USA > New Hampshire > Rockingham County > Windham > The history of Windham in New Hampshire (Rockingham country). 1719-1883. A Scotch settlement (commonly called Scotch-Irish), embracing nearly one third of the ancient settlement and historic township of Londonderry, N.H > Part 13
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June 22, 1775. - Windham " voted to send one delegate to ye Congress at this time, and John Dinsmoor was chosen for that end." This convention assumed the name of House of Repre- sentatives ; chose twelve persons to be a distinct branch ; called the council with power to elect its own president. Both branches must act in unison upon any subject to make it legal. The sec- retary and other public officers should be chosen by the two houses. This convention was to continue for one year, unless Congress should direct otherwise ; precepts were to be issued annually on or before the first day of November, for the choice of councillors and representatives. No provision was made for an executive branch, but during the session the two houses per- formed the duty of that department. At the adjournment of the two houses, " a Committee of Safety," to sit during the recess, was chosen. The president of the Council was president of this Committee. Meshech Weare was annually elected to this posi- tion during the war. He was also judge of the Superior Court, and at the same time performed the duties of the highest legisla- tive, executive, and judicial positions.
Jan. 27, 1778. - On the article, 2. " To see what the town will do respecting the articles of confederation between the United States of America," and on the article, 3. "To see if the town will instruct their representative at the next session of the Assem- bly to call a convention to meet at such time and place as the said Assembly shall appoint for the sole purpose of forming a consti-
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HISTORY OF WINDIIAM IN NEW HAMPSHIRE.
tution for the State," it was voted to adjourn them to Feb. 5, and chose a committee of seven members to take them into con- sideration and report at that time. The committee was, -
Nehemiah Hadley, Dr. Isaac Thom, Lient. John Dinsmoor,
Timothy Ladd, Dea. Gawin Armor, William Thom, Jr.,
Dea. Samuel Campbell,
and also " voted them for a standing committee during the present representative's attendance for him to apply to for instructions when needed."
On the first article, the committee reported favorably on all the articles of confederation except the eighth.
On the third article, the town was strongly in favor.
April 2, 1778. - The town chose Lieut. John Dinsmoor representative to attend the convention on the tenth day of June. This was in obedience to a precept issued and sent to each town by " the Honourable, the President of the Council," and in accordance with a resolution of the General Court, passed Feb. 25, 1778. The meeting of the convention was "for the sole purpose of forming and laying a permanent plan or system of government for the future happiness and well-being of the good people of this State." This plan of government was to be sub- mitted to the people for their acceptance or rejection. If it was ratified by three fourths of the people of the State in legally called town-meetings, then it was to remain as a permanent system of government for the State. The convention met June 10, 1778; on June 5, 1779, it met again, and agreed upon a Constitution, and sent it out to the people for their adoption. Two or more copies were sent to each town .* This " Plan of Government " was rejected by the people.
Sept. 9, 1779. - In a special meeting, Windham voted unani- mously to reject the new plan of government submitted to them.
The second Constitutional Convention "to settle a form of government," i. e. a permanent form, was called to meet at Con- cord the first Tuesday of June, 1781.
May 29, 1781. - Windham voted not to send a member to this convention.
The convention met at Concord, and in September, 1781, sent ont a new constitution or plan of government, and issued an address to the people. This constitution was not satisfactory, and was rejected by the State. It came before the people of Wind- ham Jan. 7, 1782. A committee of thirteen members was chosen to consider the subject, and report on "the last Tuesday in March next."
By the request of the State convention, towns were requested to send in the result of their action by the fourth Wednesday in January, 1782, to which time the convention had adjourned.
* Provincial Papers, vol. ix, p. 837.
CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTIONS. 105
After repeated adjournments, the committee reported May 28, 1782, proposing several amendments. After hearing the report, the town "voted to accept of the plan of government with the foregoing amendments."
