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 9

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 9


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The rapidity with which it grew into general favor, the ex- tensive adoption of it in most of our schools, and the success


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with which it maintained its favor with the public in face of the most persevering competition, is proof stronger than words of its real merits.


There is not time to notice all the improvements introduced into our schools. What distress accompanied the introduc- tion of new studies, what wry faces were made over the un- intelligible pages of Murray, what bitter tears were shed over hard, half learned tasks, and what fear of blistered hands or smarting limbs,-we leave for other pens on different occasions.


It is proper, however, to allude to the important changes that have taken place in reading books. The New Testa- ment was, at first, the only reading book used. But from the sacredness of the book and on account of its being ill adapted to the capacities of different ages, it was superseded by other books. The American Preceptor and, for a long time, also, the English reader were favorite text books. In the improve- ments of the age, these books gave way to a series well adapted to the different ages and capacities of youth by an- other distinguished son of Hampstead .* For several years the town honored him by the exclusive adoption of his books. But the love for new things is irresistible; and Emerson's reading books have been partially laid aside to make room for other candidates for public favor. The same author has fur- nished to the world a simple, neat, well arranged and correct spelling book, which has been exclusively adopted in schools in this town for nearly twenty years. The hundreds of editions that have been published, its almost universal adop- tion in schools, and the long time it has been in use are sure guarantees of its worth. The rival that can supplant it must present the strongest claims of excellence.


The man who publishes a book for common school use wields a mighty influence. The character of his book oper- ates upon the mind when it is most susceptible of bias. It


*The North American Arithmetic in three parts, by Frederick Emer- son, Instructor in Boston. Benjamin D. Emerson, Esq., Roxbury, Mass., Emerson's National Spelling Book.


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is the duty of the people then to look into the character of the instruments which aid in forming the most lasting im- pressions the youthful mind ever receives.


I believe no other town has the honor of being the birth- place of men whose school books have been so universally ap- proved and adopted. This fact, together with the esteem with which we have always regarded them, must be my apol- ogy for alluding to what at first sight might not seem strictly appropriate to the occasion.


Our fathers had not the advantages which we enjoy. The town in 1750 contained but one district, and according to the terms of the vote the school was to be sustained only in the summer season. Its advantages could not, therefore, have been extensive. The great distance must have excluded most of the smaller children, and the duties of the farm and the dairy in the busiest season of the year must have deprived many of the elder children from attending. The first attempts in other parts of New England to establish schools were at- tended by similar inconveniences, and produced only the same limited advantages. But from this small germ has grown up around us our strongest bulwark of defense. It is the cause of our unexampled prosperity. In vain will bigotry and in- fidelity attempt to undermine our security while our system of common schools is cherished as one of the efficient aids to religion and national prosperity. The foundation of all pros- perity is in an enlightened community. An ignorant people, though inhabiting the most favored land on earth, soon sinks into insignificance.


Our extended sea-coast invites the merchant to traverse the ocean for trade with every clime. Our fertile valleys have given employment to the agriculturist. Our numerous water- falls have attracted the enterprising manufacturer. "Cities spring up like exhalations under the magic touch of his wand, and the hum of machinery arises out of the midst of a thrifty, industrious and happy people." The majestic plains and rivers of the west have collected adventurers from every part


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of the world. Our country exhibits to other nations the un- exampled rise and prosperity of a free, self-governed and ed- ucated people. The common school system has been one of the most effective means in producing these magie changes. Its benefits and its inevitable results are arguments which come directly home to the hearts and understandings of a great body of people. To the foresight and wisdom of the Pilgrim we are indebted for this rich legacy. With what care and anxiety then should we cherish it, so that we may hand it down to those who shall come after us, not only untarnished, but in our hands made the instrument of increased good.


Time forbids indulging in any further reflections to which so fruitful a subject invites our attention. The remaining events in our town's history must be rapidly run over.


