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Archiver > CT-RIVER-VALLEY > 1999-07 > 0931183353
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Subject: [CT-RIVER-VALLEY-L] Croydon, NH
Date: Mon, 5 Jul 1999 10:02:33 -0400
Croydon, NH centennial 1866 - Edmund Wheeler, Claremont, NH 1867
Ira W. Bragg, son of Ira Bragg, who came from Royalston, MA. was born
July 28, 1833. Fitted for college at Meriden and studied medicine with
Dr. Perkins, of Marlow, NH. He attended lectures at Dartmouth and
Harvard Colleges, and graduated at the latter institution in 1859. After
spending a year in the Marine Hospital at Chelsea, he went to Europe and
passed several months in the hospitals of Liverpool and London,
endeavoring to still further qualify himself for his profession. Upon
his return, after practicing a year at Chelsea, MA, he was appointed
Assistant Surgeon in the Navy; was on board the Minnesota at the time of
its fearful engagement with the Merrimac, when the Cumberland went down,
and the famous Monitor made its first appearance. He was transferred to
the San Jacinto, the flag ship of the East Gulf Blockading Squadron, and
was on board her during her pursuit of the Alabama among the West Indies
and at South America. He was ordered to the West Gulf Blockading
Squadron, and from thence to the Naval Hospital at New Orleans, where, on
the twenty-first of Oct. 1864, worn down by excessive labor and anxiety
for the sick, he fell victim to the yellow fever. In few men were more
happily combined rare merit and graceful modesty.
Sarah C. Bragg, sister of the above, a lady of much literary merit and
one of our most accomplished teachers, was born July 3, 1830. She
graduated at Meriden with high honors, int he class of 1852. By her own
industry and perseverance she defrayed the expenses of her education.
After graduating she went to Georgetown, MA. and taught a year and a
half, she then became principal of the Young Ladies High School at
Haverhill, MA, which position she occupied most acceptably to all for
four years, until her marriage with Seth Littlefield, Jr.
Briant Brown was a social man. He came from Williston, VT, and married
Abigail, daughter of Capt. Edward Hall. He resided at the Flat, was
Representative in 1827 and 1828, and was more of less engaged in public
business. He died Feb. 18, 1854 aged 61 yrs.
Edward Brown, son of Briant Brown, a worthy farmer and a man of good
judgment, was born Jan. 1818. He has for a long time taken a deep
interest in the agricultural affairs of the State and County. In 1866 he
was one of the Committee on the State Agricultural College, whose duty it
was to report to the Legislature a suitable plan, location and other
matters relating to the State College.
Darius Blanchard and John Blanchard were among the early settlers of the
town. The former settled in the valley north of C. K. Fletcher's, and
the latter on Baltimore Hill.
Lester Blanchard, son of John Blanchard, was born June 17, 1808. He has
ever remained on the homestead. He was Representative in 1848 and 1849.
James Breck, a native of Boston, was for twelve years, from 1804 to 1816,
the leading merchant and one of the most influential men in Croydon.
While here, he was Selectmen five years and Representative four. In
1811, he married Martha Burr, daughter of Capt. Martin Burr, one of the
early settlers of the town. They had a large family. Martin B., the
oldest son, followed his father's calling. William and James, the second
and third sons, graduated at Dartmouth College and turned their attention
to law. The former, appointed Consul to China, has been, with his lady,
for several years enjoying a residence in the "Celestial Empire." The
latter settled at Chicago. From this town Mr. Breck removed to Newport,
where for a long time he was a leading man in all public enterprises, in
trade, in politics and the religious society to which he belonged. He is
now living at Rochester, NY, and, at the advanced age of 87 yrs, still
retains a vivid recollection of his many happy hours at Croydon, the
birthplace of his companion and the spot where were first developed those
qualities which gave him so marked an influence and laid the foundation
of his extensive fortune. In 1861 they had a brilliant golden wedding.
Martin B. Breck, eldest son of James Breck, Esq., was born Oct. 15, 1812.
