History of Coos County, New Hampshire, Part 39

Author: Merrill, Georgia Drew
Publication date: 1888
Publisher: Syracuse [N.Y.] : W. A. Fergusson
Number of Pages: 1194

USA > New Hampshire > Coos County > History of Coos County, New Hampshire > Part 39

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1878, April 4. Mr. Warren Porter, a resident of Lancaster since 1809, died to-day, aged 84 years. April 9. A fire broke out in the stable back of Rowell & Allen's store, which burned the tinshop & store of Cobleigh. Kent & Co , harness shop of H. Whitcomb & Co., store of Kent & Gris- wold. Republican office, Rowell and Allen's store, Frank Smith & Co's Flour & Grain store, Grocery, dwellings & barns of G. W. Smith, butcher shop of Hosea Gray, and dwelling house of Mrs. Stickney. Loss nearly $40,000. May 1. Frame of Cobleigh, Kent & Co's new shop raised this afternoon. June 7. Semi Centennial of the Lancaster Academy observed in the evening at Academy Hall. Address by Hon. B. F. Whidden; re- marks by D. C. Pinkham, J. W. Weeks & Henry O. Kent. Sept. 27. The Lancaster House built in 1857, from funds received from the Atlantic

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& St. Lawrence R. R. was burned this morning with out buildings and stables, a large amount of the furniture, horses & sleighs & carriages saved. The first bridge across the Connecticut connecting Lancaster with Guild- hall was built in 1804, rebuilt in 1824, again in 1840. The last a covered one still standing. The two first were open, with long string pieces of pine, hewed 16 by 18 in. & from 60 to 70 ft. long. Nov. 15. Amos LeGro died aged 85, has lived in Lancaster since 1798. Dec. 14. Town meeting. Voted to exempt a new hotel from taxation (cost to be ten thousand dollars) for five years.

1879, Feb. 27. George Howe died aged 76. A simple-minded, eccen- tric person known as Dr. Howe for many years. He was a monomaniac on theology, & medicine. March 13. A very spirited contest occurred this evening at the Annual District School Meeting. Under the new law women voted for the first time, about fifty were present. Oct. 7. The telegraph office moved to Noyes' book store. Miss Mary N. Brackett oper- ator. Oct. 21. From 1,500 to 2,000 bushels of potatoes are sent to Boston, weekly, by rail. Prices 30 cts. per bushel.

1880, April 13. Mrs. Edward Melcher, a blind woman eighty years old, was burned to death by her clothing taking fire. July 26. American House burned. The Horace T. Holton house, built by Mr. Wilder. is said to have been raised 100 years ago to-day. August 10, copied deed from Ephraim Cross to Orthodox Congregational church of church plat, dated Nov. 23, 1840. Price $200. Aug. 14. First parade of Lancaster Rifle Com- pany since receiving new breech-loading guns. Aug. 24. Judge Stanley holding a term of court to try the "Starch Mill " cases. Sept. 6. Doctor Frank Bugbee died as was supposed of diphtheria. Oct. 12. Great incon- venience is felt for want of water caused by the failure of wells and springs. Water is brought from Martin Meadow pond by teams for family use. The cattle on the farms in that vicinity are driven to the pond daily to drink.

1881, Feb. 3. People speak of the last week as one of almost unprece- dented severity of cold; cellars have frozen, water pipes freeze up. and double the amount of wood used necessary in ordinary winter weather. Feb. 4. Shop opened for manufacture of bobbins by Mr. Bowles of Lisbon, steam power. March 10. Mrs. William Heywood died this morning aged 73. May 30. Decoration Day observed by a lengthy procession of the military company, members of the G. A. R. post, fire companies, Sabbath School children, and citizens; the band numbering 120, out in their new uniform. June 4. Fire at South Lancaster. Beattie's Steam Saw-mill burned, with railroad depot. hay -press, large storehouse and a great amount of sawed lumber, with 13 platform cars loaded with wood. William A. White, depot master, saved his store-building, barn, and small house east of the road. Sept. 6. Was obliged to light my desk lamp in the morning to see to

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write, did not put it out until 9 A. M. The sky throughout the morning was of a dull, saffron hue, and the air seemed full of smoke. (This was the day known in New England as "the Yellow Day".) Oct. 5. Apples on the trees frozen hard; all leaves on the forest trees killed; a cold wave pervaded the whole country, injuring tobacco in Virginia & cotton in the more Southern States. wc. 31. Last year (1880) good sleighing com- menced Nov. 29, and couunued good, without interruption, till the close of the first week in March. This year, no sleighing in December, only two or three inches of snow. Mercury only two mornings below zero, and then but two degrees.

