¦A! fc UNIVERSITY
DEC 20 1912

LIBRARY

RECORDS

OQO

FOURTH ANNUAL REUNION

OF THE

DESCENDANTS

IMMIGRANT, JOHN FOLSOM

BOSTON, MASS., SEPT. 4, 1912

The organization of the Descendants of the Immigrant John
Folsom gathered for the fourth successful annual reunion at
130 Huntington Avenue, in Boston, Massachusetts, on September
fourth, 1912. With a few well chosen words President Israel
Folsom called the members to order at 2.30 P. M., although for
three hours previous hearty greeting and hand-clasp had been
exchanged among the gathering kin,
The 'blessing of our Father was invoked by Rev. John N.
Short, a member from SomerviUe, Mass.
The printed records, made by the Secretary, of the 1911
meeting, were approved by unanimous vote.
The Treasurer's preliminary report was read, and accepted.
(Full report for 1912 is printed herewith.)
A list of names was read, being as far as reported to the
Secretary, those of our kindred who have passed away since
the last meeting. This was referred to a committee on resolu
tions as was also a letter of fraternal greeting from the Gilman
Family Association, all of which is found hereinafter in proper
form. This committee, named by the chair, consisted of Henry
H. Folsom, Charles C. Folsom of SomerviUe, and Mrs. Ruth Fol
som of Newmarket, N. H.
Upon motion, a committee was appointed to nominate offi
cers for the ensuing year, and all members were requested to
suggest to this committee any members who might be particu
larly qualified to occupy the working positions in our Associa
tion. This committee was composed as follows: Channing
Folsom, Newmarket, N. H., Mrs. M. Blanche Folsom White, Win
chester, Mass., William N. Folsom, Melrose Highlands, Mass.
Deploring the absence of our faithful Treasurer, and reading a
letter from him explaining the same, the Secretary moved that
Miss Alice May Folsom of Lewiston, Maine, be made Treasurer
pro tempore. So ordered.
The President then announced that in continuation of the
policy of former years, the genealogical committee had as
signed the task of preparing life sketches of the early Ances
tors, each to their respective descendants, and that for this
year, good fortune, aided by considerable diligence, had
discovered a lineal descendant of Mary the only daughter
of John, who has searched both state and family records and
prepared a paper on her ancestor's life; also that Mr. Henry H.
Folsom a brilliant and prominent young lawyer of SomerviUe
and Boston, having for a summer home in New Hampshire, the
ancestral acres of his forbear Ephraim of the second generation,
with thorough-going and typical industry, with due care for the
absolute facts and state records, can now add to our printed
family history an authentic sketch of the youngest child of the
Immigrant. Previous to these papers, however, a collection of
all known records of the two lesser heralded sons, Nathaniel
and Israel, prepared by Mrs. Elizabeth K. Folsom of Exeter, was
read by Miss Frances Mathes.
All these papers were ordered printed and appear in full
herewith. [3]

Mr. George A. Smith, Secretary of the American Society of
Colonial Families, a federation of family organizations, with
headquarters in Boston, then gave a charming and instructive
address on "Colonial Kinship," extending through the Society
the greetings and fraternity of the descendants of many of the
neighbors, both in England and in the colonies, of our own ances
tors. While no ofiicial action has been taken by the Folsom or
ganization regarding the American Society of Colonial Families,
many of our members realizing the importance of the larger fra
ternity have become members and enjoy the regular quarterly
banquets with their feast of reason and fiow of soul.
At aJbout four o'clock, a recess was taken to allow the mem
bers to register and to pay their dues. Sociability immediately
reigned supreme.
Upon being called to order, the papers above referred to
about Mary and Ephraim, were read by Miss Faith Garland and
Henry H. Folsom, respectively. Prayer was offered by Chaplain
the Rev. Harold M. Folsom, and adjournment was made until
7.30 o'clock.
Many intimate friends enjoyed the refreshment hour in
groups, and long before the time appointed, the hall was again
animated with argumentative and explanatory discourse; the
habits, faiths and abilities of various branches were discussed,
old family photographs and documents were examined, and the
several copies of the genealogy at hand were diligently scored,
extracts copied and interlineations made.
At the evening session, the report of the nominating com
mittee was first on the program. By unanimous vote the Sec
retary was instructed to cast a ballot for the entire list as fol
lows: President — Henry H. Folsom, SomerviUe, Mass.
Vice Presidents — Frederick C. Folsom, Braintree, Mass.;
Miss Marion W. Folsom, West Acton, Mass.; Mrs. M. Blanche
White, Winchester, Mass.
Secretary — James B. Folsom, Braintree, Mass.
Treasurer — ^Willis H. Folsom, Springvale, Maine.
Chaplain — Rev. John N. Short, Cambridge, Mass.
Genealogical Committee — Miss Frances A. Mathes, Ports
mouth, N. H.; Mrs. Mabel Folsom Hutchinson, Melrose, Mass.;
Mrs. Elizabeth K. Folsom, Exeter, N. H.; Israel Folsom, Lewis-
ton, Maine; Mrs. Laura C. Heeley, New York City; Charles G.
Folsom, South Bend, Ind.; Mrs. Ella Folsom Lambert, Toms
River, N. J.
The resolutions committee presented a fraternal sentiment
in response to the greeting of the Gilman Family Association,
which was passed and ordered spread upon the record, and that
a written copy be sent to the Gilman Secretary. (This has been
done by your Secretary.)
This committee reported also a resolution on the death of
various members of our Family during the year past, which was
[4]

