History of Merrimack and Belknap counties, New Hampshire, Part 14

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 14
USA > New Hampshire > Belknap County > History of Merrimack and Belknap counties, New Hampshire > Part 14

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After much effort, and against violent opposition, he obtained the reluctant permission of the authori- ties to try the experiment of treating insanity as dis- ease, but only on condition that be be held personally responsible for any harm which might ensue to the public from this supposed hazardous measure. He removed the insane from dark and foul prisons into hospital care, much to their relief and joy. This was the first step in rational and scientific treatment. Out of this germ has grown the grand results of the present period. But the hospital of to-day was not the immediate product of this radical change of theory. For a long time after this there was no in- stitution seen which could compare favorably with the hospital of the present. Even Pinel himself had little conception of the possibilities lying in the di- rection of liberal usages in the care of the insane. The best practice of that day would now be regarded as crude and insufficient, affording little worth copy- ing.

The way out of the strange vagaries in opinion and practice, so long entertained, was not short or sudden, but, of necessity, through a long series of cautious observations and careful practical trials. Old traditions and hereditary prejudices, however absurd and unreasonable, are never quickly eradi- cated. But one great advantage was immediately realized: insanity at once begun to be studied and dealt with from a new point of departure. Pinel had transferred it from demonology and crime into the category of disease, to be henceforth investigated as other bodily affections. This was an immense gain. Henceforward the sciences tributary to general medi- cine were to contribute in explanation of the intri- cate mental phenomena dependent on cerebral le- sions. Physiology and pathology came at once to be consulted, rather than the changes of the moon. In the light of these, careful observation of the phenom- ena of insanity as disease has been the increasing practice.

From this point progress has been uninterrupted, but especially rapid during the last half-century. The breaking away from old traditions and prejudices has been much more apparent in this period. as shown in changing hospital architecture and the adoption of a vastly more liberal type of organiza- tion. If the progress seems, at first thought, slow, it is to be considered that, in the nature of the case, the full extent to which it is now found that liberal and common-sense methods can be safely applied in

HISTORY OF MERRIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.

practice with the insane conld be only gradually apprehended. It was only by cautiously conducted trials, even at some supposed risks, that the now generally accepted conviction became established that the insane, as a class, could be intrusted with a larger liberty and controlled more by moral influ- ences than had, in earlier times, been deemed safe.

These results of experience explain the great dif- ference apparent between the architectural features of the old and the later structures of the New Hampshire Asylum. These latter show that much more self-control is expected on the part of the patient than was supposed possible when the former were constructed ; and also provide a larger latitude for the exercise of independent volition and the free exercise of personal tastes. A careful examination of the features of the series of buildings, in the order of the time of their erection since the first, will afford a very correct illustration of the gradual evolution of ideas and methods of practice with the insane. This evolution is most gratifying to philanthropy, and, by the most intelligent alienists, is not believed to have yet reached its limit. They look confidently forward to that happy adjustment of residences and other auxiliary influences which shall reduce to a minimum the real sacrifices involved in hospital treatment, as also the dread with which so many have regarded its necessity.

The New Hampshire Asylum has, from its organ- ization, been in fullest sympathy with others in this progressive work, and has never heen satisfied with an inferior rank. Each new move, whether in build- ing or in administration, has embodied the gleanings of the past, both in the literature of the subject and of experience, whether its own or that of others. So far as its resources would allow, it has ever fol- lowed the most progressive ideas, regulated by a rigid, but not suicidal, economy. Its trustees and physicians have always regarded buildings and sur- roundings as important co-factors in successful treat- ment, and have therefore spared no pains to embody in these as much of remedial force as possible. It was not the first in the field. Enough had been done in England and in this country to afford solid hope and promise to our sagacious and whole-hearted people, by whose unwearied efforts the first organiza- tion was secured.

