USA > New Hampshire > Hillsborough County > Lyndeborough > The history of the town of Lyndeborough, New Hampshire, Vol. II > Part 12
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44
* The name of the eastern spur of our mountain. About the commencement of the present century a company was organized in this town, through faith in the Divining- rod, to mine for silver. Much time and money were expended for naught. The ex- cavation, though now partly filled up, is plain to be seen.
t In the fall of 1848, as workmen were removing a sand mound at the west end of " Badger " Pond, so called, the bones of an Indian were disinterred. Others may yet
573
ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION
Of this little pond, and the tall waving trees Sang his requiem, mov'd by the soft western breeze. Fain here would our muse gently cower her wing, Nor 'tempt furthermore to flutter or sing- Yea, fain would avoid the sad task to fulfil ; But oh ! the vile serpent, the " worm of the still." That reptile's been here, with his poisonous breath, Beguiling its victims to premature death; Gently and softly the heart he coils round, 'Till all the affections forever are bound. Father and mother, fond hearts have been pained To see their loved offspring so foolishly chained ; Sisters have wept for a brother's sad fate, Who fain would avoid, when, alas ! 'twas too late, The place where this reptile was kept to decoy The doom'd one from virtue, honor and joy. Alas ! oh, alas ! no tongue can e'er tell The sorrows that flow from this offspring of hell. If once he succeeds in wounding the brain, The doom'd one will seek him again and again ; Will sacrifice freely companions of youth, Probity, honor, religion and truth - Father and mother, health, children and wife, Sister and brother, yea, e'en his own life. Alas ! he will peril his own precious soul, If he but for once can quaff from the bowl The poisonous liquid so sure for to kill, That comes from that reptile, the " worm of the still." Our muse is a blundering, careless old jade ; The fact is, she never yet half learn'd the trade. What should have come first is left until now- We hope the fair ladies won't scowl up their brow ;
We have lots of them here- some young and some old ; Some handsome, some homely, some modest, some bold. They all are adopting the odd modern plan, When dress'd, to resemble a broad, open fan, Or rather a tunnel, with generous crop
At the nose, and a something stuck on near the top. Some want to get married, some say they do not, But this is a fib I will wager a grot. Not want to get married ! I'd just as soon think A miser would flee from the rattle of chink ; Or our little pond, with all its live stock, Should start up the mountain, to take a short walk.
Live single ! when widowers, bachelors and beaux Stand ready and fix'd, in their best Sunday clothes, To give them a call and make quite a stop,
rest there. The first settlers of this town found around this pond many domestic and other implements of Indian construction. There is no evidence that they ever made this region a permanent residence, but very probably it was a favorite hunting-ground.
.
574
HISTORY OF LYNDEBOROUGH
Yea, e'en to hitch up, and the question to pop?
Not want to get married ! 'tis all fudge and feign, They just kind o' say so, their object to gain, And then, oh, " by cracky!" they'll put on the clips, And make ye stand round like a basket of chips. Yet some are more honest, are willing to own That going through life's crooked path all alone Was never designed in Nature's great plan To be the sad lot of woman or man. And so they are willing to join in and go Through Time's little journey of sorrow and woe With him they have promis'd to love from the heart, Till death the fond union asunder shall part. Then ho ! ye single old scissors, don't cry!
But lift up your heads- your redemption is nigh ;
Another good half you can get, without fail,
And then cut like something,- so here ends our TALE.
THE LAFAYETTE ARTILLERY COMPANY'S CENTENNIAL CELE- BRATION, SEPTEMBER 9th, 1904.
BY REV. D. DONOVAN. .
A century of continuous existence is not a trivial matter to either a man or a military organization. A review of the great changes in our situation and in that of our familiar friends, in that of our country, and especially its relations with other coun- tries, the "battles, sieges, fortunes " we have passed through, even within the bounds of half a century, cannot fail deeply to impress us. But if the occurrences of half a century affect us deeply, how much more those of a full century. It was only appropriate then that the Lafayette Artillery and the town in which they had flourished for more than two-thirds of a cen- tury, should seek to celebrate worthily the centennial of their organization.
.
To this end, the town at its meeting in March, 1904, voted to observe Old Home Day, and appropriated two hundred dollars to expend for this object, and.also appointed a committee of ar- rangements to carry out its vote.
The Lafayette Artillery also appointed a committee to make suitable arrangements for the celebration of their one-hun- dredth anniversary.
