Durham New Hampshire Biographical Sketches

Transcribed by Jeffrey Tooley

Durham New Hampshire Biographical Sketches extracted from History of Rockingham and Strafford counties, New Hampshire, with Biographical Sketches of many of its Pioneers and Prominent Men. Compiled under the Supervision of D. Hamilton Hurd., 1882.

Foss, Charles A.

Charles A. Foss is the sixth in direct line of descent from John Foss who settled at Rye, N. H., about 1668. The link in the chain is here broken, as the next in descent is not known. The date of settlement of John Foss is beyond question, as we find land deeded to him in 1668 at Rye. The third was Joshua Foss, who went to Strafford Corners, N. H., and soon after moved to the Garrison House in Barrington, called the "Gate Garrison," from a family of Gate's who lived there. After the close of the French war of 1745, Joshua Foss moved on to the place now occupied by Charles A. He had a family of seven children, five boys and two girls. The boys were named Thomas, Joshua, John, Moses, and Ephraim. The girls were Abigail, who married Micajah Otis, of Strafford, and Lydia, who married Simon Locke, of Hollis, Me.

In the fourth generation Epliraim was the grandfather of the subject of this sketch. He had six children, two boys and four girls, — Jacob D., Ephraim, Sallie, Mollie, Lydia, and Abigail.

Ephraim followed the wool- and cloth-dressing business a number of years. He subsequently moved to Charlestown, Mass., and afterwards worked for the government in Norfolk, Va., on the drydocks, where he contracted yellow fever, from the effects of which he died after being taken home. Sallie married Ephraim Locke, of Boston ; Mollie married James Bodge, of Barrington; Lydia married Isaac Daniels, of Barrington; Abigail married twice, to Clement Daniels and Jacob Hale, both of Barrington.

Jacob D. Foss, the father of Charles A., was born Aug. 2, 1784; he married Sally Garland, of Northwood, N. H., about 1809, and five children were born to them: Eliza G., born Oct. 6, 1811; Charles A., born Dec. 18, 1814; Nathaniel G.,died young; Lydia S., born Jan. 8, 1823; Sally L., Nov. 25, 1826. Of the family but two survive, viz., Charles A. and Lydia S.

Charles A. Foss w.as born Dec. 18, 1814, in the old family iiomeslead which he still occupies. He attended the district schools of his town, and afterwards went to Gilinanton Academy, a prominent institution in its day. Prof. Edwin Sanborn, now of Hanover College, was one of the teachers there.

Jan. 28, 1841, Mr. Foss married Abiah W. Foss, a very distant relative. Five children were born to them, only one of whom survives, — Ada Sarah, who was born July 16, 1852, and is living at home. The otlier children died young, except one, who attained the age of eighteen.

The Foss family took part in the Revolution. The father of Mr. Foss also figured prominently in local politics, was selectman and representative a number of years, and was a member of the Constitutional Convention of 1850. He died March 9, 1871.

The subject of this sketch has always taken a prominent part in the politics of the county and town of Barrington. He was one of the delegates that brought the Republican party into existence. The convention met in Concord. He returned home, and immediately set about organizing the party in his town. He has been an ardent exponent of the principles of that party since its birth, and devoted his energies during the war to keep it in existence in his district. Mr. Foss was elected to the legislature in 1855-56, and in 1875-76 was elected a member of Governor Cheeny's Council. He enjoys the confidence and respect of his fellow-citizens in a remarkable degree, having served them honestly and faithfully in the different responsible positions to which they have elected him. He possesses a remarkably vigorous constitution, being a man of large and powerful build, has always taken good care of himself, and never used tobacco or intoxicating liquors.

He represents the fourth generation of Fosses that have occupied the same homestead, which embraces at the present time two hundred and seventy-five acres. Mr. Foss is also the possessor of two hundred and ten acres in different parts of the town.

Cater, Ephraim

Ephraim Cater. When the land in the towns of Barrington and Sfrafford was put up to be drawn by lottery, John Cater drew lot No. 9, containing one hundred and fifty acres, the same now owned by David Y. Cater. Ephraim Cater is the third (on the patenial side) in descent from the John Cafer meptioned above.

John Cater had five children, as follows : Sally, Betsey, Mollie, Susan, and John. John, his youngest child and only son, married Susan Holmes for his first wife, and their family consisted of the following: Joseph, Joel, Ephraim, Susan, John, Betsey, Joshua, Cyrus, and Isaac. His second wife was the widow of Mr. Grover, by whom he had one child, Hiram H. He took a third wife, Mary Leighton, of Dover. He died Oct. 2, 1863. John (his father) died Jan. 26, 1801.

