USA > New Hampshire > Merrimack County > New London > A history of the town of New London, Merrimack county, New Hampshire, 1779-1899 > Part 49
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72
I. Hannah, b. March 18, 1836; m., August, 1868, John B. Roby [522].
2. Charles, b. Nov. 3, 1837 ; m., Feb. 4, 1869, Mary J., dau. of James Morgan ; res. in N. L.
3. Emeline, b. 1840; d. IS43.
4. George, b. July 29, IS42 ; m., July 15, 1875, Ida L., dau. of Horace L. Sleeper of Winchester, Mass. ; res. in N. L.
543
GENEALOGIES, FOURTH PERIOD.
WOODWARD, STEPHEN .- Stephen, brother of Gage Wood- ward above, b. Sutton, Feb. 16, 1822, m., Nov. 18, 1845, Sarah A. P., dau. of Stephen and Polly (Page) Johnson of Sutton, b. Oct. 25, 1825. In 1856 he removed to N. L., and following the family trade made himself a place in the com- munity by his capability and integrity. Stephen built the Pro- fessor Knight house, and res. there, then lived for a few years in Sutton, removing thence to the Deacon Littlefield farm, which he afterwards exchanged with Joshua Hemphill for the mill property at Otterville. Sarah (Johnson) Woodward d. at Otterville, July 4, 1868, aged 43 years, and Stephen m. (2), Jan. 4, 1870, Mrs. Harriet M. Sargent of Sunapee, dau. of Robert D. and Betsey (Sargent) Clogston. He removed to Sunapee after his second marriage, and was living there in 1897. Children :
I. Emma E., b. Oct. 10, 1846 ; d. Feb. 21, 1849.
2. Annette, b. Jan. 20, 1848; m., Oct. 26, 1865, Andrew J. Fuller of Jamaica Plain, Mass., where they now res.
3. Albert H., b. Aug. 21, 1851 ; d. March 21, 1853.
4. Frank A., b. Jan. 5, 1853; m., Feb. 1, 1888, Almira W., dau. of William L. and Lydia Florence (Bean) Morgan of Sutton, b. Sept. 16, 1863 ; res. in Warner,
5. Mary A., b. Aug. 2, 1855 ; m., Dec. 24, 1876, Franklin P., son of Sanford and Mary (Hill) Fisher [469] ; res. Enfield Centre.
6. Carrie, b. May 5, 1858 ; d. May 28, 1865.
7. Elva E., b. July 21, 1860; m. Leon Andrews, a marble- cutter of Claremont, where they res.
WORTHEN, THOMAS S .- Thomas, younger son of Jacob Worthen [403], after his marriage res. on the Richard Morgan place at Otterville, in the house built by his father ; d. Feb. 28, 1875. Betsey (Roby) Worthen is the dau. of Reuben and Sally (Morse) Roby of Springfield, and a sister of John B. Roby [522], with whom she res. after her husband's decease. No children.
544
HISTORY OF NEW LONDON.
CHAPTER XI.
FIFTH HISTORICAL PERIOD-ENDOWMENT FUND OF COLBY ACADEMY-CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY OF NEW LONDON'S INCORPORATION-THE CHURCH CENTENNIAL-BURNING OF COLBY ACADEMY-FREE PUBLIC LIBRARY-WEST PART BURIAL-GROUND-STATISTICAL DATA-TOWN OFFICIALS, 1876-1898.
New London's fifth historical period includes the years from 1876 to 1898,-the town as it is to-day. The records bear evi- dence of an era of good feeling and moderate prosperity, and life seems to have flowed tranquilly on, with but little deflection from its ordinary course. The town, in 1876, had not yet recov- ered from the financial stress imposed by the Civil War, and was economizing in every practicable way as a means towards lifting its bonded indebtedness of $8,000. This it was ac- complishing slowly but surely, and by 1878 its outstanding obligations had been reduced by a little more than $3,000.
