Milton Observer

By Muriel Bristol | December 1, 2024

Henry B. Scates was born in Milton, February 10, 1831, son of Benjamin and Lovey (Lyman) Scates.

Henry B. Scates attended the common schools until he was seventeen years old, and then went to work for a neighboring farmer, with whom he remained six years. He then engaged in lumbering upon his own account, and has since carried on that business quite extensively (Biographical Review, 1897).

Brother William S. Scates died August 21, 1844, aged twenty-one years.

Benjamin Scates, a farmer, aged fifty-five years (b. NH), headed a Milton household at the time of the Seventh (1850) Federal Census. His household included Lovey Scates, aged fifty years (b. NH), and Theodore Scates, aged twelve years. Benjamin Scates had real estate valued at $1,700. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of James H. Horn, a farmer, aged fifty-seven years (b. NH), and James R. Horn, a shoe manufacturer, aged twenty-four years (b. NH).

Brother George L. Scates died February 3, 1851, aged twenty-three years.

Mother Lovey Scates of Milton made her last will September 1, 1855. She devised all her real estate and personal property in common to her beloved husband, Benjamin Scates, and her beloved son, Theodore C. Scates, provided they maintained a suitable home to her beloved daughter, Roxanna A.L. Scates. This was to include all necessary food, clothing, medicine (if necessary), so long as she remained unmarried. She devised $100 to her beloved daughter, Roxanna A.L. Scates, and a home as already provided, with a further $200 when her husband, Benjamin Scates, should die. She devised a Bible to her beloved son, Henry B. Scates, he having already received a share in her estate. She devised $100 to her beloved son, Rufus H. Scates, and $100 to her beloved daughter, Lydia J. Harrington. She left all the rest and residue to her beloved son, Theodore C. Scates, whom she named as executor. Daniel P. Warren, R.A. Lyman, and S.E. Loud witnessed her signature (Strafford County Probate, 69:296).

Mother Lovey (Lyman) Scates died in Milton, September 14, 1855, aged fifty-five years. Her last will was proved in a Strafford County Probate Court held in Dover, NH, October 2, 1855 (Strafford County Probate, 69:298).

Henry B. Scates, a farmer, aged twenty-eight years (b. NH), headed a Milton household at the time of the Eighth (1860) Federal Census. Henry B. Scates had real estate valued at $800 and personal estate valued at $200. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of Theodore Lyman, a farmer, aged forty-seven years (b. NH), and Frank Carr, a farmer, aged thirty years (b. NH).

He owns a good farm containing hundred acres of land, which he cultivates with good results (Biographical Review, 1897).

Father Benjamin Scates died of consumption in Milton, November 10, 1862, aged sixty-seven years, ten months. He was a farmer.

Henry B. Scates hired William Greene of Portsmouth, NH, as his military substitute in the 1st NH Regiment, December 30, 1864, for the term of three years. Greene was a seaman, aged twenty-three years (b. Charlton, Nova Scotia). He was 5′ 10½” tall, with dark brown hair, hazel eyes, and a fair complexion

Henry B. Scates married, circa 1865, Ellen May “Nellie” Dixon. She was born in Lebanon, ME, October 21, 1844, daughter of Benjamin and Hannah (Jones) Dixon.

Mr. Scates married Ellen Dickson, a native of Lebanon, Me. He has no children. He is connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Patrons of Husbandry. He attends the Baptist church (Biographical Review, 1897).

Henry B. Scates of South Milton paid a $1 tax on his carriage in the U.S. Excise Tax of 1866.

Henry B. Scates’ friend Leander D. Clements (1830-1914) appeared as a witness in the Plummer’s Ridge civil case between his neighbors, Franklin W. “Frank” Orange (1810-1872) and S.H. “Rashe” Applebee, whom one might suppose from the 1860 census to have been Orange’s apprentice. (Note: “Rashe” being a nickname for “Horatio”).

BATCH OF SMILES. The late Henry B. Scates, an esteemed South Milton resident, one time sheriff and keeper of the Dover jail, used to tell the following incident about his friend, the late Leander Clements, a quaint character who lived on Milton Ridge. Leander was noted for his ready wit, his bluff and hearty good nature, and was beloved by all who knew him. As the story goes, two of Leander’s neighbors, known as “Rashe” Applebee and Frank Orange, got into a wrangle over the ownership of a pair of steers and decided to go to the court for a settlement, to which Leander was called as a witness. It was his first appearance before a tribunal and he was deeply interested in all of the proceedings. Applebee’s lawyer was the first to make his plea before the jury, during which Leander sat spellbound, drinking in every word uttered, and at the close was so convinced that he remarked: Applebee’s got the case! Then came the argument of the opposing lawyer, and so eloquent and impressive was he in his presentation of his client’s case that, at his conclusion, Leander exclaimed: By heavens, they’ve both got the case! – Rochester Courier (Boston Globe, December 7, 1933).

The Milton Selectmen of 1869 were E.W. Fox, Chas. Hayes, and H.B. Scates.

Henry B. Scates, a dealer in wood & lumber, aged thirty-eight years (b. NH), headed a Milton household at the time of the Ninth (1870) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Ellen M. [(Dixon)] Scates, keeping house, aged twenty-five years (b. ME). Henry B. Scates had real estate valued at $3,700 and personal estate valued at $5,354. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of Jame H. Tibbetts, works for shoe factory, aged twenty-five years (b. ME), and Theodore Lyman, a farmer, aged fifty-seven years (b. NH).

Henry B. Scates (1831-1919), aged twenty-eight years, and Andrew R. Lyman (1839-1906), aged twenty-one years, both farmers, were neighbors to each other (and to Luther Hayes) in the Eighth (1860) Federal Census. They would be partners in the Lyman & Scates lumber company between at least the years 1873 and 1889.

Scates & Lyman appeared in the Milton business directories of 1873, 1874, 1875, 1876, 1877, and 1880, as South Milton lumbermen.

The Milton Selectmen of 1880 were A.A. Fox, H.B. Scates, and D. Wallingford.

Henry B. Scates, a farmer, aged forty-seven years (b. NH), headed a Milton household at the time of the Tenth (1880) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Nellie M. [(Dixon)] Scates, keeping house, aged thirty-five years (b. ME), his aunt [-in-law], Mary Dixon, at home, aged sixty-nine years (b. ME), and his help, Frank Tasker, works on farm, aged nineteen years (b. NH). Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of Isaac Wentworth, a farmer, aged fifty-six years (b. NH), and Henry H. Wentworth. a butcher, aged thirty-six years (b. NH).

Brother Theodore Scates died in Boston, MA, August 21, 1880, aged forty-one years.

Scates & Lyman appeared in the Milton business directories of 1881, 1882, 1884, 1887, and 1889, as Milton lumbermen.

The Milton Selectmen of 1881 were H.B. Scates, D. Wallingford, and E.W. Fox.

MILTON. Town meeting passed with but very little excitement. Officers elected are as follows: MODERATOR, Abram Sanborn; TOWN CLERK, Charles H. Looney; SELECTMEN, Henry B. Scates, David Wallinford, Elbridge W. Fox; TREASURER, Ira Miller. Voted to purchase a safe for the benefit of the town. Voted to build a road to the new mill, which will be done as soon as the weather will permit. OLD HUNDRED (Farmington News, March 25, 1881).

REAL ESTATE TRANSFERS. Hiram V. Wentworth to Lyman & Scates; land in Milton; $100 (Farmington News, August 10, 1888).

MILTON. Henry Scales [Scates], with a crew of eight men, broke ground for the new street, last week, commencing on the lower section opposite Geo Tasker’s house (Farmington News, May 23, 1890).

Luther Hayes, and Henry B. Scates, acting for the town, filled out a NH State Board of Health form regarding Milton’s sanitary and safety conditions in that same year. (They were not at all impressed with the sewerage and drainage at Milton Three Ponds). They noted that the Burley & Usher factory was the only building in town that had a fire escape (NH State Board of Health, 1891).

Henry Scates was among those Republicans seated on the platform at a Benjamin Harrison & Whitelaw Reid presidential campaign rally held at the A.O.U.W. Hall, September 29, 1892.

MILTON. A large and elegant Harrison & Reid flag was raised here last night by the republican club of Milton. The decorations and colored lights were well arranged and well timed, and three hearty cheers were given for the candidates. Hon. Henry W. Blair gave an earnest and intensely interesting address in A.O.U.W. hall, under the auspices of the club, holding the attention of an unusually large audience throughout, and receiving much enthusiastic applause. W.K. Norton, principal of the Nute high school, acted as president of the evening. On the platform were seated Hon. Charles H. Looney, Luther Hayes, Dr. J.H. Twombly, Charles A. Jones, Dr. M.A.H. Hart, R.M. Kimball, Henry Scates, W.C. Nash, S. Lyman Hayes, S.W. Wallingford, B.B. Plummer. The action of our young democratic friends in stoning the lanterns and breaking wires, as well as their unnecessary cat calls during the address, are appreciated at their full value, not only by republicans, but by respectable democrats (Farmington News, September 30, 1892).

The Republican presidential ticket of Benjamin Harrison and Whitelaw Reid were defeated that November by the Democrat ticket of Grover Cleveland and Adlai Stevenson.

Mother-in-law Hannah (Jones) Dixon died April 25, 1893, aged seventy-eight years.

MILTON. Henry B. Scates of South Milton has been appointed jailor at Dover and will move there (Farmington News, March 31, 1893).

Father-in-law Benjamin Dixon died May 11, 1893, aged seventy-six years.

Henry B. Scates received an initial five-year appointment as a Milton justice-of-the-peace, December 29, 1893.

Henry B. Scates of Milton made his last will, April 1, 1894. After payment of his just debts and funeral expenses, he devised his estate, be it real, personal, or mixed, to his beloved wife, Ellen M. Scates, whom he also named as executrix. John Kivel, John McClintock, and John W. Place witnessed his signature (Strafford County Probate, 149:746).

Henry B. Scates appeared in the Dover, NH, directory of 1895, as a jailor, at the Strafford County Jail, with his at the jail.

Politically, he supports the Republican party. He served as Surveyor fifteen years, as Chairman of the Board of Selectmen three years, as Town Auditor, and was Jailer under Sheriff Plummer for two years (Biographical Review, 1897).

Henry B. Scates appeared in the Dover, NH directory of 1898, as having moved to Milton.

Henry B. Scates appeared in the Milton directory of 1900, as a farmer, with his house in South Milton.

Henry Scates, a farmer, aged sixty-nine years, headed a Milton household at the time of the Tenth (1900) Federal Census. His household included his wife (of thirty-five years), Nellie M. [(Dixon)] Scates, aged fifty-five years (b. ME). Henry Scates owned their farm, free-and-clear. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of George Kingston, a R.R. station agent, aged forty-nine years (b. Ireland), and George A. Mitchell, a counter maker (leatherboard mill), aged thirty-three years (b. MA).

Henry B. Scates appeared in the Milton directories of 1902, 1905, and 1909, as a farmer, with his house in South Milton, near the schoolhouse.

Milton, N.H. Henry Scates visited at Dover Wednesday and called on his old friend, Marshall Fogarty. Mr. Scates was formerly jailer for this county (Sanford Journal-Tribune (Biddeford, ME), September 25, 1903).

MILTON. Mr. and Mrs. Henry B. Scates, who spent the winter in Brighton, Mass., have returned to their home in South Milton (Farmington News, April 22, 1904).

MILTON, N.H. Avery, Jones and Roberts bought timber in the auction sale last week on what are known as the Pains lots, owned by Scates & Lyman. The price paid was $4,750.00. What might have been a serious forest fire, had it not been discovered in the first stages, broke out near where Avery, Jones and Roberts’ mill has been erected, on the mountain near the Ford place. About $60.00 worth of property was consumed (Sanford Journal-Tribune (Biddeford, ME), June 7, 1907).

Henry B. Scates, a farmer, aged seventy-nine years (b. NH), headed a Milton household at the time of the Thirteenth (1910) Federal Census. His household included his wife (of forty-six years), Nellie [(Dixon)] Scates, aged sixty-five years (b. ME). Henry B. Scates owned their farm, free-and-clear. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of Walter E. Tarbell, a machinist (leatherboard mill), aged fifty-one years (b. MA), and Jeremiah Regan, a section man (railroad), aged thirty-six years (b. Ireland).

Henry B. Scates of Milton made a codicil to his last will (of 1894), August 15, 1910. He reiterated his earlier comprehensive bequest to his beloved wife, Ellen M. Scates. But after her decease, he devised his twenty-acre Milton homestead farm, as well as the Milton woodlot he co-owned with Lizzie L. [(Lyman)] Fall, as a life-estate to his beloved nephew, Frank B. Tasker of Boston, and thereafter to his grandnephew, Theodore L. Tasker. He devised to them also the Sheep Pasture lot, all of his Plains land (owned in common with the Lyman estate), both in Milton, and, in Lebanon, ME, the Blaisdell farm, and his part of the Ben Dixon estate. Frank B. Tasker would also receive all of the farming tools, carriages, horses, stock, and riggings, after his wife’s death. The rest and residue would be divided equally between Frank B. Tasker, Theodore L. Tasker, Florence L. Tasker of Boston, MA, and Bertha L. Smith of Boston, MA. George G. Fall, Luther C. Hayes, and Albert D. Jones witnessed his signature (Strafford County Probate, 149:746).

Henry B. Scates appeared in the Milton directory of 1912, as a farmer, with his house in South Milton, at the R.R. bridge.

COLLECTOR’S ADVERTISEMENT of Sale of Lands of Non-Resident Owners. Unpaid taxes on lands of non-resident owners situated in the Town of Newfield in the County of York for the year 1912. The following list of taxes on real estate of non-resident owners situated in the Town of Newfield aforesaid for the year 1912, committed to me for collection for said Town on me nineteenth day of June, 1912, remain unpaid and notice is hereby given that if said taxes with interest and charges are not previously paid, so much of the real estate taxed as is sufficient and necessary to pay the amount due therefor, including interest and charges, will be sold without further notice at public auction at Town House in said town, on the first Monday of February, 1913, at nine o’clock a.m. …
HENRY SCATES AND WIFE— Lot 1, 20 acres, N. by road, E. by E.E. Rhines, S. by Clara Wentworth, W. by M. Corson – $6.10 (Sanford Journal-Tribune (Biddeford, ME), December 20, 1912).

AGED BLIND MAN CAN SEE AGAIN. Sight Returns Suddenly to Henry Scates, Aged 84 Years. An unusual human-interest scene was enacted to the home of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Scates, near North Rochester, when the husband, aged 84, and blind for years, suddenly exclaimed, “I can see.” Mr. Scates was sitting in the home with his wife, when he suddenly uttered a startling exclamation. To her query he joyfully cried that he could see again. The incident is considered very unusual. Because of his advanced years and the fact that the use of his eyes had been denied him for years, it was believed that he would never see again (Portsmouth Herald, 1915).

