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 5
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Capt. Stinson had some peculiarities as well as other peo. ple. The bottle in which he carried rum into the field for his men, was said to have so small a passage in the neck, that a man would not like to hold it to his mouth so long as to get enough to hurt him. Besides, then, the liquor was the genu- ine article. What it is now, I do not know !
At the call from the house for meals, every man must in- stantly leave his work, and move for the table, and there he would find everything ready, and thus no time was lost either in the field, or house.
Capt. Stinson had one price for the produce he sold, and this, on the average, was less than that in the market. Three shillings, I think, for corn, and four for rye. He was kind to the industrious poor, but to a lazy man he would not even sell. It was said that a man of this latter class, of whom he had heard, but not seen, came to buy some corn. His name was Cox. On the way to the granary, the old gentleman in- quired-"And what's your name ?" ""Cox," was the answer. "Aye, Cox ? An ye' may cock alang hame again, for you'll ha' nae corn the day."
One more anecdote in which Capt. S. had concern, will show the differences in the matter of alms-giving, between those days and our own.
Dr. Harris preached a sermon in reference to the establish- ment of the N. H. Missionary Society-then, a new, and to many, a strange movement. The good pastor asked for a contribution. After the hats had been passed, Capt. Stinson rose and asked and obtained leave to speak. . He felt some objections, but having "freed his mind," he said to my father, "Here Deacon," and dropped into the hat a silver dollar. It fell heavily among the small bits which others had put in, and produced a greater sensation in the assembly, and more remark in the community, than would fifty dollars given now by a man of cqual property.
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I well remember his son, Capt. William Stinson, Jr., gen- erally called "young Capt. Billy"-also "Major" John, a well educated man, and much employed in the concerns of the town-who was selectman twenty-three years, according to Mr. Stark, to whose history of Dunbarton, by the way, I am indebted for some figures and facts.
The Starks and Stinsons were intimately connected in their family relations. I recollect Maj. Caleb Stark, a son of Gen. John, and on his staff in the Revolutionary war. For many years he was the only store-keeper in town. A man of gen- tlemanly bearing, and of distinction here and elsewhere.
I should have mentioned two brothers of Capt. Stinson, the elder, "Uncle Jamie," and "Uncle Archie," as they were fa- miliarly called. Jeremiah, son of "Uncle Archie," was the only lawyer that ever resided and practiced in town. Like the people in Rindge, where I have lived more than forty years, you have not quarreled enough to maintain a lawyer.
I recollect Judge Page-a very quiet, sensible man. I used to see his venerable form by the side of the Moderator in the town meetings, having on his head a high, conical, green worsted cap.
I have very distinct recollections of David Story, Esq., a near neighbor and relative of my father, and a head man in his neighborhood, and in the town for many years. Dr. Harris pronounced him among the best citizens, and the best magis- trate within his knowledge. Of a sound and well balanced mind, looking well to the interests of the town, and acting al- ways according to liis convictions of duty, he was a leader in all public affairs for the substance of his business life. He was seventeen times Moderator in town meeting-Town Clerk eleven years-Selectman, six-and Representative six times. Many thought he liked authority. One transaction which I witnessed when a boy had a bearing, perhaps, in this di- rection. At a common training on this Common, Samuel Lord, an intemperate man, made some disturbance. Esq. Story ordered the Sheriff, Josiah Bagley, to tie Lord's hands together, and fasten the cord to a limb of a low tree. It could not hurt, but only confined him to one spot. He stood fair and firm on his feet. Some one or more persons, for sport, or some other purpose, set David Clifford, a man not overstocked with sense, to cut the cord and release Lord. He did so, and then the Sheriff ran after him, using his whip on poor Clifford's back. Next followed Jonathan Clifford, Da- vid's brother, a man weighing as much as the Sheriff and the
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culprit both, to rescue his brother from the hands of the offi- cer. How the matter was settled, I do not recollect, but I think, however, that the good Justice ordered Lord back to the tree, tied him for a short time so that the law should tri- umph and then let him loose. Whether he transcended his powers in this case, I know not. I then supposed he was right, and intended, as was the way in those days, to main- tain the peace, not by letting the wicked run at large, but by executing the laws.
