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 54
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Mr. Abbot was a Puritan, of striet religious principles, a member of the church under Rev. Mr. Walker, constant at public worship, and careful to " command his children and household after him to keep the way of the Lord." He retained his mental faculties in a good degree till the elose of life. In his ninety-fifth year he related the incidents of the massaere in 1746, with surprising accuracy ; and living long enough to see descendants of the fourth generation bear- ing his own name, Reuben, in the house which he built, he died May
* See pages 160, 254.
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13, 1822, aged 99 years and 10 months -being the oldest man that ever lived in Concord.
HON. TIMOTHY WALKER.
Hon. Timothy Walker was the only son of Rev. Timothy Walker, and was born upon the paternal farm, in Rumford, June 27, 1737. He is said, when a boy, to have been a great favorite with the Indians living in the vicinity. Entertaining a deep reverence and affection for his father, they naturally inclined to him, and, as tradition says, were wont to take him with them on visits to their wigwams-assur- ing his mother, who did not altogether relish such civilities, that " Indians no hurt minister's pappoose." This promise was never broken, and he was always returned in safety, although oftentimes modified somewhat in appearance, from the Indians having painted his face in glowing colors, and garlanded his head with gaudy feathers.
His father gave early attention to his education, and sent him, when fifteen years of age, to Harvard College. He remained there during the regular course, and graduated in 1756. The two years ensuing he spent in teaching school at Bradford, Massachusetts. Upon leaving Bradford, having in the mean time chosen theology as his profession, he commenced a course of study, and pursued it, most probably with his father. Having completed his theological studies, he was examined at an Association Meeting* in Haverhill, Massachu- setts, and licensed to preach, September 11, 1759. He was never settled as a pastor, but preached occasionally for about six years. Dur- ing the last absence of his father in England, in 1762-3, he supplied his pulpit at Rumford, and also preached as occasion required in vari- ous other places. In the summer of 1765 he preached six Sabbaths at Pigwacket, now Fryeburg, Maine. This seems to have been about the last of his preaching, and he soon after relinquished the profes- sion of the ministry.
From his diary it appears that on the 25th of November, 1765, he concluded a partnership agreement with Col. Andrew McMillan, and commenced trade with him in Rumford, in the southerly part of the village. They continued in business together but for a single year. Soon after their separation Mr. Walker opened a store near the resi- dence of his father, and there continued his mercantile pursuits until the beginning of the Revolution.
He was married sometime previous to 1765, to Susannah Burbeen, daughter of Rev. Joseph Burbeen, of Woburn, Massachusetts, who died in Concord, September 28, 1828, at the aged of 82. They had fourteen children, ten of whom lived to grow up.
Upon the commencement of hostilities with Great Britain, Mr. Walker warmly espoused the patriot cause, and seconded with zeal the measures adopted for the security of American liberty. His whole time seems now to have been devoted to the service of his country. The town of Concord chose him a member of the First Provincial Congress, which assembled at Exeter on the 17th of May,
* See page 232.
-
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1775, and he took an active interest in the very important measures which came before that body. On the 20th of May he was appointed a member of the Committee of Supplies, constituted to aet in con- junction with the Committee of Safety, and procure supplies for the New-Hampshire troops -at this time in the vicinity of Boston. On the 30th of August he was sent to the army, with Ichabod Rawlings, Esq., to ascertain the losses sustained at the battle of Bunker Hill by each of the offieers and soldiers of the New-Hampshire forces, and in behalf of the colony to make them compensation ; also, to secure to them supplies, and advance a month's pay to such as had enlisted in the continental service. The action of the Provincial Congress upon the report subsequently made of their doings, affords evidence that those duties were done to their acceptance. About the Ist of September of this year the New-Hampshire Congress passed an act creating four regiments of minute-men, equal in number to about one fourth part of the then existing militia of the colony. They were to meet to drill once in every two weeks, and to be ready for service at a moment's warning. Mr. Walker was commissioned colonel of the third regiment, September 5, 1775, and exerted him- self to train and fit for duty the forces under his command. From the 4th to the 16th of October we find him acting as paymaster of the troops at Winter Hill, commanded by Colonels Stark, Poor and Reid, and again, on the 27th of December, he was appointed by the second Provincial Congress paymaster of the same forces. The see- ond Provincial Congress was succeeded, January 6, 1776, by the first House of Representatives, organized under the temporary constitution and composed of the same members. Its journal shows Col. Walker to have been one of the committee appointed " to make a draft of the declaration of this General Assembly for independence of the United Colonies."* A draft was soon reported, which was adopted and a copy of it sent to the Continental Congress, in session at Phi- ladelphia. At a date not long subsequent Col. Walker was appointed upon the committee to devise a systematie plan of finance, by means of which the payment of the debts of the State might be provided for, and funds raised for present and future purposes. When, on the 14th of March, 1776, the Continental Congress sent out the Associ- ated Test, to be signed by those friendly to the patriot cause, Col. Walker most cheerfully signed the copy sent to Concord, and it was through his influence, in part at least, that of the one hundred and fifty-six to whom it was presented for signature in that town, not one declined subscribing to it his name. Col. Walker was this year one of the Committee of Safety, and served in that capacity until the 20th of June, 1776. During the next three years, viz. : from December 18, 1776, to December 15, 1779, he was a member of the Council - associated with Meshech Weare, Josiah Bartlett, Nicholas Gilman, and others of a like character -men of the purest patriotism, whose names New-Hampshire will ever cherish. On the 26th of March, 1777, he was chosen by the Legislature of New-Hampshire a delegate
* See pages 267-8.
