History of Hillsborough County, New Hampshire, Part 153

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

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For seventy-five years the people worshiped with- out fires in their meeting-houses. The worship of the winter season might have been as pure as the most perfect crystal, but an absence of warmth is suggested. If there was beauty in it, this must have existed in the spiritual light reflected from frosty forms. To modern conception there is a touch of the comic in the audience muffled, their heads drawn within the mufflers. Pulpit oratory was certainly at a disadvantage. Stoves were put into the Great Meet- ing-House about 1820. But this was not done without opposition. The Great Meeting-House was used by the church and First Congregational Society till 1842. During the last ten years the society had made sev- eral propositions to the town for the purpose of securing some exclusive rights in the house. One was the outright purchase; another was to finish the upper part for worship, which should be the property of the society, and the lower part for a town hall, which should be the town's. But the town was un- willing to entertain any of these propositions. Ac- cordingly, at a meeting of the First Congregational Society in the hall of Jeremiah Tyler, February 9,

1842, "to see if the society will procure a suitable piece of land on which to build a house for public worship, it was voted to procure such a piece, and at the same meeting General Samuel M. Richardson proposed, on certain conditions, to give the society such a piece, which gift, subject to the conditions, was accepted by the society."

At a meeting held February 24th, "it was voted that the erection of the meeting-house be commenced as soon as practicable in the ensuing spring, and David Cutter, Moody Hobbs, Joshua Atwood, David Butler and Amos Batchelder were chosen a building committee." At a meeting held October 17th, " Jere- miah Tyler, Enoch Marsh and John M. Tyler were chosen a committee of arrangements for the dedica- tion of the new meeting-house." The dedication was ninety-one years from the time that the old meeting-house was first used for public worship.

THE PARSONAGE,-At a meeting of the First Con- gregational Society, September 4, 1861, it was voted "to accept the Tyler store lot, so called, purchased by individuals for a parsonage-house of said society." It was voted to proceed at once to build, and Colonel Enoch Marsh, Abel Gage, Esq., F. A. Cutter, Eliphe- let F. Woods were chosen a building committee. The work was commenced at once, and under the enthusi- astic lead of Colonel Marsh, who devoted his time and energies to the enterprise, it was substantially completed that autumn, and occupied by the present pastor the next April. Richard B. Hillman was the builder.

CHAPTER II.

PELHAM-(Continued).

EDUCATION-MEN OF NOTE-PHYSICIANS-MUSIC.

Education .- The town records show no public action upon the subject of education till fifteen years after the incorporation. But from this time there was a gradual and substantial growth of the educational sentiment. The school and school-house gave rise to violent controversies. There were seasons of intense excitement. At times there was the reckless spirit that would destroy all rather than not carry its point ; then better counsels would prevail, harmony would be re- stored, bygones would be forgotten and all would be united in the good cause.

March 9, 1761, " Voted the non-resident money for a school." At the March meeting of the next year there was no appropriation for schools, but at a meet- ing April,-

"Ist, l'oted not to build any school-houses.

"2d, Voted four months' schooling, to begin in September next ensu- ing, and so on till the four months expired.

"3d, Voted to raise the sum of €25 as school rates, to support the above said school."

March 7, 1763, " Voted two hundred pounds, old

640

HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.

tenor, for a school this present year. Said school is to be in four parts of said town, and each part to have their portion of said money to be divided by the se- lectmen."

March 5, 1764, "Voted two hundred pounds, old tenor, for a school for this present year, to be provided by the selectmen as they shall think proper."

March 11, 1765, " Voted not to raise any money for a school this present year." For the next ten years an average of fifteen pounds was appropriated annu- ally for schools.

March 4, 1776, " Voted twenty Pounds, Lawful money, for Schooling this Present year."

" A Committee Chosen to Place the schools and to Provide Masters and Mistresses-Dr. John Mussey, Ebenezar Parmer, Esq., Jesse Wilson, Amos Gage, Jr., Phillip Richardson, Jr .- Voted that Every Quar- ter of the town should have the use of their own money, and that Each Quarter should Enjoy the Priviledge of their own and not Send from one to another, and that when the School was Provided they that would not Send Should Go without the Benefit of the School."

