F 44 P8 F3 Copy 1 Class^ V^ '• Hook ~^% Fi hui;si-;nti:i) hy Federal Fire Society of Portsmouth, N. H. ORGANIZED MARCH 6, 1789. PUBLISHED BY THE SOCIETY, 1905. Qltk Author S Mr'06 Preface. The word Federal was much in vogue in the early days of the Republic. It had at that time a distinctly patriotic significance. The Federal Constitution was everywhere discussed. The ar- guments for and against the proposed Federal Government of the States were ably presented; and when in June, 1788, the Convention at Exeter b}^ a vote of 57 to 46 made New Hampshire the Ninth State to adopt the Federal Constitution, Ports- mouth celebrated the momentous event by every token of public rejoicing. So when in the following March the immortal fifteen founders of this ancient and honorable asso- ciation adopted as its title the Federal Fire So- ciety and for its rallying cry the word Federal they selected the strongest designation by which to express their patriotism and their good citizenship. Many years have elapsed since the Society took an active part in service at fires. During the first sixty years of its existence it was very much in evidence at all conflagrations. But for the past fifty years or more, by reason of the more perfect appliances for the extinguishing of fires and for the preservation of order and salvage of movable prop- FEDERAL FIRE SOCIETT, eity on such occasions of disaster, its action has no longer been necessary, yet it still continues to exist and to hold its semi-annual meetings as an associa- tion, and should circumstances ever again demand its active co-operation it will beyond question be found as ready to lend a hand in time of need as it was a hundred years ago. So let the Federal Fire Society continue. In the words of its an- cient motto ''Esto Perpetual Let it be perpetual. Articles of Agreement WITH FAC SIMILE OF SIGNATURES OF THE FOUNDERS. Federal Fire Society. WE the Siibfcribers, inhabitants of the town of Portfmouth, in the State of New-Hampfhire, from a confideration of the clanger of FIRE, and the rifque of having our property at fuch time deftroyed or plundered, — agree to the following RULES to be obferved by us as a FIRE-SOCIETY, for pre- venting as far as in our power, the evils before mentioned, and others attendant on accidental fires. ARTICLES agreed upon by the FEDERAL FIRE-SOCIETT, Port/mouth, March 6, 1789. I ft. WE will meet for the purpofe of tranfa6t- ing fuch bufinefs as may be thought beneficial to the fociety, the firft Friday evening in the months of March, June, September and December, the lift to be called at eight o'clock, any member then ab- fent to be fined one fifth of a dollar. Meetings for extraordinary bufinefs fhall be called by the Clerk when any five of the members defire it. 2d. Our number fhall not exceed twent)^-five members, and no bufinefs fhall be tranfa6ted re- quiring a general vote, 'till the lift is called, and a FEDERAL FIRE SOCIETY. majority prefent of the members then belonging to the fociety. 3d. Annually at our March meeting the Offi- cers of the Society fhall be chofen, viz. a Chair- man, Clerk, and two or more Wardens; the Chair- man fhall prefide at the meetings of the fociety, and at the conclufion of the ufual bufinefs fhall enquire whether any member has any thing to pro- pofe for the good of the fociety. The Clerk fhall keep their accounts and record their tranfaftions, and fhall notify each meeting by tickets fent to the members, for which fervices he fhall be exempt from the quarterly contributions. The Wardens fhall once a quarter at leaft examine each mem- ber's buckets, bags, and other fire-implements to fee that they are in order, and fhall at the fame time by defire of any member vifit his apartments to know the avenues thereto. In time of fire the Wardens fhall take care of an}^ member's effe6ts committed to their charge, and fee fuch articles depofited in fafety according to their beft judge- ment, and fhall ftay by and keep the fame in cuf- tody 'till reliev'd. 4th. Each member fhall be furnifhed with the following implements, viz. two good leather buck- ets, painted with perpendicular ftripes of red, white and black ; on one fide the following words : Federal F. S. ARTICLES OF AGREEMENT, The firft letter of the owner's chriftian name, and the whole of his firname. On one bucket N°. i. 1789. On the other N°. 2. 1789. Thefe buckets to be kept conftantly hanging in Ibme convenient place of the owner's apartments, with two good bags, with ftrings at their mouths, each capable of containing at leaft four bufhels, and painted as the buckets except the ftripes. Each member to be alfo furnifh'd with a mop made of woolen cloths, the length to be at leaft fifteen feet, and a turn-fcrew for taking down bed- fteads, &c. — Every member who negle6ts to fur- nifh himfelf with the implements aforefaid fhall pay a fine of half a dollar for every fuch negle6t; the fame fine to be paid as often as the wardens at their vifits fhall find any of faid implements miff- ing or unfit for ufe, of which they fhall without favour or affection make report at the next quarter- ly meeting of the fociety. 5th. Any of the aforefaid implements being loft at a fire, fhall be replaced by the owner within three months, at his own expenfe. 6th. On notice of a fire every member fhall fpeedily repair to it with his buckets and bags; if any place in the occupation of a inember be in danger, they fhall ufe their beft endeavours at the direction of the owner, if prefent, or otherwife ac- FEDERAL FIRE SOCIETY. cording to the beft of their judgment to remove and fecure his effects. 7th. No perfon fhall be admitted as a member of this Ibciety but by the unanimous vote of the members prefent at a quarterly meeting; and no fuch vote fhall be put without fuch perfon having been previoufly nominated at the quarterly meet- ing immediately preceding that in which he is voted for. 8th. Each member whether prefent or abfent, fhall pay to the Clerk by himfelf or fome one for him, his proportion of the quarterly and other ex- penfes of the fociety, on penalty of being difmifs'd therefrom by vote. 9th. The fociety's watchword for colle6ting the members at a fire fhall be FEDERAL; they fhall alfo have a counterfign, to be altered at their pleaf- ure; any member not being able to anfwer it when demanded by the Clerk, fhall pay one tenth of a dollar, any one who fhall divulge the fame, or any of the private tranfa6lions of the fociety to a per- fon not a member fhall pay one dollar. loth. Nothing but ficknefs or being out of town, except a vote of the fociety, fhall excufe a member from paying fines incurred. Any mem- ber who fhall refufe to pa}^ his fines when demand- ed by the Clerk, or who fhall unneceffarily abfent himfelf from three fucceffive meetings of the fo- ciety, fhall no longer be confidered as a member, ARTICLES OF AGREEMENT. nor be again admitted without the ulual ceremonies of election. nth. The fociety at the delire of any member fhall vifit his apartments to learn the avenues there- to, and to know where his moft valuable papers, &c. are depofited. 1 2th. Each member fhall have the obfervations of the fociety refpe6ting fires pafted up in fome confpicuous place in his houfe. Every member muft alfo be provided with a copy of thefe articles with the member's names, and times of admittance, which muft be produced to the Clerk at every quarterly meeting, on penalty of one tenth of a dol- lar for every omiffion. 