USA > New Hampshire > Rockingham County > Northwood > History of Nottingham, Deerfield, and Northwood, comprised within the original limits of Nottingham, Rockingham County, N.H., with records of the centennial proceedings at Northwood, and genealogical sketches > Part 2
USA > New Hampshire > Rockingham County > Nottingham > History of Nottingham, Deerfield, and Northwood, comprised within the original limits of Nottingham, Rockingham County, N.H., with records of the centennial proceedings at Northwood, and genealogical sketches > Part 2
USA > New Hampshire > Rockingham County > Deerfield > History of Nottingham, Deerfield, and Northwood, comprised within the original limits of Nottingham, Rockingham County, N.H., with records of the centennial proceedings at Northwood, and genealogical sketches > Part 2
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POST-PRANDIAL.
Dinner over, tlie audience again assembled, at the call of the band, around the speakers' platform, and the exercises were renewed with the reading, by Miss Nellie M. Cogswell, of a poem written by Miss Susan C. Willey of Kansas, fol- lowed by pleasant and eloquent responses to sentiments announced by the chairman of the committee. Hon. Edson Hill spoke in behalf of the absent sons and daughters of Nortliwood, followed by Mr. Jolin J. Cate, for the farmers. Mr. Bradbury C. Hill of Woonsocket, R. I., a highly suc- cessful mechanic, spoke eloquently for the men of like vocation. He was not expecting to be called upon for a speech, and he had always found two things necessary when one was to do anything, -to have a model, or a just con- ception of what he was to do; and that, in respect to speech-making, he lacked both. But the audience, thinking otherwise in respect to liis deficiency, gave him their hearty applause. John P. P. Kelley, Esq., of Exeter, was expected to speak for the merchants, but procured a substitute in R. S. Prescott, Esq., of Bangor, Me., who pronounced the good reputation of Northwood merchants to have been justly awarded them. A poem by Mrs. A. L. Hanson of South Newmarket, was then read by Rev. A. A. Chase, of tlie Calvin-Baptist church. S. C. Buzell, Esq., of Exeter, spoke of the old elm-tree on Clark's hill, planted by Jona- than Clark, aided by his daughter, who became the mother
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of the speaker. John G. Sherburn, Esq., of Lowell, Mass., interested the audience in contrasting the past with the present, inferring therefrom a glorious future, and closing with the sentiment, " Blessed shall be the ears which hear the clock strike 1973!" Robert B. Caverly, Esq., of Lowell, Mass., read a mirth-provoking poem, and was fol- lowed by Thomas J. Pinkham of Chelmsford, Mass., who spoke of the future of Northwood, showing how that might be made as cheering as the past. His judicious suggestions, and generous gift of a stalled ox for the centennial dinner, were fully appreciated by the audience. Gen. Alfred Hoitt of Lee spoke for the " coming young men " of Northwood, advising them to pay for all they might get, and get all they could honestly, to buy lands, and get them wives in Northwood. The wisdom of such counsels was apparent from his own history. He married a Northwood girl, wlio, though now the mother of thirteen children, all able to earn their bread, yet retains the freshness and beauty of earlier days, while he had lands cnough to employ all their hands. Why should not the young men of Northwood do likewise ? Rousing cheers were given for Mr. Hoitt and his wife. Mr. Hoitt was followed by R. B. Caverly, giving personal remi- niscences.
The above exercises were interspersed with reading of letters from Hon. J. H. Ela of Rochester, Joseph S. Grace of Portsmouth, E. S. Coe, Esq., of Bangor, and Gov. Straw of Manchester.
Thus the day closed, without weariness or satiety on the part of the multitude, deliglited with what they had enjoyed and anticipating equal satisfaction on the morrow.
SABBATH DAY.
The committee had chosen Saturday as the day for the centennial celebration because it was believed that most
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of those returning to the place of their nativity would de- sire to spend a Sabbath where they first learned to
" Praise God from whom all blessings flow."
Accordingly, it was arranged with the pastors of the churches in the town that the people should all meet in one place and unite with strangers and friends from abroad in services appropriate to the occasion and becom- ing the saeredness of the day. It was determined to make this the " great day of the feast."
