USA > New Hampshire > Hillsborough County > New Boston > History of New Boston, New Hampshire > Part 22
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Mrs. Wason's poetical taste has been inspired by the bold and delightful scenery amid which she has lived, by the broad acres her husband has tilled, and by the flowers cultivated with her .. own care: Her occasional productions have been received with much commendation. Modest and retiring, she has shrunk from public notoriety, and, with great reluctance, submitted the hymns found in the centennial proceedings and the ensuing poem, for publication : -
JOE ENGLISH MEMORIES.
Dost remember, dear Joe English, Thine ancient, youthful day, How creation's mighty Maker Fashioned thine eternal clay ? Hast thou stood in silent grandeur These thousand, thousand years ? Thy face uncovered, upward turned To Him who rules the spheres ?
Dost remember, dear Joe English, If thou hadst another name Before the red man christened thee, When the early English came ? Didst thou guard their " smoky wigwams " As thou hast the white man's home, And love and cherish Uncas' tribe, And tribes before them, gone ?
Dost remember sixteen ninety, How the council-fire burned bright, When young Joe English's doom was said, For his friendship to the white, And a wily, red-faced warrior, In skulking, Indian style. Went to hunt the missing culprit Round thy huge, old granite pile ?
That amid the silent darkness The doomed one lurked anear, The hot blood mounting to his brow Such black treachery to hear,
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And with light, elastic footstep Overtook his crafty foc, And his deadly English musket Laid the dusky savage low ?
Rememberest thou when Tories " Burned the Pope " among the trees ? ("Twas the effigy of Washington That swung in the autumnal brecze,) How they came again the next year, To repeat their much-loved fun, And party spirit grew so strong, That the Tories had to run ?
Those were days when dreaded witches Held an undisputed sway, And took the cattle from their stalls To the scaffold on the hay ; Used to hide within the cream-pot When the churning days came round, And the heated poker's burning mark On the witch was always found.
Dost remember, dear Joe English, How they searched thec, o'er and o'er, For the pot of hidden treasure, And the gold thou hadst in store ; And no richly hidden treasure, Neither gems of gorgeous hue, But thy solid granite boulders Ever met their longing view ?
That for miles around the country Mysterious lights were seen Flitting round thy sacred summit When the darkness reigned supreme ? That the goblins, ghosts, and witches, And the money-diggers' crew
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Vanished when the light of morning Streaked the distant eastern blue ?
Dost remember, dear Joe English, The cottage, mossed and brown, Reared upon thy northern summit, On a green and grassy lawn, Where the eye could ever linger On New Hampshire's " Crystal Hills," On her silvery lakes' deep settings, On her winding, rushing rills ?
Far up, within that mountain home A group of children fair First conned their life's great lesson from Their mother's earnest prayer, Sadly gazed their farewell parting By that humble cottage door, With their buoyant hearts so trusting In the untried world before.
That youthful boy of golden hair Wears honor's radiant crown, And fortune's smile is over him, And showers her blessings down. Bright, shining laurels, ever green, Are upon another's brow, As he sits in stately council With our mighty nation now.
Dost remember, dear Joe English, Among thy many joys, Those Western troops, a numerous throng Of right merry girls and boys, How they grew to manhood's portion In thy bracing mountain air, How their sterling self-reliance Sought other homes and cares ?
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Dost know, that he of gifted mind Early passed away from earth To where the flowers immortal bloom, Where no ties are torn by death ? Another loved one sweetly sleeps 'Neath Mount Auburn's sacred dust, Who gave, with liberal hand and heart, God's blessings held in trust.
Life's fleeting years have sped away, And one among that band Is telling messages from God, In a far-off Western land ; Another wields the golden wand So many fail to win, - 'Mong Brookline's splendid palace homes His princely home is seen.
Within a sheltered, sunny nook Adown thy fertile vale, A once delightful, pleasant home Yet stands the threatening gale, Lived one who served his country well In Revolution times, Who crossed old ocean's foamy deep To many foreign climes.
Long time ago, in life's young morn, A proud, impulsive boy Went forth from out that early home, In a seaman's bold employ. The waves dashed o'er the noble ship In a tempest-storm, one day ; - These sixty years his bones have slept In Chesapeake's sandy bay.
Remember'st thou, in by-gone days, Doctor Hugh MeMillen's fame,
HECILENCE OF ELBRIDGE WASAN
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His wondrous skill in medicine, And the trials he o'ercame ? There're many legends told of him Where thy loved name is known ; His cool, shrewd, philosophic mind Stood undaunted and alone.
