History of Hillsborough County, New Hampshire, Part 128

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton)
Publication date: 1885
Publisher: Philadelphia : J.W. Lewis
Number of Pages: 1168

USA > New Hampshire > Hillsborough County > History of Hillsborough County, New Hampshire > Part 128

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

The first use of the excellent water privilege at Souhegan was by Captain John Chamberlain, who built the first grist-mill and the first saw-mill in town.

Isaac Riddle built mills there for the manufacture of cotton and woolen goods and nails. He was burned out in 1818, rebuilt, and carried on the busi- ness until again burned out in 1829.

Later, David Henderson carried on an extensive business in the mills which had been rebuilt, manu- facturing carpets, cotton and woolen goods, etc. Most of the buildings were once more destroyed by fire in 1882, but fortunately the building occupied by Thomas Parker escaped.

THE THOMAS PARKER TABLE COMPANY, which has done a good business for many years, manufac- tures black walnut and chestnut extension tables and dining and office tables. Ten men are employed. The annual pay-roll amounts to four thousand five hundred dollars; more than two thousand five hun- dred tables are produced, and their value is about fifteen thousand dollars.

William M. West is the present efficient manager.

FESSENDEN & LOWELL are manufacturers of fish and syrup packages, cooper stock, and lumber. The partners are Anson D. Fessenden, of Townsend, Mass., and Levi F. Lowell, of Merrimack, N. H. This firm commenced business at Reed's Ferry in 1872, and gives steady employment to fifty men, and to a larger number at some seasons of the year. The annual product is 240,000 fish packages, 2,500,000 staves and 1,500,000 feet of lumber. Monthly pay- roll, $2500; capital invested, $65,000.

Merchants .- There are three stores in town stocked with the usual variety of dry-goods, groceries, hard- ware, etc.,-Porter & Co., at Reed's Ferry ; W. J. Ayer, at Souhegan; and G. B. Griffin, at Thornton's Ferry.

Hotels .- There is only one hotel, and that is kept

by William Kennedy at South Merrimack; its prin- cipal income is derived from summer boarders.

Professional Men .- There is but one minister per- manently located in town,-Rev. E. A. Slack, pastor of the First Congregational Church; one physician,- Warren W. Pillsbury, who is located at Souhegan. No lawyer has been able to get a living in town for many years past.

Town Finances .- During the year closing March 1, 1885, there was expended for highways and bridges, $1227.17; for support of the poor, $83.50; for inci- dentals, $1234.55; for schools, $2070.27; State and county taxes, $2536.69. The town has $3872.07 de- posited in bank and has no debt.

It has not been necessary to levy any tax for town expenses for several years, and consequently taxes are very light. Of the sum expended for schools, $454.23 came from the "Gage Fund," and about fifty per cent. more will be received from that source next year and hereafter, as the town received the income from it for only about eight months of the past year. The amount deposited in savings-banks to the credit of individuals resident in town may be inferred from the fact that the town received $2223.22 from the State treasurer as savings-bank tax.

Public Schools .- The whole number of pupils en- rolled is about a hundred and seventy, all of whom study reading, spelling and penmanship, nearly all study arithmetic and geography, about one-half study grammar, and one-third United States history. There are a few classes in drawing and vocal music, and here and there one or two pursue some High School study. The money is divided among twelve districts, and while some have thirty-six weeks of school in the year, others have no more than twenty, the aver- age being twenty-five and four-tenths.

The methods of teaching used are mostly the same as those of twenty-five years ago, and the results are as good as can be expected under the circumstances.

Occasionally a teacher is employed who introduces the improved methods now adopted in the normal schools and in the better class of city schools, and some of the leading citizens of the town are earnestly working to secure a change to the town system, so that better methods may become universal.

A goodly number of the young people of Merri- mack are pursuing High School studies at their own expense, eighteen of whom were enrolled at McGaw Normal Institute during the past year.

Merrimack furnishes two college students at present, and one student of medicine.

CHAPTER X.

MERRIMACK - ( Continued).

CHURCHES.

First Congregational Church .- This sketch of [ the history of the First -Congregational Church of

536

HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.

Merrimack is composed largely of an extract from an address by the pastor, Rev. C. L. Hubbard, delivered at the centennial celebration of the organization of the church, September 5, 1871.

