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Early Families of
Standish, Maine by Albert J. Sears, pages 159 - 163.
MESERVE
One branch of the Meserve family was well represented in Pearsontown in
its earliest days. The best representative was Clement Meserve Sr., who was born in
Portsmouth or Newington, NH, about 1703, son of Clement and Elizabeth (Jones) Meserve. He
evidently followed his father to Scarboro, but is known to have been one of the dwellers
in fort on Fort Hill in Gorham during the seven-year Indian War beginning in 1745. It is
likely that along with the Thorn family he and several of his sons were among the earliest
inhabitants of Pearsontown, perhaps as early as 1753.
On Dec. 28, 1768, Moses Pearson of Falmouth sold to Clement Meserve of
Pearsontown "for five shillings and in consideration of said Clement's having
performed settlement according to Act of General Court one whole right in
Pearsontown," this is to say the 30-acre lot #4 in first division with the after
divisions belonging to right No. 4, a 5-acre lot near the meeting house being already
confirmed to said Clement, all according to the agreement made with said Clement Meserve
Mar. 25, 1755 (5/200). It was on lot #4 near where the Congregational Church now stands
that he settled, selling it together with #3 belonging to his son John to Daniel Hasty of
Scarboro on Apr. 11, 1770 (5/295). The 5-acre lot that he owned, which was #8, was sold
together with 5-acre lot #9 owned by his son John to Rev. John Tompson of Pearsontown on
Apr. 9, 1770 (8/462). It was about this time that he moved to Bristol, Maine, in company
with his sons John and Clement Jr., his son-in-law Timothy Crocker, and their families.
Clement Meserve Sr. married in Newington, NH, on Oct. 13, 1726, Sarah Decker of that
town, who probably died before his marriage on Aug. 14, 1738, to Mrs. Sarah Stone of
Scarboro. Children were as follows: By first wife, Sarah Decker:
i. JOHN, bapt. Oct. 13, 1728 moved to Gorham with his father and later followed him to
Pearsontown. He as one of the men making up the guard at the fort in Pearsontown on Apr.
16, 1755, but was living in Gorham on Aug. 12, 1760, when he sold land and buildings in
that town to Nathaniel Whitney. He is given as a resident of Pearsontown on Aug. 10, 1765,
when he sold to David Gorham of Barnstable, Mass., 100 acres of land in Gorham (4/381),
this probably being the same land he purchased from Gorham on Aug. 29, 1753. He secured by
right of settlement the 30-acre lot #3 in Pearsontown, which James Lunt of Falmouth
confirmed to him on Apr. 11, 1770, and the 5-acre lot #9, which he sold to the Rev.
JohnTompson on Apr. 9, 1770 (8/462). He moved to Bristol, Maine, with his father about
1771 but later returned to Standish at least by 1792. He may have been the John Harvey
listed as living in Standish at the time of the 1790 census with a family of 3-1-2 since
the name of Meserve appears as 'Misharvey' or 'Harvey' in many of the early records. At
the time of the 1800 census he was living in Standish with a family consisting of him and
his wife, one male and one female between 26 and 45 and one female under 10 yrs. of age.
He is also listed on the 1795, 1796, and 1799 tax lists of Standish.
John Meserve married first in Mar. 1757 Mary Yetty or Yeaton of Gorham,
he being given as an inhabitant of Pearsontown in the intentions filed in Falmouth on Mar.
4, 1757. She evidently died a few years later, perhaps following the birth of their son
William, for he married second on Jan. 28, 1762, Sarah Strout, both being listed as
residents of Pearsontown. She may have been the daughter of John and Ruth (Mayo) Strout
who were living in Pearsontown prior to 1760. He is said to have died at the home of a
daughter in Bridgton, Maine. Children by both marriages were as follows: By first
marriage:
1. ELIZABETH OR BETSEY, born Apr. 14, 1760, died June 29, 1804, married
(int. May 6, 1780) in Gorham, Isaac York of Pearsontown, Aug. 15, 1758, son of Abram and
Lydia (Jordan) York of Pearsontown. They were the parents of nine children, list of whom
may be found in the records of the York family. Following her death in 1804, he married
second on Oct. 20, 1805, Polly Merrow, born Nov. 1, 1776, daughter of William and Margaret
(Haley) Merrow of Standish, by whom he had five more children. He died Nov. 24, 1846, and
she on Nov. 22, 1861.
2. WILLIAM, born in 1761, may have been married twice. A William Meserve married Polly
Dustin of Bethel in 1788 with Simon Frye Esq. of Fryeburg officiating. If this was the
William Meserve of Standish, his wife must have died, for on Nov. 16, 1797, he married
Mary (Davis) Boulter, widow of Lemuel Boulter of Standish. They had daughters: Polly, born
Mar. 22, 1799, bapt. July 18, 1799, and Eunice, born Sept. 2, 1802. At the time of the
1800 census he was living in Standish with a family consisting of him and his wife, one
female under 10 yrs. of age and one between 10 and 16 yrs. old, the latter probably being
Ruth Boulter, daughter of his wife by her first marriage. They are said to have moved to
Illinois about 1823.
By second wife:
3. JOSEPH, nothing further known.
4. CLEMENT, lost at sea.
5. JANE, married Josiah Segar of Rumford on Mar. 6, 1788. They lived in Rumford,
Standish, and Unity, Maine.
6. DORCAS, married Feb. 6, 1792, David Kneeland of Bridgton, born Jan.
5, 1770, son of David and Sarah (Smith) Kneeland. They lived in Bridgton and Sweden,
Maine. She died about 1815; he married second Dec. 25, 1822, Hannah, widow of Jacob
Gibson. He died in 1833. For children see Kneeland family.
7. SARAH, married Jan. 5, 1800, Caleb Dodge of Bridgton. They had a daughter Eleanor, born
Aug. 18, 1800.
8. JOHN, born Aug. 11, 1775, married Apr. 26, 1797 (int. Mar. 14, 1797,
in Standish) Mary (Polly) Blaban or Laban of Wells, Maine. Following her death he married
second Dec. 1, 1816, in Albion, Eunice (Myrick) Bither, widow of Stephen. He died Apr. 24,
1865, age 90 yrs., in Monroe.
9. CHARLES, born about 1774, married Sept. 30, 1798, Mary Cookson, bapt. June 5, 1774,
born about 1770 daughter of Reuben and Mary (York) Cookson of Standish. They moved to
Unity, Maine, and about 1813 -1814 settled in North Belmont, Maine. He was on a list of
voters there in 1840 but at the time of the 1850 census was living in Standish in the
family of Samuel York, age 76. He served in the War of 1812 from Belmont. He died in
Morrill in Jan. 1861 and his wife died at North Belmont on July 17, 1840, age 70. They had
the following children:
(1) SARAH, born Jan. 2, 1800, married Mar. 13, 1823, Samuel York, born July 4, 1802,
son of Isaac and Betsey (Meserve) York, her cousin. She died Jan. 24, 1863, and he June 14
or 28, 1883. For children see York family.
(2) POLLY, died yoking.
(3) CHARLES JR., born Aug. 14, 1806, died Aug. 21, 1876, married Sarah V. Smith, born
June 20, 1812, daughter of Daniel and Lucy (Cookson) Smith of Hollis, Maine, his cousin.
She died at Morrill, Maine, on July 6, 1901. They had six children born in North Belmont,
Maine.
ii. ELIZABETH, born Sept. 2, 1730, bapt. Nov. 21,
1731, probably died young.
iii. ELIZABETH, bapt. Sept. 2, 1733, married about
1750 Col. Edmund Phinney of Gorham, born in Barnstable, Mass., July 27, 1723, son of John
and Martha (Cookson) Phinney. They were the parents of nine children. She died on Aug. 6,
1795, age 65, and he married second on Nov. 21, 1796, Mrs. Sarah Stevens, widow of
Benjamin Stevens. He died Dec. 15, 1808, age 85.
iv. CLEMENT JR., born Sept. 2, 1733, bapt. Nov. 11,
1733, lived in Gorham, as did his father, before settling in Pearsontown. He, together
with his brothers John and Joseph, was among the eight men hired Apr. 15, 1755, for two
months' service as a guard for the fort at Pearsontown. He secured title to the 5-acre lot
#5 by right of settlement and sold it to Benjamin Titcomb of Falmouth on Mar. 28, 1771
(8/395). On Oct. 28, 1762, Isaac Illesley of Falmouth sold Clement Meserve Jr. of
Pearsontown one whole right of land in Pearsontown including the 30-acre lot #69 in the
first division, it being 1/23 of the township (5/395). Moses Pearson of Falmouth deeded to
him by right of settlement the 30-acre lot #70 on Feb. 9, 1769 (6/311). These two lots he
sold to William Hasty of Scarboro on Aug. 3, 1771, at which' time he was still living in
Pearsontown. However, it was soon after this time that he moved to Bristol, Maine, with
his father and brothers.
