Page:A topographical and historical sketch of the town of Andover, in the county of Hillsborough, and state of New Hampshire.djvu/17

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been validated.

13

the grantees of Andover were out in this expedition, the result of which, says Dr. Belknap, "filled America with joy, and Europe with astonishment." Walter Williams commanded a company in the regiment of Col. Moore, and Anthony Emery was the regimental surgeon. Capt. Williams was a brave commander, and among the most respectable inhabitants of Hampton-Falls. Dr. Emery was a gentleman of liberal education, and graduated at Harvard College in 1736. Some of his descendants now live in Andover. This town retained the name of New-Breton until June 25, 1779, when it was incorporated by the name it now bears.

The first inhabitant of Andover was Joseph Fellows, who moved into town from Boscawen in 1761. His daughter Peggy, (now Mrs. Woodbury, of Corinth, Vt.) was the first child born in town, and she is now 58 years of age. Mr. Fellows died March 14, 1811, aged 84. Elias Raino was the next settler, and William Morey the third: both came into town soon after Mr. Fellows. Mr. Raino died Sept. 20, 1787; Mr. Morey in 1814. Edward Ladd, another of the first settlers, moved in soon after Mr. Morey. His grandfather, Nathaniel Ladd, emigrated from Scotland in the latter part of the seventeenth century, and his father settled in Exeter, where he was born. He was a soldier in the "old French war," as it is called, which commenced in 1744—was an industrious man, and acquired a good estate. He died July 22, 1818, aged 82. His son, John, was the first male child born in Andover.

The first settlement of the town progressed very slowly, the inhabitants being subjected to many and great privations. They were unable to procure bread-stuff without travelling ten or