USA > New Hampshire > Rockingham County > Derry > The history of Londonderry : comprising the towns of Derry and Londonderry, N.H. > Part 13
USA > New Hampshire > Rockingham County > Londonderry > The history of Londonderry : comprising the towns of Derry and Londonderry, N.H. > Part 13
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In 1778, a petition was presented to the town by thirty-six of its inhabitants, dwelling in that part called Derry Claim, at its south-west corner, that they be separated from Lon- donderry, and annexed to the town of Nottingham-West, which was granted. March 6, 1778, a small tract of territory was, by act of the legislature, taken from the south-west part of the town, and annexed to the town of Nottingham- West, now Hudson.
In 1779, the selectmen were empowered, by the vote of the town, to provide a workhouse, and to furnish employment to such persons in said town as are not willing to work, such workhouse to be regulated as other workhouses in this State.
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At a town meeting July 20, 1779, a letter from the select- men of Portsmouth was submitted, announcing the measures adopted by said town for restoring the credit of the currency ; whereupon the following patriotic resolutions were unani- mously adopted, namely : -
"1. That we will cheerfully concur with our brethren in the seaports in accomplishing the salutary purposes of Con- gress, communicated in their late judicious and spirited address, for appreciating the continental currency.
" 2. That we will sell none of the necessaries of life, linen cloth, or other manufactures, higher than they were sold the first day of May last; and that we will continue to reduce our prices monthly, not doubting but other towns in the country will adopt the like salutary measures.
"3. That we consider as enemies to our country, all per- sons who shall buy gold or silver, or shall demand hard money, in whole or in part, for any article they inay have for sale, and that we will do everything in our power to prevent such pernicious practices, as they have an immediate ten- dency to ruin our paper currency. And whereas the traders in this town sell West India goods cheaper than they are now sold in Portsmouth, resolved,
"4. That they continue to lower their prices as those in seaports do.
" 5. That we will instruct our representatives to use their influence to obtain a law for the punishment of sharpers, and hawkers, and oppressors, etc.
" 6. Resolved, that a committee be appointed to take cog- nizance of any persons who shall, by any means whatsoever, evade and defeat the design of these resolves, and to treat them as enemies to our country ; and that said committee offer said resolves to every man in said town for signing. And voted, that the above resolves be printed in the Wor- cester newspaper."
The following October, the town appointed a committee to
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fix the prices of sundry articles of commerce, agreeably to the recommendation of the State convention.
In forming a State constitution, after our independence had been achieved, and the British yoke thrown off, this town, by its delegates, took an active and influential part. The present constitution with its bill of rights, was, on being submitted to the town for consideration, at first referred to a large and judicious committee for careful examination. After hearing their report, it was, by a large majority, adopted, and has received their steadfast support to the present time. In every instance, when called upon to express their opinion, they have decided not to revise the constitution, lest instead of amending they should mar that excellent instrument, to which they were indebted for that security and prosperity which they had so long enjoyed.
After the close of the war, a question arose whether the tories, who had fled from the country and given their aid to Britain, should be allowed to return. The feeling against them was deep and bitter, and the popular current was strong in opposition to their being tolerated in the country. The subject was warmly discussed in the meetings of the towns and the assemblies of the State.
That the feeling of hostility towards those who had de- serted their country, and turned against her in the hour of conflict and peril, was peculiarly strong and determined in Londonderry, appears from the following record. It is not surprising, considering the constitutional warmth and ardor of their temperament, that they did exhibit some feeling on this subject.
On being apprized that, on the adoption of the articles of peace, a clause was inserted at the request of the British plenipotentiaries, that Congress recommend that the several States make some provision for the return of the loyalists and refugees, a town meeting was immediately called, "to see if the town will take some effectual measures to prevent
10*
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those men who have been the cause of so much desolation and bloodshed in the land, to return and dwell among us, and enjoy the blessings of peace and the sweets of liberty."
At the meeting thus called, May 29, 1783, a vote was passed, with great unanimity, "To instruct their representa- tives to use the utmost of their power in the General Court, that the refugees have no liberty to come back to this State."
