USA > New Hampshire > Rockingham County > Hampstead > History of the town of Hampstead, N.H., for one hundred years > Part 3
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and carried with them the habits and virtues, which their father instilled into their minds in their youth.
Dr. Jabez True, his son, was one of the first settlers of Ohio ; he led a life of more than ordinary usefulness. He died in 1823, at the age of sixty-three. His memory is still cherished by the descendants of the early pio -. neers of that great state, for his universal charity, sim- plicity of manners, and sincere piety.
Rev. Henry True, another son, was, for many years, settled in the state of Maine, and now, in his old age, is enjoying the consciousness of having lived a useful life, and is commanding the veneration and respect of every one.
The people of this town can bear testimony to the life of usefulness, which another of the family has led. Her visits of mercy to the sick, her sympathy for the poor and distressed, her disinterested zeal in works of charity and benevolence, have endeared her to us with many ties of affection.
In 1753, the town offered a bounty of four pounds on every wolf killed in the town. An incident which oc- curred about this time, was the cause of the passage of this vote. Lieut. Peter Morse was tending a coal pit upon his land at some distance from his house. At night when ready to return to his family, he found himself surrounded by several wolves. He was obliged to pass a long and sleepless night in the forest, and saved his life only by continually throwing firebrands at them.
Every vestige of the wilderness has long been removed. Among the most vexatious and often calamitous annoy- ances, which were continually harrassing our ancestors, was the attack of wild beasts upon their flocks.
The warrant for the annual meeting in 1756 com- mences with the caption,-" Province of New Hampshire. In His Majesty's name, you are required to meet," &c. This caption was used this year for the first time, and. was continued till the commencement of the Revolution -;
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ary War, when it was changed to "Colony of New Hampshire. In the name of the Government and Peo- ple, you are notified," &c. After the formation of the Constitution, it was again changed to "State of New Hampshire. In the name of said State, you are," &c. These changes of captions, though considered small mat- ters in themselves, serve to show how ready the people were to renounce all allegiance to the King of England.
In 1758, a committee was chosen to defend a suit brought by the town of Kingston against Hampstead. The difficulty continued eight years, before it was set- tled. Before the State line was run in 1741, Hampstead, as now constituted, belonged mostly to Haverhill. But a small portion of the eastern part of the town, which went by the name of Amesbury Peak, was claimed, both by Kingston and Amesbury, although the latter town exercised jurisdiction over the territory. Kingston then comprehended all that is now called Kingston, East Kingston, Danville and Sandown, and being incorporated fifty-five years before Hampstead, would also embrace the disputed territory, after the running of the State line. Though that town had slept fifty-five years, before the incorporation of Hampstead, and eleven years after its incorporation, yet in 1760, "they at last waked up, and fell upon this town with redoubled force, with writ after writ." These lawsuits caused the town a good deal of trouble, and many meetings were called for the purpose of set- tling the difficulty, or defending the suits. At one time the town voted to pay Kingston one thousand pounds, old tenor, and costs, which must have amounted to a round sum. There is another vote to pay Kingston twelve hundred pounds, and still another to pay three thousand pounds. But it is difficult to say whether the town ever paid Kingston anything except the costs. At this state of the difficulty, the Governor interfered, and compromised the matter, by a grant to Kingston, of a tract of land near the Connecticut River. The new
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township was named Unity, because the granting of it made peace between Hampstead and Kingston. The set- tlement was finally effected in 1776. It would be very fortunate if all difficulties arising out of disputed territo- ries, could be settled as amicably as this was .*
In 1762, the town voted " to keep the meeting house doors shut against all such preachers, whose principles and conduct are such, that neither Congregational nor Presbyterian churches amongst us can hold communion with, or admit as preachers." From the testimony of Mr. Kelly, " almost all the followers of the new preach- ers became downright infidels, of which, it is believed, this town had more than any other then known in the State. They sowed the seeds of wickedness so much, that their pernicious influence was felt for many years after- wards, by the goodly number of sober people, who then had no minister to speak the word of truth, and break the bread of life to them."
