USA > New Hampshire > Hillsborough County > Amherst > History of the town of Amherst, Hillsborough County, New Hampshire (first known as Narraganset township number three, and subsequently as Souhegan West) > Part 61
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1856, 25 December, Pliny F. Odall and Lucy B. Miller, of Merri- mack.
1862, 24 April, Benjamin B. Osmer, of Peterborough, and Mary A. Bontell.
1872, 2 April, Arthur H. Parker, of Wakefield, Mass., and Emma H. Hill.
1877, 20 June, Frank E. Parker and Lura M. Jones, of Nashua.
1879, 4 March, Herman HI. Parker, of New Boston, and Hattie L. Taylor.
1859, 13 October, Melvin C. Parker, of Milford, and Ellen F. Batch- elder.
1868, 12 November, Adams Parkhurst, of Bedford, and Mary Ashby.
1822, November, Amos Parsons, of Waltham, Mass., and Rebecca Combs.
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1802, 9 February, Isaac Patch and Hannah Wilson.
1831, 4 August, Douglas R. Patterson and Dolly Ann Wood, of Hol- Jis.
1795, 12 June, Ebenezer Patterson and Sally Clark.
1833, 26 September, Stillman Peacock and Lucinda Heath.
1843, November, William B. Peacock and Mary J. Wright, of Mil- ford.
1797, 12 September, Asa Pearson, of Lyndeborough, and Betsey Har- wood.
1787, 23 November, Daniel Pearson and Patience Kimball.
1868, 9 April, Samuel A. Perham, of Chelmsford, Mass., and Mrs. Olive A. Gray.
1862, 12 August, Joseph Pettengill and Julia A. Merrill.
1802, 7 March, Nathan Phelps and Hannah McIntire.
1802, 11 March, Nathaniel Phelps, of Vermont, and Anna Trow.
1817, 30 December, Jesse Plummer, of Salem, Mass., and Sally Nich- ols.
1841, June, Jerahimeel C. Pratt, of Roxbury, Mass., and Julia A. Farnum.
1848, 24 October, J. W. B. Preston and Mary McKean, of Manches- ter.
1858, 30 May, Giles F. Putney, of Holliston, Mass., and Rosella E. Wright.
1872, 11 November, Byron G. Quimby, of Lowell, Mass .. and Delia Trask.
1793, 27 September, Jonathan Rand and Sally Abbot.
1876, 11 January, Edward Reed and Susan Rockwood, of Nashua.
1879, 17 August, David H. Rhoads and Annie S. Lowd.
1879, 19 June, George E. Robbins and Ellen M. Wyman, of Wilton.
1789, 21 May, Ebenezer Rider and Sarah Wright.
1836, May, Abbot Russell, of Billerica, Mass., and Martha Truell.
1803, October, Jedidiah Russell, of Lyndeborough, and Abigail Whiting.
1788, 26 June, Pomp Russell and Margaret Cutt.
1873, 27 November, Frank W. Sargent and Jennie P. Merrill.
1878, 12 March, Charles W. Searls and Helen M. Marvell, of Mont Vernon.
1846, 11 March, Josiah Severance, of Merrimack, and Elizabeth H. Melendy.
1787, 27 December, Thomas Sewall and Mary Lyon.
1793, 25 May, Daniel Shepard and Fanny Whiting.
1859, 18 September, Silas G. Shirley and Sophia B. Atwood.
1816, 27 February, Elias Smith, of Goshen, and Mary Smith.
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1866, 9 September, George H. Smith and Jane L. Fletcher, of Mont Vernon.
1790, 9 February, Isaac Smith and Agnes Codman.
1801, 25 March, Isaac Smith and Widow Lovett.
1792, 6 February, - Spinner and Hannah Nichols.
1857, 8 February, Benjamin Spofford, of Manchester, and Emeline B. Porter.
1804, 27 April, Moses Squires and Susannah Barnes.
1815, 17 September, Dea. David Stanley and Patience Melendy.
