USA > New Hampshire > Rockingham County > Derry > Willey's book of Nutfield; a history of that part of New Hampshire comprised within the limits of the old township of Londonberry, from its settlement in 1719 to the present time > Part 3
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The teachers did not calculate on hearing many reci- tations, but as the time never drags so heavily as when unemployed, Miss Grant read extracts from the Memoirs of Lafayette, which increased the interest in this noble minded individual.
Eleven o'clock soon arrived, but we heard nothing of our visitor. The bell told us it was twelve, but still no news. Ladies from the village now came in, hoping to share our chance of seeing the hero. After remaining an hour they departed, supposing he might have taken some other route, and that it was useless to wait any longer. But we were not so ready to relinquish our hopes, and concluded to remain. Hour after hour passed in tedious expectation. In vain we sought to beguile the time by exercise. At five each eye became languid. All hope of seeing Lafayette had vanished. As our Academy is retired, we went on the green before the door for air and exercise. A few drops of rain soon drove us into the house. The day had been extremely warm. For some time we had seen the dark thunder clouds rising in the north and follow- ing each other in quick succession toward the south. Now the whole sky became darkened and the vivid flashes of lightning, and loud and frequent claps of thunder, told a tale of terror that blanched many a cheek and moistened many a bright eye. At this moment horsemen coming at full speed approached with the welcome intelligence that Lafayette would soon be with us. In a few moments he came. Miss Grant and the teachers went forward to wel- come him, and were introduced by one of the gentlemen
present. As he entered the teacher's desk I turned to look at the pupils. A magician's hand could not have effected a more sudden transformation. Terror was forgotten. The tempest raging without was no longer heard. Smiles and animation had displaced fatigue and anxiety. Every eye glistened, but it was with enthusiasm ; every heart swelled with intense interest as we beheld the friend, the defender, the martyr of liberty. Before us stood the man, who fifty years ago left his native country, his noble prospects, his happy home, to embark in the almost shipwrecked cause of American Independence. And he, too, it was, who, betrayed by his ungrateful countrymen, immersed in the dungeons of Almonts, deprived of light and air, almost of food and clothing, disdained to sacrifice his honor for his liberty. An almost breathless stillness prevailed while one of the Trustees told him that this Academy was one of a few public institutions in our country designed exclusively for the education of women ; that it was taught wholly by ladies and was designed to give them a solid education, on the same basis as our colleges; and he said, "You will not refuse these young ladies, in common with others, the gratification of welcoming to our country the friend of man, and the friend of America."
The young ladies simultaneously rose. His reply we did not distinctly hear. He was asked, "Will you speak to these young ladies?" He replied, "I should like to," and was immediately going to each individual, one hun- dred in all, but he was told they would come to him. With each lady he shook hands, and to each remarked, "I am happy to see you." After staying fifteen minutes, he departed, expressing much gratification at his visit. His last words, " Farewell forever," sounded mournfully in our ears.
As he left the building, the clouds which had obscured the heavens suddenly became dissipated in the west, and although the rain still fell in torrents, the sun broke forth with unusual splendor, forming a magnificent rainbow in the east. The splendid colors of the rainbow beautifully contrasted with the masses of dark clouds that still skirted the horizon. At a distance the deep-toned thunder was resounding, while nearer, the church bell was sending forth its melodious notes. The effect of the scene and its asso- ciations was almost oppressive. Had we been alone we should have relieved our full hearts by a flood of tears. We felt that we that day had seen the most noble of modern heroes, a being who united in his own character all the best qualities of ancient days, pure, magnanimous, disinterested, alike the friend of liberty and the opponent of anarchy. Many a silent prayer ascended for his earthly happiness and eternal felicity. And we retired to our respective abodes with hearts full of gratitude to Him who had disposed Lafayette to assist America in her hour of need.
Lafayette was the honored guest of General Elias Haskett Derby of Derry, his companion in arms in the war of the Revolution.
HARVEY PERLEY HOOD.