At this time there appears to have been some trouble con- cerning the parsonage lands. The proprietors of Haverhill granted to the inhabitants of Timberlane a tract of land " for ye use of the first minister who should settle here." At this meeting, in 1750, it was voted " that Esq. Little, Capt. Copps and John Webster should be a committee to agree with Thos. Haynes to go off ye parsonage land if they can do it on rea- sonable terms." This committee was unsuccessful in effect- ing a settlement with Mr. Haynes. It s noteasy to ascertain wherein the difficulty consisted. The dispute was about the title. At different meetings the town chose committees to prosecute the trespassers, or to settle with them, or to refer the matter. So many votes were passed and reconsidered that it is not possible to ascertain how the matter was finally adjusted. The last vote upon the town records is to give it to anyone to hold in fee simple who will take up the case and prosecute it to final judgment. Probably some amicable adjustment was made which secured the lands to the town .*


*Since the above was delivered I have learned that the above named lands do not make a part of the present parsonage. They are situated on the west road leading from Mr. Daniel Emerson's to the Wadley cor- ner. Rev. Henry True, soon after his settlement, sold out his interest for a mere song, and the purchaser made a very profitable investment for his money.


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An article was inserted in the warrant " to see if ye town would give Mr. Merram a call to settle as a gospel minister in ye town." From a defect in the records, it cannot be as- certained what was done.


In August, 1750, at a meeting holden for the purpose, a committee was chosen " to supply ye pulpit, with ye advice of ye neighboring ministers." A similar vote was passed in 1751. The town had preaching most of the time. At a meeting held on the 25th day of February, 1752, the town voted to " choose and elect Mr. Henry True, to settle with us in ye work of ye ministry." " Voted to give Mr. True for his annual salary, £450 each of ye two first years, in money, old tenor, or equal to it, in money ; and after ye first two years are expired, then £500 a year, of ye like money, during ye time he continues to carry on ye work of ye minis- try, amongst us in this town of Hampstead." At an adjourned meeting, as an additional inducement for him to come £1000, o. t. one half in bills of credit, and ye other half in labor and materials for building-also twenty cords of wood, annually, after he hath a family. Also ye peaceable possession of ye land granted by the Proprietors of Haverhill, to ye first min- ter who should settle in Timber Lane." To a call of the town, and this liberal offer, Mr. True returned a letter of ac- ceptance.


Mr. True came from Salisbury, Mass. He was graduated at Harvard College in 1750, and was ordained June 24th, 1752, and continued in the ministry almost thirty years, till his death. "He always maintained the character of a good man " says Rev. Mr. Kelly, " agreeably to the text, Acts 11 : 24, which Rev. Edward Barnard of Haverhill preached from at his ordination. During the first half of his ministry no clergy- man was more highly esteemed, or better treated by the peo- ple than he was. As his family increased, they added to his salary ; the whole sum that the people gave him, over his regu- lar salary, was nearly $3000 ; and this was when the daily wages of selectmen was only two shillings. But towards the close


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of his ministry they cut down his salary for several years, to $200 a year. Other ministers came into the place, and by zealous and loud speaking, produced great commotion, but no revival among the people, who were very sanguine and versa- tile in their opinions. This did not unsettle the good minis- ter, nor sully his character, in the views of any man, but it reduced his salary and the number of his hearers, so that after his decease the people were in trouble." For many years, in consequence of a division amongst themselves, they attempted, unsuccessfully, to settle a new minister.


In 1755, during the old French War, Mr. True went into the army as chaplain ; also again in 1762. In a letter to his wife, dated July 11th, at Crown Point, he gives an interest- ing account of matters occurring in the camp ; he speaks of the great drought which was so fatal to the crops that year. His connection with the army does not appear to have been marked by any striking events. After remaining there the appointed time, he returned to his family and people.


Mr. True died suddenly on the 22d of May, 1782, in the fifty-seventh year of his age. It was on the Sabbath, just as he was ready to leave his house for the house of God, to preach as usual, when, with scarcely a moment's warning, he was called to a " tabernacle not made with hands," to spend an eternal Sabbath of rest.


