USA > New Hampshire > Merrimack County > Concord > History of Concord, New Hampshire, from the original grant in seventeen hundred and twenty-five to the opening of the twentieth century, Volume I > Part 36
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"Voted, That the thanks of this meeting be given to William A. Kent, Esq., the moderator, for his temperate, resolute, and judicious conduct upon that occasion."
In closing his speech in reply to this expression of approbation, tlie moderator thus delicately alluded to the politics of the affair : " The insult offered to the town by the assault on its representative, I doubt not, is duly felt by my fellow-citizens ; and I rejoice that, notwithstanding the difference of opinion respecting our national politics, so many of those who differ from me on that part united in reprobating and resenting that indignity." 1
This political excitement in Concord was accompanied by alarm and sorrow from another cause. A malignant scarlet fever broke out in the barracks, and spread thence to the homes of the inhabitants. Two hundred and ninety-seven persons were smitten : forty-nine regular soldiers, of whom seven died; one hundred volunteers- twenty-four fatally ; ninety-three inhabitants, with six deathis.2 A hospital was built upon the land owned by Nathaniel Abbot, west of the state prison, and the services of Dr. Bartley, of Londonderry, were employed to aid the two physicians of the town, Peter Green and Zadock Howe, in attendance upon the sick inhabitants.3 The June following, the town provided for Dr. Bartley's compensation by authorizing the selectmen, "after collecting what they " could " from the persons whom the doctor visited, to pay, out of any money be- longing to the town, the remainder of the sum charged for his ser- vices and expenses." 4
In the course of the years 1813 and 1814, detachments of the state inilitia were stationed at Stewartstown, on the northern frontier, but especially at Portsmouth on the seaboard. It was not, however, till 1814 that Portsmouth was most seriously threatened by British cruisers hovering about the coast, and it was then that militia drafts were made, in which Concord had a share. In July of that year the town contributed eleven recruits for three months, with William Shute lieutenant, to a company commanded by Captain William Marshall, who had been stationed at Portsmouth for some time. In August, the selectmen and the captains of companies in town were authorized to pay those who had been drafted such compensation as they might think proper, and to hire all soldiers thereafter called for during the year, " in lieu of drafting."5 This compensation was fixed by the town, early the next year, at four dollars a month for
1 Town Records, 460.
2 Bouton's Concord, 345-6.
$ Ibid, 346.
৳ Ibid, 469. 4 Town Records, 462,
335
SECOND WAR WITH ENGLAND.
each soldier detached from the militia, in the service of the United States.
On the 7th of September, Governor Gilman, " in view of the recent depredations of the enemy upon the seaboard of the United States," 1 issued a call for detachments from twenty-three regiments, and two days later the following supplementary one in "general orders ": " That the whole of the militia, including infantry, cavalry, and artillery, hold themselves in readiness to march at a moment's warn- ing, completely armed and equipped according to law, and as well provided as possible with blankets and ammunition. And whereas there are a large number of men able to bear arms, who are, by our militia laws, exempted from ordinary military duties, they are hereby invited and requested, in the present alarming state of the country, to assemble in their respective towns, organize themselves into com- panies, and prepare for defence, in case it should become necessary."
.
The orders to detach were promptly obeyed, and the detachments from twenty-three regiments were soon in Portsmouth. There they were organized into five regiments and two battalions, one of the latter being exclusively of artillery ; the other mixed, being composed of infantry and one artillery company. In the First Regiment was a company commanded by Captain Nathaniel G. Bradley, of Concord, and containing ten 2 of his townsmen, engaged for three months' ser- vice ; and to Captain Edward Fuller's company of the Second Regi- ment, Concord supplied sixteen 2 three months' men. In the mixed battalion was Captain Peter Robertson's volunteer company of artil- lery from the Eleventh Regiment of New Hampshire militia. Within twenty-four hours after the issuance of the governor's second call, the members engaged their services, and forthwith marched on the Sabbath, by the meeting-house, over Federal bridge, and along the turnpike, to Portsmouth.3 Officers and men, they numbered thirty- one,4 all of Concord, and were in service from the 10th of September to the 29th, or twenty days. About the 1st of October the main body of troops stationed at Portsmouth, now out of danger, were discharged.