Clement Meserve Jr. married on Sept. 19, 1757, Mary Wooster, both being
given as inhabitants of Pearsontown when their intentions of marriage were filed on Feb.
25, 1757, in Falmouth. She probably was the daughter of James and Patience (Mills) (Low)
Wooster o1 Falmouth. James Wooster was shot to death in Pear-sontown on Mar. 13, 1757, by
one John Clark. For details of this affair see Clark family. Mary (Wooster) Meserve died
in June 1834, age 92 yrs., Palermo (Christian Mirror, issue of July 17, 1834). Clement Jr.
and Mary (Wooster) Meserve were the parents of the following family:
1. PATIENCE, bapt. June 10, 1770, in Pearsontown.
2. LUCY, bapt. June 10, 1770, in Pearsontown, was
perhaps the Lucy Meservy of Bristol who
married (int. June I0, 1787) Richard
Christy of that town.
3. SARAH, born Mar. 11, 1766, died Oct. 14, 1831, age 65, married Nov.
20, 1794, Richard Paine, born Sept. 24, 1773, son of Joseph and Phebe (Rich) Paine of
Standish. For children see Paine family.
v. HANNAH, bapt. Mar. 7, 1736, married in Dec. 1754
Timothy Crocker. For children see Crocker family.
vi. JOSEPH, bapt. Dec. 3, 1738, was of Pearsontown on
May 6, 1758, when his intentions of marriage to Mary Martin, bom July 7, 1741, daughter of
John and Margaret ( ) Martin of Brunswick were recorded in Falmouth. He was one of eight
men comprising the guard at the fort in Pearsontown on Apr. 16, 1755. He is said to have
lived later on in Union, Maine, and to have had several children, but nothing further has
been discovered concerning him. By second wife Sarah ( ) Stone:
vii. MARGARET, bapt. Aug. 23, 1741, is listed of Pearsontown at the time her intentions
of marriage to William Wescott were filed on Sept.' 22, 1756. Their marriage in Feb. 1757
was recorded in Gotham. They settled in Scarboro and raised a family of ten children.
viii. BENJAMIN, bapt. July 4, 1744, was married and had sons Joseph who
married Letty Martin and George who moved to Ohio, but nothing further is known. He lived
at Bristol, Maine.
ix. NATHANIEL, born Jan. 26, 1748, bapt. Jan. 20, 1749, in Windham and married Rebecca
Marlin and settled in Bristol, Maine, where he was living in 1790 with a family of 4-1-5.
He and Rebecca were living in 1806 at Appleton, Maine, when they give their place to
Charles and Nancy (Meserve) Bryant who left about 1814 and went west. He died in Oct.
1815. Children were as follows:
1. NATHANIEL JR., born Feb. 5. 1769, married Ruth Winslow (int. Nov.
24, 1794, at Bristol). He lived in Jefferson and Morrill, Maine, and had eight children
among whom was Alden born about 1807. He died May 19, 1849, age 80, in Hope, now Appleton,
Maine.
2. JOHN, born 1770, married at Bristol, Martha McLain on Jan. 9, 1794.
3. WILLIAM, born 1773, married Damaris Whitney.
4. SAMUEL.
5. ELIZABETH OR BETSEY, married Fergus McLain (int. Oct. 9, 1785, at
Bristol).
6. SARAH, married Zedediah or Prince Pease (int. Oct.12, 1790).
7. JENNIE, married -- Meservey.
8. ANNE OR ANNIE, married Butler.
9. NANCY, married Charles Bryant and about 1814 they went
west.
Alvin Rand Meserve 1833-1912
History of Pomona
Valley, California by A. L. Hickson, published 1920 by Historic Record Company p. 441-442
A pioneer of California since the early fifties, and also of the first settlers in
Pomona Valley, Alvin Rand Meserve can rightfully be called an upbilder of the state, and
more particularly of that portion of it enclosed in this beautiful Valley, and that part
called Southern California. A man of strong character and convictions, which he
inhertited from his New England ancestry, he upheld the best interests of each community
in which he made his home and had the foresight to see where the real interests lay for
future posterity. Born June 23, 1833, in South Gorham, Maine, Mr. Meserve is a son
os Samuel and Hanna (Green) Meserve, both ardent workers for the temperance movement.
In 1852, at the age of nineteen years, Alvin R. made the long journey to California,
and in Sacramento he found employment as a clerk in the wholesale house of Crocker
Brothers. Later he was with his brother, William II, who was in business in the
little mining town of Prairie City. His marriage, at Sacramento, united him with
Elizabeth Holser, the daughter of a '49er, the ceremony taking place in 1860, and the
young couple left for Santa Cruz in 1865. In that city Mr. Meserve engaged in the
mercantile business and also gave his time to civic affairs, serving as county treasurer
of Santa Cruz County for four years.
In September, 1874, Mr. Meserve, with the Rev. C. F. Loop, purchased 2,200 acres of
land from the descendants of Ygnacio Palomares, the property being thereafter subdivided
into the Meserve and Loop Tract. In February, 1877, Mr. Meserve moved with his
family to this tract of land near Pomana, and used for a residence the old Palamares adobe
ranch house. For the next nineteen years he became a part of the rapidly-growing
settlement and was identified with the development of its horticultural resources as well
as taking a prominent part in all movements for upbuilding the Valley generally. In
1896 he left for Los Angeles and became horticultural commissioner, continuing in that
office until his death, his knowledge along that line of development work having been
found most valuable to the various horticultural enterprises in the southern part of the
state. His death, which occurred February 7, 1912, at the age of seventy-eight, came
at the end of a broad and useful career, and the influence of such men as he has given to
our state its present place in the sun.
Of the four children born to this pioneer couple, three are now living: Harry W.,
now living at Brawley, Imperial County; Edwin A., an attorney of Los Angeles; and Bessie,
the wife of C. E. Sumner, Elmo R., the youngest son, died at forty-two years of age.
(The above
article was contributed by Billie Jo Johnstone of Enfield, New
Hampshire)
The
History
of
Meservey, Iowa
1886 - 1986
How
Meservey Got Its Name
The town of Meservey was originally christened "Kausville",
and was first platted under that name in 1886, by Hamilton Brown and others. Karl and
George Kaus, brothers, came up from northwest of Hampton and bought a section of raw
prairie land in this locality and the original town was platted from this land.
The price paid for the section was a little less than $4 an acre, about
what taxes, etc., were worth. Farm land changed hands here those days at from $3.50 to $7
an acre.
About 1887 the railroad was talked of. S. T. Meservey, a prominent citizen of Fort Dodge, was one of the
promoters. He made visits here in connection with locating the road, and became popular
with the few settlers then living here. In 1887 the town was replatted as Meservey in
honor of the railroad promoter, and the old Mason City and Ft. Dodge railroad became a
reality in 1888, being completed late in that year. The real town of Meservey with its
railroad was then incorporated in 1893, with the late David Mosher its first mayor. The
first store building was moved in here across the country six miles from Amsterdam, the
old original town on the Iowa river, near what is now Goodell.
Thomas Elder moved it here for C. W. Reinke of Ackley. He ran the first
country store in town, started a little while before the railroad was completed.
Gilbert Thompson bought the first lot sold after the platting, from
Kaus Brothers, and built the first building erected here, and put in a hardware stock.
This was shortly followed by Dr. Boodie, with a drug store, in rented building, and later
by R. W. Baurman, druggist, who built, and stocked up, a drug store. This building now
houses Dorenkamp Construction.
Others of the first
businessmen here were Hill Brothers, general merchandise; Mosher Brothers, later buying
out Hill Brothers; R. L. Calkins now of Swaledale, hotel; Blair Barney, hotel; A. W.
