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 5
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ANNALS OF THE TOWN
Dr. Thomas Preston, son of Jededialı Preston was born in Hills- borough, June 23d, 1781, studied with Dr. Luther Smith, commien- ced practice in Deering, removed to Hillsborough in August 1824, soon after the decease of Dr. Smith, and yet pursues his profession, in this town. Dr. P. was married in April 1827, to Mrs. Mary Hosley, who died August 20th, 1831, having borne him two children one of whom yet survives hier. Dr. Simeon I. Bard, was born at Nelson, N. H., June 2d, 1797, fitted for college with the Rev. Tru- man Baldwin of Charlotte Vermont, entered Middlebury college in 1812, and continued a member of that institution until 1815, was employed for several years as an instructer, studied the medical pro- fession with Dr. Aaron Bard of Fitchburg, Mass. and with Dr. Pc- ter Tuttle of Hancock, N. H., attended lectures at Hanover, com- menced practice at Weare, N. H. in 1824, removed to this town the same year. In 1829 he left here and established himself in Fran- cestown. Dr. Nahum P .. Foster, a native of Westmoreland, N. H., studied medicine with Dr. George F. Dunbar of that . - at the medical institution at Hanover, where he ri
18 commenced practice in Hillsborough in th
and removed from town in April 1836. He now
N. H. Doct. Elisha Hatch, son of Azel Hatch, Esq. of Alstead, was born in Alstead, July 17th 1796, studied medicine with Doc- tors Twitchell and Adams at Keene, and attended medical lectures at Hanover, where he graduated in 1824, practiced his profession in his native town from 1824, to 1835, when he removed to Hillsborough and succeeded his uncle Dr. R. Hatch. Dr. A. H. Robinson from Concord resided here from Nov. 1839 to March 1840, when he re- moved to Salisbury. Dr. Abel C. Burnam, son of Thomas Burnam was born at Milford, N. H. MTy:2d, 1812, pursued his medical stud- ies with Doctors Elisha Hatch of Hillsborough and Amos Twitchell, of Keene, attended lectures at the medical institutions at Woodstock, Vt. and Hanover, N. H., at the latter of which he graduated it
1939. In 1840, he began to practice medicine in this town. Ul the above list of Physicians one has resided on Bible hill, four have been located at the centre of the town, five at the Bridge village, and
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four of them at or near the Turnpike. Three ont. Dooters E. HI, Preston, and Burnam, now practice he.
Twenty one individuals. have held the comp som of Justice of em Peace in Hillsborough, namely, Isaac Am lows. John Dutton. To gijamin Pierce, Calvin Stevens, David Stress. Natimiel John- son, Elijah Beard, James Wilson, John Barab :. Timothy Wyman, David Steele, Andrew Sargent, Solomon MeN.il. Jolm Grimes, Thomas Wilson, Franklin Pierce, Hiram Monroe, Albert Baker. Amos Flint, Levi Goodale, Henry D. Pierce, Elijah Monroe. Nine f these civil mnogifrites have deceased, of whom are presented ile ichowing particulars. Isaac Andrews was born at Ipswich. Miss. opoved to Concord, Mass., and thence to Hillsborough 1. 1767. He died Dec. 80th, 1706, aged 63. He was one of the fathers of the town, a man of strong sense, an upright and useful citizen. H. was one of the founders of the first church in this town in which he held the cinco { dencon until the infirmities of declining life com- pelled him US Tv'sJ. Esq. A. married Lucy Perkins of Ipswich by whom he had 11 children, S of whom survived him. John' Dutton Esq. was boru at Chelmsford, Mass. January 29th, 1750, moved here abon. the year 1777, was appointed a Justice of the Police in 1791, died Sept. 17, 1813, in the 64th year of his oze. He was highly esteemed by his townsmen for his integrity and sound juder- ment. He married Elizabeth Spaulding,of Chelmsford who survived him and di. d Feb. 22, 1835, aged $4. He also left several daugh- ters. . "The late Gov. Benjamin Piercewas born at Chelmsford, Mass., December 25th, 1757. His father Benjamin Pierce, died when he was but six years of age, leaving a family of ten children of whom he was the seventh. After his father's death he was placed under the care of an uncle Robert Pierce a yeoman of the same town, and continued with him, engaged in agricultural pursuits for more than ten years. He was ploughing in the field on the 19th of April 1775, when news arrived that Americans had been shot down by the British at Lexington. Leaving the field immediately .he took his uncle's gun and equipments and proceeded to Lexington.» The British troops
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ANNALS OF THE TOWN
having retreated to the city, he pursued his March towards Boston that night, and the next morning enlisted in Capt. John Ford's com- pany and was stationed for the time, at Cambridge with this company and was in the battle of Bunker hill. He was one of the few who having entered at the commencement, continued in the service to the close of the Revolutionary war, and participated in many of its hard fought actions. His regiment was that of the late Col. John Brooks of Medford, afterwards Governor of Massachusetts, whose personal friendship he long enjoyed. After the peace he was retained in the regiment which went with Gen. Washington to take possession of this city of New York, and continued under arms until the last troops were disbanded at West Point in 1754, having gone through the ser- eral grades of common soldier, corporal, sergeant, ensign and leav- ing the army in command of a company, with the reputation of a brave and meritorious officer. He returned to Chelmsford at the termination of the war, but in consequence of the depreciation of continental paper money, in which he had received pay for about nine years service in the revolution he soon found hims
