USA > New Hampshire > Rockingham County > Hampstead > History of the town of Hampstead, N.H., for one hundred years > Part 2
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The erection of this house was considered by them indis- pensible. It was no mercenary motive that led our fath- ers to leave " Old England's " shores, encounter the perils of the deep, and endure the privations of a life in the wil- derness. It must have been a strong and enduring love for religion and a perfect faith in God, that induced our Puritan mothers to sever the ties of kindred and nation, to leave parents and friends-all behind-and find in the
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wilds and severe climate of New England, a place to wor- ship God in security, " according to the dictates of their own consciences ; " to find a refuge from persecution, and an asylum for the despised Pilgrim. It was a strong and abiding love in God, that could induce our fathers and mothers to leave the luxuries and pleasures of home-that word, the mention of which, calls up in our memories a thousand pleasing associations,-and to settle in lands which would be continually harassed by Indian warfare, and attended with such " sure destruction of property, and life, and hope." " There was no face which did not gather paleness, and no heart which did not bleed at every pore. Everything in life was held and enjoyed in fearful uncertainty. The fond motl:er, with her infant in her arms, held him in perpetual fear. She felt that inward terror, that beating and throbbing of nature within the heart, which she only can know, who is nursing her infant for slaughter." Hearts that could put their trust in the Lord and brave dangers like these, more terrible, because uncer- tain, and attended with unheard of barbarity, must have been imbuel with a perfect love of God. It no longer, then, excites our wonder, that every infant settlement had its sanctuary, that New England has become world re- nowned for its religion, its learning, and its enterprise. Its ten thousand church spires, reaching upward toward Heaven, point with unerring accuracy, to the cause of its superiority in morality and prosperity.
Happily our own town never was the scene of Indian massacre and cruelty. But its vicinity to other places, which in an unsuspecting moment, became scenes of blood- shed, must have kept them in perpetual suspense. " Hus- bands and wives, parents and children, nightly retired to rest in safety, sunk together into silence, doubting ever to rise again."
The same people came to settle this town, and possessed the same undying love for God, and the same unyielding spirit to persecution. The strong love for the sanctuary,
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and sanctuary privileges, which they implanted in our breasts, is the richest legacy they could have bequeathed us. It outshines in splendor and in richness, "the wealth of Ormus and of Ind." It is no mean heritage to be the descendants of such people. Well may we quote with pride the first warrant for the meeting of the free-holders, when every line but one was penned, to take measures for the enjoyment of increased privileges in the worship of God, and to provide a permanent preacher of His word.
The erection of their new Meeting House, was an im- portant era in their history. It is unfortunate that there is no authentic record of it extant. Allow me to quote the language used upon an occasion similar to this .*
" It was apparent that it was in their hearts to build a house unto the Lord. At length the work went on. The forest, dense and heavy, that then entiely surrounded the destined location, resounded with the woodman's axe. The oaks hard by,-venerable with the growth of centuries,- were felled and fitted for their place ;" at length, " the day, so long an object of pious desire on the part of some, and of wakeful interest among all, had arrived. At an early hour in the morning from the remotest borders of the town, the men are gathering. All are prompt and ready to act their several parts in a scene, than which none, perhaps, more joyous had ever before occurred in the his- tory of the town. None of the actors survive to recount what transpired on that memorable day. We know, how- ever that the raising of a Meeting House was an event of no ordinary interest. But in these days of progress and rapid execution, when villages rise up like mushrooms, and Meeting Houses, comfortably provided with all fixtures, can be furnished at short notice, we can but imperfectly imagine the excitement that thrilled the infant settlement on the occasion in question.
" The morning of the day, we may well suppose, found their domestic matters done up in season, and we seem to
*Rev. Mr. Allen.
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see them setting off,-the active and the able bodied, with their implements in hand,-the housewives neatly attired in their checkered aprons, on foot or on pillion, - the beardless, vannting young men and coy maidens, in Sun- day dress,-all wending their way to the central point of interest, where, doubtless, in due time, were assembed nearly all of the three hundred population in town.
