USA > New Hampshire > Grafton County > Campton > The Centennial celebration of the town of Campton, N.H., September 12th, 1867 > Part 1
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Gc 974.202 C15c 1217085
GENEALOGY COLLECTION
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 01095 9473
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2015
https://archive.org/details/centennialcelebr00camp_0
THE
CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION
OF THE
FORT WAYLE
TOWN OF CAMPTON, N. H.
SEPTEMBER 12TH, 1867.
CONCORD : A. G. JONES, PRINTER, . . . . EXCHANGE BUILDING. 1868.
danner- $4.50
CAMPTON CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION.
1217085
At the Annual Town Meeting, held in March, 1867, the town of Campton passed the following vote :
" That a Committee of six be chosen to make arrangements for cele- brating the One Hundredth Anniversary of the settlement of the town."
In accordance with the above vote, the following gentlemen were chosen as said Committee :
AMOS FLINT, DAVID BARTLETT,
ERASTUS DOLE,
STEPHEN AVERY, Jr.,
THOMAS S. PULSIFER, JOHN F. MORTON.
The said Committee of Arrangements subsequently took measures to carry into effect the wishes of the town, as follows :
The 12th of September, 1867, was selected as the day for the Cel- ebration.
An invitation was extended to the Rev. ISAAC WILLEY of Pembroke, a native of the town, to deliver a Historical Address. Mr. CHARLES CUT- TER was requested to examine the town records, to aid in procuring ma- terial for such address.
The following gentlemen were chosen to act as officers on the occasion of the celebration :
PRESIDENT OF THE DAY.
TOLMAN WILLEY, ESQ., of Boston.
-
VICE PRESIDENTS.
Hon. E. C. BAKER, Boston, JACOB GIDDING, Esq., Portland, SYLVESTER 'MARSH, Littleton, Rev. AUSTIN WILLEY, California, B. F. PALMER, LL. D., Philadelphia, Gen. MOSES COOK, Laconia, MOSES BARTLETT, Illinois, EPHRAIM COOK, Wentworth,
JOHN COOK, Campton,
SAMUEL COOK,
JACOB AVERY,
DAVID BARTLETT, " SAMUEL MOULTON, " SAMUEL KENISTON, " ENOCH TAYLOR,
P. C. BLAISDELL, “
IV.
CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION.
DIODATE WILLEY, Campton,
DANIEL AVERY, Esq., Campton,
MOSES BLAISDELL,
CHARLES STICKNEY,
EDMUND DURGIN,
JAMES BURBECK,
JOHN PULSIFER, 66
ROBERT SMITH,
JACOB ADAMS,
WILLIAM SOUTHMAYD.
To Read Charter of the Town .- HENRY W. BLAIR, Plymouth.
-- Toast-Master .- CHARLES CUTTER, Campton.
Chief Marshal .- JOSEPH COOK, Campton.
The grounds adjoining the Town House were selected for the place of the Celebration, and upon these were erected a stand and seats for the speakers and audience upon the one side, and a spacious booth for the dinner tables upon the other.
The citizens throughout the town were invited to furnish the tables with a supply of provisions sufficient for the expected multitude.
The absent sons and daughters of Campton, far and near, were invited to return home and participate in the exercises of the occasion.
The PLYMOUTH BAND was engaged to furnish music.
EXERCISES OF THE MORNING.
The twelfth of September was ushered in by a bright and beautiful morning, the commencement of an auspicious day. At an early hour a large gathering of the people of the town and others from abroad, assembled in the neigh- borhood of the Congregational Meeting House, and were there formed into a procession by the Chief Marshal and his Assistants.
After a series of marching and countermarching to the music of the Band, the procession was led to the Town House, and thereupon the officers of the day and speak- ers were invited to the stand and the audience seated be- fore them.
The Exercises were opened by an appropriate prayer by the Rev. DANIEL PULSIFER of Danbury.
Then followed an Address of Welcome to such of the emigrant sons and daughters of Campton as had re- turned home for the occasion, by Rev. QUINCY BLAKELY.
Original Hymn sung by the Choir.
Historical Address by Rev. ISAAC WILLEY.
Original Hymn sung by the Choir.
These Exercises concluded, a recess of one hour was declared and all present were invited to repair to the ta- bles and share in the abundant collation with which the good citizens of the town had loaded them to repletion. There was no hesitation to comply with this invitation, and ample justice was done to the hospitality which had provided the feast. This interesting and satisfactory part of the proceedings being over the seats were again occu- pied, and then commenced the
6
Centennial Celebration.
