show a box received from Ross’ Stage at Great Falls marked ‘T.Y. Kelley & Co., No. 30 Vesey St., N.Y.’? If so, when and to whom was it delivered. The party sending it, Mr. Powers, says Kelley & Co. never received it ….” Uniform toning, handling wrinkles, else good. Canney material is uncommon, certainly in this usage. Splendid for an exhibit. $120-160 (2 pcs.)” (Cohasco, Inc., n.d.)
Asa A. Fox of Milton Mills paid an $8.33 retail liquor dealer’s tax in the U.S. Excise Tax of 1865. Asa A. Fox paid a $10 retail dealer’s tax in the U.S. Excise Tax of May 1866, as did his father. The younger Fox paid also a $1 tax on his carriage.
Asa A. Fox, a retail grocer, aged thirty-two years (b. NH), headed a Milton household at the time of the Ninth (1870) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Hannah H. [(Howe)] Fox, keeping house, aged thirty-five years (b. ME), Charles D. Fox, at school, aged fourteen years (b. NH), and Willie C. Simes, at school, aged seven years (b. NH), Asa A. Fox had real estate valued at $3,000 and personal estate valued at $3,800. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of Bray U. Simes, a retail grocer, aged sixty-nine years (b. NH), and Samuel B. Philpot, a watchman in wool mill, aged fifty-three years (b. ME).
Asa A. Fox & Co. appeared in the Milton directories of 1871, 1873, 1874, 1875, and 1876, as Milton Mills merchants.
A.A. Fox was a District Deputy Grand Master of the International Order of Odd Fellows (I.O.O.F.) when he wrote of the Miltonia Lodge, No. 52, at Milton Mills, in March 1873.
MILTONIA LODGE, No. 52, MILTON MILLS. A.A. Fox, District Deputy Grand Master. I visited this Lodge March 25th, by invitation. After the usual Lodge business, the ladies were admitted to the hall. The exercises consisted of speaking, singing, and instrumental music. Remarks were made by P.G. IRA Tibbetts, and members of the Lodge, which were full of the spirit of Odd-Fellowship. The brotherhood were then invited to a banquet prepared by the ladies, and all present went to work with willing hearts and hands. D.D. Fox writes: “I witnessed an initiation July 29th, and can truly say they do their work finely. The Lodge is in a prosperous condition. This Lodge is made up of men who are ready for any and every good work, and are sure to succeed in the cause of Friendship, Love, and Truth” (Grand Lodge, 1873).
A.A. Fox’s black gelding horse Jerry ran in the second day’s trotting races at Great Falls Riding Park, Somersworth, NH, October 28, 1874. He would seem to have won the $50 third prize purse.
THE TURF. Great Falls, N.H., Oct. 28. – Second Day’s Trotting at Great Falls Riding Park, Wednesday, Oct. 28, 1874. – Purse $350, for horses that have never heat 2.44; $200 to first, $100 to second, $50 to third; mile beats, best 3 in 5, to harness. J. Golden ns. g. g. Ned, 1,1,2,2; Sam Chase ns. g. g. Honest Harry, 2,2,1,1; A.A. Fox ns. blk. g. Jerry. 3,3,3,3; T.D. Marsh ns. blk. g. Black Ralph, 5,4,4,4; J.M. Drew, ns. ch. g. Dan Bryant, 4. distanced. Time, 2.41, 2.43½, 2.41½, 2.43½. In the third heat the driver of Honest Harry was taken off and H.G. Smith was substituted. Darkness came on before the race was concluded, when it was postponed until Thursday morning at 9 o’clock. Same Day – Purse $250, for horses that never beat 2.50; $125 to first, $75 to second, $50 to third. D.H. Marvell ns. br. g. Union. 1,1,1; C.H. French ns. b. m. Lady French. 2,2,2; Henry Carter ns. s. g. Zebill, 3,3,5; P.D. Braun ns. b. s. Morrill Morgan, 4,4,5; O. Dugan ns. br. g. Major, 6,5,3; B.F. Fiske ns. s. g. Venture, 8,6,6; G. Flanagan ns. blk. g. Bunker Hill, 5, distanced; S. Hayes ns. b. m. Nellie Thayer, 7, drawn; J. Rankin ns. s. m. Fannie Phillips, distanced. Time, 2.48½, 2.48, 2.50. Judges, C.K. Drew. W.W. Smith and Ira Locke. The 2.28 and 2.40 classes will be trotted to-morrow (Boston Post, October 26, 1874).
Son Charles D. Fox and his cousin, Everett F. Fox, both of Milton Mills, were students at the Gorham Seminary, in Gorham, ME, during the 1874-75 academic year. They were both pursuing the Normal Course of studies. (Other options included the Commercial, Classical, Collegiate, and Preparatory courses).
Asa Augustus “Augustus” Fox lost his Milton Mills grocery store to a fire in March 1876. This description contains the additional interesting information that the local Independent Order of Odd Fellows (I.O.O.F.) society rented his store’s second floor as their meeting hall. (See also Milton in the News – 1876).
NEW ENGLAND BY MAIL. Milton Mills, N.H. The store of Augustus Fox at Milton Mills, was destroyed by fire Tuesday night. Loss $6000; insured in the Home, New York, for $4300. The second story was occupied by the Odd Fellows, who lost everything (Boston Globe, March 9, 1876).
I.O.O.F. District Deputy Grand Marshal Edward J. Brierly reported the March 8 loss in a letter and followed that with his annual report.
MARCH 9 – Received a letter from D.D.G.M. [District Deputy Grand Marshal] EDWARD J. BRIERLEY that Miltonia Lodge room was burned. Loss about $500. Saved charter and some of the regalias and working books. This is the only Lodge in the State that I have not visited officially, But I learn by Brother BRIERLEY that they continue to meet, and are preparing a new hall. (See D.D.G.M. BRIERLEY’s report).
MILTONIA LODGE, No. 52, MILTON MILLS. I installed the officers in January and July. Our Lodge has during the past six months labored under unfavorable circumstances, owing to our loss by fire. However, we have met every regular night with fair attendance. By the kindness of Motolinia Lodge, we have done some work. Although we met with quite a loss, we have a better fund in the bank which we shall draw on sparingly as possible in fitting up anew. We are in hopes to occupy our new hall soon and to continue the good work. – Edward J. BRIERLEY, D.D.G.M. (IOOF, 1872-81).
Nevertheless, Asa A. Fox appeared in the Milton directory of 1877, as proprietor of a country store.
Asa A. Fox appeared in a list of subordinate Odd Fellows lodges for the year 1877. He had held the office of “Noble Grand” in the prior term.
MILTONIA LODGE, No. 52, Milton Mills: (Tuesday). First term – Oscar F. Marsh, N.G.; William B. Townsend, V.G.; John E. Leach, R. Sec.; Freeman H. Lowd, Treas.; J.L. Pike, P. Sec. Last term – Asa A. Fox, N.G.; John F. Hurd, V.G.; John E. Leach, Sec; Freeman H. Lowd, Treas. (Grand Lodge, 1872).
The Milton Selectmen of 1878-79 were Chas. C. Hayes, Asa A. Fox, and M.V.B. Cook. (They appeared belatedly as such in the Milton business directory of 1880).
Son Charles D. Fox, Annie M. [(Leighton)] Varney, and Annie E. [(Davis)] Cook were the Milton Superintending School Committee in the Milton Town Report for the Year Ending March 1880, i.e., they had been elected in March 1879.
Asa A. Fox was appointed as a Strafford County Deputy Sheriff in August 1879.
John Greenfield, High Sheriff of this county, has issued a neat and useful roster of county officers, the times of the Supreme and Probate Courts, the Judges of the Supreme Court, & c. We learn from it that he has appointed the following Deputies for this county: Daniel C. Wiggin, James H. Davis, and James W. Hartford, Dover; Wm. Pitt Moses, Gt. Falls; Eben S. Nowell, Salmon Falls; Asa A. Hall, Farmington; Asa A. Fox, Milton Mills; Paul A. Hurd, Rochester; Luther C. Critchett, Strafford; Jonathan Dustin, Barrington. Jailer, Samuel J. Smith of Dover – Dover Inquirer (Farmington News, August 8, 1879).
Son C.D. Fox and C.L. Plumer were the Milton Superintending School Committee in the Milton Town Report for the Year Ending March 1881, i.e., they had been elected in March 1880. (This committee had one member less than the usual three committee members). In addition to their roles as school committeemen, each of them taught classes. Charles D. Fox taught the primary students at School District No. 7, i.e., Milton Mills, while Eugene D. Rowell taught higher level students in the same district. Cyrus L. Plumer (1841-1910), who was the Milton Free-Will Baptist minister, taught the higher level students at School District No. 9, i.e., Milton Three Ponds, while Miss Lizzie C. Lyman and Mrs. Amos M. [Clara M. (Mathes)] Roberts taught primary students there in the first and second terms respectively. (Future daughter-in-law Hattie M. Fox taught at School District No. 3, i.e., Jug Hill Road, and would eventually become a junior high school teacher in Lynn, MA).
