USA > New Hampshire > Hillsborough County > Peterborough > Historical sketches of Peterborough, New Hampshire : portraying events and data contributing to the history of the town > Part 19
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At the first meeting standing com- mittees were appointed upon the fol- lowing subjects: Agriculture, Manu- factures and the Mechanical trades, Schools and Education, Town Sta- tistics, Life and Health, and on the Library. This division of activities is suggestive. The purpose of the Lyceum was not academic, nor de- signed to range the whole field of human interest for topics to study and debate; it was purely local and practical, and aimed at the betterment and promotion of the town's local interests in everything looking to its industrial, educational and moral welfare. It marks also the public spirit and strong local patriotism of the founders and their single-mind- edness and practical temper. The objects for which it was created were faithfully adhered to. The commit- tees labored hard in their respective fields of inquiry and submitted elab-
orate reports. Dr. Smith drew lib- erally from them in writing his history, and Chapter XVII. of his book is the report of the Committee on Manufac- tures made to the Lyceum substan- tially entire.
A few of the subjects examined are worthy of note. The literary program of the meetings was a paper on some one of the topics assigned, and then a full discussion of the ideas advanced by the author. It does not appear from existing records that there were any other exercises. Here are some of the questions considered: Agriculture .-
"The original growth of wood, timber and shrubs in this town, with some of the largest trees."
"The best time for ploughing sward land-whether spring or fall, con- sidering the crop."
"The best method of managing manure carried into the field in the fall."
"The best method of rearing and protecting fruit trees."
"What are some of the advantages of manufacturing in this town to the Agricultural interest."
"The history and value of the po- tato."
"The best system of farming so as to afford the greatest income with the least expense without impoverishing the soil."
"The expediency of the culture of Hemp in this town."
"The best system of making, sav- ing and applying manure."
On Manufactures .-
"History of Paper Mills and Paper making in this town."
"History of factories for Cotton in this town."
"History of Cotton Manufacturing in Great Britain."
"The origin and progress of Cotton manufacturing in the United States."
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The Old Peterborough Lyceum.
"Is the general introduction of machinery for the purpose of abridg- ing manual labor calculated to pro- mote the happiness or welfare of the country?"
On Education .-
"The best method of disposing of (the) small children sent to the winter schools."
"An account of the schools in Peterborough from its settlement, in- cluding the expense, number of school houses, when the districts were formed, the wages of instructors, etc., etc."
"Is it expedient that the first prin- ciples of bookkeeping and the writing of letters both of friendship and busi- ness should be taught in our common schools?"
"What is the most equitable and useful method of distributing the mon- ey raised by the town among the schools?"
Town Statistics .-
"Is it expedient to obtain surveys of the town, from additional surveys or from those already made, for the purpose of constructing a town map."
"The history, expense and cause of Pauperism in Peterborough."
"What were the wild animals in Peterborough when the settlement of the town was begun, and when were they last seen?"
"An account of the diseases most prevalent in Peterborough, and their probable causes."
"What are the effects of ardent spirits upon the organs of the stomach and on digestion."
"An account of longevity in Peter- borough."
"What diseases are generated by ardent spirits, what inflamed and what prevented or cured?"
Library .-
"What books are of the first ne- cessity to the Lyceum?"
"The expedience and best method of procuring a juvenile library for the
use of the children and youth of this .town."
These were practical questions every one, and show the ambition of the members for self improvement and the betterment of social and indus- trial conditions then prevailing. Many other topics of a kindred nature were also discussed and investigated, but lack of space forbids their insertion here.
Aside from studying such and col- lateral questions, the Lyceum ap- pointed one of its numbers annually to prepare and present a history of the town for the preceding year. Some of these reports are still preserved though in a somewhat mutilated and faded condition. They contain a general review of the year-the weather, the crops, the general prosperity or de- pression of the town industries, the list of deaths and the diseases of which the deceased died, the condition of the schools, and the list and number of copies of publications taken in town, besides other items of interest. They give, in a word, a minute description of events and are, historically, of great value. I purpose sending copies of some of them to the TRANSCRIPT for publication.
No records of this Lyceum are pre- served for the years following 1830. It lived and flourished, however, down to 1845 at least, for among Dr. Smith's papers are many reports and com- munications submitted in different years down to and including the latter date. Sometime between 1845 and 1848, however, it apparently ceased to exist, after an active life of more than seventeen years. The active membership had largely changed. Dr. Abbott, the founder and guiding spirit, then 82 years of age, had become inca- pacitated by his advancing age. Many of the original members went west in the great migration of the thirties, some had died, while others, from
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pressing business cares or increasing years, had ceased to take active part. The institution had done a good work and had stamped its impress upon the town.
