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 26
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John Dinsmoor, 1796, June 20, J. P. for county ; 1801, June 12; 1806, June 10; 1811, June 15.
Samuel Armor, 1798, June 10, J. P. for county ; 1803, June 10, J. P. for county ; 1808, June 7, J. P. for county ; 1813, May 8, J. P. for county ; 1818, May 15; 1823, March 24, J. P. for county ; 1823, Nov., Justice of the Quorum ; 1828, Aug. 5, Justice of the Quorum.
David Gregg, 2d, 1809, May 19; 1814, June 23.
John Hopkins, 1820, June 20; 1825, June 11; 1830, June 11.
Isaac MeGaw, 1821, Feb. 2; 1825, Dec. 2; 1830, Dec. 2; 1831, June 27, Quorum; 1836, June 11; 1841, June 12; 1846, June 17; moved to Merri- mack.
Jeremiah Morrison, 1831, June 27; 1836, June 11; 1841, June 12; 1846, June 17; 1851, June 27; 1856, June 24; 1860, June 19; died Nov. 24, 1862.
David Armstrong, 2d, 1832, June 21; 1837, June 14; 1842, June 14; 1847, JJnne 14 ; moved to Dracut, Mass.
Alexander Parks, Jr., 1834, June 26; 1839, June 21; 1844, June 20; 1819, June 22.
Justin Spear, 1834, July 1, moved to Massachusetts.
Alexander Gordon, 1836, Dec. 20; 1842, Jan. 17; 1847, Jan. 5; 1851, Dec. 13; died Sept. 28, 1863.
Robert Bartley, 1837, June 26; 1842, June 14; 1847, June 14; 1852, June 14; 1857, June 13; 1862, June 14; 1867, June 14; died 1867.
Christopher Morrison, 1841, June 12; 1846, June 17; 1851, July 4; 1852, May 21, Quo. ; 1857, May 15; died Jan. 17, 1859.
JUSTICES OF THE PEACE AND MILITARY APPOINTMENTS. 227
Ebenezer T. Abbott, 1842, JJune 24; 1847, June 22; 1852, June 13; died March 2, 1853.
Francis A. Marden, 1844, Dec. 23; 1819, Nov. 23; 1854, Sept. 29; 1859, Sept. 23; 1864, Sept. 22; moved to Hudson.
Samuel W. Simpson, 1816, Sept. 28; 1851, Aug. 4; 1856, June 24.
Giles Merrill, 1849, July 6: 1854, June 21.
Jonathan Parker, 1851, June 27.
James C. Steele, 1853, July 1; 1858, June 18; 1863, June 13.
Robert B. Jackson. 1857, June 30; 1862, June 14.
Geo. W. Weston, 1860, July 3; 1865, July 1, State; 1870, July 1, moved to Exeter.
Edward Titcomb, 1862, May 16
Thos. W. Simpson, 1862, July 2; 1867, July 2; 1872, June 20; 1877, June 19.
Jos. P. Crowell, 1862, July 2; 1867, July 2; 1872, Dee. 3, State; 1878. June 4.
Benj. H. Hughes, 1864, Dec. 13.
Benj. E. Blanchard, 1865, July 16; 1871, Nov. 7, State; 1877, Feb. 24.
Daniel N. Russ, 1867, April 25.
Rei Hills, 1869, June 9, Quo. : 1874, May 19.
Leonard A. Morrison, 1869. June 9; 1875, June 15, Quo. ; 1880, June 9, State.
Benj. O. Simpson, 1870, May 31.
John W. Sherry, 1872, May 6.
Simeon D. York, 1870, April 28.
Wm. C. Harris, 1874, Jan. 7; 1879, April 11.
Miner G. Frye, 1878, Jan. 15, State.
CORONERS.
John Morison, 1786, Feb. 13, coroner for the county.
James Cochran, 1794, Feb. 10, coroner for the county ; acted till 1822.
MILITARY APPOINTMENTS AND MILITARY OFFICERS, FROM 1764 TO 1883.
The first company of militia formed in Windham, was as early as 1775, and probably in that year. (See Revolutionary his- tory.) The military titles of many will be found attached to their names in the list of town officers, as copied from the town records. (See list of town officers.) These titles were obtained either in army service, in the regular militia companies, or in the training bands.
The names of all known officers, prior to 1815, are given, which is only a fragmentary list, and such as could be gathered by tradi- tion, and by names on the muster roll of first military company. No appointments in the militia can be found in the Adjutant General's office at Concord, till 1815. The records have been carefully examined, from that date, and a full list as found there is here given. Undoubtedly there were other officers in town, of whom there is no record.