The sixth article in the warrant for the annual meeting of 1877 reads :
"To see if the Town will vote to appropriate $25, to aid " Prescott Jones Post of the Grand Army of the Republic in " decorating the Soldiers' Graves on May 30, 1877."
Such a request could but meet with favorable consideration in the yet undimmed memories of the gallant sons whose bodies lay at rest in the quiet churchyard across the valley. They had died for home and country, and their grass-grown mounds, mute yet heart-eloquent appeals for remembrance, were de- serving of the highest tokens of respect that a grateful people could bestow. Thereafter the appropriation became an annual one, it being granted to Prescott Jones post of Wilmot, which held its meetings in Mechanics' hall at Scytheville, and to which many of the New London veterans belonged, until the organization of Anthony Colby post, G. A. R., in 1885.
The record of the ministerial-fund disbursements in the early part of this period marks the disappearance in the village proper of practically all but the Baptist organization, and the establish- ment of a branch of this church at Otterville. For two years a Christian society was maintained at Scytheville, with Rev. Lewis Phillips, nephew of Joseph E. Phillips, as pastor.
545
FIFTH HISTORICAL PERIOD.
The buildings on the town farm having been burned, a special meeting was called in the spring of 1878 to decide on a plan for supporting the few paupers then on the town. In favor of caring for them at the county instead of a town farm, the vote stood 98 to 3. Then the question of rebuilding the town farm was discussed, and resulted 86 to 5 against the plan. Finally it was voted that the matter be left to the discretion of the selectmen, who have since held jurisdiction.
Among the many public benefactions inaugurated during the centennial year of national independence, was one in which New London people and the Baptist denomination throughout the state were particularly interested. The need of a permanent endowment fund for the benefit of New London institution had been felt keenly for some years, and now her generous-hearted friends and patrons rallied for a special effort in her behalf. In June, 1875, Mrs. Susan (Colby) Colgate made the munifi- cent offer of $35,000 towards a Centennial Endowment fund, to be kept forever intact for the internal work of the institu- tion, on condition that $30,000 in addition be raised before July 1, 1877. The board of trustees secured as financial agent, Dea. T. E. Balch of Wakefield, Mass., a New Hamp- shire man, with deep sympathies for everything pertaining to the interests of his native state. Through his wise ad- ministration of the trust the condition was met, and at the quarter-centennial celebration of the opening of the institu- tion, in July, 1878, the occasion was one of great rejoicing. The institution, with its extensive grounds, admirable equip- ment, and a reputation for twenty-five years' successful work, was placed on a permanent basis. In loving recognition of the one man to whom more than all others the school owes its existence, the name of the institution was made Colby acad- emy. The annual catalogue for 1879 was the first issued under this title, and contained a brief account of the quarter- centennial exercises, a general catalogue of the teachers and alumni, together with the historical address delivered by Dr. George W. Gardner on this occasion.
In 1878, too, action was taken looking towards an appropri- ate observance of the centennial anniversary of the town's incor- poration. The sum of $300 was appropriated for expenses, and Gen. Luther McCutchins, James E. Shepard, and Nahum 35
546
HISTORY OF NEW LONDON.
T. Greenwood were made a committee to prepare a suitable programme of exercises. The townspeople entered heartily into the spirit of the occasion, and the one hundredth birth- day of this grand hill town, triumphant over all vicissitudes, proud of her record as the mother of successful sons and daughters, was made a noteworthy event. From a carefully preserved copy of the Kearsarge Sentinel, published at Wil- mot, June 28, 1879, have been gathered the chief incidents of this centennial celebration, surely an important epoch in the annals of a quiet country village.
Of those who have known New London in the rare month of June,-
" When all the trees, on all the hills, " Open their thousand leaves ; "
when the lush green fields and even the rocky hill pastures are beautiful with the promise of early summer; when the distant mountains, rearing their lofty summits against the blue of a cloudless sky, are mirrored in the crystal waters of gem-like lakes gleaming in their emerald setting,-surely no one could fail to agree that the town stands unrivalled in its location and environments ; that here, if anywhere, are the rare days in June of which Lowell sang, most perfect in their beauty.
