A memorial of the town of Hampstead, New Hampshire : historic and genealogic sketches. Proceedings of the centennial celebration, July 4th, 1849. Proceedings of the 150th anniversary of the town's incorporation, July 4th, 1899, Volume I, Part 22

Author: Noyes, Harriette Eliza, b. 1848, comp
Publication date: 1899
Publisher: Boston : G.B. Reed
Number of Pages: 676


USA > New Hampshire > Rockingham County > Hampstead > A memorial of the town of Hampstead, New Hampshire : historic and genealogic sketches. Proceedings of the centennial celebration, July 4th, 1849. Proceedings of the 150th anniversary of the town's incorporation, July 4th, 1899, Volume I > Part 22


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Sometimes God takes away the children of men in their infancy or youth in order that those that survive to greater age, may be sensible of the sparing mercy of God to them, and may be admonished of the uncertainty of life, and of the near approach of death.


At other times God takes away the middle aged, in the prime and glory of life, in order that the living may be ad- monished, that when they feel the strongest pulse and vigor of life, they may soon become so languid as not to be able to life a hand, or move a foot, toward any desirable earthly ob- ject. Yea, soon may the strongest man bow the head, and sink to the grave, never to rise, till the heavens be no more.


Others live,-a few others live to old age-in order to mark the forbearance and long-suffering of God, and in order to show the power of God in upholding so brittle a frame so long, amid so many dangers ; and in order to admonish others, by the griefs and pains of the aged, not to desire a long life for the pleasure of living, but only to prolong the praise of their upholding God. But yet, it is recorded of the oldest man that ever lived, that he also died.


We see, by the promiscuous ravages of death, that God is no respecter of persons, and that he has no need of the mighty man, nor of the man of war, nor of the judge, nor of the prudent, ancient or honorable man, nor the cunning artificer, nor of the eloquent orator, to carry on their own designs upon earth. For he taketh them all away as he sees good.


But we often lament and mourn when some particular per-


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sons die. And well we may ; it becomes a christian to mourn over the remains of a saint. We read that the blessed Jesus wept at the death of Lazarus whom he loved. And besides, the death of those whose lives promised great usefulness up- on earth, is a judgment of God upon the living.


Thus, when the mother of our children is taken away, on whom a little flock of helpless creatures hung for life and protection, we mourn and lament.


Or, when the father of a numerous family leaves his charge to another or to no particular person, but to a disconsolate widow drowned in tears and cares, we lament the wide breach made upon that desolate home hung with sackcloth.


Or, when a minister of the great redeemer, who brought the glad tidings of salvation to our ears, quits his labors and resigns his spirit to God, who gave it, we mourn and lament : and well we may ; for this is a token of the departure of God from us : as when St. Paul left the Jews, and turned to the Gentiles, it was a token that God left the Jews to hardness of heart and blindness of mind ; than which there cannot be a worse plague to befall man upon earth.


Or, when the judge, the honorable man, or the counsellor, is taken away we mourn, because it is a token that God is turn- ing his hand against us. And, especially, when the man was honorable on account of his knowledge, experience, and dis- position to improve all his talents to the glory of God and the good of men,-I say, we have reason to mourn when such characters are removed, of whom we hoped that God would still longer make them the instruments of much good to the poor and oppressed and to all around them. For, we read, that the lips of the righteous feed many.


But, all the ways of God are just towards man ; and none may gainsay his providence any more than his word.


3. It becomes us, therefore, thirdly, to consider that the death of others is a solemn admonition to the living to pre- pare for dying, and especially to those who were particularly connected with the deceased.


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The death of no human creature ought to be a matter of indifference with the living, and especially that of a good man, sustaining various public offices. The loss of such a man, mov- ing in so high a sphere and beneficial to those who led a public or private life within the circle of his acquaintance-I say, the loss of such a man is incalculable. And it requires our par- ticular notice and improvement.