of funds. In 1785 he was employed as an agent
of latin New Hampshire, owned by Col. Stodda
the town of Stoddard in Cheshire county. Having accomplished that business, as Le was passing homeward on horseback, down the north- westerly stem of the Contoocook river called the "Branch, " he stop- ped at a log hut in the woods. Here he purchased a tract of land* of about fifty acres of the owner and returned to Chehnsferd, where he passed the winter. In the spring of 1786 he returned to the ground he had lately purchased and there in his hut "solitary and alone" commenced the clearing of his farm. Here he cooked for liimself, slept upon a blanket and lived as best he might, until his marriage to his first wife which took place in 1787. In the autumn of 1786, upon the recommendation of Gen. Sullivan who had sought out the soldier in the woods he was appointed Brigadier Major of the fi
*This tract of land is now the farm of Mr. David Smith in the southwest part of the town. The hut he built in 1786 stood in the rear of Mr. Smith's dwelling house near an elm tree which was then a slender sapling. Gov. P. located himself on the Turnpike about the year 1802.
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- brigade of militia organized in the county of Hillsborough. For many years he commanded the 26th: Regiment which has furnished a Mil- ler, Mc Neil, and several other highly valued officers and soldiers, who have distinguished themselves in the public service. In 1807, after twenty one year's service he retired from active duty in the mi- "Titia In the Capacity of General of the brigade which composed all the regiments, of Hillsborough county. Every one who ever saw Gen.
.. Pierce upon parade, readily gave him the 'credit of being behind no "man in those graces that become a military officer .. He was the beau "ideal of an dincer of the revolution, with the perfect manners of the gentleman, and enough for true discipline of that pride which distin- : 'gutsites the superior from the subaltern., In 1789, he was first elect- . ed representative. to the General Court of New Hampshire, for the
- classed towns of Hillsborough and Henniker, and continued to repre- sent either these towns classed, or Hillsborough singly for thirteen years in succession. "He was ever one of the most prominent and influential men in that body. In 1803 he succeeded the Hon. Rob- ,ert Wallace of Henniker, as councillor for Hillsborough county. His opponent was the late. Col. Robert Means, of Amherst. Gen. P. continued .in the council from 1803 to 1809, the five last yearwas the counsellor of Governor Langdon, by whom he was appointed Sher- fiff of Hillsborough county in 1809. In this office he remained until 1813, when on account of not aiding the newly organized Supreme Judicial Court, he was removed. The next year he was again return- ed to the council by the people of Hillsborough district, to which of- fice he was annually re-elected until 1818, when he was re-appointed sheriff of the county. From this office he was transferred in 1827, to that of Governor of this state, to which office he was again elect- ed in 1829. His last public office was elector of President in 1832. At his death he was Vice President of the Society of Cincinnati in Massachusetts. From 1775 to 1830, he was almost constantly in some public employment. A little more than two years prior to his decease he was stricken with partial paralysis upon his left side, and encountered intense suffering for a portion of the time until his death. His mental faculties remained in almost uninterrupted vigor, until the
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ANNALS OF THE TOWN
last three or four days of his mortal existence. He died April 1st, 1839, at the age of eighty one years and three months. Gov. Pierce was probably preceded by no man in the state of equally extensive personal popularity. He was a true patriot of the genuine revolution- ary stamp. An uncompromising champion of the rights of the peo- ple, ever faithful to their interests. He was a man of exemplary lib- . erality. There was no public charity in the town, or neighborhood in which he did not participate. A single instate of his noble generosity, when sheriff of the county, a poor man, a revolutionary soldier, had lain in gaol at Amherst confined for debt, unable to be ex- tricated by the law, because there was no one to pay the expenses of commitment, and the cost of his subsistence for some eight or tens years. Fruitless attempts were made to raise a few hundred dollars ?. by subscription, when Gen. P. first discharging the whole debt from his own pocket, went to the prison, turned the key and told the poor - debtor, ' Go breathe the free air.' Gov. Pa enjoyed a high reputa- tion for hospitality, his frank and courteous manners made his guests feel easy and at home because they knew and felt that they were wel- come." Honored be his memory. Gov. Pierce was n.
