USA > New Hampshire > Hillsborough County > Peterborough > An address delivered at the centennial celebration, in Peterborough, N.H., Oct. 24, 1839 > Part 6
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The first Clothier's shop was built in 1780 ; the second, 1794; the third, 1801; the fourth (now Henry F. Coggswell's) 1811; the fourth, now run by Thomas Wilson, 1826.
The other Factories which have been or now are in town, carried by water, are the Eagle Factory, Moore & Bement's Machine Shop, the Batting Shop, seven Trip-hammer Shops, an Oil Mill, an Iron Furnace and Stone Shop, a Shoe-peg Factory, two Paper Mills, two Bark Mills, six shops for turning Cabinet and Wheelright work.
The whole Manufacturing power is estimated at three hundred thousand dollars,
PROCEEDINGS
AT THE
CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION' AT
PETERBOROUGH, N. H.
AT a legal Town-meeting of the inhabitants of Peterborough, holden at the town-house in said Town, October 5th, 1839, the following votes were passed and proceedings had, viz : -
Balloted for and chose JOHN H. STEELE, Moderator, who was sworn to the faithful discharge of the duties of his office by Wil- liam M. White, first selectman of Peterborough.
On motion, Voted unanimously to celebrate, on Thursday, the 24th instant, the First Centennial Anniversary of the settlement of the town.
Voted, To choose a Committee of Arrangements, whose duty it shall be to invite such guests as they may see fit, and do and provide all things necessary for the celebration.
Chose Jonathan Smith, David Smiley, John Scott, John Steele, Nathaniel Moore, Hugh Miller, William Wilson, Stephen P. Steele, John H. Steele, Timothy K. Ames, John Todd, Jr., Albert Smith, A. C. Blodgett, George W. Senter, William Follansbee, William Scott, Robert White, Henry F. Coggswell, Alexander Robbe, William M. White, Isaac Edes, William Fields, Frederick Livingston, James Scott, Jonathan Faxon, Reuben Washburn, William E. Treadwell, John Smith. .
Voted, To publish in a pamphlet form the Address, together with such other facts and proceedings as the Committee of Ar- rangements may see fit, and that a copy of the same be distributed to each family in town.
Voted, To appropriate two hundred dollars out of any money in the Treasury, for the purpose of defraying any expenses inci-
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dent to the celebration ; and that the Selectmen's order on the Treasurer shall be his voucher for the amount so drawn, not ex- ceeding the above named sum.
A true copy from the Records.
Attest, A. C. BLODGETT, Town Clerk.
Saturday, October 5, 1839. Meeting of the Committee of Arrangements. Chose John H. Steele, Chairman, and Albert Smith, Secretary.
Voted, That all the sons of Peterborough who have distinguish- ed themselves abroad, be invited to attend the Celebration.
Committee to invite Guests ; John H. Steele, Albert Smith, Stephen P. Steele.
Voted, That John Steele, William Scott, A. C. Blodgett, Isaac Edes, John Smith, be added to the former Committee to prepare sentiments for the Celebration.
Voted, That the Secretary be authorised to insert a notice of the celebration in five neighboring newspapers, viz : the two Keene papers, the two Nashua papers, and the Farmer's Cabinet at Amherst.
The following notice was accordingly sent to the above papers.
" The Centennial Celebration of Peterborough will take place on Thursday the 24th instant. An Address will be delivered by the Rev. John H. Morison, of New Bedford, Mass. The exer- cises will commence at 11 o'clock, A. M. All the absent natives and those who have resided in Peterborough are respectfully in- vited to attend on this occasion. Peterborough, Oct. 13, 1839."
Voted, That a cold collation be prepared for dinner.
Chose Gen. John Steele, Marshal, with authority to appoint such assistants as he may think proper.
Voted, That a Committee of three be appointed to confer with the Presbyterian Society, in relation to the obtaining of their un- finished church for the dinner.
John Todd, Jr., William Fields, Isaac Edes, Committee.
Voted, That a Committee be chosen to prepare seats and make the necessary preparations for the dinner.
James Scott, William Scott, William M. White, Committee.
Voted, That a Committee be chosen to contract for and pro- cure the dinner.
Timothy K. Ames, Samuel Swan, William Scott, Committee.
Voted, That A. C. Blodgett and James Scott be a Committee to see to the ornamenting of the Meeting-house, and that they invite the ladies to assist, and that they be controlled by their taste.
Voted, That a Committee of three be chosen to invite the In-
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dependent Companies, and all the Singers and the Instrumental Music of the town, to take a part in the celebration.
