USA > New Hampshire > Hillsborough County > Hillsborough > Annals of the town of Hillsborough, Hillsborough county, N.H. From its first settlement to the year 1841 > Part 4
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The Harmony Lodge, No. SS of free and accepted, was constitu- ted Sept. 17th 1821. by a grant from the Grand Lodge of New Hampshire, incorporated by the Legislature, June 22, 1827. 1 inal number of members, 14. Number admitted from 1831, to 1 78, making an aggregate of 92 individuals who have been admitted to this Lodge. The Lodge is located at the hall of Thomas Wil- son, Esq. It is not so flourishing as formerly.
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The Hillsborough Temperance society was formed July 5th, 1830, Dea. George Dascomb was chosen its first president. The society has had an annual increase since its formation. The whole number who have joined, is 408. Of this number, 25 have died, 9 males · and 16 females.
The first tavern kept in Hillsborough was opened in 1766, by Capt. Samuel Bradford, sen., on Bible liill. The first store was opened at the Bridge about the year 1785 by the late Lieut. William Tag- gart. The second was commenced by Enos Towne about 1790, between the Lower village and Bible Hill. Before this the inhabi- tants had obtained their mercantile supplies principally from Amlierst. The first saw and grist mill, was built by Capt. Samuel Bradford,sen. in 1766, a little above the Bridge, between the Lower village and Bible hill. This set of mills was swept away by a freshet in the spring of 1767, soon after they were put in operation. The second set of mills was built two or three years after by Archibald Taggart, at the Bridge. They stood on the site now occupied by the north . factory, and were a great accommodation not only to the early inhab- itants of Hillsborough, but to those of other towns in the vicinity who had previous to their erection, been obliged to go to New Bos- ton to get their grain ground. In 1S11 the first cotton factory was built. The frame was reared July 4th of that year. The first weav- " ing in it was done in 1828. The second factory was built by Mr. Joshua Marcy in 1828.
In the last war with Great Britain, a commendable spirit of patri- otism was evinced by the citizens of Hillsborough. Several persons (nearly twenty it is believed) from the town enlisted in the regular army. Two natives of the town, Gen. John McNeil and Col. Ben- jamin K. Pierce before mentioned, were distinguished officers of that war. Gen. John McNeil entered the service as Captain in the 11 th regiment of infantry to which he was appointed March 12thi, 1512, was promoted to the rank of Major, August 15th 1813, breveted a Lieut. Colonel July 5th, 1814, " for his intrepid behavior on the 5th day of July in the battle of Chippewa," received a second brevet that of Colonel, July 25th 1813, " for his distinguished valor as
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commander of the 11th regiment of infantry on the 25th day of July in the battle of Niagara," was retained in the Peace establishment as Major of the 5th infantry to rank 15th of August 1813, promoted to the rank of Lieut. Colonel, 1st regiment of infantry Feb. 24, 1818, , promoted to the rank of Colonel April 28th 1826, breveted Brig. General July 25th 1824, for ten years faithful service in the grade of brevet Colonel, resigned and retired from the service in April 1830, on being appointed surveyor for the port of Boston.
General McNeil's distinguished military services commencing be- fore actual declaration of war by Congress and continuing through a period of eighteen years, present a bright page in the history of that contest, and have won for him a name that will be remembered along with the Sullivans Starks and Cilleys of the granite state. It is a fact worthy of notice that the gallant 11th regiment in the battles of Chippewa and Niagara or Lunday's lane should have been comman- ded by a young Major, and that he in the brief space of twenty days, should have received two brevets, for his distinguished, and gallant conduct upon the field of battle. In the dusk of the evening, dur- ing the last named engagement, while at the head
cheering them on to the conflict, he was wounde shot, which passed through the right knee. From the size of the ball, the limb was dreadfully shattered and nearly carried away. Still he remained long upon the ground and did not leave it until fainting with the loss of blood, his situation was observed by soldiers near him, through whose aid he was sustained in his saddle and tak- en from the field.
In 1814, when large detachments of the New-Hampshire militia, were summoned to defend Portsmouth, which was then menaced with an attack, Hillsborough furnished a considerable number of men. One native of the town has been slain in the late Florida war. Licut. John W. S. McNeil, eldest son of Gen. John McNeil was mortally wounded, while leading an attack upon an Indian camp in ™" ·
on the morning of the 10th of September 1937, and linger the next night, when he expired at the age of twenty years, and six months. Lieut. McNeil was a young officer of rich promise, pos-
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sessed a heart susceptible of every noble and generous impression, high-minded, brave and honorable.
