USA > New Hampshire > Merrimack County > Concord > The history of Concord : from its first grant in 1725, to the organization of the city government in 1853, with a history of the ancient Penacooks ; the whole interspersed with numerous interesting incidents and anecdotes, down to the present period, 1885 > Part 38
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Died in this town, in September, Mr. Oliver Hoit, aged eighty. He was a worthy member of the Baptist church, whose last hours were distinguished by a calm reliance upon that Saviour whose religion he had honored by a uniform life of piety for a number of years.
[1828.] The victory of Gen. Jackson over the British at New- Orleans, January 8, 1814, was celebrated at Concord by an im- mense concourse of citizens from this town and other parts of the State. A procession was formed at eleven o'clock, in the forenoon, in front of the State House, and moved to the old North Church,
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where the Hon. Isaac Hill delivered a discourse, which was the first ever delivered by him on a public occasion. Prayers were offered by Rev. Nathaniel Bouton and Rev. N. W. Williams. A sumptuous dinner was served in the area of the State House. A ball at the hall of the Eagle Coffee House, in the evening, was said to be more splendid than any other exhibition of the kind that ever took place in the interior of New-England.
The Eagle Coffee House, in Concord, kept by William Rich- ardson, was opened for public entertainment in February, 1828.
Died in this town, on Wednesday morning, May 21st, aged twenty-one years, Mrs. Harriet Sherman Bouton, consort of Rev. Nathaniel Bouton: Never has it been our lot to record the death of one in our immediate neighborhood whose departure has excited a more intense or more general interest. The im- mense crowd of people that attended her funeral obsequies on Friday - the tears that glistened in many eyes - the deep so- lemnity that pervaded the audience - the long procession that followed to the " house appointed for all the living" - all evinced how strong was the attachment of those who two years ago were to her utter strangers. So young - so beautiful - so innocent, and meek, and unassuming, and yet so interesting - so pious, without affectation - so familiar, without obtrusiveness - so pru- dent, and yet so artless - hers seemed a spirit too pure and too angelic to be long of the nether world. Until within a few hours of her death, unconscious as was her partner of the alarming nature of her disease, the shock was as sudden as it was over- whelming to him, who was united by early attachment and by the tenderest sympathies. i
Mrs. B. was a daughter of Rev. John Sherman, grandson of Hon. Roger Sherman, of Connecticut. She was born at Tren- ton, New-York, April 3, 1807, - adopted daughter of Rev. Erastus Ripley, of Meriden, Connecticut ; married in Lebanon, Goshen Parish church, September 11, 1825, and died suddenly, of puerperal fever, leaving two children, the youngest a son of one week old.
Printers' elastic, composition rollers were first used in Concord,
* See N. H. Patriot, January 7 and 14, 1828. ¡ N. H. Patriot.
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in the Patriot and Statesman offices, instead of the old fashioned balls, in August, 1828.
The eleventh regiment of the New-Hampshire militia, under the command of Col. Simeon Stevens, paraded for inspection and review, in this town, October 9th, on the same ground - west of the State Prison - upon which were encamped for some time, during the late war, a portion of United States troops. The troops were reviewed by Adjutant General Low.
[1829.] The blacksmith and machine shop, occupied by Gen. Isaac Eastman, on the east side of the river, in Concord, was destroyed by fire early on the morning of the 20th of March. The alarm was given by the ringing of bells, about one o'clock at night. By the aid of engines from the main street, the buildings near the shop were saved. No insurance. Loss esti- mated at about $500.
Died in this town, December 2d, Phebe Hutchins, wife of Levi Hutchins, aged sixty-three. She was for many years a worthy member of the Society of Friends, and manifested much of that spirit of universal love which she believed ought to be felt and cherished by all.
DEATH OF EZEKIEL WEBSTER.
On Friday afternoon, April 10, 1829, at about half past three o'clock, the Hon. Ezekiel Webster, of Boscawen, while addressing the jury in the Court of Common Pleas, in this town- apparently in perfect health, and with his usual strength and ability - sud- denly fell, deprived of sensation and life. He had spoken for nearly half an hour in a full and unfaltering voice, and had finished a sentence, when the hand of death arrested his carthly course. The physicians of this town were immediately present, but his soul had left its earthly tenement ere any human aid could be administered.
No language can paint the consternation of the court, the bar, and jurors, together with a crowded audience, whose eyes were riveted upon the speaker at the moment of his sudden exit. The court immediately adjourned, and the body of the deceased was conveyed in a carriage to his boarding-house-Mrs. Mary Ann
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Stickney's - and thence to his family mansion, in Boscawen, on Friday evening.
