3 Generations of Lawyers in Family

    Three generations of the Meserve family stood side by side today as the youngest of the trio was admitted to practice in the Federal Court.

    He is Robert Meserve, 25.  With him, as sponsors, were his father, attorney Shirley E. Meserve, 52, and his grandfather, Attorney Edwin A. Meserve, 78.  All are natives sons of California and graduates of the University of California.

    Federal Judge Paul J. McCormick said:

    "One of the pleasurable duties of this court has been to participate in the reception of worthy sons of pioneer families of California as members of the bar of the federal court. No such incident has engendered better memories than that which we witness this morning."

    "The stalwart sons of the Meserve family have added luster, dignity and character to the bar of our state and nation for well over half a century."

The Above Article was Contributed Marilyn Turner, Friendswood, TX

Third Generation Admitted to Bar

    Like father and like grandfather, a third generation Meserve today was admitted to the federal bar here.  He is Robert Meserve, 25, shown at the right above with his sponsors; his father, Shirley E. Meserve, 52, left and grandfather, Edwin A. Meserve, 78, center.  All three are Los Angles attorneys.   

The Above Article was Contributed Marilyn Turner, Friendswood, TX

Edwin Alvin Meserve 1863-1955

The following article appeared in the Worcester Telegram & Gazette, Thursday, December 24, 1992

ABC soars with four-hour 'Lincoln' documentary

The Associated Press

NEW YORK - "So much has been said about Gettysburg,'' the Tycoon wrote, "that for me to attempt to say more may only serve to weaken the force of that which has already been said."

The Tycoon, as his secretaries Hay and Nicolay dubbed Abraham Lincoln, was wrong about that one. His simple, powerful speech dedicating that Civil War battlefield as a national cemetery is a telegram to the ages.

He wasn't wrong about much, though, and neither is "Lincoln," ABC's splendid, four-hour documentary airing Saturday and Sunday nights.

"Lincoln" portrays him in his own words and in those or his friends and contemporaries, with stunning images from an unparalleled collection of little-seen Lincoln memorabilia.

Philip B. Kunhardt Jr. and his sons, co-writer Philip B. Kunhardt III and director-producer Peter W. Kunhardt, based "Lincoln" on their family treasure, the Meserve-Kunhardt Collection, the largest private collection of Civil War era photography specializing in Lincolniana.

The photographs of the collection - begun by Kunhardt Jr.'s grandfather, Frederick Hill Meserve - give "Lincoln" a stunning, visual intimacy reminiscent of Ken Burns' epic documentary "The Civil War."

As in "The Civil War," if a character in Lincoln's life has something to say, we get to see that person's picture and hear his words.

We get to see Lincoln grow and change from a weedy, ambitious backwoods operator and railroad lawyer, to a failed congressman, to a vital, energetic president-elect, to the hollow-eyed saint in whom the infinite suffering of the war presidency had consumed baser human feelings:

The pictures alone are worth the price of admission, but that's not to say "Lincoln" is without flaws.

Things get awkward early on, due to breathtakingly abrupt transitions and awkward flashbacks that force 4he stow to leap around unnecessarily. A straightforward narrative would have gathered strength and tension.

"Lincoln" also suffers from its "all-star cast" of voices. This is most evident early on when we hear Lincoln's Bavarian-born secretary John G. Nicolay: Ja, it's Arnold Schwartzenegger, and ja, it's intrusive.

There is wonderful work from Jason Robards as Lincoln young, old and orating, wonderful restraint from narrator James Earl Jones, merry Glenn Close as Mary Lincoln, and Fred Gwynne as the dour war secretary, Edwin Stan-ton. Frank Langella's murmurous, serpentine John Wilkes Booth is perfect.

The Above Article was Contributed by the Webmaster

History of The Town of Durham

Messervey, Meserve

Source: Everett S. Stackpole et al., Somersworth, N. H.
New Hampshire Publishing Co. (Reprint of 1913 Edition)
(Pages 285-289)

The family of Messervey flourished in the Island of Jersey, especially in the parish of St. Martin, as early as the beginning of the fourteenth century.  An ancient coat of arms is, "Or 3 cherries gu. stalked, vert, Crest; _A cherry tree proper."  Motto: "Au valereux coeur rien impossible."

Clement Messervey, thought to have been son of Jean and Marie (Machon) Messervey of the Isle of Jersey, born 1655, was a taxpayer in Portsmouth, N. H. in 1673.  He conveyed his homestead in Newington to his son Clement, 6 Aug. 1710.  He and wife, Elizabeth, died before 1720.  Children were:

Aaron m. Susanna ____; 1. in Salem, Mass.   Widow m. John Batten.  Sons by first marriage were William and Aaron.