Wednesday, June 25, 1879, one hundred years from the date of the town's charter, was a typical day. Many hands had been busily at work, and the hundreds of visitors who thronged the roads from all directions found the town in gala attire. At an early hour a procession was formed, with Gen. Joseph M. Clough as chief marshal and Maj. Anthony C. Burpee as aid. The procession was headed by the Franklin Cornet band, fol- lowed by the Messer rifles and school children in barges. Mr. James H. Burpee was in charge of the second division, which included the veterans of the Grand Army of the Republic and citizens and invited guests in carriages. All along the line of march were handsomely decorated houses, and the throngs of people who watched the parade as it marched and counter- marched through the Bethlehem-like main street to the church, were a scene whose like will never perhaps be witnessed here again.
People gathered in the church until it could hold no more. The modest edifice, charming in trailing garnitures of tender
DINNER TENT AT THE TOWN CENTENNIAL.
T™
1779
87,9
IN THE CHURCH AT THE TOWN CENTENNIAL.
547
FIFTH HISTORICAL PERIOD.
green that lent an added grace to the severe simplicity of its architectural lines, had itself passed the half-century mark of existence ; and there were white-haired fathers and mothers, joyous youth, and prattling childhood,-the extremes and means of life, who had gathered here to celebrate the one hundredth anniversary of the town's corporate existence. All were hushed in silence as the grave and dignified master of ceremonies, Gen. Luther McCutchins, called the company to order with a few well-chosen remarks.
The opening number of the programme was an anthem, " Praise the Mighty God," by the choir, the clear, sweet so- prano of Mrs. Richard Oren Messer carrying the leading part, with Mrs. Charles A. Everett sustaining the organ accompani- ment with marked skill and power. The opening prayer was made by Rev. Dura Morgan of Beverly, Mass., son of Dea. Micajah Morgan. Mr. Morgan also read the following hymn, written for this occasion by Mrs. Susan (Colby) Colgate of New York, which was sung by the choir to music composed by Mrs. Nahum T. Greenwood :
" 1779-CENTENNIAL HYMN-1879.
" The rolling years, O God ! are thine,
" Thou holdst them in thy hand divine ;
" Thou dost their gifts thyself unfold,
" And show us what their secrets hold.
" We stand in awe to see unroll
" A Century's gifts, as but a scroll
" Written with progress yet to be,
"Grander than human eye can see.
" We look behind, and mark the way
" Thou ledst our Fathers, in the day
" When young they sought this wooded soil,
" To gain their homes by honest toil.
" How soon the lonely hills were glad,
" The desert glooms no more were sad !
" Sweet blossoms shed their fragrance round
" And labor rang a gladsome sound.
" Thou, God of love, their burdens bore ;
" On thee they laid them, and no more
" Their pressure felt-Take ours away,
" And bless this glad Centennial day ! "
548
HISTORY OF NEW LONDON.
General McCutchins then gave a brief address of welcome : The century just closed had witnessed many changes in the material aspect of the town ; only the hills and mountains, the lakes and streams retained their original features untouched by the hand of man. Great forests had fallen beneath the sturdy blows of the woodman's axe. Agriculture, the source and basis of all wealth, had done its beneficent work on the virgin soil, and had wrought through the patient industry of long years the wonderful changes which this centennial was in-
tended to commemorate. He feelingly referred to the old- time churchyard, where lay the ashes of the early fathers of the town, long since gathered to their eternal rest. In well- chosen language he bade those who had gathered to honor this natal day, a hearty welcome,-the beautiful surroundings, the church where a living gospel had ever been preached, the hospitable homes and warm hearts of the people, were all theirs to enjoy. He closed by introducing the chief speaker of the day, Judge Everett Sargent of Concord, a member of one of the largest of New London's early families and a native of the town, who was to deliver the historical address.
