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 30
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" In closing, let me say to all now living on the rugged soil of our native town, that your absent sons and friends do not forget you. Though they may be situated on the prairie of the West, or upon the golden sands of California, or far removed to the regions of the East, with the broad ocean rolling between, yet their thoughts, bearing good wishes, oft return to the place of birth. Yes,
' I'm thinking to-night, as the sun goes down O'er the gleaming fields of the far-off town, Of the sun that shone on those trees of old, And sprinkled the twilight hills with gold.'
But,
' The years of which we dreamed are fled ; Their suns are set, but their joys not dead.'
" We also have one other bond of union in common. It is. the pride that we all feel, that wherever located, or however
265
LONDONDERRY CELEBRATION, JUNE 10, 1869.
employed, in the conscious dignity of manhood we can exclaim, ' We are American citizens ! ' "
After the address, remarks were made by Ex-Gov. Frederick Smythe, of Manchester; Rev. James Holmes, of Auburn ; Rev. Silas M. Blanchard, of Hudson ; Rev. James Hills, of Hollis; Robert B. Jackson, Esq., Dr. Sylvanus Brown, of Derry, then of Wind- ham, and Dea. Jonathan Cochran, of Melrose, Mass. Music; was furnished by the glee club and church choir. A large, attentive, and intelligent audience appreciated the exercises of the after- noon, which were of an exceedingly interesting nature.
In the evening, the exercises were continued. Geo. W. Weston, Esq., presided. Music was discoursed by the band of Hudson and the glee club. Addresses were made by Rev. Joseph Lan- man, Dea. Rei Hills, Leonard A. Morrison, Samuel M. Nesmith, Esq., of Boston, and Dea. Milo Parker, of Reading, Mass. Many of the long-absent sons and daughters of Windham gathered again within the consecrated walls of that house, where, with their fathers, and friends, and neighbors, in their youth, they had met for the worship of the Most High. Those who had not met for many years, met then and exchanged most cordial greetings.
The house consists of library room, selectmen's room, lower and upper halls. In the latter, over the rostrum, in the back part of the room, is the large round-topped window, which in the former house was immediately back of the pulpit. The committee wisely concluded to preserve this memento of a by- gone generation, and relic of the handiwork of our fathers.
LONDONDERRY CELEBRATION, JUNE 10, 1869.
The first settlement of Nutfield being made April 11, 1719, O. S., and which took the name of Londonderry three years later, at the time of incorporation, it entered the hearts of the citizens of Londonderry, Derry, Windham, and Manchester, as the 150th anniversary of the settlement drew near, to celebrate the day.
Derry, at its annual meeting, March, 1868, instructed its select- men to appoint a committee to co-operate with Londonderry in making arrangements for the proper observance of the day.
The town of Londonderry, at the November election, 1868, chose a committee to forward the enterprise. The city council of Manchester appointed a committee to unite with the others.
Windham did not, as a town, help to forward the enterprise, though its citizens, in private capacity, aided the good work, and it was represented on the committee by Dea. Samuel Campbell and George W. Weston.
The committee of arrangements, thus constituted, met Dec. 9, 1868; chose George F. Adams, Derry, chairman ; Robert C. Mack, Londonderry, secretary; Jonathan McAllister, Londonderry, treasurer. The time of the celebration was subsequently fixed for the 10th of June, 1869, and Derry Depot as the locality.
18
266
HISTORY OF WINDHAM IN NEW HAMPSHIRE.
Hon. George W. Patterson, of Westfield, N. Y., was president of the day, and among the vice-presidents were Samuel W. Simp- son, James Anderson, Loren Thayer, and Theodore Dinsmoor, of Windham. Hon. Charles H. Bell (the present Governor of New Hampshire) was selected to deliver the principal address.
On the day chosen, some ten thousand people met and cele- brated the anniversary. Among the distinguished speakers, be- sides the orator of the day, were Horace Greeley, Hon. James W. Patterson, Hon. E. H. Derby, of Boston, and Samuel H. Taylor, L.L. D., of Phillips Academy, Andover, Mass.
