USA > New Hampshire > Hillsborough County > New Boston > History of New Boston, New Hampshire > Part 13
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Considering her situation in a rural district, and her com- paratively limited facilities for educating her children, I think a worthy meed of praise is due to our alma mater from her grown- up sons and daughters, as they have come home to pay their respects to her on this her hundredth natal day. We feel it incumbent upon us, and due to her, to acknowledge that she has done the best she could for her numerous family, in the circumstances ; she has furnished to all her sons and daughters the opportunity, at least, of learning correctly to read and write and speak the language of the country in which they were born, a language which is now most extensively spoken and written
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of any on the face of the earth. So far as learning is con- cerned, she has provided them with the means of securing an honest livelihood, and of making a respectable appearance in the world ; and if they have not done so it is their fault and not hers ; she has done her part well towards astonishing our Southern brethren, who have turned our enemies, with the fact that Yankees can furnish an army of men who are able upon the field of battle, to write upon the upturned bottoms of their dippers, neatly executed epistles to their wives and sweethearts at home. And, in addition to all this, she has sent many of her sons, who seemed to need it most, to the academy, the college, and the seminary, to finish up their education there.
But let it not for a moment be supposed that we are trying to make the best of the inevitable misfortune - for which we are not responsible - of having been born and-nurtured in a country town, rather than in some populous city, whose literary advan- tages correspond with its refinement and wealth and fashion. I have come in contact, to a considerable extent, with the schools of the principal towns and cities of Massachusetts, which are supposed not to be inferior to any the country affords ; but I have never for one moment regretted the nativity which a kind providence gave me. It is not simply from natural attachment, or from an early faith in their excellence, or because it was appointed that we should be their beneficiaries, that we speak thus well of the schools, of our native town. It is the convic- tion of our maturer judgment, that the opportunities of secur- ing a good education in them, even as they were a quarter of a century and more ago, would not suffer so much as might be supposed, by a comparison with the improved systems of educa- tion, so called, which are in so high repute in our cities and populous towns at the present day.
True, we do not forget their crudeness, their lack of system, and order, and taste ; we remember the old school-house, with its floors perfectly innocent of suds, and not very guilty of broom, save now and then of a visit from a hemlock bough ; we remember the benches all hacked and scarred or, rather deeply carved and highly wrought, in figures betraying more perseverance than grace, and more ingenuity than sense of the beautiful ; we are not oblivious of its walls all ornamented with drawings in charcoal and chalk which a Punch himself could
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not outdo ; we still have some faint recollections of the not most highly-refined festivity claimed by the pupils on every new year of deposing the dominus from his authority, and tak- ing the reins of government into their own hands for the day, by bolting or barring or smoking him out of the premises, as the case might require, and that at the expense of no penalty save an unusually close attention to books on the following day. We remember all these things ; and their recital has furnished merriment to the children of the city, who know as little of the country as we used to of the city. But these, after all, were only incidental. We are not willing to call them faults. In- · deed, the real, sterling merits of the simple system of the district- school instruction of my boyhood, with all its defects, have grown upon my appreciation the more I have become acquaint- ed with the multiplied novelties which are introduced into the city schools at the present time, under the head of improve- ments ; and I have almost wished that my own children could be transferred to the same limited system of instruction as being the less evil of the two.
I have not time to draw a comparison between these two sys- tems of education, and it might seem invidious to do so. But some of the points on which such a comparison might be based are these. It may be said distinctively, and comparatively if you choose, of the common-school system of New Boston, as it has been in the past, that it was the fundamental and not super- ficial. If it was comparatively limited in its range, it was com- mensurably thorough. For one thing New Boston deserves praise ; and that is, that she has taught her children to spell their mother tongue, which not all highly-educated persons are able to do. The fundamental branches of reading, writing, spelling, arithmetic, and English grammar were not made to give place to a multitude of superficialities, which are of no account but for a show. The training of our common schools has been such as to develop and strengthen talent, if not to make it most elite and ostentatious. It laid good foundations on which a super- structure might afterwards be raised, according to the in- dividual's choice ; or it furnished an education sufficiently com- plete in itself for all the common, practical purposes of life. New Boston has prepared her sons to go abroad in the world,
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and act out their common sense to a good advantage, and use their wits without disgracing themselves. She has qualified them not to be pedants and dandies, not to flourish and swag- ger, but to be among the solid men of the land. Her system of education has been such as to furnish sturdy thinkers rather than sickly sentimentalists and frothy declaimers. The absence of extensive classification and gradation in her schools, has given those who had the disposition the opportunity to excel. This has made them hardy, self-reliant, persevering, and not afraid of obstacles. Consequently, when they, like the sons of the rural districts generally, have stood side by side, in our higher seminaries of learning, with the sons of wealth from the cities and populous towns, who have been educated more carefully and tenderly, they have marched firmly and manfully on, while the latter, their precociousness having attained to its climax, have faltered and fallen back gradually toward the rear of the ranks, the nearer they approached to the goal of final distinc- tion.