1781, 15 February, Samuel Stearns, jr., and Molly Coggin.
1839, 15 November. Abiel Steele and Elizabeth Hardy, of Hollis.
1791, April, JJoseph Steel and Mehitable Knowland.
1811, 10 March, Samuel Stewart, of Lyndeborough, and Elizabeth P. Boutell.
1807, 8 January, Jonathan Stiles and Elizabeth Tuck.
1800, 10 April, Ebenezer Stimpson and Mary M. King.
1819, 19 August, Bernard Stratton, of Orange, Mass., and Charlotte Boutell.
1876, 20 September, David Sweatt, of Bedford, and Mrs. Martha A. Buzzell.
1790, 4 February, George Sumner and Lydia Winchester.
1790, 6 December, Eliphalet Symonds and Damaris Duncklee.
1791, 29 December, Nathaniel Symonds and Betsey Blanchard.
1793, 20 September, Robert Taggart and Mary Bradford.
1823, 9 February, David Taylor and Margaretta Bell.
1877, 1 January, Frank C. Taylor and Nellie M. Eaton.
1847, 19 May, Nathan S. Taylor, of Woodstock, Vt., and Mary J. Upton.
1791, 20 June, John Towne and Rebecca Taylor.
1795, 24 December, Joseph Towne and Polly Averill.
1777, 9 December, Richard Towne and Jane Corey.
1791, 10 February, Joseph Trow and Betsey Perkins.
1780, April, David Trnel and Mrs. Sarah Fisk, of Hollis.
1780, 15 August, Moses Truel and Mrs. Elizabeth Eaton.
1793, 21 November, Samuel Truel and Sally Abbot.
1819, 16 February, Samuel Truel and Susannah Clark.
1819, 27 September, Willard Truel and Roxanna Clark.
1858, Jannary, William Tuck and Elvira H. Rumford, of Great Falls.
1797, 16 November, Stephen Tuttle and Sarah Holt.
1810, 21 March, Nathan Upham and Sally Osgood.
1803, 15 June, Ezekiel Upton and Abigail Dodge.
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1864, 15 April, Lieut. George Vose and Eliza J. Eaton, of IIillsbor- ough.
1818, 27 January, Cato Walker, of Goffstown, and Catherine Owen.
1866, 3 July, William E. Wallace and Mrs. Fannie E. Follett, of Pawtucket.
1786, 5 March, Davis Walton and Deborah Walton.
1786, 25 June, John Watson and Betsey Stevens.
1806, 8 January, John Watson and Phebe Whitney, of Shirley, Mass.
1872, 9 November, James E. Watts, of Freedom, Me., and Laura E. Gilmore.
1872, 26 November, Samuel B. Webster, of Fairfield, Me., and Lucy J. Austin.
1824, 5 March, Charles Wells and Mary J. Wiggin, of Concord.
1870, 28 April, George W. West and Mrs. Clara J. Cady, of Bedford. 1867, 19 June, Henry J. West and Mary Ann Blood.
1869, 6 January, Henry J. West and Charlotte Cady, of Bedford.
1813, 27 June, David Weston, of Reading, Mass., and Lucinda Bou- tell.
1812, 15 February, Jonathan Weston, of Reading, Mass., and Martha Elliott.
1784, 2 December, Abiezer Wheeler and Ruth Williams.
1831, 24 November, David Wheeler and Catherine Aiken.
1777, 10 April, Reuben Wheeler and Dorcas Stevens.
1864, 27 February, Enos L. White and Marietta A. Wright.
1853, 1 March, James H. Whiting and Mary J. Smith.
1785, 3 February, Oliver Whiting and Hannah MeKean.
1851, 23 August, Charles E. Wiley and Mary E. Mansur.
1789, 18 February, Elisha Wilkins and Mehitable Dodge.
1798, 3 May, Gideon Wilkins and Sally Wilkins.
1819, 12 May, Simeon Wilson, of Merrimack, and Roxanna Gil- more.