OFFICERS OF TIIE FIRST MILITARY COMPANY, 1775.
James Gilmore, Capt.
Robert Dinsmoor, Sr., Lient. (son of Emigrant John Dinsmoor).
228.
HISTORY OF WINDHAM IN NEW HAMPSHIRE.
John Morison, 1st Sergt. David Gregg, Jr., 2d Sergt.
Benjamin Thom, 3d Sergt. James Davidson, 4th Sergt.
Robert Dinsmoor, Jr., Fifer ("Rustic Bard ").
John Cochran became captain, and commanded many years. William Dinsmoor (father of Elder Governor Dinsmoor) was lieutenant-colonel of the alarm list in the Revolution. James Dinsmoor was captain of the 5th company in the 8th regiment, in 1802.
Samuel Anderson, Ensign May 15, 1812; vacated Sept. 17, 1816.
James Anderson, Cornet June 21, 1821; Lieut. May 24, 1822; Capt. April 7, 1823; dis. Ang. 11, 1825.
David Armstrong, Lieut. March 12. 1824; Capt. Feb. 6, 1826.
James M. Blaisdell, Lieut. March 4, 1837; Capt. April 28, 1839; dis. Feb. 29, 1840.
William Campbell, Lient. June 23, 1818; Capt. Jan. 15, 1821 ; dis. April 30, 1822.
Robert M. Campbell, Ens. May 2, 1822; Capt. March 16, 1826; dis. April, 1827.
David Campbell, 2d, Ens. April 4, 1827.
John Campbell, Lient. April 6, 1838; Capt. Feb. 16, 1839; Lient .- Col. June 24, 1842.
Samnel Campbell, 2d, Lient. Sept. 23, 1841; Capt. March 22, 1842.
John Cochran, Capt. ; succeeded Joseph Park, 1811.
Isaac Cochran, Ens. June 24, 1819; Capt. April 6, 1831; dis. April 11, 1832.
Isaac P. Cochran, Cornet, April 7, 1829; Lient. April 16, 1830.
Henry C. Crowell, Cornet, April 16, 1830; 2d Lient. April 6, 1831.
William Davidson, Lient. June 24 1819; Capt. Feb. 18, 1822; dis. March 11, 1824.
John T. G. Dinsmoor, Lient. Feb. 6, 1826; Capt. March 25, 1828; dis. Sept. 27, 1830.
John Dinsmoor, 2d, Lient. April 4, 1827; Capt. June 22, 1829 ; dis. March 31, 1830.
Simeon Dustin, Lieut. Jan. 18, 1823; Capt. July 11, 1825; dis. March 20, 1827.
Obadiah Dustin, Lieut. March 26, 1846; Capt. March 30, 1848; dis. April 14, 1851.
James Gilmore was commissioned as Ensign May 7, 1764, by Gov. Benning Wentworth, in 7th company, 8th regiment, militia. May 10, 1770, was commissioned as Lieut. in same company, by Gov. John Went- worth. Sept. 5, 1775, he was commissioned Capt. of the 3d com- pany, 8th regiment, by the Congress of the Colony of N. H. He was appointed Major of the 2d battalion of 8th regiment. March 25, 1785, he received a Colonel's commission from the State of N. HI.
Alexander Graham was Lieut. in Col. Matthew Thornton's regiment in 1776.
David Gregg was a Lieut. after the Revolution.
Phinchas Haseltine, Lieut. Ang. 23, 1815 ; Capt. June 24, 1815.
John Haseltine, Lient. April 9, 1834; Capt. Aug 6, 1834.
Isaiah W. Haseltine, Lient. April 29, 1813; vac. Dec. 20, 1845.
John Ilills, Lient. Feb. 20, 1832; Capt. April 9, 1834; dis. Dec. 4. 1834.
Rei Hills, Ens. May 14, 1844; Capt. March 26, 1846; dis. March 30, 1848. Perkins A. Hodge, Q. M. Ang. 9, 1823; Adj. July 17, 1826.
Robert J. Hopkins, Lieut. May 11, 1853; Capt. Jan. 12. 1855.
Barnet Hughes, Lient. JJune 5, 1835; Capt. March 4, 1837; Maj. June 9, 1838.
John M. Johnson, Ens. April 6, 1841. (?)
229
MILITARY APPOINTMENTS SINCE 1764.
