USA > New Hampshire > Hillsborough County > Hillsborough > The history of Hillsborough, New Hampshire, 1735-1921, Volume 1 > Part 38
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Peter Codman
Thomas Burtt, trombone ;
John Codman, E flat bugle ;
Stephen Baldwin, clarinet;
William Merrill, bugle;
Frank Burtt, drum; Joel Stow, clarinet ; Nathan Baldwin, drum;
Ephraim Dutton, French horn;
Alonzo Codman, bugle;
Daniel Campbell, bugle ;
James Bickford, clarinet ; Nicholas Hoyt, French horn ;
James Bennett, cymbals and bassoon ; Abraham Francis, drum;
Enos Baxter, clarinet ;
Mark Wilson, E flat clarinet ;
Ephraim Codman, clarinet ;
Jonathan Beard, clarinet ; Charles Baldwin, French horn ;
Edward Johnson, bugle;
Amasa Symonds, clarinet ;
Henry N. Gay, E flat clarinet ;
1
R
R
HOME
S
ORCHESTRA
RO. BR NH
C. P. GRIMES W. H. ROACH
L. W. DENNISON P. R. FELT
G. B. CODMAN
F. E. MERRILL
J. W. MERRITZ
A. J. CROOKER
B. E. NEWMAN
W. E. NEWMAN
441
"THE BAND THAT BIJAH LED."
Clark Wright, bugle; Daniel Hoyt, clarinet ; Moses Nelson, clarinet and drum; L. F. Gay, trombone and bugle ;
Elhandon Codman, clarinet ; Lorenzo Whitcomb, E flat horn.
Music changed from C to B and E flat in 1834. Organization disbanded in 1849.
The loss of the old band was felt keenly in town, and it was not long before there was an effort made to start a new band, which was rewarded with success early in the 50s. One of the most active movers in the enterprise was Squiers Forsaith, and he was made its leader, a position for which he was well fitted. This band was very successful, but at the breaking out of the war in '61 several of the members joined the army, among them leader Forsaith.
Upon the return of Comrade Forsaith from the military ranks, he was restored as leader of the band, and held the position until his removal to Antrim in 1872, when Frank E. Merrill was made its leader, which leadership he held for 28 years, or until 1900.
While it may not have been as famous in certain ways as the original Hillsborough Brass Band, this successor became well-known out of town as well as in, and played before many historic gatherings. Something of the spirit of the organization is shown in the following poem written by one of its oldest mem- bers. The "Bijah" referred was the nick name of the band's leader.
THE BAND THAT BIJAH LED.
By W. H. Patten.
One afternoon in August, in eighteen seventy-five,
When I, a youth of twenty-one, o'er Deering hills did drive ; Down to the Bridge I made my way, to early be on hand,
For then I was to have a place in Bijah's famous Band.
Next to the meeting place I went about the hour of eight ;
The members then were coming in, I didn't have long to wait ;
We played awhile, they took the vote, and then to our homes we sped, For now I was a member of the Band that Bijah led.
442
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH.
Bundy and Bingo were in their prime, Joe Potter at his best,
While Codman, Abbott, Dutton, Clark, helped to make the rest. When Bundy on occasion rose, his little speech to make,
His famous turkey gobbler was sure to take the cake.
Joe Potter with his solemn face, with now and then a smile, And Bingo with his funny talk a going all the while;
But now 'tis hushed forever for all of them are dead,
These were some of the gay old boys in the Band that Bijah led.
Bijah no longer the baton wields; he's dropped out of the race, But Hillsboro's band still marches on and Hill now sets the pace. Thirty and two years have come and gone, my head is tinged with gray But I've kept the faith still in the band, down to the present day.
My old cornet I've laid aside, a horn of great renown ;
No more you hear it's shrill high C, when marching through the town.
A monster bass, Conn's double B, I carry now instead,
But I'm the last old boy now in the ranks of the Band that Bijah led.
