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 31
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274
HISTORY OF WINDHAM IN NEW HAMPSHIRE.
SOLDIERS WHO ENLISTED WITHOUT BOUNTIES.
In the early part of the war the following persons enlisted without bounties. Those with a star (*) against their names re- enlisted.
James G. Batchelder. Jesse Crowell.
Theodore Clark.
Joseph R. Everett .*
Albion K. Goodwin .*
Horatio Gleason.
John Calvin Hills.
Samuel Haseltine. John G. Johnson .*
Lemuel Marden.
Moses Myrick.
Louis MeConihe.
Lewis Ripley .*
James C. Stone.
Caleb G. Wiley .*
Moses Wyman.
SOLDIERS IN THE FIFTH REGIMENT.
This regiment, three-years' men, was commanded by Col. Edward E. Cross, of Lancaster. It was raised under the same call of the President as the Third and Fourth, and its members received the same bounty. Its muster was completed Oct. 26, 1861; left the State, Oct. 29.
Edward H. Gallagher, Co. I, 3 years, mustered in Aug. 11, 1863 ; wounded June 17, 1864; mustered out June 8, 1865.
John Inshaw, substitute, Co. I, 3 years, mustered in Aug. 23, 1864 ; deserted at Petersburg, Va., Oct. 10, 1864; regained from desertion Jan. 11, 1865 ; discharged by sentence of G. C. M. March 24, 1865.
David Lyou, Co. F, 3 years, mustered in Aug. 30, 1864 ; wounded April 7, 1865; mustered out June 19, 1865.
Daniel Sullivan, Co. G, 3 years, mustered in Aug. 29, 1864 ; taken prisoner April 7, 1865; recaptured April 9, 1865; promoted to sergeant; mustered out June 28, 1865.
SOLDIERS IN THE SIXTII REGIMENT, AND THEIR BOUNTIES.
It was raised under the same call, and the same bounty was paid as to members of the Third, Fourth, and Fifth Regiments. It was mustered into the United States service Nov. 27, 28, and 30, of 1861, and left the State for the scene of hostilities Dec. 25 following, commanded by Col. Nelson Converse, of Marlborough.
The following men served for Windham, names of regiments not designated : -
Wentworth S. Cowan (drafted), 1863. Frederick Otis, bounty $175. James Murphy, bounty $175. Patrick Hannan, bounty $175. Bernard McCam, bounty $175.
SOLDIERS IN THE SEVENTH REGIMENT, AND THEIR BOUNTIES.
These soldiers served in the Seventh Regiment under Col. H. S. Putnam, and left this State Jan. 14, 1862.
James A. Stevens, bounty $200, 3 years, mustered in Co. B, Aug. 21, 1862; captured at Fort Wagner, S. C., July 18, 1863; died at Richmond, Va., Jan. 15, 1864.
275
SOLDIERS AND THEIR BOUNTIES.
Lewis Ripley, bounty $200, 3 years, mustered in Co. K, Feb. 29, 1864; mustered out July 20, 1865.
John Calvin Hills, mustered in Dec. 14, 1861 ยท died of disease at Morris Island Aug. 23, 1863.
Charles E. Bailey, mustered in Ang. 21, 1862; captured at Fort Wagner July 18, 1863; died at Richmond, Va., June 3, 1864.
Horace W. Hunt, bounty $200, mustered in Aug. 21, 1862; promoted corporal; discharged for disability Dec. 30, 1863.
SOLDIERS IN THE ELEVENTHI REGIMENT, AND THEIR BOUNTIES.
These soldiers served in the Eleventh Regiment, under Col. Walter Harriman, and left the State Sept. 11, 1862.
James Brown, bounty $175, 3 years, mustered in Dec. 22, 1863; supposed to have deserted en route to regiment.
Oliver Burns, bounty $175, mustered in Co. H, Dec. 29, 1863; discharged for disability at Philadelphia, Pa., Jan. 1, 1865.
Jacques Dreux, bounty $175, 3 years, mustered in Co. G, Dec. 29, 1863; transferred to 6th N. H. Vols. June 1, 1865.
SOLDIERS IN THE THIRTEENTH REGIMENT, AND THEIR BOUNTIES.
