History of Rockingham and Strafford counties, New Hampshire : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 69

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 69
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 69

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Sept. 14, 1814, he was transferred to the " Washing- ton" (seventy-four guns), Commodore Hull, who sub- sequently placed him in command of gunboat " No. 87." This was the young midshipman's first separate command. He was next ordered to hrig "Boxer," commanded by Commodore John Porter, and in that vessel made one crnise up the Mediterranean, and then others in the Gulf of Mexico and West Indies, where they cleared the Caribbean Islands of the pirati- cal fleet infesting them. The "Boxer" was cast away Oct. 27, 1817, and in 1818 our young officer was granted a furlough, and made a voyage to the East Indies and return as first officer in a merchant ship, and in the same vessel other voyages to various European and South American ports, and in all these voyages was intrusted by the captain with entire command. Commodore Long always deemed this service as extremely valuable, giving as it did prac- tical experience in seamanship not often acquired in the naval service. He returned on expiration of furlongh to his naval duties, November, 1819, and was assigned to the " Independence" (seventy-four gnns), Commodore Shaw. He joined the sloop " Hor- net," engaged in suppression of piracy in the West Indies, February, 1823, and in November, 1823, was transferred to the sloop "Peacock," and went to the Pacific Ocean, and when the United States govern- ment contemplated dispatching the "Peacock" on a voyage of discovery to the South Pole, he was chosen as her first lieutenant. In 1824 he was joined to the frigate " United States," Commodore Hull, and served in her till June, 1827. Soon afterwards he was stationed at Portsmonth navy-yard, where he Commodore Long stood high on the roll of honor and fame among the officers of our navy. He adorned his profession by dignity, firmness, strict attention to dnty, integrity of principle, high conscientiousness, goodness of heart, and affability of manners. At all foreign stations he commanded and secured respect for our flag. He was the model of a naval officer, remained until 1831. While stationed at Portsmouth he married, June 1, 1829, Miss Mary O. Gilman, daughter of Nathaniel Gilman, of Exeter (Mrs. Long is now residing in her native town). On leaving Portsmouth he took command of schooner " Dol- phin," and accompanied Commodore Downes in his fleet to the Pacific. On termination of this cruise, and an ornament to our navy. He knew no jealous- Capt. Long returned to Portsmouth, and stayed three

years, when he was placed in command of a rendez- vous in Boston, where he served two years. In 1840 he was given command of sloop "Boston" (twenty- two guns), and went to the East Indies, South Pa- cific, and Sandwich Islands, where he rendered valu- able aid to the inhabitants, then suffering in the extremities of a fearful crisis. August, 1843, he re- turned to Boston, having circumnavigated the globe in his absence, and in 1849 was made " post-captain," at that time the highest office in the United States naval service.

Among the responsible positions for which Com- modore Long was selected was that of commander of the United States steam frigate " Mississippi," sent to bring Kossuth to this country, and the proper and decided stand taken by him to prevent the emi- nent Hungarian from compromising our conntry by revolutionary harangues at Marseilles will long be remembered, and received the unqualified indorse- ment of our government. Commodore Long was placed in command of the "Saranac," Oct. 10, 1852, retaining that position three years. He was then ap- pointed on a special commission to take home Cheva- lier de Sodre, the Brazilian minister, from which he returned in March of 1853, and was ordered to con- vey Hon. Carroll Spence, the American minister to the Turkish court, to Constantinople; which done, he joined the Mediterranean squadron, and remained until August, 1856. In 1857 he was placed in com- mand of the United States Pacific squadron, with the " Merrimac" as his flag-ship. While inspecting the " Merrimac," previous to sailing, the commo- dore fell through an open hatchway, producing in- juries that almost incapacitated him from active duties, and became ultimately the cause of his death. This cruise was ended in 1859, and was the closing cruise of his faithful and devoted services in the navy of the United States, in which he had passed more than fifty-one years, more than twenty-four of which were devoted to active duties, his shore duties occupying a period of more than thirteen years. He was compelled by his injuries to ask to be excused from taking command of the Brooklyn navy-yard, a highly responsible position, assigned him by the gov- ernment, and in 1861 was placed upon the retired list, and passed his closing years in the pleasant quiet of the village of Exeter, N. H. ITis death occurred at North Conway, N. H., Sept. 2, 1865, while return- ing from a trip made for the improvement of his health to the White Mountains.

ies or envyings in relation to others who enjoyed

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HISTORY OF ROCKINGHAM COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.

other or higher honors or favors than those which fell to his lot. Ilis intercourse with his officers and men seemed like a beautiful exhibition of family af- fection. All who sailed with him respected, esteemed, and loved him. No shade of professional jealousy dimmed the brightness of his chivalrous devotion to his country's cause. So far was he from feeling any petty disappointment at the elevation of his juniors in rank, that he was the first to glory in the promo- ! tion and honor which rewarded their splendid ser- vices. His unselfishness was one of the most graceful features of his declining professional life.

