USA > New Hampshire > Strafford County > Milton > Historical address delivered at the centennial celebration, August 30, 1902, of the town of Milton, New Hampshire > Part 2
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been of "the stuff that dreams are made of"; whenever necessary it has manifested itself in a practical man- ner and with no uncertain ring.
Although at the time of the Revo- lution Milton was a part of Rochester, it is recorded that many who lived within the confines of the present town left their homes to join the Con- tinental army. One of the first men who enlisted from Rochester was John Bergin of the Three Ponds, who placed his name on the roll June 2, 1775. After the close of the war he resided in Milton until about 1800, and then removed to Lancaster where he died. Then there was Timothy Ricker, also, who was of such magni- ficent physique that he served as one of the bodyguards of the great Wash- ington himself. Daniel Cook, Will- iam Palmer, Enoch Wingate, Joseph
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Pearl, Samuel Nute, and many others enlisted and served with distinction. Milton was represented at the historic field of Bunker Hill by William War- ren, who was wounded at that famous engagement.
In the early struggles of the Revo- lution, where New Hampshire men were engaged, what is now the town of Milton was represented. And the fields were many. It is not, perhaps, a matter of common knowledge that at the defence of Bunker Hill, for which Massachusetts obtains the credit, a majority of the men engaged were from New Hampshire. An ox load of the powder used on that mem- orable occasion arrived just the night before from Durham, in time to be served out at Bunker Hill. This was the powder that had been taken by New Hampshire troops in their fa-
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mous assault upon the royal fortress, William and Mary. The victory at Bennington, too, although upon the soil of Vermont, was fought and won by General John Stark, at the head of his New Hampshire veterans.
The first struggle in which this country wasengaged after Milton had been duly incorporated was the War of 1812 with Great Britain. There was no town that expressed its re- sentment at England's impressment of American seamen more than Mil- ton.
Fifty-four men were furnished for the army and navy from this little town, more than one third of those able to bear arms going to the front. The proportion of few towns was larger. It was as a thanksgiving for the close of this war in which such a large number of Miltonians partici- pated that the famous celebration was
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held April 13, 1815, in the tavern of T. C. Lyman. How the old walls must have rung with cheers for the heroes of the struggle, Gen. Jackson and Commodore Perry; how many a tankard was drunk to their health!
The Mexican War was in reality of short duration, and waged almost entirely by troops of the West and South contiguous to the territory in- vaded, New England being opposed to and taking practically no part in the struggle.
Now let us turn to the brightest page in the history of Milton, the era before and during the great Civil War. Never was a community so stirred on a question of national moment. And well it might have been, for Milton had as neighbors and associates towns with war rec- ords that are a pride to them and an
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honor to the state-Farmington, the birthplace of Henry Wilson, and Rochester, the natal town of New Hampshire's most famous senator of ante-bellum days, the great John P. Hale. It was Senator Hale, you re- member, who ten years before the actual opening of the great Rebellion fought single-handed, upon the floor of the Senate, Calhoun, Foote, and Jefferson Davis; who replied with such crushing force to the "Seventh of March speech " of the great Webster himself. Twice nominated as a can- didate for the presidency, he spent the best years of his manhood in crushing the power of slavery and lived to see the fullest consummation of his wishes in the Emancipation procla- mation and the surrender of Lee at Appomattox. It is small wonder that stirred by such men, Milton should
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so soon and so emphatically have taken her stand on the great question of slavery. Strong resolutions writ- ten and advocated by Parson Willey were passed by his church. Nor did the people end with resolutions. Their sentiments having been clear- ly expressed in words, were next embodied in tangible acts. Again we need no eulogy by a prejudiced
us glance at the advocate. Let
public records. No sooner had the firing on Sumter ceased and the re- quest of President Lincoln for 75,000 volunteers been received than the names of Milton men were found on the rolls. Their acts of bravery were recorded on nearly every field dur- ing the four years' struggle.
The returns show that the vote of the town in 1860 gave Lincoln 252, Douglas 92, Breckinridge 6, and Bell
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5, a total of 355 votes being cast at the election. Taking that number as a fair estimate of the able-bodied men in town, allowing the physically inca- pacitated among those who voted to balance the able-bodied non-voters and those who stayed at home, we find a most remarkable showing. Of this 355, 150 enlisted-one half of the male population able to bear arms thus going to the front. And further, the quota required from Mil-
ton by the drafts was 91. This number, large as it was, was ex- ceeded by twelve, the town furnish- ing no less than 103 men in response to the call of the government. This record is one of which every citizen of Milton may be justly proud, and one that will not suffer by compari- son with that of any other town in the state.