" Voted to send a delegate to the convention now to sit in Con- eord on the first Tuesday of June ensuing." Chose Dea. Samuel Morrison. This session of the convention adopted another plan of government, which was sent in 1782, with another address to the people. This was brought up in town-meeting and acted upon -
Dec. 16, 1782- when it was "voted not to except of the new Plan of Government as it now stands," and chose a committee of thirteen members to consider said plan and report at an adjourned meeting, Dec. 23. They reported substantially the same amend- ments as before, when the town voted to accept the plan of government, with amendments, as proposed by commit- tee, -twenty-three yeas; none against it. Chose Dea. John Dinsmoor to attend the constitutional convention at Concord, the last Tuesday of December, 1782. The amendments proposed by the town were in part as follows, and they show the tenor of public opinion. " We object to the fifth article in the Bill of Rights because it is our opinion that the word of God ought to be laid down as the foundation of all religions worship. There- fore we propose the following amendment, that after the words conscience and reason, we would read, agreeable to Scripture."
As amended by the town the clause would read, "Every indi- vidual has a natural and unalienable right to worship God accord- ing to the dietation of his own conscience and reason," agreeable to Scripture.
In article 6, they would have it read, "Do hereby fully em- power the Legislature to encourage and establish the Protestant religion and none other"; and also insert a clause to read, "And every person shall pay to the support of the teachers of the Gospel in the town or parish where he resides, unless he be of : different sect or persuasion, and makes it appear that he pays to the support of a teacher of his own, and is a conscientious attender elsewhere," etc.
Also objected to "Representatives being paid by the town." " Because that a town of 150 ratable polls bear as much of the expense of representative as a town of 449 such polls, it is our opinion that the whole ought to be paid at the expense of the State."
" Likewise the governor's power of nominating militia officers and justices of the peace objected to. Because he cannot be personally acquainted with the fit person at the remote part of the State. . . . It is our opinion that the voice of the town is preferable to private information."
" Permanent salaries for justices of the Superior Court objected
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HISTORY OF WINDHAM IN NEW HAMPSHIRE.
to. We think that their salaries ought to be annually appointed, agreeable to their service." *
The people of New Hampshire passed judgment upon this proposed constitution ; and when the convention met at Concord, on the last Tuesday of December, 1782, it found it rejected. It met again the first Tuesday in June, 1783, agreed upon a third form for constitution, which was sent ont to the people for ratifi- cation or rejection, and the convention adjourned till Oct. 31, 1783, when it was found that the plan of government, or constitution, had been ratified by the people, and established by the delegates of the people in convention at Concord, Oct. 31, 1783, and "declared to be the civil constitution of the State of New Hampshire," to take effect June, 1784. Upon this constitution Windham took no action; and the people of the State passed from under the temporary constitution and form of government established at the commencement of the Revolution, to another which had cost seven sessions of a convention to bring to its present state of completeness, and which had taken two years four months and twenty-six days to make satisfactory to the people of the State. Under this constitution, the highest executive officer was called the President. It has remained in force, with slight modi- fications, to the present time.
Another convention was called to amend this constitution, and met in Concord the first Wednesday of September, 1791. James Davidson was sent to represent Windham. The convention did its work, and submitted it to the people for their acceptance or rejection. It came before the people of this town, May 7, 1792, when the town chose a committee of seven persons, namely :-
Dea. Sam'l Morrison, James Betton, Esq., Capt. Nat'l Hemphill,
Dea. William Gregg, James Cochran, Capt. David Gregg, Dea. John Dinsmoor,
to consider the constitution and make a report to the town.
Aug. 27, 1792, Windham "Voted to accept the Articles of the Constitution unanimously."
The amended constitution was accepted by the people of the State, and established by convention, Sept. 5, 1792. One of the changes made was in the title of chief magistrate, changed from President to Governor.
In 1850, there was a convention to revise the constitution. Jeremiah Morrison was delegate from this town. Windham rejected almost unanimously the proposed alterations.
Another constitutional convention was held at Concord, on the first Wednesday of December, 1876, when the constitution was changed to its present form. Horace Berry was the delegate of this town. One of the most important changes made was in mat- tor of elections, changing from annual to biennial elections for State officers.
* Town Records, vol. i, p. 270.
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THEIR HISTORY. - EARLY NAMES.
CHAPTER X.