On the opening of the court, on Saturday morning, the Hon. Charles H. Atherton announced to the court the deep feeling which pervaded the bar in this melancholy bereavement, and suitable resolutions were adopted. In the afternoon the court, members of the bar, and a great number of citizens, walked in procession to the North Church, where prayers were offered by Rev. Mr. Bouton.
Mr. Webster was one of the ablest lawyers of the State - a distinguished legislator - and left a rich inheritance in fame for his orphan children. He stood at the head of the Merrimack bar, by every member of which he was honored and esteemed for his courtesy, talents and integrity. The void created by his premature death will not soon be filled .*
In the summer of 1829 an infant school was kept by Mrs. Ruby B. Preston, in Stickney's hall. About thirty children, between the ages of two and a half and six years, attended. The expense of the first quarter was two dollars and a half a scholar.
The ordination of Rev. Moses G. Thomas over the Second Congregational Church and Society in Concord, took place on the 25th of March, 1829. The services, agreeably to request, were performed in the old North Church. Introductory prayer and reading of Scripture, by Rev. Mr. Gage, of Dunstable, N. H .; sermon by Rev. Mr. Barrett, of Boston, from Ro- mans v: 4 ; ordaining prayer by Rev. Mr. Gannett, of Boston ; charge to the pastor by Rev. Mr. Capen, of South Boston ; right hand of fellowship by Rev. Mr. Lathrop, of Dover; address to the Society by Rev. Mr. Gannett, and concluding prayer by Rev. Mr. Gannett.
The corner stone of a new church for the use of the Unitarian Society in this town was laid, with appropriate religious services, by the Rev. Moses G. Thomas, pastor of the Society, on Satur- day, May 2, 1829.
In a leaden box, under the corner stone, were deposited,
* N. H. Journal.
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among other things, an historical account of Concord, from the time it was first visited by inhabitants from the eastern continent, in 1639, prepared by John Farmer, Esq .; also, a copy of the New-Hampshire Register for 1829, and a copy of each of the newspapers printed in the town.
Died in this town, Sunday evening, October 25th, Mr. Joseph Wiggin, aged eighty-four. Mr. W. attended meeting in the fore part of that day, but died suddenly in the evening, in a fit of apoplexy.
DEDICATION OF THE UNITARIAN CHURCH.
SHERRICK. SO
by Rev. Mr. Parkman, of Boston. 6. Consecration hymn. 7. Sermon, by Rev. Mr. Thomas, pastor of the church. 8. Con- cluding prayer and benediction.
On Wednes- day, Nov. 11th, the new meet- ing-house erect- ed by the Second Congregational (or Unitarian) Society in this town, was dedi- cated to the wor- ship of the "one only living and true God." The order of exercis- es were : 1. An anthem. 2. A prayer, by Rev. Ralph W. Emer- son, of Boston. 3. Reading of the Scriptures. 4. Dedication hymn. 5. Ded- icatory prayer,
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[1830.] The Concord Mechanics' Association held its annual meeting January 6th, and an address was delivered by Richard Bartlett, Esq. The society consists of about fifty master mechan- ics, and has a library of nearly one hundred volumes for the use of the members and their apprentices. George Hough, Esq., presi- dent; Maj. Timothy Chandler and Gen. Isaac Eastman, vice presidents ; Jacob B. Moore, Esq., treasurer and librarian ; Dea. James Moulton, secretary ; Lewis Downing, Benjamin Parker, William Restieaux, David Allison, directors.
The first public measures for a temperance society in Concord were taken on Fast Day, April 1, 1830, by a meeting at the old North Church. On Thursday, the 8th, at the Town Hall, a con- stitution was adopted, a society organized, and officers chosen, viz .: Timothy Chandler, president ; Samuel Morril, vice presi- dent ; Albe Cady, secretary ; Joseph Low, Ira Rowell, Elijah Colby, William Kent and Henry Fisk, executive committee.
At the inspection and exercise of the independent company of light infantry of this town, in May, 1830, under the command of Capt. George D. Abbot, the company abstained entirely from the use of ardent spirit.
On Tuesday evening, April 6th, a meeting was held at the Town Hall, in Concord, to consider the project of a railroad through this State and Vermont, to connect the business of the - great western lakes with the tide waters of the Atlantic! Maj. Timothy Chandler called the meeting to order, and Hon. William A. Kent was chosen chairman, and Albe Cady, Esq., secretary. The project was approved, and a committee appointed to cor- respond on the subject, viz. : William A. Kent, Timothy Chandler, Dudley S. Palmer, Stephen Ambrose, Jeremiah Pecker, Joseph Low, George Kent, Samuel Coffin, Samuel Fletcher and Asa McFarland.