The two committees above named united in deciding to com- bine both the celebrations into one. The committee chosen for the celebration of Old Home day were : -
Fred A. Richardson Charles L. Perham F. B. Richards
.
575
LAFAYETTE ARTILLERY CELEBRATION
The Lafayette Artillery's committee were : -
Capt. Andy Holt Lieut. Edward Ross Walter S. Tarbell
Charles L. Perham Fred Moore
It was understood at the outset that the Artillery Co. were, most appropriately, to have the chief place in the day's doings. Consequently, the main part of the work in making the ar- rangements devolved on their committee. This took the lead and had the principal oversight of the whole. It appointed the following sub-committees : -
Grounds .- J. A. Blanchard, C. L. Perham, Jos. A. Johnson.
Speakers and Exercises .- Capt. Andy Holt, Jacob A. Woodward.
Decorations .- Lieut. Edward Ross, chairman.
Invitations .- Chas. H. Tarbell, Capt. Andy Holt, Jacob A. Woodward. Salutes .- A. S. Conant and members of the gun squad.
Music .- Lieut. Fred Holt, Roy N. Putnam, Jason Holt.
Dinner .- W. S. Tarbell, A. W. Putnam, Charles H. Tarbell.
Transportation .- Fred Moore, John C. Carkin and Edgar A. Danforth.
The committee on music secured the services of the First Regiment Band of Nashua ; that for dinner hired the Page Co. of Lowell, Mass., as caterers; and that for transportation se- cured the extra train service from Nashua and way stations for both day and evening.
At the meeting, June 4, 1904, the company voted to request the general committee to prepare a programme to be presented at the next meeting. It was presented as follows: -
Sunrise salute by the gunner's squad Receiving Gov. Bachelder and invited guests by salute Parade of military Band concert Dinner Speaking by the governor and others Dress parade
This program was accepted by the company, subject to amend- ment if necessary.
That the arrangements thus projected were handsomely car- ried through, will be learned from the press reports furnished by the Manchester Union, Sept. 10, 1904, and also from the Mil- ford Cabinet of Sept. 15, 1904. We cite freely from both such portions as suit our purpose :
"Everything connected with the great celebration at South Lyndebor- ough was successfully carried out, and barring the weather, was satisfac- tory and pleasing to everyone, both to those who had the details in charge and those who were the guests of the town and the company for the day. There may have been more people in South Lyndeborough on some
576
HISTORY OF LYNDEBOROUGH
previous occasion, but it is certain there never was a time when there were so many umbrellas in evidence as on Friday, for it commenced rain- ing early in the morning and there was hardly a cessation until nightfall. This could but be a damper on the outdoor exercises, for the bright sun was necessary to show up to advantage the decorations which were so abundant and so artistically displayed. It was really a remarkable sight to see such a universal decoration. Hardly a house but had its stream- ers and bunting flying. It was a pretty sight as it was, but with the sun's bright rays it would have been most attractive."- Cabinet.
" The celebration began with a salute of twenty-five guns, fired by a gun detachment of the Lafayettes, under the command of Albert S. Conant. The historic brass six-pounder, the only piece in the state service left for use at the outbreak of the civil war, at the sunrise hour boomed out the announcement of the Lafayettes centennial until the entire Pack Monadnock range cchoed the message, and the whole countryside knew that New Hampshire had a military company a full 100 years old.
" It was an interesting morning in this village this morning when the wholc town and all the neighboring towns were turning out to enjoy the festivities of the Lafayette's anniversary. And it was a pretty picture which the village presented, even in the rain. The Artillery company was resplendent in new uniforms, a special suit combining some of the fcatures of both the regulation artillery and marine pattern, and alto- gether pretty and appropriate for an independent organization. The pic- turesque artillery red was everywhere in evidence, but it was not long. before the troopers of the Peterborough cavalry began to appear, and tlie yellow lining of their capes gave another touch of color to the pretty show. The village itself was a mass of red, white and blue. Artistic decorations were to be seen on every building. No pains had been spared to make the place beautiful, and the decorators found everybody anxious that no gap should be left in the color display."-Union.
"The special train bearing the governor and his party, the First Regi- ment Band from Nashua, the Granite Rifles from Milford and invited guests from all directions, came about 9.30 o'clock, and the old cannon spoke its welcome to our chief. At Io o'clock the governor and his staff, Gen. Tolles and members of his staff reviewed the parade from a stand crccted in the square. The parade was an altogether creditable one, and consisted of a platoon of police from Nashua, First Regiment Band, Nashua, Troop A Cavalry, Peterborough, Granite Rifles, Milford, Lafay- ette Artillery Co., Lyndeborough."- Cabinet.