We can, perhaps, no better close this brief memoir than to extract a few from among the many of pub- lished articles giving the commodore as seen by im- partial eyes. We therefore take from the Exeter Ballot, contributed by Governor Charles HI. Bell : " As an officer, Commodore Long was distinguished for his energy, his familiarity with his duties, his fidelity to his trusts, and his high sense of professional integrity and honor. In his various commands he enforced the most exact discipline, but with a courtesy and im- partiality which won him the hearty confidence and respect of his associates. He numbered among his warmest friends many of the most distinguished offi- cers in the service, and on foreign stations contributed in no small degree to sustain the high character of the navy abroad. . . . But it was by his exemplary private life and character that Commodore Long was best known to our own citizens. Unassuming, cour- teous, sympathetic, and generons, he had no enemy, and all who knew him were his friends. No appeal to his kindness or his charity was ever made in vain ; the poor have lost in him a ready and constant bene- factor. lu social life his affability, his careful con- sideration for the feelings of others, his high-bred politeness and honor can never be forgotten by those who enjoyed the pleasure of his acquaintance. But his immediate friends, whose memories hear grateful testimony to so many acts of his thoughtful and deli- cate kindness and of his noble Christian charity, can alone feel the full bitterness of the stroke which has removed him from their midst."

The New York Journal of Commerce says editori- ally, "He was one of the noblest specimens of a good and brave man that our country has produced, and thousands in and out of the service loved and ad- mired him. During his long service he brought up many young officers who are now our distinguished ; heroes, and who, remembering their debt of gratitude, will lament him as a father. None could know Com- modore Long personally without admiring and loving him. He was an accomplished Christian gentleman, a man of rare social qualities, as well as a thorough

seaman and gallant officer. His features were exceed- ingly attractive, and as he grew to be an old man his snowy hair was a crown of glory to his fine counte- nance."

The Boston Transcript says, "Commodore Long was intrusted with high appointments, and always had the confidenee of the Navy Department and of his brother-officers. It was a matter of deep regret to him that his injuries prevented him from taking a part in the suppression of the great Rebellion, and we well remember how his eye kindled and how emphatic were his expressions when he spoke of the villany of our treacherous domestic foe. He had carried the flag of the nation to too many foreign ports to see it honored there as the flag of the Union not to express patriotic indignation at the treasonable attempt to dismember the republic. To his high qualities as an officer Commodore Long added the bearing of a gen- tleman and the pure character of a Christian. There was a manliness in his high moral and religious tone, unaccompanied as it was by any bigotry, cant, or in- trusive pretensious, which proved its sincerity and won the respect of all who knew him."

WOODBRIDGE ODLIN.

The first American Odlin was doubtless John Od- lin, one of the first settlers of Boston, Mass., who was made freeman in 1634, was a member of artillery com- pany in 1638, and died, aged eighty-five, in 1685. He i had three sons,-Elisha, John, Peter. Elisha, born ' in 1640, was father of Rev. John Odlin, who was born in Boston in 1681, graduated at Harvard in 1702, was called as pastor to Exeter, N. H., aud became the fourth settled minister in Exeter. His first wife was widow of Rev. Mr. Clarke, his immediate predecessor in the ministry. She was daughter of Rev. Benjamin Woodbridge, and granddaughter of Rev. John Wood- bridge, the first settled minister of Haverhill, Mass. They had four sons,-John, Elisha, Dudley, Wood- bridge. Elisha, born 1709, graduated at Harvard in 1731, married the same year, and became the third pastor of the " First Church of Christ" in Amesbury, Mass., dying there in 1752. His children were John, Winthrop, William, Anna, Elisha. William, born

The Boston Journal said, "On the tomb of this faithful public officer may be inscribed, without over- stepping one iota the bounds of truth, 'He faithfully , 1738, married Judith Wilson, settled in Exeter, fulfilled through a long and eventful life his duties to his God and his country.' "

dying in 1787. He had five children. His only son, William, born 1767, died 1825, married, 1791, Eliza- beth, daughter of Capt. James Leavitt, of an Exeter family, dating back its occupancy and holding of its large tract of land to the original grants from the English erown. William was a saddler, carrying on his trade many years in a shop on the bridge in Exeter.

