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 64
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In 1809 he assisted in establishing the Boston Patriot. Leaving the Republican party in 1812, he advocated the election of De Witt Clinton
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to the presidency. After this he conducted the Yankee and the Pilot newspapers, the latter of which continned but a short time.
In 1813 he went to Marietta, Ohio, with the intention of establishing a newspaper there, but died shortly after his arrival in that place.
John Farmer
DR. JOHN FARMER
Came to Amherst in 1805, and served as clerk in a store on the Plain five years. At the end of that time, finding the occupation too labo- rious for his feeble health, he relinquished it and engaged in teaching school. devoting his leisure hours to literary and historical studies.
In 1813 he was elected a corresponding member of the Massachusetts Historical Society, and immediately began to contribute to its collec- tions.
In 1816 he published a history of Billerica, Mass., in pamphlet form, and assisted in collecting materials for a history of Chelmsford, which was afterward published by Rev. Wilkes Allen.
In 1820 he published an historical sketch of the town of Amherst, of which a second edition was published in 1837, and forms a part of volume five of the collections of the New Hampshire Historical So- ciety.
In 1821 he commenced the study of medicine with Dr. Matthias Spal- ding, but relinquished it as his health would not admit of his engaging in practice. He then removed to Concord.
After his arrival in Concord he opened an apothecary's store in com- pany with Dr. Samuel Morril, from which circumstance he acquired the title of Doctor. Finally, quitting the apothecary business, he de- voted nearly his whole time to his favorite pursuits, and became widely known as one of the most learned and accurate historians and antiqua- rians of his time.
In 1822 he received the honorary degree of Master of Arts from Dartmouth College.
On the formation of the New Hampshire Historical Society he be- came one of its leading members, and was, until his death, its corre- sponding secretary.
He never married, and his remains rest in the burial lot of his friend, Gen. Joseph Low, in the old cemetery at Concord, where a marble monument has been erected to his memory, bearing the inscription-
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JOHN FARMER,
Born in Chelmsford, Mass., 12 JJune, 1789. Died in this town 13
August, 1838, aged 49 years. Honored as a man ; Distinguished as an Antiquarian and Scholar ; Beloved as a friend ; And revered as a Christian Philanthropist And a lover of impartial liberty, His death has occasioned a void in Society Which time will fail to supply, And the reason and fitness of which,
As to time, manner, and attendant circumstances, Eternity alone can fully unfold.
(See p. 582: 1.)
HON. WILLIAM FISK
Was, for a long time, one of the most influential and widely-known citizens of Amherst. He was one of the leaders of the old Republican party in town, and, although he had nothing more than a common school education, is said to have been quite a formidable opponent to IIon. Charles H. Atherton, and other educated men of the Federal party, in the discussions which took place in the annual town meetings, and on other public occasions. He served on the board of selectmen twenty-five years in succession-from March, 1790, to March. 1815; eighteen years as town-clerk-from March, 1794, to March, 1812; rep- resented the town six years in the general court, and District No. 7 four years in the senate.
In 1813 he was appointed one of the justices of the court of common pleas for Hillsborough county.
In 1814 he received the appointment of principal assessor of the di- rect tax in Hillsborough county, and in 1820 and 1824 served as an elector of president and vice-president of the United States. (See p. 585 : VI-4.)
HON. FRANCIS NOURSE FISK
Was a descendant, on his mother's side, from Francis and Rebecca Nourse, of Salem, Mass., the latter of whom was one of the victims of the witchcraft delusion in 1692.
Mr. Fisk received his education in the common schools and in the Anrean Academy. In 1802 he removed to Thomaston, Me., where he was engaged in teaching until 1810. Then he returned to his native state, settled in Concord, and became widely known as a successful
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merchant. He remained in business until 1850, when he retired, and his time thenceforth was occupied in the management of his am- ple estate.
He was a good citizen, democratic in his habits and party associations, cautious and conservative in his business affairs, and sustained an en- viable reputation as a man of honor and integrity. For many years he was a member of the First Congregational church in Concord, and took a deep interest in its prosperity.
In 1819 he was elected town-clerk of Concord, and held the office by successive re-elections until 1829. In 1825 and 1826 he was a repre- sentative in the general court, and in 1827, '29 and '30 a member of the executive council.
For thirteen years he was president of the Merrimack County Bank and New Hampshire Savings Bank, two of the soundest and best-man- aged banking institutions in the state.
