USA > New Hampshire > A gazetteer of the state of New-Hampshire by John Farmer and Jacob B. Moore ; embellished with an accurate map of the state, and several other engravings by Abel Bowen > Part 4
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supreme court of the United States at Washington, who, on the 2d Feb. 1819, reversed the whole proceedings, declaring the act of the state es- tablishing a university unconstitutional and void. In July, 1820, Pres. Brown died, and was succeeded, the same year, by Rev. Daniel Dana, D. D). of Newburyport, Ms. who resigned the presidency in 1821. In 1822, Rev. Bennet Tyler, of Southbury, Conn. succeeded the Rev. Dr. Dana in the office of President.
The immediate instruction and government of the college is entrusted to the president, professors and tutors. From the first commencement, in 1771, to the present time, 1341 have proceeded bachelors of arts, of whom 332 have been settled in the ministry. The whole number on whom degrees have been conferred, is 1784. For admission into the Freshman class. it is required that the candidates be well versed in the grammar of the English, Latin and Greeks languages, in Virgil, Cicero's Select Orations, Sallust, the Greek Testament, Dalzel's Collectanea Græ- ca Minora, Latin and Greek Prosody, Arithmetic, Ancient and Modern Geography, and that he be able accurately to translate English into Lat- in. The course of instruction and study for undergraduates in this sem- inary is as follows.
For Freshmen .- Livy, 5 books-Horace's Odes-Cicero de Oratore, 2 books-in Dalzel's Collect.Græca Majora, Herodotus, Xenophon's His- tory, Homer, Hesiod, Œlianus, Polyenus and Theophrastus-Adam's Roman Antiquities-Tytler's Ancient History-Walker's Rhetorical Grammar-Review of Geography and Arithmetic-Algebra.
Sophomores .- Horace finished-De Oratore finished- in Majora, Thu- cydides, Plato, Isocrates, Æschines, Demosthenes, Xenophon's Philosc- phy, Dionysius, Longinus, Aristotle-Excerpta Latina-Tytler's Modern History-Hedge's Elements of Logic-Blair's Rhetoric, 2 vols .- Eu. clid's Elements of Geometry-Trigonometry-Mensuration of Heights and Distances, Superficies and Solids-Surveying-Navigation-Guaging and Dialling.
Juniors .- Tacitus, 5 books-Majora finished-Conic Sections -- Chemistry-Enfield's Natural Philosophy and Astronomy-Paley's Nat- ural Theology- Paley's Moral and Political Philosophy.
Seniors .-- Locke's Essay on the Human Understanding-Edwards on the Will-Stewart's Philosophy of the Human Mind, 2 vols .-- Burlema- qui on Natural and Political Law -- Paley's Evidences of the Christian Religion -- Butler's Analogy of Religion to the Constitution and Course of Nature -- the Federalist.
The Medical Department in this institution is respectable and extreme- ly useful. It was established in 1798. For the lectures on Anatomy, the professor is furnished with valuable preparations, and in the Chemical department there is a well furnished laboratory. The chemical and phi-
D2
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NEW-HAMPSHIRE GAZETTEER.
lesophical apparatus is new, well chosen, and sufficiently extensive for all important purposes. The college library contains 5000 volumes : the libraries of' the two societies, composed of the students, contain 6000 volumes. The lectures on Anatomy and Surgery, Chemistry and Materia Medica, and the Theory and Practice of Physic, commence early in the fall and continue three months. The productive funds of the college amount to 50,000 dollars : the annual income from the funds and tuition, to about $6009, and the annual expenditures to something less than $6000. There are also funds to a considerable amount, not at present productive. The demands of the college, after making a liberal allowance for probable losses, fall short of the debts by about $2900.
Moor's Charity School is connected with the college, having the same trustees and president. Its annual revenue is from 400 to 600 dollars.