" As the Lyndeborough men passed the governor they marched like vet- erans, and their line called out a spontaneous burst of applause from the militia officers, who watched it with critical eyes. An interesting feature of the parade was the historic piece drawn by gaily caparisoned horses and surrounded by a detachment of the older members of the company.
"The parade over, the remainder of the time to the dinner hour was given up to sociability. Captain Davis had a good chance to put his troopers through some manœuvres and gave a half hour's drill, much to the delight of the crowd. Meanwhile the rain had set in again and there was a general scurrying to cover. Citizen's hall was filled with a jolly crowd. Captain Andy Holt's house contained a large company of distin-
577
LAFAYETTE ARTILLERY CELEBRATION .
guished guests, and the stores and dwellings of the village were meeting places for large numbers. For a wet day it was as jolly a time as could be imagined. Just to put the finishing touch on the rainy day picture, ' Andy' Drum took his First Infantry Band on Capt. Andy Holt's veranda, and gave a fiue concert. Almost everbody was there in a few moments, and the half hour before 'mess call ' was one of the most en- joyable of the day.
"At noon the old gun roared out another salute. The cavalry trump- eters sounded the familiar call to dinner and the troopers marched to the big tent as they do at camp. A quiet, cosmopolitan crowd, men high in political and military circles, militia men, civilians, all sorts of people, sat down to heavily laden tables and enjoyed a pleasant dinner hour, the members of the Lafayette Artillery company acting as waiters."- Union.
The post-prandial exercises consisted of speeches from the dis- tinguished guests, interspersed with music of a sweet, animat- ing and inspiriting character by the band. Mr. Jacob A. Wood- ward presided. The local pastor offered prayer, and after fitting remarks by the president, he introduced Gov. N. J. Batchelder, who spoke with characteristic ease and pleasantry of his many visits to the varied gatherings throughout the state. "But," he said, " among the things that a governor cannot do is to gov- ern the weather to his liking."
He had ordered fair weather for the day, but the council had not confirmed the order. He congratulated the Artillery Co. on the completeness of their arrangements for celebrating so impor- tant an event. He favored occasional retrospect by communi- ties as well as individuals ; and he favored also the tendency in these times to reverence old people, old homes, old organiza- tions; and he believed that the military of a state holds an im- portant place in fostering its patriotism.
Appropriate to these words of our governor, it may be stated that 135 men, who had at some time been members of this com- pany enlisted as soldiers in our civil war.
Congressman Currier followed in complimentary terms, saying that "it was remarkable that a company should retain its organization so many years as this had. A well regulated military company in a community gave a great sense of security." He referred to the part New Hampshire took in the great battles of colonial days, to the work of the Rogers Rangers, to the New Hampshire troops at Bunker Hill and Stark's vic- tory at Bennington .- Cabinet.
[Lyndeborough had the honor of sharing in all these. ]
Ex-Congressman Baker followed with appropriate remarks. Other speakers were Hon. C. H. Burns of Wilton, C. J. Ham- blett of Nashua and J. G. Crawford of Manchester.
Instead of any attempt to give a sketch of the company, the
578
HISTORY OF LYNDEBOROUGH
carefully prepared history printed in pamphlet form was distrib- uted freely as a souvenir among the audience until the supply was exhausted. This is substantially the same as the historical sketch of the company given in this volume. (Pages 207-218.)
While the exercises were in progress, the troopers and officers of Gen. Tolles staff enjoyed an afternoon's sport at revolver practice on the hillside behind the tent. A dress parade took place about five o'clock, and a large and attractive crowd filled the hall to enjoy the dancing in the evening.
"Among the guests were : Governor N. J. Batchelder, Brigadier-Gen. Jason E. Tolles, Congressman Frank D. Currier, Adjt. Gen. A. D. Ayling, Col. E. C. Hutchinson, Lieut. Col. H. H. Jewell, Maj. A. F. Cummings, Maj. George M. Follett, Lieut. Col. A. G. Shattuck; Nathan C. Jameson and wife, Antrim; O. B. Warren of Rochester, junior vice department commander of the Grand Army of New Hampshire; M. L. Piper of Auburn, United States capital police ; Police Commissioner F. D. Run- nels of Nashua ; Gen. Chas. H. Burns, Wilton; Col. J. E. Pecker of Con- cord; Col. W. B. Rotch of Milford ; Gen. D. M. White of Peterborough ; former Congressman Henry M. Baker of Bow ; Col. John G. Crawford of Manchester; Maj. D. E. Proctor of Wilton ; Dr. H. S. Hutchinson of Milford, the Rev. Francis H. Buffum of Winchester; Rev. M. F. Johnson of Nashua; Rev. F. A. Robinson of Milford ; Rev. W. N. Donovan of New- town Centre, Mass .; District Attorney Charles J. Hamblett of Nashua ; H. K. Libbey of Manchester ; Judge A. L. Keyes of Milford."- Cabinet.