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BIOGRAPHICAL.
to the Continental Congress, and again, at three subsequent times, in 1778, 1782 and 1784; but it is not certain that he ever attended. He was sent from Concord a delegate to cach of the New-Hampshire Constitutional Conventions of 1778 and 1781, and also to that of 1791, to revise the Constitution.
In 1777 he retired from the more stirring scenes connected with the war, and accepted the office of a justice of the Court of Common Pleas, which he continued to hold until 1809 - being for the last five years a chief justice. The courts were held alternately at Exeter and Portsmouth, and Judge Walker made his journeys to and from those places on horseback.
Upon the organization of the Republican party in New-Hampshire in 1798, Judge Walker was selected for its first candidate for gov- ernor, and was run against John Taylor Gilman, who had already been an incumbent of the office in previous years, and was one of the strongest men of the Federal party, at that time greatly in the ma- jority throughout the State. Gov. Gilman was the successful candi- date, receiving 9.397 votes out of the whole number of 12.153 thrown, and Judge Walker 734. Twice afterwards, viz. : in 1800 and 1801, he was the Republican candidate for governor, receiving the former year 6.039, and the latter, 5.249 votes - the whole num- ber of votes cast being between 16.000 and 17.000.
Although mingling largely in State affairs, he did not withhold himself from a participation in the management of the more limited business of his native town. In this sphere he was also prominent. Hle was chosen moderator of the town meeting in 1769, and every year afterwards, with the exception of seven, until 1809 - serving in that capacity no less than twenty-one years. IIe was also town clerk from 1769 up to and including 1777, and one of the selectmen of the town for twenty-five years, between 1769 and 1802 - being chairman of the board every year except four. He ever took a lively interest in every thing tending to advance the prosperity of Concord. Being a representative to the Legislature which was holden at Exeter in 1781, and finding some dissatisfaction among the members relative to accommodations furnished them there, proposed, if they would adjourn to meet at Concord, they should be as well served, and at one half of the expense. The proposal was accepted, and upon his return home he informed his townsmen of the manner in which he had committed them, and they pledged themselves to make good his engagement to the best of their abilities. The next year the Legis- lature assembled in Concord for the first time. In 1798 we find him greatly interested in the improvement of the sacred music of the town; and the records of the Concord Musical Association, estab- lished about that time, show him to have been its first president.
In person Judge Walker was of medium size, being about five feet and ten inches in height, and having rounded and well developed limbs. In later life he was a little inclined to fulness. He had a placid, open countenance, a nose somewhat prominent, and a mild blue eye. His walk was ever erect, and his bearing dignified. He
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HISTORY OF CONCORD.
possessed an active, vigorous mind, and a well balanced judgment. He had keen perceptive faculties, which, aided by the experience gained in long intercourse with men, enabled him to form quickly correct opinions of the characters and motives of those with whom he came in contact. While cautious, he was yet of a sanguine tem- perament ; hopeful, also, when others despaired, and rarely given to despondency. Careful in the choice of his plans and patient in their execution, he was generally successful. Democratic and genial in his feelings, he was on familiar terms with all about him. Rejoicing in the welfare of his townsmen, he was ever ready to do them kind services. He manifested a particular interest in the young men of the town, and not a few just starting in life received from him counsel or encouragement, or pecuniary aid, which assisted them greatly in overcoming first obstacles, and nerved them to exertions which secured for them the foundations of future prosperity.