13th. All difputes to be decided by the major votes of the members prelent. IN Testimony of a ftri6l obfervance of the foregoing articles, we hereunto fubfcribe our names. FEDERAL FIRE SOCIETY. v^^^ itr$iiauce of a vote of the Society passed at its A}t7iual Meeting March 6, xgo2. The Society was organized March 6, 1789, and the following were the original members: John Pickering, Daniel Rindge, Ammi R. Cutter, Jacob Sheafe, Jr., Thomas Sheafe, James Sheafe, Joseph Haven, Nathaniel A. Haven, Benjamin Dearborn, William Sheafe, Samuel Haven, Jr., Thomas Martin, Oliver Whipple, Hall Jackson, John Jackson. FEDERAL FIRE SOCIETY. JOHN PICKERING. He was Judge of the United States District Court for New Hampshire. Graduated at Harvard College in 1761. Lived on Market Street at North corner of what is now Commer- cial Alley. His house was burned in the great fire of Decem- ber 26, 1S02, which broke out in the New Hampshire Bank building, destroyed every building on the Parade except the Court House and the old North Meeting House, all on Daniel Street as far as Penhallow, all Market Street as far as the Ladd house. Bow Street as far as Church Hill, Hanover Street from Market Street to the top of the hill, and every building but one on Ladd Street. The loss of property was estimated at $200,000. Judge Pickering was a man of great legal knowledge and eminent ability. He was a delegate from Portsmouth to the Convention for forming the State Constitution which was adopted in 1783. He was also a delegate to the Convention of this State which adopted the Constitution of the United States in 1788. It is said that his eloquence and power of reasoning had great effect in procuring its adoption. He died April 13, 1805, in the sixty-eighth year of his age. DANIEL RINDGE. He was a Merchant. He lived at the corner of Market and Daniel Streets. His house was also burned in the great fire of 1802. In 1766 he was appointed Councillor in his Maj- 17 FEDERAL FIRE SOCIETY. esty's Province of New Hampshire, but in 1775 declined fur- ther allegiance to the British Government. He died January 12, 1799, aged sixty -eight years. AMMI RUHAMAH CUTTER. Born at North Yarmouth, Maine, in 1735. Graduated at Harvard College in 1752 at the early age of seventeen years. Lived at South-East corner of Congress and Fleet Streets. Soon after completing his studies he was appointed Surgeon of a regiment raised in this province to oppose the French and Indians, who were threatening the settlements. He contin- ued with the regiment after it was ordered to Cape Breton, and was at the second capture of Louisburg in 175S. He then established an extensive practice in Portsmouth, but in 1777 accepted the charge of the medical department of the Northern Continental army, and remained in charge until the surrender of Burgoyne, when he resumed practice here. For nearly sixty years his labors in his profession were incessant, and the confidence placed in him by this community was un- bounded. He was for several years President of the New Hampshire Medical Society. He was elected an Honorary member of the Massachusetts Medical Society, and of the Massachusetts Humane Society. He died December 8, 1820, in his eighty- sixth year. JA COB SHEAFE, JR. He was a Merchant. His house was situated on Buck (now State) Street, facing Washington Street. It was burned in the great fire of December, 18 13, which consumed one hun- dred and eighty dwellings and sixty -four other buildings. He afterward lived at the corner of Market and Daniel Streets. 18 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES. lie was eminent for his Iiospitality and genial disposition. He (lied in 1839 at the age of eighty-four years. THOMAS SHEAFE. He was a Merchant. In those times the mercliants of Ports- mouth sent their Portsmouth built ships to the West Indies, the Mediterranean, the Baltic, and more distant ports, gener- nlly with cargoes furnished by themselves and their imme- diate friends, and many a small "adventure" was sent out by others in charge of the supercargo, whose duty was to dispose of the goods in some foreign port and purchase return cargo for the various parties interested. This trading beyond the seas often brought handsome returns and enabled such mer- chants to live elegantly and to leave large fortunes to their children. Mr. Sheafe lived at South-West corner of Market and Deer Streets. He died September 4, 1831, aged eighty years. JAMES SHEAFE. He was a Merchant. Graduated at Harvard College in 1774. His house was on Buck Street occupying the site of the present Rockingham County Court House. It was de- stroyed in the great fire of 1S13. A year or two later he built a large and fine house on the same site, where he lived for many years, his death occurring December 5, 1829, at the age of seventy -four years. In 1 80 1 Mr. Sheafe was chosen United States Senator from New Hampshire for the term of six years but resigned his seat the following year. In Brewster's "Rambles about Portsmouth" he is spoken of as "our Duke of Wellington, in sagacity and in manners." 19 FEDERAL FIRE SOCIETT. JOSEPH HA VEN. Merchant. He lived on Pleasant Street in the three-storied house corner of Richmond Street, which he built in 1790. He died July 14, 1829, aged seventy-two years. NATHANIEL A. HAVEN. He was bred a Physician. Graduated at Harvard College in 1779. Was Surgeon onboard an armed vessel in the latter part of the Revolutionary War. Was captured by the British and confined on board the prison ship "Jersey" at New Yorl:, but soon exchanged at the special request of General Washing- ton. At the close of the war he became a Merchant. He- was the first President of the Portsmouth Savings Bank. He was also Clerk of this Society. In 1809 he was elected to Congress. His house, which he built in 1798, stands on High Street opposite Ladd Street. Pie died March 13, 1831, aged sixty-nine years. BENJAMIN DEARBORN. Schoolmaster. He taught the first school for girls in Ports- mouth — at first in a large room in his own dwelling house which stood on Market Street, corner of Commercial Alley. He afterward built an Academy at the rear of his house, on completion of which Dr. Haven delivered an elegant address in the North Church in honor of the event, and Mr. Sewall wrote an ode. The scholars were all present. The next day they were introduced into the new Academy. He soon had assistant teachers and over a hundred pupils. Here he pro- jected and first introduced "Dearborn's Patent Balances" which attained a very high reputation. He was a deep stu- dent of mathematics and the mechanical powers. Before the Power Printing Press was known he devised plans for such a BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES. machine which though not completed did him great credit. He moved to Boston where he died in 1838, at the age of eighty-three years. WILLIAM SHEAFE, Merchant. Lived in house on Congress Street between Chestnut and Middle Streets, which he built in 1797. He died in March, 1839, in his eighty-first year. "One of the most worthy and venerable of our fellow citizens," said the Portsmouth Journal of that date. SAMUEL HAVEN, JR. Clergyman. In South Parish records he is recorded as son of Samuel and Mehitable Haven, baptized August 11, 1754. He died at Northwood, N. H., in 1825. THOMAS MARTIN. Naval Officer at the Custom House. His house was on Deer Street, now part of the Boston & Maine Railroad Res- taurant. Died February 4, 1S05, aged seventy-three years. The "Oracle" of February 9 calls him "this excellent man," and adds "few men while living were more universally es- teemed and respected." OLIVER WHIPPLE. He was a Lawyer. Graduated at Harvard College in 1766. Colonel Whipple built the house in which he lived (North- West corner of Court and Pleasant Streets) at about the time and in the same style as the Pickering house which stands next the Universalist Church. During the Revolutionary FEDERAL FIRE SOCIET2'. War he removed to Maine, but afterward returned to Ports- mouth. The house was burned m the great fire of 1813. He died in that year, aged sixty -six years. HALL JACKSON. Born in Hampton, N. H., November 11, 1739. Educated in tlie public schools of Portsmouth, his father. Dr. Clement Jackson, having moved to this town in 1749. Studied the theory of Physic and Surgery under his father. Went to London where he attended lectures in the hospitals to perfect himself in surgery. No operation of importance was per- formed for many miles around Portsmouth without consulting him. In July, 1775, he served with the Continental Army at Cambridge in the siege of Boston. In November, 1775, the Provincial Congress of New Hampshire voted thanks to him and commissioned him as Chief Surgeon of the New Hampshire troops in the Continental Army. In September, 1776, he was Surgeon of Colonel Pierse Long's regiment. In 1783 Harvard College conferred on him the degree of Doctor of Medicine. He was elected an Honorary Member of the Massachusetts Medical Society. At the time of his death he was Most Worshipful Grand Master of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Ma- sons of the State of New Hampshire. He died September 28, 1797, in the fifty-eighth year of his age. His sulky was overturned on Middle Street, by which accident several ribs were broken, and a fever set in which terminated his honorable and useful life. JOHN J A CKSON. Apothecary and Surgeon. Born in Portsmouth September 3, 1745. Son of Deacon Daniel Jackson. He went as Sur- geon on board the Continental Ship of War "Raleigh," thir- BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES. tv-t\vo guns, Captain Thomas Thompson, which sailed from Portsmouth, August 12, 1777, with a crew of 160 men, bound for France. She fell in, September 3, with a fleet of British merchant ships under convoy, and immediately en- gaged the British Brig "Druid," twenty guns, inflicting upon her a loss of six men killed and twenty-six wounded, compel- ling her to return to port. The "Raleigh" lost three killed and wounded. She took no prizes — the convoy probably es- caping during the action — but proceeded to L'Orient where she was to take on board arms and ammunition for America. Doctor Jackson died November 22, 1808. The "Ports- mouth Oracle" of November 26, says : "Doctor Jackson was a gentleman generally respected and much lamented." By these fifteen public-spirited citizens the Fed- eral Fire Society was launched upon its long career of usefulness. Among them we find one classed as Judge of United States Circuit Court for New Hampshire, one as Lawyer, two as Physicians, one as Apothecary and Surgeon, one as Clergyman, one as Schoolmaster, seven as Merchants, and one as Naval Officer at the Custom House. Several of them were men of great eminence in their calling, and there is no reason to doubt that all were of high standing in the community and devoted to its best interests. At the meeting at which the Society was organ- ized three additional members were admitted. 