H ARVEY PERLEY HOOD, son of Deacon Harvey and Rebecca (Smith) Hood, was born at Chelsea, Vt., June 6, 1823. His early education was obtained at the district schools of his native town. and at the Randolph Acad- emy. After helping carry on his father's farm until he was nearly twenty-three, he went to Boston in 1845 and found employment in the bakery busi- ness for about two years. He then started in business,
ducts in New England. Their principal cream- ery, grain elevator and mill are at Derry, where the home office is located. They also have a Boston office for the needs of their extensive business there. Mr. Hood has been a Director in the Derry National Bank for more than twenty years, has twice represented his town in the State Legisla- ture, but during most of his life, his own business has occupied his time, and few men have worked as many hours a day as he has for fifty years. He has always been active and interested in everything that would contribute to the welfare of his town. He has borne his part in all benev- olent enterprises, and has always been kind and charitable to the unfortunate and deserving. He was married in 1850 to Caroline Laura Corwin, daughter of John and Clarissa ( Thompson ) Cor- win, of Tunbridge, Vt., and she has been his efficient helper in Their
buying a small milk route. After nine years of conscien- tious work he built up a fine business, but was compelled on account of his health to sell out and move away from the sea coast. He then came to Derry, N. H., in 1856, and started in the milk business as a con- tractor, running a milk car from Derry to Boston. In 1858 he bought the Red- field Farm, later known as the Chase Farm, where he has since resided. With his characteristic HARVEY P. HOOD. energy he set at work improving the farm and all public and benevolent enterprises. remodeling and enlarging the buildings, adding new buildings from time to time as need required, until he now has one of the largest and best equipped dairy farms in New Hampshire. Mean- while, through his attention to business and perseverance, his milk business has increased, until now the corporation of H. P. Hood & Sons is one of the largest handlers of dairy pro-
home life has always been remarkably happy. They have six children. Their three sons are now interested with their father in his extensive business, Charles H. being treasurer, Edward J. director, and Gilbert II. secretary in the H. P. Hood & Sons Corporation. Their three daughters are Mrs. J. W. Johnston. Clara R. Hood, and Mrs. M. N. Smith.
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WILLEY'S BOOK OF NUT FIELD.
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HARVEY P. HOOD'S RESIDENCE, DERRY.
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WILLEY'S BOOK OF NUT FIELD.
INKERTON ACADEMY and the educa- Derry, in 1869, he was principal of Pinkerton P
tional and religious interests of Derry owe very much to the labors of Ebenezer Greenleaf
Academy three years and of Dummer Academy, Byfield, Mass., ten years. Upon the death of Parsons. For forty years he has been more or John Morrison Pinkerton in 1881, Mr. Parsons less closely identified with the Academy, and few men have contributed more to its success than he. Mr. Parsons was born in Westport, Me., May 15, 1813, and was graduated at
was elected President of Pinkerton Academy, and since then has occupied the office. As member of the board of trustees for forty years, a large part of the time serving on the execu- tive committee as chairman or as member, he has been enabled to accomplish much for the institution. In addition to his other duties Mr. Parsons has been a member of the board of overseers of Bowdoin College since 1864. and for a number of years was one of the exam- iners of the College.
In 1840 Mr. Parsons was married to Miss Caroline Mellen Nye of Freeport, Me., who died in 1862, leaving two children as fruit of their union: Caroline Nye, wife of Frank G. How, and Miss Maria Sewall. Mr. Parsons married Sarah Dana McMillan, daughter of Hon. Andrew McMillan, of Danville, Me., in 1865. The pleasant home of Mr. and Mrs. Parsons is in Derry Village.
A
BEL FLETCHER HILDRETH was born
in Sterling, Mass., Oct. 24, 1793. He fit- ted for college at Exeter, N. H., and entering Harvard was graduated in the class of 1818, ranking among the first fifteen in a class of eighty members. Shortly after graduation he took charge of the Academy in Amherst, N. H .. and at the same time began the study of medi- cine in the office of Dr. Spaulding. In 1819 he became principal of Pinkerton Academy in Derry, continuing for twenty-seven years in this position. After leaving the Academy he had charge of a family school in Derry and subsequently of one in Auburndale, Mass .. for quite a number of years. In his life work as teacher he was eminently successful. and his pupils numbered at least twenty-five hundred. Among them was one who became President of the United States; one was principal of Phillips Academy, Andover; another. Hon. Z.
REV. E. G. PARSONS.
