Little Family of South Road Village

This page explores the Little Family of South Road Village, Salisbury, New Hampshire. The Littles and descendants called this area home for about 160 years. There is more information on the contribution of this family regarding Early Telecommunications.

South Road (Range) Village before 1882. The far structure, Elm House, was destroyed by fire in 1882. 4 large buildings not view in the lower left also burned in 1894: The Parsonage was located where Rte 4 is now, The Grand Army of the Republic Hall (new building which was well finished and fitted), The Greenough’s Store (also occupied for a time by the C.E. For Company, not in operation at the time but rather used as a fruit evaporator building), The Kearsarge Cottage a large boarding house. The next building, the home of the Littles, survived. Somewhere in the mix of buildings destroyed and rebuilt, we believe there was a building referred to as the Little Store. South Road Village is the old name for the area around what is now called the Crossroads area of Rte 127 and Rte 4. In the earliest of times, South Road Village was one of the first clusters of settlements along the South Range Road.

The 3 Range roads extended westward at an angle from the Merrimack River, bringing the earlier travelers.
Route 4 did not go straight through the intersection as it does today until the late fifties or early sixties.
Mutton Road, which crosses the South Range Road, created an intersection marked with a flag pole in the middle, as seen in the photo. Mutton Road brought travelers in from West Boscawen (Webster) and Hopkinton, which were settled earlier.
Rabbit Road brought travelers into the junction from Boscawen.
Old College Road came up from Boscawen as well, though it is unclear how. Speculation is that it was Bacon Lane, which connected to Bog Road, which in turn connected to the next Range Road.
The original land lot configurations came off the range road in a somewhat herringbone pattern and were narrow and deep. On the lots on the southern part of the South Range Road were 2 Little Farms that extended to the Boscawen town line, where the lots ended.
On the opposite side of the road, the lots extended originally to the Center Range way (now Center Road).
By 1800-1805, the Fourth NH Turnpike (Route 4) was built, which increased traffic into the South Road Village, and soon it was a bustling center of activity in which the enterprising Little family lived and prospered. It came through on Old Coach Road, where three Little homes were, and then took a turn onto the South Range Way, followed shortly by a turn right to go north. Hence the name “The Crank” for South Road Village.
For more information, in South Road Village

Who were the Littles of South Road Village, Salisbury, NH?

The earliest settler in this Little branch was William Coffin Little. There were many Little branches off these lines, but the focus here is primarily on those that resided in this area. However, included also are several current out-of-town descendants who graciously helped with information and their family tree. All information is welcome, and all corrections as well.

Sources of information: History of Salisbury by John Dearborn, Historic Salisbury Houses by Dr. Paul Shaw, Salisbury Lost by Dr. Paul Shaw, Gravestone Inscriptions From all Cemeteries Within the Township of Salisbury 1784-1933 by Pricilla Hammond, Find a Grave website, and data from the Little descendants.

1745, Nov 17 William Coffin Little is born in Newbury, Mass. He becomes a silversmith by trade and marries Mary Rowell in 1769 in Amesbury, Mass. She was born in 1745 in Amesbury, Mass. All of their children were born before moving to Salisbury. It is unclear if he continued silversmithing or became a farmer.

The following are maker’s marks attributed to William Coffin Little and/or his son William, also a silversmith. In all likelihood, they may have shared stamps.

1st Generation, 1801, William Coffin Little and part of his family relocated to Salisbury.

24 Franklin Road; 1800 William C. Little, 1816-Thomas R. Little, 1861-Thomas D. Little, 1899-Lucy Little, 1926-1930 Edwin Little

Same house in the day. Photo titled “Deacon Little House

Notes from “History of Salisbury, John J. Dearborn, 1890

“William Coffin, the fifth descendant from the ancestor [George], b. at Newbury, Mass. Nov 17, 1745. He learned the trade of silversmith and removed to Amesbury, where he followed his trade for ten years. About 1800, Mr. Little purchased the old Andrew Pettengill place of Johnathan Carlton Pettingill, who had in 1768 built the main house and made other extensive repairs. In 1801, Mr. Little removed his family here and took up farming, which he continued until his death, Dec. 16, 1816, aged 71.”

Upon his death, the ownership of his two houses passed to Thomas Rowell Little, who accompanied his father, mother, and sister on the move to Salisbury.