23 FEDERAL FIRE SOCIETY. JOHN HALE. Admitted 178 g. He was a graduate of Harvard of the class of 1779. Third son of Major Samuel Hale, who for nearly forty years was Master of the Latin Grammar School in Portsmouth. Major Hale — H. C. 1740 — went as Captain in the New Hampshire Regiment to the siege of Louisburg in 1 745 and returned as Major. He died in 1807 in his eighty-ninth year. John Hale, the subject of this sketch, served as Tutor at Harvard, 1781 to 1786, then studied Law under Judge Pickering and was admitted to the bar in 1787. He took high rank as a Lawyer. He died July 13, 1796, in his thirty-fourth year. "A noble harvest gave yet promised more," was written by Jonathan M. Sewall in the epitaph composed by him after Mr. Hale's death. PETER COUES. Admitted ijSf). Born in Portsmouth July 30, 1 736. Previous to the great fire of 181 3, in which his house was consumed, he resided on the South-West corner of State and Atkinson Streets, where was also his store. In early life Captain Coues served in the British Navy. He was at one time sailing master of the "Royal George," which in 1782 capsized and sank with 800 men on board in the harbor of Portsmouth, England, while heeled over for repairs. Before the Revolution he returned to this town where he lived for many years, until his death in 1 818, November 19, in his eighty -third year. The local paper, in giving notice of his decease, thus re- marked — "by that urbanity of mind and simplicity of man- ners for which seafaring men of liberal views are generally distinguished Captain Coues obtained a good standing among his fellow citizens." 24 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES. STEPHEN HARDY, Admitted ijSg. He was a Merchant Tailor. His house stood on the North- West corner of Hanover and High Streets, with an old-fash- ioned English garden behind it. He was a member of an English family who settled in Portsmouth before the Revolu- tion. Mr. Hardy is remembered by the writer of this note as a man of quiet habits and exemplary life. He died in Dover July 17, 1843, aged eighty-two years. STEPHEN CHASE. Admitted ijSg. Merchant. H. C. 1754. He was one of the founders of the "Portsmouth Library" destroyed in the great fire of 18 13. He drew up its Constitution and By-Laws. His house stands at the corner of Washington and Court Streets. It is now the "Chase Home for Children," having been given to that Insti- tution by his grandson, George B. Chase, of Boston. He died in 1805, aged seventy years. JOHN HA VEN. Admitted JjSg. Began his career as Shipmaster. Afterward for many years of the firm of N. A. & J. Haven, Merchants. In 1799 he built the three-storied house on Islington Street, on the site of which stands now the new High School building. He died there in 1845, aged eighty years. SAMUEL BRIARD. Admitted ij8g. He was a Shipmaster. His residence was on Deer Street. He died April 21, 1806, at the age of forty -four years. 25 FEDERAL FIRE SOCIETT, SAMUEL RICE. Admitted 178*). Shipmaster. A native of Kittery. His house stands next the "Home for Aged Women" on Deer Street. In 1781 he commanded the Privateer "Fancy," eight guns, and tw^enty- five men, and in 1782 Privateer "Retaliation," ten guns, twenty -five men. Captain Rice died in 1802, aged fifty years. REUBEN SHAPLEY. Admitted ijgo. Merchant. His residence v^^as on Pitt (now Court) Street between Atkinson and Water Streets. He was a prominent citizen. He died January 10, 1825. Upon a marble tablet erected in St. John's Church is this tribute to his memory : "Whatever virtues could command respect and insure attachment were united in the character of this estimable man. Kind, liberal and humane, his good deeds have erected a monument to his name more lasting than marble, and now that he rests from his labors his works do follow him." A silver chalice presented by Mr. Shapley is still in posses- sion of the Parish. ICHABOD NICHOLS. Admitted ijgo. He was a Shipmaster and lived on Mechanic Street. He removed from Portsmouth to Salem, where he died in 1839. EDWARD ST. LOE LIVERMORE. Admitted lygi. Born in Portsmouth in 1762. Lawyer. He was a son of the famous Judge, Samuel Livermore, who was King's Attor- 26 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES. ney for the Province of New Hampshire until the Revolution, and afterward Delegate, Representative, and Senator in Con- gress, and Chief Justice of the State. Edward St. Loe re- ceived his education and practised law here. He lived at one time corner of Market and Daniel Streets. He removed to Lowell, where he died in 1832, aged seventy years. RICHARD HART. Admitted ijgz. Merchant. Lived on Russell Street. His garden extends through to Deer Street, opposite High Street. The house was built by his father-in-law, Capt. John CoUings, in 1737. It is worthy of note that Mr. Hart's grandson. Commodore John Collings Long, was a midshipman on board the U. S. Frigate "Constitution" when she captured the British Frigate "Java," December 29, 1S12. Mr. Hart died February 20, 1820, aged eighty -seven years. On his tombstone in the North Cemetery is inscribed this tribute : "His religion was without ostentation and his charity unlimited." DANIEL HUMPHRIES. Admitted lygz. Attorney at Law. Lived on Daniel Street, corner of Mul- berry. His house was burned in the great fire of 1813. In 181 2 at the October term of the United States Circuit Court Judge Story ordered as follows : The Court on mature deliberation do order that the degree of Bar- rister at Law be and hereby is conferred on the following gentlemen who are counsellors of this Court, viz : Oliver Peabody, Daniel Humphreys, George Sullivan, and Daniel Webster. In testimony of the entire respect the Court entertain for their learn- 27 FEDERAL FIRE SOCIETY. ing, integrity and ability. And the Court further order that this order be entered among the records of the Court. Barrister Humphries died in 1827. DANIEL R. ROGERS. Admitted ijgs. Cashier of New Hampshire Bank. His house was on Con- gress Street, being the third West of the North Church. He died in 1S25. JOHN WARDROBE. Admitted ijgs- Shipmaster. He lived corner of Court and Pleasant Streets. Capt. Wardrobe was a native of Scotland. He died October 29, 1804, aged forty-two years. CHARLES CHAUNCr. Admitted lygs- Graduate of Harvard College, class of 1748. His great grandfather of same name was the second President of Har- vard. He lived on South Street, a few rods West of the Haven Schoolhouse. The house was taken down in 1835. Mr. Chauncy was a small, very erect old gentleman of quick movement ; he wore a cocked hat and dressed in small clothes with black silk hose and diamond knee buckles. He wrote with great vigor and conciseness and often with eloquence. He was a very charitable man. He died in 1809 at about eighty years of age. GILBERT HORNET. Admitted I7g4. Shipmaster. Lived on Buck (now State) Street, near 28 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES. Chapel Street. Died in 1S02, aged fifty-two years, as appears on his tombstone in St. John's Churchyard. EDWARD SARGENT. Admitted 17 g4. Shipmaster, and later in life Justice of the Peace. He died in I Sao. JOHN PEIRCE. Admitted 17 g^. Born in Portsmouth in 1746. Educated at the Latin Gram- mar School under Major Hale. Began his business career in the counting room of Daniel Rindge. At the age of twenty- one he took charge of the business and extensive property of his uncle, Mark Hunking Wentworth, father of John Went- worth, the last Royal Governor of New Hampshire. Was made Executor of his uncle's will. He also had charge of property belonging to persons residing in