Woodbridge Odlin, son of William and Elizabeth (Leavitt) Odlin, was born in Exeter, N. H., May 9, 1805. He was educated in Phillips' Exeter Academy, and ever held it in high esteem. He learned the painter's trade, and began his business life as a

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painter and maker of carriages in Exeter. He after- wards became largely engaged in wool dealing. In many ways he continued in active business until a few years previous to his death, April 24, 1879, and was highly prospered. His success was the natural result of his ability to examine and readily compre- hend any subject presented to him, his power to de- cide promptly, and his courage to act with vigor and persistence in accordance with his convictions. These traits of character monlded his entire life. In the early unpopular days of Free-Soil and Abolition labor, Mr. Odlin hesitated not, but cast the full force of his influence in favor of human freedom, and was one of the first pronounced workers in its cause. Both in this work and in that of temperance Mr. Odlin did effective labor. Many even now remember the ini- petuosity of the eloquence with which he scathingly denounced the abettors of either rum or slavery. His pen, too, did much good in this field. In all things Mr. Odlin acted with the energy of a strong positive nature, and impressed his powerful individuality upon all whom he met. He had the necessary quali- ties for a successful speaker. None could more clearly, forcibly, or convincingly present his views on any subject. He was a close analyst, a vigorous and independent thinker, and was considered a valu- able counselor in intricate and complicated affairs. He was called to many positions of trust, represented Exeter in State Legislature several terms, and for many years was president of Exeter Savings-Bank. In the midst of his extended business operations he did not forget his duties to God and humanity, and was for many years active in church and Sabbath- school. He was a member of the First Congrega- tional Society for many years.

Mr. Odlin was much interested in education. His aid to numerous students, and the encouragement given them by his wise counsel, manifests this, as well as his munificent gift to Phillips' Exeter Academy. It is eminently fitting that those who prize the edu- cational standing and advantages of Exeter and its academy should cherish the memory of Woodbridge Odlin ; and years after this, when generation after generation shall have passed away, there yet shall not be wanting those to reverence the kind and fath- erly spirit that blessed them ere their lives began. Mr. Nathaniel Shute, in his " Recollections of Exe- ter," pays this just tribute : "Conspicuous among the departed who are entitled to honorable mention is the late Woodbridge Odlin, Esq., whose birthplace and home was in this part of the town. Commencing life with no capital save his own right hand and in- flexible purpose, his industry and perseverance were rewarded by an ample competency of this world's goods, and a high, honorable standing among his fellow-men. His public benefactions have not been equaled by any other citizen of Exeter. In his mu- nificent gift of twenty thousand dollars as a perma- nent fund to support an English department in Phil-

lips' Exeter Academy he has left a monument of honor to his memory which will remain when monu- Iments of stone shall have crumbled to dust. The iron fence in front of the First Congregational Church, it is well known, was erected by his liberality. These were not posthumous bequests. He did not hoard his wealth until death released his grasp, and then give it away because he could keep it no longer. These gifts were made years before his decease, and he lived to see the results of his generosity. In his private charities, which were not few, he followed the scriptural injunction, "Let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth." Mr. Odlin mar- ried, in early life, Joanna Odiorne. She died in 1841. Their only child, Anna O., died in 1858, aged twenty-two. In 1844 he married Augusta Farley Little, who survives him. In the death of Mr. Odlin every good and worthy cause lost a kind patron, the community a citizen of rare integrity, the church a faithful worker, and his family a considerate and loving husband and father.

JEREMIAH L. MERRILL.

Conspicuous among the leading business names of Exeter during the past seventy-five years is that of Merrill. To no other is that flourishing village in- debted so much for its prosperity, and it is eminently fitting that a sketch of the founder of the Exeter branch of the Merrill family, himself so many years interwoven with its diversified interests, should be embodied in this history.

