Retaining his home in Concord, where he has always lived the greater portion of the year, Mr. Rollins has for several years past had his summer home at 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, and brought the land into a superior state of cultivation. He thoroughly repaired and remodeled the house some six years ago, and made it a very attractive summer residence. In the spring of 1881, however, while he was absent in Washington, the house and all the buildings on the farm, with most of their contents, were completely destroyed by fire. Without delay, Mr. Rollins proceeded to rebuild, and has erected a very large and finely appointed barn and stable, with carriage-house, ice-house, and other buildings; and a fine house, on the old site, is very near completion. The house is in the Queen Anne style, most conveniently arranged, and finished principally in hard native woods, with ornamental fire-places, elaborately carved fire-frames, and frescoed ceilings. It is heated by steam and lighted by gas, has hot and cold water conveniences, spacious halls, and is fitted up with every modern improvement. In a few weeks it will be ready for occupation, and will be one of the most beautiful dwellings in this region, combining all the substantial conveniences of a farm-house, and an elegant home for summer and winter, also. The place is located but little more than a mile from the city of Dover, where Mr. Rollins goes for post-office and other business accommodations, so that in the summer time he is regarded as a Dover citizen. Telephonic communication has been established between his house and the telegraph office in Dover. Mr. Rollins's mother is still living, at an advanced age, at her old home, and her youngest daughter, Miss Elizabeth W. Rollins, resides with her.
In religious faith, Mr. Rollins was reared a Congregationalist, and when in Rollinsford he attends worship at the old First Parish church in Dover, where Rev. Dr. Spalding officiates. Mrs. Rollins is an Episcopalian, and in Concord the family attend upon the services of the 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 Commandry, at Concord, of which he has been eminent commander.
Mr. Rollins is very fond of agricultural pursuits, and works on his farm in the haying and harvesting seasons, with great benefit to himself physically. Though constitutionally not very strong, and of a highly nervous temperament, his excellent personal habits, his rural tastes and simplicity of life, have enabled him to do a prodigious amount of work without suffering anything beyond an occasional derangement of health, always restored by relaxation from official duties, and physical labor on the farm, where he was wont to take similar exercise in boyhood. He is now in the full vigor and strength of his powers, and may reasonably look forward to many years more of active usefulness to the state and nation.
Natt Head
GOV. NATT HEAD.
Natt Head is of Welsh and Scotch ancestry. John and Nathaniel Head, brothers, emigrated from Wales and settled in Bradford, Mass. Subsequently they removed to Pembroke. Although of Welsh birth, they were thoroughly English in their views and general characteristics, as tradition and other testimony amply prove. Nathaniel, the great-grandfather of the subject of this sketch, became an influential and patriotic citizen of his adopted town. Early in the period of trouble with the mother country he was selected by the members of the committee of safety in Pembroke to go through that town and hunt up and make a list of the Tories. Hostilities having been inaugurated, he enlisted in the military service, and served with fidelity and bravery throughout the war. After the return of peace he became actively identified with the state militia, and rose to the command of the third brigade. He represented the town of Pembroke in the legislature.