This page provides 71 of 261 biographical sketches found in the Croydon History by Edmund Wheeler, Croydon, N.H., 1866: Proceedings at the centennial celebration, June 13, 1866. These biographical sketches are for those surnames starting with the letter D-I.
See surnames starting with: A-C, J-P, R-W
Darling
DR. WILLIAM W. DARLING, son of William Darling, was born Nov. 20, 1834. He obtained his education at Kimball Union and Thetford Academies; studied medicine with Dr. Thos. Sanborn, of Newport, and graduated at Dartmouth College, Nov. 9, 1859. Located at Sutton, N. H., April 9, 1861, and removed to Goshen, N. H., Sept. 26, 1863. On the 21st of March, 1860, he was connected by marriage with Salona A. Pike, of Newport, N. H.
LUCIUS WESLEY DARLING and ELI DARLING, sons of Elijah Darling, a soldier in the war of 1812, and descendants of James and Huldah Cooper Hall, — the former residing at Newport and the latter at Hanover, now in the prime of life, — are among our most enterprising and prosperous farmers.
Dodge
WILLIAM DODGE, son of Perley and Helena Cooper Dodge, and grandson on the mother’s side of Dea. Sherman Cooper, was born in 1814. He was for a long time a Deputy Sheriff and Postmaster at the East Village. He removed to Claremont in 1854, where he now resides.
Dunbar
The first known ancestor of the Dunbar family in America was Robert Dunbar, a Scotchman who, circumstances indicate, was one of the Scotch prisoners sent over to the Massachusetts Colony in 1652, by Cromwell after the battles of Dunbar and Worcester. It is certain that this Robert Dunbar was the ancestor of the Dunbars of Abington and Bridgewater, if not of all bearing that name in New England. The family has always shown the characteristics which have so favorably distinguished the Scotch people. They are good, law-abiding citizens, with a frugal thrift and industry, a careful economy, and cautious and discriminating judgment in all the affairs of life.
Samuel Dunbar was a native of Bridgewater, MA, a farmer, prosperous and respected, and reared a family there, among whom was Elijah Dunbar, born in Bridgewater April 23, 1759, graduated at Dartmouth College, studied for the profession of law, and began practice at Keene, NH, 1790. He was at Claremont from 1797 to 1804, then reopened his office in Keene, was a magistrate, and represented Keene in the Legisla ture in 1806-08 and ’10. He was an officer for many years of the old Cheshire Bank at Keene, and one of the leading members of the Keene bar. He married Mary, daughter of Alexander Ralston, of Keene. His son, George Frederick Dunbar, was born at Claremont, NH, September 9, 1793. He studied medicine with Dr. Twitchell (a famous physician of Keene, NH) and at Dartmouth College, started practice at Stoddard, but after a short time removed to Westmoreland, where for fifty years he was the leading physician of the town. He married, 1818, Catherine, daughter of Nat Fisk, of Westmoreland. They had three sons and three daughters, —.
Mary Ann, married Horace Starkey, of Westmoreland, and moved to Cherry Valley, Ill., where she died, leaving two children, -Dr. Horace M. Starkey, a noted physician of Chicago, and Ella M.
Amos T., married Emily Cook, of Boston, had two children; both died young. He was for many years a merchant in Boston. In 1849 went to California, had quite an adventurous career and finally died there.
GEORGE W. DUNBAR (subject of sketch).
Nat F., married Hattie Gregg, an English lady, has one child living, Frederick; resides at the old homestead at Westmoreland. Most of his life, however, since 1852 has been spent in the California mining regions.
Martha F., married Capt. Lewis Webster, of Westmoreland; has four children,-Jennie F., George D., Florence and Kate; all are married, and all reside in Dunlap, Morris County, Kan., whither Capt. Webster removed and became the proprietor of a large sheep ranch. He is now deceased, and the widow resides with one of the children.
Laura E., the youngest of the six children, died young.
GEORGE WILLIAM DUNBAR was born in Westmoreland, NH, February 15, 1822. His education was obtained at the common schools of his native town, Keene, and the Academy at Framingham. His early life till his fourteenth year was spent on the farm. He was then apprenticed to William Stowits, of Keene, to learn harness-making, and thus his time was employed till his nineteenth year, when a love of adventure led him to embark with Capt. Joseph Reynolds on a four years’ whal ing voyage. The cruise did not differ materially from the average whaling voyage in those times; there were the usual hardships to be endured, the usual hair-breadth escapes; but finally Mr. Dunbar returned safe and sound to his native land with his curiosity thoroughly satisfied as to the “jolly life of a jack tar.”
