USA > New Hampshire > Grafton County > Canaan > The history of Canaan, New Hampshire > Part 26
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Any person, man or woman, who, passing quietly along the street, then, did not hurrah with them, was insulted by those ruffians from Enfield, Hanover and Dorchester.
The cattle were allowed to rest in the heat of the day while the company ate the food prepared for them by the selectmen. Joseph Dustin was an abolitionist; he did not go to the hauling
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the first day. He fed the company to the amount of $16.44, which the town paid. The second day Mr. Blodgett requested him in behalf of the town, to prepare a dinner for the crowd. He killed a beef and cooked it all. It was eaten and paid for, by the selectmen out of the town treasury.
It is said that the selectmen were never averse to the advice of Mr. Weeks and Mr. Blodgett, who did not appear as open advocates of violence, but whenever any suggestion or motive particularly diabolical was offered, these men would give it strength and courage by clothing it in legal language.
Having rested and refreshed themselves the crowd were in no bet- ter humor than before. The rum had not made them peaceable. The team was hitched up and "straightened" with loud imprecations and curses and progressed slowly. When they were about opposite Parson Fuller's house, they rested for water, Mrs. F., a very plucky woman, when she saw the intent to use her water bucket, rushed out and cut the rope, thus dropping the bucket into the well, and declaring loudly that "her bucket should not be polluted by the touch of such foul lips." The men spoke to her with oaths and threats, she replied "She had been used to such acts for some time past she would be disappointed if they ever repented of their crimes or became gentlemen."
This day was hotter than the preceding, yet with redoubled ardor these men persisted in their crime, until they hauled the house on to the corner of the Common, in front and close by the old church. They arrived upon the spot just at dark, so completely fagged out, both oxen and men, that it was utterly impossible to do anything further. There it stands, shattered, mutilated, inwardly beyond reparation almost, a monument of the folly of and infuriated malice of a basely deceived populace.
Four weeks from last Thursday, they are to assemble again to draw it upon the spot chosen by the selectmen for its location. Many aggra- vating circumstances accompanying this transaction cannot be related here. The Institution is broken up. The aggressors declare boldly that they fear no retribution at the hands of the law. They rely upon pub- lic opinion and the authorities to sustain them in taking the accom- plishment of their unlawful wishes into their own hands.
When the building had rested in front of the Church, the company was called to order by Jacob Trussell, when several sentiments appropriate to the occasion, were prepared and read on the ground by Phineas Eastman, and received with great ap- plause.
1st. The Constitution of the United States. Based on a compromise between the North and the South, each pledging themselves to protect
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each others rights and privileges, it can only be maintained by a due regard to the rights of the respective parties.
The second
3rd. The Revolutionary Patriots of the North and South. They fought togather for the privilege of making their own laws, their sons would be unworthy of their sires, if they should surrender their rights into the hands of the Abolitionists.
4th. The Patriots of New Hampshire. They will fight for the rights and privileges of the Southern brethren which are guaranteed them by the Constitution, so long as there is a man that can shoulder or handle a gun.
5th. The Abolitionists. They must be checked and restrained within Constitutional limits or American liberty will find a speedy grave.
6th. Let there be a union of all honest men, throughout all the United States, and an undivided and uncompromising opposition be presented to irredicate Abolition wherever found.
These resolutions with a description of the day's doing were sent to the New Hampshire Patriot, signed by Jacob Trussell, committee, and printed in that paper.
The second one was received with immense noise, it reads as follows :
The Abolitionists, a combination of disorganizers led on by an Eng- lishman sent to this country to sow seeds of discord between the North and South, May he be removed from the continent as suddenly as the Noyes Academy has this day been removed from the control of the Abolitionists.
It was then voted that Scales, the teacher, and the blacks have one month in which to leave town. That if, on the re- assembling of this company on the 10th of September, they were found within its limits, they would be removed by force.
On separating, Mr. March Barber, in behalf of the town and the committee, tendered his thanks to the people of Enfield, Hanover and Dorchester, for their efficient and energetic as- sistance. The chiefs from Dorchester were Benjamin Dow, Joshua Burley, and Jacob Blaisdell.