Asa A. Fox, a carpenter, aged forty-three years (b. NH), headed a Milton (“Milton Mills Village”) household at the time of the Tenth (1880) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Hannah [(Howe)] Fox, keeping house, aged forty-seven years (b. ME), and his son, Charles D. Fox, a school teacher, aged twenty-four years (b. NH). Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of John Murrow, a wood sawyer, aged fifty-six years (b. Canada), and Abram Sanborn, a watchman in wool mill, aged fifty-eight years (b. NH).
Asa A. Fox appeared in the Milton directories of 1880, 1881, and 1882, as both a carpenter and a merchant. He appeared in the Milton directory of 1884, as a Milton Mills builder, manufacturer of coffins and caskets, and merchant; in that of 1887, as a Milton Mills builder, and in 1889, as a Milton Mills undertaker.
Milton sent Asa A. Fox to Concord, NH, as its NH State Representative for the 1881-82 biennium. His travel allowance was rated at 195 miles (NH General Court, 1881).
In a July 1881 NH House division vote on “An act in amendment of chapter one hundred and nine of the General Laws, making wine, fermented cider, lager beer, ale, and all fermented malt liquors intoxicating within the meaning of the law,” Rep. Fox voted with the seventy-five members that opposed the measure, rather than the eighty-nine members that favored it. Since the measure required a two-thirds majority, it did not pass. (See Milton Under “Semi-Prohibition” – 1855-02).
Mother Harriet (Wood) Fox died in Milton Mills, July 3, 1882, aged seventy-five years.
DEATHS. In Milton Mills, July 3, Mrs. Harriet Wood Fox, aged 75 years (Farmington News, July 14, 1882).
Hannah H. (Howe) Fox died of cancer in Milton, September 15, 1886, aged fifty-five years, two months, and twenty-one days.
Son Charles D. Fox married in Milton, May 19, 1887, Hattie M. Fox, both of Milton. He was a clerk, aged thirty-one years, and she was a lady, aged twenty-eight years. Rev. C.E. Mason performed the ceremony. She was born in Milton, September 27, 1859, daughter of Alfred W. and Elvira W. (Titcomb) Fox.
REAL ESTATE TRANSFRS.Asa Fox to Asa A. Fox, land in Milton, $1500 (Farmington News, July 1, 1887).
Asa A. Fox married (2nd) in Milton, August 20, 1887, Harriet “Hattie” Hart, both of Milton. He was an undertaker, aged forty-nine years, and she was a lady, aged thirty-five years. Rev. C.M. Anderson performed the ceremony. She was born in Milton, April 30, 1852, daughter of Edward F. and Sally (Fox) Hart (and sister of John F. Hart, 2nd).
Father Asa Fox died in Milton, September 29, 1887, aged seventy-seven years, eleven months, and six days.
DIED. Acton – October 1 [SIC], Mr. Asa Fox (Biddeford-Saco Journal, October 8, 1887).
Newfield. Mr. Augustus Fox, undertaker of Milton Mills, N.H., passed through here Saturday with a fine pair of matched horses to deliver a casket at South Parsonsfield (Biddeford-Saco Journal, January 12, 1889).
Charles D. Jones partnered with a Mr. Stevens in a Milton Mills shoe shop in 1889.
COUNTY AFFAIRS. Acton. There is to be another shoe shop at Milton Mills. C.D. Fox and Mr. Stevens are the proprietors (Biddeford Daily Journal (Biddeford, ME), April 16, 1889).
The Newfield, ME, obituary of Mary Ann (Bean) Slater mentioned her funeral arrangements having been made in February 1891 by Milton Mills undertaker A.A. Fox.
Newfield. Mrs. Mary Ann, wife of John Slater of Milton Mills, N.H., died Feb. 4th after a painful illness of 4 weeks. Mrs. Slater was the oldest daughter of the late Israel Bean of Limerick and had many friends in this vicinity. Her remains were brought here by Undertaker A.A. Fox and buried in the family lot at Pleasant Hill cemetery Friday afternoon. Mrs. Slater was 60 years of age (Biddeford-Saco Journal, February 14, 1891).
Asa A. Fox appeared in the Milton directories of 1894, and 1898, as a Milton Mills builder and undertaker. Son C.D. Fox appeared in the Milton directories of 1894, and 1898, as proprietor of the Central House hotel at Milton Mills.
Hattie H. [(Hart)] Fox of Milton divorced Asa A. Fox in Strafford Superior Court, September 24, 1896. She alleged extreme cruelty (one had to allege something).
LIST OF DIVORCES. The following is the list pronounced upon at the last session of the supreme court: … Hattie H. Fox vs. Asa A. Fox, both of Milton, divorce granted; cause, extreme cruelty; alimony $3500 (Farmington News, October 16, 1896).
Asa A. Fox married (3rd) in Haverhill, MA, March 30, 1897, Sarah E. (Tuttle) Webster, he of Milton and she of Haverhill, MA. He was an undertaker, aged sixty years, and she was a housekeeper, aged sixty years. Rev. L.B. Twitchell performed the ceremony. She was born in Strafford, NH, February 9, 1836, daughter of James and Sally (Middleton) Tuttle. (She was the widow of Charles Webster).
Asa A. Fox of Milton testified in Dover, NH, January 4, 1898, regarding the Jones poisoning murder case of 1897. (See Milton’s Poisoning Murder – 1897).
Asa Fox of Milton, the undertaker who prepared Mrs. Jones’ body for burial, testified regarding the [Utopia brand] embalming fluid used. He said it was an article of commerce, and he used it as prepared (Boston Globe, January 5, 1898).
The Fox family was deeply involved in fin de sièclePleasant Valley Grange at Milton Mills. Mrs. A.A. Fox of the Pleasant Valley Grange in Milton Mills was among those brought into the NH State Grange session at Mechanics Hall, in Manchester, NH, and instructed in the Degree of Flora, on the evening of December 20, 1899.
Pleasant Valley grange of Milton Mills has elected the following officers: Master, A.A. Fox; overseer, Daniel Philbrick; lecturer, John U. Simes; steward, Albert Wiggin; assistant steward, Rev. A.M. Markey; lady assistant steward, Mrs. Willis Reynolds; chaplain, Rev. E.W. Churchill; treasurer, Jennie Hanson; gate keeper, C.A. Treadwell; Pomona, Ruth Philbrick; Flora, Mrs. C.D. Fox; Ceres, Mrs. A.A. Fox; director, C.D. Fox; lady director, Mrs. Fox; organists, Helen Loud, Grace Loud (Farmington News, December 29, 1899).
Asa A. Fox, an undertaker, aged sixty-three 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 three years), Sarah E.W. [((Tuttle) Webster)] Fox, aged sixty-three years (b. NH), and his servant, Mary Remick, a house servant, aged twenty-four years (b. NH). Asa A. Fox owned their farm, free-and-clear. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of Calvin S. Haines, a hostler, aged thirty-eight years (b. NH), and Charles D. Fox, a hotel keeper, aged forty-five years (b. NH).
Charles D. Fox, a hotel keeper, aged forty-five years (b. NH), headed a Milton (“Milton Mills Village”) household at the time of the Twelfth (1900) Federal Census. His household included his wife Hattie M. [(Fox)] Fox, aged forty years (b. NH), his daughter, Edwina E. Fox, aged six years (b. NH), his servants, Lacy Witham, aged twenty-two years (b. ME), and Adah Renualt, aged twenty years (b. NH), and his boarders, Charles W. Gross, aged fifty-seven years (b. ME), J. Edward La Bonte, aged forty-nine years (b. Canada), Joshua S. Mathews, a shoe factory superintendent, aged fifty-four years (b. MA), [his wife of thirty years,] May Ella [(Cram)] Mathews, aged forty-nine years (b. ME), Harry Hamilton, a shoe puller-over, aged twenty-three years, and John D. Hanson, a hostler, aged fifty years (b. NH). Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of Asa A. Fox, an undertaker, aged sixty-three years (b. NH), and Maude A. Berry, a housekeeper, aged sixty-five years (b. NH).
Old Folks of Milton Mills and vicinity had their third annual meeting, August 21, at the home of A.A. Fox. In the company were 140 persons, whose ages aggregated 9712 years, and averaged nearly 70 years (Farmington News, August 31, 1900).
Asa A. Fox appeared in the Milton directories of 1901, and 1904, as a Milton Mills undertaker. Son C.D. Fox appeared in the Milton directory of 1901, as proprietor of the Central House hotel at Milton Mills.