Everybody seemed to regard the centennial celebration of the Lafayette Artillery as a complete and praiseworthy success.
CHAPTER XXXIII. BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
BY REV. D. DONOVAN.
JOHN MASON .- A brief account of John Mason, the founder of New Hampshire, can hardly fail to interest those who live on lands included in the grant inade to Gorges and Mason, jointly, by King James the First of England, in 1622.
John Mason was the son of John and Isabella Mason, and was born in Lynn Regis, or King's Lynn, in the maritime county of Norfolk, England. Very little is known of his early life. He attracted first notice as a merchant in London. Later he en- tered the naval service, and became an officer in the fleet which assisted the Dutch Republic in its struggle to free itself from Spain. In 1610, after the independence of Holland had been secured, he was made commander of the king's fleet, which was sent to control the turbulent people of the Hebrides. With a squadron consisting of two ships of war and two pinnaces, fitted out at his own expense, he undertook and effected this task. It was, perhaps, to reimburse him for the expense of this expedi- tion that in 1615 he was made governor of Newfoundland, then one of the most valuable of the English possessions in North America. He made the first English map of that island, and was commissioned by the king "to deal with the pirates then infesting the Newfoundland region."*
" In 1621 he returned to England," and about that time be- came intimately connected with Sir Ferdinando Gorges and others who were interested in colonizing enterprises. They, with a few others admitted as their partners, effected the settle- ment of New Hampshire in 1623. After his return he was ap- pointed governor of the town of Portsmouth, England.t When a vacancy occurred in the Council of Plymouth, Mason " was elected a member of that body, and was chosen their secretary. He was thus placed in the front rank of those who were actively engaged in promoting discoveries and encouraging settlements in North America."# His election to the "Great Council for New England," composed of "persons of honor and even of blood," of which in November he became vice-president,
*Batchellor, Vol. XXVII., Pref. pp. 4, 5.
¡Prov. Papers, vol. I, p. 4. # Hist. of Town of Mason, p. o.
580
HISTORY OF LYNDEBOROUGH
"showed the high estimation put on Mason by some of the fore- most persons in England."
"Early in 1635 the Council for New England became satis- fied of its inability to control affairs in New England. It had long had enemies at home as well as here. There was an unwill- ingness to recognize the powers granted by the sovereign in the nature of government, and it had no strength to enforce its de- crees. The Colony of Massachusetts Bay became large and powerful, and disregarded all authority, kingly as well as other, as far as they thought it prudent. 'Complaints against the council were constantly made to the Privy Council, and they were cited to answer. They determined thereupon to surrender their great charter to the king, and to divide the whole territory of New England among themselves. Pursuant to this resolve Mason received a new grant from the council, dated April 22, 1635, of the lands hitherto granted to him by the council. This grant embraced all the land between the Naumkeag and Pascataqua rivers, extending three score miles inland, with the south half of the Isles of Shoals, to be called New Hampshire."
"On the surrender of the New England Patent in 1635, it was the design of the king to place over that territory a general governor, and Sir Ferdinando Gorges received the appointment. To complete the vice-regal government, Capt. John Mason was appointed Oct. I, Vice-Admiral of New England."
" Mason made every preparation to come to New Hampshire, looking forward to a visit to his plantation, as well as to the charge he had undertaken. In November he was taken ill, and died early in December, 1635, an event that proved disastrous to his interests in New England, which fell, by the terms of his will, to his widow and to his grandson, then not one year old."
" The death of Mason was regarded at the time " by " his friends and associates as a far-reaching calamity," * but by the Puritan element as the removal of a formidable obstacle to their designs on the Pascataqua plantations.
He had taken great pains in founding his settlement. He in- troduced fine cattle from Denmark and encouraged agriculture. His hope was to enrich himself from mines of the precious metals which he believed were to be discovered, and from fish- eries which would be developed, as well as from traffic with the Indians in valuable furs. He expended large sums of money in laying the foundation of a splendid establishment which he ex-
*Batch., Vol. XXVII., Pref. p. 5.