England, and was Manager of the affairs of Mason's Patent, of which he was one of the proprietors. In 1 79 1 he was elected Representative to the General Court and was repeatedly re-elected. In the same year he took charge of an Insurance office in addition to his other business. In 1794 he was the principal agent in erecting the bridge over the Piscataqua river at Fox Point. In 1 79S he was appointed by President John Adams United States Loan Officer for New Hampshire. For many years he lived on the Parade. His house stood on the East corner of High Street. In 1800 he built the fine three-storied dwelling house which faces Haymarket Square and is now No. i Court Street. He died June 14, 1814, aged sixty-eight years. Mr. Peirce was a man universally respected as always open, 29 FEDERAL FIRE SOCIETY. honorable and correct in his conduct, and of a very benevo- lent disposition. From March, 1794, to February, 1797, there were no new members added to the Society. In the latter year three new men were admitted — Edward Parry, John Fisher, and John Flagg. EDWARD PARRY. Admitted lygy. He was a Merchant. Was bom in Wales. While residing in Portsmouth he lived in the house which formerly stood on Pleasant Street, corner of Edward. When Haven Park was opened the house was moved to a location on Parrott Avenue, and altered into two tenements. Mr. Parry finally removed to New York, where he died in 1832. JOHN FISHER. Admitted ijgy. His house stood where the Rockingham National Bank now is, the garden covering the site of the present City Hall on one side and extending nearly to State Street on the other. It was destroyed in the great fire of 181 3. Mr. Fisher removed to England. He became private Sec- retary to Lord Grenville when tliat nobleman was Secretary of State. His death took place at Kensington, near London, in 1 83 8 — he being at the time seventy -four years of age. JOHN FLAGG. Admitted ijijlj. Shipmaster. His house is still standing on Vaughan Street, 30 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES. being the last house before you come to the railroad crossing, and on the side toward the railroad station. Capt. Flagg died in 1817. He was Master of the Ship "Mentor" belonging to Thomas Sheafe ; July 22, 1798, she arrived under his com- mand from Martinique, where the yellow fever was prevalent, but all on board were well. In discharging the cargo, how- ever, two men employed were taken down with the disease, which spread through the town until terminated on the 5th of October by frost. There were in all ninety-six cases, of which fifty-five proved fatal — among the latter were three of the children of Mr. Sheafe, the owner of the ship — Sally, aged seventeen, Thomas fourteen, and Horatio six. Such a pestilence had never before nor has since visited our town, which ranks among the healthiest in the Union. — {Brewster' s Rambles^ 2d series^ pp. igj to 196.) RICHARD SALTER. Admitted JjgS. Merchant. Lived on South-West corner of Vaughan and Deer Streets. A memorial of the Salter family by William Salter says of him that in the war of the Revolution he com- manded the Privateer "Scorpion" of eight guns. In memoirs of Andrew Sherburne of Portsmouth, published at Utica in 1828, occurs the following : *' Letter of Marque Brig 'Scorpion,' Capt. Richard Salter, eight guns, fitted out at Portsmouth for the West Indies, was captured by H. M. S. 'Amphion' on return voyage from Guadeloupe and Montserrat to Alex- andria, Virginia, within two days' sail of port. Crew sent to 'Jersey' prison ship, New York. Our Captain, Mr. Tibbets the Mate, and three others, continued on board the 'Scorpion,' which was afterward cast away, but I believe no lives were lost." Capt. Salter died May 2, 181 2, in his sixty-eighth year. 31 FEDERAL FIRE SOCIETY. WILLIAM NEIL. Admitted lygS. Merchant. Came to Portsmouth from Belfast, Ireland, in the year 1793. Lived on Buck Street. He died in 1S25, aged seventy -nine years. JOHN H. SEAWARD. Admitted lygg. Shipmaster. Lived in w^hat was know^n as the Boyd house — corner of Raynes Avenue and Maplewood Avenue. He wore a queue and powdered hair — one of the last, if not the very last, in Portsmouth, to use that fashion. He died in 1845. JACOB CUTTER. Admitted J'jgg. Merchant. His residence in the latter years of his life was in the three-storied Colonial house corner of Congress and Middle Streets. He died in 1857 ^* ^^^ ^S^ ^^ eighty-six years. WILLIAM BO TD. Admitted ijgg. Ship Owner. He was a son of Col. George Boyd, who in 1770 was rated as the richest man in Portsmouth, his tax in that year being £67, while the next highest tax — that of Mark Hunking Wentworth — was £30. The entire tax list amounted to £1659. The subject of this sketch in 1790 lived in a very spacious mansion which stood at the corner of Market and Bow Streets, The house faced to the North and in front was an open fence enclosing a small garden plot. — {^Brewster' s Rambles^ series /, page 161.) From 1807 to 1809 Mr. Boyd served the town as Chief 32 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES. Fire ward, and again in 1811. Later he removed to New Orleans and died in 1826 at the age of fifty-five years. JEREMIAH MASON. Admitted 1801. Lawyer. Son of CoL Jeremiah Mason of the Revokitionary army who commanded a Company of minute men at the siege of Boston. Born in Lebanon, Connecticut, April 27, 1768. Graduated at Yale College in 1788. Studied law. Admitted to the bar in 1791. Practised his profession in New Hamp- shire, finally establishing himself at Portsmouth. In 1802 he was made Attorney General of the State, and later, when Daniel Webster was engaged in practice in the Courts in Portsmouth, Mason obtained wide reputation through the ability shown in his legal contests with that giant of the bar. From 18 13 to 1817 he served as United States Senator from New Hamp- shire, taking an active part in debates. After retiring from the Senate he was several times elected to the New Hamp- shire Legislature. He was President of the United States branch bank in Portsmouth. In 1808 he built the three-storied house on "Mason's Hill," corner of State and Summer Streets, where he resided till his removal to Boston in 1832. He continued the practice of law in the Courts of Massachusetts until his seventieth year. He died October 14, 1848, aged eighty years. Yale bestowed upon him in 1 796 the degree of Master of Arts, and he received that of Doctor of Laws from Bowdoin in 1815, from Harvard in 181 7, and from Dartmouth in 1823. GEORGE F. BLUNT. Admitted 1801. Shipmaster. His grandfather. Rev. John Blunt, (H. C 1727) was settled over the church at New Castle in 1732 33 FEDERAL FIRE SOCIETY. where he remained until his death in 1748. His father was the Capt. John Blunt, of Blunt's island, Little Harbor, who from his long experience in navigating the Delaware river was requested by General Washington to take the helm of the boat in which he embarked on that memorable night of De- cember 25, 1776, when amid the floating ice cakes of the Delaware he crossed that broad river and fell upon the sur- prised Hessians at Trenton. Capt. George F. Blunt resided on Vaughan Street. He died in 1831, aged seventy years. SAMUEL HAM. Admitted 1801. Ship Owner. He built the Woodbury mansion on part of what was then known as the Boyd farm. He died in 18 13. WILLIAM TREAD WELL. Admitted 1801. Printer. He published the "Portsmouth Oracle," a semi- weekly paper founded in 1793 by Charles Peirce and then called "The Oracle of the Day." About 182 1 it became the "Portsmouth Journal — of Literature and Politics," under which title it continued for over eighty years. Mr. Tread- well died in 1820. WILLIAM CUTTER. Admitted 1801. Physician. Son of Dr. Ammi R. Cutter, one of the found- ers of this Society. He studied medicine under his father and served as assistant to Dr. Hall Jackson. During the yellow fever epidemic which prevailed in Portsmouth during the summer of 1 798 he was very active in his profession and was 34 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES. himself attacked by the disorder, from which however he re- covered. His practice became very extensive and his advice was sought in all critical cases. He was benevolent in dispo- sition, pleasant in manner, and very social. He died May 22, 1 8 17, in his forty-eighth year. SAMUEL JONES. Admitted 1802. Merchant. He resided at Christian Shore. Died in 1821. ROBERT RICE. Admitted 1802. Merchant. Born in Kittery. The Rice Library in that town was the gift of his daughter, Arabella. Mr. Rice lived in the large brick house on Islington Street, corner of Parker Street. He died in 1S53 at the age of seventy -three years. DANIEL WALDRON. Admitted 