JUBILEES IN SEVERAL TOWNS. Milton Departed from the Beaten Track and Held an Old-Folks Gathering – War Vets Meet at Greenville. … Milton’s celebration took the form of the annual old folks gathering at the residence of Hon. and Mrs. A.A. Fox. Especial invitations were extended to all persons more than 60 years of age resident in Milton, Wakefield, Brookfield and Middleton, N.H., and Acton, Lebanon and Shapleigh, Me. and a very large number of them were accepted. Dinner was served at noon, and in the afternoon there was a program of music, speaking, etc. (Boston Globe, August 21, 1901).
Milton passed under “Local Option” as regards liquor licenses in 1903. A vote of the town had allowed such licenses in 1903 and they were held by Fred M. Chamberlain, whose Phœnix House had a license (Class 1); Charles L. Bodwell, whose Milton Hotel had a license (Class 1); and son Charles D. Fox, whose Central House hotel, at Milton Mills, had a license (Class 1). Such Class 1 licenses would permit liquor sales to hotel guests only (NH License Commissioners, 1904). In the following year a town vote forbid liquor licenses. Liquor license availability would seesaw on and off in Milton for years. Charles D. Fox chose to get out of the hotel business at this time, likely due to the uncertainty. John H. Lord took over management of the Central House hotel for a time.
County Officers. …. Sheriff Parker has appointed the following deputies, all of whom have qualified except Charles D. Fox of Milton Mills, who was not present this morning but will appear later and take the oath of office: Bert Wentworth, Dover; Alphons I. Faunce, Somersworth; Henry F. Walker, Rochester; Frank I. Smith, Rochester; Augustus S. Waldron, Farmington; Arioch W. Griffith, Durham; Elmer Clark, Strafford (Farmington News, April 3, 1903).
Asa A. Fox of Milton made his last will July 3, 1903. He gave to his beloved wife, Sarah W. Fox, “my best wishes for her future happiness and prosperity, agreeable to certain covenant entered into between my said wife and myself prior to our marriage.” He gave, devised and bequeathed all his property, both real and personal, to his beloved son, Charles D. Fox, who he named as executor. John E. Chesley, John D. Hanson, and Owen [Orren] R. Fairfield signed as witnesses (Strafford County Probate, 140:128). John E. Chesley was a Rochester, NH, farmer; John D. Hanson was a Milton hostler; and Orren R. Fairfield was a Kennebunk, ME, painter.
Asa A. Fox and his son, Charles D. Fox, both of Milton Mills, both took and passed the Maine State undertaker examination, May 10, 1904.
Meetings were held for the purpose of examining candidates May 10 and October 5, 1904, and June 22 and December 14, 1905. At each of these meetings, the following instructions were given to the candidates: A list of questions is herewith submitted to you numbered from 1 to 40. The answers are to be made in writing, the figure to be placed before each answer which corresponds to that before its respective question. Two hours will be given within which time the answers the questions will be handed in. The answers may be handed in any time within the two hours when completed, but the candidate when handing in his answers must immediately retire and not re-enter the room. Any candidate leaving the room before his answers have been completed and handed in will not be allowed to return, nor to finish his examination this day. Talk in the room or communications of any kind between candidates will debar from completion of the examination. Satisfactory answers to at least 30 of the questions (75 per cent) will be required. No catch questions are submitted, only those which every practical undertaker should be able to answer. In any answers to questions relating to contagious and infectious diseases, no distinction between the two will be required. They will be considered simply in the sense of dangerous communicable diseases. Each candidate must place his signature to his examination paper (ME State Board of Health, 1906).
Both candidates passed the examination. Son Charles D. Fox received ME State license #83 and Asa A. Fox received #105.
Asa A. Fox of Main street, Milton Mills, appeared in the Red Book automobile directory of 1905, as the owner of a 10 horsepower Pope automobile (Blanchard, 1905). (See also Milton Automobiles in 1906-07).
MILTON MILLS, N.H. Asa A Fox had a very bad spell one day last week and was confined to the house a few days (Sanford Journal-Tribune (Biddeford, ME), November 17, 1905).
Asa A. Fox appeared in the Milton directories of 1905-06, and 1909, as a merchant of coffins and caskets, an embalmer, and an undertaker. (See also Milton Automobiles in 1909-10).
PERSONAL. Wednesday Mr. A.A. Fox of Milton Mills was in town with a party of friends, in his automobile (Farmington News, August 24, 1906).
MILTON MILLS, N.H. Mr. and Mrs. Asa A. Fox entertained a large party of the members of the A.O.U.W. of Milton with their wives and lady friends on Saturday evening. Mr. and Mrs. Fox also invited in some friends and neighbors to meet with the good people from Milton and a very pleasant and enjoyable evening was passed by all. A number of selections of vocal and instrumental music by our village artists were rendered in a very pleasing manner. Bounteous refreshments were served, and it was generally voted to be one of the best of the many pleasant social evenings we have enjoyed at this home (Sanford Journal-Tribune (Biddeford, ME), May 24, 1907).
MILTON MILLS. Mrs. Asa A. Fox returned home Saturday from a visit to her sister in Detroit, Mich. (Sanford Journal-Tribune (Biddeford, ME), September 13, 1907).
Daughter-in-law Hattie M. (Fox) Fox was elected to a three-year term as trustee of the Sunrise Rebekah Lodge in Milton Mills.
MILTON MILLS. Sunrise Rebekah lodge No. 79, I.O.O.F., held a special meeting Monday evening, and elected these officers: N.G., Mrs. Delia M. [(Douglas)] Flye; V.G., Mrs. Mildred T. [(Tibbetts)] Marsh; Sec., Mrs. Marguerite [(Meikle)] Stevens; Treas., Mrs. Rosamond [(Guptill)] Manser; trustee for three years, Mrs. Hattie M. [(Fox)] Fox. These will be installed at the next regular meeting Jan. 8. Miltonia lodge No. 52, I.O.O.F., at its regular meeting Tuesday evening, elected officers as follows: N.G., Daniel Murray; V.G., Chas. S. Philbrick; secretary, John Lewis; treasurer, Forrest L. Marsh; trustee, three years, Oliver C. Titcomb. After the election of officers the initiatory degree was worked on three candidates and this was followed by a supper and a good social time (Sanford Journal-Tribune (Biddeford, ME), January 10, 1908).
Son Charles D. Fox hosted a Free-Will Baptist reading club meeting in September 1908, whose subject was English Poet Laureate Alfred Lord Tennyson (1809-1892).
MILTON MILLS. The reading club of the Free Baptist young people met at John Lewis’ Friday evening and had an evening with Robert Burns. Friday evening this week the meeting will be at C.D. Fox’s and the subject will be Tennyson (Sanford Journal-Tribune (Biddeford, ME), October 2, 1908).
Asa A. Fox, an undertaker, aged seventy-three years (b. NH), headed a Milton (“Milton Mills”) household at the time of the Thirteenth (1910) Federal Census. His household included his wife (of twelve years), Sarah W. [((Tuttle) Webster)] Fox, aged seventy-three years (b. NH), and Sadie Willey, a private family servant, aged thirty years (b. NH). Asa A. Fox owned their house, free-and-clear. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of Willis A. Meikle, a woolen mill finisher, aged thirty-six years (b. ME), and Charles D. Fox, an undertaker, aged forty-five years (b. NH).
Charles D. Fox, an undertaker, aged fifty-seven years (b. NH), headed a Milton (“Milton Mills”) household at the time of the Thirteenth (1910) Federal Census. His household included his wife (of twenty years), Hattie [(Fox)] Fox, aged forty-eight years (NH), and his daughter, Edwina Fox, aged twenty-seven years (NH). Charles D. Fox owned their house, free-and-clear. Hattie Fox was the mother of one child, of whom one was still living. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of Asa A. Fox, an undertaker, aged seventy-three years (b. NH), and Calvin Haynes, a farmer, aged forty-eight years (b. NH). (His paternal uncle, Elbridge W. Fox, a general store proprietor, aged seventy-five years (b. NH), appeared just past Haynes).
MILTON MILLS. Mrs. C.D. Fox had as guests over the end of the week Mr. and Mrs. George [Emma E. (Fox)] Meikle, their two sons, Stanley and Chester, and Miss Dr. Zimmerman, all of New Bedford, Mass. Miss Brenda Meikle, who has been spending a few weeks, returned with her parents Monday. Miss Buffington of New Bedford was also here for a few days (Sanford Journal-Tribune (Biddeford, ME), September 16, 1910).
Asa A. Fox appeared in the Milton directory of 1912, as a merchant of coffins and caskets, an embalmer, and an undertaker.
Asa A. Fox died of chronic interstitial nephritis at the NH State Hospital in Concord, NH, November 11, 1913, aged seventy-six years, nine months, and eight days. He was an undertaker and had been hospitalized for six months, eight days. A.B. Howard, M.D., signed the death certificate. (Undertakers Kendall & Foster of Concord, NH, managed his funeral).
Son Charles D. Fox was admitted as a new member to the Maine Undertakers’ Association at their convention held in Hampden, ME, August 19, 1915 (Bangor Daily News (Bangor, ME, August 20, 1915).