Russell of Belmond, harness shop; F. D. Burlingame, insurance and real estate; O. S.
Brown, E. Russell, J. F. Zimmerman, barbers; L. Humphrey, Restaurant; W. P. Vander Zalm,
attorney; John Peters, blacksmith; Cal Dries, postmaster and store; Chris Enabnit, Sr.,
hardware; Pipert and Jager, general store.
Meservey, in its early days, boasted of a
fine half-mile race track, where many interesting "hoss-races" were run with the
usual amount of "jockeying" and betting on favorites.
Other History
In an 1895 railroad book the tracks are shown through Meservey and Kausville.
Information taken from an 1895 Cerro Gordo County Plat Book located in the Auditor's
office of the Court House at Mason City includes:
Barney and Hill - Bankers of Meservey doing a general banking, real
estate, loan and collection business. Tickets on sale for European ports; C. T. Dries -
Merchant; L. Humphreys - proprietor of City Restaurant Fancy groceries, cigars, tobacco,
ice cream and summer drinks for sale- J. J. Knoll and Co. - Dealers in hardware, stoves,
tinware, agricultural implements, wind mills, oils and paints; C. Mayer - Proprietor of
"Hotel Transient" with rates $1.00 per day - Good livery in connection; J. A.
Moran - Publisher of Meservey "Independent"; John Peters - Proprietor of general
blacksmith, wagon and repair shop; J. J. Stauffer - Land agent and conveyancer, real
estate, loan and collection agent and public auctioneer.
Farmers in Grimes Township with Meservey address: C. A. Buche, Ed Foss,
Wm. Messelheiser, N. A. Myers, J. Nissen (owner of Pleasant Hill Stock Farm), G.
Wickersheim and Hans Wohler.
From another document: In part - C. A. Des Boisay, surveyor, was called
upon by Hamilton Browne and went on April 1, 1887 to survey and lay out the town of
Meservey. As shown in the plat book comprising of the west half of the SW1/4 of Section
32, Town 94 N. Range 22 West of the 5th P.M. At the points indicated in the plat book iron
monuments 12" long and 1" in diameter driven 6" below the surface of the
ground to govern future surveys.
Hamilton Browne and Mary L. Browne of Fort Dodge and Orange National
Bank of New Jersey, Proprietors and owners of the town site . . . do hereby dedicate the
streets and alleys... to public use forever. Was sealed by above plus T. J. Smith,
President and of bank with corporate seal.
On March 3, 1888, the Cerro Gordo County treasurer, Recorder and Clerk
of District Court signed and sealed a document stating the land embraced in the Plat of
Meservey there was no tax or unredeemed tax sales against it, is owned in fee by Hamilton
Browne and the Orange National Bank free and clear and no judgments or liens of any kind
were against the owners.
The railroad ran along Des Moines Street.
In the 1910 County History of Cerro Gordo County on page 150 it states
the Meservey Messenger was founded b), Joseph Moore. Joseph Moore is the present
postmaster (1910).
On Page 251 it says Meservey has post office, lumber yard, newspaper and small bank.
The population was 234 in 1905.
Mason City and Fort Dodge Railroad built through Meservey in 1887.
Meservey is located in Grimes Township, which was formed in 1880 and named after Governor
James W. Grimes. The first settler in what is known as Grimes Township was Lorenzo Pratt
who came in 1869 and settled in Section 30.
History and Details of the Town of Meservey
Before 1890
-- GENERAL INFORMATION --
Meservey is within the Altamont Marine of the Wisconsin Glacier. It is
characterized by knobby hills 20 to 80 feet high. The depressions between the knobs formed
swamps, marshes and ponds.
The agricultural soils group is predominantly Clarion and Webster.
Drainage varies from good to poor. Much tiling was needed.
In 1882 there were vast prairie lands in this community. Large herds of
cattle were on these prairies. There were herder shacks and cattle corrals scattered
around the community.
In the spring cattle were brought in from Iowa Falls and other
communities to be herded on these prairie lands which included the land which is now
Meservey. In the late fall these cattle were returned to their owners' homes to be cared
for during the winter months. These cattle were branded and several herds roamed together
on this prairie land.
Wild game was plentiful in this period. Large flocks of Cranes and
Prairie Chickens were here. Also large flocks of wild geese and ducks were plentiful as
there were many swamps and low grounds. This also made homes for many snakes, such as
spotted adders, black snakes, garter snakes and others. Wolves and foxes were quite
common.
Land sold for about $4.00 an acre. Before the railroad came, several
old timers homesteaded in this community. Some of them were George Wickersheim, Jacob
Nissen, Albert Hartwig, Chris Mayer, C. A. Buche, Edward Foss, William Messelheiser, N. A.
Myers, Hans Wohler and others.
The town of Meservey was platted on April 7, 1887. The business places
built in this period were 2 general stores, grocery store, hardware, depot, grain
elevator, lumber yard and stock yards. A church was also built as were several homes.
There were wooden sidewalks built on Main Street and some other parts of town.
-- TOWN --
On April 7, 1887 the Town of Meservey was platted by a Hamilton Browne
and others. The surveyor was C. A. Des Boisay. This was on the east side of what is now
Main Street. Three brothers by the name of Kaus (Clark, Fred and George) owned the land
west of what is now Main Street. They wanted the town named Kausville but the railroad
officials insisted on the name of Meservey. In 1886 the railroad officials named their
station here Meservey, after the Meservey brothers who had a large investment in the
railroad. So the part on the east side of what is now Main Street was named Meservey. The
part west of what is now Main Street was soon added and named the Kausville addition to
Meservey.
The town was not incorporated at this time but the citizens wanted to
run it as a town. Blair Barney acted as mayor. Town meetings were held to take care of
various problems.
-- SCHOOL --
The children of the community attended a school one half mile north of
Meservey. It was a country school with one teacher for all grades.
-- CHURCHES --
In 1889 the Evangelical association built a church in Meservey costing
$1,628.00. Before this time services were held in the homes and country school houses.
Ministers came from the surrounding towns. Rev. Valentine Griesse was minister in charge
when the church was built. He lived in Belmond where he served a church.
Articles of Incorporation were drawn up on June 17, 1889. Signers were:
Rev. Val Griesse, F. Paul, L. S. Foell, John A. Finger, F. L. Lemke, W. F. Zager, G. C.
Yahnke, J. Nissen, C. Mayer, Walentine Corell, Henry Immel, L. S. Badker, W. C. Zager,
Charles A. Buche, Wm. Eicksladt, C. Bier, D. D. Knoll and John Corell.
Ministers were: O. Roll (1881), F. Zager (1881), M. Knoll (1882), H. Hartman
(1883-1884), H. Butz (1885), F. Belzzer (1886), D. Stabler (1887-1888) and V. Griesse
(1889).
-- POST OFFICE --
In the early 1880's the people of this community got their mail in
Sheffield. Of course there was no delivery so they often went a couple weeks without mail.
They heard of a stage coach route between Dubuque and Fort Dodge. It carried mail and
passengers and made a stop at the little town of Amsterdam, one mile east of the present
town of Goodell. Many changed their post office from Sheffield to Amsterdam, which was
less distance and they could always get their mail at least once a week.
After the railroad was built they had their Post Office in Meservey.
The first Post Office in Meservey was located in the C. J. Reinke & Son Store in
1886. (This is what we knew later as the Hulsebus Store.)
Meservey's Post Office was established May 23, 1887 with Charles Reinke as
the first Postmaster.
-- RAILROAD --
In 1885 after several families settled in this community a group of men
started making plans to build a railroad through this community to Mason City from Fort
Dodge. These plans were successful and the railroad was completed in 1886. It was called
the Mason City and Fort Dodge Short Line.
Two brothers living in Fort Dodge were named Meservey. They had large interest in the
railroad. The railroad named their station here after these brothers.
The railroad used a boxcar for the depot the first year. The first trains were a motor
car and a freight train. They ran both ways once each day.
George Calpine was the first agent. Pat Handly was the first section boss. He lived in
a small house east of the depot.
The depot was built on the east side of Main Street. This was the first building in
Meservey.
-- GENERAL STORES --
The first general store in Meservey was built by C. W. Reinke and son
William in 1886. They lived in an apartment above the store. The first Post Office was
located in this store. (This building was removed in the 1960-70 period.) Later C. W.
