THE PRICHARD FAMILY

Col. George W. Prichard was born at New Ipswich, N.  H., December 4, 1792. His parents were Jeremiah and Elizabeth Prichard, of that place. His father was for several years an officer in the war of the Revolution, and bore the title of Captain. He died in New Ipswich in 1813, at the age of fifty-eight years. His widow died at the house of her son, in Bradford, Vt., March 1836. The parents had four sons, all worthy men, of whom the subject of this notice was when visited with his last sickness the solitary survivor.

George W., while rather young for a clerkship, came to live with Captain John B. Wheeler, of Orford, N. H., in whose store a large amount of business was in those days transacted. Capt. Wheeler, who was a shrewd business man, and would have none but the capable and trustworthy about him, was so much pleased with this young man that he not only kept him as a clerk, but in due season took him into partnership, and committed to him the management of the mercantile business which he had established in Bradford.   When about twenty years of age, in the year 1812, Mr. Prichard took up what proved to be his permanent residence here. Nor was it long before he became the sole proprietor of the establishment. He here continued in very successful mercantile business for about half a century, when, having acquired a competency, and being far. advanced in life, he retired, leaving his almost life-long business to two of his sons, to the practice of which they had from early youth been trained.  His first store was a low wooden building on the west side of Main street, in the central part of the village, where the two story brick building which he subsequently erected now stands, and continues to be occupied for the same purpose.

That Col. Prichard was a very capable, upright, and honorable man in his various transactions, is evident from the manifold official duties which he was called to perform, and the entire confidence which all who knew him invariably reposed in him. By the election of his fellow townsmen he officiated for three years as one of their Selectmen ; twice he represented the town in the State Legislature; executed the office of a Justice of the Peace for some thirty years; and for some thirty-seven years was entrusted with the town moneys, as Treasurer.  On resigning the latter office, at the last annual meeting preceding his death, a vote of thanks was unanimously passed, testifying that he had invariably kept the funds committed to him with fidelity, and discharged the various business of his office as Treasurer to the entire satisfaction of all concerned. He performed the duties of Secretary of the Board of Trustees of Bradford Academy for, it is believed, more than forty years. He also bore for some while the commission of a Colonel, in a time of peace. He was also the efficient, reliable, and only President of the first Bradford bank, whose business was honorably closed, without loss to any, about two years before his decease.

Col. Prichard had also important trusts committed to him in the way of settling the estates of deceased friends, and was remarkably successful in giving good satisfaction. Even when the amount of property in one case was large, and the claims of the heirs in conflict with each other, they were all alike ready to acknowledge and thank him for his perfect impartiality, and strict justice.  With regard to domestic relations and affairs, it may be remarked that Col. Prichard was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Pearsons, of Bradford, March 16, 1817, a lady in person, manners, domestic habits, and character, truly amiable and estimable. They were married by their then youthful pastor, who in years long after attended the funerals of them both. They wisely commenced housekeeping in a style corresponding with their then somewhat limited means, for some years living in a humble cottage, made pleasant by love and contentment, nor wished to remove till able, without inconvenience, to build and furnish to their liking the commodious residence in which they spent the remainder of their days. They had a family of one daughter and six sons, of whom further notice will be given. All were living at the time of their mother's decease, which occurred March 5, 1853, in the sixty-second year of her age. She had been a member of the Congregational church for sixteen years, and by her exemplary life had evinced the sincerity of her profession. In view of death, she was beautifully sustained and comforted by the assured prospect of a near and blessed immortality.

Colonel Prichard's second marriage was with Miss Mary P. Sutherland, February 7, 1854, a daughter of the late Rev. David Sutherland, of Bath, N. H.   She faithfully ministered to his comfort during his declining years, and was rewarded with not only worldly substance enough, but with the strong assurance of his high esteem and grateful love.

Although Mr. Prichard had been from his youth a moral man and regular attendant on public worship, and for years entertained a trembling hope of the divine acceptance, he had passed the meridian of life before he made any open profession of religion. It was during a protracted meeting of great power, held in connection with the dedication of the present Congregational meeting house in this village, in January, 1837, that he and his wife, in company with several others, were brought to consecrate themselves heartily and openly to the Savior's service, and to become living members of his visible church. Thence onward their path was like the light of the morning.

