USA > New Hampshire > New Hampshire Sesqui-centennial celebration. One hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the establishment of independent government > Part 1
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REYNOLDS HISTORICAL GENEALOGY COLLECTION
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ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 01095 9234
New Hampshire TT 1
Sesqui-Centennial Celebration
One Hundred and Fiftieth Anniversary
of the
Establishment of Independent
Government
Compiled by the Secretary and Published by the Commission
THE W. B. RANNEY CO. PRINTERS PENACOOK, N. H.
.
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2019
https://archive.org/details/newhampshiresesq00unse
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1771832
1:
New Hampshire. Commission on Sesqui-centennial celebra- tion.
New Hampshire Sesqui-centennial celebration. One hun- dred and fiftieth anniversary of the establishment of independ- ent government. Comp. by the secretary and pub. by the commission. Penacook, N. H., The W. B. Ranney co., print- ors : 1926,
05 p. 2010.
SHELF CARD Henry HI. Metcalf, secretary.
1. New Hampshire-Centennial celebrations, etc. 2. New Hamp- shire-Pol. & govt. I. Metcalf, Henry Harrison, 184- comp. II. Title.
352009
26-27356
Library of Congress
F35.N52 [3]
New Hampshire Sesqui-Centennial Celebration
A few years since some leading spirit or di- recting mind in the National Society, Sons of the American Revolution, conceived the idea of celebrating the one hundred and fiftieth anni- versaries of important Revolutionary events. The idea was adopted by the Society, and meas- ures taken to awaken general interest in the plan which has been carried out thus far by the celebration of many events, like the Boston Mas- sacre, the Boston Tea Party, the fights at Con- cord and Lexington, the battle of Bunker Hill, the Evacuation of Boston by the British troops, etc. .
There were two New Hampshire events of sufficient importance to command consideration in carrying out this programme. The first was the assault, upon Fort William and Mary at Newcastle, by the band of patriots under John Sullivan and John Langdon, in December, 1774 -the first overt act in the Revolution-and the second the establishment of independent gov- ernment for the Colony, by the Provincial Con- gress at Exeter, in January, 1776, which was the first government, with a written con- stitution, set up in any of the Colonies .*
The first named event was duly celebrated in connection with an elaborate Old Home Week observance in New Castle, in August 1924;
*For a concise account of the organization of this first in- dependent government, see the introduction to Vol. IV of the Early Laws of New Hampshire, covering the period from 1776 to 1784.
(3)
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while the second, has been observed, with ap- propriate exercises, at the State Capital, some account of which is herewith presented.
The following Joint Resolution, reported from the House Judiciary Committee, referred to the Committee on National Affairs, approved by the same and sent to the Committee on Ap- propriations, under the rules, was favorably reported by the latter, passed by the House, sent up to the Senate and concurred in by that body, sent to the Governor and approved by him April 21, 1925.
CHAPTER 238.
Joint resolution providing for an appropriate celebration of the one hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the establish- ment of independent government in New Hampshire.
THAT WHEREAS. the Provincial Congress at Exeter, on the fifth day of January 1776, formulated and established an independent government for New Hampshire, which thereby became the first of the revolting colonies to re- nounce allegiance to the British throne; and whereas a plan has been developed, through the agency of the National So- ciety, Sons of the American Revolution, to promote the formal and appropriate celebration of all important events, civil and military, which marked the progress of the great struggle for freedom in which the patriot colonists engaged ; and whereas due recognition and contemplation of the brave and determined action of our fathers in prosecuting this conflict to success, and establishing the free institution which we now enjoy, tend to stimulate our own patriotic in- pulses, and strengthen our love for these institutions, there- fore a commission of nine members, including His Ex- cellency the Governor, the president of the senate, the speaker of the house of representatives and six others to be named by the governor and council, is hereby provided for, which commission is authorized and instructed to arrange and carry out an appropriate celebration of this great his- toric event --- the establishment of independent government in
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SESQUI-CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION
New Hampshire-six months before the Declaration of In- dependence by the Continental Congress at Philadelphia ; and the sum of one thousand dollars ($1,000) or such por- tion thereof as may be found necessary, is hereby appro- priated, from any money in the treasury not otherwise ex- pended to defray the expenses of the commission in carrying out this celebration.
Approved April 21, 1925.
In due time the Governor appointed the fol- lowing named persons to be members of the Commission, in accordance with the terms of the resolution: Henry H. Metcalf of Concord; John E. Young of Exeter; James P. Tuttle of Manchester; Harry F. Lake of Concord; Clara D. Fellows of Tilton and Mary E. Woodward of Conway. Judge Young declined the appoint- ment, on account of ill health, and President Tobey failed to serve.