1870, 31 May, Isaiah Woodward, of Fitchburg, Mass., and Addie E. Pearsons.
1805, 11 February, Joseph D. Woodward and Betsey Cochran.
1830, April, Samuel Woodward and Eunice Clark.
1804, December, Amos Woolson and Polly Woolson.
1798, 25 December, John Worthley and Sally Weston.
1821, 10 May, Jonathan T. Wright and Nancy Blunt.
1838, 10 March, Timothy Wright, jr., of Brookline, and Rosannah Badger.
1853, 23 February, T. W. Wyman, of Stanstead, Conn., and Mary A. Carter.
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CHAPTER XXV. BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
REV. FREDERICK A. ADAMS
Was born in New Ipswich 19 July, 1807; graduated at Dartmouth Col- lege in 1833; married Mary Jane, daughter of Col. David McG. Means, 23 October, 1839. She died at Orange, N. J., 28 March, 1882.
After leaving Amherst he engaged in teaching in Byfield Academy ; thence he removed to Orange, N. J., where he now resides. Ile has published several valuable text-books for use in schools. (See p. 301.)
REV. SILAS AIKEN
Spent his boyhood on his father's farm in Bedford, engaged in the ordinary labors of the farm, and, for a short time in the spring of each year, in tending a saw-mill which stood upon a brook that ran through the premises.
He grew up a strong and vigorous youth, who never felt weariness even in the heavy farm work during the summer heat. On this ac- count, and for his love of work, he was selected by his father to suc- ceed him on the farm.
But his life's work was destined to be done in another profession. At the age of nineteen he decided to prepare himself for the ministry. After having pretty thoroughly mastered the rudiments of Latin at home, he went, with one of the students in Phillips Academy, at An- dover, Mass., to enter that institution at the commencement of one of its academical years. He is described as being at that time of a large size, and possessed of great muscular strength. In scholarship, as in every thing else he undertook, his distinguishing characteristic was thoroughness, and he engaged with eagerness in the investigation of difficult questions. The same trait followed him through life. He entered Dartmouth College in 1821, and graduated the valedictorian of his class, in 1825. During his school vacations he supported himself by teaching school, and, while teaching a term in his native town, numbered Horace Greeley among his pupils.
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After his graduation he was appointed tutor in the college, and re- tained that position three years. During this time he studied theology with President Tyler and Professor Howe.
Ile completed his studies for the ministry, and, while on a visit to his father, occupied the pulpit in his native town for a single Sabbath. An Amherst man, who was present, was so well pleased with his per- formance that upon his return home he induced his townsmen to send for him to preach as a candidate for settlement, as Mr. Lord was about to retire from the ministry to assume the charge of Dartmouth College. Mr. Lord received him and introduced him to his people, and the result was that he was ordained and installed as colleague pastor with Rev. Jeremiah Barnard, of the church in Amherst.
The ministry of Mr. Lord had prepared the way for that of his suc- cessor. The work was laid out, and the new pastor entered upon it with a zeal that knew no weariness or fatigue, and the results of his labors were soon apparent. In 1832, some sixty members were added to the church, and in 1835 a still larger number, the last additions be- ing, to a great extent, from the young men and women of the town.
Having accepted an invitation to become the pastor of Park Street Church, in Boston, he resigned his pastorate in Amherst, and was dis- missed 5 March, 1837. Ile then entered upon his new field of labor, which he occupied twelve years, his ministry in Boston being marked by his usual zeal and thoroughness. Finally he desired a release from the care of so important a parish, and tendered his resignation, which was accepted. lle was installed pastor of the church in Rutland, Vt., 29 March, 1849, where he labored with his accustomed earnestness and success until 1859, when a colleague was settled to share the burdens of his office. Three years later he was constrained, by increasing in- firmities, to retire from the work altogether. After he retired from the ministry, the reorganization of the common schools in Rutland was placed in his hands, and the people of that town are largely indebted to him for the excellent school system they now enjoy.