About three years after this season of refreshing, the aged deacons of this church wishing to be relieved, George W. Prichard and Thomas C. Shaw, who had together been received as members, were unanimously chosen deacons, and, to the great satisfaction of the church, continued to perform the duties of that office until, by reason of advanced age and bodily infirmities, they in their turn thought it their duty to resign. Their resignation was accepted so far only as to excuse them from officiating, except in cases of special need of their services.

Deacon Prichard was a firm believer in divine revelation, and made the Holy Scriptures the guide of his faith and conduct. He delighted in public and social worship, and his fervent prayers and pathetic remarks in social meetings were truly elevating and refreshing. In the Sabbath school he was also deeply interested. He for several years officiated as superintendent, and after that continued as teacher of a class, while he had strength to perform the arduous, but to him grateful, service. He took a lively interest in the support of public worship, ever ready to do his part. He was not only a liberal subscriber and prompt payer, but a cheerful giver.  Great pleasure he evidently took in attending the annual " donation visits" to his pastor and family, and never failed to bring on such occasions substantial proofs of his friendship. And when, after a long, peaceful, and not fruitless ministry, the pastor esteemed it his privilege and duty to resign, this good man was prominent among the considerate and kind-hearted friends who undertook to provide for him a comfortable home, that he might continue to live, and finally die and be buried, with his beloved people.

Such men are a blessing, not only to their own families and to the communities around them, but to the world. But the most upright, benevolent, exemplary and useful members of society must with others pass away. The ailment of which Deacon Prichard died was similar to that of the good king of whom it is said, that he " did that which was good and right in the eyes of the Lord his God," but who in his old age " was diseased in his feet, until his disease was exceeding great; "and in addition to this, dropsy in the chest, so that for months before his decease he could not lie down at all. During this whole season of bodily infirmity and distress, his patience and sweet resignation to the divine will were most admirable. During those wearisome days and nights, sitting almost constantly in his chair, often pierced with intense pains, he was not only reconciled and submissive, but said he loved to be in the hands of his Heavenly Father, who knew just what was best for him. To him the Saviour was inexpressibly precious, and in Him he rejoiced at times with joy inexpressible and full of glory.  His children, with their companions, from near and afar had gathered around him, to receive his dying benediction, and express to him their sympathy, gratitude, and filial love, when on one Thursday evening, August 8, 1867, at the age of seventy-four years, eight months, and four days, he, at the call of his Lord, exchanged Earth for Heaven, leaving his lifeless body still reclining in the accustomed chair, presenting even in death a placidity of countenance expressive of the most perfect satisfaction.  The burial service was attended on the subsequent Saturday, towards evening, and at the church on the following Sabbath an appropriate funeral discourse was de-livered by his pastor and almost life-long friend, in the presence of the united congregations of Bradford village, and numerous other friends from places more remote.  " Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord."

The children of George W. and Elizabeth P. Prichard, his wife.

1 Adeline, born December 22, 1817. She became hopefully pious while young, and united with the same church with her parents. She was a well educated young lady, and became the wife of Rev. B. B. Newton, then pastor of the Congregational church in Chelsea, Vt. After several years of ministerial service as a Congregationalist, Mr. Newton withdrew from that denomination, united with the Episcopal church at Brooklyn, N. Y., and received ordination as a clergyman of that order. Mrs.  Newton had for several years charge of a female boarding school at Brooklyn, and has done much good service, not only for those under her immediate care, but for the world, as an educator of young ladies.  Rev. Mr. Newton had by this marriage eight children, of whom four died early; and at this date two daughters and two sons still survive, namely, Elizabeth P., wife of George H. Goddard, Adeline, Benjamin, and Edward Prichard.