Henry B. Scates appeared in the Milton directory of 1917, as a retired lumberman, with his house in South Milton, at the R.R. bridge.

Henry B. Scates died of chronic interstitial nephritis in South Milton, October 31, 1919, aged eighty-eight years, eight months, and twenty-one days. He was retired. James J. Buckley, M.D., signed the death certificate.

WEST MILTON. Mrs. Bessie Twombly was in South Milton, Monday afternoon, to attend the funeral of Henry Scales [Scates], a respected citizen, and the oldest man in town (Farmington News, November 7, 1919).

The last will of Henry B. Scates and its codicil were proved in a Strafford County Probate Court held in Dover, NH, November 18, 1919 (Strafford County Probate, 149:747).

PROBATE NOTICES. HENRY B. SCATES, late of Milton, New Hampshire, deceased. Authenticated copy of will and codicil, and petition for the probate thereof, and praying that letters of administration with the will annexed may be issued to Florence L. Tasker of said Milton, presented by said Florence L. Tasker (Biddeford-Saco Journal, March 3, 1928).

Ellen M. (Dixon) Scates died in Brighton, MA, March 17, 1930.

DEATHS. SCATES – In Brighton. March 17, Ellen M. Scates. Funeral services at her late residence, 29 Bentley st., Brighton. Wednesday, March 19. at 3:30 p.m. Burial at Lebanon, Me., on Thursday (Boston Globe, March 18, 1930).

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References:

Biographical Review. (1897). Biographical Review.  Retrieved from books.google.com/books?id=C2sjAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA308

Find a Grave. (2022, May 13). Benjamin Dixon. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/239707376/benjamin_dixon

Find a Grave. (2023, October 1). Lydia J. Scates Harrington. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/260223474/lydia_j_harrington

Find a Grave. (2016, July 2). Sophia Lyman Scates Harrington. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/166359981/sophia-lyman-harrington

Find a Grave. (2023, September 23). Benjamin Scates. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/260134198/benjamin_scates

Find a Grave. (2023, September 7). George Lyman Scates. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/259360949/george_lyman_scates

Find a Grave. (2022, May 13). Henry B. Scates. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/239706890/henry-b-scates

Find a Grave. (2023, September 7). William Sidney Scates. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/259360910/william_sidney_scates

Find a Grave. (2016, September 18). Benjamin F. “Frank” Tasker. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/170122832/benjamin-f.-tasker

Find a Grave. (2023, September 5). Roxanna A.L. Scates Tasker. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/259284782/roxanna_a_l_tasker

NH State Board of Health. (1891). Report of the NH State Board of Health. Retrieved from books.google.com/books?id=1IbuVusxkxgC&pg=RA2-PA216

By Muriel Bristol | November 24, 2024

Frank Foss Spencer was born in Berwick, ME, September 5, 1892, son of Fred A. and Minnie A. (Foss) Spencer.

Dartmouth College conferred its Bachelor of Science degree on Frank F. Spencer of Berwick, ME, at its commencement, June 25, 1913. It conferred also an honorary Doctor of Laws (LLD) degree on Dr. Alexander Graham Bell, inventor of the telephone (Boston Evening Transcript, June 25, 1913; Boston Globe, June 25, 1913).

QUALIFIED EMBALMERS. It was found at a special meeting of the state hoard of embalming examiners held at the State House, at Augusta, Tuesday, for the purpose of completing the examination of the papers of the candidates who took the examination at the meeting of May 11, that the following persons had passed a successful examination: – John Bernard Moores, New Sharon; Robert A. Roach, Orono; Lawrence R. Bowler, Augusta; Mrs. Joseph P. Murray, Waterville; Frank Foss Spencer, Berwick; Dan T. Adams, Farmington; Herbert W. Grant, Portland; Sidney H. Winchester, Corinna; Philip Leo Arsino, Bangor; Russell M.’ Colby, Bath; Parker S. Jenness, Springvale; M.B. Schofield, Foxcroft; Ernest G, Young, Calais (Bangor Daily News (Bangor, ME), May 28, 1915).

Frank F. Foss married (1st) in Hanover, NH, February 9, 1916, Florence Ramona Weston, he of South Berwick, ME, and she of Hanover, NH. He was a civil engineer, aged twenty-three years, and she was at home, aged eighteen years. Rev. Robert c. Falconer performed the ceremony. She was born in Gorham, NH, April 5, 1897, daughter of Rufus P. and Lena (Stewart) Weston.

(The known children of Frank F. and Ramona F. (Weston) Spencer were: <Stillborn> Spencer (1916–1916), Elizabeth Weston Spencer (1917–1988), Barbara Weston Spencer (1919–2011), and Frederick Alvan Spencer (1921–1993)).

Frank Foss Spencer of South Berwick, ME, registered for the WW I military draft in South Berwick, ME, June 5, 1917. He had been born in Berwick, ME, September 5, 1892, aged twenty-four years, was married, self-employed as an undertaker at South Berwick, ME. He was tall, with a medium build, and had blue eyes, and brown hair.

Daughter Elizabeth Weston Spencer was born in South Berwick, ME, October 13, 1917. She was the first child. Her father was an undertaker.

Daughter Barbara Weston Spencer was born in South Berwick, ME, April 23, 1919. She was the second child. Her father was a civil engineer.

Fred Alvan Spencer was born in Portsmouth, NH, 1921.

Frank F. Spencer, a civil engineer (construction co.), aged twenty-seven years (b. ME), headed a South Berwick, ME, household at the time of the Fourteenth (1920) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Ramona W. [(Weston)] Spencer, aged twenty-two years (b. NH), his children, Elizabeth O. Spencer, aged two years, three months (b. ME), and Barbara W. Spencer, aged nine months (b. ME), and his roomer, Christine Hooper, aged sixteen years (b. ME). Frank F. Spencer rented their house on Young Street, apparently from Catherine Scotney, aged sixty years (b. England).

CLASSIFIED ADS. FOR SALE – German Police Puppies, 5 months old, registered stock. Handsome, big boned, intelligent, dark and light grey, $50 and up, also 8 months old female pointer, finest stock in the country, ready to work. Apply to Frank F. Spencer, Milton Mills, N.H. Box 114 45-It. (Sanford Journal-Tribune (Biddeford, ME), November 8, 1923).

Frank F. (Ramona W.) Spencer appeared in the Milton directory of 1930, as an undertaker, and civil engineer, at Milton Mills.

Frank Spencer, a mortician (general practice), aged thirty-seven years (b. ME), headed a Milton household at the time of the Fifteenth (1930) Federal Census. His household included his wife (of fourteen years), Ramona [(Weston)] Spencer, aged thirty-one years (b. NH), his children, Elizabeth Spencer, aged twelve years (b. ME), Barbara Spencer, aged ten years (b. ME), and Fred Spencer, aged eight years (b. NH), his grandmother, Florence Stewart, aged seventy-five years (b. ME), and his servant, Elvena Cormier, a companion (private family), aged twenty-three years (b. NH). Frank Spencer owned their house on School Street in Milton Mills Village, which was valued at $4,000. They had a radio set. They shared a two-family house with the household of Calvin S. Haines, an undertaker’s assistant (general practice), aged sixty-eight years (b. NH). Their households appeared in the enumeration between those of Ernest Spinney, a poultryman (poultry plant), aged twenty years (b. ME), and George A. Smith, aged seventy-two years (b. NH).

SANBORNVILLE. Mr. and Mrs. Frank Spencer of Milton Mills were in the village Saturday (Farmington News, April 1, 1932).

The Milton Selectmen of 1934 were Leroy J. Ford, Frank F. Spencer, and Louis E. Tibbetts.

WEST MILTON. We learn from Selectman Frank Spencer that in accordance with a vote of the town, a tractor has been purchased for winter road breaking. Explanation of the details indicates “Old Man Winter” will get a run for his money, particularly if some of the new snow fence allotted to West Milton is placed where it is most needed. The new tractor is to be stationed at Milton village. We also learn from Selectman Frank Spencer that West Milton Is to have the lion’s share of the E.R.U. money (notwithstanding reports to the contrary). Records of the state highway department show that in 1933 West Milton received $1,350.00; Milton Mills, $500.00; Milton village district, $600.00. It is reported that West Milton will receive a larger sum in 1934. As the project is solely tor the benefit of those on relief rolls and the legitimate unemployed, a committee of citizens has been organized to oppose any undue deviation. The work is now under way (Farmington News, November 23, 1934).

The Milton Selectmen of 1935 were Frank F. Spencer, Louis E. Tibbetts, and Leroy J. Ford.

Father Frank A. Spencer died in South Berwick, ME, April 3, 1935, aged sixty-three years.

MILTON MILLS. The sympathy of the community goes out to Mr. and Mrs. Frank F. Spencer and family in the recent sad loss of Mr. Spencer’s father, Fred Spencer, at South Berwick, Me. Mr. Spencer was well known and liked very much in our little village (Farmington News, April 12, 1935).

WEST MILTON. Surveyors of the state highway department are at work establishing the lines on the Milton end of the Farmington-Milton highway. We are pleased to learn from the board of selectmen of Milton, via Frank Spencer, chairman, it is planned to have construction start the first week of September (Farmington News, August 23, 1935).

The Milton Selectmen of 1937 were Leroy J. Ford, Phillip G. Hayes, and Frank F. Spencer.

Ramona W. (Weston) Spencer filed for divorce from her husband, Frank F. Spencer, in Reno, NV, November 15, 1937.

MILTON, N.H. WOMAN SEEKS RENO DIVORCE. Reno, Nev. Nov. 15 – AP -Divorce suits filed here today included: Ramona W. Spencer vs. Frank F. Spencer, Milton, N.H.; married Feb. 29, 1916, cruelty (Lewiston Daily Sun (Lewiston, ME), November 16, 1937).

Daughter Barbara W. Spencer married in Somersworth, NH, December 28, 1937, Lucien Ernest Levesque, she of Milton Mills, and he of Dover, NH. He was unemployed, aged twenty-six years, and she was at home, aged eighteen years. (Her father was an undertaker). Hayward C. Logan, J.P., performed the ceremony. Levesque was born in Manchester, NH, April 25, 1911, son of Philip T.A. and Marie H.J. “Josephine” (Roux) Levesque.

Frank F. Spencer married (2nd) in Rochester, NH, February 10, 1938, Lela (Bessey) Coleman, he of Milton and she of Rochester, NH. He was a funeral director, aged forty-five years, and she was at home, aged thirty-one years. (Both were divorced). Rev. M. Ernest Hall, D.D., performed the ceremony. She was born in Dover, NH, circa 1906, daughter of Eli P. and Grace C. (Brownell) Bessey.

BERWICK. Colman-Spencer. Frank F. Spencer, Milton Mills funeral director and a former Berwick resident, and Mrs. Lela Bessey Colman of Rochester, N.H., were married Thursday evening at the First Congregational Church parsonage in Rochester, N.H., with the Rev. Ernest Hall, pastor of church, officiating at the single ring service. The couple were attended by their mothers, Mrs. Grace Bessey and Mrs. Fred Spencer of Berwick. Also present were Miss Barbara Spencer, Miss Betty Spencer, and Fred Spencer, children of the bridegroom. Following a wedding reception Mr. and Mrs. Spencer left for a honeymoon trip to Boston and New York. Mrs. Spencer is well known in the Rochester political circles being vice chairman of the Young Republican Club of New Hampshire. Mr. and Mrs. Spencer will make their home in Milton Mills, N.H., on their return from the wedding trip (Sanford Journal-Tribune (Biddeford, ME), February 17, 1938).

The Milton Selectmen of 1938 were Phillip G. Hayes, and Frank F. Spencer, and Stanley C. Tanner.

WEST MILTON. Regular meeting of Nute Ridge Grange was held Friday evening, February 25, with a discussion of town and school warrants. L.J. Ford, chairman of the board of selectmen, and Frank F. Spencer, member of the board of trustees of Nute high school and library, were present and aided in the discussion. Visitors were present from Milton Mills, among whom were Mrs. Rosamond Pike, master of Pleasant Valley Grange (Farmington News, March 4, 1938).

Daughter Elizabeth Weston Spencer married in Milton, March 24, 1938, William Sherman Grover, she of 10 School Street, Milton, and he of 41 Atkinson Street, Dover, NH. She was at home, aged twenty years, and he was an engineer, aged twenty-six years. Rev. Leland L. Maxfield performed the ceremony. Grover was born in Dover, NH, in 1912, son of William A. and Annie (Rutledge) Grover. (Her father was an undertaker).

Frank F. Spencer had a fire on Sunday morning, October 9, 1938, which damaged his residence and funerary workshop in Milton Mills.

Milton Mills Fire Causes Damage Of $15,000 On Sunday. By Alfred W. Lewis. Fire of undetermined origin destroyed the residence and funeral establishment of Frank Spencer in Milton Mills, N.H., Sunday morning. Around 3.50 a.m. the family was awakened by flames bursting into the house from the garage adjoining, and managed to escape with only a few clothes. Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Flye who had recently moved into the adjoining tenement, saved most of their furniture but Mr. Flye lost most of his carpenter tools. Mr. Spencer’s loss is around $15,000 on the buildings, furnishings and funeral establishment, a new hearse, several caskets and vaults were in the ruins. The loss was partly covered by insurance. Help was summoned from Milton, Rochester, Union and Sanbornville. The pumper from Milton was unable to respond as firemen were fighting a large farm building fire in West Milton. The village was fortunate that there was no wind for if there had been one there is no knowing where the fire would have been stopped. Two large Great Dane dogs, a Scottie and two cats were the fire’s victims. In the basement were two large tanks of fuel oil that added to the danger. As the Sanbornville fire truck was speeding to the fire a car attempted to pass and was hit. The occupants were rushed to Dr. Kimball’s office in Union for treatment (Sanford Journal-Tribune (Biddeford, ME), October 13, 1938).

The Milton Selectmen of 1939 were Frank F. Spencer, Stanley C. Tanner, and Leroy J. Ford.

Frank F. Spencer, an undertaker (funeral director), aged forty-seven years (b. ME), headed a Rochester, NH, household at the time of the Sixteenth (1940) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Lela [((Bessey) Coleman)] Spencer, aged thirty-four years (b. NH), and his children, Fred Spencer, aged eighteen years (b. NH), Charles Spencer, aged ten years (b. NH), David Spencer, aged eight years (b. NH), and Ann Spencer, aged four years (b. NH). Frank F. Spencer owned their house, which was valued at $10,000.

Lucien E. Levesque, a salesman (wholesale bakery products), aged twenty-eight years (b. MA), headed a Manchester, NH, household at the time of the Sixteenth (1940) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Barbara S. [(Spencer)] Levesque, aged twenty years (b. ME). Lucien E. Levesque rented their apartment at 445 Maple Street, for $26 per month. He had resided in the “same place,” i.e., Manchester, NH, in 1935, and she had resided in Milton Mills.