Mr. True was the means of doing much good ; his influence is felt to this day. He left a numerous family of children, who settled in different parts of our land, and carried with them the habits and virtues which their father instilled into their minds in their youth.


Dr. Jabez True, his son, was one of the first settlers of Ohio ; he led a life of more than ordinary usefulness. He died in 1823, at the age of sixty-three. His memory is still cherished by the descendants of the early pioneers of that great state for his universal charity, simplicity of manners, and sincere piety.


Rev. Henry True, another son, was for many years settled


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in the State of Maine, and now in his old age is enjoying the consciousness of having lived a useful life, and is command- ing the veneration and respect of every one.


The people of this town can bear testimony to the life of usefulness which another of the family has led. Her visits of mercy to the sick, her sympathy for the poor and dis- tressed, her disinterested zeal in works of charity and benevo- lence, have endeared her to us with many ties of affection.


In 1753, the town offered a bounty of four pounds on every wolf killed in the town. An incident which occurred about this time was the cause of the passage of this vote. Lieut. Peter Morse was tending a coal pit upon his land at some distance from his house. At night, when ready to return to his family, he found himself surrounded by several wolves. He was obliged to pass a long and sleepless night in the for- est, and saved his life only by continually throwing fire- brands at them.


Every vestige of the wilderness has long been removed. Among the most vexatious and often calamitous annoyances which were continually harassing our ancestors, was the at- tacks of wild beasts upon their flocks.


The warrant for the annual meeting in 1756, commences with the caption, " Province of New Hampshire. In his Maj- esty's name, you are required to meet," etc. This caption was used this year for the first time, and was continued till the commencement of the Revolutionary war, when it was changed to the " Colony of New Hampshire. In the name of the Government and People, you are notified," etc. After the formation of the Constitution it was again changed to "State of New Hampshire, in the name of said State, you are," etc. These changes of captions, though considered small matters to themselves, serve to show how ready the people were to renounce all allegiance to the King of England.


In 1758, a committee was chosen to defend a suit brought by the town of Kingston against Hampstead. The difficulty continued eight years before it was settled. Before the state


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line was run in 1741, Hampstead as now constituted, belonged mostly to Haverhill. But a small portion of the eastern part of the town, which went by the name of " Amesbury Peak," was claimed both by Kingston and by Amesbury, although the latter town exercised jurisdiction over the territory. Kingston then comprehended all that is now Kingston, East Kingston, Danville and Sandown, and being incorporated fifty- five years before Hampstead, would also embrace the disputed territory after the running of the State line.


Though that town had slept fifty-five years before the in- corporation of Hampstead, yet in 1760 " they at last waked up, and fell upon the town, with redoubled force, with writ after writ." These law suits caused the town a good deal of trouble, and many meetings were called for the purpose of settling the difficulty, or defending the suits. At one time the town voted to pay Kingston one thousand pounds old tenor, and costs, which must have amounted to a round sum. There is another vote to pay Kingston twelve hundred pounds, and still another to pay three thousand pounds. But it is difficult to say whether the town ever paid Kingston anything, except the costs. At this state of the difficulty, the Gover- nor interfered and compromised the matter by granting to Kingston, of a tract of land near the Connecticut River. The new township was named Unity, because the granting of it made peace between Hampstead and Kingston. The settle- ment was finally effected in 1776. It would be very fortu- nate if all difficulties arising out of disputed territories, could be settled as amicably as this was.


In 1762, the town voted " to keep the meeting house doors shut against all such preachers, whose principles and conduct are such that neither Congregational nor Presbyterian churches amongst us can hold communion with, or admit as preachers." From the testimony of Mr. Kelly, " almost all the followers of the new preachers became downright infidels of which, it is said, this town had more than any other then known in the State. They sowed the seeds of wickedness so


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much that their pernicious influence was felt for many years afterwards by the goodly number of sober people, who then had no minister to speak the word of truth, and break the bread of life to them."


