USA > New Hampshire > Grafton County > Canaan > The history of Canaan, New Hampshire > Part 25
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69
In examining a lot of old manuscripts, I find several letters from friends, which give a little insight into the affairs of the school. Several short extracts follow: "Oct. 22, 1834. May Harris commenced the female department three or four weeks ago. Has about twenty scholars." "Canaan, Oct. 28, 1834.
266
HISTORY OF CANAAN.
Mr. Currier has returned from Boston. He brings intelligence that David L. Child, Esq., will come on in about six weeks and take charge of the school. The receipt of this interesting news affected each party in a different manner. There was a joyous rubbing of hands among our friends. Kimball had to holler long and loud. Old Dr. Tilton smiled all over. He has declared that the only epitaph he desires upon his tombstone is that he was 'The Slaves' Friend.' Col. Isaac Towle gave a grunt of satisfaction. You know, he is a very positive man. His 'I will' and 'I won't' settles all controversy with him. The hostiles were not pleased,- in fact they were mad - very mad! Trussell, Arvin, old Cobb, and Blaisdell, were hardly peaceable for some days. Their minds were much preoccupied. I am told that persons who approached them upon business matters received only such answers as 'Abolition scum,' 'villains,' 'perjured Masons,' 'unconstitutional acts,' &c. But for these men, who like Cassius 'have a lean and hungry look' there would be gen- eral cheerfulness among the people. Parson Fuller will teach the school until the arrival of Mr. C. He entered upon the task yesterday. Probably not more than twenty pupils attend. I do not go yet."
"One thing further, I understand the circular is published, and the picture of this town is drawn with a master hand. I give you one sentence, which ought to melt and soften the hard hearts of those creatures who are base enough to oppose this wonderful scheme of Philanthropy." This sentence is the one which refers to their doing nothing for the colored man, but to leave him at liberty to do something for himself.
Miss Mary Harris was engaged to teach the female department. "Canaan, Dec. 23, 1834. The school building stands where it was placed, a monument of the rashness of the projectors." As time passed on the excitement increased, until the town was a scene of bitterness, suspicion and hatred mingled in society, and all kindliness seemed to be crowded out. The friends of the school were sanguine and fearless. The opponents were sullen and thoughtful. Old Mrs. Nichols said: "Mr. Kimball ought to 'a-been abed and asleep before he got us into such a tarnation scrape." Col. Daniel Pattee was greatly alarmed and threatened "extermination by fire and sword."
267
NOYES ACADEMY.
Mr. Wesley P. Burpee, with pugnacious gravity, bobbed his head and declared, "This thing is unconstitutional, Sir! We must put it down, Sir !" Many secret caucuses of these men were held during the winter, and it was not until after long and mature deliberation, that a positive plan was resolved upon.
Another letter of January 22, 1835, says: "Thirteen colored persons are now attending school. Kimball has just returned from Providence with six. He intends building a large boarding house."
During the winter Mr. Kimball devoted himself to collecting funds for the school, and on his return in February, he an- nounced that he had been more successful than he even hoped. The school was now assured of permanence. He sold his house, next north of the Currier store at that time, now the second, and moved into the Wilson house at the corner, opposite A. S. Green's, with the intention of boarding all the black pupils, some twenty of whom were announced as coming on the first of March, when it was anticipated the "Nigger school" was to begin. He also announced his intention of building a boarding house in the field near the Academy, for the accommodation of black and white pupils. An earnest effort was now made by the good people to raise money to purchase a bell for the Acad- emy, but they were not successful. Mr. Scales came on Sunday, the first day of March. On March 31st a mulatto came from Boston to attend the school.
I now refer to the diary, date of April 10, 1835. "Oscar goes to school." "One colored man by the name of Thomas Paul, from Boston, has arrived. Did you suppose mother would board the blacks. No! She has enough else to do."
"May 21. Great exertions are making to rouse up a revival of religion. Another colored person, a lady from Boston, has arrived. Show 'em in! No aristocracy here."