Little House today: Old Coach Road is adjacent to other Little Houses. 1801-William Coffin Little, 1816- Thomas R. Little, 1837-Thomas D. & Lucy Little (error), Thomas R. and John Webster Little, 1902 House is altered from a cape to a two-story farm house style. 1938 Stanley Little (Arthur Stanley Little & mother Carrie Little Adams, 1942 Margaret (Little>Adams) Gerry. Then parents again, 1942 George and Carrie(Little) Adams. 1947-1956 Margaret (Little>Adams) is the owner.

2nd Generation, descendants of William Coffin Little & Mary Rowell Little:

1769, 29 Sep – Son Thomas Rowell Little is born. He died Jul 8, 1785, at age 15.

1771, 7 Apr — Son William Coffin Little is born in Newburyport, Mass., and becomes a silversmith as well. Resided in Philadelphia, Pa. Died Aug 2, 1836.

1773, Nov 13 — Son John Little is born and becomes a wagon maker in the area of his birth. Died Jul 9, 1812, in Boston.

1777, Aug 30- Daughter Abigail is born. She married Moses Chase and resided in Amesbury, Mass.

1780, May 7- Son Francis Little is born. b.1780-d. In 1860, He marries Polly Sargent. For a time, Francis Little was a carriage manufacturer in Amesbury, Mass., where he met and married Polly Sargent and removed to Salisbury, where he followed farming and getting out bows for the top of chassis-John Dearborn, History of Salisbury, 1890, p. 653. He resided for a time in one of the Little Houses. He died on March 18, 1860, and is buried with Polly Sargent Little. Oct 15,1834 ae 53 years, and is buried in the South Road Graveyard.

1782, May 15 – Daughter Mary Little is born. She died on November 18. 1827 in Salisbury. She is buried in the South Road Cemetery.

1786, May 23- Son Thomas Rowell Little is born. (Yes, they reused his dead brother’s name.) He married Nancy Webster Dec 27, 1816. He died on January 1, 1861

“Thomas Rowell remained on the homestead and followed farming as an occupation, but possessing the trade of a wheelwright, and to facilitate his business, he moved Thomas R. Greenleaf’s Hatters shop to its present location, in September 1834, and put in machinery, which he ran by horsepower, and did considerable business. He was one of our prominent and enterprising citizens”-John Dearborn, History of Salisbury, 1890, p. 653

1788- Nancy Webster was born Dec 25, 1788, and died on Sept 1, 1868, ae 80 years 8 months. Both are buried in the South Road Cemetery.

1790- Feb 21- Son Valentine Little is born. In 1836, he resided in Salisbury. He died Jun 4, 1852.

“Valentine (Rev.) A.B. received his preliminary education at Salisbury Academy and graduated from Dartmouth College in 1811. He taught school at Plymouth and Haverhill, Mass., served on a mission at Bethel and Gideon, Me., for two years, then taught school at the Bridgeton Academy two years: was afterwards a missionary in Maine for four years. Was ordained pastor of the Congregational church at Lovell, Me., Jan 22, 1826: dismissed Jan 23, 1834: removed to Salisbury 1836, residing on the farm now owned by Enoch T. Harvey, where died June 4, 1852: m (1) Nov 9 1815, Mary, dau. of Johnathan Clark, of Bethel, Me: m. (2) Sept 15, 1831. Miranda C., dau. Of Rev Nathan Church, of Bridgeton, Me: she died Feb. 5, 1879.”-John Dearborn, History of Salisbury 1890, p. 653.

This Harvey house is the old Kittridge House, built in 1830 and located at 73 Old Coach Road.

It appears none of his children resided in Salisbury for any length of time, nor are any members buried here.

1827- Daughter Mary Little dies, unmarried. She is buried in the South Road Cemetery.

3rd Generation, Children of Francis Little & Polly Sargent:

1815- Dau. Dorothy Little dies ae 7 years, buried in the South Road Cemetery

1818 Son of Francis & Polly Little? Dies. Buried in the South Road Cemetery

1822 Son Moses Little dies ae 20, ms 5 days. Buried in the South Road Cemetery

Children of Thomas Rowel Little (b.1786-d.1861) and Nancy Webster (d 1868) married in 1814:

1834, Sept 9 Dau Ann Rebecca died @ age 3 yrs 10 months 13 days is buried in the South Road Cemetery.

1823, Aug 14-Son Thomas Dearborn Little was born.

