USA > New Hampshire > Rockingham County > Kensington > Kensington, New Hampshire, sketches and reminiscences > Part 1
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M. L.
REYNOLDS HISTORICAL GENEALOGY COLLECTION
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 01096 2428
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2015
https://archive.org/details/kensingtonnewham00mace
KENSINGTON
NEW HAMPSHIRE
Kensington Stage Coach in the Days Before the War
Sketches and
Reminiscences
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ـال
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Kensington, New Hampshire; sketches and 43512 reminiscences. [Newburyport, Mass . , 1909] .46
1771741
INKL. CARD
A 1360
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F842512.46
Published in June 1909
List of Contributors
Mrs. Ida M. Mace Miss Lizzie E. Tuck Mr. Weare N. Shaw Mrs. Mary Hilliard Prescott
Mrs. Rosa A. Herman 1 Rev. Roland D. Sawyer Miss Sarah A. Greene Mr, James W. W. Brown Mrs. Ellen P. Walton
From the Press of the. .. NEWBURYPORT HERALD 1909
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KENSINGTON
A Sketch and Description
Westward is ever the course of empire, and so Hampton Falls was set off from old Hampton in 1712 as its west parish. As early as 1732, an attempt was made to join the west part of Hampton Falls with the east part of Kingston in a new parish. This fell through, however, but in 1734 the west part of Hamp- ton Falls was given a sum of money for the maintenance of win- ter preaching. This was continued each winter to 1737, when the West Parish was incorporated as a town itself under the name of Kensington.
Kensington is a small town situated about eight miles west of the seacoast, five miles from Amesbury and four miles from Ex- eter. There are many noted hills from whence excellent views are obtained, among them Moulton's Ridge, Gove's Hill, New- found Hill, Round Hill, Horse Hill and Hoosac Hill. Muddy Pond is situated in a swamp containing only a few acres. Sum- mer visitors, who enjoy beautiful scenery, pure and bracing air and retirement from the noise and dust of the city can find rest, enjoyment and strength. It has a population of about 524. The principal enterprise is farming and milk producing, the land is rolling and soil good. We have no graded schools, but the noted schools in the adjoining towns gives the young people almost city privileges. 1. M. M.
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ИОТБИЦИЯЯ
KENSINGTON-ITS CHURCHES.
THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
Kensington was incorporated in 1737. In that same year the (First Parish) Congregational Church was organized with a membership of 57, who were dismissed from the church in Hamp- ton Falls to the church in Kensington. The parish voted to call the Rev. Jeremiah Fogg as their pastor. He accepted their call and remained their pastor for more than 52 years. During his pastorate he solemnized 402 marriages and baptized 1235 per- sons. In the latter part of his ministry complaints were made
about the soundness of his doctrines, which resulted in his dis- missal by a vote of 53 to 50. . The parish voted to give him the sum of £15, and to deliver him at his home five cords of good hard wood during his natural life. He died within a month after this transaction, Oct. 9, 1859, at 4 o'clock in the afternoon. The present Congregational Church was then organized. Being de- sirous of regular services for every Sabbath the Town Hall was used when the Union Church was occupied by the other society, until in the year 1866, after several months of labor in its con-
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struction, a new and convenient house of worship was dedicated March 28 of that year. Rev. E. D. Eldridge was untiring in his efforts for the accomplishment of this work. He was sustained and aided in this enterprise by the members of the church and society, most of whom have passed on to worship in the temple not made with hands. I. M. M.
THE UNIVERSALIST CHURCH.
The first meeting-house in town was built on the west side of the brook, near the residence of Miss Lizzie E. Tuck, but was tak- en down and removed to a place nearer the centre of the town. The land for the meeting-house was given by Elihu Chase but, no pew being reserved for him, he left the parish and joined the Quakers.
The second was built in 1771, the building committee being Ezekiel Worthen, Jonathan Brown, Moses Shaw and Ebenezer Lovering. This house was taken down Saturday, March. 28, 1846, and the present town house was placed on the same spot in Aug- ust, 1846.
The Union meeting-house was built in 1839 on the old meeting- house lot by the Universalists, Unitarians and Congregationalists. It was dedicated in the morning by the Unitarians, when Rev. Andrew P. Peabody, of Portsmouth, preached the sermon, and in the afternoon by the Universalists, the sermon being given by Rev. Mr. Bacon of Providence. The bell was given by Asa Gove and Emery Brown.
