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 62
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Ile was noted for his feats in boxing and wrestling, which attracted the attention of Sheriff Kelley, who delighted in such sports, and encouraged him in them. He abounded in fun, and had a keen sense of the ludicrous, which was often the source of much amusement to his companions.
While living in Amherst one of his neighbors, a cross-grained, crab- bed old man, whom nobody liked, had a mare which roamed about the village, annoying the neighbors by her depredations in their yards and gardens. She one day made her appearance near a house where Barker was engaged in doing a job of white-washing. Think- ing that a coat of white-wash might improve her appearance, he caught her, and administered it. On being liberated she went home, but her owner, not recognizing his beast, drove her away with stones and curses. The next time she appeared he set his dog upon her, wondering why she was so persistent in her calls.
He soon missed his mare, and commenced a search for her which was unsuccessful until the white-wash began to wear off, when he dis-
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covered, to his great disgust, that he had for some days been starving and abusing his own beast.
In the autumn of 1789, Barker removed, with his father-in-law, Capt. William Dana, to Marietta, Ohio. The journey of seven hundred miles was made in wagons drawn by oxen. A cow which accompa- nied them furnished milk for the family.
An Indian war broke out in Ohio, in 1791, which was not finally closed until 1795. After the close of the war he commenced clearing a traet of land about seven miles above Marietta. To this place he moved his family, in December of that year. In January, 1797, he lost most of his tools, materials for clothing, and bread stuffs, by a fire which consumed the cabin in which they were stored.
After this misfortune he carried on the building business in Marietta some years. In 1799 and 1800 he built the splendid residence of Mr. Blennerhasset on the island in the Ohio river now known by the name of its former owner.
Ship-building was commenced at Marietta and on the Muskingum river in 1800. In this new business he took an active part. In 1802 he built two vessels on his farm, and in 1803 one. In 1806 he was employed by Blennerhasset to build fifteen large batteaux to be used in the famous expedition of Col. Aaron Burr.
During this time he held several public offices, the duties of which he discharged to the satisfaction of his constituents. In 1830 he was elected an associate judge of the court of common pleas, and at the ex- piration of the term he was re-elected. This office he held until 1842, when, owing to the failure of his health, he retired. He died in Sep- tember, 1843, and was almost the last survivor of the first settlers of the state of Ohio.
Nine of ten children survived him, and most of them had large fam- ilies. (See p. 493 : 4.)
REV. JEREMIAH BARNARD.
. The following notice of Mr. Barnard appeared in the Boston Centinel, shortly after his death in January, 1835 :
" Died in Amherst, N. H., on the 15th inst., the Rev. Jeremiah Bar- nard, aged 84, senior pastor of the Congregational church in that town.
" This aged servant of the Most High commenced his ministerial career in the vicinity of this city, in the most trying period of the Rev- olution, and by his prayers and patriotic sentiments contributed to en- courage the Christian patriots who distinguished themselves at Lex- ington, Concord, and Bunker Hill.
"In 1780 he was associated with the Rev. Daniel Wilkins as joint pastor of the church and society in Amherst, and, after a happy and
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harmonious association of four years, by the death of Mr. Wilkins, the arduous and responsible duties of sole pastor devolved on Mr. Barnard. He continued solely to discharge these duties with uninterrupted zeal and fidelity for more than thirty years, in course of which the society were united and made honorable progress in moral and religious im- provement from year to year, and were distinguished for harmony and social order.
"In 1816, in consequence of his advanced years and infirmities, Rev. Mr. Lord was associated with him as colleague, which relieved him of a portion of the burden of his pastoral duties in his declining years. Till within a few years, however, he continued to visit the sick, and administered to the distressed. Although the mighty hand of time had impaired his physical and intellectual energies, it had not dimin- ished the benevolence of a Christian and philanthropic heart. The re- ligion of Mr. Barnard was deep-rooted, though cheerful, fervent with- out austerity. It was, indeed, a religion of the heart-pure, social, and unaffected.
" He was listened to with respect as a Christian teacher ; he was re- spected for his good sense, and beloved as a friend.
" After a ministry of fifty-five years, in the fullness of time, he has been gathered to his fathers, and he will long be remembered with respect by his society, particularly those who are old enough to know him as he was before age had impaired his bodily faculties and dimmed his mind." (See pp. 263, 287, 495: 1.)
