USA > New Hampshire > Merrimack County > Dunbarton > Record of the centennial celebration of the incorporation of the town of Dunbarton, N.H., on Wednesday, September 13, 1865 > Part 10
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It will be the wisdom of your citizens to establish at the Center of the town a High School of the first order, affording all the facilities needed to prepare your sons and daughters for college and the higher seminary, or graduate them well qualified for any of the business and social positions they may be called upon to fill.
It will further be the wisdom of those who are to provide for the interests of education to resolve the numerous schools of the town into three or four at reasonable distances, all of - them tributary and subordinate to the High School at the Center. On such a system the best teachers can be secured and the terms now so fractional and short, can be made to fill the whole year, so that the amount of schooling will be more than doubled, while it will be of a much higher quality.
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The future will unfold no greater improvements than those indicated in the new system adopted and the new interest taken in your schools. The results will become very appar- ent in the increased intelligence of the people.
There will come to pass, also, favorable changes and great advances to the mind and religious condition of your popu- lation. Two regular religious services will be sustained, one at the Center and the other at the east part of the town.
The pastor of each will be liberally supported and his min- istrations fully attended. The house of God will become a fit place for his worship, neatly furnished and tastefully ar- ranged where the people will love to meet and pay their vows to Jehovah. As dawns God's holy Sabbath all will devoutly say, ' Let us go up to the house of the Lord." Let us stand in his holy courts to-day. And it shall come to pass that when all the people licar the gospel, morality and piety will pro- vail and your land shall be the " Garden of the Lord."
But a hundred years will quickly roll away, and unto me it is given to prophesy what shall then be. Attend, therefore, to the vision of Ephraim, the prophet, for I behold and see things worthy to be written.
When the things which shall then be have been passed in brief review, the object of these prophecies will be attained and my powers shall cease. A hundred years hence all things that are shall not be, all things that are not shall come to pass.
Your grand children and descendants to the third and fourth generation, who shall meet a century lience and cele- brate a new Centennial, will see what it is not permitted us to see save by the light of this prophesy.
Great improvements are to change the face of the scene before us to-day. This ancient church, where our fathers worshiped and prayed and were blessed, but now unused save for secular purposes, will withdraw from its present promin- ent position, and carefully restored and yielded up to hands skilled in workmanship, a century hence it will be seen to grace the site now held by yonder vestry, a public hall of grand proportions and inviting appearance, and beside it will be seen a neat white chapel, consecrated to the purposes of the church. Crowning yonder hill to the south will be seen a substantial building of solid masonry in the midst of surrounding trees, within whose spacious walls assemble your sons and daugh- ters for purposes of learning. A hundred years hence your high school will be your pride and glory.
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And as the eye sweeps up and down the highway, it will take in many elegant private residences and other buildings of tasteful structure in highest contrast with what we see to- day.
This public common, now so barren and waste, a century hence will bear on its fruitful bosom gigantic trees, wide spread and arching, a century old, planted by our hands' toil. These shaded groves enclosed with a substantial fence, traversed by graveled walks and adorned with flowers, will afford a sweet retreat, and make a lovely spot for our childrens' children to celebrate their centennial of this good town.
It will then be told of us, and they shall proudly speak of their fathers of a hundred years ago, who impelled with an in- terest for those who shall live after them, as a tribute for com- ing generations, did thickly set centennial trees to record their names to the kind remembrance of those who shall thereafter enjoy their grateful shade.
Not one of you, men of this vast multitude, will remain to extend our congratulations to those who shall celebrate the Bi-centennial of the town, but the trees we plant shall live and stand a memorial of this day and of us, which shall call forth a deep response from thankful hearts, and inspire to further works of public improvement and beneficence. And those of a hundred years hence shall be worthy children of their noble sires.
And here the vision ends. A century hence and these spa- cious grounds other feet shall travel, and gathered here beneath the cooling shade, other voices shall be heard, and catch a glance at the scene, and the vision passes.
So ends this prophecy.
And may a hundred years of glorious fulfillment succeed, is the prayer we utter to-day on the altars of our nativity.
The next exercise in order was the singing of the closing Hymn, written by Rev. Silvanus Hayward. Tune, Saint Nicholas.
Now the evening shadows lengthen,
Comes the hour that we must part ;
Let the festive moments strengthen Chains of love to twine the heart ;
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Every soul their power shall feel, Binding as with bands of steel.
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For a moment let us linger, Ere again we scattered roam, While Time's restless, bony finger Points to our last silent home, Where, at length, a looked-for guest, Every wandering foot must rest.
Here our fathers' graves are round us, Here they bowed before their God, Here with solemn covenant bound us To the holy path they trod ; On their home-invited guests Now their benediction rests.