1802. Merchant. Died in Dover in 1821, having removed to that town from Portsmouth several years before. THEODORE FURBER. Admitted 1802. Grocer. Lived on Congress Street, opposite East corner of Middle Street. He died in 1809. EBENEZER THOMPSON. Admitted 1804. Son of Judge Ebenezer Thompson, a leading citizen of Durham, N. H. The subject of this sketch was born in Dur- 35 FEDERAL FIRE SOCIETY, ham, July 12, 1762. In 1793 he represented the town in the Legislature and was six times re-elected, always by very large majorities. He engaged successfully in shipbuilding and for- eign trade. In 1800 he was the largest taxpayer in Durham. He was a man of brilliant parts and used to conduct his own cases in the courts. He took an interest in military affairs, and being commissioned in 1799 Lieutenant Colonel of the 25th New Hampshire Regiment he was ever after called Colonel Thompson. In 1803 ^^ removed to Portsmouth where he acquired real estate. His loss in the great fire of 18 13 was about $40,000. He resided on Middle Street, and died February 4, 1828, in liis sixty-sixth year. JACOB S. PICKERING. Admitted j8oj. Cashier of the Rockingham Bank. He lived on Vaughan Street in the house which stood half way between Congress and Hanover Streets, on West side of Vaughan. He was a son of Judge John Pickering, one of the founders of this Society, and was himself Clerk of the Society for several years and at the time of his death was its oldest member. He died in 1849 at the age of sixty -nine years. CHARLES COFFIN. Admitted 180^. Shipmaster. Lived on Jaffrey Street, now Court Street. Died in 1842. STEPHEN PEARSE. Admitted 180^. Grocer. For sixty years he occupied the same store in 36 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES. which he commenced business. It was on the Parade next the South corner of Daniel Street. His house was on Isling- ton Street, nearly opposite Pearl Street. He was a man of courtly manner and sterling character, and had the respect of the community. He died March 26, 1861, in his eighty- second year. PEYTON R. FREEMAN. Admitted 1806. Lawyer. Came from Hanover, N. H. He was Clerk of this Society. A man of very retiring disposition. Returned to Hanover in his old age and died there April 3, 1868, aged ninety-two years. SAMUEL PEARSE, Admitted 1806. Shipmaster. He resided on Daniel Street. Died in 1816, aged fifty-six years. GILMAN LEA VITT. Admitted 1807. He came from Northwood and was engaged in the West India business. He lived on Congress Street, between Chest- nut and Middle Streets. His death occurred in 1842. REUBEN S. RANDALL. Admitted 1807. Shipmaster. He died May 6, 1825, on board hk brig, the "Martha and Jane," of Portsmouth, while on the passage from St. Jago de Cuba to Havana, and was buried at sea. 37 FEDERAL FIRE SOCIETY. THOMAS BROWN. Admitted i8og. Shipmaster and Owner. He lived in the Wentworth house on Hanover Street, and afterward in Kittery. He possessed at one time an ample fortune but died poor. In his prosper- ous days he was noted for his great liberality and benevolence. He was one of the two largest contributors to the rebuilding of St. John's Church after its destruction by fire in 1806 — the other being Hon. James Sheaf e, one of the founders of this Society. Capt. Brown died October 15, 1822, aged sixty years. NATHANIEL BROWN. Admitted i8og. Innkeeper. He came from Wolfboro, where for several years he superintended the Gov. Wentworth farm. For many years he kept the Bell tavern on Congress Street. He died in 1844 at the age of seventy-six years. L£ WIS BARNES. Admitted j8jo. Shipmaster and Owner. Born at Gottenburg, Sweden, October 28, 1776. He was of the family of Baarnhielm — ennobled in the sixteenth century for distinguished military and naval service. When a boy he accompanied his uncle, Karl Lorenz Baarnhielm, who commanded a flotilla of Swed- ish gunboats during a war then existing between Russia and Sweden. Conceiving himself ill-treated by his uncle, he jumped overboard and swam to an American ship lying in the same harbor, which received him on board and sailed with him to Salem, Mass. The Captain having taken a very friendly interest in him introduced him to the house of Rev. 38 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES. Dr. Bentley. The young sailor entered as Jacobi Ludwig Baarnhielm, and came out as plain Lewis Barnes, the Doctor telling him that Americans would never be able to pronounce his Swedish name. He chose the sea for a profession, and in the year 1800 became master of a Portsmouth ship. Here in 1803 he married and established his home, never seeking to resume connection with his family in Sweden and never making mention of them. Years after his death, however, by advice of a friend, his daughter wrote to her father's cousin. Col. Ludwig Baarnhielm, of Stockholm, from whom came a reply, beginning, "A happy New Year to you, my dear cousin," which was the beginning of a correspondence and of an exchange of photographs and presents of the deepest and most cordial interest to both the Swedish and the American branches of the Baarnhielm-Barnes family. Capt. Barnes died at his residence on Islington Street June 27, 1856, in his eightieth year. CHARLES PEIRCE, Admitted 18 10. Bookseller. He kept a large bookstore on Daniel Street, which was destroyed in the great fire of 1802. He published in June, 1793, the first number of the "Oracle of the Day," a semi-weekly newspaper. The building in which it was printed stood on Pleasant Street, next the North Church. It was subsequently removed to its present location on Court Street, corner of Haymarket Square, where it was known as the "Oracle House." The name of the paper was changed in 1802 to the "United States Oracle and Portsmouth Adver- tiser," reduced in 1803 to the simpler title of "The Ports- mouth Oracle." Mr. Peirce removed to Philadelphia, where he died in 185 1, aged eighty -one years. 39 FEDERAL FIRE SOCIETY. RICHARD SHAPLEIGH. Admitted 1811. Shipmaster. Born in Eliot, Me., February 25, 1776. He commanded the ship "Granville," which was wrecked on Locke's ledge, off Rye Beach, early on the morning of April 14, 1 8 13. The "Granville" was bound from Cadiz for Ports- mouth with a cargo of salt, 800 boxes of raisins and a quan- tity of lemons. Thirteen of the crew were rescued by boats from shore, but Capt. Shapleigh while attempting to cut away the mizzen mast was swept overboard and drowned. There was a strong Southerly wind blowing and a heavy sea run- ning and the ship went to pieces, the entire cargo being lost and nothing saved from the wreck except a part of the rig- ging- The New Hampshire Gazette of April 20, in its account of the disaster, says of the Captain : "He was enterprising and industrious from his youth, an honest and useful member of society, and he has left behind him an irreproachable char- acter." He was thirty-seven years of age. OLIVER C. BLUNT. Admitted 181 1. Shipmaster. Brother of Capt, Geo. F. Blunt (F. F. S. 1801). Born 1774. It is related in "Rambles About Forts- mouth" that his parents had decided to name him William^ and he was taken to the Church at New Castle from the home on Blunt's island, which his father, Capt. John Blunt, owned, to be so christened. Rev. Joseph Stevens of Kittery, who that day officiated, was a Royalist, and gave a sermon in which Cromwell as a Revolutionist was denounced in no meas- ured terms. This incensed Capt. Blunt, and when at the time for the christening the minister asked what name the 40 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES. child was to have, he roared out, in a voice that filled the Church, OLIVER CROMWELL ! and Oliver Cromwell he was named. He and his four brothers followed the sea, as their father had done before them, and all became successful shipmasters. He built the house in which he resided on State Street, and died in 1844 at the age of seventy years. WILLIAM LADD, Admitted 18 12. Born at Exeter, N. H., in 1778. Graduate of Harvard Col- lege, 1797. In early manhood a Shipmaster. He afterward became widely known as President of the American Peace Society in which he was for many years of his life the most active member. He edited the "Friend of Peace," also the "Harbinger of Peace" — publications of that Society. In 182^ he published an address to the Peace Society of Maine, and in 1S25 an address to the Peace Society of Massachusetts. His "dissertation on a Congress of Nations" was published in 1832. The American Biographical Dictionary in its account of him says "he was a man honest, earnest, benevolent and pious." He died in Portsmouth April 9, 1841, aged sixty- three years, THOMAS NEIL. Admitted 18 13. Son of William Neil, hereinbefore