Esq. Story was a man of rather impressive presence. We boys thought so. As the custom then was, we made our bows to every passer by, whether inthe road, or around the school- house. In this matter, we were very exact when Esq. Story passed on his stately horse with whip in hand in perpendicu- lar position. We felt honored by his invariable response "brave boys-brave scholars." This reference recalls a state- ment I read a few years since of the late Hon. Edward Ever- ett. It was to this effect : I and Hon. R. C. Winthrop were riding together, and as we approached a school house and the boys at recess, I said to Mr. Winthrop, "we shall see whether these scholars will treat us, as you and I did when we were boys at school. We passed them and instead of a respectful bow, we were treated with a shower of snowballs."
. The Mills family was large and respectable. Maj., after- wards Deacon, the successor of my father in that office, was among the most prominent and honored citizens of his day. He was Representative eight years-Selectman twen- . ty-two-and Town Treasurer, thirty-five years. Mr. Stark says, "The Mills family were staunch old fashioned Federal- ists." Very good, in my judgment, none the worse for that. So was my venerated father, and David Story, and in essen- tial principles, so were, and are, my father's children and grandchildren.
Of later times were John Gould, Daniel Jameson, William Parker, Deacons Alexander Wilson, McCurdy and others of my schoolmates too numerous to receive particular notice. " All honorable men."
On an occasion like this it will not be indelicate in me to say a few words relative to the Burnhams. They came from Ipswich, Mass., Chebacco parish, the hive of all of the name. Nathan, Asa, and Thomas-brothers, and Abraham, John, (familiarly called "Friend Johnny,") and Samuel, cousin to John. The wives of David and Daniel Story were also Burn- hams, sisters to Abraham. They were all respectable and
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useful citizens, and have left good families, and I am happy to see so many of the name here present, and to know that so many have proved themselves worthy of the confidence of their fellow citizens. I would like to be more definite in re- gard to the Burnhams, for I happen to be better acquainted with them than with those of any other name.
I was born and brought up in the midst of that cluster of Burnhams, natives of the same place and settlers in one neigh- borhood in the beautiful southern section of this town. There our fathers lived and labored, and brought up their families, and there they, and some of the second, third and fourth gen- eration have died. And the last but two of Samuel Burn- ham's children, my last surviving brother, Bradford, has just passed away.
I ask leave here to state a few facts in the family of my father, Samuel Burnham, bearing on the covenant faithfulness of God, and the duties and privileges of a truly pious family.
Descended from a pious ancestry, themselves godly, my parents brought up thirteen children (two others died in infan- cy) "in the nurture and admonition of the Lord." Of these, twelve were decidedly pious ; of the grand-children, (and the number was below the average) thirty were pious ; and three of the great-grand-children are hopefully pious. Of the seven sons, four had a collegiate education, (Dartmouth College) two of whom were afterward ministers, (Abraham and Amos W.) one was a lawyer, (John) and one a teacher (Samuel.) Of the grand and great-grand-children, fourteen have grad- uated from college, or are now members of college, thus making a total of Collegiates of this family, eighteen. Of the grand-children, three are preachers, and of the great- grand-children, one; making a total of seven ministers in the family, of whom four or five are now preaching. Those not professors of religion, have held, and are now holding respectable and useful positions in the community, and ready to fulfill all the duties of an American citizen.
A wish has been expressed that the descendants of the carly settlers should imitate their virtues. As one of the descend- ants of our worthy ancestors, I heartily join in this sentiment. I rejoice that while almost all of my youthful associates have long since passed away, I have been spared and am allowed to see this day, and to be present on this occasion. It is a celebra- tion of deep interest to each and all of us who stand here in the stead of the fathiers, and are to give shape to the character and destiny of coming generations.