In the first place it reminds that the end of human and earthly glory is the grave, corruption, and worms. " I have said to corruption, thou art my father; and to the worms, thou art my mother."


Let us then, in the first place, learn to be humble, and not aspire after earthly joys to the neglect of the one thing need- ful. Whatever be our lawful calling in life, let us remember that we shall be called upon by death, and that there is no dis- charge in that war. Let it therefore be our chief desire to be- come reconciled to God in heart and in life. And let it be our chief aim to glorify God in life and in death, for this is the end of our being and in no other way can we enjoy com- fort in life, peace in death, and glory and rest forever.


Consider, my friends, that whatever attainments you make in knowledge, in wealth, or in fame, of an earthly nature, they will either die with you, or leave you at death. But if you have the knowledge of God, and of his son Jesus Christ, in your hearts, and are conformed to the holy image and temper of the lamb of God, these cannot be lost or defaced at death. But death itself will open the door for greater improvement, and for a brighter display of the ornaments of your minds beautified with the salvation of God.


Whatever then you may neglect, neglect not the concern of your souls, for you know not how soon they may be de- manded of you ; and be required to give an account unto God. We see others dying around us of all ages and distinctions.


Our friend, whom we now contemplate and view before us, is soon to be laid in the silent dust. Alas ! how are his eyes closed and darkened with death-his once active limbs, mo-


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tionless -- that eloquent tongue, on which was written the law of kindness, is speechless-and that pleasant countenance is now changed into the paleness of death ! And let us con- sider that no present health, nor strength, nor youthful vigor, will prevent us from bearing the same impressions of mortali- ty if God give a commission to death to lay his cold and iron hand upon us.


Having, therefore, the sentence of death on ourselves, let us not trust in ourselves, but in the living God, through the merits of his son ; and love and serve him, in spirit and in truth, who is able to raise the dead.


Were a stranger present, he might ask, Why this solemn mourning ? Why this melting sorrow apparent through this congregation ? We would answer, it is not a death of a mean man, nor of a common man, that we now deplore. His name and worth are well known to all his acquaintances, which are as extensive as the state in which he lived. We expect not, therefore, to add a word to his praise.


But in order to recognize the goodness of God to our de- ceased friend and to ourselves, who have been blessed with the blessings which the Giver of all good bestowed on him, we will mention some of the circumstances attendant on his life.


He descended from a respectable family, was born in New- bury, Massachusetts, on the 13th day of June, 1741. His great grandfather came from Europe to Boston, as one of the early settlers of New England. We suppose he was the author of a publication entitled, " More wonders of the invisible world," from which a part of the history of New England is now extracted. This man, or more probable, his son, the grandfather of the lately deceased, was one of the most forward opposers of the persecution which arose against the strange de- lusion of 1692.


In any case, the grandfather of this, our deceased friend, was a sea faring man in the early part of his life, and through various disasters he was detained seven years from home ; he


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was one year a prisoner in France. After his return, he set- tled in Newbury where this son was born.


In early life he gave remarkable presages of intelligence and of future usefulness. It is said, that at the age of two years and a half, he could distinguish the figures by name which are used in common arithmetic.


He lived some years under the tuition of his father, who, for a number of years, sustained the character of a faithful in- structor of children and youth.


After the death of his father, at about the age of fourteen, he went and resided at Kingston with the late Colonel Calfe.


From a youth he discovered a serious and pious mind. When he was twenty-one years of age he was married, and moved to this town. The next year he became a member of this church, just forty-five years previous to the last time in which he came to worship in this house, which was only four- teen days since.


About thirty-five years ago, he was chosen a deacon in this church by a unanimous vote, being only in his 32d year. And from the beginning of his connection with the church, by the grace of God, he has sustained a fair and unblemished char- acter which envy or malice itself would scarcely dare to im- peach. As proof of this we are able to adduce the testimony of all his acquaintances.


The confidence reposed in him at home and abroad as a man of truth, integrity, and uprightness is almost without a parallel.


