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 28
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It greatly alarmed the inhabitants. The darkness was so great that men who had gone to their fields to work returned to their homes. Professor Williams, of Cambridge University, made a record at that time, from which I take extracts which coincide with the traditions of our "oldest inhabitant" as regards that day in Windham : -
" This extraordinary darkness came on between the hours of 10 and 11 A. M., and continued till the middle of the next night. It was so great, that people were unable to read common print, determine the time of day by clocks or watches, dine, or manage their domestic concerns, without light of candles. The prospect was extremely dull and gloomy. Candles were lighted in the honses ; the birds disappeared and became silent ; the fowls retired to roost ; the cocks crowed as at daybreak ; objects could not be distinguished except at a very little distance ; and every- thing bore the appearance and gloom of night.
" The darkness extended all over the New England States. To the westward, it extended to the farthest part of Connecticut and Albany; to the southward, all along the sea-coast ; and to the northward, as far as our settlements extended.
" The color of objects was worthy of remark. The complexion of the clouds was compounded of a faint red, yellow, and brown ; objeets which commonly appear green, were of the deepest green, verging to blue; and those which appear white, were highly tinged with yellow. Almost every object appeared to be tinged with yellow, rather than with any other color.
"Objects appeared to cast a shade in every direction, and there were several coruscations in the atmosphere, not unlike the
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THE GREAT MUSTER STORM, 1801 OR 1802.
aurora borealis, but no uncommon appearances of the electric fire."
THE WILLOW TREE, . 1780-82.
The willow tree at the Hopkins place, now owned by Michael Goodwin, near Mitchell's Pond, has a history. The tree is of immense proportions ; the largest part of the body has decayed, leaving a not over-thick shell shattered and broken. The inside of the shell is plainly visible. Strange as it may seem, young willows have sprung from the ground in the inside of the trunk, and thrust their vigorous and rapidly growing heads through the crevices in the shell of the old, but still living and vigorous tree. These young willows draw nourishment from the deeayed por- tions of the old tree, and have become so closely connected that they strengthen and sustain that which remains.
James Hopkins, who settled in Antrim in 1783, was in Salem, Mass., at least one hundred years ago, and cut a willow switch to urge forward his horse to Windham. When he arrived at his father's house, he stuck it into the ground, and it is now the im- mense tree whose history is given.
THE GREAT FROST, MAY 17, 1794.
The spring had been very forward, but on the above date occurred "the great frost," which destroyed the grain crop for the year.
THE GREAT MUSTER STORM OF 1801 OR 1802.
The training-field was on the " Fitz Hill," in Derry, and the Windham company was ordered to report on what is known as the " Ripley farm," on the Turnpike. The morning of Oct. 9 was very cloudy and dark, and during the forenoon it commenced to rain, which continued through the day, and constantly increased in violence. No one of the several companies gathered on the muster-field, and by four o'clock, P. M., all were dismissed. Many that started for their homes did not reach them that night. The roads became impassable from fallen trees. Major Gage of Pel- ham, commander of the second battalion, was glad to accept the hospitalities of James Cochran in East Windham, and other offi- cers and soldiers were quartered upon the people. The wind be- came a gale before morning, the rain crystallized into hail, sleet, and snow, board and rail fences were blown down, trees were uprooted, and great damage was done to buildings over a large extent of territory.
THE COLD FRIDAY, JAN. 19, 1810.
The evening before this day was mild and warm, and a shower with some lightning occurred about ten o'clock. The wind sud- denly commenced blowing from the northwest, and increased
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HISTORY OF WINDHAM IN NEW HAMPSHIRE.
almost to a hurricane, and raged with unabated fury for twenty- four hours. The gale was extensive, its damaging effects were felt in all parts of the country, and the cold was most intense.
SPOTTED FEVER, 1812.
This alarming disease first appeared in the spring of 1812, and prevailed to an alarming extent that spring, but subsided some- what during the warm weather. On the return of cold weather, it broke out afresh, but not with so much violence. Persons attacked with it would die in a few hours, and the disease was generally fatal. After this it prevailed for several years, but not extensively. Many persons died with this dreadful malady. From March 30 to April 13, 1812, sixteen persons died, three adults and thirteen children, thirteen persons having died with it in eight days.
FIRST WAGON, 1813.
Col. Thomas Nesmith brought the first wagon into town about the year 1813.
THE GREAT SEPTEMBER GALE OF 1815.
