USA > New Hampshire > Rockingham County > Windham > History and proceedings of the celebration of the one hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the incorporation of the settlement of Windham in New Hampshire held June 9, 1892 > Part 12
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120
Letter from Ex-Gov. Charles H. Bell.
but also for the many pleasant associations connected with the years of my childhood, when it was my privilege to call it my home.
There are times in the histories of men and towns when they are called upon to pause from their usual vocations, and look back and contemplate the circumstances that have brought them to their pres- ent positions. Such, it seems to me, is the position in which you find yourselves to-day. And when your historian has read the pages of your history for the last 150 years, what has he found ? A history of men and women, whose early training in your public schools has made them noted for their sterling character, integrity, and deeds of generosity, whether at home or abroad.
Gentlemen of the committee, I again thank you for your courtesy, but owing to business engagements, am obliged to decline your kind invitation, but you have my best wishes for the success of this anni- versary, and I hope the object-lesson taught by the exercises of this celebration may ever be a reminder to the coming generations to continue the good example set them by their ancestors. I remain,
Yours very respectfully,
ALBRO A. OSGOOD.
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EX-GOVERNOR CHARLES H. BELL, EXETER, N. H.
EXETER, N. H., June 8, 1892. To the Committee of Arrangements for the Observance of the Wind- ham Anniversary :
GENTLEMEN :- I regret that it is out of my power to be present at your celebration to-morrow, and I send a few pages, to show you how much interest I feel in it, though absent in person.
Yours truly,
CHARLES H. BELL.
At the celebration, twenty-three years ago, of the 150th anniversary of the foundation of Londonderry, the mother town, I heard a lady, who had listened to the eulogies pronounced upon the Scotch-Irish settlers and their descendants, exclaim : "I feel as if I were nobody, to-day, because I am not Scotch-Irish !"
I am more fortunate than she was, for I can boast my descent from that worthy stock, on both sides of the house, my paternal ancestors having been among the early settlers of Londonderry, and my mater- nal among those of Windham. Indeed, the only English blood in my veins came through the marriage of my Windham grandfather
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Letter from Ex-Gov. Charles H. Bell.
with the daughter of the Rev. Christopher Sargent, of Methuen. But, he was so excellent a minister, and so worthy a man, that he may be accounted almost as good as if he had been Scotch-Irish, too !
The town of Windham is fortunate in its historian. A native, a descendant of one of the original families, familiar with the traditions and associations of the place, he has taken pride and pleasure in his task. His work contains much that is interesting, and characteristic of the people he describes, but hardly anything more characteristic, as it seems to me, than the first vote passed by the town, after its organ- ization by the election of officers under the charter, March 8, 1741-2. It was in these words : "Voted, That the selectmen provide two staves, one for the constable and one for the tithing-man, and a town-book." Then, having made this apparently meagre preparation for assuming the duties and responsibilities of townhood, the meeting was dissolved.
But, if we analyze this modest resolve of the town, I think we shall find that it contains the germs of those principles which have ennobled its history in contributing to the country so large a number of men of character and influence. In the first place, the very poverty of the vote indicates the few and simple wants, the narrow means, and the frugality of the people who passed it. They had little money, and none to spend unnecessarily. They brought up their families to like habits of prudence and economy. In entering upon their municipal duties, they evidently considered with care what was absolutely neces- sary, and meant to provide nothing beyond that. What, then, did they deem the indispensable necessities of their situation ? First, a staff for the constable. This was simply a black rod with a brazen crown at the top, but it was the symbol of civil authority. The con- stable was the collector of the rates and taxes, the conservator of the peace, the representative of the law of the land. In furnishing the constable's staff the town virtually pledged itself to respect and obe- dience of the law, as one of the main pillars of the future prosperity , which they hoped to enjoy.
The staff for the tithing-man used to have a heavy knob at one end, to rap the hard heads of men and boys, and a fox tail at the other, to tickle the faces of drowsy women. One of the chief duties of the tithing-man was to awaken sleepers and preserve order and decorum during divine service on the Lord's day. He was the representative of the spiritual, as the constable was of the civil, authority. When the fathers of Windham voted him his badge of office, they bound them- selves, in effect, to support the observances of religion, and the public worship of God.
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Letter from Ex-Gov. Charles H. Bell.