EXERCISES OF THE AFTERNOON.
The President on resuming the chair entertained the audience with an eloquent and extended address of more than an hour, passing in review the character of the early settlers of New England and enlarging upon what they had accomplished, giving sketches of some of the promi- nent early residents of Campton, reminiscences of his boyhood, anecdotes, &c. It is regreted that a sketch of his remarks could not be furnished for publication.
Next in order came the toasts as given by the Toast- master, intervals between which were enlivened with mu- sic by the Band.
1. The Clergymen of Campton.
Responded to by Rev. DANIEL PULSIFER of Danbury.
2. The Common Schools of Campton.
Responded to by WILLIAM C. BLAIR, Esq., of Laconia.
3. The Sunday Schools of Campton.
Responded to by Rev. WALTER CHASE of Woodstock.
4. " How dear to my heart are the scenes of my child- hood."
Responded to by Rev. FRENCH SMITH of Thornton.
5. The Emigrant Sons and Daughters of Campton.
Responded to by DAVIS BAKER of Washington city. This gentleman's remarks having been unpremeditated, a sketch has not been obtained for publication.
6. The Soldiers of the Union.
Responded to by HENRY W. BLAIR, Esq., of Plymouth.
At this point the lateness of the hour precluded the introduction of other exercises, and the meeting was brought to a close.
Letters were received from the following gentlemen, natives or former residents of Campton :
From the Rev. DR. STONE of Concord.
From the Rev. AUSTIN WILLEY of California.
7
Address of Welcome.
From Hon. E. C. BAKER of Boston.
From B. FRANK PALMER, LL. D., Philadelphia.
From S. D. BAKER, Esq.
Poem by B. FRANK PALMER, LL. D., Philadelphia.
A specimen of old fashioned horseback riding was dis- played before the company. A couple came along riding double, one upon the pillion, as our fathers and mothers came through the woods to their home in this place.
Several articles of antiquity were exhibited. Among them was a mortar in which, before mills were erect- ed, the corn was pounded for bread; and there might have been presented a powder-horn beautifully carved, with appropriate inscriptions by BENJAMIN BAKER, when in the Revolutionary army.
WELCOME.
-
BY REV. QUINCY BLAKELY.
Absent Sons and Daughters of Campton here returned :
The Committee of Arrangements have assigned to me the pleasing duty of welcoming you home on this occa- sion.
The act of incorporation of this town dates back a hun- dred years. You did well to accept the cordial invitation of your brothers and sisters at the old homestead and come home to-day to assist in the proper celebration of this hundredth anniversary. It is well to pause, occa- sionally, -once in a century at least, -in the onward march of events and erect a monument which shall per-
8
Address of Welcome.
petuate a knowledge of our deeds to future generations. A hundred years ago our fathers settled in this wilderness wild. The same sky is indeed over our heads, the same soil is beneath our feet, but all else, how changed ! Our Fathers, where are they? Not one remains. But a num- erous progeny are here, with pleasant memories of the past, and grateful to those who have gone before for the rich legacies they bequeathed to them ; and grateful ought we to be to Almighty God for his providential care and abounding goodness unto us.
Actuated, perhaps, by a desire to see more of the world or to better your condition, you went out from us ; but, as your presence here to-day plainly indicates, you have not ceased to be interested in the welfare of your native town. We who have remained by the dear old mother have endeavored to do our work well. The forests have given way before the woodman's axe, the hills and valleys have been subdued and cultivated, as you might infer from the appearance of yonder table ; the thump of the carpen- ter's tools, the ring of the anvil, and the rattle of the loom and spindle are still heard within our borders. A school-house is found in every district, and not a person can be found in town, between the ages of fourteen and twenty-one who cannot read and write. Churches have been erected, within which may be found worshippers of the one living and true God, and where may be heard the " Glorious Gospel of the blessed God," from Sabbath to Sabbath. We are on the whole a prosperous people. We have married and given in marriage and unto us children have been born. When the natural increase of population has not been sufficient to fill the vacancies occasioned by emigration and death, there has been found enterprise sufficient to induce men and women from other places to come and settle among us, and the adopted children are not ashamed of the born native.
9
Original Hymn.
This, to us, is a day of great rejoicing. If we should seem to you a little too hilarious and jovial, remember it is a high day, and a part of the exuberance of our joy arises from the privilege of welcoming you home.