The governor's appeal to military exempts, contained in his " gen- eral orders," issued on the 9th of September, met with immediate compliance in Concord. On the 10th, a preliminary meeting of men of both parties was held at Stickney's hall, Colonel William A. Kent presiding, and the following preamble and resolution were adopted :
" WHEREAS, in defence of our altars and firesides, our property and our country, Americans can have but one opinion :
1 Town Records, 474.
? See list in note at close of chapter.
3 Bouton's Concord, 347.
* See list in note at close of chapter,
336
HISTORY OF CONCORD.
"Resolved, That it is expedient to form a military association in the town of Concord, of sneh persons as are not enrolled in the militia, to be in readiness, at a moment's warning, to act under the direction of the commander-in-chief, for the defence of the state." 1
A committee was raised withont distinction of party to forward the movement. Over a hundred men, comprising some of the most respectable and venerable citizens of the town, were straightway organized into a company unmbered the Sixth of Volunteers.2 Stephen Ambrose was chosen captain, with a full list of subordinate officers. The patriotic spirit thus manifested was meritorious, though the only service done by the company was to march, fully armed and equipped, through Main street, on the first day of October3-presenting an "appearance," said the New Hampshire Patriot, " that was accompanied with the prond conviction that this nation can never be conquered when such defenders shoulder the mnsket."
By October, 1814, the war's last campaign in the North was closed, while that in the South was progressing towards its end to be reached in the early winter. From August, peace negotiations went on at Ghent, resulting in a definitive treaty on the 24th of December. Before the news of this treaty could cross the Atlantic, the last battle of the War of 1812 was fought at New Orleans, and the great American victory there won on the 8th of Jannary, 1815, crowned the nation's cup of joy over the return of peace.
As narration comes again to the days and doings of peace, certain facts, falling within the years of war, deserve a passing backward glance. In January, 1812, at the active suggestion of Elizabeth MeFarland, the minister's wife,-pions, prayerful, and efficient in good works,-was established "The Concord Female Charitable Society,"4_the first organization of the kind in New Hampshire, if not in the United States,-that worthy social and religions device of benevolence, which was to become the model of similar institu- tions in town, and, in the holy competition of charity, was to pass in its green old age into another century. Nor did the Society confine its charity at home ; for, in January, 1814, joining with other women of Concord, it transmitted to Portsmonth nearly two hundred dol- lars, for the relief of women and children suffering from the calam- itons fire of the 22d of November, 1813.5
. It was not until the year 1807 that the town took action looking towards the creation of an effective Fire Department, by choosing, on
1 Bouton's Concord, 348.
" Bouton's Concord, 347-8; also see list in note at close of chapter.
SIbid, 348-9.
" Bouton's Concord, 440.
& Ibid, 354.
337
EARLY FIRES AND FIRE ENGINE COMPANIES. .
the 10th of March, " Benjamin Kimball, Jr., Nathaniel Abbot, Sar- geant Rogers, Timothy Chandler, and Paul Rolfe, Fire-wards." 1 Not long before this the town seems to have come into possession of an engine, or tub-but when or how is not recorded. On the 17th of the following June the legislature passed an act "to incorporate certain persons by the name of Concord Engine Company, No. 1." By virtue of this act, notice dated June 22d was issued over the signatures of Sherburn .Wiggin and Abel Hutchins, calling a meeting of the members of the company at the town house, on the 3d of August, for the purpose of organization.2 No further record of this movement is extant; but the town at its next annual meeting elected fire-wards, as it continued to do in subsequent years. It seems, too, that Concord Engine Company, No. 1, was re-incor- porated in December, 1808.3
During more than eighty years after the settlement of Concord, only three fires are recorded as having occurred within its territory. The first of these was caused by lightning, early in July, 1797, when the barn of a Mr. Partridge-probably located at the south end of Main street-was struck. but the resulting flames were speedily extinguished.+ The second was thus described by the Mirrour : " On Saturday evening, Jan. 20, 1798. about ten o'clock, the inhab- itants of this town were alammed with the cry of fire! fire! which broke out in the hatter's shop of Mr. David George, Jr., contiguous to the store of Messrs. P. & O. Carrigan (north end Main street). The anxiety of the citizens, when so much property was exposed, was amazing, and by their assiduous exertions and regular procedure, together with the assistance of some ladies, they happily extin- guished the destructive element with little damage to anything except the building. Let this, fellow citizens, excite every one to diligence. Query-Would it not be a good plan for every man to keep a good ladder and one or two proper fire buckets always ready ?"