The citizens of Windham largely attended, participating in the labors of preparation, and also the enjoyments of the day. The occasion was one of great interest, one which would never be forgotten by those present.
DEDICATION OF NESMITH LIBRARY, JUNE 21, 1871.
The account will be found in the chapter on Libraries. Any notice which is given of dedication of school-houses will be found in chapter on schools.
CATTLE DISEASE - PLEURO-PNEUMONIA, 1871.
This dreaded disease caused trouble and anxiety in the winter of 1870 and spring of 1871. It appeared in Windham that spring, and the stock of Henry Wilbur, who lived in the Range, were the most troubled, but eventually recovered.
DISEASE AMONG HORSES, 1872.
In the fall of 1872, a strange and alarming malady appeared among the horses in all parts of the country. It was called the Epizootic. It appeared in Windham in the fall of that year, and there was scarcely a horse in thetown which was not more or less prostrated with it. Business requiring the use of horses was for a time suspended. The selectmen, who were engaged in enlarging and making improvements in the cemeteries, found it impossible to obtain teams, and were obliged to stop work, and delay it till 1873. Some animals died, others never fully recovered:
DEDICATION OF UNION HALL, WEST WINDHAM, NOV. 27, 1880.
The village of West Windham, with its railroad station, post- office, and store, is a centre for the surrounding region, which in- cludes a portion of the towns of Windham, Londonderry, Hudson, and a corner of Pelham. The inhabitants of this region, feeling the need of a building in which to hold gatherings of various kinds, erected Union Hall, in the summer of 1880, which is to be used for literary, social, and religious purposes. It is 26 by 32 feet in size, and is situated in a pleasant location. At the dedication, Nov. 27, 1880, the hall was filled nearly to its utmost capacity,
267
DEATH OF PRESIDENT GARFIELD.
and the exercises were very interesting. The services of the afternoon commenced with an introductory prayer by Rev. Ira C. Tyson, pastor of the Presbyterian church in Londonderry, fol- lowed by Scripture reading from the eighth chapter of First Kings. William H. Anderson, Esq., of Lowell, gave some per- sonal recollections of his boyhood, which was passed on a farm in this immediate neighborhood; and then described the uses to which the new hall could be put, and the benefits it should afford. The other speakers were Rev. Mr. Tyson, Mr. Cooper of Nashua, Rev. J. F. Webster, and Rev. Charles Packard. The cost of the building was over $650, besides the cupola or spire, the weather- vane, and the settees, which were given by W. H. Anderson, who deserves the gratitude of all for his interest and generous assist- ance. The music for this occasion was furnished by the choir of this town, directed by Dr. D. O. Smith of Hudson. A closing prayer was offered by Rev. Charles Packard, and Rev. Ira Tyson pronounced the benediction.
THE DEATH OF PRESIDENT GARFIELD.
The year 1881 was an eventful one. Its striking occurrences recalled to many minds the reported prophecy of Mother Shipton, that, -
" The world unto an end shall come In eighteen hundred and eighty-one."
On March 13, the Czar of Russia was foully assassinated. The world had hardly recovered from the horror of this tragedy, when mankind was startled by the sad announcement that James A. Garfield, the honored and beloved President of the United States, had, on July 2, in the ladies' room of a depot in Washington, been shot down by an assassin, - whose name shall not dishonor these pages. He lingered till Sept. 19, in great suffering, when death closed the scene. During the long, hard struggle for life, he was comforted by the nation's prayers and sympathies. All nations sent to him tokens of their regard; and when he died, they were mourners at his funeral. And the profound scholar, the great statesman, the orator, the brave soldier, the true patriot, the firm friend, and good man, was very tenderly laid awsy to rest in his chosen place at Cleveland, Ohio. Memorial services were holden in almost every village and hamlet.
In Windham, on Monday, Sept. 26, memorial services were held in the afternoon, in the church, being conducted by Rev. Joseph F. Webster, who preached a sermon to a good audience, who thus showed their respect for the departed President.