Academies .-- The academies which have been incorporated in this state are as follow : viz. Phillip's Exeter Academy, incorporated April 3, 1781. New-Ipswich Academy, June 18, 1789. Chesterfield Acad- emy, January 12, 1790. Charlestown Academy, February 16, 1791. Atkinson Academy, February 17, 1791. Aurean Academy at Am- herst, Feb. 17, 1791. Haverhill Academy, Feb. 11, 1794. Gilmanton Academy, June 20, 1794. Franklin Academy, at Dover, Dec. 28, 1805. Portsmouth Academy, Dec. 9, 1808. Salisbury Academical Association, Dec. 10, 1808. Lancaster Academy, Dec. 10, 1808. Hampton Proprieta- ry School, June 16, 1810. Union Academy at Plainfield, June 16, 1813. Pinkerton Academy at Londonderry, June 15, 1814. Durham Academy, June 25, 1817. New-Market Wesleyan Academy, June 23, 1818. Pem- broke Academy, June 25, 1818. Effingham Union Academy, June 18, 1819. Francestown Academy, June 24, 1919. Alstead Academy, July 1, 1820. Gilford Academy, June 20, 1820. Newport Academy, June 24, 1819. Sanbornton Academy, Dec. 22, 1820. New-Hampton Academy June 27, 1821. Hillsborough Academy, June 29, 1821. Several of these exist only in name. Those which are in successful operation will be hereafter noticed.
EDUCATION .-- Whatever of literary character the people of our country claim, arises from early education and the habits it creates. Though less splendid in name, it is more useful in practice than that of foreign nations. The existence of schools, in which are grounded the first principles of learning, may be traced to an early period in our his- tory. The old laws of this state required every town of one hundred families to keep a grammar school; by which was meant a school in which the learned languages should be taught, and youth might be
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prepared for admission to a university. The same preceptor was obliged to teach reading, writing and arithmetic; unless the town were of sufficient ability to keep two or more schools, one of which was called a grammar school by way of distinction. When there were but few towns, much better care was taken tu observe the ancient law concern- ing schools, than after the settlements were multiplied. But there was never uniforin attention paid to this important subject throughout the state, until the law of 1805, empowering towns to divide into school dis- tricts and authorizing districts to build and repair school houses. Since that period, these primary sources of instruction, in the benefits of which the children of all classes of our citizens may equally participate, have acquired a higher character; but still in many towns, there is great room for improvement, especially in the selection of well qualified instructors, and in the use of suitable books of elementary instruction.
For the support of district schools, a certain part, or the whole of the year, the selectmen of the different places in this state are required to assess annually, the inhabitants, according to their poils and rateable es- tate, together with the improved and unimproved lands and buildings of non residents, in a sum to be computedat the rate of ninety dollars for every one dollar of their proportion for public taxes for the time being, and so for a greater or less sum. The amount of the assessments, wben collected, are required to be appropriated to the sole purpose of keep- ing an English school, or schools, within the places for which the sums shall be assessed, for teaching the various sounds and powers of the let- ters in the English language, reading, writing, English grammar, arith- metic, geography, and such other branches of education as it may be necessary to teach in an English school. The purchase of necessary wood or fuel for such schools is to be included. No person is deemed qualified to instruct any district school, without first procuring a certifi- cate from some able and respectable teacher, or learned minister of the gospel, preceptor of an academy, or president, professor, or tutor of a college,that such person is qualified to teach such school. The law also requires a certificate from the selectmen, or minister of the place where the person resides, furnishing evidence that the person sustains a good moral character ; and this, with the other certificate, must be presented to the selectmen, or visiting committee of the place where the school is to be kept, previous to the commencement of such school. Each town is required to appoint three or more suitable persons to visit and inspect the schools annually in their respective towns, at suitable times, and in a
1158665
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manner most conducive to the progress of literature, morality and reli- gion. In case of failure to appoint such persons, the duty of inspecting schools devolves upon the selectmen. School books are by law exempt- ed from attachment. The number of school districts in this state amounts to 1698; and the number of school houses to 1560. The number of scholars instructed in these districts cannot be less than 50,000.
MANNERS AND CUSTOMS .- The habits of the people of this state are similar to those of New-England generally. Descendants principal- ly of the same ancestors, they inherit alike the same feelings and traits of character ; and may be distinguished from inhabitants of other sections of our vast country, by their hardihood in danger and patience iu suffer- ing, as well as by their sobriety and hospitality. It is, perhaps, fortunate for our country, that its settlers were from England, and that religious persecution laid the foundation of our empire and liberties. Had we been colonies of France or Spain, the lands would have been divided be- tween the nobles and ecclesiastics ; and the very soil we tread upon, like the island of Montreal, might have been the property of a convent-and we the slaves of its inmates. The firmness of spirit which braved the terrors of Indian warfare, and afterwards, of the revolution-still exists and animates our countrymen ; and among all classes, you will observe that their chiefest pride and boast is their independence. Among the vir- tues of the people, industry and frugality are conspicuous. Though few are very wealthy, all are comfortable, and a greater portion in easy cir- cumstances. The doors of the citizen are never closed against the de- cent looking traveller ; nor are the wretched often left to suffer. No man ever perished here for want of food or raiment. Public and private charities are every where bestowed : the number of charitable institu- tions, and the amount annually distributed by them, are by no means dis- proportioned to the wealth ofthe state. Whatever opinion the foreign- er may form from the roughness of our exterior, which, like that of our country, is certainly apparent ; he will find hospitality to inhabit every dwelling, from the mansions of the rich, to the scattered cottages among our mountains .*
RELIGION .- The Constitution declares that " every individual has a natural and unalienable right to worship God according to the dictates of his own conscience and reason ; and no subject shall be hurt, molest-
* For the employments, diversions, &c. of the people, see Belknap's N. H. vol. iii. 191.