There were seven young colored boys from Rhode Island, and one young girl from Boston, a light mulatto, about 16 years old, of quiet ladylike demeanor. She boarded with Mrs. George Har- ris. She afterwards married a sailor named Castle, and lived in Boston. One other young girl about the same age was Miss Maria C., daughter of Edward Bracket of Concord, for many
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HISTORY OF CANAAN.
years a barber in that place. She was sprightly and lively in manner and voice. She had sandy hair, blue eyes and light complexion. She arrived at noon on the first day of the attack upon the house and went to board with Mrs. Harris. That night there was much riotous noise in the street. The mob had their grog, and many of them had doubled their rations, which made them forget to go home; and some of them forgot they ever were gentlemen.
They traversed the village shouting ribald expressions and coarsely threatened to attack the house that sheltered those two young girls. There were resolute men among the abolitionists but during that sad day of disorder they had advised themselves that it would be prudent to remain in the background.
Col. Thomas Hill lived in the house long the residence of Dr. Wheat, a stately man, tall and resolute. He called upon Col. Isaac Towle, a man of good presence, and equally resolute. These two went to a woodpile and hewed out two clubs suffi- ciently large as to need but one blow upon an assailant. They posted themselves about the house and remained until morning. Probably the darkness made cowards of these prowlers. Several times they came near but they neglected to make any attack. It was an anxious night in more than one house.
The account continues :
Mr. Kimball was absent during all this storm. He returned on the 12th. after an absence of five weeks. Three students came with him, 12 more were coming, all white.
There is a spirit of recklessness here, and it says the blacks must leave the town or die before the "last drawing." There are six little boys, one girl, so white you would not see the difference in a crowd, and four as large as myself. They know their rights, but perhaps dare not maintain them. Just now there are threats of attacking Kim- ball's house, where they board. Just so sure as the mob assails that house, there will be blood shed. The awful "beware" has been sounded. I believe they intend to repair the academy and open a white school.
Again the writer says :
It is not yet in evidence that the men of Canaan are brave or per- sistent in wrong doing. Knowing our own people as well as we do, all through their lives, these men of brag, our fears were not excited when they threatened, Richardson, Flanders, Burpee, Cobb, the Pattees or old Campbell, and all the rest of them with Trussell added, would never have caused us anything but regrets. Had the lawless and reck- less people of Enfield, who volunteered to assist in this disagreeable
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affair stayed at home, we should not now see Trussell and his tail now triumphing over us. The high minded people of Enfield would hardly esteem it an honor to have participated in this outrage, could they see that they have simply been used by Trussell to avenge a private pique of several years standing. Had it not been for Trussell and the foreign element which rode over and insulted us for two days, we know that the Academy would never have been touched. Jacob Trussell is an intolerant bigot, opinionated, unforgiving, not a drop of warm blood in his veins except what is warmed by the passions that animate him. He never forgave an injury and he never had a friend. He never per- formed an act of pure charity, and he never forgot to be selfish. He is a member of the Congregational Church and of the Lodge of Masons here, and into each of these memberships he carries the obdurate obstinacy of his nature. His hatred of George Kimball, Nat Currier and Hubbard Harris, is an unquenchable fire in his breast. These men are all Anti-masons, the two last are seceding Masons. And here is the secret of the destruction of our Academy. He has been the moving spirit through it all.
He had twice before led the Canaan mob up to the door of the build- ing with weapons in their hands, but the sight of our good natured Dr. Tilton, standing there as a magistrate, to take down their names, for future use, restrained them even in the presence of their leader, and caused them quietly to disperse. And when having invited the people from the neighboring towns to participate in the move, he knew his third attempt would be successful, for with his "legal town meet- ing" and these foreigners to back him, he was satisfied that Campbell, old Cobb, the Pattees, Burpee, and others would not fail to be there. He was not disappointed and our village is sad and gloomy with con- tending emotions. Jealousy and distrust pervades the minds. Can we ever forgive those insults, will this community ever be happy again? "When a generation has passed away then who are here will see." "How courageous one is on paper! Had you been here and taken a stand 'not on a widows jointure land,' but on the front of the Acad- emy, and had old 'kernel' Pattee seen you, he would have winked you down for a 'tarnal abolitionist, Sir!'"
