USA > New Hampshire > Hillsborough County > Hillsborough > The history of Hillsborough, New Hampshire, 1735-1921, Volume 2 > Part 35
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PERRY.
CYRUS W., s. of David and Phebe (Haskins) Perry, was b. at Chautaugua, N. Y., Oct. 8, 1838; came to H. in 1863 ; m. Nov. 26, 1864, Sarah A., dau. of Parker and Charlotte (Atwood) Kimball.
III. CHILDREN.
1. Hattie L., b. August 26, 1865; d. May 19, 1889, unm.
2. Alice M., b. July 11, 1867; m. August 27, 1912, Frederick C. Hart- well, Littleton, Mass., where they res.
3. Charles S., b. February 6, 1871 ; m. November 8, 1899, Grace L., dau. of Amariah and Rosamond (Dillingham) Smith, b. December- 13, 1877. He is a druggist at Bridge Village. One dau. Ruth Geraldinė, b. March 1, 1901.
4. Mabel F., b. August 5, 1875 ; m. Joseph William Cobb, February 7, 1912.
NOTE-Oliver Hazard Perry, bro. of David mentioned above, m. Harriet Gilmore, and had 2 sons, Onslow and Horace. He operated a mill at the Lower Village.
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PHILLIPS-PIERCE.
PHILLIPS.
BUTLER H., s. of Russell and Polly (Merrill) Phillips, was b. in Loudon, Aug. 17, 1815; m. Nov. 6, 1848, Huldah P., dau. of Jehiel and Polly (Peabody) Woodward, of Turnbridge, Vt.
Educated in the common schools and Gilmanton Academy, he studied medicine with Dr. Nahum Wight of Gilmanton; attended medical lectures at Dartmouth and Bowdoin Medical Colleges, graduating at the last named institution in May, 1841. Dr, Phillips located at the Centre in this town in December, 1841, where he rapidly acquired a large practice. In Volume I, I stated he stayed here one year, but in reality he remained until October, 1846, almost five years, when he left to attend Medical Lectures at Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia. He then located in Pembroke, first on the Street and then in Suncook Village, as old age crept on. His wife, b. Jan. 4, 1826, d. Sept. 20, 1887. He d. May 19, 1893, after forty-six years of honorable practice in his chosen profession.
III. CHILDREN.
1. Clara Augusta, b. October 6, 1850; m. June 12, 1872, John Robinson Kimball, s. of Jonathan and Pamelia Knox (Holt) Kimball; studied medicine with her father, and after practicing in An- trim several years he came back to his native town of Pem- broke in 1873, where he practiced until his death, January 8, 1893, four months before his father-in-law. He was greatly interested in educational and historical affairs.
IV. CHILDREN.
1. Mary Lizzie, b. September 21, 1874.
2. Harold Chase, b. August 12, 1878.
2. Henry S., b. July 7, 1853 ; d. in August, 1854.
PIERCE.
It is perhaps sufficient for us to begin the record of this family with Thomas Pierce, who was born in Shrapshire, Eng., about 1608, and who married, in his native town, about 1634, Elizabeth Worthington. This couple came to New England in 1635, and settled in Woburn, Mass., where he was prominent in
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HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH.
local affairs, holding the office of Selectman for several years. He d. Nov. 6, 1683 ; widow d. July 16, 1688.
Among the children of Thomas and Elizabeth (Worthington) Pierce was a son named Stephen, b. in Woburn, Mass., July 16, 1651 ; he m. Tabitha - and settled in Chelmsford. They had a son named Stephen, who was one of the purchasers of Won- nalancet's possession on the southwest bank of the Merrimack River, and known as Wamsesit, where he afterwards settled. He m. and had several children, two of whom, Robert and Benjamin, there is record.
Benjamin Pierce m. Miss Elizabeth Merrill, and lived in Chelmsford. This couple had a son Benjamin, whose biography enters directly into the history of Hillsborough.
Gov. BENJAMIN PIERCE.
BENJAMIN, JR., was born in Chelmsford, Mass., December 25, 1757. His father dying when he was 6 years old, he was brought up by his Uncle Robert. His boyhood history is not un- like that of other boys of his times. His advantages to secure an education could not have afforded him more than the rudiments of the "Three R's." He was at work in his uncle's field plowing on the morning of April 19, 1775, when the tidings were received that the British had resorted to arms and Americans had been shot down by their soldiers without leniency. As Putnam did in his Connecticut field, so the boy Benjamin Pierce unhitched the oxen from the plow, and leaving that farming tool to rust in the furrow, he hastened to his uncle's house, seized his gun and equip- ments and proceeded to Lexington.