Without wearying you with the formalities of a wel- come, in the name and in behalf of the Committee of the citizens of Campton, I bid you a hearty and cordial wel- come. Welcome to the festivities of this occasion. Wel- come to our homes and to all the enjoyments thereof.
ORIGINAL HYMN.
O God, to Thee our voices raise, The song of glory and of praise, Our fathers worshipped at Thy throne, Their children bow to Thee alone.
We thank Thee for Thy goodness shown In former years which long have flown, In name of those who gave us birth We thank the Lord of Heaven and earth.
Thy heart, so kind in days of yore Still gives, as freely as before, Where'er we live, where'er we roam Thy hand protects our native home.
God of our Fathers, now to Thee Let all the praise and glory be, In Thee, we've found all good before, In Thee, we'll trust forever more.
1*
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Centennial Celebration.
THE EARLY HISTORY OF CAMPTON.
-
BY REV. ISAAC WILLEY.
Fellow Town's-people :
THERE is a sentiment in the human mind which readily answers to such a call as you have extended to your ab- sent children, - a call to gather with you to the graves of our fathers and recount, as far as we may be able, the events of their lives. More than three generations have owned and occupied the territory of this town. Here they have passed their lives, -cultivated these farms, se- cured the means of living, and served their generation.
Here they have endured their trials, many and severe. Here they worshipped and trusted the God of their fathers, and from these dwellings have many gone up to be joined with the ransomed of the Lord.
A goodly number from abroad whose bones and mus- cles grew to strength on these hills and who had here their early training, have come home on this occasion. Others would if they could. But from their distant dwell- ings in the South, in the West and on the shores of the Pacific, they will to-day think of us and talk of us and. the exclamation will be heard in many a family, "How I should like to be in old Campton to-day !"
We are all happy in meeting so many fathers and mothers and children of the place. We thank the citi- zens of the town for the happy arrangements for this oc- casion. Whether or not departed spirits are conversant with passing scenes among men, it is quite certain that they are conscious beings, and they who have gone from this place must remember the events which we this day commemorate.
11
Condition of the Country .- French War.
CONDITION OF THE COUNTRY WHEN THE TOWN BEGAN TO BE SETTLED.
To-day our minds are thrown back upon the past. One hundred years ago, and what was the condition of this town, and the regions adjacent? A continuous wilderness, with the exception of some small openings. A few families had come into this town, a few into Plymouth, Hebron, Rumney, Sandwich, Holderness and Bridgewater. But to the north no opening had been made for civilized men this side of Canada, except for three families who had gone fifty miles into the wilderness to commence a settle- ment in what is now Lancaster, in Coos county. But in the southern portion of the State, it is well known that the towns were settled more than one hundred years ear- lier than in the interior and northern portions. The best lands, the rich intervales, the most valuable timber re- mained untouched for more than one hundred years, while the people in the lower towns secured but narrow means of subsistence upon their worn out farms. This you may take as an indication of want of enterprise. But we shall soon see how their enterprise was developed under other circumstances.
THE FRENCH WAR.
You must know that during a large portion of our colonial history, the wilderness was ranged by powerful tribes of Indians who were naturally inimical to those who came to possess their lands, and who were known to have been instigated to deeds of cruelty by the French Jesuits in Canada. Until 1760, Canada was a province of France. The French had also possessions in the South, so had Spain, and the people were Roman Catholics. There was a design, as there is reason to believe, on the part of the people of that faith, to unite Canada and
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Centennial Celebration.
Louisiana and other countries at the South by a chain of fortifications along the Mississippi, the Ohio and the great Lakes, so as to shut up the English possessions and protestantism within narrow limits and secure the vast regions beyond. This gave rise to the French war in 1755. A war in which the English Colonies took an ac- tive part, and the result of which disappointed all the plans for the extensions of the power of France on this continent. Little could have been seen at that time of the vast consequences which were to result to the world from the valor of Wolfe and of his army in the battle up- on the plains of Abraham. Not the city of Quebec only but the province came into the possession of Great Brit- tain. Had that battle terminated differently, had there been less valor in those soldiers, less heroism in their com- mander, what a different chain of events must have fol- lowed ! As it respects these colonies, the Indians had then none to incite them to deeds of cruelty. They were also impressed with the growing strength of the colonies, and ceased their hostilities.
EARLY SETTLEMENTS.