Son-in-law Lucien Ernest Levesque of Manchester, NH, registered for the WW II military draft in Manchester, October 16, 1940. His address was 445 Maple Street, but that was crossed out in favor of 183 Ash Street, and on November 26, 1943, that was in turn crossed out in favor of 31 Gertrude Street. He had been born in Manchester, NH, April 25, 1911, aged twenty-nine years, and was employed by M&M Bakery in Dover, NH. His next of kin was his wife, Mrs. Barbara Spencer Levesque. Their telephone number was Manchester 1339-R. He stood 6′ 1″ tall, weighed 180 pounds, and had blue eyes, brown hair, and a light complexion.

Son-in-law William Sherman Grover of Concord, NH, registered for the WW II military draft in Concord, NH, October 16, 1940. His address was 80 West Street. He had been born in Dover, NH, August 15, 1912, aged twenty-eight years, and was employed by State Highway Department in Concord, NH. His next of kin was his wife, Mrs. Elizabeth S. Grover. Their telephone number was [Concord] 961-J. He stood 6′ tall, weighed 190 pounds, and had hazel eyes, brown hair, and a light complexion.

Frank F. (Lela B.) Spencer appeared in the Rochester, NH, directory of 1941, as proprietor of the Spencer Funeral Home, with his house at 189 South Main street. Son Fred A. Spencer appeared also as serving in the USA (US Army), with his home address at 189 South Main street.

Rochester, N.H. Mrs. Frank F. Spencer was elected president of the Rochester Woman’s Club, Saturday afternoon. Other officers were Mrs. George Rickards, vice president; Mrs. Charles W. Varney, Jr., recording secretary; Mrs. Donald Weathers, assistant recording secretary; Mrs. William Scott, corresponding secretary; Mrs. Joseph Lachance, assistant recording secretary; Mrs. Ralph Came, treasurer; Mrs. Arthur S. Rollins, assistant treasurer; Mrs. C. Hardwick, auditor (Portland Evening Express (Portland, ME), May 5, 1941).

Frank Foss Spencer of 189 South Main Street, Rochester, NH, registered for the WW II military draft in Rochester, NH, April 27, 1942. He had been born in Berwick, ME, September 5, 1892, was aged forty-nine years, and was self-employed at his residence, 189 South Main Street, Rochester, NH. His next of kin was his wife, Mrs. F.F. Spencer of the same address. Their telephone number was Rochester 524. He stood 6′ tall, weighed 215 pounds, and had blue eyes, black hair, and a dark complexion.

U.S. Army Promotes Frederick Spencer to Master Sergeant. Promotion from first sergeant to master sergeant of Frederick Spencer, USA, 20, occurred Sept. 1, according to word just received by the young man’s father, Frank F. Spencer of South Main street. Shortly after returning to Fort Benning, Ga., from Rochester in June, young Spencer was made a first sergeant. He was then attached to the 53rd Hospital Command, a training unit. At his own request he was transferred to the 23rd Hospital Command, a combat unit. He enlisted in the Army in October, 1940. His unit expects to leave shortly for overseas duty (Portsmouth Herald, September 21, 1942).

Lela B. Spencer divorced her husband, Frank F. Spencer, both of Rochester, NH, in Strafford County, April 2, 1943. She alleged extreme cruelty (one had to allege something). No minor children were affected.

Son Frederick Alvan Spencer married in Phenix, AL, June 19, 1943, Mildred L. Pollet, he of the 24th General Hospital, Fort Benning, GA, and she of Lutcher, LA. He was a 1st Sergeant, U.S. Army, aged twenty-one years, and she was an Army nurse Lieutenant, aged twenty-two years. Rev. James J. Salway performed the ceremony. She was born in Lutcher, LA, October 10, 1920, daughter of Joseph P. and Blanche (Meloucon) Pollet.

Mother Minnie L. (Foss) Spencer died April 27, 1945, aged twenty-seven years.

Deaths. SPENCER – The funeral of Mrs. Minnie Spencer, widow of Fred A. Spencer and mother of Mrs. E.C. Tucker of 55 Yale St., was held this afternoon with services in the First Parish church at Somersworth, Me. [NH]. Mrs. Spencer, who was 71, died Friday afternoon, Besides Mrs. Tucker she leaves two sons, Frank F. Spencer of Rochester, N.H., and Clark W. Spencer of West Newton. Mrs. Spencer was a member of the Somersworth Woman’s club, the First Parish church, D.A.R., W.C.T.U., the Piscataqua Pioneers club and the Rebekah Lodge of Somersworth. She was also a past president of the Rebekah Assembly of the state of Maine (Holyoke Transcript-Telegram, May 3, 1945).

FRANK F. SPENCER, CIVIL ENGINEER, surveys, plans, estimates, 7 Portland Street, Rochester. Tel 1361-M (Farmington News, June 3, 1949).

Frank F. Spencer, a civil engineer (surveying), aged fifty-seven years (b. ME), was one of ten lodgers at 54 South Main Street in Rochester, NH, at the time of the Seventeenth (1950) Federal Census.

William S. Grover, a civil engineer (state highway), aged thirty-seven years (b. NH), headed a Concord, NH, household at the time of the Seventeenth (1950) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Elizabeth S. [(Spencer)] Grover, aged thirty-two years (b. NH), and his children, Maria Grover, aged eleven years (b. NH), and William A. Grover, aged seven years (b. NH). They resided at 80½ West Street.

Lucien E. Levesque, a salesman (wholesale & retail glass company), aged thirty-eight years (b. NH), headed a Manchester, NH, household at the time of the Seventeenth (1950) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Barbara S. [(Spencer)] Levesque, aged thirty years (b. ME), and his children, Spencer A. Levesque, aged eight years (b. NH), Brenda L. Levesque, aged five years (b. NH), and Janet J. Levesque, aged one year (b. NH).

Frank F. Spencer married (3rd) in Rochester, NH, November 21, 1952, Frances M. (Fanning) Wiggin, both of Rochester, NH. He was a civil engineer, aged sixty years, and she was a G.E. employee, aged thirty-nine years. (Both were divorced). Rev. Herbert M. Ortman performed the ceremony. She was born in Barington, NH, circa 1913, daughter of Monson H. and Jennie (Day) Fanning.

Frank F. Spencer appeared in the Rochester, NH, household at the time of 1960, as an employee of the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, with his house at 18 Autumn street.

Frank F. (Mrs. Frances M.) Spencer appeared in the Rochester, NH, directory of 1962, as being retired, with his house at 18 Autumn street. Frances M. (Mrs. Frank F.) Spencer appeared also as a G.E. employee, with her house at 18 Autumn street.

Frank F. Spencer of 18 Autumn Street, Rochester, NH, died of his port-operative state following an operation at Frisbee Memorial Hospital in Rochester, NH, July 22, 1966, aged seventy-three years. He had been a resident for twenty-five years, i.e., since circa 1940-41. Leo Klinger, M.D. signed the death certificate.

Ex-wife Florence Ramona ((Weston) Spencer) Coleman died in Goffstown, NH, in March 1975.

Ex-wife Lela A. (((Bessey) Coleman) Spencer) Sproul died in Melbourne, FL, December 12, 1979, aged seventy-three years.

Deaths. LELA SPROUL. Services for Lela B. Sproul, 73, of 1572 Guava Ave., Melbourne, will be held at a later date in Rochester, N.Y. A retired school teacher and Brevard resident for seven years, Mrs. Sproul died Wednesday at her home. Survivors include two sons, Charles Colman of Indian Harbour Beach and David Colman of Titusville; one daughter, Ann Perkins of McMinnville, Tenn.; one sister living outside the state, eight grandchildren and five great grandchildren. No calling hours are scheduled. Brownlie-Maxwell Funeral Home in Melbourne is in charge of local arrangements (Florida Today (Cocoa, FL).December 14, 1979).

Son-in-law William S. Grover died in Concord, NH, March 10, 1982, aged sixty-nine years.

Deaths and Funerals. William S. Grover. Willam Sherman Grover,69, of 80½ West St., died yesterday at his home. Born in Dover, he had lived in Concord for 45 years. He attended Dover schools, the Tabor Academy in Massachusetts and was a 1937 graduate of the University of New Hampshire’s College of Technology where he was a member of the SAE fraternity. He was a professional engineer and worked lor the state Department of Public Works and Highways for 40 years, retiring in 1977 He was a life member of the Concord area Masonic bodies. He leaves his wife, Elisabeth (Spencer) Grover of Concord; a daughter. Mona Perkins of York, Maine; a son William Grover of Laconia; five grandchildren; three nephews and several cousins. Services will be tomorrow at 1 p.m. at the Tasker, Chesley and McGill Funeral Home in Dover. The Rev. William U. Conway, pastor of the First Pariah Church Congregational of Dover, will officiate. Burial will be this Spring in the family lot at Proprietors Burial Ground in Portsmouth. Calling hours are today from 7 to 9 p.m. at the funeral home (Concord Monitor, March 11, 1982).

Son-in-law Lucien E. Levesque died in Manchester, NH, March 25, 1986, aged seventy-five years.

Daughter Elizabeth W. (Spencer) Grover died in York, ME, June 2, 1988, aged seventy years.

Obituaries. Elizabeth Grover. Elizabeth “Betty” Grover, 70, of 8O½ West St., and York, Maine, died Saturday in York. She was born in South Berwick, Maine. She was the wife of the late W. Sherman Grover, who died in 1982. She leaves a daughter, [Mrs.] Lynwood (Mona) Perkins of York; a son, William A. Grover of Laconia; five grandchildren; a sister, Barbara Levesque of Goffstown; a brother, Fred Spencer of Parker, Ariz.; and nieces and nephews. Services will be held tomorrow at 11 a.m. at the Tasker Funeral Home, 621 Central Ave., Dover. The Rev. John Blackadar, pastor of St. John United Methodist Church, will officiate. Burial will be at Proprietors Burying Ground in Portsmouth. There will be no calling hours. Donations may be made in her memory to the York Volunteer Ambulance Association, York, Maine 03909 (Concord Monitor (Concord, NH), July 5, 1988).

Son Frederick A. Spencer died in Sun City, CA, April 8, 1993, aged seventy-one years.

Frances M. ((Fanning) Wiggin) Spencer died in Portsmouth, NH, March 22, 2002.

Daughter-in-law Mildred L. [(Pollet)] Spencer died April 22, 2003, aged eighty-two years.

In Memory. Mildred Louise Spencer. ENCINITIS, Calif. – Mildred Louise Spencer (nee Pollet) of Encinitis, Calif. died earlier this year on April 22, 2003, after a long illness. She was born on Oct. 10, 1920, and would have been 83 today. Millie was born in Lutcher, La. She became a registered nurse and served in World War II. Her husband, Fred, was her drill instructor in the service, where they were married. Together they raised four children. Her husband was an engineer, and they moved frequently. She lived all over New England, as well as in Florida, Oklahoma, Colorado, Texas, Wyoming, Washington, British Columbia, Arizona, and California. Nevertheless, she never lost her flair for southern hospitality or her charming southern accent. She took pride in her skills as a nurse, wife, and mother. She loved to entertain and “fussed” over her guests. She was an excellent cook and quickly mastered the local specialties in each new state. Her home always smelled delicious. She was also a creative seamstress, craftswoman, and animal lover. She loved the outdoors and was happiest on a beach, lake, or boat. She had sparkling, playful eyes and an easy smile. She valued family and her Catholic faith. She was proud of her children, delighted to be called ‘‘Grammy,’’ and overjoyed at the arrival of each great-grandchild. She is buried with her husband in an immaculate military cemetery in California, where their service flags fly proudly with scores of others’ who served their country over the years. She was preceded in death by her husband, Fred, in 1993 and brother, Richard in 1986. She is survived by son, Ken and his wife, Gay (who loved her tenderly as her own), granddaughter, Tracy Cole and her husband, Gary, and great-grandchildren, Cassidy and Spencer, all of California; granddaughter, Jamie McLachlan and her husband, Darren, also of California; daughter, Becky Frye and her husband, Jim, granddaughter, Erica Ray and her husband, Brian, and great-grandchildren, Madison and Aidan, all of Ohio, and grandson, Greg of Montana; son, Frank and granddaughters, Brittan and Blake of California; son, Gary, grandson, Chad, and great-grandson, Cody, granddaughter, Brandi Rawson and her husband, Kerry, and great- grandchildren, David and Emily, all of Canada, granddaughter, Summer Warren/Hegardt and her husband, Jeff of California; brother, J.P. Pollet and his wife, June, and sister, Marie Stansbury and her husband, Mack, all of Louisiana. Her expanding family brought her great happiness. ‘‘Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things. Love never ends.’’ – 1 Corinthians 13: 7-8. Happy Birthday, Mom! (Akron Beacon-Journal (Akron, OH, October 10, 2003).

Daughter Barbara (Spencer) Levesque died in 2011, aged ninety-two years.

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References:

Find a Grave. (2013, August 5). Ramona Weston Coleman. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/114938145/ramona_colman

Find a Grave. (2016, May 20). Elizabeth Weston Spencer Grover. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/162863009/elizabeth-weston-grover

Find a Grave. (2013, August 5). Barbara Spencer Levesque. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/114938158/barbara-levesque

Find a Grave. (2013, August 5). Lucien E. Levesque. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/114938154/lucien_e_levesque

Find a Grave. (2018, July 29). Frances Marie Fanning Spencer. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/191764149/frances_marie_spencer

Find a Grave. (2018, July 29). Fred Alvan Spencer. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/191764005/fred_alvan_spencer

Find a Grave. (2000, March 3). Frederick A. Spencer. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/3850805/frederick-a-spencer

Find a Grave. (2018, July 29). Frank Foss Spencer. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/191764108/frank-foss-spencer

Find a Grave. (2018, October 16). Lela Alberta Bessey Sproul. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/194035559/lela_alberta_sproul

By Muriel Bristol | November 24, 2024

Here may be found extracted the Milton entries from the New England Business Directory and Gazetteer of 1860.

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Bakers. Swasey, Charles, Milton Mills, Milton.

Blacksmiths. Duntley, Hazen, Milton; Osgood, Ebenezer, Milton Mills, Milton; Rines, Nathaniel, Milton Mills, Milton; Rines, Samuel F., Milton Mills, Milton; Goodwin, Joseph, West Milton, Milton.

Boot and Shoe Manufacturers. Berry, Lewis, Milton; Warren & Sayward, Milton; Wentworth, H.V. & E., Milton; Goodwin, John E. & Co., West Milton, Milton.

Box Manufacturers. Dearborn, Stephen W., Milton.

Carpenters. Dixon, Ichabod W., Milton; Hersom, Elihu H., Milton; Lucas, John, Milton; Mathes, Joseph, Milton; Roberts, Ira, Milton.

Clergymen. Doldt, James (C.T.), Milton; Colby, J.T.G. (Ch. B.), West Milton.