David G. Johnson, Lieut. April 8, 1839; Capt. Feb. 29, 1840; dis. April 26, 1841.
John MeCleary succeeded Capt. James Dinsmoor in 1802; served till 1805.
David B. MeCleary, Lieut. Sept. 5, 1840; Capt. April 1, 1842; dis. Dec. 14, 1843. ( ? )
Lieut. Samuel Morison was commissioned as Ist Lient. in Col. Bayley's regiment June 5, 1760, by Gov. T. Hutchinson, of the Province of Massachusetts Bay.
Samuel Morrison (grandson of the above) was appointed Paymaster Sept. 18, 1820.
Thomas Nesmith, app. Capt. AAng. 25, 1815; Major June 25, 1819; Col. June 20, 1820.
John Nesmith, Paymaster Aug. 20, 1819; aid to Brig .- Gen. William Mont- gomery, Ang. 7, 1820: vac. Aug. 14, 1821.
Jacob M. Nesmith, Major June 20, 1815; Col. June 19, 1817 ; res. June 18, 1819.
James W. Nesmith, Capt. June 3, 1836; Adj. Oct. 28, 1831; Col. July 1, 1834; vac. June 3, 1836.
Joseph Park was com. Capt. of 5th company. 8th regiment, Sept. 2, 1805 ; res. Dee. 8, 1812.
Alexander Park, Adj. Aug. 31, 1819; Maj. June 16, 1823; subsequently was com. as Lient .- Col.
John N. Park, Ensign Feb. 29, 1840; Lieut. April 26, 1841.
James W. Perkins, Surgeon's Mate April 7, 1823.
Abraham Reid was Lient. in July 1775.
John H. Senter, Ensign April 29, 1843; vae. April, 1844.
William Simpson, Lieut. April 9, 1834; Capt. Feb. 15, 1835; dis. Jan. 7, 1837,
Thomas W, Simpson, Lieut. Sept. 2, 1842; Capt. April 29, 1843; dis. March 26, 1846.
Alvah O. Simpson, Lient. April 14, 1851; Ensign March 30, 1848.
William P. Simpson, Ensign May 11, 1853; Lient. Jan. 12, 1855.
David P. Snelling, Capt. April 14, 1851; Lieut .- Col. Jan. 12, 1855. Dr. Milton Ward, Surgeon's Mate Oct. 8, 1823.
Simon Wilson, Lieut. Feb. 29, 1840; Capt. April 26, 1841.
Jolin B. Wilson, 2d Lieut. March 22, 1842.
IN THE WAR OF THE REBELLION.
William H. McConnihe, commissioned as Licut. Co. C, 13th regiment, Feb. 20, 1863.
Jesse C. Crowell, Corp. Ist regiment heavy artillery.
Horace W. Hunt, Corp. 7th regiment.
John G. Bradford, Sergt. 13th regiment.
Henry W. Chellis, Corp. 13th regiment.
Seth N. Huntley, Sergt. 13th regiment.
David Sullivan, Segt. 4th regiment.
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HISTORY OF WINDHAM IN NEW HAMPSHIRE.
CHAPTER XXIII.
OLD CELLARS FOUND IN WINDHAM, N. H.
THIS list embraces many of the old cellars in town, over which were the dwellings of the early residents, members of by-gone generations.
In L. A. Morrison's sheep pasture, northwest of the John Kelley farm, is the old cellar of William Dickey.
A few rods east of the highway leading from E. O. Dinsmoor's to Olin Parker's, near the line wall between these men, is an old Hopkins cellar. Here was a stone-house, one of the earliest reared in town.
Farther west on the highway, a few rods northwest of the same, and northeast of G. W. Hanscom's house, is a depression in the ground. There stood the house of William Dinsmoor, and there the Elder Gov- ernor Samuel Dinsmoor was born.
In the pasture of William D. Cochran, northwest of the arched bridge, was the William Duty orchard and farm, and there his house stood, and he was the last occupant. He afterwards lived many years in Salem.
While Bill Duty lived in Windham, Caleb Balch, Jr., went one morning to his neighbor's, Capt. James Cochran, knocked at the door, and in- quired if Mr. C. was at home. He was told that he was at duties, mean- ing that he was engaged in family prayer. The inquirer was much dis- appointed, and petulantly inquired, " What has he gone to Duty's arter ?" That closed the scene.