adopted and ordered to be sent as far as possible to those next
of kin. A vote of appreciation was then passed for the services of
such officers as are now retiring. It was voted to present to all
those now becoming members for the first time, copies of the
records of 1910 and 1911, as well as 1912, so that the complete
set of historical papers may be kept on file by each member.
Any one wishing to receive these will please so notify the Sec
retary. After making an earnest and encouraging address, the
President called for volunteer anecdotes, traditions or experien
ces, and the hour that ensued proved to be the most delightful
of any session.
Channing Folsom presented for inspection, and read ex
tracts from, a set of ancient personal records, account books
and quaintly written business agreements, deeds and so forth.
He was followed by his son, the new President, with exceed
ingly well-chosen remarks. Miss Nadine Folsom of South Bend,
Indiana, pleased every one greatly by the recitation of an
adapted selection, which she entitled, "The Folsom Reunion."
Impromptu speeches were made by Rev. John N. Short of
Cambridge, William N. Folsom of Melrose Highlands, Freder
ick C. Folsom of Braintree, and Mrs. Leland W. Folsom of Dor
chester. Mr. Charles G. Folsom of South Bend, Indiana, spoke at
length in congratulation and encouragement of the progress
already made and the pleasant relations that have been estab
lished by the organization. He also gave many words of fra
ternal advice, and a hearty invitation to the executive commit
tee to place a reunion as far west as Chicago, in the near fu
ture, saying that he felt sure he could provide a nucleus of at
least twenty-five new members from that immediate vicinity,
beside those from further west who could attend there.
This matter the executive committee invites suggestions
about, as also the best approximate dates, the question of man
agement, of some possible change in the manner of dues pay
ment, or any other thing under the sun that occurs to any mem
ber of the Folsom family anywhere.
With Mrs. Fred C. Folsom at the piano, the 1912 reunion
closed with the singing of "God be with you till we meet again."
JAMES E. FOLSOM, Secretary.

[5]

TREASURER'S REPORT.
Springvale, Maine, Nov. 1, 1912.
I beg leave to make my annual report for all money re
ceived and paid out from Sept. 25, 1911, to Nov. 1, 1912.
RECEIPTS.
Balance per last report  $77.39
Received for postcards  .65
Received for dues  104,00

$182.04

EXPENDITURES.
Paid James E, Folsom, postage  $2,oo
The Taylor Press, Printing Reports - 45.00
Jas. E. Folsom, Stamped Envelopes 17.92
Geo. W. Prescott Pub. Co. Notices . . 4.50

69,42

Balance on hand Nov. 1, 1912, $112.62
Respectively submitted,
WILLIS H. FOLSOM, Treasurer.
NOTES
The Genealogical Committee report the filing of over 1200
additional names of Folsoms besides those having changed the
name at marriage. Beside this data, to which the committee
urges every one to add by sending complete records with full
names and dates, unless quite sure the committee has received
them from some other member, it is intended that the new book
shall contain a record of the Colonial and Revolutionary War
service of each Folsom, and as many of the Civil War and Span
ish War records as can be surely connected with the right Fol
soms. Thus each one in sending records to the committee must
be careful to give names in full, including the middle name, and
correct dates of births, marriages and deaths, so by co-opera
tive effort, a grand and fitting memorial shall be given to the
generations. Many members will be interested to know that the memo
rial tower at Hingham, Mass., is now nearly completed, (a pict
ure and sketch appeared in the Youth's Companion of Sept. 7,
1912.) It is expected that the chime of ten great bells will be
rung on Thanksgiving day this year.

[6]

Your Committee to whom was referred the communication
of "Gilman Family Re-union" reported "that this Association
hereby extends to the Gilman Family Re-union of Maine, the
heart-felt gratitude for their kind invitation to join in their an
nual re-union and send greetings of sympathy and cordial good
will. Our Associations are allied by many relationships and in
common interest, our objects are the same. We are together
in honoring and venerating the memories of our ancestors whose
courage, independence and industry have built and sustained
this wonderful country, and in endeavoring to live up to the
ideals of those sturdy men. We sincerely hope that the Gil
man Family Association may be largely represented at the fu
ture meetings of this organization. HENRY H. FOLSOM.
CHARLES C. FOLSOM.
RUTH F. FOLSOM.

Whereas we the "Descendants of the Emigrant John Fol
som," assembled at our fourth annual re-union at Boston, Mass.,
on September 4, 1912, have learned of the deaths since our last
meeting of many of the members of this family and although
we fully realize that the descendants of this honored ancestor
are now numbered by hundreds and that in the natural course
of events many of our family must each year be taken from
their earthly labors, yet we as an association deeply deplore
the loss of so many of our brethren and sisters, many of whom
were near and dear to our members.
Wherefore, be it resolved that we as an association hereby
express our sense of loss at the removal from our midst of
these loyal friends and brethren. As our association grows in
years, the name of Folsom becomes dearer and of greater mean
ing to us all, and the loss of a single member of this great fami
ly is a bereavement to each of us. We extend to the immediate
families of those who have gone beyond since our last reunion
our sympathy and our affection, and the hope that the memories
of those who have departed, the recollection of sterling qualities
and lovable character shall be truly a comfort and help to the
survivors in their bereavement. We recommend that the Sec
retary send these resolutions to those nearest and dearest to
the deceased ones, expressing the regret and sympathy of our
association. HENRY H. FOLSOM.
CHARLES C. FOLSOM.
RUTH F. FOLSOM.