Daniel m. Deborah ____.
John mentioned 1705; prob. d. young.
Elizabeth m. Michael Whidden; 6 Jan. 1694.
Tamsen m. Joseph Ham, 1704.
Clement m. Elizabeth Jones, 24 Sept. 1702.   Rem. to Scarboro, Me.

2. Daniel Meserve (Clement ¹) married Deborah ____ and settled at Oyster River.  Both were admitted to church 29 Jan. 1720/1.  His will, 1 May 1747-30 June 1758, names wife, Deborah, and the following children:
3. Daniel bapt. 8 Jan. 1720/1; m. Abigail Ham.
Elizabeth bapt. 8 Jan. 1720/1; m. 29 Oct. 1720, Joseph Libby.
Mary bapt. 8 Jan. 1720/1; m. Daniel Meader
4. John bapt. 8 Jan. 1720/1; m. Sarah Clark.
5. Clement bapt. 9 Feb. 1720/1; m. _____ _____
Anne bapt. 9 Feb. 1720/1; m. James Nute.
Tamsen bapt. 9 Feb. 1720/1; m. Stephen Pinkham.

Third Generation

3. Daniel Meserve (Daniel², Clement¹) married Abigail, daughter of Joseph and Tamsen (Meserve) Ham of Dover, born 15 March 1710.   Children recorded in Dover:

6. Joseph b. 4 Oct. 1729; m. Ruth ____.
Deborah b. 14 May 1732; m. Maj. Joseph Smith, (2) Capt. James Gilmore.  She d.          18 May 1790.
7. Daniel b. 18 March 1734; m. Sarah Demeritt.
8. Jonathan b. 4 March 1738; m. Mary Davis.
9. Clement b. 23 Jan. 1741; m. Lois Torr.
Abigail b. Aug. 1745; m. Nicholas Durrell, (2) Anthony Pickering.

4. John Meserve (Daniel², Clement¹) Married, 22 June 1740, Sarah, daughter of Samuel Clark of Portsmouth.  They sold to Clement Meserve, in 1758, land on Back River and also land in madury.  Two children are known:
Deborah b. 1742; m. 14 April 1762, Alpheus Chesley.

10. John b. 1744; m. Sally Chesley.

5. Lieut. Clement Meserve (Daniel², Clement¹), born 1716, married ____ Ham.  He died 8 July 1800, aged 84.  He was an officier in the Louisburg expedtion.  His will, 9 March 1793, names the following children:

11. Col. Ebenezer b. 1746; m. Eunice Torr.
12. Clement b. 1748; m. Lydia Tuttle.
13. Stephen b. 1750; m. Abigail Yeaton.
Paul m. Sarah Pinkham.  Had son Paul, b. 1781, who m. 25 Dec. 1808 Nancy Torr, and their daughter, Mary Ann, b. 10 April 1825, m. James M. Pendexter.
Israel m. Sarah, dau. of Benjamin and Abigail (Chesley) Gerrish.  Had a dau., Lois G. who m. William P. Drew 28 March 1824.   Widow of Israel m. Jonathan Demeritt and had dau., Elizabeth, who m. William P. Drew, 28 June 1829.
Abigail m. James Pinkham, 13 July 1778.
Betty b. 25 Jan. 1764; m. Micah Emerson, 10 June 1784.

Fourth Generation

6. Joseph Meserve (Daniel3, Daniel2, Clement1), born 4 Oct. 1729, married Ruth ____.  His will, proved 20 June 1787, names children, Joseph, James, Timothy, who m. Martha Woodman, Ruth who m. Sept. 1781, Andrew Nute, Deborah, Abigail, and Sarah.
7. Daniel Meserve (Daniel3, Daniel2, Clement1), born 18 March 1734, married 5 May 1764, Sarah, daughter of Eli and Tabitha (Pitman) Demeritt, who was born 3 April 1736.

Lydia b. 1767; d.s.p.
Thomas b. 1769; d.s.p.
Betty b. 1771; d. 1857. Unm.
Daniel b. 1773; m. ____ ____
Mary b. 1775; m. (1) John Ham, (2) Paul Gerrish.

14. Samuel b. 1777; m. 1804, Sarah Pendergast.

8. Capt. Jonathan Meserve (Daniel3, Daniel2, Clement1), born 4 March 1738, married Mary Davis and had children as follows:

John m. Dorcas Hardy
Col. Jonathan b. 1772; m. 1797, Alice Pendexter.
Daniel m. Betsy Pendexter.
Nathaniel m. Sally Trickey.
Betsey m. Hon. Silas Meserve.
Mary m. H. Harriman, (2) E. Seavey.
Jonna m. Joseph Pitman.