1882, May 8. Lancaster House to be re-built by John Lindsey, to have 50 rooms with all modern improvements. Commences work on barn to-day. A number of guns fired to celebrate the event. June 12. Frame of the main building of Lancaster House raised. Sept 12. State Conven- tion of Congregational ministers commences its session. Dec. 19. Slight shock of earthquake felt this evening. Dec. 29. Meeting of the Bar Asso- ciation of Coos & Grafton Counties held at the Court House. The Presi- dent, Wm. Heywood, delivering the address.

1883, March 3. The Everett Spring from which the supply of water comes to my house, yields less than two quarts per minute-the usual amount when water is plenty, being twelve quarts per minute. Great complaint comes from all quarters of failures of the water supply for domestic purposes. March 16. Orange Wilder died aged 75 years; a native of Lancaster, and occupying through life the farm on which he was born. March 24. The snow lies nearly two feet deep in the open fields, and three feet deep in the woods. May 9. Extensive fires in the woods. Saw-mill & houses at Jefferson, owned by Jeremiah Ricker, burned. July 14. Seth Adams, aged 78, died. A native and life long resident of this town, a strictly honest and conscientious man. Mrs. Abigail, wife of Col. Ephraim Cross, died aged 78. August 3. Seth Savage died, aged 77 years, a native and life long resident of Lancaster. Oct. 28. Mr. Samuel Rowell died, aged 73 years. Nov. 11. Attended church. This is the 400 anniversary of the birth of Martin Luther. The discourse was an appropriate one for the occasion. Nov. 30. Meeting of gentlemen, the object being to organize an association to collect & preserve facts in relation to the early history of the town & county. Adjourned to Saturday, Dec. S.

1884, April 7. The Lancaster library which was donated to the town by its owners, was removed to-day to the building north of my house, formerly the Baptist Church, & more recently used as the Armory of the Lancaster Rifle Company. May 23. The Library building has been recently thoroughly repaired, refitted, painted, & surrounded by a new fence by the present owner, George P. Rowell. Aug. 28. A new "lock-up," con- taining four cells for prisoners, has recently been constructed in the base-

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ment of the Town Hall building. Dec. 6. There is a complaint through- out the country of dullness of trade & stagnation of business. Most manufacturing companies cutting down wages, or discharging workmen. Dec. 31. Mr. Sylvester Marsh, the inventor and President of the Mount Washington railway, died at Concord yesterday.

CHAPTER XXVIII.

Early Education, Etc. - The Public Library - Schools - Union Graded School - Lancaster Academy - Sketch of the First Principal - " Raising Men."

ARLY Education, Etc .*- The people of Lancaster from the earliest date of its settlement have ever been greatly interested in literature. All the best books, as they were published, appeared among them, and passed from hand to hand. They had the Boston and Concord papers once a week, and if their news was old, it was news to them. There was one source of information which is little appreciated now, when books are so numerous. I mean talking. The public house, described in Goldsmith's "Deserted Village," well illustrates the public house of Lancaster sixty or more years ago. I have seen the reception rooms of both of the old taverns packed full of people standing, all as quiet as at a public lecture, to hear the old men talk of the books they had read, the subjects treated upon, the merits of the authors, their ideas upon the topics named, the news in the papers and other matters. And if they did *discuss news older than their ale, " it was news to the listeners and not lost upon them.

William Lovejoy was the best talker. He was a man of fine figure, possessed a clear, good voice, and had original and decided views upon all important subjects, and was liked by everybody. He was a joiner by trade. He was appointed register of probate in 1829, but died soon after. Mr. Lovejoy possessed great influence, and was more instrumental in organ- izing the Methodist society upon a permanent basis than any other man in Lancaster. He had one son, who became an eminent preacher of that de- nomination. Mr. Lovejoy came to Lancaster from Conway about 1795. He married a daughter of Mr. John Moore (one of the most substantial citizens of the time) and had a large and very respectable family. Adino N. Brackett was more of a scientific man than others of his coterie. He was an exceedingly pleasant talker, the most accurate land surveyor in the

*By James W. Weeks.

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northern country. John W. Weeks, who came to the town in 1787, when there were not inhabitants to have schools, became one of the most intelli- gent men on general subjects in this part of the state.

