History of Rockingham and Strafford counties, New Hampshire : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 132

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton)
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Philadelphia : J. W. Lewis
Number of Pages: 1714

USA > New Hampshire > Strafford County > History of Rockingham and Strafford counties, New Hampshire : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men > Part 132
USA > New Hampshire > Rockingham County > History of Rockingham and Strafford counties, New Hampshire : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men > Part 132

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Mr. Packard was born at Backfield, Me., Oct. 14, 1818, graduated at Bowdoin College in 1842, at Ban- gor Seminary in 1845. As a pastor he was faithful, as a friend he was true, as a citizen he was always upon the right side, and always had the best interests of the people in view.

He performed his pastoral duties till Jan. 29, 1881, when the disease which had been upon him culmi- nated in entire prostration, and he died Feb. 20, 1881, and is buried in Farmington, Me. He married, in Norway, Me., Dec. 15, 1845, Hannah Ilolt. She resides in Farmington, Me.

Rev. Joseph Smith Cogswell was born in Bos- cawen, N. 11., Oct. 29, 1836, and was installed over the church Dec. 21, 1881, with pleasing prospects.

The Sunday-school was commenced in 1817. The larger part of the congregation attend the school. It has a large and well-patronized library.

The people of this town have been a thinking, con- sequently a reading people. Their advantages in this direction have been better than in many country

towns. With many, whenever an opportunity for self- culture has presented itself, it has been embraced ; whenever books have come within their reach, they have been read; whenever an opportunity has oc- curred for establishing a library, it has been estab- lished.

Previous to 1800 some of our people were share- holders in a library in Salem, and the books were much read. The first book controlled by the town was in 1800. This was the commencement of the first public or social library, which was incorporated June 7, 1806. It had a constitution, by-laws, and a board of officers annually elected. In 1825 the number of volumes exceeded two hundred,-and valuable works.

The Sunday-school library was started in 1832, and now contains some five hundred volumes.

School District Libraries .-- John Nesmitt, Esq., of Lowell, Mass., a native of Windham, and after- wards Lieutenant-Governor of Massachusetts, pre- sented each school district with a library of fifty volumes. It was a generous gift, and admirably adapted to the end in view, and has done a good work.

A social library was founded in 1851, numbering over one hundred copies, and was destroyed by fire April 7, 1856. The third and present public library was founded by Col. Thomas Nesmitt, of Lowell, a native and former citizen. By his will he left a legacy of three thousand dollars for this purpose. Two thousand dollars was expended for books and one thousand dollars was put at interest, and the interest, sixty dollars per year, is to be perpetually paid by the town for the replenishment of the library with new works. It was established in 1871, and the board of trustees at the time were Rev. Joseph Lauman, James Cochran, Iliram S. Reynolds, William D. Cochran, Leonard A. Morrison. It was dedicated June 21, 1871, an eloquent address being delivered by Hon. John C. Park, of Boston, Mass, Within two years a fine library of eighteen hundred volumes was in suc- cessful operation, and a well-arranged printed cata- logue had been put into the possession of every family in town. The library is second to no public library of its size in the State. The selection of books was made with great care, and many of the choicest and most valuable works extant are found upon its shelves. The numerical standing of the library in round num- bers is two thousand four hundred.

Our Schools .- The early residents possessed con- siderable education, having acquired it in Scotland or in the Scotch settlements in the north of Ireland before their removal here. In accordance with the laws of the province and their own elevated views, provision was immediately made after the settlement for the education of the young. Four common schools were supported in Londonderry in 1727, of which Windsor was then a part. Of the earlier schools in town we have no record; the receding years have borne away all specific knowledge of them. The first

561

WINDIIAM.

school of which we have a positive account was in | special appropriations have been made, above that 1766, and James Aiken was the teacher. He taught required by law. There are now seven school districts, each having a good school-house in thorough repair, and usually supplied with maps and appurtenances for the successful prosecution of a school. Since 1850 a. new school-house has been erected in each district, at a total expense of six thousand five hundred dol- lars, and their funds for different districts amounting to three thousand dollars. a singing-school evenings, and a day-school for the children. Nicholas Sauce, a discharged British sol- dier, in 1760, of the French and Indian war, afterwards taught for a long time. 1Ie was a cruel teacher, as was the custom of those days, yet his scholars owed him a great debt of gratitude for the instruction re- ceived from him.

Master McKeen was the next teacher in order, and taught about the year 1776. He was a man of fine acquirements and ripe scholarship, but his mind was not upon his calling, and if he chanced to see a squirrel by the roadside he would catch that squirrel if it took " all summer."