He then went into partnership with his brother, A. T. Dunbar, in millinery business in Boston. This partnership continued about two years, which brings us to 1849, that ever memorable period, when the prose of life all over the world was eclipsed and for a time rendered irksome by the poetry of the newly discovered gold-mines of California. Mr. Dunbar, like thousands of others, became infected with the gold fever, and disposing of his interest in the millinery business, he embarked on the schooner ” Eudora ” from Bangor, ” around the Cape to California,” where, after a tedious voyage, they arrived in September, 1849. He at once sought the mines, and as an Argopaut met with fair success. After nearly two years spent in mining, the longing to see the wife he had left behind overcame the attraction of the shining dust, and he once more sought the granite hills of his native New Hampshire. After a perilous and adventurous trip across the plague-infected Isthmus he reached home, and for a time was engaged in the cutlery manufacturing business in Croydon. He soon exchanged his cutlery business, however, for a store, and became a village merchant in Croydon. In 1856 he again sought the land of gold, this time remaining three years and a half. Again his efforts as a gold-seeker were fairly successful, and once more returning to New Hamp shire, he re-embarked in trade in Croydon, where he continued till 1882, when he retired from active business.
Mr. Dunbar married, June 21, 1848, Sarah D., daughter of Elbridge and Hannah (Derby) Dix, of Hubbardston, MA They had four children,- .
George W., resides at Andover; Mary A., died when nine years of age; Infant (unnamed) dead; and Charles D., resides at Roxbury, NHMrs. Dunbar died March 31, 1873. Mr. Dunbar married, as his second wife, Marietta J., daughter of Abram S. and Lydia H. (Lovering) Philbrick, of Springfield, NH, October 8, 1874.
Mr. Dunbar represented his town in the Legislature in the years 1878, ’79, ’80. He is now town treasurer, and has held that position since 1883. He is deacon of the Congregational Church, and has been clerk and treasurer of the same since the reorganization of the church in Croydon. He has been for a quarter of a century a member of Hiram Lodge, F. and A. M., at Newport, NH, and is a member of the chapter at Claremont. In political faith be has always been a stanch Republican.
AMASA H. DUNBAR, son of Sylvester and Hannah Powers Dunbar, born in 1807, early in life removed to Moravia, N. Y., where we have the amplest testimony of his neighbors showing he has been a most successful and popular teacher, and is a respected and influential citizen. He has always taken a deep interest in educational matters, and has long been the director in the Moravian Institute. He is gifted with fine intellectual powers, is a good scholar, social and humorous. He became connected by marriage with one of the best families of his adopted village, and has two sons. His eldest son, GEORGE WARD DUNBAR, graduated at Hobart College, Geneva, N. Y., and at the General Theological Seminary, N. Y. City, and is a successful clergyman of the Episcopal Church. The younger son is a trader in Buffalo, N. Y. Mr. DA is now engaged in improving text-books for the schools.
OTIS DUNBAR, fifth son of Sylvester, born in 1812, is a talented clergyman at Holderness, N. H. Married Julia M. True.
Durkee
RUFUS DURKEE, from whom have descended the Durkees, was son of Robert Durkee, and came from Brimfield, Ct. He married Polly, daughter of Thomas, and granddaughter of Moses Whipple, the early settler. He was a tanner by trade, and an original genius.
RUEL DURKEE, son of Rufus and Polly Whipple Durkee, and a descendant of Moses Whipple, Esq., was born in Croydon, July 14, 1807. He has ever resided in his native town. His early years were spent in obtaining an education in the common school, and in assisting to carry on a tannery. Later in life he has carried on extensive farming operations, besides attending to much other business.
In addition to the management of his own private concerns, he has acted a conspicuous part in the affairs of the town, and in the politics of New Hampshire. His native shrewdness and knowledge of human nature render him a valuable counselor among his neighbors and townsmen. He has represented the town twice in the State Legislature; and has been elected Selectman eighteen times, fifteen of which he has been chairman of the board. During the rebellion, the financial affairs of the town were managed with so much success by him and his associates, that the war expenses of Croydon were comparatively less than those of any other town in the State. In 1846 he was elected Road Commissioners, and in 1864 he was appointed Messenger to carry the electoral vote of New Hampshire to Washington.
As a politician he is known far beyond the limits of his native town. His opponents give him the credit of possessing a large share of sagacity; and they ascribe to him a controlling influence with the political party to which he belongs. And it will be admitted by all that for years his influence has been very sensibly felt in the councils of the Republican party of New Hampshire.