The following is a copy of the instructions which were drawn up and adopted by the town, and addressed to " Col. Daniel Reynolds and Mr. Archibald McMurphy, representa- tives for the town of Londonderry for the present year."
" Gentlemen : Whereas, by an article in the preliminaries for peace between the United States of America and Great Britain, it is to be recommended by Congress to the several States to make some provision for the return of the royalists or refugees ; and we conceive that every State in the Union are to act thereon as they think best, and that nothing therein is binding on the part of the State : and as it is our undoubted right, at all times, to instruct our representatives ; we do now solemnly, in town meeting, instruct you to use your influence in the General Court to prevent the return of all or any of the miscreant tories, who have gone from this State to the enemy ; as the tories have been the principal cause of this long and bloody war. They have murdered our brethren in cold blood ; they have burnt our towns, robbed and plundered our citizens, ravished our daughters, and been guilty of every sort of rapine and carnage, that can be thought of ; and by their lies, continually sent across the Atlantic Ocean, the war spun out to so great a length. We expect that you will use your best endeavours, that nothing may ever be done for those infernal wretches, by this State, further than to provide a gallows, halter, and hangman, for every one that dare to shew their vile countenances amongst
· us." " Attest, William Anderson, Town Clerk.
" May 29, 1783."
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The indignation here expressed can be justified only on the ground of their ardent and devoted attachment to the cause of freedom, and the suffering which they had endured in its defence.
In 1783, it was voted, that the town meetings, which, from the settlement of the town, had been held at the First Parish meeting-house, should be held every third year at the West Parish meeting-house.
In 1784, the following votes were passed in town meeting. "1. That the representatives oppose, by every method in their power, the grant of five years' full pay to the continental officers, as recommended by Congress ; it being unjust and very oppressive, and would lay such a burden on us, as neither we nor our children could ever get clear of."
"2. Voted, that our representatives use their influence that there be a revision of the table of fees ; as it appears that the attorney's fees should be cut down, at least one half. They would not then be so fond of business, and people would have time to breathe."
It would appear that, in consequence of the expenses of the war, the depreciation of paper money, and the derange- ment of business, there was much embarrassment in the community, which gave rise to litigation and distraining for debt ; and too many of the legal profession were disposed to avail themselves of these circumstances, to increase their gains at the expense of the suffering and oppressed.
This town having been settled by a colony from Ireland, and its inhabitants distinguished for their attention and hos- . pitality to strangers, it became, more than most places, the resort, not only of emigrants from the north of Ireland, but of vagrants and foreigners from other countries ; many of whom, having belonged to the British army, remained in the States, after the Revolution. The principles and habits of these persons were such, as not only to render their sup- port burdensome, but their residence an injury to the com-
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munity. It became necessary for the town to take some action to prevent the evil. It was, therefore, in 1786, voted, " That any person within this town, who shall entertain any stranger, stroller, or other vagrant person, for the space of five days, in his or her house, without giving due notice to one of the selectmen, of the name of the person, and from whence they came, shall forfeit and pay for the use of the town thirty-nine shillings, for each and every offence, to be recovered by an action of debt, before any or either of the justices of the peace within the county of Rockingham."
In 1786, the State of New Hampshire was considerably agitated in regard to the issuing of paper money, which should be receivable as a tender in payment of State taxes, and fees, and salaries of public officers. The desire for such money arose from the pressure of taxation, which was severely felt in consequence of the debt accumulated during the revolutionary war, and the great deficiency of the circu- lating medium. To meet this demand, a bill, authorizing such an emission of paper money, to the amount of fifty thousand pounds, to be lent at four per cent., on the security of real estate, and receivable as a tender in payment of taxes and debts, was introduced into the legislature, copies of which were sent to the several towns, and the opinions of the voters were to be expressed in open town meeting. In this town, the vote was "for the emission of such paper." But, happily for the State, a majority of the voters disapproved of the bill, perceiving that, as such paper must depreciate, in proportion to the freedom with which it should be issued, the remedy would ultimately prove a greater evil than the disease.