Another cause, which ought to be mentioned as contributing to this result, is the fact that our common schools never having been continued through the entire year, the mental training of the young has gone hand in hand with habits of industry which, while their education has not suffered by it, has inured them to physical hardihood and endurance; while the sons of the city, who have passed slowly from one grade to another up through a long course of study in well-heated and poorly-ventilated rooms, have emerged from them like a plant from a darkened cellar, tall, slender, sickly, and puny, both in body and mind.
Finally, it is not unworthy to be recorded here, that the edu- cational system of New Boston has been highly economical, as compared with that of our populous towns and cities ; that is, while she has not been frugal in her appropriations, but rather generous according to her ability, the results have been com- paratively very large in proportion to the outlay. It has cost her far less per head to educate her children than it has the cities, while, in many respects certainly, their education has not been inferior.
Hence we cordially indorse the sentiment with which we. started, that the " schools of our native town have been to the intellect of her youth as the rain and the sun to her soil."
SCHOOL TEACHERS.
The following is an abridged list of school-teachers whom New Boston has raised up, as given by Jesse Beard, Esq. The whole list was very long, - too long to be inserted : -
Adams, William
Brooks, John
Cochran, Mary
Adams, Sarah
Burnham, Abby L.
Cochran, Mary S.
Adams, Frances
Burnham, M. Addie
Cochran, Jonathan
Adams, Mary
Christie, John
Cochran, Robert B.
Atwood, Lydia
Christie, Ann
Cochran, Prudence
Atwood, Sarah
Christie, Sumner L.
Cochran, Annis C.
Atwood, Annic
Christie, Elizabeth
Cochran, Warren R.
Atwood, Mary
Christie, Sarah
Cochran, Sophia
Atwood, Solomon
Christie, Harlan
Cochran, Whiting
Buxton, Edward
Christie, Mary
Cochran, Clark B.
Buxton, Eliza
Crombie, William
Cochran, Andrew
Bradford, William
Crombie, Robert
Cochran, Alonzo
. Bradford, Ephraim P.
Crombie, John
Cochran, Lydia J.
Bradford, Anstis
Crombie, Mary
Cochran, Margaret
Bradford, Mary
Crombie, Letitie
Cochran, Sophronia
Bradford, Annie
Campbell, Samuel
Cochran, Marinda
Bennett, John
Campbell, Mary
Colburn, William
Bennett, Joseph Brown, Mary
Campbell, Daniel
Dodge, Sarahı
Beard, Andrew
Campbell, Annis
Dodge, Amos
Beard, William
Campbell, William
Dodge, Reuben
Beard, Sarah
Campbell, Elizabetlı
Dodge, Abner
Beard, Eliza
Clark, William
Dodge, Elouisa
Beard, John
Clark, Jonathan
Dodge, Mary
Beard, Ann M.
Clark, Dalton
Dodge, John N.
Beard, Sarah M.
Clark, Rebecca
Dodge, James S.
Beard, Jesse
Clark, Cordelia
Dodge, Mary J.
Beard, James
Clark, Frances
Dodge, Sarah N.
Beard, Mary
Cochran, Peter
Dodge, Willard
Beard, Evelyn S.
Cochran, Thomas Dodge, Mary, 2d
Beard, Edwin
Cochran, John D. Dodge, Achsah
Beard, Cordelia C.
Cochran, Thomas H. Dané, Alinena
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Campbell, Sally
Dodge, Solomon
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Dane, Elizabeth
Lawrence, Helen
Wason, Robert
Ferson, William
Lawrence, Eliza
Wason, Horace
Ferson, James
Lamson, Sally
Wason, Hiram
Ferson, Paul
Leach, Mary J.
Wason, William
Fairfield, John
Leach, Lucy A.
Wason, Robert B.
Fairfield, Josiah
Loring, Lorinda
Wason, Austin Wason, Louisa
Fairfield, Seth
Marden, Waterman
Wason, Caroline
Fairfield, Charles G.