The town-book was the third article of prime necessity provided for in the town's first vote, and it was scarcely inferior in its influence upon the peace and harmony of the inhabitants to the articles already mentioned. The book was designed to contain the records of town meetings, of the proceedings of town officers, and the like. It was the common property of all the citizens, open to the inspection of all. It was of unimpeachable authority ; whatever appeared on its pages admitted of no question. It was a great regulator of official action ; a wholesome check upon loose and careless statement, and a final umpire in all disputes and differences respecting town affairs. In these respects it fully justified the foresight and expectation of the voters of 1742.
But, in process of time, the town-book acquired a value which the early inhabitants could never have anticipated. It supplied to the historian essential and priceless materials for presenting to our generation an accurate picture of the doings, the habits, and the ideas of the several generations which preceded us. The early inhabitants, in their modest estimate of themselves, could not have dreamed that they were ever to be of sufficient interest to their successors to be made the subjects of a history, in all the publicity of print, a century after their earthly work was over. When they authorized the pur- chase of the town book, they builded even better than they knew; and, for that, they are entitled to our special gratitude and acknowl- edgment.
A community which had the wisdom and foresight, 150 years ago, to manifest their allegiance to human and divine authority, and to recognize the need of making important transactions matters of per- manent record, might be expected to thrive, and to raise up successors who should be obedient to the laws, and make honest men and good citizens. Accordingly, the history of Windham affords numerous examples of those reared under such influences, who have been chosen from the ranks to become leaders in the great march of progress. So many of her sons have distinguished themselves in various callings and walks of life, that the list of their names would swell a letter to undue length, and it would be invidious to name a part, and keep silence respecting others of equal deserts.
Long may the old town continue true to the principles of its found- ers-faithful to the laws, human and divine,-and keep its future record worthy of the past. I am,
Very respectfully yours,
CHARLES H. BELL.
123
Letter from Samuel M. Nesmith, Esq.
CHARLES H. MILNER, SAN FRANCISCO, CAL.
SAN FRANCISCO, May 20, 1892.
To the Committee on Invitations :
GENTLEMEN :- I have just received an invitation from your com- mittee for June 9th, and although unable to cross the continent to attend, I will be with you in spirit on that day. It is unnecessary to assure you of the great pleasure it would give me to be in Windham at any time, and this is particularly true of such an occasion as the one at hand, which will call together, not only all of the present pop- ulation of the town, but as many of its former residents as are able to get there, and will afford such a favorable opportunity to greet old friends, that I am very sorry not to be able to take advantage of it and once more meet the many friends that I left there five years ago, and although I cannot do that, still I can send you all kindly regards and hearty good wishes, and, with the best of anticipations for the success of the celebration of the one hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the incorporation of the good old town of Windham,
I am, Sincerely Yours, CHARLES H. MILNER.
LETTER OF CONGRATULATION. SAMUEL M. NESMITH, ESQ., BOSTON, MASS. BOSTON, June 16, 1892.
HON. LEONARD A. MORRISON,
Windham, N. H. :
MY DEAR SIR :- I write to congratulate you on the success of the Windham celebration. I think it was one of the pleasantest occa- sions of my life, to meet with the sons and daughters of good old Windham in celebrating its 150th anniversary. It is well that occa- sions like these arise, to bring together those long separated from rela- tives and friends. It was my good fortune to meet with men and women who were my schoolmates more than fifty years ago. This was a privi- lege which I greatly appreciated. I was much pleased that the gov- ernor of our state, with his estimable lady, honored us with their pres- ence, and that sitting by his side was a lady guest 101 years of age.
The address of Hon. James Dinsmoor, a son of Windham, was able and scholarly, and I hope soon to see it published. The speeches
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Letter from Samuel M. Nesmith, Esq.
made by those who took part were of a high order, and reflected credit upon themselves, and honor upon the town.
There was one feature of the celebration which impressed me greatly, and of which I desire to write, viz: the charming music of the Windham glee club, introduced by yourself as having been organ -. ized nearly forty years ago. This club was composed of some of the best singers of the town, who have continued its organization unbroken by death, to the present time. It was a great pleasure to listen to these substantial men of Windham singing the songs they sang in days long gone by. May their lives long be spared to the good peo- ple of their native town.
The celebration was very enjoyable to all, notwithstanding the rain which fell during a portion of the afternoon. The arrangements for the celebration were admirably and substantially carried out. Great credit is due to yourself and the other members of the committee for the organization and completion of this grand celebration. As a son of Windham, I take great pride in the enterprise and public spirit of the men and women of my native town, and I am satisfied that her best interests and welfare are in safe hands to-day.
With much regard, and with many regrets that, on the day of the celebration, I could not say to you in the language of your invitation, "Give me your hand, old friend of youth,"
Sincerely yours,
SAMUEL M. NESMITH.
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