USA > New Hampshire > Rockingham County > History of Rockingham County, New Hampshire and representative citizens > Part 51
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Mr. Ayer was succeeded by Mr. Moses Burbank, a graduate of Waterville College, who took charge of the school in the fall of 1836, and resigned in May, 1838.
In the summer of 1837 an unsuccessful effort had been made to procure funds for the erection of a boarding-house. It must have been from disinter- ested motives that the residents of the village were willing to fill their houses with student boarders at the rate of one dollar and fifty cents per week, includ- ing lights and washing. And to make their expenses even less than this, some boarded themselves in quarters over the village store.
Mr. Burbank was succeeded by Rev. Timothy P. Ropes, "formerly an esteemed pastor within this Association, but for several years past the suc- cessful preceptor of an academy in Lexington, Mass." The tuition at this time was $14 for the year of three terms, with an attendance of forty-one, forty-two, and fifty-seven. Owing to ill health Mr. Ropes resigned his posi- tion at the close of the summer term, 1839.
Under different teachers the division of the school year alternated between three and four terms. By the sixth annual report, dated October 8, 1840, we find that for three-quarters of the preceding year the school had been under the charge of Mr. Samuel Lunt Caldwell, and the year had been finished by a Mr. Humphrey Richards. "The building is now closed !" is the record.
It was opened, however, during the winter by Rev. J. W. Poland, assisted by his nephew, John W. Dodge. But from want of sufficient encouragement Mr. Poland resigned, and left Mr. Dodge to finish the year.
From the close of the fall term, 1840, the school remained closed until the I Ith of May, 1842, when, after a revival of interest and repair of the building. it was again opened under the tuition of Rev. O. O. Stearns, assisted by Mrs. Stearns. Besides his duties in the school, Mr. Stearns supplied the pulpit of the Baptist Church on the Sabbath. This arrangement continued for one year to the satisfaction of all concerned, but the double duty proved too much for his strength. The fall term, and possibly the summer, was taught by Prof. A. Briggs, who also preached in the adjoining church.
On the 12th of November of this year. 1843, Rev. Zebulon Jones signed a written agreement taking charge of the school on his own responsibility. This arrangement continued until the summer of 1851, thus proving the longest as well as one of the most successful engagements in the history of the school.
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Mr. Jones was a man of iron constitution and great executive ability. Burdened with an invalid wife, he performed the duties of a pastor during all these seven years and a half, and during a part of the time conducted a large boarding-house, and at one time held the office of county school commissioner.
From November 6, 1848, to September 8, 1853, the records are a blank, but during this time occurred one of the best administrations in the whole history of the school, that of Lysander Dickerman, for six quarters, com- mencing with the spring of 1852.
During the year between Mr. Jones and Mr. Dickerman the school was taught for one or more terms by a Mr. Pitman.
Following Mr. Dickerman, the school was taught for several terms by Mr. Francis M. Dodge. He resigned the position in November, 1855, because the trustees would assume no pecuniary responsibility.
In November, 1855, the trustees resolved to make an effort to secure an endowment of $20,000, one-half to be a permanent fund and the other half to be taken up in scholarships. Nothing was accomplished in this direction, though Hon. George H. Dodge offered $15,000 towards such a fund, provided the balance was raised. The reason was said to be because the Baptist Academy at New London had just sent out an agent for a like purpose.
The winter term of 1855 was taught by Mr. George B. Elden, of Maine. The last recorded report to the Association was made in September, 1856, by Rev. Samuel E. Brown, secretary. From that time to September, 1864, the records are silent. But in the interval the school had been taught several terms by Rev. Alfred Colburn, who had pastoral charge of the Baptist Church from October, 1859, to May, 1863. The last term was taught by him. Thus ended the prolonged struggles of this institution, which started with such bright prospects. This institution exerted a very beneficial influence on the place in awakening a desire for culture and affording the means. The self- denying efforts of its founders were not wasted, for its alumni have an honor- able record. Its annual exhibitions were occasions never to be forgotten.
THE WEARE MONUMENT.
Around the little triangular common at Hampton Falls Village cluster several points of historic interest. On its bosom repose the ashes of Rocking- ham Academy, once the life and pride of the place, while across the highway stands its surviving twin institution, the Baptist Church, beneath whose shade rest the remains of some of their founders, whose names are honorably con- nected with much that is best in the history of their native place. Near its apex, on one side, is located the school-house, erected in 1877, the third at least on the same spot, to make room for which its predecessor, erected in 1839, was moved across the common in 1839 is said to be now standing in South Seabrook. In its rear stood the old engine-house, which has been moved four times since about 1848. And near it formerly stood the gun-house, where was kept a brass sixpounder to roar on muster days.