Albert Smith, William Scott, William Follansbee, Committee. Voted, That a President of the day be chosen.
Chose Jonathan Smith, President ; David Smiley, John Scott, Vice Presidents ; Albert Smith, Toast Master.
Voted, That this meeting be adjourned to Monday, Oct. 14th, at 4 o'clock, P. M.
ALBERT SMITH, Secretary.
Monday Oct. 14, 1839. Met agreeably to adjournment.
Voted, That the procession form at the Town-house on the day of the celebration.
Voted, That the Committee of Invitation be requested to in- vite all the regular clergymen of the neighboring towns, together with Rev. A. A. Livermore and Rev. Z. S. Barstow, of Keene, and Rev. Mr. Whitman, of Wilton.
Voted, That a Committee of three be chosen to designate the clergymen who shall take part in the religious services of the day.
Rev. Dr. Abbott, Rev. John H. Morison, Rev. J. M. Wilmarth, Committee.
Adjourned to Monday, Oct. 21st.
ALBERT SMITH, Secretary.
Monday, Oct. 21, 1839. Met agreeably to adjournment.
Voted, a 'That Committee be chosen to procure extra seats for the Meeting-house on the day of the celebration.
Chose Frederick Levingston, Jonas Levingston, Riley Good- ridge.
Order of the Procession. The Military : Orator : President and two Vice Presidents : Clergy : Invited Guests : Committee of Arrangements : The elderly Citizens of the Town: Citizens. Voted, That the above be the order of the procession.
Voted, That all the lower pews of the Unitarian church be ap- propriated to the Ladies, except those on the broad aisle.
Meeting adjourned.
ALBERT SMITH, Secretary.
Thursday, 11 o'clock,, October 24, 1839.
Sung an Anthem. Invocation, by Rev. Solomon Laws. Reading the Scriptures, by Rev. J. M. Wilmarth.
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Hymn, composed for the occasion by Henry Dunbar, a blind boy.
To thee, O God, we joyful raise Our songs of gratitude and praise ; Thy mercies like thy dews descend ; O'er all thy care and love extend.
We thank thee, Lord, that thou did'st bless,
Our fathers in a wilderness ;
That where the forest darkly frown'd,
The smiling cottage now is found.
We thank thee that to us is given
Freedom, the richest boon of heaven ;
And may our country ever be The land of true equality.
The poor man, in his humble cot,
Is not, O Lord, by thee forgot ;
And they whose mansions higher rise,
Receive their blessings from the skies.
Then, Father, grant that we may stand,
Protected ever by thy hand ;
And while thy power our life sustains,
We'll sing thy praise in joyful strains.
Prayer, by Rev. William Richie. Anthem. Ode, written for the occasion by Nathaniel H. Morison.
Tune- NEW ENGLAND FATHERS - By Mrs. Hemans.
Through devious ways, and paths unknown, Through forests dark and drear, Our fathers sought these mountain streams, To plant their offspring here.
They came not forth from princely halls, To wasting pleasures sold ; They came not as the Spaniard came, To seek for mines of gold.
But strong in purpose, high in soul, In virtue armed secure, They came from homes, affection blessed ; They sought for homes as pure.
Through years of toil, through years of want, They bravely struggled on ; And lo ! the forest melts away ; The sturdy pines are gone.
Their gardens bloom, and fields of corn In summer breezes wave : And plenty crowns the smiling boards, When tempests howl and rave.
But time on hasty pinions flew ; Forgot were toils and woes , On fair Contoocook's flowery banks, Their little hamlets rose.
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Their names are left for us to bear ; Their spirits, they are fled ; On yonder hill their bones repose Amidst the slumbering dead.
No monument adorns the spot, And yet that spot is blessed, So long as we, their sons, shall own The spirit they possessed.
Anthem. . Benediction.
Blessing at the dinner table by Rev. Elijah Dunbar; thanks returned by Rev. Peter Holt.
AFTERNOON.
Toast 1st .- The memory of the early settlers of Peterborough .- Let us not forget the perils and hardships which they endured, while we are en- joying, in peace and plenty, the fruits of their labors.
