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 67
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He married Mary L. Bradbury, of Alfred, Me., 5 April, 1841. She died at Franklin, leaving no children.
CAPT. JOHN SECOMBE,
For many years one of the prominent citizens of Amherst, was a na- tive, and through his whole life a resident, of the town.
In early manhood he took quite an interest in military matters, and at one time commanded the artillery company in the 5th Regiment N. H. Militia, whence he obtained the title of captain, by which, as was customary in those times, he was ever after known.
He served on the board of selectmen twenty years; was moderator of the annual town meeting sixteen years, and represented the town in the general court three years. He was also treasurer of the county of Hillsborough seven years, and held a commission as justice of the peace twenty-five years.
Politically he was a Republican of the school of Jefferson and Madison, but with many others of like faith supported John Quincy Adams for the presidency in 1828, and thenceforth acted with the National Republican, Whig, and Republican parties, in opposition to the Jackson or Democratic Republican party.
He was a Calvinist in his religious belief, and, at the time of his death, was the oldest member of the Congregational Church in All- herst.
He was a man of few words, firm and decided in his opinions, possessed a good share of perseverance in his undertakings, and was a believer in honest work. His own work was well done, better in many cases than his pecuniary interests would warrant. Much of it still re- inains to bear witness to his faithfulness and honesty.
A lover of reading, he delighted in collecting books and newspapers, and spent much of his leisure time in their perusal, thereby becoming
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familiar with historical matters and the current events of the day. (See p. 759 : V. 26.)
Nath Hattuck
NATHANIEL SHATTUCK, ESQ.,
Graduated at Dartmouth College in 1801, in the class with Daniel Web- ster ; read law with Benjamin J. Gilbert, of Hanover, and Timothy Big- low, of Groton. Mass., and was admitted to the Middlesex bar in 1804. He commenced practice in Milford in 1806. Prior to 1812 he removed to Amherst, where he remained until the summer of 1830, when he removed to Mason. He afterward removed to Brookline, where he re- mained in the practice of his profession until the failure of his eyesight, in 1844. His sight was partially restored by a surgical operation, but he did not resume practice. Later he became deranged, and died of an apoplectic attack at the Asylum for the Insane, in Concord, 1 Sep- tember, 1864, at the age of 90 years.
His father was one of the fifty-three who fell with the meeting-house frame, at Wilton, 7 September, 1773. (See p. 761.)
John Shepardyung
COL. JOHN SHEPARD, JR.,
Seems to have been the first justice of the peace appointed in Am herst, his name being found in the list of the eighty justices who held commissions in the Province in 1767. His services in that capacity seem to have given general satisfaction to his townsmen, and we find the selectmen petitioning for his re-appointment in August, 1785. Their petition may serve as a model for those who desire a similar favor at the present time.
To His Excellency the President and the Honorable the Council in and for the State of New Hampshire :
It is known that for some time John Shephard, Jr., Esq., of this town, held office in the executive department under the last adminis- tration, and as far as we know to a good deal of satisfaction, and at and since the commencement of the hostilities, appeared to have im- bibed the true Republican principles, and if he might now have a commission on the peace, on the one hand we hope it would not be a
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disgrace to the commission; on the other, we believe it would give very general satisfaction to the people.
Signed THOMAS WAKEFIELD, ) Selectmen JOSHUA LOVEJOY, of
(See p. 761: 2.) ELI WILKINS, Amherst.
REV. ASA DODGE SMITH
Removed with his parents to Mont Vernon shortly after its incor- poration ; thence to Weston, Vt., about 1810. He was apprenticed to Ide & Aldrich, of Windsor, Vt., 10 December, 1819, and worked in their printing office some years. Being desirious of obtaining a liberal education, he procured a discharge from his apprenticeship, and en- tered upon a course of study. He graduated at Dartmouth College in 1830 ; was principal of Limerick, Me., academy one year, after which he entered Andover Theological Seminary, whence he graduated in 1834. Shortly after he was ordained and installed pastor of the 14th Street Presbyterian Church in New York city, which position he ably and successfully filled until October, 1863, when he resigned. He was then inaugurated President of Dartmouth College, which office he filled until 1 March, 1877, when he resigned on account of ill health. Ile received the honorary degree of D. D. from Williams College, in 1849, and of LL. D. from the University of New York in 1864. (See p. 772 : 35.)