During the next fifteen years, which included the hard times of the Revolutionary War, the town failed only once to make appropriations for the schools. After 1790 the matter of an appropriation was no longer optional, as the towns were required by legisla- tive enactment to raise a specified sum. March 4, 1793, on the article "To see if the Town will vote that Every Class shall have the Privilege of the School when it is kept in their Class without being thronged with Scholars from other Classes," "Voted that

Scholars shall have Liberty to Go from one Class to | years at the Centre, in the building since known as the other for the benefit of Schooling." On the 26th of this month, "Voted to Raise One Hun- dred and fifty pounds, L. M., in order to build the School-Houses in sa Town, Meaning that those Classes that have built their School-Houses shall Re- ceive an order from the Selectmen for their proportion of the aforesaid sum. Voted that James Gibson, Esq., be a committee to fix the Place where the School-House is to be built in the Southwest corner of said Town."

December 8, 1795, Voted to dismiss the article "to see if the Town will vote to Empower Each Class to hire their own Masters and Mistresses."

March 7, 1796, Voted to chuse a Committee-riz., lyceum was an institution, furnishing not only the so- Captain John Ferguson, Captain Thomas Spofford; Lieutenant Ezra R. Marsh, James Gibson, Esq., David Gage-to Class the Inhabitants of sd Town for keep- ing Schools agreeable to a former vote of sª Town, The following is a list, perhaps imperfect, of edu- cated men that the town has raised : which was to be five classes."

March 6, 1797, "Voted to except the report of the committee to class the town with five classes."

The number of families in each class was as follows : Southwest Class, 34; Northwest Class, 30; Middle Class, 31 ; Northeast Class, 31; Southeast Class, 26.

"DAVID GAGE,

"THOMAS SPOFFORD, Committee." "EZRA R. MARSH,

March 4, 1799, the generous spirit that the town has ever since expressed towards the cause of educa- tion commences to express itself,-" Voted to raise thirty pounds in addition to the sum commanded by the authority of the State for the support of schools."

The town was fortunate in the outset in an economical classification. There were few classes. The number of families in each class was nearly the same. Hence an equal division of the school money was the fair thing. This classification has remained substantially the same to the present time, and the money has, with few exceptions, been equally divided among the five classes.

The spirit of a people is often shown by a move- ment that is a failure. Minorities of even but one in a cause that looks to enlargement and progress give a people character. They are the little leaven that will some time be the majority. The article in the warrant of 1789, "to see if the town will vote to have a grammar school kept in said town," though dismissed, asserted literary tastes, intellectual life and aspirations among the people. The town may not have furnished as many for the professions as some others; but there are few towns that, according to their population, could show as large a number of men and women of good home-bred sense, of re- fined taste, of such general information, of such correet methods in business, and who expressed them- selves with more understanding and grace.

About the commencement of the century Mr. Dan- iel Hardy, a graduate of Dartmouth College and an accomplished scholar, taught an academy for several the Cottage, and occupied by the Misses Hastings for many years. Mr. Hardy and his school had a healthy influence upon the intellectual life of the people. Here many young men and women received instruc- tion that qualified them to be efficient teachers in the common schools.

During the ministry of Dr. Church there was a literary association that owned quite an extensive library of solid reading, comprising history, essay and poetry, but no fiction as such ; this was exten- sively and faithfully read.

During the first sixty years of the century the town ciability and wholesome diversion that a people need. but also intellectual nurture and culture in speaking and writing.

GRADUATES OF DARTMOUTH COLLEGE.

Daniel Hardy, 1789; Aaron Hardy, 1794; Caleb Butler, 1800 ; Reuben Dimond Mussey, 1803; Isaac Butler, entered but died in the course ; Stephen I. Bradstreet, 1819; Barnabas G. Tenney, 1819 ; Calvin Butler, 1834; Nathaniel Abbot Keyes, 1835 : Charles Burnham, 1536 ; Benja- min Butler, 1842 ; Joseph H. Tyler, 1851 ; Eliphelet Butler Gage, 1858, at the Scientific School ; Joseph Edward Marsh, 1858, at the Scientific School; Nathaniel Parker Gage, 1862.