Soon with them shall we be sleeping 'Neath the shadows of life's even ; And our next centennial keeping On the battlements of heaven, In their mansions may we dwell, Never more to sing "FAREWELL."
:
After prayer by Rev. Wm. Clark, the assembly united in singing Old Hundred, in the familiar words, " Be thou, O God, exalted high, And, as thy glory fills the sky,
- So let it be on earth displayed, Till thou art here, as there, obeyed."
The sun had already set and the twilight was fading into darkness, when we dispersed to our homes, grateful for the record of a century past, and girding ourselves anew for the toils and conflicts of a century to come.
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APPENDIX.
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POEM.
The following lines were written for the occasion by Mrs. Louisa W. Colby of Henniker, but were not received till after the day of celebration.
Dunbarton's centennial birthday, Proud day for her children to meet ; On her beautiful hill-top they gather ·To mingle in intercourse sweet.
From every point of the compass, The highest and humblest she's called ;- They joyfully come at her bidding In her favor to be re-installed.
Some come with the tear-drop of sorrow To moister the spot, where repose The mortal remains of some loved one, Whose eyelids in death they had closed.
All come with softened emotion, The scenes of the past to review ; The lost links of memory to grapple, And join with the present anew.
Ere the forest trees lost their dominion, Or the wild beasts had ceased here to roam, Our puritan fathers and mothers Had christened this spot as their home.
They first thought to call it Dumbarton, But for some reason changed it to Dun, For which their posterity thank them, The last name's a beautiful one.
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And what other place like Dunbarton Can boast for a century of time So much of a pure morality, So little of vice and crime?
O where has our holy religion More firmly been planted than here? The fire on its altar-place burning Through every revolving year.
And here, without aid from Endor, A good man comes up to our view. He seems still to stand at that altar Enkindling its fires anew.
The full gushing tears are fast falling, As he sends forth his thrilling appeals : Other hearts by his eloquence stirring With the sacred emotion he feels.
But no! we but dream ! he's not here. From his glorious stand-point away, Where his eye is undimmed by a tear, He looks on this gathering to-day ;
Sees the fire has still been kept burning By those who his mantle have worn; Long years by his chosen successor, And now by another in turn.
From such scenes her sons and her daughters Have gone forth to bless the wide earth ; Where'er they've unfurled their life-banners, They've honored the place of their birth.
They've adorned the holiest professions On native and heathen ground : Through the loftiest halls of science Their well-trained voices resound.
They've been heard in the voice of the nation, Helped its mighty power to wield; They have stood mid the din of battle, And died on the tented field.
Her daughters shine bright in her annals,
· Their influence they've stamped on their age ;
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Noble deeds cluster thick in their pathway, Noble themes their best powers engage.
Though skilled in modern inprovements, And the drawing room fitted to grace, They can bring forth the fruits of the dairy, And could ride on a pillion apace.
With sterling good sense they've united The virtues their mothers possessed With those of more delicate culture, Which so beautiful thrive in their breast.
But Dunbarton possesses a history That cannot in poor rhyme be told ; She has children to gather its treasures, And place them in settings of gold.
So we bid farewell to the century, And our pen reluctantly drop, In the midst of a theme so inspiring, We scarcely know how to stop.
Very few letters were received in response to the circular of invitation. The following are given as specimens. COLUMBUS, O., Aug. 12, 1865. Rev. S. Hayward. Dear Sir :-
Having been absent from the city, yours of July 26th, is just received. I am very sorry to say that press of business just at that time, will probably make it impossible for me to be present on the occasion of the celebration on the 13th of September.
Please accept my thanks for the kind invitation, and assure the Committee that nothing would afford me more pleasure than to join with them in reviewing the old associations of my dear old home-Dunbarton. God bless you and her.
Yours, truly,
GEO. H. TWISS.
WEST GRANVILLE, Aug. 26, 1865. To H. M. Putney, David Story, G. B. French, J. M. Bailey and L. Rowell.
Gentlemen-Your notice of a Centennial celebration in Dunbarton has come to hand, and it is with pleasure that I
117
learn the citizens of my native town are to assemble and unite on that pleasing occasion, to wit, the hundredth year from its incorporation, and it would give me much pleasure to once more visit my native place, and join in your celebration, if ar- rangements for September would permit. But, gentlemen, and fellow-townsmen, if we should never meet on earth, God grant we may meet in that great assembly who shall gather around the throne in heaven, ascribing glory, honor and thanksgiving to Him that sitteth on the throne and unto the Lamb forever. I remain, your humble servant, ANDREW SMITH.