This account should be taken with some grains of allowance. Mr. Kelly wrote with all the prejudices of a zealous minister of the eighteenth century. The Puritans looked with jealousy upon any sect of Christians other than their own. The people of this town partook fully of that feeling, and very probably, opposed the new creed springing up around them, so bitterly, as to cause those who were indifferent to any particular creed in religion, to sympathise with the persecuted. This is always the result of bitter opposition. Often, the surest way to put down error, is to leave it unnoticed. If the doctrine has merits of its own, it will stand upon them alone, and if it is really an error, it will fall and des- troy itself in its own ruins.
The pay of Selectmen, about this time, was two shil- lings per day, lawful money. The town, at the annual meeting voted what compensation the Selectmen for the
*" Historical Sketch of Hampstead." The above account by Mr. Kelly is the only state- ment to be found of the Kingston difficulty.
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year previous should receive. Sometimes they voted to pay them nothing. This was not a very complimentary estimate of the value of their services, but if our public servants at the present day should be paid for the good they actually do perform, they would, undoubtedly, be more active to perform their duties faithfully, and less eager to sustain the burdens of public office.
Our town has had its share of public calamities. In 1737, in the latter part of the winter, large numbers of cattle died from scarcity of hay ; and many families suf- fered extremely from want of bread. In 1738, "there was a remarkable worm, which ate the leaves from the oak trees. Other vegetation also suffered." "In 1741, the winter was colder than almost any man ever before knew in New England." In 1749, was the greatest drought ever known in the land. One person writes, " that five acres of good land, newly laid down, produced but one load of hay. That he mowed several days, and could not cut two hundred a day." Some people cut down trees for their cattle to browse, and many sent to Virginia for hay. The corn crop yielded well that year, else their sufferings must have been severe. In 1756, a malignant fever prevailed, which swelled the number of deaths to thirty. In a population of three hundred, this was a fearful mortality. These calamities are, however, too well known to require any further notice.
The circumstances of procuring the bell in this town are attended with some interest. Dea. Thomas Huse, of West Newbury, Mass., in 1809, owned and lived upon the Island. He was a particular friend of Mr. Kelly, and said to him one day, "you have a steeple here, and need a bell. If you will go to Mr. George Holbrook, of Brook- field, and speak for a bell, I will pay for it." The bell was accordingly procured and brought upon the ground before any man in Hampstead knew anything about it, except the two who had been spoken to, to make the frame. It was first suspended from a limb of the old oak
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tree, in this neighborhood, and rung, much to the sur- prise of all the people, who had not been apprised of the event ;* a very harmless and agreeable way of perpetra- ting a joke .;
It is worthy of note, that there are seven farms in this town, that have remained in the same families over one hundred years .¿ It is an old and familiar adage, " there's no place like home; " these farms, then, must be doubly dear to their present owners. The reminis- cences of childhood, and the scenes enacted around these hearth-stones of their fathers, render these places dear to them, with a thousand ties of affection.
Ata special meeting of the town, called on the twen- tieth of December, 1774, it was voted " that the money called for from this town, in order to support the ex- pense of the Delegates of the General Congress sent by this Province, shall be paid out of the town stock." " Also, that a Committee of Inspection be chosen to re- gard the conduct of the people, touching the association of the General Congress."
At a special meeting held July fifteenth, 1776, it was voted " to raise a sum of money, sufficient to hire thir- teen men, sent for by Col. Gale, as the proportion of this town, to join the Continental Army under Gen. Sul- livan, at Canada, or at Crown Point." "Voted to set aside and excuse all those persons, who have done a turn in the war the last year, or their proportion of a turn in said war, from paying any part." The town also chose a committee to hire and enlist the thirteen men called
*Many of the foregoing facts and statements are found in the "Sketch of Hampstead," before alluded to.
tThe following extract is taken from the deed of conveyance by Dea. Huse :
" I Thomas Huse of Hampstead, &c. in consideration of the love and good will, and affec- tion which I have and bear to the inhabitants of the town of Hampstead in general, and to the Congregational Church and Society in particular, and with a view and desire to unite a spirit of liberality, and to promote good order, harmony and peace in the said town of Hamp- · stead, have given, granted and confirmed, and by these presents do give, grant and confirm unto the said town of Hampstead, for the use and benefit of said inhabitants in general, and for the use and benefit of said Church and Society in particular, -forever-a certain meeting- house bell now on the meeting house in said Hampstead, made by George Holbrook, at Brookfield, Mass. * * "-Records of Hampstead, Vol. 2, pp. 62-3.