Of his family but four are living, viz.: Cyrus, Isaac, Betsey, and Sally.

The subject of this sketch was born Jan. 9, 1800. He attended the district schools of his neighborhood, living with his father a portion of his time until he married. His father's family was so large and his stock of the world's goods so small that he found it difficult to maintain them. When Mr. Cater was twenty-one he married Charlotte Otis, daughter of Joshua Otis, of Strafford. She was the granddaughter of Micajah Otis, one of the founders of the Free-Will Baptist Church. To them were born eight children, six boys and two girls, as follows:. Joshua 0., Martha J., Joseph L., Andrew J., Martin Van Burcn, Abigail S., David Y., and George F. Of the family, Joshua O., Joseph L., Andrew, and IMartin Van Buren are married, and with their families live in Minnesota; Martha J. married Israel P. Ham, of Dover; Abigail died in infiincy ; David Y. m.arried Flora E. Huntoon, of Farmington ; George married Almira Meader, of Rochester, N. H.

Mr. Cater is drawing a pension for service in the war of 1812. In 1830, Daniel Ham and he ran for selectmen; the first vote was a tie, and the same result followed three distinct elections on different days. It was finally settled by choosing an outsider, the adherents of each claiming that they would stay by their man until death.

The tract of land now owned by Mr. Cater and his son contains three hundred and fifty acres, including the one hundred and fifty acres mentioned above as having been drawn in a lottery. The family are noted for their longevity. In politics Mr. Cater is a Democrat, and with pride he says he cast his first vote for Gen. Jackson. He carries his great age easily, reading the finest print without the aid of glasses.

Daniels, Albert H.

Albert H. Daniels. The oldest record we find of this family is of Peletiah Daniels, grandfather of the subject of this sketch, who settled on the present Daniels home- stead. He was born in 1734, and died in 1818. He had a family of eight children, named Ruth, Bridget, Peletiah, Sarah, Mehitable, Lydia, Andrew, and Isaac. Isaac was the fiither of Albert H., and was born May 9, 1782. He married Rebecca Chapman, Feb. 23, 1809. They had three children, Enoch, Albert H., and Rebecca. He died Oct. 26, 1851.

The subject of this memoir was born Feb. 9, 1816, and on Feb. 16, 1842, he married Elizabeth T., daughter of John Sherman, of Smithfield, R. I. When a young man Mr. Daniels taught school, working a farm in the meantime. He enjoyed the confidence and respect of his fellow townsmen to a great degree, they having elected him to the office of selectman several terms ; was also elected a member of the Legislature two terms. He was a captain of militia under Gen. Hoitt, of Dover, when a youn^ man. The immediate cause of his death was paralysis, he having suffered from several slight strokes. He was attacked with a very severe one Dec. 23, 1880, from which he never rallied. He lost his speech at that time, and never regained it. He died May 5, 1882.

Five children were born to him, three of whom are now living, John S., Rebecca B., and Elizabeth D.

A particularly sad bereavement visited them on the night of the 18th of June, 1867, when Isaac, their son, then eighteen years old, was drowned in Men dum's Pond while boating with two companions The boat capsized, and he went to the bottom, the others being saved by swimming to shore.

Rebecca married Horace F. Caverno, of Strafford. They have three children, — John L., Albert D., and Bernice E. Elizabeth D. married Charles F. Berry, of New Durham, now a resident of Rochester, N. H.

Dr. John L. was born Oct. 12, 1851, and his career deserves more than a passing mention. He attended the district school until he was fourteen. He, however, commenced the study of Latin when only eleven years old with the Rev. Mr. Mason, of Lee, walking three miles to recite. At fourteen he entered Northwood Academy, where he studied three years. He then entered the office of Dr. George W. Jencks, of Woonsocket, R. I., previous to entering Harvard Medical College in 1870. He remained at Harvard more than two years, and attended one course of lectures at Long Island College Hospital, of Brooklyn, N. Y., where he graduated June 24, 1875.

His father's illness necessitated his return home, as he was the only one of the family left to manage the farm. After returning home he commenced the practice of medicine, and has a large business. We will mention here that he was elected superintendent of school committee when only twenty-one. He served in that capacity one term. The next year he was elected a member of the Legislature, which position he tilled for two terms, 1874 and 187G. In politics he is a Republican ; his father was also. The historic Cate Garrison was located on their farm. The cellar and foundation may be seen from their parlor windows, the roof of the old garrison at the present time doing the undignified duty of covering a wagon-shed. The Daniels homestead possesses more than common interest, as being the scene of many bloody encounters during the Indian and French wars.