The practical work accomplished by the asylum could not be fairly appreciated without taking into account the condition of the insane in the State when it commenced operations, a condition which it is dif- ficult to realize at this day. It cannot be described more briefly or better than by Dr. Bell, in his report made to the Legislature in June, 1836, to which refer ence has already been made. He says,-

"The committee feel that neither the time aor the occasion require them to allude to instances of the aggravated and almost incredible eufferings of the insane poor which have come to their knowledge; they are convinced that the Legislature require no high-wrought pictures of the variatione of intenee misery to which the pauper Inoatic is subjected,

extending from the time of his incarceration in the cold, narrow, sunless, fireless cell of the almshouse to the scarcely more human disposal of him by 'selling at auction,' as it is called, by which he fell into the tender overcies of the most abject and worthless of society, who alone could be excited by cupidity to such a revolting charge. Suffice it to say, en this point, that your committee are satisfied that the horrors of the present condition of the insane in New Hampshire are far from having heen exaggerated. They have found that public officers and citizens of towns have naturally been unwilling that the extent and particulars of what many of them doubtless sincerely believe a necessary, or at least, an unavoidable severity, should be blazoned forth to the public; those having charge of insane friends have been found often unwilling even to refer to the maladies, still less to speak of the treat- ment and condition which they conscientiously think unavoidable in their circumstances. . . . In view of this immense mass of unmitigated and undiluted misery, the question will spontaneously occur, what can be done for its alleviation and prevention ?"

The enacting of the law founding the asylum was the manner in which the Legislature answered this grave question of their committee. The same com- mittee thus set forth the results to be secured by this legislation,-

"First, a curative institution, restoring those intrusted to its charge to the exercise of reason and their duties in society ; second, the influ- ence of such an institution in diminishing the amount of public suffer- ing, both in alleviating the condition of the insane inmates who may be beyond the reach of successful medication, and removing the immense weight of anxiety and distress and danger to their connections and rela- tions ; third, a place of custody for those insane persons endangering the lives and safety of the community and their own persons."

That these objects have been secured, in an emi- nent degree, can hardly be questioned at this day by any one who has intelligently watched the progress of the institution from its foundation. But the full measure of relief from suffering which it has secured to the objects of its care, as well as the amount of misery it has saved by its preventive measures, can be known only to those who have been personally conversant with, or interested in, its personal histories.

A brief review of the historical record of its work, as derived from its statistics, will be germain to the objects of this article. From the time of the admis- sion of the first patient, October 29, 1842, to March 31, 1885, a period of forty-two years, five months and two days, four thousand seven hundred and fifty-two persons were admitted to the asylum and received its care. Of this number, seventeen hundred and thirty- four went forth restored to reason, prepared to resume their places and trusts in society. This fact alone has much significance when taken in connection with the statement of the committee already quoted from, that " We found no more than an occasional instance of amendment under the common treatment."

It further appears that eleven hundred and seven persons, nnder care and treatment, but who did not fully recover mental health, left the institution so much improved as to render life among friends prac- ticable, safe, and generally more or less useful. Of this class, a considerable number were convalescent on leaving, and fully recovered afterwards. The rec- ords show only eight hundred and thirty-eight dis- charged whose diseases were not either removed or mitigated. But even with those whose maladies did

THE INSANE ASYLUM.

not admit of relief, the ministrations of the institu- tion were by no means of little value. This will be found emphatically true when the hospital life of such persons, with its systematic regulation of things and its sanitary provisions, is compared with any pos- sible life without a hospital. The incurable insane, whose lives, to a great extent, could otherwise be only misery, are here brought within the reach of every domestic comfort, and even convenience, and the moderating and steadying influences existing secure to this class some good measure even of happiness. But besides these three classes,-the restored, the improved and the nominally unimproved,-there were those who died. Of this class, from the opening of the asylum to April, 1, 1885, there were seven hundred and forty- eight. The attentions due and rendered to these have not been among the least of the benefits accruing to these sufferers. Kind ministrations to the hopeless and the helpless are ever held among the highest and best of human acts. They exalt and dignify human

nature. We think only with a shudder of the hope- less victims of disease dying in lonesome neglect. It is a bright feature of Christian civilization that ittenderly cares for those who fall in the race; it is the trait of the savage to abandon to their fate those who can no longer do service in the ranks. To bring to the bed of the dying all suitable tokens of respect, and to make the last days of these as far as possible from solitude or neglect, has ever been the studious effort of the management of the institution.

What these ministrations may have been worth to the immediate objects of them, and to the sorrow- ing homes to which they belonged, it is not the province of words to show,-their full bearings can- not be made written history.

This glance at the statistical records of the work of the asylum from its foundation is only a naked out- line. To bring the extent and value of this work to the full apprehension of the reader would be to re- view, in detail, the busy, laborious and often painful hours of forty-two years.