Reinke moved to Ackley, Iowa, leaving his son William to run the store.
Hill Brothers built the second merchandise and grocery store in 1888.
It was located south of the Reinke Store. The first floor was used for the store business
and the second floor was a large hall called Hills Hall. It was the community center where
community affairs were held such as lodges, school programs and other entertainment.
Mr. Erickson and sons built a building on the southwest corner of Main Street in 1889
and operated it as a grocery store. They called it the Corner Store.
-- HARDWARE --
The first hardware store building was moved to Meservey from Amsterdam to west Main
Street. Bert Thompson was the owner. This was in 1888. Thomas Elder moved this building.
-- ELEVATOR --
In the late 1880's the first elevator was built. It was called the Farmers Alliance
Elevator and was located north of the railroad tracks west of the depot. Blair Barney was
manager. It was run by horse power.
-- STOCKYARD --
A stock yard was built along the railroad east of the depot. Chris
Mayer was the first livestock buyer. Mr. Mayer handled all the livestock that was raised
and sold in this community. Cattle and hogs were in good supply.
-- LUMBER YARD --
In 1888 a lumber yard was built southeast of the railroad crossing on Main Street.
Blair Barney was manager.
Meservey 1890 to 1900
GENERAL INFORMATION
During this period of 1890 to 1900 there were many changes in the Town
of Meservey. It was boom times, as many business places and houses were built. The Town
was incorporated.
A school building was moved into town in 1890, and in 1898 a new school building was
built. The First Methodist Church was organized. Dr. Lodge was the first doctor to come to
town.
The following businesses came to town: Bank, Blacksmith Shop, Barber
Shop, Corner Store, Creamery, Drug Store, Elevator, Farm Implement, Hotel, Harness Shop,
Livery Stable, Meat Market, Real Estate, Restaurant and Wagon Shop.
On July 4, 1890 a tornado hit the Meservey Community. There was some
damage such as broken windows but no buildings were destroyed in town.
The first steam threshing machine in this area was owned and operated by J. C. Hill.
The jail building: was in the back of the hardware store. Wooden sidewalks were built in
many more places in town.
-- TOWN --
On September 13, 1893 the town of Meservey was incorporated. The
election was June 30, 1893. There were 24 votes. 21 Yes - 3 No. Dave Mosher became Mayor.
He managed a general store.
The Petition for Incorporation was signed by: Joseph Knoll, C. D.
Dries, J. H. Brown, G. D. Flagler, James Hill, E. E. Bardsley, John Peters, Mark Hill,
Fred Thompson, W. J. Chase, A. W. Russel, Chris Enabnit Sr., D. Humphrey, Gilbert Thompson
and W. F. Nolte. Also, Arthur Bier, George Wickersheim, Jacob Nissen, O. O. Frick, Theo.
Mentz, Jacob Zimmerman, M. J. Kernen, J. J. Stoffer, G. Armstrong, Fred Enabnit and K.
Kaus.
The City Directory for 1893 was as follows: Blair Barney, Mayor; W. P.
Vander Zalm, Recorder; J. E. Hill, Treasurer; John Quandt, Marshal. Councilmen - F. D.
Burlingame, A. W. Russel, M. J. Kernan, K. H. Kaus and C. Enabnit.
-- SCHOOL --
In 1890 the school building, 1/2 mile north of Meservey was moved to
Town. In 1898, a two-story school building was built. At the start they only used the two
rooms on the first floor. The teachers were Primary -Miss Scott, Grammar - Mrs. castle.
School Board members were J. E. Hill, President, G. Thompson,
Secretary, Blair Barney, Treasurer and A. Shlosser.
School programs were held in Hills Hall above Hills Store.
-- CHURCHES --
Evangelical
After the building of the Evangelical church several members joined the church.
Ministers were: V. Griesse 1889-1892, W. Grobe 1892-1893, J. D. DeWall 1893-1895, H.
Sassman 1895-1897 and E. Schroeder 1897-1900.
Methodist
On May 11, 1896 Articles of Incorporation were drawn for the building
of the First Methodist Episcopal Church of Meservey. This church was dedicated October 25,
1896 by Rev. D. M. Yetter and C. E. Anderson was pastor.
Joseph F. Franklin was minister from 1897 to 1900.
-- MAIL AND POST OFFICE --
In 1890 the Post Office was moved from the Reinke Store to the Hill
Bros. Store. Mr. Hill was the Postmaster.
Later it was moved in the building vacated by the hardware business.
Miss Lydia Barney became Postmistress. She was followed by Mr. Calvin Dries who moved the
Post Office into the Corner Store. There was no rural delivery at this time.
-- RAILROAD --
During this period (1890-1900) the freight coming into town was much
more than the preceding period. This made it necessary to enlarge the depot to store the
freight inside.
The
above article was contributed by Helen Meserve Mathews of Sarasota, Florida
GENEALOGICAL
AND FAMILY HISTORY OF THE STATE OF MAINE
VOLUME III, pages
1236-1238, Lewis Historical Pub. Co. New York 1909
(compiled under the editorial supervision of George Thomas Little, A.M., Litt. D.)
This name was originally
spelled Messervy, and was changed by members of the American branch of the family to
Meserve, the final letter of the word being pronounced for a time: but later generations
have pronounced the name in two syllables. The genealogist of the family states that the
Meservy family, like several others, is probably of pure Jersey origin, all persons
bearing this cognomen being descendants of those who formerly lived in the Isle of Jersey
in the English Channel. As to the origin of the name, one can only make conjecture. The
most plausible appears to be that which "The Armorial de Jersey" gives, and
according to which the name could be nothing but the participle of the old French verb,
"Messervyr," and signifies the "ill-treated." This epithet was given
to an ancestor at the time of the cession of Normany to France in 1207. The family of
Messervy has given to the Isle of Jersey many civil officials, a large number of who held
offices in the law courts. Few families have given so many officers to the army of their
country as the Messervy family of the United States. The arms of the Messervy family of
Jersey registered in 1665 are: "Messervy: Or, three cherries gules, stalked, vert.
Crest: A Cherry tree proper. Motto: Au valeureux coeur rien impossible" -- to the
valiant heart nothing is impossible. Agriculture and the mechanic arts seem to have
occupied the time of most of the members of the family, although it has had its share of
professional men, lawyers, clergymen and doctors, while the name figures but slightly in
court records either as defendants or criminals, showing honesty, integrity and
uprightness in the race.
(I)
Clement Messervy, whom tradition makes to have come from the Isle of Jersey to America,
was a taxpayer in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, in 1673, took the oath of allegiance in 1685,
and had a seat in the meeting house in 1693. Later he lived in Newington, New Hampshire.
On August 6, 1710, he conveyed the homestead in Newington to his son Clement. Both he and
his wife died previous to 1720. He was very probably son of John Messervy, of Gorey,
Grouville, and of Mary Malcolm, his wife, and his supposed ancestry is traced some
generations in Jersey. His wife's name was Elizabeth. No list of the children of Clement,
the immigrant, has been found and we only know positively that Clement (2) and John were
his sons because so called by him in deeds, in I705 and I710; but as the same documents:
speak of "other sons, and daughters," and as tradition has always made three
branches of the family, in Maine, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts, the assumption seems
warranted that he had: Aaron, Clement, Daniel, John, Elizabeth, Mary and Jamison.
(II)
Clement (2), son of Clement (I) and Elizabeth Messervy, was born probably in Portsmouth,
New Hampshire, about I678 and was in William Redford's company of militia in 1696. On July
15, I726, he and Daniel Moody, of Stratham, New Hampshire, purchased of William Cotton, of
Portsmouth, one hundred acres of land at Black Point, Scarborough, Maine, and in 1729 they
bought one hundred and fifty acres more adjoining. He evidently removed to Scarborough
soon after the purchase of Cotton, and was admitted to the first church of Scarborough,
August 11, 1728. He married, September 24, 1702, Elizabeth Jones. The marriage was
solemnized by Rev. John Pike, in Portsmouth. They both led the covenant, and were baptized
in the church at Newington, March 10, 1723, when Mrs. Meserve joined the church, and was
admitted to full communion. She died and he married (second) August 14, 1738, Mrs. Sarah
Stone, who survived him. He died (probably) in 1746, in Scarborough. His will dated,
February 18, 1740, describes him as "Joiner, aged of body." His will was proved
November 5, 1746. The inventory returned by Elliott Vaughan, Daniel Fogg and Samuel
Sewall, appraisers, amounted to £896 15s. 7d. His children, all born probably in
Portsmouth or Newington were Clement, Nathaniel, Elizabeth, John, Abigail, George, Peter,
Daniel and Joseph.