THEIR HISTORY. - EARLY NAMES. - INDUSTRIAL HISTORY AND HABITS OF THE EARLY SETTLERS. - SNOW-SHOES. - UMBRELLAS. - CLOCKS AND TIME-KEEPERS. - SHADE-TREES. - BLACKSMITHS. - PICTURE OF OUR FATHERS' HOMES. - A CHANGE COMES.
"View them near At home, where all their worth and pride is placed ; And there, their hospitable fires burn clear,
And there the lowliest farm-house hearth is graced With manly hearts, in piety sincere ; Faithful in love, in honor stern and chaste,
In friendship warm and true, in danger brave. Beloved in life, and sainted in the grave."
THEIR history has been unwritten. Some one hundred and sixty-one years have passed away since the first settlers of Windham located here. It was then a wilderness, unbroken, save as here and there a hardy adventurer commeneed to make a clearing, and to build his log habitation. Great forests everywhere abounded. Wild beasts and valuable game roamed the trackless woods at will, and the creeks and ponds were filled with the finny tribe. The residents came here, and they came here to stay, to make homes for themselves, a home, too, for their descendants; to establish institutions for themselves, which should confer the lasting boon of religious, political, and social freedom to unborn generations, and thereby bless all the future.
Their farms were to be hewn from the primeval forests; the woods to be burned, the rocks to be taken from the soil, and the ground made to yield its increase for their sustenance. Schools were to be established, meeting-houses to be built, and all the institutions of a well-organized and intelligent community were to be set in operation. The task was great, the labor long and arduous, the difficulties many ; but not disheartened by obstacles, the settlement was founded, the difficulties were overcome, and the institutions planted in trials and sacrifice have blessed us all the years of the past, and their benign influence will bless the generations of the future. One, two, three generations have " passed on" since the fathers' advent, time has buried many memorials of the past, and it is difficult to reproduce the picture.
Of those who first came here, whose names are upon our town records, upon the tombstones in our cemeteries, or which have
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HISTORY OF WINDHAM IN NEW HAMPSHIRE.
been perpetuated in their descendants, and are thus familiar to us as household words, how little of their history do we know, how unreal do they appear to us! Yet they started these farms ; laid out many of our highways; walked these streets; looked forth upon the same hills we see ; tilled the same farms we till, gather- ing in the annual harvests ; drank from the same wells or brooks of water; fished the same streams, and their hearts were glad- (lened by joy or made sorrowful by woe, as ours are to-day. And when we think of the results of their labors, the works which they . have left, the institutions planted, the fabric of social life, equality, and liberty which they reared, all the fruits of their intelligence, the offspring of their immortal minds, which remain, while they themselves have passed on, we feel that that intelligence which prompted this is not lost, but that their
" Bright aerial spirits live unsphered Above the smoke and stir of this dim spot Which men call Earth."
Yet all this is of the past, and much of it of a forgotten past. The specific events which gladdened their hearts, or filled them with woe, are unknown to us; over them has rolled the great wave of oblivion.
The picture of this past cannot be wholly restored. Any one who has ever attempted a work of this nature cannot but have been painfully impressed with the scantiness of ancient relics, the vast quantity of material which has perished in comparison with the amount available for use. Only a fragment here and there has been saved from the general destruction. So while we ponder over it, searching for its history, the threads are few by which we of the present can learn of those of former generations.
Yet there are some traditions, some relics, some important events, which can be gathered together and preserved. It is the duty of the present to transmit this history to succeeding genera- tions, and thus quicken that feeling of obligation to the past, out of which grow generous regard for the present and solicitude for the future.
EARLY NAMES.
Many family names that were once familiar in town have vanished like the mists of morning. No living representative of them moves among us ; but in quiet rest, on the plain or on the hill, are the silent members of these families. The fierce blasts of winter sweep over them, the warm, greeting sun of spring brings forth bright flowers above them, and the gentle breezes of summer murmur a perpetual song, their only requiem. Nature never for- gets those who slumber in her bosom, but year after year she keeps their memories green, by decking their mounds with the springing grasses and the blooming flowers. There after toil are resting the frames of iron, whose strong arms subdued the forest,
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EARLY NAMES.
built the walls of stone, and made " the wilderness to blossom as the rose."
