USA > New Hampshire > A synoptic history of the Granite state > Part 3
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Size of the State in 1775. Let us see next who, or how many, we had in New Hampshire to fight the great War. Our population in 1775 was 82,200, distributed in 138 towns and
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unincorporated places. Of these 4,590 were in Portsmouth, the largest town, to 143 in Croydon, the smallest. By counties the population and House membership was as follows: Rockingham had 37,830 with 38 members in the Assembly; Stratford, 12,713 with 13; Hillsborough, 16,447 with 17; Chesire, 11,089 with Io and Grafton, 4,101 with 6. Total in the Assembly 89. No other counties had been created. There were several places unincorporated, some of which had far more people than Croy- don. It required "a pull" with the King's Government to get a town incorporated toward the last, as he wanted to stem his rapidly dwindling majority in the "Assembly," and was loath to incorporate a town unless he thought it friendly, politically- a Tory policy to this day.
There were odd differences in the population of towns, then and now. For instance, Londonderry then came next in size to Portsmouth, with its 2,590. Exeter was third with 1,74I and Dover fourth, while Manchester then had a population of only 285. We have 258 towns and cities now to 138 then.
The First Continental Congress. Again let us speak briefly, before we fly on with the War story, of what immediately preceded it. There met at Philadelphia on September Ist, 1774, what is known as the "First Continental Congress," arranged by correspondence among the colonies. John Sullivan and Nathaniel Folsom were New Hampshire delegates. This first Congress sent a strong petition to the King protesting against: (I) Taxing us without our consent; (2) Dissolving our Assem- blies; (3) Quartering English troops on our people in times of peace; (4) Trying without a jury; (5) Passing the Five In- tolerable Acts, which were Acts of Parliament as follows: (I) Closing our ports; (2) Criminal trial away from a man's colony or abroad; (3) Requiring license to hold meetings; (4) Quartering troops on the people; and (5) The Quebec Act, extending Quebec far into the colonial territory. It all boiled down to the right of the English Parliament to legislate for the colonies on all subjects. They called it "Slavery vs Independ- ence." This petition was a "Declaration of Rights."
John Paul Jones
Oll Colonial State House
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Josiah Barthes
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SIGNERS-DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE
Private Sec, to Pres. Washington Cousinto l. La
J. Stark, Bo
Sullwan, Gen, John
REVOLUTIONARY HEROES
JOHN LANGDON
NICHOLAS GILMAN
"SIGNERS" OF THE U. S. CONSTITUTION FOR N. H.
Sin W- Pepperell
Rev John Wheelwright Banished to Exeter 1638. From mars-
Called on Pres. Washi nation (See diary) (789)
REV. SAMUEL HAVEN, D.D. Minister of the South Parish, 1752-1806
Sec War Henry
Dearborn
ELEAZER WHEELOCK
Senator Jeremias Mason
Por John T. Gilman man
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The Second Continental Congress. The Second Con- tinental Congress on May 10, 1775 (Sullivan and Langdon being our New Hampshire delegates), chose George Washing- ton, experienced in Indian Wars, as Commander-in-Chief of a really non-existent army. But the battles of Lexington and Concord had already been fought nearly a month before or on April 18, 1775, and so Washington set out for Boston to "adopt" the volunteers who fought those battles, and all others of the fighting patriots gathered around Boston, including our General Sullivan, Colonels Stark and Reid, and hundreds of New Hampshire soldiers-they to become the nucleus of an Army. Before Washington had time to reach Boston, however, that dogged group of heroic defenders had also won the Battle of Bunker Hill, and had the British Army bottled up in Boston. Whereupon General Washington forced the enemy to remain in Boston some eight months longer, to give him time to shape up his own crude, yet determined fighting machine, and make his military plans.
Liberty or Death. There were still many Loyalists in America, even after the Battle of Bunker Hill, and many luke- warm folks who still hoped for compromise. But they were rapidly being converted, or driven out, as had been Governor Wentworth two months after the Battle of Bunker Hill. Our State enacted laws forbidding Tories ever to return. Those rugged and courageous souls were inspired like Patrick Henry of Virginia who said: "As for me, give me liberty or give me death."