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Nor is that all. The cost of the
great Civil War was enormous. The fact that $5,000,000,000 were expended cannot of itself be com- prehended by the average man, but when we remember that it was the most extravagant war of the century, if not of all time, perhaps we may appreciate its immensity. The Na- poleonic wars combined cost only $3,289,000,000, the great Franco- German war only $2,500,000,000, the Mexican war a paltry $57,000,000. It was, then, of the utmost impor- tance that money should be voted by the towns and cities for bounties no less than that soldiers be furnished. The records show that $285,941,036 were thus raised. New Hampshire furnished $9,636,313. As the popu- lation of the state was at that time 326,073, we find that by proportion
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per capita Milton with 1,862 people should have given about $55,000. But Milton met the test as well with money as with men. Her proportion was again exceeded, the town voting during the war, no less than the sum of $79,500, practically $80,000, for the support of the Union. Tak-
ing into consideration, also, the small relative valuation of Milton at this time, this sacrifice demonstrated in no uncertain manner the patriotic spirit of this community.
These, then, are the actual records of the attitude of Milton during the great crises of our national history, and it is truly a record of unswerving patriotism and devotion to country that would do honor to any town be- neath any flag. If there is a com- munity in the United States that de- serves to possess a soldiers' monu-
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ment, it seems to me that one should be erected here and to the sugges- tion already made by another the town should make hearty response. Let us recognize in a substantial manner the honor brought to the town by the bravery and unselfish patriotism manifested upon so many fields by the sons of Milton.
The ninth day of February in the year 1800 was, the historian tells us, a gala day in Paris. Napoleon Bonaparte had recently returned from the conquest of Eygpt, and in the glorious pageant that was passing through the streets of that gay capi- tal were gathered the trophies that he had stolen from the pyramids. But amid all this splendor, continues the chronicler, some traveler from a far off land would have observed some- thing strangely incongruous with the
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gaiety of the occasion. The standards of the victorious legions were draped in black. And, if the historian is to be believed, the English fleet upon that day lay at anchor in the harbor of Dover, across the channel. The colors of England's men of war wer at half mast. Nor would the won- der of the traveler have abated had he been told that this common hom- age paid by two hostile nations was in honor of a man who, at no time in his life, held a higher office than that of general in a provincial army ; who, twenty years before, had wrested an empire from the one and, at the time of his death, was endeavoring to the best of his ability to humble the other. Great as this homage may have been, however, it was as nothing in com- parison to the sincere grief that per- vaded every American home, that
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reached the heart of every man, woman, and child across the Atlantic when they heard that Washington was dead. What did all this mean? Was it a tribute to Washington's brilliancy as a commander? No; he was overshadowed by the great Na- poleon of almost his own day. Was it a tribute to his keenness and as- tuteness as a statesman. No; W liam Pitt of England was his equal if not his superior. No; it was that homage that is ever paid by the world when there passes from the arena of active life a noble human character.
These qualities that make for the ideal of manhood are the same that, becoming attributes of a community, cause its name to be handed down from age to age. In the many crises of this hundred years Milton has been
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weighed in the balances and has never been found wanting. Let not the old traditions fail. The honor of the town has been nobly upheld during the past century. May the historian of 2000 record deeds by those of this age consistent with the illustrious example of the fathers; may the unturned page of the future disclose an unswerving devotion to the right equally worthy of the world's emulation.
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EVENTS OF THE DAY
EVENTS OF THE DAY
The centennial celebration of the town of Milton, held August 30, 1902, was in honor of the one hundredth anniversary of the first town meeting. This meeting convened at the tavern of Lieut. Elijah Horne, August 30, 1802, only a short time after the char- ter, which gave Milton its independ- ent existence, had been signed by Governor Gilman. This instrument had been granted at the June session of the legislature of New Hampshire at the petition and largely through the efforts of Capt. Beard Plumer, one of the representatives from Roch- ester, who, with others, felt that the time had come for Milton to sever the ties which bound her to the mother town.
At the annual meeting held in
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March, 1902, it was voted to celebrate in an appropriate manner the closing of the first century of the town's ex- istence. An appropriation was made and a general committee selected. As a result of the able and painstaking efforts of this committee, together with those chosen to assist, the observance of the centennial was made eminently fitting to mark the close of the first century of Milton's history.
Saturday, August 30, 1902, was a beautiful day; there was scarcely a cloud in the sky and the temperature was ideal for the purposes of the oc- casion. Sunrise was accompanied with the ringing of bells and a can- non salute of thirty-three guns. One hundred guns were fired during the day, a second thirty-three at noon and the remainder at sunset. Al- though the celebration had practically
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begun on Friday night with the huge bonfire on the summit of the his- toric Mt. Teneriffe, it was not until Saturday morning that the guests commenced to arrive in large num- bers.