9. Clement Meserve (Daniel3, Daniel2, Clement1), born 23 Jan. 1741, married Lois, daughter of Vincent and Lois (Pinkhman) Torr, who was born after 1750.  Their children were:
Simon b. 1773; m. 1798, Abigail Snell.   She d. Dec. 1861.
Hannah b. 5 April 1775; m. Thomas Snell; d. 24 April 1854.
He was born 19 Oct. 1776 and d. Sept. 1856
Clement b. 1777; d.s.p. Drowned 27 Aug. 1801 (?).
George b. 1780; m. Jennie Swain.   2 sons and a dau.
Andrew b. 1782; d. in infancy.
Betsey b. 1784; m. Jacob Hall.
Andrew b. 1786; m. 1806, Patience Hall.
Vincent b. 1788.
John b. 1792; m. 1831, Ellinor Pennell, (2) ____ Huse.
Curtis b. 1794; m. 1817, Olive Lunt, (2) Lydia Stone.
Oliver b. 1799; m. 1835, Emily Berry.

10. John Meserve (John3, Daniel2, Clement1), born 1744, married Sally, daughter of Lemuel and Sarah (Smith) Chesley.
Samuel m. ____ Hall; 1. in Canada.  
    Ch., Amos, Ezra. and others.
Lemuel.
Nathaniel b. 1780; m. 1804, Lovey Eiliot.
Alpheus.
Joseph b. 1796; m. Polly Twombly, (2) Elizabeth Bell, (3) ____ Gerrish.
Lottie m John Green.
Daughter m. ____ Clough.
Daughter m. John Peavey.

11. Col. Ebenezer Meserve (Clement3, Daniel2, Clement1), born 1746, married Eunice, daughter of Vincent, and Lois (Pinkham) Torr.   He died 20 Sept. 1822, aged 76.  She died 17 Feb. 1826, aged 74.
Col. Vincent m. 20 Oct. 1796, Hannah Crommett.
A dau. Eunice m. (1) Issac Demeritt, (2) David Davis.

15. Ebenezer b. 1769; m. 1797, Joanna Smith.
Deborah m. 7 May 1789, John Demeritt.
Susan m. 22 Jan. 1799, John Hooper.
Eunice m. 20 April 1795, John Crommett, (2) 26 May 1822, Nathaniel Edgerly.

12. Clement Meserve (Clement3, Daniel2, Clement1), born 1748, married Lydia Tuttle.
Hon. Silas b. 1770; m. Betsey Meserve.
Ephraim b. 1773; m. Sarah Gray.
Isaac m. Betsey Pinkham. 
Ch., Warren and Sally.  The latter m. Daniel Elkins.Susanna b. 1772, d.s.p.

13. Stephen Meserve (Clement3, Daniel2, Clement1), born 1750, married Abigail Yeaton.  The will of his mother, Abigail Meserve, 26 Oct. -6 Nov. 1801, names the following children of Stephen Meserve, viz., John, Stephen, Hopley, Comfort, Abigail and Betty.  Samuel Plumer was appointed guardian of Betsy, Stephen, John, Hopley, Samuel, minors, 13 May 1795, and of Polly and Abigail, minors, upward of 14 years of age, 14 Nov. 1795, children of Stephen Meserve late of Rochester.

Hopley Meserve, son of Stephen, was born in 1789 and married Joanna Twombly.  Ch., Stephen b. 1811, m. Mary J. Stackpole, Hopley b. 1813, m. Almira Lydston, Charles b. 1815, m. Betsey M. Roberts, Henry H. m. mary J. ____, John S. m. (1) Ruth M. Bucks, (2) Pamelia T. Boynton, Louisa F. m. (1) David M. Hayes, (2) Stephen M. Mathes.

Fifth Generation

14. Samuel Meserve (Daniel4, Daniel3, Daniel2, Clement1), born 1777, married 30 dec. 1804, sarah, daughter of John and Deborah (Durrell) Pendergast.