Son Charles D. Fox suffered from a debilitating and ultimately fatal cancer in the final year of his life.
MILTON MILLS. (Special to the Tribune). Charles D. Fox is suffering from a cancer on his face (Sanford Journal-Tribune (Biddeford, ME), March 3, 1916).
MILTON MILLS. (Special to the Tribune). Charles D. Fox was taken to Concord to the insane asylum this morning. He was accompanied by Drs. Anderson and Stevens and his nurse (Sanford Journal-Tribune (Biddeford, ME), March 31, 1916).
Son Charles D. Fox died of exhaustion (and effective psychosis and cancer (one year)) in Concord, NH, March 31, 1916, aged sixty years. A marginal note regarding the cancer adds “Involving upper half of right cheek and lower jaw with enlarged cervical glands.” D.G. McIvor, M.D., of Concord, NH, signed the death certificate.
CHARLES D. FOX – Charles D. Fox, who was taken to Concord last week, died there Friday morning. The remains were brought here and the funeral was held Wednesday P.M. at his home. Mr. Fox leaves a wife and one daughter to mourn his loss. He was a member of the I.O.O.F. and K. of P. and of Lovell Union Grange (Sanford Journal-Tribune (Biddeford, ME), April 7, 1916).
LOCAL. The local friends of Charles D. Fox, the Milton Mills undertaker, were pained to learn of his death which took place last week Friday. The funeral was held this Wednesday. He is survived by his wife and one daughter (Farmington News, April 7, 1916).
Granddaughter Edwina E. Fox married in Milton Mills, November 21, 1917, Joseph Elijah Wadleigh, she of Milton Mills and he of Wakefield, NH. She was a teacher, aged twenty-four years, and he was a farmer, aged twenty-eight years. Rev. Edwin P. Moulton performed the ceremony (by a special license from the State of New Hampshire). Joseph E. Wadleigh was born in Lynn, MA, September 27, 1889, son of Frank F. and Mary J. (Gilmore) Wadleigh.
Sarah E. ((Tuttle) Webster) Fox died of a gangrenous fractured hip in Strafford, NH, July 3, 1918, aged eighty-two years, five months, and three days. The hip had been broken six weeks prior and the gangrene had developed four weeks prior. Stephen Young signed the death certificate.
Ex-wife Harriet A. “Hattie” (Hart) Fox died in Wells, ME, December 13, 1918.
Accounts for Notice. Guardian’s account in estate of Hattie H. Fox, late of Wells (Sanford Journal-Tribune (Biddeford, ME), February 12, 1919).
Hattie M. [(Fox)] Fox, a widow, aged sixty years (b. NH), headed a Milton household at the time of the Fourteenth (1920) Federal Census. Her household included her son-in-law, J. Elijah Wadleigh, an undertaker, aged thirty years (b. MA), her daughter, Edwina F. [(Fox)] Wadleigh, aged twenty-six years (b. NH), and her grandson, Joseph E. Wadleigh, Jr., aged one year (b. NH). Hattie M. Fox owned their farm on School Street, free-and-clear.
Grandson-in-law Joseph E. Wadleigh died of tuberculosis in Milton Mills, May 26, 1920, aged thirty years.
LOCAL. It is with deep regret that local friends of Joseph Elijah Wadleigh learn of his death which occurred at his home at Milton Mills this Wednesday evening. The deceased succumbed to tuberculosis after a long and noble fight with the dread disease. He is survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Francis Wadleigh, his wife, one son, Joseph E., Jr., and three sisters, Misses Frances and Charlotte Wadleigh of Union and Mrs. Harry A. Nute of Portsmouth (Farmington News, May 28, 1920).
Hattie M. [(Fox)] Fox, a widow, aged seventy years (b. NH), headed a Lynn, MA, household at the time of the Fifteenth (1930) Federal Census. Her household included her daughter, Edwina E. [(Fox)] Wadleigh, a public school teacher, aged thirty-five years (b. NH), and her grandson, Joseph E. Wadleigh, aged eleven years (b. NH). Hattie M. Fox rented their house at 280 Maple Street, for $40 per month. They had a radio set.
Granddaughter Edwina F. Wadleigh appeared in the Lynn, MA, directory of 1935, as the widow of Joseph E. Wadleigh, and a teacher at the Breed Junior High School, with her house at 45 Graves avenue. Her mother, Hattie M. Fox, appeared as the widow of Charles D. Fox, with her residence at 45 Graves avenue.
Daughter-in-law Hattie M. (Fox) Fox died in Lynn, MA, May 30, 1938.
MILTON MILLS, By Alfred W. Lewis. The body of Mrs. Hattie Fox was brought from Lynn, Mass., and services were hold in the Free Baptist Church Thursday. She was the widow of the late Charles D. Fox. She leaves her daughter, Mrs. Edwina Wadleigh and a sister, Mrs. Emma Meikle. She was a member of the Free Baptist Church and Sunrise Rebekah Lodge. The services were under the direction of Frank Spencer with J. Whitfield Qurrie officiating (Farmington News, June 9, 1938).
Edwina [(Fox)] Wadleigh, a teacher, aged forty-six years (b. NH), headed a Lynn, MA, household at the time of the Sixteenth (1940) Federal Census. Her household included her son, Joseph E. Wadleigh, a meat packers’ accountant, aged twenty-one years (b. NH), and her lodger, Winfred Farrar, a General Electric machinist, aged forty-four years (b. NH). She rented their part of a two-family house at 208 Broadway Street, for $50 per month. (Her income was $2,100 per annum, i.e., her housing – without her lodger’s contribution – would have cost 28.6% of her income). They had all resided in the “same place,” i.e., Lynn, MA, in 1935.
MILTON MILLS. Mrs. Edwina Fox Wadleigh and Mr. Farrar of Lynn were Sunday visitors of Mr. and Mrs. Herman L. Buck (Sanford Journal-Tribune (Biddeford, ME), October 17, 1940).
Edwina [(Fox)] Wadley, a junior high school teacher for the city school department, aged fifty-three years (b. NH), headed a Lynn, MA, household at the time of the Seventeenth (1950) Federal census. Her household included her roomer, Winfred Farrar, a bench worker for an electrical manufacturing company, aged fifty-two years (b. NH).
MILTON MILLS. Mrs. Edwina Wadleigh and Winn Farrell [Farrar] of Lynn, Mass., were Sunday visitors in town (Sanford Journal-Tribune (Biddeford, ME), August 27, 1953).
Milton Mills. Mr. and Mrs. Willard Clark and H.L. Buck entertained at the Wilson Pond camp Mrs. Arthur Brackett and Mrs. Edwina Wadleigh of Lynn, Mass., Monday (Sanford Journal-Tribune (Biddeford, ME), August 4, 1961).
Granddaughter Edwina E. (Fox) Wadleigh died in Lynn, MA, October 28, 1961, aged sixty-eight years.
Milton Mills. BY BESSIE M LEWIS. Mrs. Edwina Wadleigh. Mrs. Edwina F. (Fox) Wadleigh, 68, of Lynn, Mass., died Saturday at her home after a brief illness. She was the widow of Joseph E. Wadleigh. Mrs. Wadleigh was born in Milton Mills. She had lived in Lynn for 40 years and retired two years ago after teaching business courses at Breed Junior High School for 39 years. She was a member of Ivy Rebekah Lodge, the National Retired Teachers’ Association, the Washington Street Baptist Church, and the Dorcas Society of the Milton Mills Baptist Church. She was a past matron of the Eastern Star Chapter in Union, N.H. Mrs. Wadleigh is survived by a son, Joseph E. Wadleigh of Saugus, Mass., and five grandchildren. The funeral was held in the Parker Memorial, Lynn, Tuesday afternoon. Services were held in the Milton Mills church Wednesday afternoon. Burial was in the Milton Cemetery (Sanford Journal-Tribune (Biddeford, ME), November 9, 1961).
Joseph Pearl was born in Farmington, NH, in 1786, son of Ichabod and Mary (Young) Pearl.
The daughters of Ichabod Pearl, the early settler in the Pearl district [of Farmington, NH], were Mrs. [Eliza (Pearl)] Brooks and Mrs. [Patience (Pearl)] Berry of New Durham and Mrs. [Mary (Pearl)] Knight of Farmington, at whose home the little bound boy, Jerry Colbath (afterwards Hon. Henry Wilson), served his time (Farmington News, September 21, 1888).
Ichabod Pearl headed a Farmington, NH, household at the time of the Third (1810) Federal Census. His household included one male aged 45-plus years [himself], one female aged 45-plus years [Mary (Young) Pearl], one male aged 16-25 years [Joseph Pearl], three females aged 16-25 years [Eliza Pearl, Patience Pearl, and Mary Pearl], and one male aged under-10 years.
