USA > New Hampshire > Sullivan County > Claremont > History of the town of Claremont, New Hampshire, for a period of one hundred and thirty years from 1764 to 1894 > Part 30
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cession was very large, and completely filled the spacious house. The exercises were very interesting and impressive. President Tyler's proclamation was read by the Rev. Mr. Nichols. Then followed an anthem by the Sacred Music Society; reading of Scriptures by Rev. Mr. Graves; prayer by Rev. R. F. Lawrence ; funeral address by Prof. E. D. Sanborn, of Dartmouth College; singing by the Sacred Music Society; and benediction by Pro- fessor Sanborn. At about one o'clock the procession was re- formed and marched to the Baptist meeting-house where a dox- ology was sung to the tune of Old Hundred by the congregation. The town house was hung with crape, and the national flags were decorated with the habiliments of grief. Every part of the performance was done with great propriety and in order."
DEATH OF PRESIDENT LINCOLN.
On Friday evening, the fourteenth of April, while President Abraham Lincoln was witnessing the play of "Our American Cousin," at Ford's Theater, Washington, D. C., with his wife and two friends, John Wilkes Booth, a play-actor, worked his way to the box where they were seated, and coming up behind the presi- dent, shot him in the head with a revolver, the ball entering the brain, and he died on Saturday morning, the fifteenth, at about half-past seven o'clock. Never before was the nation plunged in such deep and universal grief. Strong men met on the streets and wept in speechless anguish. The announcement of this great calamity in Claremont was followed by the tolling of bells on the several churches, and other demonstrations of real heartfelt sorrow by the people. On Sunday the churches were decorated with emblems of mourning, and the clergymen in their prayers and sermons made touching allusion to the bereavement that had so suddenly befallen the country, at a time when the people were rejoicing at the termination of the four years' war of the Rebellion, and the hoped for peace throughout the land.
On Wednesday, the nineteenth of April, in accordance with recommendation from Washington, and special proclamation of Joseph A. Gilmore, governor of New Hampshire, the obse-
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quies of President Lincoln were observed. Business was entirely suspended; at twelve o'clock the church bells were tolled, minute guns were fired, and the people assembled at the town hall. Rev. Edward W. Clark read the governor's proclamation, and made the opening prayer; appropriate pieces were sung by the choir, under the leadership of Francis F. Haskell; Rev. E. S. Foster read selections from Scripture; Rev. F. W. Towle offered prayer ; addresses were made by Rev. Messrs. S. G. Kellogg, Moses Kimball, of Ascutneyville, Vt., Foster, Clark, and Towle, of Claremont, and Albert Goss, of Auburn, N. Y., a native of the town. The choir sang the hymn, " Why do we mourn depart- ing friends," to the tune of China, and Mr. Kimball pronounced the benediction. Appropriate services, conducted by Rev. J. M. Peck, were held at Trinity church, between eleven and twelve o'clock. Never did the people of Claremont mourn more sincerely than on this occasion.
DEATH OF PRESIDENT GRANT.
The eminent general and ex-president, Ulysses S. Grant, after a long and painful sickness, died at Mount McGregor, near Sar- atoga, New York, on the twenty-third of July, 1885. The select- men published the following notice in the town papers :
TAKE NOTICE.
The citizens of Claremont are requested to meet at the town hall, Saturday evening, August 1, at 8 o'clock, to make arrangements for the proper observ- ance of the day of the funeral of the nation's beloved hero and patriot, General Grant, which will take place August 8.
I. H. LONG, M. S. ROSSITER, Selectmen.
H. C. SANDERS,
Claremont, N. H., July 30, 1885.
Pursuant to this notice, a large number of citizens assembled. John S. Walker was chosen chairman, and stated the object for which the people were called together. Otis F. R. Waite, Hosea
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W. Parker, and David W. O'Neil were appointed a committee to report a committee of arrangements for the funeral exercises, and named George H. Stowell, John M. Whipple, James B. Thrasher, Marshall S. Rossiter, Hosea W. Parker, George T. Stockwell, Frank G. Winn, Hartley L. Brooks, and George W. Paul, to act in conjunction with Hiram G. Sherman, Charles H. Long, and Harry C. Fay, appointed by Major Jarvis Post of the Grand Army.
