EPSOM ITEMS FROM OLD NEWSPAPERS 1759-1858 Old newspapers always have interesting information, whether for genealogists looking for vital records and family ties - or just amusement of times gone by. This is an index of some old news from various New England newspapers. Section One - FIRES Section Two - DEATHS Section Three - MARRIAGES Section Four - LETTERS & ARTICLES Section Five - ADVERTISMENTS Section Six - LEGAL NOTICES Section Seven - MILITARY NOTICES Section Eight - PAUPER NOTICES Section Nine - PERSONAL NOTICES Section Ten - PROBATE NOTICES Section Eleven - REAL ESTATE DEATHS NH Gazette 12-17-1784 (probably) JOHN GRAY Portsmouth, December 17. On Monday last, the son of Major James Gray, of Epsom, about 16 years old, in attempting to lead a very unruly horse of his father’s to water, made the end of the halter fast about his wrist, the horse in prancing hove him down and ran away with him, dragged him over a four broad fence and through the field, until the halter broke. The family supposed the young man had gone to spend the evening with his relations, were unconcerned about him until the next morning, when to their great surprise, they found blood on the fence where the horse had dragged the young man over, then, following the blood, after sometime found him at a considerable distance alive, but perfectly helpless and senseless; his life is despaired of, as it is supposed that most of his bones were broken. The Mirror 5-13-1798 EPHRAIM LOCKE Very suddenly, a Mr. Locke from Epsom, who came here to ordination apparently well – but after eating supper, he fell from his chair and expired instantly. Newburyport Herald 7-7-1801 JOHN McCLARY At Epsom, (N.H.) The Hon. John McClary, aged 82. A Whig in ’75 and a Federalist in ’98. NH Courier 1-16-1805 ELIZABETH PAGE LOCKE In our last we noticed the death of the widow Elizabeth Locke, of this town. The following particulars of her life were then offered for publication, but too late for insertion in that paper: “Mrs. Locke was born at Kensington, in this State; and was the daughter of Deacon Samuel Page. With the privilege of pious parentage; and the advantage of a religious education, thro’ a divine blessing her mind was early impressed with a sense of divine truth. Under the age of 30, she became a professor of the religion of Jesus; and though through life she appeared to make progressive advances in the divine life, her humility was the more conspicuous as she made attainments in holiness. Being early planted in the house of the Lord, and established in the grace of the Gospel, her virtues flourished in the succeeding periods of life, and brought forth fruit in old age. She lived with her first husband, Mr. Nathan Bachelder, about 13 years, by whom she had four children; three of these she buried in quick succession when young; Mr. John Bachelder, of this town, is the only one that survives. Her second husband was Mr. Francis Locke, of Epsom, with whom she lived 18 years, and it is about 18 years that she had lived a widow since his decease.” Portsmouth Oracle 9-19-1807 JOSEPH SHERBURNE In Epsom, 1st instant, Major Joseph Sherburne, aged 62 Newburyport Herald 10-16-1807 ELIZABETH McCLARY In Epsom, N.H. Mrs. Elizabeth McClary, relict of the late Hon. John McClary. NH Gazette 1-26-1808 CAPT. JOHN McCLARY DIED – At Fort Adams in November last, Capt. John McClary, of the first Regiment of Infantry in the army of the U.S. aged 40 years, formerly of Epsom, N.H., and son of the late Major McClary who fell in the battle at Bunker’s Hill. Newburyport Herald 4-22-1808 MRS. ELIZABETH OSGOOD In Epsom, N.H. Mrs. Elizabeth, wife of Col. S. Osgood, Aet. 67 NH Patriot 7-24-1810 COL. JAMES H. McCLARY DIED – At Epsom, Col. James H. McClary. He was interred with military and Masonic honors. Farmers Cabinet 8-6-1811 CAPT. ANDREW McCLARY DIED – In Washington City, Capt. Andrew McClary, of the War Department, formerly of Epsom, N.H. and son of the brave Maj. McClary who fell in the field of battle on Bunker’s Hill. Repertory & General Advertiser 5-22-1812 JAMES GRAY At Amelia Island, Mr. James Gray, just 24, of Epsom, N.H. The Yankee 6-20-1812 JAMES CHAPMAN In Epsom, N.H. Mr. James Chapman, aged 40; he hung himself with a skein of yarn, upon a loom. NH Patriot 4-2-1816 CAPT. SAMUEL LOCKE DIED – At Epsom, of the prevailing fever, Capt. SAMUEL LOCKE, aged 55; an honest man and a highly valued citizen; a soldier of the Revolution, and who had ever remained steadfast and immoveable in those principles which achieved & have preserved American Independence. Essex Register 5-3-1817 COL. JEREMIAH PRESCOTT In Epsom, Col. Jeremiah