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ed, or restrained, in his person, liberty or estate for worshipping God in the manner and season most agreeable to the dictates of his own con- science, or for his religious profession, sentiments or persuasion : provi- ded he doth not disturb the public peace, or disturb others in their re- ligious worship." In order to promote " the institution of the public worship of the Deity, and of public instruction in morality and reli-, gion," the legislature is empo vered " to authorize, from time to time, the several towns, parishes, bodies corporate or religious societies, within this state, to make adequate provision, at their own expense, for the sup- port and maintenance of public Protestant teachers of piety, religion and morality." All religiou communities have the exclusive right of electing their public teachers, and of contracting with them for their sup- port and maintenance ; and no person of any particular religious sect or denomination, is compelled to contribute towards supporting teachers of a different sect or persuasion. " And every denomination of christ- ians demeaning themselves quietly, and as good subjects of the state, shall be equally under the protection of the law. And no subordination of any one sect or denomination to another, shall ever be established by law." In July, 1819, the memorable act called the Toleration Law pass- ed the Legislature. This acts provides that no person shall be compel- led to join or support, or be classed with, or associated to any congrega- tion, church or religious society, without his express consent first had and obtained. And any person who shall choose to separate himself from any society or association formed under said act, to which he may belong, may, by leaving a written notice with the clerk of such soci- ety, be exempted from any future expenses which may be incurred by said society of association.
The various religious denominations in this state are Congregational- ists, Episcopalians, Quakers, Presbyterians, Calvinistic Baptists, Sande- manians, Freewill Baptists, Methodists, Universalists and Shakers. These we have endeavored to enumerate in the order of time in which they appeared in New-Hampshire. The Congregationalists are the most numerous. The first settlers of Dover and Exeter adopted the congregational form of worship. In those places, were the first church- es of this denomination organized. In the year 1700, there existed only five churches ; in 1748, there were 30 ; and the present number may be estimated at about 160, though some of them are very small, and several have become nearly extinct. The present number of communicants is from 11,000 to 12,000. The Episcopalians were here at an early peri-
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od. Prior to 1638, an Episcopal church or chapel was erected at Portsmouth, and Rev. Richard Gibson was the first minister, who re- mained till 1642. A few Quakers were here at an early period, and a society was formed at Seabrook in the year 1701. The Calvinistic Bap- tists are the second denomination in point of numbers. The first church was formed at Newtown in 1755. In 1780, there existed in this state 19 churches. The Presbyterians who were first established here were a colony of Scotch emigrants, who settled Londonderry in 1719. The Freewill Baptists are a numerous class of christians. The first church of this denomination was founded at New-Durham, in 1780, by Eider Benjamin Randall. This denomination was recognized as a distinct sect by an act of the Legislature, Dec. 7, 1804. The Methodists were recognized by law as a distinct religious sect June 15, 1807. The Sandemanians are the followers of Mr. Robert Sandeman, who came to this country in 1764. There is but one society, which is at Portsmouth. The Universalists were recognized as a distinct religious sect June 13, 1805. The first society of this denomination was formed at Portsmouth as early as 1781. The Shakers, of which there are two communities, one at Canterbury, the other at Enfield, first appeared in this state in 1782.