Country Stores. Where is kept a general assortment of Dry Goods, Groceries, Agricultural Implements, & c. Those who deal in but one kind of goods, will be found under the appropriate headings. Protective Union, Div. 542, Milton; Twombly, Ezra H., Milton; Warren & Sayward, Milton; Wentworth, H.W. & E., Milton; Fox, Asa & Son, Milton Mills; Jewett, Asa, Milton Mills; Simes, Bray U., Milton Mills; Swinerton, John L., Milton Mills; Goodwin, G.W., West Milton; Twombly, John W., West Milton.

[The New England Protective Union was a regional chain of cooperative stores. Milton’s Protective Union, Div. 542 store, would appear to have been an N.E.P.U. member store. They had their heyday prior to the Civil War].

Grist Mills. Leighton, Thomas, Milton; Varney, William, Milton.

Hotels. Milton Hotel, Joseph Jenness, Milton; Milton Mills Hotel, Dudley Gilman, Milton [Mills].

Physicians. Drew, Stephen, Milton; Palmer, Daniel E., Milton; Swinerton, John L., Milton Mills.

Postmasters. Milton, John R. Palmer; West Milton, John Colbath; Milton Mills, J.L. Swinerton.

Saw Mills. Hanson, John M. (also shingle), Milton; Varney, William, Milton.

Shingle Mills. Leighton, Cyrus, Milton.

Stables. Jenness, Joseph, Milton.

Wheelwrights. Shapleigh, Moses W., Milton.

Woollen Goods Manufs. See also Hosiery. Townsend, John (flannels), Milton Mills, Milton.

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Previous in sequence: Milton Businesses in 1856; next in sequence: Milton Businesses in 1865

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References:

Sampson & Murdoch Co. (1860). New England Business Directory and Gazetteer. Retrieved from books.google.com/books?id=RztoX7Ex9A4C&pg=PA175#v=onepage&q&f=false

By Muriel Bristol | November 17, 2024

Arthur M. Flye was born in Hiram, ME, April 9, 1871, son of James F. “Freeman” and Ruth E. (Lord) Flye.

Arthur M. Flye married in Hiram, ME, March 31, 1894, Delia M. Douglass, he of Hiram, ME, and she of Sebago, ME. He was a farmer, aged twenty-three years, and she was a seamstress, aged twenty-three years. Rev. A.P. Sanborn performed the ceremony. She was born in Sebago, ME, circa 1871, daughter of Oliver M. and Laura Douglass.

Arthur Flye, a carpenter, aged thirty years (b. ME), headed a Sebago, ME, household at the time of the Twelfth (1900) Federal Census. His household included his wife (of six years), Delia M. [(Douglass)] Flye, aged thirty-one years (b. ME). Arthur Flye rented their house. Their household appeared in the enumeration just after that of her father, Oscar Douglas, a farmer, aged fifty-eight years (b. ME).

Mother Ruth E. (Lord) Flye died of cirrhosis of the liver in Cornish, ME, February 22, 1904, aged sixty-eight years, five months, and twenty-one days. She was a housewife. George W. Weeks, M.D., signed the death certificate.

Hiram. Mrs. Ruth (Lord) Flye, wife of James F. Flye, died in Cornish, Feb. 23d, aged 68 years. She leaves an aged husband and six children – John Flye of Cornish, Arthur of Sebago, Mrs. Everett Lord of Porter, Mrs. Seth Spring of Hiram, Mr[s]. Frank Emery of Skowhegan and Miss Nettie Flye, who faithfully cared for her mother through a long sickness. She also leaves two brothers, Samuel W. Lord of Hiram and Edwin L. Lord of Porter. The family have lost a faithful wife and mother, and a large circle of friends in Hiram, where she lived for many years, can bear witness to her goodness as a friend and neighbor, and her kind care of the sick. Funeral services were held at Cornish, Rev. William Cotton officiating (Norway Advertiser-Democrat (Norway, ME), April 26, 1904).

Arthur M. Flye appeared in the Milton directory of 1905, as proprietor of a general store at 41 Main street, in Milton Mills, with his residence above the store. Other Milton Mills general stores were those of F.H. Lowd, at 7 Main street, and Asa Fox & Son, in Central square. (J.D. Willey kept a general store on Main Street in Milton).

MILTON MILLS. Past Grands Arthur M. Flye, John E. Horne and F.E. Stevens are in attendance at the session of the grand lodge, I.O.O.F., at Manchester this week. Miss Alice S. Lewis is the delegate of Sunrise lodge to the Rebekah assembly. Mrs. Rosamond Mansor also went to Manchester to witness exemplification of the degree on Tuesday evening by a team from the Lakeport lodge (Sanford Journal-Tribune (Biddeford, ME), October 19, 1906).

Arthur M. Flye was one of only twelve Milton residents to have a private [automobile] operator’s license in 1907 (there were also three chauffeur’s licenses); his automobile was one of the only thirteen to sixteen automobiles (and two motorcycles) registered in town. (See Milton Automobiles in 1906-07).

Arthur M. Flye appeared in the Milton directory of 1909, as proprietor of a general store at 41 Main street, in Milton Mills, with his residence above the store.

MILTON MILLS. The following officers were installed for Miltonia Lodge, I.O.O.F.: N.G., Albert Simes; V.G., Charles Applebee; Secretary, Arthur Flye; Treasurer, F.L. Marsh; Trustee, three years, J.E. Horne (Sanford Journal-Tribune (Biddeford, ME), January 15, 1909).

Arthur M. Flye, a shoemaker (own shop), aged thirty-nine years (b. ME), headed a Milton household at the time of the Thirteenth (1910) Federal Census. His household included his wife (of sixteen years), Delia M. [(Douglass)] Flye, aged thirty-nine years (b. ME). Arthur M. Flye rented their house at Milton Mills. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of Harry Hamilton, a laborer (woolen mill), aged thirty-four years (b. NH), and Sumner Merrow, own income, aged sixty-three years (b. NH).

A.M. Flye’s 22 hp. Buick was one of only ten automobiles registered in Milton in 1910. (See Milton Automobiles in 1909-10).

Mother-in-law Laura A. (Storer) Douglass died of debilitation of the heart in Sebago, ME, June 8, 1910, aged sixty-six years, six months, and eleven days. She was a housewife. L. Norton, M.D., signed the death certificate.

Arthur M. Flye appeared in the Milton directory of 1912, as a carpenter, with his house at 5 Highland street, in Milton Mills.

Father James F. “Freeman” Flye died of heart failure in Cornish, ME, June 28, 1912, aged seventy-seven years, five months, and twenty-five days. He was a laborer. G.W. Weeks, M.D., signed the death certificate.

Hiram. The sudden death of James F. Flye at Cornish, recently at the age of 77, saddens his many friends here. He was born in Hiram Jan. 3,1835, to John and Susan Stover Flye. We have known him some sixty years as a useful, peaceable and honored citizen. He was a grandson of James Flye, an early settler in Hiram, a Revolutionary soldier, who also served in the French and Indian war. In the family is still preserved and cherished an old powder horn inscribed: “James Five his horn, we march to-day for Ticonderoga July 5, 1756” (Norway Advertiser-Democrat (Norway, ME), July 16, 1912).

Father-in-law Oliver M. Douglass died of debilitation of the heart in Sebago, ME, March 5, 1912, aged seventy years, four months, and twenty-eight days. He was a farmer. L. Norton, M.D., signed the death certificate.

Arthur M. Flye of Milton received a Fraternal Protective insurance appointment in 1913 (Standard Publishing, 1914).

Arthur M. Flye appeared in the Milton directory of 1917, as a carpenter, with his house at 22 Main street, in Milton Mills.

SEBAGO. Mr. B.W. Douglass and wife and Mr. and Mrs. Chester Neal visited Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Flye at Milton Mills, N.H., last week (Sanford Journal-Tribune (Biddeford, ME), September 20, 1918).

SOUTH HIRAM. Mrs. S.T. Spring was much pleased, as well as surprised, to receive on Sunday a short call from her brother and wife, Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Flye of Milton Mills, N.H. (Sanford Journal-Tribune (Biddeford, ME), August 1, 1919).

Arthur M. Flye, a foreman (asylum), aged forty-eight years (b. ME), resided as an employee in the Ring Sanitorium and Hospital in Arlington, MA, at the time of the Fourteenth (1920) Federal Census. His wife, Delia M. [(Douglass)] Flye, a diet kitchen cook (hospital), aged forty-nine years (b. ME), resided there also.

FEMALE HELP WANTED. DIETITIAN HOUSEKEEPER to cater to and buy for 50 people. RING SANITORIUM. Arlington Heights (Boston Globe, May 13, 1921).

Milton Mills suffered a serious fire in the early hours of Thursday, November 20, 1924. The Townsend mill firemen and those of Rochester, NH, responded to the fire. A two-story house, owned by Arthur M. Flye of Arlington, MA, but rented to drug store clerk Fred Carswell, was among those buildings that were seriously damaged. (See Milton in the News – 1924).

Arthur M. Flye appeared in the Arlington, MA, directory of 1923, as a foreman carpenter at Ring’s Sanitorium, boarding there too. Delia M. Flye appeared also as a housekeeper at Ring’s Sanitorium, boarding there too. Ring’s Sanatorium and Hospital, Inc., Arthur H. Ring, president, was situated at 163 Hillside avenue, in Arlington Heights.

Arthur M. (Delia M.) Flye appeared in the Medford, MA, directory of 1926, as a foreman, with his house at 130 Monument street.

Arthur M. (Delia M.) Flye appeared in the Medford, MA, directory of 1928, as a salesman, with his house at 130 Monument street.

Arthur M. Flye, a carpenter (contractor), aged fifty-nine years (b. ME), headed a Medford, MA, household at the time of the Fifteenth (1930) Federal Census. His household included his wife (of thirty-six years), Delia M. [(Douglass)] Flye, aged sixty years (b. ME). Arthur M. Flye owned their house at 130 Monument Street, which was valued at $7,000. They had a radio set.

SOUTH ACTON. Arthur Flye is doing some carpenter work for Mrs. Richard Jewett (Sanford Journal-Tribune (Biddeford, ME), March 25, 1937).

A fire destroyed the Milton Mills residence and funeral parlor of Frank F. Spencer on Sunday morning, October 9, 1938. (Frank F. Spencer was then a Milton Selectman). Neighbors Arthur M. and Delia M (Douglass) Flye suffered some fire damage, including the loss of his carpenter tools.

… Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Flye who had recently moved into the adjoining tenement, saved most of their furniture but Mr. Flye lost most of his carpenter tools (Sanford Journal-Tribune (Biddeford, ME), October 13, 1938).

Arthur M. Flye, aged seventy years (b. ME), headed a Milton household at the time of the Sixteenth (1940) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Delia M. Flye, aged seventy-one years (b. ME). Arthur M. Flye rented their house on Main Street, for $10 per month. They had resided in the same house in 1935. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of Jason F. Thurston, aged sixty-eight years (b. MA), and William Bellemere, a cutter (leatherboard mill), aged fifty-three years (b. NH).

Rochester, N.H. ROCHESTER, N.H., Oct. 19 (Special) – District Deputy Grand Master Arthur Flye of Milton Mills and suite, Thursday night, installed the officers of Motolinia and Kennedy Lodges of Odd Fellows at a joint ceremony at Odd Fellows Hall, South Main Street (Portland Evening Express (Portland, ME), October 19, 1940).

MILTON MILLS. Arthur Flye is confined to his home with the grippe (Sanford Journal-Tribune (Biddeford, ME), January 2, 1941).

KEZAR FALLS. Perley Lord and sister Mrs. Emma Wadsworth in company with their sister, Mrs. George Walker and son Lester and Miss Katherine Snow of Fryeburg visited their uncle and aunt Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Flye at Milton Mills Sunday and Mr. and Mrs. Seth Spring at Springvale (Sanford Journal-Tribune (Biddeford, ME), February 6, 1941).

MILTON MILLS. Mrs. Arthur Flye still has a lot of yarn for Red Cross knitting for anyone who will volunteer for work (Sanford Journal-Tribune (Biddeford, ME), March 27, 1941).

Rochester Housewives May Register For 9 Lbs. Preserving Sugar. (Correspondent: Basil Blake; 806-J.) Sugar for canning is now available to housewives of Strafford county who have been worrying as to whether or not canning sugar must be eked from their ration supply, according to an announcement Saturday by of Rationing Board No. 17 at city hall. The office of the rationing board in charge of the program was open Saturday and will be for few Saturdays in order to issue rationing cards for canning sugar and for the return of excess sugar stamps from dealers. Institutions applying for canning rations should register between now and July 5. The board will allow a maximum of nine pounds of sugar per family member for the season’s canning, regardless of the number of quarts to be canned. Applicants should approach their own sugar rationing boards for canning certificates and present their sugar books to the rationing staff for number checking. Only those having 7-1 books should apply at the Rochester office. To assist in rationing the following county agents have been appointed: Milton Mills, Arthur Flye; Milton, Frank Nutter; New Durham, Hayes Grocery store; Farmington, People’s Market; and Somersworth, George E. Varney (Portsmouth Herald, June 22, 1942).

The Milton Selectmen of 1943 were George E. Jordan, Leroy J. Ford, and Arthur M. Flye. The Milton Selectmen of 1944 – Leroy J. Ford, Arthur M. Flye, and John G. Gilman.

MILTON MILLS. By Alfred W. Lewis. Golden Wedding. On Wednesday evening, March 29, Miltonia Lodge, I.O.O.F., and Sunrise Rebekah Lodge united to honor the Golden Wedding anniversary of two of their members, Mr. and Mrs. Arthur M. Flye. The party, which was a complete surprise to the couple, began with a supper at 6 o’clock in the banquet hall. Gold and white decorations were used on the tables (Sanford Journal-Tribune (Biddeford, ME), April 6, 1944).

PRE-CAMPAIGN MEETING OF THE FIELD ARMY. Several ladies met at the home of Mrs. Wilbur Jones Monday, March 25, to plan and prepare for the coming drive for funds for cancer control. Mrs. H.W. Smith, state commander, and Mrs. Evelyn Cortez, state director of public relations, presented valuable Information and instructions to the captains and public relations chairman of this area. April has been proclaimed by Congress as Cancer Control month and the society has set its goal at $1200000 this year, the tenth in carrying on campaigns by the Field Army. New Hampshire is asked to raise 54500000. Of the amount raised 60% remains in the state and 40% goes to the national society of which 10% will be used for research. Mrs. Jones heads this area and has chosen Mrs. Grace Willey as captain in Milton, Mrs. Arthur Flye in Milton Mills, Mrs. Benjamin Perkins in Alton, Mrs. Charles Chamberlain in New Durham, Mrs. Bertha Liberi in Farmington and Mrs. Helen Mclaughlin as public relational chairman for the area. Mrs. Jones served a delicious luncheon at noon which was greatly enjoyed, and the ladies departed much the wiser concerning the work of the Field Army (Farmington News, March 29, 1946).