Samuel, son of Robert Hemphill, began his farm on the top of Pine Hill, and commenced the ercetion of his buildings, but never completed them. He died soon after "leaving that rocky mount." His oldest brother, Joseph, who was the first settler in Acworth, years afterwards, was viewing the spot, and exclaimed, " It was tempting Providence to ask a living on such a place."
Alexander Stuart's cellar is in the woods east of the school-house, in District No. 7.
John Stuart's cellar is in A. A. Morrison's pasture in the Range.
Robert Stuart's cellar is in Salem, at the corner of the highways, one leading from Windham, past the end of Policy Pond, and the other lead- ing from that road past the Israel Woodbury farm to the turnpike.
William Thom's, now filled up, was on the opposite side of the highway from J. W. Dinsmoor's house.
Dea. Gawen Armor's is opposite the Abbot house in the Range.
Dr. Isaac C. Thom's is in the Isaiah W. Haseltine's pasture, on Senter's Hill, east of the highway.
Halbert Morison's, or John Morrow's, one and the same, is on Senter's Hill, south of the Senter house, on the west side of the highway.
David Smiley's cellar, southwest of the Senter house, near Cobbett's Pond.
William Smiley's cellar, southeast of the Senter house, near the top of Spear Hill.
Thomas Quigley's cellar is supposed to be the one in the field northeast. of the Copp house on Cemetery Hill.
Henry Downing's cellar is on Copp's Hill, on the old highway which led from the Copp house to Isaac Emerson's.
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OLD CELLARS FOUND IN WINDHAM, N. H.
William Bolton's cellar was near Downing's.
Adamı Templeton's cellar is in close proximity to the house of Robert Simpson.
Daniel Mellvaine's cellar is in the woods, one fourth of a mile east of Robert Simpson's house.
Cross cellar, not very far distant from the latter.
Joseph Corliss' cellar, at the corner of the road leading from Windham to the Richard Woodbury farm in Salem.
Joseph Corliss' cellar, south of No. 7 school-house.
William Duston's cellar, a few rods from Corliss cellar, in No. 7. The house was taken down and removed to Derry, and is still standing. It is the first house north of the Shields house, and there Dnston died.
Sargent's cellar, between the Fletcher corner and George Simpson's cellar.
Ashman's cellar is at Bissell's Camp, cast of highway.
George Simpson's cellar, east of the highway from Fletcher's corner to T. W. Simpson's mill.
Samuel Senter's cellar, at the top of the hill, southeast of Neal's mills, once in the mill yard.
Robert Smith's cellar (also Alexander Dunlap's), between the cause- way across Simpson's mill-pond, and the Robert Simpson cellar.
Robert Simpson's cellar, near Simpson's canseway. House lost by fire, 1864.
Ellenwood's cellar, at the corner of the roads, between J. L. Cottle's and S. W. Simpson's.
Carter's cellar, at the corner, or near the road leading from the James Noyes farm on the plains, to C. W. Campbell's. Carter onee owned the Noyes farm.
Galt's cellar. a few rods south of C. W. Campbell's, on the road to the plains.
David Gregg's cellar (the first settler), at the top of the hill, on the highway leading to Butler's mills. from C. W. Campbell's.
Dea. David Gregg's cellar, on the west side of the highway, a few rods south of C. E. Buttrick's.
George Williams' cellar, on an old path which once led from C. E. But- trick's house, through the woods, to the plains.
Joseph Taylor's cellar is also in that vicinity.
Near Beaver Brook and Pelham line, is an old cellar with two large wil- lows standing near. There is where George Davidson lived, who was run over by his loaded team and killed, nearly a century ago.
On the south side of the old and now discontinued Bridle-road, leading to Iludson, near the middle gate, is the old cellar of James Smith, a Scotch- Irish emigrant, and grandfather of Charles Smith, of Lawrence, and of Mrs. Senator James W. Patterson.
James Moreland lived opposite the house of D. M. Thom in what is now Salem.
Major Nathaniel Gorrill lived at the Elder Scott, or Bartlett, farm, in what is now Salem.
James MeLaughlin lived on the north side of the highway, about seventy rods east of the late Francis Smiley Smith's, in Salem.
Nathaniel Hemphill's cellar, is west of the highway, south of the Giles Merrill house.
John Hughes's, under the spreading elm, opposite B. H. Hughes's.
Joseph Clyde's, a few rods northeast of the present house, and near the highway.
Todd cellar, east of the highway, near the James W. Smith farm.
There are other old cellars which are sufficiently alluded to in the History of Laying out of Lands, or Early Settlements, or in the History of Families.
