THE ALDRICH FAMILY

Tradition, which in this case is believed to be reliable, says that three brothers by the name of Aldrich emigrated from England and settled in Oxford, Mass., but in what year we have no information. The first of the name who settled in Bradford, Vt., was Silas Aldrich. The understanding is that he belonged to the company of Major Rogers, who was sent, in the autumn of 1759, with a force of two hundred men, to chastise the Indians at St.  Francis, in Canada East, who had committed many depredations and cruelties upon our border inhabitants.  That work being accomplished, while the Rangers, as they were styled, or a division of them, were returning through what is now the northern part of Vermont, and had reached the locality now called Hardwick, they were early one morning attacked by a party of Indians, and overwhelmed by disaster, numbers being killed or taken captive, and the rest put to flight. Aldrich, who could not then have been more than sixteen or seventeen years of age, was one of those who escaped. He made his way to the Connecticut River, and, following down through the lower Coos region, was so impressed by the natural beauty of the scenery that he resolved, when the war should be over, he would return and settle in that locality. He accordingly, in due season, came back to what was then called Moretown, now Bradford, and settled on a place which still bears the family name, in the northern part of the township, about two miles back from the river. The precise date of his coming is not known, but in 1774 he was here, united in marriage with Miss Alice Collins, then, like himself, residing in this place, who is said to have been a woman distinguished for decision and energy of character. Mr. Aldrich was a man of an even, peaceable disposition, and of strictly temperate habits, even in those days, when the use of intoxicating liquors was well-nigh universal. He built for his residence a humble log cottage, and there with his wife raised up a family of four sons and four daughters, all of whom lived to marry and have families of their own.  Silas Aldrich died, November 28, 1811, aged sixty-eight years, having made his will and appointed his son Richard sole executor. His widow married a Mr. Hunt, and lived on the same farm till her death, in 1823, at the age of seventy-three.

Children of Silas Aldrich and wife :

1 Phebe, married James Martin, and lived and died in Bradford.

2 Betsey, married John Muzzey, and settled in Corinth.

3 Richard ; of him more hereafter.

4 Abigail, married John Chase, and remained in this her native town.

5 Elsy, married Joshua Barron, and went West, and was lost sight of.

6 Silas Aldrich, Jr., married a Miss Carter, of Bradford, and moved to Compton, in Canada East, where both died, and some of their descendants still remain. 

7 Asa Aldrich married Lucy Maynard, a sister of his brother Richard's wife, a native of Marlborough, N. H., who had come to visit her sister and seek her fortune.  They lived on the West side of Wright's Mountain, and had three daughters, namely: Emmeline, who married a Mr. Caswell, and went with him into the Western country;

Sally, who married Charles Johnston, of South Newbury, and died at the age of about twenty-two, leaving two sons; and Mary, who became the second wife of Adams Wilson, of Bradford, and died, as her sister died, of consumption.

Mr. Asa Aldrich retired to his rest one night in, as was supposed, perfect health, and when his wife awoke she was horror-stricken to find that his spirit, in silence, had forever departed. He, like his father, was a man of mild and pleasant disposition, without great force of char-acter.

His widow married Calvin Cowdry, of Newbury, where she lived several years, and finally died, of consumption. 

8 Ephraim Aldrich, the youngest son was physically perhaps, as powerful a man as was ever reared in Bradford. In early youth he grew not only fast, but strong; taking great delight and pride in athletic exercises. He, indeed, through life gloried in his great strength. At the age of eighteen he was married with Sarah Hilliard, of New Hampshire. But in moral strength and stability he was so deficient as to cause those who loved him most not a little concern and grief. At the age of twenty-one he enlisted into the United States Army, expecting to be stationed at Portsmouth, but was ordered to New Orleans, and became so utterly dissatisfied with his position and employments there that, at the peril of his life, he deserted, and, through hardships and dangers the most formidable, returned to his family and friends at the North; but not daring to stay, went on to the disputed territory of Indian Stream, where he resided for a while; but finally, at the age of seventy-five, died at Pittsburg, N. H., a new settlement north of the White Mountains, where some of his descendants are understood to be still residing.   His wife died several years before him.