HON. JEDIDIAH KILBURN SMITH,
A native of Amherst, son of Jonathan Smith, read law with Judge Dana, and commenced practice abont 1800. He was an active Repub- lican politician ; was chosen representative to Congress in 1806, and served one term of two years; served as councilor for Hillsborough district in 1810-11, and lacked but one vote of being elected senator in congress in 1810. Ile afterward filled several minor offices in the county and town. His last years were made miserable by his intem- perate habits. He died 17 December, 1828, aged 59 years. (See p. 774 : 53.)
DR. MATTHIAS SPALDING
Began his studies in Westford Academy, under the instruction of Pro- fessor Hedge ; graduated at Harvard College in 1798, in the class with Stephen Longfellow, William Ellery Channing, and Joseph Story, and although he was the oldest member of his class, he survived all but two of them.
He studied his profession with Dr. Benjamin Waterhouse, of Cam- bridge, and Dr. E. A. Holyoke, of Salem. In 1801 he went to London,
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where he attended medical lectures, and devoted himself to acquiring the knowledge afforded by its medical schools and hospitals. He at- tended the lectures of Sir Astley Cooper, and the younger Cline, and re- ceived from them many marks of personal attention. With Dr. Jenner he had a special acquaintance, and received from him much informa- tion relating to vaccination-a subject in which he was much inter- ested. Dr. Batchelder, of New York, one of his pupils, says, " Perhaps it would not be too much to say that, with the exception of Dr. Water- house, he did more than any other man to introduce that important practice into this country."
On his return home, in 1802, he was the bearer of a letter from Dr. Jenner to Dr. Waterhouse, with the celebrated silver snuff-box, contain- ing vaccine, and having on it the inscription, " From the JJenner of the old world to the Jenner of the new."
Soon after his return Dr. Spalding commenced practice in his native town, where he remained four years, and secured a large business and a high reputation as a surgeon.
In 1806 he removed to Amherst, where the remainder of his life was spent.
Although his constitution was originally feeble, by regularity of life, and a careful abstinence from all injurious indulgences, he was enabled to perform a vast amount of professional labor.
Sensible of the advantages that would accrue to the profession and the public from a more intimate acquaintance of physicians with one another, he exerted himself to bring the regular physicians of his neigh- borhood together for mutual improvement and professional culture, and to him, more than to any other one, is due the establishment of the Southern District New Hampshire Medical Society, of which he was, for many years, the president and librarian.
In 1809 he was elected a member of the New Hampshire Medical Society, of which he was vice-president from 1815 to 1821 inclusive, and president in 1822 and 1823. In 1817 he received the honorary degree of Doctor of Medicine from Dartmouth College, and he was elected an honorary member of the New York Academy of Medicine 1 .June, 1860.
Favored with an education which was superior to that of most of his medical brethren around him, he was also gifted by nature with many qualities which admirably fitted him for the profession of his choice. He was a gentleman in heart and manners, and his integrity and purity of character were never questioned. His equanimity and cheerfulness rarely forsook him ; calm and self-reliant, he impressed his patients with the feeling that he comprehended their situation, and would do
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all that an intelligent, faithful, and cautious physician could do. Ile had great faith in true science, and genuine contempt for all quackery in medieine or practice.
In the early part of his professional life his office was the resort of students, many of whom attained distinction in other states as physi- cians and surgeons, and professors in medical institutions.
Beside his labors in his profession, he was deeply interested in agri- cultural matters, in which he was an enthusiast to the last years of his life. He was one of the first members of the Hillsborough County Agricultural Society, and contributed, by his example and pen, to the advancement of the objects which it was formed to promote.
Political office he never sought, but was always relied upon as the friend and supporter of such measures as tended to promote education, good morals, and the general welfare.
He was a member of the Congregational church, to which he was warmly attached, and in which he held the office of deacon for nearly half a century.
After a long and useful life he went to his rest 22 May, 1865. (See p. 777 : V. 1.)
DR. EDWARD SPALDING
Graduated at Dartmouth College in 1833; studied medicine with his father, and at Harvard Medical School, graduating M. D. in 1837 ; be- gan practice immediately at Nashua, and there continues ; has often been a member of the municipal government, and was mayor of the city in 1864.
He became a trustee of Dartmouth College in 1866, and in 1877 and 1878 was a member of the executive council. (See p. 578 : 5.)
DR. ALFRED SPALDING
Spent two years in Dartmouth College and some time in Yale. He studied medicine with his father and Dr. Reuben D. Mussey, and re- ceived the degree of M. D. from Dartmouth in 1843.