He was several years employed as an instructor of youth in the principles of literature and morality, which employment he began when he was only sixteen years of age.


About the age of sixteen he was seen as an under officer on the shores of Lake Champlain, in defense of his country against the French and Indians.


At the age of thirty he received a military commission at home ; a few years after, he had a higher trust in the army.


He was soon after sent to represent this and two other neighboring towns in the General Assembly of the state.


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While a member of that body he was for several years one of the five composing a Committee of Safety, with discretionary power to transact all state affairs during the recess of the General Court in the late Revolutionary war.


For the space of thirty-nine years he has sustained the com- mission of a Justice of the Peace. Thirteen years he has been a Justice of the Peace and of the Quorum throughout the state. Twenty-five years he has been Justice of the Court of Common Pleas for the county of Rockingham, and twenty- five years he has been annually chosen clerk of the House of Representatives of the state of New Hampshire. He was also secretary of the state convention for forming the Constitution of the state, and of the convention for ratifying the Federal Constitution. Once he was chosen treasurer of the state ; but the inconvenience of removing to the place where the office must be kept, induced him to decline that important trust.


A multitude of other public and private business has been committed to his faithful hands. A rule of court is now pend- ing upon which he was to have decided, if he had been spared in his usual health.


He was a man naturally mild and pleasant in his disposi- tion. He had a remarkable retentive memory and a very ju- dicious and candid mind. Being void of guile himself, he was not suspicious of others. Never assuming nor haughty, he did not appear with so much fortitude and resolution as some. But he always had the best side of fortitude and resolution, which are, to bear the ills of life with patience, and to resist the temptations of a wicked world. He had the resolution to be an honest and upright man, to fear God and keep his command- ments ; notwithstanding the frowns and scoffs of infidelity.


This is the true character of the man whose death we be- lieve is precious in the sight of the Lord.


He had lived a blessing in the world sixty-seven years, four months and seventeen days.


In his last sickness, which continued scarcely fourteen days, he had not the full exercise of his rational faculties on account


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of the nature of his disease, lying chiefly on the nervous system. He had, however, lucid and rational intervals in which his friends took great satisfaction.


The day before his death he expressed his assurance of put- ting entire confidence in God through the merits of his son Jesus Christ. He said, " In the love of God through Christ have I trusted hitherto, and in none else ean I repose my con- fidenee." He further said "Great peace have they that love thy law." He soon after repeated the 3d and 4th verses of the 17th Psalm, long metre, and Dr. Watt's version.


We readily see that the death of such a friend and husband is inexpressible loss to the mourning widow. Oh woman, great- ly afflicted and tossed as with a tempest, let not thy grief over- whelm thy gratitude. For though we acknowledge that your loss is great, yet it is a great favor to live so long with so tender and kind a husband, a man of prayer, a lover of God and all good men. Remember that this singular blessing so long continued demands the more gratitude to God the Giver of all good, despite not the ehastening of the Almighty, nor faint under his rebukes. And may thy Maker be thy hus- band, the Lord of hosts is his name.


The children of such a father have been highly favored of God. And, Oh my young friends, for the sake of Christ and for your own soul's sake, let not the good counsel and example of such a godly parent pass unregarded by you. Remem- ber that you shall see him again when God shall raise the dead ; and prepare to meet him at the resurrection day. May the Lord, God of your father. be your God and father forever.


This church and people have cause this day to mourn be- fore the Lord. For he hath lifted up his hand against them and withdrawn one of their best men from among them. Long has he been an officer and leading member in this church and society. How pleasant was all his conversation. Always humble, meek, and mild in his deportment ; pious, grave, and fervent in his devotion : he was inexpressibly dear to all his brethren. When you were, for ten years, without a minister,


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his advice was salutary and reasonable. How great a blessing he was to your former beloved and godly pastor, I can well conceive by a sense of his worth deeply impressed in my own mind.