The British had retreated to Boston, and he followed the foe. The next morning he enlisted in Captain Ford's company. He was among those stationed at Cambridge, and he participated in the Battle of Bunker Hill, performing a man's part you may be assured. He served throughout the war, and when peace had been declared he was retained in the regiment which went with Washington to take possession of New York, so he continued under arms until the last troops had been disbanded at West Point in 1784, almost nine full years in service, and during the time he
EX-GOVERNOR BENJAMIN PIERCE
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had not taken time to visit his home. Serving in the different capacities of private, corporal, sergeant, ensign and in command of a company when mustered out, he had won the reputation of a brave and efficient officer.
Upon his return to Chelmsford, owing to the depreciation in the currency in which he had been paid during his long term of service, he found himself in straitened circumstances. In this dilemma he was glad to accept of Colonel Stoddard an appointment as agent to explore a tract of land in Cheshire County, and which now comprises the town of Stoddard. In returning from his trip into Stoddard he passed through a corner of the town of Hillsborough, staying over night in a log cabin on what has been known since as the Downing Farm. He built a house on the farm since (1840) owned by David Smith, and is situated one-half mile west of Lower Village. He bought fifty acres of land here, and the following spring he returned alone to begin his clearing. He lived and worked here alone for nearly two years, or until his marriage. The first of October, 1786, upon the recommendation of Gen. John Sullivan, he was appointed Major of the first brigade of militia organized in Hillsborough County. He commanded the 26th Regiment. After twenty years of service, in 1807, he retired from active duty in the militia, having won the title of General of the brigade com- posed of all the regiments in the county.
In civil affairs he was equally as successful. In 1789 he was elected Representative to the Legislature for the classed towns of Henniker and Hillsborough, and he continued to represent these towns or Hillsborough alone, when it had sufficient population, for thirteen successive years. In 1803 he was elected Councillor for Hillsborough County, and held this office until 1809, when he was appointed Sheriff of the county by Governor Langdon. This office he held until 1813, when, refusing to carry out an order of the Supreme Judicial Court, which he did not consider right, he was removed. This was during the War of 1812 when even the courts of New Hampshire were at loggershead over the policy the state should pursue in regard to the war. The following year he was returned to the council, and was elected annually for the next five years, when he was re-appointed sheriff. By this time
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HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH.
he had become one of the leaders of public affairs, and in 1827 and 1829 he was chosen Governor of the State. This office he filled with great satisfaction to his constituents and credit to him- self. At the Presidential election in 1832 he was made Elector. This was his last public office, closing a career of fifty-seven years in continuous service in war and peace.
Soon after the Second New Hampshire Turnpike was built General Pierce bought about two hundred acres at the Lower Village, where he built a mansion and opened a tavern, which be- came one of the most noted hostelries in the country.
After the death of Gov. Pierce his estate fell into the hands of his son-in-law, Gen. John McNiel. His granddaughter, Fannie McNiel, who married Judge Chandler E. Potter, became the next owner, and when it passed from this possession it was partitioned into lots and sold, no less than five owners coming into possession. The mansion house and about 20 acres of land were bought by George H. Stewart, who changed the appearance of the residence materially. He moved one of the barns from across the road to adjoin the house, and built on the south and west side of the latter a piazza. He removed the old "wall house", the lattice summer house, the fence to the "front yard," and made other minor changes so the old dwelling with its colonial architecture and quaint surroundings would hardly be recognized by its most ardent admirer. (See Vol. I, p. 465.)
Governor Pierce has been described as striking in his per- sonal appearance. He was about five feet and nine inches in height, rather thick set, with a rugged, honest-looking face, which resembled somewhat the best portraits of General Jackson. His eyes were bright with a merry twinkle, which was wont to lighten as he became animated in his conversation. His nose was pro- minent, his lips expressive of firmness, while his hair, brown in his prime, turned quite early in life to a snowy white. Of a lively temperament, fearless, frank-hearted, and free from all aristo- cratical pride, he was naturally fitted to please the great body of people. He was very fond of hunting and fishing, and constructed a pond in his dooryard which he kept well stocked with trout.
While in the army Captain Pierce was taken prisoner at New York, and while held by the enemy he was grossly insulted by a
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British officer. The blood flushed on the lieutenant's face ; yet he quietly said : "Fettered by my parole, and unarmed, I cannot now resent this indignity, but the chances of war may yet bring us to- gether." And so it did for during an engagement between the armies they met, crossed swords, and the Englishman fell pierced by the young American.