But its spirit lived, and in 1849, revived to an active life. In Decem- ber of that year, the Lyceum was re- organized and adopted a Constitution and By Laws. The plan was some- what different from that of its progeni- tor. Ladies were admitted to mem- bership, and the objects of the society were less practical and of more general and academic character. The mem- bers, many of them, were members of the older society. The literary exer- cises consisted of the discussion of some question, occasionally of a semi- political character, by four disputants, two on a side. Essays were also read, and poems occasionally. The names first signed to the By Laws were- E. S. Cutter, E. M. Tubbs, G. A. Jewett, S. A. Smith, Julius Crane, George W. Spofford, Jas. O'Donnell, A. S. Scott, J. R. Miller, John G. Parker, Franklin Kendall, Y. G. Hurd, Albert Smith, Geo. W. Ames, Geo. R. Hunt, L. Billings, S. H. Caldwell, E. H. Chency, B. F. Merriam, K. C. Scott, Joseph Farnum, Frederick A. Smith, Charles Scott, D. G. Crehore, Samuel Adams. The only ladies' names found are Mary Jane Parker, Elizabeth Snow, Mary Washburn, M. A. Senter, Sarah C. Moore.
These include probably only a small part of the active membership, for the names of many others, gentle- men and particularly ladies, are found in the records or are attached to papers read before the society, and which are still preserved.
Some of the questions debated were: "Is the present division of political parties beneficial to the Country?"
"Ought our State Constitution to be revised ?"
"Is the standard of morality in the Community at the present time ad- vancing?"
"Is the influence of secret societies injurious to the Community ?"
"Is a man ever justified in refusing to obey any enacted law of the United States?"
"Is a man ever justified in refusing to obey the Fugitive Slave Law?" This last question, the records say, was decided unanimously in the af- firmative except one man, who, the record goes on to state, "probably was convinced that it was not right to dis- obey the law before he came here."
"Which has the greater influence on Society, the male or the female sex?" This was decided in the af- firmative, but the record says "that many of the ladies did not vote, " and then adds: "Strange to us, that, at this time of 'Woman's Rights,' they should remain in their seats and let a question in this Lyceum be decided so deleterious to their interest when decisions here are always considered final." The secretary was the late Kendall C. Scott.
Besides these debates, lectures were given before the Lyceum by local talent. Among them were E. S. Cut- ter, Albert S. Scott, Rev. Henry J. Lamb, Rev. Liberty Billings, Rev. J. M. Chick, F. A. Smith and others. There was also a "paper," made up of contributions from different mem- bers, read at nearly every meeting, to which the ladies were chief contribu- tors. The public were admitted to the meetings and the discussions were often thrown open to whomever cared to speak.
The last record preserved of this organization is dated March 21, 1851, but it had an active existence through the winter season nearly to the out- break of the war, though after 1856 it had a fitful existence. Its founders had become absorbed in the burning
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The Peterborough Dramatic Club.
political questions of the time, and had no taste for the investigation and study of abstract questions. When the next generation of younger men would naturally have taken up the work, the country was distracted by Civil war, and nearly all of them took arms and went South to aid in the preservation of the Union. The in- stitution did not survive the conflict.
The Lyceum for nearly thirty years was a power among the educational
forces of the town. It trained two generations of men in the study of local and. public questions and made of them strong debators and thinkers, the like of which I do not believe any other town of its size in the State had the equal. Nothing now exists which takes its place and "more's the pity." Even though dead its influence sur- vives in the permanent work of the men who founded and directed it, and who left the impress of their patriotism and broad public spirit upon the town.
[From page 163 to here was published in the Peterborough TRANSCRIPT Dec. 4, 1913.]
THE PETERBOROUGH DRAMATIC CLUB.
BY JONATHAN SMITH
First cousin to the Lyceum, hereto- fore described, and older than it by a year, was the Dramatic Society, or- ganized in 1827. Its records are miss- ing unless they are among the papers of Dr. Smith on deposit in the Town Library. The names of its members cannot be given, but it had an active life for three or more years, presented plays in the Old Church on the hill, in Wilson's Tavern and elsewhere, and had a large place in the social activi- ties of the young people. Just how long it survived cannot be stated; at any rate, sometime before 1839, it ceased to live. Its disembodied spirit was in the latter year (1839) rein- carnated in the "Young Men's Dra- matic Club," organized February 15, 1839, in Col. Whitcomb French's Tavern.