The sun of this day was without a eloud, and gratitude to God was felt for it in many a heart in Northwood. It had been arranged that the services should be held in the " great tent," where the day before so many had been fed with the meat that perishes. At ten o'clock A. M., the president ealled the meeting to order, and, after congratu- lating the audience upon the pleasantness of the morning and the radiant countenances met on every hand, and expressing the hope that this day might be as rich in bless- ings as its predecessor and even more abundant, desired that the services might be under the direction of the pastors of the churches. According to the request of the president, Mr. Cogswell, pastor of the Congregational church, took charge of the morning services. Rev. H. B. Wiggin of Orange, N. J., invoked the divine blessing, and the union choir sang, to the tune " Marlow," the hymn, -
" Let children hear the mighty deeds Which God performed of old," etc.
This was followed by the reading of the Seriptures and prayer by Rev. E. B. Knight of Salem, Mass., a former Calvin-Baptist pastor in this town at two different periods. The choir and congregation then sang, with organ aecom- paniment by Miss L. G. Cogswell, the hymn, --
" Welcome, sweet day of rest, That saw the Lord arise," etc.
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George W. Cate, Esq., of Amesbury, Mass., then read a well-written sketch of the pioneer fathers of Northwood, followed by an interesting article on the pioneer mothers, written by Rev. George B. Buzell of Portland, Me., and read by J. Prentice Tueker of Boston, both grandsons of the late Rev. Josiah Prentice, the former being detained at home by ill health. Rev. Mr. Cogswell then read a memo- rial paper by Rev. D. P. Leavitt of Providence, R. I., on the " Place of our Nativity," Mr. Leavitt having forwarded his paper, not being able to be present. This was followed by a historical sketch of the Calvin-Baptist church, by Rev. A. A. Chase, the pastor ; that of the Congregational church, prepared by Mr. Cogswell, was passed over, and Rev. L. P. Bickford read a paper on the history of the Free-will Bap- tist church. Mr. Cogswell announced the reception of a memorial paper from Rev. F. Furber of Holliston, Mass. John C. Tasker, Esq., of Washington, D. C., read a paper on " Home Inheritance," followed by Rev. H. B. Wiggin, with a paper on " Success to those that tarry at home."
After singing, the serviecs were suspended for an hour and a half, during which refreshments were served and a delightful renewing of acquaintance and friendship was enjoyed. Many a moistened eye was seen, and many a hand was pressed as a pledge of future remembrance.
AFTERNOON.
It had been arranged that the afternoon worship should be a praise service. Rev. Mr. Chase conducted it. Appro- priate passages of Scripture were read, hymns sung, and prayers offered. The singing was aided by the organ and the band, the whole congregation participating. These were interspersed with brief and pertinent remarks by J. C. Tasker, Morris Knowles of Lawrence, Mass., J. W. James of Deerfield, George W. Batchelder of Bloomington, Ill., Charles Hoitt of Newton, Mass., B. C. Hill of Woonsocket,
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R. I., David Knowles of Haverhill, Mass., Benjamin Hoitt of Nottingham, Charles W. Piper of Niagara Falls, Joseph Hill of Beloit, Wis., Hon. William Peavey of Strafford, J. Haven Hill of Concord, Hon. Edson Hill of Manchester, and others.
In closing, Mr. Cogswell spoke as follows : -
MR. PRESIDENT, - I take this occasion, in behalf of the committee, to say, that what we anticipated, we have realized, in connection with this occasion. Nay, we anticipated much, but have realized more. Our cup of satisfaction has been full. In accomplishing the object aimed at, we had obstacles to encounter, and they have yielded. The good people of the town have nobly seconded the efforts of the com- mittee, even exceeded the expectation of some. A kind Providence ought to be recognized in giving a spirit of concord and a readiness to meet the exigency with a large-heartedness. In giving us these delightful days of sunshine and health-inspiring breezes, God has been propitious. Nor less do we recognize the good hand of our God upon us in inclining the hearts of so many of the absent to return at the call of those at home. These large assemblies assure us that most of the family are here. We have been grateful at the sight of so many who remember Northwood as it was fifty years ago and more. The burden of years seems to rest lightly on most of them. They are younger for revisiting the homes of their earlier days. May the years to come bear them over none but green fields and beside none but sparkling streams, until they enter the field of Paradise and drink of the stream that reflects the Father's face.
We have been none the less gratified at seeing those yet strong to labor and endure. It is evident that their lines have fallen in pleasant places. Their whole demeanor shows that they have come from homes of plenty and contentment. Yet, in the midst of pleasant surroundings, they have not hesitated to forsake those pleasant abodes and hasten to enter the humbler dwellings of those who guard the hearth-stones of their youth. Our hearts have felt sublimer joy as we have heard them say, each for himself, -"I was glad when they said unto me, let us go whither the tribes go up to give thanks unto the name of the Lord. Peace be within thy walls, and prosperity within thy palaces. For my brethren and companions' sakes, I will now say, Peace be within thee."