Arthur M. Flye, aged seventy-nine years (b. ME), headed an Acton, ME, household at the time of the Seventeenth (1950) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Delia M. [(Douglass) Flye, aged eighty years (b. ME). Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of Damon Currier, aged thirty years (b. ME), and Charlotte G. Willey, aged sixty-one years (b. NH). They resided on “Milton Mills Rd. at the Junction of Windhill Farm.”

FARMINGTON DISTRICT ORGANIZED FOR CANCER CRUSADE. April is the month the American Cancer society raises funds to carry on its program for education, service and research. Solicitors in each town will soon be asking for a donation. Will you help? The response for volunteer workers gives a complete organization in our district. For the first time serving as town captains: Alton, Mrs. Ethelyn Tucker; Middleton, Mrs. Pearl Gates; Milton, Mrs. Marion Stanley and Mrs. Ruth Plummer; Milton Mills, Mrs. Delya Flye; New Durham, Mrs. Irene Wentworth; Farmington, Mrs. Lillian Emerson; sponsor, The Farmington Woman’s club. District officers: Commander, Mrs. L. Violet Jones; service chairman, Mrs. Augusta Harrison; publicity and public relations, Mrs. Norma Davis (Farmington News, April 4, 1952).

Kezar Falls. Perley Lord and his sister, Mrs. Emma Wadsworth, accompanied by their sister, Mrs. Nettle Walker, and their aunt, Mrs. Elizabeth Emery of Fryeburg, recently visited Mrs. Emery’s brother, Arthur Flye at Milton Mills, N.H. (Portland Press-Herald (Portland, ME), April 15, 1959).

Delia M. (Douglass) Flye died in Acton, ME, May 9, 1959, aged ninety years.

Acton. BY MRS. IRL R. HURD. Mrs. Delia M. Flye. Mrs. Delia M. Flye, 90, wife of Arthur M. Flye of Acton, died Saturday at her home. She was born at Sebago on Dec. 25, 1868, daughter of Oliver M. and Laura A. Storer Douglass. Mrs. Flye was a past noble grand and 57-year member of Sunrise Rebekah Lodge of Milton Mills, N.H., and a member of the Dorcas Society. Mr. and Mrs. Flye, who had been married 68 years, resided in Acton and Milton Mills for the past 50 years. She is survived by her husband and a sister, Mrs. Eva Hansen of Convene. Private funeral services were held Wednesday afternoon at the Peaslee Funeral Home, Union, N.H., with the Rev. Ernest Calvert of the Union Congregational Church officiating. Burial was in Haley Cemetery, Sebago (Sanford Journal Tribune (Biddeford, ME), May 14, 1959).

Arthur M. Flye of Acton, ME, died of acute coronary occlusion at Frisbie Memorial Hospital in Rochester, NH, February 6, 1960, aged eighty-eight years. He was a carpenter. Robert E. Lord, M.D., signed the death certificate.

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References:

Find a Grave. (2015, October 10). Oliver Morrill Douglass. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/153515423/oliver_morrill_douglass

Find a Grave. (2016, July 25). Arthur M. Flye. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/167398957/arthur-m-flye

Find a Grave. (2015, February 9). James Freeman Flye. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/142386730/james_freeman_flye

Standard Publishing. (1914). The Standard. Retrieved from books.google.com/books?id=TkvnAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA323

By Muriel Bristol | November 10, 2024

James Fred Reynolds was born in Dover, NH, October 12, 1869, son of James O. and Almira J. “Myra” (Hill) Reynolds.

Father James O. Reynolds died in Milton, March 9, 1900, aged seventy-three years.

LOCALS. The funeral of James O. Reynolds, a respected citizen living between Milton and Farmington, was held Monday and interment will be in the family lot in this cemetery. Mr. Reynolds is survived by his wife, four daughters, and two sons. He had been for many years a deacon in the Baptist church at Milton (Farmington News, March 16, 1900).

Myra J. [(Hill)] Reynolds, a farmer, aged sixty-five years (b. NH), headed a Milton household at the time of the Twelfth (1900) Federal Census. Her household included her children, Della M. Reynolds, aged thirty-seven years (b. NH), James F. Reynolds, a farm laborer, aged thirty years (b. NH), and Lena B. Reynolds, a schoolteacher, aged twenty-five years (b. NH), and her servant, Clarence H. Taylor, at school, aged eleven years (b. unknown). Myra J. Reynolds owned their farm, fee-and-clear. She was the mother of six children, of whom six were still living. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of Al E. Nute, a farmer, aged forty-seven years (b. NH), and William S. Burrows, a farmer, aged thirty years (b. NH).

James F. Reynolds appeared in the Milton directories of 1900, and 1902, as a farmer on Nute Ridge. His father, James O. Reynolds, appeared also in 1900, as a farmer on Nute Ridge). (James O. Reynolds appeared in 1902, as having died on March 9, 1900, aged seventy-three years).

James F. Reynolds appeared in the Milton directories of 1905, and 1909, as a farmer on Nute Ridge, with his house at Greenwood, MA.

James F. Reynolds, a painter (house), aged forty years (b. NH), headed a Wakefield, MA, household at the time of the Thirteenth (1910) Federal Census. His household included his mother, Myra J. [(Hill)] Reynolds, aged seventy-five years (b. NH), his sisters, Della M. Reynolds, aged forty-six years (b. NH), and Lena B. Reynolds, a teacher (public school), aged thirty-four years (b. NH), and his boarder, Gladys Mosher, a state ward, aged eleven years (b. MA). James F. Reynolds owned their house at 6 Francis Avenue. Myra J. Reynolds was the mother of six children, of whom six were still living.

James F. Reynolds appeared in the Milton directories of 1912, and 1917, as a farmer on Nute Ridge, with his house at Greenwood, MA.

WEST MILTON. Fred Reynolds and family of Wakefield, Mass, are at their farm haying. All are glad to see these closed houses open again (Farmington News, July 25, 1913).

WEST MILTON. Fred Reynolds has finished painting the farm buildings owned by Edward Nute at Nute Ridge (Farmington News, October 3, 1913).

West Milton. Fred Reynolds of Wakefield, Mass., accompanied by his mother and sister, is moving back to the old home place at Nute Ridge (Farmington News, May 29, 1914).

WEST MILTON. Fred Reynolds came home from Greenwood, Mass., Saturday (Farmington New, May 14, 1915).

WEST MILTON. Fred Reynolds has several lambs in his flock, some of them a number of weeks old (Farmington News, February 18, 1916).

WEST MILTON. Fred Reynolds is doing inside painting at Rochester (Farmington News, March 3, 1916).

WEST MILTON. Fred Reynolds has been putting in a cellar wall on the west side of his house (Farmington News, December 22, 1916).

WEST MILTON. Fred Reynolds is going to Massachusetts the last of this week and plans to attend the Billy Sunday meetings next Sunday (Farmington News, January 12, 1917).

The Milton Selectmen of 1917 were Forrest L. Marsh, Bard B. Plummer, and James F. Reynolds.

West Milton. The town went substantially republican in spite of a small vote. Selectmen elected were: Forest T. Marsh, Milton Mills, Bard B. Plummer, Milton, Fred Reynolds, West Milton; Everett F. Fox, town treasurer; Harry L. Avery, town clerk; Robert Page, member of school board for three years (Farmington News, March 16, 1917).

Mother Almira J. “Myra” Reynolds took up residence in Barrington, NH, with her third daughter, Bertha M. (Reynolds) Wiggin, circa October 1917. One might suppose she attended on the final illness of her eldest daughter, Idella M. Reynolds, a schoolteacher, who died there of liver cancer, October 13, 1917, aged fifty-five years, four months, and six days.

West Milton. Fred Reynolds and Russell Wentworth furnished two fine raccoons for the coon supper at the home of Henry Hayes last Friday evening. Several neighbors were invited but only a few were able to be present, owing to the drifted condition of the roads. The guests enjoyed a regular feast, at the conclusion of which a toast and a vote of thanks were proposed and heartily given to Messrs. Reynolds, Wentworth, Hayes, and Mrs. Hyland, who prepared the feast (Farmington News, December 21, 1917).

The Milton Selectmen of 1918 were Forrest L. Marsh, Bard B. Plummer, and James F. Reynolds.

West Milton. The town meeting at Milton drew out a big vote as the result of the sharp contest for the selection of the third selectman. The old board was re-elected, as follows: Selectmen, Forrest L. Marsh, Bard B. Plummer, James F. Reynolds; town clerk, Harry L. Avery; treasurer, Everett F. Fox. School meeting was held at the close of town meeting and Dr. M.A.H. Hart and Everett F. Fox were unanimously re-elected as member of the board of education and school treasurer, respectively (Farmington News, March 15, 1918).

West Milton. Fred Reynolds is very poorly, and is having medical treatment for a severe form of rheumatic lameness (Farmington News, October 11, 1918).

West Milton. J. Fred Reynolds had the misfortune to lose a valuable work horse, recently (Farmington News, December 20, 1918).

WEST MILTON. Fred Reynolds is assisting I.W. Hayes with his haying (Farmington News, August 1, 1919).

WEST MILTON. Mrs. Myra Reynolds, accompanied by her daughter, Mrs. E.E. Wiggin and family of Barrington, visited her son, Fred Reynolds, Sunday afternoon (Farmington News, August 15, 1919).

WEST MILTON. Fred Reynolds has purchased a new horse (Farmington News, October 31, 1919).

WEST MILTON. Charles Copp is at the home of Fred Reynolds. The latter has employment in the Spaulding leather board factory (Farmington News, January 30, 1920).

James F. Reynolds, a painter, aged forty-nine years (b. NH), headed a Milton household at the time of the Fourteenth (1920) Federal Census. His household included his boarders, Cyrice Cormier, a laborer (Milton Ice Co.), aged nineteen years (b. MA), Albert V. Kent, a laborer (woolen mill), aged forty-two years (b. ME), James Dady, a laborer (Milton Ice Co.), aged forty-seven years (b. MA), Edgar S. Roberts, a laborer (Milton Ice Co.), aged thirty-two years (b. NH), Joseph F. Parks, a teamster, aged thirty-nine years (b. NH), James Corigan, a laborer (Milton Ice Co.), aged forty-six years (b. Ireland), and Malcolm Mccleod, a brass molder (brass foundry), aged thirty-two years (b. Canada). James F. Reynolds owned their house, free-and-clear. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of Leroy J. Ford, a farmer, aged twenty-eight years (b. NH), and Davis Tucker, a grocery clerk (retail grocery), aged fifty-one years (b. MA).

WEST MILTON. Fred Reynolds, who has had employment on the ice at Milton, sustained an injury to his foot, which has incapacitated him for work just at present (Farmington News, February 13, 1920).

Mother Almira J. “Myra” (Hill) Reynolds died of pneumonia and old age in East Barrington, NH, May 11, 1920, aged eighty-five years, six months, and eighteen days. She was a widow. She was a resident for two years, seven months, i.e., since circa November 1917. A.E. Grant, M.D., signed the death certificate.

IN MEMORIAM. Mrs. Myra J. Reynolds. Mrs. Myra J. Reynolds died at the home of her daughter at East Barrington on Tuesday, aged 85 years. She was born at Strafford, the daughter of Nicholas and Eliza Johnson Hill. In 1858 she married James O. Reynolds, then a prominent shoe manufacturer at Dover. Later they moved to West Milton where they cared for Mr. Reynolds’ aged parents. Following the death of Mr. Reynolds, the family moved to Wakefield Mass., and a few years later returned to Milton. Mrs. Reynolds accepted the Christian faith early in life and united with the Baptist church in Dover. She was a woman of strong Christian character and a host of friends wherever she moved. She leaves four children, Arthur of Brockton, J. Fred of Milton, Mrs. Fred P. Meader of Rochester and Mrs. E.E. Wiggin of East Barrington, and seven grandchildren. Funeral was held from the home of the last named this Thursday afternoon and was conducted by Rev. F.O. Taylor. Mrs. L.D. Haley sang and the bearers were the two sons and son-in-law. Burial was made in the family lot at Farmington Cemetery (Farmington News, May 14, 1920).

LOCAL. Fred Reynolds of West Milton buried his faithful old horse “Glenwood” last week. This animal was one of the few thoroughbred Kentucky saddlers in this section and was prized highly by the owner. He had reached the venerable age of thirty years (Farmington News, October 10, 1924).

LOCAL. J. Fred Reynolds of the Nute Ridge section contemplates taking a position in Wakefield, Mass., for the winter months (Farmington News, December 19, 1924).

PERSONAL. Friends of Fred Reynolds of West Milton regret to learn that he is restricted to his home by illness (Farmington News, January 9, 1925).

WEST MILTON. Henry Swinerton is engaged in painting at Rochester with Fred Reynolds (Farmington News, June 26, 1925).

PERSONAL. Fred Reynolds of West Milton is restricted to the use of crutches by reason of a case of blood poison in his foot (Farmington News, September 18, 1925).

J. Fred Reynolds appeared in the Rochester, NH, directory of 1926, as a painter, boarding at 22 Knight street.

PERSONAL. Fred Reynolds of the West Milton section, who has been spending the past few months with Mr. and Mrs. Fred P. Meader in Rochester, has gone to Greenwood, Mass., for the remainder of the winter (Farmington News, December 10, 1926).

James F. Reynolds died in Greenwood, [Wakefield,] MA, April 23, 1928, aged fifty-eight years.

IN MEMORIAM. J. Fred Reynolds. J. Fred Reynolds, one of the best-known residents of West Milton, died very suddenly of heart failure just as he was finishing his day’s work in Greenwood, Mass., on April 23. Mr. Reynolds, who had passed the winter in Massachusetts, where he owned property, had been employed for several days previous to his death in painting and papering one of his tenements. He had just completed the task and was loading his truck when occupants of the bouse saw him lying in the street. Assistance came too late, as he had expired. He was 66 years old and a native of Dover, the second son in a family of six children born to James O. and Myra (Hill) Reynolds. The family moved to West Milton in 1876 and, aside from temporary absences, the deceased had resided on the Reynolds farm, where he succeeded his father as proprietor. He was a man of honor and great industry, much liked by all who knew him. As a friend and citizen who stood for honest principles and fair practice, Mr. Reynolds could not be discounted. His word was as good as his bond, and in church and lodge his influence always was helpful. He was a member of Fraternal Lodge, A.F. and A.M., Fraternal Chapter, O.E.S., Woodbine Lodge, I.O.O.F., and Minnehaha Rebekah Lodge, all of this town. Also he was a member of Rochester Grange and Eastern New Hampshire Pomona, to all of which he was a faithful and dutiful member. Besides a host of friends, Mr. Reynolds leaves to mourn his death two sisters, Mrs. Fred P. Meader of Rochester and Mrs. Elmer Wiggin of Barrington Depot, and one brother, Arthur Reynolds of Florida. Funeral services were held from the home of Mrs. Meader in Rochester last Thursday and interment was in the family lot at Farmington cemetery (Farmington News, May 4, 1928).