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The fathers laid the foundations in securing for themselves and their children the blessings of an open Bible, and free schools. They established the church and school-house, and having trained us under the wholesome influence flowing from christian homes and institutions, they left us in the quiet pos- session of this goodly heritage. While you welcome all the improvements of the present age, you will do well to heed the injunctions, "stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls."
"Now the God of peace, that brought from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is well pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory forever and ever, Amen."
No. 3 The Religious Institutions of Dunbarton ;- their in- fluence in molding the character of her people.
Response by Rev. George A. Putnam, of Yarmouth, Me.
FRIENDS AND FELLOW CITIZENS :- I am sorry that I, and not another, must answer to the present call. The subject on which I am to speak, was assigned to my father, who was himself, for more than thirty years, a very prominent and im- portant part in the religious history of this town, and he, per- haps, of all men living, should speak to this point.
It is a greater sorrow to my father than to you, that he cannot be with you to-day ; but his strength, gradually failing from year to year, is just now scarcely equal to its average, and the journey here, and the excitement of this glad day, would be more than he could safely endure. At first he de- cided to send you a letter, but afterwards it occurred to him that perhaps I should be better than a letter, so he sent me ; and glad am I to be with you.
As I look over this town, and observe its hills and valleys teeming with so many signs of industry and thrift; as I sec the prosperity that attends the husbandman ; as I look upon your noble farm-houses and your substantial barns that once a year are so bountifully filled from these well cultivated acres, and remember that it is written in the Bible, "Godliness is
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profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come," I cannot but feel that your prosperity in secular affairs is, in some sense, perhaps not very remote either, a beneficial result of religious institutions.
But Dunbarton has some characteristic points to which I would call your attention.
As widely as it is known, it is noted for its sobriety and sta- bility. Like these hills on which you tread, do you, the inhabi- tants of this town, abide the same. Of all people, you are the last to run after a rushlight, or to be wheeled about by every wind that blows. You walk straight on, guided only by the calm and certain light of day, and it must be a stiff breeze that will turn you from your course. I find the origin of this in religious training. Others have taken you back a full cen- tury ; I will not ask so much. Go with me seventy-five years into the past, and look upon that man whom this people had the good fortune to choose as their first pastor, Rev. Walter Harris. O, how much depends, in every new country, upon the first pastors! Their power to mold, to give color and di- rection to character, is wonderful-almost omnipotent. Why, sometimes we find a town where the first minister trained the people to uneasiness and jealousies ; to contention and quar- relsomeness, and it has never worked out of them ; it is their characteristic to-day. This quarrelsome disposition runs in their blood, and lurks in their bones ; and, like certain troub- lesome diseases in children, breaks out periodically ; and, if you know their history, you can predict, with wonderful ac- curacy, just how often they will be assembling an ecclesiasti- cal council to settle their difficulties.
But thisis not Dunbarton's characteristic. Mr. Harris gave nosuch training. He was a man who had wisdom in his head, and principle in his heart. He was marked by a high order of intellect, great rectitude and firmness,-great strength and decision of purpose ; and, with his ardent temperament and deep toned piety, he impressed himself upon the people. He made his characteristics theirs.
He found the people here with vague, diverse. and unset- tled opinions on religious topics, and it needed a master mind to indoctrinate them, and unite their hearts to walk in the right way. And he had that master mind. He saw what was needed, and at once planted himself on those great doctrines that constitute the frame-work of christianity ; those great doctrines that are the life and marrow of the gospel-God's sovereignty, man's depravity, salvation through the blood of
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Christ, by the effectual working of the Holy Ghost. Stand- ing on this foundation, he preached. He scattered the seeds of these truths broadcast over the town, with a liberal hand which he never withheld. And they germinated, sprung up and bore fruit that is visible here at the present time. It was then that the people learned soberness and stability. Trained by such a leader for more than forty years, what wonder these have been, and are now, your characteristics ! To day, it is known in all the regions round, that the church here is sound in the faith, and loves the strong meat of God's word; that the people here are stable, sober, honest-hating shams and quackery, either in medicine, politics or religion. Heresies could never flourish here. It is poor soil to grow courts and councils on. Why, there was but one ecclesiastical council in this town for seventy years, and that to dismiss a minister who had worn out his life upon the ground, and install his successor, while some of your neighboring towns are able to count two or three councils to every decade. You have had so few, that were it not for your superior intelligence, you would not know how to call one,-to your honor be it spoken.