[7]

IN MEMORIAM.
August 3, 1911. Bluehill, Maine. Mary Abbie (Folsom)
aged 64 years, wife of Stephen B. Westcott.
September 1911. Lyndonville, "Vermont. Charles, son of
Nathaniel and Abby (Ham) Folsom, formerly of Derby, Vermont.
October 15, 1911. New Bedford, Mass. Simeon Folsom,
aged 88 years. Buried at Limerick, Maine; his birthplace.
December 13, 1911, New York City. William H. Folsom.
December 1911. Anoka, Minn. Frank L. Folsom, aged 52
years, January 1912. Auburn, Maine. Irene Elvira (Folsom)
aged 62 years, widow of Alpheus Robinson.
February 1, 1912. Brookline, Mass. Julia, widow of Col.
Albert A. Folsom.
February 1912. Los Angeles, Cal. Abby W. (Folsom) aged
78 years, widow of George A. Field, formerly of Bath and Old
Orchard, Maine.
March 1912. Hartland, Maine. Mira J. (Folsom), aged over
70 years, wife of Ira W. Page.
March 1, 1912. Harmony, Maine. Mrs. Jane (nee Lindsey)
Folsom, aged 94 years, 5 months, the oldest resident of the
town. April 14, 1912. Billerica, Mass. John Folsom.
April 30, 1912. Skowhegan, Maine. Frank Robinson Fol
som, aged 76 years.
May 16, 1912. New York City. John Gilman Folsom.
May 19, 1912. Oakland, Maine. Laura, widow of Charles
W. Folsom. June 4, 1912. Raymond, N. H., Rev. John D. Folsom.
August 6, 1912. Portsmouth, N. H. Mary Frances (Fol
som) widow of Nathan F. Mathes, aged 88 years.
August 6, 1912. Fargo, North Dakota. J. B. Folsom, aged
73 years, (born in Scioto County, Ohio.)

[8]

REGISTER.
(Rearranged Geographically)
1. Israel Folsom, Lewiston, Maine.
2. Miss Alice Folsom, Lewiston, Maine.
3. Mrs. Eunice Fletcher, Lewiston, Maine.
4. John B. Keegan, Lewiston, Maine.
5. Mrs. Susan Folsom, Dover, N. H.
6. Miss Delma L. FuUonton, Dover, N. H.
7. Miss Frances E. Smith, Exeter, N. H.
8. Channing Folsom, Newmarket, N. H.
9. Mrs. Ruth F. Folsom, Newmarket, N. H.
10. Frank C. Folsom, Manchester, N. H.
11. Miss Addle S. Folsom, Laconia, N. H.
12. Harold M. Folsom, Portsmouth, N. H.
13. Miss Frances A. Mathes, Portsmouth, N. H.
14. Mrs. J. E. Cram, Raymond, N. H.
15. Warren Folsom, Boston, Mass.
16. Mrs. R. D. Folsom, Boston, Mass,
17. Mrs. Annie E. Lawrence, Boston, Mass.
18. George A. Hayes, Brookline, Mass.
19. Mrs. Neal H. Hayes, Brookline, Mass.
20. Frederick C. Folsom, Braintree, Mass.
21. Mrs. Gwladys Folsom, Braintree, Mass.
22. James E. Folsom, Braintree, Mass.
23. Rev. John N. Short, Cambridge, Mass.
24. Mrs. Mary F. Short, Cambridge, Mass.
25. Mrs. J. Warren Twisden, Camibridge, Mass.
26. Miss Faith Garland, Cambridge, Mass.
27. Miss Mary L. Garland, Cambridge, Mass.
28. John E. Higgins, Danvers, Mass.
29. Miss Helen F. Greely, Dorchester, Mass.
30. Mrs. L. W. Folsom, Dorchester, Mass.
31. Mrs. Mary F. Parker, East Bridgewater, Mass.
32. Mary A. Brett, Gleasondale, Mass.
33. Florence A. Brett, Gleasondale, Mass.

[9]

34. Benjamin P. Folsom, Gleasondale, Mass.
35. Mrs. S. E. Folsom, Gleasondale, Mass.
36. Mrs. Viola F. Stratton, Hudson, Mass.
37. Roy W. Hutchinson, Melrose, Mass.
38. Mrs. Mabel F. Hutchinson, Melrose, Mass.
39. Wm. N. Folsom, Melrose Highlands, Mass,
40. Mrs. Eva T. Folsom, Medford, Mass.
41. Mrs. A, F, Skinner, Lynn, Mass,
42. Mrs, H, L. Jones, South Acton, Mass.
43. Henry H, Folsom, SomerviUe, Mass.
44. Mrs. Mary R. Folsom, SomerviUe, Mass.
45. Mary H, Ackroyd, SomerviUe, Mass.
46. Charles C, Folsom, SomerviUe, Mass.
47. Mrs, L. N. Folsom, SomerviUe, Mass.
48. Mrs. Sarah E. Reynolds, SomerviUe, Mass.
49. Mrs. Laura A, Haley, SomerviUe, Mass,
50. W. P. Reynolds, SomerviUe, Mass.
51. Mrs. Annie E. Dupee, SomerviUe, Mass.
52, Mrs. Lizzie F. Pease, SomerviUe, Mass,
53. Miss Jessie P. Folsom, Stoughton, Mass.
54. Mrs. Mary E. Colburn, Stoughton, Mass.
55. Mrs. Inez R. Folsom, Stoughton, Mass.
56. Wallace H. Folsom, Wayland, Mass.
57. Mrs. Mary F. Damon, Wayland, Mass.
58. Miss Mabel E. Damon, Wayland, Mass.
59. Eugene L. Folsom, Waltham, Mass.
60. Mrs. Mira C. Folsom, Waltham, Mass.
61. George C. Folsom, Wellesley Hills, Mass.
62. Miss Marion W. Folsom, West Acton, Mass,
63. Mrs. M. Blanche F. White, Winchester, Mass.
64, Mrs, L. C. Heely, New York City.
65. James E. Whinery, Jackson, Mich.
66. Charles G. Folsom, South Bend, Ind.
67. Miss Nadine Folsom, South Bend, Ind.
68. George A. Smith, Boston, Mass.
69. Mrs. George A. Smith, Boston, Mass.
[10]

RECORD OP NATHANIEL FOLSOM.