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HISTORY OF WINDHAM IN NEW HAMPSHIRE.
CHAPTER XXIV.
THE WINDHAM FARMERS' MUTUAL FIRE INSURANCE COMPANY. - DE- BATING SOCIETIES, OR LYCEUMS. - WINDHAM SOCIETY FOR THE REFORMATION OF MORALS. - FEMALE BENEVOLENT SEWING AND MORAL-REFORM SOCIETY, 1848.
THE Windham Farmers' Mutual Fire Insurance Company was. organized Nov. 4, 1856. A constitution and a code of by-laws were adopted. Twenty-two persons were then members, and the company elected the following officers Dec. 1, 1856, and was in working order : -
Dr. S. D. York, president; Dr. Ira Weston, secretary and treasurer; James Armstrong. Theodore Dinsmoor, and John Hills were chosen direc- tors ; Loren Thayer and Samuel W. Simpson, auditors.
No policies were to be issued till applications were received to the amount of $40,000. This amount was soon reached, and Jan. 30, 1857, the policies went into effect. For a number of years the affairs of the company were in a flourishing condition. The losses were few, the assessments were light, and the members were satisfied. But the tide turned, losses came in quick succes- sion, and the company became involved in a lawsuit, on account of an over-insurance of a set of buildings which were destroyed by fire, and succeeded in getting the amount reduced.
But it was a rope of sand that held the company together. Its constitution and regulations contained some glaring defects, not discoverable till the stress and strain of controversy revealed them. So it was decided to close up the affairs of the company ; and after an existence of twenty years, at 9 o'clock, r. M., Dec. 12, 1876, the policies of the members of the company were can- celled, and the company ceased to exist.
DEBATING SOCIETIES, OR LYCEUMS.
The earliest society of this nature dates back forty or more years. This and kindred societies in town have been instituted for the intellectual entertainment and improvement of our citi- zens. They had their corps of officers elected for longer or shorter intervals, but usually for four weeks. The meetings in late years were once in two weeks, and took place in the old meeting house, or in different school-rooms, or in Bartley's Hall.
933
SOCIETY FOR THE REFORMATION OF MORALS.
This was in the old hall, which was subsequently consumed by fire. The exercises consisted of declamations, a paper usually edited by some lady member being read, and a discussion of some subject of general interest to its members.
Early societies were carried on by the active men of the town. There was a great deal of interest manifested in the lyceum between 1853 and 1860. Often the subjects discussed were po- litical topics, and many of the debates were able, interesting, and instructive. The andienees were usually good, sometimes large, and they were usually entertained. For quite a number of years there was in town a plenty of young men who could cou- duct the lyceum successfully. The interest has died out largely, and there has been no debating society in town for several years. From memory, and from information from others, I am able to give some of the names of those who in different years were active members of these organizations. Some of them were not natives, but were teachers in town at the time.
Rev. Samuel Harris. Jacob Harris. Samuel Campbell.
Robert B. Jackson. Samuel W. Simpson.
William C. Harris.
(Gen.) A. F. Stevens (teacher).
Aaron P. Hughes.
Aaron Sawyer (teacher).
Samuel Morrison.
Robert P. Morrison.
Charles Cochran.
W. D. Cochran.
Rufus Morrison.
James Whittaker.
Christopher M. Morrison.
Edward P. Morrison. Dr. S. D. York. John L. Hardy. Dr. Henry S. Davis.
Dr. Ira Weston. Jonathan Parker.
Leonard A. Morrison.
John H. Dinsmore.
WINDHAM SOCIETY FOR THE REFORMATION OF MORALS.
In the spring of 1815, this organization began, and on April 3 of that year it elected its first board of officers. The object of the society " was the suppression of immorality of every description," and "to correct existing immoralities, or any customs and prac- tices which have an immoral tendency." Its members agreed "to refrain from offering ardent spirits in ordinary cases, at funerals, which may take place at our homes, agreeably to the advice and recommendation of the Presbytery." They agreed to keep a "constant watch " over themselves, "to shun every vicious prac- tice, and to be patterns of good morality."
It was the duty of members to exert their influence to suppress " Sabbath-breaking, intemperance, profaneness, falsehood, and in- justice; to endeavor to reclaim the immoral by friendly admoni- tion; to aid Tytheing Men, and all civil officers in the execution of the laws; and finally, to encourage the rising generation in a constant attendance on public worship, and in habits of sobriety, morality, and industry."
This was the general character of the articles of the constitution of the society. The first board of officers were, Rev. Samuel
16
.