As the clamor for paper money daily grew louder, and the number of the disaffected in the State increased, they at length, after having held conventions in the several counties, adopted the mistaken and unjustifiable plan of having recourse to armed intervention, to obtain redress of grievances. Accord-
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ingly, on the morning of the 20th of September, 1786, about two hundred men assembled at Kingston. A part were pro- vided with firearms, and the rest with swords and clubs. In this company were several individuals from Londonderry, of sober and respectable character, who, not understanding the real nature of the evils of which they complained, nor their proper remedies, under the influence of excited feeling, had joined the insurgents. Having organized themselves, and chosen their leaders, they proceeded to Exeter, where the legislature was in session. They at first addressed a com- munication to the legislature, demanding an answer to the petitions, which had been previously presented. The House of Representatives were disposed to confer with them on the subject, and appointed a committee for the purpose. Happily, however, for the honor and peace of the State, General Sul- livan, who was then president, declared himself opposed to all negotiation with them, on the ground that an application ought never to be complied with, when thus enforced by violence ; and assured the insurgents that no consideration of personal hazard would render the Assembly unmindful of its public duty. They immediately surrounded the building in which the legislature was convened, placed sentinels at the doors, and threatened the members that they would not be permitted to retire until their demands should be granted. When the president attempted to retire, at the usual hour of adjournment, he was at once resisted and threat- ened with violence. With great coolness and decision, he endeavored to convince them of the folly and peril of the course which they were pursuing, but without effect. Just at that time, a drum was heard, and an alarm was given, that a body of artillery was approaching, when they precipi- tately retired for the night. In the mean time, the president was authorized by the legislature to resort to military force, to suppress the insurrection. His orders were issued with such promptness, that, by morning, several companies from
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the neighboring towns had arrived. These were placed by the president under the command of General Reid, from this town, who was then at Exeter, and had served with him as colonel during the revolutionary war. They were ordered to march against the insurgents, who had retired a little out of the village. As the military came up the insur- gent leaders gave orders to their followers to fire, but for- tunately they were not obeyed. They immediately attempted to flee. About forty were taken and secured, while the rest made their escape. The prisoners, after an examination before the president and council, were, on their profession of sincere repentance, discharged, and the insurrection was thus effectually suppressed, without the loss of life and with- out any serious evil.
Although Londonderry had voted in favor of a paper cur- rency, yet it evinced its love of order and good government, by condemning the conduct of its citizens, who took part in the insurrection. Those of them who sustained a relation to either of the churches in town, were required to make a public acknowledgment of the error into which they had been drawn.
In 1790, it was decided " that the annual town meetings should be henceforth held alternately at the East and West parish meeting-houses, and that the Town Clerk be chosen in the parish where said meetings are held."
In 1792, the town being entitled to two representatives, it was voted, that one should be chosen from each parish. This agreement, as well as that respecting the place of meeting, was strictly and harmoniously observed for nearly forty years, until the division of the town.
In 1792, a committee was appointed by the town to pro- cure land for a graveyard in the West Parish. A lot was accordingly purchased for that purpose, and it is now the principal burying-ground in Londonderry. In that yard repose the remains of the Rev. Messrs. Morrison and Hayes,
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two of the pastors of that parish. The Rev. Mr. MacGregor, their first pastor, was interred by the side of his father, the Rev. James MacGregor, in the old burying-ground, in the East Parish.
From the termination of the war in 1783, which secured to us freedom and independence, no events of special inter- est, have marked the history of Londonderry.
For nearly a century from its settlement, there was no collection of dwellings in any part of the town, which could with propriety be called a village. The principal employ- ment of the inhabitants being agriculture, they were sepa- rated at the usual distance of farm-houses, with here and there a mechanic's shop.