Perhaps some may think too much has been said in favor of one man. To such it may be answered that this is no time nor place to recount the faults of a man who has repentantly con- fessed his sins to God, and has obtained a pardon, and has fallen asleep in Jesus. For to such there is now no condemnation.


If any one, notwithstanding, feels uneasy at the remem- brance of some fault in the deceased, let him now be careful to reform the same fault in himself, and let him now repent of all his sins, if he would die in peace. For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unright- eousness of men. And the impenitent sinner shall not escape.


Let us, therefore, be led by the influence of mortality be- fore us, to improve our time by repentance, and by cordially believing and obeying the Gospel of Christ.


We see by this subject, that our life is in the hand of God ; and hence, it is at infinite hazard that we continue to sin against him. No dependence can be placed upon any earth- ly object, or creature. For " Behold the Lord, the Lord of hosts, doth take away." And we know not how soon the angel of death may lift his hand, and swear by him that liveth forever, that time shall be no longer with us. At a moment's warning, nay, without any warning, but such as is common to man, our life may be arrested. "For in an hour when ye think not, the Son of man cometh."


The seeds of death are sown in our very nature, by reason of sin. And it is only for God to speak the word, and the corrupting principle will suddenly effect our dissolution. It is only for God so say " Return, ye children of men," and they are turned to destruction. "He that being often re- proved, hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed and that without remedy."


Today, then, if ye will hear the voice of God, harden not your hearts.


MILITARY.


For nearly one hundred years before the incorporation of Hampstead as a town, the New England Colonies and Cana- da, were in active hostility or recruiting their strength. Three generations of New England farmers were trained in the sav- age school of frontier warfare, until there were bred into them the qualities and traditions of the soldier.


From 1745 to 1762, the stalwart sons of our pioneer fath- ers distinguished themselves as worthy of their ancestral training. Some of the most prominent settlers in the new settlement led companies which were sent to strengthen Fort William Henry, on the northern shore of Lake George or the places on the border lines of the Colonies.


In the muster roll of troops Abraham Parry, Captain in Col. Nath'l Meserve's regiment raised for the Crown Point expedi. tion, in 1756, is found the name of Thomas Crarford Jr. of Hampstead, private enlisted May 1st, and continued till Oct. 24th.


In Major Goffe's Company, Meserve's Regiment, Jacob Sawyer, private, enlisted May 1st, left Nov. 9, 1756. Andrew Stevens, enlisted May 1st, left Oct. 22, 1756. In Samuel Watts' company, Col. Nath'l Merserve's Regiment, Seth Patte, clerk, Jonathan Corliss, Sergeant, Samuel Wor- then, James Philbrick, Simeon Stevens, Michael Johnson, Robert Johnson, Daniel Stevens, Benjamin Heath, Osgood Eaton, Simeon Goodwin, David Hadley, Joseph Gove, Zed- ediah Heath, Josiah Heath, George Keazer, John Goodwin, Edmond Colby. David Copp, Sergeant, Nathaniel Bartlett, Bartholnew Heath, Joseph Noyce, John Kent, John Harriman, Ashuel Harriman, James Hadley, were enlisted in the expedi- tion against Crown Point from May, 1756, and discharged Dec., 1756, when New Hampshire raised 700 men.


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In the Crown Point expedition of 1757, New Hampshire fur- nished five hundred men and we find from Hampstead, Jacob Bailey, Capt. 2d Co., John Hazen, 1st Lieut., and Philip John- son, 2d Lieut., from March 5 to Nov. 5, 1757, with privates William Heath, John Johnson, Samuel Little, Obediah Davis, Robert Hunkins, Josiah Heath, Abel Hadley, Andrew Stone, (afterward Major) John Harriman, Asubel Harriman, David Copp, and Nath'l Watts.