After speaking of the organization of the church and the settlement of the first pastor, which events have been described in the foregoing history, he says,-

"During the first half-century of the church's existence its history, like that of any plain man among us, is remarkably uneventful. The usual proportion of the population of the town were received into its communion, there were the usual number of dismissions, and so many were buried from it.

" In the first part of this time, at least as appears from the record, the church strove to maintain the character of a Christian Society. Mem- bers are cited to appear and show cause why they absented themselves from public worship ; brethren at variance are required to adjust their differences according to the Scriptural rule, and it is actually the case that several difficulties are settled in this way ; and its votes exhibit a commendable purpose to preserve its purity.

"The half-way covenant then had a place in the usages of the churches, and was recognized here. A brief account of it may be of use. From natural increase and from immigration from abroad, the class of persons in the colonies not qualified to profess religion soon became numerous. Many of them were highly respectable for their talents and general worth of character, and it was felt to be a hardship that they should be deprived of the privileges enjoyed by others around them, and especially that they should be denied the right of baptism for their children.

"To obviate these difficulties was the object of the half-way covenant. It provided that all persons of sober life and correct sentiments, without being examined as to a change of heart, might become members of the church and have their children baptized, though they did not partake of the Lord's Supper.

"The time when this custom was given up cannot be accurately determined, but it was probably at the close of Dr. Burnap's ministry in 1821.

" At the commencement of its second half century, though the church received accessions from time to time, it was reduced to a very low and precarious condition.

"Three causes can be traced as producing this,-

" Many, if not all the original members had passed away, and the death of the first pastor occasioned the loosening of one of those strong ties that bind a church together.

" The regard that many had for the minister who had grown okl in their service could not be, or was not, easily transferred to another, and coldness and dissatisfaction ensued.

"Then it was the fact that many of the leading citizens of the town had become alienated from the church, and at this time a Universalist Society was formed.

"In 1819 the act was passed by the New Hampshire Legislature by which towns in their corporate capacity were rendered incapable of raising money for the support of religious worship.

"Thus, at a time when the pastor was removed by death and many of the citizens were coll and indifferent to the claims of evangelical religion upon them, the church was compelled to make the experiment of voluntary support.

"The ensuing period of eighteen years (from 1821 to 1839) was one of the greatest anxiety to those who were interested in maintaining the institutions of the gospel.

" In 1822 the Merrimack Religious Society was organized, but its resources were small, and consequently the observance of the ordinances of religion was irregular. But in 1825, having gained confidence in their ability to support a minister, the church and society called the Rev. Stephen Morse, and he was installed as their pastor.

"From this time dates the organization of the Sabbath-school, des- tined by its methods of instruction to take the place of the catechising then and previously customary.

"And here allow me to quote the language of onel who, for more than forty years, was its superintendent : 'The Sabbath-school has been generally well attended and interesting, and the additions of members to the church have usually been from its ranks.'

"The strength of the church and society seems not to have been sufficient for the work assumed; for in 1828, three years afterwards, we find Mr. Morse asking for dismission on the ground of inadequate support, and his request was granted.

" After this there was a long period during which the church had no settled minister and went on much as during the previous interregnum : when a smin of money had been raised by tax on the members of the society or by subscription, or was received from the llome Missionary Society, it was expended in preaching; when the money was exhausted the meeting-house was closed on the Sabbath.

"But there is one thing that is worthy of special notice : whether there was preaching on the Sabbath or not, eight Christian men met weekly at the church and asked God to verify His promises to them, and revive His work in this place. When we learn this fact we are no longer surprised that during this time that they were apparently for- saken their prayers were being answered.

"There was considerable religious interest in connection with the labors of the Rev. Mr. Bartley. Many Christian families removed to the town within this time, and the affairs of the church began to mend.

"In 1837 the present honse of worship was erected. This was a great advantage in three particulars, -

"I. It afforded a suitable opportunity for the reorganization of the church.

"2. It led to a reorganization of the Religious Society, many uniting with it who had previously been members of a different society.

"3. The place of worship was brought nearer the centre of population, as South Merrimack had been detached from the parish in 1829.