Bands are not apt to live much beyond the active days of the players who founded them, and so it has proved with the musical functions of Hillsborough. "Bijah's Band" gave its last concert and played its farewell, honorably and gracefully. Many of its members are living to enjoy the remembrance of its halcyon days, when it earned well the applause of the crowd.
Mechanic's Band, Scott J. Appleton Leader, came to succeed it, as that was followed by Hillsborough's Military Band, Frank G. Rumrill, Manager. The headquarters of all of these bands was at Bridge Village.
In March, 1888, a brass band of sixteen pieces called the Highland Band was organized at the Lower Village, under the leadership of John W. Jackman. The officers and members were John W. Jackman, President; George Morse, Secretary and Treasurer ; Fred J. Gibson, Leader; Messrs. Kneeland Mc- Clintock, Wilbur Proctor and Stillman McClintock, Executive Committee. After playing a little over a year this band dis- banded in the fall of 1889, owing to the removal from the town of so many of its original members.
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ORCHESTRA AND MUSIC CLUB.
THE WAHNETA ORCHESTRA.
The Wahneta Orchestra succeeded the Orpheus, which was organized by J. J. Gillispee of Boston having the following mem- bers : J. J. Gillispee, first violin ; F. G. Rumrill, second violin ; G. B. Codman, cornet ; George H. Putney, trombone ; Kneeland Mc- Clintock, clarinet ; Frank Chase, bass.
The Wahneta was organized in September, 1889, with the following members : F. G. Rumrill, first violin ; C. A. McAllister, second violin and viola; P. D. Gould, clarinet ; G. B. Codman, cornet ; W. E. Newman, trombone; F. W. Hardy, bass.
The orchestra has played for every graduating class of Hills- borough High School since 1890 to the present time and in about every town in the southern part of the state, also at Sunapee Lake on the steamer Winona in the seasons of 1897 and 1898.
Members who have belonged at different times include the following: Ervin McAdams, F. E. Merrill, E. C. Gage, B. E. Newman, B. T. Pike, L. W. Dennisson, H. S. Appleton, J. Merrity.
The members at present time include the following: F. G. Rumrill, first violin and leader ; Bell Spaulding, first violin ; L. S. Hill, flute and piccolo; Hamilton Rumrill, clarinet; W. P. Grunler, cornet ; E. C. Rumrill, cornet ; H. C. Bailey, trombone ; W. H. Roach, bass; Ruth Rumrill, piano; George Abbott, drums and taps.
THE HILLSBOROUGH MUSIC CLUB.
The Hillsborough Music Club, with the object to keep up the standard and cultivate the taste for music, was organized in 1905, by Mrs. Mary Lathe, with Mrs. Emma Thompson one of its lead- ing members, as President. This little band of lovers of good music performed a creditable part and did much good. Its Presidents from its formation to the present time have been :
1905, Mrs. Emma F. Thompson; 1906, Mrs. Mary Lathe; 1907, Mrs. Mary Lee ; 1908, Mrs. Grace Perry ; 1909, Miss Mary Powell; 1910, Mrs. Ethel Manahan ; 1911, Mrs. Mary Van Horn ; 1912, Mrs. Josephine Fuller ; 1913, Miss Florence Lee; 1914, Miss Leolyn Annis ; 1915, Miss Ruth Wallace ; 1916, Mrs. Maude
444
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH.
Proctor ; 1917, Miss Ruth Rumrill; 1918, Mrs. Cornelia Currier ; 1919, Miss Elizabeth Thompson ; 1920, Mrs. Lillian McNally.
TEMPERANCE SOCIETY.
July 5, 1830, the Hillsborough Temperance Society was formed with Deacon George Dascomb as President. This as- sociation proved a live issue and it grew in the number of its members so that ten years later it had over 400 members in all.
HISTORICAL LYCEUM.
