History of the town of Stratford, New Hampshire, 1773–1925, compiled and edited by Jeannette Richardson Thompson and published in 1925, is the result of several decades of historical collection, revision, and preservation. The foundation of the work rests largely on research undertaken between about 1880 and 1890 by the Rev. Lucius W. Prescott, a former pastor of Stratford who was closely connected to the town through marriage and long residence. With the cooperation of many of Stratford’s older inhabitants, Prescott gathered documents, family records, and personal recollections that later became unavailable or were lost.
Although Prescott prepared his history for publication, the town was not ready to issue it at the time. Through the efforts of a local history committee, portions of the work appeared instead as a serial in the Berlin Independent from 1897 to 1899. When preparations began for Stratford’s one hundred and fiftieth anniversary in 1923, the town resolved to place this material in permanent form and to preserve, for future generations, a comprehensive record of its settlement, institutions, and people.
To accomplish this, the original material was placed in new hands and extensively revised. The history was condensed, reorganized, and expanded, with portions rewritten to bring the narrative forward to 1925 and to adapt the work for general and educational use. While much material was reduced or omitted, selected passages were retained in their original wording to preserve the language and character of earlier narrators. Additional research was incorporated where necessary, particularly where it contributed to a fuller understanding of Stratford’s development.
Special care was taken to preserve information of lasting historical value, including proprietors’ records, early town documents, Revolutionary War materials, and personal reminiscences whose originals no longer survive. The genealogical sections begun by Prescott were carried forward as fully as possible, though some gaps remained because of missing or unobtainable data. The resulting volume stands as both a historical narrative and a documentary record, reflecting the collective effort of many contributors and the town’s determination to safeguard its past.
History of the town of Stratford, New Hampshire, 1773-1925
Contents
CHAPTER I
The Town of Stratford
General Description — Stratford’s Brooks — Fish and Game — Flora — Mountains, page 1
CHAPTER II
Geological or Physical History of Stratford
General Geological Story of Northern New Hampshire — Summary — The Rocks of Stratford — Soils, 11
CHAPTER III
Indian History of Stratford
Indian Derivation of “Coos” — Indian Occupants — Traditions — Customs — Stratford’s Strategic Situation — Some Indian Characters, 19
CHAPTER IV
Stratford’s Early History
Charters and Settlements — Explorations — French and Indian War in the Upper Coos — Progress of Settlements — Proprietors — “Pitches” — First Wedding, 24
CHAPTER V
Charters and Proprietors’ Records
Charter of Woodbury — Names of Proprietors of Woodbury — Woodbury’s Proprietors’ Records — Charter of Stratford — Names of Proprietors of Stratford — Proprietors’ Records — Early Real Estate Transfers — Judd’s Survey, 38
CHAPTER VI
The Revolutionary War
Settlements in the Upper Coos at this Time — Patriotic Petition — Alarms — Fort Wentworth — Committee of Safety — Indian Raids — Captives — Petition for Guards — Military Records, 99
CHAPTER VII
After the Revolution
Town Incorporated — Early Families — Difficulties of Travel — Stratford’s City — Extracts from Judd’s Survey, 110
CHAPTER VIII
Early Records
First Town Meeting — From 1780 to 1784 — Care of the Poor — Non-Resident Land Owners — First Jurors — Town Inventories, 118
CHAPTER IX
Life in the Early Days of Stratford
Character of the Houses — Home Industries — Furniture and Furniture Makers — A Famous Quilting Party — Dangers from the River — Wild Animals — A Joker — Annual Musters, 123
CHAPTER X
Stratford’s Roads and Highways
The First Highway — Taxes — Roads in General — Highway Districts — Bridges — Present-Day Highways, 132
CHAPTER XI
Stratford’s Taverns