On July 6, 1925, the Commission met in the Council Chamber, at the State House, and or- ganized by the choice of Gov. John G. Winant as Chairman; Henry H. Metcalf, Secretary and Harry F. Lake, Treasurer.
The matter of time and place for holding the celebration was considered, and, after much dis- cussion, it was voted, on motion of Gen. Tuttle, that the same be held in Concord.
On motion of Mrs. Fellows it was voted that Wednesday, June 2 be fixed as the date of the celebration.
The subject of the selection of a proper per- son to deliver the anniversary address, was dis- cussed to some extent, and finally, on motion of Mr. Wood, it was voted that the Secretary, Mrs. Fellows and Gen. Tuttle be a Committee to en- gage the services of such speaker; after which the meeting was adjourned.
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A second meeting of the Commission was held in the Council Chamber, on October 26, Gov. Winant the Chairman being absent in New York, on important business, and Speaker Wood presiding.
The Committee appointed to select an anni- versary speaker, reported that Prof. James A. Tufts of Phillips Exeter Academy had been invited to deliver the address, and had accepted the invitation.
It was voted that a Memorial Service, in honor of the New Hampshire men who aided in establishing the Independence of the American colonies, be held in Representatives Hall on Sunday, May 30, Memorial Day.
It was also voted that a Reunion of State Of- ficials, past and present, be held on Tuesday, June 1.
On motion of Mr. Lake it was voted that a committee of three, with the Secretary as Chairman, (he to name the other two members) be constituted to arrange the programme for the celebration. The Secretary named Gen. Tuttle and Miss Woodward to serve with him as such Committee.
· Adjourned.
The Programme Committee met at the office of Gen. Tuttle in Manchester, on Tuesday, Nov- ember 24, and arrived at the following decisions, subsequently set forth in a circular, issued to the press of the State:
At the Union Religious Service, to be held in Represen- tatives Hall, at 3 P. M. on Sunday, May 30, (Memorial Day) in honor of the men of New Hampshire who aided in establishing our National Independence, by service on
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SESQUI-CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION
the field of battle, or otherwise, the devotional exercises will be conducted by Rev. O. W. Peterson of Penacook, Chaplain of the Legislature, and the address will be given by Rev. George H. Reed, D.D., pastor of the old First Church of Concord.
Music will be furnished by a chorus of the combined church choirs of' Concord, under the direction of Herbert W. Rainie.
Tuesday, June 1, "Official Reunion Day" will open with a social reunion, and exchange of greetings between past and present State officials-Governors, Judges, Legislators and other state officers; with a reception in the Council Chamber by the Governor and Council, and the Supreme Court at 11 o'clock A. M.
In the afternoon, opening at 1:30, a meeting will be held in Representatives Hall, at which Hon. George A. Wood, Speaker of the House, will preside, and five minute ad- dresses will be made by representatives of different branches of the government.
Orchestral music will be furnished for the reception and the afternoon meeting.
On Wednesday, June 2, (Anniversary Day, proper) it is expected that a great street parade will be arranged for the morning, by the Concord City Government and the Cham -- ber of Commerce.
The President of the United States and the Governors of Maine, Massachusetts and Vermont, whose attendance has been invited, will if present, briefly address the people from the front of the State House, at 11 o'clock.
At 1:30 P. M. the anniversary exercises will open in Representatives Hall, at which Gov. John G. Winant, Chair- man of the Commission, will preside and the Anniversary Address will be given by Prof. James A. Tufts of Phillips Exeter Academy.
Brief addresses will also be given by prominent repre- sentatives of the Bar, the Ministry, the Medical profession, Education, the Public Service, and the Womanhood of the State.
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Music will be furnished, for the afternoon, by. a male quartette and an accomplished soloist.
A complete detailed programme will be issued shortly before the week of the celebration.
H. H. METCALF, JAMES P. TUTTLE, MARY E. WOODWARD, Programme Committee.
Through future consultation, by correspon- dence, the details of the programme were work- ed out, and the following issued in circular form, several thousand copies being distributed by mail throughout the State:
N. H. Sesqui-Centennial Celebration ORDER OF EXERCISES
SUNDAY, MAY 30, MEMORIAL DAY
Memorial Service in honor of the Men of New Hamp- shire, in Military and Civil Life, who aided in establishing American Independence and the building of the Nation, in Representatives Hall, at 3:00 P. M.
