History of Merrimack and Belknap counties, New Hampshire, Part 12

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton), ed
Publication date: 1885
Publisher: Philadelphia [Pa.] J. W. Lewis & co.
Number of Pages: 1520

USA > New Hampshire > Merrimack County > History of Merrimack and Belknap counties, New Hampshire > Part 12
USA > New Hampshire > Belknap County > History of Merrimack and Belknap counties, New Hampshire > Part 12

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).

HON. OLIVER PILLSBURY.1

William Pillsbury, from whom most and probably all of the Pillsburys of this country have descended, emigrated from Dorchester, England, in 1631, and settled in old Newbury (now Newburyport), Mass., in the year 1641.

It will be seen that the family belonged to that brave old Puritan stock that had been ground and sifted in the mills of God for generations, and had been prepared to go forth in the fulness of time and take possession of a continent in the name of liberty and truth. In such mysterious ways the progress of government, church and society is evolved from the seed of the dead ages, and we move upward by the providence of Him who " works within us to will and to do of His own good pleasure." The families that planted our nation were not the sport of fortune, drifted by an accident of history to these shores, but were preordained and guided to their destiny.

Oliver Pillsbury, the subject of this sketch, sprung from this line. He was born in Henniker, N. H., February 16, 1817. His parents, Deacon Oliver Pillsbury and Anna Smith Pillsbury, were both per- sons of unusual physical and mental strength. The writer recalls distinctly, after a lapse of more than thirty years, the amiable expression and serene dig- nity of Mrs. Pillsbury, and the masculine thought and deep, solemn voice of the deacon, as he led the devotions of the religious assemblies of the people. He was one of the strong men of the town and a pillar in the church. Others might veer and drift, but we all knew that the deacon was anchored within

the vail, and was as sure to outride the storm as the hill upon which he had fixed his home. He was a man of strong powers, a stern will and constant de- votion to the great ends of life as he saw them. The qualities of both parents were transmitted in large measure to their children. Our State has produced but few men who were the peers in intellectual strength and moral courage to their first-born, Parker Pillsbury. Not many men in our country, indeed, in the years that preceded the Civil War, struck heavier blows for, or clung with a more courageous, self-sacrificing devotion to, liberty than he. Those of us who knew him could hear the deep undertone of the deacon's voice in his, and knew he would conquer or die. In the roll-call of the imperishables in the great struggle for liberty his name will be heard among the first.

The subject of this sketch, during the first seven- teen years of his life, experienced the usual fortune of the sons of New England farmers,- a maximum of hard work and a minimum of schooling; but at that time, having been overtaken by a lameness which threatened to be permanent, he was sent to the academy that he might prepare for duties suited to his prospective infirmity. He entirely recovered, but this circumstance gave a new drift to his life. For nearly five years he pursued his studies with unabated interest and industry, giving thoroughness and a practical character to his acquisitions by teach- ing during the winter months. Mr. Pillsbury had few equals and no superiors among those who taught at that time in our public schools. He was master both of his school and his studies, and had the faculty of inspiring his pupils with his own spirit. Many who have since done good work in life look back with gratitude to those years of pupilage.

In 1839, Mr. Pillsbury left New England and went to New Jersey, where he opened a tuition school, there being no free schools in the State at that time. There, though an entire stranger, he gained the con- fidence of the community and held it during eight years of successful work. During the last six years of this time he taught the academy at Bound Brook, Somerset County. While there he married Matilda Nevius, who died in 1847, leaving a young daughter, an only child. The position which Mr. Pillsbury acquired among the educators of New Jersey may be learned from the fact that he was prominent among the few gentlemen who held the first school conven- tion at the capital, over which he presided, and which was followed by similar conventions in other cities. The movement thus begun resulted in the establislı- ment of public instruction in that State.

At the end of this time, Mr. Pillsbury's health having become impaired, he returned to his native place, where he purchased the paternal homestead and entered again upon the work of his boyhood. For seventeen years he followed the life of a farmer, but did not move in its old empirical ruts. He ap-

1 By Hon. J. W. Patterson.

HISTORY OF MERRIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.

plied the knowledge and improved methods which modern investigation has given to agriculture, and in a little time doubled the productive power of his farm. The successful factor in every industry is brains, and in this case even New Hampshire farm- ing proved no exception to the rule.