2 George Prichard, born November 19, 1819, married Elizabeth P. Brooks, of Worcester, Mass., and with his brother Edward was for years actively and extensively engaged in mercantile business in the same store which had been occupied by their father for the same purpose.  He had also a pleasant homestead next South of the Academy, and near the churches in Bradford village. Mr.  and Mrs. Prichard were members of the Congregational church here, and took a lively interest, not only in its prosperity but in the general advancement of the best interests of society. Mr. Prichard, like his father before him, was a highly esteemed deacon in the church to which he belonged, and so continued until, owing to embarrassing reverses in his mercantile affairs, he closed up further business here, left the place, and late in the Autumn of 1871 removed with his family to Worcester, Mass. While resident in Bradford, he was for several years a Trustee of Bradford Academy, and Secretary of the Board, and also represented the town in the State Legislature of 1858-59.

Deacon George Prichard and wife had three daughters and four sons. The eldest son, Charles, died in early life, at the house of his maternal grandmother at Worcester, in 1851.

Eva Frances, the second daughter, died at the same sweet ancestral home, December 6, 1868, at the age of eighteen years and seven months. She had gone there in health, to visit her grandmother, and to spend the Winter with her uncle and aunt Anderson in Boston; but soon after her arrival was visited with disease of a gangrenous nature, painfully affecting especially one of her feet, which no medical treatment could relieve ; amputation became a matter of necessity; the disease still lingered in the system, and within a few days reached the mainsprings of life. The dear girl knew she was going -going to leave her beloved father and mother, who were with her, and the dear ones at their home ; but bore all with sweet resignation to the Divine will, and, with entire confidence in her blessed Saviour, peacefully passed away to her final rest. Nearly a year before her decease she had made a public profession of her faith, and united with the same church to which her parents and her two sisters also belonged. Her funeral was numerously attended at Bradford, and her precious remains followed to the tomb by a full representation of the Sabbath school to which she had from childhood belonged.  The surviving children are Mary Addie, Annie Elizabeth, George Brooks, William Frederick, and Arthur Anderson.

3 Moses Smith Prichard, born April 8,1822, graduated at the University of Vermont in 1841, studied law, and opened an office in Janesville, Wisconsin, where after the lapse of some thirty years he was still remaining, pleasantly located. He was for a term called to the office of Judge of the County Court, holding its sessions there.  He married Miss Betsey Ann True, of Janesville, and the names of their three children are Mary, George W., and Anna.

4 Edward Prichard, born November 29, 1824. He was in youth favored with the requisite advantages for acquiring a useful education, which he duly improved and became, as he advanced in life, well qualified for the various mercantile and official transactions in which he was called to engage. At the old stand in Bradford village, in company with his brother George, he was occupied in commercial business for several years. During a part of this time, and subsequently, he was called to fill various civil offices of trust and importance. As one of the town Listers, one of the Selectmen, Town Clerk, and Justice of the Peace, he had much to do. . The records which he made will long remain, should no accident prevent, an honorable memorial of his fidelity and penmanship. He officiated for a time as Cashier of Bradford Bank, was for years a Notary Public, and at the time of his decease an Assistant Assessor of the United States Revenue, and a Trustee of Bradford Academy. He was a man so modest, kind-hearted, seriously inclined, and withal so winning in his ways, as well as capable and trustworthy, that his fellow townsmen were very naturally disposed to respect and honor him. Mr. Prichard built the store on the East side of Main street, at this date occupied by Bailey & Reding as a clothing store, and also the commodious house on Pleasant street in which his family continue to reside.

In his domestic relations Edward Prichard was very happy. At the age of twenty-six he was united in marriage with Miss Anne Merrill, of Pittsfield, N. H., who did him good all the days of his subsequent life, and by whom he was blessed with a somewhat large, for these days, and very interesting family of children, consisting of two sons and eight daughters.