On Sept. 25, 1815, the greatest gale which had ever occurred in New England, swept from the sea-coast of Massachusetts over the southern part of New Hampshire. Such was its violence and strength, that the atmosphere was filled with the salt spray from the ocean. All kinds of fruit, apples, pears, and grapes were impregnated with the salt, and to as great an extent as if they had " been dipped in brine." Forests were laid low, and wind- rows of trees marked the track of the devastating hurricane. The morning was dark with clouds and rain, and the east wind momentarily increased. The gale commenced about noon, and the rain fell rapidly. Great damage was done in Windham, especially to the wood and timber. In the casterly part of the town, John Morrison's wood lot, near " the lane," was levelled to the ground. Robert Park's shared the same fate. The wind surged with loud mutterings through the great oaks in front of his house (now John A. Park's), but their wide-spread and rugged branches withstood the fury of the tempest. The long shed at his barn was blown over with a crash into the highway. Capt. James Dinsmoor's barn was blown over and destroyed. On another farm a shed connecting house and barn was carried back bodily into the field.
The barn of Alexander Wilson (near Bissell's Camp), like all barns of that time, had no front door, but the front was open, with bars or slabs rising some four feet from the ground, to keep the cattle from entering the barn. The gale entered the barn, lifted the roof upon the back side bodily some three feet, and then it was lowered gently as by the hands of men. Then came another
LIBERTY POLE AND FOURTH OF JULY CELEBRATION, 1815. 249
stiff blast, took one band of the roof upon the back side, and threw it over upon the ground bottom side up. Some two tons of Eng- lish hay was upon the scaffold beneath, which the whirlwind took and scattered in the field by the barn. A shed standing near the barn was laid over bodily upon its side, and thus exposed the grain in it to the drenching rain. One of Mr. Wilson's daughters came from the house, and was near the large button-wood tree front of the house, when the wind took her in its loving embrace and carried her back through the open door into the house.
The next day after the gale many trees fell to the ground which had been only partially blown over. For another incident, see Peter Duston's sketch. (See Duston family.) Buildings were unroofed in other parts of the town, trees blown into the high- way, and travelling obstructed.
THE LIBERTY POLE AND FOURTH OF JULY CELEBRATION, 1815.
The United States had for three years been at war with Great Britain. This was intensely unpopular in New England, and in Windham, it was said, only two men favored it. It was carried forward to its termination, a treaty of peace was signed at Ghent, Dec. 24, 1814, and the treaty was wholly silent upon the subjects for which the war had been professedly declared.
It was a joyous time when the bright day of peace dawned upon the nation, after the long agony and suffering of the war. Unreasonable partisan feeling died away, and all participated in the general rejoicing over the return of peace. In consequence of this harmonious state of feeling, the citizens of Windham thought it proper to celebrate the day that gave our country a right to be counted with the independent nations of the world. Many of the veterans of the Revolution were then living, were active and stirring men, and participated gladly in the work of preparation, and in the celebration of the day.
It was decided to erect a liberty pole and have a public dinner on the Fourth of July. A large and stately white pine tree was cut in " the hollow glen," and from it a pole was made, seventy feet in length. On the Fourth of July it was erected at Wind- ham Centre on a timber cross-framed, weighted with large stones, and from it floated the glorious star-flag of the republic. The people were united, a fine dinner was prepared by Robert Clark, and a large company was seated at the table. This was in the days of " free rum," and a great quantity was drank during the two hours the company was dining. And if the unpleasant truth must be told, many of the company were in an intoxicated con- dition when the hour arrived for starting for their homes. This beautiful liberty pole was blown down and destroyed in the great gale of the following 25th of September.
"POVERTY YEAR," 1816.
The year 1816 was long known as " Poverty Year." It was a remarkably cold year. The season for growing crops was " short
17
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HISTORY OF WINDHAM IN NEW HAMPSHIRE.
at both ends." The late frosts of the spring and the early frosts of the autumn made the corn crop a total failure. This was very severe for our farmers, as there was no West with overloaded granaries to supply our wants; neither did railroads exist then, to span the continent and bring grain to our doors. Of spring grain there was a medium crop, while the potatoes were good and the apples plenty. In some parts of New Hampshire, snow fell several inches in depth in June, and in September the corn froze to the centre of the cob, and the apples froze upon the trees.
SABBATII-BREAKING IN 1818.