Samuel b. 1805; m. (1) Abigail Hill and had 2 ch., who d. young, (2) Lavinia O. Osgood.  An adopted dau., m. Hon. Warren Brown of Hampton Falls.
Harry b. 1806; d. young.
Daniel b. 1808; m. Marcia Hanson, s. p.
John P. b. 1810, m. Rebecca Eaton. Ch., John P. and Sarah who m. M. Gear.
Ebenezer D. b. 1812, m. Lucretia Rogers.  Ch., Eben b. 1833 who m. Martha J. Sheperd and had a son George Albert; Lucretia M. b. 1849, who m. William Dixon, several who d. young.
Nicholas D. b. 1814; m. Eliza Pendergast, s; p.
George W. b. 1816; m. 6 March 1840, Clymena, dau. of Paul and Polly (Demeritt) Chesley.  Ch., Plycentia who m. Moses Chadbourne, and Finetta who m. Wm. Brown.
James D. b. 1820; m. Caroline Miles.
Charles R. m. 8 Jan. 1846, Sophronia Tucker, (2) Amy E. Brown.  Ch., George, Caroline who m. Richard H. Tuttle, Judith who m. 28 March 1875, David B. Hayes.
Mary Jane b. 1818; m. Philip Chesley.
Sarah Ann d. young.
15.  Ebenezer Meserve (Col. Ebenzer$, Clement3, Daniel2, Clement1), born 1769, married, 24 Sept. 1797, Joanna, daughter of Major Danile and Mary (Gilmore) Smith, (2) Mary (Clark) Hooper.  He died in 1843.
Daniel d. young.
Deborah b. 1800; m. Smith Chapman of Newmarket.
Eunice b. 1802; d. unm.
16. Daniel Smith b. 1805; m. Abigail Emerson.
John S. b. 1807; m. 22 Sept. 1831, Ann Hill, (2) Mehitable (Torr) Forbes, (3) Mary Jane Anthoine.  Dau. by last marriage, Elizabeth, m. Wilber Porter.
Eliza b. 1808; d. young.
Alfred b. 1812; d. young.
Col. Henry m. Elizabeth Abbie Tuttle; 1. in Dover.  Ch., Alfred H. b. 1856, d. young; Joanna M. b. 1848, d. abt. 1860; Augusta H. b. 1850, d. 1868.
Polly m. James Colman.  Ch., Polly G., m. 30 Sept. 1840, Wm. H. Robinson of Exeter and had 4 ch.
Lavina b. 1810; d. young.
Caroline d. 9 Dec. 1836, aged 17.

Sixth Generation

16. Daniel Smith Meserve (Ebenezer5, Ebenzer4, Clement3, Daniel2, Clement1), born 1805, married, 9 April 1837, Abigail, daughter of Andrew and Betsey (Dermeritt) Emerson, who was born 27 April 1813.   He died 23 Aug. 1841, aged 36.  Had one son:
17.  Winthrop Smith b. 7 Feb. 1838, m. Eliza Ann Tuttle.

Seventh Generation

17. Dea. Winthrop Smith Meserve [See page 316 of Vol. I. and frontispiece of this volume.]  born 7 Feb. 1838, married, 30

The Above Article was Contributed by Steven Paul Meservey

Who Was Who in America, Historical Volume 1607 - 1896

Meserve, Nathaniel, army officier; b. Newingham, N. H., circa 1705; s. Clement and Elizabeth (Jones) M.; m. Jane Libby, 1725; m. 2d, Mary (Odiorne) Jackson, June 18, 1747; 11 children. Servered as lt, col. Moore's N. H. Regt. in seige of Louisbourg, 1745; built Brit. frigate America, 1749; served as col. N.H. Regt. at Ft. Edward, 1758; built barracks and storehouses, Halifax, 1757. Died of smallpox, Louisburg, N. H., June 28, 1758

The above article was contributed by the Webmaster

Who Was Who in America, Vol. I, 1897 - 1942

MESERVE, Charles Francis, educator; b. North Abington, Mass., July 15, 1850; s. Charles and Susanna (Blanchard) M.; A. B. Colby Univ., 1877, A. M. 1880 (LL.D., 1899); m. Abbie Mary Whittier, Nov. 19, 1878; children -- Alice Whittier, Meserve; m. 2d, Julia Frances Philbrick, May 16, 1900.  Prin. high sch., Rockland, Mass., 1877-85, Oak St. Sch., Springfield, Mass., 1885-89; supt., Haskell Inst., U.S. Indian Industrial training sch., Lawrence, Kan., 1889-94; pres. Shaw U., 1894-1920, pres. emeritus, 1920 --, also trustee.  Frequently gives public addresses on the Negro and Indian problems.  In 1896, as agt. Nat. Indian Right Assn. of Phila., facilitated the work of the Dawes Commn. in Indian Ty. by a personal investigation and a favorable report.   Elected pres. Me. Meserve Family Assn., 1922, reelected for life, 1920.   Baptist, Republician. Died April 20, 1936.

