USA > New Hampshire > Rockingham County > Portsmouth > The glory of America : a century sermon delivered at the South Church, in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, IV January, MDCCCI ; together with a number of historical notes, and an appendix, containing an account of the newspapers printed in the state > Part 3
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megro woman with it. Somewhere about the vear 1750, or 1755. ª barber's shop, which stood on the parade, was horni. In January, 1761. a house belonging to James Stoodles, esquire, in Danielgreet, was consumed with fire. In 17fiz, a barn be to ging to the late icv. erend Samuel Langdon, D. D. was built. In 1-63, a house of George Jeffrey, esquire, in Washingtonancer eccound by John Wendell, esquire, was reduced to ashes. A small house belonging to mr. Philip Babb, was burnt, at the plains. At another ime, z house belonging to mr. William Pevelly, was also built, at the plains In In 1780, mr. Samuel Sherburne's house was burn, at the plains
the same year a house of me. Valentine Noure. at Islington, of the creek, was also burnt. The most alarming for, which his town has ever experienced, was that in March, 1781 when the hornable. Woodbury Langdon's house, stable, large sine and the county prol were destroyed. It is supposed that a great part of the town would inevitably have been land case, it the wind which was at first westwardly, had not verred in the northward To check the progress of this fire a house of mr. Richard Mills was torn down.
* The author is kisurely collecting materiale for a history of the south church.
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blessing of thousands, ready to perish, but of in- suring the smiles of heaven upon our country ? *
Let us hear the conclusion of the whole mat- ter. Through the unbounded goodness of Jeho- vah the desert has been made to rejoice and blos- som like the rose.
In the Christian History we find the following extract from a sermon, delivered, before the general court, at Boston, in 1668, by William Stoughton, who was, for several years, a preacher of the gospel, then a magistrate, and finally lieu- tenantgovernor of Massachusetts. " If any peo- " ple in the world," says this excellent character, " have been lifted up to heaven, as to advantages " and privileges, we are the people. Name what " you will, under this head, and we have had it. " We have had Moses and Aaron to lead us. We
Twentyeight ships, fortyseven briga, ten schooners, two sloops, 1 end one barque, which are employed on foreign voyages, belong to the town of Persiacash. It is particularly worthy of remark that seven- teen of the above, and basil large vessels have been built in course of the year 1 800 We have also about twenty coasting and more than that number of fishing vessels.
The Portsmouth pier was incorporated, in December, 1795. The pier, or whatf, is three hundred and forty feet in length and ava-
* " Let us recollect the success of phil so; by in lessening the numa- " her and mitigating the violence of incurable diseases. In this age. " medical practitioners have done more. Their knowledge, their " zeal, and hitan hogy have reverand he does and gloomy abyss " of death and acquired fresh happens in his cold enhaces Witness " the many hundred people, who have to bean tiempthe back to " life by the Royal Ham & Saint and other Petite sucreries app "established in many parts of Europe and was real rang of A. " mimica Betjemu Rush, MI D.
The Royal Humane Society, in Greatbritain was founded, in 1974. Since that proved so happy have been of - offersat this benevolent institution, about ens burdeed lives, a year have been restored frem. and he . o il who. tom for this a L'e carablehnen, would have been numbered araung the dezd.
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"have had teachings and instructions, line upon " line, and precept upon precept. We have had " ordinances and go pel de pensations the choicest " of them. We have had afflictions and chastise- " ments in measure. We have had the hearts, and " prayers, and blessing of the Lord's people eve- " rywhere. We have had the eye and hand of " God watching and working wery way for our "good. Our adversaries have had their rebukes. " We have had our encouragements and a wall of " fire round about us. What could have been " done for us more than has been done already'?
rages sixty feet in breadth. There is one building on it. which is not cqualled by any thing of the kind, in Newengland. J: is th.ce bun. dred and twenty feet in length and thirty feet in breadth It is three stories high and is divided into fourteen stores. On the north side of the pier there is another building of the same height, which is divided into two stores. On the front of the pier is a large brick hotel.