This year, Samuel Armor, as treasurer of the town, received four dollars for four " breches of the Sabbath."
GREAT GALE, SEPT. 9, 1821.
It was not unlike the gale of Sept. 25, 1815, and did nearly as much damage. Forests were levelled, and buildings blown down, one of which was John Morison's cider mill in the east part of the town. It was located near the Range highway, on the east- erly side, in the pasture of Albert A. Morrison, and nearly oppo- site the willow tree, -that old landmark of a century.
This chapter has chronicled some of the events of interest during the first one hundred years of the existence of this settle- ment. It has noted the experiences, and marked some innova- tions and improvements in the ways of life of our predecessors. These changes were but stepping-stones to greater and more radical ones. They were the precursor of the most notable advancement in the modes of life of this people, of radical changes in their ways of thinking, and also the startling events of national significance by which they were to be affected, and in which they were to be actors, within the following sixty years.
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BISSELL AND BISSELL'S CAMP, MAY, 1823.
CHAPTER XXVII.
BISSELL AND BISSELL'S CAMP, MAY, 1823. - VISIT OF LAFAYETTE, 1824. - FOURTH OF JULY CELEBRATION, 1825. - THE FIRST COOKING- STOVE, 1828. - SHOWER OF STARS, NOV. 13, 1833. - TORNADO OF AUG. 11, 1856. - GRANITE QUARRY. 1857. - THIE FOURTH OF JULY, 1862. - DEDICATION OF THE TOWN HALL OF WINDHAM, SEPT. 22, 1868. - SPEECH OF GEO. W. WESTON, ESQ. - ADDRESS OF WM. C. HARRIS, ESQ. - ADDRESS OF NATHANIEL HILLS, ESQ. - LONDON- DERRY CELEBRATION, JUNE 10, 1869. - DEDICATION OF NESMITH LIBRARY, JUNE 21, 1871. - DEDICATION OF UNION HALL, WEST WINDHAM, NOV. 27, 1880. - THE DEATH OF PRESIDENT GARFIELD. -A DAY OF DARKNESS, SEPT. 6, 1881. - SINGULAR APPEARANCE IN THE HEAVENS ON THE EVENING OF SEPT. 11, 1881. - REMARKABLE THUNDER SHOWER, SEPT. 24, 1881.
AT the age of eighteen or nineteen, F. L. Bissell came to Windham, in the month of May, 1823. He was a Malay or East- Indian, a native of the isle of Sumatra, and came to this country in early life. He had a good English education, and was heir to a large estate, which was in the hands of a trustee or guardian, whose name was White, of Salem, Mass. When he came to Windham he was accompanied by a man by the name of Major Dudley, a teacher of military tactics. They selected a spot and built a camp with pine boughs, with a stone fire-place. This camp was founded on a rock, which was but little higher than the ground around it. It was soon supplied with all kinds of the best liquors, and with such food as was suitable for camp life.
The next movement was the purchase of guns, pistols, swords, dirks, etc., also fishing gear and several dogs, all of which were of the most costly kind. Thus equipped, he, with his friend, Major Dudley, and two or three others, were ready for fishing at Mitchell's Pond, and for hunting wild game through the woods on each side of the brook that runs easterly from Mitchell's Pond. They went into it with a keen relish, and from that time forward the yelping of hounds and the crack of the gun made music for the whole neighborhood. The novelty of the place and the odor of rum induced a great many people to visit Bissell's camp.
Bissell evidently did not intend stopping long when he went there, but the attractions of the place drew so much company that he thought it best to stay, and change in some measure what appeared to be a savage course of life, and take steps towards civilization. Therefore, the brush camp was torn down, and a
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HISTORY OF WINDHAM IN NEW HAMPSHIRE.
log house built in its place. The house contained two rooms and a hall across the west end of the building; the inside of the house was finished in the most elaborate manner, the walls painted or frescoed with pictures of East-Indian scenes, but the outside left in the worst condition possible. A stable was next built, then horses and carriages were bought, quite a number of each ; in fact, he used money as though it were not worth having. In proof of this, an incident will be related. He with another took a ride through the adjoining town of Salem; passing a farm-house, he saw a flock of geese, and having his shot-gun with him, he raised it and fired into their midst, killing and wounding several. He then ordered his driver to stop, and having found the owner of the geese, stated to him what he had done, and asked what he must pay for the shot. The sum (not a small one) was quickly named, and quickly paid by the sportsman, who then went on his way rejoicing.