Another prominent man and good talker was Richard Eastman. He or Mr. Brackett for a long time represented the town in the legislature. When Mr. Eastman came home he brought the latest books, and was al- ways glad to lend them to any who would read them. He came to this town about 1798. In conversation he was very happy in illustration, and told a story admirably. He was very pleasant in his family; his four sons and two daughters attained maturity, and were highly respectable citizens. His wife was one of the best of women, and lived to a great age. Mr. Eastman died in 1842. Asahel Going, the clothier, was worthy of note. He was a man of courtly manners, with a pleasant voice, of clear, well de- fined ideas, often original, and kept himself thoroughly informed upon the general topics of the day. These men, with many others whose influence was potent for good in the town, had a wonderful power in shaping the character of the young men and boys who had the good fortune to know them.

I knew most of these people as well as a boy would be likely to know men somewhat advanced in life. Most of the persons I have named were leading spirits in the settlement, all of fair education and many of them of most courtly manners. The English language I never heard murdered by them as we often hear it in our day. That flat nasal tone in conversa- tion or singing that we sometime hear I never heard from them or their descendants. The ladies were not a whit behind their husbands, and in taste of dress, deportment and conversation would compare favorably with their great-granddaughters. In a religious point of view I think few could claim descent from Pilgrim or Puritan ancestors. Some were Episcopal- ians, and all extremely liberal, so much so that the creed of the church was so broad that any professed Christian could subscribe to it.

As early as 1835 a library association was inaugurated under the aus- pices of Sylvester P. Williams, Eliphalet Lyman, R. P. Kent, Reuben Stephenson, and "associates."

The Public Library .- In 1860 a reading club was organized for mutual improvement, and at once adopted measures to purchase books for the use of the members. A public entertainment was given for this purpose Nov- ember 27, 1860, and the first money raised for the library came from it. From time to time a few books were added, but the club was small, and only a few persons were interested in its welfare. The members, how- ever, kept the library together, and, in 1867, there was a decided interest aroused for a permanent library placed upon a subscription basis. A meet- ing was held at the town hall, October 21, 1867, for the purpose of organ- ization. A constitution and by-laws were adopted, and it was voted to

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issue shares at twenty dollars each, to be paid in annual installments of five dollars, and to restrict the use of the books to the purchasers of shares. Hon. William Heywood was elected president of the Association, and Dr. George O. Rogers was selected to be the librarian. The books were placed in his office, and through the persistent efforts of Rev. Henry V. Emmons and other friends who gave much time and strength to the library, it grew steadily from that time forth. At the beginning of the year of its renewed growth, the library contained 554 volumes .- sixty-six were donated as a nucleus from the reading club, 140 were donated by friends, and 348 were purchased.

In 1870 the library, which then contained 1, 102 books, was removed from the office of Dr. Rogers to a room belonging to Parker J. Noyes. A catalogue was printed at this date. The next year the books were removed to the office of Dr. Rogers, and, after several changes, they were placed in the R. P. Kent building. The library was successful from the start on its sub- scription basis: new shares were sold every year, and additional volumes purchased. These books were largely selected by Rev. H. V. Emmons and Hon. W. S. Ladd, both scholarly men; consequently the selection was made with good taste and judgment, and the library has become an un- usually fine one. But many of its patrons were not satisfied to have it held only for the benefit of the association as a subscription library; George P. Rowell, of New York, a most loyal friend of education and intellectual improvement, who had made many liberal gifts to the association, was very desirous that there should be a free public library in Lancaster, and through his influence steps were taken to bring about this result. The association then voted to surrender its books to the town of Lancaster, on condition that the town should maintain a free public library, and appro- priate yearly for its use not less than $400, and, at the annual town meet- ing of March, 1884, the proposition was accepted, and a board of trustees was elected: Jared I. Williams, Frank D. Hutchins, George P. Rowell, Irving W. Drew, Emily Rowell, who still continue in office.

To make a permanent home for the library, George P. Rowell offered to give the use of the building owned by him, (which had been occupied as an armory.) for five years, provided an equal sum to his gift ($500) was raised by general subscription. This was cheerfully done by the citizens of the town. Francis Leggett, of New York, gave $50 towards the pur- chase of books. Mr. Rowell offered to pay the expense of cataloguing the books, and give a catalogue to every family in town. In April, 1584, the library was established in its present location, Mr. Rowell fitting the build- ing up at his own expense; the cataloguing was done by Rev. J. B. Mor- rison assisted by Mrs. Philip Carpenter, now of New York, and July 20. 1884, the public was admitted to its benefits, which have been and are greatly appreciated.