The people might now venture into the vast forests of New England. In their various excursions against the Indians, they had made themselves acquainted with the country and knew where the best lands were to be found. The governor of this State at that time was disposed to en- courage immigration, if for no other reason than the per- quisites which he received. In consideration of a large ox, driven from Hampton to Governor Wentworth at Portsmouth, we are told that the territory now making up New Hampton and Center Harbor was granted. A fact which shows the energy of the people of our State at this time and relieves them from any just imputation of a
13
Clearing the Land .- Charter of the Town.
lack of it, is that in fully one-third of the towns of this State, settlements were commenced within ten years after the close of the French war.
In these openings which they had made in the forest, you would have discovered a small new house and the be- ginning of a family of ten or twelve children. Roads would be seen to be marked out, bridges and mills begin- ning to be built in places where in a few years there would be a well regulated and comfortable community. When John Mann and his wife came from Hebron in Connecti- cut, to Orford in this State, in October, 1765, there was no road from Charlestown but a horse track, for fifty miles. He said that at that time there were but two openings in Claremont, one in Cornish, one in Plainfield, three in Lebanon, one in Hanover, and three in Lyme.
CLEARING THE LAND.
Could you have looked from the top of the hills, or have been so elevated in a balloon as to have looked down upon the territory making up our State, you would have seen the men in more than seventy towns cutting into the dense forests, felling each his acres of trees. At the dry season he would put fire to them, and the smoke from a thousand farms would be seen ascending to the skies. The great logs which were left were cut up, drawn together into piles to be burned in the night. These, if they had been regarded as camp-fires, would have indicated an army upon every man's plantation. In this way was used up an amount of wood and lumber, which, could it have re- mained to this day, would have been a vast source of wealth, exceeding in value the whole country at that time.
CHARTER OF THE TOWN.
The town was originally granted to Gen. JABEZ SPEN- CER of East Haddam, Connecticut, in 1761. But he, dy-
14
Centennial Celebration.
ing before the needful settlements were effected, the title became invalid. This accounts for the delay in the set- tlement of the town, a few families only being here for a number of years. But the heirs of the first grantee and others interested, secured a new charter in 1767.
EARLY SETTLERS.
The early inhabitants were mainly from two sources. From the State of Connecticut, near the mouth of the River of that name, and from the State of Massachusetts, in the vicinity of the mouth of the Merrimack River, in- cluding a number of towns in the lower part of this State.
The intervales upon the streams which flow through the town had strong attractions to the early settlers.
THE GREAT RIVER.
For a long time there was much inconvenience in pass- ing over these streams. They were subject to sudden and great rises of water, overflowing their banks and carrying away bridges and mills. Many such occurrences are within the recollection of the old people. One man had his corn, while he was husking it, swept into his cel- lar and mingled with the mud. Families have been taken from their houses in boats. One woman, as the water rose, held her calf in the top of a tree. Property has been destroyed and lives have been lost. Yet who would be willing that this main branch of the Merrimack should be dried up, or diverted in its course to other regions ? In its onward flow from all its branches, it probably car- ries more machinery than any other river in the world. Of it the late Judge WILLIAM M. RICHARDSON, in his early days, wrote in the following stanzas :
Sweet Merrimack ! Thy gentle stream Is fit for better poet's theme;
15
The First Inhabitants from Connecticut.
For rich thy waves and gentle too As Rome's proud Tiber ever knew, And thy current's placid swell Would flow in classic song as well, Yet on thy banks, so green, so sweet
Where wood nymphs, and naiads meet, E'er since creation's earliest dawn No son of song was ever born; No muse's fairy feet e'er trod Thy modest margin's verdant sod ; And mid times silent, feathery flight Like many a coy maiden, pure and light Sequestered in some blest retreat ? Far from the city and the great,
Thy virgin waves, the vales among Have flowed neglected and unsung.
THE FIRST INHABITANTS FROM CONNECTICUT.
The two men who came first to this town were ISAAC Fox and WINTHROP Fox. They were from Connecticut. As it is generally believed by the old, they came in the Spring, 1762. It is reported that the people in Stephens- town, now Franklin, regarded it as perilous for them to re- main in such a wilderness through the winter, and two men came up upon snow-shoes to look to their wants and found them tough and hearty, living upon fish, wild meat, and corn bread made from corn pounded in a mortar.