On the opposite side stands the venerable Weare mansion where, in the early recollection of the writer, resided Mr. John Porter, who married Hannah, daughter of Gov. Mesheck Weare. Antiquated in speech and dress, he wore a queue, and used to inquire for my "sire." He died in 1847, at the age of seventy; his wife in 1849, aged ninety-five; and Miss Nabby Lang, a
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granddaughter of the governor, and the last of this household, in 1864, at the age of ninety. George H. Dodge was the executor of the wills of Mr. and Mrs. Porter, and by that of the latter he was instructed to erect a monument to the memory of her distinguished father, the first Governor of New Hamp- shire. The sum at his disposal being insufficient to erect a suitable one, Mr. Dodge applied to the Legislature of 1852 for an appropriation for this purpose. These were the times of close economy in public affairs, and no appropriation of the kind had ever been granted by our Legislature. And it was not until the following session that a resolution was passed, authorizing the governor and council to appoint a committee "to cause to be erected over the grave of Hon. Mesheck Weare, in Hampton Falls, a suitable monument to his memory, to his patriotism and many virtues." The following persons were appointed as this committee: George H. Dodge, of Hampton Falls, J. Everett Sargent, of Wentworth, and John H. Wiggins, of Dover. This committee attended promptly to the duty assigned them, and as the result of their efforts a monu- ment was completed in the fall of 1853, its location being the base of the common bounded by the old stage-route from Portsmouth to Boston. It is about thirty rods distant from the Weare mansion, while the remains of the governor lie with his family at about the same distance in the opposite direction in an ancient cemetery formerly a part of the Weare homestead. A simple monument marks the spot, which was not considered a suitable location for the larger one, while the surviving relatives were unwilling that his remains should be removed. The family monument, erected at a later date, is inscribed to "Prest. Weare," probably as the result of some criticism on the inscription of the public one to "Gov." Weare. The title of "Prest." is undoubtedly the strictly correct one, while that of "Gov." is the more intelligible one at the present day.
The lot where the public monument stands was graded and fenced by the town, quite an area being at first inclosed with posts of granite and rails of wood. Afterwards, in 1875, an appropriation of $300 was obtained from the state, for the inclosure of a smaller space by an iron fence of neat design. It is an interesting historical fact that this monument marks the site of the first meeting-house erected in Hampton Falls. To Allen Treat, of Portsmouth, the committee intrusted the execution of their design, at an expense of $2,500.
Its base is eight feet square, composed of two granite blocks two feet in thickness. Upon this base rests a single granite block six feet square, and something more than two feet thick. Above this rises the monument of Italian marble, composed of plinth, die, cap, shaft, and urn, making a height of twenty- nine and a half feet.
The marble plinth is three feet ten inches square, and seventeen inches in height. The die is five feet in height, affording ample space on its four sides for the necessary inscriptions, as follows. On the front :
"He was one of those good men
Who dared to love their Country and be poor."
This side would be the plainest of all, but for the inscription
"GOV. WEARE,"
in long letters and bold relief on the front of the cap over the die. And on
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the shaft above, a shield incloses a finely-executed design of the state seal in the form of a shallow hemisphere.
On the right side-
"ERECTED 1853, by the State of New Hampshire, to perpetuate the memory of her illustrious Son, whose early efforts, sage councils, and preserving labors contributed largely towards establishing his Country's independence, and shaping the future destiny of his native State."
A laurel wreath. A shield, both in relief.
On the left side-
"HON. MESHACK WEARE, born in Hampton Falls, Jan. 16, 1713. Graduated at Harvard College, 1735. Speaker of the House of our Representatives, 1752. Commissioner to Congress, at Albany, 1754. Pres't of New Hampshire from 1776 to 1784. At the same time Councillor from Rockingham, Chairman of the Committee of Safety, Pres't of the Council, and Chief-Justice of the Supreme Court. In public service 45 years. Died Jan. 14, 1786."
On the back side-
"The following were the Committee chosen by the State to erect this Monument : George H. Dodge. J. Everett Sargent. 4 John H. Wiggins." Laurel wreath (in relief). Shield.
Each side of the cap (above) the die is ornamented with a wreath, and surmounting the shaft is a shapely urn from which rises a flame, emblematic of the well-earned immortality of him whose wisdom, virtues, and patriotism this monument is designed to commemorate.