" What deeds of strength and agility, in handling beams and rafters,-what skill in tilting and catching pins-what hair-breadth escapes,-what presumtuous adventures in walking the giddy ridgepole,-what notes of alarm from prudent mothers and careful wives,-it is not for us to re- port. Nor would it be of interest, at this late period, to speak of the closing scenes of that day. It is enough to remark, that, as after the consecration of the Temple, Solomon held a feast, and all Israel with him, and on the eighth day sent the people away, and they came to their tents joyfully and glad of heart; so no doubt abundant provision had been made for " all those creature comforts, once-but not now, deemed indispensable at a raising.
"The massive frame thus went up, without any accident to mar the happiness of the occasion ; and there it has stood," more than " a century, defying the fierce blasts of winter, and the progress of decay,-and seems even now, capable, with proper care, of lasting a century more. Though it has been taken from sacred, and appropri- ated to secular uses,-though it stands solitary and alone, and seems without and within like one forsaken, -yet, who can pass it by," " without emotion ?" It is of New England architecture. " It is a Puritan
structure." * * "Centuries to come will approve and applaud the New England men, who worshipped in square pews, and the New England ministers, who preached with a subduing power from high pulpits."
The first town meeting was held on the 7th day of February, 1749* Daniel Little was chosen moderator,
* * This was in Old Style. According to our chronology, it would be eleven days later. This remark will also apply to the date of our town charter.
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and had the honor of holding the first elective office in town. Peter Eastman was elected Town Clerk, to which office he was annually elected, with but two exceptions, till 1776. Nathaniel Heath was chosen Constable but not wishing to serve, hired Ebenezer Gile to take his place, and the town accepted the substitute. A board of five Selectmen was chosen, either because it was the custom to choose that number, or because they thought five would be more prompt to serve the town well, than three. The board consisted of John Johnson, Lieut. Peter Morse, George Little, Jacob Bayley and Stephen Johnson. The other offices were all filled, no doubt, by good men. Joseph Stevens and John Beard were elected Hogreeves. If the custom then prevailed, as at the present time, of choosing the newly married to that office, we are led to infer that Joseph Stevens and John Beard had recently worshipped at the altar of Hymen. It is certainly a cus- tom of long standing. The office was not then, as now, a nominal one ; its duties were often onerous. Perhaps the custom owes its origin to the playful desire upon the part of the community at large, to render this naturally embar- rassing period of the newly wedded couple's life, more em- barrassing by thus drawing to the happy groom, the atten- tion of the whole town. There may be something peculiar in matrimony itself, that renders him a suitable person to have charge of the swine running at large, and makes him emphatically " master of the ring." Or, by ringing the nose of the unfortunate pig, he may see a foreboding of what is to be his own fate, unless he shall float down the stream of wedded life more safely than sometimes hap- pens. The question will, probably never be settled upon strictly political principles.
Some action was taken at this meeting for securing a settled minister. But from a defect in the records, it does not appear what action was had. From the fact that a minister was settled three years afterward, in 1752, it is probable that this meeting prepared the way for future
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success, though its action at that time did not result in anything definite.
At the annual meeting in 1750, among other things. it was voted to " hire a schoolmaster for six months in ye summer season, to teach ye children, to read and write." We may point to this vote with great pleasure. That a town, which had been settled only twenty-one years, and had, probably, less than three hundred inhabitants, should be at the expense of sustaining the school half the year, was an act which forms one of the brighest spots in our history. The next distinguishing feature, in the policy adopted by our fathers, to the noble example they set in the worship of God, is our system of Common Schools.