His father bore an elder's part In the church's carliest call, And filled an honored member's seat In the legislative hall ; His numerous sons and daughters, His descendants scatter wide, From northern shores and southern clime, To Pacific's peaceful tide.
Close nestled 'neatlı thy changeless face, Two homes stood side by side, Whose heads were elders in the church, - Whose sons are scattered wide, And " when mankind were wrapped in sleep," At midnight's mystic hour, Devouring flames consumed those homes With reckless, fearful power.
Know'st thou that California's land Has mystic charms untold, - That many reared among thy homes Have sought those mines for gold ? That one gathered rich treasures up With earnest, careful hand, Then came to breathe life's last fond sigh Among his household band ?
There, grassy mounds are over some Who never came again ; And oh, the weary days and nights, When the fever burned their veins !
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No loving mother near, to bathe The aching, throbbing brow, Or say sweet words of gentle trust, As the passing spirit bowed.
Dost thou know our first loved pastor Lived anear thy mountain throne, - That his children oft have gathered In the old ancestral home ? Grandsons twain went forth in honor From old Dartmouth's classic hall, And another's heaping treasure Where the golden cascades fall.
Dost remember, dear Joe English, In seventeen seventy-nine, When good old Deacon White lived here In vigorous manhood's prime, - Of the quaint, old-fashioned wedding, When his daughter 'came a bride, - Of the three days' jovial feasting Ere she left his home and side ? -
That this dear old, ancient homestead, So rich in scenery grand, Has been the dwelling-place of scores In this our far-famed land ? - That sorrow mingled with their joys In the days of long ago, When some dear, cherished form was laid In the grave so cold and low ?
Know'st thou our loyal-hearted sons, Whose names we're proud to tell, Were cradled 'mid these granite hills, And drank at Freedom's well ? They said " Good-by " to friends and thee, To their childhood's cherished home :
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'T'hey've gone to plant our nation's flag Where bold, rank treason roams.
Dost thou know, dear old Joe English, "Tis our centennial day, And eager, longing eyes have come From homes far, far away, To gaze once more upon thy face, Once more review past scenes, Once more recall youth's ardent hopes, And childhood's sweetest dreams ?
Dost know, dear, changeless, silent friend, That our lives are passing on ? Soon for us the keenest joys we feel Will be numbered o'er and gone ; Soon the loving hearts that cherish thee With tenderest memories green, Will faint and falter in life's work, And the grave will come between.
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REV. HIRAM WASON.
He was son of the late lamented Dea. Robert Wason, and was born December 18, 1814. He united with the Presbyterian Church in 1831, and began to fit for college the following year, attending the first of a series of select schools in New Boston, taught in the Long Hall, by Wm. Hall. He completed the pre- paratory course at Francestown, and entered Amherst College in 1834, graduating in 1838, and immediately commenced teaching in New Ipswich Academy. His health failing, in the autumn of 1839, he went South, and spent nearly a year teach- ing in a private family in Georgia. Returning North, he spent one year at Andover Theological Seminary ; but for the sake of milder winters went to New Haven, Ct., and remained the two following years in the Theological Seminary there. In 1843 he was licensed by the Londonderry Presbytery, at Greenfield ; and the same year went to the West, and spent a short period in Lane Seminary, and soon began to preach at Vevay, Switzer- land county, Indiana ; where he remained until 1857 ; since which time he has been at West Creek, Lake County. On en- tering the ministry Mr. Wason was embarrassed by feeble health, and yet has been unable to preach but one Sabbath for nearly twenty years. While at Vevay he taught a select school from four to nine months yearly, during seven of the years of his stay there. In October, 1844, he married Betsey R., daughter of Timothy Abbot, Esq., of Wilton, N. H., and has one son and two daughters. Mr. Wason is a highly successful and faithful minister ; retaining the spirit and principles in which his carlier days were nurtured, and is remembered with interest by the church and community among whom repose the ashes of his beloved father and mother.
J.H. Bufford's.Math.
H. Wasan.
THE PAST AND PRESENT-THE CONTRAST.
