Biographies: Brown-Buswell. Hopkinton, Merrimack County, New Hampshire **************************************************************************** USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free genealogical information on the Internet, data may be freely used for personal research and by non-commercial entities as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may not be reproduced in any format or presentation by other organizations or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for profit or any form of presentation, must obtain the written consent of the file submitter, or his legal representative and then contact the listed USGENWEB archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. http://www.usgwarchives.net. Submitted by: Glenn Campbell grc1@charter.net Date: January 29, 2002 **************************************************************************** From a book called "Life and Times in Hopkinton, N. H. in three parts" by C. C. Lord published 1890 LIFE AND TIMES IN HOPKINTON, N.H. Section IV Brown to Buswell ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Abraham Brown, of Sudbury, Mass., came to Hopkinton before the Revolution, and cleared up a farm on the spot where now lives Guy Montgomery, on Putney's hill. He was a successful farmer. Giving special attention to fruit, he sowed apple and pear seeds and became nurseryman. It is said that most of the primitive orchards in the town were the products of his stock. A similar fact is stated of surrounding towns. He raised an entire acre of pear trees in one lot, and his varieties of this kind of fruit numbered fifteen, all grafted by himself. He had also four distinct apple orchards, grafted fruit of the best known varieties. In one year he made two hundred barrels of cider, according to the record. He had under his cultivation peaches, plums, cherries, grapes, currants, gooseberries, ect. He is entitled to eminent distinction for his work as a fruit cultivator at so early a time. Abraham Brown was a Friend, or Quaker, in religion, He died April 23, 1812, aged 65; Sarah French, his wife, died March 25, 1819, aged 71 There were at least four children of Abraham Brown, Abram, Philip, Sarah, Gould. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Abram Brown, son of Abraham and Sarah (French) Brown, was born March 13, 1779. He succeeded to the farm of his father, and mainly resided on it till his death on the 15th of December, 1852. In early life, he was a school- teacher. He had charge of the Beech Hill school some time. He also taught about a year in Sholhom, N.Y. When about twenty-three, he came home to Putney's hill to stay. He conducted a tannery about twelve or fifteen years. Engaging in the lumber business in 1826, or about that time, he went into partnership with John Burnham, at Contoocook. In 1835, they added a grist- mill. In 1844, Joseph Barnard became a member of the firm of Brown & Burnham, the business being continued by Messrs. Burnham & Barnard after the death of Mr. Brown. Mr. Brown was prominent n politics, being a Democrat. In 1817, 1818, 1822, 1823, 1826, 1834, and 1835, he was a member of the state house of representatives. In 1839 and 1840, he was a member of the state senate. He was also the incumbent of town offices. In 1812, 1813, 1816, 1819, and 1827, he was a selectman. In 1814, January 6, Abram Brown married Eunice Kimball, of Plainfield, a daughter of Joseph Kimball. Five children surviving to maturity were the result of this union. Their names are Alpheus R., Ellen K., Malvina, George, Elizabeth K. Mrs. Brown died October 4, 1862, aged 79. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Alpheus R. Brown, son of Abram Brown and Eunice Kimball, was born in Hopkinton, November 3, 1814. He was educated at Hopkinton academy and at Dartmouth college, and became an attorney-at-law. From 1837 to 1871, he resided at Lowell, Mass., after 1871, he resided at Somervill, Mass., till his death, November 1, 1889. During a portion of the year 1836, after graduating from college, he was the preceptor of Hopkinton academy. He was admitted to the bar in Lowell, in 1839. In 1852, he was a member of the Massachusetts legislature. He was a member of the constitutional convention of 1853. He was five years solicitor of the city of Lowell. He was eleven years an officer of the Lowell Phalanx. In 1864, he was a member of the Chicago National Democratic Convention. In later years, he was an associate justice of the police court of Somerville. As an attorney, Mr. Brown was engaged in many important trials, involving intricate questions of law. In 1862 and 1863, by assignment of the judges of the supreme court of Massachusetts, he defended Anna Dower, indicted for murder, and, after three protracted jury trials, she was discharged. Mr. Brown was three times a Democratic candidate for congress, but, being in the party of the minority, was unsuccessful. In 1844, August 8, Mr. Brown married Caroline B. Varnum, of Dracut, Mass., She was a daughter of Benjamin F. Varnum and Caroline Bradley. Two living children are the result of this union,--Grace C. and Alpheus R. Mrs. Brown died in Somerville, May 27, 1875. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Horace F. Brown, the son of Langdon Brown and Catharine Pierce, was born in Hopkinton, August 20, 1859. He was educated at Hopkinton and Contoocook Academies, at New London Literary and Scientific Institution, graduating in 1872, at Brown University, graduation in 1876, and at Newton (Mass.,) Theological Seminary, graduating in 1879. Mr. Brown's home was in Hopkinton till 1873; in Warner, till 1879. Being a Baptist clergyman, he resided in Antrim from 1879 to 1884, being ordained there in 1879; in Rumney, form 1884 to 1887; in Athol, mass., from 1887 to the present time. The Rev. Mr. Brown was superintending school-committee of Antrim in 1883 and 1884; clerk of the Dublin Association, from 1880 to 1885; same of Meredith Association, in 1885 and 1886; secretary of N.H. Baptist S.S. Convention, from 1881 to 1887; president of N.H. Conference of Baptist Ministers, in 1886; moderator of Miller's River Association, Mass., 1888 and 1889, and at the same time member of the board of the Massachusetts Baptist Convention. In 1879, December 16, the subject of this sketch married Jessie L. P. Wate, daughter of Jacob N. Wate and Elizabeth W. Richardson, of New London. She died January 29, 1886, and, May 16, 1888, Mr. Brown married Annie S. Wate, of Athol, sister of the first wife. Two children were born of the first marriage. Their names are Reginald Langdon and Horace Theodore. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Thomas Burnham was a native of Ipswich, Mass., and with Ruth Cavis, his wife, came to Hopkinton toward the close of the last century, and settled on the easterly slope of Putney's hill, by the road leading directly from the village to the hill. The house now stands on the estate of the late Ignatius W. Fellows. When Mr. Burnham came to Hopkinton, his wife took along a lilac bush, which was planted by the roadside at her new home. The bush now extends several rods by the side of the road. It is said that this bush was the source of al the common lilacs in the town. There were at least four children of Thomas and Ruth Burnham. They were Thomas, born October 18, 1794; John, born October 30, 1796; Abraham, born September 27, 1800; Lucy, born April 22, 1804. Thomas Burnham was a privateer under Capt. Leach, of Salem, Mass., during the Revolution. Mr. Burnham died June 12, 1823, aged 68; his wife died May 24, 1851, aged 86. Their graves are in the old cemetery on Putney's hill. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Thomas Burnham, son of Thomas Burnham and Ruth Cavis, was born October 18, 1794. He was for years a resident of Contoocook. From 1836 to 1840, he was clerk and treasurer of the town of Hopkinton. In 1831, when a post-office was first established in Contoocook, Thomas Burnham became the post-master. Mr. Burnham died August 24, 1840, aged 46. Martha Tucker, his wife, died March 8, 1887, aged 90 years and 6 months. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- John Burnham, a citizen prominently identified with the history of Hopkinton, was a son of Thomas Burnham, being born October 30, 1796. Previously to 1814, he spent his life as a farmer's boy, then entering the military service, under Capt. Silas Call, in Lieutenant-Colonel John Steel's regiment, stationed for the defence of Portsmouth. An older brother having been drafted for the service, John enlisted as a substitute. Borrowing a gun from a neighbor, he went to Portsmouth on foot. At Epping he stopped at a tavern for the night, but the next morning the landlord refused pay from a youth on his long way to serve his country. After leaving the military ranks, he determined to pursue the medical profession; preliminarily to regular study, he obtained employment in the Massachusetts Medical Hospital, Boston. As often occurs in the experience of young men, a subsequent reflection changed his mind. He returned to Hopkinton and entered into farming occupation again. About this time he lived a year with Abram Brown. In 1823, he began the manufacture of lumber, sawing clapboards in what was then the old scythe factory in Contoocook. In 1826, or thereabouts, he went into partnership in the lumber business with Abram Brown. They bought woodland, cut the timber, and turned it into lumber. They purchased an old saw-mill, and fitted it up for the manufacture of boards, ship-timber, and various kinds of stuff. In 1835, they added a grist-mill. In 1844, Joseph Barnard became a member of this firm, whose business was for years a leading feature in the manufacturing enterprise of the town. Mr. Brown died in 1852, and the business was conducted by the two remaining members of the firm, till the death of Mr. Burnham in 1867. Mr. Burnham was more or less of his life actively engaged in politics, being an ardent Democrat. In 1846 and 1847, he represented his town in the state legislature. He was also a member of the constitutional convention in 1850, and senator in 1860 and the year following. The death of the subject of this sketch occurred on the 12th of April, 1867. His funeral took place in the New Church of Swedenborgian house of worship, and was conducted with Masonic honors. His funeral sermon was preached by the Rev. Abiel Silver, of Salem, Mass. A large attendance of the citizens of the town was present. Mr. Burnham was thrice married. In 1829, December 8, he married Miss Susan E. Wadleigh, of Sutton. She died October 2, 1836; his second wife was Miss Betsey Whittier, of Boscawen, whom he married December 8, 1840. She died June 29, 1853. His third wife was Adeline S. Davis, of Warner, whom he married March 7, 1854. His first wife bore him three sons: James M., born January 4, 1831; John F., born February 10, 1833; Edward D., born August 8, 1835. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- James M. Burnham, the eldest son of John Burnham and Susan E. Wadleigh, was born in Hopkinton, January 4, 1831. He was educated at Hopkinton academy, and studied law in the office of Morrison & Stanley of Manchester. In 1859, he was a member of the New Hampshire house of representatives; in 1863, a member of the superintending school-committee of Hopkinton; in 1865, he was again in the house of representatives. He is now in the treasury department of the U.S. government at Washington, occupying a position in the second auditor's department. James M. Burnham married Emma F. Marston, of Deerfield, August 23, 1860. She is a daughter of Enoch R. Marston and Mary Ann Bartlett. They have two sons,--Walter M. and John C. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- John Ferdinand Burnham, the second son of John Burnham and Susan E. Wadleigh, was born in Hopkinton, February 10, 1833. He was educated at Hopkinton academy, and devoted a portion of his early life to teaching. He afterwards followed the occupation of a farmer and lumberman at Contoocook. In 1864 and 1865, and also in 1872 and 1873, he was a selectman. In 1882, he moved to West Randolph, Vt. Mr. Burnham married Satira W. Peabody, of Antrim, May 12, 1858; she died November 22, 1869. They had four children,--Herbert Byron, Susie Wadleigh, Addie Leona, May Ella. His second wife was Frances E. Richmond, of West Randolph, Vt., whom he married September 15, 1872. They have one child, --Clara Blanche. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Edward D. Burnham, third son of John Burnham and Susan E. Wadleigh, was born August 8, 1835. He was educated at Hopkinton academy, and was for years a miller, lumberman, or farmer. In 1875, he was a member of the executive council of New Hampshire. He married Georgia D. Davis, of Contoocook, by whom he had four sons,--Nathan D., Fred T., Frank P., and Charles D. Mr. Burnham died March 30, 1887. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Abraham Burnham, son of Abraham Burnham and Ruth Cavis, was born in Hopkinton, September 27, 1800. He resided on the old homestead at the time of his death, February 28, 1853, he being 52 years old. He was a captain of militia. In 1838, he was elected a member of the state house of representatives, but it is said his modesty prevented him from assuming the duties of the office. He married Elizabeth Cross, daughter of Moses Cross, of Hopkinton, but had no children. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Christie W. Burnham, the son of Samuel Burnham and Sally P. Sargent, was born in Bow, Spetember 19, 1832. He resided in Bow till 1841; in Manchester, till 1860; in Hamilton, N.Y., till 1863; in Hopkinton, till 1871; in Valley Falls, R.I., till 1877; in Pontiac, Mich., till 1880; in Manistigue, Mich., till 1882; since then till the present time he has resided in Pawtuxet, R.I. He is a clergyman. He was educated at Madison University and Hamilton Theological Seminary. He was ordained pastor of the Baptist church, Hopkinton, October 14, 1863, remaining till the last Sunday in August, 1871. In 1868, he was a member of the superintending school-committee of Hopkinton. He also served in the same capacity in Hinsdale, Cumberland, R.I., and Manistigue, Mich. He has held different clerical positions in associations of his church. Rev. Mr. Burnham married Frances A. Works, daughter of Almon Works and Sarah H. Kilgore, of Manchester. They have children,--Samuel Bradford, Almon Christie. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Benjamin A. Burns, the son of James Burns and Dorcas Annis, was born in Somerset, Me., and came to Hopkinton about twenty-three years ago. During the late war he served in Company B, 9th Regiment N.H. Vols. In 1849, he married Laura (Stone) Smith, the daughter of Elijah Stone and Dorcas Gibson, of Henniker. She died October 24, 1889. Mr. Burns is a farmer. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Benjamin Buswell, from whom Buswell's Corner appears to derive its name, was the sone of Benjamin Buswell and Judith Moody, and was born in Amesbury, Mass., August 25, 1766. In 1789, he came to Concord, where he lived two years, and then moved to Hopkinton, where he resided till his death, June 14, 1851. In 1790, he occupied a new house he had built at Buswell's Corner. Benjamin Buswell, Jr., was a veterinary surgeon, or farrier, and probably the first one ever in Hopkinton. In 1790, he married Joanna Carter, daughter of Lieut. Ezekiel and Eleanor Eastman (Johnson) Carter. She died August 15, 1862. They had children, --Andrew, born May 3, 1791; Eleanor Carter, born February 6, 1793; Ephraim Carter, born January 24, 1795; Elizabeth Kimball, born March 5, 1797; Moses, born may 1, 1799; John, born September 15, 1802; Judith Moody, born October 22, 1804; Rhuey Herrick, born July 18, 1806; Joanna Carter, born August 23, 1808; Jane Woods, born January 11, 1811; Catharine Carter, born April 8, 1816; Samuel Smith, born October 13, 1818. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------