USA > New Hampshire > Hillsborough County > Bedford > A historical sketch of Bedford, N.H., being a discourse delivered Sabbath afternoon, July 4th, 1841, in the Presbyterian meeting house > Part 2
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Hon. John Orr, was for many years, a useful citizen, both in public and private life. The following account is taken chiefly from "Farmer's and More's Collection's."
"He was in the battle of Bennington under Gen. Stark, and received a wound in the thigh, in the early part of the engagement. The ball en- tered just above the knee joint, and lodged in the bone, which was much fractured, and large pieces were afterwards extracted. In consequence of the wound, the knee joint became stiff and he was a cripple, the re- mainder of his life.
As a man, a magistrate and a christian,but few have been more esteemed, or could be more deeply lamented. He possessed a strong discriminating mind, a sound judgment and retentive memory, which eminently fitted him to discharge the duties of the several stations which he filled." He died Jan. 1823, aged 75. The following inscription is upon his grave- stone. "As an officer of the church, distinguished for a discriminating judgment, and an uncommon decision, candor and meekness.
He lived and died in an unshaken, practical adherence to the faith once delivered to the saints."
Hon. Benjamin Orr, son of the preceding, was a distinguished mem- ber of the bar, in Maine, and at one time a member of Congress from that state. He died a few years since in Brunswick Me. Others might be mentioned of the living, and the dead, whose names reflect credit on their native town, and who would furnish materials for interesting biographical notices.
An unusually large number belonging to the town have enjoyed the advantages of collegiate education, and have filled the various learn- ed professions with credit and usefulness. L.
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The agricultural and general condition of the town has been prosper- ous, and the inhabitants distinguished for sobriety of manners. They have contributed to people the valley of the West, and a few years ago quite a colony went from this place to Rock River, Wisconsin, and set- tled in what is now called Beloit.
As respects health, the town will rank well with other towns in the country, the average annual number of deaths, for the last 15 years, having been about 20, not a large proportion for a population of 15 or 1600. M.
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Some instances of longevity may be noticed. Mr. Benjamin Smith, one of the first elders, came with his wife, from the north of Ireland in 1738, he then being 19 and she 21 years of age. They were mar- ried in Londonderry, soon after their arrival, after which, they came to
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. this town, where they lived together in a married state, 72 years. Mrs. Sarah Coburn aged 96. She mentioned to the writer, that she remem- , bered hearing Whitefield, in her younger days in Dracut. Her descen - dants are numerous by the name of French. Mrs. Margaret Aiken died at the age of 97, having been a professor of religion more than 70 years, and had 12 children baptized in the old meeting-house.
As we draw to a close, let a remark or two be indulged, on the duties devolving on us who live at this day ; what a responsibility is resting on the present generation. Privileges and institutions, the most important and sacred, have been transmitted down to us, from those who first came to these western shores.
They venerated the Sabbath-they valued the institutions of religion. They provided for the worship of God, that the generations to come might know the statutes of the Lord. They laid the foundation of schools and seminaries of learning. They contended for great principles of liberty, and we this day, enjoy great blessings, civil, literary and religious. But let us remember, it is depending under God on the faithfulness, of the pre- sent generation, whether they who shall be living, long after we shall be gathered to our fathers, shall be blessed with free institutions, the word and ordinances of the gospel, a generation to serve the Lord.
The generations of former years, where are they ? where are they, who once lived and moved and acted, in the places and on ground on which we tread ? They are all gathered to their fathers. As one generation has passed away, another has succeeded, and as we look forward to fu- ture years, where will those be who are engaged in the active walks of life ?
Let the young remember their obligations ; on them, in a great degree, reposes the hope of coming years. Let them remember, it is religion, that is the glory of New-England, it is religion, that has made her what she is, that it is such scenes, as the poet of Scotland has so beautifully depicted, that is the glory of any land :
"Their cheerfu' supper done-wi' serious face,
"They round the ingle, form a circle wide,
"The sire turns o'er wi' patriarchal grace,
"The big ha' Bible, ance his father's pride,
"His bonnet, rev'rently is laid aside,
"His lyart haffets, wearing thin an' bare,
"Those strains that ouce did sweet in Zion glide,
"He wales a portion with judicious care.
"And det u, worship God' he says wi' solemn air.
"Then kneeling down to Heaven's eternal King,
"The saint, the father, and the husband prays."
How imparative the obligations resting on us all.
"For he established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers, that they should make them known to their cluldren. That the generations to come inight know them, even the children which should be born. who should arise and declare them to their children. That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments."
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APPENDIX.
A It is related that McQuade's mother soon after let one of the neighbors have some beans, which were brought along in a bag, and a ragged bullet was found among them.