MR. PRESIDENT, -
The hundredth anniversary of the first settlement of New Boston furnishes an occasion for mingling our sympathies, and for indulging in pleasant and grateful recollections. The carly history of our native town is full of interest to all her sons and daughters. Here our fathers endured hardships and privations, and their descendants are now enjoying the fruits of their labors. We now stand upon the horizon that divides two cen- turies. In looking over the past we find the changes have been great ; the physical changes are the most obvious. On every side cultivated farms and buildings, for the comfort of man and beast, now greet the cyc. The first settlers saw nothing but one dense forest, with no trace of the white man save here and there the marks of the surveyor's axe. The first thing to be done was the construction of a rude cabin on some sunny hill- side, or sheltered valley ; - not always the most comfortable for winter or convenient in summer. The modern housekeeper would have her ingenuity taxed to apply the same room to the purposes of parlor, sitting-room, dining-room, kitchen, bedroom, chamber, and cellar. The furniture of such a dwelling must correspond both in quantity and quality, and yet, in that cabin, the stranger and the visitor were always made welcome. Be- sides the purposes of living, the carly dwellings were factories also, for in most of them was found a place for the card, spin- ning-wheel, and loom. They manufactured most of their table- linen, bedding, and wearing apparel, - not only the clothing for every-day wear, but the clean attire for Sundays and festive occasions.
In contrast with the cabin of the pioneer, there now stands the neatly-painted cottage or mansion, arranged for comfort and convenience, and furnished with all the improvements and
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luxuries of steam and telegraph days. For many of the every- day conveniences which we enjoy, our ancestors had no word in their vocabulary.
· Substantially built and well-filled barns, furnishing food and comfort for large stocks, stand in striking contrast with the rude hovel, built of poles, and covered with hemlock or pine boughs, to furnish protection to the only cow, the main depend- ence for family food. If the family were able to own, and had the means of keeping them, a yoke of oxen were added to the stock ; these performed the double labor of service on the little farm and journeys upon the road. They had but little use for the horse, and none for the carriage. Their visiting, marketing, and journeys were performed with an ox-team. Even after horses were in common use, carriages, except the one-horse square-top chaise, were almost unknown. All rode on horseback, and the horses always carried double ; often a child in the mother's lap, and another on the pommel of the saddle before the father.
They had not the semblance of roads, but followed paths or trails over the most convenient ground, guided by marked trees. Frequently there were not even pole bridges over the streams, and when they were swollen, and there was no ferry, they must wait till the waters subsided so that they could ford the stream. This often caused a delay of many days on short journeys, and there was no help for it. Store-bills then were not large. A yearly journey to Londonderry, Newburyport, or Salem, to sell the overplus of farm products, and to purchase necessaries for the year to come, sufficed for shopping.
Mills were then scarce, and often far distant; and when it was impossible or difficult getting to them, the corn, rye, and barley were prepared in various ways at home for family food. Their fare was simple, wholesome, and nutritious. The " Indian Johnny-cake " baked on wooden trenchers by the fire, the bean, or corn-porridge, and barley-broth (eaten in the wooden bowl or pewter basin or porringer, with a pewter spoon) never gave our grandparents the dyspepsia. We dare not say that the first . settlers were not happier, and even more useful in laying the foundations for generations yet to come, than we, their descend- ants, who inherited the fruits of their labors. They were then honest men, and sincere worshippers of God.
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They were in the habit of attending meeting in heat and cold, in storm and sunshine, roads or no roads. There was no danger of breathing confined air in any of their places of wor- ship, on a windy day, nor were any made sick or faint, after a cold ride, by going into a church well warmed by stove or fur- nace, and no one became drowsy or listless from sitting on well- cushioned or inclined-backed seats.
The only compensation in those days, for our present com- fortable places of worship, was the family foot-stove, which was considered the property of the mother. The little ones who sat nearest to her would have the advantage of putting their toes and fingers near it, while the larger ones, as they sat on all sides of the old square pews, would extend their feet toward the radiating heat, or rap their boots together, waiting im- patiently to have the minister say, "Finally." The older men would bear cold patiently, showing what they could endure for religion's sake, while the young men bore it bravely, lest their reputation for hardihood might suffer in the eyes of the gentler sex. The minister, boxed up in the old-fashioned pulpit elevat- ed far above the congregation, as if it were colder in that airy height, often preached having on a surtout buttoned up close, and a heavy cloak over the shoulders, with thick gloves or mit- tens on the hands ; not very conveniently dressed for oratorical effect. Between the two services the boys and those who could not well endure the cold, would scatter to the post-office and tavern, where it was known that good fires were kept, and while the men would stand round the bar to get that which was then believed to be invaluable to keep out the cold of winter and the heat of summer, the boys would monopolize the heat of the large fireplace filled with wood. The more gallant and self-denying portion of the men would take the family foot-stove, and replenish it with good live coals for the afternoon service and homeward ride. Those times have long since passed away, and now most places of worship are as comfortable as a private sitting-room, summer or winter.