The third fire occurred in 1802, consuming Ensign Jacob Carter's grist-mill and Thomas Vesper's carding machine, at West Concord, the cause being overloaded gudgeons, and the loss two thousand dollars.4
Seven years later, and two years after the adoption of the fire- ward system, the fourth recorded fire destroyed, on the night of August 17, 1809, Major Timothy Chandler's clock manufactory, house, barn, and outbuildings, together with two barns belonging to
1 Town Records, 395.
2 Concord Gazette, June 30, 1807.
¿ See First Fire Engine Company, in note at close of chapter.
4 From notes communicated by John M. Hill and Fred Leighton.
23
338
HISTORY OF CONCORD.
Robert Harris, the merchant. The loss of the latter was one thou- sand dollars; that of the former, five thousand,-twelve hundred dollars of which were generously reimbursed, since no insurance system yet existed, by a relief subscription from the inhabitants of the town.1
Another fire, on the 15th of February, 1812, consumed a building 2 at the North End, occupied by Mann & Robertson, traders, and George W. Rogers, cabinet-maker, and greatly endangered the " Up- per Bank," then having its quarters in the building 2 nearest on the south.3
Such reminders forcibly suggested the necessity of a better system of protection against fire; especially as the efficiency of the fire- wards had hitherto been seriously hampered through lack of adequate delegated authority. Hence, at the annual meeting held on the 11th of March, 1812, the town appointed its three lawyers, Thomas W. Thompson, Charles Walker, and Samuel Green, "to report at the next meeting a by-law for extinguishing fires."4 At the same time, "one hundred dollars " were "raised to purchase, fire-hooks and make necessary repairs of the engine." 4
A year later, on the 10th of March, 1813, the committee reported, and the town adopted, a by-law prescribing the annual choice of fire- wards, who should have, "for the distinguishing badge of their office, a staff five feet long, painted red, and headed with a bright spire six inches long." These officers were given full powers-enforced by penalties-to demand assistance of any inhabitants in extinguishing fires or preventing their spread ; to remove property from endangered premises ; to direct the operations of extinguishment ; "to suppress all tumults and disorders " at fires; "to search and inspect all houses and places " where danger from fire might be apprehended, and to order precautionary "repairs, alterations, or removals." 5
For years fire-wards with such powers managed the Concord fire department, with its one engine, till 1818, when was added the second, an invention of Samuel F. B. Morse, 6-then resident in town as a portrait painter,-and an humbler effort of that genius which was yet to find out the electric telegraph. The same year were adopted by the town, upon report of the fire-wards, a recent act of the legislature relating to the prevention and extinguishinent of fires, and an older enactment upon the same subject,-originally designed
1 Bouton's Concord, 349.
. 2 The building destroyed stood on the spot where subsequently Richard Herbert dwelt; the building threatened was the Livermore house, occupying the site of John C. Thorne's residence in 1900.
3 Bouton's Concord, 353.
' Town Records, 450.
5 Ibid, 455-6-7.
" Ibid, 494; see S. F. B. Morse in note at close of chapter.
339
THE CONCORD STAGE COACH.
for Portsmouth,-with the provisions of both statutes made applica- ble to the main village and to East and West Concord.
The two small engines were located in the main village. and were each worked "by a brake, six men on each side," with twenty or thirty feet of hose for " delivery," but none for "suction." "At the cry of fire, and the ringing of an alarm bell," writes Dr. Bouton, 1 " the fire-wards seized their badge, -- with a blue ribbon streaming from the apex,-the firemen sprung for their engines, to be drawn by hand, and the people, with pails and buckets, rushed to the scene. Then would be heard the word of command from a fire-ward, ringing out in stentorian tones -. Form a line.' Then the people,-all the people (whoever disobeyed did it at his peril) fell into line,-rather, two lines .- one to pass single buckets of water from the nearest well, hand by hand, to be emptied, one by one, into the tub of the engine : the other, to return the buckets to be refilled. Then a stream of water from a half-inch pipe would be thrown upon the burning build- ing. Very unfortunate was it if a well, with five or six feet of water, should give out before the fire was got under, but so it often hap- pened. And if a building was so unfortunate as to be burnt up, it was not for want of good will and of a good sweat on the part of the brakemen, nor because the people in lines did not help all they could." From such beginnings the progress of the fire department is to be noted in the future course of narration.
