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 2
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Resolved, That the Executive Committee extend to Mr. Abel Dow their - heartfelt thanks for his kindness and generosity in offering his grove for the coming celebration of the 150th anniversary of the incorporation of Windham.
The secretary was authorized to notify Mr. Dow of said vote.
At the meeting April 7th, three persons were chosen a committee
ON COLLATION. William D. Cochran, Albert E. Simpson, George E. Seavey.
-
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A Free Collation.
ommitter
Arrangements.
in old English letters.
It was voted, on motion of W. C. Harris, that the expense of a band should not exceed one hundred dollars, and that it should be at Wind- ham Center at 8:30 a. m. and remain till 5:30 p. m. After the transac-
It was voted, on motion of Wil- liam C. Harris, to have a free dinner at the celebration, and the meeting adjourned to April 23d.
Met according to adjournment, when it was voted that Leonard A. Morrison be a committee to pro- cure thirty-six badges for the Ex- ecutive Commit- tee. These he subsequently pro- cured, at a cost of twenty cents each. They were of the following descrip- tion : Made of white satin, four inches in length and two inches in breadth, attached to a glittering pin, which looked like gold, but perhaps was not of that metal, and with gilt fringe. The satin was marked, "Committee of Arrangements,"
13 .
Report of the Secretary.
tion of other business, the meeting adjourned, subject to the call of the president.
The committee again met, on May 4th. The Haverhill, Mass., City band had been secured, at an expense of one hundred dollars.
It having been decided to secure a large tent, the spot on which to pitch it caused the committee a good deal of anxiety, as the grounds in front of the town house were not of sufficient extent. After sev- eral places had been examined, it was finally voted to put it in the field of James Cochran, on the west of his house, and with the under- standing that there the tables should be set the day before the celebra- tion, as that would relieve the ladies of care and labor on the celebra- ting day ; and that the seating capacity at the tables should be for 1,000 persons. At this meeting William D. Cochran, chairman of the Committee on Collation, gave a valuable report in relation to the sort of tents and the expense and general method of providing and supplying the great congregation with a free dinner. It was decided, according to the report of the secretary, to have the speaking " some- where around the town house."
It was moved by Albert E. Simpson that the schools of the town, with their teachers, be invited to meet at the schoolhouse in No. 6, on the day of celebration, the whole to be under the direction of the school board, and that they be escorted in the order in which the sev- eral districts come, by the band, to the town hall, and that they have a separate table for dinner. It was so voted.
The following is an original, racy, and quaint report from the sec- retary's record : "The question of posters, how they shall be worded, came up, and was discussed at some length. [This included the gen- eral one of invitations.] The question of invitations came up, and was discussed by different gentlemen. It was thought that 1,000 ought to be sent out, and that, in all probability, not more than one- half would respond. L. A. Morrison gave his ideas (as he has on several different occasions), in plain and outspoken language. He thinks the invitation should include any one who has any inclination to come : he would invite the whole of creation-and have dinner tickets (at a fixed price), and any person or persons who wanted din- ner should notify the committee accordingly, and secure them.
" Another grave and important matter has just come up, and that is, whether the committee are willing to release Mr. William D. Coch- ran (one of the important persons on the Executive Committee, and chairman of the Committee on Collation) to go on a trip to Portland, Oregon, to be gone most of the time between now and the coming
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Report of the Secretary.
celebration. Most of the committee are willing, but A. E. Simpson (also on Committee on Collation) is inclined to object, on the ground that W. D. Cochran is the hub of the wheel, as well as the spoke, and says, further, that if W. D. C. does go, he (Simpson) wants to feed the crowd in a different manner (the way subsequently adopted), that is, without setting tables. W. D. Cochran objects to that way, on the ground that it would be very much more work ; his idea is to relieve the ladies on celebration day from being obliged to work hard all day; they could mingle with the crowd, see their friends, and be relieved from very much care, etc., etc. So the matter is left undecided. The meeting adjourned sine die at 6:45 p. m. H. S. REYNOLDS,
Secretary.