The days passed on without much interest to the friends of the school. The fruits of all their labors through individual malice "turned to Dead Sea ashes upon their lips." They were listless alike to threats or curses. There was an occasional rip- ple on the surface, the most considerable of which was the ani- mosity shown to Rev. Mr. Fuller, for the part his wife took on the day of the "Great hauling," when not having the fear of the mob before her eyes, she audaciously removed the bucket from her well, and thus prevented these misguided souls from slak- ing their thirst. Mr. Fuller was repeatedly warned by ghostly
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HISTORY OF CANAAN.
looking messengers upon white horses at the dead of night, that unless he recanted his Anti-slavery principles ere the ap- proaching 10th of October he would be severely dealt with There is no evidence to show at that time, at least, that Mr. Ful- ler heeded those solemn warnings.
A letter of August 26, 1835, says, "The Academy stands so near South Church as to render the travelled road impracticable. But for Trussell, the Academy would not have been touched." Another letter of September 9, 1835, "Tomorrow is the day for locating the Academy. Yesterday was preparatory drill. Muster takes place the 11th. Those who come to assist in moving the Academy will probably not go home."
On the 10th of September, according to the previous notice, the same men of Canaan, together with their friends, from En- field, assembled with their cattle, on the Common and proceeded to the business before them, that is, to "locate" the Academy. The spot had been previously selected by the selectmen. These officers were, James Arvin, William Martin and Sylvanus B. Morgan, all now gone to their long home. The last two were men who honestly believed they were acting for the good of the human race, in opposing the introduction of negroes here. The first was an assistant worthy of his leader. A man of ability, whose later years could not redeem the vicious habits of his early manhood. His political friends sought to encourage him, by giving him town offices, but his life was embittered by early recollections and through them he lent a willing ear to the destructive schemes proposed to him by a "brother."
The men who considered themselves leaders were all there early. All of them ready with counsel, which under other cir- cumstances, few of them cared to follow. There was first and foremost, Trussell, Campbell, March Barber, the Pattees, Bur- pee, Flanders, Arvin, Old Cobb, Richardson, Eastman, Kinne, Benjamin Porter, indeed, no name or face was missing. The thirty days they had given themselves for thoughtfulness, had not let in a single ray of softening light to their hardened under- standings. There is no evidence that personal insults were offered on this occasion. They proceeded promptly as if the business they were about were a pleasure, and with loud cries to the work, all the forenoon, five hours, with all their cattle,
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they labored to haul the building across the road, and locate it in the corner of the Baptist Parsonage field. Then at twelve o'clock it was placed upon the spot. The cannon was then dragged through the street, and discharged at the house of every Abolitionist, breaking glass in abundance at every discharge. Then they adjourned for dinner, which had been prepared by Joseph Dustin, under the direction of the selectmen. The cattle were taken to the side of the Street near Gordon Burley's and fed. Speaking of this fact, Mr. Blodgett told me, that he and William Martin, pitched a ton of hay out of Burley's field on that occasion, quicker than any two men ever did the same work before. After dinner and refreshment the men were called to order, to receive the thanks and congratulations of the chiefs, who by their wisdom and virtue had thus saved Canaan from being the Asylum of the negro race. Several speeches were made and received with noisy demonstrations. Phin Eastman was garrulous and happy. Doctor Flanders was vindictive and triumphant. They were much alike in their tone. But one of them has been preserved. Mr. Trussell, it seems, could not trust himself to do justice to his subject in an extempore manner. Its great magnitude and importance required thought. So he put his thought upon paper and headed it "Farewell Address." The manuscript was for years hidden away in the archives of the author. But death often discloses lost gems. This eloquent piece of thankfulness was thus restored to light that it might be preserved as part of this veracious history.