There is new and higher joy felt within the humbler dwellings on these hill-tops and in these valleys where so many benedictions come gushing up from hearts that swell and heave with the warm sensa-
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tions of childhood. Our hearts are more buoyant and our steps more elastic by the hearty cheer of strong men and noble women, who have hallowed this occasion. We shall turn to them in times of despond- ency with assurance of succor.
Nor less fraught with interest is the coming of the children's chil- dren. They have come to homes not familiar, yet dear, because their fathers and mothers were born here. Herein do we find a pledge of their interest in the venerable mother of them all. Their cordial recognition of the relationship binds them to us and us to them in a bond of sympathy that time shall serve to strengthen, not weaken.
Mr. President, the labors and responsibilities of the committee are so near an end that we can venture to congratulate ourselves, and yield to motives to rejoice ; and our rejoicing is this, that we have seen and heard and been blessed by those we can never forget nor fail to remember with lively interest. Sweet has been our fellowship of hearts ; strengthened are the ties that shall bind hearts and homes of other localities to home altars here. More hallowed, as the hour of separation approaches ; more hallowed, as memories of yesterday and to-day shall crowd the mind; more hallowed the occasion by the reflec- tion that the disenthralled spirits of the godly pioneer fathers and mothers may have hovered over these assemblages, and, unseen, have joyed with our joy, and with us have given thanks for the happy fruits of their hardships and sacrifices. The end hastens; we express our hearty thanks to such as have responded to our call. Another such, we can never give; another such response, you, from other homes, can never return. Erelong we shall be far apart; yet may we not hope our paths may converge, and, in due time, center in a heavenly home to which departed spirits are inviting us? Hearty, then, will be our greetings, and sweet our rest together.
As these dear friends go home, may the blessings of our fathers' God be upon them ; " May the Lord grant them according to their own heart, and fulfill all their petitions, and we will rejoice in their salva- tion, and in the name of our God we will set up our banners."
Tlic pen is powerless to portray the interest felt in the services of this day. A tender and loving spirit seemed to pervade the vast assembly. Not a word uttered seemed to be inappropriate. The dead seemed almost to live again, and to mingle with their living children who recounted their deeds and made mention of their virtues; and thic living had awakened in them a new consciousness of the importance of acting with reference to the future, had a
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higher appreciation of friendship and a warmer love for the old homestead. And, when the services were closed, the assembly lingered long, as unwilling to separate, each saying to the other, " It is good for us to be here."
The oration, which occupied most of the morning of the first day of the centennial celebration, will be found incor- porated into the history proper of Northwood, while the poem and other papers prepared for the occasion will here follow. A few papers written for the occasion and read, we have not been able to obtain, - as the pocm by Mrs. A. L. Hanson of South Newmarket, read by Rev. A. A. Chase; nor his own article, giving the history of the Calvin-Baptist church of Northwood. Consequently we omit the special history of the Free-will Baptist church, by Rev. L. P. Bick- ford, and also that of the Congregational church.
Themes were given to writers by the committee, with a request that their responses should be written out in full and be passed to the chairman of that committee.
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POEM BY MISS SUSAN C. WILLEY.
CENTENNIAL YEAR.
Welcome, thrice welcome, Centennial Year ! That brings with thee sweetest gladdening cheer, The gladdening cheer of a thousand hearts, From country towns and busy city marts. Hills of beauty, sylvan glades all around, Again reverberate the joyful sound, As, monarch-crowned, thou smiling standest here ; A regal welcome, O Centennial Year !
The ten decades that thy life hath seen Have flitted by man like a morning dream. Infancy and old age, with manhood's prime, In frail barks have passed from the shore of time. They have crossed the stream, many to us dear. Fond memories stir; e'en while sorrow's tear Bedews our eyes, a glad and sweet surprise Through tenderest feelings of hope arise.
Faith, the heavenly maid, now parts the veil, - "Tis like a wondrous summer's sunset tale ; With vision stretching upward and away, Flooding comes the light of eternal day ; A band of beings, radiant and bright, Are forward moving in ambient light, Victory shouting ; their voices we hear : Our hands extend with no trembling nor fear
To our dear ones who have gone on before, The mansion reached through Christ the opened door ; Together grouped, hand fondly clasped in hand, By sweet sympathy touched, - 'tis thus they stand. Their glad voices accord in one sweet strain, The golden arches ring again, again. We bend our ear the silvery sound to hear, -- Lo! 'tis, " Welcome, O Centennial Year !"