Joseph Pearl, the second son of Ichabod, was a school teacher in his younger days, and I think he taught twenty winters in succession, often being selected for hard schools, since he was admirably well fitted for the task. Some districts contained scholars who were noted for being very unruly and hard to govern, but Mr. Pearl always gained the mastery over such pupils and, besides, he possessed superior comment sense. He kept the old Middleton Corner school, one winter, which was one of the most difficult in the county, to control, and with his usual good judgment and learning, came off victorious. He was the teacher of the ten rod road school several winters, and he also instructed in the old district school at home, his summers being usually spent in farming on the old estate. He was in person a tall, spare man, full six feet in height, of dignified presence and one of the old-time gentlemen (Farmington News, September 21, 1888).
Joseph Pearl married in Rochester, NH, August 27, 1812, Elizabeth “Betsy” Hayes, he of Farmington, NH, and she of Milton. Rev. Joseph Haven performed the ceremony. She was born in Milton, August 12, 1791, daughter of Daniel and Eunice (Pinkham) Hayes.
When quite a young man he [Joseph Pearl] married Miss Betsy Hayes, a daughter of Daniel Hayes, one of the first settlers of Milton, and they resided for many years on the ancestral estate of the Pearl’s, located on the [New Durham] ridge road, always the abode of plenty, with grassy fields and fruit trees, and the stately English poplar, which well pointed out the place to travelers, since they were lofty “shrubbery,” quite rare in Farmington. I now remember when young that I thought they gave the place wherever planted a character of their own; while I think there were never any such trees at the dock, and why it seemed to me a little curious (Farmington News, September 21, 1888).
The downtown of Farmington, NH, which evidently lacked poplar trees, was known as the “Puddle Dock.”
(The known children of Joseph and Elizabeth (Hayes) Pearl were Daniel Pearl (1813–1882), Rufus K. Pearl (1815–1864), Eliza A. Pearl (1822–1851), Joseph Pearl (1826–1847), and Mary Pearl (1829–1912)).
To Mr. and Mrs. Pearl five children were born, three sons and two daughters (Farmington News, September 21, 1888).
Son Daniel Pearl was born in Farmington, NH, January 18, 1813. Son Rufus K. Pearl was born in Farmington, NH, February 6, 1815.
Daughter Eliza A. Pearl was born in Farmington, NH, in June 1822. Son Joseph Pearl was born in Farmington, NH, in 1826. Daughter Mary Pearl was born in Farmington, NH, April 1, 1829.
Joseph Pearl headed a Farmington, NH, household at the time of the Fifth (1830) Federal Census. His household included one male aged 40-49 years [himself], one female aged 30-39 years [Elizabeth (Hayes) Pearle], one male aged 15-19 years [Daniel Pearle], one male aged 10-14 years [Rufus K. Pearle], one female aged 5-9 years [Eliza Pearle], one female aged under-5 years [Mary Pearle], one female aged 80-89 years, and one male aged 70-79 years.
Father Ichabod Pearl died in Rochester, NH, March 8, 1832. Mother Mary (Young) Pearl died in Rochester, NH, September 24, 1836.
Son Rufus K. Pearl of Farmington, NH, appeared in an 1839 catalog of Bowdoin College students. He was a “second course,” i.e., second year, medical student, in the February-May semester. His instructor or preceptor was Dr. D.T. Parker. (Later publications would identify him as Rufus King Pearl).
Rufus K. Pearl, the third son, was a well read and able physician, known to Farmington people, as well as others, as “Doctor Pearl.” He was educated at Gilmanton, Hanover, and Brunswick, Me., and studied medicine with Dr. White [Dr. Nahum Wight (1807-1884)] of Gilmanton, commencing the practice of his profession at Rochester village, his office being over the jewelry store of James C. Cole, at that time the watchmaker and jeweler of the town. Along with the practice of medicine he kept a well selected apothecary shop, and dealt out drugs to the villagers, as well as potions to his patients, of whom he had many, yet he was not, singular to relate, a great believer in dosing, and was too much of a man to impose upon the sick to enrich himself (Farmington News, September 21, 1888).
Son Daniel Pearl married, in 1839, Lydia B. Jones. She was born in New Durham, NH, November 19, 1815, daughter of Samuel and Nancy (Bennett) Jones.
Daniel remained upon the farm which was always his home, he being a respected and influential citizen of Farmington, who was honored during life with offices of trust and importance. I think he was a school teacher in his younger days like his father (Farmington News, September 21, 1888).
Joseph Pearle headed a Milton household at the time of the Sixth (1840) Federal Census. His household included one male aged 50-59 years [himself], one female aged 40-49 years [Elizabeth (Hayes) Pearle], one male aged 20-29 years [Rufus K. Pearle], one female aged 15-19 years [Eliza Pearle], and one female aged 10-14 years [Mary Pearle]. One member of his household was engaged in Agriculture and one member was engaged in a Learned Profession. (His son, Rufus K. Pearl, M.D., was a physician). Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of Edward Tibbetts and Daniel Hayes.
David Pearle headed a Farmington, NH, household at the time of the Sixth (1840) Federal Census. His household included one male aged 20-29 years [himself], one female aged 20-29 years [Lydia B. (Jones) Pearl], and one male aged 15-19 years. Two members of his household were engaged in Agriculture.
Son Rufus K. Pearl served on the Superintending School Committee of Rochester, NH, in 1841.
He removed his business to a store erected, I think by himself, on Market street near the present site of Wentworth block, where he remained a while, but finally sold out his stock in trade to D. Hanson, the early druggist, who removed it to his own store on Central square. I think this was about 1844 (Farmington News, September 21, 1888).
Son Rufus K. Pearl married in Alton, NH, June 28, 1841, Hannah B. Huckins, he of Rochester, NH, and she of Alton, NH. Rev. E. Mason performed the ceremony. She was born in Madbury, NH, April 12, 1818, daughter of John D. and Mary (Locke) Huckins.
Daughter Eliza A. Pearl married, in January 1844, Martin L. Hayes. He was born in Farmington, NH, March 26, 1812, son of Ichabod and Deborah (French) Hayes.
Eliza, the eldest [daughter], became the wife of Martin L. Hayes, the early shoe manufacturer, who was a wealthy capitalist and is but quite recently deceased. Mrs. Hayes died after a few years of wedded life (Farmington News, September 21, 1888).
Daughter-in-law Hannah B. (Huckins) Pearl died June 19, 1845, aged twenty-six years.
Dr. Pearl lost his wife, who was a Miss Huckins of Alton, and also two children, when, his health failing, he was obliged to give up his medical practice and leave Rochester. He was greatly depressed by the loss of his family and he spent some time with his father, Joseph Pearl, who was then residing on the old Daniel Hayes place in Milton – his wife’s early home – having given his son, Daniel, the homestead in the Pearl district (Farmington News, September 21, 1888).
Joseph Pearl received a five-year appointment as a Milton justice-of-the-peace, July 6, 1846. Ichabod H. Wentworth and Robert Mathes were appointed also that same day.
Father-in-law Daniel Hayes died in Milton, December 4, 1846.
Son Joseph Pearl, Jr., died in a southern state, July 16, 1847.
Joseph, the eldest [?] son, died young in years, his death occurring in one of the southern states, where he had gone for his health (Farmington News, September 21, 1888).
Daughter Mary Pearl married, April 14, 1850, Alonzo Nute. He was born in Milton, February 12, 1826, son of David and Lavina (Cook) Nute.
Mary, the youngest daughter, is the wife of Hon. Alonzo Nute, and a lady who is well known in society circles. While, if in the happy shapening of events she should become a congressman’s wife, she will fill the high position with her usual charming grace and ease at the nation’s capitol (Farmington News, September 21, 1888).
Joseph Pearl, a farmer, aged sixty-four years (b. NH), headed a Milton household at the time of the Seventh (1850) Federal Census. His household included Betsey [(Hayes)] Pearl, aged fifty-eight years (b. NH), James Rowe, a farmer, aged fifteen years (b. NH), and Eunice [(Pinkham)] Hayes, aged eighty-nine years (b. NH). Joseph Pearl had real estate valued at $10,600. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of William W. Cook, a farmer, aged fifty-two years (b. NH), and Richard T. Rollins, a stone cutter, aged forty-seven years (b. NH).
Daniel Pearl, a farmer, aged thirty-seven years (b. NH), headed a Farmington, NH, household at the time of the Seventh (1850) Federal Census. His household included Lydia [(Jones)] Pearl, aged thirty-five years (b. NH), Ann E. Pearl, aged four years (b. NH), Mary Pearl, aged two years (b. NH), John Roe, aged twelve years (b. NH), and Augusta Hayes, aged seventeen years (b. NH). Daniel Pearl had real estate valued at $4,000.