In May, 1813. Lewis Downing, a young man one month short of his majority, came to Concord from Lexington, Massachusetts, to engage in mechanical industry. The items of his capital were : Cash in pocket, sixty dollars; tools, valned at less than one hundred: a hand and a brain not to be appraised in dollars and cents. Locating himself in business at the north end of the main street, nearly oppo- site the " Upper Bank," he worked for one year entirely alone, and in November after his arrival completed his first " Concord Wagon," " every part of the work " having been "done by hand labor," nn- aided by any " power machinery." For the next twelve years he employed from three to six hands, having, meanwhile, in 1816, removed his shop to the " Duncan estate" at the South End, the permanent site of his carriage manufactory. With shop enlarged, and with blacksmithing, painting, trimming, and other branches of his industry started, he fortunately seenred, in 1826, the services of J. Stephens Abbot, of Salem, Massachusetts, a promising young man and mechanic, twenty-two years old, to assist at first in the manufac- ture of the "Concord Stage Coach," a vehicle to become famous round the world. The efficient employee constructed the first
'Appendix to " Discourse on the Growth of Concord," June 17, 1875, pp. 39, 40.
340
HISTORY OF CONCORD.
"coach bodies " ever made in New Hampshire, and in 1828 became a partner in the firm of Downing & Abbot, which, for nearly twenty years, by its skilful and honest workmanship, achieved prosperity and a high and wide reputation for itself and its forty workmen, as well as honor and other advantages for its town.
Such, in mere sketch, were the inception and early progress of this important enterprise-subjects which are fully treated in a special chapter; as are also the fortunes of the establishment from 1847 to 1900 ;- till, in fine, the "Abbot-Downing Company," duly incorpo- porated, should have its capital of four hundred thousand dollars, its pay-roll of nearly three hundred men, and its magnificent plant, cov- ering six acres of that " Duncan estate," on which stood the founder's unobtrusive shop in 1816.
In the first year of the war, the "Merrimack Boating Company " was chartered by the legislature of New Hampshire. This action was promotive of a long-contemplated scheme for providing, by water trans- portation, cheap and convenient commercial interchange between Bos- ton and the north country. The scheme carried out could but prove particularly advantageous to Concord, as a terminus and distributing centre. The Middlesex canal, from Charlestown " Mill Pond " to the Merrimack just above Lowell, had been opened in 1803; while also a series of locks and canals to render possible the navigation of the river had been in process of construction. Governor James Sullivan, of Massachusetts, brother of the distinguished Revolutionary general of New Hampshire, projected the " Middlesex "; his son, John L., supervised its construction, and superintended it after its comple- tion. Most of the locks and canals along the river were also con- structed under his supervision. Indeed, it was mainly through the energy of John L. Sullivan that the navigation of the Merrimack was consummated. Of the company incorporated in 1812 he had general control for twenty years. In the autumn of 1814, the last year of the war, the company's first boat arrived at Concord, 1 with only " a small cargo of general merchandise," as some of the locks along the river were not quite completed. But, with the completion of these, and a storehouse near Concord bridge put in order, boats, with regular freight from Boston to Concord, commenced running in June, 1815 ; the first arriving in Concord on the 23d of that month.2
The same corporation-though after seven years bearing the name " Boston and Concord Boating Company "-successfully prosecuted this river navigation until the railroad supersedure in 1842. Twenty boats, of twenty tons burden each, were employed, and respectively manned by crews of three, who propelled them up river with "set-
1 Bouton's Concord, 740.
' Ibid, 371.
341
CONCORD'S FIRST SENATOR.
ting poles," and down stream with oars, or in either direction with sails when the weather was fair. The entire annual freightage upon merchandise thus conveyed to and from Boston, averaged twenty- five thousand dollars. For the last twenty years of the company's active existence, Theodore French, one of its most capable agents, was in charge of the Concord Landing-a busy place in its season ; with the little fleet, lading and unlading, going and coming, floating upon the quiet waters of the Merrimack, or threading in search of a safe level the "locks " along its falls and rapids. This river naviga- tion has further mention in a special chapter.
