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insurrection against the tyrannical Cranfield, then Royal Governor. This Edward Gove, who, failing in his object, surrendered at the persuasion of his friends, was the only man in New Hampshire who ever received the sentence of death for high treason, which was pronounced by the renowned Maj. Waldron, Chief Justice of the special court commissioned for the trial. In the bill presented by the grand jury, Gove and eight others, including Thomas Rawlins, were presented for high treason, but we do not learn that any but Gove were tried; certainly he was the only one sentenced, and he was subsequently pardoned and had his estates restored.

Another of the family who fell a victim to Indian malignity was Aaron Rawlins, a son of Thomas above mentioned, who lived on a plantation at the lower falls of the Piscasick (now Newmarket), whose house was attacked by the Indians on the night of August 29, 1723, and he and his eldest daughter were killed, after a valiant defence. His wife and two younger children, a son and daughter, were taken captive and carried to Canada. Mrs. Rawlins was redeemed after a few years. The son was adopted by the Indians and ever after lived with them, while the daughter married a French Canadian.

There were from twenty-five to thirty descendants of James Rawlins, of the fourth and fifth generation, engaged in active service in the patriot cause during the revolutionary war. Some of the more prominent of these were John Rollins of Newmarket, who served at Bunker Hill and throughout the war; Joseph Rollins of Nobleboro, Me., wounded at Bennington, and present at the surrender of Burgoyne; Jotham and Nicholas Rollins of Stratham, the former a Lieutenant at Bunker Hill, and the latter a Captain at Stillwater and Saratoga; and John Rollins of Rochester, who was in the disastrous fight at Hubbardton. This John Rollins settled in Alton, was a prominent citizen, held a Colonel's commission in the militia, and died in 1847, aged 91 years. We find the Rollinses prominent in the early history of Rochester. Edward Rollins, of the third generation

from James, settled early in that town, where he built a large garrison house near the lower end of what is now the main street of Rochester village. He was a leading citizen and selectman. His son Edward was one of the founders and first members of the Methodist church in that place. Another son, Samuel, was a soldier in the Revolution and was present at the capture of Ticonderoga.

Among the first settlers of that portion of Dover which subsequently became Somersworth was Jeremiah Rollins, the only son of Ichabod, heretofore mentioned as slain by the Indians. He was one of the petitioners for the incorporation of Somersworth as a separate parish. He died a few years previous to the Revolution, leaving several daughters, but only one son, Ichabod Rollins, who became an active champion of the Revolutionary cause, was a member of the Conventions at Exeter in April, May and December, 1775, and served as a member of the Committee appointed to prepare a plan of providing ways and means for furnishing troops, and also as a member of the Committee of supplies, the principal labor upon which was performed by himself and Timothy Walker of Concord. He was a member of the Convention which resolved itself into an independent State government, Jan. 5, 1776, and served in the Legislature in October following. He was the first Judge of Probate under the new government, holding the office from 1776 to 1784. He was subsequently a member of the Executive Council, and died in 1800. From this eminent citizen the town of Rollinsford, formed from the portion of Somersworth in which he resided, received its name. He stands midway in the direct line of descent from James Rawlins to Edward H.-the great grandfather of Edward H., and the great grandson of James. He had four sons, of whom James, the third, was the grandfather of Edward H. John Rollins, the eldest of the sons, was the grandfather of Hon. Daniel G. Rollins, a prominent citizen, who was Judge of Probate for the County of Strafford from 1857 to 1866, and whose son, Edward Ashton Rollins, was Speaker of the N. H. House of Representatives in 1861

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and 1862. Commissioner of Internal Revenue under President Johnson, and is now President of the Centennial Bank at Philadelphia, though still holding his residence in Somersworth.

James Rollins, grandfather of Edward H.. settled upon the farm in Rollinsford which has since remained the family homestead. He was the father of thirteen children, seven sons and six daughters. Of these Daniel Rollins, the eighth child, born May 30, 1797, who married Mary. eldest daughter of Ebenezer Plummer of Rollinsford, was the father of Edward H. He succeeded to the homestead, but taking the "Maine fever," which was for a time prevalent in this section, sold out, with a view to making his home in that State. He soon repented his action, and, returning, repurchased that portion of the homestead lying east of the highway, and erected a dwelling

opposite the old family mansion, where he lived a life of sturdy industry, rearing a family of six children, four sons and two daughters, and died Jan. 7, 1864.