December 22, 1841, Rev. Jacob Caldwell was ordained in Kens- · ington over the Unitarian societies in this town and Hampton Falls. In 1848, Rev. Increase S. Lincoln was installed over the same parishes and resided in Kensington. He was succeeded by Rev. A. M. Bridge, in 1851, who made Hampton Falls his place of residence. Among the few Unitarian preachers who have occu- pied the pulpit since his retirement, was Rev. George Osgood, a native of this town, who after having pastorates in several places returned to his native home and supplied pulpits in various places as occasion required. His brother, Rev. Joseph Osgood, whose only and lifelong pastorate was in Cohasset, Mass., was some- times called upon to preach when visiting in town.
The universalists have had occasional services for many years and many prominent ministers of that denomination have visited the town, among them being Revs. Hosea Ballou, Sylvanus Cobb, Thomas Whittemore, Sebastian Streeter, Lemuel Willis, Dolphus Skinner, and in later years Mrs. Mary A. Livermore, J. G. Adams, Willard Spaulding and others. The society was not formally or-
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ganized until Nov. 18, 1865, when Amos T. Rowe was elected clerk. The first to preach regularly was Rev. S. Fletcher, who supplied the pulpit while residing in Exeter about 1854.
In 1864 Rev. Roland Conner was ordained over the societies of Kingston and Kensington, who was followed in 1866 by Rev. Willis Bradley. Many different ministers occupied the pulpit after this, services being held once in two weeks during the sum- mer months until 1892 when Rev. J. H. Little, of Amesbury, preached Sunday afternoons weekly. Rev. Francis W. Gibbs suc- ceeded him and in 1900 Rev. F. W. Whippen, of Kingston, be- came the supply and who has continued services each summer to the present time. L. E. T.
THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH.
About 1810 some evangelists came into town and held meet- ings in different houses and many who had formerly been with the old church joined them. They so increased in numbers that they built the church where now stands the Grange Hall. That was built about 1820 and was sold, and the present one built in 1838. Before the first church was built a society was formed and was always called The First Christian Society of Kensington. They had no creed but the Bible. Their singing was most al- ways, at first, by the congregation, but later they had a gocd choir of men and women. They never had any settled minister but good men preached at different times. At times large meet- ings were held and many joined the church as a result of the meetings. More than twenty different ministers had held ser- vices in the church.
In 1842 and 1843 some good members believed the Lord would come in 1843, and when he did not come they left the church and had meetings by themselves. But that soon passed away. The church still held on for some years with regular meetings and regular preaching. They practiced immersion regularly be- fore one could join the church.
When the present Congregational Church was formed some who had helped support the meetings left and joined that church. But, still, regular meetings were held for some years till about ten years ago when many of its older members had passed away and others had moved out of town. It seemed impossible to main- tain the meeting and so the house was closed as a house of wor- ship, but was used for funerals and other gatherings. The an- nual meeting was always held regularly till, at last, it was vot- ed to sell the property. It was sold to Capt. E. M. Shaw, one of
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its early members, and his son sold it to the present Grange body who have made extensive repairs on it. It is hoped it may be the home of the order for many years. W. N. S., "Orchard Hill."
KENSINGTON SOCIAL LIBRARY AND KENSINGTON PUBLIC LIBRARY.
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Kensington was one of the first towns in New Hampshire to become interested in establishing a library for the use of its citi- zens. £ One town, Peterborough, claims precedence. The Kensing- ton Social Library was incorporatd Dec. 27, 1798.
The petition for this library was signed by Jeremiah Fogg, Ebenezer Potter, Jeremiah Batchelder, Joseph Brown, Enoch Worthen, Newell Healey, and their associates, and they were called by the title of "Proprietors." The charter was signed by J. T. Gilman, Governor.
The first meeting was held at the house of Deacon Jere Fel- lows, and the following officers were elected: Directors, Jere Fogg, John Dow, Capt. Joseph Brown, Moses Shaw and Col. Jere Batch- elder; secretary, Dr. Jabez Dow; librarian, Deacon Jere Fellows; treasurer, Enoch John Blake.
The library was open two afternoons a week, and the librarian received $3.00 for his services during the year 1799. In 1820 the number of books was 139, the greater number being works
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of history, biography, travels, letters, and sermons, and at the present time there are about 130 volumes in a good state of preservation.