MESERVE, Harry Chamberlain, sec. Nat. Assn. Cotton Mfrs.; b. Quincy, Ill., July 12, 1868; s. Harry and Nancy Lucenia (Chamberlain) M.; grad. Lowell (Mass) High School., 1886; B. D., Yale, 1894; post-grad study, Yale, 1895; m. Bertha Francis Murkland, may 23, 1894.  Ordained Congl. ministry, 1894; pastor Faith Ch., Springfield, Mass., 1893-1900, Plymouth Ch., Indianapolis, 1900-03, First Ch., Danbury, Conn., 1903-14, Rye, N. Y., 1914-17. Captain, chaplain 68th Coast Arty., A.E.F., 1917-19; maj. M.I.O.R.C. Lecturer Nat. Industrial Conf. Bd., 1920-21; sec. nat. Assn. Cotton Mfrs., 1921 --. Mem. Loyal Legion, Republician, Mason, Home: Brookline, Mass. Deceased.

The above articles were contributed by the Webmaster

Who Was Who in America - Vol II

Meserve, John Bartlett, lawyer; b. Waterloo, Ind., Nov. 17, 1869; s. True Whitcher and Atline Nancy ( Stearns ) M. ; grad. Dickinson County High Sch., Chapman; Kan., 1892; m. Elizabeth Myrtle Broughton, Dec. 28, 1898; 1 dau., Naomi Helen ( Mrs. Glen Arthur Campbell ). Admitted to Colo. bar, 1895, and began practice at Las Animas, Mem. Colo. Ho. of Rep., 1903; pres. bd. of free-holders which framed municipal charter of Tulsa, Okla., 1908; asst. U.S. atty. for Eastern Dist. of Okla., 1908-13; municipal counsellor, Tulsa, 1915-17; asst. counsel U.S. Shipping Bd., Washington, D. C., 1914-1925. Mem. Am. and Okla. state bar assns., Okla. Soc. S.A.R. ( state pres. 1928 ) Okla. State Hist. Soc. (dir.), N.H. State Hist. Soc., Soc. Colonial Wars. Republican, Episcopalian, Mason ( K. T., Shriner ). Club; Tulsa. Contbr. many hist. and biog. sketches to eastern mags. Home: Ambassador Hotel. Office Kennedy Bldg., Tulsa, Okla. Died Jan. 1, 1943

Who Was Who in America, Vol. IV, 1961-1968

MESERVE, Frederic Hill, textile mfg. exec.; b. Boston, Nov. 1, 1865; s. Rec. William Neal and Abby Augusta (Hill) M.; student Colo. Coll., 1882-85, Mass. Inst. Tech., 1889-91; Litt. D., Lincoln Meml. U., 1940; m. Edith Turner, Nov 6, 1899; children -- Frederick Leighton, Dorothy Turner (Mrs. Phillip B. Kunhardt), Helen (Mrs. R. Townley Paton), Engring. and archtl. work, colo., 1884-89; treas. Farnsworth Co., Cowen Woolen Co., otherwoolen mills in N.E., 1897 --; exec. dir. Deering Milliken & Co. Corps., 1897 --. Mem. N.Y. Stock Exchange, 1909-19, N.Y. Cotton Exchange, 1932-48. Mem. N.Y. Hist. Soc., N. Y. Civil War Round Table (hon. Pres.), other hist. socs., Century Assn., Order of Loyal Legion. Author: Photographs of Abraham Lincoln; also privately printed hist. monographs, Owner large collection hist. Matters. Home: 148 E. 78th St., N.Y.C. 10021, Office: 240 Church Street., N.Y.C. 10013. Died June 25, 1962.

The above article was contributed by the Webmaster

Who's Who in America 47th Edition, Vol II

MESERVE, RICHARD ANDREW, lawyer; b. Medford, Mass., Nov. 20, 1944; s. Robert William and Gladys Evangline (Swenson) M.; m. Martha Ann Richards, Sept. 20, 1966; children: Amy, Lauren, BA, Tufts U., 1966; JD, Harvard U., 1975; PhD in Applied Physics, Stamford U., 1976. Bar; Mass. 1975, D.C. 1980. U.S. Supreme Ct. 1982. Law clk. Mass. Supreme Jud. Ct., Boston, 1975-76; law clk. to presiding justice U.S. Supreme Ct., Washington, 1976-77; legal counsel Pres. Sci. Adviser, Washington, 1977-81; ptnr. Covington & Burling, Washington, 1981--; chmn. NAScom. to assess safety and technical issues at Dept. of Energy Reactors, 1987-88 and com. on fuel economy of automobiles and light trucks, 1991-92.  Fellow Am. Physical Soc. Democrat. Avocations: tennis, sailing, hiking. Home: 708 Berry St Falls Church VA 22042-2402 Office: Covington & Burling PO Box 7566 1201 Pennsylvania Ave NW Washington DC 20044