Through these years all plans and all work have aimed at one object, and that, to make the treatment of mental disorders rational, thoroughly human and free of all superstition and all needless interference with the rights and privileges of the patient. Fol- lowing, in the adoption of plans, this principle, the history of the institution has been one of evolution. Out of what, at first, bore great resemblances to im- prisonment there have been evolved conditions of life for the insane lacking none of the necessaries and comforts, and few of the privileges and even the amenities, of ordinary domestic life.

The space allowed for this article will not admit of remark upon the medical treatment of insanity, fur- ther than to say that mental derangement, in some instances, is the reflex effect of disorder in some bodily organ other than the brain, and that in such cases treatment is directed to that organ. What re-

mains to be said must have reference to the general, or so-called moral, treatment, having reference largely to those influences which address themselves to the mind, and involve such a regulation of hospi- tal life and activities as best to antagonize morbid processes, restore normal habits of thought or to yield the largest benefits where restoration is impos- sible. The same general system of measures contrib- utes to both these ends. In other words, experience has shown that, in adjusting surroundings and shaping domestic and social influences for the average of the insane, the usages and methods most agreeable to the sane are most conducive to the recovery of the cur- able, and most congenial to the minds of those who cannot recover. This is equivalent to saying that in- sanity introduces no new and special elements of its own requiring the suspension of ordinary customs. Tastes, personal proclivities and the conditions of pleasure and pain remain unchanged in kind, even when modified in action by disease; and are respon- sive to the same stimuli. The recognition of this fact has been a modern achievement, and is in agreeable contrast with older ideas and practice. The latter made the insane some unreal being, endowed with exception- al traits not amenable to ordinary influences, and hence to be treated as an exception. This error led to every absurdity and wrong in practice, the most conspicuous of which were inactivity, repression and confinement, shutting out most of the health-giving remedial stimuli. Comparatively speaking, this was the practice at the opening of the asylum, when hospi- tal life, as compared with that of the present, was a gloomy monotony, embracing little calculated to arrest the morbid currents of thought and feeling, and invite them into healthy channels. The institution, during its forty years of activity, has been steadily illustrating the incorrectness of those older notions, and making its cautious way towards the opposite theory and prae- tice. This later method is especially characterized by varied activities and the least practicable departure in the same from the style of social intercourse, and the usages and rules of ordinary life.

The study and effort, in the direction of affairs, has ever been and is, to make the institution in the smallest degree possible a peculiar place, but, on the other hand, to give it the aspects of home-life, and to fur- nish it with attractive and pleasant activities, calcu- lated to arrest the attention and draw the thoughts from self and morbid themes. This end has been steadily kept in view in all the movements of the management, whether in building new or reconstruct- ing old, in furnishings or equipments, or in invent- ing the various methods of occupying time and atten- tion. All have sought this one object till scarcely any resemblance could be traced between the original and the later institution life. Attractive surround- ings, associations and occupations have come to take the place of the gloomy and depressing monotony, in. the ways of living, which characterized the first stages

HISTORY OF MERRIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.

of the enterprise. The application, in detail, of the underlying principle could not be the work of a day or a year, but the result of long-continued study of the symptoms, tastes and wants of many individual cases, and of the effects of these agencies upon them.

This has shown that, next to a natural and attrac- tive domestic adjustment, occupation is the great de- sideratum of successful treatment. This applies both to body and mind, and should be varied almost with- out limit to adapt it to individual capacities and tastes.

To provide such occupation in sufficient variety is at once the foremost and the most difficult of the duties of the administration. It lays under contri- bution every practicable agency within reach,-the farm, the shop, the laundry, the kitchen, the sewing- room, the carriage-drive and the walk in the coun- try ; and in-doors, the library and various public ex- ercises of instruction or entertainment. All these are drawn upon with increasing diligence, to the ex- tent of available resources, so that none, except the few who, from bodily weakness, require absolute rest, are left without an external stimulus designed to an- tagonize the morbid introversion ever present in men- tal disease. It requires no argument to show the rea- sonableness of this practice, even if ample experience had not faithfully demonstrated it ; and it may be af- firmed that, aside from strictly medical treatment, the value of hospital residence is now largely meas- ured by the ability of the institution to provide these agencies. With a view to multiply and vary these, a large shop is now being fitted up, to be supplied with facilities for introducing many forms of light, safe, and attractive mechanical work. These forms will be so chosen as to meet the largest practicable variety of tastes and qualifications for work on the part of the patients, with a view, at the same time, to being as easily conducted and as inexpensive as possible. The income of the Adams fund is available for the support of this department. Onr limits will not allow us to extend remarks on this subject.