In the new Club, Jesse C. Little was the leading spirit, and was the first Chairman. The Constitution and the records for the first three months are in his handwriting. The preamble is decidedly sentimental as well as ambitious, and runs as follows :-
"Whereas the State and Condition of the age bespeaks unnumbered mo- tives for intellectual activity, and we, as rational and Accountable Beings, desire to improve every opportunity within our reach, and believing that the mind of Man, so highly gifted by the God of Nature, always busy and active as it is, demands good bias and direction for its future course in life, and that labour alone without reason or enjoyment would be irksome and disgraceful to us as intellectual beings, we do hereby form ourselves into a Society or Club for the purpose of mutual Improvement; the primary object of which shall be private and public speaking, but to be made sub- servient to improvement in any other Branches at the discretion of the members, we do agree, etc."
The officers consisted of a Speaker, Secretary and Treasurer, who held their offices for the term of three months. Ladies were admissable as members, and the admission fee was 25 cents. All of the old Dramatic Society were invited to join. The
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following is a list of those who joined at the first meeting :-
J. C. Little, Edwin Steele, Albert Smith, Nathaniel Whittemore, Wil- liam Wallace, John W. Little, John H. Webber, John S. Gray, John H. Newman, Edson G. French, Wm. Thayer, James Scott, Albert Scott, Merrill C. Peavey, Napoleon B. Alex- ander. The Club flourished, and soon had a membership of sixty-two men and fifty-six ladies besides an hono- rary list of twenty-six names. Most of them had not been identified with the Lyceum,-they were younger, many of them sons and daughters of the elder body. Among the honorary members were Jonas Livingston, Frederick Livingston, Timothy K. Ames, Abial Peavey, William Scott, Joseph H. Ames, Isaac Edes, John Smith, Wm. B. Kimball, Abel Wilder, John H. Steele, Joel Brown, Alvah Ames, Luther Nichols, et als. Of the ladies were Eliza G. French, Abby Abbott, Martha Dinsmore, Anne C. Payson, Ellen Smith, Lucy E. Abbott, Abigail W. Steele, Lydia D. Steele, Julia A. Ames, Mary E. Ames, Sarah A. Wilson, Charlotte G Wilson, and more than as many others.
The exercises consisted of declama- tions, compositions, soliloquies, dia- logues, and plays. Those down most frequently for declamations were T. P. Ames, then twenty-seven years of age, Albert S. Scott, a boy of fifteen years; Isaac Hadley, George W. Ames, Wm. Thayer, John S. Gray, and David F. McGilvray. Edwin Steele, when not having part in a dialogue, furnished a soliloquy at nearly every meeting. Franklin Robbe often sang songs, and a dialogue or farces were parts of the program at nearly every meeting. Among the plays staged by the Club were: "Lady of the Lake," "Abelinė, the Bravo of Venice," "The Gunsmith of Paris," and "The Lottery Ticket."
The most ambitious play, presented December 11th, 1839, at the town hall, was the tragedy entitled "Bru- tus or the Fall of Tarquin." The following is the caste of the play: Lucius Junius Brutus, Edson G. French; Titus, Wm. Thayer; Sextus Tarquin, T. P. Ames; Aruns, Joseph W. Graham; Claudius, William B. Bement; Collatinus, Bingham Be- ment; Vallerius, William Wallace; Lucretius, John H. Webber; Hora- tius, Joseph W. Graham; Celius and Corrunna, George Center; Messenger, Alvin Powers; Centurian, Orison Melvin; 1st Roman, Josiah S. Mor- rison; 2d Roman, John Parker; 3d Roman, Joseph H. Ames; Julia, Miss Sybil Gates; Tarquinia, Miss Char- lotte Wilson; Lucretia, Miss Lydia Nelson.
The old club turned over to the new its property and paraphernalia, whereupon the latter resolved un- animously, ---
"That while we feel grateful for the property and funds which we have received, we also feel honored for the assistance and good feeling they have manifested towards us in the forma- tion and organization of this Club."
"That we will do what lies in our power to sustain the reputation of this Club until its laurels shall become as noted as those of the old Club."