Truly has the poet, John G. Whittier, said in relation to this national calamity: "It is said that no man liveth and no man dieth to himself; and the pure and noble life of Garfield, and his slow, long martyrdom, so bravely borne in the view of all, are, I
268
HISTORY OF WINDHAM IN NEW HAMPSHIRE
believe, bearing for us, as a people, ' the peaceable fruits of right- eousness.' We are stronger, wiser, better for them. With him it is well. His mission fulfilled, he goes to his grave by the lake- side, honored and lamented as man never was before. The whole world mourns him. There is no speech nor language where the voice of his praise is not heard. About his grave gathers, with heads uncovered, the vast brotherhood of man."
And the changed words of N. P. Willis in relation to another, are applicable to President Garfield, -
" Up the ladder of life he hath mounted so high, From the round at the top he hath passed to the sky."
A DAY OF DARKNESS, SEPT. 6, 1881.
The Black Friday of May 19, 1780, was duplicated Sept. 6, 1881. The famous Black Friday of 1780 will no longer stand alone in the history of New England. Tuesday, Sept. 6, 1881, was a companion day, and will be as long remembered. Its gloom did not strike such terror into the hearts of people as did that of May 19, 1780, but fear found its way into timorous souls. The day was an exceedingly uncomfortable one, although the mercury did not climb to an extraordinary hight. At an early hour in the morning, a very peculiar appearance was to be perceived in the air. No fog or haze was perceptible, but the sun was thoroughly obscured, and the atmosphere was pervaded with a yellowish light which lent a strange appearance to every object. In every place where there was grass or foliage, the green hne of the leaves was changed from its natural shade to something much more vivid and almost blue. The aspect of the sky was such that some timorous people's minds were directed by it to the scriptural prophecy concerning the brassy appearance of the sky, which is to be one of the features of the "Last Day." The interiors of buildings grew dark as the day advanced, and the outer air, as viewed through a window or any other opening, seemed to be pervaded with the reflected light from some vast conflagration. . It became necessary in cities to light the gas in stores and offices, and the jets emitted a white flame that was not unlike the electric light. During the day the birds could hardly see to fly, and were strangely silent; and a sickly and melancholy gloom overspread the face of Nature.
The phenomenon became more marked in the afternoon than it was during the forenoon. As late as 1 o'clock it was possible for a person sitting near a window to see to read or write without the aid of artificial light, but after that hour the gloom deepened rapidly. The sky grew still more brazen in appearance, and the gloom was that of late twilight. There was something terrible in the scene, and it is not to be wondered at if some weak minds allowed themselves to be tormented by fears of what the extra- ordinary event might presage. The climax was reached at about
269
REMARKABLE THUNDER SHOWER, SEPT. 24, 1881.
3 o'clock, and after that light began gradually to return, although perfeet daylight was not restored. At 5 o'clock the ruddy glare had disappeared from the sky, and the light, such as it was, seemed more natural than at any time during the day. Before 8 o'clock the moon had come out, the brazen thickness of the atmosphere had disappeared, and the sky had resumed its normal condition.
A SINGULAR APPEARANCE IN THE HEAVENS, SEPT. 12, 1881.
Those who looked at the northern sky between 8 and 9 o'clock Monday evening, saw a rare spectacle. The sky was clear, ex- cepting for a haze near the horizon, and from a point in the northwest, very near the boundary of clear vision, arose a band of nebulons matter, which gradually increased in width until it reached the zenith. This was the appearance of the phenomenon from 8 o'clock till about 83 o'clock, as seen in Windham by the writer.