MAY 19. Mr. Joshua Sawyer, taverner, at the lower end of Main street, committed suicide by hanging.
JULY 26. The stage now runs three times a week from Bur- lington, through Montpelier, Hanover and Concord, to Boston, in two days.
AUGUST 9. A deer has been seen several times of late upon
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the interval east of the Merrimack river, a mile from the State House.
SEPTEMBER 22. James Stevens, son of Mr. Philip Stevens, of this town, was killed at Quincy, Mass., while working in the granite quarry, by the falling of a huge stone on him. He was buried in Concord.
Mr. William Gault exhibited last week two long white Turkey cucumbers, which grew in his garden this season, one of which is nineteen and a quarter inches long, fifteen and three quarters in circumference, and weighs eight pounds and four ounces. The other is sixteen and a half inches long, twenty and a quarter inches in circumference, and weighs nine pounds and six ounces .*
NOVEMBER 15. On Wednesday last the Concord Light In- fantry company, Capt. Joseph E. Estabrook, celebrated its fourteenth anniversary in handsome style. Much interest was imparted to the occasion by the ceremonies attending the pre- sentation of an elegant standard to the company by a number of young ladies of this village. Miss Hannah Hutchins, in behalf of her fair companions, delivered the address.
[1831.] JANUARY 31. On Thursday evening last about eighty mechanics of this place partook of a splendid supper at the Columbian Hotel.
APRIL 4. Drowned in Merrimack river, in this town, on Friday last, while employed with other persons in rafting, near West Parish village, Mr. Newell Currier, of Canterbury. The bank of the river on which he stepped caved in, and he imme- diately sank and was not again seen. Mr. Currier had a wife and two children.
In April, of this year, James Elliot was drowned in the " outlet," so called; at the Borough, aged about sixteen.
APRIL 11. The first annual meeting of the Concord Tem- perance Society was held at the North Meeting-house, on Thurs- day (Fast day,) in the afternoon, and was addressed by Rev. Mr. Kelley, of the M. E. Church. The other exercises of the pulpit were conducted by Rev. Mr. Bouton, Rev. Mr. Williams and Rev. Mr. Thomas.
APRIL 25. On Tuesday evening last, about nine o'clock, the
* Patriot, October 4th.
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aurora borealis presented an unusual and magnificent appearance. There was a brilliant bow in the heavens, the more effulgent horn apparently resting on a dark cloud in the eastern horizon. Light flashed upward from the bow, whilst the stars shone dimly in the sky beneath. In the south, also, waves of light flashed to the zenith.
PARK STREET.
This beautiful street, which is situated immediately north of the State House yard, and overlooks the same, was opened to the publie about this time, by private individuals, principally through the instrumentality of the Hon. Nathaniel G. Upham. The
KIL SURN -MALLORT JUSTON
dwelling-house of Judge Upham, of which a view is here pre- sented, is a fine specimen of the best architecture of this period. The house was built in 1831. At first a court was opened to it from State street, but was extended to Main street in 1834, at which time the American house was erected by Mr. John P.
* So called in honor of Stuart J. Park, Esq., architect and builder of the State Ilouse.
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Gass and his son. This house was built in less time than any other house of its size ever before built in Concord. The site where it stands was occupied by a store called the green store, and by the house owned by the late Mr. Jacob Emmons. These buildings were moved in March-the first a few rods west, and the other a few rods north, where they still remain. The under- pinning of the American house was laid in April, and in six weeks and two days the spacious edifice was completed, and opened the first of June for the accommodation of guests. A large number of members of the Legislature obtained board there. The piazza on the front and south side of the house was built subsequently.
On Sunday, May 22, during the afternoon service, a boy by the name of Benjamin Tibbetts, 13 years of age, entered the store of Dea. William Gault, and took from the money drawer the sum of $19.37 ; but before he had retreated was seized by a young man of the name of Wiggin, who was left in the store in the morning to watch. Tibbetts was examined next morning before Albe Cady, Esq., and the proof being positive against him, he was, for want of bonds to the amount of $100, committed to the jail in Hopkinton, to await his trial in September.