Mr. Pillsbury contracted a second marriage, in 1850, with Miss Sarah Wilkins, of Henniker.

Though assiduous in the pursuits of agriculture, his benevolent instincts led him to take an active interest in the causes of temperance, anti-slavery and whatever else the public welfare seemed to de- mand. His efforts in this direction, in co-operation with those of others, produced a change in the poli- tics of the town, which resulted in his introduction to public life. He was elected to various town offices and to the Legislature three times. As a legislator, he did not seem anxious merely to shine, but to be useful and to advance the interests of the State. Such qualities and service commended him to public favor, and in 1862 he was elected a councilor for the last year of Governor Berry's administration, and re-elected to the Council of Governor Gilmore. This, it will be remembered, was while the hardships and horrors of the Civil War were upon ns, and when questions that could not be settled by precedent, and that tested the authority and resources of the State, were brought daily before the Governor and his Council for decision. The exigencies of the gov- ernment would not suffer delay. Not only great permanent interests, but the very life of the nation was in peril, and large and frequent demands were made upon the States for supplies of men and money, when every resource seemed exhausted. In such times means must be invented and resources created. Criticism becomes silent, and waits for the return of peace to awaken into unreasoning activity. Under the pressure of such events, weak men are likely to be paralyzed, avaricious men corrupt and bold men to abuse power.

The qualities which Mr. Pillsbury developed in these trying circumstances ought to make his name historic. The writer has received communications from two gentlemen who were associated with him in the Council, and whose services to the State are uni- versally acknowledged, and, as they express more forcibly than any words of mine can do the part which the subject of this sketch took in that event- ful period, I take the responsibility to publish such portions of their respective letters as bear specially upon the subject of this paper. The known char- acter of the writers will give additional weight to their strong language of encomium.

Hon. John W. Sanborn, of Wakefield, writes as follows :

"Learning that you are to prepare a hiographical eketch of Hon. Oliver Pillsbury, I take pleasure in saying that I formed acquaintance with him in 1863, being then associated with him in Governor Gilmore's Council. His great executive ability, patriotism, honesty and integrity won the respect and admiration of all his associates. At that time the

country was engaged in that terrible war for the support of the govern- ment and its own salvation, and grave questions came before us relative to the prosecution of the same. Although an ardent Republican, he never let partisan feeling warp his judgment in his official acts. He had strong convictions of right, but was always ready to discuss all questions with frankness and fairness, and he fully appreciated the opinions of his opponents. I had the honor to serve with him on the military com- mittee of the Council, which had important matters to consider,-ques- tions involving the rights and interests of the soldiers, their families, and the State. The duties of this committee were arduous and ofteu difficult, but I can attest to the fidelity and untiring energy with which he performed his part. He took great interest in the welfare of the eol- diers, particularly the eick and wounded, and was ever ready to min- ister to their waots. In a word, he was a model councilor for the time in which he served, and the future historian will class him among our ablest and most efficient men."

Hon. John W. Noyes, of Chester, who was also in official association with Mr. Pillsbury, says :

" I was with him a very considerable portion of the time for two years, while we were members of Governor Gilmore's Council during the war. He was the most important member of the Council, ou account of his ex- perience and familiarity with the duties of the eituation ; in fact, his in- formation and good judgment were exceedingly valuable to the Governor' and all the other members of the Council.

"I regard Mr. Pillsbury as one of the best informed and most compe- tent business men in this State. I hardly think there is another man io the State that could fill his present position as well as he does. I said to Governor Stearos, before he made the appointment, that, if he knew Mr. Pillsbury as well as I did, he would not need recommendations, but would urge his acceptance of the place."

It would be idle to add anything to such commen- dations.

In 1869, Mr. Pillsbury was appointed insurance com- missioner by Governor Stearns, for a period of three years, and has been reappointed, from time to time, to the office which he still holds. Soon after his appointment he drafted and secured the enactment of the present law of the State relative to insurance companies of other States and other countries. This law established the department of insurance, and has given to the people a degree of protection against the frauds and impositions of unreliable companies never before enjoyed in this State, and has brought into its treasury, by tax on insurance premiums, nearly one hundred and thirty-eight thousand dollars, in addition to the compensation of the commissioner.