DR. PUTNAM BARRON
Received his name from Gen. Israel Putnam, a near relative of his grandmother, Hannah (Putnam) Hutchinson, wife of the first town- clerk of Amherst.
After receiving a good common-school education, and a partial course at Dartmouth College, he studied medicine under the direction of Dr. Matthias Spalding, of Amherst, and Dr. Jennison, of Hartland, Vt. He commenced practice in Charlestown, in 1818, where he con- tinned twenty years, when he removed to Ohio, where, after practicing in several places, he settled in Edinburgh, Portage county, in 1841. There he remained until 1865, when he removed to Ravenna, and resided with his daughter. In 1871 he was prostrated by paralysis, from which he never recovered. He died 16 March, 1872.
He was an active member of the Episcopal church, to which he was greatly attached, and died leaving an honorable record as a good physi- cian, and a worthy man. (See p. 494 : 11.)
DR. BRADLEY H. BARTLETT,
Son of Richard and Olive Bartlett, was born in Grantham, studied medicine with Drs. Charles E. Berry and John Wheeler, of Pittsfield, and at the Pennsylvania University of Medicine and Surgery. He practiced in Manchester and Pittsfield, and as a surgeon in the army
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a short time during the civil war. He came to Amherst in February, 1872, and soon secured quite a practice. In October, 1876, he was stricken with paralysis, after which he gradually failed until his death, which occurred 29 December, 1878, at the age of 49 years and nine months.
During his residence in Amherst he served on the superintending school committee, and as moderator of one of the annual town meet- ings. Ile was a whole-souled man, of a social nature, of liberal views. and a generous, public-spirited citizen.
DR. JOHN PUTNAM BATCHELDER,
Born 6 August, 1784, died in New York city 7 April, 1868, was the only child of Leut. Archelaus and Mary (Putnam) Batchelder. His father, a soldier in the war for independence, resided in Amherst many years, and died here in December. 1823, at the age of 84 years. Ilis mother was a descendant of Gen. Rufus Putnam. another revolutionary officer, and one of the first settlers of the state of Ohio.
Dr. Batchelder commenced the study of his profession under the direction of Dr. Samuel Fitch, of Greenfield, and afterward studied in the office of Dr. Matthias .Spalding, in Amherst. He received a license to practice in June, 1807, and after attending a course of lec- tures at the Medical School, at Cambridge, received the degree of M. D., from Harvard University, in 1815.
He practiced a few years in Charlestown, and in 1817 was appointed Professor of Anatomy in Castleton, Vt., Medical College. Subse- quently he was appointed Professor of Surgical Anatomy in the Medi- cal School at Pittsfield, Mass .. to which place he removed from Charlestown. After a few years he removed to Utica, N. Y., which place he finally left, and for the last twenty-five years of his life resided in New York city.
He stood high in his profession and performed many difficult opera- tions with remarkable success.
WILLIAM BIGLOW,
A graduate of Harvard University, in the class with Hon. Charles H. Atherton, was for a short time the editor of the Village Messenger in Amherst, while pursuing the study of divinity, under the direction of Rev. Mr. Thayer, of Lancaster, Mass. He was quite a favorite with the young people of the place during his residence here, and made a lively, wide awake paper of the Messenger during his connection with it.
After he left Amherst he engaged in teaching a private classical school in Salem, Mass., preaching occasionally on the Sabbath. From
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Salem he removed to Boston, where he had charge of the Boston Latin School, having Edward Everett, N. L. Frothingham, and Charles P. Curtis, among his pupils. He frequently preached in the Brattle- square, and Hollis-street churches. During this time he published several text books for use in schools, which were much used. 1830 he published a history of Natick, and later, one of Sherborn, Mass.
His health finally failed, and he removed to Maine where he taught school and wrote for newspapers and magazines.
Toward the close of his life he returned to Boston, where he found employment as a proof-reader in various printing offices. While en- gaged in this business he was seized with apoplexy, which resulted in death in a few days.
Ile was born in Natick, 22 November, 1773 ; died in Boston 12 Janu- ary, 1844.
RICHARD BOYLSTON
Served a four years' apprenticeship in the office of the Federal Spy, in Springfield, Mass., and finished his trade in the office of the Boston Centinel, where he was employed seven years under the direction of Maj. Ben. Russell.
