USA > New Hampshire > Hillsborough County > Bedford > History of Bedford, New-Hampshire, being statistics, compiled on the occasion of the one hundredth anniversary of the incorporation of the town; May 19th, 1850 > Part 31
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the partner of your joys, with raptures of delight, as the mother of your first-born ; and it was then you doubtless began to flatter yourself, with the pleasing prospect of a rising fam- ily ; but O! Sir, little did you think on that joyful occasion, that you should behold the darling of your bosom, exactly at the close of fifteen years from that time, lying a lifeless corpse, by such a sudden, surprising and unexpected stroke of divine providence.
" The companion of your bosom is gone. She whose ten- der care and watchfulness over your children seemed to protect them from harm, she whose prudence, industry and skill secured your interest, she who was always generous without profusion, and always friendly without affected fond- ness ; she who was benevolent and hospitable, without osten- tation, who could rationally rejoice with those who rejoiced, and feelingly weep with those who wept; And finally she, whose greatest pride was to make you comfortable and happy, is no more. She sleeps in death ; and though dead, yet she, as a silent monitor, informs you, there is but a step between you and death."
After addressing the children, the parents of the deceased are thus exhorted.
" To you, the parents of the deceased, I may say, with peculiar application, there is but a step between you and death. You are now both advanced in years, you doubtless begin to feel your journey in your bones. Last week, one of you was called upon to lay a brother, and this day, the other, a daughter in the grave. You see, then, that aged and mid- dle-aged are laid in the dust; according to the course of nature, your step towards death, is almost accomplished ; be ye therefore also ready, for in such an hour as ye think not, the Son of man cometh."
PAGE 158. There was a Thomas Savage in Virginia as early as 1624, as appears by the Census of the Colony, taken that year, probably the first American Census. This ancient and valuable record is thus alluded to by the " Washington Republic."
" We have seen no work, which will be more interesting to the historian and antiquary, none which throws so much light upon the customs and condition of the country, at so
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early a period. Those skilful in genealogy, or interested in foreign inheritances, will no doubt examine the work with pleasure. We find many curious terms appropriated to the period. Among the arms are 'snappances,' (flint locks) 'matchlocks,' and 'petronels,' The armor consists of 'coats of mail,' 'head-pieces,' ' buffe-coats,' 'steele-coats' and 'cors- lets.' We observe the muster of 'ancient (ensign ) Thomas Savage,' &c. The aggregate population of Virginia was in 1624, according to this Census, about 6000."
The following is a brief extract from Dr. Willard's sermon, alluded to on page 156.
" And now God calls us again to further occasion of deep consideration by the awful hand of his in the sudden and unexpected departure of this precious one from us, and that at such a time as this. I know he was gathered to his peo- ple in a good old age and full of days. He lived long enough for himself; but he died too soon for us."
PAGE 170. The following is the close of the sermon de- lived at the Dedication of the Presbyterian meeting-house, Dec. 25, 1832.
" Very soon after the settlement became an incorporated town, a house was built for the worship of God ; and there, for nearly eighty years, the fathers and the mothers have worshipped through successive generations, down to the present time.
" God has favored the town with a good degree of temporal blessings. No wasting sickness has thinned its population. The earth has annually rewarded the industrious with its fruits. A spirit of harmony has generally prevailed, and to a happy extent, the love of order and sobriety. Its sons have gone forth to almost all parts of our land, they have filled the various learned professions, and some of them have been and still are, the honored instruments of winning souls to Christ.
"God has granted seasons of spiritual prosperity. This vine which was early planted, he has visited and watered ; and the last year, especially, will be remembered, I trust, in eternity by many, as the happy year of their espousals to Christ.
"The present, beloved friends, may well be with you a time of tender recollection and of bright anticipation. You
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have been permitted to erect a new and commodious edifice for the worship of God. No adverse event has interrupted the progress of the work -no accident has occurred to cause a moment's gloom ; and by the help of God, it is now brought to a happy completion.