This library association flourished many years and existed un- til 1856, the last officers being: Directors, Stephen Green, Ira Blake, J. A. Blake, Jere Poor and William Rowe; librarian, Joseph Poor; secretary, Charles E. Tuck. In 1849 another association was formed by the ladies of the town, and resulted in the estab- lishment of the Ladies' Sewing Society Library, the object being to promote the social, intellectual and moral improvement of its bers. The first secretary was Miss Mary C. Hilliard, and. Miss Hannah Moulton, Mrs. Sarah B. (Hilliard)".Brown, and Mrs. Tabitha (Dow) Tilton were three of the first executive commit- tee.
Meetings were held once a fortnight, and while one member read aloud the others devoted themselves to sewing. This asso- ciation flourished for many years, but its fortunes were varied. In 1889 the name was changed to Ladies' Library Association, and since then it steadily prospered, until in 1895 the library con- tained 725 volumes. That year marked a new era in the library history of the town. A fine building, thoroughly furnished, was donated by Joseph C. Hilliard to the town "for the benefit of the town of Kensington and the free use of the citizens forever," and placed in the control of a self-perpetuating board of trustees, the original members of which were chosen by the donor. This new building took the name of the original proprietors' association, "The Kensington Social Library." The building has shelf accom- modation for 4,000 volumes. The library received 725 volumes from the Ladies' Library and 163 from its generous patron, J. C. Hilliard. It now contains 1912 volumes.,
In March, 1893, the voters at their annual town meeting ac- cepted the provisions of the library law of 1891, and made the necessary appropriation for the establishment of a free public library. The $100 worth of books which were the gift of the state, were received in July, and on September 23 the library was opened to the public with Mrs. Francis Hilliard as librarian, the library being located at. her house. During the first year the library was open only on Saturday afternoon and evening of each week, but at the beginning of the second year it was con- sidered advisable to open it two days in a week, and it is now open Wednesdays and Saturdays from 2 to 9 p. m. In 1895 the library was moved to the new building, the gift of Mr. Hilliard previously referred to. It now contains 1029 volumes, some vol- umes of which constitute the library of the late L. Boardman
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Brown who presented them to the town with a book-case to hold them.
The Social Library has been well remembered by the gift of the library of the late Amos Brown, and other books and maga- zines from time to time from others.
The library contains a reading-room, which has its tables well stocked with magazines and papers, among which are the follow- ing: Atlantic Monthly, Granite Monthly, Harper's, Ladies' Home Journal, McClure's, Review of Reviews, St. Nicholas, Sci- entific American, Woman's Home Companion and Strand.
While the two libraries are in a sense separate, they are prac- tically combined in one free library, pleasantly located in the central part of the town, and by its increased patronage testify- ing to the appreciation of its many gifts. M. H. P.
KENSINGTON GRANGE.
Kensington Grange, No. 173, Patrons of Husbandry, was insti- tuted Feb. 23, 1892, by Deputy T. H. White of Harrisville with 36 charter members. Harrison Rowe was elected master, John York, secretary, and Sarah A. Green, lecturer.
In 1894 a program for the year was planned and printed and that practice has been continued ever since. There have been 14 masters as follows: Harrison Rowe, J. Dean Prescott, Thomas H. Blake, Charles E. Tuck, Oscar W. Brown, Lizzie E. Tuck, Alonzo W. Brown, Frank A. Mace, Wilbur K. Parker, Henry W. Brown (2 years), Caleb W. Hodgdon, George A. Prescott, Otis Eastman (2 years), George Osgood (3 years). Only nine have served as lecturer while for secretary only seven have performed the duties.
During the first few years the membership increased but lit- tle, and at one time so little interest was taken the question of surrendering the charter was seriously discussed. Through the influence of Deputy C. C. Hayes, of Exeter, East Rockingham Pomona Grange was invited to meet here and new life inspired by several young people being induced to join. One result of this was a prize awarded by the State Grange for the largest average attendance in our district, and we have succeded in winning a few other prizes.
At the close of the first five years the membership was 63 and when the tenth anniversary was observed 107 names were print- cd on the program, the largest number enrolled at one time, there being 101 at the beginning of the present year. Of the 36
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original members 25 are still connected with the order, only eight having passed away.
The members have been active in procuring the piano for the Town Hall and also the scenery. As years rolled on some be- came desirous of owning a hall and an opportunity arriving to purchase the former Christian Baptist Church it was finally bought, and after repairing and furnishing, was dedicated in June, 1906, and has been used for Grange purposes ever since.