These soldiers served in the Thirteenth Regiment, under Col. A. F. Stevens, of Nashua, and left the State Oct. 6, 1862.
Lieut. William H. McConney, bounty $200, 3 years ; date of commission Feb. 20, 1863; Co. C; mustered ont June 21, 1865.
Asa Bean, bounty $200, 3 years, Co. C, mustered in Sept. 19, 1862 ; deserted at Aquia Creek, Va., Feb. 7, 1863.
William Anderson, bounty $200, mustered in Sept. 19, 1862; discharged for disability at Fortress Monroe, June 7, 1863.
Austin L. Lamprey, bounty $200, mustered in Sept. 19, 1862; mustered out June -, 1865.
George W. Coburn, bounty $200, Co. C, 3 years ; mustered in Sept. 19, 1862; wounded Dec. 13, 1862; deserted Feb. 9, 1863; apprehended Sept. 13, 1864 ; returned to Co. Jan. 18, 1865 ; sentenced by G. C. M. to forfeit all pay and allowances due, to make good time lost by deser- tion, and to forfeit ten dollars per month of monthly pay for 18 months; transferred to 2d N. H. Vols., June 21, 1865.
David B. Fessenden, bounty $200, Co. C, 3 years; mustered in Sept. 19, 1862; transferred to V. R. C. Sept. 19, 1863.
Micajah B. Kimball, bounty $200, Co. C, 3 years; mustered in Sept, 19, 1863 ; discharged for disability near Portsmouth, Va., Oct. 18, 1863. Reuben O. Phillips, bounty $200, Co. C, 3 years ; mustered in Sept. 19, 1862 ; deserted at Aquia Creek, Va., Feb. 7, 1863.
John G. Bradford, bounty $200, Co. I, 3 years ; mustered in Sept. 20, 1862; promoted to corporal' April 1, 1863 ; promoted to sergeant Juue 7, 1864 ; mustered out June 21, 1865.
Henry W. Chellis, bounty $200, Co. I, 3 years ; mustered in Sept. 20, 1862; promoted to corporal May 24, 1864; mustered out June 21, 1865.
Seth N. Huntley, bounty $200, Co. I, 3 years ; mustered in Sept. 20, 1862; promoted to sergeant Jan. 20, 1863; mustered out June 21, 1865.
John W. Hall, bounty $200, 3 years, Co. I; mustered in Sept. 20, 1862 ; wounded slightly June 15, 1864; wounded severely Sept. 29, 1864 ; mustered out June 21, 1865.
276
HISTORY OF WINDHAM IN NEW HAMPSHIRE.
SOLDIERS IN THE FIFTEENTH REGIMENT, AND THEIR BOUNTIES.
These soldiers served in the Fifteenth Regiment, nine months, under Col. J. W. Kingman, of Durham; left the State Nov. 13, 1862.
Levere Duplesis, bounty $200, Co. E, mustered in Oct. 10, 1862 ; mustered out Aug. 13, 1863. (Sick at New Orleans.)
Albert Fletcher, bounty $200, Co. E, mustered in Oct. 22, 1862; mustered out Aug. 13, 1863. (Sick at New Orleans.)
Ephraim Plimpton, bounty $200, Co. E, mustered in Oct. 9, 1862 ; mustered out Aug. 13, 1863.
James Brown, bounty $200, Co. G. mustered in Oct. 18, 1862; deserted at Concord, N. H., Nov. 12, 1862.
James Baker, bounty $200, Co. G, mustered in Oct. 18, 1862 ; deserted at Concord Nov. 12, 1862.
George W. Durant, bounty $200, Co. G, mustered in Oct. 15, 1862; mustered out Aug. 13, 1863. (Sick at Windham.)
Timothy Norris, bounty $200, Co. G, mustered in Oct. 18, 1862; deserted.
OTHER NINE-MONTHS' MEN, AND THEIR BOUNTIES.
Joseph G. Ayers, bounty $200; Carl Albert, bounty $120; C H. Batchel- der, bounty $200; Charles E. Hanscom, bounty $200; George A. Jackson; bounty $120; Joseph F. Murgot, bounty $200; Elixis Marcotte, bounty $200.