Every incoming train was heavily laden and hundreds came in teams from surrounding towns. It was the largest crowd that Milton ever saw, being variously estimated by the press at from seven to ten thousand.
From 8:30 to 10 o'clock field and water sports were held; from 9 to 10 o'clock the Hanson American band of Rochester gave a concert on the Upper square. Then came the street parade. This was a fine feature of the day, including many beautifully trimmed floats and private teams, bicycles, and not a few grotesque and humorous make-ups. The marshal
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was Major Charles J. Berry, Milton Mills, N. H .; assistant marshal, James F. Reynolds, Wakefield, Mass .; aides, Clifford A. Berry and Charles Manser, Milton Mills; Wal- ter Holden, Wakefield, Mass .; Scott Ramsdell, Samuel E. Drew, and Fred S. Hartford, Milton.
Following the parade a good old- fashioned New England dinner was served in large tents, on the Nute High School grounds, to over two thousand people. It was at high noon, also, that the new town clock
in the Congregational church was officially started. This was presented to the town of Milton by Mr. Albert O. Mathes of Dover, N. H., as a memorial to the Rev. James Doldt, who was pastor of the Congrega- tional church from 1850 to 1871.
Promptly at two o'clock the com-
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memorative exercises began in the grove, on the Nute High School grounds, Hon. Elbridge W. Fox, of Milton Mills, Ex-Senator from this district, presiding as President of the day. In addition to those upon the
official programme, Mayor Bradley of Rochester spoke in behalf of the mother town and Mr. Edward P. Nichols, of Lexington, Mass., treasur- er of the Great Falls Manufacturing company, delivered a short address. The violin used as an accompaniment to the singing was played by Miss Annie B. Kimball, of Milton, while the old violincello, which took the place of the church organ in the early days of the town, was restrung and played by Mr. Sumner Hodsdon of Dover, N. H.
One of the most attractive and ap- propriate features of the day was the
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collection of antiquities in the old Worcester House, itself past one hundred years in age. These rare and valuable articles, from 75 to 200 or more years old and gathered from many sources, by Mr. Albert O. Mathes, of Dover, N. H., were inti- mately connected with the early his- tory of the town. Many of the in- teresting buildings in the village had placards placed upon them, giving the date of their erection and other matters of interest. Among these were the following: The home of Dr. Stephen Drew, 1820-1873, built by John Bergin in 1773; the house in which Lewis W. Nute was born; the building formerly the Union meeting - house, 1838 - 1859; John Fish's house, 1794, where was locat- ed the first post-office in 1818; the site of the first tavern built in 1787
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by Benjamin Palmer; the house of Thomas Leighton, 1810-1860; the site of the house of Gilman Jewett, first town clerk, 1800; the site of the first tannery, owned by John Bergin, 1773.
The celebration was, in every re- spect, an unqualified success, and reflected the greatest credit upon all concerned. All of those present, whether natives of the town or friends, felt that the observance was in every way worthy of the occasion and of Milton.
The following is a copy of the of- ficial programme issued at the time. The paper of this programme was manufactured in Milton by the Mil- ton Board and Paper company, and the leather board covers were also made in Milton by Spaulding Bros.
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PROGRAMME OF THE DAY
On the eve of the Centennial a huge bon- fire will be started at 8:30 o'clock on the summit of the historic Teneriffe mountain.
SUNRISE : Cannon salutes and ringing of bells. One hundred guns will be fired between sunrise and sunset.
8 : 30 to 10 A. M. : Field and water sports, consisting of one-half mile foot race, one hundred yard dash, boat race, tub race, sack race, three-legged race.
9 to 10 A. M. : Band concert at Upper square by Hanson's American band, Rochester, N. H.
10 A. M. : Parade, Major Charles J. Berry, marshal ; Samuel E. Drew and Fred S. Hartford, assistants.
12 M. : Salutes and bells ; at this hour will be started the new town clock, presented to the town of Milton by Mr. Albert O. Mathes of Dover, N. H., as a memorial to the Rev. James Doldt, who was pastor of the Congregational church from 1850 to 1871.
12-2 : Dinner.
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COMMEMORATIVE EXERCISES
2 TO 4 O'CLOCK.
Music-Hanson's American band.
Address of Welcome-Mr. Albert O. Mathes. Address of President of the Day-Hon. E. W. Fox.
Invocation-Rev. John N. Lowell, Haver- hill, Mass.
Singing-Coronation-accompanied by violin and 'cello.