At this same meeting, Albert E. Simpson, chairman of the Com- mittee on Newspapers, reported that he had made arrangements with the Boston Journal to supply 800 copies of the Journal at three cents each, to be sent to different parties, on being furnished a list of names by the committee. The following article in relation to the cel- ebration was prepared by Col. J. E. Pecker, of Concord, correspon- dent of the Journal, who visited Windham, took items from the com- mittee, and prepared the article from those facts and from other in- formation found in the "History of Windham in New Hampshire." Leonard A. Morrison prepared a list of 600 names, which was sup- plied to the Journal office, and this article, published in the Morn- ing Journal, May 17, 1892, was mailed direct from that office to the parties named in that list. The other 200 copies came to Windham, and were mailed to different persons and divided among the members of the committee, for distribution among the people of the town.
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Col. J. E. Pecker's Article.
WINDHAM, N. H.
Its 150th Anniversary to be Celebrated-Arrangements for a Grand Re- union of Former Residents-Notes on the History of a Town Which Has no Mean Record.
[Special Dispatch to The Boston Journal. ]
WINDHAM, N. H., May 16 .- The citizens of Windham will celebrate the 150th anniversary of the incorporation of the town on June 9th, and the proposed festivities are already the eager topic of discussion among all classes in this community. The various committees are hard at work, and they are promised so generous a measure of hearty co-operation from the citizens that it is safe even now to predict that the reunion will be a grand success. The first movement toward this celebration was the draft- ing of a petition directed to the selectmen by William C. Harris en- dorsed by others, which was largely signed by the voters of the town The petition called for a special meeting to be held for the purpose of taking action in the matter. The meeting was held on January 23d, and there was a good attendance. It was unanimously and enthusiastically voted to hold the celebration on the date already named. A Committee of Arrangements, to have entire charge of the proceedings, was chosen, consisting of two from each of the old school districts. This committee was composed of the following gentlemen: William D. Cochran, Hon. Leonard A. Morrison, A. M., Albert E. Simpson, John W. M. Worledge, Horace Berry, George E. Seavey, Hiram S. Reynolds, Alphonso F. Camp- bell, Augustus L. Barker, Joseph P. Crowell, William C. Harris, James Cochran, Charles H. Davis, and Horace B. Johnson. The committee or- ganized by choosing Hon. Leonard A. Morrison, A. M., of Canobie Lake, chairman, and President of the Day, and Hiram S. Reynolds, of West Windham, secretary. A Committee on Finance was selected, with Al- bert E. Simpson, of Windham, chairman. Various sub-committees were chosen on the subjects of literary exercises, including the selection of an orator, invitations, collation, decorations, music, and reception. The town was not asked to appropriate money, as it was desired to meet all expenses with voluntary contributions, which are coming in very gener- ally from citizens, former residents, and descendants of early settlers. As the exact date of the 150th anniversary was on February 12th, a public festival was held on the evening of that day in the town hall, to com- memorate that event, it being understood that the formal celebration should occur in the summer, the date of which was subsequently fixed as already given.
The general committee voted to hold the exercises at the center of the town. Under this arrangement, visitors from abroad are expected to debark from the cars at Windham Junction, where barges will be in attendance to convey them to the center village, a distance of two and a half miles. The Committee. on Literary Exercises unanimously voted
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Col. J. E. Pecker's Article Continued.
to invite Hon. James Dinsmoor, a lawyer of Sterling, Illinois, to deliver the historical address, which invitation has been accepted. Mr. Dins- moor is a native of Windham, a graduate of Dartmouth College, and a jurist of high character and reputation. He has always taken a great interest in his native town, making frequent visits to it, and the fact of his acceptance of the invitation to deliver the oration has caused great satisfaction to the entire population of Windham. Mrs. M. M. P. Dins- moor, of Windham, will read an original poem. Among other speakers expected from abroad are Rev. W. R. Cochrane, D. D., of Antrim, Rev. Samuel Morrison, of Charlton, Mass., and Rev. C. M. Dinsmoor, of Exe- ter. The exercises will commence at 10 a. m., and the remainder of the forenoon will be devoted mainly to listening to the historical address. Dinner will be served at 1 p. m., followed by toasts and speeches. Fine instrumental and vocal music will be furnished. It is expected that a large tent will be pitched near the hall for dining purposes. All bells in the town will be rung at sunrise, and there will be extensive decorations. Governor and Mrs. Tuttle will be among the invited guests. Rev. Gil- bert A. Kennedy, of the Presbyterian church in the parish of Aghadowey, county of Londonderry, province of Ulster, Ireland, of which church some of the first settlers of that portion of Londonderry, now Windham, were members, has been sent a most cordial letter of invitation.