There has been fourteen instances of death by accident, viz. Two were killed by falling trees, eight were drowned, two were burned to death, one by a fall in a mill, and one by a fall from a horse. Eleven dwellings have been destroyed by fire. In that of Mr. Samuel Lacy burnt about the year 1822, the corpse of his motli- er was shockingly disfigured by the fire .Several barns and school- houses, also a considerable number of blacksmith's shops have been burned. In July 1831, a barn of much value belonging to Mr. James Jones was struck by lightning and consumed, the uncommonly large and valuable blacksmith shop and axe manufactory, at the Bridge village, belonging to Messrs. Peaslce and Wbittemore was burned in October 1836. There is one accident in the history of the town which stands out with peculiar prominence. About 12 o'clock, -on the night of October 27th 1838, the large well furnished house of Mr. George Nelson was discovered to be on fire, and so rapid was the progress of the devouring element, that his family consisting of five adults, barely escaped with their lives. Mrs. Nelson first dis- covered the fire and alarmed her husband. He immediately arose and called his son who slept in the chamber, then passing through the kitchen opened a door leading to the back kitchen where a cur- rent of hot air and smoke prostrated him to the floor. He attempt- ed to find his way to the entry door, but being bewildered, went into the parlor, and threw himself from a window into the front yard. He there ascertained that his daughter was safe, and that his son was dragging an old lady (then in the family) down stairs. The chil- dren inquired " where is mother ?" Mr. Nelson, till then supposing she was securely out, endeavored to go through the kitchen to the bed room where he had left her ; but in the midst of the darkness, smoke and heat missed his way, and proceeded to the back kitchen door. and there found his wife, lying upon the floor in a state of in- sensibility in the current of hot air, from which he had but just es- caped. He bore her across the street to the nearest neighbors. While on the way she revived, but was so scalded both internally,
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and externally, by the hot air that neither medical skill, nor the kind care and anxious solicitude of neighbors and friends could save her life. She lingered in great distress until the morning of November Ist, when she was released from her sufferings at the age of fifty- , eight years. Mrs. Nelson* was an amiable and pious woman, and the consolations of the religion which she professed, supported her in the hour of death. She expressed her resignation to the divine will, uttering with her expiring breath, " Thy will be done," and the last words she was heard to articulate, were " Peace be still."
The author has no data in his possession which will enable him to exhibit the rates of mortality at different periods in the history of the town. The spotted fever prevailed to a considerable extent, in the winter of 1811-1812. In 1826, the dysentary raged with great violence, creating an unusual degree of mortality in the town. In December 1832, the small-pox appeared in the family of Dr. Reuben Hatch, but a house remote from others, being provided for the reception of the infected, and other precautions being taken its extent was limited and was fatal in only one instance. It again vis- ited the town in the winter of 1837-38. It prevai
family of Mr. Hammond Preston, one of whose chuuren died of it. The most remarkable instance of longevity in Hillsborough, was Gridley Jackson, a soldier of the revolution who died October 10th, 1829, at the age of 101 years 9 months and 5 days, several other persons have died in the town, when nearly one hundred years old. The population of the town in 1790 was 798, in 1800, 1311, in 1810, 1592, in 1820, 1982, in 1830, 1792, in 1840, 180S. The reader will perceive by the foregoing account, that the town contains
* Mrs. Nelson was born in Kittery, Maine, in 1780. Her maiden name was Nancy To- bey. She was married at Boston. in 1900, to Silas Dutton, Esq. of Hillsborough, who died Jan. 20th, 1813; aged 33 years. She was again married Dec. 23J. 1813, to Mr. George Nelson. Her children by Mr. Dutton were, Samuel Chamberlain Dut:on. born Sept. 27th 1301; now a merchant in Brattleborongh. Vt., Adeline C. born Feb. 15th, 1603, who was married Nov. 3d. 1823, to Enoch Train, Esq. of Boston, and died in 1831. S January 15th, 1005, and was married May Eith, IST, to Thomas H. Leveret
Keene, and died August 13, 1832. Caroline N. born Feb. 15th 1310 and v
April 1830, to the Rev. Mr. Ira Mason Mead, now of Ypsilanti Michigan. By Mr. Nelson, Harriet B. Nelson who was married April 7th 1834, to Thomas H. Leverett, l'isq. of Keene, and died in July 1340, a son and a daughter who died in infancy. Mary Ann still unmar- ried, and now resident in Ypsilanti Michigan. George R. who died May 31st, 1959, aged 19 years.