Another, and the last we shall notice, of the pro- gressive steps taken to render the treatment of the in- sane as liberal and complete as possible was the erec- tion of the Bancroft building in 1882-83. In its plan of construction, this was an advance on all the

others; and not simply to increase accommodations, but also to occupy new ground in treatment. Previ- ously, the more agitated and irresponsible classes had been amply provided for in the older buildings, but not so amply the convalescent and those not needing restraints. The partially self-sustaining patients have hitherto been associated with more or less incompat- ible classes for lack of sufficient variety in apart- ments. So, also, persons with ample means, and need- ing no other than moral restraints, have not found, in the older buildings, sufficiently liberal accommoda- tions to satisfy their habits and tastes. Both these classes have been provided for in the construction of this building.

The trustees, seeing no reason why the tastes of the insane should not be recognized in their treatment, have here prepared to do so by furnishing the facili- ties for individualizing attentions Without incon- venience to others, a patient can have one, two or three rooms, and such private attendance and service as may be desired, with all the privacy and independence of private residence. At the same time those not able to provide so liberal an outfit, or not desiring it, can have single rooms, with the general attendance, and secure all the benefits of the retired and quiet situa- tion without burdensome expense. The practical working of this detached and retired building has already been most gratifying, and has done much to remove any real objection to hospital residence, since it has done away with almost the last vestige of departure from the forms and usages of private life, at the same time that it has retained all the sus- taining and remedial influences of hospital organiza- tion.

Sufficient has been said to give the reader an idea of the tendencies and most prominent characteristics of the hospital care and treatment of the insane at the present time. When this method is compared with the confinement, the inactivity and monotony which characterized the earliest usages, it is not diffi- cult to form some adequate estimate of the influence the New Hampshire Asylum has had upon the con- dition of the insane, or to see how far it has realized the hopes of its early advocates; and proved a suc- cess and an inestimable blessing to the State.

HISTORY OF CONCORD.

CHAPTER I.

Geographical-Indian Occupation-The Penacooks -Original Grant, 1725-First Meeting of Proprietors-The Pioneers-Early Rules and Regulations-Graut of Bow-The Controversy-The First Settlements -List of Proprietors and Settlers-Incorporation of Rumford-Incor- poration of Concord Parish-The First Parish Meeting-Officers Elec- ted-Indian Troubles-Garrisona in 1746-The Massacre-The Brad- ley Monument.

CONCORD, the county-seat of Merrimack County, and capital of the State of New Hampshire, lies in the southern part of the county, and is bounded as follows :

North by Webster, Boscawen, Canterbury and Lou- don; East by London, Chichester and Pembroke; South by Pembroke and Bow; West by Dunbarton, Hopkinton, Webster, Boscawen and Canterbury.

This territory was originally occupied by the Pena- cooks, a powerful tribe of Indians, who, when first kuown by the English, had their headquarters here, and numbered four or five hundred men. Their chief was named Passaconaway, "the child and the bear," and was regarded with the highest veneration by the Indians, filling the office of chief, priest and physi- cian, and, as they believed, having direct communi- cation with the Great Spirit.

The township was granted January 17, 1725. The petition for the grant was as follows :

" To the Honble Win. Dummer, Esqr., Lieut. Governor, and Commander in Chief in aod over His Majestiea province of ye Massachusetts Bay, in New England, to the Honble His Majesties Council and Honse of Representativea in Gen. Court or Assembly convened at Boston, June 17th, 1725.