Shrewd, self-poised, with an instinctive knowledge of human nature, he was for nearly a whole generation one of the most conspicuous managers in the Republican party of the State. His presence was always required during the sittings of the Legislature and at all conventions It has been said that in caucus the lightning usually struck the aspirant towards whom his magnetic finger pointed. He died in July, 1885.
PAINE DURKEE, son of Rufus, was born on the 7th day of October, 1817. He followed the vocation of his father, that of tanner, at the East Village until 1852, when he went to California and worked in the mines one year. In March, 1861, he was elected Representative of Croydon, and in September of the same year enlisted into the military service; was chosen First Lieutenant, and stationed at Fort Constitution in Portsmouth Harbor. He was detailed as Quarter Master, and acted in that capacity until May, 1862, when the illness of his family obliged him to leave the service. In 1864 he again entered -the service, enlisting into the First Regt. Heavy Artillery. He was chosen First Lieutenant of the 11th Co., and was stationed in the defenses of Washington; where he was again detailed as Quarter-Master, the duties of which office he performed with fidelity until the close of the war. In April, 1866, he was appointed Inspector of Customs at Portsmouth, N. H., which office he now holds.
LAVINA DURKEE, sister of the foregoing, married John B. Stowell, Esq., and removed to Newport, where be became a prominent and influential man, and held many important offices. He afterwards removed to Manchester, N. H.
Dwinnell
AMOS, IRA and CYRUS DWINNELL were in the early days mechanics at the Flat.
Eastman
STEPHEN EASTMAN was a cloth-dresser by trade, resided at the Flat, and for many years took a conspicuous part in the affairs of the town. He was for a long time a leading Justice, for a dozen years Selectman, and Representative in 1817, ’18 and ’19. He was affable, honest in his dealings, and much respected.
MOSES EASTMAN, a noted school-master, was son of Philip Eastman, one of the earliest settlers at Ryder Corner.
JOSEPH EASTMAN came to this town from Hopkinton, N. H., about the middle of the century, and settled at the East Village. He was a joiner by trade, and a valuable citizen. He afterwards removed to the west part of the town and turned his attention to farming. He was a Representative in 1838 and 1839.
TIMOTHY C. EASTMAN, son of Joseph Eastman, Esq., was horn May 30, 1821. His time during his minority was divided between farming, mechanical work, teaching, and attending school at Kimball Union Academy. In 184.5 he married Lucy, daughter of John Putnam, Esq. After four years of farming in the East, he removed to Cleveland, Ohio, in 1850, and commenced the milk trade. After the first two years he kept one hundred cows. In 1853, in connection with his milk business, he commenced dealing in cattle for the Cleveland market, and in 1854 began to ship them to New York and Boston. In 1857 he removed to New York City, where he has since resided, and is one of the most extensive and successful dealers in cattle in the city. He has a beautiful residence on Fifth Avenue, and, as a financier, he has been by far the most successful son of the town. He originated the plan of transporting beef to Europe in refrigerators, by means of which he presented the Queen with the quarter of beef as fresh as when taken from the slaughter-house at New York. He has achieved a handsome fortune. In youth he was fond of hunting and fishing, and being a man of uncommon physical power was always the champion of the wrestling match. During the past year he has purchased him a beautiful farm on the Hudson River, about sixty miles above the city of New York, containing four hundred acres of choice land, where, besides a large number of working and fat oxen and horses, he keeps over one hundred cows, from which during the past season he has sold over $10,000 worth of milk. Many are they who can attest to the generous hospitality of Mr. Eastman.
PROSPER L. EASTMAN, son of Joseph Eastman, Esq., was born March 1, 1825. Jan. 4, 1846, married Eleanor H. Haven, daughter of Moses, and granddaughter of Rev. Jacob Haven. In 1855 he went West, and engaged as a drover in Ohio and Wisconsin for four years, at the expiration of which time he returned to New York City, and became connected in business with his brother as a cattle broker. He is now located at Albany-the great cattle rendezvous from the West-where he is operating in connection with his brother at New York, Like his brother, in him are combined enterprise and sound judgment.
Elliot
LEISTER HALL ELLIOT, Son of Dea. Ezra Elliot, was born August 1, 1835; fitted for college at Essex, Vt.; graduated at the University of Vermont, at Burlington, August, 1861, and at the Union Theological Seminary, New York City, June, 1864. He was licensed to preach by the Brooklyn Congregational Association, April 6, 1864; acted as pastor of the Congregational Church at Colchester, Vt., for one year, and was ordained as pastor of the Congregational Church at Winooski, Vt., May 2, 1866. October 2d, 1866, he was married to Miss Lois M. Johnson, of Greensboro, Vt.