Abner Merrill was born in Newbury, Mass., April 21, 1791. His ancestors were of English extraction, but were early colonists. He was one of a large family in limited financial circumstances, and after only meagre educational advantages was apprenticed to a hatter, which trade he thoroughly and minutely learned. Ile came to Exeter abont 1812, marrying, two or three years later, Miss Sarah W. Leavitt, and moved into the house on Water Street so many years his home. Ile here commenced, in 1816, in a small way the manufacture of hats, and here a large family of children were born. For sixty-two years he car- ried on business at substantially the same place. His integrity, correct habits, business energy and sagacity were early shown, and gained him the esteem and confidence of all who knew him. Success attended his operations When the supply of wool exceeded the demand for hats, he bought and sold largely to wool dealers and manufacturers in Boston.

This wool trade soon became his leading business, and resulted in the firm of A. Merrill & Sons, which was for many years signally prosperous, maintaining a high credit, and doing a business of fully half a million of dollars.

Mr. Merrill's children were Mary E., Jeremiah L., Joseph W., Charles A., Benjamin L., Abner L., Henry R., and David W. Merrill.

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HISTORY OF ROCKINGHAM COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.

He died July 23, 1877, at his residence in Exeter, " full of days," in his eighty-sixth year. From an obituary article in the Exeter News-Letter we take this worthy tribute to his character :

" The loss of Mr. Merrill will be widely felt in the business circles, where his great capacity for affairs is familiar, in the town where he dwelt, and the re- ligious society of which he was a member, where his public spirit and the purity of his life and character were fully recognized, but most of all by his imme- diate friends and family, who alone can rightly appre- ciate the warm heart and kindly and affectionate na- ture that was united with his vigorous mind and sound judgment."

JEREMIAH L. MERRILL, son of Abner and Sarah (Leavitt) Merrill, was born in Exeter, Jan. 4, 1819. He was delicate in health from a child. He entered his father's store as clerk when about fourteen, and was ever thereafter connected with business affairs as oldest son, taking confidential place in the financial matters of his father, and proving himself to have a natural capacity for business equaled by few. He was one of the three sons associated with his father in the firm of " A. Merrill & Sons," and for many years was financial manager of the firm. He was largely inter- ested in the Granite State Bank, and also in its suc- cessor, the National Granite State Bank, of which he was president. He was also trustee of Exeter Savings- Bank. He was Whig and Republican in politics, but would have nothing to do with political office, believ- ing it detrimental to his private business. Ile did, however, accept the position of one of the trustees of the estate of Jeremiah L. Robinson, of whom he was a namesake, and was a member of the Prudential school committee several years. He was eminently a business man of high order, and his financial success was the best evidence of that fact. He was a man of strong and positive opinions, ever careful of the feel- ings of others, however, and never obtruding upon then. Of strictest integrity, he enjoyed the fullest confidence of all, and he was one of the first, and always liberal, to aid any good work, religious, social, or educational. His death occurred March 8, 1879. He married Mary E., daughter of Theodore, and sister of Deacon John F. Moses, of Exeter. Their only child, Joseph W., is one of the leading business men of to- day in Exeter.

The following article from the Exeter News-Letter of March 14, 1879, written by one well conversant with Mr. Merrill, will give a juster estimate of his character and the esteem in which he was held by the community than any words of ours :

" Our town is again called to mourn the loss of one of its most prominent citizens, Mr. Jeremiah L. Mer- rill, who died at his residence on Saturday morning, at the age of sixty years. He was born in Exeter, and spent his life in this town. In January, 1844, he was associated with his father and two brothers in the firm of A. Merrill & Sons, and the firm remained un-

broken until 1877. By their careful and prudent management the business grew until it became one of the largest and most important in this section of the State. Mr. Merrill was chosen a director of the National Granite. State Bank, Feb. 3, 1873, and suc- ceeded his father as president of the board of direc- tors in January, 1876. Though his extensive private occupations prevented his accepting any publie office, he has always been looked to for aid and counsel in every good work, and there are few of our citizens who are not indebted to Mr. Merrill for advice, en- couragement, or assistance. As a business man, Mr. Merrill was cautious in forming an opinion, prompt in action when a decision was reached, enterprising and bold in the operations which his prudence sanc- tioned, and was possessed of the soundest judgment and good sense. His success is ample testimony to his wisdom and ability, and his serupulous integrity is shown by the unlimited confidence reposed in him. In domestic life Mr. Merrill was cordial, warm-hearted, and generous. He was first in all charities and be- nevolent enterprises, and whoever was in distress found in him a ready and sympathetic listener, and a liberal and disinterested friend. He had long been an invalid, but he bore his affliction with noble and patient fortitude, and when his days were numbered he passed painlessly and peacefully to his reward. The funeral took place at his late residence on Wed- nesday morning, and was attended by a large number of sorrowing friends. Elegant contributions of flowers were received from the bank and from friends, both in this town and Boston, as a last tribute of affection and respect to one who had endeared himself to all by his life of kindness and benevolence."