He commenced the practice of his profession at Greenup, Ky., soon after receiving his degree.
He had a natural aptitude for his profession, in which he greatly resembled his father. With the genial, quiet manners of the courteous gentleman he united the discriminating and cautious judgment of a superior mind.
In his practice his industry and pains-taking fidelity soon won the confidence of all classes.
During the Rebellion his house was a hospital for the wounded sol- diers, and his services were sought by those who did not sympathize with his loyalty to the old flag.
-
IsaacSpalding
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His enthusiasm in the study of medicine never abated. The latest reports and the most improved surgical instruments and apparatus- every thing possessing any advantage to his profession-was examined, even though it deprived him of needed rest and sleep.
He was a good horseman, and when he came into the possession of lands suited to the purpose, devoted some time to the raising of his favorite animals.
llis interest in all local enterprises and improvements was constant and practical, and he made many and fast friends.
Ilis health failing, he relinquished his practice, and, the summer be- fore his death, revisited his birth-place, for a time with some benefit; but it proved not to be permanent, and in November he returned, by slow stages, to his home, where he died 20 December, 1878. (See p. 578 : 6.)
ISAAC SPALDING, ESQ.,
Came to Amherst as a clerk in the store of Robert Read, Esq., in 1809. In 1816 he became a partner in business with Mr. Read, and so contin- ned for ten years, during part of which time he was post-master. In 1826 he removed to Nashua and soon became the most prominent mer- chant in that thriving village. After twelve years in business he re- tired to engage in railroad and other enterprises. He served either as director, treasurer, or president of the Concord Railroad, from its incor- poration in 1835 to 1866. For more than twenty-five years he was president of the Nashua Bank, which wound up its affairs in 1869.
He was chosen one of the trustees of the New Hampshire Asylum for the Insane in 1863, and on the death of Rev. Charles Burroughs, in 1869. succeeded him as president of that institution.
He served several years on the board of selectmen in Nashua; rep- resented the town in the legislature and in the constitutional conven- tion in 1850, and was a member of the executive council in 1866 and 1867.
In the civil war he was appointed financial agent of the government, and assisted in providing means for the country's success in that strug- gle.
By close attention to business and good management he became the wealthiest citizen in Hillsborough county, and perhaps in the state.
In his will the sum of ten thousand dollars is bequeathed to each of the towns of New Ipswich, Wilton, and Amherst, to be paid in one year from the decease of his widow, and kept by each of those towns as a permanent fund to be known as the "Spalding fund," and securely invested, the annual income from which is to be added, year by year, to the money raised by the town for the support of schools, and ex-
.
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pended as such money is now, or may hereafter be required to be ex- pended by the laws of the state. (See p. 778 : 10.)
MR. SWININGTON,
A cooper, and an excellent workman, lived on the place in Pond parish since occupied by peddler Kearney. He was not satisfied with Mr. Barnard's preaching, and would walk to Merrimack to hear Mr. Burnap.
Mr. Barnard employed him to do his coopering, and being at his shop one day, the conversation turned upon his going to Merrimack to hear Mr. Burnap preach. " Why do you do it ?" said Mr. B.
"Why do you come to me to get your coopering done ?" replied Swin- ington. " There are other coopers nearer you, who would be glad to do it."
"Because," said Mr. Barnard, " I think you do better work than they, and I am willing to go farther to get it."
" That is just the reason why I go to hear Mr. Burnap preach," said Swinington, " he does the best work."
JOHN TAGGART
Served three years in the Continental army for Amherst. He was born at Roxbury, Mass., 22 February, 1750 ; removed to Peterborough, with his parents, when two years old ; lived there, and in Sharon, until 1797, when he removed to Dublin, where he died 15 November, 1832. He was orderly-sergeant in Capt. Marcy's company on Bunker Hill. On the retreat from that battle, being thirsty, he stopped his compan- ions, and, after taking a drink from his canteen, said : "Now let us trust in God and take another run."
EBEN TAYLOR, JR.,
Acquired a good education, and was employed as a teacher a large portion of his life. The following description of the old " Taylor " school district, from his pen, had a large circulation at the time it was issned :
"OUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
Our neighborhood's a pleasant place as one could wish to see, sir, And all the folks are peaceable and live in harmony, sir. No place, you'll find, in all our State where there's so little rumpus, And where so many likely chaps live in so small a compass.