Judge Sargent's paper was a marvel in its exhaustive treat- ment of the early and continuous history of the town, much of its charm and value being due to the intimate personal knowl- edge of people and events possessed by its author, whose early love for his native town had strengthened with his years. Nearly two hours were required for the reading of this valuable and interesting sketch, which was listened to with the most earnest attention. Did the limitations of this present volume permit, the narrative in its entirety might well find place on these pages, but in preparing a detailed history of current events such as has been attempted, many of the leading feat- ures of Judge Sargent's address have necessarily been incor- porated. The " Granite Monthly," published at Concord, printed the address in full in 1879, and it may also be found in the " History of Merrimack and Belknap Counties," published at Philadelphia in 1885. At an intermission during the deliv- ery Mrs. Frances J. Rogers of Boston, daughter of Joseph Phillips, sang an appropriate selection, and was warmly ap- plauded. Following the conclusion of the address, Mrs. Eliz- abeth (McCutchins) Blood of Charlestown, Mass., daughter of
549
FIFTH HISTORICAL PERIOD.
General McCutchins, read the following poem, whose smoothly flowing lines and gracefully expressed thoughts are typical of the high degree of ability with which she was so richly en- dowed :
"NEW LONDON.
" Fair hills, that still with airs of Eden bloom
" In sight of mountain peaks that grandly loom
" Along the eastern glory of the sky,
" When morning's rosy chariot wheels draw nigh !
" The hills eternal-that in silence deep
" O'er all below their watchful vigils keep ;
" Low-lying, wood-crowned, sunlit plains,
" That from their sources freshen, in sweet rains,
" Green valleys, where fair lakes embosomed rest,
" Soft picturing cloud and wood on crystal breast :
" And over all, skies blue as summer sea.
" Beautiful London ! waiting to be-
" Ah, lovely London !- not old England's pride,
" But a New London, a New England bride.
" Born midst the fragrance of these glorious hills,
" Unknown to her the city's strife and ills.
" Her heart is wedded, not to treacherous seas,
" Which brought to Venice her rich argosies ;
" But, to her mountains' granite strength allied,
" In men, not wealth, she finds her greatest pride.
" Whose step the echoes first awoke,
" On whose eye first the glory broke
"Of wood and lake and plain, we may not know ;
" But, could fairer been the vision of the promised land " That swept the gaze before
" Of Israel's prophet, as he stood
" On lonely mount where none had trod, " And viewed the landscape o'er ?
" Their memories we'll ever bless
" Who round this wealth of loveliness " Their boundary lines did throw,
" And for our heritage handed down
" The town they found-this dear old town- " One hundred years ago !
" No lightsome task from Nature's grasp
" These lands to wrest, but still they toil :
" And dear homes nestle in these dells,
" And perch along these wooded swells ;
" On furrowed fields the sun lies warm,
" On valleys green with vines and corn ;
" Mingles with wild, wood-laden air
" The fragrance of sweet orchard fair.
550
HISTORY OF NEW LONDON.
" Through forest dense, by woodland rill,
" The peaceful cattle roam at will,
" And lake and wood and harvest-field
" Together of their substance yield.
" Kind Nature keeps her promise well,
" Seed-time and harvest never fail.
" Thus peacefully-in sweet content,
" Glad for the needful blessings sent,
" For food and raiment, shelter here,
" For faithful friends their lot to cheer-
" They lived : blest, for a living trust was there
" In an Almighty Father's care ;
" And glorious hope their souls possessed
" Of bliss beyond, and heavenly rest.
" No peal of bell to house of praise
" The settlers called-through forest ways
" Silent and dark, where naught disturbed
" The green repose, save song of bird,
" Or startled deer as step he heard,
" With manners grave and plain array
" To sacred place they wend their way.