Bowdoin College in 1833, and at Bangor Theo- logical Seminary four years later. He served the Congregational Church in Freeport, Me., as pastor for fourteen years and also served the Congregational Church in Derry eighteen years, resigning in October, 1869. During this period he rendered valuable assistance to the cause of education by his service on the school committee or in his capacity as superintendent of schools. After the close of his ministry in Chandler, was United States Senator from Michi-
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WILLERS BOOK OF NUTFIELD.
gan, and many others became distinguished in long after coming to Derry he united with the professional or business life. But it was not Presbyterian Church, then under the pastoral merely in the number of his pupils, or the care of Rev. E. L. Parker. He was soon chosen celebrity of a few of them, that Mr. Hildreth's
ABEL FLETCHER HILDRETH.
success as a teacher appeared. His happy meth- at the age of seventy-one.
ods of instruction, his kind, paternal discipline, his pleasant conversation, his warm heart, his genial character, were the molding influences that shaped many a mind and heart among his pupils. He seemed to discover by intuition what talents or capacity his pupils possessed, and he was very successful in drawing out and making the most of what was in them. Many a timid, shrinking youth, by Mr. Hildreth's kindness and encouragement, was lifted out of obscurity, educated and fitted for a station of honor and usefulness which he afterward adorned for years. Mr. Hildreth was an excellent clas- sical instructor, and his pupils were regarded by the faculty of Dartmouth College as far better prepared for admission than the average candi- dates for entrance into that institution. He was equally successful as a teacher of mathematics and the natural sciences. In the family, in the town, in the church, as well as in the school- room, his influence was a most happy one. Not
an elder and continued in this office until the formation of the Congregational Church in Derry Village. In this church he took a deep interest, contributing liberally for its support as long as he remained in town. He was chosen deacon of the new church, and in this office he was very efficient. Probably no man ever exerted a greater and more beneficent influence upon the town of Derry than Mr. Hildreth during his more than thirty years' residence there. The young men especially during all this time felt his molding power. Most of them had been his pupils, and they always looked up to him as their guide, philosopher and friend. After leaving the Academy, Mr. Hildreth represented the town in the State Legislature for two years, and here, true to his ruling passion, he labored diligently and successfully in the cause of education. He drafted the bill providing for the appointment of county commissioners of common schools and had the satisfaction of seeing it become law. Mr. Hildreth died in Somerville in 1864
MCALLISTER'S COURT, DERRY DEPOT.
WESLEY B. KNIGHT POST, G. A. R.
W TESLEY B. KNIGHT Post No. 41, De- vices to put down the Rebellion, "to maintain partment of New Hampshire, G. A. R., our country undivided and our flag unsullied." was instituted at Annis Hall, North London- derry, March 6, 1879, by Department Com- mander W. H. D. Cochran, assisted by Adjt. Gen. A. D. Ayling and other members of Post No. 7 of Nashua. There were seventeen char- ter members, Orrin B. Stokes, New Hamp-
WESLEY B. KNIGHT.
shire's famous drummer, being chosen first commander. According to an unwritten law Grand Army posts generally take the name of some officer or soldier of the Union Army in the War of the Rebellion, not living, preferably one from the town in which the post is located. Wesley B. Knight was one of the first if not the first citizen of Londonderry to offer his ser-
in response to the first call for volunteers in April, 1861, and his name is on the list of those who sacrificed their lives in their country's defence. He died while a prisoner in South Carolina. His name was therefore pre-eminently a fitting one for this post, and was adopted by unanimous consent. The members of the post at the time of its organization resided about equally in Londonderry and Derry, some three or four living in Auburn and Windham. The post held its meetings at North Londonderry, Derry Depot and at the Town Hall in London- derry, for the convenience of its members, who soon numbered sixty, and prospered for about eight years, holding many campfires and other entertainments to raise funds for relief, which were always liberally patronized. During the first years of its existence it decorated the graves of our fallen heroes in the several cemeteries of Londonderry and Derry, and one cemetery in Auburn, on each Memorial Day, but owing to the institution of other posts, now confines itself to Londonderry. It secured from the United States government quite a number of marble headstones, properly inscribed, which it has placed at the previously unmarked graves of soldiers from Londonderry in cemeteries in Lon- donderry and Auburn, and has had an accurate survey and plans made of the several cemeteries in Londonderry, upon which is marked the exact spot where each soldier lies buried. These surveys and plans were made by Joseph R. Clark, a civil engineer of Derry, who gener- ously donated his services. In order that the soldiers' graves might be readily distinguished from others, the post has placed suitable mark- ers, and on each Memorial Day puts on every grave a flag, that emblem of union and liberty which every true soldier adores, and scatters flowers in testimony of the affection and esteem in which the memory of the fallen comrades is held.