In 1863, the quotas of the towns not being filled as promptly as was desired, a draft was made; and at a meeting of the town, Sept. 5, 1863, it was voted " to pay a bounty to all of its citizens who are, or who may be, drafted into the service of the United States, or who procure substitutes under the calls of the Presi- dent to put down the rebellion," the sum of "two hundred and seventy-five dollars to each citizen so drafted, or who pro- cures a substitute." The money was to be paid after the soldier was mustered into the service. The selectmen were chosen a committee to carry the vote into effect, and to hire money at a vote " not exceeding six per cent.," to pay said men. Nine men were drafted, and seven of them sent substitutes.
Nov. 13, 1863, the town voted "to cash the bounties offered by the General Government, so that they shall be paid to each vol- unteer in full when he is mustered into service."
" Voted, to pay a bounty to all who may volunteer, and shall be duly counted to us in filling up our quota of the last call of the President, made Oct. 17, 1863, after they have been mustered into the U. S. service."
" Voted, That the committee that may be chosen, pay such bounties as may be necessary to procure the men to fill our quota."
The selectmen were directed to hire money to pay the men, according to these votes.
277
WAR LEGISLATION OF WINDHAM IN 1864.
The year 1864 commenced gloomily for the government and the loyal States. Many hard battles had been fought, but the great rebellion was not overthrown. The government deter- mined upon mightier efforts for its subjugation. The armies were placed under the command of General Grant, who was sub- ject only to the orders of President Lincoln. The President issued a call for 500,000 men, Feb. 1, 1864, and March 14 follow- ing, another requisition for 200,000 men was made; and still another demand for 500,000 men was made July 18, 1864. These repeated calls of the government "meant business," and the fol- lowing is the legislation of the town, and the list of soldiers who enlisted in consequence.
April 26, 1864, the town "voted to pay a bounty to those of our soldiers who have re-enlisted or may re-enlist; also to those who have volunteered and enlisted, or may volunteer and enlist to fill our quota of soldiers agreeable to the last requisition of the President for two hundred thousand men?"
" Voted, To pay a bounty of two hundred dollars to those who have re-enlisted or may re-enlist; also those who have volunteered and enlisted, or may volunteer and enlist to fill said quota."
" Voted, That the selectmen be a committee authorized to bor- row money sufficient, and pay said bounty to each man after he has been mustered into the service of the United States."
Aug. 8, 1864, the town "voted to enlist volunteers into the ser- vice of the United States to fill any quota of said town that may be called for by the President of the United States." Chose Stephen Fessenden and Benjamin O. Simpson a committee, "with authority and instructions to enlist volunteers."
Aug. 29, 1864. - " Voted, To pay each citizen volunteer who may enlist and be mustered into the service of the United States, five hundred dollars ($500) for one year, six hundred dollars ($600) for two years, and seven hundred dollars ($700) for three years."
" Voted, To authorize the committee for procuring volunteers to employ an agent to recruit in the insurgent States agreeable to Sec. 3 of State laws passed last session."
" Voted, To advance the government bounty to each citizen volunteer if practicable."
" Voted, To pay each drafted man two hundred dollars ($200)." The selectmen were chosen a committee to hire money sutti- cient to pay the bounties.
At an adjourned meeting, thinly attended, Aug. 31, 1864, the town, by a vote of sixteen in favor and none against, " voted that the selectmen of the town be instructed to obtain five thou- sand dollars, and forward the same to Isaac N. Jones, now at Washington, D. C., the same to be used for the purpose of obtain- ing men in the insurgent States to fill our quota."
The selectmen hired this money of the First National Bank of Lowell, and at the Presidential election, Nov. 8, 1864, the select-
278
HISTORY OF WINDHAM IN NEW HAMPSHIRE.
men were authorized to hire five thousand dollars and pay the bank.
Nov. 8, 1864, the town "voted to continue the payment of the present bounties to a surplus of soldiers not exceeding four," and the selectmen were chosen a committee to enlist said men.
The town voted to pay the travelling expenses of persons who went to Portsmouth at the request of the selectmen to have their . names stricken from the enrollment.
SOLDIERS IN THE EIGHTEENTH REGIMENT.