SOCIETIES .- The New-Hampshire Medical Society was incorpora- ted Feb. 16, 1791. It was formed for the purpose of diffusing a know- edge of medical science in this state, and for discouraging empiricism and quackery by preventing all unqualified persons from practising Med- " icine and Surgery. The society , consists of three grades of members, viz. Honorary Members, Fellows, and Associates. The two first belong to the general society. The Associates belong to the District Societies, of which there are six, the Eastern, Centre, Western, Strafford, South- ern and Grafton Districts. A person must have been in practice two years before he can be elected an Associate. An Associate is at all times eligible to the office of a Fellow. "The number of persons named in the act of incorporation was 19, all of whom were constituted Fellows. The number of Fellows who have been elected and accepted, since the society went into operation, is 148. The present number is 114. The number of Honorary Members who have been elected is 26. From Feb. 28, 1794, to Feb. 28, 1822, one hundred and two candidates were exam- ined and approbated by the Censors of the society for the practice of Physic and Surgery. The annual meeting is holden at Concord on the Tuesday preceding the first Wednesday in June. Nine Fellows consti-
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tute a quorum to transact business. At this meeting, the officers, con- sisting of a President, Vice-President, two Counsellors and two Censors from each district, a Secretary, Librarian, the Library Committee, Con- mittee of Correspondence and two Delegates to attend the Medical Ex- aminations at Dartmouth College, are chosen.
There are six Agricultural Societies, one in each county. That in Rockingham was incorporated in 1814; in Cheshire, 1816; those in Strafford, Hillsborough and Grafton in 1818; and in Coos, 1919. Con- siderable benefit has accrued from these institutions to the agricultural interest. Meetings for Cattle Shows and the exhibition of domestic manufactures are annually holden. and are very generally attended. The distribution of premiums serves to create a spirit of competition among the members of the society, which cannot but be useful in promoting the interests of two of the most important branches of national wealth and prosperity, those of agriculture and manufactures. For a few years, the patronage of the Legislature was extended to these institutions, each of which, excepting Coos, received grants of about $400 in aid of their funds. It is much to be regretted, that one branch of the Legislature at the last session, withdrew their fostering patronage from an object de- serving so much encouragement. On the 19th of December, 1820, a Board of Agriculture was incorporated. It consists of six delegates, one to be chosen by ballot from each of the county agricultural societies within this state, who meet annually at Concord on the 2d Wednesday in June. In 1821, the Legislature granted $250 to be appropriated by the Board, in defraving the necessary expenses of procuring and preparing materials for the publication of a pamphlet, to contain such reports and returns from the county societies, and such essays relative to agricultural improvements as the Board may think will conduce to the advancement of agriculture. A similar grant for the same purposes was made at the last session of the Legislature.
There are, in this state, many religious and charitable institutions, of which the mere enumeration would extend this article to a dispropor- tionate leagth. The most prominent only can be noticed. The New- Hampshire Bible Society was organized in June, 1812. Its object is to supply the destitute with Bibles, either gratuitously, or at reduced prices. It has upwards of 700 members, who are required to pay annually two dollars each, and may receive one bible, or three dollars and receive two bibles. It became auxilary to the American Bible Society in Sept. 1816, to which it has remitted $3216 for bibles, and $1231 97 as dona-
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tions. The New-Hampshire Missionary Society was instituted in Sept. 1801, and is designed to furnish preaching and religious instruction to destitute churches in this state. The amount of its funds is above $3000. The Rockingham, Hillsborough, Cheshire and Grafton Bible and Char- itable Societies are each of them useful institutions, and are extending their benefits to objects within theirrespective limits.
There are 35 Musical Societies, which have had no small influence in collecting and introducing into practice the best productions on music; in acquiring and diffusing a correct taste for psalmody ; and in contrib- uting a large share towards the enjoyment of the pleasures of sacred harmony.
The Grand Lodge of New-Hampshire was constituted July 8, 1789 .- Under its jurisdiction, there are 37 Masonic Lodges, several of which have been incorporated. A Grand Royal Arch Chapter was instituted in 1820, and there are six subordinate Chapters, viz. St. Andrews at Hanover, established Jan. 27, 1807; Trinity at Hopkinton, Feb. 16, 1807; Washington at Portsmouth. Nov. 1815; Cheshire, at Keene, May 4, 1816 ; Franklin, at Bath, July 10, 1820; and Webb at Clare- mont, July 11, 1821.
There have been incorporated in this state 31 academical associations, 169 social libraries, 117 religious societies and congregations, and 56 so- cieties of various denominations not classed.
BANKS .- There are in this state ten banking institutions in operation, and two others, one at Amherst and the other at Claremont, incorporat- ed in June, 1822, which have not yet gone into operation.
Names of Banks.
Where located.
Incorporated. |Charters expire.
Capital.
New-Hampshire, N. H. Union,
Portsmouth,
Jan. 3, 1792.
Jan. 3, 1842.
200,000
do.
June 18,1802.
July 1, 1822.
200,000
Portsmouth,
do.
June 11,1803.
July 1, 1823.
200,000
Rockingbam,
do.
Nov. 5, 1813.