Emery
GEN. NATHAN EMERY, an active and successful farmer, was noted for his public spirit, and more especially for his zeal and interest in the militia. He passed through all the various grades from private to Major General, and contributed liberally both of time and money to maintain the honor of the institution. He married Esther Hagar, a lady of excellent judgment. He died at the Flat-whither he had removed to spend his declining years-in 1857, aged 65 years.
Ferrin
JOHN FERRIN married Hannah Jacobs, daughter of Whitman Jacobs, and after devoting several years to farming in Croydon, removed to Morristown, Vt., where he carried on a successful mercantile business, and where he occupied a prominent position in town. He was Representative two years, and an active justice until his death. He was a man of large physical and mental endowments. His eldest son, WHITMAN W., is a distinguished lawyer at Montpelier; and his second son, HARRISON, a worthy farmer, has been a Representative from Morristown.
Fletcher
REV. LUTHER JACOBS FLETCHER, son of David Fletcher, was born Nov. 25, 1818. His father was a blacksmith by trade, and he, the youngest son, was the “heir apparent” to the bellows and the anvil; but his love for books was stronger than the paternal decree. He pursued his preparatory studies at Unity Academy, and graduated at the Norwich University, 1841. In 1842 be was settled as pastor of the Universalist church in Surry, N. H. The year after, he was chosen Principal of the Mount Ceasar Seminary at Swanzey, but the duties of his two-fold office proving too severe for him, after three years service he removed to Brattleboro, Vt.; from thence he was called to Cambridge, Mass., and soon after to Lowell, where he labored for four years.
Here pecuniary considerations induced him to turn his attention to the law. In this profession also he was quite successful. His clear head, ready talent, and eloquent tongue, made him quite popular. At the end of three years he was appointed Commissioner of Insolvency, and soon after elevated to the position of Judge. When this court was united with that of the Probate, he re-entered the ministry, and returned to his old society at Lowell. He remained there but three years, when he was called to settle in the city of Brooklyn, but the health of his son induced him to remove to Bath, Me., where he is now settled over a large society.
He has published a Service-Book and a series of text-books which are quite popular, and is now publishing a work entitled, Gloria Patria, consisting of Prayers, Chants and Liturgical services for public worship. He was a member of the House of Representatives of Massachusetts, in 1856, in which body he took an active and leading part.
CYRUS KINGSBURY FLETCHER, second son of Timothy Fletcher who was for a long time a worthy, gifted and zealous deacon of the Baptist Church at Newport-was one of the Committee of Arrangements, and is a most worthy and exemplary farmer. He married Rachel Jacobs, daughter of Luther, and resides on the old “Jacobs Farm,” so long occupied by her grandfather, Whitman Jacobs.
Foster
HERSCHEL FOSTER, clergyman at Fairlee, Vt., born in 1801, is son of Lemuel and Chloe Powers Foster, and on the mother’s side grandson of Ezekiel Powers.
Frye
DAVID FRYE, the father of the Fryes, came to this town from Worcester County, Mass., and settled in the west part of the town, near the Mountain.
Gibson
WILLIAM GIBSON, one of the early settlers of the town, married Abigail Sanger, a daughter of Isaac Sanger. They had eight children. The following includes those of the family, in part, who have turned their attention to literary and professional pursuits.
WILLARD P. GIBSON, son of William, born September 2, 1798, studied medicine and graduated at Castleton, Vt., in 1822;’ spent fifteen years in the practice of his profession at Newport and elsewhere, and then turned his attention to theology. He died October 23, 1837, four days after his ordination.
OTIS GIBSON, Son of William, was born June 8, 1807; studied medicine, graduated at Woodstock, Vt., in 1830, and settled at Wellsboro, Pa.
ALANSON, son of Gardner, and grandson of William, was a clergyman. Is now deceased.
AUSTIN, son of Samuel and Susan Gibson Putnam, clergyman. (See Sketch.)
BUSHROD RICE and GARDNER WINSLOW, sons of William Gibson, were both physicians. The former died at Pomfret, Vt., many years since; the latter entered the army as an officer, and was killed at Cold Harbor.
Of the children of Winslow Gibson, OTIS is a missionary at Fuh Chau in China; HENRY graduated at the New York Medical College and went to China, where he died; GARDNER, clergyman, resides at Moira, N. Y.; FRANKLIN, clergyman, died in Connecticut.
LIZZIE and MARY W. F., daughters of Willard P. Gibson, made literature a profession. The latter has for several years past resided in Europe, where, besides publishing several books, she has contributed much both of prose and poetry to the magazines.
WILLARD PUTNAM and OTIS LLOYD, sons of John Gibson, are both clergymen.