581
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES
pected at some future day would amply reward him for his expen- diture. What would have resulted from his outlays cannot now be calculated with any certainty. He was not permitted to reap the anticipated fortune. He died in 1635, having had about twelve years in which to improve his plantation. About a year before his death he wrote that he "had never received a penny for all his outlay on his plantation in Pascataqua." Indeed, until the near approach of his death, his opportunity for the greatest usefulness to the colony had not arrived.
He had but one child, a daughter, Anne, who married Joseph Tufton. Three sons and two daughters were born of this mar- riage, and to these were bequeathed his New Hampshire posses- sions. His lineal descendants down to the time of the sale of his possessions to the Portsmouth syndicate in 1746 are given as follows by Batchellor XXVII., p. 6 of preface : -
I. Capt. John Mason, died Dec. 1635.
2. Anne Mason, daughter, married Joseph Tufton.
3. Robert Tufton, alias Mason, son of Anne, born 1635. Took sur- name of Mason by terms of his grandfather's will.
4. Robert Tufton Mason, 2nd., son. He and his elder brother John undertook to pass their interest in New Hampshire to Samuel Allen in 1691.
5. John Tufton Mason, son, died in Havanna 1718.
6. Col. John Tufton Mason, son, born in Boston, Mass. Apr. 29, 1713 : sold title to lands in New Hampshire to the Masonian Proprietors in 1746, claiming that the transaction with Allen in 1691 conveyed only a life interest.
JUDGE BENJAMIN LYNDE .- The first of this name of Lynde, of whom we have record in this country, was Simon Lynde, son of Enoch, of London, England, a wealthy merchant. Simon followed his father's occupation, and in 1650, when he was 26 years of age, came to New England, and seems to have had his home in Boston. He possessed much wealth, and later in life was by royal authority appointed one of the counsellors for New England.
Benjamin Lynde is said to have been the sixth son of Simon, and was born Sept. 22, 1666. He was graduated at Harvard College, and entered upon the study of law. He was sent to London for his legal education, and was admitted to the Middle Temple Oct. 18, 1692. He returned to his native land after completing his legal studies, and was soon ranked among the foremost in his profession in New England. On the resignation of Judge Sewall in 1728, he was made chief justice of the prov-
582
HISTORY OF LYNDEBOROUGH
ince, and held this office up to the time of his death, Jan. 28, 1745. A brief notice of him in the Boston Evening Post closes his life record thus : -
"Inflexible justice, unshattered integrity, affability and humanity were ever conspicuous with him. He was a sincere friend, most affec- tionate to his relations, and the delight of all who were honored with his friendship and acquaintance."
Such was the father of Benjamin Lynde, Jr., Esq., the promi- nent proprietor of many shares in the old township of Salem- Canada.
BENJAMIN LYNDE, JR., the eldest son of Judge Benjamin Lynde, was born in Salem, Massachusetts, October 15, 1700. He entered Harvard College in 1714, and was graduated in 1718, in the class with Theodore Atkinson, who afterward became chief justice of New Hampshire, and also with Richard Dana, who became a distinguished advocate. He took his master's degree in 1721, and was appointed a special judge of the Court of .Common Pleas for Suffolk County in 1734. When the commission appointed for the settle- ment of the boundary between New Hampshire and Massa- chusetts met at Hampton in 1737, he was named as one of the agents to accompany it. Two years later he was made one of the standing judges of the Court of Common Pleas for Essex Co., and in 1745, the year of his father's death, " he was raised to the Superior Bench of the Province." The latter position he held for twenty-seven years, and he was also a member of the council for twenty-eight years. " The most important trial that took place during his judicial term was that of the soldiers who fired on the mob in State street. In the absence of Chief Justice Hutchinson, Judge Lynde presided. It was a time of great political excitement, and the occasion was one that required the utmost firmness and skill on the part of the judges to insure a just and impartial decision." These trials lasted several days, and, as has been said, "proceeded with care and patience on the part of the Bench and counsel ; and both Judges and Jury seem to have acted with all the impartiality that is exhibited in the most enlightened tribunals." "The result," said Judge Washburn, " is a proud memorial of the purity of the adminis- tration of Justice in Massachusetts." (Sketch in Journal of Benjamin Lynde, pp. 13, 14.)
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.