The school-houses were but rude affairs at the best, and often unfit for school purposes, oftentimes the school in summer would be kept in shops or barns. The school-houses were wholly discarded in winter and the schools taught in private honses. Family schools were much in vogue, the elder child teaching the younger ones. In one family there were eighteen children who were thus taught.

It was the custom in former days for the scholars to teach school on New Year's day, and lock out the teacher. On one bright New Year's morning the scholars came early, became masters of the castle, and held the fort. The succeeding day was one to be re- membered to their dying day by some of the scholars. It was a day of trouble, of mental darkness, of sorrow, and lamentation.

"The quality of mercy" which "droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven" found no lodgment in the teacher's breast. A wild justice reigned triumphant, and those riotous, fun-loving boys received a most unmerciful flogging. Over eighty years have gone since then, teacher and pupils have passed away, but the event is still alluded to.

Williams' Academy .- This academy was the most potent influence ever exerted in town for the higher education of our youth. It was taught by Rev. Simon Williams, commencing about 1768, and terminating a short time previous to his death, in 1793. His scholar- ship was of the highest order, and he was a celebrated teacher while in town and previous to his coming here. Among those whom he fitted for college were Joseph McKeen, first president of Bowdoin College; Rev. Samuel Taggart, the distinguished clergyman and Congressman, of Coleraine, Mass. ; Silas Bolton, M.C., of Salem; and Dr. John Park, editor and phy- sician ; Rev. John Goffe; John Dinsmoor; Silas Dinsmoor, the noted Indian agent; and the elder Governor Samuel Dinsmoor.

In the fourth class (1773), graduated at Dartmouth College, nearly one-half were fitted for college by Mr. Williams. The school often numbered forty to fifty scholars.

Since 1790 appropriations for the support of schools have been made yearly by the town, and latterly 36

CENSUS.

In 1767, total population ... 402

In 1773, total population. 502

1775.

Males under 16 years

120

Males from 16 to 50, not in the army.

Males above 50 years ..

3.3

Persons gone in the army.

1.3

All females

262

Negroes and slaves for life.

Total. 525

1786.

Population, Blacks, 9; whites. 583

1790

1800

751

1810. Colored, 8; males, 355; females, 379 ..

742

Population, 1820. Males, 464; females, 443 ..

907

1830.

1006

1840. Males, 469; females, 554; Colored, 3

920

Population, 1850.

1800.

859

1870

753

1880

695

Authors, Books, and Pamphlets .- Rev. Simon Williams wrote previous to 1793 an introduction to the American edition, and published Thomas Black- well's book on " Genuine Revealed Religion."

He also published a small book by the presbytery.

Rev. Samuel Harris printed in 1816 a sermon on the death of Miss Mary Colby, of Chester; in 1820 the "Memoir of Miss Mary Campbell," of Windham; in 1827-28 two editions of "Questions on Christian Ex- perience and Character;" also his farewell sermon about 1826.

Rev. Loren Thayer wrote a sketch of the Windham Church for the "New Hampshire Church."

Deacon Robert Dinsmoor (the " Rustic Bard") printed a volume of his poems, 264 pages, 1828.

Leonard A. Morrison compiled in 1881, and placed in the Nesmith Library, the Thanksgiving Sermon of Rev. Calvin Cutter, 1835; Sermon by Rev. Loren Thayer on the assassination of Abraham Lincoln, May, 1865 ; Centennial Sermon of Rev. Charles Pack- ard, 1876; and a complete set of printed reports of Windham. In 1880 he published 1100 copies, 470 pages, of his " History of the Morison, or Morrison, Family." In 1882 he re-wrote and condensed this work for "The Highlander," a magazine printed at Inverness, Scotland. He published (1882) his com- plete " History of Windham," 1719-1882. He wrote (1882) this condensed history of Windham for tl.e " History of Rockingham and Strafford Counties."

818

The schools are now successfully managed and are wisely fostered by the citizens.

562

HISTORY OF ROCKINGHAM COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.

Bissell and Bissell's Camp .- Among the most ec- centric persons who ever resided here was F. L. Bis- sell. The most romantic place was his camp, so famous when standing in its glory, and so well re- membered since its decay. The parsonage and the place have become historie.