No traditions of the Club survive for there are no newspaper records of its doings and the minutes of the meet- ings are meagre. For a time it was a live society, holding meetings every two weeks, even through the summer season. But its sands of life soon ran out. Organized in 1839, its last re- corded meeting was held April 22, 1840. The Society had got into debt, and interest in it had declined. In the following October, the members met and agreed to sell enough of its property to pay its debts, and the bal- ance was stored for future disposition.
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The Tree Society.
Whether it ever met again is unknown.
Some years later, in the fifties, an- other Dramatic Club was formed, which for several years staged plays in the old Town hall on Concord St., and drew large audiences. Whether it ever had a formal organization, I do
not know. Its membership was not the same as that of 1839 and 1840 --- they were of a younger generation. Details of this later club can doubtless be gleaned from the files of the TRAN- SCRIPT for those years.
[From page 167 to here was published in the Peterborough TRANSCRIPT, Dec. 11, 1913.]
THE TREE SOCIETY.
BY JONATHAN SMITH.
An organization of a different char- acter was the "Tree Society," founded in 1840 under the inspiration and leadership of Dr. Abiel Abbott. The only records remaining of it are a few loose leaves, but they are sufficient to understand its general objects, plan of work, and what was done by it for a couple of years. The Constitution set forth that the members associated together for "the purpose of cultivat- ing useful and ornamental trees and shrubs." After providing for the usual officers it required the Executive Committee to make an annual report to the Society of its doings, the num- ber of useful and ornamental trees set out during the year, the condition of the trees previously set out, and to advise where members who have no land shall set out their trees." The Executive Committee had authority to appoint such agents or committees as might be necessary to promote the objects of the Society, and also to ap- point a committee of five whose duty it was to superintend the setting out of trees and shrubs, and otherwise adorning the burying ground, and make a report of their doings, etc.
The members of the Society were :- Abiel Abbott, Abiel Sawyer, Thom- as Upton, Abel Boynton, Henry F. Coggswell, John Smith, Albert Smith, Joel Damon, John Todd Jr., Rufus
Forbush, William B. Kimball, Stephen Forbush, John H. Steele, William Scott, Frederick Livingston, Samuel Edes 2nd, David Smiley Jr., Joseph H. Ames, Riley Goodridge, Robert White, William Moore, Ebenezer Fairbanks, Alvah Ames, George W. Senter.
The first report of the Executive Committee is herewith given, and will repay reading :-
"The Peterborough Tree Society was formed the 11th of April last year, 1840, consisting of twenty-four mem- bers. A committee of five, viz: W. M. White, John Smith, John Todd Jr., Abel Boynton, and Thomas Upton, was appointed to superintend the set- ting out of trees and shrubs and other- wise adorning the burying ground. This Committee by public notice, in- vited all the inhabitants of the town, who may feel disposed to meet on the 25th of April, 1840, for the purpose of ornamenting the graveyard with trees and shrubs. A goodly number was attentive to the call, a super- abundance of trees of various kinds was brought, and with ready hands they were carefully planted. Eighty- two maples, eighteen elms, two white ash, five locusts, and some smaller trees and shrubs were set out. Some few of these have failed.
Your committee regret that the re-
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port is so imperfect respecting the number of trees set out by the mem- bers, returns not having been made by all of them. Returns have been received from the following members :-
Abiel Abbott, 8 trees, scveral shrubs; Wm. Scott, 30 and six in the burying ground; Abiel Sawyer, 4 maples, 12 apple trees, 2 plum; Stephen Forbush; J. H. Steele; F. Livingston, 12 apple trees; Thomas Upton; Samuel Edes 2nd; Abel Boynton; D. Smiley Jr., 47, six different kinds; H. F. Coggswell, J. H. Ames, 10 maples; John Smith; Riley Goodridge, 3 maples, M. ash, 3; Albert Smith, 6 apple trees; R. White; Joel Damon, 5 trees; Wm. Moore; John Todd, Jr .; Ebenezer Fairbanks; Rufus Forbush, Alvah Ames; Wm. B. Kimball, 32, 9 apple trees, 5 maplc, 8 M. ash, 2 elms, 7 plum, 1 butternut; Geo. W. Senter.