641

PELHAM.

GRADUATES OF HARVARD.

William M. Richardson, 1797 ; Josiah Butler, 1803 ; John O'utter Gage, 1856; Frederic W. Batchelder, 1860.

Four of these graduates became clergymen, seven lawyers. Reuben Dimond Mussey became eminent in medicine, and had a reputation that was European as well as American. William M. Richardson repre- sented the State in Congress, and also became chief justice of the Supreme Court of New Hampshire. Josiah Butler represented New Hampshire two terms in Congress. Others became teachers and business men.

PROFESSIONAL MEN NOT GRADUATES.

Elijah Butler, born April 13, 1765 ; studied medicine and practiced many years in Weare.

Milton Grosvenor studied medicine.

Nehemiah Butler, a lawyer and judge of probate for Merrimack County.

Jolin Quincy Adams Griffin, at his death, in early manhood, had at- tained distinction at the bar.

Benjamin Russell Cutter, at his death seventeen years principal of the Washington Grammar School, Chicago.

William IT. Gage studied medicine, and at his death had been many years assistant physician at the asylum, Taunton, Mass.

Of gentlemen of the last generation noted as com- mon-school teachers were Moody Hobbs and Abel Gage, both self-made men and popular teachers, with a life-long interest in education. Mr. Hobbs hecame a public man, and was associated with the distin- guished men of the State. He was greatly interested in agriculture. He was the magistrate of the town and the civil engineer of this and neighboring towns. Mr. Gage led a quiet life on his farm, enjoyed his library and took an intelligent and devoted interest in all the philanthropic and missionary enterprises of the age.

FEMALE TEACHERS.

Miss Hannah Cutter, educated under Miss Grant, at Ipswich. Mass., was instrumental in founding a female seminary at Princeville, Ill.

Miss Mary C. Richardson, educated at Bradford Academy, Massachn- setis, holding for many years a responsible position in that institution ; a lady of superior intellectual powers and a popular teacher.

Miss Mary T. Gage, educated at the Abbot Female Seminary, Andover, Mass., a teacher for many years. Her culture was marked. Her life was an ornament to the social state.

Miss Helen Cutter, a popular teacher for many years at Arlington, Mass.

Miss Emma D. Coburn, for a score of years holding important posi- tions as teacher in Western cities.

Of young ladies of the present employed in the common schools of this and adjoining towns, two may be named for their long and valuable services,- Miss Susan M. Smith, great-granddaughter of James Gibson, and Miss M. Amanda Cloyd.

Some Men of Note .-- Deacon Amos Gage, born in 1717. Probably came to this town in 1739 or 1740, from Bradford, Mass. Prominent in the church, in civil and military affairs. Died in 1792.

Deacon Barnabas Gibson, born near the coast of Ire- land after his parents sailed for this country. His father's name was James. Among the old papers of the family is a receipt for the passage-money of the family, dated "Portrush, August 26, 1738."

James Gibson, brother of Barnabas, for a series of

years a man of great prominence in the affairs of the town.

Jesse Gibson, a son of James, a life-long resident of the town, often elected to town offices, for a long series of years justice of peace. a man of unquestioned integrity. He accumulated a large property. Died in 1876, aged eighty-nine, wanting a few days.

Captain Henry Baldwin, at whose house the first town-meeting was held, died in 1754.

Dr. John Mussey, father of Reuben Dimond Mus- sey, often chosen to offices of importance in town.

James and Samuel Hobbs, grandsons of the first minister, stirring men and often called to positions of publie responsibility.

General Samuel M. Richardson, a true gentleman, a distinguished citizen, a member of a family that not only adorned New Hampshire, but Massachusetts. He left a generous legacy to the First Congregational Society, and also to the town for remodeling the old meeting-house into a town hall.

David Cutter, for many years postmaster and a justice of the peace. He was very exaet in the trans- action of all business, exemplary and strictly law- abiding, a pillar in the moral and religious institu- tions of the town. He died in 1863, aged nearly eighty-two years, and left two thousand dollars to the First Congregational Society.