EDWARD H. ROLLINS was the eldest of the children. He was born Oct. 3, 1824, being now about fifty-three years of age. He lived at home, laboring upon the farm in the summer season, attending the district school in winter, and getting an occasional term's attendance at the South Berwick Academy and Franklin Academy in Dover, until seventeen years of age, when he went to Concord and engaged as druggist's clerk in the well-known apothecary store of John McDaniels. He retained his situation some three or four years, industriously applying himself to the details of the business. He then went to Boston, where he was engaged in similar service until 1847, when, having thoroughly mastered the

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business, he returned to Concord and went into trade on his own account, soon building up a large and successful business. After the great fire in 1851, he bought the land and erected what is known as Rollins' Block, north of the Eagle Hotel, one of the stores being occupied by his own business. Of this property he still retains the ownership. In politics Mr. Rollins was originally a Webster Whig, and acted with the Whig party upon becoming a voter. In the Presidential election of 1852, however, like many other New Hampshire men who had never before acted with the Democracy, he cast his vote for the Pierce electoral ticket, and at the subsequent March election he also supported Nathaniel B. Baker, the Democratic candidate for Governor, for whom it may be said he entertained feelings of strong friendship and high personal regard. Up to this time Mr. Rollins had taken no active part in politics, and but for the sharp contest over the slavery question which soon developed, signalized by the repeal of the Missouri Compromise and the passage of the Kansas-Nebraska bill, he might, perhaps, have continued to this day voting with the Democracy in the elections, and quietly dispensing medicines in the good city of Concord.

Dissatisfied with the course of the Administration, and strongly opposed to the extension of slavery, or any measures rendering its extension possible, (although, by the way, it appears from the family history that his ancestors in colonial times were slave-holders to some extent, even including the Hon. Ichabod Rollins of the Revolutionary era), he acted no farther with the Democratic party, and upon the inception of the American, or so-called Know-Nothing movement, in the winter of 1854-5, he entered into it, attracted somewhat, it may be, by its novelty, and also by the idea that it might be (as it proved) instrumental in the defeat of the Democracy.

From this time Mr. Rollins was an active politician. He labored effectively in perfecting the new party organization, taking therein the liveliest interest. At the March election he was chosen to the

Legislature from Ward 4, and served effieiently in that body as a member of the Judiciary Committee. The next year witnessed the fusion of the American or Know Nothing organization with the new Republican party, which object Mr. Rollins was largely instrumental in securing. The talent which he had already developed, as a political organizer made his services eminently desirable as a campaign manager, and he was made Chairman of the first State Central Committee of the Republican party, a position which he held continuously until his election to Congress in 1861, and in which, as the Democratic leaders well know, he exhibited a capacity for thorough organization-a mastery of campaign work, in general and in detail, seldom equaled and certainly never surpassed. And here it may be said, as it is generally conceded by well informed men in both parties, that the Republican party owes more, for its repeated and almost continual successes in the closely contested elections of this State, from 1856 to 1877, to the labors of Mr. Rollins than those of any other man.

Re-elected to the Legislature in March, 1856, Mr. Rollins was chosen Speaker of the House, ably discharging the laborious duties of the office, to which he was again elected the following year.

Mr. Rollins was chairman of the New Hampshire delegation in the Republican National Convention at Chicago in 1860, having been chosen a delegate at large in the State Convention, with but a single vote in opposition. In the close contest between the friends of Lincoln and Seward in that Convention the New Hampshire delegation supported Lincoln from the first, and was strongly instrumental in securing his nomination. Here it may be said that Mr. Rollins had become (as he ever remained), an ardent admirer of Lincoln, and it was through his efforts that the services of the latter were se cured upon the stump in this State during the previous winter in the series of memorable campaign speeches which won for him the sincere admiration, and secured him the personal support of the New Hampshire Republicans.

In 1861, Mr. Rollins was nominated by

his party as candidate for Representative until March last, though retaining his in Congress from the Second District, residence at Concord, and devoting sufand was elected over the Democratic can- ficient attention to our State politics to didate, the late Chief Justice Samuel D. make it extremely disagreeable for the Bell, by a majority of about one thou- Democracy, as well as some of his rivals sand votes. He was re-elected in 1863, in the Republican party. and again in 1865, the Democratic candidate the former year being Col. John H. George; and the latter, Hon. Lewis W. Clark, now Associate Justice of the Supreme Court. Mr. Rollins' Congressional career covered the exciting period of the late civil war and subsequent reconstruction, and it is sufficient to say that he was, throughout, a zealous supporter of the most advanced Republican measures. Engaging little in debate, he was an industrious member of the Committees upon whica he was assigned, serving as a member of the Committee on District of Columbia. as Chairman of the Committee on Accounts, and a member of the Committee on Public Expenditures, by which latter Committee, during his service, a vast amount of labor was performed, especially in the investigation of the management of the Boston and New York Custom Houses, involving the operations of the "blockade runners" during the war.

In view of Mr. Rollins' subsequent intimate connection with the Union Pacific Railroad Company, it may be proper to remark, that he was a firm opponent of and voted against the measure adopted July, 1864, doubling the land grant of this Company, and making the goyernment security a first instead of second mortgage upon the road. This fact will ever be remembered to his credit by those who regard the adoption of that measure as the consummation of a gigantic scheme of public robbery.