A number, whose names are not enrolled, have set out trees: Joel Brown, about 75; Thos. Payson, 3 oaks, 1 wild pcar; S. Gates, 5 maples; Judson Wilkins -; J. Cram, 1 maple; T. K. Ames; Wm. Follansbee, S. Russell, 5 trees; J. Livingston, 12 apple trees; Isaac Edes, 4 maples; Wm. Treadwell, 4 maples; Samuel Swan, 12 maples; W. F. Laws, 4 cherry trees, 8 apple trees; Thos. Mathews, 4 plum trees.
It has not been ascertained how many trees have failed of living; but a large proportion of them appeared healthy the last season.
It is recommended to the Society to adopt measures to replace those trees which have failed in the burying ground, and those ncar the town house, and also to set out shrubs in the grave yards-such as the laurel, wild pear, acacia, lilac, rose, sweet brier, etc.
It would add much to the conven- ience and would be ornamental, if trecs were planted in the vicinity of the several school houses in town. At present, there is not a shade tree near
one of them. It is well known that there is very little land owned by any district on which to set a trec. But it will be useful and ornamental to have trecs each side of the strect near the school house. It is recommended to the several districts to furnish shadcs about their school houses for the com- fort of their children, and also to ex- aminc whether somc improvement may not be made inside the house.
The Committee recommend the rock, red and white maplc, the white ash, the elm, buttonwood, butternut, larch, and willow in wet ground where other trees will not grow, to be placed cach side of the strect, adapting the trees to the soil and situation.
In taking up the trees as little in- jury as possible should be done to the roots, and in setting them, let the roots have room to expand horizon- tally as far as may be.
If, twenty or thirty years ago, orna- mental trees had been set out on each side of the road in our streets, there can be no doubt that the real estate in this town would have been advanced in valuc more than 100 per cent. on the cost of the trees, besides the constant satisfaction of the possessor. And how much pleasure would be enjoyed by the traveller, and how much would the reputation of the town be spread abroad? It would also tend to the improvement and neatness of our farms and to the taking of due care of the buildings and fences.
It is confidently believed that it would be a profitable investment of moncy as good as 10 per cent. a year, were a person to set out trces each side of the street from Sharon to Hancock, or on any other, or all the streets in town, provided hc be secured in his title to the trees. If it be so it would be still more profitable to the owner of the land as he could set out and prc- serve the trees at much less expense.
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Annals of Peterborough for 1828.
Though some of us may not live to see and enjoy much of the fruit of our labor, it should not hinder our efforts nor check our zeal in so a good a cause, remembering that we do not live for ourselves only. Indeed the trees we may set out will be a living monument to our friends more precious, and command for us morc respect from those who shall come after us, than the most costly marble erected at our grave.
All which is respectfully submitted,
Albert Smith, By order of The Executive Com.
This report shows only in part the activities of the society for that year, and its sentiments are as true to-day as when they were written.
The report of April, 1842, is brief. It describes the season of 1841 as hav- ing been unfavorable to the growth of the young trees, and that on account of the drouth, many had died and had not been replaced. No trees had been set out around the school houses. It recommends that all dead trees should be replaced especially those in the burying ground, and about the Town hall. It gives the outlook for 1842 as very promising and says that more than 300 apple trees had been set out,
besides shrubbery and a goodly num- ber of maples and other ornamental trees and repeats some of the Secre- tary's recommendations of the year before. There is no further record of the doings of this most useful society nor is there any information as to how long it survived. It had no successor like the other organizations named, so far as known.
Monuments of the work of the society can still be seen on the high- ways. Many of the trees planted by it in 1840-1842 died and were never replaced, but many also yet survive. In all parts of the town, on one or both sides of the road, and especially near to or opposite farm houses, can still be seen the large maples and elms set out under the Inspiration of the Society. It is known that Dr. Abbott planted those on Concord Street, and John Smith those on the "Street road" south of Wilson's Corner. If the work had been diligently followed up for a series of years, all the high- ways would now be lined with majestic shade trees which would have added greatly to the beauty of the town, and the attractiveness of its streets. For what it did accomplish, the people of the present generation owe a debt of gratitude to the Tree Society.
[ From page 169 to here was published in the Peterborough TRANSCRIPT, Dec. 11, 1913.]
ANNALS OF PETERBOROUGH FOR 1828.
BY JONATHAN SMITH.
It has been stated recently that one of the papers read annually before the Old Peterborough Lyceum was the history of the town for the preceding ycar. These papers were really the most important contributions madc by the Society to the local history of the town, and some four or five of them have, fortunately, been saved.
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