General Joshua Atwood, for more than thirty years moderator of the annual town-meeting. He died in 1872, aged sixty-five years.

Benjamin F. Cutter, a generous and public-spirited citizen, was widely known in his horticultural and nursery business. He died in 1870, aged sixty-seven years.

Colonel Enoch Marsh, who still survives, near his ninetieth year, in a " green old age," a gentleman of the trnest type. He never sought or held office ; but to the support of the religious institutions of the town and causes of Christian philanthropy he has given his time, his strength and his property.

Misses Eliza and Caroline Hastings came from Boston to Pelham in 1835, to live on the small prop- erty they had acquired by years of teaching, an employment that they engaged in when financial reverses came upon their father's business. They were ladies of a true culture and a noble Christian spirit. They rented the building once occupied by Mr. Hardy for a school, and afterwards it was known as the Cottage. They employed their time in the care of their cultured natures and deeds of charity. They loved to walk the different streets of the town and make informal calls in all the homes. Families in all parts of the town were wont to have them as their guests. They made for themselves a large place in the esteem and affection of the people. They were a great acquisition to society. Their influence was salutary. Miss Eliza died September 10, 1853, aged seventy-one. The shock was great to Miss Caroline. She endured it with Christian fortitude, and died

642

HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.

April 26, 1872, aged eighty-nine. Their graves are with the people of their adoption.

Physicians .- The earliest was Dr. Amos Richard- son ; then Dr. John Mussey, Dr. Aaron Grosvenor, Dr. William Gage, Dr. Benjamin R. Skelton, Dr. Benjamin F. Simpson, Dr. Edwin Grosvenor, Dr. Lucius Grosvenor, Dr. Amos Batchelder.

Dr. Batchelder commenced practice in town in 1837. He has been a studious man and kept himself abreast of the times in his profession. He has also been a careful observer and extensive reader in natural history and general science, and he has a cabinet of six thousand specimens of his own col- lection.

Music .- The Pelham people have always been musi- cal. The Gages, Butlers, Cutters, Gibsons, Atwoods and Wilsons were musical families. Of those who led the singing in the past, and sometimes taught singing- schools, were Deacon Amos Glage, Deacon Abel Gage, General Samuel M. Richardson, David Cutter, Jona- than B. Greeley, Abel Gage, Jr., Jesse Wilson, Colonel Enoch Marsh, Frederic A. Spofford and, later, Wil- liam Chase. In the years 1798 and 1805 there were articles in the warrant for the annual town-meeting to see if the town would appropriate money for a singing-school. In neither instance was the appro- priation made; but in 1803 the town "voted to purchase a bass viol for the use of the singers ; also that Deacon Abel Gage, Samuel M. Richardson and Doct William Gage be a committee to purchase sª viol."

In 1859 an unusually fine-toned pipe-organ was purchased for the church. Since then Mr. Alonzo D. Greeley, an amateur in music, has played the organ, led the singing and devoted much time and expense to the culture of music in the town. When the organ was procured there were but two or three pianos in town; now there are a dozen, and parlor organs in almost every house. Two of the school-houses have musical instruments.

CHAPTER III.

PELHAM-(Continued).

CIVIL GOVERNMENT-MILITARY-GROWTH, DEVELOPMENT AND CHANGE-PERSONAL REMINISCENCES.

Civil Government .- The town from the first took a thoughtful interest in the constitutions of both the State and national governments.

At a town-meeting April 13, 1778, "Mr. James Barnard was then chosen as a member of that Con- vention that is to meet at Concord on June the tenth next, in order to form a Plan of Government for the People of this State for their future good and hap- piness."

" Voted to chuse a Committee of Eleven men to Give Instruction to said Barnard Concerning the plan of Government, which are as follows : Messrs. Maj. Daniel Coburn, Esq. Gage, Doe John Mussey, Esq. Gibson, Dea. Barnabas Gibson, Dea. Amos Gage, Thomas Spofford, Nehemiah Butler, Capt. Jesse Wil- son, Capt. Asa Richardson, Peirce Gage."