mentioned. He was a Merchant engaged in foreign trade. Born in Belfast, Ireland. Came to Portsmouth in 1790. Died here in 1850, aged sev- enty-seven years. EDWARD CUTTS, Admitted 1813. Lawyer. Graduate of Harvard in class of 1801. His FEDERAL FIRE SOCIETT. native place was Eliot, Maine. He resided on State Street, corner of Chestnut. He died in 1844. SAMUEL LARKIN. Admitted 181^. Universally known as "Major Larkin" — a man of most agreeable and social disposition. He came from Boston and opened a bookstore on the Parade. His store was burned in the great fire of 1802. He was afterward an Auctioneer and during the war of 181 2 sold under the hammer many prizes and prize cargoes captured by Portsmouth privateers. Major Larkin was the father of twenty-two children, many of whom died young. Two of his sons were officers in the United States Navy. A daughter lived to the age of ninety-six years. His residence was at 16 Middle Street, where he died in 1849, at the age of seventy-five years. He was Chief Fire ward of Portsmouth 181 7 to 1825. The writer of this notice remembers the Major, at a fire which threatened the destruction of his father's house about sixty years ago, as very active with other members of this Society in removing the household goods to a place of safety. The house was saved, however, and the goods were returned the following day, uninjured. JOHN W. FOSTER. Admitted tSt^. Bookseller. He came from Boston and was for many years of his life very prominent in the Unitarian Church and in all benevolent work in this community, and was universally known and respected as "Deacon Foster." His residence was the house built in 1790 by Joseph Haven, corner of Pleasant and Richmond Streets. Deacon Foster died in 1852, in his sixty-third year. 4a BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES. JOHN THURSTON. Admitted i8iy. Physician. The annual bills of mortality for Portsmouth for the years i8iS, 1819, 1820 and 1823, were compiled by Dr. Thurston. Copies of the same are preserved in the Ath- enagum, December 23, 1824, he was appointed Assistant Surgeon in the United States Army. He resigned his com- mission May I, 1833, and died in Newburyport December 10, 1835. CHARLES C. HAVEN. Admitted 1817. Merchant. Graduated at Harvard 1804. After leaving college he travelled abroad. He removed from Portsmouth to Philadelphia, where he resided many years. Late in life he made his home in Trenton, New Jersey. In July, 1873, at the age of eighty-six, he wrote a song commemorative of the return of the Sons of Portsmouth, which he enclosed in a friendly letter to Gov. Goodwin, and which was published, both song and letter, in the pamphlet entitled, "The Reunion of '73." Mr. Haven died in 1874, aged eighty-seven years. JOSHUA WINSL O W PEIR CE. Admitted 18 18. Merchant and Farmer. Born in Portsmouth May 14, 1791. Entered Exeter Academy in 1803. Commenced his business career in counting room of James Sheaf e, a leading merchant of Portsmouth and one of the founders of this Society. Mr. Peirce was as a young man much interested in the Militia, and in 181 3 was commissioned Captain of the "Gilman Blues," a noted Portsmouth Company. In 1816 he became Major of the 1st New Hampshire Regiment, in 1819 its Lieu- tenant Colonel, and in 1820 its Colonel. He resigned in 1823. In 1816 he made a voyage to the Mediterranean as Super- 43 FEDERAL FIRE SOCIETY. cargo for Mr. Sheafe. After disposing of the cargo and fin- ishing the business connected therewith he left the ship at Leg- horn and passed a year visiting the principal countries and cities of Europe before returning to Portsmouth. In 1825 he removed to Salmon Falls as Agent of the Salmon Falls Man- ufacturing Co., remaining there till the destruction of the Mills by fire in 1834. In 1836 the Company decided to re- build and the work was done under Col. Peirce's supervision. In 1838 he moved to his farm in Greenland, where he passed the next twenty-eight years of his life finding congenial occu- pation in the cultivation of his broad acres on the shores of Great Bay — the finest farm in Rockingham County. In Nov- ember, 1866, being then in his seventy-sixth year, he came to his town house in Portsmouth, where he resided until his death, which occurred April 10, 1874 — then the oldest mem- ber of the Federal Fire Society, of which he had been a mem- ber fifty -six years. Col. Peirce was possessed of a vigorous constitution, and was a man of great force of character and fine intelligence, and commanded universal respect. NATHANIEL LYDE. Admitted 18 18. Purser in the United States Navy. Born in Massachusetts and appointed to the Navy from that State. He was stationed at the Portsmouth Navy Yard over thirteen years, from 1815 till his death in 1828. Mr. Lyde was killed by being thrown from a carriage in which he and Commodore Creighton, Com- mandant at the Yard, were driving. The accident occurred July 7, 1828, on Austin Street, near Middle Street. His skull was fractured and death ensued on the following morning. The Portsmouth Journal oi July 12 said of him : "In this community, and wherever he was known, the memory of Mr. 44 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES. Lyde will be cherished as that of one of the kindest and most benevolent of men. He has not left behind him here one man whom he had ever injured or offended, probably not one who did not entertain toward him feelings of regard and friendship." CHARLES A UG USTUS CHEE VER. Admitted 1818. Physician. Born in Boston, December i, 1793. His youth was passed in Saugus, Mass., until his entrance at Harvard in 1809, from which he graduated in 18 13. On leaving col- lege he studied medicine with Dr. John Warren, Professor of Anatomy and Surgery at Harvard. After taking his medical degree he made a voyage to the West Indies, mainly for the purpose of introducing vaccination. This effective preven- tive of smallpox had been discovered by Dr. Jenner and given by him to the public eighteen years before, but was very slow- ly adopted this side the Atlantic. Dr. Cheever was success- ful in his mission. In the autumn of 18 16 he established himself in Portsmouth, and became a leading Physician here. He was very highly esteemed, both as a citizen and in his profession. He died at Saugus September 22, 1852, in his fifty-ninth year. GE OR GE JAFFRE T. Admitted j8j8. Born Jeffries. Son of Dr. John Jeffries, of Boston. Hon. George Jaffrey (H. C. 1736) who had been Councillor, Chief Justice of the Superior Court, and Treasurer of the Province of New Hampshire, at his death in 1802 in his eighty-sixth year left his large estate to a relative on his mother's side — his nearest of kin — George Jeffries — at that time a lad in his fourteenth year. Thereupon Jeffries changed his name to Jaffrey. After his graduation at Harvard he carae to Ports- 45 FEDERAL FIRE SOCIETY, mouth, where he took up his permanent residence, which was in the old Jaffrey house, off Daniel Street. He was for many years Librarian of the Portsmouth Athenaeum. He died in 1856, at the age of sixty -seven years. SAMUEL HALE, JR. Admitted 1822. A. B. Bowdoin College 1814. A. M. Dartmouth 1818. Merchant in Portsmouth for many years, of the firm Rollins (Ichabod) & Hale. President of Piscataqua Bank, Ports- mouth Marine Railway Company, and of the Portsmouth Iron Foundry Company, and Director of the Piscataqua Bridge Company. Removed to Somersworth, where he died in 1869. JOHN H. SHEAFE. Admitted 1822. Son of an original member (Thomas). Merchant in Portsmouth. Director of the Piscataqua Bridge Company and of the Rockingham Bank. Died in 1840, aged forty-six years. EBENEZER L. CHILD S. Admitted 1823. Member of the bookselling firm of Gray (Harrison) & Childs, on Pleasant Street, in Portsmouth. Later, connected for many years with the the Post Office Department, Wash- ington, D. C, where he died in 1873, aged seventy-two years. GEORGE SPARHAWK. Admitted 182^. Born in Portsmouth, but resided for many years in Kittery, 46 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES. the custodian of Fort McCleary. Died in Kittery in 1857, aged fifty-seven years. JOHN BALL, JR. Admitted 182^. Dry goods Merchant in Portsmouth. Later, for ten years, City Missionary of Salem, Mass., where he died in 1859, aged fifty-six years. OLIVER W. PENHALLOW, Admitted i8a^. Clerk in Piscataqua Bank (1834). Town Treasurer and Collector (1839). Clerk of the Federal Fire Society. Died in 1873, aged seventy-six years. DANIEL H. TREAD WELL. Admitted 182^. Leaving Harvard College by reason of ill health, went to England at the age of fifteen, where he long resided. Later made repeated journeys through parts of Europe. Treasurer of the Sagamore Company, and Director in the New Hamp- shire Bank. Died in Portsmouth, in 1864, aged sixty-four years. WILLIAM JONES, JR. Admitted 1826. Born in Kittery, Maine. A dry goods Merchant, founding in 1832 the very successful house of William Jones & Son, on Market Street. He was a Director in the Rockingham Bank. Died in 1855. 