A letter of June 10th says : "As yet only six 'colored youths' have arrived. Two of them black as night. Kimball boards them. This week is vacation. We cannot yet tell what the result of this school will be. Nothing but rare courage and devo- tion in the projectors to push their plans through good and evil reports will preserve it. The fact that the whole slave popula- tion of the South are coming here, shocks the sensibilities of the
268
HISTORY OF CANAAN.
toothless, eyeless, senseless part of the community. The old, superannuated dotards sigh at the coming events, and wish they had never been born. Because, forsooth, a black man has come among us."
Rumors of the most absurd character were set afloat against the school and the people. The village was to be overrun with negroes from the South; the slaves were coming here to line the streets with their huts, and to inundate the industrious town with paupers and vagabonds. Other tales, too indecent to be reported, were circulated with wicked industry. As the Fourth of July approached violence began to be threatened, and it was announced that on that day an attack was to be made on the house. The day arrived and hundreds of men assem- bled, some as actors, others as spectators. The building was approached in a threatening manner by a body of about seventy men, many of whom were from adjacent towns, armed with clubs and other missiles and uttering fierce threats and imprecations. They drew up in front of the house. The leader of this brave band was Jacob Trussell, who announced to his followers that the object of their "virtuous wrath was before them." Several approached and attempted the door. There is in every man a sense of right and wrong which makes even the most hardened criminal hesitate to commit an unlawful act, even in the pres- ence of his fellow conspirators. A sudden paralysis seemed to seize them. A window in the second story was suddenly thrown open and Dr. Timothy Tilton, a magistrate, appeared and after addressing a few words of warning, began to take down the names of the visitors in a loud voice. Thus he called the names of "Jacob Trussell, Daniel Pattee, Wesley P. Burpee, Daniel Pattee, Jr., Salmon P. Cobb, March Barber, Phineas Eastman," and so on. Then the band of rioters hesitated, fell back a little, and soon retreated, with undisguised speed, leaving behind them only their leader, who stood his ground valiantly for a while looking defiantly at the offensive building.
I will incorporate part of a letter dated July 15, 1835, relat- ing to the movements of the allied forces of Canaan, Enfield, Dorchester and Hanover. The letter says :
On the 4th of July the "Jacobins," we call them "Jac's" from old Jacob, their leader, held a caucus in the hall of E. Martin, to concert
269
NOYES ACADEMY.
measures for the ejectment of Kimball, Scales and the blacks from this town. In the meantime a large number of persons from this and adjoin- ing towns had collected, and waited to hear the result of their delibera- tions. They thronged the street and fields of Canaan, clamorous and excited. At last the hall door was thrown open, and out came old Camp- bell, Daniel Pattee and sons, old Kinney, &c, &c, who proceeded immedi- ately to the Meeting House, where Joseph L. Richardson, a man of fame and years, harrangued them from the deacon's seat. He told them of his love for the whole human race, of his indefatigable exertions in the Legislature, to cause the petitions of his constituents to be "read a third time and passed." But, alas! they were lost! He spoke of rights and equity, of public nuisance and mobs, he deprecated any coersive meas- ures on the part of any people. In fine, the tender sympathies of the multitude were touched by the glowing imagery of this great and far- famed man. May he live to a good old age and always imagine himself quelling mobs. The fact is, the people had met on the Fourth, as notice had been previously given for the purpose of tearing down the Acad- emy. But they did not do it.
A procession was formed at the hotel headed by Ben Porter and marched to the academy; an attempt was made to enter, when several gentlemen who were, unexpectedly by the mob, inside, hoisted a window, and proceeded to take the names of the leaders. The crowd dispersed as speedily as possible, muttering curses and menaces, and adjourned for one week. On Saturday, the 11th, they met at the old church in large numbers as before. William Campbell was moderator; they were noisy and excited, more so, if possible, than on the previous occasion. The only point I could gather in their proceedings was that the "nigger" was a nuisance, and must be removed from town. In the midst of their confusion, Doctor Flanders told them that the corporation had not in any respect proceeded according to law. There was a momentary lull in the assembly and a committee was appointed to inquire into the legality of the proceedings. This committee are to report at an ad- journed meeting in two weeks.
When the people again assembled to hear the report of the committee, there was as before much excitement and they were united in one respect at least - hatred to the blacks. But they were divided in sentiment when the cry was raised to destroy the building. It was no doubt the intention of the leaders on each of these occasions to destroy the building and break up the school, but they could not rouse their followers up to that law- less act. So it was resolved that a legal town meeting should be called on the 31st of July to see what "measures the town will take to expel the blacks from the town of Canaan," and to act in relation to the black school.