Early in 1809 he came to Amherst, in answer to an advertisement for a journeyman printer, to take the place of Isaac Hill, who was about to graduate from the Cabinet office.
After presenting his "credentials." he was engaged and assigned a place beside the future governor, who left shortly after, and, on the 18th day of April. 1809, commenced his career as editor and publisher of the New Hampshire Patriot.
In the autumn of that year the proprietor of the Cabinet office be- came involved in the failure of the Hillsborough Bank, of which he was one of the directors, and to avoid doing worse left town somewhat sud- denly, and located himself in Baltimore, Md., where the remainder of his life was spent.
Previous to his leaving he called Mr. Boylston to him, and, after, telling him frankly of his plans, offered him his printing establishment, with the book-store, at that time the only one in the county, on easy terms assuring him that with proper care and management there was every prospect of doing a successful business. To this offer he required an answer early on the following morning, as circumstances would ad- mit of no delay.
For some time the young journeyman knew not what to say. He was young, without capital, or a proper education, his school days hav- ing terminated when he was twelve years of age. What could he do ?
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After hours of anxious thought the time arrived. An affirmative answer was given, and Mr. Cushing departed to his new home.
The first number of the Cabinet under Mr. Boylston's direction was issued 10 October, 1809, and from that time his success was assured. For ten years the paper had no rival in the county. Being located at the county seat it had a large advertising patronage, beside which, a large amount of job work was done in the office. The proprietor also had nearly all the book trade in the county. Large invoices of school books were bought and sold at a satisfactory profit, and before a long time had elapsed Mr. Cushing's claim was paid in full.
In 1810 Mr. Boylston married, and again he was fortunate. Ilis wife, a neice of Paul Revere, of Revolutionary fame, proved to be a helpmeet indeed. Her husband, in his old age, said, "To her efficient help and wise management of all the family concerns I owe all my after prosperity and success in life." Of her, also, a graduate of the Cabinet office, for some years an inmate of the family, said, when more than eighty years of age, " Mother Boylston was, emphatically, the editor's ' better half.' "
And so time passed away. Under his management the Cabinet maintained a respectable standing among the journals of its time, and had quite an extensive circulation.
As his means increased Mr. Boylston was ready to engage in enter- prises that promised to benefit the place of his residence. He was one of the first to advocate the building of a railroad to Amherst, the build- ing of a steam mill, and kindred enterprises. Ile early took decided grounds in favor of the temperance movement and the improvement of the common schools. For many years he was a member of the Con- gregational church, and was repeatedly elected one of its officers, but invariably declined the acceptance of the charge. He served on the superintending school committee several years, and, in 1844, 45 and 46, represented the town in the general court. (See p. 515 : 29.)
MAJOR WILLIAM BRADFORD
Was a sergeant in Capt. Crosby's company on Bunker Hill, and an en- sign in Capt. Wilkins's company at the "Cedars," where he was taken prisoner and abused by the Indians. He afterward served as a lieu- tenant in the Continental army.
He took an active part in the organization of the second parish, and the incorporation of the town of Mont Vernon, of which he was the first representative in the general court.
In 1812 he received a major's commission in the first regiment N. H. Volunteers, but this organization was soon disbanded, and he retired
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from the service. Shortly after he removed to Barre, Vt., where he died in 1816. (See p. 517 : 7.)
CAPTAIN JOHN BRADFORD
Was second lieutenant in Captain Benjamin Taylor's company at Winter Hill, in the winter of 1775-6. Ile commanded the Amherst company in the battle of Bennington, and was in the thickest of the fight, being the second man to scale the Hessian breastwork. In 1778 he served as adjutant of Col. Nichols's regiment in Rhode Island.
About 1800 he removed to Hancock, where he died 27 June, 1836, at the age of 93 years. (See p. 518 : 29.)
REV. EPHRAIM PUTNAM BRADFORD
Graduated at Harvard College in 1803, in the class with Rev. Nathan Parker, of Portsmouth, Dr. Edward Payson, of Portland, Judge Josiah Butler, of Deerfield, and other noted men. He was ordained and in- stalled pastor of the Presbyterian church in New Boston 26 February, 1806, which office he most acceptably filled until his death, which oc- curred 14 December, 1845.