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a less number of inhabitants than in 1820. Within the last forty years the town has given much more than it has received by emigration. Many of the emigrants are among the enterprising and useful citizens of our larger towns and cities. Among the natives of the town, where activity, enterprise and perseverance in the pursuits of com- merce has been crowned with signal success, are Samuel Train, Esq. of Medford, Mass., and Ebenezer Parker, and Enoch Train Esquires of Boston, ornaments to the mercantile community, and the surveyors * of the ports of Boston and New-York.
Within the last fifteen years, this town has contributed largely to the tide of emigration which is peopling the valley of the Mississippi. Deer, Moose, Bears, and wolves were common in the earlier stages of the settlement. A moose was killed in Antrim, just beyond the limits of the town in 1790. A deer was killed on Hedgehog lill in the north west part of Deering within twenty years. The last wolf killed in town was shot by Maj. Isaac Andrews about the year 1790. Wolves tracks were discovered in his sheep fold. He baited a fox trap and set it in a convenient place, and the third morning after, saw that a wolf, one of three that had visited his premises the preceeding night, had been caught and had escaped with the trap. Putting on his snow-shoes and taking his gun he proceeded in quest of it. After tracking it for a considerable distance he discovered it on the low ground south of Mr. Isaac Baldwin's, and at the second fire killed it. This wolf in company with two others had crossed his track several times while he was in pursuit. The other wolves had deserted their wounded companion after having accompanied him for some time, but were supposed to be near by when Maj. Andrews fired. A wolf was started from his lair somewhat later than this in the north part of the town and after being hunted several days was killed in Goshen. Bears were frequently seen in town long after the wolves had been ex - terminated. Mr. James Carr residing in the north part of the town was a bear trapper. On going to his trap one morning he found it gone. He armed himself with his rifle and after following the track
* General John McNeil and William Taggart, Esq. are both natives of Hillsborough.
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about a mile he espied a bear. He laid aside his gun and com- menced an attack with a club. The moment he struck at the bear, it grappled liim with its paw and seized his left arm in its jaws. Cair disliking so close an embrace, with considerable effort drew from his pocket a knife and compelled Bruin to relinquish his hold. The bear having in the struggle freed himself from the trap, retreated to a ledge of rocks near by. Thither Carr pursued him, though somewhat hurt by the encounter and discharged his rifle at him several times before he killed him. Wild turkies were shot in town as late as 1803, the beaver and the otter were frequent. The meadow, south of Loon Pond, is said to have been flowed by beaver dams. Their remains were visible thirty years since. Forty years ago salmon were abun- dant in the Contoocook river. They went up the small streams and brooks at some seasons of the year. The multiplication of dams lias interposed a barrier to their ascent from the Merrimack.
At the annual town meeting in March 1831, a committee was cho- sen by the town to purchase a town farm for the support of its pau- pers. Accordingly the committee the same year bought a farm in the north part of the town for $2510,33. The paupers for several years past, has been about ter
ported at the expense of $200, per annum, exclusive of the farm.
Seven individuals have been established here in the practice of Law, namely, David Starret, Jolin Burnam, David Steele, John Mc- Farland, Timothy Darling, Franklin Pierce, and Albert Baker.
David Starret was born at Francestown, N. H., April 21st, 1774, graduated at Dartmouth college in 1793, studied his profession with the Hon. Samuel Bell, then at Francestown, was admitted to the Hillsboroughi county bar at Hopkinton in September 1802, and com- menced practice here in the same year, and continued to reside here until March 1812. One morning in that month he left home for the ostensible purpose of visiting Boston on a journey of business, taking his usual affectionate leave of his family, who expected his
in a few days. He proceeded directly to Charlestown, Ma took lodgings at Gordon's Inn,remained there several days, frequent- ly walking into Boston for the transaction of business. One evening
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ut nightfall he remarked to his landlord that he should go over to Bos- ton to attend to some business and return to Charlestown the same night, and immediately went out taking a small trunk in his hand. He did not return, his friends became alarmed, inquiry was made and it was ascertained that his trunk had been found the next morn- ing after his disappearance on the bridge,leading from Charlestown to Boston empty, and with marks of having been forced open with the ferrule of a cane. Starret had left his horse and carriage at Gor- don's and was supposed to have a large sum of money in liis posses- sion. Suspicions were awakened that he had been robbed and mur- dered by the innkeeper and the affair created intense excitement in the public mind. Two or three years elapsed before any intelligence was obtained from Starret. When the first information was received of him, he held the rank of Major in the republican army of Mexi- co. In a letter to his brother he stated that he left Hillsborough with a fixed determination to abandon forever liis home and country, that he had himself left the trunk in the position in which it was found, with the design of misleading the public, and that he had walked to Providence, R. I., the same night that he left Gordon's tavern. He subsequently left the Mexican army went to Arkansas and there en- gaged in trade under the assumed name of William Fisher, sustain- ed a respectable character and acquired a small property there, and in June 1819, terminated his own existence, by blowing out his brains with a pistol at the house of Stephen R. Wilson on the Saline Bayou, about six miles from Red river and from the borders of Texas. Mr. Starret while in the practice of law, was more distinguished for scru- pulous integrity, than brilliancy of talent ; a better counsellor, than an advocate. He enjoyed the respect of his townsmen and the conf :- dence of his clients. What could have induced this unfortunate man possessing the high esteem of liis townsmen, in the successful practice of an honorable and lucrative profession, surrounded by friends and living in the bosom of an amiable and affectionate family, to forsake all in the height of manhood, to lead a hapless life and die an untime- ly death in a strange land is a profound mystery, reserved to be devel- oped only in the light of eternity. Mr. Starret married Abigail El-
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lery Appleton, daughter of Rev. Joseph Appleton of North Brook- field, Mass., by whom lie had three children, namely, Dea. Josepli A. Starret of Mont Vernon in this state, born August 31st, 1804. Emily Caroline who married the Rev. David Stowell of Townsend, Mass., born January 20th, 1807, and Alfred Gardiner of Mont Ver- · non, born October 21st, 1810.