abeth, daughter of Isaac Andrews, Esq., May 24th, 1
Aug.(13, 1788, in the 21st year of her age, leaving one, daughter, Elizabeth A. who married Gen. John McNeil. In 1789 he was again married to Anna, daughter of the late Benjamin Kendrick, of Ainherst. She died in December 1838, aged 70, having borne him eight chil- dren, namely, Benjamin Kendrick, now a Colonel in the U. S. Army. Nancy M., who married Gen. Solomon McNeil, and died April 27, 1837, aged 44 years, and 5 months. John Sullivan, who died in Michigan in 1825. Harriet B., who married Hugh Jameson, Esq. and died Nov. 24th, 1837, aged 37. Charles Grandison, who died at Utica, N.Y. June 5th, 1828, aged 25. Franklin, now a Senator in Congress from this state. Charlotte, who died in infancy. Henry Dearborn, who resides in this town.
# Calvin Stevens, Esq. was a native of Rutland, Mass.,-but re- moved to Carlisle while in infancy where he was bred. He remov- ed to Hillsborough in 1776. He fought in the revolution, and was
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in the battle of Bunker hill. His mind was naturally inquisitive, abounded in anecdotes, and was much improved by reading. He was for many years a town officer and civil magistrate, and in these relations .was distinguished for his correctness and integrity. He was a kind_husband, a tender father, an humble, and consistent christian. He removed from Hillsborough to Mont Vernon, in April 1821, where he died of Apoplexy, February 9th 1834, aged 80. He married Esther Wilkins of Carlisle, Mass., by whom he had 13 children, 10 of whom survived him. David Starret, and John Burnam, have been already noticed, under another head. Elijah Beard, Esquire, was a native of Wilmington, Mass., settled here in 1785. For many years he served his townsmen, in the capacities of town clerk, selectman, and representative in the State Legisla- ture. He died Dec, 5th, 1814, aged 49 years. He married Miss Phebe Jones of Wilmington, who survives him with several children. Nathaniel Johnson, Esq., was a native of Andover, Mass. At an early age he was placed by his father Zebediah Johnson, under the care of a Mr. Buss, who kept a tavern in Milton, N. H., with whom he remained till he was fourteen years of age, when he came to Hillsborough ; his father having in the mean time removed here. Soon after, young Johnson enlisted in the army of the revolution for three years. After serving out his term in the war, he resided at Andover, Mass., and at Boston with Hon. William Phillips some years, who aided him in establishing himself in mercantile business . Having amassed considerable property he purchased a farm in this town, on which he erected a splendid mansion, the most expensive dwelling ever built - in the town and located here in 1803. He resided in Hillsborough until 1826, when he removed to Northwood, where he died at the residence of his son-in-law, J. Clarke, Esq. Jan. 19th, 1828, at the age of 61 years. Esq. Johnson married Catharine Clarke of Milton, Mass., who died at Hillsborough July 11th, 1827, aged 61. Their children were Maria, who married Rev. Otis Rockwood, now of Woodstock, Conn. Charlotte, who married Jonathan Clarke, Esq. of Northwood, N. H. Nathaniel, who died at the city of Washington, in March, 1818, aged about 21.
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ANNALS OF THE TOWN
George Clarke, who died at Exeter, May 22, 1816, aged 15, while a member of Phillips Academy in that place. He was an uncom- monly amiable, interesting and promising youth. Catharine C. who married - Phillips of Lynn, Mass. Sarah M., who married Hon. Edward Kent, of Bangor, the present Governor of Maine. Lydia Elizabeth Parker, who married Samuel Thatcher, Esq. of Bangor, Me. Edward R. of Hartford, Conn. James Wilson, Esq., a native of New Boston, removed here in 1795, possessed the confidence of his townsmen in an eminent degrec. For many years he filled the office of first selectman and town clerk, and represented the town in the state Legislature ten years in succession, from 1812 to 1822. His death occurred Feb. 20, 1836, at the age of 66. He married Margaret McClure of Deering in Dec. 1793, who died Feb. 14, 1832, aged 60, having borne him seven children, three only of whom survived him ..