270
HISTORY OF CANAAN.
Aside from the political aspect of the question, the results of which were of momentous importance to the country, there was a large portion of the community, who could not tolerate the negro in their society. To show the animus of the feeling that prejudiced this class of the community, I copy from the New Hampshire Patriot of June, 1835; the grammar belongs to the press :
Since the establishment of the school, it has been no uncommon spec- tacle to witness colored gentlemen walking arm in arm with what ought to be respectable white females. And that respectable people opposed to the school, as well as others, have been invited to parties where the colored portion of the school were also invited guests. It is said that one of the principal agitators of the slave question in this state, George Kimball, Esq., and his family, sit at table with a half dozen colored people, while a white girl attends upon them as servant. We do not wonder that the white people of Canaan should consider such an estab- lishment a "nuisance," and that they should adopt all lawful meas- ures for its removal. The people of this state have more than once been reproached as favoring the pernicious schemes of the Abolitionists, and as encouraging a practical amalgamation of colors, on account of this school. And while we would counsel our friends in that part of the State to persevere in their efforts until the "Nuisance" is abated, we would suggest to them the propriety of mild and peaceable measures, such as the public sentiment and laws of the State will justify.
From the other side we learn that Mrs. Hubbard Harris had a tea party, and invited the blacks - they attended. This was very shocking to several who attended. This party gave occa- sion to much very bad scandal. Mrs. Wallace had a tea party, - and did not invite the blacks. Kimball and wife, Mr. Scales and a score more were present. Mrs. Flanders was also invited. "What an insult!" exclaimed Mrs. Flanders, supposing the blacks had had an invitation. She declared "she was so mad she was insane for half an hour," the which no one doubted who knew her.
The 31st of July, 1835, is memorable in the annals of Canaan, memorable for the disorder it evolved as well as for the remark- able resolutions that were permitted to go upon its records. where they remain as a perpetual memento of the slow progress of public opinion. Joseph L. Richardson was moderator. The house was crowded with men filled with rage, rum and riotous intentions. They had worked themselves into the belief that a
271
NOYES ACADEMY.
"legal" town meeting could do lawfully what it was unlawful for an individual to do. They were willing to shift the odium of the outrage of what they were about to do upon the "legal" town meeting. A committee was appointed to report a plan for the action of the town. After much labor, that committee pre- sented a series of resolutions, embracing within their tortuous folds the plan that was to destroy the school, or rather as those who were seeking an excuse for their acts to "abate the public Nuisance." And now we come to the reports, the author of which sleeps in obscurity :
Whereas believing certain individuals, by the practice of fraud and deception have abused public opinion abroad in reference to the state of feeling in this town respecting the colored school here, and believ- ing that designing demagogues and desperate Politicians abroad in con- nection with a few sordid spirits in this town who are influenced more by the love of gain than the love of God and man, are determined to continue their black operations in this town against the wishes of a large majority of its citizens. Although they have once and again expressed their disaprobation and have borne and forbourn until for- bearance had ceased to be a "virtue." Therefore Resolved That from what our own eyes have seen and our ears have heard respecting the close intimacy that exists between some of the colored boys and white females, we believe if suffered to go on, it will not be long before we shall have living evidence of an amalgamation of blood. Resolved That we consider the Colored School in this town a Public Nuisance and that it is the duty of the town to take immediate measures to re- move said nuisance.
Voted the town take immediate measures to remove the house in which the colored school is kept.
Voted that the Selectmen select the spot on which to set said build- ing.
Voted that a committee be chosen to superintend the moving of said building at the expense of the town.
Voted that a committee of 15 or 20 persons be chosen for said commit- tee and the following were chosen viz .:
Jacob Trussell (still at 90 broken and defiant)
Chamberlain Packard Jr (killed by God)
Wm Campbell (a foolish old infidel)
Herod Richardson Elijah R. Colby (dead and rotten and now forgotten)
Americus Gates
Daniel Pattee Jr (a blasphemous cripple)
Nathaniel Shepherd (Common drunkard)
Luther Kinne (Ossified legs)
Peter Stevens
272
HISTORY OF CANAAN.