ELECTION SERMON. The sermon before the Executive and. both branches of the Legislature, was delivered on Thursday af- ternoon, June 2, at the old North Church, by Rev. Nathan Lord, D. D., President of Dartmouth College. The text was I. Cor. xiii : 5: " Charity seeketh not her own." This was the last Elec- tion sermon in New-Hampshire. The first was delivered by Rev. Dr. Samuel Mcclintock, of Greenland, in June, 1784, and the practice of having such a service annually was continued till this time. A motion, made by Hon. Charles F. Gove, indefinitely to postpone a resolution introduced by Benj. M. Farley, Esq., " to appoint a committee on the part of the House to select some per- son to preach the Election sermon next year," was carried by 107 yeas, to 81 nays, and the good old custom henceforth ceased, to the great regret of a large portion of the citizens .*
On Sunday, June 12, the lightning struck an elm tree near Mr. Charles Hutchins's, in the south part of the village ; and on
* See Miscellaneous Chapter,-" Election" and " Election Sermons."
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the 19th it struck another elm, near Mr. Moses G. Atwood's. The last tree was very much shattered.
About this time religious meetings, of three or four days' con- tinuance, were held in many places, and attended with remark- able effects in awakening attention to religious concerns. They were called " three " or " four days meetings."
In the summer of 1831 there were connected with the First Congregational Society in Concord fourteen Sunday schools, taught in different parts of the parish, containing four hundred and fifty-five scholars and eighty-two teachers. In the winter one school, taught during intermission, at the meeting-house, contained three hundred scholars.
The New-Hampshire Savings Bank in Concord was instituted in June, 1830. The first year the amount of deposits, by two hundred and twenty-one persons, was $19.443,25.
The General Association of Congregational and Presbyterian Ministers was held at the North Meeting-house, in Concord, Sep- tember 6th, 7th and 8th, 1831, and was followed by an extensive revival of religion in every part of the town.
Col. Robert Ambrose, of Concord, son of Stephen Ambrose, Esq., on a visit at Boston, rode out of the city on the 20th of September in company with another gentleman, over the Mill- dam, where they met a loose horse pursued by a dog, and run- ning with great rapidity, at which their horse became restive and ungovernable. The other gentleman leaped from the wagon without serious injury, but Col. Ambrose was thrown out with such violence as to fracture his skull and occasion almost imme- diate death.
The sad intelligence of his death was communicated to his wife and father by Rev. Mr. Bouton, early on Thursday morn- ing-only a few hours before the arrival of the corpse from Boston. It was an occasion of inexpressible sorrow and anguish. The funeral took place in the afternoon of Thursday, attended by a large concourse of sympathizing friends and citizens. Col. Ambrose was thirty-four years of age-a gentleman of great activity and enterprise. For two years in succession, 1829 and
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1830, he represented the town in the State Legislature. He left a wife and four children - three sons and a daughter.
DEDICATION OF THE METHODIST MEETING-HOUSE.
The new Metho- dist Meeting-house in this town was dedicated to the service of Almighty God, on Thursday, December 1, 1831. The order of exer- cises was as fol- lows: Introductory anthem -"I was glad," &c .; intro- ductory prayer, by Rev. O. Hinds, of Chichester ; read- ing of the Scrip- tures, by Rev. Sam- uel Kelley, pastor ; hymn, read by Rev. E. Stickney, Hop- kinton - " Before Jehovah's awful throne," &c. ; dedicatory prayer, by Rev. J. Perkins, of Epping; a selected hymn for the occasion, read by Rev. G. Storrs ; sermon, by Rev. G. Storrs, of Portsmouth ; hymn, read by Rev. J. Perkins, selected for the occasion ; con- cluding prayer, by Rev. E. Stickney ; dismission anthem ; bene .- diction.
The church is forty by sixty feet, including the vestibule, and has about eighty-four pews.
[1832.] On Sunday night, July 15th, six convicts in the New- Hampshire State Prison, who were confined in one cell, effected their escape by splitting out a stone in the roofing of their cell, cutting a hole in the roof of the building, and letting themselves down to the wall by their blankets. All this was accomplished
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with so little noise as not to alarm the sentinel on duty in the guard-room ; and the discovery was not made until Monday morning. On Tuesday four of the six were captured near Hill's bridge, in Hopkinton, and returned to the prison. Another was taken in Grantham, and one finally escaped.
On the 8th of August a public dinner was given, by his po- litical friends, to Hon. Isaac Hill, at the Eagle coffee-house. Between two and three hundred joined in the festivities of the occasion.
The frame of the meeting-house for the West Congregational Society in Concord was raised August 17th. Prayer was offered by Rev. Mr. Bouton. Maj. William Abbot was architect. No ardent spirits were used on the occasion.
[1833.] A large wolf was killed in this town on Saturday, February 16th, within a mile of the State House. His track was discovered in the north-western part of the town, and followed by a party of hunters from the West Parish for nearly a week, until the wolf was driven into a swamp south of the village, which was surrounded, and he was shot by Capt. Enoch Dow, one of the party who first started in pursuit.
