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 II > Part 44
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In the evening the president listened to an oratorio given by a musical society in the North meeting-house. Diversions in those days were not many, and Concord, owing to its inland situation, offered but little in the way of amusements and interest. However, the president found pleasure during his sojourn, for after driving with Mr. Thompson on Saturday an interesting and delightful excursion was undertaken. Navigating the upper Merrimack was in those times an important branch of commercial industry. The Middlesex canal was in operation, and contributed to the material advancement of the town. The agent of the Canal company, John Langdon Sullivan, nephew of General Sullivan, happened to be staying in Concord. Mr. Sullivan conceived the plan of treating Mr. Monroe to a ride on
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the Merrimack, so selecting one of the company's steam towboats, of which he was the inventor, he trimmed it with flags and gave it the name of President. In this unique craft, drawing in its wake a long flotilla of pleasure boats, Mr. Monroe, accompanied by the committee with a band of music and a company of more than one hundred and fifty ladies and gentlemen, steamed down the Merrimack to the junc- tion of Turkey river, and there entering the locks (five in number), descended into the stream below Garvin's falls, and continued several miles beyond. Reaching a point near Hooksett the party left the boats, and, taking vehicles in waiting, drove back to Concord over the river road. In after years Mr. Monroe often mentioned this excursion on the Merrimack, and recalled the picturesque stream with wooded banks cutting a landscape of consummate beauty, as he described it.
That evening the president was entertained at the house of William A. Kent, where a distinguished company had assembled. On Sunday he occupied a pew in the North meeting-house, and heard a sermon by Dr. Asa McFarland. Early on Monday the president, with his traveling companions, General James Miller and Colonel Joseph G. Swift, an engineer officer, took his departure, escorted as far as the oaks in Boscawen by the committee of arrangements, who there bade him good-by and thanked him for his visit.
At the beginning of the second decade of the last century the growth and increasing importance of towns about Concord made the creation of a new county a political necessity. Belonging to Rock- ingham and Hillsborough counties, the inhabitants of many towns including Concord were put to the expense and inconvenience of going to Exeter, Amherst, and other places, to attend to public busi- ness and private affairs, consequently the movement for a new county met with favor. The sentiment of Concord was practically unani- mous, as the vote in the town-meeting respecting the formation of Merrimack county showed five hundred and twenty-two yeas to six nays.
After some delay, the legislature passed an act at the June session of 1822, creating the new county and naming Concord as the county seat. This movement added again to the political importance of the town, and the selectmen were instructed to change the town house so that the courts might be accommodated.
The state house having been completed the town house had re- verted to its original uses, but alterations were now necessary to meet the new requirements of public affairs, consequently the building was moved farther back on the lot, set end to Main street, and a story added. For this improvement the town appropriated eight hundred
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dollars, and the citizens contributed half as much more to meet the cost of preparing the interior for court and county needs.
About this time Concord's official observance of the nation's birthday was discontinued, the 4th of July, 1826, marking the aban- donment of the time-honored custom. Being the capital of the state these celebrations were on a liberal scale and attracted many visitors, but party bitterness and possibly questions of economy began to be urged against the continuance of the custom. But the observance died with honor and the programme of July 4th, 1826, was long the subject of convivial conversation. It was the semi-centennial of the Declaration of Independence, and the proceedings were of unusual fervor and excellence. Cannon and bells announced the opening of the day, crowds began to congregate, booths were built, and private houses from the lower bridge to the meeting-house offered greetings and good cheer.
Governor David L. Morril and his council, the senate with Mat- thew Harvey at its head, and the house, led by Henry Hubbard, the speaker, attended religious and civic exercises, marching to the music of the bands up Main street to the meeting-house, where prayer was offered by Dr. Bouton, after which Dr. Josiah Crosby read the Dec- laration of Independence and Richard Bartlett, secretary of state, delivered the oration.
Later in the day citizens and invited guests sat down to a banquet. Samuel Green presided, the governor sitting at his right and Timothy Chandler at his left. Witty and patriotic speeches set all in good humor, toasts were drunk with the best of feelings, and when Jona- than Eastman, Jr., proposed "Our Great-Grandfathers, who here, one hundred years ago, planted the tree of liberty in the wilds of Pena- cook," the enthusiasm evoked formed a fitting conclusion to the town's last official Fourth of July.