Benjamin Pierce was given a medal by recommendation of General Washington to men with distinguished service record. This medal, now in the possession of the New Hampshire His- torical Society, is believed to be the only one in existence.
The historian, Mr. Amos Hadley, in summing up his life- work, says as "A boy of 18 he had dropped the plow which he was holding when he heard of Lexington; but after nine years' military experience, he earnestly resumed the pursuit of agricul- ture in his new home. Though almost by accident this man had found a home in Hillsborough, yet he became one of the most honored and distinguished citizens not only of the town but of the state. He soon began to take a leader's hand in civil and military affairs, and held it more than forty years. He was earnest, honest, resolute, cheerful, sympathetic, and hospitable. While there was strength of unswerving purpose in lip and jaw, there was the merry twinkle of good nature in the eye. He had to such a degree the confidence and affectionate respect of the people of his town and state that he was almost constantly in official posi- tion, and as legislator, sheriff, councilor, and governor, he always proved himself worthy of his trust. Benjamin Pierce was a sin- cere friend of the people, and the people knew it; in this lay the secret of his popularity. His patriotism was an enthusiasm, a re- ligion. He had no patience with those who were not for country in war or in peace. Woe to the man who, having opposed the War of 1812, wanted an office at his hands while he was Governor of New Hampshire! 'I won't appoint him', said the old patriot, 'I won't appoint him, he weren't true when blood run-when blood run!'"
An anecdote illustrating to a marked degree the high sense of official honor belonging to him as an executive of the law, and also to his noble dignity of mercifulness to the helplessness of others, is told of him. At the period he was serving as high,
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HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH.
sheriff of Hillsborough County, imprisonment for debt was not. only tolerated but enforced, and it became his duty to arrest and consign to Amherst jail three veterans of the War for American Independence, whose sin lay in the charge of having failed to ac- cumulate sufficient of this world's goods to pay their debts to others in the coin of the realm. It may have been their weakness,. it may have been through no real fault of their own; ay, it may have been through an inborn generosity towards their fellow men that left them in their old age dependent upon charity to meet the obligations of living. Be that as it may, the conscientious executor of the law having performed his duty, proved himself higher than the exactions of duty, and paid from his own purse the debts and charges against them. Then, with the key in his own hands, he unlocked the prison door, and bade them go forth into the sunlight of that freedom which they had so nobly fought for in their younger and more useful years, saying :
"My unfortunate fellow-citizens :- The feelings excited by a. view of your unfortunate situation are inexpressible. That those: heads, silvered by age and hardships, and those hearts throbbing with kindly emotions, should be held for this long period of time by their fellow-citizens, without the imputation of a crime, is more than my nature is able to endure. But, as an officer of the country, I have a duty to perform. I must either be governed by the law, and suffer you still to remain the devoted victims of un- avoidable misfortune and honest poverty, shut out from the genial light of heaven and the vital air of God' equal gift to all, or I must be directed by the powerful impulse of humanity, pay the debt. myself, and bid you leave this dreary and gloomy abode ..... My duty to my country, whose honor is deeply implicated by your sufferings, and my duty to my God, who has put it into my power to relieve, irresistibly urge me to the latter course. In this view, go, receive the uncontaminated air which is diffused abroad for the comfort of man. Be correct in your habits, be industrious, and may the best of heaven's blessing accompany you the re- mainder of your days."
In what purports to be a true story of the siege of Boston John De Morgan says that Benjamin Pierce, then a youth of 18, was the captain of a company of "Boys of Liberty," and effected
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the capture of a distinguished British officer and his men. Giving this officer a parole, which was broken, this Red Coat was met and lost his life in defense of himself, dying in Pierce's arms. So, early in the strife, this brave young patriot began his career in the Revolution, and a sturdier or more honest patriot in the American army did not meet the fire of the enemy.
The home of Governor Pierce was the scene of constant hos- pitality, and many great men have been entertained there. Prac- tically all of the leading men of his party came here to consult with this sturdy Democrat, on the vital questions of the day, or to enjoy the bountiful hospitality of the genial old patriot of the days that tried men's souls. Among others Daniel Webster was a frequent visitor. Nor was the personnel of these guests con- fined to one political faction. On one of this noted statesman's visits, Noah Shedd, a youth of greater wit and brightness than he was usually credited with, called at the door.