He retained his faculties fully to the last, and passed gently away 7 October, 1870, in the ninety-first year of his age.
Ile married, in 1813, Mrs. Mary (Walker) Emery, a daughter of lIon. Timothy Walker, of Concord, and granddaughter of Rev. Tim- othy Walker, the first minister of the town. She died 25 February, 1847.
Three children, a son and two daughters, survived him. (See p. 586.)
ALLEN FISK, ESQ.,
Studied law under the direction of Clifton Claggett and Jonathan Fisk, Esq., of New York city, where he was admitted to the bar in 1819. He continned in practice but a short time. He next engaged in the com- pilation of school books, many of which were published and favorably received.
In 1822 he opened a private school in Troy, N. Y., which continued several years with marked success. Thence, in 1832, he removed to Auburn. N. Y., where he took charge of the academy as principal. Becoming wearied with the labors of teaching, and his health being impaired, he resigned his position in 1836 and retired to a small farm in the neighboring town of Scipio. With the return of his health he again engaged in teaching, first in his own house, next in the village of Skaneateles, and finally in Troy, where he established a weekly news- paper, in 1848, in connection with his sons David and Albert, which continued until 1862, when its publication was suspended and he re- tired from business. He removed soon after to Kenwood, Ill., where he resided in the family of his eldest daughter until his death, in 1875. (See p. 586 : 18.)
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DR. FRANCIS PERRY FITCH,
A native of Greenfield, commenced practice in New Boston in 1832, whence he removed to Amherst in 1839, where he succeeded Dr. Amory Gale. Here he continued until 1 November, 1865, when, on account of failing health, he gave up his business, and, shortly after, reinoved to Milford. Ilis health continuing to fail, he went to Vineland, N. J., where he died 24 December, 1874, aged 68 years. Late in life he married, but left no children.
He was a prominent member and officer of the New Hampshire Medical Society, and maintained a high standing in his profession and as a citizen. He was a man of strict integrity, with decided convictions on all matters.
During the civil war he was appointed by the governor and council to visit the hospitals in Washington and vicinity, and look after the welfare of our sick and wounded soldiers.
CAPT. DANIEL FLETCHER
Settled in Amherst about 1825, and was, for more than twenty years, the popular landlord of the Fletcher tavern in Cricket Corner. He finally relinquished the tavern business and removed to the Plain, where he died.
After his removal to the village he served on the board of selectmen, was town-clerk, and represented the town one year in the general court.
He was a generous, public-spirited citizen, and stood high in the es- timation of his townsmen and acquaintances. (See p. 588: VII-4.)
CAPT. GEORGE W. FLETCHER
Settled on a farm near the noted tavern-stand of his brother, Captain Daniel Fletcher. He was one of the most active and enterprising farmers in town, and a public-spirited citizen. He commanded the Lafayette rifle company in its palmiest days.
He was disabled by a fall from a tree while gathering its fruit, 5 Oc- tober, 1864, and the remaining years of his life were passed in con- stant suffering, which was borne with wonderful patience. (See 1). 588 : 9.)
SAMUEL GIBSON,
Who died in Amherst in 1820, was one of the two hundred New Hamp- shire soldiers who were surrendered to the French and Indians at fort William Henry. Eighty of the number were tomahawked and scalped by the Indians after the surrender, and others were burned alive, suffer-
Havace Greece
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JJ
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ing all the torments that the infernal ingenuity of the savages could inflict, in violation of the promise of protection given by the French commander, Gen. Montcalmn, before the surrender. (See p. 600 : 11-1.)
Urny ordning
HON. WILLIAM GORDON,
A native of Boston, graduated at Harvard College in 1779; read law with Hon. Joshua Atherton; commenced practice here in 1787. He was post-master, senator in the state legislature, representative to con- gress, and attorney-general of the state, the duties of which offices he discharged to the satisfaction of his constituents.
An obituary notice, published in the Portsmouth Oracle, speaks of him as "a man of benevolence, integrity, constancy, and truth ; pos- sessed of an independence of spirit, a purity of morals, and correctness of thought, which ranked him above the prejudices of party, the mnean- ness of avarice, and the frowns and flatteries of the world."
He died at Boston 8 May, 18 )2, aged 39 years. ITis remains were brought to Amherst where they were buried on the 12th. Rev. Mr. Barnard preached a funeral discourse from Psalm CXII : 6.