Martin L. Hayes, a shoemaker, aged thirty-seven years (b. NH), headed a Farmington, NH, household at the time of the Seventh (1850) Federal Census. His household included Eliza [(Pearl)] Hayes, aged twenty-seven years (b. NH), Arianna Hayes, aged one year (b. NH), and H.K. [R.K.] Pearl, a merchant, aged thirty-five years (b. NH), and Jonathan Hayes, a shoemaker, aged twenty-five years (b. NH). Martin L. Hayes had real estate valued at $9,000.
With his health somewhat established Dr. [Rufus K.] Pearl moved to the Dock, and was a merchant at Farmington, keeping a country variety store with popular patent medicines, remedies new to the public at the time, concerning the virtues of such he once made the remark: “I keep them for sale but I have very little faith in them.” The doctor’s store was the early Pearl building, erected by Eleazar Pearl, his uncle (Farmington News, September 21, 1888).
Alonzo Nute, a shoemaker, aged twenty-four years (b. NH), headed a Farmington, NH, household at the time of the Seventh (1850) Federal Census. His household included Mary [(Pearl)] Nute, aged twenty-two years. They shared a two-family residence with the household of Jeremy O. Nute, a shoemaker, aged twenty-two years (b. NH). Each householder had real estate valued at $500. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of David T. Parker, a physician, aged thirty-seven years (b. VT), and Geo. F. Tibbetts, a blacksmith, aged twenty-six years (b. NH).
J. Pearl appeared in the NH Register of 1851, as being postmaster at Chestnut Hills. James M. Twombly was postmaster at Milton and Gilman Jewett was postmaster at Milton Mills (Claremont Mfg. Co., 1851).
Joseph Pearl received a renewal five-year appointment as a Milton justice-of-the-peace, June 27, 1851.
Daughter Eliza A. (Pearl) Hayes died in Farmington, NH, November 4, 1851.
Rufus K. Pearl and his brother-in-law, Martin L. Hayes, were among eight original incorporators of the Farmington Bank, July 15, 1854.
AN ACT to incorporate the Farmington Bank. SECTION 1. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened. That Hiram Barker, George M. Herring, John Barker, George L. Whitehouse, Rufus K. Pearl, Josiah B. Edgerly, Martin L. Hayes, and Mark Demeritt, and their associates, successors, and assigns, be and they hereby are, created and made a corporation by the name and style of the Farmington Bank, and shall so continue from the first day of August, A.D. 1854, until the expiration of twenty years next following, and by that name shall be and hereby are made capable in law to sue and be sued, plead, and be impleaded, defend and be defended, in any court of record or any other place whatever; and also to make, have and use a common seal, and the same at pleasure to break, alter or renew; and also to ordain, establish and put in execution such by-laws, ordinances and regulations (not repugnant to the laws of this State) as to them shall appear necessary or convenient for their regulation and government, and for the prudent management of the affairs of said corporation; subject always to the rules, restrictions, limitations and provisions hereinafter prescribed … (NH Secretary of State, 1854).
Joseph Pearl received a renewal five-year appointment as a Milton justice-of-the-peace, June 24, 1856. Ichabod H. Wentworth and Robert Mathes were appointed also that same day.
Joseph Pearl, a farmer aged seventy-three years (b. NH), headed a Milton “W. Milton P.O.”) household at the time of the Eighth (1860) Federal Census. His household included Betsey [(Hayes)] Pearl, aged sixty-eight years (b. NH), and Eunice [(Pinkham)] Hayes, aged ninety-nine years (b. NH). Joseph Pearl had real estate valued at $4,000 and personal estate valued at $5,000. Their household appeared first in the enumeration, and was followed by Ephraim Hayes, a farmer, aged fifty-five years (b. NH).
Daniel Pearl, a farmer, aged forty-eight years (b. NH), headed a Farmington, NH, household at the time of the Eighth (1860) Federal Census. His household included Lydia B. [(Jones)] Pearl, aged forty-four years (b. NH), Ann E. Pearl, aged fourteen years (b. NH), Ellen Pearl, aged ten years (b. NH), Ida Pearl, aged five years (b. NH), and George Webb, a farm laborer, aged sixty-four years (b. NH). Daniel Pearl had real estate valued at $4,000 and personal estate valued at $2,000.
Rufus K. Pearl, a retired physician, aged forty-five years (b. NH), headed a Farmington, NH, household at the time of the Eighth (1860) Federal Census. His household included Alonzo Nute, a shoe manufacturer, aged thirty-four years (b. NH), Mary P. Nute, aged thirteen [thirty-one] years (b. NH), Eugene P. Nute, aged eight years (b. NH), Alonzo E. Nute, aged seven years (b. NH), William H. Worster, a jeweler, aged twenty-four years (b. NH), Fanny Worster, aged twenty-four years (b. NH), and Sarah Hayes, aged twenty-three years (b. NH).
His health again failing, he retired from an active business career, independently well off financially, and at his pleasant home on Main street, now the residence of Hon. Alonzo Nute, he quietly passed the remainder of his days. His garden was a pleasurable satisfaction to him, and he enjoyed sitting in the shade of the beautiful trees and spent many hours in silent contemplation of the beauties of Nature spread out before him (Farmington News, September 21, 1888).
Martin L. Hayes, a shoe manufacturer, aged forty-eight years (b. NH), headed a Farmington, NH, household at the time of the Eighth (1860) Federal Census. His household included Arianna Hayes, aged eleven years (b. NH), Mary Varney, aged forty years (b. NH), and Jonathan R. Hayes, aged thirty-five years (b. NH). Martin L. Hayes had real estate valued at $26,400 and personal estate valued at $15,500. Mary Varney had personal estate valued at $1,200 and Jonathan R. Hayes had real estate valued at $2,000.
Joseph Pearl received a renewal five-year appointment as a Milton justice-of-the-peace, June 15, 1861. Robert Mathes received his renewal that same day.
Mother-in-law Eunice [(Pinkham)] Hayes died of old age in Milton, March 27, 1863, aged one hundred-one years, eight months, and thirteen days.
Mrs. Eunice Hayes died at Milton, N.H., on the 27th of last March, at the age of 102. She left 181 descendants, was born on Friday – consecrated to God in baptism on Friday – married on Friday – moved into Milton on Friday – her husband died on Friday – and she died on Friday, as she often affirmed she should (Wood County Reporter (Grand Rapids, WI), May 7, 1863).
Joseph Pearl paid a $1 tax on his two-horse carriage in the U.S. Excise Tax of May 1864.
Son Rufus K. Pearl of Farmington, NH, made his last will May 4, 1864. He bequeathed ten shares of Farmington Bank capital stock to his beloved mother, Betsy Pearl, wife of Joseph Pearl of Milton. He bequeathed $2,500 to his beloved brother, Daniel Pearl of Farmington, NH. He bequeathed the “homestead where I now live,” and ten shares of Farmington Bank capital stock to his beloved sister, Mary P. [(Pearl)] Nute, wife of Alonzon Nute of Farmington, NH. He bequeathed $200 each to Lucy [(Huckins)] Chamberlain, wife of Durrell S. Chamberlain of Alton, NH, and Mary E. [(Huckins)] Berry, wife of Edwin Berry of Alton, NH, they being sisters of his [late] beloved wife. He bequeathed all the rest and residue to his beloved father, Joseph Pearl of Milton. He named his father, Joseph Pearl of Milton, and his brother, Daniel Pearl of Farmington, NH, as joint executors. Joshua P. Richardson, Jeremy O. Nute, and William L. Berry signed as witnesses (Stafford County Probate Docket 2340).
Son Rufus K. Pearl died in Farmington, NH, June 13, 1864, aged forty-nine years. His last will was proved in a Strafford County Probate Court held in Rochester, NH, in July 1864 (Stafford County Probate Docket 2340).
DIED. In Farmington, June 13, Rufus R. Pearl, M.D., aged 49 years (Portland Daily Press (Portland, ME), June 25, 1864).
… Scholarly and refined, his death was a great loss to his friends (Farmington News, September 21, 1888).
Joseph Pearl paid a $1 tax on his carriage in the U.S. Excise Tax of 1866.
Joseph Pearl would have been reappointed to his post as a Milton justice-of-the-peace, in or after June 1866. He may have been ill at that time, and his instead, his prior appointment bore a marginal note to the effect that he was “dead.”
Joseph Pearl of Milton made his last will, August 10, 1866. He bequeathed all of his household furniture, provisions, and produce to his beloved wife, Betsy Pearl, as well as two good cows, to be kept for her winter and summer during her natural life on his Farmington, NH, farm to be given to his son, Daniel Pearl. She was to receive an annual one-sixth share of the produce grown there, and the use of a good steady horse and carriage, and the southerly room in the two-story part of the house and chamber over it. That room should have a fireplace or wood stove and a supply of wood. She would also receive five shares of capital stock in the Farmington Bank and $500.
He bequeathed ten shares of capital stock in the Farmington Bank to his daughter, Mary P. Nute, who was also to have a life estate in the building and lot occupied by the Farmington P.O., and which he had purchased from John Barker. She was to pay maintenance and taxes but retain any profits or rents.