B. The proprietors probably had some trouble on account of the famous Mason claim, or at least apprehended it, as I have met with a copy of an instrument con- firming their rights, from which the following is an extract.
"At a meeting of the proprietors of the lands purchased of John Tufton Mason Esq., in the province of N. H., held at Portsmouth, in said province Nov. 9, 1748; voted that the rights of the original proprietors of Souliegan East, otherwise called Narraganset No. 5, be and are liereby confirmed to them, according as the lots, have been already surveyed and laid out."
C. Presbyterianism was designed in its principal features, to be opposed to episco- pacy, which gave to much power to the bishop, while Presbyterianism conferred upon the people, a larger share in the affairs of the church. Beside this, it was more simple and spiritual in its mode of worship. Between Presbyterianism and Evangelical Con- gregationalism, there is little or no difference, except in the form of government. Every Congregational church, as respects eclesiastical government, is a separate and indepen- dent body, while a Presbyterian church, is under the care and subject to the control of presbytery, which in its turn is subject to the synod, and that again to the general as- sembly. The pastor and some elders, constitute what is called a session, for the transac- tion of all church affairs.
D. The following are the names of the signers of the petition, and the certificate of commission.
Samuel Miller, Thomas Chandler, John Goffe,
William Moor, John McDugle, John Orr,
John Riddell, Samuel Patten, John Moorehead,
Thomas Vickere, Alex. Walker, James Little,
Matthew Little,
Gan Riddell,
Robert Gilmoor, Sen.
James Moor,
Benjamin Smith.
David Thompson,
John Tom,
John Mclaughlin.
James MeKnight,
James Kennedy,
Wilham Kennedy,
Hugh Riddell,
Robert Gilmoor,
Fergus Kennedy,
Daniel Moor,
Richard Mc Allister,
John Burns,
John Clark,
James Walker,
Gerard Rowen,
Robert Walker,
John Bell, John MeQuige,
Matthew Patton,
John Mclaughlin, Sen. Patrick Taggart,
"These are to certify, that we the above subscribers do commission John Goffe Esq., and Mr. Samuel Patten, to present this petition, in order to obtain incorporation for us, according to their instructions from us the subscribers. Dated May 10th, 1750. JAMES LITTLE, Clerk.
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E. In the Revolutionary war, this place furnished a large number of citizens, who united in opposing the oppression of Great Britain, and in common with their fellow cit- izens, were zealous, in sharing the dangers and hardships to which they were exposed. Their zeal and patriotismn were manifested by a ready compliance with the requisi- ' tions of Congress, and the orders of the provincial convention.
F. An incident illustrative of the spirit of that exciting period, was related to me by an old inhabitant, since dead.
Rev. Mr. Emerson of Pepperell, of strong revolutionary feelings, was passing through town and called to pass the night with Mr. Houston. Knowing probably what his sentiments were, and seeing that he made use oftea, at that time an unpatriotic bever- age, declined sitting down at the same table, and had one provided in another room, and even then, as my informant added, declined uniting in a common blessing.
G. In the year 1813, there was more than ordinary attention to religion, also in 1831, and at one or two subsequent periods. The stated Thursday prayer-meeting was commenced Oct. 11, 1827, and has continued uninterruptedly from that time to the present.
The following are the names of the elders, with the date of their election. The first board is mentioned in the discourse.
1786 Silas Dole. 1803 Phineas Aiken, 1817 Moody M. Stevens,
" James Wallace, " William Moor, 1832 Thomas Atwood,
" John Orr, 1817 Stephen Thurston,
Samuel McQuesten,
1803 David McQuesten, John French,
Daniel L. French,
" John Craig, " John Orr Houston,
1836 Daniel Mack.
" John Houston, Richard Dole,
1804, John Holbrook, bringing froin the 3d Cong. Church in Cambridge, (now Brighton,) a certificate of his regular standing as deacon in that church, was added to the session. His death occurred very suddenly, Sabbath Dec. 12th, 1835. Having attended meeting and listened to the exercises with great attention, and even found the last hymn, he died just as he left the house of God, a most solemn providence and Joud call to the congregation. The text selected at his funeral was "Heb 11, 21. 'By faith Jacob, when he was a dying, *
* * worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff."
H. The writer remembers 20 years ago, being present at a communion season in a Scotch settlement, in the State of Mississippi, which might have been similar to what they were in this country 60 years ago.