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Mr. Rowell still continues to show his interest in its growth and per- manent usefulness by generous gifts. In 1886 Miss Emily Rowell. who has devoted much time to the library, prepared a supplementary catalogue. The number of volumes is about 4,000. The first librarian was Mrs. Eugene S. Leavitt; the present one Mrs. E. W. Wyman.

Schools .- The data relating to our schools is more difficult to obtain than that of any other interest of the town. Therefore a detailed account of their origin and progress cannot be given, it is certain, however, that the town took early action in the matter, and has always maintained its schools up to a high standard of excellence and efficiency.

The town was divided into three school districts about the year 1790, the first embracing what is now the village proper or the Union school district: the second the territory from the Parson Willard place or parson- age, to Dalton line, and covering the northerly side of the Martin Meadow Hills; the third extended from the northern limits of what is now the vil- lage, to Northumberland line. The Stockwells, Pages and Stanleys were in this district.

In 1830 there were ten districts with 400 pupils in all the schools: with an average attendance of fifteen to 100 in each, and a "term of continu- ance," of two to four months. The discipline was kindly but rigid; the text books comprised the New National Spelling Book, Marshall's Spelling Book, National Reader, History of the United States, Woodbury's Geogra- phy. Morse's Geography, Colburn's Arithmetic, Lindley Murray's Grammar, and a punctuated pronouncing testament. A law was in vogue at this period requiring school committees to report the number of children between four and fourteen who had never attended school, also of older persons between fourteen and twenty-one who could not read and write. The report of 1830 was made by Jared W. Williams, who congratulates the citizens that none of the above classes exist in the community.

As the settlements extended east and south new districts were formed, and at the present time there are fourteen school districts. the first and twelfth making the Union district, the number of scholars therein exceed- ing all the other districts in town. This school is conducted by an able committee with a well qualified and efficient corps of instructors. The number of scholars in attendance in the various districts according to the report of the school board for 1885-86 was 1,244, the average attendance for the same terms was 1,139. Whole amount of taxes for school purposes $4,070.83.

Union Graded School .- This was formed about 1867 with three teach- ers, and a school-house was erected in 1868. The pupils then numbered about one hundred. There are now two hundred and seventy scholars, divided thus: two hundred in the school building, and a grammar class. of fifty in the academy building. From twenty-five to thirty high school

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scholars attended the academy under the provisions of the Somersworth act. Great pains are taken to supply the school with the most competent teachers, Normal school graduates being in nearly all instances employed. The present instructors are: Principal and Second Intermediate depart- ment, Hattie Gordon; First Intermediate. Frank B. Flanders: Second Pri- mary, Lillie P. Shaw; First Primary, Carrie A. Curtis; Grammar school, Mary M. Moore. Board of Education-president, J. I. Williams; clerk, W. F. Burns; treasurer, E. R. Kent; Frank Smith, M. A. Hastings, Charles E. Howe. It cost $2,600 annually to support this school, $1, 100 of which comes from the town.

Lancaster Academy .*- The early settlers of Lancaster were marked men. One of their most striking characteristics was individuality. They were thoughtful, original men. They were composed of such stuff as heroes are made of. They were brave and self-sacrificing. unflinching and self-reliant. The men had courage, and the women fortitude. No other men or women than such as these would have left their early comfortable homes to push their way over such then long journeys, through unbroken forests, without roads or comforts on the way. They mastered the difficulties; they were superior to circum- cumstances: they conquered. They saw, or thought they saw, in this north- ern country, rich lands for themselves and their children where they could improve their condition. Descendants of an ancestry deprived of owning real estate in another country, they coveted lands. Whatever the labor. whatever the sacrifice, whatever the present deprivation. they risked all for their new homes: never faltering, never regretting. The next generation, reared in this hardy school which strengthens the brain as well as the muscle, made their mark in this community, which deserves a passing notice. They stood far enough away from the pioneer to see the necessity of a molding influence on the young mind; and to realize the importance of culture.

One of the most important things of this generation, and which has perhaps done more to give character to the town and elevate society than any other one thing, was the founding of Lancaster academy. I propose in this paper to speak of this institution, its founders, teachers and schol- ars, and its influence in this community. This generation just spoken of was the natural outcome from the rough life of these hardy pioneers. Reared in such a school they had sound minds in sound bodies. They thirsted for knowledge and improvement. They were self-made men, and many of them well educated, though schools were few and means scanty. By the light of pitch knots and tallow candles before the broad old fire- place, they literally devoured all the books in the neighborhood, such as

* Paper read before the Lancaster Historical Association by B. F. Whidden.