" The petition of Benja. Stephens, Andrew Mitchel, David Kimball, Ebenezer Eastman, John Osgood and Moses Day, a Committee ap- pointed by and in behalf or the petitioners formally for a Tract of Land at a place called Pennycook,-

"Humbly Sheweth, That whereas yr petioners have at two sevel times petitioned the Great and Genel Conrt for a grant of the aforesaid tract of Land at Pennycook, with resolutions fully inclined to make a speedy settlement there, weh they conceive, under the divine protection, they are able to go on and through with ; and the Honble Honse of Rep- reseutatives having been pleased twice so far to take their petitioo under consideration as to grant the prayer nnder such conditions as by ye vote of the ed Honble House may more fully appear, which conditions, though they be expensive. yet yr petitioners have well weighed the same, and would willingly have undertaken the settlement, if it had been the pleas- ure of the Honble Board to have concurred in the aforesaid vote. But as yr petitioners are informed it did not meet with a concurrence : Wherefore, yr petitioners are emboldened, with great submission, to renew their petu to yr Houonr, and this Great and Gen! Conrt, that you wonld please to take the premises again ioto yr wise and serions consideration ; and as the building a Fort there will undoubtedly be a great security within and on

Merrimack River, and yt your petitioners are atill willing to build and maintain it as afore propos'd, at their own cost, yt they may have the contenance and anthority of this Court therefor, and that they woud pledge to make them a grant of it accordingly.

"Yr petit's won'd also suggest to yr Hounonrs, that many applications have been made to the Government of New Hampshire for a graut of the sd Laod, which, though it be the nudonbted right and property of this Province, yet it is highly probable that a parcel of Irish people will ob- tajo a grant from New Hampshire for it, unless some speedy care be taken by thia great and Hoable Court to prevent it. If that Government sbonld ouce make ym a grant, tho' the petre conceive it wou'd be without right, as iu the case of Nntfield, yett it wou'd be a thing attended witlı too much difficulty to pretend to root ym out, if they shon'd once gett foot hold there. Your petitionera therefore pray that the vote passed by the Honble House may be revived, or that they may have a grant of the band on anch other terme and conditions as to the wisdom of this Court ahall seem best. And for yr Honm, as in duty bound, yr petitioners shall ever pray, etc.

" BENJA. STEPHENS.

"ANDREW MITCHELL.

" DAVID KIMBEL.

" EaENR. EASTMAN. " JOHN OSGOOD. " MOSES DAY.

"Io the House of Representatives, June 17th, 1725.

" Read, and the question was put whether the House wou'd revive their vote above refer'd to,-

" Resolved in the affirmative.

" Copy examined per "J. WILLARD, Sec'y.

The first meeting of the proprietors was held at the house of Ebenezer Eastman, in Haverhill, for the pur- pose of admitting settlers.

At a meeting of the proprietors, held at Andover February 7 and 8, 1726, the following settlers drew lots :

Enoch Coffin, John Peabody, Richard U'rann, Andrew Mitchell, Mr. Samuel Phillips, Samnel Ayer, John Grainger, Henry Rolfe, John San- dera, Jr., Thomas Page, William Barker, Isaac Walker, Joseph Davis, John Coggin, Benjamin Parker, Edward Clarke, Stephen Osgood, Benja- min Gage, Moses Day, David Kimball, Benjamin Stevens, John Chaud- ler, Ebenezer Virgin, John Pecker, Moses Hazzen, William Gutterson, Joseph Hale, Ephraim Davis, John Wright, Jacob Eames, Jacob Abbott, Christopher Carlton, Nathaniel Page, Samuel Kimball, Nathan Simonds, David Dodge, Robert Peaslee, Richard Coolidge, right drawn by Samnel Jonea, Thomas Wicomb, Robert Kimball, John Saunders, Nathaniel Clenient, Ebenezer Lovejoy, John Osgood, Zerobbabel Snow, Ebenezer Eastmao, Jonathan Shipley, John Austin, Edward Wino, Ebenezer Stevens, Joseph Page, Samuel Davis, Ephraim Hildreth, James Parker, Nathan Lovejoy, Samnel Reynolde, John Foster, James Simonde, Joseph Parker, Nathan Fisk's right drawn by Zech. Chandler, Zebediah Bar- ker's right drawn by Edward Abbott, John Bayley's right drawn by Samuel White, William Whittier, Joshua Bayley, Ammi Rhnhamab, William White, Nathaniel Peaslee, Thomas Colman, John Jaquea, Oba- diah Ayer, Abraham Foster Jolin Mattis, John Merrill, Thomas Pearley for Nathaniel Cogswell, David Wood, Nathaniel Abbott, John Ayer, Na- than Blodgett, Benjamin Carlton, Jonathan llubbard for Daniel Davis, Ephraim Faruum, Stephen Emerson, Timothy Johnson, Nathaniel Bar-

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History of Merrimack and Belknap counties, New Hampshire, Part 14

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