At a meeting of the committee of arrangements, Hosea W. Parker was chosen president of the day of the funeral. Ira Colby, John S. Walker, Harry C. Fay, Edwin Vaughan, Charles H. Long, Solon C. Grannis, Simeon Ide, John W. Hammond, Samuel G. Jarvis, Henry N. Hunton, George L. Balcom, Edward Ains- worth, Russell Jarvis, Osmon B. Way, Daniel W. Johnson, George N. Farwell, Charles M. Bingham, and Frederick P. Smith, vice-presidents; W. H. H. Allen, orator; Rev. Lee S. M'Collester, chaplain.
On the day of the funeral, by order of the postmaster-general, all the post-offices in the states and territories were closed from one to five o'clock, P. M. In Claremont, business was suspended from twelve to six o'clock, and bells were tolled from half past one to two o'clock. The town hall was tastefully decorated with emblems of mourning. At two o'clock the exercises were opened by the singing by a select choir, under the leadership of F. F. Has- kell, of the hymn beginning,
"My faith looks up to Thee,"
followed by prayer by the chaplain. The president made a. short opening address, and presented the orator, William H. H. Allen, who spoke about forty minutes. He was followed in short addresses by Ira Colby, John S. Walker, Edwin Vaughan, Revs. Lee S. M'Collester, J. H. Robbins, and G. M. Curl, and Dr. Osmon B. Way. The oration and addresses were all eloquent, touching, and appropriate to the occasion.
The president, Mr. Parker, said, -" Before dismissing this as- sembly I desire to say that I have seen General Grant under
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different circumstances for four years, and one of his most prom- inent characteristics was his great modesty. Under all circum- stances he was as modest as a schoolboy, and as simple as a child."
The exercises were concluded with singing by the choir of the hymn, the first two lines of which are,
"_Beyond the smiling and the weeping, I shall be soon."
CHAPTER XXVIII.
SECRET SOCIETIES - MASONIC ORGANIZATIONS.
HIRAM LODGE, NO. 9.
This lodge has been in existence nearly a hundred years, having been instituted June 25, 1798. Among its members from the first have been numbered many of the most able, in- fluential, and substantial men of the town, and the institution has commanded the respect of all classes. The first principal officers were Ithamer Chase, W. M .; Daniel Barber, S. W .; Eben- ezer Rice, J. W .; Stephen Dexter, treasurer; Ambrose Cossit, secretary.
UNION MARK LODGE, NO. 1.
By dispensation from DeWitt Clinton, Grand High Priest of the General Grand Royal Arch Chapter of the United States of America, this lodge was instituted July 13, 1818. The first principal officers were Stephen Rice, Rt. W. master; Nathan Bingham, senior warden; Zenas Hitchcock, junior warden; Jo- seph Rice, treasurer; Joseph Alden, secretary. This lodge con- tinued in existence until August 20, 1820, when, by vote, it was disbanded, and the funds on hand were given to Webb Chap- ter, thereafter to be instituted, and the records and papers were to be deposited with its secretary, when chosen.
WEBB ROYAL ARCH CHAPTER
Was instituted July 11, 1821. The first principal officers were Jonathan Nye, high priest; Nathan Bingham, king; Godfrey Stevens, scribe.
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HISTORY OF CLAREMONT.
COLUMBIA COUNCIL, NO. 2, R. AND S. M.
This council was instituted April 12, 1822. The first princi- pal officers were Jonathan Nye, T. I. G. M .; Nathan Bingham, D. I. G. M .; Godfrey Stevens, P. C .; Roswell Elmer, C. of G .; Stephen Starbird, G. S .; Stephen Rice, recorder; Daniel Chase, treasurer.
SULLIVAN COMMANDERY, NO. 6.
This commandery was instituted January 23, 1866, by Charles A. Tufts, G. C. of the Grand Commandery of New Hamp- shire. The principal officers were Leland J. Graves, E. C .; Henry A. Redfield, generalissimo; A. K. Howard, C. G. Its eminent commanders have been Leland J. Graves, Hosea W. Parker, Joseph W. Robinson, Albert S. Wait, Edward F. Hough- ton, and Charles H. Long.