"I want to see the Governor," said Shedd to pretty Dolly Wilkins who had answered the summons.
"That would not be possible, Mr. Shedd. Mr. Webster is here," said Dolly.
The Governor accidentally overhearing this brief conversa- tion, broke in at this point, saying :
"Come in, Shedd. You may be glad to meet Mr. Webster."
Following the introduction Shedd stood staring at the illus- trious visitor, finally turning to his host, and exclaimed to the sur- prise of all :
"I vote for you, Governor."
"I am sorry for your lack of good judgment," replied the Governor.
"Don't worry for me," replied Noah. "When I see you in this company you are not as sorry as I am!"
An illustration of the interest Governor Pierce took in public affairs is shown in the following letter :
Hillsborough, 20th Oct., 1806.
Honorable Sir :
In the forepart of this instant I Reviewed the Militia in this county of Hillsborough, Composing six of your Regiments, and Sir, the improvements they have since the last fall Reviews is beyond all ex-
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HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH.
pectations. The promptness of Duty displayed by both officers and privates is truly flattering. They seem to have a just sense of the stations they severally hold in Defense of their Country's Right-and citizens who are out of the Training hand by the attention they give on Muster day and at other times gives great spirit to the militia, and that they consider the Militia the only proper source of defense. The citizens in general seem to be using their endeavors to inculcate those principles, which is of great importance.
I am, Dear Sir, with sentiments of Esteem and Respect, Your very humble Servant.
BENJAMIN PIERCE.
Everywhere he was known, in town and out, Governor Pierce's memory was held in deep esteem as patriot, statesman, benefactor and friend.
Governor Pierce suffered from a partial paralysis of the left side for about two years before he died, but his mental faculties were unimpaired to the last. He died April 1, 1839. He m. first, March 24, 1787, Elizabeth, dau. of Isaac and Lucy (Perkins) Andrews, of H., a woman of excellent qualities. She d. Aug. 13, 1788, leaving an infant daughter. He m. second, in 1789, Anna, dau. of Benjamin and Sarah (Harris) Kendrick of Amherst.
Mrs. Pierce deserves more space in history than she has been accorded. She was a woman of high intellectual gifts, well educated for her days, and a most companionable person, who was mourned at her death, Dec. 7, 1838, by a wide circle of friends. There is no doubt but she was of great assistance to her husband in his long official career. Having a limited education himself he frequently called upon her for assistance, and often for advice upon questions which statesmen were supposed to answer. It is known that he almost invariably followed her suggestions and seldom, if ever, found them wrong. It is related that in making out a deed the warrior and statesman came to the expression, "to stake and stones." Mistaking the first word to mean one of the front members of the foot, the embryo lawyer turned to his better half and blurted out: "Say, Sally," (he always called her by that name), "what in thunder does 'toe, stake and stones mean?'" It is needless to say, she soon set him right. She had a very cheerful nature, which made bright the home life of the family.
i
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VI. CHILDREN.
1. Elizabeth A., child by first marriage, b. August 9, 1788; m. Gen. John McNiel. (See)
2. Benjamin Kendrick, b. August 29, 1790. (See)
3. Nancy M., b. November 2, 1792 ; m. Solomon McNiel. (See)
4. John Sullivan, b. in 1797; served in the War of 1812, and was com- missioned Lieutenant; d. at Detroit, Mich., in 1825; a young man of great promise.
5. Harriet B., b. in 1800; m. Hugh Jameson of Boston; she d. Novem- ber 24, 1837.
6. Charles Grandison, b. in 1803; d. at Utica, N. Y., June 5, 1828, unm.
7. Franklin, b. November 23, 1804. (See)
8. Charlotte, b. in 1807; d. in infancy.
9. Henry Dearborn, b. September 19, 1812. (See)
MAJOR BENJAMIN KENDRICK, the eldest son of Gov. Benja- . min Pierce, was b. in Hillsborough, Aug. 29, 1790. He pursued his preparatory studies at Phillip's Academy, and entered Dart- mouth College in the fall of 1807, and continued in that institution for three years, when he commenced the study of the law with David Starrett, Esq., of Hillsborough. He continued in Mr. Starrett's office until the commencement of the war with Great Britain, when he entered the regular army as a lieutenant of ar. tillery. In August, 1813, he was promoted to captaincy ; in June, 1836, he was promoted to Major of the First Regiment of Ar- tillery, and ordered to Florida. Oct. 15, 1836, he was made "Lieu- tenant-Colonel by brevet, for distinguished services in the affair of Fort Drane ;" and, the same month, was appointed by Governor Call of Florida, Quartermaster-General, and Colonel of the regi- ment of Creeks attached to his army. In consequence of his arduous duties and the sickly climate, Colonel Pierce's health be- came greatly impaired, and he was ordered North for duty. He was stationed at Plattsburg with his regiment, and subsequently at Houlton, and New York City. Subsequent to his return North in 1838, he was appointed Lieutenant-Colonel of the Eighth Regiment of Infantry, and his appointment confirmed by the Sen- ate; but he declined the appointment, preferring the arm of service in which he had served so long. Change of climate, how- ever, did not improve his health; and he died of disease of the: brain, at New York, in 1850, aged 60 years.