The Declaration of Independence. Just before the Declaration of Independence was adopted by the Continental Congress, there had been a disappointing campaign in Canada in which we lost much, including our fine General Montgomery. That thrilling Declaration was needed to fire up and consolidate inter-colonial courage and fervor to carry on the War. Up to then, even, there had lingered a faint hope that something would happen to avert a great War. But the "July 4th, 1776 Declara- tion of Independence," burned all bridges. From then on it
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was "liberty or death." Josiah Bartlett, William Whipple, and Matthew Thornton were New Hampshire's three "signers," being members of Congress. The great Thomas Jefferson was its author-its language being most appealing. It might well be committed to memory by every American. Historian Bar- stow wrote, a hundred years ago, how our citizens received it. He said: "Within fourteen days, after all had signed, it was published by beat of drums in all the shire towns in New Hampshire." Whipple, Bartlett and Thornton are, perhaps, the names longest to endure in New Hampshire's history. Bart- lett and Thornton were physicians while Whipple was a sea- faring gentleman. Granite character is noted in their faces. Bartlett and Whipple signed the great document together, but, Thornton signed last of all-the last name in the last column. He was not elected to Congress until after "July 4th, 1776," or in September, and took his seat in November following. Anxious to "show his colors," he asked, and was granted per- mission to affix his name, and did so. Then it was not an honor to be a "signer," but an act of supreme courage, for defeat in the raging war might call for a beheading of traitors.
CHAPTER V
ANGRY AND FIGHTING
W AR in Earnest. The great War for Independence was at last begun in dead earnest, and America had become prepared and somewhat organized for it, after the disorganized volunteer army fought so nobly at Concord, Lexington, and particularly at Bunker Hill.
In such a "bird's-eye" view of New Hampshire history as we are attempting, we cannot extend it into details of war cam- paigns, or engagements in which our ancestors participated. However, let us speak of one battle where the whole losing trend of war was reversed by a New Hampshire hero, and by her men and money, alone-entirely independent of General Washington or Congress.
Colonel Stark Embittered. Colonel John Stark, a hero at Bunker Hill, had resigned after the battle and gone home "blank mad" because of being "passed over" in promotions by what he called "favoritism." Notwithstanding this, when the old soldier heard that the British General, Burgoyne, and his horde of Hessians were sweeping down from Canada, bent on taking New England and New York, and leaving in their wake ruin and devastation, his Spartan blood boiled up anew, and, without the knowledge of General Washington and Congress, he, with John Langdon's money, hurriedly raised an Army of New Hampshire volunteers, and marched "quick-step" to head 'em off. Stark met with miraculous success, battled the British forces to a stand-still, slowed up their progress to New York, and thus made possible the great surrender of the enemy at Saratoga. The tide of war was turned, as all historians agree, at Bennington. In this battle Stark immortalized his wife's name by, "We'll take these Hessians to-day or Molly Stark's a widder." Stark's achievement was lauded by Congress which had stupidly mis- used him. There were other American forces at Bennington,
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but Stark planned the aid which proved to be the determinant in the fight, and turned defeat to victory.
Stark Turned the Tide. General Stark was a remarkable man-one of the world's great characters. In spite of going through all his battles, he lived 45 years after the Battle of Bennington, or until 93 years old, surviving all other Revolution- ary Generals. Being yet alive during the War of 1812, he "itched to fight" again at 83.
Colonels Stickney, Nichols and Hobart were recruits who served under General Stark at Bennington, with 1467 New Hampshire volunteers.
In the decisive battle at Saratoga when Burgoyne's army was actually captured, General William Whipple brilliantly led New Hampshire troops, and under him were Colonels Moore, Bellows, Gilman, and Captain John Wheelock (Dartmouth).
John Sullivan a Hero. General Sullivan's life, both in war and peace, is closely interwoven with a large section of New Hampshire history. He was Major General under Washington, serving at Winter Hill first, then in Canada, New Jersey and Rhode Island. In the critical Indian-Tory clean-up in central New York he successfully led 14,000 men for a complete rout of a grave danger. He served also at Brandywine and German- town, and was always in the "thick of the fight."
Colonel Alexander Scammel of our Third Regiment, succeed- ing Colonel Reid who became blind, was wounded at Yorktown and died a year later at the age of 33. In his Regiment was Captain Weare (son of President Weare), who was killed at Ticonderoga.
Colonel Nathan Hale of our Second Regiment was taken prisoner at Ticonderoga.
Colonel Joseph Cilley of the First Regiment rendered con- spicuous service. He had a Regiment at Valley Forge. His Adjutant was Caleb Stark, son of John Stark. Colonels Dear- born, John Bartlett and Butler also gave heroic service. Cilley, Dearborn, Butler and Bartlett all came from Nottingham.
General Enoch Poor of Exeter fought under General La-
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fayette, but he was challenged to a duel by a French officer and killed. He is the one who was promoted over Stark.
Captain Webster. General Sullivan and Brigadier General Whipple had under them for later service in New England: Colonels Peabody, Nichols, Kelly, Hale, Mooney, Brigadier Major Sherburne and Captain Webster, father of Daniel Web- ster.