As a business man, he was sagacious and far-seeing. In his intercourse with his fellow-men he was cour- teons and agreeable, and his vigor and indomitable will did much to maintain the high repute and to continue the successful career of the house of which he was a most active and reliable copartner. As a financier his judgment was sound, and his views of the most healthy character. His influence was exerted in behalf of progressive enterprise and ju- dicious expenditures.

Joseph W. Merrill, only son of Jeremiah L. Mer- rill, was educated in Exeter. After finishing his ed- ucation at Exeter, Phillips' Academy, took the po- sition as clerk in the employ of A. Merrill & Sons. Here he remained about twenty years. He married, Sept. 20, 1866, Louise Clemeut, eldest daughter of Joshua J. and Susan (Bryant) Lane, of Stratham. They have four children,-William Edward, born June 29, 1867; Mary Louise, Jan. 25, 1871; Jere- miah Herbert, Oct. 13, 1875; Susan Emma, May 4, 1881.

1. L.Merrill

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EXETER.

HON. NATHANIEL GORDON.

Ifon. Nathaniel Gordon, son of John S. and Frances Gordon, was born on the old homestead at "Gordon's Hill," Exeter, N. H., Nov. 26, 1820. He is a lineal descendant in the sixth generation of Alexander Gordon, a scion of the loyal Gordon family in the Highlands of Scotland. This young Alexander was a soldier in the royalist army of Charles IT. He was captured by Cromwell, confined for a time in Tuthill Fields, London, and sent to America in 1651. He was hell as prisoner of war at Watertown, Mass., until 1654, when he was released. he married Mary, daughter of Nicholas Lysson. The next year the town voted him a grant of twenty acres of land, and he became a permanent resident, dying in 1697. From him and his descendants "Gordon's Hill" received its name. He had eight children, of whom Thomas was born in 1678. He married Eliz- abeth Harriman, of Haverhill, was father of eleven children, and died in 1762. From his son Timothy was descended John S. Gordon, and from his son Nathaniel was descended Frances Gordon. The line of John S. is Timothy (1), Timothy (2) (a Revolu- tionary soldier of bravery under Gen. Stark in battles of Bunker Hill, Bennington, Saratoga, etc.), Na- thaniel (1), Nathaniel (2), and John S. The line of Frances is Thomas, Nathaniel (1), Nathaniel (2), and Frances.

John S. Gordon, like his immediate ancestors, was a quiet, unassuming farmer on " Gordon's Hill." He neither sought nor cared for office, but was a man of influence and weight in his neighborhood, serving, in his unobtrusive way, his day and generation well.

From the age of eighteen, when Mr. Gordon, then in his sophomore year at college, united with the Congregational Church of Hanover, to the present he has been an earnest and devoted Christian, making His marriage to Frances Gordon occurred March 11, other matters and secular pursuits subordinate to the 1814, and his death in 1845. Mrs. Gordon was a superior woman in mental endowments, love of knowledge, social and domestic virtues, devotion to God, and Christian attainments. She is now living, at the advanced age of eighty-eight years. Of his four children, Nathaniel and Mary D. (Mrs. Edwin Gordon, of Hyde Park, Mass.) are now surviving.

Nathaniel entered Phillips' Exeter Academy in the autumn of 1833, was there fitted for college, in 1838 entered the sophomore class of Dartmouth College, and was graduated therefrom in 1841. Each winter of his college course he taught school three months, and after graduation taught from September, 1841, to May, 1842, at St. Thomas' Hall, Flushing, L. I. Going South, he passed the summer of 1842 as teacher in a female seminary in Baltimore, and in Washing- ton. In September, 1842, he became tutor in a pri- vate family in Prince George's County, Md., and held this position for two years, during which time he studied law, and was admitted to the bar at the April term of Prince George's County Court in 1844. For about two years Mr. Gordon practiced in the various courts of Prince George, Calvert, and Charles Counties, then removing to Baltimore, continued his and remained there one year.

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History of Rockingham and Strafford counties, New Hampshire : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 69

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