234
HISTORY OF WINDHAM IN NEW HAMPSHIRE.
Harris, president ; Dea. Robert Dinsmoor ("Rustie Bard "), secre- tary ; Dea. William Davidson, treasurer, and an executive com- mittee of four persons. Among their resolutions is the following in respect to intemperance : -
"Resolved, That we will watch over ourselves and guard against every appearance of this great evil, and that we will endeavor, so far as we can consistently with performing the duties incumbent on ns, to keep out of the way of temptation to this sin; and that we will strive by instruction, advice, and restraint to guard our families against this most destructive vice."
Their resolutions were equally positive for the right upon other subjects.
Oct. 23, 1815, " Voted that the money now in the treasury be laid out to purchase primers and religious tracts to be distributed to children through the town, to encourage them to learn the Catechism."
In April, 1816, they resolved unanimously " to use onr influence to promote the reading of the Scriptures and other religious books in the meeting-house a reasonable part of the time of intermission of public service, on Lord's day, by young men and others who may please to attend to it."
If the spirits of the departed could look down upon those who were dear to them here, and be cognizant of the customs between services in these days at meeting, they might not think them strictly in harmony with their resolutions.
In 1816, the executive committee reported "their belief that the state of society was gradually improving ; that the open prof- anation of the Lord's day and other vices do not abound to so great a degree as they have done heretofore "; that there was " more of a disposition to hear religions instruction, and a greater degree of solemnity in our public assemblies than in years past," and they recognized with satisfaction the formation of female reading societies, and the attention that is paid to reading the Holy Scriptures and other religions books in the intermission on the Sabbath. They were "pleased to learn that in many of the schools much attention is paid to catechetical instruction, and that many of the children are in the habit of committing to memory and reciting passages of Scripture from time to time." But they were not satisfied with the result of their labors, and say, "Still, there are many things to be deplored and deeply lamented. Ini- quity now abounds to an alarming degree ; many profane the Holy Sabbath ; many profane the great and venerable name of Jehovah ; some even in childhood are addicted to the use of profane lan- guage ; some are apparently ruining themselves by an intemperate .
use of ardent spirits. . . We greatly regret that so many in- dividuals among us neglect the public worship of God, and that family worship is so much neglected." Upon the history of this society, after 1817, no light comes.
I have copied copiously from its records, as they throw a flood
235
LADIES' BENEVOLENT SOCIETY.
of light upon the customs of society in this town, upon its im- moralities and sins, and also shows the motives of good men, and the correct sentiments of their resolutions of nearly three fourths of a century ago. These sentiments of right and justice, of purity, of goodness and truth, of temperance, of love to God the Father and love to men his children, which animated their hearts, are still working powerfully in the hearts of men. They are linking together all tribes and classes and conditions of men by the strong ties of a universal love and a universal brother- hood. They will continue to work, purifying, elevating, and regenerating mankind.
FEMALE BENEVOLENT SEWING AND MORAL-REFORM SOCIETY, 1841.
Oct. 5, 1841, this society was organized, and a board of officers elected. Its object was to aid benevolent objects. It met once a month, and the time occupied in each meeting was employed in working for these objects. Also, some person would read for a short time, for the entertainment and benefit of the members. Mrs. R. L. Cutler was the first chief manager. For various reasons the interest in this society did not continue to that extent as to make it a power in the community. Zeal in the work flagged after a time.
During these years, the Rev. Loren Thayer became pastor of the church. His companion, Mrs. Josephine Thayer, took a great deal of interest in the society, and infused new life and energy through the organization. It became a "sewing circle." The ladies belonging to the society would meet at the house of some member in the afternoon, once in two weeks, to sew, to knit, and manufacture various articles which could readily be turned into cash, or given to the needy. The gentlemen would be invited in the evening, and the time spent in social intercourse, in reading and singing. These meetings were participated in by a great part of the community, and were interesting, enjoyable, and beneficial. The gentlemen were expected to contribute yearly ; and indeed the intelligent portion of the community, those who would aid any good work, took an interest in this, became members, and lent a helping hand.
The society underwent some change, and the present Ladies' Benevolent Society was formed in 1850, and exists to-day in a flourishing condition. It has done a noble work, and under its auspices the whole community has rendered assistance. Poor families at home and in more distant places have been aided ; money has been given to "Foreign Missions." In 1857, $30 was contributed towards the first melodeon in the church. It made Rev. Loren Thayer a life-member of the Bible Society, in 1858.
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