OF THE TOWN OF HILLSBOROUGH, Hillsborough County, N. H, TO THE YEAR 1841. By Charles James Smith, »»!•' mr TOWN OF HILLSBOROUGH jgtfitoDorougg &ottntj>, N. ?!?♦ From its first Settlement to the Year ls-ii. BY CHARLES JAMES SMITH. n PRINTED FOR THE PUBLISHER, BY J. C. WILSON. 1841. .. ■ ;!. was cieliv- Lk eum, March 10, 1S41. A has b< altered for . and con- _ - that 3 time. and ire worthy It is believed as aathen- ccuracy. ANNALS OF HILLSBOROUGH. Hillsborough is situated in the northwest corner of the county of Hillsborough in latitude 13° 0' north. It is bounded on the north by Bradford, on the east by Henniker, on the south by Deering and Antrim and on the west by Windsor and Washington. It is the most northerly town in Hillsborough county, adjoining the counties of rimack and Sullivan, and is separated from the county ol Cheshire only bv the small town of Windsor on the west. The centre of the town is about equi-distant from the shire towns of Hillsborough. Mer- rimack, Sullivan, and Cheshire counties. Its shape is nearly tl a diamond, being six miles square, and containing by estimati acres. The town is well watered and it isbelived, better irrigated than any other in the county of H The south and pricipal branch of Contoocook river, having its origin at the base ot the Grand Monadnock mountain in the County of Cheshire, enters the town on the south line, near the corners of Antrim and Deering. where it re- ceives the North Branch of the same. The North Branch of the Contoocook, has its rise from Horse-shoe pond on the west side of Lovell's mountain, in "W ashington ; thence running southerly iuto Stoddard, forms Long Pond in that town after which it takes a north- easterly course and pursues its way through the north part of A into Hillsborough, and after running nearly four miles in I part of the town (in which distance it receives the waters of Hillsbo- rough river.) joins the main stream or s nth branch of the Contoocook on the south line of the town near the corners of Antrim and 1 4 ANNALS OF THE T(>> ing. After their confluence the Contoocook meanders through the south eastern part of the town into Henniker Hillsborough river is composed of several branches, the lar- gest and principal of which rise-, in the eastern part of Washington. enters Hillsborough on its northern border, after which it courses di- agonally seven miles through its whole extent and joins the northern branch of the Conl iLithern limit of the town. A con- sidcj able branch from tin ith the main stream in Symonds's interval. This branch is formed by several lesser branches one o( which issues from Black Pond in Windsor and passes through the ' ppcr tillage on the turnpike. Another has its source from a pond in Stoddard. These unite a little cast of the Upper village, and pas3 into the main brancl) bed. Another small tributary original neai Vs ill on s Mineral Spring in the west part of Bradford and di II into the main stream in the north part of the town. A large number of small brooks and rivulets intersect in the ■own. The Contoocook and Hillsborough rivers, with their several branches, in their pn through the town, afford many exc< mill seats and water privileges which are improved to a considerable degree, though by no means to the full extent of their capacity. There arc three natural pond:. The largest body ol water is Loon Pond which lies a iitlle northwest of the centre of the town, qui its being inhabited by Loons in the warm s> It is one mile in length, and two thirds ol a mile wide ; and has two outlet one ol which flows into Hillsbon r, the other into Contention pond. It is a very picturesque sheet ol water, and i. plentiful!) slocked with a varict) oi excellent fish. 1 1.-> watci an parent and pun;; and during lite white) ea on arc dozen — pre- ng a beautiful icy expansion. There arc two other ponds ol con- siderable ma! litude, Contention Pond and Campbell's Pond. Cou- |, n;. | listance noi thwest ol Loon i 'ond and is o callet! fi i ntcntion anioii the early j roprietors : ing the an outlet w hich falls into Hillsborough riv< r. Camp- j,,j|l' i ijitheasl part oi the town. its name . Daniel C npbcll l^sq. ol A mhcrst, who first di OP HILLSBOROUGH. f> cred it. These ponds arc much frequented by fishing parties, and together make a surface of five hundred acres of water. There is no very remarkable elevation of land in the town though there are many fine eminences, from whose summits extensive view; of the surrounding country may be had. Stow's mountain, (the only hill in town whose altitude will permit it to assume the name) in the northwest part, is the highest point of land in Hillsborough. This mountain derives its name from the late Dea. Joel Stow who occupi- ed a farm on its southeastern slope, nearly half a century. The high- est inhabited land is the site of the domicil of Mr. Justus Pike, on the eastern declivity of the above mentioned mountain. The lowest, is believed to be on the south side of the Contoocook, a few rods be- low Hillsborough Bridge. The surface of the town is uneven, being greatly diversified by hills and dales. It has a rugged yet, in gener- al strong and productive soil. It is suitably divided into tillage and pasturage, and is principally of a deep gravelly loam, favorable for grass and all kinds of English grain. Every description of forest tree common in New Hampshire is found here in greater or less abundance. The most prevalent are the hemlock, beech, elm, spruce and ash, and the different varieties of the oak, maple, pine, birch and cherry. The lofty and noble white pine formerly abounded in great luxuriance upon the low ground on the banks of the rivers, but has principally been cut away for timber. Considerable quantities u( granite are sprinkled in detached blocks, on the highlands which though not of the most beautiful texture is wrought into hearth and door stones and is used in underpinning buildings, in tin- erection of bridges, and for various other architectu- ral purposes. .The second New Hampshire turnpike road, comple- ted in ISO!, leading from Claremont to Amherst, passes through the west part of the town in a northwesterly direction. It has a com ie of about four miles in the town. There are four villages in Hillsbo- rough which an; thu i designated, Hillsborough Centre, Hillsborough Bridge, the Upper village, and the Lower village. The centre village stands on a hill a little southeast of the exact centre of the own. It is a small village containing but ten dwelling houses, '> VNNALS OF THE TOWN most of winch arc large and valuable. Here arc two Meeting liou The old Meeting h it is most commonly styled is the properly oi the town and is now v.^cA almost exclusively as a town lions'. 1 . It ms structure without si bell. The exterior of the of the house is painted white, the roof red. It is visible (from fly site) at a great distance, and pre joodly specimen of the style of church architecture prevalent in Mew England half a century since. Hallowed associations cluster around this venerable time-worn edifice. We arc reminded of the fathers ol the hamlet so many of diem now > the dust, who have gone up there ten to the oracles of the most High, as they 1 i led by those holy men, who from to time have minisi 1 at its altar, — oi' those who have so often led i'i the primary political assemblies, convoked, within its walls. What recollections must be awakened, in the minds of those who been intimately conversant with the history ol the town for the last fifty years, as they gaze upon it and call to remembrance so many of their cotemporaries now at rest in the grave, who have figured The new Congregational church erected in 183 { J at an expense of OO, exclusive of die bell, stands close by the old sanctuary. It is a neat and elegant house, constructed of wood, painted white, with m-ee m window blinds, and is surmounted by a beautiful tower. In this tower is suspended a powerful, and fine toned bell ; one of c, which can be heard distinctly in any part ol the' town. Enoch Train. Esq. of Boston, Mass., who was bred in the and has ever taken a lively interest in its prosperity, contributed lly to the ; urchn v of this bell. At the north end of this village, within the shade of venerable elms, ar.d fronte I b\ a green lawn, stands the stately dwelling ol' the first mini I n, now in ihe ion of his descendants. This village I. ,; eat of a high school, which has been kept in the autumn for several yeai | I in the vestry, a little east oi the Tin commanding elevation on which this village is ki magnificent landscape of variegated scenery, peculiar to this region. The beautiful and romantic village of Hillsborough Bridge is very pleasantly located on both sides of the Contoocook river, which is crossed here by an elegant and substantial arched granite bridge, which gives the village its name. It is three miles southeast of the centre village, and near the northern line of Deering. The Con- toocook by two falls of considerable extent, supplies this village with a valuable water power. There are a number of excellent sites for mills and factories, several of which are occupied. The main body of the village is built upon two bluffs, which rise on both sides of the river, to the height of seventy or eighty ieet above the bed of the stream. At the lower fall by the bridge, the Contoocook is compres- sed within the distance of a single span, and the cascade of water makes a sublime appearance as seen from below, through the arch ot the bridge. The mills, factories, and a number of dwellings arc lo- cated in the river valley. This village^ is the seat of considerable business, mercantile and manufacturing. There are fifty-six dwelling houses, two churches, three stores, two hotels, two cotton factories, two grist mills, two saw mills, two shoe stores, one trip-hammer and axe manufactory, one lawyer, one physician, a post office, fee. Many of the dwellings are handsome, especially those of recent construction and a number of them exhib- it, much neatness, and taste, in their architecture, yet the beauty of the village is considerably diminished by the irregularity in the arrange- ment of its buildings, and the narrowness of its streets. Both Meet- ing houses are on the north side of the river, which is much the most populous part of the village. That connected with the Congrega- tional church, is~vcry handsomely situated, northwest of the compact portion of the village. It was erected in 1S36, at an expense of DO. It is an elegant and commodious structure, of the Tuscan order of architecture with a good bell. The Methodist church is a neat and convenient edifice, and stands at the northern extremity of the village on the centre road Here are two cotton factories and one woollen factory. The cotton factory on the north side of the nver was built in 1811, and contains 1800 spindles, and 40 looms. vlNNALs OF THE TOWN The number of operatives employed hero is about GO. Marcy': on Factory on the south side <>l the Contoocook is occupied in the manufacture of cotton yarn, wicking, . Wilkins was chosen as delegate from Hiilsborough in cunjunction, with Henniker, to attend the convention, which sat at Exeter, in Feb- OF HILLSBOROUGH-. 25 ruary of that year, for the purpose of deciding, so far as it respected New-Hampshire, the momentous question of adopting, or rejecting the Federal Constitution. Lieut. Wilkins resided at the Bridge vil- lage several years. He was a native of Amherst and removed from this town to Concord, and thence to Boston, about one year prior to his death, which occurred in August 1832, at the age of seventy- seven years. Lieut. W. was characterized by an inexhaustible fund of humour, and great powers of anecdote, which rendered him an agreeable companion in the social circle. He entered the service ot his country at the commencement of the Revolutionary war, and serv- ed until its close, with a high reputation as a heroic officer. He was wounded in the battle of Bunker hill. Through the year 1780, he officiated as quarter-master, in the detachment commanded by Gen. Lafayette, and during this time, became intimately acquainted with that illustrious officer, and was presented by him with the entire suit of an officer for his daring exploit, in taking some cattle from the British at their fort at Poules Hook, opposite New York city. Lt. W. was a great favorite with the officers of his regiment, who famil- iarly styled him "Bob Wilkes." When Gen. Lafayette visited Con- cord in 1825, Lieut. Wilkins was formally introduced to him as one of his former companions in arms. The lapse of nearly half a century had wrought such changes on his person, that the General did not at first recognise him. An allusion by the lieutenant, to some incident which occurred during their intercourse in the army, at once revived his recollection, and he fell upon his neck and tenderly embraced him exclaiming, " Oh, Bob Wilkes, Bob Wilkes." Both were visibly af- fected, and Lafayette wept audibly. The interview was witnessed with intense interest by the bystanders. In October 1785, Joseph Symonds was chosen by the town to pre- sent their petitions to the General Assembly of the State ; and I have been informed that he served as delegate to that body, from Hillsborough two or more years, although there is no mention made of it in the town records. In 1791, Benjamin Pierce was elected to represent the town in the convention holden for the revision of the constitution of New Hampshire. D 26 \NNALS OF THE TOWN It may be proper to glance for a moment, at the habits, manners, and customs of the earlier inhabitants of Hillsborough. The majority ot them were of the Puritan stock , and they inherited much of the self denying spirit which distinguished that noble race of men. An- other considerable portion of the early settlers, were of the London- derry stock, which emigrated from the north of Ireland, their ances- tors b ginally from Scotland. In the seventeenth century con- siderable numbers of the Scotch were induced, by large grants of land, from James the First, to settle in the north of Ireland, where their posterity remained, distinct from the inhabitants of that country. They were Scotch Presbyterians, and with the hope of enjoying their religious liberty, they came to America about the year 171 S. They subsequently settled in Londonderry, whence some of the first inhabitants of Hillsborough emigrated. The McNeil's, the McClin- tock's, the McClary's, the McColley's, the McClure's, the Cunning- ham's, the McAlisters's, the Taggart's, the Steele's, the Wilson's, die Gibson's, the Houston's, and several other families were of this The} ■ e, cool headed^ warm hearted, mirth lov- people. Descende I of them were from the Pilgrims, and S en trained to habits of industry, ; peculiarly fitted them for pion- eer: view the difficulties they encoun tfie courage and hardihood dis- played in rheir lands were encumbered with thick forests. They had no roads save paths marked by spotted trees. They endured hardships almost inconceivable in transporting their iver these rough ways. We are told that it required three men to steady the vehicle which conveyed the furniture of the Rev. Mr. Barnes, from Amherst to this town. They had no bridges, but were obliged to ford the streams which were often swollen, so as to be impassable. They possessed but few implements of husbandry. Their dwellings were at first rude huts, built of logs and furnished with none of the luxuries. and comparatively h\v, of the conveniences of life. " Throi ' ■ toil, through years of want, Th ;led on ; And io ! the forest melts awaj , OF HILLSBOROUGH. 