The plan that was submitted to the people by the convention of June, 1781, was considered in the town- meeting held in December, and " Voted to chuse a committee to Take into consideration the plan of Government, and make remarks on it and lay them Before the town." "Chose the Committee ( viz.), Dea. Barnabas Gibson, Aaron Wyman, Jacob Butler, Jun., David Butler, Abel Gage, Joshua Atwood, Caleb Butler, Doct John Mussey, Josiah Gage, Esq., and Mark Gould." This plan was discussed on the re- port of the committee, by articles, at a town-meeting January 21, 1782, and substantially rejected by Pel- ham, as it was by the State. The convention sub- mitted another plan in August, 1782. At a town- meeting December 2d this was referred to a com- mittee,-Dr. John Mussey, Nathaniel Abbot, James Gibson, Esq., Josiah Gage, Esq., Jesse Smith, Abiel Barker, Jacob Butler, Jr., Dea. Barnabas Gibson and David Butler. The meeting then adjourned till the 17th. "The town being Mette, according to the above adjournment, Voted not to accept of the Plan of Government as it now stands, by 60 Votes. Voted to accept the Plan of Government with the Amendments made by the Committee, by 52 Votes; 7 Persons Voted against it."

This plan was also rejected by the State. The con- vention met in June, 1783, and submitted another plan to the people. At a meeting held August 18th, " Voted, to choose a committee of Nine Persons to take under Consideration the Alteration of the Eight Article of the Confideration. Com., Mr. David Butler, Mr. Uriah Abbott, James Gibson, Esq., M. Joshua Atwood, Deak" Barnabas Gibson, Josiah Gage, Esq., MT. John Ferguson, Doct John Mussey, Mr. Aaron Wyman. Voted for the afore sª Committee to take under Consideration the Address from Con- vention."

"The Moderator Adjourned sª Meeting Three Weeks."

" Met According to the Above Adjournment."

" Voted, to receive a Verbal Report of sª Committee that is to alter the Eight Artical of Confideration, (viz.), that is the Proportion among the United States Shall be Laid by the Number of Souls. Voted, to Receive a Verbil Report of the afore sd Committee, that is not to alter the Executive Department."

This plan was adopted by the State and ratified by the convention October 31st.

These quaint records show how carefully the under- lying principles of both the national confederation and the State Constitution were examined by the citizens of Pelham.

643

PELHAM.

TOWN CLERKS.

1746-47, Eleazar Whiting ; 1748-49, Henry Baldwin, Jr. ; 1750-52, Amos Gage ; 1753, David Jones ; 1751-57, Amos Gage ; 1758, Levi IIil- Ireth ; 1759-72, Amos Gage; 1773-74, Josiah Gage, Jr. ; 1775-82, Dan- iel Barker; 1783-90, John Ferguson ; 1791-96, Benjamin Barker, Jr .; 1797-99, Aaron Ilardy ; 1799-1802, Benjamin Barker; 1803-4, Peter Paterson ; 1805-19, William Hardy (20); 1820-23, William Atwood ; 1824-26, William Hardy ; 1827-31, James Hobbs; 1832, Reuben B. Gib- son ; 1833-37, Jeremiah Tyler ; 1838-39, Charles Spofford ; 1840-41, Moody Ilobbs ; 1843, Charles Spofford ; 1844-45, Frederic A. Spofford ; 1845, David Spofford; 1846-65, John Woodbury ; 1865, Amos Batchelder ; 1866-67, Joslma Atwood, Jr .; 1868-77, Amos Batchelder ; 1878-82, Charles W. Hobbs ; 1883-85, Daniel P. Atwood.

DELEGATES TO THE SEVERAL CONSTITUTIONAL CONVEN- TIONS.

1778, James Barnard; 1781, Jacob Butler, Jr. ; 1791, James Gibson ; 1851, Joshua Atwood ; 1876, F. M. Woodbury.

DELEGATE TO THE CONVENTION FOR THE ADOPTION OF THIE FEDERAL CONSTITUTION.

1788, Rev. Amos Moody.

REPRESENTATIVES.