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HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH.
PRESIDENT FRANKLIN PIERCE.
PRESIDENT FRANKLIN, the fourth son and sixth child of Ben- jamin and Anna (Kendrick) Pierce, was born in Hillsborough, Nov. 23, 1804. Young Franklin was early sent to the academy at Hancock and then to Francestown Academy. In 1820, he became a student at Bowdoin College, in Brunswick, Me. Professor Stowe, the husband of Mrs. Harriet Beecher Stowe, Hon. Jonathan Cilley and Nathaniel Hawthorne, the distinguished author, were among his classmates. One of the most important events in his school life was the life-long friendship he formed for Hawthorne, which was fully reciprocated by the latter, who described his young friend as "A youth with the boy and man in him, vivacious, mirthful, slender, of fair complexion, with light hair that had a curl in it." At this period he was distinguished by the same fascination of manner that afterwards proved so magical in winning for him an unbounded personal popularity, which accounted in part towards his future success. A trait of character which was conspicuous through life was his adherence to truth. Quick to grasp an idea, and with a remarkable memory, he was inclined to allow his buoyancy of spirit to keep him from his studies. When an exceedingly difficult problem in algebra had been given his class to work out, he approached recitation hour without having given it a second thought. In this dilemma, notic- ing the example worked out finely on a classmate's slate, he un- hesitatingly copied it upon his own slate. A few minutes later he was called into the classroom, and it so happened he was asked to show his resolution of the problem. His tutor would have been less surprised to have been told that it was not solved than he was when young Pierce showed him his slate with the work nicely and correctly done. Looking at the example with undisguised sur- prise, the professor exclaimed :
"Well, Pierce, where did you get this ?"
Whatever weakness he may have possessed, Frank Pierce was truthful, and anticipating that his tutor was asking him a sober question he wished answered, he replied :
"Where did I get it? Why, from Stowe's slate, to be sure !" This reply was given with such a sangfroid that the class
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burst into merry laughter. If the tutor was displeased with his student's lack of application to his studies, he was thoroughly con- vinced of his honesty of character.
He graduated in 1824, and returned to Hillsborough, but soon after entered upon the study of law in the office of Levi Wood- bury, of Portsmouth. The last two years of his preparatory studies were spent in the law school at Northampton, and in the law office of Judge Parker, at Amherst. He was admitted to the bar in 1827, and opened an office at Hillsborough.
In 1829 he was elected a Representative to the Legislature, and was a member of the House of Representatives four years, in the two latter of which he was Speaker of that body.
In 1833, he was elected to Congress, and was a member of the House of Representatives four years.
In 1834 he was married to Jane Means Appleton, a daughter of Rev. Dr. Appleton a former President of Bowdoin College. Three sons were born to him, the first of whom died in early in- fancy. Another named Frank Robert, died in 1844 at the age of four years.
In 1837 Gen. Pierce was elected to the Senate of the United States and took his seat at the commencement of the presidency of Mr. Van Buren. Calhoun, Webster, Clay, Benton, Silas Wright, Buchanan, and Walker, were members of the Senate at the same time.
In 1838 he removed to Concord, where he very soon had a very large practice and rose to the very highest rank as a lawyer.
In 1842, after serving four years, Gen. Pierce resigned the office of Senator, and devoted himself wholly to the practice of his profession.
It is rare indeed that a young man-he was only 37-should voluntarily resign one of the highest and most honorable offices in the gift of the American nation, that he might be nearer his family and to devote all of his time and talent to his chosen pro- fession in the walks of private life. And this was a period of life when the love of power, the desire of preferment is apt to be the strongest. Franklin Pierce did this without regret, and for five years was eminently successful in the practice of his profession. Nor was he matched against ordinary legal lights, for his asso-
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