" All this time their efforts to obtain a minister had not been relaxed, and in 1839 the Rev. Stephen T. Allen became their pastor, a relation that he sustained to them for ten years.

"The period of this pastorate was naturally the time for putting things in order, and Mr. Allen seems to have been eminently fitted for this work.

" In addition to his proper ministerial labors, he contributed largely to the development of the social life of the town ; he was an active and infinential friend of the cause of education ; he was a strong and earnest advocate of the temperance movement, and during his connection with them the church was generally harmonious and prosperous.

" In 1849, on account of ill health, Mr. Allen was dismissed, and was succeeded within a few months by the Rev. E. G. Little. During his ministry the church enjoyed the first widespread revival in its history. Commencing in November, 1851, with a deeper interest in the prayer- meeting and a fuller attendance upon the public services of the house of God, it pervaded all classes and extended to all parts of the town. As the direct and immediate result, more than seventy were, in a short time, added to the church, of whom more than forty were heads of families.

"But this pastorate was short. Mr. Little resigned his charge in 1854, and, the next year, was followed by the Rev. Edwin J. Hart. Mr. Hart was eminently faithful as a pastor, and well qualified to assist those who had recently commenced the Christian life.

"The religious interest was continued throughout the period of his ministry, and the church received large additions to its members and was led forward to a higher spiritual life. *

* * * * *

* *

" These last three ministers seem to have been the right men to come to this church, and to have come at the right times.

"Mr. Allen busied himself with the ontward relation of Christianity, and exhibited the gospel in its concrete forms.

" Mr. Little led men from the contemplation of these things to Jesus Christ as the source of all good and light.

"Mr. Hart was eminently qualified to guard and help those who, having set forth to serve Christ, would meet with many discouragements and need a faithful counselor."

Mr. Hart closed his labors here in 1865, impelled by lack of pecuniary support and ill health.

Rev. J. H. Bates supplied the pulpit for a year or two, and in 1868, Rev. C. G. Hubbard was installed as pastor.

Mr. Hubbard, though fresh from the completion of his studies, rapidly developed the characteristics of an effective minister.

A series of meetings was held under the auspices of the Young Men's Christian Association, and re-

I Deacon Robert McGaw.

537

MERRIMACK.

sulted in a great quickening of the church and the addition of many new members.

This work was successfully continned by the pastor, so that there were almost constant additions, and at the same time he was a strong temperance worker, did much to elevate the public schools of the town, was a leader in the social life of the town, and by the strength and attractiveness of his sermons drew in a larger congregation than had ever before attended public worship.

In 1878, Mr. Hubbard resigned, much against the wishes of the majority of the people, and, after several vain attempts to secure a settled pastor, Rev. Kingsley F. Norris consented to serve for a time as acting- pastor.

The work of Mr. Norris was essentially evangelistic in its nature, and resulted in the conversion of a large number of young people and the establishment of a young people's prayer-meeting at Reed's Ferry, which still maintains a vigorous life (1885), and is all the prayer-meeting that is regularly sustained by the church outside of the Sunday services.

Mr. Norris resigned in the spring of 1881, and Rev. E. A. Slack, the present pastor, was installed in the autumn of the same year.

The chief characteristic of Mr. Slack's ministry, so far, has been steady, persistent, earnest, hard work, and it results in steady additions to the church, four- teen having united with the church during the past year, mostly on profession of faith.

There are at present about two hundred names on the church-roll, about forty of whom are non-resi- dents.

The following persons have served as deacons in the First Church : Jonathan Cummings. William Patten, Jonathan Cummings, Jr., Aaron Gage, Jr., Solomon Danforth, Benjamin Nourse, Augustus Lund, Daniel Ingalls, Robert McGaw, Joseph Wil- son, Robert F. French, Harrison Eaton and Thomas Parker. The present incumbents are Matthew P. Nichols, Francis A. Gordon and John Wheeler.

The superintendents of the Sabbath-school have been as follows : Robert McGaw, Harrison Eaton, Nelson H. Brown and B. H. Weston. The present superintendent is Francis A. Gordon.

The new meeting-house has been repaired and modernized from time to time until now it is a very convenient and comfortable place of worship. The latest improvement was introduced in the fall of 1884, and consisted of a hot-air furnace with ventilating flues, which has entirely removed the nuisance of smoking stove-pipes, and warms and ventilates the building thoroughly.