1775, Aaron Wyman ; 1776-78, James Gibson ; 1779-81, David Butler ; 1782, James Gibson ; 1783-85, Jacob Butler, Jr. ; 1786, James Gibson ; 1787-88, Jacob Butler; 1789, voted not to send; 1790, James Gibson ; 1791, voted not to send; 1792, James Gibson ; 1793-96, Rev. Amos Moody; 1797, Nehemiah Butler ; 1798, Rev. Amos Moody ; 1799-1802, James Gibson ; 1803-6, Rev. Amos Moody ; 1807, James Gibson ; 1808- 9, Josiah Butler; 1810-11, James Gibson ; 1812-20, Maj. Samnel M. Richardson ; 1821, Maj. William Hardy ; 1822, Nehemiah Butler; 1823- 25, Capt. James Ilobbs ; 1826-27, Samuel M. Richardson ; 1828, James Ilobbs; 1829, Nehemiah Butler; 1830-31, Samuel M. Richardson ; 1832- 34, Jesse Gibson, Esq. ; 1835, Samuel M. Richardson ; 1836, David Ham- blet ; 1837, James Hobbs, Esq. ; 1838-41, Jesse Gibson ; 1842-45, Joshua Atwood ; 1846-47, Gilbert Coburn; 1848-49, Joshua Atwood; 1850, Jesse Gibson ; 1851, Darius Stickney ; 1852, Joshua Atwood ; 1853-54, John Richardson ; 1855-56, Joshua Atwood ; 1857-58, John Woodbury ; 1859-60, Amos Batchelder; 1861-62, Daniel Marshall ; 1863-64, Warren Sherburne ; 1865, Kimball Gibson ; 1866, George II. Currier ; 1867-68, Eliphelet F. Wood ; 1869-70, William G. Butler ; 1871-72, Nathan Gage ; 1873-74, George Il. Currier ; 1875-76, John Woodbury ; 1877-78, Na- than Gage ; 1879, Daniel N. Atwood ; 1881, Luther C. Richardson ; 1883, George S. Butler ; 1885, Richard B. Hillman.

Military Record .- The citizens of Pelham have always been patriotic. They have enlisted in all the wars of our country and shed their blood on nearly every battle-field. Amos Gage, an early settler of the town, one of the original members of the church and the first deacon, was a captain in the French and Indian War, and lost a son, aged twenty years, in that war.

In the oldl records of the town the following is found :

" In the year 1755 Begune the Bloody war Btween England and france, and the whole Country of Canada was surrendered to his Majesty, George, in the year 1760.

"the account of the number of men that was lost belonging to Pelham that died a Broad :

" Jonathan Wright, Edward Wyman, Ezra Littlehail, Simon Beard, Lieut. Thomas Gage, Joseph Gage, Simon Wyman, Daniel Gage, John Weber."

In the American Revolution, no one of the colonies exhibited a more resolute and determined spirit of resistance to the oppression of Great Britain than New Hampshire, and in no town of the State was this spirit more pronounced than in Pelham.

At a town-meeting April 1, 1777, " Voted, twenty pounds lawful money per man that shall Inlist for three years into the Continental army."

April 7th, " Voted, to anex Ten Pounds Lawful

money to the above Twenty pounds, to Each Soldier who shall Inlist into the Continental army for the Term of three years."

June 4th, " Voted, that Each man who has served as a Soldier in Defence of the United States of amer- ica, shall be allowed sixteen shillings and Eight Pence per month." "Those Persons who were in the service two months at Winterhill, Being Present, agreed to take but twelve Shillings per month."

At a town-meeting February 2, 1778, " Voted, that Lt. John Bradford, Mr. Aaron Wyman, Capt. Asa Richardson Be a Committee to Provide for the Soldiers' Families." At this meeting the vote was re- considered, "allowing each soldier sixteen shillings and eight pence per month for what he hath done in the service more than his proportion," and a com- mittee chosen to bring in under oath "how much shall be allowed to those who have served as soldiers in the several Campaigns that have been in the Present War." This committee brought in at a sub- sequent meeting that the year's men should be al- lowed nine pounds and sixteen pence per man.

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History of Hillsborough County, New Hampshire, Part 153

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