Bissell was very fortunate in locating his camp, for the woodland which extended westward from his camp, on both sides of the brook to Mitchell's Pond, was formerly the greatest place for game that could be found. It was the home of owls, hawks, crows, and pigeons, also of foxes, raccoons, woodchucks, mink, . and squirrels.
Thus passed the first year of his camp life. He afterwards made additions to his house and stables, erected a large summer- house, prepared an artificial pond, and stocked it with gold and silver fish. And so he went on for three or four years, till the money that he thought was lying back for his benefit was exhausted, or withheld from his use by his guardian or trustee. In the mean time he had contracted many debts, and his creditors were not slow in attaching his goods when the proper time came. They by due process of law took possession of all his personal estate. His financial embarrassment was the cause of his imme- diate departure from the place. He left these parts, and his sub- sequent history is unknown to the writer.
F. L. Bissell was a good penman, and he embellished his writing very much by using (apparently) gold-dust instead of black sand, as blotting material.
After Bissell's departure, the premises were used, several years, as a kind of hotel, which was principally patronized by the thousands that were attracted by its romantic situation, and who were generally too thirsty to go away without seeing the inside of one particular room, where intoxicants were dealt out.
The first keeper of this hotel was a man by the name of Robin- son, the next was Daniel Hunt, and the third was one Ferguson, neither of whom remained more than two or three years.
All the glory and attractions of "Bissell's camp" passed rapidly away, after the hasty leave of its founder. The buildings remained, and passed into the hands of one who was a manufac- turer of choice lace, which was then a remunerative business.
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VISIT OF LAFAYETTE, 1824-25.
Some ten or twelve persons were employed in that business for several years.
The factory was torn down; the log camp was demolished about 1865. The lattice-made well-house still exists; the artiti- cial pond is still there; and there are other ruinous evidences to remind the visitor of the places where the buildings stood. But " the pomp and circumstance" of its early state are gone forever.
VISIT OF LAFAYETTE, 1824-25.
In the summer of 1824, the Marquis De La Fayette, the friend and ally of America during the Revolutionary struggle, landed on American soil. His presence caused the greatest expressions of joy in the nation. His visit lasted nearly a year, during which he visited each of the then twenty-four States, and was received with general rejoicings.
In June, 1825, he was received by the Legislature of New Hampshire, and a great feast was prepared in the State-house yard for the guest; and there he grasped cordially the hands of the members. Jeremiah Morrison, the representative of Windham, had the pleasure of grasping the hand of the war-worn veteran for human rights.
On his way to Concord, from Massachusetts, he passed through Windham, over the turnpike. A flag waved from a very tall tree on the hill northwest of Abel Dow's house, and many of the people assembled near Brown's mill to see him as he passed.
FOURTH OF JULY CELEBRATION, 1825.
A beautiful booth was constructed on the Common, front of the "old meeting-house," about one hundred feet long, and wide enough for a table, with seats upon either side, capable of seating some two hundred people. The booth was built of small, green, and untrimmed birch trees, of suitable length, for the tops to be bent over and intertwined, thus forming a canopy. The limbs, upon the sides, were cunningly braided in. It stood end to the street. The forenoon of the day was rainy, but the weather cleared about noon, and the people came in goodly numbers by one o'clock, when an oration was delivered in the meeting-house by Isaac MeGaw, Esq. A procession was then formed, under command of Perkins A. Hodge, marshal of the day; and after marching around the common, filed into the tent, completely filling the seats. Samuel Armor, Esq., was seated at the head of the table, and acted as toast-master. Speeches were made after the dinner, and many from the adjoining towns were present. It was an enjoyable and profitable occasion.
THE FIRST COOKING-STOVE, 1828.
This was purchased by Theodore Dinsmoor of Christopher Morrison, then a trader in North Salem, about 1828. It was not
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HISTORY OF WINDHAM IN NEW HAMPSHIRE.
satisfactory to him; was returned to the store, and re-sold to Dea. Jonathan Cochran, by whom it was used till his removal from town, not far from 1842.
Stoves for warming buildings had been in use in town for many years, among the first of which was in the meeting-house, now the town hall. The procuring of these stoves was strenu- ously opposed by many, and one of the strongest arguments against it was that persons sitting in a warm room during services, and then going out-doors, would surely "catch their death of cold."