He married Frances Atherton, the eldest daughter of Hon. Joshua Atherton, and left one son, William Gordon, who graduated at Harvard College in 1806; read law with his uncle, Charles H. Atherton ; com- menced practice in Peterborough in 1809; removed thence to Walpole and Charlestown, N. H.
He died in the asylum for the insane at Brattleborough, Vt., 12 Jan- mary, 1871, aged 83, leaving no children. (See p. 466.)
HORACE GREELEY,
Founder the New York Tribune, was born in Amherst 3 February, 1811, and spent the first ten years of his life here.
He was early noted for his love of reading and study, and before the family left Amherst there was scarcely a book within ten miles of his home, that he could borrow, which he had not read.
Driven from Amherst by the failure of his business plans, his father removed with his family to West Haven, Vt., in the spring of 1821, where, for five years. the future editor was engaged with the rest of the family in a struggle for the means of subsistence in a new settlement.
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In the spring of 1826 Horace entered the office of the Northern Spec- tator, at East Poultney, Vt., as an apprentice to the printing business, where he soon became an expert workman. There he availed himself of all the means for acquiring knowledge that came within his reach. His apprenticeship was closed by the breaking up of the Spectator estab- lishment in 1831.
After a short visit to his parents, who then resided in Erie, Pa., he found employment in offices at Erie and Jamestown, N. Y. In Octo- ber, 1831, he went to New York city in search of employment, his earthly possessions consisting of a ten dollar bill and a scanty ward- robe. There he labored in several offices until 1 January, 1833, when, in company with another young printer. he engaged in the publication of a penny daily paper. the first in the country. This enterprise failed in less than three months, and in less than six months his partner in business died.
In 1831 the New Yorker, a weekly political family and literary news- paper, was commenced by Horace Greeley & Co. In the department of political statistics this paper was regarded as high authority by all parties, and it had a large circulation ; but owing to a defect in its business management it was not greatly remuneratve.
In 1838 Mr. Greeley conducted the Jeffersonian, a weekly political newspaper, published in Albany in the interest of the " Whig " party.
In 1840 he edited the Log Cabin, which had an extensive circulation through the length and breadth of the country.
In April, 1841, the Daily Tribune was commenced, and in September following the Weekly Tribune took the place of the New Yorker.
The Tribune soon attained a wide circulation and wielded an influence surpassed by few other journals published in the country.
Aside from his labors on the various newspapers on which he was engaged, he found time for the compilation of several valuable histori- cal, statistical, political, and agricultural works.
He was elected to Congress in the autumn of 1848 and served one session. While in Congress he was distinguished for his efforts in favor of a reform in the mileage system, as then practiced.
In 1850 he visited Europe, and served as one of the judges at the Crystal Palace international exhibition.
In 1851 he visited California and was every where cordially received by the citizens of the " Golden " state.
On the formation of the " Republican " party Mr. Greeley became one of its staunchest advocates, and through the civil war his pen and tongue were ever ready for the defense of the national cause.
In 1872, deeming that a policy of reconciliation would soonest re- store harmony between the different sections of the country, he advo-
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cated its adoption, and was put in nomination for the presidency by a portion of the Republican party. The nomination was adopted by the Democracy, but in the election which followed he was defeated, General Grant receiving a large majority of the electoral votes.
He died before the electoral votes were cast, worn out with a life of toil and the labors of an exciting presidential canvass. (See p. 608.)
COL. CHARLES E. HAPGOOD.
Born in Shrewsbury, Mass., 11 December, 1830 ; received his education in the schools of his native town : learned the gun-maker's trade in his father's shop ; removed to Worcester in 1851, where he was for several years engaged in one of the largest produce commission houses in that city : removed to Amherst in 1858, and, in company with II. E. Abbott, of Worcester, bought the stand and business of Charles B. Tuttle, on the Plain. In September, 1861, he sold his share of the business to his partner, and 19 October following received a commission as captain of company I, 5th Regiment N. H. Vols. He shared the fortunes of the company until 9 July, 1862, when he came home for the benefit of his health. He was subsequently employed in the recruiting service in Concord and other places. After the battle of Fredericksburg he was commissioned as lieutenant-colonel, and, at his own request, ordered to rejoin his regiment, which he did 18 February, 1863. He command- ed the regiment in the battles at Chancellorsville and Gettysburg, and, 3 July, 1863, was promoted to be colonel in place of Col. Cross, who was killed in battle.