Union Evangelical Church in Merrimack .- This church was organized October 29, 1829, and was com- posed of persons living in Merrimack, Hollis, Am- herst, Milford and Nashua.

The same year a meeting-house was built at South Merrimack.

The first pastor was Rev. Samuel H. Tollman. He was succeeded by Rev. John W. Shepherd in 1844.

Since the close of Mr. Shepherd's pastorate no minister has remained with this church for any length of time, its financial ability being too limited to furnish an adequate support. A Sabbath-school has been kept up most of the time, especially through the summer season.

CHAPTER XI.

MERRIMACK-(Continued).

MCGAW NORMAL INSTITUTE.

THE establishment of schools for the professional training of teachers marks the beginning of the recog- nition of teaching as a profession, and was an impor- tant advance in the elevation of the human race.

The first Normal School among English-speaking people, of which we have any record, was established at Edinburgh, Scotland, in 1830; the next, at Milan, Ohio, two years later.

In 1849 there were only eight in the whole of the United States, three of which were in Massachusetts, and none in New Hampshire. Now there are two hundred and thirty-three within the limits of the Union, and many of them are doing a grand work.

It was in 1849 that Professor William Russell, an alumnus of Glasgow University, and celebrated as the greatest elocutionist in the country, desired to devote himself more directly to the work of training teachers.

Fortunately for this state and town, he found in Merrimack men who could appreciate his idea and who were willing to help in its realization.

The Charter .- In the records of the New Hamp- shire Legislature for 1849 we find the following :

" An Act to establish the Merrimack Normal Institute.

"SEC. Ist. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened: That Robert McGaw, Nathan Parker, Elkanah P. Parker, Matthew P. Nichols and Nathan Parker, junior, and their associates, successors and assigns, be and are hereby made a body politic and corporate by the name of the Merrimack Normal Institute, and by that name may sue and be sued, prosecute and defend to final judgment and execution, and shall have and enjoy all the privileges and be subject to all the liabilities incident to corporations of a similar nature.

"SEC. 2d. Said corporation may establish a seminary in the town of Merrimack, in the county of Hillsborough, for the instruction of youth of both sexes in useful literature, and to qualify such of them as intend to become teachers of common schools for their appropriate duties ; may erect, maintain and own suitable buildings therefor ; and may hold real and personal property to any amount not exceeding thirty thousand dollars.

"SEC. 3d. Robert Mccaw, Elkanah P'. Parker and Matthew P. Nichols, or any two of them, may call the first meeting of said corpora- tion, to be holden at some suitable time and place in said town of Merri- mack, by cansing a notification thereof to be posted up in some public place in said town of Merrimack, fifteen days prior to the time appointed for holding said meeting, at which, or at some future meeting duly called and holden, said corporation may adopt such constitution and by-laws, not inconsistent with the laws of this State, as they may consider neces- sary or expedient for the management of their estate and funds, and for

538

HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.

the due order and government of their institution, and may appoint or choose such officers and agents as they may think proper, and prescribe Their duties, and may hold their corporate property actually employed free from taxation.

"SEC. 4th. The Legislature may at any time alter, amend or repeal this act whenever, in their opinion, the public good may require it.

"SEC. 5th. This act shall take effect from its passage.

"SAM'L H. AYER, " Speaker of the House of Representatives. "WM. P. WEEKS, " President of the Senate. " Approved July 6th, 1849.

" SAMUEL DINSMOOR, " Governor."

Acting as authorized above, the stockholders or- ganized August 22, 1849, with Robert MeGaw as president and Matthew P. Nichols as secretary and treasurer.

The stock was divided into thirty-one shares of one hundred and eighty-two dollars each.

The following is the list of the original stock- holders and the number of shares held by each :

Simon Kenny, Jr., 1 share; Eri Kittredge, 1 share ; William Read, 1 share; Matthew P. Nichols, 2 shares; Elkanah P. Parker, 2 shares; Nathan Parker, 5 shares; Robert McGaw, 10 shares; Robert W. French, 1 share ; Jesse Parker, 2 shares ; Thomas Parker, 2 shares ; James Parker, 4 shares.