Into his neighbor's business, sir, there's no one ever prying. A pious place it is, also, as one could set his foot in, Where people read their bible, sir, and always go to meeting. Few wicked folks can here be found, a circumstance quite rare, sir,
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And very seldom will you find a man who'll ever swear, sir. A wealthy place it is, also, although it looks so greasy, Chock full of every kind of trash, of suet skins and specie. On it the hardness of the times have made no great impression, And factories of every kind have risen in succession. It's on the road to Boston, too, about a mile from town, Where you can see the people's carts as they are going down. Right through it runs a pretty brook, a better one none wishes, Where often on a summer's day they catch the little fishes. And on its surface, too, I've seen the swallows often skimming, And little boys, that went to school for mischief's sake, a swimming. Green grows the grass upon its banks, and green the banks do look, sir.
Across it, too, they've built a bridge all out of stone and mortar. Nigh to this bridge, as you go up, once lived old COL. WARNER, And over it the people pass to go to " Cricket Corner." Some dozen rods above it, too, long before you were born, sir, There was a mill for sawing boards, and one for grinding corn, sir. Our neighborhood's a thriving place,-for business men, a station Where people can be found of almost every occupation. The names of these, with your consent, I'll now proceed to mention, If you'll just listen to my speech and to me pay attention. OLD TIM lives here, the same Old Tim that used to make the bricks, Though of late he's changed his trade and gone to making whips. Beside this business, also, for exercise and sport, sir,
He lets the people out of jail, and cries, too, for the court, sir. Not far from him, some fifty rods, upon a little hill, sir, E. TAYLOR lives, the clothing man, who tends the fulling-mill, sir. Here AMOS UPHAM lives, also, that makes the wooden boxes, And WALTER READ, the trapping man, that catches all the foxes. Here EASTMAN keeps the tavern-house, and sheds to put the teams in, And TOLMAN bakes the earthern pots for folks to bake the beans in. Here SAMUEL READ, the fariner, lives, and fills the barn with corn, sir, And LOVEJOY makes the powder kegs, and blows the bugle horn, sir. Here ENSIGN LUTHER farms it, too, and plays the violin, sir, And LAKEMAN makes the little kegs to put the fishes in, sir. Here UPTON, once a sailor, lives, though he has lately come, sir, And here is DANFORTII, too, who beats the old bass drum, sir. And here is CAPTAIN LEWIS, too, a little way from town, sir, And nigh unto old "Folly " bridge lives DEACON ABEL DOWNE, sir. And here is EBEN TAYLOR, too, whom I forgot to name, sir, Who kept the winter school last term, and means to keep again, sir. And STRATTON lives among us, too, right on the old " Forge " hill, sir,
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Not more than fifty rods, or so, from TAYLOR's fulling-mill, sir. Nor has ELEAZER left us yet,-our former tavern-keeper, And DICKINSON has come at last, the beater of the beater, Who various kinds of capers cuts, is never known to blunder, Turns somersets and earthen pots, and sets the world to wonder. Then down the road lives LEONARD T., a man of genius rare, sir, Who makes the pretty little busks for all the girls to wear, sir ; Who makes all kinds of wooden things, of maple, pine, and birch, sir, And is a very nice young man belonging to the church, sir. A temperance man is Leonard T., and never drinks the bitters ; Neighbor to him is UNCLE BILL, that keeps the horned critters. But I've not mentioned all the folks, the place is wider still, For through the woods lives COL. TOM, who tends the cider-mill. And now the list is incomplete, admitting great extension, And, as an auctioneer would say, 'too numerous to mention.' But those whom I've neglected, sir, will pardon the omission, For I've just reserved their names unto my next edition.
(See p. 790 : 3.) Amherst, N. H., March 13, 1834." DAVID UNDERHILL,
A native of Chester, learned the wheelwright and carriage-maker's trade in the shop of Lewis Downing, in Concord, N. H., and afterward carried on the business in that place, in company with John Titcomb. About 1825 he removed to Amherst and established his business here. He soon became a somewhat prominent Democratic politician, and was appointed post-master in 1829. This ofice he held until his death.
In 1834 he was elected treasurer of Hillsborough county, and held the office three years.
About 1834 he relinquished the wheelwright business, and engaged in trade on the Plain, in the store occupied for many years by William and Robert Read.
