Towle Family

The Towle family is one of the oldest in town.  By reference to an account of early settlements, on page 19, it will be seen that Elisha Towle came here in 1751.  Some of the name have been here ever since, although not in the same family line of descent.

Elisha Towle is called Captain in the town records.  His house stood a little north of where the late Col. Lyba Brown lived.  Late in life, Oct. 8, 1794, he married Widow Amelia Welch, and died.  The only children whose names we have found, were William, who remained on the home place, and Daniel, who lived near Governor’s pond where John Smith lives.

Ensign William Towle’s wife was Elizabeth.  All other information we have is that a son was born Feb., 27, 1782, and she died July 12, of the same year, leaving this child, named John.  This son went to Maine, in after years, and was killed by the falling of a tree.

Ens. Towle married, second, a woman named Abigail.  She had been a school teacher in the Page, and perhaps other districts.  She was a woman of more than common powers of mind.  Some now living recollect her.  At times, after 1815, she was insane.  Then she was inclined to be away from home, visiting acquaintances.  But these seasons were only temporary.  The children were:

1. Elizabeth, b. March 3, 1788, married Silas Willey.

2. Amelia, b. Sept. 20, 1791, married Jeremiah Chandler.

3. Sarah, b. Sept. 14, 1792, died young.

4. Nathaniel, b. Feb. 4, 1794.

5. Elisha, b. March 7, 1801, married Susan, daughter of Josiah Brown, lived in the old house now standing near Ebenezer Prescott’s; afterwards moved to Maine.

Daniel Towle lived near Governor’s pond.  Of his children, no full account is at hand.  Jeremiah lived on the homestead, but sold and went to Maine.  He was a man of large frame, and, as extremes sometimes meet, he married a wife uncommonly small in person.

Capt. James Towle was from Hawke, now Danville, and is said to have been a nephew of Capt. Elisha Towle.  He lived on the place where Mr. Mack now lives, at the Branch.

Serg. William Towle was from Epping.  It is said he lived on the north side of the town after coming here, near where Samuel West now lives.  Afterwards he settled near the village, his house standing where the Willard house now does.  He was a soldier in the war of the Revolution, and a man of great energy.  He was a pensioner for many years, and died March 28, 1825, aged 85.

Serg. Towle married a daughter of Benjamin Prescott, who lived east of the Harriman road in what has since been the Blake field, afterwards just above David Pecker’s, on the south side of the road.  He had a brother Philemon, hence that name in Sargeant Towle’s family.  Mr. Towle’s wife died Nov. 25, 1820.  Of their children, Philemon lived in town, then in Rumney and afterwards here again.  William followed on the home place.  Mrs. Asa K. Poor and Mrs. Luther True are daughters.  Another daughter of Sargeant Towle married Mr. Bliss and went from town.  Mehitable married Stephen Smith, and settled at Oak Hill.  Of their children, only Oliver lives in town.  Jacob, and Eliza, who married E.H. Giddings, live in Exeter.  Irene married, and lives in Manchester.  Dolly, William and Stephen have died.

Widow Mehitable Smith is the oldest person belonging to this town, but she resides mostly at Exeter.  She will be 96 this year.  Her husband was Stephen, son of Jacob, on Oak Hill.  Elisha Towle was from Candia, and lived at the Green.  Mrs. Dodge, a daughter, also lives there.  Howard and Oren Towle were sons of Elisha.

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