During the whole term of his office Mr. Pillsbury has worked quietly, but assiduously, to eliminate un- reliable companies from our borders, and has care- fully avoided the admission of all such as are not regarded as perfectly trustworthy. It is universally affirmed, by men familiar with the insurance busi- ness, that the commissioner of this State has admin- istered his office with unusual skill and success, and his reports are much sought for and often quoted and referred to as authority in other States. The State may well congratulate itself on having had the continued services, for sixteen years, of one so able and experi- enced in an office so intimately connected with the material interests of the people.

In 1871, Mr. Pillsbury moved to Concord, and the estimation in which he is held in the community is attested by the fact that, during the fourteen years of his residence at the capital, he has twice been elected

THE INSANE ASYLUM.

to represent one of its wards in the Legislature, and has been a member of its Board of Education for seven years, and was president of the board at the time he tendered his resignation. When a member of the Legislature, Mr. Pillsbury was eminently practical, and whenever he spoke, was listened to with marked attention, for he only addressed the House on subjects that he had thoroughly considered, and it was understood that his remarks were likely to aid the members in reaching wise and just conclusions.

As one of the supervisors of the educational inter- ests of Concord Mr. Pillsbury was exceptionally intelligent, conscientious and pains-taking. His views on the general subject were comprehensive, and he kept himself informed as to all real improve- ments in methods of instruction. He discountenanced shams and superfluities, and labored faithfully to make the schools sources of knowledge, of discipline and of virtue. To the other public trusts so honor- ably held by the subject of this sketch we may add that of president of the board of trustees of the State Industrial School. He has had a deep and abiding interest in this institution since its found- ing, and has given to it an active and efficient sup- port.

We can only realize how pure and unselfish his labors of this character have been when we reflect that Mr. Pillsbury has no children of his own to kindle and feed his sympathies, but that they spring from a general benevolence toward all children, of whatever condition in life. His only child was a daughter of rare mental activity and attainments, and of unusual sweetness of temper. She married Mr. J. S. Eveleth, of Beverly, Mass., where, after a residence of nearly two years, she died of consumption, in the flower and promise of early womanhood, leaving two homes stricken and desolate.

In this brief sketch we have unconsciously drawn a model citizen,-a man in all the relations of life faithful to the claims of duty; in the family, society and the State, blameless; benevolent without osten- tation, patriotic without the claim of reward and true to every trust.

CHAPTER IV.

THE NEW HAMPSHIRE ASYLUM FOR THE INSANE.

ABOUT the year 1830 the condition of the insane of New Hampshire began to awaken a deep interest in the hearts of philanthropic persons in all sections of the State. The feeling rapidly increased that some- thing should be done for their benefit, and that, too, upon a scale commensurate with the magnitude of their numbers.

But what, by whom and in what way? This was a question of difficult solution. As the public inter- est in the subject deepened, a settled conviction was formed in leading minds that the State should take the initiative in whatever measures might be adopted. Influenced in part, perhaps, by this general senti- ment, but feeling deeply the importance of the enterprise, Governor Dinsmore, in his message to the Legislature, in June, 1832, thus called attention to the condition of the insane,-

" I feel no apology need be made, in an age so distinguished for its pub- lic and private charities, for calling your attention to a subject which has so much reason and humanity ou its side as a measure for the secur- ity and recovery of the lunatic or insane. The Legislature of the State has never yet recognized these unfortunate beings as entitled to any special favor from'goveromett."

After alluding to the belief once entertained of the incurableness of insanity, he contrasts the en- lightened and humane treatment afforded by well- regulated hospitals with that in use throughout the State. He then asserts the curableness of the malady, in a large percentage of cases, under proper and timely treatment, and cites, in proof thereof, statistics gathered from the reports of some of the best-managed institutions in England and the United States, thereby showing the importance "of having, in some convenient part of the State, a place where patients of this description can be received with as little delay as possible after the commencement of the disease and before improper management shall have aggravated its character and lessened the chances of cure." He also recommended, as a pre- paratory step, the institution of an inquiry "to ascertain, with as much exactness as practicable, the whole number of insane within the State, distin- guishing panpers from others, the number which have been committed to jail within a given time by authority of court or by their friends or others with- out the order or sanction of judicial proceedings, and the length of their respective terms of confinement; and to ascertain, in like manner, the actual or proba- ble amount of costs of court and jailer's fees and expenses of their support and maintenance in cases of confinement."