Windham was originally settled by people of Scotch blood, some direct from Scotland, but most of them from Scotch settlements in . the North of Ireland. The territory now comprising Windham was from 1719 to February 12, 1742, a portion of Londonderry. The first sixteen settlers of Londonderry, with their wives and families, were James McKeen, John Barnet, Archibald Clendennin, John Mitchell, James Starrett, James Anderson, Randall Alexander, James Gregg, James Clark, James Nesmith, Allen Anderson, Robert Weir, John Mor- ison, Samuel Allison, Thomas Steele, and John Stuart. Of these sixteen, McKeen, Anderson, Alexander, Clark, Nesmith, and Stuart were each the ancestor of the Windham families which bear their respective surnames. The homes in Ireland of the McKeens, Dinsmoors, McGregors, and Nes- miths, and many other families which settled in Windham and London- derry, were in the valley of the river Bann, in or near the parishes or towns of Kilrea, Coleraine, Ballywatick, Ballymoney, and Ballynoolen. In September, 1719, five months after the first settlement, there were seventy families, and in October there were 105. There is no account of any Indian outrage to an inhabitant of Windham or Londonderry, save that of the boy who was killed on Golden Brook about 1721.
The first grant of land in Windham was one of 500 acres, ordered by the Legislature of Massachusetts, to Rev. Thos. Cobbett, of Ipswich, that state. It was surveyed and laid out in October, 1662, by Joseph Davis, Jere- miah Belcher, and Simon Tuttle. This was approved by the General Court at Boston, May 27, 1663. The bounds were renewed May 2, 1728, by Jonathan Foster, John Jacques, Thomas Gage, and David Haseltine.
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Emigration to Coleraine, Mass.
This farm was laid out in 1662, or fifty-seven years before the Scotch made a settlement in Londonderry, of which Windham was a part. Un- doubtedly Londonderry had been traversed again and again by exploring and hunting expeditions, before and after 1662; still, it is doubtful if any permanent settlements were made till the advent of the Scotch in 1719. The first settlement in Windham was southeast of Cobbett's Pond, near the cemetery, on the highest elevation of Copps' Hill. There the first house stood, and the first occupant was John Waddell, and this was not far from 1720. In 1740 an emigration of some fourteen families took place from Windham and Londonderry, to Coleraine, Mass., among them being Morrisons and Stuarts.
The petition to Governor Benning Wentworth, praying for the erec- tion of a new parish, though not dated, was drawn in 1740, and was signed by Thomas Morison and forty-eight others. In that year Eze- kiel Morison, one of the petitioners, died. Those who signed the in- strument asked that a tract of land near six miles in length and four in breadth, lying on the south side, at the easterly end of said town of Lon- donderry, be made into a new parish. The reasons for presenting the petition were narrated to be considerable difficulty, unknown to others not in their circumstances, more especially with respect to their attend- ance on public worship. It was stated that the greater part of the peti- tioners, or rather all of them except three, were living upwards of seven miles from either of the meeting houses in said town, the inconveniences of which were self-evident. From this it will be seen that the early set- tlers of Londonderry were church-going people, those asking for the new town of Windham making their strongest claim on the ground of living at an inconvenient distance from the earliest houses of worship in the settlement.
The charter for Windham was granted January 21, 1741, and " An Act for incorporating a new parish in the township of Londonderry in the Province of New Hampshire," was passed by the General Court Febru- ary 12, 1742. It was also enacted that Robert Dinsmoor, Joseph Waugh, and Robert Thomson be hereby authorized and appointed to call the first meeting of the inhabitants of the said parish on the 8th day of March following. The charter was granted on the condition that the inhabit- ants of the said parish should from time to time provide, maintain, and support an orthodox minister of the gospel among them. The charter was signed by Andrew Wiggin, Speaker; Richard Waldron, Secretary of the Council Board, and B. Wentworth, Governor, and a copy was at- tested by Samuel Campbell, town clerk. The sun which rose on the morning of February 12, 1742, ushered in a new and brighter day to those hardy settlers who on that date became the inhabitants of the new town of Windham.