2? Their manner of living was extremely simple. When they had milk, a considerable part ol their food was bread and milk. In the winter when they had no milk, they made great account of bean porridge, samp broth, pork, and beans, &c Tea, coffee, sugar and molasses, were dainties which they seldom afforded ; and equally re- moved from the extravagance of modern times, was their style of dress. In those days, a man deemed a suit manufactured by his wife or daughter, sufficiently good for him to wear on most occasions, and our grandmothers made their afternoon visits in a short loose gown, with a checked apron, and neck kerchief, which their own hands had spun. For a number of years after the settlement of the town, no carriages were used, and all journies were performed on horse back. The good man and his wife were accustomed to ride to church upon the same horse ; she sitting on a pillion behind him, and not unfre- quently carrying a child in her arms-, while another, was mounted on the pommel of the saddle before its lather. No person thought of purchasing, or exchanging a horse without making the inquiry, "can she carry double ?" as some, otherwise valuable animals were in the habit of elevating their heels, to testify their displeasure at being thus double jaded. In winter when the snow was deep, a pair of oxen were attached to a sled, and the whole family rode to meeting upon an oxsled. Sometimes too, an entire household, seated upon an ox- sled, would set out in the morning to spend the day with a friend six or seven miles distant. What would our railroad travellers in these days say to such a mode of conveyance ? But alas ! the day of in- vention had not then arrived. Steam had not then as now, been made to expedite every kind of business, even to that of ridding the doc- tor of his patients. In former days, greater quantities of snow fell in winter than now, and snow shoes were much in vogue. About forty years since sleighs took the place ol sleds. At first double sleighs were used of sufficient size to accommodate six or eight per- sons. Single cutters were soon after introduced. W were substituted for riding on horse back, about the year 1812. The first chaise owned in town, belonged to Mr. John Shed, and the second, to Dea. Joseph Symonds. The boul the year 28 ANNALS OF THE TOWN 1805. Inured to constant labor and exposure the first settlers here were a hardy race. They were not ashamed to hear the reputation of working men. On the contrary, indolence was a lasting dis- grace. The females assisted in what they termed the lighter out- door work, such as raking hay, pulling flax, &c. It is authentically stated that the wife of Thomas Murdough, the first settler on the farm now owned by the town, as the poor farm, was accustomed to travel twice daily, nearly three miles through the woods to Maj. Andrews's to milk her cows, when the weather would permit. What language would this hardy grandmother and her cotemporaries, employ in ad- dressing a rebuke to some young ladies of this degenerate age, who not only deem it quite ungenteel to milk at all, but who flee from the presence of the harmless cows as from beasts of prey. The marriage ceremony was most commonly performed at the house of the clergyman, after which the newly married couple mount- ed upon one horse and rode lovingly to their habitation. Not unfre- quently as they passed along they were saluted from the various dwellings on the way by the firing of muskets. This custom, how- ever, pertained only to the Scotch Irish portion of the people. They were met by a party of their friends, who accompanied them to their home, where the evening was passed in every species of jolity and mirth. Among the amusements common at that period, may be mentioned, quilting parties. The young women assembled in the afternoon and plied their needles industriously till evening, when the young men came in, and country dances filled up the remainder of the evening. In Autumn, husking frolics, terminated by a dance, furnished fine amusement. Somewhat later the apple bee hecame common. Dancing parties have always been customary, but are much less so now than formerly. Balls, and sleigh rides, have ever b sen favorite 'pastimes. • Notwithstanding the sagacity, and good sense possessed by the earlier inhabitants, most of them religiously believed in the existence of witches, and the appearance of ghosts. Many too, doubted not that the evil one sometimes assumed a bodily form, and honored those whose conduct met his approbation, with a personal interview OF HILLSBOROUGH. 29 Mrs. Robinson, whose husband kept a tavern at the top of a high hill in Deering, was among the noted witches of this vicinity. As our townsmen were ascending this hill with loaded teams, their cattle would suddenly halt; nor could they be induced to move until the teamster had gone to the tavern for a glass of toddy, when they would go briskly forward. It was really supposed that Mrs. Robin- son compelled the beasts to stop until she had sold their driver a lit- tle of " something to drink," when the spell was removed. It is ap- prehended that this is not the only tavern, where witches have re- sided. Another reputed witch, was a Mrs. Gilchrist of Irish extrac- tion, who dwelt alone in a small house in the southwest part of the town. She was in aspect, such a person as would be generally se- lected for a witch ; — being a small, lean, sallow, shrivelled, old wo- man, universally known as " Aunt Jenny." If any of her neighbors had difficulty in bringing their butter it was ascribed to the evil in j fluence of " Aunt Jenny," whereupon they would heat a horseshoe red hot, and cast it into the churn. The moment this was done an- other person, who stood ready at the door, would run with all possi- ble speed and peep in at her window to see if she was not burned by the horse shoe. One of her neighbors to whom she was no friend, was suddenly prostrated to the floor unable to move. One person who was present remarked, that she did not believe that any power on earth could raise him from the floor. After summoning a council of their relatives, it was concluded to send for the minister to come and pray with him. At the mention of prayer the charm was dissolved, and he arose from the floor. On another occasion, one of Aunt Jenny's neighbors was passing her cottage, with an ox- cart, containing three barrels of cider, when on a sudden, the pin which fastened the cart to the yoke, although the head of it was much larger than the hole in which it was inserted, dropped through and disengaged the oxen from the cart ; nor could he by any means get started again, until he had presented Aunt Jenny, with one of his barrels of cider. Another instance of Aunt Jenny's evil agency, is gravely related as follows : some young ladies, who lived on the op- posite side of the way from the old woman, and who had in some 30 ANNALS OF THE TOWN way offended her, intended to ride out one summer's afternoon, and for this purpose had the horse put into the barn. Aunt Jenny said to them in her Irish brogue, " May be ye'll nae gio there ;" and sure enough, they did not ; for on going to the barn to tackle the horse, which was usually steady, and unaccustomed to such pranks, escap- ed at a small stable window, and after performing various anticks, capered off at a furious pace, for more than three miles, and it cm- ployed several men a number of hours in securing it. An individu- al in her vicinity becoming enraged at an old sheep in his flock, which exhibited symptoms analogous to hydrophobia, struck it a vio- lent blow which fractured one of its legs. Immediately Aunt Jen- ny fell to the floor of her cottage, and after lingering a few weeks in great agony, expired. One of the neighbors who was employed to watch at her bed-side during the 'night, was strictly charged by a good woman of the neighborhood, believing that Aunt Jenny's end drew nigh, not to leave her, as she had heard that witches never suf- fered any one to witness their death, and was anxious to test the truth of this current belief. Once in the night he left her bedside for a moment to get a paper from a table which stood near. His attention was withdrawn but a few seconds, but when he again di- rected his glance to her, she was dead. These are a few of the many samples given us of the wonderful power of witches. Horse- shoes, witch-hazel rods, and silver, were considered eftectual pre- ventives of their evil influence. I would by no means convey the impression that the people of Hillsborough were particularly super- stitious. It is apprehended that the annalist of nearly every town in New-England, of the same population, might relate quite as many, if not more instances of the gross delusion of witch-craft which prevailed so extensively a century since, and which appears to have been so deeply imbedded in the popular mind. The increasing in- fluence of popular education, is rapidly doing away these errors,"" and superstitions The situation of the town with respect to education, is very differ- ■:. in - 'ii the Sal lie ' Le\ I diaries VV. Uuhain ■ . ; OF HILLSBOROUGH. 31 ent from its state fifty and sixty years ago. The first school kept in Hillsborough, was taught by George Bemaine, about the year 1770, in a log school-house which stood a few rods west of Mr. Daniel Teniplcton's, on the north side of the road leading from the Lower village to the Bridge. Bemaines was a native of England ; but came to this country in early life with his parents, who belonged to the British army. He deserted the army before he arrived at man- hood, came to Hillsborough and taught school in this town, and the vicinity a number of years prior to the revolutionary war. He en- tered the American army at the commencement of our struggle for independence, and was killed in the battle at White Plains, New- York, in September 1776. He was a school-mate of the famous Dil worth, the author of the spelling-book, received an excellent edu- cation, and is said to have excelled particularly in penmanship. The first female who taught school in the town, was a Mrs. Muzzey, a widow lady from Sudbury, Mass., who instructed here several years. In the infancy of the town many young men were accustomed to resort in the winter season to the Rev. Mr. Barnes for instruction in the rudiments of an English education. The first record respect- ing the town schools bears date, 1780. It was voted in that year to raise one hundred pounds for the support of schools. In 1792, a vote was passed to raise twenty-five pounds for common schools, exclu- sive of what the rate required. Dil worth's spelling book was then the fountain of learning. The Psalter and a simple treatise on arith- metic were used in some of the schools. Choosing sides and spel- ling once a week was the food, dinner, and dessert of ambition, and the school masters ferule the principal stimulant. Saturday noons, the little square blue primmer, containing the catechism and command- ments, Watt's cradle hymns, furnished scholar? with their quantum of religious instruction, and with these facilities and materials, the young mind was to be advanced and furnished for the business of the world. Time has wrought a gradual improvement in the charac- ter of our common schools. Yet it must be acknowledged that our system of popular education is far from being as perfect as it ought to be in a Republic, where the permanency of our civil institutions 32 ANNALS OF THE TOWN depends mainly upon the diffusion of intelligence among the mass of the people. The present number of school districts in the town is seventeen, at which between five and six hundred "children and youth, are annually instructed. The amount expended in the town for a few years past, in the support of its common schools, has been about one thousand dollars yearly. Hillsborough Academy, was incorporated by the Legislature in June 1821, and the same year a building of brick was erected for its accommodation at the Lower village. This institution has not been in constant operation since its foundation, but has been opened occasion- ally for a part of the year, with considerable success. The names of those who have been its instructers, from time to time, are as fol- lows. Dr. Simeon Ingersoll Bard, of Francestown ; Rev. William Clark, now of Cincinnati, Ohio, who graduated at Dartmouth Col- lege, in 1821, and at Andover Theological Seminary, in 1827 ; Rev. Samuel Wallace Clark, brother of the preceding, of Greenland, N. H., who graduated at Dartmouth College in 1823, and at Andover in 1827 ; Rev. Josiah Peabody, who graduated at Dartmouth College, in 1825 ; Robert Reed Heath, who graduated at Dartmouth College in 1825 ; Solomon Heath, brother to Robert, who graduated at Dart- mouth College, in 1826; Benjamin F. Wallace, Esq., Rev. Ephraim Taylor, Albert Baker, Esq., and Francis Brown Mussey, of Amherst. High schools have frequently been taught for a sea- son at the Bridge and Centre villages. Besides the money raised for town schools, public and private, large sums have been expend- ed by young men and women at schools, academies, and colleges, abroad, where they have gone to seek further advantages of educa- tion. Subjoined are brief notices of the natives of the town, who have received a liberal education. Abraham Andrews, son of Solo- mon and Sarah Andrews, was born Dec. 14th, 1786, prepared for college under the direction of his uncle the Rev. Ephraim P. Brad- ford, graduated at Dartmouth College, in 1811, and has, for many years, been an eminent instructer in Charleston, and Boston, Moss. Ho now resides in Charlestown. '• Cul Benjamin Kcndrick Pierce, eldest son of the late Governoi OP HILLSBOROUGH. o3 Benjamin Pierce, was born August 29th, 1790, received his educa- tion preparatory for college at Phillips Academy, Exeter, entered Dartmouth College in 1S07, and continued a member of that insti- tution three years, when he commenced the study of law in the of- fice of David Slarratt, Esq. He pursued his legal studies until the commencement of the late war with Great Britain, when he entered the army with the rank of Lieutenant in the third Regiment of Ar- tillery, intending to resume his legal pursuits when the war should close. Circumstances however, caused him to remain in the ser- vice in which he has been advanced by regular gradations from the rank of Lieutenant to that of Colonel by brevet, which post he now holds in the 1st Regiment of Artillery. Col. P. was especially dis- tinguished as an able, and efficient officer, in the late Florida War. He has been thrice married and is now a widower. Rev. Francis Danforth, son of Jonathan Danforth, was born Feb. 28th, 1793, fitted for college at Phillips Academy, Andover, Mass., graduated at Dartmouth College in IS 19, studied Theology at the Theological Seminary at Andover, Mass., where he graduated in 1822, was ordained pastor of the first Congregational Church in Greenfield, N. H., July 11, 1S23, dismissed in IS31 ; installed at Winchester, N. H., August 18th, 1831, dismissed in 1839 ; installed at Hadley, Mass., Dec. 11th, 1S39, where he now resides. Rev. Aaron Foster, son of Aaron Foster, was born March 19th, 1794, prepared for college at Union Academy, Plainfield, graduat- ed at Dartmouth College in 1S22, and at the Andover Theological Seminaiy in 1825. He was employed for several years as a domes- tic Missionary, and is now settled in the ministry at Fort Covington, N. Y. Rev. Jeremiah Stow, eldest son of Deacon Joel Stow, was born February 15, 1795, pursued his studies preparatory for admis- sion to college, at the Union Academy Plainfield, graduated at Dart- mouth College, in 1822, at Andover Theological Seminary, in 1825, In July, 1826, married Miss Austress, daughter of the late David Stewart, Esq., of Amherst, was employed as a home missionary sev- eral years, and was afterwards settled in the ministry at Livonia, N. Y., where he died of consumption, Nov. 15, 1832, aged 37 years E 34 ANNALS OF THE TOWN and 9 months. Amasa Symonds, son of Eliphalet Symonds, was born Sept. 9, 1799, prepared for college at North Andover, and at Phillips Academy South Andover, Mass., entered Dartmouth Col- lege in 1821, and died at his father's in Hillsborough, Nov. 8th 1822, while a member of the Sophomore class in that institution.