ODD FELLOWS.
SULLIVAN LODGE, NO. 12.
On the thirteenth of October, 1845, Charles Williams and five other citizens of Claremont, who were members of White Moun- tain Lodge, of Concord, petitioned the Grand Lodge of New Hampshire for a dispensation to form a subordinate lodge in Claremont, which was granted, and on the twenty-third of the same month Sullivan Lodge, No. 12, was duly instituted, with Philemon Tolles, noble grand; William O. C. Woodbury, secre- tary, and Sylvanus F. Redfield, treasurer. The lodge continued in active work until 1857, when the organization was abandoned and the charter surrendered.
On March 21, 1872, on petition to the Grand Lodge of the state, a new charter, with the same name and number, was granted to William O. C. Woodbury, John Hendee, Joseph Weber, Stephen Carleton, Fred. A. Henry, William Clark, Dan- iel J. Livingston, and Lewis W. Randall, and the lodge has been in active operation to the present time. It has eligible rooms in S. S. Rand's block.
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HISTORY OF CLAREMONT.
KNIGHTS OF PYTHIAS.
Sullivan Lodge was instituted August 2, 1872, with ten char- ter members. The largest number of members at any time was twenty-six, in 1873. It was not very prosperous during its ex- istence, and on August 21, 1875, the organization was aban- doned and the charter subsequently surrendered. On December 30, 1887, Claremont Lodge, No. 15, was instituted, with twenty- six charter members. Its membership July 1, 1894, was fifty- four, mostly young men. This organization occupies eligible and handsomely furnished rooms in the third story of Union block, and has a fund on deposit in the savings bank. It is a benefit institution, and paid in benefits from its organization to December 31, 1893, two hundred and sixty-two dollars.
GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC.
MAJOR JARVIS POST, NO. 12,
Was organized on July 7, 1868, with twenty-one charter mem- bers. Edwin Vaughan was the first commander. The succeed- ing commanders were Charles H. Long, Henry E. Barrett, and Oliver A. Bond. The post was disbanded in May, 1872. Dur- ing its existence one hundred and ten comrades enlisted. A new post, with the same name and number, was organized on June 29, 1880, with Hiram G. Sherman as commander. His succes- sors have been William H. Redfield, James H. Perkins, Irving A. Hurd, Charles L. Severance, William Dodge, Harry C. Fay, Levi D. Hall, Shubael Gould, Levi Johnson, Edward A. Parme- lee, Cyrus W. Dana, Allen P. Messer, and George A. Walker. Meetings were held in a hall in what was known as Oscar J. Brown's wood block, which was completely destroyed by fire on the morning of March 27, 1887, with all the records, library, furniture, and other property of the Grand Army Post, which was insured for nearly its full value. When Union block was built, on the site of the one burned, a large hall and rooms
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adjoining were fitted up in its third story for this organization, which it has since occupied.
In November, 1882, the Major Jarvis Woman's Relief Corps, auxiliary to the Grand Army, was organized, with Mrs. Nellie M. Gerry, president.
PATRONS OF HUSBANDRY.
Claremont Grange, No. 9, was organized November 18, 1873. It is composed mainly of farmers and their wives. Meetings are held regularly each month in Grand Army hall, and special meetings are held occasionally at the homes of its members.
CHAPTER XXIX.
MARKS OF CATTLE, SHEEP, AND SWINE.
The following names of persons who had cattle, sheep, and swine marks recorded by the town clerk, from 1771 to 1793, are given as showing the probable owners of land in Claremont during that period :
Year. Names.
Year. Names.
1771. Asa Leet.
Ebenezer Rice.
1771. John Spencer. Amos York.
John Thomas.
John Peak.
Cornelius Brooks.
1772. Benj. Towner.
Samuel Cole.
Beniah Murray.
Meea Potter.
Joseph York.
John Hitchcock.
1773. Samuel Thomas.
Joseph Ives.
1774. Thomas Goodwin.
Benjamin Brooks.
Doct. William Sumner.
Stephen Higby.
Edward Goodwin.
Hezekiah Roys.