LEWIS W., a clergyman, and Otis, a physician, are sons of Otis Gibson.
Goldthwait
SAMUEL GOLDTHWAIT came to this town from Northbridge, Mass., in 1780, and settled in the north-westerly part of the town; was an extensive and wealthy farmer; was a Representative and Selectman, and took an active part in the construction of the “Croydon Turnpike.” He died at the advanced age of 93.
CAPT. ZINA GOLDTHWAIT, Son of Samuel, was born Nov. 6, 1787, commenced on the homestead, and was an extensive and tidy farmer, kept a dairy of fifty cows. He was a hightoned, exemplary man, gentlemanly in his bearing, and quite a favorite. While in town he held many offices. He removed to Newport, where he has been elected to many important town offices, and been a leading member of the Baptist Church. He married Anna, daughter of Col. Henry Howard.
Goodwin
ISRAEL GOODWIN, remembered by many for his clear intellect and social qualities, resided at the Flat, and in his earlier days worked at cloth-dressing. He married Miss Betsey Melendy, and about the year 1824 removed to Plainfield, Vt., where he occupied a prominent position; was Representative two years, and State Senator two years. He was appointed Judge and removed to Montpelier, where he died. He exerted a wide influence, and was esteemed one of the most correct and competent business men in the county.
Gustin
DR. EZRA GUSTIN, son of Ezra Gustin, studied medicine with Dr. Elias Frost, of Plainfield, and after three years of most successful practice in his native town, died November 29, 1818, aged 30 years. As a teacher he was much beloved. As a man he was possessed of superior judgment, self-reliant, energetic, and much a favorite. He married Anna Holdbrook, daughter of David, who survived him but one yearleft one child, the late Mrs. Lewis Richardson, who died in 1858.
Hagar
AMOS HAGAR married Sarah Powers and settled on the Hagar place, opposite the C. K. Fletcher farm, and was the man from whom have descended the Hagars.
Hall
LIEUT. EDWARD HALL came to town during the Revolution, bringing with him seven sons-Ezekiel, Abijah, James, Edward, John, Darius and Ezra-and settled on the flat, south of the farm of J. Nutting. From this family and Rev. Samuel Read Hall have descended the Halls. The family were shrewd, and fond of amusements.
ABIJAH HALL, remembered for his capital jokes and unfathomed resource of fun and anecdote, was drowned near the Glidden Bridge.
CAPT. AMASA HALL, Son of Abijah Hall, was born Feb. 7, 1789; married Rebecca L. Melendy in 1811. He was an active business man and one of our most successful farmers. He was distinguished for energy and decision of character, a clear bead and ready judgment. He belonged to that portion of Croydon which was subsequently set off to Grantham. He was a Captain in the war of 1812; was Selectman of Grantham for eight years; Representative from Croydon in 1824 and 1825, and from Grantham in 1832, ’34, ’35, and ’36; Road Commissioner in 1841, and a Director in Sugar River Bank from its first organization until 1861. He was an influential member of the Congregational Church. In 1858 he retired from active business.
ADOLPHUS HALL, only son of Amasa Hall, was born December 7, 1811; married Sally Leavitt, daughter of Dudley, and sister of Dr. Nathaniel Leavitt. Like his father he was a successful business man. He was bred a farmer, but since 1861 has been engaged in mercantile business. He was Selectman of Grantham in 1859 and 1862, Representative in 1860 and 1861, and County Treasurer in 1865 and 1866.
DANIEL R. HALL, son of Abijah Hall, and grandson of Lieut. Edward Hall, was born July 3, 1802. He took much interest in the militia; was an efficient officer in the “Croydon Rifle Company;” was Colonel of the 31st Regiment, and Brigade Inspector under Gen. Nathan Emery. He was Town Clerk ten years, Selectman in 1855, and Representative in 1862 and 1863. He is a Director in the First National Bank at Newport. As a Justice he has for many years done most of the business in his section of the town. He married Martha, daughter of James Perkins.
HORACE P. HALL, son of Col. Daniel R. Hall, was born August 5,1827. He fitted for college at Marlow and Kimball Union Academies. After spending two years at Middletown College, Ct., and another at Amherst College, Mass., he abandoned his studies on account of ill health, and went West. He was for two years Principal of Marshall Academy, Ill., for seven a Professor of Latin in Union College at Merom, Indiana, and is now Principal of the Academy at Pendleton, Indiana. He was for a time connected with the army. In 1863 the Asbury University conferred on him the honorary degree of Master of Arts.