New Hampshire claims John Paul Jones, because he lived at Portsmouth four years and there fitted out the "Ranger" (built by John Langdon), and raised on her the first United States flag on any ship in the American Navy. It was in 1777. In his campaign around England, Scotland, and Ireland, he captured the British warship "Drake," after boarding her and fighting "hand to hand," and then with a new marine fighter, "Le Bon- homme Richard," he defeated the warship "Serapis." In fact, Jones became "the terror of the seas." During the War the British lost 102 vessels while America lost 24. His campaign did much to encourage Lafayette and France to aid America.
The First U. S. Battleship. The French fleet, the army under Lafayette, and the recognition by France of our inde- pendence must be given credit for being the "last straws" to break the War's back. And we might record here that on June 23, 1779, the Continental Congress voted to complete the con- struction and equipment of the first battleship of the American Navy, the "America," already begun and then lying on the stocks at Portsmouth. Three days later Congress voted that John Paul Jones should command her. She had 74 guns and was 183 feet long. But, after all our preparation, we gave her away- gave her to France to console that country for the loss of a similar ship by accident in Boston harbor. That seemed a wise thing to do. John Langdon, ship-builder, R. H. Lee, Silas Dean, Joseph Hewes, Stephen Hopkins, and C. Gadsden are regarded as the "Founders of the United States Navy."
Britain's Army Surrendered at Yorktown (October 19, 1781). Our State sent into this War, all-told, 12,497 men, out of a total population of 82,200, which, of course, included women
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and children. It was more than New Hampshire's share, based on population.
On October 19, 1781 at Yorktown, General Washington forced General Cornwallis to surrender, and a Peace Treaty, long delayed, was signed at Paris on September 3rd, 1783.
CHAPTER VI
THE UNITED STATES BEGINNING TO TAKE FORM
T HE First Continental Congress. The first Con- tinental Congress remained in session in Philadelphia from June until October (1774)-four months. There were 54 members present, and the Hon. Peyton Randolph, Gov- ernor of Virginia, was chosen President of the Congress. For this reason some have styled him the first (unofficial) President of the United States. John Hancock, John Jay, Samuel Hunt- ington and others succeeded him as President of the Congress, now called "Speaker."
Articles of Confederation. On November 15th, 1777 (being after the "Declaration of Independence"), came the next step on the road to a Federal Constitution. An important Act was passed by the Continental Congress, called the "Articles of Confederation." These Articles were formally ratified by each of the 13 colonies. They constituted a tentative Constitu- tion, under which the Colonies cooperated throughout the War, or until a more perfect Constitution was finally adopted. The Articles of Confederation provided for no President, no Senate and no Courts. They gave no power to anyone to levy taxes, and the only money Congress could get was what the Colonies or individuals chose to give, which proved wholly inadequate. There arose under such an inadequate Constitution govern- mental confusion, and a business depression. Every reason existed, therefore, for a "more perfect Union." After the War, we faced the alternative of permitting the staggering Union to break up and dissolve into 13 separate States, or of establishing a strong Union-a solid front nation.
The Great Constitutional Convention. To this end the Colonies sent Delegates to Philadelphia with instructions to patch up the faulty Articles of Confederation, which they then had. When the Delegates assembled, they chose George Wash-
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ington to preside. But when they began working on the puzzle, serious divisions arose. A debate of intellectual giants ensued. One division was led by Patrick Henry, fiery but patriotic, and another by stubborn Gov. Clinton of New York, who feared that the power of a strong, central government would lead to Federal dictatorship. They therefore favored the States remaining practically independent, each with sovereign power. Another division, led by Washington, Madison, John Langdon and others, favored a strong, central government as necessary to protect all the Colonies in times of crisis and war. They be- lieved it should have power enough to guard the "general welfare." The contest raised a States Rights question.
The amazing thing to us now is that there was such a hard fight in the general Convention at Philadelphia over the adop- tion of so good a Constitution. And it also seems strange to us now, that in each of the 13 States there was powerful opposition to it by some of the greatest patriots in the country at that time. In many of the Colonies the division on ratification was so close that great anxiety existed over the ultimate outcome. Patrick Henry of Virginia whose fame as a patriot and whose sincerity were never questioned, said:
"I look upon that paper (the Constitution) as the most fatal plan that could possibly be conceived to enslave a free people." He was wrong.
However, it was finally ratified, but criticisms and divisions continued to exist. Most of the Delegates were well-to-do for those times.