In June, 1868, he visited Amherst and preached to the people of his first charge, their children and successors, for the last time. During the summer of that year, while engaged in gathering hay, he was af- fected with something like a sun-stroke. From that time forward his health gradually declined until his death.
In addition to his other labors he was one of the trustees of Dart- mouth College several years. He received the degree of D. D. from the University of Vermont.
A friend described him as having been one of the best remaining specimens of the old-fashioned, healthful, and conservative virtue of New England. He was wise in advance of his generation ; studious
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of principles rather than of expedients, of tendencies rather than of accidents, flaws and their natural issues rather than speenlations, con- ceits and possibilities; a true man, and one of God's paradoxies ; strongest in weakness, richest in poverty, brightest in obscurity, and most eloquent in the silence of the grave. (See pp. 298, 482: V.)
DR. SETII AMES,
Son of Dr. Nathaniel Ames, was born in Dedham, Mass., 14 February, 1742; graduated at Harvard College in 1764; studied medicine, and settled in Amherst where he practiced some years with great suc- cess.
His health finally failed, owing, it is said, to an excessive use of snuff, and he returned to Dedham where he died 1 January, 1778.
Fisher Ames, the celebrated Federal orator and statesman, and Dr. Nathaniel Ames, jr., a noted physician, ahnanac publisher, and Repub- lican politician, were brothers of Dr. Ames. (See p. 469.)
Josha Atherton
HON. JOSHUA ATHERTON
Numbered among his classmates at Harvard, Elbridge Gerry, Jeremy Belknap and other distinguished men. While residing in Litchfield and Merrimack he was intimate with Col. Lutwyche, a retired colonel of the British army, a man of means, of refined tastes, acquainted with the world, and used to good society.
Having received the appointment of Register of Probate for Hills- borough county, Mr. Atherton removed from Merrimack to Amherst in the summer of 1773, and was soon busily engaged in the practice of his profession. In a short time, however, as the dispute between the mother country and her American colonies increased in bitterness, as he was an open and avowed loyalist, he fell under the popular displeas- ure.
In common with many other well-informed men of his time, he was not insensible of the wrong's inflicted upon the colonies by the British government, but saw no prospect of their redress by an appeal to arms. His profession, too, was an unpopular one, and it was an easy matter for the leaders in the new movement to excite the people against him. It is also noticeable that much of the persecution to which he was sub- jected had its origin in towns adjoining Amherst, rather than among his townsmen.
An account of a visit to him by a party of the inhabitants of Bed- ford, and others, in the autumn of 1771, has been preserved among the
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papers of Matthew Patten, Esq., which, as it illustrates the feelings and customs of the times, we give in Mr. Patten's words :
"September 19, 1774, I attended a town-meeting, at evening, and the people intended to go to Amherst to visit Mr. Atherton, who in- sisted on my going with them. They told me I must and should go ; that if I did not, they would visit me, and which I said I would go, 20th. I went to Amherst and about 300 men assembled and chose a committee who went to Mr. Atherton and he came to the people to the court house, and he signed a Declaration and read it to the people who accepted it. He invited them to go to Mr. Hildreth's and drink what they pleased. The people dispersed about midnight without doing any Outrageous act. I stayed till morning."
The declaration alluded to was as follows :
" Whereas there has been much said against me of my not being a Son of Liberty, and not being willing to choose a person to meet at Exeter in order to choose a Committee to meet at the General Con- gress, to be holden in the City of Philadelphia, I now say I am, and ever have been, a friend to the liberties of America, and have ever thought that a General Congress was the most eligible means of ob- taining a Redress from the grievances we labor under. And I am ready to conform to and acquiesce in whatever the General Congress, now met at Philadelphia, agrees upon. And as it has been Reported that I took down a number of names in a town-meeting, held at Am- herst for chusing a Delegate to meet at said Exeter, I do declare I never did take down any person's name at said meeting who voted for the same, and If I mentioned any such thing, I never intended to take any advantage of said persons or to Injure them in any manner whatever.