The earliest literary and educational society of which I have found any record was The Historical Lyceum, which appears to have been organized sometime prior to the centennial of the town in 1841, if not at that time, for the observation of the centennial of the town was due to the efforts of this association, and its President, Mr. Charles J. Smith, gave the oration, which is the most valuable contribution to the early history of the town that has been published.
This society had its home at Bridge Village, and was com- posed of about twenty members. It is to be regretted their names have not been preserved.
As the town has been particularly in favor with a representa- tion of public speakers, lyceums and dramatic clubs have found here cordial support. In 1870 a lyceum was organized at Lower Village worthy of mention. Meetings were held at the old brick school-house, the St. Charles house and elsewhere. The enter- tainments consisted of exercises of a general nature, though dis- cussions of the questions of the day and other subjects of interest were a marked feature of those occasions. Prominent among the disputants were Henry D. Pierce, William H. Manahan, Brooks K. Webber, Charles Gillis, Enoch Sawyer, Andrew Crooker, Edgar Whipple and others. George Barnard was the leading dramatist, while John W. Jackman figured foremost in the mu- sical programs.
Another lyceum known as the Bridge Village Lyceum was well patronized. The leading speakers here were James F. Briggs, Esq., afterwards member of Congress, Reuben Lovering, Frank Hatch, and a Mr. Cheney of Deering.
OTHER CLUBS AND SOCIETIES.
The Woman's Club was organized in 1897; federated, 1898.
445
THE GOLD SEEKERS OF '49.
FORTNIGHTLY CLUB.
The Fortnightly Club was formed in April, 1899; federated in April 1906.
THE CLUB.
Having for its object the social uplift of its members, The Club was organized in 1904, with 25 charter members, of whom only eight are now living. The first President was Raymond C. Marshall; Secretary, Leon B. Proctor; Treasurer, John L. Mosely. The club met for a time in Whittemore block, but now holds its meetings in Butler Block, corner Main and School streets, and has very pleasant quarters. The club has now a membership of one hundred members, numbering among them some of the best citizens in town. The present President is Harry Hoyt; Secretary, Robert Connor ; Treasurer, George Van Dommele.
Twenty members of the Club were in the service during the World War, and one, Christopher Dougherty, gave his life for the cause. The Club was the first organization in the Country after war was declared to offer its services, and the club has a personal letter from President Wilson in acknowledgment and thanks for same.
PATRONS OF HUSBANDRY.
Valley Grange, P. of H., Number 63, was organized at Hills- borough Bridge Village June 26, 1875, with 25 charter members. Edgar Hazen was chosen first master. This branch of the order flourished for over a quarter of a century, but changes in popula- tion and a waning interest in agricultural affairs caused a gradual lessening of the membership, until in 1918 its charter was re- linquished.
Hillsborough, P. of H., Number 274, located at the Upper Village, was organized in March, 1899, with Sillman McClintock for master. The field here proved too small to support a grange successfully, so after a few years it was abandoned.
THE GOLD SEEKERS OF '49.
In the fall of 1848 reports began to circulate of the discovery of gold in the newly acquired territory of California. No word
446
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH.
in the English language will awaken a deeper interest than this short monosyllable, and almost instantly even the isolated town of Hillsborough was aroused to a pitch of excitement, many resolving to leave home and some established occupation to hazard the hardships of a life in the New Eldorado in the hope of better- ing their fortunes. From among these the following actually undertook the conquest, some going by sea and others overland :
COOLIDGE, WALTER SCOTT. He went by the overland trail, and settled at Sutters Creek. Was quite successful in the mines, and in 1861, 1862 was Sheriff of the County; afterwards became a cotton manufacturer.
COOLIDGE, CORNELIUS., Arrived in California, San Francisco, Aug. 17, 1849, in the Barque Oxford from Boston via Cape Horn after a passage of 222 days.
COOLIDGE, LEMUEL. Brother of Cornelius. A trader in California ; suc- ceeded and became rich.
DANE, JOHN. Went to California in 1849, was taken sick and died there.