The following description is given by Prof. C. F. Emerson, of Dartmouth College: "A band of reddish-yellow light, from five to ten degrees in width and quite uniform, extended from about 20 degrees north of west to 30 degrees south of east, dividing the heavens into northern and southern divisions of about three fifths and two fifths. Its direction was almost at right angles with the Milky Way. A very distinctive feature was the regular and definitely marked northern boundary. From 8 to 8.15 o'clock it remained comparatively fixed. At 8.30 o'clock it swept off towards the south, gradually disappearing. Just south and east of the crossing of the streamer and the Milky Way were ten or twelve lines of light at right angles to the streamer, but sep- arated three or four degrees from it and nearly parallel to each other. These bands were five or six degrees in length. During this time there were faint northern lights, that were streaming up at right angles to the band."
The phenomenon was visible outside New England also.
REMARKABLE THUNDER SHOWER, SEPT. 24, 1881.
In the evening thick, heavy, portentous clouds came rolling up rapidly from the west, and overspreading the whole sky, ac- companied by a strong wind. The clouds were not of inky black- ness, but were mixed with a brassy yellow color. The air was oppressive with electricity. From the first the steady mutterings of the distant thunder were heard, and as the storm came nearer, the rain fell in torrents, the thunder was continuous, and the heavens were aglow with one stream of flashing lightning. This lasted nearly two hours, and by 10 o'clock the fierceness of the storm had subsided.
270
HISTORY OF WINDHAM IN NEW HAMPSHIRE.
CHAPTER XXVIII.
THE "IRREPRESSIBLE CONFLICT." - NAMES AND DATES OF ENLISTMENT AND DISCHARGE OF WINDHAM SOLDIERS FROM 1861 TO 1865. - SOLDIERS IN THE FIRST REGIMENT, NEW HAMPSHIRE VOLUNTEERS. - SOLDIERS IN THE THIRD REGIMENT. - SOLDIERS IN THE FOURTH REGIMENT, AND THEIR BOUNTIES. - SOLDIERS IN OTHER REGI- MENTS, AND THEIR BOUNTIES. - ENLISTED WITHOUT BOUNTIES. - FIFTHI REGIMENT. - SIXTII REGIMENT. - SEVENTII REGIMENT. - ELEVENTH REGIMENT. - THIRTEENTH REGIMENT. - FIFTEENTH REG- IMENT. - OTHER NINE-MONTHS' MEN. - EIGHTEENTH REGIMENT. - FIRST REGIMENT, HEAVY ARTILLERY. - THE ENROLLMENT OF WIND- HAM, APRIL 30, 1865. - AMOUNT OF BOUNTIES. - WAR INDEBTED- NESS, NOW EXTINGUISHIED.
THE long contest between the North and South in relation to the question of Slavery was nearing the end. The moral sense of the nation was awakened to the fearful wickedness of the system of human slavery, and the nation was deter- mined that it should be restricted to the limits it then occupied. To this its supporters were opposed, and demanded ample pro- tection to their property in slaves in all the States and Territories of the United States. There was an "irrepressible conflict" between the adherents and supporters of Slavery and those arrayed against it. The conflict was destined to be waged till decided, not in the arena of debate, but upon the field of battle, where hostile armies met and struggled for the mastery.
Things had been ripening for the conflict. Through the ad- ministration of President Buchanan, traitors were plotting the overthrow of the national government, seeking the dismember- ment of the great Republic, by the pretended withdrawal of States from the Union. Traitors sat in Congress and controlled its legislation. They were at the heads of departments, sat as counsellors of the President, plotted conspiracies against the gov- ernment they had sworn to defend, and "clasped the hands of assassins of the Union."
Oct. 16, 1859, Capt. John Brown, who had suffered in his own person for liberty in Kansas during the raids and assaults of the slaveholders and " Border Ruffians" of Missouri upon the " Free State Settlers," commenced his raid at Harper's Ferry, Va., to deliver the slaves of the South. He was captured, tried for trea- son, condemned by those who were themselves within two years
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THE "IRREPRESSIBLE CONFLICT."
therefrom traitors to the government, and was hanged on the 2d of December, 1859. The excitement in the country was intense, and this was in reality the beginning of the " great conflict."