Rev. Silas Aiken wrote of him, "He was literally one of nature's noblemen, of princely person, with a sonorons, commanding voice, ex- ceptionally fluent and accurate in speech, so richly gifted in mind and heart that, with little preparation, he stood among the first preachers in the state."
A constitutional lack of ambition and energy alone prevented his advancement to the highest positions attainable by men of his pro- fession.
He was one of the kindest and best of men-a peace-maker among a people of strong arms and iron wills. His company was sought by all, and his death was sincerely lamented. (See p. 519: 43.)
JOIIN BRADFORD,
Son of Rev. E. P. Bradford, was born in New Boston in 1815; served as a clerk in the store of Stewart & Lawrence and Aaron Lawrence & Co., several years, where he was held in high esteem by his employers and acquaintances. He afterward settled in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where, with some of his brothers, he engaged in mercantile pursuits. In a few years he acquired a competency, retired from business, and devoted his time to the management of his estate. He died at Mil- wankee 3 May, 1879.
ISAAC BROOKS, ESQ.,
Spent a few months in the early part of the year 1776 with Dr. John Hale, of IIollis, afterward a surgeon in the army of the Revolution.
TAYLOR COSTAN
RESIDENCE OF THE LATE ISAAC BROOKS.
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He then returned to his native town, where he was chosen town-clerk in 1793. Leaving Woburn he taught school in Merrimack, Wilton, Temple, and Amherst. For some time he was employed in a store in Wilton.
In the summer and autumn of 1802 he was employed as a clerk in the office of the register of deeds for Hillsborough county, and, on the resig- nation of the register. in October, 1802, he was appointed to fill the va- cancy, and took the oath of office 9 October, 1802. Shortly after he pur- chased the house now owned by his grandson, Isaac B. Dodge, Esq., into which he moved with his family, and in which the county records were kept during the terin of his occupancy of the office, which extended to September, 1828.
He was emphatically the man for the place he so long filled, being an excellent pennan, and scrupulously exact in the transaction of busi- ness. The people of the county showed their appreciation of his ser- vices by re-electing him to the office, year after year, when a majority of them were politically opposed to him.
Through his whole life he was a victim of a sort of nervous hypochon- dria, and fancied himself troubled with about all the ills that flesh is heir to, for the cure of which he was perpetually dosing himself with medicines and cure-alls, which accumulated in his house in quantities almost sufficient to stock an ordinary drug store. (See p. 520 : 1.)
CAPT. ELI BROWN,
A retired sea captain, in comfortable circumstances, settled in Amherst about 1800, and was for some years one of its prominent citizens. He invested a considerable portion of his property in the Hillsborough Bank, and lost heavily by its failure. These losses seemed to embitter him against many with whom he came in contact. Editor Boylston fell under his displeasure, and he denounced him in no gentle terms in the columns of the Patriot. Ile also published a terribly bitter pamphlet against Hon. Samuel Bell, the president of the bank. At the commencement of the war of 1812 he volunteered his services to the government, and, after the departure of Commodore Perry to Lake Erie, was placed in command of the fleet of gunboats on the coast of New England until the close of the war. He then retired on half pay, and died in 1820, leaving a widow and five children. Of these,
JOHN L. BROWN,
The eldest son, learned the blacksmith's trade of Capt. William Bruce, in Mont Vernon. When he had finished his apprenticeship he went to Boston and found employment in a scale manufactory, as a finisher. His health failing, he went to New Orleans in 1831, where he remained
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one year. He then commenced the manufacture of scales in New York, and the excellence of his products creating a large demand, he soon built up an extensive and remunerative business. Ile was a con- tractor on many of the public works in New York city, including pav- ing, sewerage, sweeping streets, &e.
lle was born in Amherst 7 August, 1805; died in New York city 28 March, 1875. He acenmulated a large estate, and left a widow and one son.
GEN. JOEL BROWN,
A native of Hollis, commenced his business life in Amherst, in 1824, in the store now occupied by Mr. A. W. Sawyer. Here he remained some six or seven years. He then removed to Peterborough, where he car- ried on an extensive mercantile business for some time. Meeting with reverses he relinquished business at Peterborough, and was afterward, for eighteen years, commencing in 1850, employed as agent for the iron works at Brady's Bend, Pa.
While residing in Peterborough he became interested in military affairs, and was at one time major-general of the 3d division of New Hampshire militia.