I. He is said to have been descended collaterally from Goffe, who was one of the Judg- es that condemned Charles Ist. He was a Major Gen., under Cromwell, and on the death of the Protector, and restoration of Charles 2d, he fled to this country. Several of the Judges suffered death, and he with another who came over with him, was pur- sued, and a reward offered for them. But they concealed themselves till the search was over. Goffe was concealed some years at Hadley. While there, it is said a singular incident took place. In 1675, the town of Hadley, was alarmed by Indians on the Sabbath, in the time of public worship, and the people were in the utmost con- fusion. While in this state of disorder, suddenly a grave elderly stranger, of vener- able aspect appeared in the midst of them. In appearance and dress, he differed from the rest of the people. He immediately put a new face on things. he not only encourag- ed them to defend themselves, but put himself at their head, rallied, instructed and led them on to encounter the enemy. who by this means were repulsed. When the danger was over, they looked round for their deliverer, who had as suddenly disappeared. The people were left in consternation, utterly unable to account for this strange phenomenon. It appeared to them like some celestial visitant, and perhaps they were never able to explain it. It is generally believed that this courageous stranger was Goffe, who had lived incognito, in the house of the minister.
K. One or two of the entries in this diary are here given :-
.. 1775. July woth was the Continental Fast, and Mr. Cook preached with us in Bed- ford-he preached with us last Sabbath-day, which was the first preaching we have had, since we shut the meeting house door against Mr. Houston."
" 1780. May 19th, was a thunder shower in the morning and was followed by an un- common darkness, such as is not remembered-it was so dark, that one could not know a man but at a small distance, and we were obliged to keep a light in the chimney, to see to go about. and the night was so extraordinary dark, until 1 o'clock, that a per- son could not see his hand when held up, nor even a white sheet of paper. Day and night cloudy. 'Cause unknown. The works of the Lord are great and marvellous and past finding out, until he graciously pleases to reveal them."
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L. 25 of the natives of the town have passed through a collegiate course. The fol- Iqwing are the names with the College, and year of their graduation.
Joseph Goffe, ** ). C. 1791,
Robert Orr, Y. C. 1820,
John Vose, D. C. 1795.
James T. MeGaw, D. C. 1820,
Benjamin Orr, D. C. 1798, Isaac O. Barnes, M. C. 1820.
tThomas Rand, B. U. 1804,
.Cornelius Walker, D. C. 1823,
Joseph Bell, D. C. 1807,
Silas Aiken, D. C. 1823,
John Walker, D. C. 1808,
Adam Moor,
D. C. 1822.
William Gordon, D. C. 1811,
Gilman Parker, D. C. 1824,
William Orr, D. C. 1816,
David Aiken, D. C. 1830,
Adam Gordon, D. C. 1817,
Samuel Chandler, U. C. 1834,
John Aiken, D. C. 1818,
John Chandler, D. C. 1836,
Isaac Orr, Y. C. 1818,
Peter T. Woodbury , D. G. 1839,
Robert Riddle, Y. C. 1819, Selwyn B. Bowman, D. C. 1840.
Freeman Riddle, Y. C. 1819,
* D. C Dartmouth College, Y. C. Yale College, B. U. Brown University, M. C. Middlebury College, U. C. Union College Schenectady.
t Son of Rev. John Rand the first minister of Lyndeborough, who moved to this town and was a member of Harvard College, 1748.
Rev. Daniel L. French of Nelson, and Rev. Cyrus W. Wallace of Manchester, were natives of this town, and received their theological education at Gilmanton, N. H.
Three young gentlemen from this town, are now at College.
.M. 1741, the first male child was born, Silas Barron, son of Capt. Moses Barron. 1745, the first framed house was built by Thomas Chandler, and the first grain-mill and saw-mill, by Col John Goffe; and by the year 1767, the population was 362 ; at the commencement of the revolutionary war 495, the year of the peace. 762 ; framed houses 93, 1800, population 1182 ; 1810, 1296 ; 1820, 1375 ; 1830, 1554; 1840, 1543.
There are some objects of curiosity, worthy of note. In the western extremity of the town towards chestnut hills, there is a natural curiosity that deserves notice. It is a vast fissure or opening, in a mighty mass of rock, produced by some convulsion of nature. It is 30 or 40 feet wide and more than 100 feet deep. At the bottom is a small pool of water. where in the hottest day, the warmth of the sun scarcely penetrates. There is observed in one part, an excavation in the rock bearing some resemblance to a pulpit, which has given name to the place. As I, stood on the verge of this tremendous precipice, I was filled with emotions of sublimity and grandeur ; and any one who should have leisure in a pleasant day, would find himself well paid, if he has any love of romantic scenery, by a visit to this sublime object of nature.
A great undertaking is now in progress, a- rail road bridge across the Merrimac, near Moor's Ferry, the granite for which, is obtained from a quarry, at the centre of the town.
HOPPE
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