" On this auspicious day, (Christmas,) a day on which multitudes, in all parts of the Christian world, have repaired to their places of worship, to pour forth their gratitude for spiritual mercies ; a day that commemorates the first dawn of that light, which is now spreading throughout the world, we come with our humble offering, we come to dedicate this temple to God.
" To Him, then, and to his service, we now devote this building. We dedicate this altar to the cause of truth and righteousness. Here, may the messages of mercy come warm from the heart. Here, may a holy unction descend, from Sabbath to Sabbath, on those who shall minister in this sacred place.
" To Him we consecrate these pews, now filled with atten- tive hearers. Ever sacred may they be to the worship of God, sacred henceforth to meditation, prayer and holy resolve. We dedicate yonder seats, devoted to the singing of his praise ; these walls, this house, we dedicate to Father, Son and blessed Spirit.
" Holy, ever holy, be this, as was the place, where Jacob wrestled with the angel of the covenant.
" Here may the God of the fathers manifest himself the God of the children, and the children's children, until time shall lay his hand on this now goodly edifice, and this house, like all things else on earth, shall be mouldering to decay.
" And when the Lord shall write up his people, may it be found that multitudes were born here to glory.
""'Peace be within thy walls, and prosperity within thy palaces. For my brethren and companions' sake, I will now say, Peace be within thee.'
" And while we dedicate this temple to God, let us remem- ber that he hath said, 'The heaven is my throne and the earth is my footstool. Where is the house that ye build unto me, and where is the place of my rest ? For all these things hath mine hand made, and all these things have been, saith the Lord; but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and that trembleth at my word.'
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Let us give ourselves to God, let us each become a temple for the residence of his holy spirit."
PAGE 181. Under the head of Casualties, it should be stated that three men have been killed in this town by the fall of a tree. Mr. Cochran, many years ago, in the north part of the town ; Mr. Phineas Campbell, in 1845, and Capt. John Patten, Jan. 31, 1851.
PAGE 187, fifth line from top. "Martin's expenses and mine, there, were £5," probably the old tenor currency. The Spanish dollar, in sterling currency, was less than 6 shillings ; in old tenor, 25 shillings; in lawful money, 6 shillings. On the subject of currency, we find the following in " Ames' Almanac" for 1760.
" The old tenor bills which pass in Rhode Island and New Hampshire, are precarious as to the value in gold and silver. New Hampshire lawful money is fixed at sterling bills at the rate of 4s. 6d. a dollar."
In the same almanac, Ames give the origin of the term " Sterling," as applied to money.
" The Germans, because of their easterly dwelling from the English, were called 'Esterlings.' Some of whom dwelling in England, first of all stamped a pure coin, which, from them, was called 'Esterling' money ; and now leaving out the initial letter E., it is called Sterling money."
Nathaniel Ames, whose almanacs were so celebrated one hundred years ago, was a man of considerable note in his day. In his "Almanac for 1758," there is a singular prediction, which, in a work of this kind, it may not be improper to transcribe.
" The curious have observed that the progress of humane literature (like the sun) is from the east to the west. Thus has it travelled through Asia and Europe, and now is arrived at the eastern shore of America. As the celestial light of the gospel was directed here by the finger of God, it will doubtless finally drive the long night of heathenish darkness from America. So arts and sciences will change the face of nature in their tour from hence over the Apalachian moun- 46
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tains to the Western ocean ; and as they march through the vast desert, the residence of wild beasts will be broken up, and their obscene howl cease forever. The rocks will dis- close their hidden gems, and the inestimable treasures of gold and silver be broken up. Huge mountains of iron ore are already discovered, and vast stores are reserved for future generations. This metal, more useful than gold or silver, will employ millions of hands, not only to form the martial sword and peaceful share, alternately ; but an infinity of utensils, improved in the exercise of art and handicraft among men. Nature, through all her works, has stamped authority on this law, namely, 'That all fit matter shall be improved to its best purposes.' Shall not then those vast quarries, that teem with mechanic stone, those for structure, be piled into great cities; and those for sculpture, into statues to perpetu- ate the honor of renowned heroes ; even those who shall now save their country.