When at length old age came upon him he met it cheerfully and manfully. For several years previous to 1822 he became a good deal infirm, but still enjoyed life in a good degree. His children were prosperously and respectably settled in life, and a part of them near about him. He had frequent evidence of the respect entertained for him by his fellow citizens ; he had an inward consciousness of having done what he could to be useful in his day and generation ; he had entire confidence in the revelations of the sacred Scriptures, and an humble hope that the infinite atonement of the Son of God might attach to him. On the 5th of May, 1822, in the bosom of his family, he died -a virtuous and a happy old man -in the 85th year of his age. Truly, "The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness."
REV. ASA MCFARLAND, D. D.
The Rev. Dr. McFarland was a native of Worcester, Mass. ; born April 19, 1769. He was graduated at Dartmouth College in 1793 ; was employed the two following years as Preceptor of Moore's Char- ity School at Hanover, and the two next as Tutor in College. His limited pecuniary resources rendered special exertions necessary to defray the expenses of his education, and his vacations were gener- ally employed in teaching music. By that means he was first intro- duced into this town. In 1809 he was appointed a Trustee of Dartmouth College; in 1811, President of the New-Hampshire Mis- sionary Society ; in 1812, he received the degree of Doctor of Divin- ity, from Yale College ; and for twenty-seven years he was Clerk of the Ecclesiastical Convention of the State. Dr. MeFarland possessed a vigorous and active mind ; was discriminating in reasoning and sound in his judgment. His sermons were formed with logical precision ; contained more of doctrinal than of practical instruction, and were delivered in a plain, direct manner, with a full, heavy, yet agreeable voice. His labors as a minister were very arduous, and the fruits of his industry are abundant. He left 2054 manuscript sermons,
Sw chandler & Bro Lithy Bestow
REV. ASA M. FARLAND D. D.
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BIOGRAPIIICAL.
which make an average of 76 each year. The following is a list of his publications :
1. Sermon before the Franklin Lodge, at Hanover, June 24, 1797. Svo. pp. 16.
2. Sermon at Concord, March 11, 1798, the Sabbath after his ordination. Svo. pp. 32.
3. Thanksgiving Sermon, Nov. 15, 1798. 8vo. pp. 24.
4. Oration before the Society of the Phi Beta Kappa, at their anniversary at Hanover, August 25, 1802. 4to. pp. 32.
5. Sermon at the Ordination of Rev. William Rolfe, at Groton, Nov. 9, 1803.
6. Sermon at Concord, June 22, 1806, the next Lord's Day after the total Eclipse of the Sun. 8vo. pp. 16.
7. An Historical View of Heresies and Vindication of the Primitive Faith. 12mo. pp. 276. Published in 1806.
8. Signs of the Last Times; a discourse delivered at Concord, July 24, 1808. 8vo. pp. 32.
9. Sermon before the Executive and Legislature of New-Hampshire, June 1, 1808. 8vo. pp. 32.
10. Sermon at Concord, December 2, 1810, on the importance of Family Re- ligion and Government. 8vo. pp. 28.
11. Sermon before the New-Hampshire Missionary Society, Sept. 17, 1812. 8vo. pp. 16.
12. Sermon on the Sabbath, April 15, 1813. 8vo. pp. 15.
13. Sermon before the Moral Society, September 14, 1814.
14. Sermon at the ordination of Rev. Jonathan Curtis, at Epsom, February 22, 1815.
15. Sermon at the ordination of Rev. Isaac Jones, at Candia, February 7, 1816. 8vo. pp. 19.
16. Sermon at the ordination of Rev. Nathan Lord, at Amherst, May 22, 1816. 8vo.
17. Sermon at Concord, December, 1822, from Canticles 6: 10 - entitled " The Moral Beauty and Glory of the Church."
18. Sermon at the ordination of Rev. Mr. Woodward.
Besides preaching two written discourses on the Sabbath, he usu- ally attended a third service at the town hall, or at a school-house, when he preached extemporaneously. In seasons of revival he preached frequently in outer districts of the town, sometimes spend- ing a day or two in visiting from house to house, and attending meet- ings in the evening without returning home. Three years and a half he officiated as chaplain in the State Prison-preaching to the convicts once on the Sabbath.