Whereas it has been Represented that I have taken or engrossed too much fees in my office of Attorney at Law, and also of the Registry of Probate office, I do Declare I am sorry for any thing I have done wrong in Either of said offices, and am Ready and willing to make full resti- tution for any misconduct of mine to John Neall, John Stark, and Lt. Asa Patten, or Either two of them, and I do hereby promise to pay any sum of money to any person or persons on demand with the Cost of determining the same that said Committee shall say I have wronged them off. And in Case any person or persons shall bring a false accusation against me they are to pay me Damage and costs. As to building a new Courthouse in the town of Amherst, I never voted for the same and am willing it should Remain where it is.
JOSHUA ATHERTON.
Sworn to be the sentiments of his heart,
Before Matthew Patten, Justice of the Peace."
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Notwithstanding this declaration, parties still continued to visit him. On one occasion, it is said, he was pelted with rotten eggs while occu- pying a stand on a molasses hogshead, near the corner of the old meet- ing-house ; but these indignities did not cure him of his loyalty. or cause him to leave the country. In April, 1776, he refused to sign the " Association Test Paper," when it was presented to him. At last he was disarmed, his favorite fowling-piece being taken from him, and, later, he was placed in confinement in Exeter jail as a disaffected per- son whose presence at large would be dangerous to the liberties of the country. Some indulgences, however, were granted him, as we find the Committee of Safety, 21 August, 1777, ordering the prison-keeper to "let Joshua Atherton have the liberty of the yard, he procuring suffi- cient bondsmen in the sum of £500. and to be under the care of the guard." This indulgence was granted on account of the very bad state of his health. 10 September, 1777, the committee gave the jail- · keeper permission to liberate Joshua Atherton, Esq., from confinement, and directed said Atherton to take private lodging in the thickly set- tled part of Exeter, and to confine himself within twenty rods of said lodging at all times except when he rode forth agreeable to former li- cense.
11 October, 1777, a written order was sent him to confine himself within ten rods of his lodgings.
He was transferred from Exeter to Amherst as soon as the jail in the latter place was prepared to receive prisoners. Here he met with better treatment, as he was allowed by the jailer to spend his nights at home with his family.
5 June, 1778, he was liberated from confinement on his recognizance to appear before the supreme court of judicature at its next session, then and there to answer to all things that might be objected against him, and also giving bonds to be of good behavior in the meantime. At the time appointed he appeared and was discharged from his re- cognizance by the court'which consisted of Meshech Weare, Matthew Thornton and Leverett Hubbard.
At the January term of the inferior court, in 1779, he took the oath of allegiance, and the attorney's oath, and was admitted to practice. He was also admitted to practice in the superior court at its session in 1779, upon taking the required oaths, notwithstanding remonstrances were presented from New Boston and Lyndeborough. His business soon after became abundant and lucrative. The good will of his fellow- citizens began to return to him. He took an active part in the ordi- nation of Mr. Barnard, in 1780. In 1783 he was chosen a delegate to the convention that formed the first permanent constitution of the
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state. In this convention he took an active part, and was a firm advo- cate of the bill of rights.
In 1788 he was chosen a delegate to the convention to ratify or re- ject the proposed constitution of the United States. Acting upon his own convictions of right and the instructions of his constituents, he opposed its ratification.
In 1792 he was appointed a delegate to the convention called to re- vise the state constitution, adopted in 1783. After several sessions the work of this convention resulted in the amended constitution adopted by the people in 1792, which remained unchanged for nearly sixty years.
In 1793 and 1794 he served as senator in the state legislature, and in the latter year received the appointment of Attorney General of the state. At this time many young men resorted to his office for in- struction in their chosen profession-William Plumer, William Cole- man, afterward of the New York Evening Post, and William Gordon. being among the number.
After the new administration of the affairs of the country under the Federal government had gone into operation, and had exhibited proofs of a steady, wise, and firm rule over the whole country, he became one of its firmest supporters.