He finally returned to Amherst and resided with his brother on the birth-place of Horace Greeley, where he died 25 March, 1878, at the age of 82 years. He never married.
He was an earnest, whole-souled man, who had a host of friends and but few enemies.
REV. JOIIN BRUCE.
The following account of Mr. Bruce is taken mainly from a sketch of his life and character prepared by Dr. Rogers Smith :
Mr. Bruce entered Dartmouth College in 1777, and graduated in 1781. Ile went through the usual course of study with reputation to himself, and to the satisfaction of his instructors, and, by his teachable disposition, gentleness of manners, mild, serious, and dutiful behavior in all respects, obtained, it is said. from the highest authority in his college, the distinguishing appellation of " good Mr. Bruce."
Soon after leaving college he commenced the study of divinity, which he pursued the usual time, and, being regularly examined and licensed, he commenced the gospel ministry. After preaching as a candidate in several places, he received and accepted a eall to the pas- toral care of the church in the north-west parish of Amherst, now Mont Vernon, where he was ordained and installed 3 November, 1785. There he continued in the faithful discharge of the duties of his office until his death.
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Although his stature was considerably above the medium size, and he was well-proportioned, his constitution was not firm and robust, being enfeebled, probably, by a sedentary life and study. For several years before his death his health sensibly decayed, and for more than a year he was afflicted with the almost total loss of the sight of one eye.
Perhaps he would not have been ranked among the first in point of talents, but any inferiority in this respect was more than compensated by the goodness of his heart and the purity of his morals. He was a man of solid sense, and his literary acquirements were by no means below mediocrity.
In his religious sentiments he was strictly Calvinistic, of the Congre- gational order, but controversial divinity occupied but a small part of his attention, and his hearers were never perplexed with fine-spun speculations. His preaching was plain, serions, and practical. It was addressed to the understanding and the heart, instead of the imagina- tion and the passions, and was always accompanied with convincing evidence of a deep impression on his own mind of its infinite impor- tance.
llis patience was unwearied, and his exertions unceasing to promote the advancement of the kingdom of his Divine Master on the eartlı, and his labors were blessed to the conversion of many souls.
He was meek, pious, and humble; kind and gentle, and possessed in an eminent degree of that charity which "suffereth long and is kind." Among the most distinguishing traits in his character, aside from these, were his prudence and discretion. He was eminently entitled to be called a peace-maker. All who knew him loved and revered him. As a parent he was kind and indulgent; as a neighbor, friendly and hospitable ; as a citizen, patriotic ; and as a Christian, true and sin- cere. (See pp. 73, 521 : 1.)
Dan Campbell
DANIEL CAMPBELL, ESQ.,
One of the stalwart men of his time, for many years a prominent citi- zen of the town, settled here permanently in the spring of 1761. He and his wife traveled on foot from Londonderry to Intwych's ferry, where they crossed the Merrimack river in a log boat, and thence pro- ceeded to their new home in Amherst.
Ilis manner of living was plain, his habits regular, and he was tem- perate in all things. He rose with the sun and retired early.
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In his time the use of ardent spirits was common on all occasions, but a wine-glass full twice a day sutliced him, and an invitation to par- take of more was always declined.
For many years he was much employed as a surveyor of land, and by that means he acquired a better knowledge of the farms and lots in town than was possessed by any other person.
The town of Hillsborough was surveyed and divided into lots under his direction, and the adjoining town of Windsor received its first name, "Campbell's Gore," from him.
In 1766 he received a commission as coroner from Governor Went- worth, which office he filled a long time under both the provincial and state governments.
He served on the board of selectmen thirteen years, and was, for years before his death, the senior survivor of those who had served in that capacity. He was, also, the last survivor of the town officers elected prior to the Revolution.
Ile was one of the four citizens of the town who refused to sign the " Association Test paper " in 1776, as he doubted the ability of the colonies to resist successfully, by arms, the claims of the mother coun- try. llis townsmen, much to their credit, respected his opinions, and he was not molested on their account.
He was a man of iron frame and strong will, possessed of decided convictions, and ever ready to express them fully and freely.
In early life he was a decided Presbyterian, but shortly after the commencement of Dr. Lord's ministry he joined with others in the movement which resulted in the establishment of the Unitarian society in Amherst, to which he adhered during the remainder of his life.
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