He m. (1) Susan Elizabeth Smith. She was born Oct 2, 1828, Amesbury, Mass, and died Jan 31, 1875, ae 46. She was the mother of 6 children. She is buried in the South Road Cemetery.

He m.(2) Lucy L. Davis born 1844 and died Jan 9, 1927, ae 82. She is the mother of Edwin Little. She is buried in Maplewood Cemetery.

He was an extraordinarily accomplished person, but is best known perhaps for his invention of the patented Bull Rake.

Notes from the History of Salisbury, p.655;

He was a student at Salisbury Academy
Became a Charter. Member and trustee also serving as librarian of both societies connected with the school.
Studied Surveying with his uncle, Rev. Valentine Little.
Was employed by the Northern Railroad at the time of the construction of their roads.
The images show the surveying equipment that belonged to TD Little. It was later used by his son, John W. Little. In John Little’s obituary, it says the survey equipment was used by TD 80 years earlier (about 1847). And it was used when he was part of the surveying for the Northern Railroad-Courtesy of Jayne Rivers, descendant of T.D. Little

Became the town surveyor
In 1848 began the manufacture of drag rakes began in a workshop next to his home.
Established a good trade necessitating the need for machinery.
In 1859, he took out the horsepower and put in steam, and 1882, he was obliged to increase that.
1860—1869 was a member of the firm of C.D. Foote and Company when they did a considerable business in the old Greenough’s Store located near his home.
1855 was appointed Justice of the Peace.
1860 Became a Deacon of the Congregational Church, was a clerk of he church, and a main supporter.
In 1861, he was appointed postmaster and held the position for 8 years.
In 1868, He obtained a patent for his Bull Hay Rake. There is one on display at the Salisbury Historical Society Museum. According to a descendant of TD Little, as he understands it: “The major feature of the patent was the connection between the tines, which needed to be flat to the ground, and the handle, which formed an arc and needed to be held at a height that was comfortable to the user. The angle of this connection could be adjusted on TD’s rakes, allowing them to be used by persons of varying heights.”
Link to the Patent courtesy of Jayne Rivers: Patent T D Little rake 1868

In 1870-1871, was appointed selectman
1890 The History of Salisbury byJohn Dearborn is published with a valuable map drawn by T.D. Little showing businesses and homes in the South Road village.
“He is a liberal contributor to needed charitable objects, is a careful and methodical businessman man and enjoys the respect of his townsmen. “-John Dearborn, 1890.
1906- Nov 8 Thomas Dearborn Little dies and is buried in South Road Cemetery.
1818- Son John Webster Little, son of Thomas Rowell Little & Nancy Webster and brother to Thomas Dearborn Little, is born. He is a Concord Dentist who attended Church at the Congregational Church in Salisbury (b. 1818-d. 1879). Presumably buried in Concord.

Room at the home of Thomas Dearborn Little, courtesy of Adele & Roger Sanborn and the Kennys of Boscawen

Thomas Dearborn Little (Deacon) Courtesy of Adele & Roger Sanborn & the Kenney’s of Boscawen

Thomas Dearborn Little & Lucy Davis Little Courtesy of Adele and Roger Sanborn and the Kennys of Boscawen

This photo is labeled “Tom Little showing the Shop formerly the Masonic Hall.” The Masonic Hall and Greenleaf Hat Factory were originally located on Route 4 just behind the first house on the corner at the junction(east). It was moved in 1834 and became T.D. Little’s Steam Mill and Drag Rake Factory. This is likely a photo of Thomas Dearborn (1832-1906) or, possibly but less likely, his son, TR Little (1853-1937).Photo courtesy of Adele & Roger Sanborn & the Kennys of Boscawen

4th Generation, Children of Thomas Dearborn Little & Susan Elizabeth Smith Little:

1853 Son Thomas Rowell Little is born. He married Carrie Belle Hawkins, who was born in 1856 and died in 1929, and is also buried in Maplewood Cemetery. Died 1937. Buried at Maplewood Cemetery.

1855 Son Charles Webster Little is born. Died 1870 ae 14 years. Buried at South Road Cemetery.

1861, Jan 21- Son John Webster Little is born. He married Hannah Moore, who was born in 1866.

This photo exists with the title “John Little House.”