Elihu Stevens.
Capt. Benj. Brooks.
Josiah Stevens.
Daniel Warner.
Elihu Stevens, Jr. Roswell Stevens.
Thomas Jones.
1776. Timothy Grannis.
Ebenezer Skinner.
David Bates.
John Kilborn. Barnabas Ellis.
Berna Brooks.
Asahel Brooks.
Capt. Benj. Sumner. Asa Jones.
John Brooks. Stephen Higbe. Levy Higbe.
Amazia Knight.
Jonas Steward. Gideon Lewis.
1777. Doct. Thomas Sterne.
Capt. Gideon Kirtland.
Thomas Gustin.
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HISTORY OF CLAREMONT.
1777. Oliver Ellsworth.
Sergt. Joseph Hubbard. Capt. Ebenezer Clark. Dea. Jacob Rice. Amos Conant. Jonathan Parker.
1790. John Dutton. Joseph Rice. Eliphalet Robinson.
1778. Joseph Clark. John Adkins. Daniel Ford.
Rev. Augustine Hibbard.
1791. Moses Allen. Capt. John Cook. Gideon Handerson. Joseph Spalding. Timothy Atkins. Ashbel Richardson,
1779. Megs Stevens. Zeba Stevens. Linus Stevens.
1792. David Rich. Enoch Judd. Bruster Judd. Linus Stevens, Phisition.
Sergt. Jeremiah Spencer. James Alden. John West. Richard Hawley. Ephraim French. William York. Dr. James Steele.
Jonathan Bradley. Ambrose Cossit. John C. Sprague. John Sprague.
Thomas Warner. Martin Andrews.
James Alden.
Capt. John Blodgett.
Amos Conant. Benj. Peterson.
Ephraim Peterson.
Doct. Abner Megs.
Eliakim Stevens. Widow Mary Belfield. Joseph Cummins.
1782. Ezra Butler.
Ichabod Hitchcock.
1783. Henry Stevens. Maj. Sanford Kingsbury.
1793. Phinehas Cowles. William Breck. Roswell Clapp. Benedick Rice. Aaron Sholes. Christopher Erskine.
1788. Daniel Greene.
1789. Nehemiah Rice.
David Stedman. Reuben Petty. Abraham Fisher.
Adam Raner Leet. Zara Thomas. 1790. Isaac Morgan. James White.
William Rhodes.
Ezekiel Leet.
.
1780. Ebenezer Judd. Samuel Bates. Levy Pardee. Joseph Clark. Bill Barnes.
1781. Reuben Petty. Josiah Rich. Amos Cole.
1785. Timothy Cole. 1786. Asa Jones.
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HISTORY OF CLAREMONT.
MUSICAL REMINISCENCES.
Early in the present century Claremont was quite celebrated for the talents and accomplishments of her singers and performers upon various musical instruments. Dr. J. Baxter Upham, of New York city- a native of the town - furnishes interesting remin- iscences touching this subject, which are given in the main in his own language.
The period embraced in this sketch extends from about 1830 to 1842 inclusive, and it may be called perhaps the musical epoch of Claremont. At no time before or since has the town - always foremost in this particular - contained so many really excellent voices and instruments. It was then that the old Claremont Sacred Music Society was in its prime-a body of sixty mem- bers selected for their proficiency - having as their leader Mr. Silas L. Bingham, who had been trained as a choir boy at Trinity church in Boston; for organist Mr. John Long, formerly of the Temple church, London. Among the prominent vocalists of the society were Mrs. Luther S. Porter, formerly Eliza Bingham, soprano; Mrs. Silas L. Bingham, née Mary Mansfield, a lovely contralto; Messrs. Hosea Booth, Jonathan Miner, and John M. Gowdey, tenors; Messrs. Luther S. Porter, George N. Farwell, and Charles M. Bingham, bassos, and a host of others, who made up the rank and file of the chorus.