In accordance with this recommendation, the Gov- ernor was directed, by a resolution introduced by Mr. Hugh Miller, of Peterborough, and passed on the 22d day of June of that year, "to take proper means to ascertain the number of insane persons in the State."

In his message at the opening of the winter session, in November following, Governor Dinsmore further said,-

"I addressed letters of inquiry, containing copies of the resolution, to the selectmen of the several towns in the State, requesting them to fur- oishi me seasooably with the information desired. In one hundred and forty-ode towos, being all from which returns have been received, the whole number of insane is one hundred and eighty-oine,-ninety males and ninety-oine femalee,-one hundred and three of whom are paupers. The whole of those oow io confinement ie seventy-six, of whom twenty- five are io private houses, thirty-four in poor-houses, seven in cells and

:48

HISTORY OF MERRIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.

cages, six in chains and irons and four in jaile. Of those not now in confinement, many were stated to have been at timee secured in private houses, some have been handcuffed, others have been confined in cells and some in chains and jails."

In pursuance of the Governor's recommendation, a bill was introduced into the House of Representa- tives by Mr. Samuel C. Webster, of Plymouth, on the 26th day of December, providing "for the es- tablishment of the New Hampshire Asylum for the Insane." This was read twice, laid upon the table, and on the 28th of December, on motion of Mr. Samuel E. Cones, of Portsmouth, indefinitely post- poned by a vote of one hundred and thirty-nine to seventy-eight.

Upon the assembling of the next Legislature, in 1833, Governor Dinsmore again alluded to the sub- ject in his message, and said, in relation to the es- tablishment of an asylum for the insane,-

" Although your predecessors did not feel prepared to sanction the measures recommended, I have never lost the hope of seeing at an early period a zealous co-operation of the several branches of the government with the friends of suffering humanity, in promoting a charity so plainly recommended by the principles of our religion and hy every considera- tion of justice and philanthropy."

On the 20th day of June of this year a resolution was introduced into the House of Representatives by Mr. Arthur Livermore, of Campton, authorizing the appointment of an agent to examine and inspect sundry asylums for the insane and "report a plan for an asylum in this State." The resolution passed to its third reading, when, on the 25th day of June, its indefinite postponement being moved by Mr. John L. Hadley, of Weare, the yeas and nays were required by Mr. Hadley, and its postponement was lost by a vote of fifty-four yeas and one hundred and five nays. The resolution was then passed and sent to the Senate, where, a few days afterwards, July 1, 1833, on motion of Mr. Cyrus Barton, its further consideration was postponed to the next session of the Legislature. A resolution was also passed hy the House "That each member of this Legislature instruct their respective towns to report by their members at the next session the number of insane, and their wishes in relation to the State building an hospital for the use of the insane; " but, on the 4th day of July, this, on motion of Mr. War- ren Lovell, of Meredith, was also indefinitely post- poned by the Senate. On the 26th of June still another resolution was introduced to the House hy Mr. Charles H. Peaslee, of Concord, appropriating ten thousand dollars "for the erection of an insane hospital," the further consideration of which was, on the 3d day of July, on motion of Mr. Zenas Clement, of Claremont, postponed to the next session of the Legislature by a vote of one hundred and eight yeas to eighty-seven nays.

The use of the Representatives' Hall was granted to Dr. William Perry, of Exeter, on the evening of the 20th of June, for the delivery of a lecture upon the subject of the insane.

Upon the opening of the session of 1834, Governor Badger warmly urged in his message the importance of taking some measures for alleviating the existing condition of the insane, and on the 11th of June so much of the Governor's message as related to the deaf, dumb and insane was referred to a special com- mittee of the House, consisting of Messrs. Charles H. Peaslee, of Concord; John L. Perley, of Mere- dith ; Hugh Bartley, of Londonderry; John Sulli- van, of Exeter; William Gordon, of Charlestown ; Otis Amidon, of Chesterfield; and Gideon L. Tirrell, of Shelburne.