The men who settled New England, entertained correct ideas of true glory. They had been schooled in adversity and had learned to estimate truly human greatness and human power. They knew that " knowledge is power." In the ignorance and superstition that shrouded the Old World in error, shut out the glad light of liberty, and fastened upon Europe the badges of the most despotic governments, they saw the destiny that awited them in their new homes, unless they should lay deep the foun- dations of knowledge. They knew that freedom, with- out knowledge, was but another name for slavery. The arrogant assumption of the Papal authority, the bitter unrelenting cruelty of the Dark Ages, their own persecu- tions by their own firesides, served to make them strive more zealously, to establish what they conceived to be the truth. Our fathers saw the degredation of the masses of the Old World, and resolved that no such heritage should be the lot of their children. At the same time they erected their own dwellings, they also erected the school house.
When they established the Common School system, they performed an act, whose influence will reach down through all time. Had it not been for the intelligence of the men of 1776, America had never been free. Had it not been for Common Schools, our enterprise would not whiten
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every sea with the sails of our ships ; our commerce would not extend to the most distant ports ; our fabrics would not compete so successfully with those of more favored climes ; our glorious Union itself would not have stood so long, unshaken by the dangers which threaten it without and within.
Cæsar, the hero of three hundred battles, the subjuga- tor of eight hundred cities, the conqueror of three millions of people, one million of whom he slew in battle, has, in- deed rendered his name immortal. But long after the in- fluence of his deeds shall have ceased to be felt, when his name shall be remembered only to be associated with scenes of cruelty, shall the humble, unpretending acts of the Pil- grims move the mighty masses that shall come after them.
The greatest foe to tyranny is knowledge. Millions, yet unborn, will unite to bless the men " who broke the magic spell of ignorance and of error."
We do no feel the full weight of the debt of gratitude, which we owe to the memory of our fathers. Not till we contrast our fortune with that of the millions of Europe, who are now struggling to burst the bonds that have so long held them in ignorance, and in humiliating depend- ence upon the nobility, can we feel the superiority of our condition.
How different is the condition of Common Schools at the present day from what it was one hundred years ago ! Then the town voted to hire a teacher for six months, to teach only reading and writing. So limited a course of education at this day, would hardly be thought a very great accomplishment. But their effort for the educa- tion of the rising generation will seem a noble one when we consider that then almost the whole world was bur- ied in ignorance, that only here and there did the bright rays of knowledge illumine the face of the earth, that then people considered the possession of knowledge beyond their reach and forbore to strive after it, that one centu- ry ago the world was groping in the dark,-all knowl-
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edge of the truth effectually shut out from the minds of the people, except when imparted through the medium of men whose interest it was to keep the masses in ignor- ance. Even in 1750 our town, would compare favorably with the condition of many parts of our country at the present time. In our southern and western states, there is many an individual who can neither read nor write. But an hundred years ago, it was not a common thing to find a New Englander who could not do both.
There are many yet living who can count their whole term of " schooling " by weeks, who traveled miles to school, and thought themselves fortunate to enjoy such privileges. The school houses of that time were want- ing in almost every convenience, and possessed none of the luxuries of modern times. Though often hardly worthy the name of a school house, often containing only a single room, cold and uncomfortable, amid the miniature snow banks, which crept stealthily in between the crevices of the hewn logs, and through the cheerless days of winter, were educated as brave men and noble hearts as ever lived.
The Testament was then the only reading and spelling book known, and a copy-book consisted of a few leaves of the roughest paper. To this limited list of studies Arithmetic was soon added. At first no text book was used. Such examples as would come up in the ordinary course of a man's business, were given out by the teacher and the four fundamental rules taught orally. In time, Pike's Arithmetic made its appearance, grew into general favor, and for a long time remained in exclusive use. But that, like everything else, must give place to im- provement. Then followed Welch's, Adams' Old, and New, Colburn's, and lastly, to the honor of our town, the analytical, thorough and concise treatise, by one of Hampstead's most distinguished sons .* The rapidity with which it grew into general favor, the extensive
*The North American Arithmetic, in three parts, by Frederick Emerson, Instructor in Bos- ton.
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adoption of it in most of our schools, and the success with which it maintained its favor with the public in face of the most persevering competition, is proof, stronger than words, of its real merits.