Ecclesiastical History.
The early inhabitants of this town, brought with them that rever- ence for God and religious institutions which so -- .. guished the pilgrim fathers of New England. Beir grants from the counties of Essex and Middlesex in Massachusetts, they were educated in the faith of the Puritans, and preferred the ancient Congregational mode of church government and discipline. The public worship of God, was early established in this infant colo- ny. From the beginning of the settlement, the people were in the habit of assembling for religious purposes long before they were supplied with regular preaching. The Rev. Messrs. William Hous- ton of Bedford, and Samuel Cotton of Litchfield, visited them oc- casionally and administered the sacrament. They assisted in the or- ganization of the first church which was gathered Oct. 12th 1769, being the 10th church formed within the present limits of Hillsbo- rough county. John Mead, and Tristram Cheney, were elected deacons the same day. In the autumn of 1772, about ten years after the second settlement of the town was commenced, the church and town united in extending a call to the Rev. Jonathan Barnes to become their pastor, which invitation was accepted and he was in-
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ducted into the sacerdotal office, and invested with the pastoral charge of the church and congregation in Hillsborough, Nov. 25th, 1772. Rev. Josiah Bridge of East Sudbury, now called Mayland, Mass., preached his ordination sermon. At a town meeting held the day previous to his ordination, the following provision was made for his support : " Voted unanimously to fix the Rev. Mr. Barnes's salary, that we will give him 30 pounds by way of settlement, 35 pounds a year for the first four years, then 40 pounds a year, until there shall be seventy families in town, and when there shall be seventy families, he is to be entitled to 50 pounds, whether sooner or later until there be 90 families. When there is 90 families, he shall receive 60 pounds, until there is 110 families, when 110 families, he shall re- ceive 66 pounds, 8 shillings and 4 pence a year, which last sum, he shall continue to receive so long as he remain our minister." Until 1779, public worship was usually held in a private house, especial- ly in the winter, and frequently in a barn during the warm season. The Rev. Mr. Barnes, was ordained in a barn. The first Meeting- house was completed in 1779, and the second in 1792.
In 1803, Mr. Barnes having become incapaciated for the regular performance of parochial duties, resigned his office and was dismiss- ed Oct. 19th of that year, having sustained the pastoral relation near- ly thirty one years. The Rev. Mr. Barnes was from Marlborough in Massachusetts, where he was born Dec. 26th, 1749. He receiv- ed his education at Harvard college, where he was graduated in 1770. In the summer of 1803, while riding on horseback a stroke of lightning prostrated him to the ground, stunned him for the time, and so paralyzed his energies, as utterly to disqualify him for the discharge of his pastoral duties. He accordingly relinquished them, and sought in retirement that ease and tranquility, which his en- feebled health required. He survived but two years, and died Au- gust 3d, 1805 in the fifty sixth year of his age. He was a man of very respectable talents, possessed a vigorous and discriminating mind, and a lively and well cultivated imagination. He had a strong sonorous voice, and an emphatic delivery. His manners were emi- nently dignified, polished and agreeable, a model of clerical urbanity.
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He was a charitable man with the sons and daughters of need, he was familiarly acquainted, making it an object to seek out the chil- „dren of sorrow, and administer to their necessities, and by such he was regarded with the warmest affection. As a citizen, he exerted · a commanding influence, in maintaining social order, preserving una- nimity of feeling, and otherwise advancing the prosperity of the town. In his religious belief he is supposed to have been, what was at that time styled an Arminian. He was not a rigid sectarian, but cherished a truly catholic and liberal spirit towards those who dif- fered from him in sentiment. Mr. Barnes was an active and labori- ous man. For many years after his settlement, his salary was inade- quate to the support of his household, and he cheerfully assisted in subduing the wilderness besides administering to the spiritual wants of his charge. He became possessed of the land allotted by Col. Hill, to the first settled minister of the town containing between three and four hundred acres. He toiled assiduously in clearing and pre- paring for cultivation, these and other lands, which he acquired by purchase, besides laboring much in the newly settled tourne in the vicinity which were destitute of a minister. Mr. ]
ed in 1774, to Miss Abigail Curtis of East Sudbury, Mass, who survived him, and died Dec. 8th, 1838, at the age of 83 years. She was a woman of great excellence of character, and was universally beloved and esteemed.