The Record of Nathaniel Folsom, third of the Immigrant's
sons. He made no will — conclusion is natural that he left little
or no property.
May 6, 1696 Nathaniel Foulsam, laborer, sold to Capt. Peter
Cofiin, of Exeter, 2 acres in Exeter with house and barn and 1-8
of "the Great SawmUl."
He m. Hannah Farrow, dau. of John & Francis Farrow,
born April 9, 1648. Her father came from Hingham, Eng. to
Hingham, Mass., 1636, the town granting him land the same
year. (They were prob. m. in Hingham, Mass.)
In 1696, he signed a deed of land in Exeter and must have
had a second wife as the name Mary is signed on this deed. She
was left a widow who was taxed as such in 1725.
Nathaniel Foulsam — name upon petition to the King against
Gov. Cranfi61d. Oct. 10, 1664, at a towne meeting there was granted to
Nathaniel Polsome, Peter Polsome and Israel Folsome, each of
them ten acres upon the pine hill next to Thomas King's fall.
Layd out according to grant, bounded with John Folsome Sen
ior lying to the westward.
Apr. 1, 1678 Nathaniel Folsom one of those who "were ad
mitted, and taken in inhabitants of the towne," having taken
the oath of allegiance. That Nath'l Inherited his father's inter
est in Woodland is shown by what happened. At a towne meet
ing March 1th (78), Exeter Sam: Hall and Nathaniel Folsom
are chosen Surveyors for this next yeere."
From Vital Statistics of Rehoboth, Mass.
List of those who made advances of money, and the sum so
advanced. King Phillip's War.
Nathaniel Folsom 5s: 6.
(This is the only time his name appears in Rehoboth rec
ords.) Date of Nathaniel's death is not known but he was living in
1714. His children seem to have settled in Brentwood, Stratham
and Newington.

[11]

STORY OP MARY FOLSOM MARCH.
Given by Miss Faith Garland, Her Descendant of the Tenth
Generation.
Mary was the sixth child and only daughter among the
seven children of John Folsom. While the stern rule of the
Puritan could never relax enough to spoil any child, it is natu
ral to think of her as the beloved centre of the family group.
The date of her birth is not known but was probably only a
short time before that of her baptism, April 13, 1651.
The fate supposed to overtake a child who died without this
sacrament was too awful to be risked longer than was abso
lutely necessary. She was given at this time her mother's name,
the old and revered name of Mary.
Her childhood must have had many hardships, although
the terror of Indians which was to so fill the lives of many
succeeding generations of children — and grown people as well —
was not yet quite so keen, since no murderous attack by the
Indians was made on Exeter until years later. Her home was
in the older part of the town and near the Squamscott river
which must have had for her the fascination that a river has
for all children.
As the only daughter she early learned the many arts need
ful to the capable housewife, so when at twenty-one George
March of the then faraway town of Newbury, won her for his
bride she was well prepared for her new duties. A month be
fore her marriage her father deeded to Mary and her intended
husband 100 acres of land in Exeter, a rich wedding gift even in
those days.
They were married on the 12th day of June 1672.
Mary's new house was on the road leading from Newbury to
Andover, and like her old one, near a river. The bridge over
this river was later known as the George March bridge.
Her husband was a man of prominence.
He was chosen one of the Tithing men for 1685-1686.
One of the most picturesque offices of those times was
that of tithing man. They were required to carry as a badge
of office a black staff two feet long, tipped at one end with brass
about three inches wide; and were sworn to a faithful discharge
of their duties.
On May 24, 1677, the General Court ordered that one tithing
man in every ten families in the town should be appointed by
the Selectmen to apprehend all Sabbath breakers, "those who
absent themselves from the public worship of God on the Lord's
•day, disorderly children and servants, night walkers, and tip
plers, and in the absence of a constable, take them before a
magistrate or commit them to prison.
George March took the oath of allegiance at Newbury in
1678, being 32 years old at the time.
He was also one of the freeholders chosen to agree on the
[12]

size of the lots and the number of persons to whom these lots
should be assigned in the division of the common lands.
In 1681 he was one of the selectmen who sent a petition to
Boston stating that the town of Newbury is greatly inconven
ienced for want of a magistrate.
In 1695 he was one of a committee to arrange for a ferry.
Geo. March is also spoken of as the cornet in the "Horse
of the town of Newbury."
The years must have passed quickly for Mary for soon she
had many children about her, thirteen in all, 9 boys and 4 girls.
Of these only seven lived to be married, five sons and two
daughters, Hugh, John, James, Israel, George, Sarah, Mary.
Of the sons Hugh was a Sergeant, John a lieutenant, also
saddler and inholder, and Israel a physician.
The wedded life of George and Mary March was not a long
one, for George M. died in 1699, aged 53 years. Mary was left
a widow at only 48, with a tiny baby in her arms. Of her later
life there is no record, but we like to think of her as passing on
to an old age surrounded by the love of her children and her
children's children.

FACTS CONCERNING ISRAEL FOLSOM.
Facts concerning Israel Folsom, the fourth son.
Made no will.
1664 was granted land, with his brothers, as above.
Febr. '73 There was granted to Moses Gilman that land
which lyes between his owne land by his barne and that land
that was formerly William Moors, that which was the highway,
provided the said Moses set up two gates, and leave insted of
it, a way to go up into the woods, lying between Mr. Dudley's
and Israel Folsom.
(I think this shows that Israel Folsom's land was on what
is now Newmarket Road.)
There are no deeds which would belong to this first Israel,
and in fact, the town books are silent on the doings of Israel.
Records at Concord of 1718—24—31—36—39, probably of
Israel 3, but may refer to Israel 2.
These facts were dug from the records by Mrs. Elizabeth
K. Folsom and she not being present at the Boston meeting they
were read by Miss Frances A. Mathes.