3 Richard Aldrich, the third child and eldest son of Silas and Alice C. Aldrich, was born April 8th, 1780. By the will of his father, he came into possession of the old homestead, on condition of paying off the other heirs. In the log-house built by his father, he spent the days of his youth, and there, on being married, brought his young wife to commence housekeeping by themselves. His ad-vantages in youth for a school education were very limited, but the lessons of industry, frugality, kindness to the suffering, and of heroic patriotism in which he was thoroughly drilled, had much to do in forming the character for which he was distinguished in after life.  He married at the age of twenty-one Miss Anna Maynard, then residing in the family of Andrew B. Peters, Esq., of this place, but a native of Marlborough, N. H.  There is a little anecdote connected with the occasion of her coming to this town which seems worth relating here.  Anna Maynard, at an early age was left without a mother, and thrown for support on her own industry. At the age of sixteen she came to this town with a Mr. Norcross, as a companion for his wife, who was dissatisfied with her situation in this then new country; and having gone to her old home could be persuaded to return only on condition that Miss Anna would come with her. She accordingly came, but Mrs. Norcross after a while again grew so discontented and homesick that she determined to go back to her old home. In this distress Mr. N. besought Anna to stay and keep house for him. Her reply shows in what estimation she held her reputation: " A pretty story that will be, to go back to my father, brothers and sisters, that I have parted husband and wife!" Mr. N.  urging the matter a little more strongly, she said, with decision, " No, sir; I will see you in the bottomless pit first!" So she left, and was taken into the family of Esquire Peters, where young Richard Aldrich found her, and easily persuaded her to become his wife. She ever after remembered the Peters family with gratitude for their kindness to her.

Mr. Aldrich and wife lived happily in their log cottage till after the birth of their second child, when they moved into their new framed house, in which all the rest of their children were born. They were industrious, hard-working people, and it is believed that the destitute and hungry never applied to them for relief in vain. They both became hopefully pious in the maturity of their powers, and united with what was then styled the Christian church, and so remained during their subsequent lives.  In 1807, Mr. Richard Aldrich was elected Captain of the Second Company of the First Regiment of the State Militia. Hence the military title by which he was ever after designated. He also filled several civil town offices acceptably. About the year 1856 he sold his farm to his son, John D. Aldrich, and moved into a house which he had bought in Bradford village, and there died, November 25, 1856, aged seventy-seven years.  Captain Aldrich seasonably and with entire composure prepared for his departure to his final rest. Some years before he died, he requested the writer of this article to preach his funeral sermon. He also seasonably made his will, disposing of his property as he thought best, appointing his eldest son sole executor, and leaving his aged widow under his care.

And so, trusting in the blessed Saviour, when his time came he had nothing to do but to bid his friends farewell, and, like aged Simeon, depart in perfect peace.  His aged widow still survives, though greatly debilitated both in body and mind.

Captain Richard Aldrich and wife had ten children-four daughters and six sons-of whom some brief account will now be given.

1 Almira, the eldest, married Levi Hazelton, of Newbury ; they had a family of children, and finally settled in the State of New Hampshire, where she died. Their youngest son, during the late war died in the service of his country, at Hilton Head.

2 Lydia S. married Josiah Rodgers, of Newbury, and was the mother of nine children, viz: six sons and three daughters. Mr. Rodgers died in 1843. His widow married William Bolton, of Newbury, and had another son and daughter.

Almira and Lydia Aldrich became hopefully pious in their youth, and united with the Methodist church. The eldest died happily, several years since. Her younger sister, Mrs. Bolton, still lives, striving to make her calling and election sure.

3 Sally, died at the age of five years. 

4 Eliza Ann, in 1833 married James R. Brown, of Chelmsford, Mass., but died at Wells River, Vt., leaving one son and two daughters.

5 William Aldrich, the eldest son of Captain Richard, married Rebecca Highland, of Bradford; bought a farm near his father's, where he lived several years, and his only child, Rebecca Ann, was born. He was a deacon in the Christian church, in Goshen, the same to which his parents belonged. In the year 1861, his wife died of consumption. She was a woman highly esteemed and much beloved by her relatives and neighbors. Mr. Aldrich, after his wife's decease, built a house at Bradford village, and, May 28,1862, married Miss Anna M. Corliss, a native of this town. His only daughter married a Mr.  Leonard B. Fletcher, who has deceased, and she has returned to her paternal home.

6 Richard Ransom Aldrich had no taste for agricultural pursuits, but early manifested a decided genius for the manufacture of articles of wood. He first learned the carpenter's and joiner's trade, and was the first to introduce the board-planing machine into Orange County.  He was also the first in this County to manufacture wooden ware, and send it in quantities to a Boston market. At South Newbury he carried on quite an important business of this sort.

