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 3
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 3
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 3
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Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60
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of advancement open to farmers' sons; they must follow the steps of their fathers; always dig, and never enjoy. Let it not be credited. Honor rarely comes unless first. earned. Our greatest men have plied the hoe and spade. Washington and Webster were at home in the garden or cornfield. What we need to-day, as farmers, is organiza- tion, enthusiasm, a spirit of inquiry as to the best stock and the easiest way of enriching our soils ; and, with cheer- fulness, pay for what we may not be able to do ourselves, and be sure it is donc. I know this is considered danger- ous ground by many, but
" The night is mother of the day, The winter of the spring ; And ever upon old decay The greenest mosses spring."
Then let us enter our fields determined to work our way upward, and the honors and emoluments will be in readi- ness for us. And we may hope for better days when we will talk less of poverty, and more of rich fields and. abundant harvests ; when we will cheerfully invite the. critic to our fields and homes, and be able, with our mer- chants, mechanics, and artists, to invite the iron bands to. our valleys, and be thius in proximity with centers of busi- ness. As the cultivation of the soil was the first employ- ment of man ; as Noah, coming forth from the ark, sought to improve the implements of husbandry ; may we not believe, that, by invention, - by bringing into use the legiti -- mate powers of heat, water, and electricity, as science may slowly yet surely unfold them, - we may, down in the dis- tant future, sec, not the innocent man, Adam, but the vir- tuous, redecmed, and purified man, quietly directing the forces of nature to the production of the supplies of his own physical wants.
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RESPONSE OF R. S. PRESCOTT.
" The merchants of Northwood."
MR. PRESIDENT, - Perhaps no town of its size and busi- ness importance in the state can have more reason to be proud of the class referred to by this sentiment, than the town of Northwood. It had quite a number of men en- gaged for many years in the mercantile business, who would not suffer in comparison for ability and business ca- pacity with the same number which could be selected from any of your large towns or cities ; and, where known, their word was as good as their bond. Among the number en- gaged in business here at the time I resided in Northwood, more than fifty years since, I can well remember the late Ebenezer Coe, at the Narrows. His mild and pleasing man- ner was so attractive, no customer, whether young or old, could enter his store without having his notice ; and, when ten years old, I could not fail of feeling as free to meet him, and as well acquainted, as I should have been with one of my own age. Mr. Coe did a large and successful business for many years, and had the full confidence of the mer- chants of whom he purchased goods, as he had of the people to whom he sold, who, at various times, called him to posi- tions of honor and trust.
John Harvey was engaged in business for many years at what is now called Northwood Center. Commencing in early life with limited means, by close application to busi- ness and strict integrity of character he succeeded. A man of fixed principles and perfect system in all his undertak- ings, he had the respect of the people of his town and county, who placed him in positions of responsibility which he filled to the satisfaction of all.
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The Hon. Edson Hill, now of Manchester, succeeded to the business of Judge Harvey, and remained in it for sev- eral years.
Jonathan Clark pursued the business of a merchant, at what was known as Clark's hill (near the big clm), for many years, and was one of the most respected and influen- tial merchants and citizens of the town; a perfect gentle- man in his manners, and one had but to know him to respect him for his many good qualities.
Joel Virgin for many years traded at East Northwood, sometimes alone, at other times in company with others. He was a native of Concord, and his sister became the wife of Dr. John Starr. Mr. Virgin was a man of much ex- ecutive ability, and was highly respected for his business integrity and affableness of manners. He was frequently promoted to positions of trust by the favor of the people.
Deacon Jonathan Piper for many years traded at the Center, and was highly esteemed for his Christian virtues. He was succeeded by Simon Veasey, a native of Deerfield. Mr. Veasey was a man of sterling integrity, and commanded universal respect.
These were old and long-tried merchants in the town, who did much to promote business and to mold the char- acter of the people in its earlier history. Others might be named who traded prior to these, but on a smaller scale. Since their day, many have occupied the old positions or chosen new, to whom we may not further allude.
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RESPONSE OF S. CLARKE BUZELL.