[13]

EPHRAIM FOLSOM.
Facts compiled and read by Henry H. Folsom.
The youngest of the seven children of the emigrant, John
Folsom and his wife, Mary (Gilman) Folsom, was named Eph
raim and was born at Hingham, Massachusetts In the early part
of the year 1654, having been baptized in the Massachusetts town
February 25, 1654. Later in that year, presumably in the late
spring, John Folsom and his family undertook their second mi
gration, moving with all their goods, chattels, livestock and other
impedimenta to the town of Exeter, New Hampshire, a distance
of some seventy-five miles to the northward. As to the method
of travel, neither history nor tradition informs us. It is proba
ble that a number of families went from the little Massachusetts
settlement to Exeter at or about this time; there were, of course,
settlements along the way, but whether a large number of people
joined in the march or whether the whole of John Folsom's fami
ly went together, we cannot say. It is extremely probable that
no large number of animals was required to carry the personal
property and it is doubtless true that the older children walked
a considerable portion of the distance.
The earliest appearance of the name of John Folsom in the
records of Exeter is 1655, although it is stated in some places
that he probably came there between 1650 and 1653. If, however,
the statement that his youngest child, Ephraim, was baptized
in Hingham in 1654 is correct, and it is assumed that this church
record is right, it hardly seems probable that this change of
abode took place before the spring of 1654.
Of the emigrant John and his family and their life in Exeter
while the children were growing to manhood and womanhood,
we have heard at previous meetings. The father was a promi
nent man in the little settlement, and I would that my imagi
nation would give you a glimpse of the boyhood of the baby of
the family. We may be sure that the school years were not long
or many and that hard work in the field, in the woods, on the
river and in the saw mills was the order of the day. The earli
est record which has come to my attention containing the name
of Ephraim Folsom was made in 1673 at which time John Fol
som of Bxiter, planter, appointed his son Peter (Lieutenant Pe
ter) his attorney. This power of attorney is dated April 10, 1673,
and is witnessed by Ephraim ffulsham and Edward Smithe and
was acknowledged in court at Salisbury, April 8, 1673.
In 1677 Ephraim's name appears as one of the signers of
the Exeter Petition, which favors the continuing of the settle
ment as a part of the province of Massachusetts. With him
signed his father, John, and one of his brothers. The name first
appears in the town books under the date April 1, 1678, when
"at a towne-meeting Ephraim Folsom and others were admit
ted and taken in inhabitants of the towne." His tax or Prov
ince Rate for 1680 was three shillings, eleven pence.
On March 30, 1681 at a legal town meeting, a grant of 100
acres of land was made by the inhabitants of the town to Eph-
[14]

raim Folsom, "in the township of Exeter, if it doth not intrench
upon any former grant or highways."
Previous to this time the young man had probably married
and made for himself and wife a new home. It is related that
he was the first person to locate at Lamprey River, settling near
the falls of the Piscassic River. By Lamprey River is meant the
locality, then a part of the township of Exeter, which later be
came the parish of Newmarket and is now the town of that name.
The territory included in the town of Exeter extended at that
time to the Lamprey River on the north including as has been
said what is now the town of Newmarket, as well as Newfields.
The 100 acres granted to Ephraim was situated in what is
now the town of Newmarket, about one mile and a half from the
present village of Newmarket and some eight miles, as the
road now runs, from the town of Exeter.
This grant was confirmed at a town meeting held December
20, 1698, when the report of the two town measurers or survey
ors one of whom was Biley Dudley, was accepted. This report
of the surveyors is of interest. It states that "whereas there
was 100 acres of land formerly granted to Bphrim foulsham and
confirmed by a comita as doth appear upon record (which rec
ord, however, was not to be found) this land is bounded as fol-
loweth, begin at a white oak standing upon ye north side of the
little river standing at ye foot of ye falls below ye mill marked
R, H. W., from thence runing to a beech tree, marked R. H. W„
from thence running to a hemlock tree, thence to a white oak
tree marked R. H. W., standing by ye above said river so bounded
by ye river to ye white oak first mentioned, laid out by us.
MOSES COFFIN.
BILEY DUDLEY "
The "little river" is the Piscassic, a small stream, an arm of
the Lamprey having its source in the town of Fremont or Brent
wood and flowing through the westerly part of Newmarket to
its junction with the Lamprey.
A considerable portion of this grant is still in the possession
of the Folsom family, having passed through successive genera
tions of the descendants of Ephraim, some of it being now owned
by Hon. Channing Folsom of Newmarket and a portion of it, in
cluding the original site of the building, belonging to the writer,
having been devised to him by his great-aunt, the late Mary J.
Folsom, a teacher and writer of considerable renown, who died
in Newmarket in 1894. The farm buildings now standing on the
site of what is supposed to have been the house erected by Eph
raim are in good state of preservation and are comfortable and
roomy. The house erected about 1826 is large and commodious.
It is probably the fourth house erected by the Folsom family on
this location; one having been destroyed by fire, and another,
moved on to another farm, not a half mile from its original lo
cation, is in excellent repair.
In the cemetery close by the house, lie buried Ephraim, his
son William, his grandson William, his great grandson Josiah
[15]

and many others bearing the name, lineal descendants of the
youngest child of the emigrant himself. What the reasons were
which impelled the young man Ephraim to take up his abode in
this particular place has been a matter of much speculation.
Why his 100 acres were allotted in this locality tradition does
not state. It seems that it must have been a matter largely
within his personal choice. It was eight miles from his father's
home; it was back from the Great Bay and the navigable rivers;
a considerable portion of the land is very sandy, and some is
rough. However, it bounded for a considerable distance on the
Pisacasic river, and there is a stretch of meadow land which is
fertile and easily tilled; a spring of excellent water is near-by,
the location for the buildings is somewhat elevated sloping to
the south, but sand makes up a considerable portion of the area
and as agricultural land, the 100 acres originally granted are
not now considered valuable, for farming purposes, and yet, por
tions of this tract are very desirable. In a country so rocky as
is a large portion of this section of what was then within the
limits of Exeter, a light and smooth soil may have seemed de
sirable. It seems probable that at this time a considerable por
tion of the land bordering on the tidal rivers had been taken up
and that this youngest son was forced to go far back from his
father's home. Yet on this farm at least five generations of his
descendants lived, worked, prospered, brought up and educated
large families of children and were men of affairs in their com
munity, honored repeatedly with positions of trust and responsi
bility. The place is somewhat remote from the present paths of
travel, being situated on a cross-road known as Hersey Lane,
some two miles in length and being the only habitation on such
highway. On this grant did Ephraim settle sometime about 1674, he
undoubtedly having taken possession and erected his habitation
thereon before any grant was made to him. To this place he
brought his bride, Phaltiel, daughter of Lieutenant Ralph Hall
of Dover, and here were born and raised their seven children.
Distant as was his home from the village of Exeter yet he was
one of the prominent citizens of the town. On October 8, 1691
he was chosen one of the townsmen of Exeter and he was Select
man during the year 1691, not caring to serve longer because of
the distance of his home from the village, where the town busi
ness was transacted. He signed the petition remonstrating
against Governor Cranfield in 1685, and petitioned for the gov
ernment and protection of Massachusetts on February 20, 1690;
and that officers might be commissioned by the Governor and
Council of the Province of Massachusetts Bay to command the
militia. On April 17, 1700 he was granted twenty additional
acres of land by the town, the location of which latter grant
I have been unable to find. Ephraim Folsom engaged to a
considerable extent in the lumber business, operating saw-mills
in partnership with his brother-in-law, John Gilman.
In 1684 certain timber, lumber and the saw-mill of Ephraim
Folsom and John Gilman was attached in a suit at law brought
by Robert Mason in an attempt to compel Folsom to pay for
[16]