Robert B. Clark (dead in his bed)
Salmon P. Cobb (an old witch too mean to live or die)
Daniel Campbell
James Pattee (a drunkard)
John Fales Jr (an idiot)
Wesley P. Burpee (an awful death from cancer)
Benj. W. Porter (drowned)
Bartlett Hoit (killed by God after having stolen money sent him)
to keep his wife's father from starving or thrown on the town.)
March Barber (old foolish jealous and insane)
The words inclosed in the parentheses after each name are on the town records but were put there by someone afterwards.
Voted that the measures adopted by the town for removing said building, be commenced by the 10th day of August at 7 a. m. and be continued from day to day, without intermission, so as to satisfy the calls of nature, until the moving of said building be compleated.
Voted unanimously that the following Preamble and Resolutions be sent to the editor of the Christian Register and Boston Observer, with a request that he would give them an insertion in his paper:
Whereas a report of the managers of the Mass. Antislavery Soc, has been published in the Christian Register and Boston Observer bearing date July 11th 1835, containing statements, that the inhabitants of Canaan, N. H., are generally in favor of the colored school in said town. Therefore resolved that the publication in that paper relating to said school is without foundation in truth and a libel upon the publick as more than four fifths of the inhabitants of this town in the estimation of this meeting are decidedly opposed to said school and are determined to take effectual measures to remove it.
Resolved that a copy of these proceedings be sent to the N. H. Patriot and State Gazette and be signed by the Selectmen and Town Clerk. With the request that all the papers in New England insert them once.
The meeting then dissolved and the noisy crowd left the vil- lage uttering threats and imprecations. But the chiefs in this "legal" conspiracy, it is said, held a private conference in the hall that lasted until morning. Wherein they discussed the responsibilities they were assuming, and some of the more cau- tious desired that they might receive counsel from some eminent lawyer. They accordingly consulted Josiah Quincy of Rumney, but his views conformed so greatly to their own, that they sus- pected there might be more sympathy than law in his opinion. They then consulted Ichabod Bartlett, who it was known was
273
NOYES ACADEMY.
very outspoken against the Abolition excitement, but still was a careful and safe adviser. Mr. Bartlett's opinion did not arrive, however, until it was too late to save the building, but it is said to have been of such a nature that many of those who were engaged in the outrage of moving the building were rather anxious that that act in their lives should be forgotten. He told them, as I heard from the late Caleb Blodgett, Esq., who was high sheriff at the time, and had recently moved into town, that no vote of the town could "legalize" a mob; that the outrage they were about to commit was felony at common law; that each individual engaged in it was personally responsible for all the damage that might accrue, and that each and every man became lawless and criminal whenever he or they deprived others of their property or of the right to live peaceably in the com- munity. But, after all, he thought there was little danger to be feared from prosecutions, because in the then exasperated state of public opinion upon the slavery question, there was no jury in the state who would find them guilty; but all high excite- ments are reactionary, beware of the "second thought." For this advice the town paid Mr. Bartlett $5. They had better have paid him thousands and sought his advice sooner.
The particulars which follow are taken chiefly from letters written at the time, by parties, as may readily be seen, who were not unfriendly to the school. As this is the only record of those eventful days I adopt it as authentic, believing it to be a vera- cious tale. The first letter is dated August 15, 1835, and com- mences thus :
The whole world will soon be awake to the transactions here. Since the 31st every cloud has been black with rumors. Upon the wings of every breeze was blown an account of coming events. From the tongue of every tattler escaped a direful foreboding. Emaciated groups of human forms, were to be seen in sheds and secret places, plotting and planning affairs for the 10th. Sometimes a silence not unlike that which precedes the earthquake prevailed. Scandal, "damnable innu- endoes," hell-engendered lies, were eagerly received by the loquacious humor of this public. This is not a vision. It is a fact. But I pass now to the 10th. The day dawned, the sun never rose with more love- liness. Its meridian splendor is not an apt comparison in dog days. In the morn we greet him, at noon we flee from him. The cloud that had so long hung threateningly over us, now assumed a most fearful
18
274
HISTORY OF CANAAN.