At one time the Grange was most noted for the number of feasts during the year, at least by outsiders. At first only an annual supper was given but after receiving invitations to visit neighboring granges, and, being so well entertained, we desired to return the favor and invite others to visit us which, of course, involved a treat. During the past few years the appetite has not been indulged to quite such an extent although light, inex- pensive suppers are sometimes served.
In 1895 an invitation to take part in the street parade of the Amesbury Fair was accepted and a cart was elaborately deco- rated with the products of the farm which succeeded in winning one of the prizes.
This Grange has been well favored with visits from state offi- cials the present state secretary, George R. Drake, having made numerous visits. The deputies have been faithful, making two visits yearly, and consequently the work is done in a very ac- ceptable manner.
With the officers faithful to their duties it only needs the co- operation of the other members to keep the Grange in a prosper- ous condition for all should remember although a successful Grange depends largely on the officers they comprise only 13 members, and each and all should stand ready to do whatever lies in their power. L. E. T.
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SOCIAL ORGANIZATIONS.
Of the social orders which have existed in this town none have extended a more powerful or far-reaching influence than Hoosac Division, No. 25, Sons of Temperance, which was instituted Nov. 14, 1867, by Dr. Pray and assistants of Dover. Charles E. Tuck was elected werthy patriarch and John P. M. Green recording scribe. Eleven were initiated as members and ten lady visitors were enrolled. At the second meeting six more joined and the ladies present at the previous meeting were granted full member- ship. The first anniversary passed without any especial observ-
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ance, but when the second arrived an oyster supper was served and for nearly 40 years the practice was an annual event, the last one occurring in 1906, the death of the senior P. W. P. occurring the following year. The largest membership at one time was 450. Of the 27 earliest members 16 are still living in 1909, a remarkable record for that length of time.
The meetings were held on Friday evening of each week with good attendance until 1891, a period of 24 years, but at that time interest began to wane although when the 25th anniversary was observed 90 were reported present. After this the sessions were more or less irregular until 1902 when a few onty met for the an- nual oyster supper.
During the early years the members were very enthusiastic and much time was devoted to literary work. A monthly paper was sustained with original contributions from various members, and at one time a rival paper was sometimes submitted. Many dra- mas were presented to add to the enjoyment and visits were inter- changed with neighboring divisions, even those of Newburyport and Portsmouth being thus remembered. The intermissions were always looked forward to by the younger portion and were much appreciated.
Of the faithful members besides Charles E. Tuck and his wife, Sarah E. Tuck, especial mention should be made of Sidney C. Chase, who was the last one to be elected W. P., his wife, Mary E. Chase, Weare N. Shaw, Rev. George Osgood, each serving many times as chaplain, and Henry C. Tuck, who kept the records for a long term of years; also, Joseph Poor, Francis Hilliard, A. Ma- ria Hilliard and M. Augusta Hilliard.
The charter of this division still hangs on the Town House wall, a silent souvenir of many happy evenings spent by many of the former members, some of which are scattered to far distant places. L. E. T.
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KENSINGTON-ITS HOMES.
"Princes and lords may flourish, or may fade- A breath can make them, as a breath has made: But a bold peasantry, their country's pride,
When once destroyed, can never be supplied."
When the final assize of history is made up, and we sum up the contributions of the various races, law from the Romans, culture from the Greeks, religion from the Jews, etc., I believe we will find the greatest contribution of the Anglo-Saxon peoples was the conception of the home, which that race, into whose hands Wycliffe and his Lollard preachers put the Bible, went forth to build on the earth.
In 1382, Wycliffe put into the hands of the peasantry of Eng- land, Scotland and Wales the scriptures of the Old and New Testa- ments. This peasantry was already ablaze with the fires of re- volt kindled by twenty years of Watt Tyler's and John Ball's preaching and they quickly rallied to the ideals of Moses and the Hebrew prophets, and they went forth to build on these ideals. "The Cotter's Saturday Night," "Deserted Village," "The Elegy in the Country Churchyard," are the immortal classics in which Burns, Goldsmith and Gray sing these ideals. And in "Snow- Bound" Whittier brings them over into our own New England setting. In 1638 the Hampton settlers brought these ideals of life to Winnecummet, (the beautiful land of pines). They sup- planted the life of the red men, and have continued near 300 years.