The first town meeting was held according to the provisions of the charter, and on March 8, 1742, the initial measures were taken that laid the foundations for the new town of Windham, upon whose people the
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Noted Men.
sun of prosperity has ever shone. It is unnecessary to mention in detail the more prominent events in the record of the town, for they can all be gleaned from its excellent history that was the fruit of years of assidu- ous labor on the part of the widely-known author and genealogist, Hon. Leonard A. Morrison, A. M., and who published the same in 1883. It may be stated, however, that Windham has always been distinguished for the enterprise, intelligence, patriotism, and religious culture of its inhab- itants. Education has ever been fostered with care and faithfulness, churches have been well supported, and her children have always been taught loyalty to the state and nation. In all the wars in which the United States has been engaged, Windham's sons have always done their part, especially in the War of the Rebellion, to defend the flag of their country. Windham's first library was established in 1800, which was followed by numerous others from time to time, including the Nesmith Free Public Library, which was established in 1871, the donor being Col. Thomas Nesmith, of Lowell. The natural scenery of Windham is noted for its varied beauty. The diversity of the landscape is such that the eye never tires in beholding its grand old hills, valleys, lakes, and streams of water.
Among natives, or descendants of the earliest settlers, now residing beyond the limits of the town, who have helped to give character and reputation to Windham, may be named ex-Gov. Charles H. Bell, of Ex- eter, the two ex-Govs. Dinsmoor, of Keene, Hon. Wm. H. Anderson, a lawyer of Lowell, George W. Armstrong, of Boston, Hon. Charles H. Campbell, of Nashua, John Campbell, of Henniker, James M. Campbell, of Manchester, Judge George C. Clyde, of Columbia county, N. Y., Milton A. Clyde, of Springfield, Mass., Hon. James Dinsmoor, of Illin- ois, Hon. Silas Dinsmoor, of Alabama, Hon. James Dinsmore, of Ken- tucky, William B. Dinsmore, late president of the Adams Express Com- pany, of New York city, Nathaniel Hills, of Ipswich, Mass., Hon. John C. Park, of Boston, Hon. Aaron P. Hughes, of Nashua, Hon. Alva Mor- rison, of Braintree, Mass., Prof. James Morrison, M. D., of Quincy, Mass., Hon. John Nesmith, of Lowell, Mass., and Prof. J. L. Noyes, of Faribault, Minnesota.
The work of the committee went rapidly forward. The several committees were attending closely to their different lines of labor and worked together harmoniously and well. Leonard A. Morrison, for the Committee on Invitations, had printed, on May 11th, 1,100 copies of the following invitation, and on May 12th about 600 single copies were folded and addressed at the American office, in Lawrence, Mass., and mailed at Windham to the persons named in a list which had been prepared. Most of the remaining copies were sent by different mem- bers of the Executive Committee to parties in different sections of
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The Invitation.
the country. The responses to this invitation were enthusiastic and numerous.
-1892 .- Windham, New Hampshire.
Settled, 1720. Incorporated, 1742. The Citizens of Windham will celebrate the 150th Anniversary of its Incorporation, June 9th, 1892. Exercises To Commence at 10 o'clock A. M. at The Town Hall. "Give me your hand, Old Friend of Youth." Historical Address by Hon. James Dinsmoor.
It is proposed to make this the most interesting celebration ever held in the Town. Tents will be erected and everything done to make the occasion worthy of those in whose honor we celebrate.
Descendants of the early settlers, wherever located, natives, and former residents, are cordially invited to return to the old home, and with the citizens of Windham participate in the festivities of the day. Your presence is requested.
Please notify the Committee of your acceptance.
WILLIAM C. HARRIS, LEONARD A. MORRISON, WILLIAM D. COCHRAN, ALPHONSO F. CAMPBELL,
Committee on Invitations.
N. B .- Visitors from abroad, and guests of the Town, will leave trains at Windham Junction, from which barges will be run, and which can convey them to the Town House. Guests of the Town will be received by the Committee of Arrangements in the Upper Hall.
Barges will run during the day between the Town House and the Station, connecting with all trains. Particulars will be given in the Programmes.
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The Work Expands.
The next meeting of the committee was on May 28th, and matters of much importance came up, were fully discussed, and decided. The celebration had grown on the hands of the committee. It had be- come advertised in all the surrounding country. The occasion was in itself a very fascinating one, and one which always draws a multitude. Ten thousand people had gathered in 1869 at the Londonderry cele- bration. It was prophesied by some who had participated in the man- agement of that affair, that this one would draw five thousand people, if it was a pleasant day. Others asserted that three thousand people would be present. But it was an uncertain quantity, though "it was in the air " that a large number would be in Windham, if the weather was fine. They would flock to Windham as men flock to a banquet, or as doves to their windows. They would
" Come as the winds come, when Forests are rended ; Come as the waves come, when Navies are stranded."