He bequeathed two shares each of capital stock in the Farmington Bank to his grandchildren, Arianna P. Hayes (with Martin L. Hayes as her trustee), Eugene P. Nute, and Alonzo Irving Nute (with Alonzo Nute as their trustee), Ann Eliza Pearl, Ella Pearl, and Ida Pearl (with their father, Daniel Pearl, as their trustee). Grandsons Eugene P. Nute and Alonzo Irving Nute were to have a one-half share each in the Farmington building and lot after their mother’s decease.
He bequeathed two shares each of capital stock in the Farmington Bank to his daughter-in-law, Lydia B. Pearl. He bequeathed to his son, Daniel Pearl, the 185-acre home farm in Farmington, NH, being the same deeded to him by his honored father, Ichabod Pearl, and a 72-acre lot in Alton, NH (bounded on one side by M.L. Hayes). He bequeathed to his son-in-law, Alonzo Nute, another 300 acres in four separate lots in Woodstock, NH. All the rest and residue were to be divided between his wife, Betsy Pearl, his daughter, Mary P. Nute, and his son, Daniel Pearl, who was also appointed executor. J.D. [John D.] Lyman, J.W. Hayes, and Martin L. Hayes signed as witnesses (Strafford County Probate, 80:55 (Strafford County Probate Docket 2819)).
Elizabeth “Betsy” (Hayes) Pearl died of consumption in Farmington, NH, December 17, 1866, aged seventy-five years.
Joseph Pearl died of consumption in Farmington, NH, March 13, 1867, aged eighty years, eight months. His last will was proved in a Strafford County Probate court held in Farmington, NH, in April 1867 (Strafford County Probate, 80:57 (Strafford County Probate Docket 2819)).
David Pearl, a farmer, aged fifty-seven years (b. NH), headed a Farmington (“Gonic P.O.”), NH, household at the Ninth (1870) Federal Census. His household included Lydia [(Jones)] Pearl, keeping house, aged fifty-four years (b. NH), Anna E. Pearl, at home, aged twenty-four years (b. NH), Ella Pearl, at home, aged twenty years (b. NH), and Ida Pearl, at home, aged fifteen years (b. NH). Daniel Pearl had real estate valued at $5,000 and personal estate valued at $13,000.
Martin L. Hayes, shoe manufactory, aged fifty-seven years (b. NH), headed a Farmington (“Gonic P.O.”), NH, household at the Ninth (1870) Federal Census. His household included Mary D. Varney, a housekeeper, aged forty-eight years, and Jonathan R. Hayes, shoe manufactory, aged forty-seven years.
Alonzo Nute, a shoe manufacturer, aged forty-four years (b. NH), headed a Farmington, NH, household at the time of the Ninth (1870) Federal Census. Mary P. [(Pearl)] Nute, aged forty-one years (b. NH), Eugene P. Nute, at home, aged eighteen years (b. NH), Irvin A. Nute, at home, aged sixteen years (b. NH), and Sarah Card, a domestic servant, aged twenty years (b. NH). Alonzo Nute had real estate valued at $17,000 and personal estate valued at $2,500.
In 1874, the wooden factory of Alonzo Nute, opened in 1849 by Nute Bros., was destroyed by fire; but with the energy and determination for which he was noted, Mr. Nute began the construction of a new factory, with the result that a large brick building, 32×185 feet, four stories high, was erected in a very short time, on the site of the factory which had been burned. After 1875, Eugene P. and A. Irving Nute became their father’s partners (Mitchell-Cony, 1908).
Son-in-law Martin L. Hayes died in Farmington, NH, June 24, 1879, aged sixty-seven years, three months, and eight days.
Martin Luther Hayes. There is no man who has lived in our town during the last twenty-five years, and is an observer of the constant changes in our population, who does not view with astonishment the rapidity with which death is doing its work in our community, especially among the leading citizens of twenty-five years ago. Our little village has again been summoned to take a final parting with another of our most honored and distinguished citizens. In the death of Martin L. Hayes our town loses one to whom it owes a debt of gratitude. Mr. Hayes was really the pioneer of the shoe business in our town. He commenced the manufacture of shoes here nearly forty years ago, and for a long time, until the business became an established fact in our village, he baffled with all the trials and inconveniences of the locality at that time when we had no railroad nearer than Dover. Much more was due to Mr. Hayes than to any other man for the energy, patience, and perseverance he displayed in establishing the shoe business in our village. He was free from that selfishness which so often characterize business men, and was always ready to lend a helping hand to those he considered worthy of trust and confidence. There are many business men now living in our midst who have received aid and encouragement at his hands. He was always ready to do all he could to advance the interests of his friends, and all such as he considered worthy of his confidence. He was a warm friend, a good townsman, and kind neighbor. A man of the strictest integrity and high moral character. His loss will long be felt in our little village. Let our business men emulate his many virtues, and strive as far as possible to repair the loss we have sustained. We who were his companions many years ago as well as in later years, will join in according to the deceased the place of honor among those who have contributed to the advancement and prosperity of Farmington. A Citizen (Farmington News, June 27, 1879).
Daniel Pearl, a farmer, aged sixty-seven years (b. NH), headed a Farmington, NH, household at the time of the Tenth (1880) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Liddia B. [(Jones)] Pearl, keeping house, aged sixty-four years (b. NH), his daughters, Ella Pearl, a school teacher, aged twenty-seven years (b. NH), and Ida Pearl, and home, aged twenty-three years (b. NH), and his boarder, Orren Tibbetts, a laborer, aged twenty-three years (b. NH).
Alonzo Nute, a shoe manufacturer, aged fifty-three years (b. NH), headed a Farmington, NH, household at the time of the Tenth (1880) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Mary [(Pearl]] Nute, keeping house, aged fifty-one years (b. NH), his children, Eugene P. Nute, a shoe manufacturer, aged twenty-seven years (b. NH), and Alonzo I. Nute, a shoe manufacturer, aged twenty-six years (b. NH), and his servants, Sarah Wentworth, a servant, aged twenty years, and Benjamin B. Horne, a servant, aged thirty-nine years (b. NH).
Son Daniel Pearl died of a colon stoppage in Farmington, NH, April 18, 1882, aged sixty-nine years, three months. Dr. D.T. Parker signed the death certificate. (Dr. Parker had been the preceptor for brother Rufus K. Pearl).
DEATHS. In Farmington, April 18, Mr. Daniel Pearl, aged 69 years and 3 months (Farmington News, April 21, 1882 (This notice was accompanied by a lengthy and interesting obituary)).
Son-in-law Alonzo Nute died in Farmington, NH, December 24, 1892, aged sixty-six years.
HON. ALONZO NUTE DEAD. Passed Away at His Home in Farmington, N.H., Yesterday Morning. Farmington, N.H., Dec. 24. Hon. Alonzo Nute died early this morning. The funeral will take place Tuesday. Alonzo Nute was born Feb. 12, 1826, in Milton, N.H., on the old Nute farm, which has been in the family since 1786. He entered the army in 1861 as quartermaster of the 6th New Hampshire Regiment, but was afterwards detached and placed on the staff of Gen. R.C. Hawkins, 9th New York Zouaves. In politics he was a Republican, and represented this town in the Legislature in 1866. He served as State Senator in 1867-68. and was a member of the 51st Congress, defeating Hon. Luther F. McKinney, the present representative from this district. In 1850 he married Mary, daughter of Joseph and Betsey Peace [Pearl], who, with two sons, Eugene P. and Alonzo Irving, survive him. His death was caused by blood poison and malaria (Boston Globe, December 25, 1892).
Daughter-in-law Lydia B. (Jones) Pearl died of pneumonia in Farmington, NH, September 25, 1895, aged seventy-nine years, ten months, and six days. J.S. Elkins, M.D., signed the death certificate.
IN MEMORIAM. The decease of Mrs. Lydia Jones Pearl, on Wednesday of last week removes from her family and the circle of her associates a wise and steadfast parent and friend. She was a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Jones, the latter born Bennett, of New Durham Ridge, and was the widow of Mr. Daniel Pearl. It has been only as a wife, mother, relative, and friend that Mrs. Pearl’s life has been passed, for her home was her kingdom and from it went forth her kindnesses in thought and deed, in countless directions, and known infrequently to other than those who were benefited by them. A quiet and dignified manner, a cheerful habit of speech, and a constant consideration of the privileges of all around her, were characteristics of the nearly four score years of her age, and the text “She hath done what she could,” commented upon by the Rev. S.H. Goodwin at her funeral on Saturday, was eminently appropriate. Of the ten children born to Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Pearl only three survive their parents; Mrs. Breslauer of Lawrence, Mass.; Mrs. John S. Roberts of the homestead farm known for decades as the “Pearl place,” where the long married life of the deceased lady was spent and where she died, and Mrs. Jos. Harding whose home is a short distance beyond the house where she was born. Mrs. Pearl leaves also several grandchildren and two sisters, Mrs. Caverno of Lee and Mrs. Harrison Waldron of this town, besides many less near of kin. Mrs. Kimball and Mrs. Putnam sang two fitting selections at the funeral, and the interment was made in the family burying ground, in charge of Mr. B.F. Perkins (Farmington News, October 4, 1895).