#These farms are either owned or occupied by the following persons, respectively, viz: Mr. Jonathan Williams; Heirs of John H. Clark, who died the present season ; Mr. Caleb Had- ley ; Mr, Samuel Wood ; Mr. Moses Atwood ; Mr. Amasa Eastman ; and Widow Mary Calef.
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for, and empowered them to procure money for the pay - ment of the soldiers.
This meeting was held either immediately upon the reception of the news of the Declaration of Indepen- dence or a few days prior, and when that instrument was the general subject of thought and conversation. It shows that ours was not behind other towns, in respond- ing to the action of Congress. Committees of Inspection were chosen at various times, during the war.
In 1777, another draft was made upon this town, "for men to join the Continental Army under Col. Bartlett." The town immediately voted to send the men, and joined the Selectmen with the commissioned officers, to procure them.
In December, 1777, John Calfe was chosen a " Repre- sentative to act in the General Assembly to be holden at Exeter, with full power to transact such measures as the Assembly might judge necessary for the public good; and also, to choose delegates to the Continental Congress." Mr. Calfe was annually chosen to represent the town, till our present Constitution was adopted. The unlimited power entrusted to him, speaks volumes in favor of his integrity, and of the confidence the people reposed in him. It also shows that this town was ready to perform its share in the great Revolution to be effected on this Continent. Many other towns would not empower their delegates with full authority, from a distrust of the ex- pediency of many of the measures then proposed, but which time has proved to have been wisely enacted.
In 1778, a Committee was chosen "to provide for the families of those that had gone into the army for the town of Hampstead." At the annual meeting in 1778, it was voted, even in anticipation, "to procure the sol- diers that might be called for during the year." In 1779 it was voted "to allow those soldiers that were for and from this town, something for their losses in their retreat from Tianteroga, [Ticonderoga, (?)] in 1777."
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At a special meeting, in May, 1779, they voted " to pro- cure the men, (five in number,) then called for, and also to raise more men, if called for that year." Again in July, another meeting was called and new measures taken to procure men to join the New Hampshire battalion ; and also to procure men to go to Rhode Island, to join the army there. At this time the paper currency, issued by Congress, had depreciated so much, as to be almost worthless. The people of Portsmouth met to consider what remedy could best be applied. Their consultation resulted in fixing a price for all articles of merchandise, which should be uniform throughout the state. The Selectmen of Portsmouth issued Circulars to the differ- ent towns, asking their co-operation. At a special meet- ing this town "voted to come into the plan adopted by Portsmouth, provided three-fourths of the other towns should do the same." The adoption of this plan, neces- sarily resulted in great pecuniary sacrifices.
There are many other interesting votes passed dur- ing the Revolution,* but enough have been noticed, to show that this town took an active part in that great struggle. There was no time during the war when it did not furnish its full quota of men. Its money was freely given; and its men willingly sent forth to fight the battles of a common country. In Rhode Island, on the shores of Lake George, and at Crown Point, are entombed the ashes of our townsmen. In common with the rest of our country, our ancestors were aroused by the insults and injuries heaped upon them by. Eng- land. They fought against powerful odds. In the darkest periods of the Revolution, the hardy yeomanry flocked around the standard of America, and wrested from the hands of our mother land, the power which she vainly asserted. In the eloquent language of anothert " those were times that tried men's souls, and'never, in
*There are other votes recorded in the town books, passed during the difficulty with France, in the presidency of John Adams. Also, similar votes passed during the war of 1812. 1Wirt's Life of Patrick Henry.