Upton Post, which in the natural order of
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WILLEY'S BOOK OF NUTFIELD.
events had been instituted at Derry, endeavored the first organization. The post's charter entitles it to hold meetings at Londonderry or Derry Depot, and the post is believed to be the only one in the department with a roving charter. in 1886 to prescribe territorial limits for the older organization, which was at that time hold- ing its meetings at Derry Depot. The result was that this post surrendered its charter April 9, The first charter was returned, and the two in
-
1
WESLEY B. KNIGHT POST, G. A. R., AND SOLDIERS' MONUMENT, LONDONDERRY.
1887. But it was not long relegated to oblivion, for on June 17 of the same year it was re-insti- tuted and re-organized by Department Com- mander Otis C. Wyatt, assisted by Comrade Cyrus C. Marston of Chester, N. H., with eigh- teen charter members, all of whom belonged to
a double frame ornament the wall of the post room. The post was soon actively at work and rapidly increased in membership, meetings being held for some time in Odd Fellows' Hall. Since the re-organization of the post, a Woman's Relief Corps auxiliary to it has been instituted, which
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WILLEY'S BOOK OF NUT FIELD.
is one of the largest and most energetic in the attends it. The present commander is John E. department. With the assistance of the ladies Webster of Derry.
of this Relief Corps the post held a successful fair in November, 1889, netting about eight hundred and fifty dollars. It gave about six hundred dollars in prizes and premiums to ticket W ESLEY B. KNIGHT Woman's Relief Corps, of Londonderry and Derry Depot, auxiliary to Wesley B. Knight Post 41, was holders, which sum was contributed almost wholly by friends of the post in Londonderry and surrounding towns. A part of the proceeds was used to fit up and furnish the apartments which the post now occupies at Derry Depot and which are said to be the handsomest and best equipped in the department. The room is complete in all its appointments, and is lighted by electricity. Upon its walls hang the elegant silk banner of the post and many pictures, among them a life-like portrait of Wesley B. Knight, presented by his brother, Asa P. Knight of Washington, D. C. Upon the altar lies a handsome illustrated Bible, presented by the wife and daughter of Wesley B. Knight. The post has also a beautiful memorial volume in which to record the history of each comrade, the gift of Rosecrans W. Pillsbury of Londonderry and Frederick J. Shepard of Derry. Frequently has the post been honored by the appointment of its members on the staff of the Department Com- mander and Commander-in-Chief, and in secur- ing for its Memorial Day orators sons of Lon- donderry who have won esteem abroad. It participated in the dedication of the soldiers' monuments at Manchester, Londonderry, Nashua MRS. ALICE W. CLARK. and Derry, and in August, 1889, it attended the National Encampment at Boston, Mass., with instituted Feb. 7, 1889, by Miss Kate M. Thayer. department secretary, assisted by Mrs. Kate G. Libby of Nashua, the Post having been actively interested in aiding the formation in every way and finally presenting the Corps with its char- ter. The first officers were: Mrs. Alice W. secretary, and Mrs. Mary A. Whitney, treasurer. They held their positions for two years. Start- ing with seventeen charter members, the Corps rapidly grew in strength, and at the end of two years it had sixty-five names on its roll. Head- quarters were first established in Odd Fellows' Hall, but the Corps soon removed to the apart- full numbers, and was royally entertained by the Morrison family of Londonderry, at their home in Cambridge. It is a remarkable fact that for twelve years prior to 1894 there was not a death among the members of the post, though four have occurred since and seven in all. The member- Clark, president; Mrs. Kate E. H. Plummer. ship in November, 1894, was fifty-five. The youngest member is forty-six and several are over seventy years of age. As the years roll on and the infirmities of its members and other wards increase, the post keeps ever alive to its duties and carries joy and comfort to many homes. Harmony prevails in its councils, and prosperity
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WILLERS BOOK OF NUTFIELD.
MRS. KATE E. II. PLUMMER.
MRS. MARY A. WHITNEY.
MRS. HELEN F. KNIGHT.
MRS. ELLEN M. STEARNS.