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Rollin's Ancient History, Plutarch's Lives, the English Classics, American History from the landing of Columbus, and the United States' Constitution. Many of them rose to distinction and gave tone to society. These and such as these were the founders of Lancaster academy. For their children they sought a more liberal education than was afforded in the public schools. To this end the leading spirits of the town united, and out of their private means pledged money for the support of a school for a more liberal edu- cation.

I am this evening in the company of scholars whose laudable object is to collect scraps of the history of the town before it is too late. As much of what I have hereafter to say has transpired within my time and come within my observation, it will not be out of place in this instance, to speak in the first person, for I can say of myself what Eneas said to Queen Dido in relating to her his wanderings after the Sacking of Troy; changing the superlative adjective of the sad to one of only pleasant memory, "que que ipse pulcherima vidi et quorum pars magna fui." Thus to secure the benefits of a more liberal education for the rising generation, the leading citizens of Lancaster applied to the legislature for a charter to be organized for this special purpose. In 1828 Lancaster academy was chartered, with all the privileges, immunities, and liabilities common to literary institu- tions; and William Lovejoy, John W. Weeks, Jared W. Williams. Richard Eastman, William Farrar, Thomas Carlisle, Samuel A. Pearson, Reuben Stephenson, and Adino N. Brackett, were made the grantees. This char- ter was signed by James Wilson, Jr., speaker of the House; Nahum Par- ker, president of the Senate, and approved by John Bell, governor. Under this charter Lancaster academy was organized February 2, 1829. All the grantees, nine in number, accepted the place of trustees, under its provis- ions, and William Lovejoy was chosen president, Jared W. Williams, secretary, and John W. Weeks, treasurer. The charter was amended July 2, 1831, making a few additional provisions, and remains to-day as then en- acted. Not one of the members of the first board of trustees is now living. In the intermediate time the list has been made up of many of the most influential men in town, and useful members of society, who now have passed away. The names of the present members of the board in the order of appointment, are as follows: Richard P. Kent, James W. Weeks, William Burns, Benjamin F. Whidden. Henry O. Kent, Edward Spaul- ding, George S. Stockwell, William S. Ladd, and Jared 1. Williams. The names of the trustees between the first and the present board are as fol- lows: John H. White. Joshua Marshall, John Wilson, John S. Wells, Royal Joyslin, James M. Rix. S. A. Barnard, Robert Ingalls, John Pendex- ter, Samuel A. Pearson, Barton G. Towne and Warren Porter.

By an article in the by-laws, the principal of the academy was called preceptor, and that ancient name has obtained ever since. The follow-

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ing are the names of the different preceptors in the order of time: Na- thaniel Wilson, Walter P. Flanders, William H. Hadley. Moses Johnson, Ezra E. Adams, George Barstow, Harry Hibbard, Benjamin F. Whidden, John H. Wakefield, Elihu T. Rowe, Moses H. White, Thomas L. Wake- field, Daniel C. Pinkham, Truman Ricard, Samuel A. Lord. S. E. Cum mings, Adino J. Burbank, David R. Lang, Daniel A. Bowe, Sylvester Marsh, Harlan W. Page, William A. Odell, Lyman Walker, A. W. Ten- ney, O. C. Palmer, J. C. Irish, S. A. Jones, A. K. Whitcomb, Jonathan Smith, William W. Holman, William W. Morrill, G. C. Fisher, - San- born, - Rolfe, - Armington, W. A. Burbeck, Thomas Macomber, Isaac L. Rogers, F. B. Spaulding, and D. T. Timberlake.

The first session of the academy was opened by Nathaniel Wilson, in September, 1829, in the old court house, on the spot where Kimball B. Fletcher's house now stands. It was a primitive old house with high-back plank seats, and the windows so high that the students could not look out on the passers by. The stove was an inverted pot-ash kettle, perched upon a high brick arch. The pipe was adjusted at the top of the kettle, where a hole had been broken through to make way for the smoke. In this same old building justice had been administered under Richardson, Green, Harris, and Livermore, in that quaint old style we read of in the early history of New Hampshire. Here had been heard within the bar the im- pressive tones of Webster. the sharp repartee of Bartlett, and the clean, sweeping argument of Mason. A little later James Wilson, Joel Parker, and Joseph Bell.

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History of Coos County, New Hampshire, Part 39

Author: Merrill, Georgia Drew Publication date: 1888 Publisher: Syracuse [N.Y.] : W. A. Fergusson Number of Pages: 1194

Author: Merrill, Georgia Drew
Publication date: 1888
Publisher: Syracuse [N.Y.] : W. A. Fergusson
Number of Pages: 1194