Dr. McFarland was a leader in vocal music. Besides doing much to promote good singing in the church, he was a member of the Mer- rimack County Musical Association, and for some time President of it. His voice was admirably fitted for bass, which he sung with great power ; as tradition says, " making the house tremble."
Dr. MeFarland was married three times. His first two wives were Nancy and Clarissa Dwight, of Belchertown, Mass. The third was Elizabeth Kneeland, only daughter of Mr. Bartholomew Kneeland, of Boston, who survived her husband eleven years. Her children were as follows : Asa ; Susan K., married to Gilbert McMillan, Esq., of Conway ; Elizabeth,* married to Rev. Edward Buxton, of West
* Deceased.
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HISTORY OF CONCORD.
Boscawen ; William ; Sarah A., married to Mr. George N. Guthrie, of Putnam, Ohio; Andrew; Miriam P .;* and Clarissa,* married to John W. Noyes, Esq., of Chester.
During the greater part of his ministry Dr. McFarland enjoyed the confidence of the town and the affections of the church. His regard for the interests of both were sincere, and lasting as his life. When, in 1824, in consequence of bodily infirmities, he concluded to resign his ministerial charge, he acted from a full conviction that the religious interests of the people required it.f He did it not only unsolicited, but in opposition to the advice of some of his substan- tial friends. Closing his contract with the town he cordially united with the Church in seeking a candidate to be his successor, towards whom he always acted the part of a faithful counsellor and friend.
Dr. McFarland was subject to depression of spirits, which increas- ed with the failure of health and the infirmities of age. The imme- diate cause of his death was paralysis, to which he seemed constitu- tionally subject,-as some of his near kindred before him died with it. From December, 1823, to February, 1827, he experienced seven strokes of paralysis,-all except one on the Sabbath. He expired on the morning of the Sabbath, February 18, 1827, in the 58th year of his age and 27th of his ministry. The neighboring ministers attended his funeral as bearers, and a sermon was preached by Rev. Walter Harris, D. D., of Dunbarton, from Heb. 9 : 27.
After his dismission from the pastoral office, in March, 1825, the following testimonial, drawn by Samuel Fletcher, Esq., was unani- mously adopted by the Church, April 25, 1825, and entered upon the records :
Whereas, the pastoral relation subsisting between the Rev. Dr. McFarland and this Church, has, at his request, and on account of ill health, been recently dissolved, and his faithful and ardnons labors, during the term of twenty- seven years, have been remarkably blessed to the enlargement and prosperity of the church and the harmony of the town, under his ministry ; Therefore-
Resolved, That this Church do cherish a grateful remembrance of his faithful services and extensive usefulness : That they look back with delight to the in- teresting seenes through which they have passed ; to the seasons of refreshing from the presence of the Lord, which under his ministry they have been permit- ted repeatedly to experience ; to the many instances in which they have taken sweet counsel together, and in which they have listened to his kind and faithful instructions : And while they deplore the necessity of the separation that has taken place, they fervently implore the blessings of Providence and the approv- ing smiles of his and their Master to deseend and remain upon him.
The likeness which accompanies this brief sketch was copied from a painting executed in 1818 by the celebrated Prof. S. F. B. Morse.
NATHANIEL HAZELTINE CARTER.
Nathaniel H. Carter was a son of Mr. Joseph Carter, and born in the south-west part of the town, at what is called the Iron Works. Ilis father at one time lived on the spot where Mr. William Abbot now lives, where, it is understood, Nathaniel H. was born, 1787.
* Deceased. t See his Letter of Resignation, p. 385.
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BIOGRAPHICAL.
Subsequently Mr. Carter lived with the late Mr. Levi Abbot, who married his daughter, in a house still standing, built by Nathaniel Abbot, 2d - the back part of which, now occupied as a shed or store- room, is built of logs, in the ancient manner .* The baptism of Na- thaniel Hazeltine, son of Joseph Carter, by Rev. Israel Evans, is re- corded October 11, 1789.
Evineing at an early age a desire for a superior education, he at first attended a private school in Concord, kept by the late Rev. Abraham Burnham, D. D., of Pembroke ; then he went to Philips' Academy, Exeter; graduated at Dartmouth College in 1811; taught school in his native town ; then in Salisbury, and in Portland, Me. He was professor of languages in Dartmouth University ; afterwards went to Albany ; read law a while, and, under the auspices of De Witt Clinton and others, commenced a paper, which was subsequently moved to New-York, and called the New-York Statesman, of which he remained one of the editors till 1829. This paper was conducted with great ability, and in particular was distinguished for candor and its literary merits. In 1825 he made a tour in Europe, and was absent till 1827, when he returned, and published in two octavo vol- umes his well known " Letters from Europe."