Delegates to conventions to revise the Constitution of the State of New
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Hampshire : first convention, Nathaniel Hubbard Dodge; second convention, George Hubbard Dodge; third convention, Nehemiah P. Cram.
MILITARY RECORD, 1861-652
James H. Sanborn, Frank P. Cram, Lewis T. Sanborn, Samuel Batchelder, Samuel L. Perdeare, Daniel E. Perdeare, Silvester J. Perdeare, Burnham E. Perdeare, Sewell B. Perdeare, Benjamin F. Marshall, Robert Fisher, Henry McDevitt, George Albert Janvrin, Joseph P. Jones, Samuel H. Dearborn, John E. Williams, Charles W. Durgin, David Creighton, Walter Butler, Robert Butler, Thomas E. Cushing, John C. Kennison, James Green, Benjamin Brown, Robert Morgan, William Brown, David McWhirter, John S. Godfrey, Almon Prescott, Joseph E. Prescott, Samuel M. Prescott.
Drafted and sent substitutes-Enoch J. Tilton, Thomas G. Moulton, Chesey P. Chase, Edwin Prescott, William A. Cram.
John Greenleaf Whittier was born in Haverhill, Mass., in 1807. He was a lineal descendant of Rev. Stephen Bachiler and Capt. Christopher Hussey and took a lively interest in the home of his ancestors, and in the welfare of Hampton Falls, to which he made an annual pilgrimage every year from 1860 until his death in 1892.
He passed the summer of that year at the house of Miss Sarah A. Gove, where he died September 7th.
Previous to the establishment of the public library in 1892, under the Act of the Legislature in 1891, there was a social library of about four hundred books belonging to the stockholders and kept in the parsonage. In 1849 the books were divided among the stockholders. In 1845 the Ladies' Library was established. It was incorporated in 1887 and the books were transfered to the town library.
The Christian Meeting House was purchased in 1901, by John T. Brown, Esq., of Newburyport, Mass., and after improvements had been made, he presented the building to the town for a public library. S. A. Janvrin is the librarian. There are over four thousand volumes on the shelves.
The Hampton Falls Grange P. of H., formed in 1873, was reinstated in 1873.
The Bound House .- In the records of Massachusetts General Court, under date of March 3, 1636, we find the following order, "That there shall be a plantation settled at Winnecunnet & that Mr. Durner or Mr. John Spencer shall have power to presse men to build a home forthwith in some convenient place & what money they lay out about it, shall be repaid them again out of the treasury, or by those that come to inhabit them."
Agreeably to this order, a home was built for the purpose of securing Winnecunnet to Massachusetts. This house was afterward known as the Bound House, and was intended by the General Court as a mark of possession rather than a limit, and the name was misleading in this respect. It was said to have been built three miles north of the Merrimack River. There has been considerable speculation as to the location of this house. Many have supposed it to have been in Seabrook, others that it may have been near the center of Hampton. Asa W. Brown of Kensington, who had spent a great deal of time in looking up the early history of this section, located it on the high ground about fifty rods northwest from the old Perkins tide mill, and that
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Moses Cox, who lived near there had charge of the house at one time. There is good reason to suppose that the house was located at this point. It was at the proper distance from the Merrimack River. Winnecunnet could at that time be reached from Massachusetts only by water. Three years later the first settlers came in a shallop and landed near where the tide mill was after- wards built. It is not likely that in a wilderness those who built the bound house would go far from the landing place to set up a mark to prove possession of the land in question.
CHAPTER XXXVI KENSINGTON
Early History-Churches-Slaves-Military-Schools-Public Library
Early History, etc .- Kensington has a population of 417 and is situated about eight miles to the west of the sea-coast in Hampton, about forty-five miles from Concord, and forty-two from Boston. More hills are noticed on the geological map in this than any other town in the vicinity. Moulton's Ridge, Martin's Hill, Gove's Hill, Ward's Hill, Newfound Hill, Round Hill, Horse Hill, Connor's Hill, and Hoosar Hill are mentioned. The Muddy Pond is situated in a swamp, and contains only a few acres. The brooks seek the ocean by the Piscataqua, Hampton River, and the Merrimac. From the hills the visitor may have fine views of the ocean on the one side and fine views of the mountains on the other, while, when the atmosphere is very clear, the White Mountains are visible. The breezes, as they come from the sea or the mountains, are so clear and invigorating that they make the location remarkably healthy. Summer visitors who like beautiful scenery, pure and bracing air, and retirement from the noise and dust of the city here find rest, enjoyment, and strength.