— Lieut'. Amos B. Foster, son of Aaron Foster, was born July 15th, 1S04, was educated as a cadet at the Military Academy, West- Point, where he graduated in 1827, visited his friends for the last time and was ordered to St. Louis, Mo. From thence, he proceed ed to Fort Dearborn, at Chicago 111., and in the spring of 1831, was removed to Fort Howard, Green Bay, where he was murdered Feb. 7th, 1832, at the age of twenty-seven years and six months. The circumstances ol his death were briefly these : Lieut. Foster, had reprimanded a private of his company by the name of Boyle, for dis- orderly conduct, who made use of such insolent, and unbecoming language in reply, that the lieutenant was induced to take him by the shoulder and shake him, at the same time ordering a corporal to take him to the guard-house. Boyle immediately went out saying, " Oh yes, Lieutenant, I'll go to the guard house." He ran across the parade ground to the guard house, seized a musket, and return- ed to Lieutenant F's quarters, eluding the vigilance ot the corporal, he ran up to the Lieutenant's chamber in the second story, and shot him through the heart. The ball passed through the right arm, above the elbow, through the body, and the left elbow which was horribly shattered. After receiving the wound, he walked into his bed room which adjoined the chamber, with the hand of his unbroken arm on the wound of his left side, turned quickly to go out and fell as he passed through the door, and instantly expired. Lieut. Foster was an active, vigilant and useful officer, mild and amiable in his de- portment and disposition, beloved by his relatives and friends and esteemed by all who knew him. Hon. Franklin Pierce, the fourth son of the late Gov. Benjamin Pierce, was born Nov. 23d, 1804, graduated at Bowdoin college, in 1824, commenced the study of law under the direction ol" the late John Burnam, Esq. in his native vil- lage, and pursued his course subsequently, at the Law-school, at OF HILLSBOROUGH. 35 Nonnampton, iWass., at that time under the direction of the late la- mented Judge How, and in the offices of the Hon. Levi Woodbury, at Portsmouth, and the Hon. Edmund Parker, at Amherst, was ad- mitted to the bar at Amherst, in September 1S27. In October of the same year, he opened an office in Hillsborough, and continued here until 183S, when he removed to Concord, where he now re- sides. In 1831, he was appointed by the late Gov, Dinsmoor, one of his aids with the rank of Colonel. He represented Hillsborough in the State Legislature, four years successively, from 182S. In 1831 and 1832, he was speaker of the House of Representatives. In 1S83, he was chosen a member of Congress, and continued to represent this State in the popular branch oi the National Legislature, until the 4th of March, 1S37, when he took his seat in the U. S. Senate, having been elected to that station, which he still occupies in the preceding December. Col. Pierce was married in 1834, to Miss Jane M., youngest daughter of the late Rev. Dr. Jesse Apple- ton, President of Bowdoin College. Rev. Henry Jones, son of Benjamin Jones, was born September 29th, 1804, pursued his studies preparatory for College at the Union Academy Plainfield, graduated at Dartmouth College, in 1835, was married in April 1S36, to Miss Betsey, daughter of Mr. Eliphalet Symonds of this town, and is now Preceptor of an Acadeir^ at Chat- tanooga, in Tennessee. Rev. Willard Jones, a brother of Henry, was born July 17th 1S09, prepared for college at Union Academy, Plainfield, graduated at Dartmouth College, in 1S35, acquired his Theological education at the Lane Seminary, Cincinnati Ohio, and at the Andovcr Theological Seminary, was ordained as a missionary, at North Weymouth, Mass., July 4th 1839, and on the same day was married to Miss Meriam Pratt of that town. He is now stationed at Ooroomiah in Persia. Edward Robbins Johnson, the youngest son of the lale Nathaniel Johnson, Esq. was bom July 28th, 1810, prepared for college at Phillips academy Andover and at Bos- cawen Academy, entered Dartmouth College, in 1830, remained in college but two years — studied law and commenced practice which he afterwards abandoned, and now enjoys a high reputation as an instiucter ol music. He at present resides in Hartford, Conn. •I ANNALS OF THE TOWN John Appleton Burnhnm, Esq-, son of the late John iJurnani, Esq. was born Juno iGtli 1813, fitted for college at Pembroke Academy, graduated at Amherst college in 1833, and is now agent of the Stark Manufacturing company, at Manchester in this state. Joel Buchanan Stow, son of Dea. Joel Stow, was born June 30th, IS 13, graduated at the Teachers Seminary, Andover,Mass. was for sometime a teacher in the Teachers Seminary, at Plymouth, N. H,, and is now engaged as an instructor, in Cincinnati, Ohio. Rev. Levi Smith, son of Da- vid Smith, was born May 9th, 1812, pursued his academical and Theological studies at New Hampton, in this state, where he gradu- ated in 1840, and is now preaching at Danville, Vt. Clark Cooledge, son of Lemuel Cooledge, was born in June 1811, prepared for col- lege at Wilbraham, Mass. Academy, and died in July 1840. while a member of the Wesleyan University at Middleton, Conn. Several other individuals belonging to the town, are now in a course ol academical and professional study. Tour natives of Hillsborough have been physicians, viz: Dr. Thomas Preston, Dr. Silas McClary, son of John McClary, was born July the 29th, 1792, acquired his medical education at New Haven, Conn, practiced some years in Lower Canada, and afterwards removed to Ohio where it is believed ho now resides : Dr. John Harbert Foster, second son of Aaron Foster, was born March 8th, 179G, studied his profession principally with Dr. Reuben D. Mussey, at Hanover, graduated at the medical school connected with Dartmouth College, in 1821, commenced prac- tice at New London, in this state, after residing there several years, removed to Pittsburg, Pa., thence to Mobile, Alabama, and in 1832 to Michigan, where he now resides ; Lh\ Samuel Sargent, son oi Jonathan Sargent, was born March 13th, 1790, and now practices medicine in Chichester, N. H. The Harmony Lodge, No. 38 of free and accepted, was constitu- ted Sept. 17th 1821. by a grant from the Grand Lodge of New Hampshire, incorporated by the Legislature, June 22, 1827. Orig- inal number of members, 14. Number admitted from 1; 31, to i 78, making an aggregate of 92 individuals who have been adm IU d lo this Lodge:.. The Lodge is located at the hall of Thomas Wil Esq It is not so flourishing; as fonnerlv OF HILLSBOROUGH. 37 The Hillsborough Temperance society was formed July 5th, 1830, Dea. George Dascomb was chosen its first president. The society has had an annual increase since its formation. The whole number who have joined, is 408. Of this number, 25 have died, 9 males and 16 females. The first tavern kept in Hillsborough was opened in 17GG, by Capt. Samuel Bradford, sen., on Bible hill. The first store was opened at the Bridge about the year 1785 by the late Lieut. William Tag- gart. The second was commenced by Enos Townc about 1790, between the Lower village and Bible Hill. Before this the inhabi- tants had obtained their mercantile supplies principally from Amherst. The first saw and grist mill, was built by Capt. Samuel Bradford, sen. in 17GG, a little above the Bridge, between the Lower village and Bible hill. This set of mills was swept away by a freshet in the spiing of 17G7, soon after they were put in operation. The second set of mills was built two or three; years after by Archibald Taggart, at the Bridge. They stood on the site now occupied by the north factory, and were a great accommodation not only to the early inhab- itants of Hillsborough, but to those of other towns in the vicinity who had previous to their erection, been obliged to go to New Bos- ton to get their grain ground. In 1S11 the first cotton factory was built. The frame was reared July 4th of that year. The first weav- ing in it was done in 1828. The second factory was built by Mr. Joshua Marcy in 1S28. In the last war with Great Britain, a commendable spirit of patri- otism was evinced by the citizens of Hillsborough. Several persons (nearly twenty it is believed) from the town enlisted in the regular army. Two natives of the town, Gen. John McNeil and Col. Ben- jamin K. Pierce before mentioned, were distinguished officers of that war. Gen. John McNeil entered the service as Captain in the 11th regiment of infantry to which he was appointed March 12th, IS 12, was promoted to the rank of Major, August 15th 1S13, breveted a Lieut. Colonel July 5th, ISM, "for his intrepid behavior on the 5th day of July in the battle of Chippewa," received a second brevet that of Colonel, July 25th 1813, :; for his distinguished valor as {8 ANNALS OF THE TOWN commander of the lllh regiment of infantry on the 25th day of July in the battle of Niagara," was retained in the Peace establishment as Major of the 5th infantry to rank 15th of August 1S13, promoted to the rank of Lieut. Colonel, 1st regiment of infantry Feb. 24, 1818, promoted to the rank of Colonel April 2Sth 1S2G, breveted Brig. General July 25th 1824, for ten years faithful service in the grade of brevet Colonel, resigned and retired from the service in April 1830, on being appointed surveyor for the port of Boston. General McNeil's distinguished military services commencing be- fore actual declaration of war by Congress and continuing through a period of eighteen years, present a bright page in the history of that contest, and have won for him a name that will be remembered along with the Sullivans Shirks and Cilleys of the granite state. It ia a fact worthy of notice that the gallant 11th regiment in the battles of Chippewa and Niagara or Lunday's lane should have been comman- ded by a young Major, and that he in the brief space of twenty daj s, should have received two brevets, for his distinguished, and gallant conduct upon the field of battle. In the dusk of the evening, dur- ing the last named engagement, while at the head oi' his regiment, cheering them on to the conflict, he was wounded by a cannister shot, which passed through the right knee. From the size of the ball, the limb was dreadfully shattered and nearly carried away. Still he remained long upon the ground and did not leave it until fainting with the loss of blood, his situation was observed by soldiers near him, through whose aid he was sustained in his saddle and tak- en from the held. In IS 14, when large detachments of the New-Hampshire militia, were summoned to defend Portsmouth, which was then menaced with an attack, Hillsborough furnished a considerable number of men. One native of the town has been slain in the late Florida war. Lieut. John W. S. McNeil, eldest son of (Jen. John McNeil was mortally wounded, while leading an attack upon an Indian camp in Florida, on the morning of the lOih ol September 1837, and lingered until the next night, when he expired at the age of twenty years, and six mouths. Lieut. McNeil was a young officer of rich promise, pos- OF HILLSBOROUGH. 30 sessed a heart susceptible of every noble and generous impression, high-minded, brave and honorable. There has been fourteen instances of death by accident, viz. Two were killed by falling trees, eight were drowned, two were burned to death, one by a fall in a mill, and one by a fall from a horse. Eleven dwellings have been destroyed by fire. In that of Mr. Samuel Lacy burnt about the year 1822, the corpse of his moth- er was shockingly disfigured by the fire .Several barns and school- houses, also a considerable number of blacksmith's shops have been burned. In July 1831, abarn of much value belonging to Mr. James Jones was struck by lightning and consumed, the uncommonly large and valuable blacksmith shop and axe manufactory, at the Bridge village, belonging to Messrs. Peaslee and Whittemore was burned in October 1836. There is one accident in the history of the town which stands out with peculiar prominence. About 12 o'clock, on the night of October 27th 1838, the large well furnished house of Mr. George Nelson was discovered to be on fire, and so rapid was the progress of the devouring element, that his family consisting of five adults, barely escaped with their lives. Mrs. Nelson first dis- covered the fire and alarmed her husband. He immediately arose and called his son who slept in the chamber, then passing through the kitchen opened a door leading to the back kitchen where a cur- rent of hot air and smoke prostrated him to the floor. He attempt- ed to find his way to the entry door, but being bewildered, went into the parlor, and threw himself from a window into the front yard. He there ascertained that his daughter was safe, and that his son was dragging an old lady (then in the family) down stairs. The chil- dren inquired " where is mother ?" Mr. Nelson, till then supposing she was securely out, endeavored to go through the kitchen to the bed room where he had left her ; but in the midst of the darkness, smoke and heat missed his way, and proceeded to the back kitchen door, and there found his wife, lying upon the floor in a state of in- sensibility in the current of hot air, from which he had but just es- caped. He bore her across the street to the nearest neighbors. While on the way she revived, but was so scalded both internally, id ANNALS OF THE TOWN and externally, by the hot air that neither medical