The "National Guest," as Lafayette was called, including New Hampshire in his triumphal journey of 1824-'25, visited Concord in June of the latter year. As the legislature was sitting, the welcome accorded the distinguished Frenchman came from both state and town. Great preparations had been made. Houses were decorated, fences festooned with flowers and evergreen, flags hung over the streets, and in the evening every window, it is said, from Deacon Wilkins's1 to Horse Shoe pond beamed with welcome. The select- men, Abial Walker, Jeremiah Pecker, and Robert Davis, did their utmost to make the occasion an honor to Lafayette and a credit to Concord.
At the time of Lafayette's visit Concord had been the permanent
1 Near Rolfe and Rumford Home,
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capital of the state not quite ten years, and the seat of the recently formed county scarcely one year. The inhabitants numbered a few more than three thousand, while the ratable polls did not exceed five hundred. The populous part of Concord in that day extended along Main street from Butters's tavern to Horse Shoe hill, a few highways sparsely marked with dwellings intersecting Main street at various points, while to the westward, now comprising the territory beyond State and Green streets, extended a hilly and uninteresting region containing scarcely a suggestion of pathway or dwelling.
The day to which all were so eagerly looking, Wednesday, June 22d, opened auspiciously. The citizens' committee met the marquis at the Pembroke line, where William A. Kent welcomed him to Con- cord. The procession then moved over the Plains past the Glover farm and across the lower bridge, where the artillery fired a national salute, and eight companies of light troops under the command of Brigadier-General Bradbury Bartlett were drawn up in line. On entering Main street Lafayette was greeted by thousands of citi- zens who had come from all parts of the state, while windows and doors along the route were filled with women and children. The long procession after marching to the north end of Main street coun- termarched to the residence of William A. Kent, now the site of the South Congregational church, where lodging had been prepared for Lafayette and his suite. At noon he was escorted to the gate of the state house yard, where he was received by Senators Webster and Bowers, who escorted him into the presence of the legislature. In the meantime an impressive company of more than two hundred soldiers of the Revolution, marshaled under the direction of General Benjamin Pierce, marched into the Doric hall of the state house, where they were introduced to Lafayette. The scene was an affecting one, long remembered by those who witnessed it.
At 3 o'clock a concourse numbering from seven hundred to eight hundred sat down to a dinner prepared by John P. Gass. The dinner was served on the lawn in front of the capitol, where a large pavilion had been erected. To mark the spot where Lafayette was seated a tree was planted, which is now standing. On Lafayette's right sat the governor and council, and on his left the marshal of the day, with Samuel Bell, Judge Green, the secretary of state, and the state treasurer. Conspicuous among those seated at one of the four long tables were the survivors of the Revolution, the speaker and members of the house of representatives, the president and the senate, and the Concord committee. After retiring from the table Lafayette was conducted to the front steps of the capitol where the militia passed in review before him.
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Early in the evening he was escorted from Mr. Kent's to the state house, where a public reception was held. The building was bril- liantly illuminated, and at the conclusion of the function the dis- tinguished party paid a visit to Governor Morril at the residence of his brother, Judge Morril, on Main street nearly opposite the present court house. Later in the evening Lafayette and invited guests attended an oratorio given by the New Hampshire Musical society in the Old North meeting-house.
At half-past six the following morning the " grays " were again in harness, and the marquis left town in a barouche accompanied by his son and secretary, the committee of arrangements, Senator An- drew Pierce of Dover, and one of the governor's aids.
The political importance of Concord became marked soon after Isaac Hill took up his residence. The Jackson clique was to confer distinction on Concord, just as the Pierce coterie did five and twenty years later. Of all the devoted and energetic friends of Andrew Jackson, no one, South or North, surpassed Isaac Hill. Disappointed at Adams's election in 1824, the Jackson men were resolved that their hero should be next in succession, consequently Concord be- came an active center of the "Old Hickory " movement. In fact, the Democrats of Concord were among the earliest party men throughout the country to call a popular convention to set the peo- ple aright. The " booming process " is by no means a modern inven- tion, for it flourished as far back as the twenties. In accordance with the sentiments of the hour, the leaders issued a call for a grand demonstration in favor of the man of the people, which with shrewd and dramatic foresight was set for January 8th, 1828, the anniversary of the battle of New Orleans.