Farewell Address of Jacob Trussell:
Gentlemen, the work is done! The object is attained! The contest has been severe, but the victory glorious! No sable son of Africa re- mains to darken our hemisphere! The Abolition Monster, that ascended out of the bottomless pit, is sent headlong to perdition, and the mourn- ers go about the streets. To you, Gentlemen, who have assisted in at- taining this glorious victory, I present you hearty and sincere thanks, for your prompt attention and your unexampled exertions in repelling an enemy, far more to be dreaded, than the pestilence that walks in darkness, or the destruction that awaits at noonday. May the sun of liberty continue to shine on you with increasing splendor, and never be obstructed by the sable clouds of Africa. And should it be your mis- fortune to be invaded by a similar foe, we pledge ourselves to unite our exertions with yours in putting down by all lawful exertions, every plot that threatens the subversion of our liberties, or disturbs the pub-
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HISTORY OF CANAAN.
lic tranquility. May that being who presides over the destinies of na- tions, reward you a hundred fold in this life and in the world to come, life everlasting.
After the tumultuous applause which followed the delivery of the "Farewell Address," had subsided, they again assembled for labor, and the building was placed in order for underpinning. About sunset the work was accomplished, when the procession was again formed, with cannon in front and was paraded through the Street, accompanied by the stirring peal of fifes and drums. As before the cannon was discharged at the house of every Abolitionist. At each discharge the broken glass jingled in unison with the yell of triumph that went up from the crowd, the firing and shouting was kept up until late at night. Just before night one chivalrous fellow ascended the cupola of the Academy, painted the black ball thereon white and nailed a white flag to the spire. And the spirited people of Canaan and Enfield caused this history !
On the 19th of September a town meeting was called to hear the report of their committee on removal. To see if the town would repair the house and set up a school and appro- priate the School and Literary Fund for that purpose. And adopt some measures to suppress the dangerous doctrine of the Abolotionists.
The report of the committee chosen by the town to superin- tend the removal of the building in which the colored school was kept was accepted, and Jacob Trussell, Daniel Pattee and Daniel Campbell were appointed to collect subscriptions to re- pair the building. The other articles were dismissed.
On the 10th of October another town meeting was held, and William P. Weeks, Caleb Blodgett and Thomas Flanders were chosen to get an instructor to superintend a school in Noyes Academy, for tuition fees to begin as soon as the house is in shape. The following resolutions were also passed :
Resolved that the Chairman of the Superintending committee, chosen by the town for the purpose of removing Noyes Academy, togather with persons associated with him, merit and receive the thanks of the town, for the prompt and energetic and praiseworthy manner in which he and they discharged their respective duties.
That the selectmen send to the Post-master of Natchitochez and at
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NOYES ACADEMY.
New Orleans, each an Anti-slavery Almanac and direct their attention to the name of Hubbard Harris Esq.
So far the work was complete. The school was destroyed, the children who had gathered into it, fled from the scourge that pursued them. The chief actor in the scene had still one more duty to perform. It was to bring in his bill of items of ex- penses. It is inserted here, in extenso, as below :
The Committee chosen by the town to superintend the removal of the building in which the colored school was kept, have in discharging the duty assigned them, incurred the following expenses on the credit of the town:
Aug. 10, 1835 Joseph Dustin, furnished beef and lamb to the amount of $ 16.44
Aug. 10, 1835 E. & J. Martin, furnished refreshment consisting of
Biscuit cheese &c to the amount of 13.64
Aug. 10 & 11 Amaziah Carter's bill of expense
14.48
Aug. 10, 1835 Daniel Balch's bill 3.03
Aug. 10, 1835 Nathaniel Ingram's bill for mending chains
2.00
Sept. 10, 1835 E. & J. Martin's bill
7.43
Sept. 10, 1835 Joseph Dustin's bill for victualling 29.37
Sept. 10, 1835 Gordon Burley's bill for hay 15.00
Sept. 10, 1835 Rufus Richardson expenses in procuring chains at Shakers 6.
And returning them &c supposed to be 5.00
Sept. 10, 1835 S. S. Smith & J. Norris bill 1.00
Sept. 10, 1835 Ichabod Bartlett's bill 5.
Sept. 10, 1835 Mr. Barber's bill (of Grafton) 1.00
$118.39
The addition is as the committee presented it. The follow- ing additional bills were afterwards audited and paid by the town treasurer :
Guilford Cobb for chains lost 7.50
Daniel Currier (Enfield) for chains lost
3.00
James Pattee repairing chains 5.25
.75
Amaziah Carter procuring chains
D. Currier Chains .50
$17.00
And now, having "abated the nuisance," and located it upon a spot selected by themselves, the bills audited and paid, the resolutions of thanks passed, "Farewell Address" spoken, the cannon fired and the windows broken, and all these duties per-
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HISTORY OF CANAAN.
formed by virtue of a "legal town meeting" these patriotic men and boys retired to the solitude of their beds and slept upon roses, the sleep of the righteous ! Perhaps! But at this late day we do not propose to trouble their dreams.