skill, nor the kind care and anxious solicitude of neighbors and friends could save her She lingered in great distress until the morning of November Isi, when she was released from her sufferings at the age of fifty- eight years. Mrs. Nelson* was an amiable and pious woman, and the consolations of the religion which she professed, supported her in die hour of death. She expressed her resignation to the divine will, uttering with her expiring breath, " Thy will be done," ami the last words she was heard to articulate, were ''• Peace be still." The author has no data in his possession which will enable him to exhibit the rates of mortality at different periods in the history of the town. The spotted fever prevailed to a considerable extent, in the winter of 1811 — 1S12. In 1S26, the dysentary raged with great violence, creating an unusual degree of mortality in the town. Tn December 1832, the small-pox appeared in the family of Dr. Reuben Hatch, but a house remote from others, being provided for the reception of the infected, and other precautions being taken its extent was limited and was fatal in only one instance. It again vis- ited the town in the winter of 1837-3H. It prevailed only in the family of Mr. Hammond Preston, one of whose children died of it. The most remarkable instance of longevity in Hillsborough, was Gridley Jackson, a soldier of the revolution who died October 10th, 1S29, at the age of 101 years 9 months and 5 days, several other persons have died in the town, when nearly one hundred years old. The population of the town in 1790 was 70S, in 1800, 1311, in 1810, 1592, in 1820, 1982, in 1830, 1792, in 1840, 1S0S. The reader will perceive by the foregoing account, that the town contains M [Nelson was born in Kittery, Maine, in 1780. tic lame was Nancy To- lii'v. She wa - married at Boston, in 1800, to Silas Dutton, Esq. of Hillsborough, who died !th, lai ! ■: id >3 years. She was again married Dec. 23d, 1813, to Mr. George Nelson. Her children by Mr. Dutton were, Samuel Chamberlain Dutton, born Si pt. 27th 1801; chant in Brnttlebnrongh, Vt., Vdelinc (J. born Feb. 1.5th, 1803, who was married Nov. 3d. 1823, to Enoch Train, Esij. of Boston, and died in 1831. Sarah ('. born January 15th, 1805, and was married Ma; 20th, 1831, to Thomas 1 1. f,everett, Esq. now of Kecne. and died Vugusf 13, 1832. Caro'lii Feb. If'th 1810 and was married in April 1830. to flic lie v. Mr. Ira Mason Mead, now of Vpsilanti Michigan. By Mr. Velson, Harriet B. Nelson who was married kpril ?th 1831, to Thomas H. Leverelt, Esq. of Keene, 1 luh 1840. a son and a daughter who died in infancy. Mary Ann still unmar- e R. who died M ', aged OF HILLSBOROUGH. 41 a less number of inhabitants than in 1820. Within the last forty years the town has given much more than it lias received by emigration. Many of the emigrants are among the enterprising and useful citizens of our larger towns and cities. Among the natives of the town, where activity, enterprise and perseverance in the pursuits of com- merce has been crowned with signal success, arc Samuel Train, Esq. of Medford, Mass., and Ebenezer Parker, and Enoch Train Esquires of Boston, ornaments to the mercantile community, and the surveyors * of the ports of Boston and New-York. Within the last fifteen years, this town has contributed largely to the tide of emigration which is peopling the valley of the Mississippi. Deer, Moose, Bears, and wolves were common in the earlier stages of the settlement. A moose was killed in Antrim, just beyond the limits of the town in 1790. A deer was killed on Hedgehog hill in the north west part of Deering within twenty years. The last wolf killed in town was shot by Maj. Isaac Andrews about the year 1790. Wolves tracks were discovered in his sheep fold. He baited a fox trap and set it in a convenient place, and the third morning alter, saw that a wolf, one of three that had visited his premises the prececding night, had been caught and had escaped with the trap. Putting on his snow-shoes and taking his gun he proceeded in quest of it. After tracking it for a considerable distance he discovered it on the low ground south ol Mr. Isaac Baldwin's, and at the second fire killed it. This wolf in company with two others had crossed his track several times while he was in pursuit. The other wolves had deserted their wounded companion after having accompanied him for some time, but were supposed to be near by when Maj. Andrews fired. A wolf was started from his lair somewhat later than this in the north part of the town and after being hunted several days was killed in Goshtn. Bears were frequently seen in town long after the wolves had been ex- terminated. Mr. James Can* residing in the north part of the town was a bear trapper. On going to his trap one morning he found it gone. He armed himself with his rifle and after following the track * General John McNeil and William Taggart, Esq. are both natives of Hillsborough. F 42 ANNALS OF THE TOWN about a mile he espied a bear. He laid aside bis gun and com- menced an attack with a club. The moment be struck at the bear, it grappled him with its paw and seized his left arm in its jaws. Cair disliking so close an embrace, with considerable effort drew from his pocket a knife and compelled Bruin to relinquish his hold. The beat- having in the struggle (reed himself from the trap, retreated to a ledge of rocks near by. Thither Carr pursued him, though somewhat hurt by the encounter and discharged his rifle at him several times before he killed him. Wild turkies were shot in town as late as 1803, the beaver and the otter were frequent. The meadow, south of Loon Pond, is said to have been flowed by beaver dams. Their remains were visible thirty years since. Forty years ago salmon were abun- dant in the Contoocook river. They went up the small streams and brooks at some seasons of the year. The multiplication of dams has interposed a barrier to their ascent from the Merrimack. At the annual town meeting in March 1831, a committee was cho- sen by the town to purchase a town farm for the support of its pau- pers. Accordingly the committee the same year bought a farm in the north part of the town for $2510,33. The average number of paupers for several years past, has been about ten. They are sup- ported at the expense of $200, per annum, exclusive of the farm. Seven individuals have been established here in the practice of Law, namely, David Starret, John Burnam, David Steele, John Mc- Farland, Timothy Darling, Franklin Pierce, and Albert Baker. David Starret was born at Francestown, N. H., April 21st, 1774 ; graduated at Dartmouth college in 1798, studied his profession with the Hon. Samuel Bell, then at Francestown, was admitted to the Hillsborough county bar at Hopkinton in September 1S02, and com- menced practice here in the same year, and continued to reside here until March IS 12. One morning in that month he left home for the ostensible purpose of visiting Boston on a journey of business, taking his usual affectionate leave of his family, who expected his return in a few days. He proceeded directly to Charlestown, Mass. and took lodgings at Gordon's Inn,remained there several days, frequent- ly walking into Boston for the transaction of business. One evening OF HILLSBOROUGH. 43 «i nightfall he remarked to his landlord that he should go over to Bos- ton to attend to some business and return to Charlestown the same night, and immediately went out taking a small trunk in his hand- He did not return, his friends became alarmed, inquiry was made and it was ascertained that his trunk had been found the next morn- ing after his disappearance on the bridge, leading from Charlestown to Boston empty, and with marks of having been forced open with the ferrule of a cane. Starret had left his horse and carriage at Gor- don's and was supposed to have a large sum of money in his posses- sion. Suspicions were awakened that he had been robbed and mur- dered by the innkeeper and the affair created intense excitement in the public mind. Two or three years elapsed before any intelligence was obtained from Starret. When the first information was received of him, he held the rank of Major in the republican army of Mexi- co. In a letter to his brother he stated that he left Hillsborough with a fixed determination to abandon forever his home and country, that he had himself left the trunk in the position in which it was found, with the design of misleading the public, and that he had walked to Providence, R. I., the same night that he left Gordon's tavern. He subsequently left the Mexican army went to Arkansas and there en- gaged in trade under the assumed name of William Fisher, sustain- ed a respectable character and acquired a small property there, and in June 1819, terminated his own existence, by blowing out his brains with a pistol at the house of Stephen R. Wilson on the Saline Bayou, about six miles from Red river and from the borders of Texas. Mr. Starret while in the practice of law, was more distinguished for scru- pulous integrity, than brilliancy of talent ; a better counsellor, than an advocate. He enjoyed the respect of his townsmen and the confi- dence of his clients. What could have induced this unfortunate man possessing the high esteem of his townsmen, in the successful practice of an honorable and lucrative profession, surrounded by friends and living in the bosom of an amiable and affectionate family, to forsake all in the height of manhood, to lead a hapless life and die an untime- ly deatW in a strange land is a profound mystery, reserved to be devel- oped only in the light of eternity. Mr. Starret married Abigail El- 44 ANNALS OF THE TOWN lcry Appleton, daughter of Rev. Joseph Appleton of North Brook- field, Mass., by whom he had three children, namely, Dca. Joseph A. Starret of Mont Vernon in this state, horn August 31st, 1804. Emily Caroline who married the Rev. David Stowell of Townsend, Mass., horn January 20th, 1S07, and Alfred Gardiner of Mont Ver- non, horn October 21st, 1810. John Burnam, Esq. was a native of Dumbarton, N. H. prepared lor college with Rev. Dr. Harris of Dumbarton, graduated at Dart- mouth college in 1807, commenced the study of law with the Hon. Samuel Bell of Francestown and completed his preliminary course with David Starret, Esq. at Hillsborough, was admitted to the bar at Amherst in Feb. 1811, came to Hillsborough and succeeded to the professional business of D. Starret, Esq. in April 1S12, and con- tinued to reside here, until his death, April 8th, 182G, at the age of forty six years. Mr. Burnam possessed a strong and discriminating mind, expanded and refined by the treasures of ancient and modern literature. He married Sarah W. daughter of the Rev. Joseph Ap- pleton of North Brookfield, Mass., by whom he had five children ; four of whom are yet living. David Steele, Esq. son of the late Dea. David Steele of Peterborough was born at Peterborough, Sept. 30th, 1787, graduated at Williams College, 1S10, commenced his legal studies in the office of James Walker, Esq., then at Frances- town and finished them under the direction of the Hon. Charles H. Atherton, at Amherst, was licensed to practice law at Amherst in September, 1813, and opened an office in Hillsborough, in October of the same year, where he new resides. John McFarlaud was a native of the adjoining town of Antrim, studied first with David Starret Esq., and afterwards with John Bur- nam, Esq., was admitted to the bar at Amherst, in February 1815, commenced practice at the Upper village in this town the same year, and resided here until his death. He died of consumption in July 1819, aged 31 years. Timothy Darling the eldest son of the Hon. Joshua Darling of Henniker, prepared for college at Pinker- ton Academy, Deny, graduated at Harvard College in 1S22, studi- ed law with Artemas Rogers, Esq., then at Henniker, commenced OF HILLSBOROUGH. 45 the practice of law in Hillsborough in 1S26, as successor to John Burnam, Esq., and removed from this town in 1827. He has since pursued a course of Theological study and is now settled as pastor of a Presbyterian church in the western part of New-York. Hon. Franklin Pierce has been noticed in a former part of these annals. Albert Baker, Esq., was horn at Bow in this state, Feb. 10, 1810, prepared for college at Pembroke Academy, under the direction of the late Hon. John Vose, graduated at Dartmouth College in 1834, and the same year commenced reading law in the office of the Hon. Franklin Pierce at Hillsborough, and completed his preparatory studies with the Hon. Richard Fletcher at Boston, was admitted to the practice of law at the Suffolk bar, Boston in April 1837, and in August of the same year, opened an office in Hillsborough, as suc- cessor to the Hon. Franklin Pierce. Of the above mentioned lawyers, four have practised their pro- fession at the Lower village, one at the Upper village and one at the Bridge village. Two of the number only, Messrs. Steele and Ba- ker, now reside in the town. The number of Physicians who have been settled in the practice of medicine at Hillsborough, is thirteen, viz : William Little, Joseph Munroe, Benjamin Stearns, Joshua Crain, Luther Smith, Reuben Hatch, Mason Hatch, Thomas Pres- ton, Simeon Ingersoll Bard, Nahum Parker Foster, Elisha Hatch, Abraham Hazen Robinson, and Abel Conant Burnam. Dr. Wil- liam Little was a native of Shirley, Mass., removed to Peterborough, N. H., in childhood with his parents, studied medicine with Dr. Young of Peterborough, practiced a short time in Washington, N. H., and in Dracut, Mass., established himself in Hillsborough, in 1782, where he resided until his death. He was accidentally drown- ed, Nov. 7th, 1S07, aged 55 years. Dr. Little was twice married. His first wife was a Miss Fletcher from Westford, Mass., to whom he was united while resident in Dracut, she died before he removed to Hillsborough, leaving him two children. He was again married in May, 1787, to Ruth, daughter of Dea. Joseph Symonds of Hills- borough, who survived him, with a number of children. Dr. Joseph .Munroe was a native of Carlisle, Mass., acquired his professional 46 ANNALS OF THE TOWN education with Dr. Francis Kittredge, of Tewksbury, Mass., com- menced the practice of physic, in Hillsborough, about the year 1784. He died Feb., 24th 1798, in the 41st year of his age. Dr. M. was a good physician, of social disposition, and an amiable, and upright citizen. He married Azubah Henry, of Carlisle, who is yet living. By her, he had eight children, five of whom survived him. Dr. Benjamin Stearns was a native of Walpole in this state, where he was born about the year 1770, received his medical education, under the direction of Dr. Johnson of Walpole, located himself in Hillsborough, in the fall of 1797, left this town about the year 1804, and went to reside at Truro in Nova Scotia. He yet resides in that province if living. Dr. Stearns was married in 1801, to Mehitable, youngest daughter of Dea. Joseph Symonds. Dr. Joshua Crain, was born at Alstead in this state, May 16th, 1776, studied medicine with Dr. Jessaniah Kittredge of Walpole, commenced practice in Hillsborough, in 1S02. Died February 1st 181 1, aged 34 years, Dr, C. enjoyed the reputation of an able practitioner in his profes- sion, and a useful and worthy citizen. He married Sarah Giddings of Walpole. She survived him with three children. Dr. Luther Smith, son of James Smith, was born at Mont Vernon, N. H., De- cember 27th 1786, studied medicine with his eldest brother, Dr, Rogers Smith, then in the practice of medicine at Mont Vernon, settled as a physician at the Bridge village in Hillsborough, in Nov- ember 1S09, where he continued to reside until his lamented death, August 5th 182 1, at the age of 37 years, 7 months and nine days. Dr. S. was married July 22d 1817, to Miss Mary Carlton, daughter of the late John Carlton, Esq. ol Mont Vernon, who yet survives him, with two children. His widow has resided at Mont Vernon, since 1837. The subjoined sketch of the professional and private character of Dr. Smith, has been communicated to the author, by one who knew him intimately. ' : Dr. Smith, was a man of superior mental endow- ments. Though he did not enjoy the advantages of a collegiate education ; yet his literary attainments were very considerable. He d led much of his lime to reading, and in the selection, and ap- OF HILLSBOROUGH. 