MESERVE, WALTER JOSEPH, drama studies educator; b. Portland, Maine,  Mar. 10, 1923; s. Walter Joseph and Bessie Adelia (Bailey) M.; m. Mollie Ann Lacey, June 18, 1981; children by revious marriage -- Gayle Ellen, Peter haynes, Jo Alison, David Bryan.  Student, Portland Jr. Coll., 1941-42; A. B. Bates Coll., Lewiston, Maine, 1947; MA, Boston U., 1948; PhD, U. Wash, Seattle, 1952. Instr. to prof. U. Kans, Lawrence, 1951-68; prof. dramatic lit. and theory Ind. U., Bloomington, 1968-88, assoc. dean rsch. and grad. devel., 1980-83, dir. Inst. for Am. Theatre Studies, 1983-88; disting. prof. grad. ctr. CUNY, N.Y.C. 1988 --; v.p. Feedback Svcs., N.Y.C. 1983 --.  Author; History of American Drama, 1965, Robert Sherwood, 1970, An Emerging Entertainment, 1977, Heralds of Promise, 1986, A Chronological Outline of World Threatre, 1992; editor; Plays of WD Howells, 1960; editor in chief Feedback Theatrebooks, 1985 --; co-editor jour. Am. Drama and Theatre 1989 --; co-compiler; Who's Where in the American Theatre, 1990, 3rd edit., 1992; mem. adv. bd. College Literature, 1990 --; co-compiler Playhouse America!, 1991, The Theatre Lover's Cookbook, 1992.   With AC. US Army, 1943-46.  Fellow NEH, 1974-75. 83-84, 88-89, Rockefeller Found., 1979, Guggenheim Found, 1984-85.  Mem. Am. Soc. for Threatre Rsch. (exec. com. 1980-83), Cosmos Club.  Office: CUNY Grad Ctr PhD Theater and English Programs 33 W 42nd St New York NY 10036-8003 also: Feedback Sves 305 Madison Ave Ste 1146 New York NY 10165

The above articles were contributed by the Webmaster

Source:  History of Gorham, p. 674-677

  George Meserve

MESERVE, GEORGE. Distributer of Stamps for New Hampshire, and Collector of the Customs at Portsmouth; was proscribed by the Act of New Hampshire of 1778, and his estate confiscated. He was a native of Portsmouth, and his father, who was a ship-carpenter by trade, was Lieutenant-Colonel of the New Hampshire troops at the siege of Louisburg in 1745, and was engaged in the expedition against that city in 1758. History assigns to Colonel Meserve the device of constructing the rude sledges on which the cannon were drawn over the morasses near Louisburg during the first siege. George, the son, while in England, received the appointment of' Stamp Distributer; and embarking for home, arrived at Boston in September of' 1765. Before landing, he was informed of the opposition to the Act, and was advised to resign his office, which he did. Before his resignation was known at Portsmouth, "the people" placed an effigy in the front of the jail, representing Lord Bute, Meserve, and the Devil. "A board was extended from the mouth of the Devil to Meserve's ear, on which was written:--

" George, my son, you are rich in station,

  But I would have you serve this nation."

After his arrival at town, and before going to his family, he resigned a second time, on the parade-ground. Subsequently, on receiving his commission, the Sons of Liberty compelled him publicly to surrender that instrument, which they bore about the town on the point of a sword; and required of him on oath, before Justice Claggett, that he would not directly or indirectly attempt the performance of official duty.    After the repeal of' the Act, and on the arrival of Secretary Conway's circular in 1766, enclosing a resolution of Parliament to the effect that the Colonies should make recompence to such persons as had suffered injury or damage in consequence of their assisting to execute the Act, Meserve applied to the Assembly of New Hampshire for compensation, which application was referred to a committee, who made a report adverse to his claim, and it was dismissed. He afterwards went to England, and obtained the office of Comptroller of the Customs at Boston; but, by permission of the British Government, he exchanged places with Robert Hallowell, Collector of the Customs at Portsmouth. This collectorship was worth about £600 sterling per annum; and Meserve held it for some years, until the beginning of the Revolution. He retired from New Hampshire in 1776, and accompanied the British Army to Halifax. One of his daughters was wife of James Sheafe, Senator in Congress, who purchased the family mansion.