In the Eighteenth Regiment, under Col. Thomas L. Livermore, of Milford, was, -
Henry N. Hancock, Co. F, mustered in Oct. 10, 1864; transferred to Co. I, June 10, 1865.
.
SOLDIERS IN THE FIRST REGIMENT, HEAVY ARTILLERY, AND THEIR BOUNTIES.
In the First Regiment, Heavy Artillery, under Col. Charles H. Long, were the following : -
Gilman Jaquith, Co. A, 3 years; mustered in Sept. 4, 1864; transferred from Co. D, June 10, 1865; mustered out Sept. 11, 1865; bounty $1,000.
Jesse C. Crowell, Co. D, 1 year; mustered in Sept. 4, 1864; promoted to corporal ; mustered out June 15, 1865; bounty $600.
George W. Carr, Co. D, 1 year; mustered in Sept. 4, 1864 ; mustered out June 15, 1865; bounty $600.
Charles E. Fegan, Co. D, 1 year; mustered in Sept. 4, 1864; promoted to corporal; mustered out June 15, 1865; bounty $600.
Whitney R. Richardson, 1 year; mustered in Sept. 14, 1864; mustered out June, 1865; bounty $600.
James Jones, colored, 1 year ; bounty $1,000.
Harvey Hancock, 1 year; bounty $300. (Name of regiment not known. )
Jan. 10, 1865, the town "voted to enlist together with the sur- plus of four, which was voted Nov. 8, 1864, to fill the quota which may be assigned to this town under the call of the President for three hundred thousand men."
" Voted, To pay bounties to the full amount allowed by the law, to those who may volunteer and enlist and shall be reckoned in filling the quota of the town."
" Voted, To advance the State bounty to those who volunteer and enlist as above."
" Voted, To advance the State bounty, if duly authorized by law, to such as will put in a substitute, who shall count in making up the town's quota under the present call."
" Voted, To pay a bounty of six hundred dollars, to each citizen volunteer, who may volunteer and enlist for one year, and be credited to this town's quota under the present call."
279
AMOUNT OF BOUNTIES, AND WAR INDEBTEDNESS.
" Voted, To authorize the selectmen to hire money sufficient, and appropriate to the payment of the above bounties, together with necessary expenses."
" Voted, To choose a committee of two, to enlist and pay a suf- fieient number of men to fill the quota of the town"; and Joseph P. Crowell and George W. Weston were chosen for said com- mittee.
" April 3, 1865. - " Voted to authorize the selectmen to enlist men into the service of the United States in anticipation of a future call of the President of the United States."
" Voted, To pay a bounty of three hundred dollars to each citizen volunteer."
" Voted, To procure volunteers not residents of town as reason- able as may be"; and the selectmen were authorized to hire money to meet all expenses.
This was the last war vote of the town. Our quota was now more than full, we having an excess of five soldiers.
Six days later, or April 9, 1865, Lee surrendered at Appomat- tox, Va., to General Grant, and the other rebel leaders soon fol- lowed his example .*
THE ENROLLMENT OF WINDIIAM, APRIL 30, 1865.
The number of men assigned as the quota of Windham, and the number of men furnished under all calls of the President after July, 1863, together with surplus April 30, 1865 :-
Enrollment, April 30, 1865, 58 men.
Total of quota under all calls from July, 1863, 37 men.
Total credits by enlistments and drafts, 42 men.
Surplus of Windham, 5 men.
Sept. 6, 1865. - The selectmen were authorized " to hire money, not exceeding $15,000, at as low rate as may be, to pay any notes held against the town of Windham, or renew the same, as may be desired."
AMOUNT OF BOUNTIES.
In the autumn of 1863, eight men were drafted, and seven of them sent substitutes, paying $275 each. Subsequently eleven citizens sent substitutes at a cost of $300 for three years. Expense to individuals, $5,300; amount paid by the town, $20,598.23.
This statement is nearly if not absolutely correct.
WINDHAM'S WAR INDEBTEDNESS NOW - EXTINGUISHED.
The long, terrible war was over; the sacrifices demanded of our citizens were great, and nobly met. When peace dawned upon the nation, the joy of our people was unbounded.
* Exhibit 779, Ad. Gen. Rep., vol. ii, 1865.