In 1798 he was appointed a commissioner for the county of Hills- borough, under the act passed by congress 9 July of that year, provid- ing for the valuation of lands, dwelling-houses, &c., in the United States. with a view to the levying and collecting direct taxes for the support of government. This act was an exceedingly unpopular one, and his acceptance of office under it revived all the old ill-will against him. He, however, discharged the duties of the office, and had the honor of being hung in effigy at Deering. His health and mental vigor becom- ing impaired, he resigned the office of Attorney General, in 1800, and thenceforth devoted himself to the pursuits of a private citizen. (See p. 487 : IV.)
HON. CHARLES HUMPHREY ATHERTON
Occupied a prominent place in the Hillsborough county bar for nearly fifty years. He was a prudent and judicious counselor, and a faithful advocate. As a probate lawyer he had few equals, and no superiors in the state.
He represented the town in the general court in 1823, 1838, and 1839, and served many years on the superintending school committee of the town, ever manifesting a deep interest in the prosperity of its common schools.
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He was one of the founders of the Hillsborough County Agricultural Society, in 1819, and exerted himself in the efforts made for the ad- vancement of the agricultural and manufacturing interests of the county.
Mr. Atherton was one of the directors of the ill-fated Hillsborough Bank, and upon the organization of the Farmers' Bank, in 1825, he was chosen one of its directors. Subsequently he was elected president of the board of directors, and held the office during the whole period of the existence of the corporation.
He became a Master Mason 20 February, 1798, and was afterward, for three years, Master of Benevolent Lodge No. 7.
In his religious belief he was a Unitarian, of the Channing school. Ile took an active part in the local Unitarian controversy, in the establishment of the "Christian Society" and the settlement of Mr. Sewall as its pastor, in 1825.
Politically he was a Federalist, of the school of Washington and Hamilton. After the breaking up of the old political parties he acted with the " National Republican " and " Whig " parties, of which last he was a somewhat prominent member.
In historical and antiquarian researches he took a great interest. He became a member of the New Hampshire Historical Society soon after its formation, and subsequently served two years as its president, contributing several valuable papers to its collections.
By industry and economy he accumulated one of the largest estates ever left in Amherst. (See p. 488: V.)
IION. CHARLES GORDON ATHERTON
Graduated at Harvard College in 1822; studied law and commenced practice in Nashua village in 1825. He early engaged in polities, and identified himself with the Democratic party, to which he adhered through life.
In 1830, 3, 4, 5 and 6, he was a member of the house of representa- tives from Dunstable, and for the four last years served as speaker.
In 1837 he was elected to Congress. On the 10th day of December, 1838, he introduced what was called the "Gag " rule into the House, which provided that all petitions for the abolition of slavery should be laid upon the table, and no further action taken upon them. This rule continued in force until 1845, and provoked much discussion in and out of Congress.
In 1843 he was elected to the Senate, in which he served a full term of six years. He was again elected in 1852, and died in office.
He stood high in his profession as a counselor and advocate, and oc- cupied a respectable position among the able Democratic statesmen of his time. (See p. 488 : 14.)
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Nahum Baldwin
COL. NAHUM BALDWIN
Was for some years a prominent citizen of Amherst. He served as town-clerk, selectman, and representative, and was for a long time one of the officers of the church.
In the autumn of 1776 he commanded a regiment sent to reinforce the army in northern New York, and took part in the battle at White Plains.
A tradition had been handed down that he and several others were once taken prisoners by the Indians. Two of the savages, with hatch- ets in their hands, would lead one of the prisoners to the top of a preci- pice, near by, down which they would throw his remains, after dis- patching him. Not relishing the idea of being disposed of in this manner, Baldwin broke away from his captors, leaving his only re- maining garment in their possession, and ran for his life.
The Indians threw their hatchets after him, which passed near his head, but fortunately missed him. After running about twelve miles he reached a place of safety. (See p. 491.)
JOSEPHI BARKER
Came to Amherst in 1778 or 1779, and learned the house-wright's trade of his father, Dea. Ephraim Barker.
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