THE JAFFREY MANSION.
BY FRED MYRON COLBY.
Down in Cheshire county, under the shadow of the mighty Monadnock, and watered by the Contoocook, whose main source rises about one hundred rods from the mountain's crest, lies the small, uneven town ycleped "Middle Monadnock," or "Number Two," in the old province reports. In the long ago year 1773 the inhabitants of this borough petitioned Governor John Wentworth and his honorable Council for an act of incorporation and a new name. His urbane excellency was pleased to listen to the petition, and granted the petitioners a charter, naming the new township in honor of one of his councillors—Jaffrey.
He must have been a great and prominent man, bearing a lofty and significant name, to have thus been honored by a Wentworth, for the name of no plebeian had ever been given as an appelative to any township. Great nobles, crown officers, patrician relatives, had thus been honored, none other. Indeed, this man could sit with right noble company and not be ashamed. He was the third generation of a family that was conspicuous in our colonial history. He inherited vast wealth, a great name, and the prestige that rank and influence always lends its possessors. The proudest of colonial patricians, with the real "blue blood" of the aristocrat, George Jaffrey was as conspicuous in New Hampshire history as any man of his day and generation.
The third George Jaffrey, him of whom we are now talking, was the son of George Jaffrey, Esq., by his first wife, Sarah, daughter of David and Elizabeth (Usher) Jaffries, of Boston. He was born in 1716, at Newcastle. He graduated at Harvard in 1736, and at once entered upon his career as a gentleman and ambitious citizen. He had inherited a grand name and was heir to a large property. His father had gradually held all the honors in the province, from a justice to a seat in the royal council. The son was no less successful. He was justice and representative; in 1744 he was appointed clerk of the supreme court, which office he retained until he was admitted as one of his majesty's council in 1766. He was also treasurer of the province from 1750 until the Revolution. In 1746, Mr. Jaffrey became one of the purchasers of Mason's patent, thus becoming one of the most extensive landholders in the colony. When his father died, in 1749, the son became one of the few rich men of New Hampshire. His stately residence, his numerous household, his slaves, his ancestral silver plate, his coach, his whole style of living, bespoke the wealthy aristocrat.
Hon. George Jaffrey never married. It was not owing to any disappointment in youth, or to any pronounced antipathy to the gentler sex. He simply had no inclination to take upon himself the responsibilities of wedded life. His father's second wife, that Sarah Wentworth who had queened it as mistress of the Macpheader's mansion, remained the undisputed director of her second home. His stepmother was his housekeeper till her death, in 1778. Subsequently a favorite niece did the honors of his house, and presided with grace and dignity at his table, where more than once the elite of the province assembled.
When the Revolution broke out Col. Jaffrey was in the full possession of all his faculties, both of mind and body. He was about five feet and eight inches in height, and somewhat corpulent, weighing one hundred and eighty pounds. His features were regular, with gray eyes, a florid complexion, and dark hair. His manners were very dignified, as became one of