280
HISTORY OF WINDHAM IN NEW HAMPSHIRE.
After the first great wave of happiness had subsided, the people found that the amounts of money voted so readily during the excitements of war must be met in the cahn of peace. The debt rolled up by this town in aiding to overthrow the slaveholders' rebellion was, by the town report of 1867, $16,405.58, and if some claims which the town held should not prove valid, the debt would be $18,523.25. Under this burden the town labored for several years, though each year reducing it, till several years ago it was entirely liquidated.
I have given the entire war legislation of the town during the long struggle for the preservation of the nation's life. The issues involved in the contest were clearly understood, the duties of the hour were promptly performed, and every standing obliga- tion contracted during the contest has been honorably met and canceled. The war bore with peculiar severity upon other farm- ing communities of the State, as it did upon this town. The armies of the Union were necessarily filled with young men. Of these there was no surplus here. As fast as the youth of the town arrived at the verge of manhood, they usually left the old homes, save the one who was to stay with the old people, and occupy the ancestral acres, - went to the cities and villages to learn their trades or to engage in their life calling. So when the war broke out, they rallied and helped to swell the ranks of the companies of our larger cities, or the regiments of other States. So while many citizens of this place enlisted and served faithfully during the war, the town was obliged to hire substitutes and volunteers from other towns.
The history of our soldiers is an honorable one. Some sleep in the "sunny South," smitten by the bullet, or wasting sickness, or starved to death in rebel prisons ; some returned to their homes to linger for years with disease upon them, and to-day fill soldiers' graves ; some still move among us performing well their duties as citizens. Men die ; examples and principles live. The soldiers of Windham in every war save the last have long since passed away; yet the examples of patriotism, courage, and devotion to principles will never die. The courage of the fathers in the French and Indian war, in the war of the Revolution, flamed forth again in the war for the preservation of the nation in 1861-65. All honor to the Nation's defenders! Their deeds will be recounted by those of future generations who will acknowledge the debt of gratitude they owe them.
" In the beauty of the lilies Christ was born across the sea, With a glory in his bosom that transfigures you and me ; As he died to make men holy, so they died to make men free."
HISTORY OF LIBRARIES, FROM 1800 TO 1883. 281
CHAPTER XXIX.
HISTORY OF LIBRARIES, FROM 1800 TO 1883. - SUNDAY-SCHOOL LIBRARY, 1832. - SCHOOL-DISTRICT LIBRARIES, OCTOBER, 1839. - LIBRARY OF REV. LOREN THAYER. - SECOND TOWN LIBRARY, 1852. - THE NESMITH FREE PUBLIC LIBRARY, ESTABLISHED 1871. - WILL OF COL. THOMAS NESMITH IN RELATION TO NESMITH LIBRARY. - DED- ICATION OF THE NESMITH LIBRARY, JUNE 21, 1871. - HON. JOHN C. PARK'S ADDRESS.
THAT the people of this town have been a reading people is evident ; that their advantages in this direction have been better than those possessed by residents of some other towns, and still not equal to their desires, is plainly apparent. Whenever an opportunity for self-culture has presented itself, it has been embraced ; whenever books have come within their reach, they have been read and digested ; whenever there has been a chance for establishing a library, it has been done.
We little realize the difficulties under which the generations before ns labored. They were poor; money was difficult to obtain ; they struggled hard " to keep the wolf from the door," to provide themselves, their wives, and their little ones with the necessaries of life, withont purchasing the luxuries. So they struggled bravely on, hoping for a brighter day for their children, and unmurmuringly deprived themselves of many things which we deem indispensable; and among these is a well-established, well-regulated, free public library of well-selected books, and accessible to all.
It is evident that there was no public library here previous to 1800; but at an early date, and previous to that date, a library had existed in Salem, owned by shares. This was accessible to many of the families in the east side of the town, as many of the men were shareholders. This continned for a time, but was finally given up, and the books were divided among the holders of shares. This is the probable explanation of the annexed arti- cle, which appeared in a warrant for town-meeting, Oct. 27, 1800.
" Art. 6. - As there is some books in the hands of Samuel Armor and John Dinsmoor, Esqs., that they made offer to let the town have, - to see if the town will propose a method to distribute said books through the town, or do with them as they may think fit."