JONES, GEORGE. Went in 1850, and entered the mines.
LOVERING, JOSEPH. Came back and finally lived here.
MARCY, CHESTER. Went by the Overland Trail, but cholera breaking out in the train, he remained behind at Fort Independence to care for others, and took the fever himself and died.
MERRILL, LUKE. Went around the Cape and returned by the Isthmus. Became a farmer.
MILLER,
MURDOUGH, DUTTON
SAVORY, SAMUEL C. and brother. Were active in the mines and acquired considerable of the precious metal. It is related that he and another miner, as a joke, cut off a Chinaman's pigtail, and the poor fellow was so grieved that he committed suicide.
WILKINS, B. FRANK. Sailed on the vessel Capital by way of Cape Horn, starting December 25, 1849. He returned in two years.
WILKINS, JAMES. Accompanied his brother, B. Frank, going by Cape Horn, and returning after two years.
THE KLONDIKE GOLD SEEKERS.
The gold fever of '49, while not equaled in its fervor by that of '98, had yet a worthy rival in those days within the memory of most of us. This time the talismanic word was sent across the continent from the far-distant Northland, more than 8,000 miles away. Nothing daunted, however, by the distance or the biting
447
THE KLONDIKE GOLD SEEKERS.
blasts of that frozen zone, a party of twelve persons organized themselves into a body under the designation of " The Concord Alaska Mining Company," and the start was made June 6, 1898. Of this little band of hardy fortune-seekers Hillsborough furnished two, Henry C. Morrill, now dead, and William H. Harmon. Mr. Morrill though in his 66th year, undertook the ex- pedition and carried it through with the enthusiastic endurance that a younger man might have envied. While the expedition did not "pan out" as well as had been hoped the experience was worth quite an undertaking, and none of the party lost their lives. Messrs. Morrill and Harmon returned to Hillsborough in the summer of 1899.
CHAPTER XXVI.
POLITICAL HISTORY.
Before the Days of Party Spirit-Then Federalists and Republicans- Vote in Town 1788-War of 1812, a Party Issue-Political Contro- versies-Second War of Independence-First Political .Rallies- When the Federalists Lost-Jackson Men-Adams Men-Vote in 1824 -Leading Politicians, 1828-Benjamin Pierce, Governor-Franklin Pierce Comes to the Front-Elected to Congress-Whigs-Free Soilers-John McNiel, Presidential Elector-Franklin Pierce for President-The Great Barbecue-Campaign Song-American Party -Political Leaders, 1856-Civil War-Town During the Conflict -First Break in the Democratic Ranks-Republicans Win Out in 1886-In Power Ever Since-John B. Smith Comes to the Front- Presidential Elector in 1884-Governor in 1892-The Great Smith Demonstration Rivals the Pierce Barbecue-Vote in Town, 1892- General Notes-Warrants for Town Meetings-Dates of Holding Election-Legislature.
With the number of active and prominent men among its citizens it was natural that the town should have, from time to time, political figures whose influence should be felt outside of the local circle. At home these were naturally men of unflinching fidelity to the principles they espoused and were often aggressive in their work, generally without the petty weaknesses of many politicians.
Until near the close of the 18th century party spirit had not crystalized and whatever opposition was manifested in the elec- tion was purely of a personal nature. In 1788 party designations came into existence, and the terms Federalist and Republican were recognized as watchwords for the opposing elements. One, inheriting the imperial ideas of Hamilton, believed in a stronger government, while others, the Republicans, professed to be the party of the people. The men of the former represented to a greater extent the wealth of the country, and what was of equal potency it wore the mantle of the illustrious Washington, Un-
448
Photograph by MANAHAN.
FRONT ROOM IN PRESIDENT PIERCE HOUSE.
449
DAYS OF LANGDON AND SULLIVAN.
fortunately for the party no one had arisen to wear this with a degree of permanent success. It is true the elder Adams had succeeded the Father of his Country, but even he was not able to hold it against Jefferson, the idol of his party. And Jefferson was succeeded by Madison and the War of 1812.