Deacon JONATHAN SMITH (the president of the day,) rose and said :-
" Fellow-Citizens .- The sentiment just read relates to the sufferings and hardships of our fathers, in their first settlement in this place. The orator of the day has related many incidents of the perils they endured, yet the half has not been told I well recollect many of the meetings of the first settlers, at my father's house and elsewhere, when they used to relate the privations, hardships and dangers of their first settlement; and it seemed as though they were enough to break down their spirits, and cast a gloom over every countenance. Was it so? No. Not- withstanding all they suffered, and all they feared, there was a joyful countenance - there was more mirth, pleasantry, wit and humor, at that time, than at the present. There was another good thing attending those meetings; there was more friend- ship towards one another; more acts of kindness in relieving each other in their distress. The singing of the old Scotch songs generally closed these meetings.
In truth, their lives were soldier's lives; though they were not so well fed or clothed. These scenes and trials admirably fitted them for brave and hardy soldiers, to fight our battles and gain our independence. If the times and condition of the country raised up men eminently qualified to lead our armies, no less did they raise up soldiers - making them patient of suffer- ing - persevering and confident of success. Had it not been for this, we have no reason to believe that we should have gained our independence. Now shall their sons, well clothed and fed,
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and at their ease, lose what their fathers so hardly earned ? I hope not; but that the same divine hand that so abundantly cherished and sustained their fathers in attaining, will also qualify them to keep and improve the blessings of liberty they now enjoy ; and that another century from this, will find a peo- ple here improved in all knowledge, virtue and every moral prin- ciple, so that our independence will be preserved to the latest ages.
MUSIC, "Oft in the Stilly Night." Sung by the Choir.
2nd. The Memory of the patriotic Eighty-three of this Town, who signed a virtual declaration of Independence June 17, 1776.
[A copy of the document alluded to was read by Thomas Steele, Esq., one of the signers, now in his 86th, year, who gave a short account of every signer, where they lived, and where they died. No more than three of the eighty-three remained, namely, Thomas Steele, Esq., Capt. William Robbe and Benjamin Mitchel, all of them present.]
MUSIC, " Ode on Science." Sung by the Choir.
3d. The Clergy. May their united labors, as heretofore, prove a strong citadel of our free institutions and sacred rights.
Rev. WILLIAM RICHIE, rose and said,-
Mr. President. - It is probably expected that I, the eldest of the clerical sons of Peterborough, should respond to this compli- ment to the clergy. In the faithful discharge of the duties of their office, the clergy are necessarily important aids to civil gov- ernment. Whilst they advance the spiritual interests of men, and prepare them for a higher and more perfect state of being ; they make them better in all the relations, social and civil, they sustain on earth. Their ministrations strike at the root of those disor- ganizing principles and vices which endanger the rights, disturb the peace, destroy the liberty and happiness of society. The good done by many other classes of the community is palpable ; but frequently the happiest influences of our ministry can never be known until the secrets of all hearts are revealed. Then it will be seen, how often by the faithful ministrations of the clergy, slumbering conscience has been aroused, incipient crime checked, languishing virtue revived, and the intellectual and moral nature awakened into vigorous exercise, and man no longer permitted to live, a libel on his form and on his Maker.
In the eloquent and interesting Address of this morning, its au- thor, as by enchantment, caused our ancestors, in all their priva- tions and sufferings, excellencies and defects, to pass before us. The first and second clergymen of this town, we were told, and some of us recollect, were neither an honor to their profession nor a blessing to the community. Such examples are however rare ; and their successors still live and fully redeem this order of
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men from the reproach cast upon it by their predecessors in this place. Not only the faithful ministrations of the clergy, but their example, is well calculated to . guard our free institutions and sacred rights. We are sometimes indeed told the clergy have no concern with politics, and should never leave their pro- per sphere for one so uncongenial to their sacred office. Party politics, the arts of office-seekers, are sufficiently disgraceful not only to exclude the clergy, but all honest men from them. The man, however, who devotes himself to the ministry, does not by that act surrender his social and civil rights. He has, and should feel, all the interest in the political prosperity of his country, which every good man does; and having no selfish purpose to serve, no office to look for, one would suppose this, added to intellectual acquirements, would render his opinion at least as important and valuable as that of other members of the commu- nity. So long as the minister of religion discharges faithfully and independently his duty ; expresses fearlessly and courteously all his opinions, without a wish to dictate or control the opinions of others any farther than light and conviction should control them, his influence must be highly beneficial to the religious, social and civil institutions of his country.