the land previously granted to him by the Inhabitants of Exeter.
This action grew out of the grants made in 1622 and 1629 by the
Council of New England, acting under royal authority, to John
Mason and Fernando Gorges, of certain territory in what is now
New Hampshire and Maine. In 1622 these two men, who had
been actively engaged in the service of the Crown in the gov
ernment of Newfoundland, received a grant of the region be
tween the Merrimac and Kennebec Rivers and extending 60 miles
inland. Some years later these possessions were divided be
tween the two. Mason taking the territory between the Merri
mac and the Piscataqua and in 1629 Mason received a new grant
from the Council of this last named territory, and later when
the Council for New England decided to divide their territory,
received as his share all the region between the Naumkeag or
Salem River and Piscataqua River and extending 60 miles in
land, also the southern half of the Isles of Shoals and a large
tract in Maine on the Kennebec. It does not appear that Mason's
immense holdings of land were a source of income to him and
before he could come to New England, he having been appointed
as admiral over that territory, he died. His immediate heirs
made no attempt to take possession of the land, and grants
were made by the different towns to their inhabitants and the
title of Mason utterly disregarded. About 1680 Robert Tufton,
grand-son of John Mason, having changed his name to Mason,
made an attempt to assert his title to this immense tract and
interested Charles II sufficiently in the claim so that the king re
ferred the matter to his Attorney General who reported in fa
vor of Mason's claims. Thereupon various law-suits were
brought against certain of the settlers of New Hampshire, but
very little progress was made, the settlers very naturally not
yielding to claims of title of such a flimsy nature. After some
years Robert Mason sold his claims to some twelve persons who
flnally released and quitclaimed their right, title and interest
in all the lands which had been granted by the various towns
and actually occupied.
The judgment against Ephraim Folsom was obtained in Bos
ton and the execution is dated 1688. It recites that whereas
Robert Mason had recovered judgment against various parties
including John Gilman, Jr., and Ephraim Folsom of Exeter now
in our Dominion of New England formerly in the Province of
New Hampshire, it is ordered that the records, processes, etc.,
be delivered to the Supreme Court, said judgment to be enforced
by said last named Court. It is extremely probable that no at
tempt was ever seriously made to enforce this judgment and the
hardy pioneer was left in possession of his well-earned land,
for which he had doubtless paid something to the Township of
Exeter. All of the suits were eventually dropped, although it
is probable that in some instances small sums of money were
paid to Mason's Attorneys for the sake of purchasing peace of
mind. But a rigorous climate, an unproductive soil, a farm in the
midst of a wilderness, a groundless law-suit, a large family to
support, were but trifles compared with the danger always pres-
[17]

ent from the treacherous Indian, incited and oftentimes led by
the vindictive French then in possession of Canada. The story
of the Indian ravages in New England during the Colonial and
Indian wars is familiar to you and in no section of the coun
try did the Indian fight more desperately than in Southeastern
New Hampshire. The settlements at Dover and Durham were
almost annihilated and the towns of Exeter and the surrounding
country fared nearly as badly. Many of the men of Exeter were
slain during these years, for the most part in small groups or
singly, by roving bands of the savages in search of revenge.
There was no successful attack by any large force of Indians
upon the people of Exeter but always, except for the few brief
truces during that period, there was the danger of an attack
and no man or party of men could go out of the settlement to
work in the fields or woods with safety. Garrison houses were
at times guarded by armed men and at other times scouting par
ties were sent out to gather information concerning the move
ments of the enemy. We find it recorded that in July 1696 the
men on duty in the garrison at Newfields were Ephraim Folsom,
Biley Dudley, Job Judkins, Lyford and five others and that in
August, presumably of that year, from the 3rd to the 31st, Eph
raim Folsom, Samuel Dudley and David Roberson were serving
in garrisons. We wonder wliat protection was given to the fami
ly on the lonely farm in the forest while the father was perform
ing the garrison duty, but the boys were growing to manhood
and were always prepared to repel the dreaded enemy.
On June 11, 1709 Ephraim Folsom rode on his horse to Exe
ter with a bag of corn to be ground, spent the day in transact
ing business and while returning home alone and unattended
met his death in the same manner as did so many of his neigh
bors and fellow settlers at the hands of the foe. Riding towards
home with a bag of grist on his horse, at sunset, he was shot and
killed by a solitary Indian firing from behind a tree.
Administration on the estate of Ephraim Folsom of Exeter,
granted to his widow Phaltiel Folsom in 1709,
The Bond of Phaltiel Folsom of Exeter as administrator
with Ephraim Folsom and William French both of Exeter as
sureties in the sum of $100 for administration of estate, is re
corded in the Rockingham County Registry of Probate.
The witnesses are Andrew Wiggin and Charles Story.
The letter of administration to the widow of Ephraim is as
follows : , role r
Province of By the Hon. Richard Waldron, Esq.
/ lawfully Authorized and Commissioned by his
New Hampshire ) r
( Excellency Joseph Dudley Esq. Governour
and Commander in Cheife of her Majesties Province of New
Hampshire to be Judge of Probate of Wills and for granting let
ters of Administration on the Estate of persons deceased haveing
Goods Chattells Rights or Creditts within the Province aforesaid.
To Phaltiel ffoulsham widdow and Relict of Ephraim ffoulsh-
[18]