The orchestra - if it may be so called - was, of course, limited in numbers and scope, but contained such excellent players as Caleb Densmore, violin; James H. Brigham and Levi Bingham, violoncellos; Arnold Merrill,* contra basso; J. Fisher Lawrence, piccolo; John Dane, clarionet; Charles R. Bingham, Robert H. Upham, Morris Evarts, and Walter Bingham, flutes -the latter a very accomplished musician, a resident of Acworth, but who was wont to come up and join his musical brethren on im- portant occasions, together with the aforesaid John Long, who presided at the organ. Not unfrequently Mr. Pushee, of Leba-
* Silas L. Bingham nicknamed him Traitor Arnold, which cognomen he good na- turedly accepted, and by it was called by his musical associates, with all of whom he was very popular.
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non, who will be remembered as a noted performer on the violin and teacher of dancing, appeared and took part with the society. In several of the more important of the public performances, Sig. Ostinelli, the most famous violinist of the day in this coun- try, did not disdain to come up from Boston and lend life and spirit to the orchestral parts.
Silas L. Bingham, the originator and ruling spirit of this fa- mous organization, deserves more than a passing notice. He was a born musician. He had a rich, ringing tenor voice, was of imposing presence and singularly magnetic power; had an orig- inal and forceful manner of his own, and his control of the ma- terial at his command was absolute and supreme. Full to over- flowing with nervous action, he accentuated the movement and rhythm of the music with hands, head, and feet. He perfectly embodied the graphic picture by Wordsworth of the earnest and enthusiastic lover of music,
" Can he keep himself still, if he would? oh, not he ! The music stirs in him like wind through a tree."
When nearly seventy years old, Mr. Bingham journeyed a thousand miles to be present at the fiftieth anniversary of the founding of the Handel and Haydn Society of Boston. . At his own request he was assigned a place in the chorus, and of the vast multitude of earnest participants in the closing exercises of that memorable week, -it being his favorite "Messiah," - his. voice and action were conspicuous and effective.
The Claremont society possessed a valuable repertoire of music, selected from the standard oratorios mostly, isolated extracts, of course, but of the best. It was their custom to hold frequent meetings for practice during the autumn and winter months, and to come out strong at the Christmas season, when the walls of the old octagonal Episcopal church were made to tremble with the sublime strains of Handel, Haydn, and Mozart.
Such, and of such nature, was this old society, whose reputa- tion reached beyond the limits of the town and state, and which
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was no mean compeer, in its smaller dimensions, to the older and stately Handel and Haydn society of Boston, which was, under its energetic leader, taken for its model.
It was the custom, in those old days, to enlist music as an ally in the entertainment of guests at parties and social gather- ings. The playing of James H. Bingham on his violoncello, and the simple and touching ballads sung by Mr. and Mrs. Silas L. Bingham deeply moved many, and greatly pleased all who listened to these performances.
It will be noticed that the Binghams - though not all of them of one family - figure largely in the foregoing musical reminiscences. To the artistic talent and genius of the Binghams the town owes much of its wide-spread musical reputation. To the older citizens it is a sad reminder of the swiftness of time and the rapidity with which whole generations melt away, that scarcely any of that honored name are now to be found in the town records.
WESTERN NEW HAMPSHIRE MUSICAL ASSOCIATION.
In August, 1885, an association under this name was formed, intending to embrace such individuals in Claremont and sur- rounding towns in New Hampshire and Vermont, interested in musical progress, as chose to join it. A constitution was adopted, and the organization perfected by the choice of the following officers : Hosea W. Parker, president; Joseph H. Haskell, secre- tary; Israel D. Hall, treasurer; Otis F. R. Waite, corresponding secretary; Osmon B. Way, Albert Ball, Francis F. Haskell, Is- rael D. Hall, and Clarence M. Leete, executive committee. It was voted that a music festival be held for the week beginning August 31, provided that fifty names should be obtained to guar- antee to make up the deficiency, if any, of expenses above receipts. The names of sixty-eight guarantors were readily obtained, and the festival was held, with H. R. Palmer, of New York, as con- ductor; Mrs. Martha Dana Shepard, of Boston, pianist, and other well known artists. The receipts were $875.31, and the expenses $607.13.
COACHING PARTY.
OSCAR J. BROWN.
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HISTORY OF CLAREMONT.