John Burnam, Esq. was a native of Dunbarton, N. H. prepared for college with Rev. Dr. Harris of Dunbarton, graduated at Dart- mouth college in 1807, commenced the study of law with the Hon. Samuel Bell of Francestown and completed his preliminary course with David Starret, Esq. at Hillsborough, was admitted to the bar at Amherst in Feb. 1811, came to Hillsborough and succeeded to the professional business of D. Starret, Esq. in April 1812, and con- tinued to reside here, until his death, April Sth, 1826, at the age of forty six years. Mr. Burnam possessed a strong and discriminating mind, expanded and refined by the treasures of ancient and modern literature. He married Sarah W. daughter of the Rev. Joseph Ap- pleton of North Brookfield, Mass., by whom he had five children ; four of whom are yet living. David Steele, Esq. son of the late Dea. David Steele of Peterborough was born at Pe
30th, 1787, graduated at Williams College, 1810, commenced liis legal studies in the office of James Walker, Esq., then at Frances- town and finished them under the direction of the Hon. Charles H. Atherton, at Amherst, was licensed to practice law at Amherst in September, 1813, and opened an office in Hillsborough, in October of the same year, where he now resides.
John McFarland was a native of the adjoining town of Antrim, studied first with David Starret Esq., and afterwards with John Bur- nam, Esq., was admitted to the bar at Amherst, in February 1815, commenced practice at the Upper village in this town the same year, and resided here until his death. He died of consumption in July 1819, aged 31 years. Timothy Darling the eldest son of the Hon. Joshua Darling of Hemiker, prepared for college at Pink ton Academy, Derry, graduated at Harvard College in 1822, studi- ed law with Artemas Rogers, Esq., then at Henniker, commenced
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the practice of law in Hillsborough in 1826, as successor to John Burnam, Esq., and removed from this town in 1827. He has since pursued a course of Theological study and is now settled as pastor of a Presbyterian church in the western part of New-York. Hon. Franklin Pierce has been noticed in a former part of these annals. Albert Baker, Esq., was born at Bow in this state, Feb. 10, 1810, prepared for college at Pembroke Academy, under the direction of "the late Hon. John Vose, graduated at Dartmouth College in 1834, and the same year commenced reading law in the office of the Hon. Franklin Pierce at Hillsboroughi, and completed his preparatory studies with the Hon. Richard Fletcher at Boston, was admitted to the practice of law at the Suffolk bar, Boston in April 1837, and in August of the same year, opened an office in Hillsborough, as suc- cessor to the Hon. Franklin Pierce.