There did, however, question arise, in days afterwards, which somewhat puzzled them. They had taken the house from the proprietors, and now what should they do with it? There was talk of liabilities for personal damages, actions of trespass, etc., but the politicians, the men in office, the clergymen generally and the public mind, now all known to be so unfriendly to the proprietors, and especially to the color of their cause, that it was not deemed prudent to invoke the law, and there the case rests to this day. In after years, it is said, that many of these men regretted the part they took in that outrage. Joseph L. Richardson, a man of education, elected to all the offices in town, when upon a bed of sickness, and the vision of his past life returned to him, regretted that part of his life, and wished it had never occurred. The Faleses, father and sons, afterwards became earnest Abolitionists. It is said that Capt. James Pattee when the excitement had passed, and reason regained its con- trol over him, was very demonstrative in regretting the part he took in that great folly, but it is said that his regrets were caused more by the fears of prosecution for trespass, etc., than from a change of sentiment.
On the other hand, it is said, that some were hardly satisfied with moving the building. Their vindictiveness would only be satisfied by making all the Abolitionists endure some personal affliction. Old Cobb was one of this class. He was deputy sheriff under Blodgett, and was always ready to serve any process against those obnoxious persons. It is well known that on all such occasions he more than performed his threats. Many families were reduced to distress and suffering through his in- humanity and the only rebuke he ever received, was that he "should keep within the law." He never repented the part he took in producing the chaos of those days. It is said, that for a long time after those events, he was in the habit of hissing and spitting at clerygmen whom he knew to be Abolition- ists, as he passed them on the highway. Rev. Robert Woodbury
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was one of those thus annoyed. Rev. Jonathan Hamilton an- other.
Dr. Thomas Flanders, was noted for his violent sentiments and his frequent threats, but he could not face the public opinion that came afterwards. He disappeared forever from the face of this people.
James Doten was at that time an earnest Abolitionist. He looked upon the excited crowd as they destroyed the building and raising his hands he said "he wished God would strike them all dead for their crimes."
James Tylor joined the Abolition Society, but a few days afterwards was persuaded to withdraw his name, through the influence of Mr. Weeks and Mr. Blodgett.
Jacob Trussell, like old Cobb, never repented the part he took on that occasion. He was expelled from the Congrega- tional Church, and left town threatening that he would return upon occasion, and lead the "people" upon any similar occa- sion. In this connection it is proper, as a part of the history of the times to present a digest of the proceedings of the Congre- gational Church in relation to some of its members. One month after the last "hauling" on the 10th of October, 1835, Col. Isaac Towle presented the following paper, which was also read to Mr. Trussell, thus :
Brother Trussell, you have grieved not only me but other members of our church in the course you have taken in regard to the removal of Noyes Academy.
Charge 1st. In introducing resolutions to that effect at a meeting of the people, contrary to the known wishes of many of your Brethren in the Church.
2nd. By still persisting in moving the building as a leader of the party, when one of your brethren, a Magistrate, commanded you and others to desist.
3rd. By being instrumental in distributing ardent spirits to the people when highly excited and at a time when many of the citizens and Brethren of the Church, considered themselves in danger, in con- sequence of threats against their persons and property.
Colonel Towle lived on the old Randlett farm, had fourteen children ; he calculated to have them come along every March ; was a very positive man, a strong abolitionist and saw no good except in the Congregational Church.
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HISTORY OF CANAAN.
The foregoing articles of grievance were read before the church by Brother Isaac Towle against Jacob Trussell. On the 31st of October the last charge was withdrawn. Jacob Trussell refused to answer the charges, as he said "the previous steps" had not been taken. The church considered this a mere pre- text to evade the question, but to show their clemency towards him, voted to adjourn two weeks, that Brother Towle might again take "the previous steps" so as to remove any excuse on Trussell's part.
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