The first two generations passed away before the sound of any bell floated down the valleys and over the hills, to call the people together for worship, to tell the most suitable hour for
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breakfast or dinner during the week, and what would be the proper time for steady folks to retire to rest.
The bell is even made to speak a language when it rings and tolls out of season. It announces the fact to all the inhabitants of the town, that a man, woman, or child has passed away ; and then the solemn toll, beating the slow, measured step to the grave, reminds the living of their destiny.
Great changes have taken place within the memory of many now living, in regard to some of the customs, - changes which are real improvements in civilized life. The time has been when no wedding would take place without the free use of wine, and generally that which was much stronger. It is said that a barrel of rum was often provided for the occasion, and then a drunken frolic would last for several days. Now, it is rare that even wine is provided publicly for the occasion.
The change is equally great in regard to the general use of intoxicating drinks. If there are as many drunkards now as formerly, and as much liquor consumed (as is claimed by some), the number that use it is certainly less. It is within the mem- mory of many of us, that not a single farmer in town thought of harvesting his hay or grain without rum ; when not a single building was raised, or any special gathering made, without rum ; and when it was not known that any man or boy refused to drink from principle. Good men drank, believing that it was right and beneficial. It was offered to the minister when making his parochial calls, and not generally refused ; to the family physician when he came to see the sick, and to friends when they came to make an afternoon or evening visit. All merchants kept it on one end of the counter to sell by the glass or to give their customers. Even at the solemn rites of the burial-service it was not forgotten or omitted. After the religious services at the house, and before going to the grave, the glass was first passed to the minister, then to the near friends and more distant relatives. Those who were to act as bearers were next served, and then it was freely offered to all the neighbors and citizens who had gathered for the occasion. Those living at the close of the century can well judge of the change that has taken place.
In education there has been an advance. At first, the schools
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were limited from necessity, - limited in number, length, and excellence. They had not the means to hire teachers of suit- able education, nor were such persons easily obtained. The log school-house or a small room in some private house, carly gave place to the red frame school-houses, and the red ones are rapidly yielding to the neatly-painted white ones. There is ample room for the next century to improve on the past. The school-house should have a pleasant and healthy location, with ample grounds for recreation, well-fenced and ornamented with trees. The interior should be arranged for health and conven- ience. In other words, let the house where the child receives the first elements of an education be an attractive place, and it will exert a lasting influence on both mind and heart. One of the main impulses to education, and that which has done more than any other one thing to elevate the standard of education, was the inaugurating, in New Boston, a select school in the au- tumn of 1832. This brought together the best scholars from the various school districts in town. It was, in reality, a sort of graded school system, for the school was made up almost en- tirely of town scholars. This school was kept up for many years. It was the means of fitting numbers for teaching, and for years New Boston furnished more school-teachers than any of the neighboring towns. It also stimulated others to acquire a liberal education ; for previous to this, only a few had grad- uated. Other changes might be mentioned, did time and space allow. In carly times, when families were few and land abun- dant, the children settled mostly in the vicinity, and pursued the avocation of their fathers ; but in these days of steam com- munication, and the multiplying of trades, the children em- igrate. Now they are found engaged in almost every branch of business and every profession, and scattered over a wide extent of territory.
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But there have been painful changes, that I have not men- tioned. Every house has its story of joy and sorrow. Death has been here ; and nowhere can the history of change and sor- row be so plainly read as in the graveyard. There sleep the fathers, - forever sacred be their graves ! There, too, lie our kindred and neighbors and friends. Through these changes we. too, must pass. The blessings we inherit we only hold in
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trust, to transmit, after we have improved them, to our descend- ants. It is the duty of the present generation to honor the memory of the past, emulate their virtues, and cherish all that is really good, so that the coming century may stand in happy contrast with the present in all that is pure and ennobling.
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SABBATH SCHOOLS.
"At a meeting of a number of heads of families, and others, patrons of the Sabbath school in New Boston, holden at Mrs. Moses Whitney's hall, in said town, on Friday, the first day of October, 1819,
" Motion being made to choose a chairman, the Rev. E. P. Bradford was chosen, and took the chair accordingly.