The successful presidential electors from New Hampshire were chosen by the Federalists in 1788, 1792, and 1796. Four years later, 1800, the term Republican Democrat came into being and Thomas Jefferson, strongest supporter, was elected Presi- dent of the United States.
In this state John Sullivan was the leading Federalist and John Langdon the standard bearer of the Democrats or Repub- licans, as they were then known. So closely were these two parties matched that at the state election in 1788 Langdon was elected Governor over Sullivan by the small majority of two votes. The first named had already served one term in that office and the latter two terms.
At this election held on March 3, 1788, the vote in Hillsbor- ough stood :
John Langdon, thirty votes ; John Sullivan, six votes.
Immediately the financial situation in the country had become ironed out, to a certain extent, politics began to shape, and in- fluence public affairs. Before the breaking out of the War of 1812 the Federalists and Republicans had become strongly en- trenched against each other. Madison, a Republican, was Presi- dent of the country, while in New Hampshire a Federalist, John T. Gilman, was Governor. This last fact blunted the enthusiasm in this state for the war which might have been manifested had Governor Plumer remained as chief executive here. All in all, elsewhere as well as in this state, the war was not a popular one: Still it reflected great efficiency and heroism on the part of her men, both leaders and privates.
The Federalists took the ground that war was unwarranted and unnecessary, and forthwith withheld to a considerable extent its support. The opening campaign was in the north-an intended invasion of Canada which failed lamentably.
450
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH.
The Federalist papers immediately seized upon this as due to woeful lack of intelligent action at Washington, which was in a measure true. An example of this inefficiency was the sending of the declaration of war with Great Britain to General Hull in command at Detroit. In the backwoods as he was, he did not get the message, until several days after similar information had reached the British commander. The disastrous results of Hull's campaign was due partly to this. Other reasons might be cited. On the other hand the Federalists, wherever they were in the majority, voted against enlistments and did all they could to keep men out of the service, and never contributed a cent toward the expense of the war.
The spirit of the opposition to the government is shown in the following article which appeared in the strong Federal organ, "The Boston Gazette," during the dark hours of the war:
"Every hour is fraught with doleful tidings; humanity groans from the frontiers; Hampton's army is reduced to about 2,000; Wilkinson's beat up and famished; crimination and re- crimination the order of the day; Democracy has rolled herself up in the weeds and laid down for its last wallowing in the slough of disgrace; Armstrong, the most cold-blooded of all of this, is chapfallen."
In answer to this and other sweeping charges made by the Federalists, Isaac Hill, editor of the "Patriot" says in his paper :
"Is it our government-is it the Republicans (Democrats), who have done everything to provide means for prosecuting the war with energy- or is it the Federalists, who possessing all the property, as well as all the religion, have never prayed for the success of our arms-never contributed one cent towards procur- ing the means for asserting our rights, but have discouraged en- listments, discouraged everything?"
"The political controversies, bitter and unreasonable as they were," says Edward J. Burnham, in " New Hampshire in the War of 1812," "had been great educators of the people, and while the embargo and the growing estrangement with Great Britain had already led to the establishment of many new in- dustries, the Americans were beginning to rely upon themselves. This was one reason why it had been called the second war of independence."
45I
POLITICAL SPIRIT OF 1812.
Fortunately the reverses in the northern campaign served to arouse the people to their duty as citzens of the republic.
Hillsborough, with a good working Democratic-Republican majority, always stood squarely behind the government, both in finances and men. She furnished two of the most dashing, courageous and efficient officers in the service, while a neighboring town, Peterborough, gave another, General Miller, three officers who lent glory to the records of their native towns.
A line of action that was encouraged during this war was the holding of rallies or mass meetings, something unknown during the Revolution, when speakers would be invited to address the meetings and often great excitement would prevail, names would be offered for enlistments and petitions sent to congress. This was really the beginning of public campaigning which has been kept up ever since.