In 1869 he was chosen Secretary, and Assistant Treasurer of the Union Pacific Railroad, having for some time previous, after the expiration of his Congressional service, acted as agent of the Company at Washington, in the transactton of business with the government, and especially in the reception of the subsidy bonds. In 1871 he was elected Secretary and Treasurer, and remained in the of fice of the Company at Boston, diligently attending to the duties of his position

Mr. Rollins' name was presented by his friends for the nomination for U.S. Senator in the Republican caucus in June, 1866. On the first ballot Mr. Rollins had 36 votes, Gen. Marston 36, Mr. Patterson 62, and Daniel Clark 72. Gradually Mr. Rollins' friends finding his nomination improbable, united with the supporters of Mr. Patterson, diverting others in the same direction, so that on the fourth ballot Mr. Patterson was nominated. On the expiration of Senator Patterson's term Mr. Rollins was the leading candidate in opposition to Mr. Patterson for the succession, and on the first ballot in caucus received 67 votes to 60 for all others except Patterson. But, as is frequently the case in such contests, various influences, personal jealousy and rivalry, not the least, conspired to defeat all the prominent candidates, and the result was the nomination of one whose name had not even been dreamed of by his strongest friends in that connection twenty-four hours before-Mr. Bainbridge Wadleigh, present incumbent of the Senatorial office. This result was, of course, a strong disappointment to Mr. Rollins' friends, and scarcely a fair return for his invaluable party services, but he could afford to "bide his time." On the choice of a successor to Senator Cragin, last year, he was nominated as the Republican candidate, (that party still having the majority,) receiving 109 out of 217 votes cast on the first ballot, the exact number necessary to a choice. The opposition, however, was entirely "scattering,” the greatest number of votes received by any other candidate being 21 for Orren C. Moore. Mr. Rollins took his seat in the Senate at the extra session last spring, being assigned to the Committees on District of Columbia, Contingent Expenses and Manufactures, but a revision of the Committees at the approaching session of Congress may perhaps change his assignment.

Mr. Rollins was united in marriage,

February 13, 1849, with Miss Ellen E. West, daughter of John West of Concord. Her mother, Mrs. West, was a daughter of Gen. John Montgomery, a prominent citizen of Haverhill, well known in public affairs. To this union there have been born five children-four sons and one daughter-Edward W., born November 25, 1850; Mary Helen, September 4, 1853; Charles Montgomery, February 27, 1856; Frank West, February 24, 1860; Montgomery, August 25, 1867. The second son, Charles Montgomery, died at the age of five years. The other children survive. The eldest son, Edward W., is a graduate of the Institute of Technology at Boston, and was for five years the engineer and cashier of the Colorado Central Railroad. He is now engaged in business as a broker in Denver, Colorado. Frank W., the second surviving son, now seventeen years of age, has, this month, entered the Institute from which his elder brother graduated. It will thus be seen that Mr. Rollins believes in practical education for his sons. The daughter is unmarried, and remains at home with her parents and younger brother. Retaining his home in Concord. where he owns a residence, and has always lived the greater portion of the year, Mr. Rollins has for some time past had his summer home upon the old place in Rollinsford, where he was reared, and which came into his possession after the death of his father in 1864. Here he has made many improvements, bringing the land into a superior state of cultivation, and thoroughly remodeling and repairing the house a year or two since, making it one of the most attractive summer residences in this region. The place is located but little over a mile from the city of Dover, where Mr. Rollins goes for post office and general business accommodations, so that in the summer time he is almost regarded as a Dover citizen. This season he has established telephonic communication between his house and the office of the Atlantic and Pacific Telegraph Company in Dover. Mr. Rollins' mother is still living in her old home, and her youngest daughter, unmarried, remains with her,

In religious faith Mr. Rollins was reared a Congregationalist, and when in Rollinsford, he attends worship at the First Parish or "Corner" church, in Dover, where Rev. Dr. Spalding officiates. Mrs. Rollins is an Episcopalian, and in Concord the family attend upon the services of St. Paul's Episcopal church. He has long been a member of the Masonic fraternity, of the Blazing Star Lodge, Trinity Chapter, and Mt. Horeb Commandery at Concord, having holden the position of Eminent Commander in the latter.

Mr. Rollins was one of the moving spirits in the organization of the First National Bank at Concord, a large stockholder, and a member of the First Board of Directors, but withdrew, and disposed of his stock some time since. He sold his drug business at Concord to his brother, John F. Rollins, many years ago, when his Congressional and other duties required his entire attention. The latter has also since disposed of the business, and now resides upon Ft. George Island at the mouth of St. John's River on the coast of Florida, of which he and Senator Rollins are the principal owners. This island is a most romantic locality, and is the subject of a very interesting illustrated sketch in a recent number of Scribner's Magazine, by Julia B. Dodge. It embraces about twelve hundred acres of land,and seems to be excellently adapted to orange culture, in which its proprietors have engaged. The climate is delightful, and far superior to that of the mainland, so that Mr. Rollins, (John F.) who went south for the benefit of his health, finds it a most agreeable as well as romantic residence.

From intense and continued application to business, Senator Rollins found himself, last spring, in very poor health. Finding medicines of little avail, by the advice of physicians he has engaged during the present season, in physical labor upon his farm, where he was wont to take similar exercise in his boyhood days, and he finds the change not without the desired result. His health is greatly improved, and he will take his place in the renewed bodily and mental vigor which Senate at the coming session with that will enable him efficiently to discharge the duties of his high position.

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