He had married Miss Emma Heath, of Lowell, Mass., and was living at South Newbury when, in 1851, his dwelling house there, with five others, was consumed by fire, which induced him to sell his remaining property there and come to Bradford, where he bought a half interest in the Baldwin Mill Privilege, commenced business afresh, and has manufactured a great amount of mackerel kits, wooden pails, and other articles; and, in partnership with his son-in-law Barrett, at this writing is still going on, not-withstanding the recent loss of his left hand by a circular saw.

In 1854 Mr. R. R. Aldrich represented this town in the State Legislature. He and his wife became members of the Methodist church in Newbury soon after their settlement there, and here he has been a steward in the church of the same order, and one of the liberal supporters of its ministry for over twenty years.

Mr. and Mrs. Aldrich had two sons and two daughters.  Charles and Richard D., both promising young men, died at nearly the same age, of twenty years. The first named, who showed a remarkable genius for mechanical pursuits, died of typhoid fever; and his brother by an act of suicide, owing, it is believed, to aberration of mind, caused by rheumatic fever settling on his brain. To the bereaved parents these were wounds which earth could not heal; but which grace has helped them to bear.  The eldest daughter, Eliza A. Aldrich, in 1865 married Norman W. Barrett, of Connecticut. Mr. Barrett resides in Bradford village, engaged in business with his wife's father. They have one son, Richard A. Mrs. B. is a member of the M. E. church.

Josephine E. Aldrich married Josiah H. Benton, Jr., attorney-at-law, May 19, 1866. J. H. Benton, Esq., a young man of talent, energy, and moral integrity, then of Lancaster, after a few years of prominence in New Hampshire politics and office, opened a law office in Boston, where at this date he is understood to be doing a fair amount of business. His young wife, Josephine E., after a short but happy life, died at her father's house in Bradford, in April, 1872.

Mr. Aldrich has been successful in business, and his good wife still lives to aid and comfort him, as in years that are past.

7 Edwin R. Aldrich married Harriet Hazelton, of Newbury, in 1835. Two of their children, a son and daughter, died in infancy. Their only surviving child, Miss Olive Ann, married Mr. Benjamin P. Baldwin, and is pleasantly settled near her parents. Mr. E. R. Aldrich, an honest man and good citizen, a house carpenter and joiner by trade, assisted by his son-in-law, Mr. Baldwin, has done much in the way of house building here, and each occupies a nice new house, both near each other on Main street. Mrs. Aldrich is a member of the Congregational church in this place.

8 Smith Aldrich married Elsie Muzzey, and lived for some while in Corinth, engaged in farming; then moved to Northumberland, N. H., where he and his wife united, on profession of their faith, with the Methodist E. church.  He almost at once felt it his duty to preach, and set about it in the fear of God. As a preacher he has endeavored to declare the truth, without attempting any great display of rhetorical eloquence. About 1854 he went West, where he has since been preaching. Some three years since his wife died very suddenly, of heart disease. Their daughter married William H. Anderson, and lives in Sibley, Osceola County, Iowa. Rev. Mr. Aldrich has since married a Western woman.

9 John D. Aldrich married Harriet H. Highland, in 1845. Their only child, a daughter, died in her infancy ; her mother died of consumption in 1851. Three years afterward Mr. Aldrich married Philinda Williams, also of Bradford. He owns and occupies the pleasant homestead on Main street which formerly belonged to Judge Stebbins; he also is owner of the old place in Goshen district on which his father and grandfather lived for so many years. Mr. J. D. Aldrich and wife have two sons, yet in their minority, namely, John Albert and Charles Richard, the only representatives of the third generation from the first Aldrich settler here to bear up the family name. 

10 Levi M. Aldrich married Sarah George, of Newbury. They had six children, all daughters. One died in her infancy, and all the rest at this date are living.  All were born in this town. Mr. Aldrich and family left this place about five years ago, and moved to Lowell, Mass., where he still resides, and where all his surviving daughters but one are married and settled.  For the substance of this account of the Aldrich family I have been almost wholly indebted to Mrs. Barrett, daughter of Mr. R. R. Aldrich, although the manuscript furnished by her has been wholly rewritten, and some what abbreviated.  Biographie Index

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