Prescott, aged 75, and officer of the Revolution. Newburyport Herald 8-15-1817 ELIZABETH PITMAN In Epsom, Wid. Elizabeth Pitman, Aet 99 y. 9 mo. & 19 days. Concord Observer 2-22-1819 JONATHAN STRONG CURTIS In Epsom, on the 14th instant, Jonathan Strong Curtis, aged about 24 months, only child of Rev. Jonathan Curtis. Boston Gazette 11-11-1819 CAPT. ISAAC OSGOOD We hear from Epsom, that a Capt. Osgood of that town, in a fit of derangement, put an end to his existence by cutting his throat on Wednesday last. Concord Observer 1-3-1820 ABIGAIL BRACKETT In Epsom, Mrs. Abigail Brackett, 75, wife of Mr. Ebenezer Brackett Concord Observer 3-27-1820 BENJAMIN MOODY Esq. In Epsom, Benjamin Moody, Esq. Attorney at Law, 45. Farmers Cabinet 3-3-1821 SALLY C. KNOX In Epsom, a child of Robert Knox, aged about 2 years – death occasioned by the child pulling from a table a vessel of hot fat, which fell upon its breast. Hillsboro Telegraph 5-5-1821 SIMONDS FOWLER & HANNAH FOWLER In Epsom, Mr. Simonds Fowler, 86, and Hannah Fowler, daughter of Mr. Winthrop F. grandparent and grandchild died within 24 hours of each other, and both buried at the same time. Portsmouth Journal of Literature and Politics 8-4-1821 JOHN CAMPBELL In Newburyport, John Campbell, 31, of Epsom. Hillsboro Telegraph 9-22-1821 CHILDREN OF AMOS DAVIS In Epsom, Mehitable aged 9, William aged 7 and Samuel aged 5, children of Mr. Amos Davis – all of them died in the space of three weeks of a sore throat. Portsmouth Journal 12-22-1821 JOHN McCLARY Esq. In Epsom, John McClary Esq. aged 37, son of Michael McClary, Marshal of this District. The deceased was killed, almost instantly, by the fall of a piece of timber from the frame of a shed under which he was standing. From his earliest youth he possessed in a remarkable degree the affection of his friends, and the confidence of his fellow-citizens. He was repeatedly elected a representative from his native town in the Legislature of this State, and two years ago he was chosen a Senator, by the fourth district. The kindness of his manners, the frankness of his temper, and the uprighness of his conduct will not soon be effaced from the memory of those who knew him. 8-18-1822 GEORGE WALLACE In Goffstown, Aug. 18, George Wallace, aged 48, formerly of Epsom, but lately of New York, on a visit to friends in New Hampshire. 1-27-1823 SIMEON TOWLE In Epsom, on the 3d inst. Mr. Simeon Towle, in the 71st year of his age. He served in the French war, and the war of the Revolution, with honor to himself and fidelity to his country. He sustained an unblemished reputation for integrity and industry, and till a few days previous to his death enjoyed an uninterrupted course of bodily health, when he terminated his earthly career with composure and resignation. At his interment, an appropriate and well adapted sermon was delivered upon the occasion by the Rev. Mr. Prentice of Northwood. – Statesman Haverhill Gazette 1-31-1823 SOLOMON TOWLE In Epsom, Mr. Solomon Towle, 71. (prob. Simeon) NH Patriot 1-26-1824 MIRIAM COLLINS LIBBEY In Epsom, 12th January instant, in the 46th year of her age, Mrs. Miriam Libbey, wife of Mr. Richard Libbey, and daughter of Mr. Benjamin Collins of Salisbury, Mass, after a very distressing illness, which she bore with uncommon fortitude and patience, through the presence of that Saviour in whom she believed. In her life and death was illustrated that important truth suggested by the apostle James that “God hath chosen the poor of this world, rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him.” Though not altogether destitute of property, she was left a widow with six children, who she had by her first husband, Mr. Robert Goodhue; to provide for whom and her own support she was obliged to struggle with great difficulties. In addition to these trials she was repeatedly called to endure great and long continued sufferings from that distressing malady, which, at last put a period to her life. Salem Gazette 3-26-1824 MR. BENJAMIN BLAKE In Wolfeboro, Mr. Benjamin Blake, aged 93. From Greenland, Mr. B. first removed to Epsom, and thence to Wolfeboro, Nov. 9, 1766, being the first white man who entered the town. Deeply interesting must have been his reflections in the decline of life, whilst reviewing the pleasing and rapid changes that had occurred around him during the last fifty years of his protracted existence. Before his own axe, the forest began to fall; and yet he had lived to see the spot, on which his own were the first foot-steps imprinted by civilized man, covered with almost two thousand inhabitants and rendered the abode of industry and enterprise.