47 FEDERAL FIRE SOCIETY. STEPHEN H. SIMES, Admitted 1828. Dry goods Merchant, for many years, in Portsmouth. Director in the Portsmouth Aqueduct Company. Died in Portsmouth, in 1872, aged seventy-six years. JAMES H, PIERREPONT. Admitted 18 sg. Physician of eminence. A. B. Harvard 1789. M. D. Dartmouth 1817, Harvard 1819. Died in Portsmouth, in 1839, aged seventy-one years. EBEN WHEEL WRIGHT, JR, Admitted iSsg. Merchant. Was in business in Portsmouth several years, but before 1840 he removed to Boston. He died in 1877. MESHACH B. TRUNDT. Admitted iSzg. Merchant for many years on Market Street. Died in Portsmouth September 29, 1858, aged seventy-one years. LORT ODELL. Admitted 18 zg. Lawyer. Born at Conway, N. H., September 16, 1801. Graduated at Bowdoin College 1823. Practised law in Hampton and in Portsmouth. He was for several years Collector of the Port of Portsmouth, and from 1855 to 1 87 1 was Judge of the Police Court in Portsmouth. Judge Odell was a tall, slender, erect man of prominent 48 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES. features and striking figure. He habitually wore a blue dress coat with bright buttons, a stiff neck stock and gold specta- cles, and was altogether a man to attract attention anywhere. He was a very genial companion, but never married. He died at Portland, Maine, March 23, 1883, in his eighty- second year. EDMUND ^, SHBAFE, Admitted iBzg. Son of Jacob Sheafe, an original member of F. F. S. He was a Shipmaster and later a Merchant. He died in Portsmouth, December 1839, aged fifty-one years. GEORGE MANE NT, Admitted 18 sg. Son of George A. Manent, a well-known French Teacher in Portsmouth. Mr. Manent was for some years clerk in Tappan & Foster's bookstore, then clerk with James H. Fos- ter in Boston. Returning to Portsmouth he opened a Stock and Exchange office on Congress Street, in which he pros- pered. He became involved however in the Eastern Land Speculation of 1837 and lost heavily. He was at one time Director in the New Hampshire Bank and a Warden of St. John's Church. He died March 3, 1884, on his ninetieth birthday. THOMAS A, ADAMS, Admitted 1830. Auctioneer and Insurance Agent. He was at one time Clerk of this Society. About 1840 he removed to New Or- leans and died in that city in 1880. 49 FEDERAL FIRE SOCIETY. ICHABOD BARTLETT. Admitted 183 1. Lawyer. Born in Salisbury, N. H., (?) July 24, 1786. Graduated at Dartmouth College 1808. Admitted to the Bar i8i2, and became one of the very foremost among its members. He was in practice in Durham for about six years and then made his permanent home in Portsmouth where he was an acknowledged leader in his profession. He was a Representative in the Legislature for several terms and was chosen Speaker of the House in 182 1. In 1822 he was elected Representative to Congress, a position which he retained for three successive terms. He was an original member of the New Hampshire Historical Society and its President from 1826 to 1830. Mr. Bartlett was generous, sensitive and high spirited. He died in Portsmouth October I9i ^^535 ^ged sixty-seven years. ALFRED WOODWARD HAVEN. Admitted 1831. Lawyer. Born in Portsmouth March 14, 1801. Gradu- ated at Harvard 1820, and was admitted to the Bar in 1825. Practised law till 1834. He was one of the earliest advo- cates of the building of the Portsmouth & Concord Railroad, and was its first President. He was also a Director of the Rockingham Bank and of the Portsmouth Athenseum, and for four years a Representative from Portsmouth in the State Legislature. He resided on Congress Street in house next East of the Young Men's Christian Association building, where he died December 27, 1885, in his eighty-fifth year. JOHN RICE, Admitted iS^r. Bom in Kittery, Maine. He was for many years Cashier so BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES. of the New Hampshire Union Bank, Portsmouth. He resid- ed at 17 Court Street but removed to Kittery previous to 1851 and died in 1871. CHARLES WILLIAM CUTTER, Admitted i8ji. Lav^ryer. Born in Portsmouth June 11, 1799. Graduated at Harvard 1818. Studied law in the office of Jeremiah Mason and commenced the practice of law in this town. Was Associate Editor of the Portsmouth Journal 1825 to 1830. As a writer and political speaker he was highly suc- cessful. He represented Portsmouth in the Legislature sev- eral years. He was Clerk of the United States Circuit Court for this district several years, Naval Storekeeper 1841 to 1845, and Navy Agent 1849 to 1851, removing soon after to the West, where he died at Hatfield, Minnesota, August 6, 1856. SAMUEL E. COUns. Admitted 183 1. Born in Portsmouth June 13, 1797. Was senior partner of the firm of Coues & Goodwin, Shipowners. He was at one time President of the American Peace Society. He was a man of considerable literary ability. In 1851 he published a work entitled "Mechanical Philosophy — a Research into the Laws of Force," and in i86o "Studies of the Earth." In 1858 he removed to Washington but returned to Portsmouth in 1866. Died July 3, 1867, at the age of seventy years. JAMES KENNARD, Admitted 1832. Bom November 14, 1780. Shipmaster. He lived on 51 FEDERAL FIRE SOCIETY. North-West corner of Austin and Summer Streets. After retiring from the sea he became a member of the Portsmouth Marine Society, and was for several years its President. Capt. Kennard died November 3, 1856, aged seventy-six years. ICHABOD GOODWIN. Admitted 1832. Born in North Berwick, Me., 1794. Entered the counting room of Samuel Lord in 1808, and in 181 7 went out as super- cargo of ship "Elizabeth Wilson." In 1832 became a mem- ber of the shipping firm of Coues & Goodwin, which con- tinued in business in Portsmouth for many years. Between 1838 and 1856 he served six times as Representa- tive in the State Legislature. He was a member of the Con- stitutional Conventions of 1850 and of 1876. He was twice elected Governor of the State, serving from June 1859 to June 1 86 1. During his second term he was very energetic in raising the regiments called for by the general government at the outbreak of the Civil War, becoming personally responsible for loans necessary for their equipment until the Legislature could be convened to authorize them. During his long and active life he was President of many institutions — among them the Eastern Railroad Company ; the Portsmouth, Saco and Portland Railroad Company ; the Portsmouth Steam Factory ; the First National Bank ; the Portsmouth Gas Company. In 1834 and again in 1837 he served as Chief Fire ward of the town. He was also Presi- dent of the Howard Benevolent Society. Governor Goodwin died at his residence on Islington Street, July 4, 1882, in his eighty-eighth year. Five weeks before his death he had delivered with his customary force the Memorial Day address, full of patriotic sentiment. 52 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES. JOHN T. GODDARD. Admitted 1834. Graduate of Harvard College. Being possessed of ample means he followed no regular occupation. His membership in this Society, however, indicated an interest in the welfare of the town. He died in 1837. ALEXANDER RICE. Admitted 1834. Born in Kittery. He was for many years Agent for the Eastern Stage Company which maintained a regular line of coaches between Portsmouth and Boston. On the advent of the Eastern Railroad he became the ticket agent of the road in this town. Mr. Rice made his home at the Franklin House on Congress Street, corner of Fleet. He died in 1876. ED WARD R UNDLE TT. Admitted 183s • Was a Physician. Graduated at Harvard. Resided on Middle Street. Dr. Rundlett died in 1874, aged sixty-nine years. GEORGE WASHINGTON STORER. Admitted 183 J. United States Naval Officer. Born May 4, 1789. In Oc- tober of that year President Washington visited Portsmouth and while here called on the mother of his private secretary, Tobias Lear, at her home in Hunking Street. While at the house Mrs. Lear exhibited to General Washington her infant grandson, the subject of this sketch, and — ^as related in Brewster's "Rambles" — Washington placed his hand on the 53 FEDERAL FIRE SOCIETY. child's head and expressed the wish that he might grow up to be a better man than the one he was named for. Young Storer entered the Navy as Midshipman January i6, 1809. He attained the rank of Captain Febuary 9, 1837, and was in command of the