In May, 1823, F. L. Bissell, then nineteen years of age, came to Windham. He was an East Indian, or Malayan, a native of the Isle of Sumatra, and came to this country when very young. He acquired a good English education, and was fortunate in being the heir to a large estate, which was managed by a trustee or guardian named White, of Salem, Mass. He came to this town accompanied by Maj. Dudley, a teacher of military tactics. They selected a spot and built a camp of pine boughs, having a large stone fireplace. The camp was but little higher than the ground around it. It was quickly supplied with all kinds of the choicest liquors, and with all proper food and utensils suitable for pioneer life. Thus equipped he, with Maj. Dudley and other boon companions, was ready for fishing at Mitchell's Pond and for the pur- suit of the wild game with which the woods abounded on both sides of the brook which runs from Mitchell's Pond. Then commenced the frolic, the gayety, and their dissipation. The woods resounded with the sharp report of guns, the yell of swift-running hounds, which made music for that portion of the town. The novelty of the place, the strange occupants, and the odor of rum induced many to visit Bissell's Camp.

Evidently it was not Bissell's intention to be more than a temporary ocenpant when he first settled at the camp, but the notoriety he acquired, the throng of visitors by whom he was generally surrounded, the attractiveness of the place, and the abundance of game caused a change to come "over the spirit of his dream." So he made a change from what was almost a savage mode of life to one a few steps nearer

civilization. The brush camp was torn away and a , within ten miles of him, and the woods abounded log house erected in its place. The latter contained two rooms, with a hall across the west end. The house was finished in the most elaborate and cle- gant manner, the walls painted with East India scenes, and the tall palm-tree was emblazoned in na- tive colors. The outside of his abode was left in the roughest possible state. A stable was built and equipped with fine horses and carriages. Money was of no account with Bissell, and it was scattered freely. He took a five-dollar note to light his pipe, according to report. Once while riding out he saw a large flock of geese near the road, and raising his shot-gun he blazed away at them, killing several and wounding others. lFe then ordered his driver to stop, and, having found the owner, he told him what he had done and asked him his price for the shot. The price (not a small one) was paid, and Bissell went on his way rejoicing.

One day one of his men went for a pail of water ; he heard the sharp crack of a gun, and looking around

he saw Bissell at the door of his camp just lowering his gun from his shoulder. He was an excellent shot, and had merely put a bullet through the man's hat as he stood several rods away.

Bissell had erected summer-houses, made an artifi- cial fish-pond, put a fine latticed house over his well, and had made of his abode a sort of fairy-land. He was a good penman, and embellished his writing by using, instead of black sand, what was apparently gold dust. So he lived some four years. But his days of glory, wealth, license, and pride were fast drawing to a close. His money was exhausted or withheld by his guardian. He contracted many debts, and his creditors were not slow in taking his posses- sions by due process of law, and his financial trouble caused his sudden departure from the town.

He went to Vermont, and his subsequent history is unknown. The beauty of the place quickly faded after the departure of its founder, the log cabin was demolished about 1865, the summer-houses are gone, but the latticed, circular well-house still exists, the artificial pond is still there, and there are other ruinous evidences of the places where his buildings stood, but the pomp and circumstance of its carly state and beauty are gone forever.

Biographies .- Early settlers and later residents. David Gregg was one of the earliest settlers. He was born in Londonderry, Ireland, being the son of John Gregg, born 1653, in that place, and the grandson of Capt. David Gregg, who was in Argylshire, Scotland, and was a captain in army of Cromwell in 1655, and assisted in the conquest of the rebellious subjects in Ireland, was a tanner, and received a deed of land in Ireland from Cromwell.

David Gregg, of Windham, came to Watertown, Ma-s., in 1712, staying nine years, then came to Windham in 1721, settling in the west part of the town. There were then few if any white inhabitants with game of all sorts. He hewed his farm from the wilderness, and after the activities of life were over he found a quiet spot in which to sleep in the old cemetery on the plain. He was the ancestor of the Greggs of Windham.

John Cochran came to Londonderry in the au- tuin of 1720, and permanently located in East Wind- ham in 1730, and is the ancestor of the family of that name. Ile was of unadulterated Scotch blood, the son of John and Elizabeth (Arwin) Cochran, of Lon- donderry, Ireland, born there, 1704, and his father shared in the defense of that memorable city against the Catholics in 1688-89. When young Cochran came to Windham (then Londonderry) the country was an almost unbroken wilderness, and he displayed great endurance and fortitude amid the hardships and privations of his life. The farm he occupied has since been in possession of his family, and is now occupied by his great-grandson, William D. Cochran. lle married his cousin Jenny, daughter of Justice

563

WINDIIAM.

James McKeen, of Londonderry, and died at eighty- four. Their life was long and pleasant together, and side by side they rest in the cemetery on the hill.