He was educated at the district school and Newport Academy, after which
he turned his attention to mercantile pursuits. He remained with his
father at Newport until he attained to his majority. He followed his
vocation at Croydon, at Newport and at Boston until 1841, when he removed
to Rochester, NY, where his operations have been "eminently successful,"
and where he now lives enjoying all the blessings which affluence can
afford. In 1838 he married Mary Faxon, of Newport, who lived but a year
and a half. In 1846 he married Miss Susan E. Waters, of Rochester.
Margaret A. Breck, daughter of James Breck, Esq., was born April 24,
1814. She was married to H. H. Perkins, Esq., at Newport, in 1837, and
removed to st. Croix Falls, WI, where he died in 1850, leaving three
children. The eldest daughter married W. D. Webb, an attorney at law at
Minneapolis, MN. The son, James Breck Perkins, a member of the senior
class in Rochester University, is now traveling in Europe. Mrs. P. is
finely educated, has a well balanced mind, and a decided taste for
literature.
Henry Breck, now eighty-one years of age, was a native of Boston. He
came to Croydon in 1807, and was clerk in the store at the Flat, owned by
his brothers, William and James. In 1815, he purchased their interest
and continued in trade there until 1818, when he removed to Four Corners,
where he continued in business until 1837, when he removed to Cornish
Flat. On the death of his brother William, in 1848, he removed to
Claremont, and settled on the "homestead," where he now lives. Mr. Breck
took an active part in the erection of the Church at the Four Corners,
assuming to himself one-fourth part the entire expense of the edifice.
He was an active business man, and held many offices. In 1818, married
Keziah Marsh, who died in 1826. In 1828 married Sarah Town, of Grantham.
John T. Breck, eldest son of Henry Breck, established himself as a
merchant at Cornish Flat, in 1841. His integrity and fine business
qualities have secured tohim a handsome fortune, and an honorable
reputation among his neighbors. His is a rare case of success in trade
and universal esteem among his neighbors and townsmen. After having been
in trade 26 yrs, he cannot be said to have an enemy. He is a gentleman
of fine literary taste and varied attainments. He fitted for college,
but on account of trouble with his eyes, abandoned the idea of a college
course, and turned his attention to mercantile pursuits. He retired from
business in 1866, and is now living upon a farm in Lebanon.
Robert Breck, the second son of Henry, is an active and successful
merchant at Ascutneyville, VT, where he has been in trade for more than
20 years, and, like his brother John T., has succeeded, by his skill and
good judgment, in handsome accumulations, and by his integrity and genial
manners in securing the esteem and friendship of all who know him.
Henry Breck, Jr., third son of Henry Breck, has been a practical farmer
and gardener in the vicinity of Boston for several years, and is well
known for his skill in his business, and his integrity and intelligence.
He now lives at Watertown, MA where he has a very fine farming
establishment.
William Breck, son of Henry Breck, was born Dec. 17, 1826. At the age of
14 he removed with his father to Cornish. At eighteen, he went to
Claremont, and was Assistant Postmaster for two years; at the expiration
of which time, on account of ill health, he returned to his father's roof
at Cornish. At twenty-two, he went into trade with his brother John at
Cornish, and continued there four years; at which time, laboring under a
severe attack of asthma, he went to California, where he was in active
business eight years, when, having regained his health, and won for
himself an independent fortune, he returned to New Hampshire, with the
intention of passing the remainder of his life in retirement from active
business, among his many relatives and friends. He is a gentleman of
unquestioned integrity, of most genial disposition and fine social
qualities. As a family, the Brecks have been noted for their honesty,
integrity and gentlemanly bearing.
Augusta Cooper Bristol, daughter of Col. Otis and Hannah Powers Cooper,
was born April 17, 1835. She was early distinguised for a vigorous
intellect, great fondness for music, and a passion for poetry and
literature. She taught school with decided success from 16 to 21. She
gave much attention to music; and her frequent contributions, both of
poetry and prose, to some of the leading journals and magazines of the
day, commencing at the age of 15, find many admirers. She was married to
Mr. Gustavus F. Kimball of East Canaan, NH, in Aug. 1857, by whome she
had one daughter, and from whom she was divorced after four years of
wedded life. In Jan. 1866, she married Louis Bristol, a lawyer, and
removed to Carbondale, IL, where she now resides, and where her time is
divided between her domestic duties and a free indulgence in her favorite
passion for literature and poetry.
Marilyn Labbe
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