#19 Franklin Road. Today. The Hannah Moore’s Little House (Mrs. John Webster Little) from 1800-1928. John Webster Little died in 1927

The old photos of South Road village are rather confusing. The roads are narrow, and they make strange configurations compared to today’s roads. It is possible that the driveway to the Church was moved as the Church itself was also slightly moved. In 1879, Henry C.W. Moore owned the house, and from 1880-1928 it was owned by the wife of John Webster Little, Hannah Moore Little. John Webster Little was alive when Hannah Moore became listed as the owner.

Hannah Moore died in 1942 and is also buried in Maplewood. John Webster died in 1927 ae 66 years. Buried at Maplewood Cemetery.

1866 Dau. Alice Marie (Sawyer) is born. Died 1957, Buried in Dover, NH

1874 Son William D. is born. Died 1874 ae 10 mths. Buried at South Road Cemetery.

Children of Thomas Dearborn Little & Lucy Davis Little:

1878 Son Edwin Little is born. Died 1970. Buried at Maplewood Cemetery.

The title of the photo is Edwin “Ned” Little showing Searle’s Hill. This is a historic hill in our town. Photo courtesy of Adele & Roger Sanborn & the Kennys of Boscawen

5th Generation, Child of John Webster Little & Hannah Moore:

1886, Jan 16-Son Ralph Dearborn Little ( grandfather of Jayne Rivers, who submitted information for this page), m. Etta Mae Jenness of Danbury died Feb 2, 1973, in Westerly, Rhode Island

Children of Thomas R. Little (B. 1851, d. 1937) & Carrie Belle Hawkins (1856-1929):

1879, 28 Nov – Daughter Carrie E. Little is born. Married George Bertram Adams, Sep 21, 1904. Died 11 Jan 1961. Both are buried in Maplewood.

1885, 2 May- Son Lewis Thomas Little is born, Mar 24, 1925, age 39 years. Husband to Annie Beaton, who died Mar 3, 1951. Buried at Maplewood Cemetery.

Dau. Ann Little is born d.. 1948

1889, 6 Sep — Son Arthur Stanley Little is born. Information from the grandsons of Arthur Stanley Little; Dau. Carrie E. Little was born to Thomas R. Little (B. 1851, d. 1937) & Carrie Bell Hawkins (1856-1929):

Arthur Stanley also went by the name Stanley, which does appear on a deed in Salisbury as such.
He moved to New London to handle business for the Salisbury-based Kearsarge Telephone Company, which had merged with the Potter Place & New London Telephone Company.
Charles E. Shepard was a part-owner of the Potter Place & New London Telephone Company in the merger. He ran a thriving livery service and operated a twice-daily stagecoach service between New London and the rail station at Potter Place. He likely provided a base of operations for young Stan.
As horse-drawn vehicles were replaced by steam and gas-powered vehicles, there was a job for a mechanic. Having his grandfather’s mechanical ability and entrepreneurial spirit, Stan began to do automotive repairs, renting garage space in one of Charles Shepard’s outbuildings. Stan subsequently married the daughter of his landlord and then opened A.S. Little & Son auto repair and gas station. The location was the TDS building across the street from the New London Fire Station.
1914, Oct 4, He marries Marion Shepard (1895-1991)
He was active in the management of the Kearsarge Telephone Company.
1948 Dec 28 Arthur Stanley dies and is buried at Maplewood.
1991 May 14 Marion Shepard Little, wife of Arthur Stanley Little, dies ae 95. Buried at Maplewood.

6th Generation, Children of Carrie E. Little Adams & George Bertram Adams:

1908-1908-Son Bertram Little is buried in Maplewood Cemetery

1911, 2 May -Son Fred (Little) Adams is born. The book “They Said It In Salisbury” by Dr. Paul Shaw has an interview with Fred Adams that sheds some details of his life. He was very active in the Telephone Company.

He died in 1999 and is buried in Maplewood.

Married to Elizabeth Burnett b. 1914

1916, 12 Mar -Dau. Margaret Belle (Little) Adams is born. Margaret Adams married Frank Henry Gerry (b. 1915) of Franklin, NH, in 1940. She died July 16, 1999, and he died in 1980, and both are buried in the Franklin Cemetery, NH.

Margaret (Little>Adams>Gerry) is listed as the owner of the Little House on Old Coach Road in 1942 error? And again from 1947-1956. She is also listed as the owner of House #1 at the Crossroads north corner from 1908-1966; however, she was not born until 1915, so this seems an error. She was, however, the proprietor (owner?) of the Red Tea Room at South Road Village from 1934-1840.