I have no wish that former days should return, when respect was paid solely to the office, however unworthy the occupant. Intelligence and character in the clergy should alone command respect and confidence. The clergy have also manifested a deep interest in the cause of education ; and been efficient in elevating the common schools. This is the very corner-stone on which all our valuable free institutions rest. Valuable as are our High Schools and Academies, the Town Schools are the fountains from which knowledge flows to the people. An overwhelming ma- jority of the community and of the electors receive all their edu- cation at the town schools. No greater service can be done for the community, than to elevate the standard of education in the public schools. In this important work the clergy have taken an active and leading part. May every class of the community co-operate, until our common schools are what the wants of the community, demand ; affording to every portion of the republic the means of a good education. It is always pleasant to look back to the place where we first acquired a taste for learning. Indeed, every thing which reminds us of the place of our birth, and of those dear parents and friends, whose affection cared for us, when we could not care for ourselves, is deeply interesting. Yes, I have often hailed as a friend the dark Monadnoc, at a great distance, raising his head above the hills and looking far off on the land and on the sea ; and around its barren top have clustered the most delightful associations and reminiscences of by-
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gone days ; of parents and ancestors, whose remains now sleep on the side of yonder hill, on which they uniformly worshipped, and to which they early directed my feet.
I have already occupied more time than I intended. The rapid advancement of my native town in mechanic arts ; the in- crease of wealth, the improvement in public buildings and private dwellings has given a new aspect to this place. May the cause of education equally advance, giving a permanent glory to the pros- perity of a place we all delight to honor. I conclude with this sentiment : --
Intellectual and moral culture,-The only conservative principles of the republic, may they ever have an increasing interest in our hearts.
MUSIC, " Old Hundred." Sung by the Choir.
4th. Hon. Samuel Smith,-whose activity, energy, and enterprise, put the first wheels in motion, that have rolled this Village on to its present flourish- ing condition.
Doct. ALBERT SMITH, rose and said, -
It is with great reluctance and embarrassment that I feel my- self obliged to respond to the sentiment just read. I regret to consume any time, in which you might be entertained by others, who are now ready to speak. You have seen fit kindly to notice my father on this occasion - one of the greatest and most impor- tant in the history of our town. But the fast creeping infirmities of age have rendered him unable to express, in a manner agreea- ble to his feelings, the sincere gratification which this kind and flattering notice has given him. You will permit me to speak for him - who, you all know, has heretofore so well and ably spoken for himself.
What he has been and all that he has done, belongs to this town alone ; - here he was born and here he has always lived. The sentiment alludes to his efforts as the founder of this village. He did here only what he would have done elsewhere, with such energy of character - such ardor and enthusiasm in his pro- jects ; - for he had all the Morison failing of being a great pro- jector, and was withal somewhat visionary. Such men often do great good. It is well that, now and then, an individual can dis- regard all the minor considerations of prudence and economy and go on fearlessly in his course. Thus great plans are carried out, villages arise, business is increased, and what is ordinarily the work of years, is accomplished at once.
It was thus with my father. Almost any man, with his limited means when he came to this village, instead of building all kinds of Mills, Dams, Walls, Stores, Houses, &c., would, in Scripture language, have counted the cost; and then the progress of this
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Village would have been slow, and what was accomplished at one effort, would have been the work of years.
It is now forty-seven years since the first commenced in this part of the village. There was then but one house standing and one family only, near the spot where we are now assembled. All else was in the rude state of nature, untouched and unsubdued. From yonder hill, what a contrast would a view of this place now present ! Then all was dreary and desolate. A thick, tangled forest, abounding with lofty pines and hemlocks in all the grandeur of mature age, was flourishing, where now resound the efforts of active and constant industry. There was nothing in the prospect to give pleasure ; for should you look with atten- tion, a high and extensive sand bank, that had withstood the elements for ages, would meet your view ; then you would ob- serve abrupt hills, and the two rivers almost choked with the inroads of the forest. Only now and then might be seen a hu- man being along its narrow and crooked road. The outsettlers of the town could not use too opprobrious terms to express their dislike of the place. But now how changed! from the same spot there would meet your view, (or I am deceived,) one of the most beautiful villages of our country. You would see this beau- tiful river at your feet, winding its course through highly culti- vated fields - at a little distance the green, but, at this time, deeply variegated woods - then the hills, the grand hills, some of them rising abruptly, others in a gradual slope from its banks. When your eye rests on the village, you would see the happy homes of hundreds, and of all these, only two, (my parents) remain, who were here in the infancy of the place. Again you would see churches, houses, factories, stores, mechanic shops, and all the busy hum of men - the stir and bustle of business from morn to eve. You would see the evidence of enterprise on every hand, the well marked and not to be mistaken signs of a prosperous and flourishing community. Well might it excite astonishment, that one individual, alone and unaided, and with limited means, should have pitched upon this spot, as forbidding as it then was ; should have reared up such a building of Babel dimensions as justly to be considered the wonder of the day ; should have filled the same with all kinds of mills and machinery then in use and needed by the community, and persevere till he had made a vil- lage of his own. But the greater the difficulties, the more ardent and persevering was he in overcoming them. His life has been a lesson of perseverance, whatever other lesson it may have exhib- ited to mankind. The pecuniary embarrassments which he sus- tained for years would have prostrated almost any other mind ; but he preserved an equanimity through them, that few men pos- sess ; and nothing but the ruthless hand of age and infirmity
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could depress or break him down. I trust I shall be pardoned for speaking thus. No one now can feel any other than sentiments of respect towards him, unless it be of commiseration. For here is a noble mind in ruins. He has now passed the active scenes of life,he has long since ceased to be an object of jealousy or envy to any living being, and soon, in all human probability, must his earthly career be closed. What he has done in life, it is not for me to say. His labors are ended, and whether they be for weal or woe, those who come after him and us will judge.