The new market was built in 18-o The building is eighty feet long, thirty feet wide, and two stories high. 'The lower stow, which is designed for the market, is Twelve feet high. The upper story, which is fourteen feet high, is intended for a commodious und i legant town hall. The bricks, used in the building, amounted to one hun- dred and fortyfive thousand and were all laid in thirtynine days,
The Portsmouth aqueduct was incorporated, 19 December, 1797. In 1799 and 1800, it was brought into operation, so that 250 and 14 houses and stores are amply supplied with water of an excellent quali- ty for every domestic purpose. Its source is a spring, within the lin- its of Newington, at the distance of nearly three miles from the Ports. mouth pier. Is ramifications lead into most of the success in town. The premium, from a family consisting of from six to ten persons, to the proprietors, is five dollars per annum There appears in be e sufficiency of water for a much larger number of inha barents than Por's. mouth contains. On the north side of the por is a veichouse with a pump, where ships, and he habitants array one. can be supplied with water at twelve cents and . kell per las fred. In caseoffive the equeduct must be of was importance to the town.
In Portsmouth, we have but one street entirely paved. In course of a few years however one side of the most of our sweets has been per-
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Without a comment, we see the pertinence of these reflections, at the present period, which is one hundred and thirtytwo years, since they were made relative to the inhabitants of this country.
Who, among our venerable Ancestors, ever dreamed of the unparalleled glory of this western world ? Our land, like that of Canaan, flows with milk and honey. From Dan to Beersheba, we have seen the arm of Jehovah continually stretched out for the protection, the deliverance, and the exahation of his American 'Israel. We
ed very nice flat stones, brought from Durham, in such a manner that two or three persons can conveniently walk abreast.
The Lombardy poplars, in mr. Joseph Haven's front yard, were twigs of six inches, in length, in the spring of 1794. They now meas. ure thirty six inches, in circumference, at the but. Joshna Brache., M.D. and the honorable John Langdon, esquire, have some. which are one or two years older and were the first introduced in Portsmouth. The row, on the south side of Pleasantstreet, was set out in 1998. The row before judge Langdon's. on the north side of Broadstreet was set out in 1799. The row, on the north side of Desistires, extending from madam Sherburne's to Furestreet, the row, on the north side of Pleasant slice', extending fiom deacon Penhallow's corner to the south church, and the row on the south side of Jafficestreet, in front of me John l'eirce's elegant new house, were set out in the spring of 18co. It ought to be added, that all these rows of trees have been set our, and nearly boxed, through the care and expense of a number of public spi. rited citizens. Asurces are allowed by philosophers and physicians to sender the air more salubrious and, as nothing can be more erna- mental .o a town, it is to be hoped that their laudable ex mele will he followed till every street and vacant conser is replenished with the Lombardy poplar.
There seems to be a propriety in adding the following historical facts, although not immediately connected with all discourse.
It has often been observed that we have had less snow, of late years, than formerly. The most remarkable snow, ever known in Newen- gland, fell in the latter part of April 1717. It was so deep, that in
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now behold, in various parts of our country, flourishing vineyards, towns, and cities, where, on the dawn of the century, which is just elapsed, wolves, bears, and catamounts burrowed, and the aboriginal tribes, in awful powwows, howled their superstitious orgies to the heavens. The beasts of the forest are fled and have given place to our flocks and herds. The savages are extinct, or have retired, beyond the hightopped mountains, to enjoy the sports of hunting. There, they have ceased the dismal warwhoop; buried the hatch- et ; brightened the chain of friendship ; and many instances, people were obliged to get out of their chamber win- dows. The writer has been told by aged people, in the county of Plymouth, if he mistake not, that it was supposed to be cighi feet on a level. This has ever since been known by the name of the CREAT SNOW.
The aurora borealis, or northern light, has been frequent during a great part of the eighteenth century. The first ever noticed in New- england, was on the 11 December, 1719, and was very remzikable. Flashes were continually heard. The hemisphere seemed to glow like a burning oven. Many thought that the end of the world was at hand and expected every moment to behold the Son of man coming; in the clouds to judge the world. Ten years ago the aurorae borcales were common ; but, for a number of years, scarcely any have appear- ed, which is a matter for curious speculation.
' The dark day, as it was called, happened on the 19 Mav, 1780. The darkness extended throughom Newengland and was perceived fifteen leagues at sea. It is said to have been occasion - ed by an unusual quantity of vapor, which had been generated by great burnings in the western woods. The writer, who was then at Bridgewater, perfectly recollects that a total eclipse of the sun was said to be calculated for the succeeding day. . As it was previously cloudv. when the darkness came on, it was concluded that there was a mis. take in the almanac of one day relative in the eclipse. The pearl were therefore not alarmed. Candles were lighted at dinner. Foules repaired to their roost. The whippoorwill was heard to sing, and every thing had the semblance of night.