McLillan's "History of
Gorham" says: "Of the dwellers in the fort on Fort Hill during the seven years'
Indian war commencing in 1745, was one Clement Meserve, or as the name was often called
"Harvey." On consulting the best authorities written or read we have come to the
conclusion that the Meserves of Scarboro and Gorham came from Dover or Portsmouth, New
Hampshire, where the name appears to have been quite common. There was, a
Lieutenant-Colonel Nathaniel Meserve, of the New Hampshire troops, who distinguished
himself in the Louisburg expedition in 1745; he is said to have been of the same family
that came to Maine, and a brother to the Gorham Clement. Southgate, in his history of
Scarboro, says Clement Meserve was in that town in I725; that he was a joiner by
trade."
(III) John,
third son of Clement (2) and Elizabeth (Jones) Meserve, was born March 21, 1700. He
married Jemima Hubbard, by whom he had: John, George, William, Clement, Joseph, Thomas,
Dorothy, Abigail, Mary (died young), Mary.
(IV) John
(2), eldest child of John (I) and Jemima (Hubbard) Meserve, was born in 1738. He married,
in 1762, Abigail Small, by whom he had: Joseph, Benjamin, Samuel Small, John (died young),
John, Abigail, Dorothy and Annie.
(V) Joseph,
eldest son of John (2) and Abigail (Small) Meserve, was born in 1763. He married, in 1788,
Mary Stone, and they were the parents of Rufus, Joseph (died young), Joseph, Benjamin,
Solomon, Abigail, Tabitha, Mary and Lydia.
(VI)
Captain Benjamin, fourth son of Joseph and Mary (Stone) Meserve, was born in 1805, died in
Livingston. He married, in 1830, Hannah Anderson, daughter of Abel Anderson. The only
issue of this marriage was Albion K. P., whose sketch follows.
(VII) Dr.
Albion Keith Paris, only child of Benjamin and Hannah (Anderson) Meserve, was born in
Limington, June 8, 1833, and died at his home in Portland suddenly, September 15, 1904, of
cerebral apoplexy, esteemed, respected and honored by the people among whom he lived.
Nathan Gould, secretary of the Maine Historical Society, wrote of him: "Dr. Meserve
was a man who was sincere, serious and conscientious and did right simply because it was
right, hating shams. He had few intimates and was of few words, gaining his standing by
the character of his life. With his patients he was not only their physician, but also a
valued friend. He had good understanding, the mind of an investigator, and was thoroughly
conversant with the subjects that make up life, always willing to adopt the latest methods
when convinced of their merits. Work was his pleasure and he made a success of his
material affairs, all being done without ostentation."
Dr. Albion K. P. Meserve was
educated in the common schools and Standish Academy, and graduated at the Medical School
of Maine in 1859. He first practiced medicine in Standish, but shortly afterwards he moved
to Buxton, where he lived until 1881, when he moved to Portland, where he afterwards
resided. He was interested in the welfare of the community and assumed his
responsibilities in life. He served as president of the Maine Medical Association,
secretary of the United States Pension Examining Board, chairman of the Board of Health,
of Portland, secretary of the Maine State Board of Registration of Medicine, and was a
member of the National Consideration of Examining and Licensing Board. He was a charter
member of the Maine Academy of Medicine and Science, member of the Board of Consulting
Physicians and Surgeons of the Maine Eye and Ear Infirmary, and was active and gave freely
of his time to the charitable work of that institution. He was a member of the Maine
Historical Society, and was vice-president of this society from 1889 until his death,
being deeply interested in the work of the society, and in the subject of family history.
He represented the town of Buxton in the legislature, and was the supervisor of schools of
that town; was a member of the Congregational church there, and of the Williston church in
Portland, in both of which he served as superintendent of the Sunday schools.
Dr. Meserve compiled the
Meserve genealogy, and a history of Standish, Maine, both of which are in manuscript. He
contributed, in other ways, much historical and genealogical knowledge, which remains with
us. The Vital Records of Buxton were copied by his eldest son, annotated by himself, then
bound and presented by him to the Maine Genealogical Society's library. Dr. Meserve was
industrious and did good work the results of which are the cherished heritage of the
family and friends. At the time of his death it was said of hint: "The community has
not only lost a valued and respected citizen, a kind and true neighbor, but as well a
skilled physician, the church a faithful member, and his associates a sincere
friend."
Dr. Albion K. P. Meserve married, June 10, 1857, at Freedom, New Hampshire, Mary M.
Johnson, only child of Thomas and Dorothy (Libby) Johnson, of Gorham. She was born in
Gorham, February 1, I836. Thomas Johnson, son of Matthew and Hannah (Johnson) Johnson,
married (first) Mary Hamblin; (second) Dorothy Libby, daughter of Edward and Elizabeth
Libbv. Mary M. Johnson was the only child of this second marriage. Mrs. Meserve is a lady
of education and refinement and an artist of recognized ability. The walls of her handsome
home in Emery Street are decorated with many pictures in oil, the product of her skill. To
Dr. and Mrs. Meserve were born two sons: Dr. Charles Albion, who (died February 1, 1892,
aged thirty-three years, and Lucien W., born October 5, 1869, married Geneva Adams, and
now resides in Westbrook and is engaged in conducting a poultry-farm.
The
above article was contributed by Bonita Waltman of Pittsfield, Maine
Article from The Portsmouth Times dated October 18,
1924
TWO SONS OF OLD PORTSMOUTH
By JOHN BARTLETT
MESERVE
Portsmouth, New Hampshire, is one of the most attractive port towns on the Atlantic
Coast. Many of its earlier streets are quaint, narrow and winding. Its market square,
once-the abode of the town pump and whipping post and its old Colonial houses, each
enriched by an historic association, challenge the interest of the visitor. Its newer
streets arched by massive trees. Its wooded environs and its macadam beach drives, blend
with the ancient features of the old city with a harmony that is quite complete.
The first white settlement was laid at Portsmouth as early as 1623. Quite naturally,
these pioneers fringed the shore of the bay and the lower banks of the Piscataqua. Early
growth was probably slow, but as accretions came to the population with the succeeding
decades, the old town extended back toward the higher eminencies and along the paths and
lanes which are now the down town streets of Portsmouth. The early settlers were probably
fishermen or sailors; at times trading with their Indian neighbors, who were not always
too friendly. Shipbuilding, early became an important industry.
Among these interesting trading and sailor folk at old Portsmouth in 1673, we first
find Clement Messervy, a French lad who had recently come over from Jersey, England.
Tradition identifies him as a son of Jean Messervy and Marie Machon, his wife, baptized at
Gorey, in Grouville Parish, Isle of Jersey, on May 13. 1655. He married and lived at
Portsmouth -- in the later years of his life living at Newington. His second son, Clement
Meserve (the name was early metamorphosed to its present use) married Elizabeth Jones at
Portsmouth on Sept. 24. 1702, the ceremony being solemnized by the Rev. John Pike. He
lived at Portsmouth and Newington and died at Scarboro. Me., in 1746. He was the father of
Col. Nathaniel Meserve, who was born at Ports-mouth, probably about 1705.
Nathaniel Meserve married Jane Libby at Portsmouth on Dec. 16, 1725. He owned the
covenant and was baptized in the church on Oct. 23, 1726. He is rated as the most
prominent member of the family bearing his name, in America. His first prominence came
with his participation in the memorable siege of Louisburg in 1745. The signal services
rendered by him at that time were of such a character that the success of the whole
expedition was attributed to his accomplishments.
Early historians have repeated the name of Col. Meserve with
admiration, in narrating the circumstances of this famous siege. In 1756, he led the New
Hampshire: troops in the defense of Ft. Edward, which he defended with gallantry, and was
recognized by the Earl of Loudon, Commander of the English forces in America. Seventeen
fifty-seven again found him in command of the colonial regiment of New Hampshire. With
three hundred rangers and one hundred carpenters, he again embarked for Halifax, sending
the residue of the regiment to Ft. William Henry under Lieut. Col. Goffe.