In his tour he visited England, Ireland, Scotland, France, Italy and Switzerland. His health becoming impaired he went to Cuba, where he spent the winters of 1827 -8. His last visit to his native town was in the fall of 1828 -at which time he met a cordial wel- come from many associates of his youth, and was regarded with high respect and esteem by all who knew him. He attended church for the last time in the old North meeting-house, where his pale face, emaciated form and brilliant eye, attracted the notice and awakened the sympathy of the preacher, to him then a stranger. He also visited the old Court-room, while the court was in session, where he received a most respectful notice from the members of the bar, of whom then present were the late Ezekiel Webster, George Sullivan, Jeremiah Mason and Levi Woodbury. But during this last visit to his native town he went to the spot where he was born, and roamed once more along the banks of the " Turkey river," to which the fol- lowing beautiful lines, composed by him at that time, may give a elassie immortality :
TO MY NATIVE STREAM .¡ Hail ! hail again, my native stream,
Scene of my boyhood's earliest dream !
With solitary step once more
I tread thy wild and sylvan shore,
And pause at every turn, to gaze
Upon thy dark meand'ring maze.
What though obscure thy woody source,
What though unsung thy humble course;
What if no lofty classic name Give to thy peaceful waters fame,
Still can thy rural haunts impart A solace to this saddened heart.
* The house is now owned by Mr. Ira Abbot. ¡ From the New-York Statesman.
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HISTORY OF CONCORD.
Since last with thee I parted, time Hath borne me on through many a clime, Far from my native roof that stood, Secluded by thy murm'ring flood ; And I in distant lands have roamed, Where rolled new streams, new oceans foamed ; Along the Shannon, Doon and Tay, I've sauntered many a happy day, And sought beside the Cam and Thames Memorials of immortal names : Or mingled in the polished train Of fashion, on the banks of Seine. And I have seen the azure Rhone Rush headlong from his Alpine throne ;
Green Mincius and silver Po Through vine-elad vales meand'ring flow ; Sweet Arno, wreathed in summer flowers, Linger amidst Etrurian bowers ; And the old Tiber's vellow tide Roll to the sea in sullen pride.
In climes beneath the burning zone, 'Mid tangled forests, deep and lone, Where fervid skies forever glow, And the soft trade-winds whispering blow, My roving footsteps too have pressed The loveliest island of the West. There Yumuri winds, deep and calm, Through groves of citron and of palm ; There, on the sluggish waves of Juan, My little boat hath borne me on ; Or up Canimar's silent floods, Strown with the blossoms of its woods.
Yet not the less, my native stream, Art thou to me a grateful theme, Than when, in heedless boyhood's prime, I wove for thee the rustic rhyme, Ere other realms, beyond the sea, Had spread their fairest charms for me. E'en now, alone I sit me down, Amidst thy woods, with autumn brown, And on the rustling leaves recline, Beneath a copse of whisp'ring pine, To watch thy amber current run, Bright with November's parting sun. Around with cager eye I trace The charms of each remembered place - Some fountain gushing from the bank, At which, in youth, I knelt and drank - Yon oak, its hoary arms that rears, Scene of my sports in boyish years.
Farewell ! farewell ! though I no more May ramble on thy rural shore, Still shall thy quiet wave glide on, When he who watched its flow is gone, And his sole epitaph shall be Inseribed upon some aged tree.
Concord, N. H., November, 1828.
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BIOGRAPHICAL.
With the hope of benefit to his declining health, in the fall of 1829, Mr. Carter, by advice of his physicians, sailed for France. Hle arrived at Marseilles, and died January 2, 1830, aged 43. After his death, in his vest-pocket was found a scrap of poetry, and on the back of the scrap a note, intimating that those lines were but part of an article, the beginning of which was to be found in his sec- retary - telling at once of his feebleness at the time of his last writing - unable to go to his secretary to put the seraps together - and that he was expecting that the ocean would be his grave. This last specimen of his poetie genius is here inserted. The two parts, as found, are separated by a dash :
TO -
THE CLOSING SCENE -BURIAL AT SEA.
From his room to the deek they brought him, drest In his funeral robes by his own request --
With his boots and stoek and garments on, And naught but the breathing spirit gone :
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