Ile continued with his regiment until 16 June, 1864, when he was severely wounded. 18 August, 1864, he was ordered to Philadelphia, by the War Department, to serve as president of a board of inspectors of the military hospitals in the state of Pennsylvania. He remained on duty until 17 October, 1864, when he was mustered ont, his term of service having expired.
He removed to Boston soon after his return to Amherst, and is now engaged in business in that city.
LEVI HARTSHORN,
Son of Edward and Lucy (Elliott) Hartshorn, graduated at Dartmouth College in 1813, in the class with Jonathan Kittredge, Joseph B. Felt, and other eminent men. He fitted for the ministry and was invited to settle at Dunstable, Mass., as the successor of Mr. Heywood, but de- clined the invitation.
He was ordained at Gloucester, Mass., 18 October, 1815, the ordain- ing prayer on the occasion being made by Rev. Mr. Barnard. of this
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town. He died while on a visit to his father, in Amherst, 27 Septen- ber, 1819.
Ile was a good man, and his death was greatly lamented. An obit- uary notice, published soon after his decease, said, "The loss of such a man as Mr. Hartshorn can not easily be estimated or repaired."
At his funeral a prayer was offered at the house by Rev. Mr. Burnap, of Merrimack. The remains were then taken to the meeting-house, where a sermon was preached by Mr. Lord from Acts, VIII : 2. At the close of the exercises at the meeting-house the remains were carried to the burying-ground, preceded by the male members of the church in Amherst and other places, and followed by his relatives and the fe- male members of the church. Many other citizens of the town joined in the procession. (See p. 616 : 40.)
JOIIN HARVELL,
A native of Litchfield, was a soldier in the French and Indian war, and used to relate the following story of his experience in camp life :
While encamped in the vicinity of Ticonderoga the soldiers one day saw a girl, who lived in a hut near by, baking bread in a Dutch oven. Being desirous of obtaining the bread, as their rations were short, they arranged for a dance, Harvell acting as fiddler. Having enticed the girl into the party of dancers, some of the soldiers managed, when her back was turned, to secure the bread which they carried to the camp. The dancing party broke np shortly after and followed the fiddler to the barracks.
Harvell returned home on foot, the well-known hills and mountains along the route, Crotched mountain in Francestown among the number, being his guides.
After his return he married and settled in Amherst, on the farm now occupied by his grandson, Captain Thomas M. Harvell. (See p. 619 : 1.)
DR. NATHANIEL HENCHMAN, JR ..
Entered Dartmouth College but did not graduate. He studied medi- eine under the direction of Dr. Matthias Spalding, and, on the breaking out of the war of 1812, entered the army as a surgeon's mate. After the close of the war he practiced some time in Paterson, N. J., whence he removed to Woodville, Miss., where he died 5 September, 1819. (See p. 624 : 8.)
REV. JOSHUA HEYWOOD
Was a son of Nathaniel Heywood, for some years one of the leading citizens of the north-west parish.
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He graduated at Dartmouth College in 1795; studied divinity, and was ordained and installed pastor of the church in Dunstable, Mass., 5 June, 1799. Rev. Mr. Bruce. of Amherst, preached the ordination ser- mon from Mark, XVI: 15, 16. He continued in the ministry until his death, which occurred 11 November, 1814, in the fifty-second year of his age.
Mr. Nason writes of him, in the history of Dunstable, "He was a large man, of dark complexion, dignified and courteous in his demeanor, and highly respected by all who knew him."
Dr. Loring said of him, at the Dunstable centennial, 17 September, 1×73, " Of no minister, here or elsewhere, can higher praise be uttered than of Joshua Heywood, who, recognizing the burdens which pressed upon his people, declined to avail himself of any statute for his pecu- niary advantage, refused to make the stipulation between a minister and his people a matter of speculation, and appealed to their sense of honor to stand by the contract he had made with them, even though it might be to his own loss."
HON. ISAAC HILL,
Son of Isaac and Hannah (Russell) Hill, was born in West Cambridge, Mass., 6 April, 1788, and removed to Ashburnham with his parents at the age of 10 years. His love of knowledge was manifested at an early age. Before he was eight years old he had read the Bible through in course, dwelling with particular pleasure on the historical portions. All other books which came within his reach were eagerly read. and he made the best use he could of the instruction received in the com- mon schools.