Even Washington, Madison and Franklin, and other sponsors admitted that it might be faulty in particulars, and that it might have some dangers, but they insisted that it was a necessary beginning, that without it the little Colonies, each one for itself, would be an easy prey for aggressor nations. They did not expect a too technical interpretation of it by courts in the future. They were dealing with broad principles.
The Constitution Contained No "Bill of Rights." The Constitution, as adopted, did not contain a "Bill of Rights,"
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which were put in four years later as Amendments, and which we now look upon as the most sacred part of it, since they protect the inalienable personal rights of minorities and individuals. They were little debated in the Conventions. The Constitution was unsatisfactory to many on the question of slavery. But the more sober opinion prevailed that they were then in a crisis, and that some kind of a "Ship of State," if they were to have a Union at all, had to be launched as soon as possible. They reasoned that if the "Ship" did develop leaks, those who should follow them, their descendants, would have sense enough to "caulk" the leaks, and make it sail properly.
Signing the Proposed U. S. Constitution. The division headed by Washington, Madison and Franklin favored the Con- stitution which had been drafted and presented to the Conven- tion. After exhaustive discussion for four months, and after many Delegates, discouraged, had left for home, those who remained voted unanimously to sign it, and did so on September 17th, 1787. Some one, or more, Delegates from each of the 12 States (Rhode Island was not represented) signed for each State.
It would seem, from the record, that the New Hampshire Delegates to this Constitutional Convention (Langdon, Gilman, West and Pickering) were not conspicuous. For some good reason, we suppose, although the Constitutional Convention assembled at Philadelphia on May 25, 1787, two (Langdon and Gilman) of our New Hampshire Delegates did not arrive until July 23-two months late. The proceedings were then nearly over. The most controversial measures of the Convention had already been worked out, and the close votes on the "great compromises" of the Convention had been taken seven days before they arrived. They signed, however, but John Langdon and Nicholas Gilman came home and made a vigorous fight to ratify it in the New Hampshire State Convention. The other two Delegates chosen to represent New Hampshire, namely, Ben West of Charlestown and John Pickering of Portsmouth, did not reach Philadelphia at all.
CHAPTER VII
NEW HAMPSHIRE SEALED THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES
T HE New Hampshire Convention. The New Hamp- shire Convention to ratify the Constitution proposed by the Philadelphia Convention of Delegates from 12 of the 13 Colonies, met in the Court House at Exeter on February 13, 1788, and, after electing Governor John Sullivan President, sensing a bitter fight with an unfavorable result, the friends of ratification effected an adjournment in order to have time to explain it personally, and do individual work with the members.
It convened again June 18, 1788 in the Old North Meeting House at Concord. Joshua Atherton of Amherst, a lawyer of note, led the opposition to it, while Judge Samuel Livermore of Holderness, with John Langdon and Josiah Bartlett took the initiative for adoption.
No New Hampshire history would be complete which did not give the personnel of this Convention. It involved such a momentous decision that the citizens of the State virtually com- pelled its foremost, and best educated citizens to become Dele- gates. For example, the Rev. Samuel Langdon, a resident of Hampshire Falls, who had been President of Harvard College, was a Delegate. Several other clergymen participated. Like- wise Judges and lawyers, and particularly Officers of the Revo- lutionary War. The result was 57 for ratification to 47 against. Those who voted "Yes" follow:
The Yes Vote: John Langdon, Portsmouth; John Pickering (Harvard graduate), Portsmouth; Pierce Long, Portsmouth; John Taylor Gilman, Exeter; Joseph Blanchard, Chester; Ben- jamin Adams, Newington; Dr. Ichabod Weeks, Greenland; Nathan Goss, Rye; Henry Prescutt, New Castle; Rev. Ben- jamin Thurston (Harvard graduate), North Hampton; Chris- topher Toppan, Hampton; Rev. Samuel Langdon, Hampton
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Falls; Jonathan Wiggin, Stratham; Jeremiah Fogg, Kensington; Josiah Bartlett, Kingstown; Dr. Thomas Stow Ranney, Brent- wood; Nathaniel Ladd, Epping; Nathaniel Rogers, New Castle; Gen. Thomas Bartlett, Nottingham; Dr. Edmund Chadwick, Deerfield; Major James Gray, Northwood; Charles Glidden, Northfield;
Rev. John Calfe, Hampstead; James Bettan, Wyndham; Dr. Ezra Green, Dover; Gov. John Sullivan, Durham; Moses Carr, Sommersworth; Major Samuel Hale, Barrington; Daniel Bedee, Tamworth; Nathaniel Shannon, Ossipee; Jonathan Chesley, Barnstead; Lieut. John Hall, Derryfield; Deacon Amos Dakin, Raby (Brookline) ; William Abbott, Wilton; Robert B. Wilkins, Hillsborough; Joshua Morss, Hopkinton; Col. Joseph Gerrish, Boscawen; Benj. West (Harvard graduate), Charlestown; Capt. Oliver Shepherd, Alstead;
Rev. Aaron Hall (Yale graduate), Keene; Major Elisha Whitcomb, Swanzey; Capt. Moses Chamberlain, Winchester; Archilaus Temple, Westmoreland; Gen. Benj. Bellows, Walpole; Gen. Jonathan Chase, Cornish; Samuel Griffin, Dublin; Major Joseph Kimball, Plainfield; Samuel Livermore (Princeton grad- uate), Holderness; Francis Worster, Plymouth; Thomas Craw- ford, New Chester; Jesse Johnson, Enfield; Jonathan Freeman, Hanover; Col. Elisha Payne, Lebanon; William Simpson, Lyme; Capt. Isaac Patterson, Lincoln; Major Samuel Young, Bath; Capt. John Weeks, Coleburn. In all 57.