Source: Biographical Sketches of Loyalists of the American Revolution with an Historical Essay, Volume II, p. 77-78 by Lorenzo Sabine, Little Brown & Co. Boston  1864

Source: p. 83 from Reminiscences of New Hamptom, NH Also A Genealogical Sketch of The Kelly and Simpson Families and an Autobiography by Frank H. Kelley MD Fellow of The Mass. Medical Society -  Worcester, MA - Printed by Charles Hamilton

A. B. Meservey bought store at toll bridge across from the Pemigewasset River, previous owner was daughter of Capt. Daniel Smith.  Source: p. 52, from the above.

Lucy Meserve Smith

December, 1846

"We moved down to Winter Quarters when my babe was two weeks old. There we lived in a cloth tent until December, then we moved into a log cabin, ten feet square with sod roof, chimney and only the soft ground for a floor and poor worn cattle beef and corn cracked on a hand mill, for our food. Here I got scurvy, not having any vegetables to eat. I got so low I had to wean my baby and he had to be fed on that coarse cracked corn bread when he was only five months old. We had no milk for a while till we could send to the herd and then he did very well till I got better. My husband took me in his arms and held me till my bed was made nearly every day for nine weeks. I could not move an inch. Then on the 9th of February I was 30 years old. I had nothing to eat but a little corn meal gruel. I told the folks I would remember my birthday dinner when I was 30 years old. My dear baby used to cry till It seemed as tho I would jump off my bed when it came night. I would get so nervous, but I could not even speak to him. I was so helpless I could not move myself in bed or speak out loud . . . When I got better I had not a morsel in the house I could eat, as my mouth was so sore. I could not eat corn bread and I have cried hours for a morsel to put in my mouth. Then my companion would take a plate and go around among the neighbors and find some one cooking maybe a calf’s pluck. He would beg a bit to keep me from starving. I would taste it and then I would say oh do feed my baby. My appetite would leave me when I would think of my dear child. My stomach was hardening from the want of food.

The next July my darling boy took sick and on the 22nd, the same day that his father and Orson Pratt came into the valley of the great Salt lake my only child died. I felt so overcome in my feelings. I was afraid I would loose my mind, as I had not fully recovered from my sickness the previous winter."

(Lucy Meserve Smith, Autobiography, 1888-1890, typescript, HDC.)

Photograph source: A.J. Marik

Meservey, Robert Preston (Am. act.)

Preston, Robert original name ROBERT PRESTON MESERVEY (b. June 8, 1918, Newton Highlands, Mass., U.S.--d. March 21, 1987, Santa Barbara, Calif.), versatile American actor best known for his role as Professor Harold Hill in The Music Man on the Broadway stage in 1957 and in the 1962 film.

Source: Britannica Online

THE ALEXANDER MESERVE FAMILY

Alexander Meserve was presumably born in Brownfield around 1835. He married a widow, Mrs. Mary Thurston Seavey of the Conway Road in Brownfield on the place now owned and occupied by Burton Brooks and his family.

Alex, as he was always known, and Mary had three children - Wilbur, Ida May, and Gertrude. All attended the ungraded public school at Merrill's Corner. Wilbur, the eldest, married and moved to another town while his sisters were still in the school. He married first, Genevieve Moulton, who
died in 1902, second, Angie Chadbourne, who died in 1964. He lived in Parsonsfield, then in Waterboro, and later in Portland, where he died in 1965.

Alex Meserve died in 1888. His widow and younger children continued to live in Brownfield for a number of years. Later they moved to So. Conway, Known as Goshen, N. H. Afterwards, to Parsonsfield where Mary Meserve died.  Her daughter Ida married Horace Wyman Phillips of Portland, Maine and moved there where she spent the rest of her life.

Ida and Horace had two children- a daughter who died in childhood and a son, Norman, who is married and lives with his family not far from his father's home in Portland. Ida died on May 31, 1965. Horace is still living.

Gertrude Meserve, the youngest daughter of Alex and Mary Meserve, married George Mathes and moved with him to Oakland, California, where she spent the rest of her life. Gertrude and George had two daughters. Gertrude died in 1941, her husband in 1956. At last report the daughters are living.

Source: THE HISTORY OF BROWNFIELD, MAINE by William Teg, D.P.T., D.O. and Phd. Printed in Cornish in 1966.