In 1806, the turnpike from Concord, N. H., was made, and passing through Londonderry, gave rise to the Lower Village, as it is now called. This spot being central to the town, situated between the two parish meeting-houses, and favored with some water-privileges, soon became a place of very considerable business, and was in some degree a centre of traffic for the neighboring towns. Although the place now termed the Upper Village, where the first meeting-house was erected, is peculiarly pleasant, by reason of its elevation and delightful scenery, but few buildings were erected there, from the planting of the colony, until 1812. The parsonage, a tavern, and two or three farm-houses, were the only build- ings in the immediate vicinity of the meeting-house.
In 1814, a road, beginning about eighty rods east of the meeting-house, and leading to the Prentice House, was opened, chiefly through the agency of Alanson Tucker, Esq., who had, a few years before, removed into the town from Boston. This road afforded some house-lots, on one of which he built his mansion, and encouraged the erection of others. The growth of the village was subsequently promoted by the establishment of the Adams Female Academy. The origin of this institution, and also that of the Pinkerton Academy,
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HISTORY OF LONDONDERRY.
may be traced to the establishment of a classical High School, in the upper village, by a number of gentlemen, as early as 1793. In order that the youth in the town and its vicinity might obtain a more thorough education than the common schools could afford, a few citizens associated for the purpose, and erected on the Common, near the East meeting-house, a commodious building, and engaged educated gentlemen as teachers. Their first teacher was Mr. Z. S. Moor, afterwards professor at Dartmouth, and subsequently president of Wil- liams and Amherst colleges. He was succeeded by several others, until Mr. Samuel Burnham, a graduate of Dartmouth college, took charge of the school, who continued his connection with it more than twenty years ; and to his labors and perse- verance, in sustaining the school on his own responsibility, after the proprietors had withdrawn their individual contri- butions and support, is, to some extent, the present incorpo- rated male academy indebted for its funds and even its existence ; as it was by a strong personal regard to Mr. Burnham, and a desire to sustain and encourage him, that the principal donor of that institution was at first influenced, in making his liberal bequests. Mr. Burnham was distin- guished for his faithfulness as a teacher, his mild and persua- sive government, the great amiableness of his manners, and his devoted piety. He was for many years a most exem- plary Christian, and a useful officer in the church. He died, Nov. 1, 1834, at the age of sixty-seven years.
The building in which the High School had been kept for about thirty years being out of repair, arrangements were made, in 1814, to erect by subscription a larger and more commodious one, for the accommodation of the pupils and the encouragement of Mr. Burnham, who had struggled for some years to sustain the school. During the process of the erec- tion and completion of the building, it was proposed, by those interested in it, to petition the legislature for an act of incorporation, and at the same time it was suggested to
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Major John Pinkerton, who had subscribed liberally towards the erection of the building, that a fund, to insure the con- tinuance* of the school, and to extend its means of usefulness, would be very desirable; and that if he should see fit to make a donation for that purpose, the petitioners would request to have it incorporated in his name, as the Pinker- ton Academy, in Londonderry. The proposition was favor- ably received, and he proposed, at first, to bestow five thousand dollars. The petition for an act of incorporation, designated the site of the former building as the place where the acad- emy should be located ; but the bill accompanying it, through an oversight, did not contain this provision. While the bill was passing the several readings in the legislature, an addition of another trustee to the number proposed by the petitioners was made, at the suggestion of the representative from this town, to whom the business of obtaining the act was intrusted. By this means a majority was secured in the board, who desired a different location of the academy from that which had been decided upon by the petitioners, and where a building had been by them actually erected and fin- ished. The Pinkerton Academy was consequently located where it now is, more than a mile west of the spot where the
* Rev. Mr. Parker often remarked that, some time previous to the foundation of the Pinkerton Academy, he visited Major Pinkerton for the purpose of obtaining a subscription in aid of the school then in opera- tion. In the course of their conversation, he remarked to Major Pin- kerton, that he hoped at some time they might have a permanent school, the one at that time conducted by Mr. Burnham being without funds, and liable to be suspended, whenever the teacher should find it unprofit- able. The next time they met, Major Pinkerton said to Mr. Parker: "I have been thinking a great deal about that word per-man'-ent (giving it the Scotch pronunciation), and your suggestion seems to me very important." There can be little doubt that that word, dropped almost by accident, first suggested to Major Pinkerton the idea of giving a por- tion of his property to endow a permanent High School in the town, and was, in fact, the origin of the Pinkerton Academy. - Editor.