Marden, Henry
Wason, Adaline
Fairfield, Sarah
McCollom, Rodney
Wason, Mary
Fairfield, Elizabeth S.
McCollom, Alexander
Wason, Nancy
Gregg, Alexander
McCollom, Arabella
Wason, Elbridge
Gregg, James
McNiel, William
Whiting, Dexter
Gregg, James M.
McNiel, Granville
Whiting, Harris
Gregg, David
McNiel, John
Whiting, Calvin
Gregg, Daniel
McNiel, Rachel
Whiting, Julia
Gregg, Augusta
McNiel, Mary J.
Whiting, Roxanna
Gregg, Margaret
McNiel, Lydia
Whipple, Joseph Whipple, Philantha R.
Goodhue, Amos B.
Neville, Sarah
Wilder, Lizzie E.
Goodhue, Leonard
Neville, Victoria
Wilson, William
Goodhue, Joseph A.
Neville, Julia
Wilson, Rebecca
Goodhue, Annie
Richards, Jacob
Woodbury, Hammon
Goodhue, Mary
Richards, Margaret
Woodbury, Hannah
Kelso, Jonathan G.
Richards, Joanna
Woodbury, Lucy
Kelso, Augusta
Richards, Evelyn
Woodbury, William
Langdell, Christopher C. Richards, Nancy
Langdell, Hannah
Richards, Margaret J.
CHORISTERS AND TEACHERS OF MUSIC.
PRESBYTERIAN SOCIETY.
Jacob Dodge,
from 1773 to 1782
Robert Clark, from 1782 to 1803
Wm. B. Dodge, from 1803 to 1808
from 1808 to 1817
Zachariah Morgan, from 1825 to 1833
Jesse Beard,
from 1817 to 1828
Jacob Richards,
from 1828 to 1858
BAPTIST SOCIETY.
Thos. Thompson, from 1804 to 1809 Jesse Beard, from 1809 to 1816
Josiah Gage, from 1820 to 1825 Abner Dodge,
Jesse Beard, from 1833 to 1844
Vincent Jeffers, from 1844 to 1851
James M. Smith, from 1851 to 1862
Fairfield, John, 2d
Loring, Aaron
Goodhue, Joseph A.
McNiel, John
WILLIAM W. COLBURN.
Mr. Colburn is the son of the late Leonard Colburn. He fitted for college chiefly at Francestown Academy, under Syl- vanus Hayward, now pastor of the Congregational Church in Dunbarton, and graduated from Dartmouth College in the class of 1861, with an enviable reputation for scholarship, and is now Principal of the High School in the city of Manchester, highly esteemed both as a teacher and a christian gentleman.
RESPONSE OF WILLIAM W. COLBURN.
THE PATRIOTISM OF THE EARLY SETTLERS OF NEW BOSTON. - " Voted unanimously, to a man, to support the Constitution and Laws of the United States."
MR. PRESIDENT, -
Patriotism has always been highly honored by men in all stages of civilization. The ancient bards sang their noblest strains in celebrating it ; the orators of Greece and Rome kin- dled their most glowing eloquence at its altar ; and history has given her most luminous page to the record of those who freely offered their lives in devotion to the interests of fatherland. We have honored it wherever we have seen it manifested. We always read with pleasure and enthusiasm the history of the patriotic achievements of the Grecian phalanx at Thermopyla and Marathon ; of the imperial cohorts of Rome, led and ani- mated by the stately presence of a Cæsar ; of the swarthy sons of Spain under the Iron Duke of Alva, and the Great Captain ; of the liberty-loving Netherlanders, inspired and sustained by the peerless Prince of Orange; and especially of the founders and defenders of those liberties, constitutional rights and priv- leges, which we now enjoy. The patriots of the Revolution, from the immortal Washington to the humblest of their rank and file, have been admired and culogized by all the civilized world. We, their descendants, on this, the grand fête day of our nation, assembled to celebrate the hundredth anniversary of the incorporation of this town, enjoying, as we do, so many bless- ings in consequence of the virtues of our fathers, should be guilty of unpardonable neglect if we should fail on this occasion to give prominent place in our thoughts and in our speech to the valor and patriotism which were manifested by the early inhab- itants of this now venerable town. Unfortunately for us, the early history of New Boston has not yet been written, and for particular facts we are obliged to rely upon traditional accounts.