This account should be taken with some grains of allow- ance. Mr. Kelly wrote with all the prejudices of a zealous minister of the eighteenth century. The Puritans looked with jealousy upon any sect of Christians, other than their own. The people of this town partook fully of that feeling, and very probably, opposed the new creeds springing up around them who were indifferent to any particular creed in religion, to sympathize with the persecuted. This is always the result of bitter opposition. Often the surest way to put down error is to leave it unnoticed. If the doctrine has merits of its own, it will then stand upon them alone ; and if it is really an error, it will fall and destroy itself in its own ruins.


The pay of selectmen about this time was two shillings per day, lawful money. The town at the annual meeting voted what compensation the selectmen for the year previous should receive. Sometimes they voted to pay them noth- ing. This was not a very complimentary estimate of the value of their services ; but if our public servants at the pres- ent day should be paid for the good which they actually do perform, they would undoubtedly be more active to perform their duties faithfully and less eager to sustain the burdens of public office.


Our town has had its share of public calamities. In 1737 in the latter part of the winter, large numbers of cattle died from scarcity of hay, and many families suffered extremely from want of bread. In 1738, " there was a remarkable worm, which ate the leaves from the oak trees. Other vegetation also suffered." " In 1741, the winter was colder than almost any man ever knew in New England." In 1749, was the greatest drought ever known in the land. One person writes, " that five acres of good land, newly laid down, produced but one load of hay. That he mowed several days but could not


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get two hundred a day." Some people cut down trees for their cattle to browse, and many sent to Virginia for hay. The corn crop yielded well that year, else their sufferings must have been severe. In 1756, a malignant fever prevailed which swelled the number of deaths to thirty. In a popula- tion of three hundred, this was a fearful mortality. These calamities are, however, too well known to require any further notice.


The circumstances of procuring a bell in this town are at- tended with some interest. Dea. Thomas Huse, of West Newbury, Mass., in 1800 owned and lived upon the Island. He was a particular friend of Mr. Kelly, and said to him one day, " you have a steeple here and need a bell. If you will go to Mr. George Holbrook of Brookfield, and speak for a bell, I will pay for it." The bell was accordingly procured and brought upon the ground, before any man in Hampstead knew anything about it, except the two who had been spoken to, to make the frame. It was first suspended from a limb of the old oak tree, in the neighborhood, and rung, much to the surprise of all the people, who had not been apprised of the event ; a very harmless and agreeable way of perpetrating a joke .*


It is worthy of note, that there are seven farms in this town that have remained in the same families over one hundred


*Many of the foregoing facts and statements are found in the "sketch of Hampstead," before alluded to.


The following extract is taken from the deed of conveyance by Dea. Huse: "I Thomas Huse of Hampstead, &c., in consideration of the love, and good will, and affection which I have and bear to the inhabitants of the town of Hampstead in general, And to the Congregational Church and Society in particular, and with a view and desire to unite a spirit of lib- erality, and to promote good order, harmony and peace in the said town of Hampstead, have given, granted, and confirmed, and by these presents do give, grant, and confirm unto the said town of Hampstead, for the use and benefit of said inhabitants in general, and for the use and bene- fit of said Church and Society in particular,-forever-a certain meeting house bell now on the meeting house in said Hampstead, made by George Holbrook, at Brookfield, Mass., Records of Hampstead, Vol. 2, pp. 62-3.


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years .* It is an old and familiar adage, " there's no place like home," these farms, then, must be doubly dear to their present owners. The reminiscences of childhood, and the scenes enacted around those hearth stones of their fathers, render these places dear to them, with a thousand ties of af- fection.


At a special meeting of the town, called on the twentieth of December, 1774, it was voted, " that the money called for from this town, in order to support the expense of the Dele- gates of the General Congress sent by this Province, shall be paid out of the town stock."


" Also a Committee of Inspection be chosen to regard the conduct of the people, touching the association of the Gen- eral Congress."


At a special meeting, held July 15, 1776, it was voted “to raise a sum of money sufficient to hire thirteen men to join the Continental Army under Gen. Sulliavan, at Canada, or at Crown Point." " Voted to set aside and excuse all those per- sons who have done a turn in the war the last year, or their proportion of a turn in said war, from paying any part." The town also chose a committee to hire and enlist the thirteen men called for, and empowered them to procure money for the payment of the soldiers.