" The walls that on the Sabbath echoed words of life,
" Oft week-days rung with sounds of party strife.
" For, blending Law and Gospel, underneath
" They held their court where Sundays they preached wrath.
" Here, through the summer's heat and winter's cold, " With reverent ear they heard things new and old,
"Ne'er dreamed but they must do what they were told.
" Nor heat, nor cold, e'er shortened sermons long ;
" No dropping ' verses third and fourth ' from song.
" Prayers there evoked, to souls were something worth : " Each asked for all of heaven and all of earth.
" No organ's voice disturbed the farmers' slumbers,
" When Deacon Smith told off the psalm in numbers.
" The only sounding-board the parson knew,
" Hung over him, in sight of high-backed pew.
" Once, it is said, a viol (bass) came in,
" But-like the wrath-vials poured on sin- " A hundred voices drowned each fiddle thread,
" And well-nigh smote the hapless fiddler dead.
" How changed, to-day, the garb and form and face " Of all but Nature in this lovely place !
" No more the spinner carols to the jutting beams,
" No more the blazing backlog lures to cosy dreams.
" One sky, one sun, one faith, one God ;
" And yet, our feet with sandals new are shod.
" We run with haste where they bent low
" And sowed and reaped the fields to measures slow.
55I
FIFTH HISTORICAL PERIOD.
" Content with hoe and rake where we use steam,
" They lived a life less like a hurried dream.
" They spun, they wove, they smote the sod ;
" And looked from Nature up to Nature's God.
" We look to God, but in less simple guise,
" And grow with our new wisdom overwise.
" Methinks he drew more close to some old saints
" Who loved him none the less for their complaints.
" In quiet valley, on earth's peaceful breast,
" They sleep in still profounder rest.
" And others walk these streets, and other eyes
"Now view the splendor of these sunset skies.
" Still Kearsarge guards, majestic, stern and grand,
" The eastern portal to the promised land.
" While westward, Sunapee slopes to meet
" The waters cool that lave her feet-
" Blue waters of Lake Sunapee,
" That oft hath set the seal of Heaven
" On those who, from their pure depths risen,
" Have known the bliss of sins forgiven.
" Broad fields smile upward to the sun,
" While to the listening ear doth come
" The anvil's ring, the mill-wheel's hum.
" Ours larger homes, around which cling
" The graces wealth and art can bring.
" A broader culture here, for him who wills
" To rise to level of the hills.
" Forever green the memory be
" Of him whose hand first touched the key
" To newer life and larger thought !
" His face, alas ! we see it not.
"' His face, with lines of firmness wrought,
"' Yet touched and softened, nevertheless,
"'' With grace of Christian gentleness.'
" True and tender, brave and just,
" Worthy, of town and state, the trust.
"The Lord his own doth safely keep,
" ' He giveth his beloved sleep.'
" Forgotten not our dead, whose graves are strown
" From where our forests make perpetual moan
" To those fair shores where smiling southern seas
" Give back soft murmurs to the fragrant breeze.
" Brave hearts, to God and country true ! in them " The old heroic spirit lived again :
" A land at peace tells it lived not in vain.
" Ring out, O bells, exultant, wild, and free ! " O banners, wave your bright folds cheerily !
" Let bugles blow, the organ's swell prolong,
" Sweet voices raise the glad triumphant song !
552
HISTORY OF NEW LONDON.
" Let fields rejoice, the hills in gladness wake,
" In waves of song the dancing waters break !
" Let blue skies smile, and flowers their fragrance lend,
" Wealth of the woods in fadeless beauty blend !
" And thus, in one glad jubilee
" Embalm the dear old century,
" And crown afresh this new Centennial year
" With glories brighter than all others wear."