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Break forth ! Oh, break thou forth in notes of joy, Fair town! Let naught thy happiness alloy, Since kind Heaven above on thee looks down, With peace and love this festive scene to crown. Upon the air, this sunny summer's day, Let the anthem of praise float far away, Over mountain-top, by stream, in glen, Where'er is found the humble home of men.
In Northwood, one hundred years to-day, Almost primeval silence held its sway ; Wild animals roamed in the thick, deep wood, - Roamed at will. Suddenly at bay they stood ! A sound unlike that ever heard before, - Not Indian's whoop, not river's loud roar, - It is the woodman's ax ! While far around Tree on tree - oak and pine - fall to the ground.
When miles around the forest had been cleared, To the vision rich scenery appeared, - Hill on hill, towering to mountain grand; Crystal streams, coursing onward through the land, Through glen and valley with musical flow,
ยท Coquetting with flowers in spring-time blow ; Gems of lakes ; while, upon their bosoms borne, Like radiant stars, water-lilies strown.
A hardy race, those early pioneers ; The soil is rough, and yet they bravely steer Their way from indigence to comfort's door, Leaving for their children the same in store. Not great wealth, but plenty the table spread, While thanks arose for this their daily bread.
. From grateful hearts give the gladdening cheer Of welcome for this Centennial Year !
Patriarch thou look'st, Centennial Year ! Nay, not patriarch, - sage thou dost appear; Yet not a sage, - a monarch, wise and old, Thou art. Many a story can be told. "Tis of the olden time we wish to hear. Speak forth, Oh speak forth, Centennial Year ! Tell what has been the throb, what the heart-beat, Of this great nation, " footstool of God's feet."
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We know your march has been weary and long, Yet tell the " Revolutionary Song," A song to cheer, a song to our hearts dear, As it raised freedom's standard far and near ; A song of victory, of triumph o'er foes, Ending in glory our national woes. Revered be the memory of the illustrious brave, Who nobly suffered our country to save.
Years of peace and of plenty intervene, When from the south rises an angry gleam, Flash upon flash, across a peaceful sky. " Down with the Union flag !" is treason's cry. Thousands of brave men, gallant men and good, In time of liberty's need right nobly stood. Boldly the Ship of State outrode the storm ; Freedom anew to the nation is born.
Arouse ! break forth again, O hill and peak ! Of heartfelt joy, O happy people, speak ! Speak of the nation's high and noble stand ! Speak oppression, no longer in the land ! Back into their dens let traitors retreat ; Back to dens out of which no more to creep ! Then, slavery no longer reigning here, Welcome, thrice welcome, Centennial Year I
Fair town, learning and truth everywhere free, Upward, onward let thy course ever be ! Onward in learning and upward in truth, What brighter crown can there be for thy youth ? O town, fair town, in the Atlantic plain, Be thine a rich harvest of golden grain To bear the Master when his voice you hear Saying, "Thy labor endeth, - endeth here."
O ye people, sing ye long, and sing loud ! We bid rejoice; you may justly be proud ! Fling forth glad banners, unfurl to the breeze, High it may be as the o'erarching trees. Your course was onward the century round ; Other lands have welcomed glad freedom's sound, Echoing with us sweet glorious cheer. Then welcome, welcome, Centennial Year !
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affirins, that " they" -the sons and daughters of Northwood -"speak for themselves." And so they do ; they show not only themselves, but their parentage, -the town whence they have emigrated. We who have strayed from paternal hearthstones retain the impress of Northwood homes and altars, if we have obeyed the great law of our nature. We may, through favoring influenees in other communities, have enhanced the good qualities and habits with which we began life, or may have lost somewhat of good we took with us, through contact with debasing associations ; still, in the main, we trust we have proved true to our origin, to the town of our nativity, and the altars at which we were reared.
That was a good stock from which we sprang. No mean men were the Batchelders, Bickfords, Clarks, Johnsons, Blakes, Harveys, Hills, Hoitts, Knowleses, and others, who reared the first homes in the wilderness of Northwood more than a hundred years ago. They were hardy, God-fearing pioneers ; and they laid a foundation, broad and deep, for the prosperity and happiness of their children. Little do we of to-day know of the trials, privations, hardships, and dangers they endured as they eleared their lands, reared homes for their families, erected churches and school- houses, wherein generations might be rcared for well- doing and honor. But, as we have gone into busy marts or quiet retreats, we have not ignored our paternity, nor forgotten the sacrifices, deeds, and virtues of our ancestors.