Order of Service
CHORUS "The Lord is My Light" Parker United Choins of Concord, Herbert W. Rainie, Director, SCRIPTURE READING,
Rev. Earl C. Davis, Pastor Unitarian Church PRAYER, Rev. O. W. Peterson, Chaplain N. H. Legislature SOPRANO SOLO "O Lord, Thou Hast Searched Me Out" Mary Shaw Raynes Gilchrist
MEMORIAL ADDRESS, Rev. George H. Reed, D.D., Pastor First Congregational Church CHORUS "Father, Thy Children Bow in Adoration" Sullivan BENEDICTION, Rev. Everett A. Rockwell, Pastor Pleasant St. Baptist Church
The Daughters and Sons of the American Revolution, the Grand Army of the Republic, the Spanish War Veterans, and the American Legion are specially invited to attend this service. A delegation from Rumford Chapter, D. A. R., of Concord will act as ushers.
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SESQUI-CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION
TUESDAY, JUNE 1, OFFICIAL REUNION DAY
A Social Reunion and exchange of greetings between Past and Present State Officials, Executive, Judicial and Legisla- tive, will be held in the State House in the morning. At 11 o'clock A. M., sharp, a Reception will be held in the Council Chamber by the GOVERNOR AND COUNCIL AND THE SUPREME COURT.
Music for the Reception will be furnished by the Concord Orchestral Club, Ernest I. Heath Principal, and a delega- tion of Concord Lawyers will act as ushers.
In the afternoon at 1:30 a meeting will be held in Repre- sentatives Hall,
HON. GEORGE A. WOOD, SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE PRESIDING
OVERTURE, "A Summer Night's Dream" Suppe
Concord Orchestral Club
INVOCATION, Rev. John Vannevar, D.D.,
Past Chaplain, New Hampshire National Guard ADDRESS, Hon. Nahum J. Bachelder, oldest surviving Gov- ernor of New Hampshire
ADDRESS, Hon. Frank N. Parsons, former Chief Justice Supreme Court
ADDRESS, Hon. George H. Moses, U. S. Senator.
ADDRESS, Hon. Henry W. Keyes, U. S. Senator.
ADDRESS, Hon. Leslie P. Snow, former President N. H. State Senate
ADDRESS, Mrs. Mary I. Wood, former Member State Board of Charities and Correction
SOPRANO SOLO "For All Eternity" Mascheroni Mary Shaw Raynes, with Orchestral accompaniment ADDRESS, Hon. William J. Ahern, Veteran Legislator and former Speaker
ADDRESS, Hon. Albert O. Brown, President last Consti- tutional Convention.
ADDRESS, Hon. Arthur G. Whittemore, former Member Executive Council
ADDRESS, Hon. Fred H. Brown, Public Service Commissioner ADDRESS, Hon. Huntley N. Spaulding, President Statp Board of Education SELECTION, "Serenade" Titl
. Concord Orchestral Club
Others present may be called upon as time permits. Speeches to be confined to five or ten minutes.
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WEDNESDAY, JUNE 2, ANNIVERSARY DAY
In the Forenoon, weather permitting, there will be a Grand Parade, in which the
THREE THOUSAND PUPILS OF CONCORD SCHOOLS will participate, and in which all other schools in the State are invited to join. Other features may be added to the Parade which is provided for by the Concord City Government and Chamber of Commerce.
In the afternoon, at 1:30, in the Hall of the House, the Anniversary Exercises, proper, will be held,
GOVERNOR JOHN G. WINANT, PRESIDING
INVOCATION, Rev. Lee S. McCollester, D.D., Past Chaplain National Society, S. A. R., and Dean of Crane Divinity School, Tufts College
SOPRANO SOLO "The Star Spangled Banner" Klara Muehling, Manchester Francis Scott Key
ANNIVERSARY ADDRESS, James Arthur Tufts, LL.D., Professor of English, Phillips Exeter Academy SELECTION "Comrades in Arms," Adam Temple Male Quartet, Concord POEM, Rev. Raymond H. Huse Former Pastor New Hampshire M. E. Churches Brief Addresses in the following Order :
"NEW HAMPSHIRE AND THE CHRISTIAN MINISTRY," Rev. Burton W. Lockhart, D.D., Pastor , Emeritus Frank- lin Street Congregational Church, Manchester
"NEW HAMPSHIRE LAWYERS AND JUDGES," Hon. Sherman L. Whipple, Leader of the Boston Bar SOPRANO SOLO, "Hurrah for Old New Hampshire" W. P. Chamberlain Klara Muehling, Manchester
"NEW HAMPSHIRE IN THE MEDICAL PROFESSION," Ben- jamin W. Baker, M.D., Superintendent State School, Laconia
"NEW HAMPSHIRE WOMEN," Ida Farr Miller, Wakefield, Mass., Organizer New Hampshire's Daughters
SELECTION, "The Flag is Passing By"
Jones
Temple Male Quartet
. "NEW HAMPSHIRE IN EDUCATION," Ernest W. Butterfield, State Superintendent of Public Instruction
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"NEW HAMPSHIRE IN THE PUBLIC SERVICE," Hon. Wil- liam N. Rogers, Former Member of Congress, 1st N. H. District
"AMERICA" Audience
BENEDICTION, Rev. William Porter Niles, Rector Church of the Good Shepherd, Nashua.