"The old elm-tree." .
MR. PRESIDENT, - I had it in mind to speak of one, a native of the town, probably as old as any person present, having lived some ninety years on the same spot ; of rather low origin, indeed, but, receiving a friendly lift in early life, came to occupy a very prominent position, and has ever stood well in the estimation of the world ; and, though ex- posed to all weathers, summer's heat and winter's cold, out at all hours, day and night, yet drinking nothing but cold water, well filtered, and breathing nought but pure air as it comes, unobstructed and uncorrupted, from the tops of Mt. Washington, Kearsarge, Saddleback, and the crested waves of the broad Atlantic, is as erect as ever ; as profuse of graceful boughs as when glanced at by the young ladies of seventy-five years ago, - our mothers and grandmothers ; and is a fine specimen of green old age in one of nature's nobility. I am speaking, sir, of the old elm-tree standing in front of the residence of the late Jona- than Clark.
A short time previous to the incorporation of the town, a century ago, Mr. Jonathan Clark, senior, then a young married man, his wife being a daughter of Deacon Samuel Lane, all of Stratham, purchased the land which now con- stitutes the farms of Messrs. Wingate and Hollis J. Clark, and erected a house thereon, and into which he moved from Stratham, March 19, 1773, -the house which stood where Mr. Wingate's new house now stands, and which was burned a few years since-" Peace to its ashes."
About ninety years ago, according to the best data I have, Mr. Clark might have been seen one day coming
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up from the low ground north of the house, bearing on his shoulder a sapling elm. Going into the house, he re- quested his wife, and her sister, who was there on a visit, to go out and advise with him as to where he liad best place the tree. They did so, accompanied by their little daughter, probably some six to eight years of age. The location decided upon, he proceeded to excavate a hole in the ground, placed the tree therein, his little daughter holding it from falling while her father drew back the earth and pressed it around the roots.
That little girl grew to womanhood, was married, and left the paternal roof. And, as she uphield and steadied the little tree as long as needful, thus did she, in after years, for three little boys of different ages, her sons, who grew to manhood, and who have ample cause, in Scripture language, to " arise up and call her blessed." She de- parted this carthly life November 9, 1857, at the ripe old age of fourscore years and one, having been born March 11, 1776, four months prior to the Declaration of Ameri- can Independence and three years after the passage of the act of incorporation of the town of Northwood.
I trust, that, at this family gathering of " sons and daugh- ters, mnet to do homage to the memories of the dead," it will not be deemed inappropriate to thus introduce family and personal matters, in stating the fact that the little girl who in that manner assisted her father in setting out the tree was my mother.
There it has stood and flourished, witnessing the birth and departure of generations of our race, "a thing of beauty, a joy forever," and of utility as well. How many feet of little boys and girls, during that time, have hopped, skipped, and jumped in sportive glee in the grateful slade of its arching branches ! - some now resting in the silent grave ; some, perhaps, roaming, weary and worn, far away from its peaceful shade; some come here to-day to be re- freshed, for a brief period, with the pleasant memories of those youthful days which ne'er can come again.
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How many a poor, dust-covered traveler, weary of his journey, possibly weary of life, has set hinself down under its outstretched arms and met with what it is sometimes agreeable to meet, -" a cool reception." How many beau- tiful birds of the air have found a house within its en- folding leaves, reared their young, destroyed millions of noxious insects, and filled the air with melody.
Glancing back half a century or so, to the time when the speaker, a somewhat younger man than now, was a clerk in the store almost beneath the tree's shadow, - and how many of that noble, but oft-abused race of animals, the horse, after tugging up, up, up that long ascent of miles in extent, on a hot summer's day, have been allowed, generously, to stop under that tree and take breath and courage ; while the merciful and considerate master " took something," generously too, in at that store ; which, though neither breath nor courage, was likely to affect both. Pub- lic sentiment has changed the business of country stores since that time. Doubtless the present proprietor of that establishment can boast a larger stock of dry goods than of old, with a diminished number of dry customers. How the interests of the poor horses are affected by the change, we are unable to say, but trust their owners are the gainers thereby.