P. S. My wife joins with me in the foregoing.
OBERLIN, Sept. 2, 1865.
To the People of Dunbarton.
Respected fellow citizens-I received your very kind invi- tation to meet with you to celebrate the one hundredth anni- versary of the incorporation of my native town. How many pleasant recollections are associated with that place where I spent my childhood ; and nothing could give me greater pleas- ure than to visit those places so familiar to me in youth, and hold converse with those who were then my companions. But as I shall not be able to be present, I write a few lines to ex- press my thanks for your kind remembrance, and to add, if it were possible, one mite of interest to the occasion.
My father, William Alexander, came from Dunbarton to the state of New York (I think) in the year 1820, when I was twelve years old. At that time I had four brothers and two sisters living ; since then, my parents, three brothers and one sister have died in the faith of the gospel; and the inquiry often presents itself to my mind : how many of those with whom I was acquainted in youth, should I find living if I were with you to-day. O, how I should like to take you by the hand, and bid you God speed in your way to Zion, if your faces are thitherward. I hope no son of Dunbarton has been found disloyal to his country in the hour of trial. If so, may he remember from whence he has fallen, repent and return to his allegiance, that he may be forgiven before it is too late.
I very well remember the instruction of the venerable Mr. Harris, who so long and faithfully labored in Dunbarton ; his preaching on the Sabbath, his visiting and catechising the schools, and the various other ways in which he, as a pastor,
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labored to promote the cause of true religion ; and as he was laid aside by the infirmities of age, and called to his reward, I am happy to learn that the candle-stick has never been re- moved out of its place. May the water of life, that has been issuing from under the threshhold of the sanctuary, still con- tinue to flow until it shall become a river that cannot be passed over. May the same kind hand that has ever led you, still be your guide and protector, and make you fruitful in every good work, is the sincere prayer of your humble son and brother, ROBERT ALEXANDER.
P. S. Not being present in substance, I can do no less than to send my shadow, with the request that it may be given to some relative or friend, which ever it may be, who will cast their shadow back to me. R. A.
This letter enclosed a photograph of Mr. Alexander, which is now in possession of his relatives in Dunbarton.
PEMBROKE, July 26, 1865.
As to being with you on the 13th, at the Centennial, I know I should enjoy the occasion very much, and if I were present, should be happy to speak on the sub- ject you mentioned. But such is the condition of my health, I dare not give any encouragement. Want of health is my only excuse ; but this is something which I cannot control. Should I feel able at the time, I should rejoice to meet you. Very truly, yours,
JOHN M. PUTNAM.
Under date of August 31st, 1865, Mr. Putnam writes from Yarmouth, Me .: "The case is very decided that I cannot be present consistently with any suitable regard for my health. * Tell the people it is a very great self-denial for me to stay away, and nothing but want of suitable health would prevent my attendance on your celebration."
The suggestion of Prof. Mills on page 77, was accompan- ied with a private letter, in which occurs the following pas- sage : " I will give $50 towards the permanent funds of the . proposed school. * Some of the non-residents
could give $500 better than I could give $50. If the scheme strikes you favorably, push it through, and it will prove a fountain of perennial blessings to the people of Dunbarton."
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In accordance with this suggestion, the matter was brought before the Centennial Committee, and a committee was ap- pointed to consider the matter, and take such action as they deem advisable. This committee consisted of Rev. Silvanus Hayward, Rev. Stephen Pillsbury, Deacon Daniel H. Parker, Thomas Kimball, Esq., Thomas Johnson, Esq., LeRoy R. · Mills, Esq., Hon. Henry L. Burnham, Chas. G. B. Ryder, Esq., John C. Mills, Esq. After several meetings, it was agreed by this committee that ten thousand dollars would be the smallest sum that would place the school on a working foundation, so as to secure free tuition to the inhabitants of the town. Chas. G. B. Ryder, Esq., was chosen to see what subscriptions could be raised for this purpose. At this time no more definite report can be made ..