In "Old Mortality," the aged Pilgrim used to visit the graves of the unfortunate Scotch Covenanters, who died for their faith in the moors and fastnesses of Scotland. Though their tombs were often apart from human habitations, yet wherever they existed, they were found by him in his annual round. In the most remote and lonely mountain recesses, the moor-fowl shooter was often surprised in finding him busied in clearing the moss from the cold gray stones, and with his chisel renewing the half-defaced inscrip- tions, repairing the mournful emblems of death which adorned the simple monuments. So ought we, as descendants of the Cove- nanters, to imitate "Old Mortality," and place the garland of sweet remembrance on the tombs of our Scotch ancestors here in Windham, that the inscriptions may not perish from their memorial stones, -that the names of those who toiled and suf- fered that we might enjoy the fruits of their labors, may not perish from among men, but be held sacred within our hearts forever- more.
Among the vanished names are Templeton, Downing, Dunlap, McAdams, MeIlvaine, McCoy, Gregg, Smiley, Thompson, Tuffts, Thom, Kyle, Quigley, Ritchey, Waugh, Armor, Clyde, Gilmore, Morrow, Stuart, Hopkins, Hemphill, Betton, Cristy, Kinkead, and others. Of the names mentioned, not a single descendant bearing the family name resides in town.
The names of the descendants of the first settlers and of the early inhabitants, in the following list, in some instances embrace a considerable race left, while in others they are reduced to one or two individuals : Anderson, Armstrong, Campbell, Clark, Cochran, Cottle, Crowell, Davidson, Dinsmoor, Dow, Emerson, Harris, Haseltine, Hughes, Morison, Nesmith, Noyes, Park, Simpson, Smith, Wilson.
Few of the farms, homesteads of the first settlers, remain in the possession of their descendants to-day, though in some in- stance's they have remained in the same family name since they were first laid out.
The following farms are now owned by descendants of the first settlers, or of those who took up their farms in a wild state : Edwin O. Dinsmoor's, William A. Dinsmoor's, John N. Dins- more's, William D. Cochran's, Leonard A. Morrison's, Albert A. Morrison's, Samuel Campbell's, John A. Moore's, and perhaps others.
Not over one sixth of the present inhabitants are descendants of the early settlers and residents of Windham.
New names meet one on the check-list and the tax-list, and new men occupy the ancient farms and till the ancient acres. The old families have become extinct, or their descendants swell the populations of the cities or the great Western States, carrying their intelligence, habits of industry, and good principles with
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HISTORY OF WINDHAM IN NEW HAMPSHIRE.
them. Many of those who in later years have settled in town are of English descent, and have worthily and honorably filled their stations in life.
It is a habit with us to speak in the highest terms of our ances- tors, the early settlers, and ascribe to them other qualities than those with which nature endowed them. They possessed strong natural powers, and were a noble race of men and women, with as many faults as their descendants, but different ones. The Sabbath was then observed with more rigidity than now, in some respects, while in others there were common practices then by the very best people, which, were they adopted now by any church- member, would cause him to be dealt with by the church, and if per- sisted in, it would be at the loss of self-respect and the regard of the community. They had keen common-sense, large intellects, but uneducated minds. Having few books, their memories became strong, they learned a great deal orally, and retained it. The history of the town and of families for fifty years oftentimes would be embraced in the memory of some good aunt or grand- mother, who would edify and enlighten her young friends and acquaintances by her historical narrative.
Those people detected shams quickly, and had little patience with them. The Bible was their chief book, with its teachings they were familiar, which they endeavored to obey. They were dogmatie in the expression of their opinions, especially upon reli- gion. They were right, and they trembled for those who differed from them.
When we compare the stern qualities of those uncompromising first settlers with their descendants, we can see a change. Many of the same qualities exist now, but in a modified form. The positive- ness of the fathers is mellowed by time and intercourse with the world. A broader charity -that charity " which suffereth long"- exists in their descendants to-day. In all which makes life beau- tiful and attractive, the descendants are ahead of the fathers; and in judging of the two classes, and comparing their merits, we must consider the different ages in which they lived, the different characteristics demanded by their differing circumstances. Indeed, the qualities of our ancestors would be entirely out of place to-day; the qualities of their descendants would have been entirely for- eign to the age in which our fathers lived.