There is not time to notice all the improvements in- troduced into our schools. What distrust accompanied the introduction of new studies, what wry faces were made over the unintelligible pages of Murray, what bit- ter tears were shed over hard, half-learned tasks, and what fear of blistered hands or smarting limbs,-we leave for other pens on different occasions.
It is proper, however, to allude to the important changes that have taken place in reading books. The New Testament was, at first, the only reading book used. But from the sacredness of the book, and on account of its being ill adapted to the capacities of different ages, it was superseded by other books. The American Precep- tor, and, for a long time also, the English Reader, were favorite text-books. In the improvements of the age, these books gave way to a series well adapted to the dif- ferent ages and capacities of youth, by another distin- guished son of Hampstead .; For several years the town honored him by the exclusive adoption of his books. But the love for new things is irresistible, and Emerson's Reading books have been partially laid aside, to make room for other candidates for public favor. The same au- thor has furnished to the world a simple, neat, well ar- ranged and correct spelling book,¿ which has been exclu- sively adopted in the schools in this town for nearly twenty years. The hundreds of editions that have been pub- lished, its almost universal adoption in schools, and the long time it has been in use, are sure guaranties of its worth. The rival, that can supplant it, must present the strongest claims of excellence.
The man who publishes a book for Common School
t Benjamin D. Emerson, Esq., Roxbury, Mass.
#Emerson's National Spelling Book.
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use, wields a mighty influence. The character of his bcok operates upon the mind when it is most suscept- ible of bias. It is the duty of the people, then, to look into the character of the instruments, which aid in forming the most lasting impressions the youthful mind ever receives.
I believe no other town has the honor of being the birth place of men, whose school books have been so univer- sally approved and adopted. This fact, together with the esteem with which we have always regarded them, must be my apology for alluding to what, at first sight, might not seem strictly appropriate to the occasion.
Our fathers had not the advantages which we enjoy. The town in 1750, contained but one district, and ac- cording to the terms of the vote, the school was to be sustained only in the summer season. Its advantages could not, therefore, have been extensive. The great distance must have excluded most of the smaller chil- dren, and the duties of the farm and of the dairy, in the busiest season, must have deprived many of the elder chil- dren from attending. The first attempts in other parts, of New England, to establish schools, were attended with similar inconveniences, and produced only the same lim- ited advantages. But from this small germ, has grown up around us our strongest bulwark of defence. It is the cause of our unexampled prosperity. In vain will bigotry or infidelity attempt to undermine our security, while our system of Common Schools is cherished as one of the most efficient aids to religion, and national prosperity. The foundation of all prosperity is in an enlightened com- munity. An ignorant people, though inhabiting the most favored land on earth, soon sinks into insignificance. Our extended sea-coast invites the merchant to traverse the ocean for trade with every clime. Our fertile valleys have given employment to the agriculturalist. Our nu- merous water-falls have attracted the enterprising manu- facturer. "Cities spring up like exhalations, under the
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magic touch of his wand, and the hum of machinery arises out of the midst of a thrifty, industrious and happy people."
The majestic plains and rivers of the West have col- lected adventurers from every part of the world. Our country exhibits to other nations the unexampled rise and prosperity of a free, self-governed, and educated people. The Common School system has been one of the most effective means in producing these magic changes. Its benefits and its inevitable results are arguments which come directly home to the hearts and understandings of the great body of the people. To the foresight and wis- dom of the pilgrims, are we indebted for this rich lega- cy. With what care and anxiety, then, should we cherish it, so that we may hand it down to those who shall come after us, not only untarnished, but in our hands made the instrument of increased good.
Time forbids indulging in any further reflections, to which so fruitful a subject invites our attention. The remaining events in our town's history must be rapidly run over.