The following is the subscription list for defraying the ex-
penses of the Celebration :
Betsey Alexander,
$1 00 Elizabeth Marshall,
2 50
Hiram Atwood,
1 00
Enoch P. Marshall,
10 00
Horace Atwood,
1 00 Mary Marshall,
2 50
Oliver Bailey,
10 00
James McAuley,
1 00
Amsden Barnard,
1 00
J. C. Mc Intire,
1 00
Ezra C. Barnard,
50
John O. Merrill,
1 00
Sam'l E. Barnard,
1 00
James F. Mills,
2 00
Tristram Barnard,
3 00 John Mills,
2 00
Charles Brown,
5 00
John C. Mills,
5 00
John D. Bunten,
2 00
Leroy R. Mills,
2 00
Henry L. Burnham,
5 00
Matthew S. Mills,
1 00
John Burnham,
10 00 Thomas Mills,
5 00
Sam'l Burnham,
1 00 James W. Moore,
1 00
Wm. B. Burnham,
3 00 Joseph C. Moore,
2 00
Lora Brigham,
50 John E. Morse,
2 50
Serena Brown,
30 True Morse,
2 50
Wm. Caldwell,
2 00
George Noyes,
1 00
Alonzo P. Chamberlain,
1 00
Caleb Page,
4 00
Joseph A. Chamberlain,
3 00 Ebenezer Page,
5 00
Charles Clifford,
3 00
George W. Page,
5 00
Isaac P. Clifford,
5 00
John Page,
2 00
Walter G. Clough,
1 00 John Page, Jr.,
1 00
Cyrus F. Colby,
2 50 Daniel H. Parker,
20 00
Ira N. Colby,
1 00
Alfred Perkins,
5 00
James W. Colby,
1 00
George Perkins,
1 00
Nath'l J. Colby,
1 00
1 00
Sargent Colby,
1 00
Lydia Perley,
50
Willoughby Colby,
50 Moses Perley,
1 00
Mrs. Colby,
1 00 Stephen Pillsbury,
2 00
A. Collins,
50 W. E. Poor,
2 00
Luke Converse,
3 00 Abel Prescott,
50
John C. Perley,
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Eben Dow,
1 50 George W. Prescott, 1 00
Otis Duke, Wm. A. Elliott,
2 00 John Putnam,
50
1 00 Henry Putney,
10'00
Lewis C. Fitts,
1 00 Henry M. Putney,
5 00
R. P. Fitts,
1 00 John C. Ray,
3 00
G. B. French,
5 00 James M. Rogers,
1 00
Wm. N. Fuller,
1 00 Leonard Rowell,
1 00
Lauriman Gutterson,
1 00 Lewis D. Rowell,
1 00
Lewis W. Hadley,
1 00 Chas. G. B. Ryder,
5 00
Wm. P. Hadley,
1 00 Harris E. Ryder,
5 00
Alonzo P. Hammond,
5 00 Thomas C. Ryder,
5 00
Henry L. Hammond,
3 00 Nath'l T. Safford,
5 00
Horace Hammond,
1 00 David Sargent,
1 50
J. M. Hammond,
1 00 Eliphalet R. Sargent,
5 00
Sam'l B. Hammond,
5 00 James Sawyer,
1 00
Stephen Hammond,
1 00 Harriet Stark,
10 00
George Hart,
1 00
Charles Stinson,
20 00
Wm. Haseltine,
1 00 John Stinson.
2 00
Wm. G. Haseltine,
1 00 Wm. C. Stinson,
10 00
Silvanus Hayward,
2 00 James Stone,
5 00
Joseph F. Healey,
1 00 James H. Stone,
1 00
Chas. L. Holmes,
3 00 Wesley P. Stone,
2 00
George W. Holmes,
50 David Story,
10 00
Marcus M. Holmes,
3 00 Lafayette Story,
20 00
John D. Houlihen,
1 00 Israel Straw,
3 00
James Huse,
1 00 David Tenney,
1 00
John B. Ireland,
2 50
John P. Tenney,
5 00
Jonathan Ireland,
3 00
Paige Twiss, 3 00
Hugh Jameson,
5 00
George O. Waite,
1 00
J. P. Jameson,
1 00
Jonathan G. Wheeler,
1 00
Thomas Johnson,
5 00 Nathaniel H. Wheeler,
3 00
John Keyes,
2 00
Asenath Whipple,
50
Chas. Kimball,
5 00 Benjamin Whipple,
5 00
John Kimball,
4 00 David T. Whipple,
2 00
Sam'l Kimball,
10 00
Ann Wilson,
1 00
Thomas W. Kimball,
2 00 Lewis Wilson.
5 00
Almira Leach,
1 00 Thomas Wilson,
5 00
Aaron Lord,
1 00
2 00
Benj. Lord,
2 00 W. H. Wilson,
5 00
John Lord,
5 00 Lyman Woodbury,
5 00
Justus Lord,
2 00 Stillman Woodbury,
1 00
Thomas E. Luf kin,
1 00 Wm. B. Worthley, 1 00
Ansel Marshall,
1 00 Native of Dunbarton, 5 00
Whole amount,
$446 80
Deduct, not paid in,
1 50
counterfeit,
50- 2 00
$444 80
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Thos. S. Wilson,
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The following is a list of those citizens of Dunbarton who served in the Union Army during some part of the late war. Is is not probably perfect, but is as accurate as the Editor has the means of making it.