You have an honesty and love of principle that bids the pettifogging politician beware how he deals with you ; you have a firmness and invincibility, absolutely provoking to one who would convert you to some new doctrine, and cannot.
These are worthy traits of this honored town, and are as certainly the fruits of religious training, as the apple is the fruit of the apple tree.
Dunbarton has another characteristic I am proud to speak of. It is one of the most intelligent and best educated com- munities in New England. There is more general knowledge, more religious knowledge, more cultivated mind here, than is wont to be found in towns of this size. I think it will be hard to find another place, where, in proportion to the population, so many young men have been liberally educated, and entered some of the learned professions; where so many young men and young ladies have become first-class teachers of common schools. My own observation has been altogether in favor of Dunbarton in this particular. And that the root of the tree bearing such fruit as this is religious training, none can doubt who has intelligence concerning the ecclesiastical history of this people. It was from the pulpit that the people learned the vast importance of knowledge, both religious and secular. The origin of all those efforts they have been willing to make that their offspring might be educated, is found in a deep re-
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ligious conviction of responsibility to God and duty to the child, in this particular thing.
And here again do we come upon the direct influence and agency of Dr. Harris. . He systematically visited the common schools, and stimulated parent and teacher and pupil. He, himself, prepared many young men for college, and conducted the theological studies of many fitting for the ministry. . My father also followed the lead of Dr. Harris in this matter of regularly visiting the schools, for more than twenty years, al- ways giving a healthful impulse to every educational interest.
It is clear as any historic fact, that the superior education of Dunbarton's children, has been due very much to her re- ligious institutions and christian teachers.
And here I might stop, did not the light of peace, that to- day streams broadcast over the land, remind me of the dark night that has just vanished, and the sad war our nation has passed throughi.
If we go back to revolutionary times, we find that foremost among the patriots were the chaplains, clergy and christians of that period. The religious element constituted one of the chief features of the Revolution. The ministers taught pat- riotism, and marked out the duties of the people. They preached the doctrine of freedom and the duty of resistance to tyrants ; and it was their voice, more than anything else, that roused the people to defend their homes, as a christian duty, and plant here a nation on the principle of equal rights and political liberty.
In this early struggle, Dunbarton was not behind her sister towns. She entered it with ardent zeal. Under the banner of Stark,-a historic and honored name with us-her sons fought sternly at Bennington. Bravest of the brave were some of them, and foremost in the fight ! In the darkest hour of that dark day, Dunbarton was struggling to fill her quotas and furnish men to push the fight to its successful issue.
And in this last sad war, of four years past, you have not stained your ancient name. Your record is good,-showing that the blood of '76 still runs in your veins. You have been represented in the rank and file of our army, as well as in the list of officers. Some of her noblest sons has Dunbarton laid upon the altar of her country, and there they have been offer- ed up.
Now, out of what soil has grown this patriotism and phi- lanthropy ? From the beginning of this town's history till now, your pastors have been patriots, true as steel. Year by
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year, these doctrines have been preached to you, ringing ont from the pulpit in no uncertain sounds. The first and great command has been put first, but the second, which is like unto it, has ever followed hard after. The best energies of your ministers have been exerted to teach you to love liberty, and hate slavery ; to love man, as man, and because he is a man, and hate and away with, all caste and aristocracy. One thing is certain : if the patriotism and philanthropy of the people ·is not due largely to the patriotism and philanthropy of the pul- pit, for lo ! these seventy-five years ! then much precious seed has been scattered here for nought. I cannot believe it. Nay, I reckon your sobriety and stability, your great intelligence and consequent honor ; your love of man, and love of coun- try,-as largely the beneficial result of your religious institu- tions. This town was early baptized into these things, and in them, by her christian teachers, she has been nurtured ever since.