He returned from Halifax in the fall and in April 1758, again joined
the last expedition against Louisburg. At this time he took with him a large crew of
carpenters. He contracted the smallpox and both he and his son died at Louisburg on June
23, 1758. News of his demise reached Portsmouth in the middle of July and produced a most
profound sorrow. The Gazette of August 11th in a discriminating notice of the public
services and high character of the deceased, contains the expression of a public loss.
In 1749, at his shipyard in Portsmouth, he constructed for the British
government the frigate "America." A model of this ship is in the Athenaeum in
Portsmouth. This ship was launched on May 4, 1749, and
joined the British navy in England.
He was one of the twelve gentlemen who purchased the Mason grant in
1746, which became the origin of his large ownership of lands throughout the colony.
He was one of thirty-three of the prominent men of Portsmouth who established the first
public library in the city. This was in 1750.
In 1740 this shipbuilder and soldier built, in Portsmouth, what has since
been known as the Meserve-Boyd House. This home was contiguous to his shipyard where he
constructed the America. The house was afterward owned and occupied by Peter Livius, then
by Col. George Boyd and later by George Raynes. He built the house on Vaughan Street in
Portsmouth known as the Meserve-Webster House for his son, George, who occupied it until
history activities drove him to a residence in England in 1777.
Meserve Webster House, Portsmouth, New Hampshire
From all that has been said concerning his varied activities, we must
yield to him an unblemished character and most successful issue in his private life. His
service to the colony was brilliant, unselfish and patriotic. He appears to have achieved
unusual success in a business and financial way. As to what, if any cliffs of adversity he
was required to negotiate, ere he attained success in his business career, we have no
intimation. The devise to him under his father's will was a pittance of fifty pounds, but
he had reached affluence before his father's demise. The noontime of life found him the
owner and operator of the largest shipyard in Portsmouth--a port then famous for its
shipbuilding facilities.
Perhaps no greater patriotic service was rendered than the manner in
which the Masonian proprietors handled their acquisition of these lands. The rights of the
settlers were allowed to become vested and the new proprietors contented them-selves by
sale and disposition of the unappropriated lands and concerning these lands, they dealt
with the settlers in an open and even handed manner. It is believed that his wise counsel
and spirit of fairness, contributed to a happy and satisfactory adjustment of what had
hitherto been a most provoking situation to the early settlers of New Hampshire.
His military record suggests that his loyalty to the people of New
Hampshire was no greater than his loyalty to tile British crown. The Jersey people had and
now have an unbroken record for loyalty to the reigning house of Great Britain. His
recognition by the Earl of' Loudon and his construction of the America would seem to
indicate the great confidence reposed in him by the British sovereign. Had he survived to
the days of the Revolution, he might have remained loyal to the mother country. However,
he was an officer at Louisburg at various times and must have been fully apprised of the
negative consideration accorded to the Colonial officers and troops by the king's
officers. He was associated in the Louisburg expeditions with men whose names afterward
became identified with the cause of the colonies in the Revolution. Who shall say but had
had he lived, he would not have stood with Warren at Bunker Hill or with Washington at
Boston? Can one doubt but that possibly his mature judgment and experienced counsel might
have been required in the halls at Philadelphia?
In Portsmouth, where he was at home, we can fancy his name linked with
every public endeavor. His identification with its first public library suggests his
altruistic character. His counsel and services were probably requisitioned with great
frequency in the public affairs of Portsmouth and the colony. That he met each demand none
will question. He was of the highest probity and his judgment, sound and respected, as is
evidenced by the old court records of Rockingham county, which testify to his many
services as an arbitrator and as an appraiser and in the partition and settlement of
estates. The bells tolled in old Portsmouth when the news came of his death at Louisburg
and the press notices were most eulogistic.
His life was one of usefulness. He was one of New Hampshire’s most
prominent men in the rare old Colonial days.
John Meserve was his second son and was born at Portsmouth about 1730.
He married Sarah Collins and died in January 1760. His son, William Collins Meserve, was
born at Portsmouth, Nov. 8, 1753. He was a sea captain and became a privateersman during
the Revolution. He was First Lieutenant under Capt. Nathaniel Thayer on the brigantine
"Satisfaction" (privateer) from April 1, 1778, to August 31, 1778, upon which
latter date he was commissioned "General Lincoln" (privateer).
England’s commercial shipping made rich prizes highly attractive
to the American privateersman and a situation bordering upon piracy was engendered.
Zealous commanders interpreted their instructions as indicated by Chief Justice Marshall,
who, in his Life of Washington, at this period says: "Though general letters of
reprisal were not immediately granted by Congress to their continental cruisers, a measure
of equal efficacy, but less hostile in appearance, was adopted. Their ships of war were
authorized to capture all vessels employed in giving assistance to the enemy in any manner
whatsoever; and the forms used in their resolution were such that no capture could be made
which might not be construed to come within it." Thus the character of privateering
practiced was not only fatal to British shipping but became highly lucrative to commanders
and crews.
Captain Meserve became quite successful in the captures he made but his career as a
privateersman ultimately ended in his capture and nearly cost him his life. He had
intercepted a number of British trading ships and with booty on board valued at $100.000
sailed into New York harbor. Being in ignorance that New York had fallen to the British,
he was promptly detained and he and his crew became prisoners. They were sent to Halifax
for incarceration and subjected too much inhumane treatment. An attempt was made to poison
them by giving them poisoned ale to drink. A humane British officer with whom the captain
had become acquainted, gave him a warning look ere he had imbibed the glass which was
given him. He had drunk enough, however, to become quite ill, but recovered and was
afterward released and returned to Portsmouth.
After the war and in 1782, he married Deborah Bartlett, a daughter of Capt. John
Bartlett of Portsmouth. He followed the sea until 1797, when he removed with his family to
Goshen, New Hampshire, where he died March 28, 1824.
Some conception of the range of his sea activities can be gleaned from the following
taken from a "Sketch of Goshen" by Walter A. Nichols, 1903: Seven bushels of
Spanish Silver had Capt. Wm. Meserve when he retired from a long and active sea life, to a
farm in North Goshen. At least he is reported to have recovered that amount from an Old
Spanish wreck and at his death in 1824, several quarts of the old pieces were still
left."
Captain Meserve was a man of undaunted courage. He was a typical sea dog of our
Colonial period - one of the true and unafraid souls who helped lay down the foundation of
the Republic.
The above article was contributed by Ralph & Marge Meservey of Klamath Falls,
Oregon
James Monroe Meserve
James Monroe Meserve was born in Banstead, New Hampshire, on May 20, 1820. Although he
was a family man with six living children and a seventh on the way and was considered (at
44) to be past the age of enlistment, he nevertheless volunteered for service with Company
A of the First New Hampshire Cavalry in March 1864. His natural abilities gained him the
rank of sergeant a month after his enlistment, but he was captured by Confederate forces
shortly thereafter and sent to Andersonville prison in Georgia. Sergeant Meserve died in
Andersonville on August 22, 1864.
Although Sergeant Meserve was not a poet by training, this poem, which he wrote for his
family while he was away fighting, illustrates the highly literate nature of the 19th
century mind. Even men and women with little education, whose spelling, grammar, and
punctuation left much to be desired, were nonetheless capable of turning a flowery phrase
with the best of them.
Thanks to Regina Hallmark, the great-great granddaughter of Sergeant Meserve, for
sharing this poem, which she received from her mother, Eva Littlefield Scott of Bristol,
New Hampshire.
source: http://users.erols.com/kfraser/meserve.html
Cherished one, do not grow weary,
God is ever up on high;
Have you not got still above you
The same calm and lovely sky?
It is painful now to leave you,
Yet there's pleasure with the pain,
In the thought, so sweet and cheering
That we both may meet again.
In life's storm and in life's sunshine
Oft I've fondly turned to thee,
And I can forget thee never,
Though fate far may beckon me.
Though I go to scenes of battle,
O! it is a golden thought,
I've left those who still can love me,
And I cannot be forgot.
Let me speak about my children --
Ere I leave the Granite State
For the scenes of war and danger,
Let me speak about the eight.
Ann has reached the age of woman
And a grandchild now have we.
Evard's mother is our daughter --
Happy may his mother be.