The presidential election of 1860 approached, and Abraham Lincoln, after a campaign of great excitement, was elected presi- dent over his principal competitors, Stephen A. Douglas and John C. Breckenridge. This event was made a pretext by the South for the attempted withdrawal of the Southern States from the American Union. South Carolina, the hot-bed of secession, passed the ordinance of secession, Dec. 20, 1860. Six other Southern States soon followed her, and formed the "Southern Confederacy." Feb. 8, 1861, they held an election, and chose Jefferson Davis, of Mississippi, president, and Alexander H. Stephens, of Georgia, vice-president, of the "Confederacy."
President Lincoln was inaugurated March 4, 1861. On the 12th of the following April, the war was commenced by the rebels attacking and capturing Fort Sumter, in the harbor of Charleston, S. C. The roar of the rebel cannon awoke the slumbering millions of Northern freemen, who were determined to die,- if need be, that the nation might live. They rallied by thousands, formed themselves into companies and regiments, and were ready to march to the front. April 15, President Lincoln called for 75,000 men, and New Hampshire was required to fur- nish one regiment of infantry for three months, which was quickly raised by volunteers, mustered into the United States service May 7, and started for the seat of war May 25. It was com- manded by Col. Mason W. Tappan, of Bradford, N. H. They were mustered out Ang. 9.
At a special town-meeting, May 18, 1861, the town directed "the selectmen to borrow a sum of money not exceeding five hundred dollars," for the purpose of assisting any and all who may enlist, and their families, to aid the government. It also voted " that the pay of volunteers, or those who enlist, be made up to twenty dollars per month, and that their families be sup- plied the necessaries of life by said selectmen."
SOLDIERS IN FIRST REGIMENT, NEW HAMPSHIRE VOLUNTEERS.
Under this call of the President, the following eight persons served for three months, and received the sum of $27 each from the town : -
Walter J. Burnham, mustered in May 3; mustered out Aug. 9, 1861. (See Burnham family.)
Asa Bean, mustered into United States service May 2, 1861; mustered out Aug. 9, 1861.
Seth N. Huntley.
William Wyman. (See Wyman family.)
Moses Wyman. (See Wyman family.)
In July, 1861, President Lincoln issued a proclamation, calling for 300,000 three-years' men. New Hampshire's quota was
272
HISTORY OF WINDHAM IN NEW HAMPSHIRE.
assigned her, and the quota of each town was made known to its officials. This called for prompt action, and enlistments were numerous in the State.
This town had no soldiers in the Second Regiment, three-years' men, commanded by Col. Gilman Marston, of Exeter, and which left the State June 20, 1861.
SOLDIERS IN THE THIRD REGIMENT.
This regiment was raised under the same call of the President as the Second Regiment, and was commanded by Col. Enoch Q. Fellows, of Sandwich. It was mustered into United States ser- vice for three years, between Aug. 22 and 27, 1861. The follow- ing soldiers served for Windham in this regiment : -
Josiah S. Everett, 3 years' service, mustered into N. H. 3d Regiment Aug. 23, 1861; promoted to corporal Sept. 18, 1862; re-enlisted Feb. 16, 1864.
Lewis A. McConihe, 3 years' service, mustered into 3d N. H. Regiment Aug. 23, 1861; wounded severely (left foot amputated) Aug. 25, 1863; promoted to corporal Sept. 6, 1863; resigned warrant Sept. 14, 1863; discharged for disability Nov. 7, 1863.
John Dunn, member of Co F, 3d N. H. Regiment, mustered into service Dec. 13, 1864, for 3 years ; mustered out July 20, 1865.
John McGowan, 3 years, Co. HI, 3d Regiment, mustered in Dec. 16, 1864; mustered out July 20, 1865.
Joseph White, 3 years, mustered in Co. K, 3d Regiment, Dec. 12, 1864; mustered out July 20, 1865.
SOLDIERS IN THE FOURTH REGIMENT, AND THEIR BOUNTIES.