The town has a great variety of soils, from the grassy meadows and sandy plains to the large swells of rich land which are well adapted to agriculture. Grass, corn, potatoes, apples, beef, pork, butter, and milk are among the pro- . ductions. Most of the people are farmers, though some are mechanics, especially those engaged in shoemaking. The markets are very convenient, not only in this vicinity but also by the railroads to the larger cities.
The first settlement in Kensington is said to have been made by Stephen Green near Green's Brook, about a mile to the south of the meeting-house. When the first house was built, it is said that there was not another dwelling between it and Canada except the wigwams of the savages. People used a ladder, it is said, to enter the house, and at night drew in the ladder to prevent the intrusion of the Indians. Tradition tells us how the Indains were seen sitting on the logs in the clearing, how a large dog stood at the window with his paws on a savage who was trying to enter, and how the Indians when kindly treated manifested their pleasure and gratitude. The Greens, who lived here, were Quakers; and John G. Whittier, the distinguished poet, thinks that his ancestor, Thomas Whittier, married Ruth Green, of this place. The spring brook as it winds along the beautiful valley, the Quaker graveyard, and the surrounding hills and groves remind us of those quiet and cheerful Friends who, after the trials and persecutions of their sect, were glad to find this home of peace and rest.
Of the trials and sufferings of the Quakers, which give some of the saddest pages in our colonial history, we need not speak, as they were before the incorporation of this town and belong to the history of Hampton. The witch-
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craft delusion had passed away, though some of the earlier inhabitants of this town were not free from the spirit of the age, which condemned those who suffered death as witches. Stories are told of animals and men who were under supernatural influences, and of the two-lock chest, containing the implements of the black art, while Johannah, Kate, and Ruth were supposed to be in league with the devil. Events which were strange and eccentric were attributed to witchcraft, while shrewd and artful women were proud of their superior power and insight. The savages, since Lovell's fight at Pequakett, in 1725, were not troublesome in this region, though rangers and scouting parties were sent to the interior, while bands of French and Indians troubled settlements near the frontier.
In October, 1734, the Rev. Joseph Whipple was authorized, in connection with the people, to employ a minister to preach four months during the winter season, thus forming what was called a winter parish.
In 1735 a similar arrangement was made. It was proposed in the Hampton Falls parish meeting to excuse the people in the upper part of the parish from the ministerial tax, in order that they might employ a minister themselves.
In 1736 the same proposition was renewed, but there is no record of any action on the subject.
Kensington was incorporated in 1737.
By the governor and General Assembly, John Weare, Ezekiel Dow, and Joseph Wadleigh were appointed to call the first parish-meeting in Kensington.
April 18, 1737. At a legal meeting of the parish in Kensington, Richard Sanborn was chosen moderator ; Ezekiel Dow, clerk; and Jonathan Prescott, John Weare, and James Perkins, selectmen.
June 18, 1737. The parish voted to call Jeremiah Fogg as the minister of Kensington.
At a meeting of the parish October 10, 1737, it was voted that the fourth Wednesday of October be the day to ordain Mr. Fogg. John Bachelder, James Fogg, Abraham Moulton, John Weare, Ebenezer Brown, Moses Blake, Samuel. Page, and Robert Row were the committee to make the arrangements for the ordination.
October 4, 1737. Fifty-seven members were dismissed from the church in Hampton Falls to incorporate the church in Kensington.
October 7th. The church in Hampton voted to dismiss Mr. Jeremiah Fogg, ye pastor elect, Edward Tucke and wife, Edward Lock, Hannah Shaw. the wife of Joseph Shaw, widow Sarah Bachelder, and Abigail Cram, the wife of Benjamin Cram, to be embodied into a church state in the third parish of this town.
Attest, Ward Cotton, pastor.
The several members having been dismissed from their respective churches requested some of the neighboring ministers to join with them in keeping a day of fasting and prayer, to organize them into a church state in this place. Accordingly, October 6th, the following gentlemen assisted in the meeting : the Rev. Ward Cotton, of Hampton, began with prayer ; the Rev. John Odlin, of Exeter, preached from Isaiah lvi. 6: "And taketh hold of my cove- nant." The Rev. Joseph Whipple, of Hampton Falls, then propounded to those to be organized the church covenant.
November 23d. Mr. Fogg was ordained. The Rev. Joseph Whipple, of Hampton Falls, preached the sermon.
COLONEL LANE FARM WHERE GENERAL LAFAYETTE STOPPED, DERRY, N. H.