The eldest son, Edward Payson, a beautiful and promising boy, was so unfortunate as to be drowned at the age of thirteen years. Towards evening July 29, 1867, this dear boy had gone quite alone to bathe in Wait's River, a little below the brick mill at the village. Not returning, as was expected, in the evening, the most diligent search was made for him; but in vain, until early the next morning the lifeless body was discovered reposing in death's profound sleep on the river's bed! The entire community seemed to be moved with deep sympathy for the family in their sore bereavement.  About five weeks before Mr. Prichard's decease, his eyes were blessed with the sight of another son, to be, with the eight lovely daughters, to their mother, as he hoped, a rich blessing when he should himself have passed away. This son, born October 20, 1870, is named James Edward. The names of the daughters are Caroline Merrill, Elizabeth Pearsons, Julia, Jane Hallet, Anna Lois, Ellen Catherine, Mary Sutherland, and Adaline Frances.  The disease of which Mr. Prichard died was of the heart. In the action of that vital organ there had been more or less irregularity through life. For some weeks immediately preceding his decease this trouble had become most serious and alarming. Its progress to a fatal termination was rapid and irresistible. Of this he was duly aware, and quietly awaited the event. His decease occurred November 28, 1870, at the age of forty-six years, lacking one day.

Mr. Prichard, though seriously inclined, evangelical in his belief, and very exemplary in his observance of the Sabbath, and attendance with his family on public worship, had never seen his way clear to make a public profession of religion by uniting with the church.   In the near prospect of death, he utterly disclaimed all dependence on any ground of hope save Christ, and Him alone, for salvation, and so quietly passed away, hoping that to him it would be a gain to die. At his funeral an earnest appeal was made by the beloved pastor, the Rev. Mr.  Williams, to the men of Bradford to be wise and consider their latter end, to consecrate themselves heartily and openly to the service of God, and to do so without delay, seeing the night of death cometh, and may come with unexpected suddenness.

Miss Caroline M., daughter of Edward Prichard, and Edward E. Baldwin, of Cambridge, Mass, were married September 1, 1874.

5 Amos Prichard, born May 26, 1827, graduated at the University of Vermont in 1847, studied for the profession of law, and directly after became established in successful business at Janesville, Wisconsin. In due season he was constituted a Judge of the County Court there, for the term of four years, and at this date is officiating on his fourth term of election to the same office, a sufficient proof of the esteem in which he is held by his fellow citizens of that County.   He married Miss Augusta Dearborn, and they have been blessed with three children, Charlotte Augusta, Lyman, and Abby Elizabeth. 

6 Arthur Prichard, born April 27,1835. Some years of his early youth were spent in acquiring a business education, and as a clerk in his father's store. In his twenty-first year, with his father's consent, he went away to seek his fortune, as many other young men do, in the West. In the course of a few weeks, while boarding at a hotel in Ripon, Wisconsin, he was visited with dangerous sickness, but by the aid of a friend succeeded in reaching Janesville, the residence of  his two brothers, and there, at the house of the Hon. Moses S. Prichard, received whatever kindness loving hearts could render.  He seemed to revive a little, hopes of his recovery were beginning to be entertained; but while his brother's wife was giving him some nourishment, his head suddenly declined, his heart ceased to beat, and life was extinct!  His immortal spirit had returned to God. He died March 6, 1856, hardly twenty-one years of age. The same day the sad intelligence was glanced over the telegraphic wires, causing the friends at home to sympathize and mourn with those afar off. Arthur was an active and amiable young man, whose loss was deeply felt. His burial occurred at the place of his decease, but a discourse by his former pastor, in memory of him, and addressed particularly to young men, delivered March 30, 1856, at Bradford, was by their solicitation printed, and some what widely circulated. A post mortem examination showed that the disease of which he died was of the heart.

7 John Brooks Wheeler Prichard, born September 26, 1839, married Miss Orissa George, of Bradford, and, in company with Mr. Barron Hay, succeeded the firm of George and Edward, his brothers, at the old trading stand in this village, encouraged by a due share of public patronage.   Mr. J. B. W. Prichard, since the death of his brother Edward, in the autumn of 1870, has" filled the office of Town Clerk of Bradford. He built the commodious house which he owns and occupies on Pleasant street. He and his  wife have been blessed with four children. A son and a daughter died in early childhood.  The two survivors are Fred Elmer and Henry Warren. Biographie Index

The information on Trails to the Past © Copyright  2024  may be used in personal family history research, with source citation. The pages in entirety may not be duplicated for publication in any fashion without the permission of the owner. Commercial use of any material on this site is not permitted.  Please respect the wishes of those who have contributed their time and efforts to make this free site possible.~Thank you!