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References: Find a Grave. (2023, September 18). James Fred Reynolds. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/259847468/james-fred-reynolds Find a Grave. (2023, September 18). James O. Reynolds. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/259846408/james_o_reynolds Wikipedia. (2024, April 29). Billy Sunday. Retrieved from en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Billy_Sunday

By Muriel Bristol | November 3, 2024

Milton had its own Postmaster as early as 1818. This particular Dover-to-Conway mail stage line commenced operation in 1825. It advertised its passenger service as early as 1829, although Milton was not mentioned explicitly as a regular stop until this advertisement of 1830.

Dover, Rochester, Wakefield, Ossipee, Tamworth, and Conway, N.H.

MAIL STAGE LINE.

THE Stage on this line starts from Dover every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, at 6 o’clock, A.M. and after the arrival of the Boston mail, and arrives at Conway the same day. It starts from Conway every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, at 4 o’clock, A.M. from Ossipee Corner at 8 o’clock, A.M. from Wakefield Corner at 10 o’clock, A.M. and arrives in Dover same day.
At Dover it meets the Boston, Portland, Portsmouth, Concord, Newburyport and Haverhill Stage Lines, and at Conway it intersects the Portland, White Mountain, and Concord Stage Lines.
Provided with good Coaches and Horses, and having obtained the services of careful, attentive and accommodating Drivers, with a moderate Stage Fare, the Proprietors can confidently assure the public, that those persons who, during the ensuing season, may wish to visit the White Mountains and have a view of the most sublime and interesting scenery in New England, will find it for their profit as well as pleasure to travel on this line – No Stage in the country affords greater facilities for travelling; and it passes in the immediate vicinity of the Eaton Lead Mine. This Stage passes through Great Falls village, Somersworth, N.H., Rochester, Milton, Wakefield, Ossipee, Tamworth and Eaton.
The Fare from Dover to Conway is $3.00; intermediate places in proportion.
JONA. T. DODGE, Rochester,
SAMUEL KIMBALL, Ossipee, AGENTS.
Rochester, N.H., June 1830 (Times & Dover Enquirer, July 6, 1830).

The West Milton tavern or inn of Daniel Hayes (1759-1846) was said to have been “a stopping place for the stage that made regular trips between Dover and Ossipee.”

Samuel Kimball, one of the agents for the above advertised stage line, advertised his similar tavern or inn at the Ossipee stop of that same route.

Ossipee Stage House. THE subscriber respectfully informs the public that he has thoroughly repaired and fully furnished, for the accommodation of company, the large and commodious HOUSE, formerly owned by Mr. JOHN BROWN, at Ossipee Corner, N.H. This House is situated in one of the most pleasant Villages in the county of Strafford, on the stage road from Boston through Dover to the White Mountains. It is about one day’s ride from Dover. Persons wishing to retire to the country during the warm season, will find it a very healthy place; and excellent for fishing, fowling, and other amusements. And the subscriber flatters himself, if the best accommodations, unremitted attention, and moderate charges, can ensure success, he shall receive a liberal share of the public patronage. SAMUEL KIMBALL. Ossipee, N.H., July 19, 1830. 4tf (Times & Dover Enquirer, July 20, 1830).

Milton would appear on a similar train route of the Portsmouth, Great Falls & Conway railroad in and after 1850.

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References:

Find a Grave. (2015, September 30). Jonathan Thorne Dodge. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/153080076/jonathan-thorne-dodge

Find a Grave. (2016, August 1). Samuel Kimball. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/167665682/samuel-kimball

Mindat.org (2024). Madison Lead Mine. Retrieved from www.mindat.org/loc-6126.html

Wikipedia. (2024, August 22). Stagecoach. Retrieved from en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stagecoach

By Muriel Bristol | October 27, 2024

William B. Wiggin was born in Wakefield, NH, October 24, 1800, son of David and Mary “Polly” (Hanscom) Wiggin.

(The children of parents David and Mary “Polly” (Hanscom) Wiggin were: Oliver Dearborn Wiggin (1797–1865), George B. Wiggin (1799–1820), William B. Wiggin (1800-1878), Simeon Wiggin (1802–1857), Temperence Wiggin (1804-1878), Mehitable Hanscom Wiggin (1806-1879), Mary Dearborn Wiggin (1808-188?), David H. Wiggin (1811–1882), Thomas Hanscom Wiggin (1813-1814), Alpheus Wiggin (1816–1876), and Ann T. Wiggin (1819-1894)).

David Wiggin headed a Wakefield, NH, household at the time of the Third (1810) Federal Census. His household included one male aged 26-44 years [himself], one female aged 26-44 years [Polly (Hanscom) Wiggin], one male aged 10-15 years [William B. Wiggin], three females aged 10-15 years, and one male aged under-10 years [Simeon Wiggin].

Brother Thomas Hanscom Wiggin died in Wakefield, NH, in 1814.

Brother Oliver D. Wiggin married, December 5, 1819, Jane B. Hutchins. She was born in Wakefield, NH, July 29, 1797, daughter of Solomon and Hannah (Lewis) Hutchins.

Brother George B. Wiggin died March 5, 1820, aged twenty-one years, two months. Father David Wiggin died in Wakefield, NH, May 5, 1820, aged thirty-nine years, nine months.

Brother Simeon Wiggin married, in 1824, Sarah Wentworth. She was born in 1804, daughter of Samuel and Sarah (Stone) Wentworth.

The Milton Selectmen of 1828 were Stephen Drew, W.B. Wiggin, and I.H. Wentworth. The Milton Selectmen of 1829 were W.B. Wiggin, H. Meserve, and J.M. Twombly.

Simeon Wiggin headed a Milton household at the time of the Fifth (1830) Federal Census. His household included one male aged 20-29 years [himself], one female aged 20-29 years [Sarah (Wentworth) Wiggin], two males aged under-5 years [Alonzo L. Wiggin], and one female aged under-5 years [Lydia Wiggin]. His household appeared in the enumeration between those of Joseph Berry and Francis Berry.

Polly [(Hanscom)] Wiggin headed a Milton household at the time of the Fifth (1830) Federal Census. Her household included one female aged 50-59 years [herself], two females aged 20-29 years [Temperence Wiggin and Mary D. Wiggin], and one female aged 10-15 years [Ann T. Wiggin]. Her household appeared in the enumeration between those of John Berry and Joseph Dearborn Jr.

Sister Temperance Wiggin married in Milton, in 1830, Francis Berry. He was born in Milton, February 16, 1792, son of Francis and Sarah (Grant) Berry.

Sister Mehitable H. Wiggin married in Meredith, NH, in 1830, Mark N. Sibley. He was born in Meredith, NH, in 1807, son of Richard and Polly (French) Sibley.

POCKET BOOK FOUND. A POCKET BOOK, containing money and valuable papers, was left in my Bookstore about ten days since – having the name of “WILLIAM B. WIGGIN,” stamped on the inside of it. The owner can have the same by proving property and paying for this advertisement. S.C. STEVENS. Dover, March 5, 1831 (Times & Dover Enquirer, March 15, 1831).

William B. Wiggin married in Dover, NH, August 2, 1831, Philena Graves, he of Milton and she of Dover, NH. Rev. John G. Dow performed the ceremony. She was born in Tuftonborough, NH, in 1799, daughter of Phineas and Sally ((—-) Hodgdon) Graves.

(Phineas Graves had been one of the three original settlers of Tuftonborough, NH, in the 1780s. He had died there in 1816. “Twelfthly. I give, bequeath and devise unto my seventh daughter, Philenia Graves, one dollar, to be paid by my Executors, hereafter named, in six months from my Decease” (Strafford County Probate, 18:523)).

William B. Wiggin appeared in the Dover, NH, directory of 1833, as working at Fenner & W., i.e. Fenner & Wiggin, with his house on Poplar st. Fenner & Wiggin appeared as merchants of E. & W.I. Goods, European & West Indian Goods, at 5 Franklin sq. His partner, Elathan [Elhanan] W. Fenner, appeared also as working at F. & Wiggin, i.e. Fenner & Wiggin, with his house on Franklin st.

William B. Wiggin was appointed to a Dover, NH, Whig Committee of Vigilance, February 27, 1836. The Whig Central Committee appointed the Vigilance Committee to oversee the election and notify them of any irregularities. (See Milton’s Ante-Bellum Party Affiliations).

William B. Wiggin appeared in the Dover, NH, directory of 1838, as a constable and lot layer, i.e., surveyor (Norris, 1838).

Sister Mary D. Wiggin married in Wakefield, NH, June 10, 1838, Oliver Lord, she of Dover, NH, and he of Eliot, ME. Rev. Joseph Spinney performed the ceremony.

William B. Wiggin headed a Dover, NH, household at the time of the Sixth (1840) Federal Census. His household included one male aged 30-39 years [himself], and one female aged 40-49 years [Philena (Graves) Wiggin]. One member of his household was engaged in the Learned Professions and Engineering.

Sister Ann T. Wiggin married in Milton, December 25, 1842, Thomas L. Pickering, both of Wakefield, NH. Rev. Joseph Spinney performed the ceremony. He was born in Rochester, NH, in 1819, son of Simeon and Mary Pickering.

William B. Wiggin appeared in the Dover, NH, directory of 1843, as a land surveyor, with his house at 18 Second street. (His former partner, E.W. Fenner, appeared as a machinist for the C.M. [Cocheco Manuf.] co., with his house at the corner of Fifth and Chestnut streets).

The Dover, NH, Selectmen of 1845 were John Tredick, Samuel Dunn, jr., and William B. Wiggin (Scales, 1923).

William B. Wiggin received a five-year appointment as a Dover, NH, justice-of-the-peace, July 1, 1845.

The Dover, NH, Selectmen of 1846 were Samuel Dunn, jr., William B. Wiggin, and Andrew Varney (Scales, 1923).

HERE AND THERE. … About fifty years ago [circa 1848] the Norway Plains company, engaged in manufacturing in Rochester, sent to the town of Middleton a man named Benjamin Barker, who owned and operated lumber mills in the former town, with instructions to obtain certain lands, by bond or purchase outright, from Moses Place, Amos W. York, Ephraim Colbath, J. Smith Colbath, Leighton Colbath, Jr., and others, all of Middleton, in order that a reservoir might be constructed and that the Norway Plains company should be enabled to regulate the supply of water on which the running of the mills depended. Mr. William B. Wiggin, an expert civil engineer from Dover, made a careful survey of the requisite land, and furnished an estimate of the number of gallons which the proposed reservoir should contain. The owners of the land were thrifty men, and were willing to part with the use of it if not with the land itself, but they set a high price upon their properties, as men are apt to do in view of any demand, and it was some time before prices were agreed upon. Finally, with an outlay ranging from eight to twelve dollars an acre, amounting to the sum of nearly three thousand dollars, the arrangement was completed, the right of flowage being ceded in the cases where the land was not bought outright by deed. In this transaction valuable assistance was given by the Cocheco Mills company of Dover, although no special immediate profit could accrue to it, beyond the general advantage of having streams under control, and the latter condition caused mill owners between Middleton and Rochester to acquiesce in the construction of the dam … (Farmington News, January 21, 1898).

Brother David H. Wiggin married (1st) Patience Hodsdon.

Mother Mary “Polly” (Hanscom) Wiggin died in Milton, May 21, 1850, aged seventy-two years, eight months.

William B. Wiggin received a five-year renewal appointment as a Dover, NH, justice-of-the-peace, June 25, 1850.

William B. Wiggin, a civil engineer, aged forty-nine years (b. ME), headed a Dover, NH, household at the time of the Seventh (1850) Federal Census. His household included Philina [(Graves)] Wiggin, aged fifty years (b. NH). William B. Wiggin had real estate valued at $2,400.

Dover, NH, sent William B. Wiggin to Concord, NH, as one of its six NH State Representatives for the 1851-52 biennium (Wadleigh, 1913).

On Tuesday, June 24, 1851, a vote was taken in “An act to incorporate the Cocheco Bank.” Rep. Wiggin voted with the 125 members [52.1%] that voted in favor of the bill, rather than with the 115 members [47.9%] that voted against it.

On Wednesday, July 2, 1851, a vote was taken in “An act to incorporate the Grafton County Bank.” Rep. Wiggin voted with the 177 members [68.9%] that voted in favor of the bill, rather than with the 80 members [31.1%] that voted against it.

Brother Alpheus Wiggin married (1st), circa 1852, Emeline “Emily” Seavey. She was born in Brownington, VT, in 1818, daughter of Francis and Hadassah (Warren) Seavey.

Thomas Stackpole, Thos E. Sawyer, Oliver Libbey, William B. Wiggin, J.K. Purinton, and D.H. Wendell, were Directors of the Cocheco Bank in Dover, NH, in 1855. Thomas Stackpole was also its President, and Ezekiel Hurd was its Cashier.

This bank was incorporated July 4, 1851. Amount loaned on pledge of its stock $100. Two of the Directors are indebted in small amounts compared with the amount of stock owned by each. The dividends in 1854 were 4 per cent, semi annually. The notes are all considered good (NH Bank Commissioner’s Office, 1854).

The Cocheco Bank had assets (and balanced liabilities) of $248,536.03. (William B. Wiggin had voted in favor of chartering the bank when he had been a State Representative from Dover, NH).

In the July 1856 the NH Supreme Court case of Busby vs. Littlefield, surveyor Willliam B. Wiggin appeared as a witness for the plaintiff.

The evidence in the case consists of the testimony of John H. White, Esq., who made the deed from Busby to Jordan; of James M. Ross and Charles L. Smith, who witnessed the deed; of Parker Clay, the owner of the land in the rear of the whole Busby land; of George W. Hayes, a tenant of Busby, who resided in the house on the southerly end of the lot; and of William B. Wiggin, a surveyor. This evidence has all been taken on the part of the complainant, no evidence having been taken by the defendants (NH Supreme Court, 1857). 

Brother Simeon Wiggin died in Milton, February 11, 1857, aged fifty-four years.

William B. Wiggin was a City of Dover, NH, Common Councilor in 1857. William B. Wiggin, Solomon H. Foye, Everett Hall, and Daniel Murray were Dover Measurers of Stone. William B. Wiggin and James M. Haynes were its Ward 2 Assessors. He received $43.55 in salary for that Assessor position, and $11.50 for surveying highways.

William B. Wiggin appeared in the Dover, NH, directory of 1859, as a civil engineer, with his house at 6 Second street. Sister-in-law Louisa Graves appeared also, as residing at William B. Wiggin’s house, at 6 Second street.

Wm. B. Wiggin, a surveyor, aged fifty-nine years (b. ME), headed a Dover, NH, household at the time of the Eighth (1860) Federal Census. his household included Philenia [(Graves)] Wiggin, aged fifty-nine years (b. NH), Louisa Gray [Graves], aged fifty-seven years (b. NH), and Sarah H. Ross, aged fifteen years (b. NH). Wm. B. Wiggin had real estate valued at $2,500 and personal estate valued at $6,000. Louisa Gray had personal estate valued at $2,000.