And now, one hundred years hence, and where shall all this throng that now surround me be gathered ? When Dun- barton's children shall come up to her two hundredth anniver- sary where shall we be who now stand upon these pleasant heights and look out upon these beautiful scenes ? "All that tread this earth shall then slumber in its bosom." Heaven grant that we who depart, may ascend to a higher and better life, to scenes more beauteous far than these ; and that our chil- dren, and our childrens' children, may at last be gathered with us, and the sainted fathers who have gone before us, in the cir- cle of the redeemed, in the paradise of God.
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No 4. The Former Ministry of the First Congregational Church-Dr. Walter Harris and Rev. John M. Putnam.
Response by Rev. L. S. Parker of Derry.
Sir Christopher Wren, the architect of Westminster Abbey, has this inscription over his grave : "If you ask for his mon- ument, look around." The structure was his best memorial. To a large extent Dunbarton, as it was and is, stands as a proof of the influence of these two men. Of this fact we have had striking evidence to-day. Every address, poem and prayer has made distinct reference to the debt the town owes them.
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As wise master builders, the one lays the foundations, the oth- er carries up the temple of God. For their respective works they were fitted by several points of likeness and unlikeness in their nature and training. Dr. Harris was physically com- pact, of very commanding presence. The impression he made upon my heart in childhood was that God Almighty was first, and Dr. Harris was second. Mr. Putnam was of a delicate frame, and was often like Baxter, subject to infirmities that would have laid aside many men. Each was the son of a praying mother. It is recorded as the habit of Dr. Harris's mother, to place her hands on the heads of her fatherless boys, and thus offer the family prayer. The mother of Mr. Putnam we knew as one who brought forth fruit in old age. There was a marked difference in the exercises of these servants of Christ in conversion. Dr. Harris had emphatically a "law work." He had a fearful struggle and agony that sometimes brought him to the borders of total despair. Mr. Putnam was led more gently to the Savior. The effects of this variety were seen in their sermons and whole ministry. It was wise, it was providential, that he should thus differ from his predecessor, that the benefits of both forms of presenting the truth might be here felt.
Both were good citizens, the friends of letters, thorough patriots. Dr. Harris in respect to his farm, buildings, fences, was a model for the town. Said an aged man to me lately- a neighbor of mine in Derry-"I worked for him in 1809 ; he was the best man I ever served." Before school committees existed, he was the volunteer inspector of the schools. How well he knew the art of "putting things," some of us vividly remember. A soldier of the Revolution, his only brother hav- ing fallen at his side in battle, he loved his country, he loved liberty with an intensity inspired by such an experience. Trained in more peaceful times, Mr. Putnam proved himself the worthy successor of such a man. Each has a record to which we can point at this time without a blush. Both wero most happy in their domestic connections. Dr. Harris was thrice married. His first wife-the mother of his children- died before my recollection. She is highly spoken of. The praise of his other wives is on all tongues. The last yet lives at a great age .*
Mrs. Putnam was a woman of rare piety, living to do good.
Both were remarkable extemporaneous speakers. The compass of Dr. Harris's voice was extraordinary. He was
* She has since died at Manchester, January 1866, aged 90 .- (Ed.)
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a perfectly natural orator. His pathos could not well be surpassed. Mr. Putnam was , one of the best platform speakers in his profession in the State. Both were revival men in the best sense. Dr. Harris began his ministry under serious disadvantages. For forty years the town had had very little preaching. The church just formed consisted of but ten members. But the hero of the Revolution was not the man to be disheartened. In a year or two the Spirit came, and a multitude were converted to Christ. In 1816 another heav- enly refreshing was enjoyed. And in 1826, near the close of his active pastoral life, a mighty work of grace was wrought.
A few months after Mr. Putnam's installation, a most won- derful outpouring of the Spirit of God was granted. That scene in the old church can never be forgotten. In gentler measures from time to time the same blessings came, till a short period before he retired from his pastorate, another pre- cious Divine awakening was experienced, bringing into the church the flower of the young men of the society. More than anything else, these revivals have stamped its character on Dunbarton.
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