47 preciation of authors, displayed a highly cultivated and correct taste. His memory was uncommonly retentive, his penetration lively, and acute, of solid understanding, and inflexible integrity. In his Judg- ment of character; he was especially keen, and discriminating and in his principles firm, manly and independent. As a medical prac- titioner, he had acquired in a good degree, the confidence of the community in his skill and judgment ; and was justly reputed an excellent physician. He was fair honorable and liberal, in his prac- tice, entirely free from all affectation, and pretention, disdaining all that parade and artifice under which, the impostors of the profess- ion, endeavor to conceal their ignorance, and mislead the people, and to which, physicians oi otherwise fair reputations, are sometimes in their desire to gain practice and popularity, too ready to yield. Applying his strong mind, aided by reading, and observation to the investigation of disease, he was seldom mistaken in his decisions. In short, he was a kind, and affectionate husband, and father, an able physician, an obliging neighbor, a public spirited citizen, an enlight- ened patriot and a friend of mankind." Dr. Reuben Hatch, son of Reuben Hatch, was born at Alstead, about the year 1785. His medical instructers were Doctors Joshua Crain of this town, and Elder Carpenter of Alstead, commenced the practice of medicine at Newport, removed to Hillsborough in 181 1, and practiced here until 1835, when he removed to Griggsville Illi- nois, where he now resides. Dr. H. was first married, to Lucy, daughter of Maj. Isaac Andrews, a truly estimable lady, who died Jan. 28, 1833, aged 46, leaving him nine children. He was again married, in September, 1833, to Miss Anna Shatton of Charlestown, Mass., Dr. Mason Hatch, son of Mason Hatch of Alstead, was born in that town, March 3d, 1792, studied his profession, with Dr. Thomas D. Brooks of Alstead, and with his kinsman, Doct. Reuben Hatch, commenced practice in Hillsborough, in January 1817. He continued to reside here until May 1837, when he removed to Brad- ford and thence to Newport in October 1838, where he now resides. Dr. Hatch was married in March 1818, to Miss Apphia, daughter of Maj. Isaac Andrews. IS ANNALS OF THE TOWN Dr. Thomas Preston, son of Jedediah Preston was born in Hills- borough, June 23d, 1781, studied with Dr. Luther Smith, commen- ced practice in Deering, removed to Hillsborough in August 1S24, soon after the decease of Dr. Smith, and yet pursues his profession, in this town. Dr. P. was married in April 1827, to Mrs. Mary Hosley, who died August 20th, 1831, having borne him two children one of whom yet survives her. Dr. Simeon T. Bard, was born at Nelson, N. II., June 2d, 1797, fitted for college with the Rev. Tru- man Baldwin of Charlotte Vermont, entered Middlebury college in 1 81 J, and continued a member of that institution until 1815, was employed for several years as an instructor, studied the medical pro- fession with Dr. Aaron Bard of Fitchburg, Mass. and with Dr. Pe- ter Tuttle of Hancock, N. H., attended lectures at Hanover, com- menced practice at Weare, N. H. in 1821, removed to this town the same year. In 1829 he left here and established himself in Fran- eestown. Dr. Nahum P. Foster, a native of Westmoreland, N. H., studied medicine with Dr. George F. Dunbar of that town, and at the medical institution at Hanover, where he received a degree in 1834, commenced practice in Hillsborough in the autnmn of 1834, and removed from town in April 1S3G. He now resides in Unity, N.H. Doct. Elisha Hatch, son of Azel Hatch, Esq. of Alstead was born in Alstead, July 17th 179G, studied medicine with Doc- tors Twitchell and Adams at Keene, and attended medical lectures at Hanover, where he graduated in 1S24, practiced his profession in his native town from 1824, to 1835, when he removed to Hillsborough and succeeded his uncle Dr. R. Hatch. Dr. A. H. Robinson from Concord resided here from Nov. 1839 to March 1840, when he re- moved to Salisbury. Dr. Abel C. Burnam, son of Thomas Burnam was born at Milford, N. H. May 2d, 1812, pursued his medical stud- ies with Doctors Elisha Hatch of Hillsborough and Amos Twitchell, of Keene, attended lectures at the medical institutions at Woodstock, Vt. and Hanover, N. H., at the latter of which he graduated in Nov. 1839. Tn 1810, he began to practice medicine in this town. Of the above list of Physicians one has resided on Bible hill, four have been located at the centre of the town, five at the Bridge village, and OF HILLSBOROUGH. 49 four of them at or near the Turnpike. Three only, Doctors E. Hatch, Preston, and Burnam, now practice here. Twent}" one individuals, have held the commission of Justice of the Peace in Hillsborough, namely, Isaac Andrews, John Dutton, Benjamin Pierce, Calvin Stevens, David Starret, Nathaniel John- son, Elijah Beard, James Wilson, John Burnham, Timothy VVyman, David Steele, Andrew Sargent, Solomon McNeil, John Grimes, Thomas Wilson, Franklin Pierce, Hiram Monroe, Albert Baker, Amos Flint, Levi Goodale, Henry D. Pierce, Elijah Monroe. Nine of these civil magistrates have deceased, of whom are presented the following particulars. Isaac Andrews was born at Ipswich, Mass. removed to Concord, Mass., and thence to Hillsborough in 1767. He died Dec. 30th, 179G, aged 6S. He was one of the fathers of the town, a man of strong sense, an upright and useful citizen. He was one of the founders of the first church in this town in which he held the office of deacon until^the infirmities of declining life com- pelled him to resign. Esq. A. married Lucy Perkins of Ipswich by whom he had 11 children, 8 of whom survived him. John Dutton Esq. was born at Chelmsford, Mass. January 29th, 1750, removed here about the year 1777, was appointed a Justice of the Peace in 1791, died Sept. 17, 1813, in the 64th year of his age. He was highly esteemed by his townsmen for his integrity and sound judge- ment. He married Elizabeth Spaulding,of Chelmsford who survived him and died Feb. 22, 1S35, aged 84. He also left several daugh- ters. "The late Gov. Benjamin Pierce was born at Chelmsford, Mass., December 25th, 1757. His father Benjamin Pierce, died when he was but six years of age, leaving a family of ten children of whom he was the seventh. After his father's death he was placed under the care of an uncle Robert Pierce a yeoman of the same town, and continued with him, engaged in agricultural pursuits for more than ten years. He was ploughing in the field on the 19th of April 1775, when news arrived that Americans had been shot down by the British at Lexington. Leaving the field immediately, he took his uncle's gun and equipments and proceeded to Lexington. The British troops G *»U ANNALS OF THE having retreated to the city, lie pursued his March towards Boston that night, and the next morning enlisted in Capt. John Ford's com- pany and was stationed for the time, at Cambridge with this company and was in the battle o[ Bunker hill. He was one of the few who having entered at the commencement, continued in the service to the close of the Revolutionary war, and participated in many of its hard fought actions. His regiment was that of the late Col. John Brooks of Med ford, afterwards Governor of Massachusetts, whose personal friendship he long enjoyed. After the peace he was retained in the regiment which went with den. Washington to take possession of the city of New York, and continued under arms until the last troops were disbanded at West Point in 17S4, having gone through the sev- eral grades of common soldier, corporal, sergeant, ensign and leav- ing the army in command of a company, with the reputation of a brave and meritorious officer. He returned to Chelmsford at the termination of the war, but in consequence of the depreciation of continental paper money, in which he had received pay for about nine years service in the revolution he soon found himself nearly destitute of funds. In 17S5 he was employed as an agent to explore a tract of land in New Hampshire, owned by Col. Stoddard, now known as the town of Stoddard in Cheshire count}'. Having accomplished that business, as he was passing homeward on horseback, down the north- westerly stem of the Contoocook river called the "Branch," he stop- ped at a log hut in the woods. Here he purchased a tract of land* of about fifty acres of the owner and returned to Chelmsford, where he passed the winter. In the spring of 1786 he returned to the ground he had lately purchased and there in his hut "solitary and alone'' commenced the clearing of his farm. Here he cooked for himself, slept upon a blanket and lived as best he might, until his marriage to his first wife which took place in 17S7. In the autumn of 178G upon the recommendation of Gen. Sullivan who had sought out the soldier in the woods he was appointed Brigadier Major of the first 'This tract of land is now the farm of Mr. David Smith in the southwest part of the town. The hut he built in 178G stood in the rear of Mr. Smith's dwelling house near an elm tree which was then a slender sapling. Gov 1'. located himself on the Tui about the yeai - OV HILLSBOROUGH. 51 brigade of militia organized in the county of Hillsborough. For many years he commanded the 2Gth Regiment which has furnished a Mil- ler, McNeil, and several other highly valued officers and soldiers, who have distinguished themselves in the public service. In JS07, after twenty one years service he retired from active duty in the mi- litia in the capacity of General of the brigade which composed all the regiments, oi Hillsborough county. Every one who ever saw Gen. Pierce upon parade, readily gave him the credit of being behind no man in those graces that become a military officer. He was the beau ideal of an officer of the revolution, with the perfect manners of the gentleman, and enough for true discipline of that pride which distin- guishes the superior from the subaltern. In 17S9, he was first elect- ed representative to the General Court of New Hampshire, for the classed towns of Hillsborough and Henniker, and continued to repre- sent either these towns classed, or Hillsborough singly for thirteen years in succession. He was ever one of the most prominent and influential men in that body. In 1803 he succeeded the Hon. Rob- ert Wallace of Henniker, as councillor for Hillsborough county. His opponent was the late Col. Robert Means, of Amherst. Gen. P. continued in the council from 1803 to 1809, the five last years as the counsellor of Governor Langdon, by whom he was appointed Sher- iff of Hillsborough county in 1809. In this office he remained until 1813, when on account of not aiding the newly organized Supreme Judicial Court, he was removed. The next year he was again return- ed to the council by the people of Hillsborough district, to which of- fice he was annually re-elected until 1818, when he was re-appointed sheriff of the county. From this office he was transferred in 1S27, to that of Governor of this stale, to which office he was again elect- ed in 1829. His last public office was elector of President in 1832. At his death he was Vice President of the Society of Cincinnati in Massachusetts. From 1775 to 1830, he was almost constantly in some public employment. A little more than two years prior to his decease he was stricken with partial paralysis upon his leftside, and encountered intense suffering for a portion of the time until his death. His mental faculties remained in almost uninterrupted vigor, until the ANNALS OF THE TOWH last three or four days of his mortal existence. He died April 1A> 1839, at the age of eighty one years and three months. Gov. Pierce was probably preceded by no man in the state of equally extensive personal popularity. He was a true patriot of the genuine revolution- ary stamp. An uncompromising champion of the rights of the peo- ple, ever faithful to their interests. He was a man of exemplary lib- erality. There was no public charity in the town, or neighborhood in which he did not participate. A single instance o( his noble generosity, when sheriff of the county, a poor man, a revolutionary soldier, had lain in gaol at Amherst confined for debt, unable to be ex-. tricated by the law, because there was no one to pay the expenses of commitment, and the cost of his subsistence for some eight or ten years. Fruitless attempts were made to raise a few hundred dollars by subscription, when Gen. P, first discharging the whole debt from his own pocket, went to the prison, turned the key and told the poor debtor, ' Go breathe the free air.' Gov. P. enjoyed a high reputa- tion for hospitality, his frank and courteous manners made his guests feel easy and at home because they knew and felt that they were wel- come." Honored be his memory. Gov. Pierce was married to Eliz- abeth, daughter oi Isaac Andrews, Esq., May 24th, 1787, she died Aug. 13, 178S, in the 21st year of her age, leaving one daughter, Elizabeth A. who married Gen. John McNeil. In 1789 he was again married to Anna, daughter of the late Benjamin Kendrick, of Amherst. She died in December 1838, aged 70, having borne him eight chil- dren, namely, Benjamin Kendrick, now a Colonel in the U. S. Army. Nancy M., who married Gen. Solomon McNeil, and died April 27, 1837, aged 44 years, and 5 months. John Sullivan, who died in Michigan in 1S25. Harriet B., who married Hugh Jameson, Esq. and died Nov. 24th, 1837, aged 37. Charles Grandison, who died at Utica, N.Y. June 5th, 1828, aged 2o. Franklin, now a Senator in Congress from this state. Charlotte, who died in infancy. Henry Dearborn, who resides in this town. s* Calvin Stevens, Esq. was a native of Rutland, Mass., — but re- moved to Carlisle while in infancy where he was bred. He remov- ed to Hillsborough in 1776. He fought in the revolution, and was OF HILLSBOROUGH. 