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WILLEN'S BOOK OF NUT FIELD.
ments which it now occupies in G. A. R. Hall. It entered at once vigorously upon its duties in raising and disbursing money for the relief of needy and destressed soldiers and their families. It furnished and fitted up its apartments and furnished a room in the Soldiers' Home at Tilton. It also assisted the Post to which it is auxiliary in holding a fair in the fall of 1889 and was substantially remembered for its services. The Corps occupies a suite of rooms, handsomely furnished and carpeted, adjoining the Post rooms. In the audience room is a fine piano, the prop- erty of the Corps, and its kitchen is complete in all its appointments. Frequent entertainments, which are always well patronized, are given to raise money for relief. Mrs. Mary A. Whitney was the second president, with Mrs. Kate E. H. Plummer, secretary, and Mrs. Helen F. Knight, treasurer. They served for three years, and ably carried on the work of the Corps, com- pleting all that was in progress and always on the alert for an opportunity to do good. The organization prospered, and thirty names were added to the roll during their administration. Mrs. Ellen M. Stearns is the third and present president, with Mrs. Annie C. Martin, secretary, and Mrs. Emma J. Perkins, treasurer.
IT is often difficult to realize how intimate were 1 the relations sustained in the olden time between pastor and flock, and how in hours of distress or peril they turned to him for succor and advice. The severest earthquake ever known in New England happened at ten o'clock in the evening on Oct. 29, 1729, the shock in Nutfield being violent enough to awaken and alarm all the inhabitants. Rev. Mr. McGregor at once arose and started to go among his people. His frightened wife and children pleaded with him to remain at home, but the stern old minister replied, " I have a greater family which must be cared for." And with that he hastened away. On the road he met a large number of his parishioners hurrying in terror to his house. HIe quieted their fears and took occasion to draw a moral lesson from the earthquake. The history naïvely adds: "A general seriousness followed. Numbers were awakened and hope- fully converted, a reformation of morals was visible, family prayer was more generally at- tended, and great additions were made to the churches." Periods of religious awakening fre- quently follow great disasters, and the experience of the Nutfield settlers shows how little human nature changes with time.
WESLEY B. KNIGHT WOMAN'S RELIEF CORPS.
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WILLEY'S BOOK OF NUTFIELD.
EV. HI. M. PENNIMAN was born June 23, Haverhill, headed by a man named Herriman, R 1851, in New Braintree, Mass. After
appeared one day on the scene, looking attending the public schools of that town he for trouble. They were all well armed, and studied in Williston Seminary, East Hampton, Mass., in Worcester Academy, Worcester, Mass., in Brown University, Providence, R. L., and in Andover Theological Seminary. Feb. 24, 1873, he married Miss Caroline Fobes of Boston. Mr. Penniman was ordained and installed as a threatened to drive the Scotchmen away from the region. It was not because they desired to settle in Nutfield themselves, but only because they objected on principle to Dissenters. Evi- dently, however, they did not realize with whom they were dealing. Some of the Scotchmen, including their minister, had fought in defence of Londonderry, in Ireland, during the siege of that city by the forces of King James II., and they were not easily frightened. A public religious service happened to be held on the day on which the Haverhill invaders arrived, and the Scotchmen, after listening calmly to their insolent command, and quietly taking the meas- ure of their strength, informed them that it was their first duty to attend to the appointed relig- ious service; when that was over, they would give them all the fighting they desired, and to this arrangement the Haverhill men assented. What followed is thus narrated in an old record : "The little company of settlers gathered around the trunk of a large tree which was used by Mr. MacGregor as his pulpit. The assailants retired at a short distance, observed the religious exercises, and, struck with the firm, resolute and undaunted appearance of the people, with their solemnity and devotion, and particularly with the eloquent and impressing discourse delivered REV. H. M. PENNIMAN. on the occasion, they relinquished their hostile design, Herriman remarking, 'It is in vain to attempt to disturb these people; we shall not succeed, for God is evidently among them.'"
Congregational minister in the First Church, East Derry, April 8, 1884. After a successful pastorate there of more than five years, he went, July 1, 1889, to Chicago, to become pastor of the Tabernacle Church, at the corner of West Indiana and Morgan Streets. The following year he accepted a call to the Orthodox Con- gregational Church of Keokuk, Ia., where he has remained since Jan. 1, 1891.
THE first settlers of Nutfield had many diffi- culties and dangers to contend with that would have daunted less braver hearts than theirs. Soon after the little colony had estab- lished itself, a party of about a dozen from
A RELIC OF THE EARLY DAYS.
THE HILL GRAVEYARD.
FOR many years this old burial ground in whole generations bushes and trees grew over Londonderry was almost unknown. The the graves, and grasses and briars covered the lot, long ago set apart for the final resting place prone and reclining stones, until it became of the dead, is quite small and is situated upon
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