I offer the following sentiment in behalf and at the request of my father :-
May the present enterprising spirit and increased prosperity of Peter- borough - which is so highly honorable and praiseworthy-ever continue.
MUSIC, " Who is this." Sung by the Choir.
5th. Gen. James Miller .- A brave man, never to be forgotten by his country, or native town.
Gen. MILLER, rose and said, ---
Mr. President and fellow citizens of my native town, - I return to you my sincere thanks for your flattering notice of me on this memorable occasion, an occasion which once more gives me the pleasure of meeting and taking by the hand so many of my old and valuable friends and acquaintances, and of again witnessing the marked improvements of my native place. That her march may still be onward in every useful improvement, is the sincere wish of my heart.
Mr. President, I offer as a sentiment-
May we encourage Literature, revere Religion, and, love one another.
MUSIC, " Gen. Miller's March." By the Band.
6th. First Light Infantry and Peterborough Guards,-A Citizen Sol- diery-the best in the World,
Capt. SAMUEL C. OLLIVER, rose and said,-
Mr. President, - My situation is such as to render it inconve- nient for me to come forward to speak. But after hearing the sentiment just offered I feel obliged to respond. Although an adopted son of Peterborough, I am proud on all occasions to ac- knowledge myself one of her sons - even one of her citizen soldiery. Yes, Light Infantry and Peterborough Guards, we have in the sentiment just read the honorable title of a citizen soldiery given us. We are so indeed - members of that institution which gained for us the blessings of liberty and freedom which we now enjoy, and descendants of [those noble patriots who won them - with whose praise we are all familiar. We cannot, - we will
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not, prove ourselves unworthy of the sires who, reared in those valleys, went forth at the first call of their country, met the British lion on the plains of Bennington and Saratoga, and bravely took him. History responds to their heroic deeds ; and the echoes of those hills answer nobly to the tune of Yankee Doo- dle, and fill the air with victory. We are all familiar too with the condition of the American people. Every child knows and adopts the popular sentiment, that ours is the happiest nation on the globe, - and is it not so? We are able to enjoy ourselves in- dependently of others. Although other nations nay trouble and even threaten us with destruction, yet we know the strong arm of the militia will defend our families and homes.
It is our own prerogative, and the distinction of the true Yan- kee, to be prepared to defend, but not to invade. Mark the im- provement. One hundred years ago, those limped waters that flow along our river witnessed in their course only the yell of the savage and the howl of wild beasts. Now a civilized and in- dustrious people rise up in clouds before them - a people, too, whose homes and firesides have become academies of useful learning. One hundred years ago, the inhabitants of this fertile soil knew nought but the enslaving maxims that enchain the mind. Now every man is a student. Then none sought to im- prove by the past, but were content with the pleasures of the moment ; - in a word, they were savages. Now all look forward to a nobler and higher state of improvement. Having been suffi- ciently educated to become instructors of themselves, they reach forward with slow but sure march to jewels that are laid up in store for them. Moreover, we here breathe the pure air of free- dom, where all are born equal ; where there are no kings, no princes, no nobility, no titles ; in a country that is destined to grow on ; to fill the Valley of the Mississippi-to spread itself along the Red River, the Arkansaw, the Missouri, climb the Rocky Mountains, descend upon the Columbia, and overspread the shores of the Pacific Ocean with a hundred millions of hu- man beings as free and independent as ourselves. We have something to do in this matter. Mr. President, upon us rests the responsibility for the safe keeping of those institutions and trans- mitting them untarnished to millions yet unborn.
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