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any age, or in any country, did there exist a race of men, whose souls were better fitted for the trial. Pa- tient in suffering, firm in adversity, calm and collected amid the dangers which pressed around them, cool in council and brave in battle, they were worthy of the cause and the cause was worthy of them." In their privations and wrongs, " the sufferers were upheld by that kind of holy fortitude, which enabled the christian martyrs to smile amidst the flames, and to triumph, even in the agonies of death." * * " Every grade of society, all ages, and both sexes, kindled in this sacred competition of patriotism. The Ladies of the Colonies, in the dawn, and throughout the whole progress of the Revolution, shone with pre-eminent lustre, in this war of fortitude and self-denial. They renounced, without a sigh, the use of the luxuries, and even of the comforts, to which they had been accustomed, and felt a nobler pride in appearing dressed in the simple productions of their own looms, than they had ever experienced from glittering in the brighest ornaments of the East."
If our fathers and mothers did not occupy so. promi- nent a place in the great drama of the Revolution, as others who lived nearer the scenes of active operations, it was not because they lacked brave and patriotic spir- its. They contributed their full quota of the honest yeomanry, that composed our bravest troops. They freely gave of their fortunes to promote the sacred cause ; they protected from hunger and danger, the wives and little ones of those who had gone manfully forth to the fight. In that day, America knew no distinction of rank or person. It was a common cause, for the common good. The humblest soldier in that war, if animated with the same patriotic feelings, deserves and receives the same grateful remembrance from posterity. What though his name be lost! What though every trace of his life's history be destroyed ! He performed well his part in life, and the influence of his acts will descend through all
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time, and incite other men, in other ages, to the same noble struggles to become free, even as now the cower- ing millions of Europe are striving to break the tyranny of power ;- even as the noble Hungarians are contend - ing for life and liberty against the allied despotic powers of Austria and Russia.
It is proper to notice, though, from necessity, briefly, the principal men of our town.
Richard Hazzen came from Haverhill, Mass., and was among the first settlers. He was graduated at Harvard College in 1717. In 1741, he was one of the principal Surveyors in running the line between this State and Massachusetts. He died suddenly in October 1754. He was a useful and trustworthy citizen and was so esteemed by his fellow townsmen. He was so well known and prominent that he is mentioned on the records simply as Mr. Hazzen, his Christian name being omitted.
Daniel Little, Esq., also came from Haverhill. By the authority given him in the town charter, he called the first town meeting, for the purpose of organizing. He was often chosen Selectman, and placed upon import- ant committees, and was a valuable and influential cit- izen. He died in 1777, at the good old age of 86, lamented by all his fellow townsmen. His descendants compose a numerous and valuable part of our present population. His son Samuel was a Justice of the Peace, often one the Selectmen, and frequently filled other im- portant offices in town. Another son, Rev. Daniel Little, was the first minister of Kennebunk, Maine ; and preached in this town before the settlement of Mr. True. He was a member of the American Academy of Arts and Scien- ces, and had the honorary degree of A. M. conferred upon him at Harvard College.
Gen. Jacob Bayley resided in this town several years. He came from Newbury, Mass., and was a very enter- prising man. After living here several years he went as a leading man, and settled in Newbury, Vt., which
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town he named after his native place. He was distin- guished as an officer in the Revolutionary War.
Capt. John Hazzen, who was born in Haverhill, Mass., and was nephew to Richard Hazzen, also, was a man of . enterprise. After living in this town several years, he removed to settle in Haverhill of this State, which place he named after the place of his nativity.
Hon. Charles Johnson was another very worthy man, who went from this place with Capt. Hazzen, as one of the first and most valuable men in that company.