In other Companies there are found Jonathan Bond, Robert Calfe, Peter Ingalls, Thomas French, Bond Little, Enoch Rowell, Robert Spear, and Otho Stevens, who was killed and buried at Oswego in 1757. Capt. John Calfe also was at Crown Point, Rev. Henry True as Chaplain. Capt. Jacob Bailey (afterward General Bailey) served during the entire seven years war, moved to Newbury, Vt., and obtained a grant of that town from Gov. Wentworth for himself and friends, many of them from Hampstead and vicinity, in 1762-3. He had great influence in the Cohos Country and held various important civil offices. He was Major General of Militia and Commissary General of the Northern department in the war of the Revolution. He died March, 1815, aged 89 years.


The following petitions were presented from soldiers from Hampstead, to the Governor and Assembly.


" PROVINCE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE, HAMPSTEAD, January 21st, 1760.


I, the subscriber, namely Elijah Heath, being a soldier in Col'n Love- well's Rigement, under Capt. Todd; and as I was going to oswego I lost my Gnnn going over the fauls it fell out of a batto.


ELIJAH HEATH."


(Sworn to before Daniel Little, and dismissed.)


William Heath Jr., in a petition dated Hampstead, Jan. 18, 1760, says he was "a soldier under Capt. John Hazen in Col'n Hart's Rigement " that he has lost his gun, stolen com- ing home and wants pay for it. (His petition was dismissed.)


[BENJAMIN MORSE, soldier, 1762.]


In a petition addressed to the Governor and assembly, Jan. 4, 1763, Peter Morse of Hampstead, says "Your Petitioner


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had a son, a minor, in the service of the Province in Col'n John Goff's Regiment, and Capt. John Hazzen's Company, in the year 1762, at Crown Point, that his said son was taken sick on the way home at the house of Alexander Robbe in Peter- borough. He presented a bill for care and expense of get- ting him home, amounting to £34 s12 do, and was allowed eight shillings and six pence sterling.


Soldiers were easily procured in the spring of 1775. Many of the heroes from Hampstead, who met and fought the Brit- ish Regulars at Bunker Hill, Bennington and Saratoga, were men trained in the old French and Indian war.


From Hammond's "State Papers," Gilmore's " Manual to the General Court," Mass. Rev. Rolls and private papers I have learned of the following men from Hampstead, or credited to Hampstead, as serving for a longer or shorter period, in the years from 1775 to 1783.


John and Moses Atwood, Samuel, Jos., Moses and Jabez Brown, Gilbert and John Bond, Benjamin and Jabush Bean, Jacob Bailey (Gen.), Capt. John Calfe, Benjamin Couch, John Clark, Ebenezer Copp, Micah Chap- man, William Clough, Joshua Corliss, Samuel, Edward, Josiah, and John Davis, Samuel Dodge, Obediah and Caleb Eastman, Thomas Em- ery, George Everett, John Emmons, Thomas French, Jeremiah Foster, Page Fowler, James and Moses Flood, James and William Gass, Dun- can Grant, John Griffin, Reuben, Samuel, Enoch, Richard, Jesse, James, Enoch Jr., William and Moses Heatlı, William, Reuben, Joshua, and Capt. John Harriman, Ephraim, Hezekiah and John Hutchens, Roberts Hale, Jere. Haseltine, Levi Hildreth, Robert Holland, Robert Hastings, Enoch aud William Hunt, Sergt. Ebenezer Hoyt, Israel Ingalls, Samuel, Abraham, William, Noah and Jona. Johnson, Jona. Jennings, Jona. Jen- ness, Dudley and Moses Kimball, Zuriah Kelley, Peter, John and Job Kent, Moses, Tristram, Daniel, Moses, Daniel Jr., Abner and Lot Little, Nathaniel Leavitt, Capt. William Marshall, Peter Manuel, Stephen March, Joseph Merrick, Simon Merrill (Chester), Thomas Mitchell, Levi Mills, Edmund Moulton, Ephraim and James Moores, Samuel and Josiah Morse, Joseph Noyes, Job Page, Samuel and John Perry, Benj. Phil- brick, Jabez Plummer, Eliphalet and David Poor. Stephen Quimby from the " Handle," is said to have had a powder horn that held a pound of powder and at the Battle of Bunker Hill, refused to yield until he had fired the last of it. Heath, Christopher, and Eliphalet Richards, Enoch and John Williams, Eliphalet Richardson, Jona. Rowell, Samuel and John Sawyer, Samuel Sargent, Samuel, Peter, Asa, James and Moses Stevens; Amos Stephens, Smith Bailey, Samuel Trye, Jona., John and Thomas Wadleigh, Moses, John and Daniel Williams, Ebenezer and Levi Wells, Moses Webster. There may be others.