Amos C Bailey,
David A. Jameson,
James A. Baker,*
Wm. H. Marshall,
Alonzo Barnard,
Merzellah A. Merrill,
James E. Barnard,
Frank B. Mills,
Peter Barnes,
George Noyes,
Ira Briggs,
Dan'l Ordway,
Elbridge C. Brown,
Moses E. Ordway,
Wilbur T. Brown, *
Chester L. Page,
Capt. Wm. E. Bunten,
Wilson E. Poor,
Bradford Burnham,
Frank A. Putney,
Capt. Henry M. Caldwell, +
Wm. A. Putney,
Horace Caldwell,
Daniel B. Roberts,
Alonzo P. Chamberlain, Timothy Clark,
Capt. Andrew J. Stone,*
Jeremiah Clough,
Samuel A. Symonds,"
Moses K. Eaton,
Benjamin Twiss,
John R. Emerson,
John W. Twiss, Frederick Waite,
Peter Gravelin,
Henry A. Waite, Robert E. Wheeler,
Henry G. Hammond,
Joseph F. Healey,
Edward Everett Whipple,
David T. Heath,
J. Henry Whipple,
Simeon N. Heath, *
Leonard Wilson,
Lieut. Marcus M. Holmes,
Lewis Wood,
John D. Houlihen,
Lysander Wyman.
*Deceased.
John B. Scruton,
Wm. C. Flanders,
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FINANCIAL REPORT
Of the Dunbarton Centennial Executive Committee.
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REPORT OF THE TREASURER.
Received of Financial Committee, $444 80
Ticket proceeds sale of tickets 17 25
Building
19. 34
Dinner
1 92
I have paid orders of the Secretary as follows :
To C. Stinson, for use of Dinner Committee, 163 18
S. Hayward Exercise 66
66 65
H. W. Putney
Invitation 39 92
C. Kimball Building 50 00
H. W. Putney, Orator's expenses,
5 00
G. B. French, forage,
2 50
Total,
.$327 25
THOS. WILSON, Treas.
REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON EXERCISES.
Paid for band,
65 00
postage,.
. 1 65
Total,
$66 65
S. HAYWARD, Chairman,
REPORT OF INVITATION COMMITTEE.
-.
Paid for 700 invitations, 1500 programmes and 1500 dinner
tickets .. 25 00
For envelopes,. 1 87
Postage on 647 invitations, 13 05
Total,
$39 92
II. M. PUTNEY, Chairman.
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REPORT OF DINNER COMMITTEE.
Paid for meat,.
132 00
Brown bread, 10 00
Ice,.
3 00
Use of crockery, 8 68
Cooking meat,. 8 00
Table covering,
1 50
Total, $163 18
Received for sale of baker's bread &c.,. 1 92
CHARLES STINSON, Chairman.
REPORT OF BUILDING COMMITTEE.
Paid postage, 21
3 00
Brooms, 1 00
T. C. Rider, drawing lumber,
3 50
John C. Mills,
3 50
three day's labor, 6 00
6 00
Lyman Woodbury, two day's labor,
4 00
Harris E. Rider, three ..
0 00
Charles Kimball, four 0 00
D. T. Whipple and J. C. Mills, for lumber,. 22 16
Use of and breaking wagon, drawing lumber, 2 00
Surveying lumber, 35
$51 72
Received from sale of lumber,
20 56
for brooms,.
50
$21 06
Whole expense,
$30 66
CHARLES KIMBALL, Chairman,
The above is a correct copy of the reports of the several sub-com- mittees and Treasurer, as returned to me. In addition to the expen- ses of the committee, G. B. French has been paid $2,50 for horse- keeping, and Prof. Burnham, orator of the day, $5 for fexpenses. Nothing has been charged for, and no account kept of the labor of the members of the committee, or of the editor, except as shown by the report of the building committee.
HENRY M. PUTNEY, Sec'y of the Com.
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Nails, .
D. T. Whipple,
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At a duly notified meeting of the subscribers to the Cen- tennial fund, it was voted that the balance remaining in the . hands of the Treasurer be used towards defraying the expenses of printing a record of the Centennial proceedings. Rev. Sil- vanus Hayward had previously been appointed to edit the same. His financial report is as follows :
Paid Henry A. Gage for 500 copies of Centennial · $207 96
Record .. Paid for postage in procuring manuscripts, &c. 1 77
Received of Thomas Wilson, Treasurer of Centen-
209 73 nial Committee 156 06
Balance now due the Editor
$53 67
F84223.245
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