ST. ANDREWS-BY-THE-SEA, RYE BEACH, N. H.
RYE MEMORIAL LIBRARY, RYE, N. H.
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH, RYE, N. H.
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The Rev. Jeremiah Fogg, the son of Seth and Sarah (Shaw) Fogg, was born in Hampton, May 29, 1712; graduated at Harvard College in 1730; studied theology with the Rev. Joseph Whipple, of Hampton Falls; preached in Kensington more than fifty-two years. He solemnized 402 marriages, and baptized 1,235 persons.
In the latter part of his ministry complaints were made against the sound- ness of his doctrines. The Congregationalist ministers in his time were divided into Calvinists and Arminians, and he was ranked with the latter class. The Arminians gradually departed from the Calvinistic system, and forbore to urge its tenets. They omitted to press the Athanasian creed, or to use the Trinitarian doxology, but preferred Scripture expressions on these disputed points. They did not insist as a preliminary to the ordination of a young man to the Christian ministry on his professing a belief in the Trinity, or of the five points of Calvinism. "The Rev. Jeremiah Fogg," says Bradford, "was ranked with the Arminians. There had been some opposition to his doctrines for some years, and a council met January 20, 1789, which did not result in his dismissal. The second council met at the house of Newell Healey, July 7, 1789, and advised the Rev. Mr. Fogg to leave the ministry.
September 21, 1789. The parish, by a vote of fifty-three to fifty, voted to dismiss Mr. Fogg.
November 2, 1789. The parish voted to give the Rev. Jeremiah Fogg the sum of fifteen pounds, and to deliver him at his house five cords of good hard wood during his natural life, while he gave up his ministerial and pastoral relation to the town and the church. Within a month after this transaction he died after a short sickness, December 1, 1789, aged about seventy-eight.
He was known in the vicinity as an effective and popular preacher, while for years his friends remembered him with great interest and respect. He was distinguished for his wit and humor, and used expressions which were too strong and startling for the more serious-minded of his people. Once, when dining with some clerical friends, he found the pudding too hot, and put a small piece in his pocket. Some one said, "What! pocketing pudding, Brother Fogg?" He replied, "Oh, I thought I would save a piece till after dinner to light my pipe !"
November, 1792, Mr. Naphtali Shaw was invited to become the minister of the parish. Mr. Shaw was ordained January 30, 1793, and after a ministry of twenty years was dismissed January 13, 1813. He was a soldier in 1779 and 1780. On June 13, 1813, Rev. Nathaniel Kennedy was installed and dismissed July 1, 1816. Then followed Joseph A. Long in 1822-23 and for a number of years Kensington had no settled minister but was supplied a part of the year.
The church became Unitarian and on December 22, 1841, Rev. Jacob Caldwell was ordained over the Unitarian societies in Kensington and Hamp- ton Falls. Rev. I. S. Lincoln was installed in 1848 and resigned in 1851 and was succeeded by Rev. A. W. Bridge in 1851. He resided in Hampton Falls. Among the few Unitarian preachers who have occupied the pulpit since Mr. Bridge was Geo. Osgood, a native of Kensington.
The present Congregational Church was organized in 1859. Being de- sirous of regular services for every Sabbath the town hall was used when the Union Church was occupied by the other society, until in the year 1866, after several months of labor in its construction, a new and convenient house
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of worship was dedicated March 28th of that year. Rev. E. D. Eldridge was untiring in his efforts for the accomplishment of this work.
The following pastors succeeded Mr. Eldridge: Revs. Philip Titcomb, Charles C. Lyon, John A. Pogue, Ezra J. Riggs, Frederick D. Chandler, John P. DeMerrit, David Frazer, Aubury C. Gilmore, Paul E. Bourne and Albert V. Fisher.
On October 9th and Ioth was held the fiftieth anniversary of the reor- ganization of the Kensington Congregational Church during the pastorate of Rev. Albert V. Fisher.
The Christian Baptist Church had for its first minister Elder Shaw, who was born in Kensington and ordained March 31, 1814.
Elder Julius C. Blodgett preached in Kensington, also Rev. D. P. Pike, both were editors of the Christian Herald. Rev. F. D. Chandler was installed March 9, 1876, and dismissed May 28, 1880, followed by Rev. Philip Titcomb, and by Elder David Murray, who was ordained in the Christian Chapel at Kensington, September 17, 1867, and preached for a year or two. Since Elder Murray there has been no settled minister in the Christian Church.
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