Alexander Simpson, ancestor of one branch of the Windham family, came to Windham about 1747, and located in the southeast part of the town. He was a weaver, and could do exceedingly fine and nice work, could weave anything "where the warp was strong enough to hear the weight of his beaver hat." He married Janet Templeton, and died Dec. 12, 1788, at sixty-nine years.

James Belton was not one of the earliest setlers, but came about 1753. He was born in Scotland in 1727 or 1728, and died March 18, 1803. He settled in the north part of the town. He became a very active, popular, and influential citizen, was well edu- cated, and became an auctioneer, surveyor, and jus- tice of the peace. He filled all the prominent posi- tions in town, and was in 1777 an agent from the State of New Hampshire to the seat of the national government at Baltimore, and brought to the New England States a large amount of money with which to prosecute the Revolutionary war. He was the father of Hon. Silas Belton, at one time member of Congress from New Hampshire.

Lient. Samuel Morison was born in Ireland, at or near Londonderry, was the son of James Morison and Mary Wallace, of that place, emigrants to Lon- donderry, N. 1I., in 1719. His grandfather was John Morison, a native of Aberdeenshire, Scotland, who died in Londonderry, N. HI., 1736, at the reputed age of one hundred and eight years. Lieut. Samuel Mor- ison came to Londonderry when a lad of fifteen years, and settled in what is now Windham about 1730. IIe was well educated in Ireland, and became prominent in the little settlement where his lot was cast, often held public positions, was a lieutenant in a Massa- chusetts regiment at Fort Cumberland, Nova Scotia, in 1760, during the French and Indian war. He mar- ried Martha Allison, the first female child born in Londonderry, and daughter of Samuel Allison, one of the first sixteen settlers. She was born March 31, 1720, and died Dec. 3, 1761. He died Feb. 11, 1776. Ile is the ancestor of the Morrisons of the town.

Henry Campbell came to Windham in 1733. He was born in Londonderry, Ireland, 1697, and married Martha Black in 1717. He was the son of Daniel Campbell, a descendant of Sir John Campbell, of Scotland, Duke of Argyle. Henry Campbell located in the west part of the town, and his descendants still reside upon the ancestral acres.

John Dinsmoor, of Scotch blood, came from Lon- donderry, Ireland. He came to Londonderry, N. H., in 1723, and is ancestor of the Dinsmoors here. His honse was in Londonderry, the front door stone being on the line between the towns. His grandson, William Dinsmoor, was a man of parts, and possessed quite a poetical gift. He was the father of Samuel Dinsmoor, of Keene, Governor of New Hampshire, 1831-33.

This sketch of Windham will be closed with a no- tice of Robert Dinsmoor, the "rustic bard." Ile was born in Windham, Oct. 7, 1757. He wrote much, and generally, when for the press, in verse. He wrote in the Seotch dialect, which was spoken by many in the Scotch settlement, and understood by all, and the Scotch brogue has not been so long extinct among the descendants of the Scotch settlers but that some of the younger members of the community have listened to it with pleasure. After he had been writing poetry several years, a friend sent him a copy of Burns' poems, which he hailed with great delight, and im- mediately addressed the following verses to his favor- ite poet :

" Fare fa' ye Robie, canty callaa, * * * * May never wae come near your dwallin'. *

"I've read your warks wi' muckle glee; Auld lucky nature, there I see, Ilas gi'en ye genius like a bee, To suck the flowers; Whero'er ye gang-weel met ye be- Blithe be your hours.

" Let college gumiphs glib Horaco praise, Gie auld blin' Homer still the bays, An' about Virgil mak' a phrase, A guid Scotch tasto Prefers your ain untutor'd lays To a' their best.

" Let them lik" gauks anld Latia speak, An' blather out their brak'-jaw Greek ; Though you were born whar hills are bleak And cauld winds blow, Au' though frae buiks nao helps yo seek, Ye ding them a'!"

* *

In writing a letter to bis friend, Hon. Silas Belton, a native of Windham, then a member of Congress, and resident of Salem, he said,-

" Though Death our ancestors has checkit, An' under clods them closely steckit, We'll mark the place their chimneys reekit, Their native tongue we yet wad speek it Wi' accent glib."

In a letter to his daughter he says,-

"That mine is not a longer letter, The canse is not for want of matter,- Of that there's plenty, worse or better; But, like a mill Whose stream beats back with surplas water, The wheel stands still."

While plowing, his mould-board turned over a spar- row's nest, which called forth from his pen a poem, in which is the following :

"Poor innocent, hapless sparrow ! Why should my mould-board gi'e thee sorrow ? This day thon'll chirp, an' moura the morrow Wi' anxious breast ; The plough has turn'd the mould'ring furrow Deep o'er thy nest.