MESERVE, FRANK PIERCE, merchant, was born Nov. 30, 1852, in Rochester, N. H. He attended the West Lebanon academy, Maine, and subsequently moved to Redlands, Cal., where he is a successful clothing merchant. For four years he was a member of the city council, and for two years was library trustee. In 1894 he was a candidate for the California state assembly. He is a prominent member of various fraternal orders, and takes an active part in public affairs.

Source: Thomas William Herringshaw, Encyclopedia of American Biography, p.564

MESERVE, Charles Francis, educator, was born in North Abington, Mass., July 15, 1850; son of Charles and Susanna (Blanchard) Meserve; grandson of Solomon Meserve, of Dresden, Maine, who died in the service of his country in the war of 1812, and a descendant of Clement Meserve, who came from the Isle of Jersey and settled in New Hampshire about 1670.

He attended the public schools of North Abington; assisted his father in shoemaking, 1864-69; was prepared for college at the Classical institute, Waterville, Maine, and was graduated at Colby university, Waterville, A.B., 1877, A.M., 1880. He was the principal of the high school at Rockland, Mass., 1877-85; principal of the Oak Street school, Springfield, Mass., 1885-89; superintendent of Haskell institute, the U.S. Indian industrial training school at Lawrence, Kan., 1889-94, and in 1894 became president of Shaw university at Raleigh, N.C. He served as a special agent of the National Indian Rights association of Philadelphia in 1896, making a personal investigation of the work of the Dawes Commission among the five civilized tribes in the Indian Territory. His report was favorable to the work of the commission, Ex-Senator Dawes stating that this report made possible the subsequent success of the Dawes Commission.

He was married, Dec. 19, 1878, to Abbie Mary, daughter of David and Mary (Ricker) Whittier, of Bangor, Maine. His wife died Oct. 6, 1898, leaving a daughter, Alice Whittier, who was in 1902 a student at, Vassar college. On May 16, 1900, he was married to Julia Francis, daughter of John White and Julia (Moore) Philbrick, of Waterville, Maine.

He received the honorary degree of LL.D. from Colby in 1900. He delivered addresses, contributed articles on the Negro and Indian problems, and is the author of the History of the Towns of Abington, Whitman and Rockland, in Lewis's History of Plymouth County, Mass. (1884).

Source: The 20th Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Vol.7, p.360

Clement Messervy, age 54 in Dec. 1706, undoubtedly from Jersey and considered son of Jean and Marie (Machon). Clement came to Strawberry Banke, (the early name for Portsmouth, NH) and lived early with Richard Cutts to keep his cattle. Clement is on the tax list of Portsmouth, NH, in 1673 and he took the oath of allegiance on Aug 28, 1685.

In 1693 he owned a pew in the North Church, Portsmouth. On Feb 23, 1705 he deeded his home at Welch Cove to wife Elizabeth, then in the event of her death to son John, with 1 shilling each to other sons and daughters. On Aug 6, 1710, Clement signed an agreement giving the home to his son Clement in return for care which indicates that John must of died between 1705 and 1710.

Sources: Genealogical Dictionary of Maine & New Hampshire by Noyes, Libby & Davis and from "The Meserve Family, the First Four Generations" with Ancestry of Clement Meserve of Portsmouth, NH. Compiled by the Meserve Family Association; Edited by Michael J. Denis; Published by Danbury House, P.O. Box 253, Oakland, ME 04963 (R 929.2 M 559)

"Pioneers of Popular Litature"

By George Waldo Browne

Col. Arthur L. Meserve

Two more New Hampshire authors won their first recognition here, Clara Augusta Jones, better known "Clara Augusta," and Col. Arthur L. Meserve, who wrote under more than a dozen pen names, and used to turn out a novel of from fifty to sixty thousand words in a week. He at one time wrote every alternate number of Munro’s "Ten-Cent Novels." Among his pseudonyms were "Burke Brentford," "Capt. L. C. Carleton," "L. Augustus Jones."

Col. Arthur Livermore Meserve was the only son Isaac and Louisa (Garland) Meserve, and he came from talented ancestors. The Meserves were Huguenots who were driven from France on account of their religion. They first went to the Isle of Jersey, and from there’, Portsmouth, N. H., about 1638. They were active in the border wars of New England. Arthur wrote his first sketch for the Olive Branch when he was only fifteen. Besides his literary work, he was active for several years in political affairs, holding many positions of trust and honor winning his title on the staff of Governor Weston. He never married, living with his sister until his death, December 13, 1896. He was one of the handsomest men I ever met, tall and superb of figure, and his cordiality won for him friends wherever he was known.

Source: Granite State Magazine, Vol III, No. 2, Feb 1907 -- Photo from p. 49, above excerpt taken from p. 55 - 56.

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