And the people of Windham wanted them to come, but they wished also to provide for them in an acceptable manner. Such was the sit- uation of the committee. They were making preparations for 1,000 people, and 5,000 might be present.
William C. Harris discussed the subject at length. His solution of the problem was, that the distinguished guests, speakers, etc., should be entertained at tables in the lower town hall, the children in Good- win's hall, and then provisions could be carried among the multitude outside, and the speaking be held in the tent.
Joseph P. Crowell took the floor and remarked that he was aware that we had a big enterprise on our hands, and thought it was imprac- ticable to set tables in the tent, as had been intended.
Several others thought that the present plans would have to be radically changed. All our guests could not be accommodated at the tables, as proposed. A general and lengthy discussion ensued. Then J. P. Crowell moved that the chair appoint three persons as a special committee, to withdraw and draft a plan, in writing, as to the best method of feeding the probable thousands who would attend the cele- bration, the best place to have the tent located (as there were serious objections to the one decided upon), and to make other necessary sug- gestions. The chair appointed Joseph P. Crowell, William C. Harris, and Albert E. Simpson as that committee, and they immediately
21
Difficult Questions Solved.
retired. In three fourths of an hour the special committee returned to the hall and submitted the following report :
1st. That the tables be set for dinner in the town hall for the distin- guished guests and band, and that tickets be distributed to as many others as can be seated at the tables.
2d. That tables be set in Mr. Goodwin's hall for the school children and teachers.
3d. That the balance of the people be seated in the large tent and the food be passed to them, the tent to be located on the north side of the town hall.
The report of the committee was quickly adopted as the best solu- tion of a difficult question, and late in the afternoon the meeting ad- journed till Thursday, June 2d.
On the latter date the committee and others met at the town house, cleared up the grove about it, cut down two large trees, an oak and an elm, moved the hearse house to make room for the tent, and graded up the ground. Some of the public-spirited citizens volun- teered to aid in this work.
On Saturday, June 4th, the Executive Committee met, and, with others, erected the tent, with the tent manager, after which they met in the town hall.
A long list of names was read by the president, and proposed as honorary officers and members of the committee. On motion of Hor- ace Berry, the list of names was adopted by a unanimous vote.
The president stated that, considering the programme which had been prepared, it was a matter of absolute necessity that the exercises should commence promptly on schedule time, and that there should be no delay.
The preceding is explanatory of the following from the unique re- port of the secretary :
The matter of getting the school children to Schoolhouse No. 6 by 9 o'clock in the morning was discussed and talked over at some length. John A. Park was asked if he could get them there in season, and in fact was asked point blank by the president if he would get them there in season from District No. 1. After a number of heavy shots were fired at him, he finally agreed to undertake the job (and did it finely). It was thought by the executive committees from the various districts that the school children would get there in season without any special convey- ance. So that matter was settled. L. A. Morrison reported that he had made arrangements with the Boston and Maine railroad to have the 8:20 a. m. express train stop at the Junction and let off passengers. He also had found out the terms by which a special train could be had to run
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Report of the Secretary.
from the Junction after the 6:30 p. m. train up, so as to accommodate those who might wish to go to Boston or any other point south later than the 5 o'clock train.
It was moved by James Cochran, and seconded by A. E. Simpson, that we have a special train from Windham Junction to Lawrence, Mass. Carried by a majority vote, and L. A. Morrison was authorized to secure it.
Efforts were made to secure a special train on the Nashua and Roch- ester road late in the afternoon of June 9th, by the committee, J. P. Crowell. After consultation with the parties most interested, in Nashua, it was thought best to abandon the project.
A. E. Simpson takes the floor, and says he wants to do the carpenter work on Monday next, as on Tuesday he must go to Lawrence to get the dishes and other things necessary for setting the tables and feeding the multitude, and on Wednesday he wants about thirty to come (men and women) and work all day, to wash the dishes, set the tables, cut the meat and bread and make the sandwiches, etc. The plans of Mr. Simpson were subsequently carried out.
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