The gathering was large and enthusiastic for midwinter,-the taverns and private houses overflowed with visitors, many had to sleep in sleighs and pungs, for bad as the travelling was, thousands of the faithful had made their way to Concord. The celebration was a political success, everything taking place as laid down on the programine. Samuel Dinsmoor was president of the meeting, and Joseph Towle had charge of the order of exercises. No sooner had light broken in the east than the town was awakened by a salute of twenty-four guns and the ringing of the meeting-house bell. Main street presented a lively scene of early arrivals, some on foot, some in sleighs and pings drawn by two and four horses, and filled with inen bearing flags and streamers lettered with patriotic devices.
At 11 o'clock the boom of cannon announced the forming of the procession in front of the state house, whence it soon began its march to the North meeting-house. First came the chief marshal,
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with a band of music, followed by a numerous committee of arrange- ments ; then the president of the day, the orator and the chaplains, the vice-presidents, and the gentlemen selected to deliver addresses at the banquet. Following closely was borne a large standard, upon which was painted a life-size likeness of Andrew Jackson, guarded by Revolutionary heroes, whose venerable appearance created bound- less enthusiasm among the spectators, while trudging in the rear of the throng were the subscribers to the dinner and citizens of Concord. Arriving at the meeting-house the committee of arrange- ments separated into two lines, through which the procession filed into the edifice and listened to the exercises, which consisted of an opening prayer by Dr. Nathaniel Bouton, the pastor of the town, vocal music, an oration by Isaac Hill, and the benediction. The pro- cession then reformed and marched to the state house, where dinner was served. Speeches and toasts were then in order, occupying sev- eral hours, and in the evening a grand ball was given in honor of the day in the new hall of the Eagle Coffee House. The hall was gay with flags and streamers, while conspicuous among the decorations were huge portraits of Jefferson, Madison, and Jackson, and also a fine transparency representing the battle of New Orleans.
A few years after this celebration, Concord was honored with a visit from President Jackson, who came attended by Vicc-President Van Buren and Secretaries Cass and Woodbury of the cabinet. He arrived on Friday, June 28th, 1833, and remained until Monday. The cavalcade coming up the river road was met at Morse's, in Bow, by the committee and escorted into town. At the town line Colonel Robert Davis, chairman of the committee, with the military in hol- iday attire, awaited the distinguished soldier. The president at this point left his barouche, and mounting a horse led the long procession through the dust and heat up Main street to Horse Shoe pond, then clown State and over School to the Eagle Coffee House. The pres- ident on his beautiful white horse created much enthusiasm ; women waved their handkerchiefs; men cheered and shouted; and the gen- eral, with hat in hand, courteously bowed right and left. In front of the hotel a crowd gathered, calling loudly for a speech, so the pres- ident and his party, going out on the balcony, were introduced by Congressman Henry Hubbard. Some of the newspapers of that time estimated that fully ten thousand people came to Concord on that occasion to see General Jackson.
Early the next morning an endless stream of vehicles brought vis- itors from towns far and near to swell the crowds already assembled. At 8 o'clock the state militia paraded in a large field west of the state house, now covered with the federal building and dwelling-
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houses along Green street. Afterwards the troops formed a lane from the Eagle Coffee House to the capitol, through which the dis- tingnished party passed on their way to meet the governor and the legislature. Among those present that day were some who in after years were to achieve distinction. Among them was young Franklin Pierce, not then thirty years of age although a congressman, and with him were his colleagues, Henry Hubbard and Joseph M. Harper; there also was Isaac Hill, United States senator, one of Jackson's most intimate friends, and widely known as a leading spirit in the " Kitchen Cabinet "; close by stood two of New Hamp- shire's soldier heroes, General Miller and Colonel MeNiel; while scattered in the throng were Representatives Noah Martin, Nathaniel S. Berry, Charles H. Peaslee, Arthur Livermore, and Leonard Wil- cox, two future governors, a congressman, and a judge. State pride was excusable that day in such a presence of native sons, to whom must be added Secretaries Cass and Woodbury. The president afterwards visited points of local interest, among them the prison, and in the evening he held a public reception.