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With an extensive acquaintance with the absent sons and daughters of Northwood, we feel at liberty to affirm that they have generally acquitted themselves well and have done honor to the place of their birth. They have formed honorable alliances, reared homes for themselves, gathered around them home comforts, and mingled in busi- Icss relations and moral improvements that speak well for them and show to advantage the influences of their early homes. Not a few of them have gained positions of
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responsibility, implying confidence reposed in them because of business talent and moral integrity ; while on many a battle-field they have shown the valor and patriotism that endear to us the character of the patriots of a hundred years ago. In the arts and sciences, as well as in the learned professions, they have reflected honor upon their progenitors.
We, whose lines have fallen in other places, will always cherish gratitude to those who, in poverty, provided so well for our intellectual and religious advantage ; who instilled into our minds correct principles, and trained us to habits of economy, industry, and perseverance. We will strive to honor them by keeping the memory of them ever green in our hearts, and by lives, which they, looking down from the heights of glory, seeing, shall approve.
All honor to the sons and daughters of Northwood, at home or abroad ! All honor, too, to the fathers and mothers who have gone to their reward !
" The night-dew that falls and in silence doth weep Shall brighten with verdure the graves where they sleep; And the tear that we shed, though in secret it rolls, Shall long keep their memory fresh in our souls."
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RESPONSE OF JOHN J. CATE.
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" The farmers of Northwood."
MR. PRESIDENT, - Having been more or less interested in farming for thirty years, you may expect me to rise and confirm the sentiment just uttered. But, believing facts better than fiction, truth stronger than error, with my experience, I cannot undertake to show that farming is in a flourishing condition in Northwood or that we have any hortieulturists of note. Would that we had ! Trees, indeed, are planted ; but how many are cultivated and brought to maturity so they yield a remunerative income ? True, many of our farmers have hard hands and brown faccs, and our sisters, wives, and mothers know how to bake good brown-brcad.
But, with regard to hard cash, it is like the heaps of hay in many of our fields, - small and far between. Still there are causes for the present discouraging condition of agri- culture, not only in Northwood, but throughout New Eng- land. The great West, with its large heart and beckoning hands, has drawn largely from the young men in all our farming towns ; and these sons of Northwood and the East have given character to that extensive tract of our country between the Ohio and the lakes, and westward to the Rocky Mountains and the Pacifie. Their energy and early Christian training have left an ineffaeeable impression upon each westward advance of civilization. But the last decade has been doubly trying. A great rebellion was sprung upon us, and the farmers and their sons were called to the more bold and dashing scenes of the battle-field. Loving their country, liberty, and equal rights, with patriotism which knew no bounds, save in the peaceful floating of our national
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emblem, the "glorious old flag," they responded to suc- cessive calls, until triumphant victory was won. And they returned not as they went out. Many are dead. Some sleep in the valley of the Tennessee, in the Carolinas, at Arlington, and at the Soldiers' Home, almost within a stone's thirow of our national capitol. Others are buried upon the hills and beside the " still waters " of our own quiet town. And those who are with us to-day realize the wear of those years of service. And many hearts ache for the loss of a father, liusband, son, or friend. Thus, resolu- tions are not executed, former plans are not completed, because the hope, the strong support, has departed. Then, again, we are cut off from railroad facilities ; and the bur- den of taxes is laid upon the hardy plowman, because his property is open to the eyes of all ; and, if one of these sous of the soil shows public spirit or private enterprise, he is pointed to as a fit subject for the assessors, while the capi- talist is passed without interrogation.
Again : New England is, from her position, naturally a manufacturing community, and a large portion of our own active men are engaged in the manufacture of shoes. Few towns in New Hampshire do a more extensive business in this direction than Northwood. Next, the press has con- tributed not a little to bring farming into disrepute in our Granite State. But we are happy to see a marked change in the latter during the last year or two, and we may ex- pect the leading spirits of this profession to know when our young men are needed West, and when they can be suffered to cultivate the rich soil of our hill country. Again : there has been an uneasiness manifested on the part of our farmers. They have not sought to make farming inviting, or to kindle a spirit of enthusiasm in their sons to beautify and embellish the home of the fathers ; but rather to encourage some other profession, or, as often termed, " easier way of getting money," which often ends in dissi- pation or an early grave. It is also said there are no fields
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