At this time there appears to have been some trouble concerning the Parsonage lands. The Proprietors of Hav- erhill granted to the inhabitants of Timber Lane, a tract of land " for ye use of ye first minister who should set- tle here." At this meeting in 1750, it was voted "that Esq. Little, Capt. Copps and John Webster, should be a committee to agree with Thos. Haynes to go off ye Parsonage land, if they can do it on reasonable terms." This committee was unsuccessful in effecting a settlement with Mr. Haynes. It is not easy to ascertain wherein the difficulty consisted. The dispute was about the title. At different meetings the town chose committees to prosecute the trespassers, or to settle with them, or to refer the matter. So many votes were passed and recon- sidered, that it is not possible to ascertain how the mat- ter was finally adjusted. The last vote upon the town
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records, is to give it to any one to hold in fee simple, who will take up the case and prosecute it to final judg- ment. Probably some amicable adjustment was made, which secured the lands to the town .*
An article was inserted in the warrant "to see if ye town would give Mr. Merriam a call to settle as a gos- pel minister in ye town." From a defect in the records, it cannot be ascertained what was done.
In August, 1750, at a meeting holden for the purpose, a committee was chosen "to supply ye pulpit, with ye advice of ye neighboring ministers." A similar vote was passed in 1751. The town thus had preaching most of the time. At a meeting held on the 25th day of February, 1752, the town voted to " choose and elect Mr. Henry True, to settle with us in ye work of ye ministry." "Voted to give Mr. True for his annual salary £450, each of ye two first years, in money, old tenor, or equal to it in money ; and after ye two first years are expired, then £500 a year, of ye like money, during ye time he con- tinues to carry on ye work of ye ministry amongst us, in this town of Hampstead." At an adjourned meeting, they voted, as an additional inducement for him to come, " £1000, o. t., one-half in bills of credit, and ye other half in labor and materials for building-also, twenty cords of wood, annually, after he hath a family. Also, ye peace- able possession of ye land, granted by the proprietors of Haverhill, to ye first minister who should settle in Tim- ber Lane." To the call of the town, and this liberal offer, Mr. True returned a letter of acceptance.
Mr. True came from Salisbury, Mass. He was graduated at Harvard College in 1750, and was ordained June 24, 1752, and continued in the ministry almost thirty years, till his death. "He always maintained the character of a good man, (says Rev. Mr. Kelly,) " agreeably to the
*Since the above was delivered, I have learned that the above named lands do not make a part of the present Parsonage. They are situated on the west road leading from Mr. Dan- iel Emerson's to the Wadley Corner. Rev. Henry True, soon after his settlement, sold out his interest for a mere song, and the purchaser made a very profitable investment of his money.
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text, Acts 11 : 24, which Rev. Edward Barnard of Hav- erhill preached from, at his ordination. During the first half of his ministry, no clergyman was more highly es- teemed or better treated by the people than he was. As his family increased, they added to his salary; the whole sum that the people gave him, over his regular salary, was nearly $3000, and this was when the daily wages of se- lectmen were only two shillings. But toward the close of his ministry, they cut down his salary, for several years to $200 a year. Other ministers came into the place, and by their zealous and loud speaking, produced great com- motion, but no revival among the people, who were very sanguine and versatile in their opinions. This did not unsettle the good minister, nor sully his character in the view of any man, but it reduced his salary and the number of his hearers so that after his decease, the people were in trouble." For many years, in consequence of a division amongst themselves, they attempted, un- successfully, to settle a new minister.
In 1755, during the old French War, Mr. True went into the army as chaplain ; also, again in 1762. In a let- ter to his wife, dated July 11th, at Crown Point, he gives an interesting account of matters occurring in the camp; he speaks of the great drought which was so fatal to the crops that year. His connection with the army does not appear to have been marked by any striking events. After remaining there the appointed time, he returned to his family and people.
Mr. True died suddenly on the 22d of May, 1782, in the fifty-seventh year of his age. It was on the Sabbath, just as he was ready to leave his house for the house of God, to preach as usual, when, with scarcely a moment's warning, he was called to " a tabernacle not made with hands," to spend an eternal Sabbath of rest.
Mr. True was the means of doing much good ; his influence is felt to this day. He left a numerous family of children, who settled in different parts of our land ;
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