am late of Exeter in the said Province deceased Greeting Where-
d
as the said Ephraim ffolsham dec. haveing while he lived and
at the time of his decease Goods Chattells Rights or Creditts in
the Province aforesaid — lately dyed intestate, whereby the
power of Comitting Administration and full disposition of all
and Singuler the Goods Chattells Rights and Creditts of the
d
said dec and alsoe the hearing Examining and allowing the
Accompts of Such Administration doth appertaine Unto me.
Trusting therefor in your Care and ffidelitye, I doe by these
presents committ unto you full power to Administer all and
Singular the Goods Chattels Rights and creditts of the said de
ceased Ephraim ffoulsham and well and faithfully to dispose of
the same according to law; And alsoe to ask gather, levy, Re- d
cover, and receive, all and whatsoever Creditts of the Said dec
which to him while he lived and at the time of his death did ap
pertain and to pay all Debts in which the deceased Stood Bound,
Soe farr as his Goods,. Chattills, Rights, and Creditts, cann Ex
tend, according to the' Value thereof; And to make a true and
perfect Inventory of all and Singular the Goods Chattells Rights
and Creditts, And to Exhibit the same into the Registry of the
Court of Probate for the Province aforesaid, at or before
the day of next Ensueing; And to Render;
a plaine and true Accompt of your Said Administration at or be
fore the day of which will be in the year of
our Lord One thousand Seven Hundred and and I doe
hereby Ordaine Constitute and Appointe you Administratrix of
all and Singuler the Goods Chattells Rights and Creditts afore
said; In Testimony whereof I have hereunto Sett my hand and
seal of the said Court of Prohate Dated at Portsmouth the
day of
Anno Dm — 1709 RICHARD WALDRON
rius
Cha Story Reg
N. H. Province Probate Records, vol. 5, p. 37.
Office of Secretary of State,
Concord, N. H.
(Endorsement) Inventory of Ephraim ffoulsham Estate
brought into the office 8th Nov. br 1709 
A true inventory of all and singler goods and catels of
Ephram folsam lat desesed prized at Exeter in the 26— of Oc-
tobr 1709 by us Richard Hilton  Winthrop Hilton
in primis his hous and-Lan at 6 — 00 — 0
ittim 30 eakers of land 20 — 00 — 0
itam one ox at 4  OO  0
itam one Coue and Calf 2 — 10  0
for funerall Charges 4  o  0
for the letter of adminestratlon
to my Charg and a man 3 dais
and a hors  15  
[19]

The children of Ephraim Folsom and his wife Phaltiel
(Hall) Folsom were:
1. Elizabeth married John Robinson, Exeter
2. Daughter, name not known, married , York
3. Lydia, married Glidden
4. Abigail, married Joseph Judkins of Newmarket
5. Sarah, married Thomas Young, Esq.
6. Ephraim, Jr., married Taylor, had 3 or 4 sons.
7. WiUiam
Of the first three no information other than that given in
the above list was to be found.
The fourth daughter, Abigail, wife of Joseph Judkins, lived
and died in Newmarket. She was the mother of Deacon Joseph
Judkins, a prominent citizen of that town.
Thomas Young, who married Sarah, was a cordwainer, living
in Exeter, Newmarket and Dover, a man of considerable promi
nence. He petitioned February 20, 1690, for the Government and
protection of Massachusetts, as formerly; was counted, April
25, 1715, among householders living nearer old meeting-house on
Dover Neck than the new one at Cochato; presented claim
against Estate of Col, Winthrop Hilton October 3, 1717; was of
Exeter and purchased part of 600 acres granted to Moses Gil
man, Sept. 4, 1720; bought John Willey's proprietor rights in
township of Canterbury March 16, 1730; one of a committee of
Newmarket parish on the settlement of Mr, Moody, February 9,
1730; justice of the peace in 1744,
He was the representative from Newmarket in 1744 having
been "unduly elected" and was superseded in 1745. The undue
election of Mr. Young was brought about by the casting of more
ballots than there were present votes at the election. He was
a petitioner in 1746 for the construction of the bridge between
Newfields and Stratham. He bought a portion of homestead
estate of Benjamin York over against Lamprey River landing-
place November 9, 1749; was rated for parish dues in Dover 1753.
Will Dated May 2, 1767 ; but not signed. Died May 11, 1767, age
76. His wife died May 13, 1768, age 76.
Ephraim Folsom, Jr., lived in Newmarket. He was extensive
ly engaged in the lumber business and was granted tracts of
land on the Piscassic River near his father's land also on the
Lamprey River some two miles above Packer's Falls.
William, the youngest of the seven children, inherited or
acquired the homestead on the Piscassic River in Newmarket
on the highway known as Hersey Lane. He was prominent in
the civic affairs of the town of Newmarket, and was a pros
perous farmer. He was for twenty years a selectman of the
town. He died in 1755.