Yet we've seven other children;
Christie's a girl of nineteen,
And then Clinton, a year younger,
Next our James Leroy is seen.
Then a boy of eight bright summers
Does to play with comrades go;
Yet he'll tell you of his father
Who forgets not John Monroe.
Then we've little smiling Addie;
She's the youngest of the eight;
But she oft speaks of the father
Still within his native state.
Ah, but there are yet two others,
They've far from the fireside gone;
Yet we love them just as fondly --
David and his brother John.
They are living with their grandma,
They are from earth's sorrows free,
Yet when I my watch am keeping,
Will they not watch over me?
When my lonely post I'm walking
In some distant grove or glen,
O, will not the wand'ring angels
Watch their loving father then?
When I'm on the field of battle
And see comrades fall or die,
Then, to aid me and preserve me,
Will their images be nigh.
And when I'm writing homeward,
To the wife and mother dear,
Will the thoughts of those I'm missing
Give the sheet an extra tear?
Home! I never can forget thee!
Wife, my love for thee is great;
Children, thou my heart art wedding
To the good old Granite State
Yet I must leave thee, New Hampshire,
Bid farewell to mountains high,
Go to meet the foe and strangers
And to see the war clouds nigh.
And how often in my fancy,
In my dreams I'll travel far
From the comrades who're around me,
From the crowning scenes of war.
And in dreams I will embrace thee,
Oh my wife so fond and true,
And be angry with those who wake me
When my dreams were all of you.
Thus could I continue dreaming,
But I hope again we'll meet,
And thy presence will be real,
And the friends of yore we'll greet.
Far thee well, my loving Addie,
Ah, the word doth take my breath,
No -- my heart is clinging to thee,
As the ivy clings in death.
source: http://users.erols.com/kfraser/untitled.html
Ethel Meserve Band
Chris Baronner writes " I am not related to the Meserve family, but
my band is called Ethel Meserve. I am from State College, P. A. where Ethel Meserve
the store and lady is. The store closed down in recent years, but Ethel still lives
here. We chose the name before the store closed and as far as we know Ethel likes
having a band named after her."
The undersigned would
announce to the public
that they have formed a co-partnership under the firm name of
LOCKE, MESERVE & CO.,
for the transactions of a general
DRY GOODS JOBBING BUSINESS
and occupy
Chambers No. 53 Middle Street,
Opposite Canal National Bank,
Portland,
until on or about October 1st, when we shall remove to the new and
spacious store,
NOS. 51 & 56 MIDDLE STREET.
We opened at our present location. on Monday August 12, with an entire new
stock of fresh and desirable goods.
The late severe depression in the Dry Goods Market has enabled us to make
our purchases at especially low prices, thus giving us a dreaded advantage over other
parties with old stock, the credit of which we propose to give our customers and those who
may favor us with their patronage.
In our Woolen Department no pains or exertions will be spared to make it
the most attractive of any in the State, and we are determined in this, as in every other
department, to conform to the prices of any market in the country.
With a large acquaintance among the importers and manufactures, with long
experience with the trade of this and other States, and a buyer constantly in New York, we
confidently believe our facilities for buying and selling goods to bu unsurpassed.
Soliciting your orders through our Agent, Mr.
L. H. Varney, and an early call when in our city,
We remain, respectfully yours,
LOCKE, MESERVE & CO.
N. R. STORER,
N. F. LOCKE, } recently of the firm of Deering, Milleken & Co.
C. H. MESERVE } recently of the firm of Davis, Meserve, Haskell
& Co.
J. M. FIFIELD, late with Deering, Milliken & Co.
M. E. BOLSTER
The above announcement was found in a Maine newspaper dated June 30, 1868
The Morning
Oregonian - February 1905
Mrs. Mary F. Meserve of
Salisbury, Mass., was cured of Anemia, a disease in which there is an actual deficiency of
blood, by the use of
Dr. Williams' Pink Pills for Pale People
She says: The first sympton was an ususual paleness. Later the blood
seemed to have all left my body. I had shortness of breath and fluttering of the
heart; was depressed, morose and peevish. I suffered for two years.
Physicians did me little good, but I am now a well woman because I took
twelve boxes of Dr. Williams' Pink Pills."
These pills really make new blood and have cured obstinate cases of
rheumatism, scrofula and erysipelas. They are especially useful to growing girls.
Sold by all Druggist
The
above article was contributed by Lillian Follett Hall of Harlingen, Texas
This newspaper story was printed on September 8, 1930
TELLS SECRET OF 50-YEAR-OLD MURDER CASE
___________________________________________________
Amazing Maine
Mystery Cleared Up --- Real Truth Astounding in Its Strange Angles
___________________________________________________
BY JOHN BANTRY
ROCKLAND, Me., Sept. 8 -- The inside story of one of Maine's greatest murder mysteries
has, after a lapse of 50 years, been revealed. And the revelation is so extraordinary, the
facts so entirely unlike what was ever suspected that old timers who remember the case are
amazed. No queerer combination of circumstances could be imagined that this seemingly (at
the time) simple murder case now reveals.
It rivals the most thrilling of detective mysteries.
Fifty years ago Sarah H. Meservey was found dead in her home at St. George's, Tenants
Harbor. She was the wife of a prominent Rockland sea captain who, at the time, was away at
sea. She had apparently been strangled to death by a long woolen scarf which she wrapped
around her head and neck.
SUSPICION FALLS ON A SAILOR NEIGHBOR
After a time suspicion fell on one Nathan F. Hart, who admitted he had been cutting
wood in the rear of Mrs. Meservey's home about the time the murder was committed. He was a
sailor who lived with his wife two houses away from the Meservey home. He knew the dead
woman well. His reputation was fairly good, yet his alibi seemed not convincing as he
stoutly denied going to the Meservey yard. He saw no strangers about and heard no
disturbance though he was in a position to notice anyone entering or leaving the house.
FOUND GUILTY IN THE FIRST DEGREE
Gradually public sentiment turned against him. At the trial the evidence offered by the
government was very scant. The defense was flat and general denial. Hart stuck to his
story that he was entirely innocent. The jury convicted him of murder in the first degree.
He was sentenced to life imprisonment, Maine having abolished the death penalty for
murder. Soon after the conviction public sentiment shifted. There grew up a feeling that
the evidence against him was slender and his powerful protestations of innocence made a
profound impression. As time went by a real clamor for his release grew up. A prominent
man named A. R. Duton wrote a book entitled "Nathan F. Hart, An Innocent Man in a
Felon's Cell."
LAWYERS FAIL TO SEEK NEW TRIAL
This book circulated all over the country. It was a very effective plea for Hart,
showed up the hollowness of the case against him and pleaded for justice. This resulted in
an almost country-wide demand that Maine remove the stigma from an innocent man and set
him free.
Hart's friends soon numbered the vast majority of persons in the immediate counties.
Yet, strangely his lawyer made no move for a new trial which apparently they could have
obtained.
Some years after Hart died in prison still asserting his absolute innocence. The
general opinion was that a terrible mistake had been made and that the State had virtually
killed, by severe imprisonment and humiliation, an innocent man.
Now comes the real story. It is made public by Hart's counsel at the trial 50 years
ago, Job H. Montgomery of Camden, president of the Knox County Bar Association. He has
kept the secret all these years in spite of the terrific agitation that went on for years.
He believes the public entitled to know the truth and he makes the Hart case a chapter in
his life history which he has given the Rockland Courier-Gazette.
KILLED HER, BUT ACCIDENTALLY
Hart did kill Mrs. Meservey. The story he told a the trial was a lie. His protestations
of absolute innocence were false. His alibi was a fake.
BUT, he was not guilty of deliberate murder. The killing was a pure accident. Had he
been in a position to tell the real story his punishment would have been a short term in
jail. Why he was not in a position to tell the real story constitutes an amazing episode
the truth of which was never suspected and could not have been guessed by the shrewdest
detective.
On his way home on the afternoon of the crime Hart passed through the Meservey yard. He
was a sneak thief at heart and when he went to the door to speak to Mrs. Meservey he found
no one at home. He conceived the idea of slipping into the house to see if he could pick
up anything. He found the kitchen window unlocked, raised it and went in.
CHOKED BY SCARF IN STRUGGLE
While Hart was peeking into the kitchen closet to see if he could lay hands on anything
worth stealing Mrs. Meservey returned. She came in so quietly that Hart did not realize
she was in the room until she grabbed him by the throat from behind. She was a powerful,
courageous woman nearly as strong as Hart.