Those who voted "No" were: Col. Daniel Runnels, London- derry; Archibald McMurphy, Londonderry; Benj. Clugh, East Kingstown; Benj. Silas, Pittsfield; Col. Jeremiah Clough, Can- terbury; Jonathan Smith, Loudon; Capt. Benj. Emery, Con- cord; Stephen Fifield, Candia; Thomas Chase, Raymond; Nehemiah Sleeper, Sandown; Col. Benj. Stone, Atkinson; Lieut. Thomas Dow, Salem; Capt. Robert Steward, Newton; Barnabas Palmer, Rochester; William Harper, Sandborntown; Capt. Joseph Badger, Gilmanton ;
Rev. William Hooper (Harvard graduate), Madbury; Nich- olas Austin, Wakefield; David Page, Conway; Eben Cum-
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mings, Nottingham; Daniel Bixby, Litchfield; Deacon William Hunt, Dunstable; Timothy Taylor, Merrimac; Stephen Dole, Bedford; William Page, Goffstown; Captain Daniel Kendrick, Holles ;
Joshua Atherton, Amherst; Capt. Charles Barrett, New Ips- wich; Thomas Bixby, Francestown; Dr. Benj. Jones, Lynde- borough; Deacon John Cragin, Temple; John Cochran, New Boston; Jonathan Dow, Weare; Jacob Green, Dunbarton; Nathaniel Bean, Fishersfield; Jonathan Gaskill, Richmond; Judge Abel Parker, Jaffrey; Dr. Solomon Harvey, Chesterfield; Capt. Othniel Thomas, Rindge; Deacon Matthias Stone, Clare- mont; John Remmele, Newport; Daniel Grout, Acworth; Moses True, Wendell (Sunapee) ; Thomas Pinneman, Stoddard; Jedediah Tainter, Marlborough; Lieut. Caleb Winch, Fitz- william; Col. Joseph Hutchins, Haverhill. In all 47.
Not Voting: Col. Ebenezer Webster (father of Daniel Web- ster), Salisbury; Samuel Daniels, Pembroke; and Ebenezer Smith, Surry. Webster's town had instructed him against it. Personally he was for it.
New Hampshire Made World News June 21, 1788. Alexander Hamilton and James Madison, a Committee to boost the drive to ratify the Constitution in the different States, had arranged in New Hampshire for a messenger to express to New York and Virginia the result of the New Hampshire Convention, in case it was favorable. The adoption vote came on June 21st, 1788. This messenger followed the plan previously arranged. The favorable news is said to have alarmed those doubtful States, for they then saw their dilemma. If nine States had already ratified the Constitution, there would inevitably be a new nation of nine States. If the others remained out, they would be "foreign nations" to the "nine." Virginia and New York, the two big States, thereupon fell into line, by opponents yielding, and North Carolina ratified four months later. Rhode Island did not even send Delegates to the Convention and did not ratify it until long after all the others, and not until after George Washington had been inaugurated President. She ratified it
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about a year later, viz: on May 29, 1790. Her history had made her chary of going along with the Massachusetts Puritans, who had treated her pioneers so badly on the religious issue.
New Hampshire is entitled to a conspicuous place in World history because of this decision of world-wide significance, which virtually breathed the breath of life into the American Constitu- tion. It took "nine States" and New Hampshire made it "nine." It was I o'clock, Saturday, June 21, 1788 when New Hampshire's vote was announced.
Too interesting to omit is this story: Lewis Cass once wrote that he could well remember how his mother held him in the window of their Exeter home, at six years of age, to see the "bon-fire" blazing to celebrate New Hampshire's adoption of the Constitution.
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