[20]

MEMBERS FOR 1912.
Bingham, B. C, Saginaw, Mich.
Carmen, E. Folsom, Gallup, N. M.
Cram, Emma, Raymond, N. H.
Cole, Nellie Folsom, East Llvermore, Me.
Colburn, Mrs. A. B., Stoughton, Mass.
Coventry, Mrs. Wm. A., Duluth, Minn.
Dimmick, Ann M. P., Gilmanton, Mass.
Dupe«, Mrs. A. E., SomerviUe. Mass.
Damon, Mrs. Mary F., Wayland, Mass.
Damon, Miss Mabel, Wayland, Mass.
Davis, Mrs. Emily J., Lake Crystal, Minn.
Folsom, Channing, Newmarket, N. H.
Folsom, Henry H., SomerviUe, Mass.
Folsom, L. H., Greenville, Maine.
Folsom, H. E. Lyndonville, Vt.
Folsom, Wm. Winslow, Hope, Ark.
Folsom, Geo. C, Boston, Mass.
Folsom, H. A., Boston, Mass.
Folsom, Wallace H., Wayland, Mass.
Folsom, Samuel W., Cleveland, Ohio.
Folsom, Arthur Hanna, New York City.
Folsom, Eugene L., Waltham, Mass.
Folsom, Mira S., Waltham, Mass.
Folsom, Chas. C, SomerviUe, Mass.
Folsom, Wm. N., Melrose, Mass.
Folsom, Mrs. L. H., Greenville, Maine.
Folsom, Benj. F., Gleasondale, Mass.
Folsom, Miss Marion W., West Acton, Mass.
Folsom, James E., Braintree, Mass.
Folsam, Wm. H., Markesan, Wis.
Folsom, Chas. R., Syracuse, N. Y.
Folsom, Frank C, Skowhegan, Maine.
Folsom, L. W., Long Beach, Cal.
Folsom, Willis H., Springvale, Maine.
Folsom, Mrs. Susan A., Dover, N. H.
Folsom, Jos. Pulford, Newark, N. J.
Folsom, Miss Amy, Boston, Mass.
Folsom, Prances L., Buffalo, N. Y.
Folsom, Miss Alice E., Montpelier, Vt.
Folsom, Harry C, Oakland, Me. [21]

Folsom, Miss Ida 0., Boston, Mass.
Folsom, Israel, Lewiston, Me.
Folsom, Miss Kate, North Wilmington, Mass.
Folsom, Moses, St. Cloud, Fla.
Folsom, Chas. S.
Folsom, Mrs. Mary R., SomerviUe, Mass.
Folsom, Frederick C, Braintree, Mass.
Folsom, Gwladys S., Braintree, Mass.
Folsom, Mrs. Eva T., Medford, Mass.
Folsom, Chas. G., South Bend, Ind.
Folsom, Miss Nadine, South Bend, Ind.
Farrington, Mrs. Jessie P., Piedmont, N. Y.
FuUonton, Miss Delma, Dover, N. H.
Grantham, Mrs. J. T., Savannah, Ga.
Garland, Miss Faith, Cambridge, Mass.
Hutchinson, Mrs. M. P., Melrose, Mass.
Hills, Elizabeth K., Marblehead, Mass.
Haines, Alanson C, Newmarket, N. H.
Haines, Hannah W., Newmarket, N. H.
Harvey, M. A., Epping, N. H.
Hutchinson, Roy W., Melrose, Mass.
Harris, Mrs. Elizabeth B., Dorchester, Mass.
Howe, Mrs. C. O., Bangor, Me.
Heely, Mrs. Laura C, New York City.
Haley, Mrs. Laura A., SomerviUe, Mass.
Hovey, Louise P., Portsmouth, N. H.
Klyce, Mrs. Scudder, Annapolis, Md.
Jones, Mrs. H. L., South Acton, Mass.
Lambert, Ira C, Toms River, N. J.
Lambert, Ella M., Toms River, N. J.
Lawrence, Mrs. Annie E. M., Boston, Mass.
Link, Mrs. M, P., New York.
Mathes, Susan H., Portsmouth, N. H.
Mathes, Miss Frances A., Portsmouth. N. H.
McCoy, Wm. B., Cambridge, Mass.
McKinney, Mrs. Mary, Fremont, Iowa.
NichoUs, Willard, Redlands, Cal.
Pindell, Mrs. Jas. B., Minneapolis, Minn.
Parker, Annie B. (Davis) Boston, Mass.
Parker, Mrs. Mary P., East Bridgewater, Mass.
Reynolds, Mrs. W. P., SomerviUe, Mass.
Short, Mary P. P., SomerviUe, Mass.
Stratton, Mrs. Viola P., Hudson, Mass.
[22]

Smith, Leonard P., Exeter, N. H.
Smith, Herman Leonard, Exeter, N. H.
Smith, Miss Frances E,, Exeter, N, H.
Tredick, Mrs. C. Morris, Melrose, Mass.
Tredick, Miss Helen P., Melrose, Mass.
Whitman, Mrs. DeElsie, Burlington, Vt.
White, Mary B. F., Winchester, Mass.
Total 90.

REUNION TIME.
It's Fall again, an' in my soul I feel the fiUin' joy
That's sure to come this time of year to every Folsom girl or boy
For every year the Folsoms' at reunion may be seen
When fields are bright with golden corn and pumpkins of yellow
sheen.
It's Fall again an' with it all what happiness is mine
There's goin' to be a reunion and I'm goin' to jine!
One year I jined the Baptists and goodness how it rained
(But grampa says that that's the way baptizo is explained.)
Once jined the 'Piscopils and had a heap of fun
But the boss of all the picnics was the Presbyterian!
They had so many puddin's, salads, sandwiches and pies
That a feller just wished his stummick was as hungry as his
eyes.
Ah yes, the eatin's the Presbyterians give yer is so fine
That when they have a picnic, you bet I'm goin' to jine!
This time the Folsom's have special claim on me
For they're goin' to give a reunion on Sept. 4, A. D.
No matter how het'rodox their articles of faith might be
Their doctrine of love and fellowship is a savin' grace for me
So on the 4th Sept., the weather being fine.
They're havin' a grand old reunion and we're so glad to jine.
NADINE FOLSOM,
South Bend, Indiana.

[23]

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