Hon. John Calfe, born in Newbury, Mass., came to this town from Kingston, N. H. He was a descendant of the celebrated Robert Calfe, a merchant of Boston, who so strenuously withstood the measures of the government in putting supposed witches to death, in Salem. He was a deacon in the church at Hampstead thirty-five years,- a Justice of the Peace twenty-nine years, and of the Quorum throughout the State thirteen years,-Judge of the Court of Common Pleas twenty-five years,-and Clerk of the House of Representatives twenty-five years. He annually represented this and two neighboring towns in the General Assembly, during the war of the Revolu- tion, at a time when he was under thirty years of age. He was also a member of the Committee of Safety, with discretionary power to transact all State affairs during the recess of the Assembly. At the age of eighteen he was an under officer on the shores of Lake Champlain, in the war against the French and Indians. He was also an officer in the Revolutionary Army. He was Secretary. of the Convention for forming the State Constitution, and of the Convention for ratifying the Federal Constitution. He was once chosen State Treasurer, but did not accept the office. In his memoir it is said, " that no man ever more sacredly regarded the will of the people, than he. . In all his public transactions, his conduct was regulated, not by the views of party men, but by what he con- ceived to be the wish of the whole people." He died
HISTORY OF HAMPSTEAD. 37
in 1808, in the 68th year of his age. On the meeting of the legislature the next month, it was voted, in tes- timony of respect for his memory that the members of the House would wear black crape on the left arm dur- ing the session. " To the close of his life, he sustained a fair, unblemished character, which envy or malice would scarce dare impeach."*
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There is not time to notice, at large, other prominent men. A mere mention of their names must suffice. Among those whom we hold in grateful remembrance, are Dea. Peter Eastman, for twenty-five years Town Clerk; Dea. Benjamin Kimball; Capt. William Marshall, the first Rep- resentative from this town under the new Constitution ; Dea. Timothy Goodwin ; Lieut. Peter Morse ; Dea. Sam- uel Currier ; Daniel Little, Esq., recently deceased ; Dea. Moses Little ; Dea. Job Kent ; John True, Esq .; Col. Jon- athan Little ; Reuben Harriman ; Col. Benjamin Emerson ; Dea. John Emerson ; Bartholomew Heath ; Jonathan Eastman ; Jesse Gordon, Esq. ; and Isaac Noyes, Esq., de- ceased the present year. There are the names of many others, in the history of the town, whom we would like to notice, and who have equal claims upon our remembrance. But time forbids us to delay. Nor is it necessary to recite their histories. We hold their acts in grateful remem- brance. The influence of their well spent lives is felt by us to-day. Their love of order and religion, their vener- ation for things sacred, their public spirit, worthy of imita- tion in these days, their generosity towards objects of char- ity, and their friendly relations in neighborhoods and among each other-all their noble traits of character, com- mand our highest veneration.
To the memory of the venerable man who so recently left this world, as we trust, for a better one, it is fitting that we pay more than a passing tribute.
Rev. John Kelly was born in Amesbury, Mass., Feb. 22,
*The preceding account of the prominent citizens is condensed from Mr. Kelly's Sketch of Hampstead, and from the History of Judge Calfe. Information derived from other sources, has been added.
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1763 ; he was graduated at Dartmouth College in 1791 ,and ordained at Hampstead, December 5, 1792. There was no dissenting voice against his settlement, although for the ten years previous there had been no settled minister here, and many ineffectual attempts had been made to procure one. The salary voted to him was sixty pounds a year, and the use of the parsonage. " Also ten cords of wood a year for ten years, and if he shall not find that sufficient, liberty to cut more from the Parsonage." When ten years should expire they were to give him fifteen cords a year. They also voted " to give him two cows and six sheep, when called for." To the call and offer of the town, he returned, with his usual frankness, an affirmative answer ; an answer too, which breathes a spirit of evangelical piety.
It is worthy of mention, that Mr. Kelly outlived every individual who was a member of his church at the time he became connected with it. Of all the men that helped settle him, only two survive .* It was his lot to see the rest depart, one after another, to the spirit land, to find himself left almost alone, to mourn their departure, and to witness the extinguishment of the "objects of their ardent hopes and high endeavor."
The result of his labors is known to us all. Scandal never moved its tongue to defame his character, or oppugn his motives. In private life he was distinguished for mild- ness and dignity ; in the discharge of his public duties, for meekness, for practical knowledge in life and in the scrip- tures for sound judgment and correct taste. Although all here present may not have agreed with him in religious belief, yet all will unite in awarding to him the best inten- tions in all his actions. First convinced of the correctness of his opinions, he endeavored mildly, but firmly, to con- vince others. At the bedside of the sick, and in the house of mourning, he was a frequent visitor. Conscious of the . duties and responsibilities of his profession, it was his
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