The programme for the several days was car- ried out as advertised, except that Dr. Vanne- var, announced for the Invocation on Tuesday, was detained by illness, and that service was performed by Rev. O. W. Peterson, Chaplain of the Legislature; and Ex-Chief Justice Parsons and Senator Keyes failed to appear.
Sunday, May 30, Memorial Day
At the Sunday service representatives of the Daughters and Sons of the American Revolu- tion, the Grand Army of the Republic and the Spanish War Veterans were in attendance, oc- cupying reserved sections; but there was no representation of the American Legion. A del- egation of ladies from Rumford Chapter, D. A. R., headed by Mrs. Charles L. Jackman, Vice Regent, served as ushers.
The Scripture selection, read by Rev. Earl C. Davis was from the 11th Chapter of Hebrews.
Following is that portion of Dr. Reed's ad- dress of a historical nature :
By faith the patriot sons of Portsmouth, on the very day of the Boston Tea Party, adopted resolutions declaring the action of the British Parliment inconsistent with the fundamental principles of the British Constitution.
By faith John Langdon and Major John Sul- livan, being warned by Paul Revere of a royal decree that the colonies could no longer carry
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arms or secure ammunition, seized a hundred barrels of powder at Fort William and Mary; and because they saw it was the proper thing to do and were not afraid of the King's command- ment, that powder was hid three months in divers places, even in the house of God.
By faith the men of many a New Hampshire town, hearing the news of Lexington, hastened to the meeting-house green, whence they ran, rather than marched, to the scene of action.
By faith the speaker of the Assembly assured the Massachusetts House that they might de- pend upon the readiness of New Hampshire to co-operate with the other colonies in the de- fense of their liberties. By faith the citizens of Portsmouth appointed a day of fasting and prayer and voted to raise money for the com- mon defense, for they looked for a constitution- al government whose foundation should be righteousness and justice, whose builder and maker is God.
By faith William Whipple, educated on a ves- sel, Master of his own ship at the age of twenty- one, abandoned the African slave trade, setting at liberty his own slaves, and, not fearing the disapproval of Washington, declined to assist in the recovery of Mrs. Washington's servant, who had found sanctuary in New Hampshire.
By faith he cast in his lot with the American Colonies and hazarded his life at Stillwater and Saratoga; and, hurrying to the aid of Sullivan, was but two days on the march from Ports- mouth to Rhode Island.
Notwithstanding it was high treason and he might end his days in the Tower of London, he signed the Declaration of Independence, writing
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SESQUI-CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION
there a name which New Hampshire must never forget, William Whipple.
By faith Josiah Bartlett surrendered the of- fice which had been given him in the hope of securing his support of the royal cause. By faith he accepted the perilous responsibilities of membership in the Committee of Safety, a com- mittee, the very existence of which was a dec- laration of war against the mightiest nation on earth.
The last President of New Hampshire, the first Governor under the newly-adopted consti- tution, by faith he was the first to cast his vote for the Declaration of Independence and the first after Johh Hancock to sign that immortal charter. Conscious that he was signing his death warrant if the cause of the colonies was lost, Josiah Bartlett took his place among the men who pledged their lives, their fortunes and their sacred honor to die for freedom, and thus he became the heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.
By faith Matthew Thornton, entering Con- gress after, the adoption of the Declaration of Independence, was at his own request permit- ted to become one of its signers. By the stroke of his pen he forfeited all hope of wealth and all · chance of preferment, and became a rebel against the King and Parliament. By faith he organized assemblies at the risk of his life, and issued appeals to his country-men to pledge every man his honor and his estate to meet the expenses of the struggle.
By faith he helped to draft the first written constitution ever adopted by any American Col- ony, and was one of the twelve men who, six months before the Declaration of Independence,
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adopted a declaration which Governor Bell de- clared to be "the earliest official suggestion of national independence."
By faith Matthew Thornton became the au- thor of the affirmation that "only on religion can we build our hope of that divine favor with- . out which all the measures we can purpose will end in shame and disappointment," and being dead he yet speaketh.