aspect. The people led by villains were mad, and in their madness had become destroyers. I was standing at my desk writing. Saw a man, Mr. B., pass with an iron bar. Soon I saw several more pass with bars and axes. Now a wagon loaded with chains hurries along. I looked out at the door. The street was full of people and cattle in all direc- tions. A "string" of fifty yoke are just turning the corner by the old Church, all from Enfield. William Currier at their head. Thomas Mer- rill was also a leader. The destruction of that beautiful edifice has al- ready begun. Trussell was the first man on the ground. He is Cap- tain of the gang. His features show the smile of satisfied revenge. He thus addressed them: "Gentlemen, your work is before you. This town has decreed this school a nuisance, and it must be abated. If any man obstructs you in these labors, let him be abated also. Now fall to, and remove this fence."
The first blow was struck by Benjamin Porter, who seized an axe and attacked the fence. He was an active lieutenant of his master and was everywhere present encouraging the lookers-on to labor. Stephen Smith was at work for Sheriff Blodgett that day. Mr. Blodgett stayed at home. He would not by his pres- ence, show sympathy with the brave band who were working for applause from the South, but was interested in the progress of the work. He sent Mr. Smith up to bring him reports. Mr. Smith said that he stood looking at the wreckers, thinking what a pity to see that beautiful edifice destroyed! The master came around that way and seeing a man idle he spoke out promptly : "Smith, here take that axe and help clear away that fence." Mr. Smith seized the axe and when the fence was cleared away, wondered why he had allowed that man to influence him to do that bad work. Many others have worked under the same subtle influence, and had no regrets until the will of the master was accomplished. The account continues :
When they first appeared and seized upon the front fence to pull it away, they were met by Doctor Tilton, who, as a magistrate, com- manded them to disperse and begun to read the riot act.
There was a perceptable hesitation when Trussell stepped forward, seizing an axe and exclaimed: "Well, we have heard all that before, but it won't pass with us today. Boys, fall to here! If that man inter- rupts you any more remove him." Then striking the first blow, he encouraged his crowd to deeds unheard of before in this town. I need not say that there was sadness among our friends. We were sad at the unappeasable madness of the people, who blindly followed that revenge- ful man, but in the days to come there will be reaction. The reading of
275
NOYES ACADEMY.
the riot act by Doctor Tilton was the only obstruction offered by the friends of the school. They chose to suffer affliction and the destruc- tion of their property rather than shed the blood of these misguided men. They got the shoes under a little past 12 at noon. Trussell stands upon the front to give orders. The team is attached. Ninety-five yoke of cattle. It is straightened. The chains break. They try again and again the chains break! Almost in vain do they try. Thermometer ranges at 116 in the sun. At half past 7 they had succeeded in drawing it into the road, when they adjourned till next day. The cattle were in the meantime driven down to William Martin's meadow, where they were turned loose for the night. I need not tell you of the band of earnest philanthropists,- men and women,-who met together in secret that dark night and wept and prayed because of the destruction that had befallen their beautiful hopes. A man from Enfield, Joshua "Devil" Stevens, as he was called, set fire to the building that night, intending to destroy it, but the attempt failed.
The chains were weak, doubled they were still weak. A swift mes- senger was dispatched to the Shakers at Enfield and to Lyman's Bridge at Lyman for the cables used there. He returned before morning. Tuesday, the 11th, the progress of destruction was more rapid. The chains held firm when the order was given "to straighten the team." A little before noon they had reached our store where they halted in front, and at once demanded that a barrel of rum should be rolled out or they would demolish the doors. Mr. C. and myself thought it best to yield to their threats, but William said "No, he would sooner die than yield an inch to these fanatical villains." He backed himself against the door, determined to resist to the last. But he was removed after much struggling, and they had the rum. Do you believe we did not wish it might be hell fire to their bodies?
Another scene occurred here worth relating. Mrs. Wallace came out of the house, mounted the fence, and began to har- rangue that crowd as only an earnest woman can when the spirit moves her. She was telling them some very wholesome truths, when Mr. C. came up and seizing her from behind, carried her into the house exclaiming, "Get into the house and shut up your mouth. Don't you see, if you get 'em mad they'll pull my house down too."
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.