About the a June, 1638, a great earthquake was felt in Newong. land. In about half an hour, there was a second shell, but such Los
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their humble wigwams are filled with the grateful odor of the calumet of peace. Through the smiles of heaven, a nation has here been born in a day. The riches of the deep are poured into our hinds. Our coffers are heaped with the wealth of every clime. Our navy§ has already checked
severity. There is an account of it in the Newengland's Memorial. In the same work, it is also said that there was a great earthquake in the year, 1658, and mother at the shutting in of the evening, 25 January 1663, which was very great. Another shock was felt in course of the same night, and again, another on the 23 of the same month, about nine in the morning.' After this, it is said that there were several light shocks of earthquakes, in different years, but none very considerable till the great earthquake, 27 October, 1747. , This happened at a little more than half after ten, on the evening of the Sabbath. It was at that time, considered, as the greatest.this country had ever experienced .. It was observed, thit som: towns, on almost every day, for several weeks after, tels slight repetitions of the shork. "The last great earth - quake was on Tuesday, 18 November, 1755, at about a quarter after four, in the morning. 'There was another sinall shock, an hour and a quarter after this, and a third, on the Saturday evening ensuing, attwen- ty seven minutes after eight. There was another shock at ten, on the evening of Friday, 19 December. It is said that there have been three or four earthquakes since that period. I'wo or three of them were between 1758 and 1770. , A slight shock was felt about the year 1784, 5. or 6. The newspapers have lately mentioned that an earthquake was per- ceived, at Hanover, on Friday evening, 19 December, 1800, and again, on the Saturday evening ensuing, and at Bolion, Concord, and other places. Sec discourses, by Foxcroft, Prince, Chauncey, and Winthrop.
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& Our national navy is in its infancy. It however consists of fif. teen frigates, eleven sloops of war, seven brigs, two schooners, and seven gallies.
Of these there are
gnns.
6 frigates- which carry 44: guns each
284
3
35
108
6
3 2
192
4
sloops of war
2 1
80
4
13
51
brig
18
,
38
16
48
3
1.4
12
3
schooners
12
.
Total number of guns 926
20
3
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the daring presumption of the marauding sons of Europe. To view our internal resources, our rapid population, and enterprising spirit, one might venture to predict, that the period is advancing, when the wooden walls of Ameri- ca will be able to bid defiance to the world. Our country is become the soil of genius and the seat of science. The religion of Jesus, " The nob- " blest gift of God to man," prevails and triumphs, in this distant land, to the joy of angels and the happiness of millions. The desert has been made to rejoice and blossom like the rose.
Terque quaterque beati bona si sua norint Americani.
The subject before us is like an infinite serie: in mathematics. It is impossible to exhaust it.
A's the most important inference from our va- rious considerations, it may be said, that A SUR- PRISING INTERPOSITIONOF PROVIDENCE has often been exercised towards us, from the time, when the pilgrims of Leyden embarked for the wilds of America, to the present period. The same blessing was experienced, by the children of Israel, for ages ; but their ingratitude and re- bellion, at length, armed the justice and entailed the wrath of heaven.
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God only knows how long it will be, before we, for the abuse of his loving kindness and ten- ter mercy, shall experience the awful frowns of his vengeance ; become the prey of faction, the sport of enemies ; be doomed to drag the chains of slavery ; or be cast off, broken to pieces, and our name erased from the catalogue of empires. From these dreadful judgments may the God, in whom our fathers trusted, graciously preserve us.
Some of the friends of this country are alarm- ed at the cloud, which is gathering on our poli- tical horizon ; but, my christian friends, why should we be anxious ? The blackest cloud may discharge its thunder and its storm upon the wind; or, when it threatens terror and devastation, it may only distil a gentle and refreshing rain.
Let us, then, indulge the fond hope, that the same almighty arm, which has ever delivered us from danger, and, repeatedly, when every hu- man probability was against us, will condescend to bless us still ; to turn us from our sins; to bring good out of evil, and light out of darkness ; THAT THE GLORY OF AMERICA MAY BE THE JOYFUL THEME OF EVIRY AGE, TILL TIME SHALL BE NO MORE.
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Finally, my christian friends, this is the last century sermon I shall ever preach, and, no doubt, the last, which any of you will ever hear.
God grant that we, who are worshippers in this earthly temple, long before the commencement of another century, may all be worshippers in the temple, not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.