"Just in the middle o' the hill Thy nest was placed with curious skill,- There I espy'd thy little bill Beneath the shade,- In that sweet bower, secure frac ill, Thine eggs thou laid.

564

HISTORY OF ROCKINGHAM COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.

" Five corns o' maize had there been droppit, An' through the stalks thine head thon poppit ; The drawing howt couldna' be stappit, I quickly foun', Syne frae thy cozie nest thou hoppit, An' fluttering ran." * * * *

* *

He was a farmer, and cultivated the paternal acres. The Quaker poet, Jobn G. Whittier, says, "The last time I saw him he was chaffering in the market-place of my native village.1 A genial, jovial, large-hearted old man, simple as a child, and betraying neither in look nor in manner that he was accustomed to

" Feed on thoughts which voluntary move Ilarmonious numbers."

Peace to him! . . . In the ancient burial-ground of Windham, by the side of his "beloved Molly," and in view of the old meeting-house, there is a mound of earth, where every spring green grasses tremble in the wind, and the warm sunshine calls out the flowers. There, gathered like one of his own ripe sheaves, the farmer-poet sleeps with his fathers.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH.

LEONARD ALLISON MORRISON.

Robert C. Mack, Esq., of Londonderry, contributes the following biography :

Leonard Allison Morrison, son of Jeremiah and Eleanor Reed (Kimball) Morrison, was born in Wind- ham, N. H., Feb. 21, 1843. His father was a leading citizen of Windham, and died Nov. 24, 1862, aged sixty-seven years. He is the sixth generation in de- scent from John Morison, a sturdy Scotchman, a native of Aberdeenshire, Scotland, who emigrated to the north of Ireland previous to 1688. At London- derry, Ireland, he participated in the heroic defense of that city, and with his wife and children and friends shared in the sacrifices, sufferings, and hor- rors of the siege, and the glory of the deliverance of that city with the triumph of the Protestant cause. He emigrated to Londonderry, N. II., about 1723, and died Feb. 16, 1736. His son, Charter James Morison, had preceded him to America in 1719, and died in 1757. The latter was the father of Lieut. Samnel Morison, who settled in Windham, who was its first moderator, member of its first board of se- lectmen, and an honored and respected citizen, who died Feb. 11, 1776, aged seventy-two years. He was the father of Deacon Samuel Morison, the grand- father of the one whose history is here given.

The mother of Mr. Morrison, an excellent woman, was the seventh generation in descent from Richard Kimball, who emigrated to America from Ipswich, England, in 1634. His maternal grandmother was Elizabeth, daughter of Thomas Read, of Uxbridge,

Mass. The latter was the fifth generation in descent from John Read, who settled in Rehoboth, Mass., in 1630.

Such was the blood from which sprang the subject of this sketch. His ancestors, paternal and maternal, were very intelligent. They were hardy, respected, and influential in their day and generation.

Mr. Morrison was studious always, and at the common school and academies, which he attended, he ranked well as a scholar. He was educated in the common schools of Windham, supplemented by a few months attendance at the seminary at Tilton, N. H., and Gowanda, Cattaraugus Co., N. Y.

He occupies and cultivates the ancestral and pleas- ant farm where he was born. His tastes would have led him to a collegiate course, and his capacities fitted him for a successful professional life. But circum- stances forced his life into a quieter channel. After leaving school his spare hours were given to reading, and he often held communion with the best writers of the language through the medium of their writings. Ile found continual companionship and delight in reading the best works in poetry, history, or romance. In this manner, though unknown to himself or to others, he was educating and fitting himself for the special and important work which he has done and is doing. We refer to his literary labors of the last five years.

In his town he is deeply interested, and it possesses nowhere a more loyal or loving son, or one more heartily devoted to its best interests. He mingles freely in municipal affairs; having served as select- man, and for nine successive years he presided ac- ceptably in the annual town-meetings.

Possessing, as he does, a commanding voice, tact, quick perceptions, and decision of character, he excels as a presiding officer. He is therefore often called to preside in meetings in his own town and elsewhere. As a public speaker he never fails to interest his au- dience. He has the rare talent of saying the right thing at the right time, and stopping when he has done. If his early training had been in this direction, and the circumstances of his life favorable, he would have won distinction as a public speaker.

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History of Rockingham and Strafford counties, New Hampshire : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 132

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) Publication date: 1882 Publisher: Philadelphia : J. W. Lewis Number of Pages: 1714

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton)
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Philadelphia : J. W. Lewis
Number of Pages: 1714