There may it long stand, defying the fierce blasts of winter, and spreading its sheltering and protecting arms of summer green over weary pilgrim, jaded horse, joyous youth, and singing birds. Should any lightning-chain, dropped from the clouds on some dark, stormy night, get entangled among its branches, may it be as providentially protected as was the Apostle Paul, when he shook the deadly viper from his hand and felt no harm.
If dread tornado come driving, Jehu-like, over the land, and, not respecting the law of the road, come in collision, may that proud, sinewy trunk stand by its rights ; and those gnarled and gigantic roots ne'er consent to loose
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their hold on the soil which is clearly theirs by right of possession, backed up by the potency of a good deed, - better than quitclaim or warranty,-executed by a good man, ninety years ago, as told the speaker by one of the witnesses.
May birds devour all vile canker-worms ever attempting to invade and despoil its rich, flowing dress, -" dress in- nocent of trail, and," etc., yet tasteful, graceful, and useful, and surely its color as becoming as was that same color to the fabled milkmaid we used to see pictured in our old Webster's spelling-book ; - " Green," said she, " becomes my complexion best, and green it shall be."
And, as, in generations past, it has been the admiration of strangers, and its comeliness given pleasure to the eyes of all beholders, catching the first rays of the rising sun, and reflecting back its setting glory, so may it long con- tinue the pride of the neighborhood; that sunny spot which to some of us is, with memory's eye, looked back upon as a kind of " delectable mountain " in our life's pil- grimage ; illumined with the pleasant memories of greet- ing friends, youthful pastimes, luscious pears (never since equaled), of social festivities, with flow of soul, and feast of many fat things.
And, when the century-plants, now blooming before us, sliall next blossom ; when another hundred years shall have rolled away, and the absent sons and daughters of Northwood be again invited hither, to keep the centennial feast and talk of auld lang syne, - may that old elm be still there, "its shadow grown none the less," waving with its long pendant arms a welcome home, and overlooking, from its commanding position, a large and beautiful town, with broad streets and first-class railroads (if such be then the mode of travel) ; with schools of all grades and of superior excellence ; a people virtuous and intelligent ; "their sons as plants grown up in their youth, and their daughters as corner columns polished, after the similitude'
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of a palace; yea, that happy people wliose God is the Lord." But who of us shall behold this century-plant bloom again ? Who of all this large assembly will join in that jubilee of 1973 ? You, Mr. President, may not, perchance, be here to preside as to-day ; for life is uncer- tain to us all. Our orator of the day may not be here, to repeat his interesting address, with such additional statis- tics as the events of a century may furnish. If the speaker should be absent, he is sure it will be owing to circum- stances entirely beyond his control. But whoever shall be here gathered on that far-distant day, let us hope they may have a glorious good time, speak well of all their ances- tors, and adjourn so seasonably that those wishing to leave in the cars may have ample time to reach the station and secure their half-price tickets.
Mr. President, I close with a sentiment which I trust will meet with a response in the hearts of many present, if not in verbal expression, - Northwood : our good old native town, - native, because born therein ; old, because a hundred years of age ; good, because God made her so.
"Here so gently o'er us stealing, Memory brings back the feeling, That we dearly love her still."
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RESPONSE OF A. W. BARTLETT.
-+
" The Union soldier."
MR. PRESIDENT, - There is something in a day like this that speaks solemnly to the heart. To reflect upon the buried past, as we stand here above, and surrounded by, the graves of our fathers ; to look back through the long vista of a hundred years, and read, from the marble records of death that mark the hillsides and valleys of our land, the names of those of our kindred who, once active and hope- ful in life, have long since been numbered with the dead ; and to be thus reminded, that, ere another century has been added to that which we are now here to commemorate, we too must bid adieu to these familiar scenes of time, and go to rest, silent and perhaps forgotten, by the side of our forefathers ; - all tend to impress us with a sad realization of life's short but eventful mission, and make this an occa- sion which can but stir up the deepest emotions of the soul.