JAMES HALL, son of James and Huldah Cooper Hall, was for many years an enterprising farmer and merchant in Croydon, but removed to Newport, where he now resides, and where he has been elected to many offices, and has exerted a wide influence.
JOHN HALL, son of James Hall, Esq., and grandson of James Hall, Sr., was born in October, 1813; studied medicine with his uncle Albina Hall; graduated at Brunswick, Me., and commenced the practice of his profession at Newark, Ohio, where he died. His two daughters, JULIA and MARY, are both well educated and accomplished teachers.
ALBINA HALL and LYMAN HALL, Sons of James Hall, after spending most of their minority in town, turned their attention to medicine. The former married Livia Powers, and after practicing awhile in Maine and New York has returned to Croydon. The latter followed his profession at Cornish Flat until his death, which occurred but a few years since.
AHIRA HALL, son of James Hall, removed to Chautauque County, western New York, where he was an active Justice. His son JOHN, a wealthy lawyer, has been a member of the Assembly of the State. JAMES, a physician, was surgeon in the army, and died in the service. ALBINA, a clergyman, is settled at Girard, Pa.
CAPT. EDWARD HALL, Son of Lieut. Edward Hall, opened the first store of note in town. It was situated on the top of the swell of land between East Village and Four Corners. He is remembered as a shrewd, prosperous trader. He died March 14, 1817, aged 57 years.
CALVIN HALL, son of Capt. Edward Hall, a popular man and extensive farmer, after enjoying many honors in his native town, removed to Lowell, Mass., where he now resides.
NATHAN HALL, son of Edward Hall, Jr., is an independent farmer residing at the Flat. He was Chief Marshal at the Celebration, has been many years elected to town offices, serving as moderator several years, town clerk twelve years, and County Commissioner three years.
GEORGE HALL, son of Edward Hall, Jr., was on board the Cumberland during its fight with the Merrimac, and swam to the boat when it went down. The British and French ships were by, as witnesses of the conflict. The Captain saw what the result must be, and inquired of his men, ” Shall we strike colors and save life, or fight on?” The gallant crew replied, ” We can be shot, or sunk in the ocean, but surrender-never.”
PLINY HALL, Son of Martin, and grandson of Capt. Edward Hall, was born Sept. 21, 1817. At the age of seven, on the death of his father, he went to live with his uncle Calvin Hall, and labored on the farm until he was twenty-one. In 1842 he entered the store of Ruel Durkee, Esq., where he was principal clerk for nine years, and was chief clerk to his successor for three years. He then returned to farming, which occupation he has since followed. He was appointed U. S. Assistant Census Marshal in 1850 ; was elected Representative in 1851 and 1852, and County Treasurer in 1855 and 1856. He was appointed one of the Committee on the Apportionment of the Public Taxes, in June, 1852, and U. S. Enrolling Officer in 1864. He was a delegate to the Constitutional Convention in 1876. Died January 15, 1881.
CAPT. ARIEL HALL, son of Darius Hall, married Asenath, daughter of Capt. John Humphry, and after operating awhile in town removed to Williamstown, Vt., where he now resides and is carrying on extensive farming business.
CAPT. WORTHEN HALL, son of Darius, and grandson of Lt. Edward Hall, was born July 11, 1802. He had few early advantages ; until he was twenty-five years of age he struggled against all the embarrassments which a deficient education, poor health, poverty and ill-luck, could throw in his pathway. In 1827 he went to sea in a whaling vessel, before the mast, as a common sailor. He was adapted to the business, and was regularly promoted at the end of each successive voyage, until the fall of 1837, when he became Master of the ship, which position he held for eighteen years, until he left the sea. He has circumnavigated the earth twice, doubled Cape Horn six times, and the Cape of Good Hope as many more; has killed five hundred whales, and brought home more than twenty-two thousand barrels of oil. Aug. 1, 1837, he was married to Polly P. Lovewell, who was with him some ten years at sea, two of which she spent at the Sandwich Islands. He was elected a Director of the Sugar River Bank, and is now a director in the First National Bank at Newport, and was chosen Representative from his native town in 1866. He was generous to his connections, and retired with a fortune, and settled at the Flat.. His present affluence and luxury presents a pleasing contrast with his early poverty, and affords to the young another example illustrating the truth that early indigence and embarrassments are no insurmountable barrier to success in after-life. In 1866-67 he was elected representative, which position he filled with credit to himself and honor to the town.