The following Spring came the wife of Isaac Fox, his son Isaac, and Mr. Enoch Taylor. Isaac Fox, senior, settled on the east side of the river, near where the bridge now stands. Isaac Fox, Jr., settled near on the opposite side, and Mr. Taylor some two miles above on the west side. The traditions in regard to the time of the settlement of the town are somewhat conflicting. But all accounts agree that when the first settlers came here there were no settlements between this place and Stephenstown or Franklin, and we know that some seven or eight families came to Plymouth, from Hollis in 1764. Fox having been here one year before his family, would
16
Centennial Celebration.
fix the time of his coming, as before stated, in 1762, and that of his family in 1763. This accords with the traditions of the oldest families in town. But it is generally be- lieved that Enoch Taylor was with Mr. Fox that first winter. The first wedding in town is said to have been solemnized under a tree in the open field. The first male, child born in town was Benaijah, son of Isaac Fox, 2d, January 20, 1769. A daughter of Hobart Spencer was born the same year. The two sons of Gen. Spencer se- cured valuable intervale lands. Hobart upon the Pemi- gewasset, and Joseph upon Beebe's River. Among others who had bought a right of land in town, was the widowed mother of Abel Willey. He was seventeen years of age when he came up with the Spencers in 1766. He cut down trees upon a piece of land next above Hobart Spen- cer's, and returned in the Autumn to his distant home. In the Spring he came up again, cleared his land, raised corn and grain and again spent the winter at home in Connecti- cut. In the Spring of 1768, he came with his mother and sisters, who had aided in the purchase of the right of land. This, it has been reported, made the fifth family in town. Hobart Spencer, with his family, came, probably, at the same time. The sister of Abel Willey became the wife of Benjamin Hoit and made the first family in Thorn- ton. Their first child was the first born in that town. Joseph Spencer was among the earliest in town. The next year after Abel, came Darius Willey with his family of three children, his wife being the sister of Abel. They came upon two horses. The father and son upon one horse, and the mother with a babe in her arms, and daugh- ter upon the other, and bringing with them articles for house-keeping and for farming and subduing the wilder- ness. Their journey led them, as we have reason to be- lieve, in the most convenient route from the region of New London, Connecticut, to Worcester, Massachusetts and to
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First Inhabitants from Connecticut.
Nashua, New Hampshire, and then up the Merrimack river and its principal branch, the Pemigewassett, to this place, -the last forty miles being through a wilderness, and no road or bridge over any stream. They reached the town in the evening, much fatigued, and when upon the hill, as they were approaching Abel Willey's house, standing near where it now does, to their great joy they discovered through the trees the light of his fire. They gave a shout which was heard and returned, and the echo has not ceased in the ears of their posterity.
In October of 1769, Darius Willey was appointed one of a committee of the proprietors of the town to lay out the land and to give titles to it, to treat with adjoining towns as to boundaries-to lay out roads and see that work was done upon them. With him was associated William Hobart and Samuel Emerson, Esq. For their services they were to receive four shillings per day when out surveying and three shillings for other services. In this service, Mr. Willey continued ten or twelve years and aided in laying out a large part of the town. He died in 1823, aged 91.
Jesse Willey was soon here. Ebenezer Taylor was early in town, was the father of Oliver and Edward and of several daughters.
Asa Spencer from East Haddam was here in 1770. He went into the army in the Revolutionary war, and died there.
Israel Brainard from East Haddam, was here as early as 1772.
Chiliab Brainard was here about the same time. They were of the same family connection with Rev. David Brain- ard. Chiliab Brainard, an active, promising man with a family upon his hands, beeome deranged and remained so for many years and until his death.
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Centennial Celebration.
FIRST INHABITANTS FROM MASSACHUSETTS.
The settlers from Massachusetts were early in town. Ebenezer Little, the elder, from Newburyport, was a large proprietor in the town and encouraged its settle- ment. He did not settle here himself; his son Mo- ses came here and built mills and opened a store as early as 1768 or 1769, at the place where the late Judge Liver- more afterwards resided. The dwelling house was built by him in the most substantial manner, and of such lum- ber as cannot now be obtained in the place. He died in 1813, leaving a property it was said, of $60,000. For more than half a century the place of his residence, though on the border of two towns, was a place of busi- ness for a large region around. For many years there was neither store or mills above this place. But in the changes of time, the importance of the place has greatly diminished. Under the influence of this family, large numbers came to the town from Newburyport and vicinity.
David Perkins from Hampton and his wife from New- buryport, came to the place and settled in the neighbor- hood of Mr. Little, and had charge of the buildings which he was then erecting. His name appears for twenty years in the early records of the town. He afterwards removed to Thornton, and was for many years a Deacon in the Congregational church in that place.
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