53 iii the battle of Bunker hill. Iiis mind was naturally inquisitive, abounded in anecdotes, and was much improved by reading. He w?s for many years a town officer and civil magistrate, and in these relations was distinguished for his correctness and integrity. He was a kind husband, a tender father, an humble and consistent christian. He removed from Hillsborough to Mont Vernon, in April 1S21, where he died of Apoplexy, February 9th 1834, aged 80. He married Esther Wilkins of Carlisle, Mass., by whom he had 13 children, 10 of whom survived him. David Starret, and John Burn am, have been already noticed, under another head. Elijah Beard, Esquire, was a native of Wilmington, Mass., settled here in 1785. For many years he served his townsmen, in the capacities of town clerk, selectman, and representative in the State Legisla- ture. He died Dec, 5th, 1814, aged 49 years. He married Miss Phebe Jones of Wilmington, who survives him with several children. Nathaniel Johnson, Esq., was a native of Andover, Mass. At an early age he was placed by his father Zebediah Johnson, under the care of a Mr. Buss, who kept a tavern in Milton, N. H., with whom he remained till he was fourteen years of age, when he came to Hillsborough ; his father having in the mean time removed here. Soon after, young Johnson enlisted in the army of the revolution for three years. After serving out his term in the war, he resided at Andover, Mass., and at Boston with Hon. William Phillips some years, who aided him in establishing himself in mercantile business . Having amassed considerable property he purchased a farm in this town, on which he erected a splendid mansion, the most expensive dwelling ever built in the town and located here in 1803. He resided in Hillsborough until 182G, when he removed to Northwood, where he died at the residence of his son-in-law, J. Clarke, Esq. Jan. 19th, 1828, at the age of 61 years. Esq. Johnson married Catharine Clarke of Milton, Mass., who died at Hillsborough July 11th, 1827, aged 61. Their children were Maria, who married Rev. Otis Rockwood, now of Woodstock, Conn. Charlotte, who married Jonathan Clarke, Esq. of Northwood, N. H. Nathaniel, who died at the city of Washington, in March, 1818, aged about 21. 5-1 ANNALS OF THE TOWN - -larke, who died at Exeter, May 22, 1316, aged 15, while a member of Phillips Academy in that place. He was an uncom- monly amiable, interesting and promising youth. Catharine (J. who married Phillips of Lynn, Mass. Sarah M.,who married Hon. Edward Kent, of Bangor, the present Governor of Maine. Lydia Elizabeth Parker, who married Samuel Thatcher, Esq. of Bangor, Me. Edward 11. of Hartford, Conn. James Wilson, Esq., a native of x ^\v Boston, removed here in 1795, possessed the confidence of his townsmen in an eminent degree. For many years he filled the office of first selectman and town clerk, and represented the town in the state Legislature ten years in succession, from 1S12 to 1822. His death occurred Feb. 20, 183i3, at the age of 66. He married iret McClure of Dec-ring in Dec. J 793, who die,' Feb. 14, I, having borne him seven children, three only of whom survived him. Ecclesiastical History- The early inhabitants of this town, brought with them that rcver- for God and religious institutions which so eminently distin- led the pilgrim lathers of New England. Being principally emi- grants from the counties o( Essex and Middlesex in Massachusetts, they were educated in the faith of the Puritans, and preferred the ancient Congregational mode of church government and discipline. The public worship of God, was early established in this infant, colo- ny. From the beginning of the settlement, the people were in the habit of assembling for religious purposes long before they were supplied with regular preaching. The Bev. Messrs. William Hous- ton of Bedford, and Samuel Cotton of Litchfield, visited them oc- casionally and administered the sacrament. They assisted in the or- ganization of the first church which was gathered Oct. 12th 1769, being the 10th church formed within the present limits of Hillsbo- rough county. John Mead, and Tristram Cheney, were elected deacons the same day. In the autumn ol 1772, about ten years after the second settlement of the town was commenced, the church and i til I id in extending a call to the Rev. Jonathan Barnes to become their pastor, which invitation was accepted and he was in- OF HILLSBOROUGH. ducted into the sacerdotal office, and invested with the pastoral charge of the church and congregation in Hillsborough, Nov. 25th, 1772. Rev. Josiah Bridge of East Sudbury, now called Mayland, Mass., preached his ordination sermon. At a town meeting held the day previous to his ordination, the following provision was made lor his support : " Voted unanimously to fix the Rev. Mr. Barnes's salary, that we will give him 30 pounds by way of settlement, 35 pounds a year for the first four years, then 40 pounds a year, until there shall be seventy families in town, and when there shall be seventy families, he is to be entitled to 50 pounds, whether sooner or later until there be 90 families. When there is 90 families, he shall receive 60 pounds, until there is 110 families, when 110 families, he shall re- ceive 66 pounds, 8 shillings and 4 pence a year, which last sum, he shall continue to receive so long as he remain our minister." Until 1779, public worship was usually held in a private house, especial- ly in the winter, and frequently in a barn during the warm season. The Rev. Mr. Barnes, was ordained in a barn. The first Meeting- house was completed in 1779, and the second in 1792. In 1803, Mr. Barnes having become incapaciated for the regular performance of parochial duties, resigned his office and was dismiss- ed Oct. 19th of that year, having sustained the pastoral relation near- ly thirty one years. The Rev. Mr. Barnes was from Marlborough in Massachusetts, where he was born Dec. 26th, 1749. He receiv- ed his education at Harvard college, where he was graduated in 1770. In the summer of 1803, while riding on horseback a stroke of lightning prostrated him to the ground, stunned him for the time, and so paralyzed his energies, as utterly to disqualify him for- the discharge of his pastoral duties. He accordingly relinquished them, and sought in retirement that ease and tranquility, which his en- feebled health required. He survived but two years, and died Au- gust 3d, 1805 in the fifty sixth year of his age. He was a man of very respectable talents, possessed a vigorous and discriminating mind, and a lively and well cultivated imagination. He had a strong- sonorous voice, and an emphatic delivery. His manners were emi- nently dignified, polished and agreeable, a model of clerical urbanity. 5G ANNALS OF THE TOWN He was a charitable man with the sons and daughters of need, he was familiarly acquainted, making it an object to seek out the chil- dren of sorrow, and administer to their necessities, and by such he was regarded with the warmest affection. As a citizen, he exerted a commanding influence, in maintaining social order, preserving una- nimity of feeling, and otherwise advancing the prosperity of the town. In his religious belief he is supposed to have been, what was at that time styled an Arminian. He was not a rigid sectarian, but cherished a truly catholic and liberal spirit towards those who dif- fered from him in sentiment. Mr. Barnes was an active and labori- ous man. For many years after his settlement, his salary was inade- quate to the support of his household, and he cheerfully assisted in subduing the wilderness besides administering to the spiritual wants of his charge. He became possessed of the land allotted by Col. Hill, to the first settled minister of the town containing between three and four hundred acres. He toiled assiduously in clearing and pre- paring for cultivation, these and other lands, which he acquired by purchase, besides laboring much in the newly settled towns in the vicinity which were destitute of a minister. Mr. Barnes was marri- ed in 1774, to Miss Abigail Curtis of East Sudbury, Mass, who survived him, and died Dec. 8th, 1838, at the age of 83 years. She- was a woman of great excellence of character, and was universally beloved and esteemed. Their children were,William, born Dec. 25th, 1775, now supposed to reside in Lower Canada. Jonathan, born March 25th, 1778. Joseph Curtis born April 24th, 17S0, married and settled here in mercantile business, and died March 13th, 1817. Capt. Samuel, born June 9th, 17S2, also a merchant in this town, and died Oct. 21, 1822, leaving a wife and six children. Capt. Barnes was a worthy, industrious and enterprising citizen. Luther born Aug. 1st, 1784. John born Dec. 30th, 178G, died at sea August 21st, 1811. Cyrus born Jan. 14th, 1789, and died at Porto Rico August 9, 1819. Abigail, who married Rev. John Lawton, born May 1st 1791. A daughter, who died in infancy, born Jan. 9, 1793. Hen- ry born June 28th 1794, died May 1st, 1795. Henry, now living in OF HILLSBOROUGH. 57 this town born June 19th, 1796. During Mr. Barnes's ministry the plan of the "halfway covenant," was practiced by which, the chil- dren of persons not members of the church, were admitted to the rite of baptism. The practice "of admitting persons to the church with no particular" confession of faith, Vas also adopted. In this way the discipline of the church was relaxed and atone period, it was on the verge of Unitarianism. But through the strenuous and perse- vering exertions of some of its influential members who were tena- cious Calvinists and the firm and decided orthodox ground, maintain- ed by its second pastor it was in the course of a few years reclaimed to trinitarian congreationalism. In the two years subsequent to the Rev. Mr. Barnes's dismission, several different clergymen preached here as a stated supply. The Rev. Josiah Moulton preached here a few months in 1S04, and an|eflbrt was made by the church to set- tle him which failed through the opposition of a large minority in the town, the vote standing 57 in favor and 54 against his settlement. In June 1805, the town concurred with the church in extending an in- vitation to Mr. Stephen Chapin, to settle over them in the gospel ministry. Mr. Chapin complied with their invitation, and was ordain- ed June ISth, 1S05, with a stipulated salary of $400,00, per. an- num, with four sabbaths to himself each year. On this occasion the exercises were as follows. Introductory prayer by Rev. Ethan Smith of Hopkinton ; sermon by Rev. Nathaniel Emmons, D. D. of Frank- lin, Mass. ; consecrating prayer by the Rev, David Sanford of Med- way, Mass. ; charge by Rev. John Bruce of Mont Vernon ; fellow- ship of the churches by Rev. Moses Bradford of Francestown ; con- cluding prayer by Rev. David Long of Milford, Mass. Through Mr. Chapin's agency the church underwent an important change as to doctrine and practice. The plan of the half way covenant was discontinued. An experimental acquaintance with religion was re- quired as a qualification for church membership and an orthodox con- fession of faith, and covenant were adopted. The inflexible and un- compromising course pursued by Mr. Chapin, excited the virulent opposition of many whose sentiments were not in unison with his, H 5S ANNALS OF THE TOWN and after a protracted controversy resulted in his dismission May 10th< ; 1S0S. He however did not take his final leave of the church and con- gregation here, until July 30th, 1809, when he delivered his farewell sermon which was published. An extract from the doings of the council which dissolved Mr. C's pastoral relation to the church and town of Hillsborough, will give us a clue at the cause of his dismis- sion. Mr. Chapin's reasons for asking a dismission are the follow- ing, viz : The town of Hillsborough chose a committee to state their disaffection to him, to propose to him to ask a dismission and to as- sure him that if he declined, a town meeting would be immediately called to vote his dismission. Mr. Chapin believed the causes of their disaffection to be, 1st, The conduct of his ordaining council in refusing to sit in council at his ordination with Rev. William Sleighs ofDeering. 2. Mr. Chapin's conduct in refusing to baptize chil- dren on the half-way covenant, so called, and declining to exchange with ministers who baptize on that ground, in order to accommodate those who wish to have their children so baptized. And above alb 3. The doctrines which he, from time to time preaches, and under- stands to be the blessed doctrines of the gospel. The committee of the town present before the council, consented that these were in their opinion the reasons which induced the town to determine on Mr. Chapin's dismission. The principal reason assigned by the committee of the church why it consented to Mr, C's. dismission, was, his want of health, which rendered it doubtful whether he would be able to perform the duties of a pastor over them. The council which dismissed Mr. C. of which the Rev. Walter Harris, D. D. of Dunbarton was moderator, and the Rev. Ethan Smith of Hopkinton scribe ; approved his conduct, and unanimously recommended him to the churches as an able and faithful minister of Christ, and as a man of irreproachable moral character. The church also, concurred with the council by a recommendation of similar import. The num- ber added to the church during Mr. Chapin's ministry was thirty-eight, though not large, it was an important acquisition. The Rev. Ste- phen Chapin, 1). D., was born in Milford, Mass., November, 4, 1778, graduated at Harvard College in 1804, studied Divinity with OF HILLSBOROUGH. 