11
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public school had been sustained. The change was produc- tive, at first, of excited feelings in the community, but the result has perhaps been favorable to the interest of the town, as it gave rise to a female school in the Upper Village, which was subsequently incorporated and endowed.
At first, two departments existed in the Pinkerton Acad- emy,* male and female. After a few years, the trustees judged it expedient to separate these departments, and con- fine the instruction in the Pinkerton Academy to males. A female seminary was in consequence opened in the building originally erected for an academy. In 1823, Mr. Jacob Adams, a gentleman without a family, deceased. He be- queathed about four thousand dollars of his property to endow
* The Pinkerton Academy was incorporated June, 1814. The trustees appointed by the charter were, Isaac Thom, M. D., Dea. James Pinker- ton, Rev. Edward L. Parker, John Porter, Esq., Rev. William Morrison, John Pinkerton, Jr. Esq., John Burnham, Esq., Alanson Tucker, Esq., and Robert Bartley, M. D.
The trustecs elected since the charter was obtained, to supply vacan- cies in the board as they occurred, are as follows : --
Justin Edwards, D. D., James Thom, Esq., Asa McFarland, D. D., Daniel Dana, D. D., George Farrar, M. D., Hon. William M. Richard- son, John H. Church, D. D., William Choate, Esq., Samuel Adams, Esq., Thornton Betton, Esq., Rev P. B. Day, Rev. Jonathan Clement, Rev. T. G. Braincrd, Samuel H. Taylor, A. M., John M. Pinkerton, A. M.
Mr. Samuel Burnham was the first preceptor; he commenced his services Dec. 1, 1815, and continued until 1818. Mr. Justin B. Adams succeeded him, and was preceptor one ycar. In 1819, Abel F. Hil- dreth, A. M., was elected principal, and continued in that office until 1846. He was succeeded by Caleb Emery, A. B., upon whose resigna- tion, in 1848, Rev. Elihu T. Rowe, A. B., was elected. Mr. Rowe resigned Nov. 1850, and was succeeded by Marshall Henshaw, A. M., the present principal.
The present permanent funds of the institution amount to $16,185,18, of which $13,185,18, were given by Major John Pinkerton. The remain- ing $3,000 were bestowed by Dea. James Pinkerton, his original donation of $1,500, having now doubled.
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a female academy, to be located within one hundred rods of the East Parish meeting-house, in Londonderry. It was accordingly incorporated as the Adams Female Academy. It was the first incorporated female academy in the State ; and among the first in New England in which the course of studies was prescribed, and the classes arranged as in our collegiate institutions.
Miss Z. P. Grant, who had been a pupil, and was then an assistant, in the seminary of the Rev. Joseph Emerson, was placed at the head of this institution. She was aided by Miss Mary Lyon, who subsequently became so distinguished, as a teacher, in carrying into successful operation, at the Mount Holyoke Seminary, the plan of female education originally adopted here.
The Rev. Mr. Emerson's views and plans on this subject seem to have been in advance of his times, but his instruc- tions contributed largely to give the right direction to the minds of these ladies, whose influence upon the community has been so extensively and happily felt. "The germ of the seminary founded by Miss Lyon, may probably be found," says President Hitchcock, in his memoir of that lady, “in a remark made by the Rev. Mr. Emerson to Miss Grant, when advising her to take charge of the Adams Female Academy. ' If you can put into operation,' said he, 'a permanent school on right principles, you may well afford to give up your life whenever you have done it.' It was the hope of realizing this thought, that induced that lady to take charge of the Adams Academy, where for several years she labored with Miss Lyon, to accomplish the object."
Under the superintendence and instruction of these two ladies, the institution here established soon became distin- guished. The system of study adopted, though novel and thorough, met with very general approbation. Young ladies from various parts of New England resorted to it. It soon contained a hundred pupils, and it continued to rise in char-
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