ELISHA F. WALLACE,
A native of Amherst, graduated at Dartmouth College in 1811 ; read law with Solomon K. Livermore, Esq., of Milford; commenced practice in Marblehead, Mass., and remained there until 1820, when he removed to Amherst. Here he remained until 1825, when he removed to Syracuse, N. Y., where he died in 1874.
Samuel Walton SAMUEL WALTON,
A native of Reading, Mass., was one of the first settlers in Souhegan West in 1735. Ile seems finally to have located himself in the easterly
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part of the town, near Babboosuck pond. His name appears occasion- ally on the proprietors' records, and is affixed to a petition for assist- ance against the Indians, sent to the governor and council 13 May, 1747, but it is not found on the tax-list of 1760.
From the records of the probate court we learn that William Wal- ton was appointed administrator of his estate 9 June, 1774. Probably he died a short time previous to that date. All of his descendants must have left town shortly after, as the name does not appear on the Association Test paper of 1776. (See p. 811 : 3.)
THOMAS G. WELLS.
Mr. Wells was a native of Hopkinton. Before coming to Amherst he was employed in the office of the Christian Register at Boston. After leaving Amherst he was for a short time one of the proprietors of the New Hampshire Statesman at Concord. Quitting this, he was employed as a journeyman printer in the office of Luther Roby.
In 1826 he sailed in the ship Beverly, from Boston. with the intention of establishing a press at some point on the western coast of South America.
On the passage ont, 15 November, 1826, the ship was burned, and two of the officers, six seamen, Mr. Wells, and some others, escaped in a pinnace and landed at Paramaribo, Guiana, on the fifteenth day after the destruction of the ship. After this he led a sort of roving life for some years, traveling from place to place. On the breaking out of the gold fever, in 1849, he went to California and established himself in the express and banking business at San Fransisco. At the time of the great fire in that place, he remained in his office, in a fire-proof build- ing, until the surrounding buildings were enveloped in flame, and the heat became almost unendurable. On attempting to escape he found the iron doors of his office were so expanded by the heat that they could not readily be opened. After a long time, during which his hands were severely burned, he succeeded in opening the doors and making his egress; but the wooden buildings on both sides of the street for a long distance were a mass of flames, through which he was obliged to pass to reach a place of safety. This he finally accomplished, barely escaping with his life ; but he bore the marks of that terrible run on his crippled frame ever after. He died at Hopkinton some years since.
ISAAC WHEELER,
Long an honored citizen of Amherst, was, in early life, a shipwright, and worked at his trade in the Charlestown navy-yard several years.
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IIe also assisted in fitting out Commodore Perry's fleet on Lake Erie in 1813.
Some years after the close of the war he settled on the place former- ly owned by Samuel Stanley, and now owned by Mr. Francis W. Hol- brook, on which he made many improvements.
He was an excellent mechanic and farmer. Politically he was a Re- publican of the school of Jefferson and Madison, and, in his old age, a Whig. In his religious belief he was a staunch Universalist, and left a considerable share of his property to Tufts College. (See p. 825 : 51.)
GILMAN WHEELER,
A native of Nelson, commenced business with his brother at Newton Falls. He was a clerk in the store of William Wallace, Esq., in Mil- ford, from 1838 to 1841.
In 1841 he came to Amherst and went into business with Charles B. Tuttle, under the firm of Tuttle & Wheeler, occupying the store for- merly occupied by Stewart & Lawrence. In 1844 Richard W. Boyls- ton was admitted to the firm, and the business was carried on by the firm of Tuttle, Wheeler, & Boylston. This firm was dissolved by the death of Mr. Boylston in November, 1845. Soon after that time he commenced business in Milford in company with Mr. John Coch- ran, under the firm of Wheeler & Cochran. In 1853 he sold out his business in Milford and went south to recruit his health. He died suddenly, of Bright's disease, at Jacksonville, Fla., 10 December, 1872, aged 56 years.
He married (1) Miss Gratia Tuttle, of Hancock ; married (2) Miss Fannie Mitchell. of Pawtucket, R. I., who survived him. He left one child, a daughter, by his first wife.
Joseph Wheat
JOSEPH WIIEAT,
A native of Hollis, followed a variety of occupations at different times in his life, being a stage driver, cooper, and town crier. In 1802 he was the proprietor of a stage line from Boston to Windsor, Vt. The journey from Amherst to Boston was made every Monday and Wednes- day, starting at 6 A. M., and arriving at Boston on the evening of the same day. The return trips were made Wednesdays and Saturdays.
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