The two engaged in a terrific struggle, knocking over the furniture and upsetting the
kitchen table. Mrs. Meservey was wearing a long woolen scarf about her head and throat. In
some manner as the pair were wrestling about the scarf caught, suddenly tightened up and
Mrs. Meservey fell to the floor choking.
HART AND WIFE LEARN SHE IS DEAD
Hart stood watching her, fearful to aid her since she had recognized him. As she lay
helpless on the floor he jumped out the window and ran away.
Hart's wife was one of the most prominent and best liked women in town. She was far
above him in station, intelligent and well bred. When he got home he told her the truth,
adding that he must flee, since Mrs. Meservey had recognized him.
Then came the development that no one had ever suspected. Hart told his wife that the
only thing which could save him was the possibility that Mrs. Meservey was dead. The two
of them started out in the darkness to find out. When they reached a point where they
could see the Meservey house they saw it was dark. That convinced them the woman was dead.
TRY TO DIVERT SUSPICION
They then went to the rear of the house and climbed in the kitchen window. They found
Mrs. Meservey dead on the floor--the scarf had choked her to death.
Then they did the foolish thing. In order to make it appear that a burglar was
responsible they turned the place upside down, opening bureau drawers and scattering the
contents about.
Even that might have fooled the authorities if Mrs. Hart had not proposed a crowning
bit of folly.
She wrote a letter purporting to come from some person who had a grudge against Mrs.
Meservey threatening her. She crumpled this note up and left it beside the body.
It was this note that convinced the police that no burglar committed the crime. At the
trial they tried to pin the note on Hart. No one ever dreamed that Mrs. hart knew anything
about the case. Had they thought to secure a sample of her handwriting the solution of the
case was right in their hands. But Mrs. Hart's reputation was above reproach.
YIELDS TO WIFE'S PLEAS, KEEPS SILENT
Before the trial Hart told the real story to his lawyer, Mr. Montgomery. Mrs Hart
confessed her part also.
Harts's lawyer advised him to plead guilty, tell the real story and promised that he
could be convicted only of involuntary manslaughter with the sentence of perhaps two or
three years. But of course Mrs. Hart would have to stand trial as accessory after the fact
and probably get a light sentence. Mrs. Hart was terrified and pleaded with her husband to
save her since he had pulled her into the terrible business.
Hart yielded to her and decided to go to trial with a flat denial of any knowledge of
the crime. He felt the evidence against him was not sufficient to convict. His attorney,
while still urging him to tell the truth, felt bound to follow his client's wishes.
WHY NEW TRIAL WASN'T SOUGHT
Conviction followed.
The reason his attorney never pressed for a new trial was this. The year after Hart's
conviction the Maine Legislature restored capital punishment. Hart was greatly frightened
of hanging. He asked his attorney to give absolute assurance that he wouldn't be hanged if
he should be convicted again. His attorney told him he felt the new law could not apply to
his case but Hart, still fearful, would not sanction the plea for another trial.
Mrs. Hart was also vehemently against a new trial. She felt that had a narrow escape at
the first trial and did not want to take another chance, though not a breath of suspicion
had rested on her.
DEATH RELIEVES WIFE'S FEARS
Then Hart died in jail with a plea of innocence on his lips.
Mrs. Hart remained in the town honored as a brave and faithful woman. She received the
sympathy of everyone. She was more popular and respected than before because of her heavy
affliction. No one would have dared to suspect her of any knowledge of her husband's
crime--even those who felt him guilty.
All the time her husband was in jail Mrs. hart had been terrified by the fear that he
would make a confession which would reveal her part in the case.
His death relieved her of that awful suspense. She had years of comparative happiness
afterward unless she was tortured with the remorse for her part in the affair. If she was
she never told her husband's lawyer about it. When she died she was honored by all the
townspeople as a gallant woman who suffered for her husband.
And so, thanks to Mr. Montgomery, this strange crime is a mystery no longer, but it
must take its place as one of the most romantic of New England mystery stories. And people
will have different opinions as to the morality of Mrs. Hart's position an d whether she
was justified in demanding that her husband sacrifice his life to keep her reputation
intact.
The above article was contributed by Richard Meservey of Cary, Illinois
Story published by the
Arlington Coin Journal Vol. II - No. 7, dated Sept.- Oct. 1973
OUR EARLY
FEMALE COUNTERFEITOR'S
This month we want to tell you about
Tamsen Meserve. She had the dubious distinction of being the only woman counterfeiter to
ever darken New to ever darken Hampshire's shores.
Tamsen was an outgoing woman, with no little amout of
ambition, curtailed, perhaps, only by the times and the premise that woman in those early
days were meant to be seen rather than heard.
In 1704 Tamsen married Joseph Ham of Dover with whom she
lived a typical and somewhat conformist life for 19 years, until her husband's death in
1723.
Two years later, scarcely out of the mourning period
dicated by the times, she remarried - this time a widower named John Tibbitts. This
marriage followed much the same pattern as her first one. That is, until 1731 when things
began to look up for Tamsen. It so happened that a William Byrn, a painter (and perhaps a
laborer, too) came to Dover from Rochester, New Hampshire. Now after a short while, the
folks in Dover began to think pretty highly of Mr. Byrn and so implored him to "keep
School." As he put it, "learn their children to write."
William cottoned to this idea, accepted their offer, and
was at once boarded at the home of John and Tamsen Tibbitts. Now, Tamsen, being a bright
young woman, soon discovered that the new boarder had latent talents; that is, he could do
a mighty nice flower drawing, and had the ability to pen beautiful script.
Believing that such talent shouldn't go to waste, Tamsen
brought a 20 Shilling Mass. bill and a few other notes to Bryn, and with a bit of friendly
persuasion, prevailed upon him to copy them.
News of Byrn's skill somehow reached the ears of John
McVicker and Samuel Styles, and soon a partnership was formed with the gifted penman.
McVicker and Byrne, never ones to use their heads, made a foolhardy mistake of delivering
to Styles two documents bearing their signatures. In one they promised to give Styles
one-fifth of all the money he could pass, and also pay his expenses, while the other one
they swore "by the living God" to betray him neither by signs or word of mouth.
Meantime, Tamsen was busy in her own way, having passed
off a 30 shilling New Hampshire bill to Sarah Pitney, while Styles passed a 3-Pound 10
Shilling note to Hannah Bradford of Portsmouth and another to Sarah Croftswait.
This threw Styles under suspicion and he was promptly
arrested and he was promptly arrested and searched. His pockets produced nine counterfiet
3 pound 10 shilling bills, along with much more incriminating evidence-the two documents
given him by McVicker and Bryn.
At this point things began to happen pretty fast; warrants
were speedily issued and both of Style's accomplices were tossed into jail. They were soon
joined by the Tibbets, and it didn't take long to discover that the gang had a plate and
that the only give-away on the nicely stuck bills were the signings.
At the court hearing, both Styles and Byrn wre given the
same sentence-pay a fine of 14 pounds, stand one hour in the pillory at Exter, each to
have one ear lopped off, and each to be jailed for one year without bail.
The Court, backlogged with work, didn't have time for the
other prisoners, so McVickers was returned to jail and the Tibbitts were released on
recognizance of 500 pounds.
Byrn, who began to feel sorry for what he had done, began
to repent, though more than likely spurred by the thought of perhaps drawing a lighter
sentence, decided to blow the whistle on his friends and made a full confession of the
whole ugly mess. He claimed the bills were not made by a plate but his own hand and pen at
the instigation of Tamsen; and bitter at Styles for his carelessness which brought on
Byrn's arrest, he let loose with everything he knew about him, too.
The outcome was that Tamsen and her husband were charged
with counterfeiting and passing, but at a Court of General Sessions, the king's attorney
couldn't get a grand jury to indict them, so they were dismissed after paying court costs.
McVickers, on th other hand, was convicted, fined 7 pounds, pilloried for one hour, had
one ear cropped, and spent a year in prison.
Thus New Hampshire's only woman counterfeiter, Tamsen
Meserve Ham Tibbitts, bless her heart, came out of that nasty counterfeiting business
smelling like a rose!
The
above article was contributed by Phillip Meserve of Orangevale, California
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