On the 24th, Mr. Peaslee, for the committee, pre- sented to the House an able report, accompanied by a resolution for an appropriation, hy the State, of the sum of twelve thousand five hundred dollars for the erection of an asylum for the insane, which, on the 30th of the same month, on motion of Mr. John Rogers, of Exeter, was postponed to the next session of the Legislature. The resolution "authorizing the appointment of an agent for the inspection of certain asylums for the insane," which was postponed in 1833 to the next session of the Legislature, was reported, on the 18th day of June, to the Senate from the committee on unfinished business, and the same day, on motion of Mr. Austin Corbin, of New- port, was indefinitely postponed. Twelve days after- ward, however, a resolution, introduced to the House by Mr. Jacob Taylor, of Stoddard, was passed, which required the selectmen of the several towns to make return to the Secretary of State of the number and condition of the insane in their respective towns and districts. Further evidence of the activity of the friends of the insane is found in the fact that the House granted the use of their hall a second time to Dr. William Perry for the delivery of a lecture upon the condition and wants of the insane of the State.

On the 29th of June the next year (1835) a resolu- tion was introduced in the House by Mr. Charles H. Peaslee, of Concord, "appropriating twenty-five bank shares for an asylum for the insane," which subsequently, on the 25th of June, on motion of Mr. John Woodbury, of Salem, was postponed to the next session of the Legislature. The next day, however, the House passed a resolution, introduced hy Mr. George W. Kittredge, of New Market, provid- ing for the appointment of a commission, to consist of one from each county, to ascertain the number and condition of the insane in the several counties of the State and make report to the next Legislature.

At the next session of the Legislature (1836) the subject of an asylum for the insane was again brought forward by Governor Hill in his message, and on the 7th day of June a select committee of ten was appointed "on so much of the Governor's message as relates to insane persons in this State, the memorials and petitions praying for the establishment of an insane asylum and the statistical returns from the towns of the number and condition of the insane."

THE NEW HAMPSHIRE ASYLUM FOR THE INSANE, CONCORD, N. H.

THE INSANE ASYLUM.

This committee consisted of Messrs. Charles H. Peaslee, of Concord; Luther V. Bell, of Derry ; Thatcher Bradford, of Hancock ; Augustus Jenkins, of Portsmouth; Benjamin F. Folsom, of Guilford; Benjamin Pettingill, of Salisbury ; Cyrus Frost, of Marlborough; James Breck, of Newport; Henry H. Lang, of Bath; and Aaron Potter, of Milan.

To this committee were referred the petitions of sundry inhabitants of the towns of Richmond, Fitz- william, Nelson, Winchester, Gilsum, Keene, Exeter, Sullivan, Dover, Roxbury, Portsmouth and Clare- mont, besides others of individuals whose residences are not mentioned. At the antumn session other petitions of like purport to the foregoing were in- troduced and similarly referred. On the 15th, Dr. Luther V. Bell, for the committee, made to the House of Representatives an able report, whereupon the House postponed the further consideration of the sub- ject to the next session of the Legislature. Immedi- ately after, on motion of Mr. Joel Eastman, of Conway, the clerk was ordered to procure one thou- sand printed copies of this report for the use of that body.

Early in the June session Samuel E. Cones, of Portsmouth, was granted the use of Representatives' Hall for the delivery of a lecture upon insanity and the insane. A few days later, on the 15th, a resolu- tion of the previous Legislature appropriating twenty- five bank shares belonging to the State for the erec- tion of an asylum for the insaue was referred to the select committee above mentioned. Upon the same day Mr. John L. Hadley, of Weare, introduced to the House a joint resolution, which soon afterwards passed both branches of the Legislature, that the Governor be requested to issue his precepts to the selectmen of the several towns, to take the sense of the qualified voters upon the question, "Is it ex- pedient for the State to grant an appropriation to build an insane hospital ?"

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 Merrimack and Belknap counties, New Hampshire, Part 12

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton), ed Publication date: 1885 Publisher: Philadelphia [Pa.] J. W. Lewis & co. Number of Pages: 1520

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton), ed
Publication date: 1885
Publisher: Philadelphia [Pa.] J. W. Lewis & co.
Number of Pages: 1520