19
.
282
HISTORY OF WINDHAM IN NEW HAMPSHIRE.
Upon this article it was " Voted to choose a Librarian to take care of sd books. Also voted Mr. Alexander Park be said Libra- rian. Also voted, that each individual of the town have a right to the perusal of said Books, two weeks; if kept longer, to pay three shillings per week till returned. Also voted that the Libra- rian take a receipt to the amount of the value of the Book that any one takes out, agreeable to the foregoing votes."
This was the first public library of Windham, and appears to be the nucleus of the library organized in 1806. Much light is thrown upon this by a small pamphlet, entitled " Windham Library : Subscribers' Names; Act of Incorporation ; By-Laws and Catalogne of Books," printed at Haverhill, Mass., in June, 1811. In March, 1806, a subscription paper was circulated to see how many signers could be obtained to establish a social library in Windham. It was signed by forty-three citizens, including the most influential men of the town, and one woman. On May 29 the subscribers met and chose a committee to draft a petition, to be sent to the General Court, praying that the society might be incorporated ; also to choose a committee to make by-laws. In answer to the petition, an act of incorporation was granted, approved June 7, 1806, by Governor John Langdon. The pro- prietors of the library held their first meeting at the meeting- house, Ang. 28, and chose Mr. Alexander Park librarian, clerk, and treasurer. They voted to have three trustees, and chose Rev. Samuel Harris, Dea. Robert Dinsmoor, and Capt. John Campbell. It was voted that the trustees be a committee to select and pur- chase the books. A code of by-laws was adopted, consisting of thirteen articles, of which the following are the most important : The librarian was to be chosen at the annual meeting of the pro- prietors, in November. At each annual meeting the trustees were required to make a report of the condition of affairs. Any person, in order to become a member of the society, was required to pay $1.50. Each proprietor had the right to take one book at a time, and keep it three months. The library was to be open for the delivery of books on the first Monday of every month, from ten to five o'clock. There were also rules in regard to fines, replacing lost books, etc. The catalogue, or rather list of books, shows the number of volumes in the library at that time (1811) to have been sixty. The price of nearly all the books is also stated, showing that the whole amount expended was between $80 and $90. The library was afterwards increased from time to time, so that in 1825 the number of volumes was at least two hundred, perhaps more. During many years, near the last of its existence, it was kept in the house of Dea. Jesse Anderson in the village. Deacon Anderson died Ang. 10, 1859, and in the follow- ing winter, or spring, the library was sold at auction. The num- ber of books at the time of the sale is thought by some to have been four or five hundred. A noteworthy fact is that they were all solid works. The following will serve as examples : Gibbon's
283
HISTORY OF LIBRARIES, FROM 1800 TO 1883.
Roman Empire, Paley's Theology, Franklin's Life, Edwards on the Affections, Smalley's Sermons, Ashe's Travels, etc., and large books on Natural History. There were no works of fiction in the collection. On a blank leaf in front of each book was written the date of purchase, " 1825," the words " Windham Library," and the number of the book.
SUNDAY-SCHOOL LIBRARY, 1832.
The first reading matter connected with the Sunday-school was in the form of tracts and pamphlets, which reached the scholars by distribution. After a time a library was started ; this was not later than 1832. At the annual meeting of the Sunday-school Society, held April 9, 1832, a librarian and assistant librarian were chosen, and collectors to solicit contributions in each of the school districts. From eight to sixteen dollars were raised yearly in this manner, till 1838.
April 11, 1842, it was voted " that Nathaniel Hills be author- ized and appointed an agent to make a collection of twenty dol- lars, if possible, to enlarge the Sunday-school library."
April 15, 1847, the society voted that " a collection be taken up for the purpose of procuring a new library, and so much of the old library as is suitable be sent to the West for the benefit of their Sunday-schools."
It was formerly the custom for the librarians, one in each aisle, to carry books to the several classes during the session of the Sunday-school. Since the first of 1875, the library has been kept in a small room over one of the vestibules of the church. Pre- vious to the remodeling of the church it was kept in the long vestibule which extended across the front of the church. This library contains 440 volumes, and is well patronized.
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