The building was erected during the spring and summer of 1849 by Asa O. Colby, of Manchester. The contract price was four thousand six hundred and fifty dollars, but changes and additions increased the contractor's bill to nearly five thousand dollars, and subsequent improvements raised the total cost to six thousand dollars or more.

The edifice consists of a central portion forty feet square and three stories high, and two wings, each thirty feet square and two stories high, together with suitable out-buildings. It contains fifty rooms, and affords convenient accommodations for thirty boarders.

Professor Russell opened school August 27, 1849, and enrolled sixty-five students the first term. The total number of different students during the first year was a hundred and forty-four, of whom forty- two were in the teachers' class, and twenty of these tanght school during the winter of 1849-50.

The rules were few and simple. The use of pro- fane language, of intoxicating beverages and tobacco, playing at cards or dice, and turbulent and noisy actions within the building were strictly prohibited, and punctuality was required.

The boarding department was managed by Mr. and Mrs. John Wheeler, under whose administration the building was crowded to its utmost capacity, there being at times sixty roomers and eighty table boarders.

Prices were low,-board, including everything but washing, being only a dollar and a half per week, and tuition five dollars for English and seven and a half dollars for foreign languages, per term of ten weeks.

The reputation of Professor Russell and the excel- lence of the work accomplished drew a still larger number of students the second year. The largest

enrollment in the history of the institution was at- tained in the spring of 1851, the number then being one hundred and eight.

Yet, with all this prosperity, Professor Russell must have found it difficult to pay his assistants and sup- port his family, and so we are not surprised to learn that his health failed, and he removed to Massachu- setts.

The stockholders seem not to have understood that a school of this character could not be so managed as to make it pay like an ordinary business enter- prise.

The treasurer's book shows that Professor Russell paid three hundred dollars rent the first year, and the second year rent was received amounting to $311.64; 8206.82 was paid during the third year.

Afterwards the records are not clear, but it is evident that whatever was received for rent was expended in repairs and improvements, for in 1852 it was voted "That the Directors shall not expend any more money than the earnings from the building of the Merrimack Normal Institute."

And so, after receiving two small dividends of two and a half and four dollars per share, respectively, all hopes that the stockholders may have entertained of getting pecuniary return for their investment vanished into the air.

Yet, one man at least did not abandon the school, for during this same year philosophical and chemi- cal apparatus costing $275.50 was placed in the building by Robert McGaw.

The records do not show how long Professor Rus- sell remained ; but it appears that John W. Ray paid the rent in 1852, and Joseph Cushman and H. J. Patrick in 1853, during which time the attendance was good, ranging from fifty to eighty.

In the summer of 1853, Harry Brickett, A. M., be- came principal. He commenced with twenty students, but the number increased to seventy-two in the spring of 1854, after which time it rapidly decreased, and it is probable that Mr. Brickett soon left, as the record of students here closes with twenty-six students in the summer of 1854.

There is a record of twenty students in the spring of 1855, but the name of the principal is not given.

About this time Levi Wallace, a former student, had charge of the school for a while.

In 1859 there is recorded a fall term with thirty students, under Samuel Morrison, principal.

Some time after, a Mr. Brown, who is now agent for Oberlin College, carried on the school for a brief period.

Evidently, an unendowed academy could not be sustained here, encompassed as it was on all sides by similar schools with more or less endowment.

In 1865 an attempt was made to establish a school of an entirely different character.

The property was leased to Rev. S. N. Howell for ten years for the nominal sum of one dollar, he agree-

539

MERRIMACK.

ing to establish a school of a grade sufficiently high to prepare students for college, and to keep the build- ing in repair at his own expense.

Mr. Howell named his school the Granite State Military and Collegiate Institute, introduced military tactics and military discipline, charged a high price ; and, while the rage for military schools, generated by the war, lasted, the school was a success, securing an attendance of thirty or more boarding pupils, but be- fore the lease expired the number had diminished to one solitary pupil ; so the lease was canceled, and the building rented for tenement purposes.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Hillsborough County, New Hampshire, Part 128

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) Publication date: 1885 Publisher: Philadelphia : J.W. Lewis Number of Pages: 1168

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton)
Publication date: 1885
Publisher: Philadelphia : J.W. Lewis
Number of Pages: 1168