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In the following pages living townspeople of Kensington tell, as they recall it, something of the men and women who made the homes of Kensington. They give us a glimpse of the short and simple annals of the poor, of homely joys and destiny obscure, but let not ambition mock, for the greatness of the nation is not in the few leaders, or celebrities in histories, but in the great bulk of humble, earnest lives like these. These pages then have value beyond the mere satisfaction of curiosity; they have historic worth-they tell us in the natural words of those who are a part of it, the story of the greatest institution man has so far builded on the earth. The democratic New England town, with its am-
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ple, comfortable homes, the sufficient supply of material things, freedom from want, and an absolute democracy of people. From the village cobbler to the squire, doctor and pastor, all equals, of one race, one language, traditions, faith and station in life. To quote Burns-
"From scenes like these, our country's grandeur springs, That makes her loved at home, revered abroad;
Princes and lords are but the breath of kings, An honest man's the noblest work of God."
R. D. S.
NORTH SIDE.
Moulton's Ridge, Shaw's Hill, North Road, Drinkwater.
Moulton's Ridge is the highest land in town. £ Looking to the east the ocean is seen and the light on the Isles of Shoals is plain-
MOULTON'S RIDGE.
ly seen at night. It is a revolving one. Looking northeast is seen Mount Agamenticus in York County, Maine, and northwest 1 see the Blue Hills of Strafford County.
The Moulton family was formerly from Hampton Falls. They
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settled here about 1750. The home of Miss Moulton was built in 1781 by her grandfather. During the Revolution there were some Tories sent into this state by Washington and they were boarded by Benjamin Moulton. There were two of them. Mr. Moulton died in 1819. He was a large landholder.
Then at the last house in town we find a hundred years ago John Batchelder, who died in 1815. His widow died in 1863, aged 99. In June, 1806, a man worked there and in crossing the pasture he saw a total eclipse of the sun. It was quite dark for some time. We had this from a man who worked there by the name of Blake, and he told that story in 1866. He has not been in town since. This is now the home of Leroy Sanborn.
The farm east of the last was settled in 1780 by Weare Nudd. He came from Red Oak hill in Epping. He died in 1836 and the farm has belonged to his descendants ever since.
Coming down the hill we see the farm that was owned by Ben- jamin Prescott. He died in 1839. He left two sons; one died in Deerfield and the other in Exeter.
Then going across the meadow the farm is found that was owned over one hundred years ago by Colonel Batchelder. He had no children. One day, when there had been a militia muster, he invited the Kensington company to his home in the evening. Each one had a number of blank cartridges with him, and, while the Colonel had retired to rest in the east front room, they marched around in single file in the long kitchen and would come to his door and fire their old flint-lock guns into his room. At last the smoke got so thick that there was danger of stifling the Colonel and then they all left for home. (His remains lay in the pasture on the east side of the road.) Now in his last days he had a man to help him, and the man was feeding the cows one morning, and, as they were short of hay did not give them much. Just at that time the Colonel came into the room and he began to give them more and his man reproved him for it. Then the Colonel said to him, "You come into the house and I will set- tle with you." Then he gave him $1000 and told him to go, and he did. Then he took a man named Stephen Kimball. He was an easy-going man and just what the Colonel wanted, and at his death he had given him the farm. That farm is still in the hands of Kimball's descendants.
Coming back we found the place formerly owned by the Simon Prescott family and he was a tailor by trade. But many years since the late W. S. Hobbs bought it and on the rise east of the brook is found the ruins of the old home of the Hobbs ancestors. They settled there early in 1700 and it is still held by their descendants in part.
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And up the hill was a farm owned till 1801 by a man named Theophilus Sanborn. The man who bought it was Elijah Shaw whose home before that was where now lives H. C. Tuck, near the brick school-house. For many years it has been called Orchard Hill on account of its extensive orchards. The place is longer than it is wide and quite a part of it is in Exeter. The home on the corner was the home of the Sanborns and the brick house was built in 1830 by John W. Shaw.
South of that corner was where a man named Brown lived over one hundred years ago, and he sold the farm to Elijah Shaw for his son, Joseph, in 1807. After 1831 it fell into the hands of Elijah Shaw's daughter, who married the Rev. Julius C. Blcdg- ett. Her children have had their home there ever since.
East of that is the farm of the Tilton family. They came from Hampton about 1650. They built the second farm-house in town, and the farm is still held by one of their descendants, it never having changed hands.
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