While at sea, a most thrilling incident occurred : Mary, his darling and only daughter, while at play, fell overboard, and in a moment would be swallowed up by the angry waves. In an instant, forgetting all personal danger, he plunged into the ocean after her. Buoyed up by her clothes, she rode upon the waves like a little fairy, and as her father approached she raised up her hands imploringly towards him, exclaiming, ” Father, I am overboard!” And now who shall depict the terrible frenzy of that wife and mother as she sees them both sinking to a watery grave ! She knew her husband was unaccustomed to swim ; the ship under full headway, was fast leaving them behind ; to her anxious heart it seemed as though the boat never would lower, and she felt that both must be lost. Twice had they already gone down. Once more, and they shall never again rise to bless her on earth. It is the last time-“0 my God ! they are sinking !” Rushing forward with both arms extended, as though she would fly to their relief, she exclaimed in the wildest despair, “They are lost ! they are lost !” Overcome by her emotions, she sank down in unconsciousness. As a good Providence would have it, both were rescued alive. Nothing can be more touching than the pitying moan of that daughter, as she clung to the bedside of her father during the hours of his slow recovery from his death-grapple with the ocean.
DOCT. SILAS HALL, son of Ezra Hall, was born in Dec. 1792. In 1808, moved with his father to Cayuga Co., N. Y. In 1815, commenced the study of medicine with Consider King, an excellent physician, and received his diploma in 1818. After ten years of practice at Sempronius, the county seat, he removed to Monrovia, where he has since resided.
SAMUEL READ HALL, son of Rev. Samuel R. Hall, was born Oct. 27, 1795. He was educated at home, and at the Academies of Bridgeton, Me., and at Plainfield, N. H. He studied theology, was licensed to preach in 1822, and was ordained over the church at Concord, Vt., in 1823. In 1830 he was appointed principal of the English Department in Philips Academy at Andover, Mass. In 1837, took charge of the Holmes Plymouth Academy at Plymouth, N. H., and in 1840 was installed pastor of the Congregational Church at Craftsbury, Vt. He has been an extensive author, having published some fifteen or twenty volumes on various subjects. In 1838 the degree of M. A. was conferred on him by Dartmouth College.
Haven
REV. JACOB HAVEN, son of David Haven, was born at Framingham, Mass., April 25, 1763. He graduated at Harvard College in 1785, studied theology with Rev. Mr. Kellogg of his native town, and was ordained and settled at Croydon, June 18, 1788. As a preacher, his sermons were always terse and logical, and his oratory solemn and impressive. He was Town Clerk thirty-one years. He died March 17, 1845, at the advanced age of eighty-two years. As he was the first, and for more than half a century almost the only clergyman in town, he is, and will long continue to be recollected with much interest-and few men have a better claim to the remembrance of their townsmen. (See also speech of Dr. Stow.)
WHIPPLE HAVEN, a brother of the above, married Judith Stow, an aunt of Baron Stow; was a cabinet maker at the East Village, and is remembered as a worthy man and good mechanic.
HANNAH HAVEN, daughter of Rev. Jacob Haven, and second wife of Simeon Wheeler, was born April 28,1795, and died at Newport, Dec. 20,1842. She was an intelligent and well educated lady, and much beloved by her associates. She was the mother of several children, some of whom survived her and partake of the mental and moral qualities which distinguished her. JACOB W., a young man of much promise, and a printer and editor by profession, died in 1853. Lucy P. married Frederick Stevens, Esq., and resides with her husband and young family in Minnesota. HANNAH, her youngest surviving daughter, married Austin Corbin, Esq., formerly of Newport. He was for some years a successful lawyer and banker in Iowa, and is at present a banker in the city of New York. The family resides in Brooklyn, N. Y.
MIRANDA HAVEN, youngest child of Rev. Jacob and Asenath Havea, was born March 8, 1799, married William Armes, Esq., of Stanstead, Canada East. They afterwards removed to Sherbrook, C. E., where he died and where his widow still remains. They had six children. ADELINE ASENATH married Samuel Tusk, of Sherbrook. MIRANDA married Thomas Goldsmith, a successful goldsmith at Troy, N. Y. ADELIA married John McNeil, and CALISTA Lemuel Farewell, both residing at Sherbrook. WILLIAM, the son, went to California.
Holbrook
LEANDER HOLBROOK, Son of Peter, and grandson of David Holbrook, was born April 11, 1815. The family came from Upton, Mass. His father, a merchant at the East Village, died in 1822. Owing to a want of proper management in the settlement of his estate, the son was left penniless. At the age of seventeen, he left the farm and prepared for college, defraying his expenses by teaching, after which he studied law. He attended the Law School at Harvard College, Mass. Was admitted to the bar in 1846, and soon after opened an office at Milford, Mass., where he now resides.