On Sunday morning General Jackson attended church at the Old North, where Dr. Bouton preached the sermon; in the afternoon he went to the Unitarian, and later in the day joined in the union meet- ing of the Baptist and Methodist societies held by Dr. Cummings in the church of the former denomination on State street. With Mon- day came the departure, and again Main street was lined deep with townspeople. Soon after 7 o'clock, escorted by the citizens' commit- tee, General Jackson departed, an escort attending him to the Bow line, where he returned his thanks to the people of Concord for their hospitality and started on his way to Washington.
The first great Whig assemblage ever held in New Hampshire convened at Concord on the last day of September, 1834. The cause of the gathering was a complimentary dinner to Samuel Bell, then a United States senator, but it partook also of the nature of a ratifica- tion meeting of Whig principles. A large crowd came to town, for the attractions were many. A spacious pavilion of canvas had been erected on the open lot on School street, then called the common, where plates were laid for six hundred guests. It was a great event, for among the orators were Daniel Webster, John Holmes, Ichabod Bartlett, and Senator Bell. The proceedings were long remembered, and the "Bell Dinner," as it was called, marked an epoch in the political history of New England.
The jollification prompted this poetical effusion from the Patriot, an opposition organ :
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Tories old of Seventy-six,
With twaddlers intermix ; Kent and Moore and Allen Hackett, Jump ye in to swell the racket ; Ambrose, Elkins, Kimball, Chickering- Sce the blue light flame is flickering-
Burgin, Darling, Low, and Odlin, Come, for now's no time for twaddling.
Along during the thirties Concord had become a recognized place for holding party conventions, mass meetings, and gatherings other than political ; its accommodations had increased, and although the railroad was still in the future numerous lines of stagc-coaches radi- ated from Concord in every direction. Concord was a type of the conservative, intelligent, industrious New England town of the period. All at once an event happened that roused the sober townsfolk and associated the name of Concord with a movement destined later to bring about civil war. It was the attempt of George Thompson and his companion, John G. Whittier, to speak on anti-slavery. Concord was not wanting in good people who honestly believed in this move- ment, but the population generally had no sympathy with it, and the announcement of the proposed address caused prompt and undignified action.
Morally, one may look back on that unfortunate excitement with- out shame. The townspeople were not dealing with the question of slavery nor anti-slavery, they were dealing with what they be- lieved to be a movement likely to disturb the peace, not only of Concord, but of the state and nation. Moreover, they considered the appearance of George Thompson as adding insult to the occasion. Thompson was an Englishman, a recent arrival, whose mission was to attack slavery by lecturing the people as to their duty in the mat- ter, and this he did by speeches more or less aggressive. His career before coming to Concord had made him intimate with violence, yet heedless of warnings he persisted in his agitation, visiting various places in his travels, and finally arriving here from Plymouth, where he had spent some time with Nathaniel P. Rogers. George Kent, one of Concord's prominent citizens, was a believer in anti-slavery, and it was to his residence that Thompson repaired. Mr. Kent's house was on the site now occupied by the Centennial Home for the Aged, an imposing mansion in its day, noted for its distinguished guests and refined hospitality. Being apprised of the coming visitor, who was accompanied by John G. Whittier, Mr. Kent had circulated hand- bills announcing a meeting at the town hall for Friday evening, Sep- tember 4th, at which " the principles, views, and operations of the
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abolitionists would be explained, and questions answered by George Thompson and John G. Whittier."
It is needless to say that Mr. Kent's hand-bills eaused immediate eommotion. The principal men of the town, to the number of seventy- four, issued a eall for a eitizens' meeting at the court house, on Thurs- day evening, when the hall was erowded with citizens represent- ing both politieal parties. Ralph Metealf, afterwards governor, was ehosen chairman, and speeches were made by Isaae Hill, Samuel Fleteher, Richard Bartlett, and others, whose sentiments were ex- pressed in vigorous resolutions, and among them was the following :
" That we behold with indignation and disgust the intrusion upon us of foreign emissaries, paid by the money of open enemies to our government, who are traversing the country assailing its institutions and distracting the quiet of the people."