"O! ye unborn inhabitants of America ! should this page escape its destined conflagration, and these alphabetical let- ters remain legible ; when your eyes behold the sun, after he has rolled the seasons round for 2 or 3 centuries more, you will know that in Anno Domini 1758 we dream'd of your times. NATHANIEL AMES."
PAGE 190, fourth line from bottom. Ezra Baldwin was a great hypochondriac, and as such persons often are, was noted for whimsical oddities. Our MSS. Poem, from which we have more than once borrowed, gives him a niche among its worthies.
" They used to say the Gout and Spleen Oft in his company were seen ; The only way his friends could do, To break it up and bring him to, Was to get him to take a ride, Then, leave the road great way one side, And over the hillocks, stone-heaps steer, Till he began to cry 'O dear.' This made his anger wildly rise, And as he echoed forth his cries, He quite forgot his hypo hours, Which all absorb'd his mental powers. This remedy, being often tried, Bid Hypo stand, as one defied."
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PAGE 306. The Goffe family is supposed by some to be collaterally descended from Wm. Goffe, one of the Judges who condemned King Charles Ist. It should, however, be said that Goffe was a more common name at that period than at present. The name of John Goffe is found on the records of Dr. Increase Mather's church, in Boston, as early as 1670, and it was not till 1660 that Maj. Gen. Wm. Goffe arrived at Boston, in his flight from England, in company with Whalley and Dixwell.
It may here be remarked, as their names have been intro- duced, that these regicides were received kindly by Gov. Endicott, and resided at Cambridge till Feb., 1661, when the intelligence reached them that they were not included in the act of indemnity.
They then removed to New Haven, Ct., and were con- cealed by the principal inhabitants. They afterwards resided for some time on West Rock, (a high bluff near New Haven,) and in the neighboring towns.
But in 1664, they removed to Hadley, Mass., and remained concealed fifteen or sixteen years in the house of Rev. Mr. Russell. When the Indians attacked the town in 1675, and threw the inhabitants, assembled for public worship, into great confusion ; Goffe, who was entirely unknown to them, white with age, his flowing gray locks, with a commanding aspect, and clothed in an unusual dress, suddenly presented himself among them, and encouraging them by his exhorta- tions, placed himself at their head, and by his military skill secured them the victory.
The battle had scarcely terminated, when the mysterious stranger disappeared ; and the people, alike ignorant of the place whence he came, and of his retreat, regarded him as an angel sent for their deliverance.
There is a story told of Goffe, that while at Boston, some years after, on a visit, he met with an old friend, who did not recognize him. The Englishman, being somewhat of a braggard, declared there was not a man in America that could wield the sword with him. Goffe seized a broomstick, and in a few minutes disarmed the hero, by knocking his sword out of his hand. The Englishman immediately re- plied, " You are Whalley, Goffe, or the Devil."
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PAGE 320. Of Miss Ann Orr, who has been repeatedly alluded to, as a successful teacher for half a century, it should be added, she was born Sept. 21, 1782, and died, Nov., 1849. Towards the close of her useful life, her scholars, in various parts of the country, united in making her a valuable present, as a token of their high regard.
ERRATA.
PAGE 98, seventeen lines from top of page, instead of " blended trees," read " blended hues."
Page 98, twenty-two lines from top, instead of narrow, read wide, as Lati- folia imports. It should however be said, that the leaf is narrow, compared with most leaves, but wide, compared with Kalmia Angustifolia, another spe- cies of the laurel, a poisonous bush, commonly called " kill-lamb."
Page 198, between paragraphs on Dr. Wallace and Dr. Beard, insert, "Dr. Paul Tenney came to Bedford in 1810, and remained till 1815."
Page 208, twelve lines from top, instead of " Dea. Stephen Thurston," read " Dea. John Houston."
Page 212, in the marriages for 1842, should be inserted " Hugh R. French and Mary J. Shepard."
Page 264, eight lines from bottom, for external, read eternal.
Page 271, four lines from bottom, for canon, read cannon.
Page 289, eleven lines from bottom, for Jumes, read James.
Page 302, eighteen lines from bottom, for Elia, read Celia.
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