William B. Wiggin received a five-year renewal appointment as a Dover, NH, justice-of-the-peace, June 19, 1860.

Brother-in-law Thomas L. Pickering of Wakefield, NH, enlisted in Co. A of the Thirteenth NH Infantry Regiment in Rochester, NH, August 21, 1862. He was aged forty-two years. He was mustered into the service, September 18, 1862. He was mustered out of the service, May 16, 1865.

William B. Wiggin appeared in the Dover, NH, directory of 1865, 1867, and 1869, as a civil engineer, with his house at 22 Second street. That name appeared also as a farmer, with his house near the Barrington road.

William B. Wiggin received a five-year renewal appointment as a Dover, NH, justice-of-the-peace, June 16, 1865.

Brother Oliver D. Wiggin died in Levant, ME, October 15, 1865.

William B. Wiggin appeared in the NH State Political Manuals of 1866 and 1867, as a Dover, NH, justice-of-the-peace (McFarland & Jenks, 1867). He appeared in the NH Business Directory of 1868, as a Dover, NH, justice-of-the-peace (Briggs, 1868).

Brother-in-law Francis Berry died on Wakefield, NH, December 25, 1866.

Sister-in-law Jane B. “Jenny” (Hutchins) Wiggin died in Levant, ME, March 31, 1868.

Sister-in-law Emeline (Seavey) Wiggin died in Wakefield, NH, December 17, 1868, aged fifty-one years, one month.

Brother Alpheus Wiggin married (2nd) in Wakefield, NH, August 21, 1869, Caroline Sanborn. He was a farmer, aged fifty-three years, and she was aged fifty-four years. Rev. Nathaniel Barker performed the ceremony. She was born in Acton, ME, circa 1815, daughter of Joseph and Sarah “Sally” (Farnham) Wiggin.

William B. Wiggin, a surveyor, aged sixty-nine years (b. ME), headed a Dover, NH, household at the time of the Ninth (1870) Federal Census. His household included Philena [(Graves)] Wiggin, aged seventy-one years (b. NH), and Louisa Graves, aged sixty-six years (b. NH). William B. Wiggin had real estate valued at $3,000 and personal estate valued at $1,200. Louisa Graves had personal estate valued at $3,000.

William B. Wiggin received a five-year renewal appointment as a Dover, NH, justice-of-the-peace, June 16, 1870.

Sister Ann T. [(Wiggin)] Pickering of Somersworth, NH, divorced her husband, Thomas L. Pickering of Wakefield, NH, in Strafford County Superior Court, June 23, 1870. She sought return of property given to libellant.

William B. Wiggin appeared in the Dover, NH, directory of 1871, as a civil engineer and surveyor, with his house at 22 Second street.

Brother-in-law Thomas L. Pickering died in Rochester, NH, October 3, 1872.

Philena (Graves) Wiggin died in Dover, NH, in 1874, aged seventy-five years.

William B. Wiggin appeared in the Dover, NH, directories of 1874, 1876, and 1878, as a civil engineer, with his house at 22 Second street.

Brother Alpheus Wiggin died February 15, 1876, aged fifty-nine years, eleven months.

William B. Wiggin received a five-year renewal appointment as a Dover, NH, justice-of-the-peace, March 24, 1876.

William B. Wiggin was both President and a Trustee of the Cocheco Savings Bank in Dover, NH, January 23, 1878. The bank had been incorporated in 1872, and its charter would expire in 1892 (NH Bank Commissioners, 1878).

William B. Wiggin of Dover, NH, made his last will, June 27, 1878. According to the wishes of his deceased wife, Philinia Wiggin, he had set apart $2,500. In her name he devised $500 to Sarah H. Berry, wife of Frank J. Berry; $500 to Caroline M. Baley, wife of Rev. N.M. Baley; and $100 each to Mary Jane Lord and her sister, Martha [Lord], now Mrs. Jewell, Ann Hersom, Mariah Campbell, and Sarah, wife of Thomas L. Berry. He devised $1,000 to the New Hampshire Orphans home.

On his own account, he devised $1000 to William W. Berry, for the benefit and support of his mother. He devised $1,000 to his sister, Mary [(Wiggin)] Lord; $500 each to Thomas L. Berry, William W. Berry, and Albert Lord; $100 each to Mark N. Libby, Richard F. Libbey, Mark N. Libbey, and Abial Libbey. He devised to his brother, David H. Wiggin, his land and house in Shapleigh, in which the brother then lived and $1,000, all to be held in trust by the executor for the support of the brother. After the brother’s decease, the southern part of the property should pass to the widow of another brother, Alpheus Wiggin, and thereafter to their nephew, Luther P. Wiggin, while the northern part would pass to William W. Berry. He devised $1,000 to the executor, who was to use it to pay support for his sister, Ann T. [(Wiggin)] Pickering, out of interest and, if necessary the principal.

Wiggin devised on his own behalf another $1,000 to the New Hampshire Orphan’s house, which together with the first $1,000 devised in his late wife’s name, would make $2,000 in all.

He devised to his nephew, Luther P. Wiggin, the land and buildings then occupied by Simeon Wiggin, and that adjoining, after the death of Alpheus Wiggins’ widow. He devised his books to Frank J. Berry, William W. Berry, and Albert Lord. He devised to Louisa Graves a life estate in the west tenement of his dwelling house in Dover, NH, in connection with Mrs. Frank J. Berry.

Wiggin named Frank J. Berry as executor and residuary legatee. Charles S. Buck, Henry H. Hough, and Jacob M. Willey witnessed his signature (Strafford County Probate, 89:341).

William B. Wiggin died in Dover, NH, in June 1878, aged seventy-seven years. His last will was proved in a Strafford County Probate court held in Dover, NH, August 6, 1878 (Strafford County Probate, 89:341).

NEW HAMPSHIRE. The Orphans Home at Franklin receives a bequest of $2000 by the will of the late William B. Wiggin of Dover. Within the past year this institution has received $7400 (Boston Post, August 2, 1878).

Sister Temperence (Wiggin) Berry died September 20, 1878.

Sister Mehitable H. (Wiggin) Sibley died in 1879.

Charles H. Butterfield, a house carpenter, aged thirty-eight years (b. VT), headed a Dover, NH, household at the time of the Tenth (1880) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Mary E. [(Clancy)] Butterfield, keeping house, aged thirty-eight years (b. NH), his son, Edward E. Butterfield, aged five years (b. NH), and his boarders, Eliza Butterfield, works in printing, aged twenty-six years (b. NH), and Louisa Graves, at home, aged seventy-five years (b. NH). They resided in Second Street.

Brother David H. Wiggin married (2nd) in Shapleigh, ME, April 30, 1880, Julia Whitehouse. Rev. D. Perry performed the ceremony. She was born circa 1825.

Brother-in-law Mark N. Sibley died in 1881. Brother David H. Wiggin died August 19, 1882, aged seventy-one years, two months. Sister-in-law Sarah (Wentworth) Wiggin died in Milton, April 2, 1885.

Sister-in-law Louisa Graves died of softening of the brain in Watertown, MA, December 14, 1886, aged eighty-two years. She had been born in Tuftonborough, NH, daughter of Phineas and Sally Graves. She was buried [in the Wiggin plot] in Dover, NH.

Ann T. [(Wiggin)] Pickering, widow of Thomas Pickering, was enumerated in Wakefield, NH, in the surviving Veterans Schedule of the Eleventh (1890) Federal Census. Her late husband had been a Private in Co. A, of the Thirteenth NH Infantry Regiment, from 1862. He had received a bayonet wound during the war. She received her mail in South Wakefield, NH.

Sister-in-law Caroline W. (Sanborn) Wiggin died in Wakefield, NH, in 1890.

Sister Ann T. (Wiggin) Pickering died of cerebrospinal multiple sclerosis in Wakefield, NH, July 24, 1894, aged seventy-six years, six months. She was a widowed houseworker. George A. Allen, M.D. signed the death certificate.

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References:

Briggs & Co. (1868). NH Business Directory, 1868. Retrieved from books.google.com/books?id=IOUCAAAAYAAJ&pg=RA2-PA168

Find a Grave. (2011, June 17). Elhanan W. Fenner. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/71534909/elhanan-w-fenner

Find a Grave. (2015, June 25). Louisa Graves. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/148283745/louisa-graves

Find a Grave. (2021, August 19). Alpheus Wiggin. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/230984673/alpheus_wiggin

Find a Grave. (2021, August 19). David Wiggin. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/230984521/david-wiggin

Find a Grave. (2021, August 19). David H. Wiggin. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/230984783/david_h_wiggin

Find a Grave. (2021, August 19). George B. Wiggin. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/230984806/george_b_wiggin

Find a Grave. (2018, August 3). Oliver Dearborn Wiggin. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/191933917/oliver_dearborn_wiggin

Find a Grave. (2018, October 2). Simeon Wiggin. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/193680672/simeon_wiggin

Find a Grave. (2015, June 23). William B. Wiggin. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/148277964/william-b-wiggin

McFarland & Jenks. (1867). Political Manual for the State of New Hampshire. Retrieved from books.google.com/books?id=g4ABAAAAYAAJ&pg=RA1-PA97

NH Bank Commissioner’s Office. (1854). Report of the NH Bank Commissioners’ Office. Retrieved from books.google.com/books?id=wqkyAQAAMAAJ&pg=RA1-PA52

NH Bank Commissioner’s Office. (1878). Report of the NH Bank Commissioners’ Office. Retrieved from books.google.com/books?id=NH4pAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA23

NH Supreme Court. (1857). Reports of Cases Argued and Determined in the Superior Court of Judicature for the State of New-Hampshire. Retrieved from books.google.com/books?id=IZs0AQAAMAAJ&pg=PA81

Norris, Daniel L. (1838). Norris’ Dover Directory. Retrieved from books.google.com/books?id=XmNZAAAAcAAJ&pg=PA33

Scales, John. (1923). History of Dover, New Hampshire. Retrieved from books.google.com/books?id=g4w-AAAAYAAJ&pg=PA261

Wadleigh, George. (1913). Notable Events in the History of Dover, New Hampshire. Retrieved from books.google.com/books?id=A3ywiDfSrY8C&pg=PA296

By Muriel Bristol | October 20, 2024

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Continued from Milton’s Initial Party Affiliations.

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The ante-bellum period (Latin for “pre-war,” i.e., pre-Civil War) between 1828 and 1854 is sometimes characterized by historians as the Second Party System period, with the principal parties being the Democratic-Republicans or Democrats, initially led by Gen. Andrew Jackson of Tennessee and Martin Van Buren of New York, and the National-Republicans or Whigs, initially led by John Quincy Adams of Massachusetts and Henry Clay of Kentucky. (These new parties or configurations replaced the original First Party System of Jefferson’s Democratic-Republicans and Madison’s Federalist-Republicans).

Milton gave 173 votes (93.5%) to National-Republican Sheriff John Bell of Chester, NH, and 12 votes (6.5%) to Democratic-Republican Gov. Benjamin Pierce of Hillsborough, NH, in the NH Gubernatorial election of March 1828. Bell won the election. In the following year, Milton gave 138 votes (77.1%) to incumbent Gov. Bell and 41 votes (22.9%) to Pierce. This time Pierce won the statewide election.

Levi Jones of Milton was chosen for a five-man National-Republican District committee, September 30, 1828, which would prepare and report resolutions on potential candidates for President and Vice President of the U.S. They recommended the incumbent President John Q. Adams as their preferred candidate for President and Richard Rush for Vice President. Stephen Drew of Milton was appointed to a six-man committee tasked with sounding out the sentiments of “the People” on those choices.

John Nutter, John H. Varney, and Lewis Hayes were Milton Delegates to the National [-Republican] Young Men’s Convention, which was held at Wolfeborough, NH, October 1, 1828 (Times & Dover Enquirer, October 27, 1828).

Milton gave 160 votes (78.0%) to incumbent National-Republican President John Quincy Adams and 45 votes (22.0%) to Democratic-Republican Gen. Andrew Jackson in the Presidential election of November 1828. Jackson won the election (Times & Dover Enquirer, November 11, 1828).

Stephen Drew of Milton was Secretary of the NH Senatorial District No. 5 Republican Convention held in Dover, NH, January 21, 1830 (Times & Dover Enquirer, January 26, 1830). The term “Republican” in this context may be understood to be mean National-Republican, or what would come to be known as “Whig.”

Levi Jones of Milton was one of two Secretaries for a Republican, i.e., National-Republican, Strafford County Convention, which was held at the Court House in Dover, NH, January 21, 1830. The Convention chose Timothy Upham as their candidate for NH Governor (Times & Dover Enquirer, January 26, 1830). He would lose to the Democratic-Republican candidate, Matthew Harvey. (Harvey had been originally a National-Republican, who had switched to Democratic-Republican).

Milton gave 161 votes (77.8%) to National-Republican NH State Senator Ichabod Bartlett and 46 votes (22.2%) to Democratic-Republican Judge Samuel Dinsmoor in the NH Gubernatorial election of 1831. Judge Dinsmoor won the statewide election. In the following year, Milton gave 128 votes (71.9%) to NH State Sen. Ichabod Bartlett and 50 votes (28.1%) to incumbent Gov. Samuel Dinsmoor. Dinsmoor won reelection in the statewide election.

Stephen M. Mathes was the Milton Delegate to the Republican State Convention held in Concord, NH, June 19, 1832. In this context, Republican meant National-Republican. Henry Clay was their Presidential nominee (Times & Dover Enquirer, June 26, 1832). The National-Republicans would come to be known as the “Whig” party.

The “Whig” name became attached to the National-Republican party due in part to its adherents’ vociferous opposition to President Andrew Jackson, whom they regarded as having monarchial tendencies – as in “King” Jackson – and for which reason they regarded his fellow Democratic-Republicans as having become “Tories.” That characterization left themselves occupying the other pole, that of “Whigs.” (It is perhaps ironic that both terms had originated in English politics as insults meaning “bandits” and “robbers”).

Milton was considered in this period to be a Whig “stronghold,” along with Dover, Rochester, Somersworth, and Rollinsford. This was not always the case for the State as a whole, which tended to have more of a Democrat or “Tory” majority overall. This strength of feeling no doubt arose partly due to slavery being so thoroughly opposed by Milton inhabitants, which was a position where the Democratic-Republican “Tories” neither felt nor acted as forthrightly as Milton inhabitants felt they should have (See Milton and Abolitionism).

Milton gave 153 votes (75.0%) to National-Republican Henry Clay, and 51 votes (25.0%) to incumbent Democratic-Republican President Andrew Jackson, in the US Presidential election of November 1832. President Andrew Jackson won reelection.

Milton gave 92 votes (64.3%) to National-Republican Hon. Joseph Healey and 51 votes (35.7%) to Democratic-Republican Gov. William Badger in the NH Gubernatorial election of 1835. Gov. Badger won reelection in the statewide election.

