Person:William White (148)

BIOGRAPHY: Ancestral Chronological Record of the William White Family From 1607-9 to 1895 Concord Printed by the Republican Press Association 1895 Page 56 - 57 William, son of Thomas and Rachel White, b. 1736; mar., July 3, 1766, Lydia Goodale, of Salem, b. November 20, 1740. She was great aunt to ex-Gov. David H. Goodell of New Hampshire.

  William moved from Bolton, Mass., to Templeton, from which place he moved to Marlborough, N. H., about 1778, where he purchased a tract of wild land, now owned by his grandson, Thomas. He sold his farm in Bolton for $2,600, taking his pay in Continental money, which proved nearly all worthless, leaving him a poor man with a growing family on his hands.
  Taking his family and goods upon a two-wheeled cart, which he made without iron, and drawn by a pair of steer, he came to Marlborough. He staid over night in Monadouck No. 4 (now Fitzwilliam) paying a $10 bill, Continental money, for his lodging. This was his last money except a $5 bill, which the writer has seen. It seems he kept a part, or all, of Lots 48 and 49, paying half down and taking a bond for a deed which he could not fulfil, as his money was worthless. Here in the woods he built a log house. Now comes the struggle between life and starvation. At one time he took a bag, finding his way by marked trees to Northfield, Mass., a distance of 26 miles. Here he worked for two bushels of grain, which he carried back to Marlborough on his shoulders. Becoming exhausted at Winchester, he sat down on a log. Near by was a log house, to which he went, asking for something to eat. The women gave him a crust of rye and Indian bread, which was all she had. It seemed to him to be one of the  best morsels he had ever eaten. He proceeded on to Swanzey, where he got his first meal.
  The following three years were so cold that no corn ripened in Marlborough; with excessive snowy winters, in one of  which the snow fell to a depth of six feet upon a level. In the spring the melting snow caused so much water in the "Branch" and "Robin Brook" that there was no passing off the hill. The seven families in what no constitutes District No. 7, becoming destitute for food, raised a flag on the hill back of William White's cabin. It attracted the attention of Mr. Phillips, who lived on a neighboring hill. On learning the situation, he and his son carried three bushels of potatoes to a narrow place in the "Branch," throwing them over one by one and relieving their pressing need.
  The first cow he bought caused great joy to them all. At the first milking, having no bread in the house, the children picked red clover blossoms which they ate with their milk.
  With all the hardships, none died young; the average age being 78 years, and the youngest, Ruth, was the first to died, aged 63 years.
  William White attended church at the Old Congregational church at the Centre. He was a large, stout man and a constant reader of the Bible, a large portion of which he had at his command.
  William White d. January 8, 1820, aged 84 years, and his wife, Lydia (Goodale) White, d. July 10, 1820, aged 80 years.