The severe discipline of the first emigrants and their ancestors in Scotland and Ireland admirably fitted them for the life of pioneers in the American wilderness. Common-sense, sagacity, and shrewdness were combined with boldness and courage, and qualified them for their peculiar and important work. Culture and graces of the schools they did not possess, and their homes were devoid of the refinements of the present day. Their food was plain and substantial; luxuries found no place in their bill of fare. Their wardrobe was seanty and of home manufacture. Yet, clothed in their homespun goods, living in rude habitations, and
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INDUSTRY AND HABITS OF THE EARLY SETTLERS.
fed upon plain diet, they were as independent a lot of men and women as ever trod the earth. They felt themselves to be the equals of those of any race or any clime. There was diversity of character and gifts among the first settlers, the same as appears among their descendants. It took all kinds of people then "to make the world," the good, the bad, and the indifferent, the same as now.
Against the merits of the early occupants of the soil, we can place a list of upright and intelligent descendants. Many fami- lies from the first settlers to the present have exhibited in each generation the same high order of intelligence, virtne, and integ- rity, there having been no retrograde movement. In other families there has been decided progress, the descendants being better men and women than their ancestors.
Owing to the progressive spirit of the age, a different kind of talent has been required and developed. The mind has been cul- tivated and refined by education. The town has retained, and also sent out into the world, sons who have honored her, honored their sires, and themselves. Their aims were lofty, and their duties have been faithfully and efficiently performed. Their lives have illustrated the truth of the poet's words that, -
" We live in deeds, not years, - in thoughts, not breaths, - In feelings, not in figures on a dial ; We shouldl count time by heart-throbs. He most lives, Who thinks most, feels the noblest, acts the best."
It is no disparagement to the abilities and virtues of our ances- tors, to say that the business of the town is much better done now than it was a century ago. There is more of system in our pro- ceedings, and the town records are more neatly and correctly kept. We do not lack for good material with which to fill our town offices. Our home talent is better than it was a century ago.
Quite a number of men have gone from town who became emi- nent in their professions. Some ten prepared for or entered the Christian ministry. Eight lawyers have gone from us, and one became governor of New Hampshire, one was a judge of the Court of Appeals of Maryland, two others have the appellation of judge, and one was a member of congress from this State. Six college graduates made teaching a profession, and have been emi- nently useful and successful. One is now the president of a thriving college in the west, with the honored title of D. D. One son of Windham became an able journalist and teacher, and was the founder of what is now the Boston Advertiser. Another devotes himself to writing sacred music, and is the author of one or more musical works. .
INDUSTRIAL HISTORY AND ILABITS OF THE EARLY SETTLERS.
The first habitations of the early settlers usually were log houses of one room, with stone chimneys, though there are instances
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HISTORY OF WINDHAM IN NEW HAMPSHIRE.
where individuals lived for a long time in "dug-outs." The latter were made by literally burrowing into the side of a hill, and then stoning or boarding up the cavern, leaving only a place of entrance. In this manner, John Archibald commenced to live on the W. H. Armstrong place, and William McKeen on the MeKeen farm.
Stone houses were occasionally built, as they served as protec- tion against the Indians. Such was the house of "Daddy " John Dinsmoor, who settled on the Hopkins farm, near the Derry line, in 1723. Such also was the house of a Mr. Hopkins, who lived east of the highway leading from Edwin O. Dinsmoor's to George W. Hanscom's, and where the ruins can still be seen. These houses were rude affairs and uncomfortable. It was a practice to locate, when possible, in the vicinity of a running brook or spring of water, as thus they would be supplied with water for them- selves and stock, and save the great expense of digging wells. The water thus available was carried to the house in pails, and in many families all the water for daily use was carried many rods, which was no light task. The good mothers often did their wash- ing at the nearest brook. This custom is shown forth by the " Rustic Bard," in one of his poems, and the allusion is to his " beloved Molly." As soon as they became able, wells were dug, and the water was drawn up with a pail hitched to a pole. As the settlement became older, the well-curb appeared with the old- fashioned "well-sweep,"
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