This regiment was mustered into the United States service, Sept. 18, 1861, and was commanded by Col. Thomas J. Whipple, of Laconia, and embraced the following soldiers of Windham : -
Jesse C. Crowell, 3 years, mustered into Co. K, Sept. 18, 1861 ; discharged for disability at Beaufort, S. C., Nov. 17, 1863.
Thomas Crook, bounty $175, 3 years, mustered in Dec. 23, 1863; "Not officially accounted for."
Russell W. Powell, bounty $175, 3 years, Co. D, mustered in Dec. 29, 1863; died of disease at De Camp Hospital, N. Y., Sept. 15, 1864.
Joseph R. Everett, bounty $200, Co. K. a re-enlisted veteran, mus- tered in Feb. 15, 1864; wounded July 27, 1864; died of wounds July 30, 1864.
Albion K. Goodwin, re-enlisted veteran, bounty $200, 3 years, Co. I, mns- tered in Feb. 15, 1864 ; wounded May 16, 1864; discharged for dis- ability Sept. 29, 1864.
Charles Cole, bounty $175, mustered into 4th Regt Dec. 28, 1863, for 3 years as a volunteer, and mustered out Aug. 23, 1865.
Jolin G Johnson, re-enlisted veteran, bounty $200, 3 years, Co. K, mus- . tered in Feb. 8. 1864; captured at De-p Run, Va., Aug 16, 1864 : died in prison at Florence, S. C., Nov. 24, 1864.
James Murphy, re-enlisted, 3 years, Co. B, mustered in Dec. 22, 1863; wounded May 16, 1864 ; discharged for disability June 13, 1865.
Caleb G. Wiley, re-enlisted, bounty $200, 3 years, mustered In Co. I, Jan. 1, 1864 ; mustered out Aug. 23, 1865.
273
WAR LEGISLATION OF WINDHAM IN 1862.
At a special meeting, Dec. 4, 1861, the town " voted to raise a sum of money, not exceeding five hundred dollars, for the aid of the wife, and the children under sixteen years of age, of any inhabitant of this town, who, as a member of the volunteer or enrolled militia of this State, may have been mustered into or enlisted in the service of the United States, and for each parent or child of such inhabitant, who at the time of his enlistment was dependent on him for support, -provided such persons are indigent and stand in need of such relief."
The selectmen - Thomas W. Simpson, Isaac Emerson, and B. H. Hughes-were chosen a committee to carry the vote into effect, and to furnish supplies to families of indigent vol- unteers.
The rebels having been victorious at the battle of Bull Run, July 21, 1861, the day of peace was indefinitely postponed. The year 1862 opened with gloomy prospects for the National cause. The National sky was obscured by clouds of blackness, and the National heart was filled with gloom. It was apparent that the struggle for National supremacy would be a fearful one, and the people of the loyal States were making ready for the great sacrifices to be demanded of them. In July, 1862, President Lincoln issued another call for 300,000 three-years' men, and the recruiting offices throughout the country were again opened.
Public meetings were held in all parts of the State, patriotic speeches were made by the most distinguished men, and enlist- ments urged and encouraged. Senator Daniel Clark addressed the people of this town.
Another call from the President was made Ang. 4, 1862, for 300,000 men for nine-months' service.
In consequence of these calls, the town, Aug. 9, 1862, voted to "pay to every soldier that may enlist to supply the requisition of the president for soldiers, the sum of two hundred dollars, to be paid after they have been mustered into the United States service"; and the selectmen were authorized to borrow money for that purpose "at a rate of interest not exceeding six per cent." This bounty was for men who enlisted for three-years' service ; and on the 17th of September, 1862, the town "voted to pay each citizen of this town, who may volunteer and enlist, and he mustered into the service of the United States," for the term of nine months, " the sum of two hundred dollars as bounty"; and the selectmen were authorized to borrow money sufficient for this purpose.
Oct. 13, 1862, it was " Voted to receive any individuals who may offer themselves as volunteers to fill the present quota of nine months, and they shall be entitled to and receive the bounty of two hundred dollars, when mustered into the service of the United States, provided such persons are not enrolled elsewhere." The quota of the town was filled.
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