59 Rev. Nathaniel Emmons, D. D., at Franklin, Mass., was licensed to preach Oct. 10th, 1804 ; ordained at Hillsborough, June 18th, 1S05, dismissed May 10th, 1808. Nov. 15th, 1809, was installed over the church in Mont Vernon, N. H., December 21, 1809, was married to Miss Sarah Mosher of Hollis, N. H. Nov. 1818, was dismissed from the church in Mont Vernon, on account of a change in his views respecting the mode and subjects of baptism ; September 8, 1S19, was ordained pastor of the Baptist church in North Yarmouth, Maine. In October 1S22 was dismissed, by reason of a call to the professorship of Theology in Waterville College, Maine ; was inaugu- rated in that office August 1823 ; resigned in August 1S28, being appointed to the Presidency of the Columbian College, Washington, D. C.j was inaugurated in that office, March 11, 1S29, where he presides with distinguished ability. After being destitute of a settled pastor for more than three years the church in connection with the town presented an invitation to the Rev. Selh Chapin, to become their pastor. Mr. Chapin gave them an affirmative answer, and was ordained Jan. 1, 1812. On this occasion the introductory prayer, was made by Rev. Moses Sawyer of Henniker ; Rev. Ephraim P. Bradford of New-Boston, preached the sermon ; Rev. Reed Paige of Hancock, offered the ordaining prayer, and gave the charge ; Rev. J. M. Whiton of Antrim, gave the Right Hand of Fellowship ; Rev. Lemuel Bliss of Bradford, offered the concluding prayer. Dur- ing Mr. Chapin's ministry nothing occurred of special importance. He became embarrassed in his pecuniary affairs, and was dismissed June 26th, 181G. Mr. Chapin was born at Mcndon Mass., in J 763; graduated at Brown University in 1S0S, and was married about the same year to Miss Mary, daughter of Hon. Judge Bickneil of Bar- rington, Rhode Island; acquired his Theological Education at Ando- ver Theological Seminary, where he graduated in 1511 ;Jan. 1, 1812, was ordained pastor of the church in Hillsborough; dismissed June 26th, 1S16; was installed at Hanover, Mass., April 21, 1819 ; dis- missed April 24th,lS24 ; resided at Hunter, N. Y. most of the time from 1824 to 1832 ; was installed in West Granville Mass., in 1833 and dismissed in 1335. His present residence is unknown to the GO ANNALS OF THE TOWN author. During the interval of more than three years which elapsed after Mr. Chapin's removal, before the fourth pastor of the church commenced his ministerial labors here, several clergymen preached here a few weeks or months, as the case might be. Rev. Jonathan Magee afterwards settled at Brattleborough, Vt., and now at Nashua, N. H., labored here a few months in 1818. About the time of Rev. Seth Chapin's dismission the town as a town, declined uniting with the church any longer in the support of a minister. Thus the church was thrown upon its own resources. The preaching of the gospel has since been maintained by voluntary subscription. In January 1820, Rev. John Lawton, who had previously spent a few sabbaths here, moved his family into town, and commenced preaching here constantly. In June 1821 he received a call from the church and society connected with it to settle over them in the ministry, which was accepted, and his installation took place Nov. 9, 1821. Rev* J. M. While n of Antrim offered the introductory prayer; Rev. Joel Davis then of Barnard Vt., preached the sermon; Rev, Jonathan Nye of Claremont, offered the Installing prayer; Rev. Rroughtou White of Washington gave the Right Hand uf Fellowship : conclud- ing prayer by Rev. Joel Davis. Mr. Lawton continued in the pastoral relation here until April 22, 1834, when he was dismissed at his own request. His labors here were very successful. Several extensive revivals 02cured during his ministry, particularly in 1827, when about seventy were added to the church as the fruits of it. Rev. Ira M. Mead, now of Ypsilanti, Michigan passed a few months in town, while this revival was in pro- gress and greatly assisted the pastor in his labors. Mr. Mead was a native of Hinesburg, Vermont, graduated at the Vermont University, in 182G, and at the Andover Theological Seminary, in 1829. The whole number of accessions to the church while Mr. Lawton was its pastor, was 152, averaging about ten a year. Rev. John Lawton was bom in Hard wick, Mass. August 14th, 1780, graduated at Middle- bury college in 1805, pursued his preparatory theological studii with Rev. John B. Preston at Newport, Vermont, received bis li cencc to preach in June 1808, was ordained in Windham, Vt. in Oct OF HILLSBOROUGH. Gi 1809, dismissed in Oct. 1819, and immediately began to preach in Hillsborough, was installed here Nov. 7, 1821, dismissed April 22, 1834. Since his dismission here, Mr. Lawton has been engaged principally as a home missionary, but is now itinerating in New Eng- land as an agent for an educational institution in Illinois. His family yet continues to reside in this town. He was married at Cambridge, N. Y. Sept. 14, 1800, to Miss Sarah W. Davis, then of Sharon, Vt, who died January 22, 1824, aged 30. He was again married Feb. 9, 1820, to Miss Abigail, only daughter of the late Rev. Jonathan Barnes. Mr. Lawton's successor in the ministry, Rev. Milton Ward, com- menced preaching here, in April 1834, and was consecrated to the pastoral office, 23d July of that year by an ecclesiastical council con- sisting of pastors, and delegates from ten churches. The services of the ordination were as follows ; Invocation and reading the scrip- tures by Rev. Orlando G. Thatcher of Bradford ; Introductory pray- er by Rev. Jacob Scales of Henniker; sermon by Rev. Calvin Cut- ler of Windham, N. H. ; consecrating prayer by Rev. Joseph Mct- ril of Acworth ; charge by Rev. John M. Whiton of Antrim ; right hand of fellowship by Rev. Austin Richards of Francestown ; Ad- dress to the people by Rev. Silas Aiken of Amherst; concluding prayer by Rev. David Stowell of Goffstown. A change in his views respecting the nature and constitution of the christian church, led to his dismission by a mutual council, Nov. 10th, 1835. Mr. Ward is a native of Plymouth, N. H., graduated at Dartmouth College in 1825, studied medicine at Hanover, and graduated at the Medical Institution there in 1829, was a practitioner of Medicine several years at Windham, N. H ; but afterwards abandoned that profession, and studied Theology with Rev. Calvin Cutler at Windham, and settled in Hillsborough soon after he was licensed to preach. A few weeks subsequent to his dismission here, he was ordained by Bishop Griswold, as a minister of the Episcopal Church, in which capacity he has since officiated at Lynn, Mass., Blandford, Mass., and at Portsmouth, R. I., where he now resides. The church be- ing again destitute of a minister, procured Rev. Seth Farnsworth to G2 ANNALS OF THE TOWN labor with them one year, at the expiration of which, he accepted a call to settle over the Church and society here, and was installed Nov. 23, 1836, when the following order of exercises took place : Rev. Jubilee Wellman of Warner offered the introductory prayer, Rev. John M. Whiton of Antrim, preached the sermon from Phil- lippians 4, 5; Rev. Jacob Scales of Henniker, offered the installing prayer ; Rev. Archibald Burgess of Hancock, delivered the charge ; Rev. O. G. Thatcher of Bradford, expressed the fellowship of the churches; Rev. Moses Kimball of Hopkinton, addressed the church and society, and offered the concluding prayer. In 1S36, a new meeting house was erected at the Bridge village, for the use of the first Congregational Church and Society. It was opened for public worship Nov. 23d, in connection with Mr. Farnsworth's Installation. Rev. Mr. Farnsworth preached the sermon on this occasion, and Rev. A. Burgess of Hancock offered the dedicatory prayer. This house stands a little west of the centre of business at the bridge : is exceedingly commodious, elegantly finished, and is an ornament to the flourishing village where it is located. When Mr. F. was set- tled it was the understanding that he should preach one, alternately, Sabbath at the bridge, and the next at the centre, he. His labors here were abundant and salutary, but in the full tide of his useful- ness, when the affections of the church and society were fixed on him with no common degree ol ardor, he was suddenly removed by death, March 26th 1S37. While Mr. F. was pastor of the church, five persons were added. In July 1S37, this bereaved people, ob- tained the ministerial services of Rev. Samuel G. Tenney. He pleached his first sermon to this people July 16. After laboring here nearly one year he was installed pastor of the church and so- ciety, July 4, 1S3S, order of services as follows: Invocation and reading the scriptures, by Rev. Stephen Rogers of Bradford ; Intro- ductory prayer by Rev. Joel Davis, then of Washington ; Sermon by Rev. Nathaniel Bouton of Concord, from 2 Timothy 4, 2 ; In- stalling Prayer by Rev. Peter Holt of Deering ; charge by Rev. John Lawlon former pastor; fellowship of the churches by Rev. John M. Whii 'ii of Antrim; address to the church and people by OF HILLSBOROUGH. 63 Rev. Jacob Scales of Henniker, and concluding prayer by Rev. Nathaniel T. Folsom of Francestown. This church has now be- come two bands. Ever since the dedication of the Meeting house at the bridge, it has been in contemplation to establish constant preaching in the congregational church there, when a favorable peri- od should arrive ; the death of Mr. Farnsworth probably retarded this event. In the spring of 1839, a competent salary was raised and a church organized May 29, 1839, by the name of the " Hills borough Bridge congregational church." It consisted at its forma- tion of 26 members, dismissed by letter from the first church. The present number of communicants is 70. Rev. S. G. Tenney was retained as pastor of this church. In October 1S39, Tristram Saw- yer, Davison Russell, Samuel Morrison, and Frederick M. Sy- monds, were elected deacons of this church. Rev, Samuel Gilman Tenney its pastor was born at Rowley, Mass., April 12, 1793, fit- ted for college at Union Academy, Plainfield ; graduated at Dart- mouth College in 1823 ; studied his profession with Rev. Walter Chapin, D. D., at Woodstock, Vt. ; was ordained pastor of the Con- gregational church at Lyndon Vermont in^July 1825; was dismissed in Jan. 1831 ; from May 1831, to Nov. IS34, was stated supply at Bakersfield, Vt., without installation ; was installed at Waitsfield, Vt. in July 1835; and dismissed in July 1837, and came to Hillsborough, the same month. After the formation of the Bridge church the old church assumed the name of" Hillsborough Centre Church." The present number of its members is 106. Charles Baldwin, Stephen Richardson, and Othri Crosby, were elected deacons of this church, June 20, 1839. A new house of worship was erected in 1S39, for the use of this church and society, and dedicated Dec. 4th, of that year. The dedication sermon was preached by Rev. Stephen Rogers of Bradford. Rev. Edward Cleaveland, who had been set- tled in Rochester, N. H., labored with the church and society sev- eral months in 1839. Rev. John B. M. Bailey, now of Attlebo- rough, Mass., and Rev. Henry White, also preached for them some- time, while they were destitute of a settled minister. In Feb. 1840, Rev. George VV. Adams, began his clerical labors and preached G4 ANNALS OF THE TOWN first (o this people, Feb. 23. In March following he received and accepted an invitation to settle over them as their pastor and was in- stalled October 21 , 1840. Rev. Samuel Oilman Tenney of the Bridge Church, invoked the Divine blessing, and read select por- tions of scripture ; Rev. David P. Smith offered the introductory prayer ; Rev. B. B. Beckwith of Castine Maine, preached the ser- mon from I Cor. 1 : 23, 24 ; Rev. Peter Holt of Deering offered the Installing prayer ; Rev. John M. Whiton o( Castine, delivered the charge ; Rev. S. G. Tenney gave the Right Hand of Fellowship ; Rev. D. P. Smith addressed 'the church and society; Rev. Stephen Rogers of Bradford offered the concluding prayer. The whole num- ber that were added to the church from the settlement of Rev. Ste- phen Chapin to 1 S39, a period of 34 years amounts to 223. Rev. George W. Adams, the present pastor of the Centre Church, was born in Limerick, Me., May 1G, 1808, prepared for college at the Limerick Academy, graduated at Bowdoin College in 1835 ; and at the Theological Seminary at Bangor Maine, in 1837, was ordained pastor of the Congregational church in Brooksville, Maine, Oct. 25, 1S37, dismissed February 4, 1810, and came to Hillsbo- rough the same month. Rev. Seth Farnsworth the sixth pastor of the Congregational church in Hillsborough was born in Charlestown, N. H., June 14th 1795. He became the subject of serious religious impressions in 1S1G, during a revival of religion in the adjoining town of Clarcmont. Having been educated by his father to believe the doctrine of the universal salvation ; the conflict between his convictions of duty and his inclinations and preconceived opinions was protracted and severe. But grace finally triumphed, and he gave up all for Christ. Being ardently desirous of more extensive usefulness in the service of his Redeemer, he commenced a course of study preparatory for the Christian ministry, at Union Academy, Plainfield, in the spring of 1817. He entered Dartmouth College in August 1818, and receiv- ed the honors of that Institution in 1S22. In the various 'depart- ments of study, he maintained a very respectable standing. Though his excessive diffidence, in some measure concealed his intellectual OF HILLSBOROUGH. 65 •strength, and prevented his talents from being fully appreciated. Dur- ing the two years succeeding his graduation, he pursued the study of Theology under the direction of President Tyler. Having received license to preach, he labored two years in the* service of the Ver- mont Missionary Society with great acceptance in several of the des- titute towns in that state. In the autumn of 1S24 he received a call from the church and society in Raymond and was ordained Nov. 3, of that year and dismissed April 17, 1834. During the ten years of his ministry at Raymond, his labors were crowned with four seasons of refreshing from the presence of the Lord, when large accessions were made to his church. In 1S34 he received a call from the church in Essex and another from the church in Morristown Ver- mont He preferred not to settle for the present in either place; but engaged to supply the church in Essex for one year. Having received a call to settle in Hillsborough, he was installed Nov. 23, 1836. After a few months of earnest labor, he sickened suddenly of a lung fever, and after a few months of earnest profession, and the assiduities of an affectionate people, he died 26th March 1S37. As he drew near his end, every christian grace seemed to be called in- to lively exercise, faith, hope, love and joy filled his soul. A k\v of the many expressions of holy joy which escaped his lips as he neared the heavenly'world, are here recorded, and they will con- vey some idea of his peaceful and triumphant departure. Re- peatedly in the extacy of joy would he exclaim, " Glory, glory to God, Hallelujah — Salvation, the Lord reigneth. Praise him, Oh praise him." After a short interval of repose, he clasped his hands and said, " Oh my God, how sweet, how sweet are the employments of Heav- en. Blessing and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honor, and power, and might, be unto our God, forever and ever, Amen." Long- ing to depart and be with Christ he said, " Oh my soul when will you be at rest — come blessed Saviour, O come, come, Oh, that I had wings I would fly, yes blessed Jesus, I would fly to thine arms. Again raising his hands and eyes upward, he excla ; med, " Oh my Sa- viour, my love, my dove, my undented, what sweet words, O my God, how sweet. On Sabbath morning, (the day he died,) after a few moments of repose, he opened his eves and beholding Mrs. F. I G6 ANNALS OF THE TOWN with their youngest child in her arms, standing by his bed he raised ins hands and said, " that dear child I love. My dear, I have faith to believe that the Covenant promise will be fulfilled in that child, I do believe, yes, I do believe that that child will become a child of grace." At another time he lay for some minutes as though listening to the sound of distant music. He seemed to try to catch the sound and to tune his voice to join in an anthem of praise. On opening his eyes he said, "Omy friends, I thought I was in glory, I have just come from the world of bliss, what happiness