To those, like me, whose parents and kindred now sleep here beneath the sacred soil that gave them birth, the name of Northwood seems " sweetly near and doubly dear," and this centennial celebration has a meaning not soon to be forgotten.
Although not quite able to claim old Northwood as my own native town, it was here, amid her cherished hills and dales, my youthful feet first learned to run, and I fondly cherish her name and history ; for,
" Be it a weakness, it deserves some praise,
We love the play-ground of our earlier days."
And, when I recollect that my grandfather was one of the
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earliest pioneer settlers of the town, penetrating far up into the then unbroken wilderness of the "North-woods," to find and establish a dwelling-spot and home for himself and family, I cannot but feel proudly glad of this rare privilege of trying to add a few words to the many elo- quent ones already spoken to the praise and honor of her centennial birthday.
Grand and solemn thought, - a century gone !
What great and mighty changes have marked its course !
Kingdoms and empires have crumbled and fallen, and, upon their ruins, new nationalities have arisen to wield the scepter of power as the will of one or the voice of many may direct.
Less than a century ago, our Revolutionary fathers, on Bunker's hill, embattled stood, "and fired the shot heard round the world." Within that time the sword of Wash- ington struck the scepter from the hand of proud England's king, and suffered him to extend it no longer over thirteen colonies of the new world, that had, by a " long and arduous struggle for liberty," proved themselves worthy to be " free and independent states," and from which our own beloved country has sprung up and taken its place, high, honored, and great among the nations of the earth; and there may she stand forever.
But, as her corner and foundation stones were sealed and cemented in the blood of those who swore to die if they could not live freemen, so the union and perpetuity of the nation has been supported and maintained by the blood of their worthy sons who have so freely died that American liberty might survive, and who, by the same love of justice and devotion to principle, have saved from faction the liber- ties that they had wrested from invasion.
More than eight millions of people in the late rebellious states, with almost every advantage presecured to them by their long-planned purpose, and aided by many sympathizing traitors of the North, who, by their seditious influence at 1
3
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home, undertook to effect what they had neither the manli- ness nor courage to stand by the side of their more honora- ble brethren of the South and openly advocate in the field, ignominiously failed to destroy the government which our Revolutionary sires-a incre "handful of undisciplined ycomanry " - successfully established by conquering its independence from the greatest civil and military power upon the face of the globe.
So true it is, that
" Thrice is he armed who hath his quarrel just,"
and that, when battling for the eternal principle of right, front, flank, and rear, he stands invulnerable.
If the struggle for our national independence was long and arduous, that for our national redemption, through which we have just passed, was more terrible and severe, both in its magnitude and intensity, and, in many respects, finds not a parallel in the annals of war.
But the contest is ended ; the struggle is over ; and, although more than eight years have passed since the sur- render of the last armed rebel and Appomattox given to the imperishable page of history, still it seems but yesterday, so vivid in our memories are the awful scenes of civil war in a land like ours.
The old flag once more waves triumphant over every state in the Union, and, despite
"The crimson stain of traitor hands, Our country still united stands."
But at what a startling sacrifice !
Here it is that I am reminded of the theme of which I am expected more particularly to speak to fill up the pro- gramme exercises of to-day, -
THE UNION SOLDIER.
And it is most fitting and proper, upon a memorable occa- sion like this, that he should not be forgotten.
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And here I may remark, that, in the late war for the Union, Northwood furnished her full quota, and, true to her old Revolutionary record, sent many of her brave sons to fight for the flag of their fathers.
Still fresh around us are the graves of the brave " boys in blue" who have died that their country might survive. And in our midst, ay, mingling with us here to-day, are the war-worn veterans of many a hard-contested field, whose honored wounds, in bodies scarred and crippled limbs, tell us of tlicir patriotism and their bravery, and should remind us of the great debt of gratitude which we owe them for religious liberty preserved and our own beloved country saved.