By faith General Sullivan wavered not when he read the threat of Peter Livius, "You were the first man in active rebellion, and you drew with you the province you live in. You will be one of the first sacrifices to resentment and the justice of the government. Your family will be ruined and you must die with ignominy."
By faith John Sullivan refused to be intimidat- ed, choosing rather to suffer handship at Bran- dywine, Germantown and Valley Forge than to enjoy ease and safety for a season, esteeming the reproach of the poverty-stricken colonies greater riches than the emoluments of England. When the issue was so doubtful that Connecti- cut men withdrew, Sullivan hastened home from Philadelphia and mustering two thousand men in ten days, marched with them to Massa- chusetts. At Long Island he was one of the eight thousand men who held twenty-three thousand British troops at bay. At Butts Hill he led the American troops from seven in the morning until seven at night in the battle that Lafayette pronounced the best contested battle of the war. Leader of the expedition against the Six Nations, he overthrew the most power- ful organization of Indians ever on this con- tinent.
By faith the opposition to the Constitution
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SESQUI-CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION
fell down when it had been compassed about many days, and General Sullivan being presi- dent of the Convention that met in the Old North Church in Concord, declared the Con- stitution of the United States ratified by the action of New Hampshire.
By faith John Langdon, lamenting that his abilities were not greater, promised to employ them in the service of his country. Six times governor of his state, the first United States Senator elected in New Hampshire, president of the Senate, and as such, notifying Washing- ton of his election to the Presidency, he fulfilled his promise.
By faith he offered up all that he had, saying, "I have a thousand dollars in hard money, I will pledge my plate for three thousand more, I have seventy hogshead of Tobago rum which will be sold for the most they will bring. They are at the service of the State."
By faith, moved with the godly fear and no other fear, he prepared the good ship Ranger for the saving of his country, and over it Paul Jones unfurled the first United States flag that ever floated above the American navy.
By faith, John Stark, shutting down the gates of his mill, seizing his gun, leaping upon his horse, in ten minutes from the time he heard the call was mustering men before whom the British forces were to reel back at Bunker Hill.
When Washington's dwindling army was re- treating before the exultant foe, by faith Stark pledged his private property for the payment of the arrears of the despairing New Hamp- hire soldiers whose terms of service has expir- ed. Those hungry and ragged men, rallying by the banks of the Delaware, aided in winning
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two victories that Frederick the Great pro- nounced among the most brilliant in all the achievements of war.
By faith John Stark, summoned to lead a brigade of volunteers against the advancing army of Burgoyne, obeyed to go out to a place called Bennington, and there, in two terrific battles made possible the surrender of Bur- goyne at Saratoga.
By faith General Stark, because he endured as seeing Him who is invisible, refused to be en- treated by his brother William who besought him to enter the camp of King George. By faith he had this witness borne unto him, that by the banks of the Merrimack, where the field slopes to the setting sun, he spent the years that lengthened into four score and ten, watching the development of the institutions he had help- ed to plant, and pondering the Word of God.
By faith Meshech Weare, graduate of Har- vard, student of theology and of law, became perhaps the most conspicuous man in civil life; the trusted confidant of Washington, made chairman of the Committee of Safety at the out- set of the Revolution, thirty years in the provin- cial legislature, thirty-five years a member of the Supreme Court and eight years President of New Hampshire; filling important offices for forty-five years, he had witness borne to him that was well pleasing to God, and herein was fulfilled the scripture "A man shall be as the shadow of a great rock in a weary land."
By faith Israel Evans, ordained as Chaplain in 1776, became the only chaplain who served continuously throughout the war. He was with Montgomery at Quebec, with General Gates at Ticonderoga, with General Poor at the capture
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of Burgoyne at Saratoga, with Washington at Valley Forge, and with Sullivan on his expedi- tion against the Six hostile Nations of Indians. He witnessed the surrender of Lord Cornwall at Yorktown.
By faith Chaplain Evans when his end was nigh, and he was assured that after his gallant service on the field and his holy ministry in Con- cord, he would sit down with Abraham and Isaac and Jacob, exclaimed "And with General Wash- ington."
What shall I more say, for time would fail me to tell of Prescott and Dearborn and Cilley, of Scammel and Miller and Reed and Warren and Folsom and Judge Livermore, who, through faith wrought righteousness, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the oppressor ; of William Diamond of Peterborough who beat the reveille that summoned the minute men to assemble on the common at Lexington, whose ancient drum is now in a glass case on the main floor of the Lexington Historical Society.
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