Original Poem-written for the occasion- Rev. Frank Haley.
Singing-America-accompanied by violin and 'cello.
Original Poem and Short Address-Mr. Jo- seph P. Swasey, Rochester, N. H.
Historical Oration-Mr. Arthur Thad Smith. Short Addresses.
Singing-Auld Lang Syne-accompanied by violin and 'cello.
Benediction-Rev. John Manter, Rochester, N. H.
Band concert, 4 to 5 o'clock.
Sunset salutes and the ringing of bells.
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COMMITTEES
GENERAL COMMITTEE CHOSEN AT TOWN MEET ING, MARCH, 1902.
Hon. Charles H. Looney, * Hon. E. W. Fo M. A. H. Hart, M. D. ; F. H. Lowd, A. A Fox, Charles A. Jones, Bard B. Plummer Henry H. Townsend, Frank G. Horne, N. G Pinkham, Rev. Robert M. Peacock, Rey Charles B. Osborne, Rev. Myron P. Dickey and the board of selectmen, consisting of Ha ven R. Jewett, Joseph H. Avery, and Fred B Roberts, with Town Clerk H. L. Avery anu Town Treasurer Elijah T. Libbey.
M. A. H. Hart, M. D., was chosen chair man of the general executive committee, Harr L. Avery, clerk, C. D. Jones, M. D., treasurer.
The following committees were selected a subsequent meetings of the citizens :
Invitation Committee-Robert M. Looney chairman ; Hon. E. W. Fox, George H. Plum mer, Albert O. Mathes, H. L. Avery.
Programme Committee-M. A. H. Hart M. D.
Printing Committee-John H. Twombly
* Deceased.
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COMMITTEES
I. D., chairman ; Forrest L. Marsh, I. W. ones, W. E. Looney.
Committee on Speaker and Music-Albert ). Mathes, chairman ; Hon. E. W. Fox, F. G. Horne, M. A. H. Hart, M. D., Rev. C. B. Osborne, Rev. M. P. Dickey.
Press Committee-W. E. Looney, chairman; M. W. Dickey, Harry B. Amey.
ยท Dinner Committee-A. A. Fox, chairman ; board of selectmen consisting of Haven R. Jewett, Joseph H. Avery, and Fred B. Rob- erts, C. D. Jones, M. D., Mrs. Mary Walling- ford, Mrs. Geo. Fall, Mrs. Charles H. Looney, Mrs. F. D. Pike, Mrs. George H. Plummer.
Committee on Grounds-Executive commit- tee of the Nute High School, C. A. Jones, chairman; W. E. Looney, B. B. Plummer, to act in conjunction with F. P. Jones, F. B. Roberts, and George H. Plummer.
Reception Committee-Robert M. Looney, chairman ; John U. Simes, Rev. M. P. Dickey, Charles W. Gross, M. D., H. F. Horne, Bard B. Plummer, Jr., F. H. Loud, Henry B. Scates, Mrs. A. A. Fox, Mrs. F. P. Jones, Mrs. J. B. Hart, Mrs. I. W. Jones, Miss Minnie E. Hussey, Miss Lucia Plummer, Miss Sally
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COMMITTEES
Avery, Mrs. Annie E. Cook, Mrs. Sarah P. Haley, Miss Annie J. Horne, Miss Maude Horne, Mrs. W. T. Wallace, Miss Susan P. Haley, Mrs. H. L. Avery, Mrs. Lillian Went- worth, Mrs. N. G. Pinkham, Mrs. John Avery, Mrs. H. S. Mason, Miss Sarah Duntly, Mrs. J. P. Pinkham, Mrs. Annie M. Kimball, Miss Elfrida Peacock, Miss Fannie I. Hayes, Miss Sadie Twombly, Miss Fannie L. Hayes, Mrs. J. L. Twombly, Mrs. S. E. Drew, Mrs. Clara Corson, and Mrs. C. A. Gilmore.
Parade Committee-W. C. Hall, chairman ; J. H. Avery, George E. Wentworth, N. G. Pinkham, G. I. Jordan, Forrest L. Marsh, Mrs. J. B. Hart, secretary ; Miss Elfrida Peacock, Miss Susan P. Haley, Miss Ruth Fall, Mrs. H. S. Mason, Mrs. S. E. Drew, Miss Fannie L. Hayes, Mrs. A. A. Fox, Miss Lucia C. Plummer.
Registration Committee-J. H. Twombly, M. D., chairman ; B. B. Plummer, Jr., Miss Susan P. Haley.
Salute Committee-George I. Jordan, chair- man.
Sport Committee-Wm. T. Wallace, chair- man; J. G. O'Laughlin.
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