Ella Mills

“ The people of Dunbarton are proud of the fact that there has been no resident physician in town for more than forty years. The last, a Dr. Gilson, was here for a short time only. Dr. Dugall was probably the first; while others were Doctors Symnes Sawyer, Clement, Mighill, Stearns, and Merrill.
True Morse was a seventh son; so was Rev. Mr. Putnam, but he refused to use his supposed powers. Among the native [14] physicians were Abram B. Story, who died not long since in Manchester, William Ryder, John L. Colby, Gilman Leach, David P. Goodhue, a surgeon in the Navy, John and Charles Mills. ”

“ Nothwithstanding this exodus of professional men and others, many good and wise men made the place their home. Deacon John Mills was town treasurer for thirty-five years, selectman twenty-two years, and representative eight years. He built the house afterwards owned by his son-in law, Deacon Daniel H. Parker, who was also a good citizen; as Justice of the Peace, he transacted much law business and settled many estates; he held many town offices, was a thrifty farmer, and accumulated a large fortune. ”

“ John C. Ray owned a beautiful home in the west part of the town; he was superintendent of the State Industrial School in Manchester for about twenty-five years before his death in 1898.
The brothers, Captain Charles and William C. Stinson, were [15] wealthy farmers in the south part of the town; the former removed to Goffstown, and his farm is owned by Philander Lord. The house is probably one of the oldest in town. The last years of William C. Stinson were spent in Manchester. Harris E. Ryder was the first Master of Stark Grange which was organized in October, 1874. ”

“ Though the rough and rocky soil is poorly adapted to cultivation, Dunbarton is, and always has been, emphatically a farming town. Yet a long list of mechanics might be given. Carpenters, blacksmiths, painters and masons still ply their trades, but the mill-wrights, shoemakers, tanners, coopers, tailors, tailoresses, and pump makers are people of the past. Less than fifty years ago a tannery was in operation at the place owned by Benjamin Fitts, and a good sized pond covered the space opposite the house of Justus Lord. ”

“ No railroad touches the town, and probably never will, but an electric car route over the hill has been prophesied.
The mail has always come by way of Concord, and the carrier's wagon has furnished transportation for many people. Hon. William E. Chandler drove the mail wagon for a time some fifty years ago. The postoffice was first established in 1817, at the Center; another at North Dunbarton in 1834; a third at East Dunbarton in 1883. In 1899 the free rural delivery system was adopted, giving general satisfaction to the residents. ”

“ His farm was in a beautiful location south of the center, and was afterwards owned for many years by the late Deacon John Paige; it is now the property of his son, Lewis Paige.
In respect to his farm, buildings, fences, Dr. Harris was a model for the town. Two men once working for him were trying to move a heavy log. He told them how to manage according to philosophy; finally one said: "Well, Dr. Harris, if you and your philosophy will take hold of that end of the log while Jim and I take this end, I think we can move it." ”

“ More than twenty-five years ago the vestry was removed to its present location near the church and made more convenient and attractive.
For about nineteen years the church had no settled pastor. In 1789 Walter Harris was called, and was ordained August 26. He preached more than forty years. Every man in town was required to contribute to his support for a time until some of the other religious societies rebelled. The "History of Dunbarton" says: "Dr. Harris appropriated the proprietors' grant for the [5] first settled minister, and located himself on the ministerial lot. ”

“ Deacon Samuel Burnham is now 88 years; he and his wife lived together more than 63 years. Mr. and Mrs. James Stone lived together more than 65 years. Mrs. Stone survived her husband only a few weeks. Colonel Samuel B. Hammond and wife celebrated their golden wedding in 1892.
Stark Grange is the only secret society in town, though some individuals belong to societies in adjoining towns. The membership of Stark Grange is about ninety.
The patriotism of the town has always been unquestioned.
Dunbarton has sent her sons to battle for the right in every war. ”

“ Though the people of Dunbarton are too peaceable and honest to need the services of a lawyer, at least a dozen young men entered the legal profession. One of the earliest college graduates, Jeremiah Stinson, having studied law, opened an office in his native town, but devoted the most of his time to agriculture. He met with an accidental death at the age of thirty-six years. ”

“ His only son, John McNiel Stark, graduated from Holderness School, June, 1900. The Stark cemetery is a beautiful and well-kept resting place of the dead. Besides Stark, the names of Winslow, Newell, and McKinstry are seen on the headstones. Benjamin Marshall, and his son, Enoch, were prominent men in town. Many other names should be mentioned, but space forbids.
The daughters of Dunbarton are not less worthy of mention than her sons. Some of the teachers have already been mentioned. ”

“ The last years of his life were passed in Manchester where he died in 1893. His son, Henry Eben, is a lawyer in Manchester, and was for a time Judge of Probate. He was born November 8, 1844, in the Dr. Harris house, and is an honored son of Dunbarton. He was elected United States Senator by the Legislature of 1901, for the term of six years and succeeded Senator William E. Chandler.
Hannah, eldest daughter of Bradford Burnham, married Samuel Burnham from Essex, Mass.; she died in November, 1901. Her two daughters were teachers for many years ”

“ The Rocky Hill Church at Amesbury, Mass., much like this at Dunbarton, is still used in summer only. There is no way of warming it, and people of the present day would not endure the hardships their ancestors bore without a murmur. The third church was built in 1836 on the site of a dwelling house owned by William Stark ”

“ The pure air of Dunbarton seems to be conducive to long life. Two citizens passed the century mark. Mrs. Joseph Leach died in 1849, aged 102 years, 9 months. Mrs. Achsah P. (Tenney) Whipple lived to the age of 100 years, 9 months. Her centennial birthday was celebrated June 28, 1886, by a large gathering of relatives and friends. Her only daughter married Joseph A. Gilmore, for many years Superintendent of the Concord Railroad, and also Governor of New Hampshire. ”

“ His son in-law, John Bunten, is the present proprietor of the store. The business has increased greatly with the sending out of teams to take orders and deliver goods in various parts of the town.
Among the successful business men who have left town may be named Lyman W. Colby, who was a successful photographer in Manchester for more than thirty years, and whose recent sudden death is greatly to be deplored by his many friends ”

“ Among college graduates who made teaching their life work were William Parker, who died in Winchester, Illinois, in 1865; Caleb Mills, who was connected with Wabash College, Indiana, from 1833 until his death in 1879. He was greatly interested in the cause of education, and was known as the father of public schools in Indiana; Joseph Gibson Hoyt, who was called the most brilliant son Dunbarton ever educated; he taught several [12] years in Phillips Academy, Exeter, and was Chancellor of Washington University, St. ”

“ The twin Uncanoonucs are near neighbors on the south, Monadnock, farther off on the south-west, and Kearsarge twenty miles to the north west. On the northern horizon are seen Mount Washington and other peaks of the White Mountains. ”

“ This list may not be exactly correct. At intervals no services have been held. Nathaniel Wheeler, John O. Merrill and John Paige were deacons for many years. In 1899 the house was painted and otherwise improved. ”