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These, however, are sufficiently reliable for our present pur- pose. Indeed, it is but a few years since the last survivor of those who took an active part in the war of the Revolution passed from among us, having lived to tell the story of that long and soul-trying war to three generations, and at last real- izing, almost literally, Dryden's beautiful description of an old man's death : -
" Of no distemper, of no blast he died, But fell like autumn fruit that mellowed long ; E'en wondered at because he dropped no sooner. Fate seemed to wind him up for fourscore years, Yet freshly ran he on ten winters more ; Till, like a clock worn out with beating time, The wheels of weary life at last stood still."
We have all heard anecdotes of the trials endured, and sac- rifices offered, by the early inhabitants of this town. The men took their muskets and joined their compatriots, leaving their farms to the care of their wives and children. They suffered all the hardships of long marches, of severe weather, of field and camp-life, and of dreary captivity. All this was endured cheerfully, and in the true spirit of patriotism. That these men possessed courage and resolution might be inferred from what they did at home. To. enter a new country, to fell its for- ests, and to convert a wilderness into fruitful fields, is a task that timid souls would not undertake. The first settlers of New Boston, as well as of New England generally, were men who had a purpose in life, and were thoroughly in earnest to accomplish it. They were no carpet champions, passing the time in ease and luxury ; but active, earnest men, ready to meet the rough realities of life, and to do their duty either at home, in the quiet pursuit of agriculture, or on the field of battle, in defence of their rights and liberties. I have not been able to ascertain the exact number of those who did mili- tary duty, but the records show that the quota of New Boston was promptly filled, both in the war of the Revolution and that of 1812, and that ample provision was made for the wants of those who were left destitute by the departure of the able-bodied men to the service of their country.
The fathers of this town, with their compatriots, declared
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themselves capable of self-government, and nobly sustained that declaration on the battle-fields of the infant republic. No one can deny them patriotism, and, with the exception of the Tory clement, which existed here a short time during the Revolution, their loyalty to republican rule cannot be questioned. At this day, no one will wish to deny, or be ashamed to confess, that the Tory element was represented in this town by a consider- able party. Throughout the American colonies there were many men who, born and prospered under a limited monarchy, often the recipients of royal favor and patronage, were slow to renounce their loyalty to Great Britain, and commit themselves in favor of a movement which was attended with danger, and whose success was doubtful. But after our national independ- ence had been achieved, and republicanism established, these same men became as loyal as any.
Patriotism is universally the concomitant of intelligence and wisdom. Laws, governments, and institutions are the creatures of men, and reflect their character ; therefore, whenever we find equable laws, governments adapted to the wants of the governed, and institutions of a humane and benevolent character, we may safely infer that their founders were not only wise and intelligent, but patriotic.
Patriotism looks to the future as well as the present. We need no stronger evidence of the patriotism of our fathers than the institutions they left to the country whose interests they had so willingly and faithfully served. Consider one moment the system of town government that prevails here and through- out New England. With the possible exception of some of the cantons, of Switzerland, the world does not present other in- stances of government founded on the principles of pure democ- racy than in the towns of New England. Here the people, in sovereign capacity, assemble en masse to provide for the com- mon interest. The democracy of ancient Greece was but an empty name, compared with that established by the patriot fathers of New England. Men may say what they please of the inefficiency and ultimate impracticability of a republican form of government for a nation of the size of ours, but no monarch- ist of Europe or anti-republican in America, can say that our gown democracies are not complete, efficient, and satisfactory in
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all the essentials of a prosperous and happy government. Look at the subject as we may, we find ourselves deeply indebted to the patriotism of the early inhabitants of this town. The gentler sex also challenge our praise and admiration for the patriotism, which they manifested by patient toil and self- sacrifice in their quiet sphere of life. We should not do justice to this occasion if we should fail to make honorable mention of their mild and unobtrusive, but potential and efficient, influence for the good of their country. There never was a time when patriotism could be better appreciated than now. Our national government is undergoing its most trying test, and is entirely dependent upon the people who created it, and who during so many years have been protected by it, not only for delivery from present peril, but for the perpetuity of those institutions which are so dear to every American heart. While we are so anxious for the success of our national arms, and tremble when we hear of any disaster to the cause of patriotism, let us remember the success that crowned the humble, but determined efforts of our fathers, and take courage. We can in nowise better pay the debt of gratitude we owe them than by following their example in all the virtues of life. While we are justly proud of those brave boys who have gone from loved homes to defend our national honor, let us duly honor the valor and patriotism of those who, in the vigor of young manhood, felled the forests that covered these now cultivated hills, one hundred years ago.
GERRY W. HAZELTON, ESQ.