Festivals have been held annually, the last week in August, since then - all successful musically, and with varying degrees of success financially, - but on the whole the association has ac- cumulated a small fund. Dr. Palmer was conductor of five fes- tivals, C. Mortimer Wiske, of New York, two, and Carl Zerrahn, of Boston, two. Mrs. Shepard has been in attendance as pianist at all of the ten festivals. The choruses, made up of singers, old and young, of both sexes, living in towns in the vicinity of Claremont, have varied in number of voices, from one hundred and seventy to two hundred and twenty-five.
In October, 1886, this association adopted the voluntary corpo- ration act, with forty-two members, enacted by-laws, and elected a board of officers. Associates have been admitted from time to time, and there were in 1893, seventy-six members. The officers for that year were: Hosea W. Parker, president; James B. Goodrich, vice-president; Otis F. R. Waite, clerk; Israel D. Hall, treasurer; Frank P. Vogl, corresponding secretary ; Clarence M. Leete, George W. Stevens, Horace W. Frost, George A. Briggs, and Noah P. Woolley, directors. A music festival under the conductorship of Jules Jordan, of Providence, R. I., was held in 1894, which was quite as successful as any preceding one.
COACHING PARTY.
On the eightieth birthday of Oscar J. Brown, the veteran stage proprietor and driver, which occurred October 22, 1888, sev- enteen of his elderly fellow townsmen invited him to drive them, with a team of eight spirited gray horses, which had never before been harnessed together, attached to a Concord stage-coach, to Windsor, Vt., ten miles, where they had a handsome special din- ner provided, at the Windsor House. The party consisted of Os- car J. Brown, William E. Tutherly, John L. Farwell, John Tyler, Francis Locke, Otis F. R. Waite, George L. Balcom, Henry Pat- ten, Leonard P. Fisher, John S. Walker, Daniel W. Johnson, John T. Emerson, James P. Upham, John McCullough, Samuel G. Jar- vis, Ira Colby, Fred. A. Tyler, and Pomeroy M. Rossiter, most of
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them natives or long-time residents and well-known Claremont citizens. The party, when mounted upon the coach, at the resi- dence of Mr. Brown, was photographed by the artist, E. C. Fisher, and at about ten o'clock, A. M., started off, amid the cheers of a large gathering of men, women, and children, and the tooting of stage-horns, as of the olden time. This expedition had been heard of, and all along the route the people were out to cheer its prog- ress and the veteran driver. Windsor was on the alert to give it a welcome, as the coach passed up the main street, just before twelve o'clock, in stately style, and drew up at the Windsor House, where several of Mr. Brown's old friends and staging days associates had assembled to meet him.
The dinner was elegantly gotten up, and the service everything that could be desired. After the eating had been concluded, John S. Walker, who sat at the head of the table, with Mr. Brown, the guest of the occasion, on his right, and Leonard P. Fisher, the oldest man of the party, on his left, called to order, and in a few well chosen words introduced Mr. Brown, who thanked his neigh- bors and friends for their kind remembrance of his eightieth birth- day, and gave an interesting account of some of his experiences as- a stage-driver before the days of railroads. He was followed by happy short speeches by Ira Colby and others. At half-past three o'clock, P. M., the party started on its return trip, followed by the cheers of the Windsor people, and arrived home safely, without accident or mishap, at five o'clock. A handsome collation was provided at Mr. Brown's house, to which all were cordially invited.
On the eleventh day of February, 1892, every member of this notable party of eighteen was living. Since that date five of them have died, viz .: February 11, 1892, Fred. A. Tyler, aged sixty- eight years ; March 5, 1892, Samuel G. Jarvis, aged seventy-six years ; March 27, 1892, Oscar J. Brown, aged eighty-four years ; December 6, 1892, Leonard P. Fisher, aged eighty-five years ; Jan- uary 8, 1893, William E. Tutherly, aged sixty-nine years.
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HISTORY OF CLAREMONT.
SPECULATION TIMES.
The period from 1833 to 1837 was known as "Speculation Times" in Claremont. From the earliest settlement of the town her people, in matters of business, have generally been conserva- tive, and at times they might, perhaps, have been considered over cautious or slow. But this period in her history was an excep- tion, the conditions having been brought about by causes easily explainable.
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