This meeting was held either immediately upon the recep- tion of the news of the Declaration of Independence or a few days prior, and when that instrument was the general subject of thought and conversation. It shows that ours was not be- hind other towns in responding to the action of Congress. Committees of Inspection were chosen at different times dur- ing the war.


In 1777 another draft was made upon this town, " for men to join the Continental Army under Col. Bartlett." The town


*These farms are either owned or occupied by the following persons, viz: Mr. Jonathan Williams, Heirs of John H. Clark, who died the present season, Mr. Caleb Hadley, Dr. Samuel Morse, Mr. Moses Atwood, Mr. Amasa Eastman, and widow Mary Calef.


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immediately voted to send the men, and joined the selectmen with the commissioned officers to procure them.


In December, 1777, John Calef was chosen a “ representa- tive to act in the General Assembly, to be holden at Exeter, with full power to transact such measures as the Assembly might judge necessary for the public good ; and, also, to choose Delegates to the Continental Congress." Mr. Calef was an- nually chosen to represent the town, till our present Consti- tution was adopted. The unlimited power entrusted to him speaks volumes in favor of his integrity, and of the confidence the people reposed in him. It also shows that this town was ready to perform its share of the great Revolution to be ef- fected on this Continent.


Many other towns would not empower their Delegates with full authority from a distrust of the expediency of some of the measures then proposed, but which time has proved to have been wisely enacted.


In 1778 a committee was chosen " to provide for the fami- lies of those that had gone into the army for the town of Hampstead." At the annual meeting in 1778 it was voted even in anticipation " to procure the soldiers that might be called for during the year." In 1779 it was voted " to allow those soldiers that were for and from this town something for their losses in their retreat from Tianterga (Ticonderoga ?), in 1777." At a special meeting, in May, 1779, they voted " to procure the men (five in number) then called for, and also to raise more men if called for that year." Again in July another meeting was called and new measures taken to pro- cure men to join the New Hampshire Battalion ; and, also to procure men to go to Rhode Island to join the army there. At this time the paper currency issued by Congress had de- preciated so much as to be almost worthless. The people of Portsmouth met to consider what remedy could best be ap- plied. Their consultation resulted in fixing a price for all ar- ticles of merchandise, which should be uniform throughout the state. The selectmen of Portsmouth issued circulars to the different towns asking their co-operation.


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At a special meeting this town " voted to come into the plan adopted at Portsmouth, provided three-fourths of the other towns should do the same." The adoption of this plan necessarily resulted in great pecuniary sacrifices.


There are many other interesting votes passed during the Revolution, but enough have been noticed to show that this town took an active part in that great struggle. There was no time during the war when this town did not furnish its full quota of men. Its money was freely given, and its men willingly sent forth to fight the battles of a common country. In Rhode Island, on the shores of Lake George, and at Crown Point are entombed the ashes of our townsmen. In common with the rest of our country our ancestors were aroused by the insults and injuries heaped upon them by England. They fought against powerful odds. In the darkest periods of the Revolution the hearty yeomanry flocked around the standard of America, and wrested from the hands of our mother land the power which she vainly asserted. In the eloquent lan- guage of another,* "those were times that tried men's souls, and never, in any age, or in any country, did there exist a race of men whose souls were better fitted for the trial. Patient in suffering, firm in adversity, calm and collected amid the dangers which pressed around them, cool in council and brave in battle, they were worthy of the cause, and the cause was worthy of them." In their privations and wrongs " the suffer- ers were upheld by that kind of holy fortitude which enabled the Christian martyrs to smile amidst the flames, and to tri- umph even in the agonies of death." . " Every grade of society, all ages and all sexes, kindled in this sacred com- petition of patriotism. The ladies of the Colonies, in the dawn, and through the whole progress of the Revolution, shone with pre-eminent lustre in this war of fortitude and self- denial. They renounced without a sigh the use of the lux- uries, and even of the comforts to which they had been ac-




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