what unspeakable hap- piness to sing with angels, O, could I mount up with angels, I would sing with them an anthem of praise." After he had taken his leave of his family and friends, he lay some time in a gentle repose. Mrs. F. asked him if he would take some drink. He opened his eyes and with a smile of joy on his countenance, he said, "Oh my dear, I have had such views of glory as I never had before. I have been swim- ming, swimming, yea I have been swimming in an ocean of bliss." On Sabbath morning a neighboring minister and relative who preached for him that day, inquired of him just before going to the house of Cod, if he had any message which he wished him to bear to his peo- ple. Message said he, yes I have a message for my dear people, " Tell my beloved people that my message to them, is that they re- ceive with meekness the engrafted word which is able to save their jouls, and that they be doers of the word, and not hearers only," he would have added more, but his strength failed him. He continued in the same happy frame of mind till half past 3 o'clock, when his immortal spirit was released from its clay tenement. As a minister Mr. Farnsworth was earnest, laborious, and faithful. The great truths which he believed and taught, dwelt richly in his own heart. Though his talents were more useful than brilliant, yet he was always interest- ing and frequently very eloquent in the pulpit. As a christian, a minis- ter, a husband, a father and a friend, he was uniformly guided by the principles of Christian love. The kindness and meekness of his heart, his amiable deportment, and his humble walk with God, won the esteem and attachment of all classes in the community. " Bles- sed are the dead who die in the Lord." OF HILLSBOROUGH. G7 Rev. Ozias Silsby son of Henry Silsby, was born in Windham, Conn., in June 1701, removed to Acvvorth, N. H., with his parents in early life, graduated at Dartmouth College in 1785, studied Di- vinity with the Rev. George Leslie of Washington, was licensed to preach the Gospel, and labor, for some time in Henniker, N. H., and at Wells, Maine, but was never settled in the ministry ; his feeble health unfitting him for pastoral duty. He subsequently resided in various places, was carrier of the U. S. Mail fourteeen years from Chester to Exeter. In 1814 he removed from Warner to this town, and continued to reside here until his death, Feb, 2Sth, 1 833 aged 72 years. He was twice married, first to Miss Mary Dearborn of Chester, and after her death, to Miss Frances Congdon Jones of Concord, a native of Claremont. Ten children survived him. The Deacons of the Congregational church from its organization in 1769, to its division in 1S39, were as follows : John Mead, Tris- tram Cheney, Isaac Andrus, Joseph Symonds, Paul Cooledge, Isaac Andrews, Jun. Jacob Spaulding, Joel Stow, George Dascomb, sev- en of whom have deceased. John Mead came to Hillsborough from Reading Mass. in 17GG, and died here in August 1811, aged about 81. He endured all the privations of a pioneer in the wilderness, was a pious and exemplary man and adorned his profession. Tris- tram Cheney is believed to have been from Sudbury Mass. He re- sided in Antrim just beyond the limits of Hillsborough, whence he removed to Marlow, where he died. For Isaac Andrews, Sen., see " Justices of the Peace." Dea. Joseph Symonds was born and bred in Middleton, Mass., removed to Hillsborough in 1774, and died here March 30, 1809, aged 77. Dea. Symonds was a prominent man in the early history of the town. He possessed a strong mind, and solid judgment ; was a highly intelligent and useful citizen, and deservedly esteemed by his townsmen. Dea. S. was one of the fathers of the church, and maintained a highly exemplary christian character. He married Lucy Kimball, of Boxford, Mass.. who died Aug. 21, 1S03, aged G9, having borne him thirteen children, ten of whom survived him. Dea. Paul Cooledge son of Nathaniel Cool- edge, sen. was born in Weston, Ma^s., removed here with his parents 08 ANNALS OF THE TOWtf iu 1775, and died Aug. 20, 1835, aged 84. He married Miss Martha Jones, who died July 21, 1S35, aged 78. Deacon Jacob Spaulding was a native of Chelmsford, Mass., removed herein 1790 and died May 14, 1838, aged 70. He left a wife and seven chil- dren. Dea. Joel Stow was born at Marlborough Mass. Nov. 19 7 17G6. He removed to Hillsborough when about 21 years of age, and resided here until his death, Oct. 17th 183S, aged 72. Deacon Stow was an energetic and useful citizen. For several years he served the town as one of their selectmen ; and represented them in the State Legislature four years from 1S03, He loved the institu- tions of the Gospel, and did much towards sustaining them. Ho was over active in supporting an Evangelical ministry, and staying up the hands of his pastor. He contributed liberally to the benevolent ob- jects of the day ; in his will bequeathing them $,500 out of an estate of three thousand dollars, which made the amount of his benefac- tions at different periods equal to $1000. The memory of the just is blessed. Dea. Stow married Miss Rebecca Howe of Hillsbo- rough, April 10th 1794, who died March 19th 1S05. lie was again married Feb. 14, 180G, to Miss Elizabeth Barnes of Marlborough, Mass. Two of five children survive him. Dea. Isaac Andrews, Jun., son of Dea. Isaac Andrews was born at Ipswich, Mass. Nov. 11th, 1755, removed here from Carlisle, Mass. in 17G7. He is yet living in a vigorous and healthful old age ; his mental faculties unimpaired. He fought in the battle of Bunker hill, and preserves a minute and vivid recollection of the events of that memorable day, which he relates in a very interesting manner. Maj. Andrews has an intimate knowledge of the scenes which have transpired in Hillsborough, state of N. II., and of its inhabitants, dur- ing the sevonty-four years he has been a resident here. Dea. Geo* Dascomb was born iu Luncnburgh, Mass. Oct. 10th 17G4; emigrat- ed to Milton, N. II., with his parents when he was two years old ; re- moved to Hillsborough, in 1791. In May 1813, a Baptist society was organized by a number of in- dividuals,' cherishing the peculiar views of that denomination. For .-even years from this time, they were supplied with preaching but OF HILLSBOROUGH. 69 one sabbath to each month ; during this period they employed the labors of different ministers. The Rev. Messrs. Willard of Dublin, Higbee of Alstead, Elliott of Mason, Ambrose of Sutton, and Cum- mings of Sullivan, all ministered here occasionally. In the year 1819, they commenced holding meetings on the sabbath, when des- titute of the preaching of the gospel, which were conducted by them- selves as meetings for mutual prayer and conference. Aug. 31, 1828, the first Baptist church was gathered, Rev. Elijah Willard of Dub- lin preached the sermon. This church at its organization consisted of sixteen members, seven males and nine females. James Ayer, and Fisher Gay were appointed deacons. From 1S20 to 1828, most of their preaching was by Rev. Charles Cummings. In 1828, he moved his family into the town, and commenced preaching con- stantly for this people. Until 1828, their meetings were held either in school houses or private dwellings. In November of that year, a house of worship sixty feet by forty-five which had been erected for their use was dedicated. Rev. Joseph Elliot, then of Mason, now of Alton, Illinois, preached the dedication sermon. In 1831, Rev. Mr. Cummings returned with his family to Sullivan. He is now pastor of the Baptist church in Swanzey. In 1831, the church be- came connected with the Milford association of churches. After the dismission of the Rev. Mr. Cummings, the church had no permanent supply lor several years. In 1834, the Rev. John Peacock labored with the church five months, during which time there was an interest- ing revival and about forty were added to the church. In 1835, Rev. Moses Cheney by invitation of the church and society moved his family here, and became their stated minister. After remaining in the place about fourteen months, he left in March 1836. The same year Rev. John Atwood formerly of New Boston was invited by the church and society to become their pastor. He accepted and commenced his labors statedly, on the first of Feb. 1837, but never received the pastoral care of the church. For certain reasons resting principally with the leading members, the church has never admitted any person to assume a pastoral connexion with them. Af- ter continuing his labors with the church and society three years, Mr. Atwood was dismissed by the church in Feb. 1840, but con- tinued to preach for the society. The first church remained desti- tute until the first of Feb. 1S41, when the Rev. Philip Chamberlain, from Campton, N. H. moved here and yet ministers to this church. On the 5th of November 1840, the Independent Baptist Church was embodied by the advice and assistance of an Ecclesiastical coun- cil, convened for the purpose. The sermon on the occasion was delivered by the Rev. J. P. Appleton of Wilton, and the Fellow- ship of the Council was presented by Rev. Phinehas Richardson of Hollis. The Rev. John Atwood holds the relation of pastor to this church, which consisted when constituted of twenty members. And 70 ANNALS OF THE TOWN thirteen have since been added. The whole number of persons bap- tized in connection with the Baptist interest in Hillsborough, since the formation of the first church in 1S20 is 105, The number add- ed by letter is 56; dismissed to other churches 43, expunged from the records 34, excluded 13, died 13. The present number of Bap- tist professors in town is about 100. Rev. John Atwood, A. M., the pastor, ofthe " Independent Baptist Church, in Hillsborough," was born in Hudson, N. H. October 3d 1795, prepared for college with Rev. Daniel Merrill of Hudson, was a member of Waterville College, Maine, from 1S20 to 1824 ; was ordained pastor ofthe 1st Baptist Church in New Boston in May 1825, dismissed in Feb. 1S35 and from that time labored in Frances- town until his removal to Hillsborough in Feb. 1837. A methodist church was organized in 1838, and a neat and commodious edifice of public worship erected for their accommodation in 1S39. This house was dedicated Oct. 2d, of that year. Dedication sermon by Rev. Jo red Perkins, then of Nashua. Asa matter not altogether uninteresting to the inhabitants of Hills- borough, it is thought proper to append a list of the representatives of the town in the stale legislature ; town clerks, moderators of the annual town meetings and selectmen from the first town meeting to the present time. The year at the left hand ofthe name denotes the time of election ; the figures at the right, the period of continuance in office by elections in immediate succession. Representatives, Until J 792, Hillsborough was classed with Henniker ; neither town of itself being sufficiently populous to entitle it to a representa- tative till that year. John Dutton, William Wallace of Henniker, and Benjamin Fierce, represented the towns, while thus classed to- gether. * Hillsborough has been represented by the following indi- viduals since 1792. 1792, Benjamin Pierce, 11. 1803, Joel Stow, 4. 1807, Elijah Beard. 5. 1812, James Wilson, 10. 1822, Andrew Sargent, 4. 1826, Thomas Wilson, 3. In 1839, it was ascertained that the town was entitled to two rep rcsentatives. 1829, Franklin Pierce, 4. 1S33, Hiram Monroe, G. Albert Baker, > 2 ' Elijah Monroe, ^ Albert Baker, ' Henry D. Pierce. OF 1772, Isaac Andrews, 1775, Joseph Symonds, 177G, Samuel Bradford,* 1777, William Pope, 1773, Timo. Bradford, 1779, Samuel Bradford, Jr. 17S0, William Pope, 1781, Isaac Andrews, 17SG, John Dutton, 1793, Enos Towne,* * Capt. B. died in August 1776, and William Pope was elected his successor, as first selectman and town clerk, for the remainder of the year. Enos Towne died in 1795 and John McColly succeeded him for the residue of that year. HILLSBOROUGH • 71 Town Clerks, 1794, Calvin Stevens, 11. 1. 1S05, Elijah Beard, 1808 Andrew Sargent, 8. 1. 1816, James Wilson, 7. ]. 1823, Andrew Sargent, 7. r., I. 1830, Thomas Wilson, 2. 1. 1832, Jonathan Beard, 3. 5. 1835, Amos Flint, 6. 7. 1. 1841, Jotham Moore, Moderators of the Annual Town Meetings. 1774, Timothy Wilkins, 1. 1811, Benjamin Pierce, 3. 1775, Joseph Symonds, 1. 1814, Nehemiah Jones, 1 1776, Daniel McNeil, 1. 1815, John Burnam, 8, 1777, Andrew Bixhy, 1. 1823, Luther Smith, 1. 1778, Joseph Symonds, 4. 1824, John Burnam, 1 1782, James McColley, 1. 1825, Reuben Hatch, 3 1783, Joseph Symonds, 9. 1828, Franklin Pierce, 6, 1792, Benjamin Pierce, 9. 1834, Amos Flint, 1 1801, Otis Howe, 1. 1835, Thomas Wilson, 1 1802, Benjamin Pierce, 1. 1836, Nahum Parker Foster 1 1803, John Dutton, 2. 1837, Hiram Monroe, 4 1805, Benjamin Pierce, 5. 1841, Albert Baker, 1S10, David Starret, ]. 1 - 1772, Isaac Andrews, John McColley, Daniel McNeil, Isaac Baldwin, William Pope, 1775, Joseph Symonds, Samuel Bradford,s'i Selectmen. 3. James Eaton, 6 3. 1795, Samuel Bradford, 2 o. 1797, George Dascomb, 2 o. 1799, Elijah Beard, 9 3. 1800, Jacob Spaulding, 6 1. 1805, Andrew Sargent, 11 1. 1806, Silas Dutton, 2 mi ANNALS OF THE TOWN John McClintock, 177G, Asa Dresser, Archibald Taggart, William Pope, 1777, John McColley, Moses Steel, 1778, Timothy Bradford, Sam'l Bradford, Jr. Daniel McNeil, 177 0, Ammi Andrews, James McColley, 1780, William Pope, Calvin Stevens, Jacob Flint, 17S1, Isaac Andrews, John Dutton, Archibald Taggart, John McClary, 1782, The three first oft! 5 elected in 1762 coi stitnted the board 1782. 1783, Isaac Andrews, Jr. 1784, James McColley, 1785, William Taggart, 17S6, John Bradford, TV iiliam Symonds, 1787, William Taggart, 1788, Isaac Andrews, Jr. Paul Cooledge, 1789, John McColley, 1790, John McClary, 1791, Isaac Andrews, 1792, John McColley, 1793, EnosTowne.f Solomon Andrews, 1794, Calvin Stevens, 1. I 08, 1. 1. 1 809, 2. I81u, 1. 1811, 1. 1812, 1. 1813, 2. 1S14, 1. 1S1G, J. 1. ISIS, 1. 1820, 2. 1821, 1. 7. 1S22, 12. 1823, o 1. he 1S24, n- in 182G, 1828, 1. 1630, 1. 1. 1831, 1. 1832, 1. 1. 1. 1831, 1. 1835, 2. 1836, 2. 183s, 2. 1839, 3. 1. 1840, 1. 1841, 11. i David Stnrrot, Joseph Curtis Barnes, Timothy Wytnan, James Wilson, Joel Stow, Samuel Barnes, Luther Smith,]: Samuel Gibson, Joel Stow, Jonathan Tillon, George Little, William McClintock, Alexander McCoy, Peter Cod man, Joel Stow, Andrew Sargent, Reuben Hatch, Solomon McNeil, Joel Stow, Thomas Wilson, Benjamin Tuttle, Hiram Monroe, Peter Codman, Isaac Jones Cooledge, Jonathan Beard, Levi Goodale, Samuel C. Dutton, Joseph Phipps, Amos Flint, Levi Goodale, Ransom Bixby, James Currier, Daniel Brown, Jotham Moore, Hiram Monroe, Sandy Smith. 2. 13. 1. 1. 1. *Capt. Samuel Bradford died in Aug. 1776. and William Pope was his successor, for the rest of the year, t Enos Town died in the year 1793, and John McColley was chosen to serve in theoffices of town clerk, and first selectman, for the rest of the year. } Dr. Lather Smith resigned the office of selectman, on account of its interfering with his professional business^find Samuel Gibson was elected in his stead for the remainder of the year. '•