Jan. 1, 1834.
200,000
Stratford,
Dover,
June 11,1803.
July 4, 1823.
150,000
Exeter,
Exeter,
Dec. 19,1803 ..
Jan. 1, 1824.
200,000
Coos,
Haverhill,
Dec. 24.1803.
Jan. 1, 1824.
100,000
Cheshire,
Keene,
Dec. 24,1803.
March 1,1824.
150,000
Concord, (Upper)
-
Concord,
June 18, 1806.
July 1, 1826.
200,000
Concord, (Lower)
Both the Concord Banks issue bills under and claim the same charter. The New-Hampshire Union, Portsmouth, Strafford, Coos and Cheshire Banks were re-incorporated, with certain restrictions and limitations, June 28, 1821, for the further term of twenty years. The name of the Coos Bank was altered to Grafton Bank, and all bills issued after the first
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NEW HAMPSHIRE GAZETTEER.
of January, 1822, were to assume that name. These banking institutions are subject to a tax of one half of one per cent. on the amount which shall, on the second Wednesday of June annually, constitute the actual stock of said banks. The object of this tax is to raise a fund to be pledg- ed and appropriated to the endowment or support of a college for in- struction in the higher branches of science and literature in this state, to be applied in such way and manner as the legislature shall hereafter direct. 0+The sums noted in the preceding table, as the capital of our banks, are their allowed capital, and not the amount actually paid in. -See Literary Fund, p. 26.
THE STATE HOUSE .- This beautiful edifice is situate in Concord in the county of Rockingham, upon a gently inclined plane between main and state streets, and has two regular fronts, east and west. The centre of the building is fifty feet in front by fifty-seven in depth ; the wings are each thirty-eight feet in front by forty-nine in depth ; the whole making a parallelogram of one hundred and twenty-six feet in length by forty-nine in width, with the addition of a projection in the centre of each front of four feet. It is two stories above the basement, which rises five feet above the surface of the ground : the first story is nine- teen feet ; the second eighteen feet in the wings and thirty-one in the centre. The roofs of the wings are levelled at the outer ends and rise ten feet against the body of the centre; the roof of the centre rises thir- teen feet, presenting gable ends in front ; from the middle of which, the cupola rises, eighteen feet square, to the height of fifteen feet above the ridge ; thence in an octangular form, thirteen feet in diameter, seventeen feet, and is covered with a roof in the form of an inverted acorn rising to the height of nine feet, and surmounted with a gilt ball, thirty-three inches in diameter, on which stands an eagle six and a half feet in height, with its wings partially expanded. Each front has in its lower story three doors and six windows, and in its upper story, nine windows with a semi-elliptical window in each gable end : four windows in the south, and two in the north end. The outside walls of the building are of granite stone, hammered, and built in a plain style-the only ornament being a Tuscan frontispiece of stone work at each Central front door. The roof and cupola are of wooden materials. The roof is ornamen- ted with a coving appropriate to the Doric order, and a balustrade up. on the wings. The square part of the cupola is ornamented with twelve Ionic columns, three at each corner,placed in a triangular position, with an appropriate coving and balustrade. The octangular part has one Is- nic column at each corner, surmounted with an urn. E
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In the second story of the centre is the Representatives' chamber, with an arched ceiling rising thirty feet from the floor, elegantly finished with stucco-work. The north wing contains the Senate chamber, eigh- teen feet in height, with a beautiful ceiling of plaistering, ornamented. with stucco-work, supported by four Ionic columns and an equal num- ber of pilasters. This room, for its neatness and elegance of finishing, is not perhaps inferior to any in the United fitates. In the south wing ale contained the Council chamber and anti-chamber, both of which are finished in a handsonte style. In the same wing, in the lower story, which is divided into two parts, are the Secretary's and Treasurer's offi- ces, over which is a suite of committee rooms. In the north wing un- der the Senate chamber is a spacious room intended for public hear- ings before committees of the legislature. This room is also conveni- ently arranged and is sufficiently commodious for the accommodation of the Superior Court, when holding a law term. Under the Represen- tatives' chamber is an open area, in which are eight Doric columns, sup- porting the flooring above. This area, with the adjacent passages in the wings, cooled by the current of fresh air passing through the spa- cious doors and windows opening into them, affords, in the warm month of June, a delightful retreat to legislators, when fatigued by long attention to their arduous duties, or heated by the ardor of debate, above stairs ; and it is by no means an uncommon case to see them availing them- selves of the benefits of this pleasant retirement.
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