Robert Davis, chairman of the board of seleetmen, then ealled on Mr. Kent, begging him to dissuade Thompson and Whittier from earrying out their intentions, but all to no purpose. As the hour for the meeting drew near, a erowd gathered near the town house bent on stopping the speaking, but the authorities meanwhile had ordered the doors of the hall to be locked.
It was then that the disturbanee took place. Angry with the instigators of the affair, the crowd had started for George Kent's residenee, when Mr. Whittier and Joseph H. Kimball, editor of the Herald, happened to come in sight, whereupon the exeited partisans began pelting them with stones, dirt, and eggs. It is possible that the treatment of Mr. Whittier and his companion might have been more hurtful had not William A. Kent come to their aid, pulled them into his hallway, and bolted the door. Mr. Kent's action was a manly one, for he was not an abolitionist like his son George. The crowd, still cager in their hunt for the Englishman, refused to leave Mr. Kent's until Mr. Thomas, the Unitarian minister, told them that the man they were after was not there, whereupon amidst shouts and jeers the mob moved rapidly up Pleasant street to the residenee of George Kent, where for a time matters looked threatening. Fortu- nately Thompson had already left the premises in company with Mr. Kent, who had pointed out to him the perils of the situation. Mr. Davis and Philip Carrigain having satisfied themselves that this was the fact, Mr. Davis addressed the crowd, persuading them to disperse, promising, however, that no meeting should be held, and adding that the object which had brought them together had been attained. Thus ended the overt act in Concord's only anti-slavery disturbance. The crowd slowly dispersed, save a few, who disappointed at the escape of their victim, constructed an effigy labeled "George Thompson," and
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burned it in the state house park. This victory over free speech was further celebrated by impromptu fireworks, accompanied by dis- charges of eannon. In after years Mr. Whittier found much fun in referring to his Concord experience, and was fond of exhibiting the egg-stained coat that he wore on that eventful evening.
It was a pleasing inspiration that moved the citizens to meet at the town hall one day in 1843, to talk over the proposal to invite a distinguished public man, although at that time a private citizen, to become the guest of Concord. The unanimity and accord of the meeting were somewhat unusual for those days of party bitterness, and promised well for the undertaking. The public man to whom Concord extended its invitation was Richard M. Johnson, of Ken- tucky. Mr. Johnson leaving Boston Friday, October 25th, on an early train, was met at Manchester by Franklin Pierce and Nathaniel G. Upham, of the committee of invitation, who weleomed him to New Hampshire. There the party was increased by delegations from Low- ell, Nashua, and Manchester, together with the famous Stark Guards. At Bow crossing the train eame to a stop and the procession was formed. Colonel Johnson mounted a white horse, and followed by the committee and a cavaleade of citizens, with a long stream of velii- eles and pedestrians, led the march into town. At the Countess Rumford mansion was another committee, and the militia commanded by Colonel Stephen Brown. Ira Perley welcomed the visitor, and Colonel Johnson responded amidst the cheers of the erowd. Charles H. Peaslee was chief marshal, with Jonathan E. Lang, William Wal- ker, Nathaniel B. Baker, Calvin Ainsworth, Benjamin Grover, Cyrus Hill, R. D. Moores, and Lewis Downing as aids. The procession then moved through Main street, with the Stark Guards leading, fol- lowed by the Concord Artillery and the Concord Light Infantry, with their bands, and the committee of arrangements. Next eame Colonel Johnson and mounted aids, followed by a company of horsemen, while trudging in the rear were hundreds on foot. During the mareh ean- non boomed and bells rang, while spectators waved flags and hand- kerehiefs and gave cheer upon cheer for the guest of the people.
After a brief rest at the American House, the committec escorted Colonel Johnson to the state house, where a publie reception was held. The representatives' hall was filled, gallery and floor, with eager spectators, whose appreciation of the occasion was frequently manifested.
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