" Motion was then made to choose a clerk, and Joseph Coch- ran, Jr., was chosen to officiate in that office.
" Proceeded to open a contribution for the purpose of pur- chasing books for premiums, to reward the youth and children composing the Sabbath school, for their industry in committing and reciting portions of the sacred Scriptures."
From the foregoing, taken from a document which came into our hands, it appears that a Sabbath school was organized in the Presbyterian congregation as early as 1819. Its organiza- tion was very simple : classes were formed, and teachers ap- pointed, and the work to be done was to commit and recite pas- sages of Scripture. It was a school for children only ; yet, it would seem, from the large and enthusiastic meeting referred to above, and from the character of the men that composed it, and the amount subscribed, that there was no want of interest in the enterprise on the part of parents. The enthusiasm of the pupils was great, as appears from the number of verses of Scripture committed and recited. The whole number of classes was eight, four male and four female. The whole number of teachers, eight ; assistant teachers, eight ; and the whole num- ber of pupils was 43 males, and 75 females. The boys recited 9,786 verses, and the girls 29.994.
Class No. 1 consisted of 10 boys, from 14 to 16 years of age :- Jeremiah Cochran, Rodney Cochran, John Kelso, Jr., Hiram Lynch, John Fairfield, Jr., Hiram McIntosh, Lincoln H. Flint,
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Jesse Colby, Joseph B. Cochran, and John Howe. Their teacher was Moses Whitney, and the highest number of verses recited was 559, by Jeremiah Cochran. The whole number of verses recited by the class was 1,596.
Class No. 2 consisted of 10 boys, from 11 to 13 :- Peter Crombie, James B. Gregg, Jonathan Cochran, Sumner Cristy, Alfred Cochran, Nathaniel Patterson, Silas Cochran, Daniel Lynch, Haskell McCollom. Their teacher was William Jones ; and the highest number of verses recited was 1,116, by James B. Gregg ; the next highest, was by Jonathan Cochran, 628. The whole number of verses recited by the class was 3,866.
Class No. 3 consisted of 9 boys, from 9 to 12 : - Samuel C. Whiting, Elbridge Wason, Isaac Giddings, Jr., Absalom Dodge, Sylvester Dodge, Gilman McCurdy, William W. Peabody, Ly- man Marden. Their teacher was Deacon R. Wason ; and the highest number of verses recited was 511, by Calvin Whiting ; the next highest, 505, by Samuel C. Cochran. The whole num- ber of verses recited by the class was 1,492.
Class No. 5 consisted of 14 boys, from 5 to 8 : - John B. Wallace, William Wallace, John Crombie, John C. Henry, William Bradford, George W. Clark, Jacob Dodge, Ephraim Cristy, William P. Cochran, William C. Campbell, James Mar- den, Thomas H. Cochran, Albert Dodge, R. C. Cochran. Their teacher was Robert B. Cochran; and the highest number of verses recited was by William Bradford, 456 ; the next highest, 264, by Thomas H. Cochran. The whole number recited by the class was 2,832.
Class No. 5 consisted of 18 girls, from 13 to 16 : - Marinda Cochran, Susannah Leach, Syrena McMillen, Louisa Beard, Nancy McCurdy, Margaret R. Cochran, Letitia Cristy, Eliza Beard, Jane Livingston, Anna Marden, Eliza Dickey, Harriet Crombie, Hannah Peabody, Eleanor Giddings, Louisa Butler, Hepsibah Flint, Jane Gregg, Jane Wilson. Their teacher was Mary B. Cochran, assisted by Miss Burns ; and the highest number of verses recited was 1,206, by Letitia Cristy ; the next highest was 873, by Hannah Peabody. The whole number recited by the class was 9,112.
Class No. 6 consisted of 17 girls, from 11 to 12: - Adeline
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McMillen, Caroline McMillen, Charlotte Fairfield, Lucretia Liv- ingston, Cordelia Clark. Asenath Dodge, Sally Smith, Mehitable Giddings. Relief Dodge, Sophronia Cochran, Rebecca Clark, Frances Smith, Margaret Ann Cochran, Lavinia Wilson, Sa- brina Wilson, Abigail H. Flint, Rebecca Pinkerton. Their teacher was Miss Sally Lamson, assisted by Betsey Wilson and Lydia Cochran. The highest number of verses recited was 1035. by Sophronia Cochran ; the next highest was 896, by Lueretia Livingston. The whole number of verses recited by the class was 8,953.
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