SHOWER OF STARS, NOV. 13, 1833.
One of the most remarkable showers of stars ever seen by the inhabitants of Windham was Nov. 13, 1833. The grand display of the heavenly fire-works commenced a short time before day- break. Each star resembled any falling star which can be seen of a winter's night. But it was the immense number of these meteors, falling in all directions, at almost the same moment, which made the scene remarkable and beautiful.
DESTRUCTION OF R. B. JACKSON'S HOUSE, AUG. 11, 1856.
On this day a tornado, quick and wild in its operation, passed through the southerly part of the town, destroying the dwelling- house of Robert B. Jackson, at Fessenden's, now Neal's, mills. The house was a story and a half one, some sixteen by forty feet, and occupied by Mr. Jackson, his wife and two daughters, one eight years of age and the other four.
The cloud, as it appeared in the distance, was tunnel-shaped, and was whirling with great velocity, accompanied by a heavy rumbling noise, like a swiftly moving train of cars. It struck the house, dashed in the windows, raised the whole structure some four feet from the ground, and hurled it, roof downwards, from forty to forty-five feet from the eminence on which it stood, into the declivity below, thoroughly demolishing the house and almost every article of furniture it contained. The wreck covered a space some forty by eighty feet.
When the gale struck the house, the family were prostrated and carried amidst the falling timbers and debris of the house forty feet, but escaped with their lives; neither were they seriously injured, though the oldest daughter of Mr. Jackson had an arm broken.
GRANITE QUARRY, 1857.
The town abounds in granite, and the building of the Manches- ter and Lawrence Railroad developed a quarry in the east side of the town, from which the split granite was procured to build the "arched bridge" and another bridge in its immediate vicinity. It was then in possession of Rei Hills. It afterwards was owned, in company, by Jeremiah and Christopher Morrison, and
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DEDICATION OF THE TOWN HALL, SEPT. 22, 1868.
William A. and Isaiah Dinsmoor. These parties then sold the traet of fifty acres, from which the wood had been removed, April 23, 1857, to John Cole, of Lawrence, Mass., who immedi- ately commenced operations for the further development of the quarry. The succeeding spring and summer he put in a side track from the Manchester and Lawrence Railroad, grading for quite a distance, till they came to a ravine or marshy tract of land which intervened before the quarry was reached. Across this a wooden bridge was built, and operations for entting stone soon commenced. On May 15, 1858, Cole sold a third interest to Abner N. Whittaker, and another third to Samuel Fecham, of Lawrence, Mass. Business was carried on for two or three years ; but the business depression of those years, and other causes, prevented a proper remuneration, and it was discontinued. The property finally fell entirely into the hands of Samnel Fecham, who sold the same to William D. Cochran, Sept. 3, 1873.
THE FOURTH OF JULY, 1862.
Other town celebrations have occurred on the anniversary of our independence. The last celebration of the day in town of impor- tance occurred during the days of the great rebellion, July 4, 1862. The hearts of our people were deeply loyal to the National government. The government and liberty had a deeper meaning than ever before. The flag was the type and representative of the Nation, the symbol of its power and glory, the token of its liberty, the harbinger of our hopes, and the emblem of glorious and final victory over slavery, treason, and rebellion. Such being the feeling of the people, the Fourth was becomingly celebrated. The schools of the several districts turned out en masse, ap- propriately marshalled, and dressed in white, -congregated at the Centre, and uniting with a large delegation of the citizens, joined in a procession, which marched to the church, and subse- quently to the rear of the present town hall, making a fine appear- ance. An excellent dinner was prepared, a speaker's stand had been erected, and some of the absent sons of the town, who had returned to enjoy the day, entertained the people with patriotic addresses.
DEDICATION OF THE TOWN HALL OF WINDHAM, SEPT. 22, 1868.
After several unsuccessful attempts to get a vote to repair the Town House, the town voted that it should be done. The work was completed, and the dedicatory exercises were holden on the afternoon and evening of Sept. 22, 1868. William C. Harris, Esq., presided at the afternoon exercises.
After the opening of the meeting, George W. Weston, Esq., chairman of the repair committee, presented to the presiding officer the keys of the building, with an appropriate speech, which is given entire; also, the opening address of William C.
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HISTORY OF WINDHAM IN NEW HAMPSHIRE.
Harris, Esq. Both are historical, and cover entirely the progress of the work from its beginning to its completion.
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