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The following interesting items were taken from Capt. John Calfe's Book. Dated at Ticonderoga, Feb. 17th, 1777.


Wednesday, Feb'y 5th. March'd for Ticonderoga from my house at 2 of clock afternoon. Marched to Mr. Jones', at Lon- donderry (11 miles). Tarried all night.


Thursday, Feb'y 6th. Marched to Mr. Kendall's at Litchfield (5 miles), took breakfast ; march'd to Abbot's, at Amherst (8 miles), march'd to Capt'n Hutchinson's at D'r (5 miles), tarried all night.


Friday, Feb'y 7th. March'd to Mr. Taylor's, at Wilton (4 miles), took breakfast, march'd to Capt. Blood's, at Temple (4 miles), refresh'd our soldiers, march'd to Capt'n Robb's at Peter- borough (9 miles), tarried all night.


Saturday, Feb'y 8th. March'd to Mr. Rawling's in Dublin (5 miles), took breakfast, march'd to Mr. Tucker's in Marlborough (7 miles), and march'd to Mr. Blake's in Keene (6 miles), tarried all night.


Sunday, Feb. 9th. March'd to Mr. Blake's in upper part of Kcene (5 miles), took breakfast, march'd to Davis' at Westmore- land (3 miles), march'd to Capt'n Autley's at Walpool (9 miles), and tarried all night.


Monday, Feb'y 10th. March'd to Mr. Sartlo's at Charlestown (6 miles), took breakfast, march'd to Mr. White's (3 miles), and tarried all night.


Tuesday, Feb'y 11th. Tarried at Charlestown,


Wednesday, Feb'y 12th. March'd to Hobb's at Springfield (7 miles), march'd to Maj'r Grout's at Weathersfield (4 miles), and tarried all night.


Thursday, Feb'y 13th. March'd to Mr. Coffin's at Cavendish (10 miles), & march'd to Mr. Bates at Saltash (6 miles), tarried all night.


Friday, Feb'y 14. March'd to Mr. at Ludlow (7 miles), march'd to M'r White's at Shuesbury (6 miles), march'd to Mr. Bowman's at Clarrendon (5 miles), tarried all night.


Saturday, Feb'y 15th. March'd to Mr. Post's at Rutland (8 miles), march'd to Wm. Keler's at Pitsford (3 miles), march'd to Power's at Neshobe (15 miles), marched to Mr. Wiswald's at Sudbury (7 miles), tarried all night.


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Sunday, Feb'y 16th. March'd to Mr. at Shoreham (10 miles), cross'd the lake to Ticonderoga (2 miles), tarried there till 2d day of March. While nothing remarkable happened then we moved to Mount Independence.


Remarks. Wednesday ye 19th of march 20 of our men were taken & 4 kill'd by a party of the Enemy at Sabbath day point in Lake George.


Tuesday, June ye 17th, a party of Indians, consisting of be- tween 30 & 40, came within about 150 Rods of our Lines, kill'd two of our men, & it is supposed took another, for 1 is missing. On their Return Back to Crown Point they met 13 of our Rangers who were out on a Scout and kill'd two of them and wounded two more . . They also took two Inhabitants and carried of.




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