During the last two years of the war, Thomas W. Thompson pre- sided in the lower house of the state legislature; being the first repre- sentative of Concord to hold the position of speaker. With Stephen Ambrose he represented the town in the general court for four con- secutive terms-a continuous length of service entirely exceptional for Concord members of that body. This speaker of the New Hamp- shire house of representatives, in 1813 and 1814, was a native of Boston, a graduate of Harvard, a lawyer of ability and prominence, a trustee of Dartmouth college, and a politician of statesmanlike capacity, who had been a member of the lower house of congress, and was to have a seat in the upper-Concord's first United States senator. Having in the political overturn of 1809 become state treasurer, he, the next year, removed to Concord from Salis- bury, hitherto his residence. The tall, dignified, courteous gentle- man filled the speaker's chair with unusual ability and success ; and, though a strong Federalist, won Republican approval for his upright performance of official duty, in the severe partisan stress of that day. His home was in Concord for more than ten years-a home of refined enjoyment, and of refining social influence. There was drawn the last breath of a useful, honored, and Christian life in the year 1821, the fifty-fifth of his age.1
NOTES.
OLD FORT CEMETERY.
Dedication of Memorial Tablet. On Monday afternoon, October 29, 1894, occurred in East Concord the dedication of a mural tablet at the Old Fort cemetery, in special memory of the thirteen Revolutionary patriots whose mortal remains were deposited in that ancient burial-ground-long ago filled and disused. The execution of the filial and patriotic undertaking, thus celebrated, was due to the earnest, noble-hearted efforts of two ladies, lineal descendants of
1 See Passed Away, in notes at close of chapter.
342
HISTORY OF CONCORD.
Revolutionary ancestors-Mrs. Ruth Eastman Staniels, of East Con- cord, and Miss Annie M. Phelps, of Brookline, Massachusetts. The former, more than fourscore years of age, in carrying out her pur- pose of renovation and adornment, found in the latter a congenial spirit of more youthful years, ready, in filial affection and noble generosity, to supply the means requisite to its fit accomplishment. The memorial tablet, a massive, highly polished monolith of Quincy granite, seven feet in length, five in height, and one foot in thick- ness, adorning the cemetery wall, bears this inscription :
SOLDIERS OF THE REVOLUTION.
Timothy Bradley
Philbrick Bradley 1756-1840
Reuben Kimball 1731-1814 Mellen Kimball 1761-1844
Jonathan Eastman 1746-1834 Joseph Eastman
Simeon Locke 1756-1836
1738-1815
Anthony Potter 1755-1826
Nathaniel Eastman 1755-1839
John Thompson
Moses Eastman
Joshua Thompson aid to .
1732-1812
David Eastman
Lafayette 1750-1831
1762-1824
This tablet erected in behalf of Matilda Hutchins Phelps by Annie M. Phelps. -1894-
The dedication was in charge of the local members of the New Hampshire Society of Sons of the American Revolution, of which Mr. Charles E. Staniels, son of the lady already mentioned, was presi- dent. A good number of members, with many ladies, were in attend- ance. The monolith having been inspected by a large party, the ser- vices of formal dedication took place in Merrimack hall, which was well filled with an interested audience. President Staniels called to order, and, after prayer by the Reverend George H. Dunlap, made the open- ing address, which closed with the following words addressed to Mayor Parsons B. Cogswell :
4
The Fort Burying Ground, now Old Fort Cemetery.
" It becomes, sir, my pleasant duty to present to the City of Con- cord, through yourself as chief executive, and present custodian of its interests, this beautiful memorial in the name of the donor, Miss Annie M. Phelps, of Brookline, Massachusetts. It is hoped and
343
THE LAST POUND.
expected that as one of the landmarks of the city, it will be preserved and cherished for the lesson it conveys; that its influence will be more than local ; inspiring to patriotism, love of liberty, and native land, even unto the remotest generation."
The mayor having replied, and accepted the memorial in behalf of the city of Concord, addresses were made by Joseph B. Walker, Amos Hadley, Thomas Cogswell, John H. Oberly, and Benjamin E. Badger-and the pleasant occasion itself became history.
The Last Pound. Enclosures for the detention of stray or tres- passing animals having been main- tained from an early date, the town now, in 1830, authorized the select- men to contract for the building of " a pound on the Poor Farm " at West Concord. Zebediah W. Glea- son contracted for and finished the work, receiving, as the auditors of that year reported, sixty-two dollars and fifty cents "for building a stone pound." This structure, the last of The Pound. its kind in Concord, had location on the premises mentioned, and on the west side of the highway (the modern North State street ), where, though early disused, it was to stand the century through.
The Granite State. It is said that the name "Granite State " was first applied to New Hampshire in a song by Colonel Carrigain, to be sung at the Lafayette dinner, June 22, 1825, the first stanza of which was-
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