This portion of the day's exercises was closed by the choir's singing "Strike the Cymbal !" The procession then re- formed, and marched to the great tent which had been erected on the academy grounds, where a bountiful dinner, such as New London housewives have ever been famous for preparing, was served to about two thousand persons. A fine collation was also laid in the town hall for the soldiers, band, and promi- nent guests. At four o'clock people again gathered at the church, and listened to brief remarks by townsmen and former residents. A conservative estimate places the number of visitors at twenty-five hundred, and New Londoners may well be proud of the fitting celebration attending their Centennial anniversary.
The warrant for 1879 contains the first action looking to a publication of the early history of the town, also for the estab- lishment and maintenance of a public library ; and these mat- ters were thereafter inserted in each annual warrant, though definite consideration or action was not accorded either ques- tion until more than a decade later. The annual town report issued this year was for the first time signed by the treasurer, Leonard P. Gould, instead of the selectmen, as had been the custom of preceding years.
May 5, 1881, according to a record spread on the town books, there was sufficient snow in the highway near the Springfield line to stall a two-horse team, the wagon sinking to the axle and nearly two hours being consumed in getting the team clear. On the main road there was fairly good sleighing the first day of May, and in unexposed places the snow lin- gered until late in the month. Another record for this year, under date of July 16, is the deposition of Theodore R. Shear of New York, and of Dr. George P. Quackenbos, also of New York, relative to an accident near the bridge at Hominy Pot, owing to a defective highway. This matter was settled by the payment of $1,200 on the part of the town ; but it will always
553
FIFTH HISTORICAL PERIOD.
be a source of regret to those who knew and honored the late George Payn Quackenbos, LL. D., one of the most emi- nent and cultured scholars of his day, that he should receive a fatal injury in the town which his family has done so much to benefit.
Up to 1882 the public highways had always been under the care of a board of surveyors, one for each of the nineteen dis- tricts, and a certain proportion of the highway tax could be " worked out" by individual labor. This year the board of surveyors was chosen as usual ; then a motion was offered that the road tax for both summer and winter should be paid in money, and an agent appointed to take charge of the highways. It may be supposed that such an innovation on long-established custom would provoke strong opposition, but the measure was carried, 48 to 43 ; it was voted to dispense with the services of highway surveyors for the ensuing year, and Nathaniel Knowl- ton was appointed road agent. From 1889 to 1892 there was a return to the old plan, but the wisdom of the new method had been sufficiently demonstrated to insure the permanent adoption of the agency plan in the last named year. The purchase of a road machine at an expense of $250 in 1890, of two snow rollers costing $160 in 1892, and two additional rollers in 1895, has increased the efficiency of the system, and the excellent roads now maintained by the town are the best possible proof of the wisdom of this change.
In June, 1884, a town clock was installed in the church bel- fry, the gift of Gen. Luther McCutchins and Mark Nelson. At the annual meeting of the following year the town clerk was instructed to prepare a set of resolutions thanking the donors for their timely gift, and to present a copy to General Mc- Cutchins and the family of Mr. Nelson. The treasurer's re- port for the year ending March 1, 1885, shows the town free and clear of all indebtedness (aside from the ministerial fund of $1,323.33, held by the treasurer for the town), with assets of $1, 178.87. At that year's annual meeting Nahum T. Greenwood and George M. Knight were made a committee to see if the town could legally hold in trust this ministerial fund and pay yearly interest. This committee reported in 1886, and a resolution was offered to the effect that the town appoint an agent to receive the fund from the town treasurer, the agent so
554
HISTORY OF NEW LONDON.
appointed to invest the said fund according to his best judg- ment. This resolution was adopted, and Nahum T. Green- wood was appointed agent. March 1, 1888, the annual report shows the town's assets to be in excess of this fund liability by $42.73. In succeeding years, ending with March 1, 1895, the reports continue to show a surplus, but since that date the construction of a new highway along the easterly shore of Lake Pleasant and the opening of a shorter and easier route to Lake Sunapee from the Burpee hill road, have involved heavy expense. The treasurer's report for the fiscal year of 1897 gives the actual liabilities as $5,940.73.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.