END OF THE SERMON.
A CARD.
Mr. ALDEN has it in contemplation to employ some of these is. ceretitial moments, which can be spared from parochial and domes. tic dunes, in preparing a history of this town, from its first seule. ment to the present period.
The work will require time, patience, and industry.
If the suggestion should meet the cordial approbation of ike enlightened citizens of Portsmouth, it is hoped that they will, eccavi- onally, communicate such historical facts, as may comport with their @povenience and aid the undertaking,
APPENDIX.
THE writer of the foregoing page, having taken consider. able pains to ascertain a few historical facts, relative to the newspapers, which have been printed, in Newhampshire, sub. mits the fruit of his researches to the public.
PORTSMOUTH.
The first printing office, in this state, was erected for the use ot Diniel Fowle. It is still standing and is at present improved as a dwellinghouse. Mr. Foule came to Ports- outh. in 1756, and published the first number of THE NEW. HAMPSHIRE GAZETTE, on the y October. Samuel Hall, who is a printer and bookseller in Boston, was with mr. Po- I- and executed the first impressions in the state. From the 25 Mav. 1776, to the 31 Mar, 1777 the paper was car- , on under the superatendence of Benjamin Dearborn. stheo called FRE FREEMAN'S JOURNAL This paper 1 ! Bref conducted by Daniel Powle, and then by Dan- in ald rent Foule. Daniel Foule, however, was ever !e .... not the paper to the day of his death, which Denen, in 8787 For several years before this period, john Melonen es ried it on for him. Upon his deceave, and delete, became and has ever since continued the proqui for of the per This has ever been the state g zette. It is published every Tuesday. Molto. My cour- ti's good shall be my constant aim No vol 49 issued 30 December, 1800, and at the time the whole number was 23+1. The above facts are inonly from the information of mr. Melcher.
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The United States' Oracle of the Day
Is published every Saturday morning by Charles Peirce printer of the laws of the United States, in Newhampshire. Motto. Of at the dimostions and habits, which lead to po- litical prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports. Washington's Legacy. No. 11, vol 11 27 De- cember, ISoo, and whole number 531. It was instituted, 4 June, 1793, and was published, twice a wick, till i January . 1796.
"The Republican Ledger
Was begun, in Sepirinber, 1799. 1 y George Jerry Osborne. who dressed last summer. It is now conducted by Naming and Whitelock. I. in published every Tuesday. Motto. When you shall there deeds relate, speak of them as they are. Nothing extentale nor set down ought in malice. No. 19. vol. 3, 30 Desembar, 1800, and whole number ;:.
/ The Portsmouth Mercury and Workly Advertizer
Was printed, in Portsmouth, by Thomas Furter and Eze. kiel Russell in the years 1765, 6, and 7.
The Newhampshire Mercury
Was published about four or five years, Letwten 1780 and $790, by Robert Gerrish.
The Newhampshire Spy
Was published for five or six years and, most of the time, twice a week, by George Jerry Usborne, jun. and was dircon- tinued early in 1793.
The Federal Observer
Was begun 22 November, 1798. and ended 12 June, 1800. It was frist printed by William Treadwell and Samuel Hart, and finally by Treadwell alone.
EXETER.
The first who attempted to carry on a paper, at Exeter, was Robert Foule. He was succeeded in the business by Zachariah Foule. Melher and Osborne began the Exeter Chronicle in June, and ended in December. 1781. Ranlet and Larsson begun a paper in 1784 and continued it for sev. oral years. Stearns and Winslow printed the American Her- ald of Liberty, about two years. Ranlet prinied the Exe- ter Federal Miscellany about two years. Lamon and Odionne printed the Weekly Visitor. Radler again print- ed a paper This is the best account the writer can give, and he is sensible of its imperfection.
CONCORD. The Courier of Newhampshire
Is printed every Friday. at Concord, by George Hough, printer of the laws of the United States, except those which relate to commerce, for the district of New hampshire. No.48 vol, 11, 26 December 1800, whole number 568.
. A few years since, a paper was printed at Concord for about two or three years, by Elijah Russel and Moses Davis.
The Concord Mirror
Was printed by Moses Davis. Our documents will not edinit of bring more exact.
DOVER.
The first paper in Dover, entitled the Political Reposi. tory and Strafford Recorder, was published by E inhaler Ladd. It was begun, 15 July, 1790, and ended, 19 Jan. uary, Yyg1.