Ile commenced an apprenticeship in the office of the Farmers' Cabi- net, then conducted by JJoseph Cushing, 3 December, 1802, which ended 5 April, 1809, when he went to Concord and purchased the American Patriot establishment, from which he issned the first number of the New Hampshire Patriot, 18 April, 1809.
The business of the office was conducted by Mr. Hill, and his broth- er, Walter R. Hill, who also learned his trade in the Cabinet office, and an apprentice.
The circulation of the paper, at first small, had increased in Angust, 1810, to 1800 copies weekly, and it soon acquired a power and influ- ence in the state equaled by that of no other journal.
The Patriot took a leading part in advocacy of the measures adopted by the government which led to the declaration of war against Great Britain in 1812, also in the controversy which resulted in the attempted amendment of the charter of Dartmouth College, and the passage of
·
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the " toleration " law in 1819. It supported Gen. Dinsmore for gov- ernor in 1823, who was defeated ; William H. Crawford for president in 1824 ; and with a large majority of the old Republican party in New · Hampshire, it advocated the election of Gen. Jackson to the presidency in 1828.
Having been appointed second comptroller of the treasury, Mr. Hill relinquished the control of the Patriot in the spring of 1829.
In January, 1839, he issued the first number of the Farmers' Monthly Visitor, and with his sons continued its publication some ten years. Free from all political partisanship, it was devotel to the interests of the farmers of New Hampshire and was exceedingly popular with all parties.
In 1840 the publication of Hill's New Hampshire Patriot was com- menced by Mr. Ilill and his sons. The publication of this paper, one of the best of its kind ever issued in the State, ceased in May, 1847, when it was merged in the New Hampshire Patriot.
Mr. Hill was elected clerk of the senate of New Hampshire.in 1819; senator of District No. 4 in 1820, '21 and '22; appointed second comp- troller of the treasury of the United States in 1829, but was rejected by the senate ; took his seat as senator from New Hampshire, November, 1831, and served until his election as governor, in 1836, which office he held three years. He also held the office of assistant-treasurer of the United States, at Boston, during the administration of President Tyler. He died of catarrhal consumption, at Washington, D. C., 22 March, 1851.
Mr. Hill was a man of decided convictions and was perfectly fearless in their expression. He had many warm friends, and some bitter enemies.
His life marked an era in the newspaper press of New Hampshire.
JOSIAH HOWARD,
A native of Ipswich, Mass., settled in Amherst in 1785. He enlisted into the army at the commencement of the revolutionary war, when but 17 years of age, and served four years, participating in the battles of Trenton, Princeton, Monmouth, and others, and passing the winter with the army at Valley Forge. Ile was finally discharged on account of severe wounds he had received.
After partially recovering from his wounds he enlisted in the navy, where he served until the close of the war. (See p. 610 : 1.)
GEORGE WILKINS KENDALL.
" In the beautiful and well-cared for cemetery at Boone, Kendall county, Louisiana, is the grave of George W. Kendall." Over it, on a marble slab, is this inscription :
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"George Wilkins Kendall, born in New Hampshire August 22, 1809 ; died at Post Oak Springs, Texas, October 22, 1867. Poet, journalist, author, farmer-eminent in all; clear head, stout heart, a man of many friends, best beloved by those who knew him best."
He was the eldest son of Capt. Thaddeus and Mrs. Abigail ( Wilkins) Kendall, of Mont Vernon. His mother was a grand-daughter of Rov. Daniel Wilkins, and a cousin to the mother of Gen. JJohn A. Dix, of New York. A large portion of the years of his boyhood was spent at the home of his grandfather, Dea. Samuel Wilkins, of Amherst. He acquired a knowledge of the printing business in the offices of the Amherst Herald and New Hampshire Statesman, and after learning his trade traveled in the Western and Southern States, working as a com- positor in printing offices as opportunity offered. During this time he spent some months in New York city, in the employ of Horace Greeley & Co., proprietors of the New Yorker. In 1835 he went to New Orleans, where he assisted in establishing the New Orleans Picayune, the first cheap daily journal published in that city. Under his direction the Picayune became one of the leading journals in that section of the country.
With the hope of benefiting his health he joined the famous expe- dition which started from Austin, Texas, for Santa Fe, Mexico, in 1841. After his return he published a volume which contained an account of his adventures and captivity, which had a wide circulation.
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