Of the above mentioned lawyers, four have practised their pro- fession at the Lower village, one at the Upper village and one at tlie Bridge village. Two of the number only, Messrs. Steele and Ba- ker, now reside in the town. The number of Physicians who have been settled in the practice of medicine at Hillsborough, is thirteen, viz : William Little, Joseph Munroe, Benjamin Stearns, Joshua Crain, Luther Smith, Reuben Hatch, Mason Hatch, Thomas Pres- ton, Simeon Ingersoll Bard, Nahum Parker Foster, Elisha Hatch, Abraham Hazen Robinson, and Abel Conant Burnam. Dr. Wil- liam Little was a native of Shirley, Mass., removed to Peterboroughi, N. H., in childhood with his parents, studied medicine with Dr. Young of Peterborough, practiced a short time in Washington, N. H., and in Dracut, Mass., established himself in Hillsboroughi, in 1782, where he resided until his death. He was accidentally drown- ed, Nov. 7th, 1807, aged 55 years. Dr. Little was twice married. His first wife was a Miss Fletcher from Westford, Mass., to whom he was united while resident in Dracut, she died before he removed to Hillsborough, leaving him two children. He was again married in May, 1756, to Ruth, daughter of Dea. Joseph Symonds of ITis- borough, who survived him, with a number of children. Dr. Josepli Munroe was a native of Carlisle, Mass., acquired his professional
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education with Dr. Francis Kittredge, of Tewksbury, Mass., com- menced the practice of physic, in Hillsborough, about the year 1784. He died Feb., 24th 1798, in the 41st year of his age. Dr. M. was a good physician, of social disposition, and an amiable, and upright citizen. He married Azubah Henry, of Carlisle, who is yet · living. By her, he had eight children, five of whom survived him. Dr. Benjamin Stearns was a native of Walpole in this state, where he was born about the year 1770, received his medical educatio under the direction of Dr. Johnson of Walpole, located himself Hillsborough, in the fall of 1797, left this town about the year 1' and went to reside at Truro in Nova Scotia. He yet resides i province if living. Dr. Stearns was married in 1801, to Me' youngest daughter of Dea. Joseph Symonds. Dr. Joshu was born at Alstead in this state, May 16th, 1776, studied with Dr. Jessaniah Kittredge of Walpole, commenced Hillsborough, in 1802. Died February 1st 1811, aged 34 y - Dr. C. enjoyed the reputation of an able practitioner in his profes- sion, and a useful and worthy citizen. He married Sarah Giddings of Walpole. She survived him with three childr --
Smith, son of James Smith, was born at Mont Ve cembo: 27th 1786, studied medicine with his eldest brother, Dr. Rogers Smith, then in the practice of medicine at Mont Vernon, settled as a physician at the Bridge village in Hillsborough, in Nov- ember 1809, where he continued to reside until his lamented death, August 5th 1S24, at the age of 37 years, 7 months and nine days. Dr. S. was married July 22d 1817, to Miss Mary Carlton, daughter of the late John Carlton, Esq. of Mont Vernon, who yet survives him, with two children. His widow has resided at Mont Vernon, since 1837.
The subjoined sketch of the professional and private character of Dr. Smith, has been communicated to the author, by one who knew him intimately. " Dr. Smith, was a man of superior mental endow ·ments. Though he did not enjoy the advantages of a colle education ; yet his literary attainments were very considerable. He devoted much of his time to reading, and in the selection, and ap-
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preciation of authors, displayed a highly cultivated and correct taste. His memory was uncommonly retentive, his penetration lively, and acute, of solid understanding, and inflexible integrity. In his Judg- ment of character ; he was especially keen, and discriminating and in his principles firm, manly and independent. As a medical prac- titioner, he had acquired in a good degree, the confidence of the community in his skill and judgment ; and was justly reputed an excellent physician. He was fair honorable and liberal, in his prac- tice, entirely free from all affectation, and pretention, disdaining all that parade and artifice under which, the impostors of the profess- ion, endeavor to conceal their ignorance, and mislead the people, and to which, physicians of otherwise fair reputations, are sometimes in their desire to gain practice and popularity, too ready to yield. Applying his strong mind, aided by reading, and observation to thic / investigation of disease, he was seldom mistaken in his decisions. In short, he was a kind, and affectionate husband, and father, an able physician, an obliging neighbor, a public spirited citizen, an enlight- ened patriot and a friend of mankind."
-De. Reuben Hatch, son of Reuben Hatch, was born at AY tead, about the year 1785. His medical instructers were Doctors ma Crain of this town, and Elder Carpenter of Alstead, commenced the practice of medicine at Newport, removed to Hillsborough in 1811, and practiced here until 1835, when he removed to Griggsville Illi- nois, where he now resides. Dr. H. was first married, to Lucy, " daughter of Maj. Isaac Andrews, a truly estimable lady, who died Jan. 28, 1833, aged 46, leaving him nine children. He was again married, in September, 1833, to Miss Anna Shatton of Charlestown, Mass., Dr. Mason Hatch, son of Mason Hatch of Alstead, was born in that town, March 3d, 1792, studied his profession, with Dr. Thomas D. Brooks of Alstead, and with his kinsman, Doct. Reuben Hatch, commenced practice in Hillsborough, in January 1817. He continued to reside here until May 1937, when he removed to Bind- ford and thence to Newport in October 1838, where he now resides. Dr. Hatch was married in March 1818, to Miss Apphia, daughter of Maj. Isaac Andrews.
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