Humphrey/Humphry
JOHN HUMPHRY came to this town early from Hingham, Mass., and settled on the east slope of the Pinnacle on the farm now occupied by his son Piam. He was a substantial farmer. Of his children, NATHANIEL and PIAM, both excellent farmers, remain near the homestead, while LEAVITT, a blacksmith, JOHN and GEORGE removed to the Flat. SUSAN was a noted tailoress. Many a boy ” with shining morning face,” has tripped to school with a lighter heart for the “new spencer” which” Aunt Susan” has made him. LYDIA married the Hon. Moses Humphry, of Concord, and ASENATH married Capt. Ariel Hall, of Williamstown, Vt.
MOSES HUMPHRY was born at Hingham, Mass., in 1807. At the age of twenty-four he was married to Lydia Humphry, daughter of John Humphry, one of the early settlers of Croydon. At fourteen he commenced going to sea, and at nineteen was appointed Master of a vessel, which position he held until he left the sea at the age of twenty-five. He was the first man that commenced the manufacture of mackerel kits by machinery, which business he has pursued with ever-increasing energy since, at Hingham, at Croydon nine years, and now at Concord. In 1853, when Concord adopted the city charter, he was elected to the City Council, and was re-elected in 1854, of which body he was President. In 1855 and 1856, he was elected one of the Aldermen; in 1857 and 1858 was Representative; in 1861 was elected Mayor and held the office two years; was again elected to the same office in 1865, and declined a re-election the following year. In 1865 he was appointed one of the Trustees of the State Reform School, which office he now holds.
DENISON HUMPHRY, son of Leavitt, one of the Committee of Arrangements, is a farmer and trader at the Flat, and has been Selectman, and a Representative two years. Like his father and other members of the family, he was noted for superior mechanical skill.
STILLMAN HUMPHRY, son of John Humphry, Jr., was born November 15, 1833; worked on the farm until 4e was seventeen years of age, three years in a cooper’s shop, three years as a clerk in a store at West Concord, and two years as clerk in a hardware store at Concord, N. H. -In 1858 he formed a business connection with Mr. David A. Warde, under the style of Warde & Humphry, and commenced the hardware trade at Concord, where he has since remained, proving one of the most popular and thriving merchants in the State. In 1857 he was married to Miss Virtaline C. Hall, of Maine. Like many of the sons of Croydon, his parents were poor, but honest and respectable. Their prayers and blessings, added to his own resolute will, constituted his original stock in trade.
Hurd
WILLIAM HENRY HURD, oldest son of Henry and Abigail Gibson Hurd, was born at Croydon on the 30th of August, 1829. Fitted for college at Kimball Union Academy; studied medicine with Dr. McQuestion, of Washington, and Dr. Justus Hurd, of Mississippi; attended lectures at Cincinnati Medical College, and graduated from Hanover in 1854. H2 commenced practice at Wells River, Vt., but removed to Ashton, Canada West, where he remained until 1858. He then removed to Carleton Place, Canada West, where he now resides. He was married May 10, 1859, to Miss Rosalind Rosamond, daughter of James Rosamond, banker of Almonte, Canada West.
WILLARD OTIS HURD, son of Henry Hurd, was born December 7, 1838. Studied medicine with his brother, Dr. W. H. Hurd, at Ashton, Canada West, and graduated at the Albany Medical College in 1860. He was connected with s brother in practice at Carleton Place, Canada West, until July, 1863, when he enlisted into the U. S. Army; was commissioned Assistant Surgeon in the 83d Regt. N. Y. Vols., and on the mustering out of that regiment in 1864, was transferred to the 97th N. Y. Vols. In the autumn of 1865, he commenced practice in Grantham, N. H., where he now resides. In August, 1866, he was married to Miss Randilla W. Howard, of that place.
CHARLES EUGENE HURD, son of Henry Hard, was born in Croydon, June 15, 1833. He became connected editorially with the “Tribune,” a semi-weekly journal published at Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, in 1856. At the end of two years he returned to Boston and devoted himself mainly to reporting and writing for the press. In 1864 he became connected with the “Leader,” a Sunday morning paper published in Boston. In September, 1865, he became city editor for the “Erie Dispatch,” at Erie, Pa., and now occupies the chair of Associate Editor on the same journal.
Ide
JOSIAH IDE, son of Daniel Ide, one of the early settlers, deserves a remembrance as one of the most worthy and respected farmers in town.
Source
Wheeler, Edmund. Croydon, N.H., 1866: Proceedings at the centennial celebration, June 13, 1866. A brief account of the leading men of the first century … Together with historical and statistical sketches of the town… The Claremont manufacturing co. Croydon, NH. 1867.