Conditions of Travel in Early Days — The Beach Place — The Porter Place — The Hall Tavern — The Dennison Inn — The Hinman House — Old Time Hospitality, 143
CHAPTER XII
Farms and Residences
First Buildings — Following Up the River — “Out East”, 149
CHAPTER XIII
Stratford’s Schools
Early Lack of Educational Privileges — School Districts — The First Stove — Early Teachers — Visiting Committees and Superintendents — Wages of Teachers — Unequal School Years — Text-Books — Later Teachers — School Boards — High School — Present Conditions, 155
CHAPTER XIV
Stratford’s Churches
Religious Traditions of First Settlers — Early Preachers: Antipas Marshall, Benjamin Brown — First Meeting House — Clerical Experiences — Methodist Church — Baptist Church — Roman Catholic Church — Episcopal Mission, 168
CHAPTER XV
Stratford Hollow Business
Settlement — John Gamsby’s Mill — Other Mills — Early Merchants — In 1847 — Since 1850, 189
CHAPTER XVI
North Stratford Business
Beginnings — Nulhegan Mills — Toll Bridge — Coming of the Railroad — First Merchants — Development of Business — Hotels — Fires — Later Industries — Reform Movements — Fraternities — Automobiles — Electric Lights — Telephone Service — Libraries — Water System — New Hampshire Stave and Heading Mill — Memorials — Other Improvements — Brunswick Springs — Railroad Development, 201
CHAPTER XVII
Stratford’s Post Offices
Early Postal Limitations — The First Post Office and Carrier — Postage Rates — Stratford Postmasters — North Stratford’s Postal History, 241
CHAPTER XVIII
Stratford’s Physicians
Medical Limitations in Early Days — Physicians since 1850, 247
CHAPTER XIX
Societies in Stratford
Temperance Societies First Organized — Grange — Church Societies — Knights of Honor — Knights of Pythias — Pythian Sisters, 254
CHAPTER XX
Stratford’s Libraries
The Beginnings — Provision Made by the Town — Both Villages Provided for, 261
CHAPTER XXI
Stratford’s Soldiers
Revolutionary Records — Indian Stream Republic — Mexican War — Civil War — Stratford’s Fine Record in this War — Lists and Military Records — G. A. R. Post, No. 77 — Sketch of Lieut. R. R. Thompson — Stratford in the World War — List of World War Soldiers — American Legion — Sketch of Harry L. Curtis, 265
CHAPTER XXII
Social Life in Stratford
Change in Character of Town in Last Seventy-five Years — Types of Social Gatherings — Dramatic and Musical Organizations — In “The Hollow” — In North Stratford — Memorial Day Observances — Camp Meetings and Picnics — Elections — 150th Anniversary, 297
GENEALOGIES
Genealogies of More than Thirty of the Old First Families, 311
APPENDIX
First Things — King Philip’s Deed — Revolutionary State Papers — Petitions — Town Records from 1800 to 1829 — Town Officers from 1780 to 1925, 462
Illustrations
Frontispiece — Stratford Peaks, ii
Mountains in Stratford, 6
Bowback Range from the Northeast, 10
Indian Trading Post Marker, 23
Charter without Seal, 36
Seal and Signatures on Charter, 37
Plan of Stratford, New Hampshire, 100–101
Marker of the First Settlers of Stratford, 122
Older Residents of Stratford, 124
First Church of North Stratford Marker, 131
Stratford’s Oldest Taverns, 144
Baldwin Homestead Marker, 154
Schools of Stratford, 156
Members of School Committee, 164
Marker of First School House, 167
Churches of Stratford, 169
Pastors of Stratford Hollow, 171
Pastors of North Stratford, 180
The Religious Center of North Stratford, 187
The Bridge over Connecticut River at Stratford Hollow, 188
Stratford Hollow Business Men, 193
North Stratford in Early 60’s, 200
Business Men of North Stratford — Group 1, 204
Business Men of North Stratford — Group 2, 207
The Willard House, 210
Business Men of North Stratford — Group 3, 216
New Hampshire Stave and Heading Mill, 227
Public Buildings of North Stratford, 229
Mineral Bow and Brunswick Springs, 237
Physicians of North Stratford, 246
Library Hall, 264
Soldiers, 266
Approaches to North Stratford, 296
Old Residents of Stratford, 301
Scenes of Old Home Week, 1923, 307
Baldwin Homestead, 312
Brown Homestead, 336
Platt Homestead, In Genealogy, page 432
Map, End of book
Source
Thompson, Jeannette Richardson, History of the town of Stratford, New Hampshire, 1773-1925, Concord, N.H., Rumford Press, 1925.