Hillsborough had at least two of these gatherings, one held on September 12, 1812, being highly successful judged by the glowing accounts given. Speakers were present who boldly declared their confidence in the administration, their expression of the unavoidable necessity of the war, and their denunciations against the attitude of the Federalists. Women were present and men and women from adjoining towns, so the meeting numbered over five hundred persons.
The Federalists held few public meetings, but they did paste the state with placards announcing their men and principles.
Now under the leadership of Plumer, an ardent Republican, and under Gilman, as unrelenting a Federalist, New Hampshire vacillated between the two great dominating political powers, neither of which had fairly formed their future policy. Hills- borough, in sympathy with the national government, and with two of her sons occupying prominent responsible positions at the front, did not waver.
At the close of the war the prestige of the Federal party began to wane, and in 1816 it was so completely overthrown that it never recovered its lost power. With the exception of the tem- porary triumph of the Whigs in 1846, electing Anthony Colby, Governor, the Jeffersonian Republicans (Democrats) elected
452
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH.
every governor until the sudden rise of the American party in 1855 ended their reign.
In 1809, three years before the war, the vote in Hillsborough was 189 votes for John Langdon, Republican; 35 votes for Jeremiah Smith, Federalist, candidates for Governor. For Coun- cilor, Samuel Bell had 163 votes, and John Orr had 23 votes. At the election in 1812 Hillsborough gave William Plumer, Repub- lican, 196 votes, and John Taylor Gilman, Federalist, 40 votes. The latter was elected Governor by the narrow margin of two votes. In 1814 these same candidates received 260 and 60 votes respectively, in Hillsborough.
The leading politicians in town during this period were Ben- jamin Pierce, Andrew Sargent, James Wilson (Representative), Thaddeus Monroe, Elijah Beard, Lemuel Coolidge, William Tag- gart, John Gilbert, John Town, James McCalley and Isaac Baldwin.
The writer regrets that he has been unable to obtain the names of the leaders of the minority. There is no doubt there were just as substantial citizens in the ranks as the others.
In 1824 the Federal party lost its identity and the rival political factions at this time became arrayed under the respective leaders, Jackson and Adams, and were known as "Jackson men," or "Adams men." The partisan contests that followed grew more bitter than ever before. It is perhaps needles to say that Hills- borough stood stubbornly for Jackson, as witness the following vote at the National election in November, 1824:
For President, Andrew Jackson, 66 votes.
For President, John Quincy Adams, I vote.
There had been a slight change in the leadership of the dominant party since the last record. Andrew Sargent was now Representative. Among those nearest him were James and Thomas Wilson, Reuben Hatch, John Grimes, James Butler and George Dascomb.
In 1826, 1827, 1828, 1829 Benjamin Pierce of Hillsborough was a candidate for Governor, and elected in 1827 and 1828, in the former year by the phenominal vote of 23,695 out of 27,41I. He ranked as a "Jackson man."
453
JACKSON DEMOCRATS.
The vote for Governor in 1828 stood : Benjamin Pierce, 227 ; John Bell, Whig, 90 votes.
In the Presidential campaign of 1832 Andrew Jackson was a candidate for re-election to the Presidency, while Henry Clay was the opposing candidate. The term Democrat had now come into common use, and the man who voted for the first-named can- didate was a "Jackson Democrat," a designation which has out- lived the political successes and reverses of several generations of voters. The supporters of Clay were denominated "Whigs." The ballot of Hillsborough at this election stood :
For President, Andrew Jackson, 295 votes.
For President, Henry Clay, 77 votes.
The political lights of the town at this time were, among the Democrats, Hiram Monroe, Benjamin Pierce, Isaac Andrews, Jonathan Beard, Ransom Bixby, and Franklin Pierce, who was that year elected Representative to the State Legislature. The future President had come rapidly to the front with the past six years.
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