Mr. Hazelton is the son of William Hazelton, of Chester. His mother was Mercy J., daughter of John Cochrane, of New Boston, and sister of the Hon. Clark B. Cochrane. After the usual preparatory education, he read law with the Hon. C. B. Cochrane, of Albany, New York, and established himself in his profession in Columbus, Wisconsin, where his past success and future prospects are sufficient to satisfy the ambition of any rea- sonable young man. His high christian principles and sym- pathy with every good cause are the sure pledge of a harvest of honor in years to come.
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RESPONSE OF GERRY W. HAZELTON, ESQ.
NEW BOSTON, -like New England, loyal to the Constitution and Union, looks con- fidently to her absent sous to stand by her and New England, in this hour of struggle for national existence.
MR. PRESIDENT, -
Were I to say that I feel a thousand times repaid for journey- ing from the far-off valley of the Mississippi, to enjoy this most interesting occasion, I should but feebly express the satis- faction I experience, in returning to New England and New Hampshire, to participate with the thousands here assembled, in thus observing and celebrating this memorable and glorious day.
Leaving behind the broad lakes and thriving marts of the West, the teeming prairies with their lengthened shadows, where to-day, even as we are assembled, yonder sun, that bathes these grand old hill-tops in its glow, is tinging the ripening grain for the reaper's sickle, it is delightful to stand again amidst familiar and cherished, though rugged scenes, and breathe once more the inspiriting air that fans your mountain homes.
For the first time in fifteen years, I am permitted to cele- brate this natal anniversary in New England. I could hardly hope in a lifetime to be here under more interesting circum- stances. It is a privilege which I fully appreciate.
Strong as may be my attachments elsewhere, and potent as may be the impulse which constrains so many of your sons and daughters to pursue the "star of empire," I can well under- stand the sentiment which is still so largely cherished, and in the spirit of which you exclaim, -
" Others may seek the Western clime, They say 'tis passing fair ; That sunny are its laughing skies, And soft its balmy air ; We'll linger round our childhood's home Till age our warm blood chills, -
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Till we die in dear New England And sleep beneath her hills."
Mr. President, I bow with deference to this sentiment. In this imposing presence, I confess myself all but a captive to its regal command.
Others may calumniate this distinguished portion of our land, and in the blindness of unreasoning prejudice, or impotent ma- lignity, may thrust hitler their poisoned shafts ; I shall never cease to exult in New England as my birthplace, nor fail to claim kindred with her noble sons.
Let the spirits of darkness howl upon her track, and gnash their impious teeth in her face, - she remains the same New England, sturdy, brave, intelligent and true, and this is enough.
Let other sections, and other localities. fail and falter, and * turn their backs upon their obligations as they may, New Eng- land holds right on her way faithful to her traditions, her duty, her destiny.
We have heard much, to-day, of the class of men that set- tled this portion of New England. They are the type of our whole ancestral stock; and if I were to undertake to define their qualities in a word, I should say that, beyond any other equal number of men, they united the greatness of action with the greatness of ideas. They were not greater in the majesty of great virtues than of great and heroic deeds. If they could plan, so could they execute. To the faith of the Covenanter they united the practical sense, the business energy, the unfail- ing sagacity of the successful man of the world. They put their trust in God, but they were careful to " keep their powder dry." Taught the necessity of self-reliance, they were prepared, as occasion called, to "stand as if a man were author of himself, and knew no other kin; " at the same time they never failed to realize their dependence upon the Almighty arm.
They established churches and schools, but beside these they planted mills, reared factories, opened workshops, and multi- plied facilities for commerce. While they cultivated and stim- ulated the moral and intellectual forces of the people, they were assiduous in developing the material and physical resources of the land ; and although they inhabited a rocky and sterile coun-
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try, no people has ever been more prosperous, more independ- ent, more happy, or more progressive.
It was these characteristics which made them so prominent and so effective in achieving our nationality. Among the first who conceived the necessity of cutting loose from the parent government, they were also among the most resolute and heroic in accomplishing that great object. They appreciated the fiery path through which the colonies must press to final triumph ; but they knew the prize was worth the cost, and cheerfully led the way through the smoke and flames and carnage of revolu- tion, with unfaltering trust in God and their own right arm. They had read history not in vain. They knew that through scenes of sacrifice and trial and danger, oftentimes through the fierce din of arms, and the surging and thundering of con- tending forces, nations and peoples and communities are ed- ucated and disciplined up to a higher civilization and a truer life.
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