LECTURES ON READING.
A couple of young gentlemen from Andover, Mass.,* are giv- ing a course of lectures in this place upon reading. It is said that they read so well as to draw tears from the audience, even when reading the fable of the old man and rude boy ; and that at the introductory lecture, so pathetic was the enunciation, and so affecting, withal, that the audience came near being drowned out by the flood of tears !f
Died in this town, June 14th, Mr. Moses Hall, aged about 50; an industrious and worthy citizen. Mr. Hall rose in the morning, apparently in usual health, and expired in a few min- utes afterwards from disease of the heart.
On the 28th of June Concord was honored by the visit of Gen. ANDREW JACKSON, President of the United States. Agreeably to arrangements, he was met in the afternoon on the line between Bow and Concord by a large cavalcade of citizens and strangers,
* Mr. T. D. P. Stone and Mr. Fackler. ¡ N. H. Patriot, April 20, 1833.
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and welcomed to the town by Col. Robert Davis, chairman of the town committee. A procession was formed, which moved to the Plain in Concord, and was met by eight brilliant indepen- dent companies, under command of Col. Stephen Peabody, of Milford, for the purpose of escorting the President to his lodg- ings. The President then left his barouche, and mounted an elegant horse, and the procession moved to the north end of Main street, down State street, through School street, to his quarters, at the Eagle coffee house. The interesting occasion called out an immense concourse of people to see the chief magistrate of the nation. It was estimated that more than ten thousand persons were in Concord on Friday. The President was exceedingly exhausted at evening, and retired to his room at an early hour. At eight o'clock on Saturday morning the troops were paraded west of the Capitol, under command of Col. Peabody, and at nine, the President, accompanied by the Gov- ernor and their suites, and Adjutant General Low reviewed them ; after which, he repaired to his quarters, front of the cap- itol, when the troops formed a line from the coffee house to the east door of the capitol, and opened to the right and left, through which the President, the Vice President, his suite, Gen. Miller, Col. McNeil, several ex-governors, and other gentlemen of dis- tinction, passed to pay their respects to the several branches of the civil government. On entering the Representatives' hall the President was announced by Chief Marshal Cushman. The assembly rose, and the Marshal introduced the Governor, who addressed the President, and received a pertinent and pathetic reply; after which the Governor introduced the Council and and the President of the Senate. The latter introduced the Senate and Speaker of the House. The Speaker of the House introduced the members individually. He was then greeted by several other gentlemen, and returned to his quarters amid the cheers of thousands. After a little respite the President appeared in the piazza, attended by Vice President Van Buren, Gov. Cass, Secretary of War, and Judge Woodbury, Secretary of the Navy, who were severally introduced to the multitude, with checrs of approbation.
In the afternoon, at three o'clock, the President received the
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respects of all those citizens who wished to call on him, and visited the State Prison ; and at seven in the evening, in the area of the capitol, received the hands of nearly five hundred ladies, who thus expressed their pleasure on seeing the chief magistrate of the United States.
On the Lord's day, in the forenoon, the President and the gen- tlemen who accompanied him, attended religious service at the First Congregational meeting-house, and heard Rev. Mr. Bouton from the text Luke x: 20.
In the afternoon they attended the Unitarian meeting, Rev. Mr. Thomas ; at four, met the Baptist and Methodist Societies at the Baptist church. Rev. Mr. Cummings offered the prayer, and Rev. Mr. Dow preached.
While the President was attending worship in the old North Church, a Mr. Hewins, portrait painter, took a pencil sketch, from which he painted one of the best likenesses ever taken of the General.
Among those introduced to the President in this town were two lads of from twelve to fifteen years of age, one of whom was named Isaac Andrew, the youngest son of Hon. Isaac Hill, and the name of the other Andrew Jackson. The President took them kindly by the hand, and said, " My sons, I am glad to see you ; you are fine boys, and I make you the same legacy I make to all my children- THE EAGLE OF YOUR COUNTRY." SO saying, he drew from his purse, for each, a United States coin, and presenting it, added, " Here, my sons, is the eagle of your country, which during my life I have endeavored to honor and defend. Keep it in remembrance of me ; and if ever it should be assailed by a foreign or domestic foe, rally under its pinions and defend it to the last."
On Monday morning, at seven o'clock, the President left this place on his return to Washington. He was escorted by the Concord committee, on horseback, to the town line, and on the spot where they first had the honor to receive him, opened to the right and left, dismounted and uncovered. The President, with beaver in hand, passed through, gracefully saluting the commit- tee ; when their chairman, Col. Robert Davis, briefly repeated the assurances of the pleasure his visit had given, and in the
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