The tongue of eloquence itself hath no power to do jus- tice to the unswerving fidelity, the heroic bravery, and the heaven-inspired patriotism of the Union volunteer soldier, as manifested by him from the hour that he enlisted in the service of his country, through all the vicissitudes of the war; toiling faint and weary on the march through rivers, mud, and swamps; struggling fiercely on the crimson field in the face of death ; wounded and dying on the battle-field, with limbs shattered, and body pierced and crushed ; sick and languishing in the hospital, with no kind friend or rela- tion to bathe the fevered brow ; or starving in the prison- pens, suffering miseries that can never be told, and praying for death to release him ; yet suffering all with no murmur of complaint or whisper of regret, still true and faithful to the cause of freedom and the rights of man.
When, at half-past four o'clock, on the twelfth day of April, 1861, the first gun fired upon Fort Sumter struck the dread note of civil war upon the ear of an astonished world, and sounded the march of the most wicked and causeless rebellion since Lucifer led his apostate angels against the throne of God, it was the volunteer citizen-sol- dier of the loyal North, who, waiting only for a father's benediction, a mother's prayer, or a sister's parting kiss,
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grasped the musket and rushed to the rescue of his imper- iled country. And, when the dark clouds of secession, roll- ing up from the southern horizon, spread their muttering thunders over these northern skies and hissed their forked lightnings around the dome of our national capitol; when the traitor's flag waved upon Arlington Heights, and armed rebels filled the streets of Alexandria, -he it was who heard in his country's call the behest of duty, and, rallying at once around the stars and stripes, drove back the min- ions of slavery until the grave of Washington was no longer desecrated by their presence.
It was through the heroic patriotism of Union volunteers, acting as instruments under the direction and power of om- nipotent justice, that their great leader has been made immortal, and the name of Lincoln, as the savior of his country, given to the imperishable records of fame.
But for their undying devotion, not only would the United States of America ere this have been blotted out from the catalogue of nations and the last great experiment of self-government have failed forever, but more than four millions of human beings, now rejoicing in their freedom and enjoying all the political rights and privileges of Amer- ican citizenship, would still be chattel slaves and doomed to perpetual bondage under the scourge and lash of their former masters; for, as will be remembered, it was the openly avowed purpose of the leading rebels of the South " to establish a new confederacy whose corner-stone should be slavery."
But the historian is not yet born who can do full justice to those who have " the mighty task performed " of crush- ing out the greatest rebellion the world ever saw, and saving to posterity the best government upon which the sun of heaven ever shone.
Time, that proves all things, alone can demonstrate the magnitude and importance of their work.
It is only by a retrospective glance from the standpoint
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of a century hence, that the historian can so clearly perceive as to correctly explain and accurately describe the great work performed by the Union defenders of 1861, and the bearing thereof on the future destiny of our beloved country.
We have struggled through the wilderness of trial, come up out of the Red Sea of deliverance from the Egypt of our bondage, and are now climbing the Canaan heights of our national grandcur ; but not until nearer the summit of high- est eminence can be best seen, far back below, the seemingly impassable gulf that has been bridged over by the dead bodies of more than a quarter of a million of our martyred heroes, nor the greatness and glory that they, by such awful sacrifice, for us have purchased and securcd.
The liberty of Christian civilization, and the slavery of ignorance and barbarism, were the two antagonistic ideas that for years had stood arrayed against each other in our land, and at last appealed for supremacy to the stern arbit- rament of arms.
The terrible crisis had come, and universal Christendom with fearful horror gazed and trembled. But the retribu- tive vengeance of a just God had already sealed the fate of those who had so long disregarded his laws and scorned his precepts, and the world knows the result. But not until another century has passed, and other generations shall take our places in the great battle-field of life, shall this result be fully appreciated, so vast and far-reaching its consc- quences and effects.
But the change, as even now looked upon and compre- hended, seems almost a miracle, and such only as without the propitious smile of approving heaven could never have been effected.
But yesterday we stood like Laocoon struggling in the serpent's deadly coils. To-day we stand fortlı liberated and free. The deadly incubus of slavery, fastening upon the vitals of the commonwealth and tlircatening inevitable destruction, has been cut off by the sharp sword of vindic-
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