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IST THE
The Phoenix, under the same editor, was begun gs Jan- uary, 1792, and continued to 29 August, 1795. From March, 1794, to that time it was published by Samuel Bragg, jun.
The Sun Dover Gazerte and County Advertiser Is published, every Wednesday, by the last mentioned editor. It was begun, 5 September, 1795. Motto. Here truth unli- censed reigns. No. $7, vol. 6, 31 December, Soo, and whole number 278.
GILMANTOWN.
. The Gilmantown G zette and Farmer's Weekly Magazine
Is published every Saturday by Leavitt and Clough. Mot- to. By knowledge shall the chambers be filled with all pre- cious and pleasant riches. Moreover the profit of the earth is for all. The king himself is served by the field. Bible. No. 18, vol. 1, 26 December 1800.
The Gilmantown Museum
Was published tor six months, immediately before the Gazelle, by Elijah Russell.
AMHERST. The Village Messenger,
Which is published every Saturday, was begun by William Biglow and Samuel Cushing, 9 January 1796. From 12 July, 1795, to 18 April. 1797, it was carried ou by Cushing. Since that period it has been published by Samuel Preston. No. 1, vol. 6, 27 December, 1800, and whole number 261.
. The Amherst Journal and Newhampshire Ad- vertiser
Was published, immediately before the Village Messenger, by Nathanael Coverly, and was begun 16 January, 1795.
KEENZ. The Newhampshire Sentinel,
Which was begun, in March, 1799, is published every Satur- day, by John Prentist. Motto. My country's good, a faithful watch I stand. Vol. 2, whole number 93. 37 December, 1800.
The Newhampshire Recorder 1 Was published from August 1789, for about two years and a half, by James Davenport Griffith. The same editor pub. lished from : January, 1798, the Cheshire Advertiser, whichs continued about ene year.
The Columbian Informer
Was published by Henry Blake, and Co. from 5 April, 1793, for two years. It was then carried on for four months by William Ward Blake.
The Rising Sun
Was published from 4 August, 1795, till March 1798, by Cornelius Sturtevant, junior, and Co. From that time it was published three months, by Elijah Cooper.
WALPOLE. The Farmer's Museum or Literary Gazette
Is published at W 'pole, ever Monday, by David Carlisle, for Thomas and Thomas. It was till lately edited under the superintendence of Joseph Dennis, the reputed author of the Lay Preacher. Motto.
Hither, ca hw cek, the peasant shall repair To sweet oblivion of his daily care. Again the farmers' news, the barber's tale
Again the woodman's ballad shall prevail. Goldsmith. Vol. 8. 29 December, 1800, whole number 404. This paper was first called the Farmer's Weekly Mussum and New- hampshire and Vermont Journal From February 1799. for one year, it was called the Farmers Museum, or Lay Preach- er's Gazette. Its proprietors were first Isaiah Thomas and David Carlisle, secondly Carlisle alone, and then Isaiah Thom. as, and now Thomas and Thomas.
HANOVER.
Alden Spooner, now printer at Windsor, in Vermont, is said to have printed the first paper at Hanover.
The Eagle or Dartmouth Centinel
Was published by Josiah Dunham, A. M.trom zz July, 1793> to 23 February, 1795. It was then published from z March, $795, to 30 March, 1795, by John M Dunham. From 6 April 1995, 10 13 March, 1797, it was published by Dun- ham and True. From 20 March, 1797, 10 24 July, 1798, it was published by Benjamin True, under the same naine. From that period it was published by True, with the title of the Eagle, but under the superintendence of Moses Fiske, A.M. till the first week in June, 1799, when it was stopped.
The Dartmouth Gazette,
Which commenced. 27 August, 1799 is published every Saturday, on the college phin, hy Moses Divis. Motto. Here range the world, explore the dense and ra e And view all nature in your elbow chair.
Vel. 2, 27 December, 1800, whole number 70.
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HAVERHILL.
Some years ago Nathanael Coverly published a paper for #hour six months, at Haverhill. Three or four numbers ci a magazine were, two or three years since, published by Moseley Dunham, at the same place.
In 1799, the prospectus of a paper, which was to have been published at Charleston, was issued, but the paper was never candied into effect.
The foregoing historiette, in some instances, may perhaps be erroneous. It is however, as correct, as our materials would admir. In collecting data, the writer has been assist - ed principally by mr. Charles Prince, editor and printer of the United States' Oracle of the Day.'
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