Cousin Preston A. “Pet” Pearl (a grandson of Joseph Pearl’s brother, Eleazar Pearl) died in Farmington, NH, August 28, 1898. His obituary mentioned the Pearl family as a whole near the end.
A brother of Eleazar was Joseph Pearl, whose descendants are well known residents of the vicinity of this town. The family always has been characterized by strong individuality and by an especially acute artistic sense and dexterity of touch in artistic work, with other notable qualities (Farmington News, September 2, 1898).
This family-wide appraisal was repeated to some extent in an obituary of “Pet” Pearl’s father, Levi Pearl (1836-1899), in the following year.
Thrift, artistic perception, financial ability, and other notable qualities have been characteristic features of the Pearls from first to last, and there have been with them also the hereditary forces of families with whom they have intermarried (Farmington News, March 31, 1899).
Eugene P. Nute, a U.S. marshal, aged forty-seven years (b. NH), headed a Farmington, NH, household at the time of the Twelfth (1900) Federal Census. His household included his wife (of nineteen years), Nellie S.P. [(Parker)] Nute, aged forty-two years (b. NH), his children, Stanley P. Nute, in school, aged thirteen years (b. NH), Harry A. Nute, in school, aged nine years (b. NH), Molly Nute, in school, aged seven years (b. NH), his mother, Mary P. [(Pearl)] Nute, aged seventy-one years (b. NH), and his brother, Irving H. Nute, a farmer, aged forty-six years (b. NH). They shared a two-family residence with the household of Frank E. French, a livery keeper, aged forty -eight years (b. NH). Nellie S.P. Nute was the mother of four children, of whom three were still living. Mary P. Nute was the mother of two children, of whom two were still living.
Eugene P. Nute, a U.S. marshal, aged fifty-seven years (b. NH), headed a Farmington, NH, household at the time of the Thirteenth (1910) Federal Census. His household included his wife (of twenty-eight years), Nellie S.P. [(Parker)] Nute, aged fifty-two years (b. NH), his children, Stanley P. Nute, an insurance co. cashier, aged twenty-four years (b. NH), Harry A. Nute, aged nineteen years (b. NH), Molly Nute, aged seventeen years (b. NH), his brother, Alonzo I. Nute, a farmer (own farm), aged fifty-five years (b. NH), and his mother, Mary P. [(Pearl)] Nute, an invalid, aged eighty-one years (b. NH). Eugene P. Nute owned their house on North Main Street, free-and-clear. Nellie S.P. Nute was the mother of four children, of whom three were still living. Mary P. Nute was the mother of two children, of whom two were still living.
Daughter Mary (Pearl) Nute died of old age and chronic debility on North Main Street in Farmington, NH, June 28, 1912, aged eighty-three years, two months, and twenty-eight days. She was a widow, who had resided “nearly all her life” in Farmington, NH. Lawrence R. Clapp, M.D., of Farmington, NH, signed the death certificate.
Mrs. Nute. Mrs. Mary Pearl Nute, widow of Alonzo Nute, entered into rest eternal last Saturday afternoon, June 28, after five years illness and suffering, aged 84 years. Mrs. Nute was born in Farmington on the farm now occupied by her niece, Mrs. Ella Pearl Roberts. She was the daughter of Joseph and Betsy (Hayes) Pearl. When about ten years of age she removed with her parents to the Pearl farm in West Milton, now owned by her son, E.P. Nute. Mrs. Note was educated in her home and at Gilmanton Academy. On April 14, 1850, she was united in marriage with Hon. Alonzo Nute and, save for the years spent in Washington during Mr. Nute’s services as congressman, she had lived in her home on Main street continuously for sixty years, where none ever entered without a cordial welcome, nor departed without feeling the warmth of a genuine hospitality; even strangers felt the charm of her innate courtesy and sunny temperament. It can be truly said that a noble woman has passed to her reward. Mrs. Nute bore up under her great sufferings with rare fortitude, making few complaints during the many months in which she was confined to her bed, helpless; and although fully aware that her life was near its close, she bravely awaited and even seemed anxious for the termination of the struggle. The deceased is survived by two sons, United States Marshall Eugene P. Nute, and Alonzo L. Nute, with whom she lived, the wife of the former having been untiring in her love and devotion during the protracted illness of Madam Nute An own daughter could not possibly have done more. A great affection always existed between the two. There are left alos three grandchildren: Stanley Pearl Nute of Detroit, Michigan, and Harry and Miss Molly Nute who live at home. Mr. Alonzo Nute is unmarried. Mrs. Nute was a member of Congregational church and was very active in all that was good, ever ready to perform a kind deed of charity until prevented by ill health. The funeral was held from the home on Tuesday afternoon at 1.30 o’clock, the Rev. J.D. Smiley of tbe First church officiating, with Norman Otis in charge of arrangements. The residence was well filled with relatives and friends who came to pay their last regards to one whom they ever have respected and esteemed. There was a magnificent floral tribute. Burial was in the family lot in Pine Grove cemetery beside the remains of her husband. Bearers were the two sons, and Harry, the grandson, and Ned L. Parker. Singing was by Mrs. Putnam, Mrs. Pearl, Vivian Libby and Ernest Kimball (Farmington News, July 5, 1912).
This village lies in the northern part of the town of Milton, New Hampshire, Strafford Country, along the dividing line between Maine and New Hampshire, about five miles from the source of the river. The adjoining town of Acton, in Maine, contributes a section to the village and while having no part in the government, the people are in all other ways a part of the New Hampshire community; and some of Acton’s most valuable estates are within this section.
It did not prove a success and was sold to Alexander and Charles Durgin. It was bought from them by John Townsand. In 1861 it was burned. Mr. Townsand, an account of whose career appears elsewhere, rebuilt and then sold to E.R. Mudge-Sawyer Co. In 1893 that company ceased to operate the factory and sold it to Whipple & Fairbanks. They made some repairs and in 1898 it burned and about 1900 Mr. H.H. Townsand bought the privilege, built a dam and run a penstock to the mills below.
While the Calvin Baptists declined the Free Baptists became strong, particularly on the Acton side. Many of the prominent men had embraced that faith. That society had a church probably as early as 1833, on a site near where the present parsonage now is, on the same side of the road. Later another one was built on the opposite side of the road. In 1871 it was moved to its present site on the river road. It will be noticed that the year 1871 was one of great activity in the religious societies of the place. The Free Baptist church in Milton Mills has the honor of originating the famous Free Baptist Educational society that has had such an influence in the educational work in Maine. Rev. James W. Williams is the current pastor. He is now serving the third year. He is superintendent of the Acton schools. There is a high school at Milton village where the scholars from the Mills village attend after completing the grammar course at home. The grammar school is well conducted and the building well-constructed and handsome in appearance.
Among the notable residences in the village is that of John C. Townsand. It is the home place of Henry H. Townsand and is the largest and most costly residence in the village. Mr. Townsand and his wife, the only daughter of the late owner, have the home place by agreeable settlement of the estate. Mr. Townsand is the son [-in-law] of the late Henry H. Townsand, who was for twenty years superintendent of the mills in Wilton [Maine] and held the same position in the mills of his brother [-in-law] in Milton Mills. For eleven years Mr. John C. Townsand was resident of Saugus, Massachusetts, where he was employed his uncle, Joseph Whitney, in the grocery business. Mr. Townsand was well known in Milton and when he returned to make his home there he was greeted very cordially, and has demonstrated that he is a man of worth and public spirit and is one of the most popular men of the place. He is Past Noble Grand of Miltonia Lodge, I.O.O.F., No. 52, and instrumental in bringing about the purchase of the old church by the lodge. He is also a member of the Masonic order.
MILTON MILLS, N.H. John U. Simes has been sick and confined to the house for the past week (Sanford-Biddeford Tribune (Biddeford, ME), January 22, 1904).
Daughter Nellie V. Jones died in Oakland, Alameda, CA, August 28, 1925. (Her co-principal, Charlotte F. Center, would run the Horton School alone for a year, before taking on Louise S. Edgar as her co-principal).
MILTON. At the republican caucus Saturday afternoon, the following delegates were chosen to the different conventions: State – 
Both candidates passed the examination. Son Charles D. Fox received ME State license #83 and Asa A. Fox received #105.
MILTON MILLS, N.H. Asa A Fox had a very bad spell one day last week and was confined to the house a few days (Sanford Journal-Tribune (Biddeford, ME), November 17, 1905).
Milton Observer 