Their children were, William, born Dec. 25th, 1775, now supposed to reside in Lower Canada. Jonathan, born March 25th, 1778. Joseph Curtis born April 24th, 1780, married and settled here in mercantile business, and died March 13th, 1817. Capt. Samuel, born June 9th, 1782, also a merchant in this town, and died Oct. 21, 1822, leaving a wife and six children. Capt. Barnes was a worthy, industrious and enterprising citizen. Luther born Aug. 1st, 1784. John born Dec. 30th, 1786, died at sea August 21st, 1811. Cyrus born Jan. 14th, 1750, and died at Porto Rico August 9, 1819. Abigail, who married Rev. John Lawton, born May 1st 1791. A daughter, who died in infancy, born Jan. 9, 1793. Hen- ry born June 28th 1794, died May 1st, 1795. Henry, now living in
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this town born June 19th, 1796. During Mr. Barnes's ministry the plan of the " half way covenant," was practiced by which, the chil- dren of persons not members of the church, were admitted to the rite of baptism." The practice of admitting persons to the church with no particular confession of faith, was also adopted. In this way the discipline of the church was relaxed and at one period, it was on the verge of Unitarianism. But through the strenuous and perse- vering exertions of some of its influential members who were tena- cious Calvinists and the firm and decided orthodox ground, maintain- ed by its second pastor it was in the course of a few years reclaimed to trinitarian congreationalism. In the two years subsequent to the Rev. Mr. Barnes's dismission, several different clergymen preached here as a stated supply. The Rev. Josiah Moulton preached here a few months in 1S04, and an effort was made by the church to set- tle him which failed through the opposition of a large minority in the town, the vote standing 57 in favor and 54 against his settlement. In June 1805, the town concurred with the church in extending an in- vitation to Mr. Stephen Chapin, to settle over them in the gospel ministry. Mr. Chapin complied with their invitation, and was ordain- ed June 18th, 1805, with a stipulated salary of $400,00, per. an- num, with four sabbaths to himself each year. On this occasion the exercises were as follows. Introductory prayer by Rev. Ethan Smith of Hopkinton ; sermon by Rev. Nathaniel Emmons, D. D. of Frank- lin, Mass. ; consecrating prayer by the Rev. David Sanford of Med- way, Mass. ; charge by Rev. John Bruce of Mont Vernon ; fellow- ship of the churches by Rev. Moses Bradford of Francestown ; con- cluding prayer by Rev. David Long of Milford, Mass. Through Mr. Chapin's agency the church underwent an important change as to doctrine and practice. The plan of the half way covenant was discontinued. An experimental acquaintance with religion was re- quired as a qualification for church membership and an orthodox con- fession of faith, and covenant were adopted. The intlexible and uu- compromising course pursued by Mr. Chapin, excited the virulent opposition of many whose sentiments were not in unison with his,
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and after a protracted controversy resulted in his dismission May 10th, 180S. He however did nottake his final leave of the church and con .- gregation here, until July 30th, 1809, when he delivered his farewell sermon which was published. An extract from the doings of the council which dissolved Mr. C's pastoral relation to the church and town of Hillsborough, will give us a clue at the cause of his dismis- sion. Mr. Chapin's reasons for asking a dismission are the follow- ing, viz : The town of Hillsborough chose a committee to state their disaffection to him, to propose to him to ask a dismission and to as- sure him that if he declined, a town meeting would be immediately called to vote his dismission. Mr. Chapin believed the causes of their disaffection to be, 1st, The conduct of his ordaining council in refusing to sit in council at his ordination with Rev. William Sleighs of Deering. 2. Mr. Chapin's conduct in refusing to baptize chil- dren on the half-way covenant, so called, and declining to exchange with ministers who baptize on that ground, in order to accommodate those who wish to have their children so baptized. And above all, 3. The doctrines which he, from time to time preaches, and under- stands to be the blessed doctrines of the gospel. T'
the town present before the council, consented th - wert in their opinion the reasons which induced the town to determine on Mr. Chapin's dismission. The principal reason assigned by the" committee of the church why it consented to Mr, C's. dismission, was, his want of health, which rendered it doubtful whether he would be able to perform the duties of a pastor over them. The council which dismissed Mr. C. of which the Rev. Walter Harris, D. D. of Dunbarton was moderator, and the Rev. Ethan Smith of Hopkinton scribe ; approved his conduct, and unanimously recommended him to the churches as an able and faithful minister of Christ, and as a man of irreproachable moral character. The church also, concurred with the council by a recommendation of similar import. The num- ber added to the church during Mr. Chapin's ministry was thirty-eight, though not large, it was an important acquisition. The Rev. Ste- phen Chapin, D. D., was born in Milford, Mass., November, 4, 1778, graduated at Harvard College in 1804, studied Divinity with
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