William B. Wiggin was appointed to a Dover, NH, Whig Committee of Vigilance, February 27, 1836. The Whig Central Committee appointed the Vigilance Committee to oversee the election and notify them of any irregularities. (Wiggin was a former Milton Selectman that had moved to Dover, NH, circa 1832).

Milton gave 40 votes to incumbent Democrat NH Governor Isaac Hill in his March 1836 reelection bid. Gov. Hill was running unopposed. The “scattering” write-in votes went to a number of others. 

ELECTION ITEMS. Isaac Hill is elected Governor, – because there was no candidate against him. In some towns the whigs threw a few votes for Healey; in others for Sullivan; in others for Davy Crockett or Jack Downing, anybody or nobody, whom they thought better qualified for the office than the tory candidate (Dover Enquirer, March 15, 1836).

The Hon. Joseph Healey and the Hon. George Sullivan being written-in were NH Whig politicians. Col. Davy Crockett was a folk hero. (News of the fall of the Alamo, March 6, 1836, and Col. Crocketts’ death there, would not reach New Hampshire until mid-April). Maj. Jack Downing was a fictional character featured in an ongoing series of humorous political satires by author Seba Smith.

The Presidential election of November 1836 brought Democrat President Andrew Jackson’s intended successor, Vice President Martin Van Buren, to the fore. Joseph and Rebecca (Ricker) Cook of Milton would name their son Martin Van Buren Cook after him (in 1838). One might assume that they were likely Democratic-Republicans.

President Jackson is famous, or infamous, for having eliminated the inflationary U.S. central bank. In so doing, he effectively favored the inflationary state-level banks. The Whigs abhorred his closing of the central bank. As Abraham Lincoln would say later regarding another issue rather than the central bank:

In great contests, each party claims to act in accordance with the will of God. Both may be, and one must be, wrong.

Newly-elected President Van Buren inherited the resulting economic “Panic of 1837,” which caused bank failures (40% of them), unemployment, foreclosures, economic depression, and a specie (hard money) shortage, all of which lasted well into the next decade. (See below a picture of a 1838 substitute private specie “penny,” with Liberty depicted ironically as wearing a “Loco Foco” crown).

Thomas Chapman and Enoch W. Plummer were the Milton Delegates to the NH State Whig Convention, which was held in Concord, NH, Tuesday, November 21, 1837 (Times & Dover Enquirer, November 28, 1837).

Asa Fox and Reuben J. Witham were the Milton Delegates to the NH Fifth Senatorial District Whig Convention, which was held in Rochester, NH, January 16, 1838. The Convention selected the Hon. Andrew Pierce of Dover, NH, as their preferred candidate (Times & Dover Enquirer, January 23, 1838).

Stephen M. Mathes and Edward Hart were the Milton Delegates to the Strafford County Whig Convention, which was held in Rochester, NH, Tuesday, January 16, 1838 (Times & Dover Enquirer, January 23, 1838).

Theodore C. Lyman and Benjamin Roberts were the Milton Delegates to the Strafford County Whig Convention, which was held in Farmington, NH, Monday, January 14, 1839 (Times & Dover Enquirer, January 22, 1839).

Ichabod H. Wentworth and Thomas Y. Wentworth were the Milton Delegates to the Strafford County Whig Convention, which was held in Farmington, NH, Monday, January 20, 1840 (Times & Dover Enquirer, January 28, 1840).

James Berry and James M. Twombly were the Milton Delegates to a Strafford County Whig Convention, which was held in Ossipee, NH, on Thursday, April 24, 1840 (Times & Dover Enquirer, April 28, 1840).

Milton gave 182 votes (72.5%) to Whig Gen. William Henry Harrison (“Tippecanoe & Tyler Too”) of Ohio, and 69 votes (27.5%) to incumbent Democrat President Martin Van Buren, in the US Presidential election of November 1840. Whig William Henry Harrison won the election but died a month into his term, after which he was succeeded by his Vice-President, John Tyler.

John H. Varney and S. Watson Drew were the Milton Delegates to a Strafford County Whig Counsellor Convention, which was held at the Dodge Hotel in Rochester, NH, January 18, 1841 (Times & Dover Enquirer, January 26, 1841). The Dodge Hotel was a popular lodging at the center of the regional stagecoach hub.

Joseph Pearl and E.W. Plummer were the Milton Delegates to the NH Fifth Senatorial District Whig Convention, which was held at the Jonathan T. Dodge Hotel in Rochester, NH, January 18, 1841. The Convention selected Daniel Winkley, Esq., of Strafford, NH, as their preferred candidate (Times & Dover Enquirer, January 26, 1841).

John H. Varney and Micah Hanson were the Milton Delegates at a Strafford County Whig Convention held at the Jonathan Dodge Inn in Rochester, NH, January 31, 1843. Joseph Pearl of Milton was nominated as Whig candidate for Strafford County Road Commissioner.

A Dover Enquirer editorial mocked the Belknap Gazette for having incorrectly classified four Strafford County NH State Representatives, including Charles Swasey of Milton, as being “… locofocos, when they are as staunch whigs as any in the State” (Times & Dover Enquirer, March 26, 1844).

(The Locofocos were a hardline economic populist faction of the Democrat party. Their name originated as the brand name of a type of stick matches and their use of such matches in order to see when the gaslights were intentionally turned off to disrupt a New York Tammany Hall political meeting in October 1835. (Tammany Hall would become a watchword for corrupt “machine” politics). Over time, the Whigs took to calling Democrats of all stripes Locofocos).

Milton gave 94 votes (56.6%) to Whig Henry Clay, 45 votes (27.1%) to Democrat James K. Polk of Tennessee, and 27 votes (16.3%) to abolitionist Liberty candidate James G. Birney of Kentucky, in the US Presidential election of November 1844. Democrat James K. Polk won the election.

Stephen Shores of Milton was nominated as the Liberty party candidate for Strafford County Road Commissioner at their Dover, NH, convention, January 24, 1845 (Times & Dover Enquirer, January 28, 1845). The Liberty party was an abolitionist party, which was most active in the 1840s. Many of its members went on to join later the Free Soil party and the Republican party.

J.D. Lyman and H.V. Wentworth were the Milton Delegates to the NH State Whig Convention, which was held in Concord, NH, October 20, 1847 (Times & Enquirer, November 2, 1847).

Milton gave 100 votes (50.5%) to Whig Gen. Zachary Taylor of Kentucky, 79 votes (39.9%) to Democrat Lewis Cass of Michigan, and 19 votes (9.6%) to Whig Millard Fillmore of New York, in the US Presidential election of November 1848. Whig Zachary Taylor won the election. (Fillmore was Taylor’s Vice President and would complete Taylor’s term, when he died in office in 1850).

Eli Wentworth and Harrison “Harris” Kimball were the Milton Delegates to the Strafford County Whig Convention, which was held in Farmington, NH, Monday, January 14, 1850 (Dover Enquirer, January 22, 1850).

By the late 1840s the Whig coalition was beginning to unravel as factions of “Conscience” (antislavery) Whigs and “Cotton” (proslavery) Whigs emerged. In 1848 the party returned to its winning formula by running a military hero – this time Zachary Taylor – for president. But the Compromise of [September] 1850, fashioned by Henry Clay and signed into law by Millard Fillmore (who succeeded to the presidency on Taylor’s death in 1850), fatally estranged the Conscience Whigs from their party (Encyclopedia Britannica, 2024).

Robert Mathes [Jr.] was sent as the Milton Delegate to the NH State Constitutional Convention of 1850. His name was italicized in the newspaper listing, i.e., by which the accompanying key tells us he was a Whig (Dover Enquirer, October 15, 1850).

Ebenezer Osgood and James Doldt of Milton were listed among the Whigs in a roster of NH State Representatives, in March 1852 (Dover Enquirer, March 16, 1852). The other listed party affiliations were “Dem.,” “F.S.,” [“Free Soil], and one “F.S. Whig.”

Eben’r Osgood, Josiah N. Witham, Eli Wentworth, and Harris Kimball were the Milton Delegates to the NH Whig State Convention held in Concord, NH, in September 1852 (Dover Enquirer, September 7, 1852).

Milton gave 102 votes (45.9%) to Whig Gen. Winfield Scott of New York, 93 votes (41.9%) to Democrat Franklin Pierce, and 27 votes (12.2%) to Free Soiler John P. Hale, in the US Presidential election of November 1852. Democrat Franklin Pierce won the election. (Both Pierce and Hale were New Hampshire men, Hale “hailing” originally from Rochester, NH, although he then lived in Dover, NH). The Whig party declined and began to dissolve after its Presidential defeat in 1852.

Josiah N. Witham, Francis D. Horne, and Edward Hart were Milton Delegates to a Strafford County Whig Convention, which was held in Dover, NH, January 18, 1854 (Dover Enquirer, January 24, 1854).

Milton NH State Representative Elect Samuel Washburn maintained that he was a “true” Democrat in 1854, and not a so-called “Hunker” or “Nebraska” [Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854] Democrat, as has been said of him.

A few weeks since we stated, on what we deemed good authority, that Samuel Washburn, one of the representatives elect from Milton, who had been claimed as a Hunker Democrat, did not rank himself with that party. Mr. Washburn, in a note to the last Gazette, declares himself ‘a true democrat,’ – meaning, we suppose, that he is of the hunker and Nebraska stripe – and we are bound to believe him. The gentleman who gave us the information, and who told us that he had Mr. Washburn’s word as a voucher for his statement, must have misunderstood him, or Mr. W., talks one way and writes another. That’s all (Dover Enquirer, April 11, 1854).

A “Hunker” Democrat would have been one that favored state banks and internal improvements, while minimizing the slavery issue, and they were out of alignment with the minority “Barnburner” Democrats, who openly opposed slavery.

Whig U.S. Senator William P. Fessenden of Maine presented to the U.S. Senate a petition from the voters of Milton, in June 1854, seeking repeal of the Fugitive Slave Law.

In the Senate yesterday Mr. Fessenden presented a petition for a repeal of the Fugitive Slave Law [of 1850], signed, as he stated, by all the voters of the town of Milton, New Hampshire, the birthplace of Gen. Pierce. Mr. Sumner presented a similar petition. Both were referred (NY Post, June 30, 1854).

CONGRESS. … On Thursday, Mr. Fessenden presented a petition from New Hampshire, praying for the repeal of the Fugitive Slave Law. He said “the petition was not open to the objections of locality which had been urged against the memorial of the men of Boston. – It came from a town whose population was about 2000, and was signed by over 300 voters, which, he supposed comprised all its voters. Moreover, the town was Milton, which was the birthplace of the President. (Either the telegraph, or Mr. F., is mistaken. Milton claims no such honor [as being the birthplace of Franklin Pierce]).  (Dover Enquirer, July 4, 1854).

(Sen. William P. Fessenden would be reelected to the U.S. Senate as a Republican, and President Lincoln would appoint him as Secretary of the Treasury in 1864).

The Third Party System of Democrats versus Republicans is said to have emerged, or begun to emerge, in 1854 with the decline of the Whigs and the birth of the anti-slavery Republican party.

The anti-slavery Republican Party emerged in 1854. It adopted many of the economic policies of the Whigs, such as national banks, railroads, high tariffs, homesteads, and aid to land grant colleges (Wikipedia, 2024).

In the collapse of the Whig party, southern “Cotton” Whigs tended to merge into the Democrat Party, while northern “Conscience” Whigs tended to join the newly founded Republican party.

SHIPWRECK IN NEW HAMPSHIRE. Our despatches from New Hampshire proclaim the triumphant success of the combined forces of the Whigs, Free-Soilers, Know-Nothings, and Anti-Nebraska Democrats, over the Pierce-Nebraska party of the state. … (Dover Enquirer, March 22, 1855).

Eli Wentworth and David Wallingford made another stop along the way. They were characterized as being (or being also) American party (“Know Nothing”) adherents when elected as NH State Representatives in March 1856 (Dover Enquirer, March 20, 1856). The short-lived nativist and anti-slavery “Know Nothing” party gained a majority in the NH legislature in this biennium, but it proved to be a short-lived movement. Its anti-slavery elements would soon transfer their affiliation to the recently-founded anti-slavery Republican party.

John D. Lyman, Eli Wentworth, James H. Nutter, and G.W. Scates were the Milton Delegates to the NH Whig State Convention, in June 1856. John D. Lyman was selected for the Whig NH State Committee (Dover Enquirer, June 27, 1856).

Milton gave 281 votes (75.3%) to Republican John C. Fremont of California, 92 votes (24.7%) to Democrat James Buchanan of Pennsylvania, and 0 votes (0.0%) to Know-Nothing/Whig Millard Fillmore, in the US Presidential election of November 1856. Fremont was the first Republican Presidential candidate. Democrat James Buchanan won the election.

The Republicans of Wakefield, Brookfield, and Milton threw a post-election Jubilee at the Masonic Hall in Union, Wakefield, NH, March 18, 1858,

… to congratulate each other on the triumph of Republican principles in these several towns, and notwithstanding the unfavorable conditions of the roads and weather a pretty large assembly collected.

A dinner for seventy-five guests was served at the Hotel, with many toasts and speeches. There were songs by the Whitehouse Bards, followed by a dance, with music by the Milton Mills Quadrille Band. At the close, “all seemed highly gratified by the success of the entertainment” (Dover Enquirer, April 1, 1858).

Milton gave 252 votes (71.0%) to Republican Abraham Lincoln of Illinois, 129 votes (26.0%) to Democrat Stephen A. Douglas, also of Illinois, 6 votes (1.7%) to Southern Democrat Vice President John C. Breckenridge of Kentucky, and 5 votes (1.4%) to Constitutional Unionist John Bell of Tennessee, in the US Presidential election of November 1860. Republican Abraham Lincoln won the election.

Eli Wentworth of Milton was a Republican State Committee member in January 1861 (Dover Enquirer, January 17, 1861). (He would die of a fever at Snyder’s Bluff, Milldale, MS, two and one-half years later, while serving as an officer in the Union army).

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See also Milton’s NH State Representatives – 1803-1902 and Milton and Abolitionism

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References:

Wikipedia. (2024, September 5). Barnburners and Hunkers. Retrieved from en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barnburners_and_Hunkers

Wikipedia. (2024, October 10). Democratic Party (United States). Retrieved from en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Democratic_Party_(United_States)

Wikipedia. (2024, September 21). Free Soil Party. Retrieved from en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Free_Soil_Party

Wikipedia. (2024, September 7). Kansas Nebraska Act. Retrieved from en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kansas%E2%80%93Nebraska_Act

Wikipedia. (2024, September 27). Know Nothing. Retrieved from en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Know_Nothing

Wikipedia. (2024, October 11). Locofoco. Retrieved from en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Locofocos

Wikipedia. (2024, September 8). Panic of 1837. Retrieved from en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panic_of_1837

Wikipedia. (2024, October 14). Republican Party (United States). Retrieved from en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Republican_Party_(United_States)

Wikipedia. (2024, October 6). Whig Party (United States). Retrieved from en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whig_Party_(United_States)