Brazil squadron as Com- modore 1847 to 1850. He was retired on account of age December 21, 1861, being then in his seventy -third year. July 16, 1862, he was made Rear Admiral on the retired list. Admiral Storer died at his residence in Portsmouth January 8, 1S64, in his seventy-fifth year. HENRY H. LADD, Admitted 1836. Mr. Ladd was a leading Merchant in Portsmouth. He resided in the fine three-storied brick house, No. 18 Middle Street, said to have been built after the plans of the celebrated architect, Charles Bulfinch, designer of the origi- nal Massachusetts State House on Beacon Hill, in Boston, as also of the Portsmouth Athenaeum and of the Academy, now Public Library building. DANIEL R. ROGERS. Admitted 1836. Merchant. Son of Daniel R Rogers, who was also a member of this Society, (admitted in 1792). Mr. Rogers lived on Congress Street, a few doors West of the North Church. He died in 1867. CHARLES H. LADD. Admitted 1836. Born March 4, 181 2. Became a Merchant in partnership with his brother, Alexander H. C. H. and A. H. Ladd 54 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES. carried on the business of refining crude whale oil at the stone building on Market Street, near the bridge, which was in their day known as the Oil Factory. Later Mr. C. H. Ladd removed to Galveston, Texas, where he was en- gaged in the cotton business and where he died April 20, 1893, aged eighty-one years. CHARLES B. GOODRICH. Admitted 183b. Lawyer. Born in Enfield, N. H., March 26, 1804. Gradu- ated at Dartmouth College 1822, and later received degree of L. L. D., from Dartmouth. Studied law in the office of Hon. Levi Woodburj'. Practised at first in Lebanon, N. H. ; af- terward in Portsmouth ten or twelve years, and then removed to Boston, where he took high rank at the Bar, being regarded as an eminent authority on Constitutional law. He died in Boston, June 1878, aged seventy-four years. ALFRED RUNDLETT. Admitted 182,6. Bom in Portsmouth i8ii. Graduated at Dartmouth College 1831. Dry goods Merchant on Market Street for many years, and Fireward in 1839. Died in San Francisco 1851. MARK H. WENTWORTH. Admitted 1836. Born in Portsmouth 18 13, and dry goods Merchant on Mar- ket Street, removing to Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1843 ; forming with his brothers, George J. and Alfred S., a wholesale dry goods house. He returned to Portsmouth in 1855, becoming a partner in the firm of Wm. Jones & Son, and a Director SS FEDERAL FIRE SOCIETY. in the Rockingham Bank. He died in Portsmouth 1902, in hk eighty-ninth year. ISAA C n. PARSONS. Admitted i8j6. Shipmaster. Died at sea, on passage from St. John to Bristol, 1850. Commanded ships "Marion," "Seine," "Olive & Eliza," "Pontiac," "Robert Parker" and "Kate Hunter." JOHN P. LYMAN. Admitted 1838. Born in Portsmouth, and a grandson of Hon. John Picker- ing, an original member. He was an Importer of iron and steel, in business upon Market Street, and a Director in the Portsmouth Bank. He died in Portsmouth, 1874, RALPH C. CUTTER. Admitted 1838. Bom in Portsmouth. Son of a member and grandson of an original member. He went at an early age from Phillips Exeter Academy to Hayti, where he was for many years in business. Returning to Portsmouth he became there a Mer- chant and Shipowner and was a member of its last Board of Selectmen. He removed to Brooklyn, N. Y., in 1853, where he died in 1884. CHRISTOPHER S. TOPPAN. Admitted 1838. Born in Hampton, N. H. He was for many years a Di- rector in the Piscataqua Bank, but at no time in active busi- 5# BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES. ness. He died suddenly at Gorham, N. H., on a journey through the White Mountains, 1861. HORATIO COFFIN. Admitted 1838. Born in Portsmouth and a grandson of Thomas Sheafe, an original member. Shipowner, having a counting room on Market Street. He died at Little Harbor, 1859. JAMES WOODWARD EMERY. Admitted iS^g. Lawyer. Born in Haverhill, Mass., November 30, 1808. Graduated at Dartmouth College 1830. Admitted to the bar 1833. Mr. Emery studied law with Ichabod Bartlett of Ports- mouth and afterwards was associated with him in practice until the death of the latter in 1853. He was the chief pro- moter, if not the projector, of the Portsmouth and Concord Railroad, which, though the original stockholders were losers, was only a little in advance of the times. In 1857 Mr. Emery removed to Cambridge, Mass., and became President of the Union Horse Railroad Company, which, under his management, was highly successful. In 1870 he returned to Portsmouth where he resided until his death. He was a Representative in the New Hampshire Legislature for six years, and Speaker in 1873. He was long a member of this Society. He died in Ports- mouth December 16, 189 1. WILLIAM P. JONES. Admitted /8jg. Born in Portsmouth. Member of the firm of Wm. Jones 57 FEDERAL FIRE SOCIETY. & Son, and Shipowner, with counting room on Market Square, and a Director in the Rockingham Bank. He died in 1872. WILLIAM F'. PARROTT. Admitted 18 jg. Shipmaster and Merchant. Son of John F. Parrott, United States Senator from New Hampshire (1819 to 1825) and brother of Robert F., the inventor of the famous Parrott gun. For many years Capt. Parrott made his home at the Tremont House in Boston, where he was extensively engaged in the Calcutta trade. On retiring from business he returned to Portsmouth, long residing on Middle Street, where he died July 19, 1878. WILLIAM A. RICE. Admitted 1840. Shipmaster. In 1839-40 he resided at No. 9 Market Street, but subsequently removed to the Sheafe house on State Street, where the Rockingham County Court House now stands, and where he died July 28, 1847, aged forty-six years. JOHN D. SIMES, Admitted 1840. Merchant and Ship Chandler. In business at 59 Market Street in 1839-40, his residence being at No. 7 Court Street. He was at one time Clerk of this Society. Subse- quently he removed to New York where he died in i860. GEORGE W. RICE, Admitted 1840. At the date of his admission he was Assistant Cashier of 58 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES. the New Hampshire Union Bank of Portsmouth, residing with his father at 17 Court Street. He afterward removed to Boston and was living in 1880. Date of his death unknown. JOHN L. THOMPSON. Admitted 1842. Bank Cashier. Son of Capt. Thomas Thompson who in the Revolutionary War commanded the Continental ship of war "Raleigh," thirty-two guns, in which, on her passage to L'Orient in 1777, he had a successful encounter with the British man of war "Druid." Mr. Thompson at the time of his death, and for several years previous, had served as Treas- urer of St. John's Church, He was prominent in the social life of Portsmouth. His death occurred in April, 1844, at the age of sixty years. GEORGE B. GUMMING. Admitted 1842. Merchant and Shipowner. He resided in Savannah, Geor- gia, but visited Portsmouth in summer for many years. He was an intimate friend of Governor Goodwin and interested with him in Portsmouth built ships, among which were the "Susannah Cumming," the "Kate Hunter" and the "John Cumming," the last a large ship for those days, being of 721 tons burthen. She was commanded by Capt. William L. Dwight, with whom the writer of this sketch sailed from Portsmouth January 10, 1848, arriving at the mouth of the Tybee river, after a passage of seven days. At Savannah, after discharging her cargo of hay, she took on board a car- go of cotton with which she proceeded to Liverpool, cross- ing the Atlantic in nineteen days. Mr. Cumming was much interested in Portsmouth and a welcone summer visitor. He died in 1878. 59 FEDERAL FIRE SOCIETT. JAMES P. BARTLETT. Admitted 1843. Born in Portsmouth April 12, 1820. Entered the office of Thomas A. Adams, Auctioneer and Insurance Agent (F. F. S. 1830), and on his removal to New Orleans succeeded to his business in Portsmouth. In 1 855 he was appointed Cash- ier of the New Hampshire Bank, and in 1866 became Presi- dent of its successor, the New Hampshire National Bank. In 1882 he resigned to become Cashier of the Mechanics' and Traders' National Bank, where he remained until his with- drawal from active business about a year before his death. Mr. Bartlett was a man of scholarly attainments and prom- inent in the business and social life of Portsmouth for more than half a century. He resided in his later years on State Street, corner of Penhallow, and died there April 15, 1896, aged seventy -six years. MARK R. WENDELL. Admitted 1843. Merchant. Was in 1839-^0 a member of the firm of Wm. Jones & Son, Dry Goods Dealers and Shipowners. After- ward removed to Boston where he became associated with Oliver H. Perry, grandson of the famous Commodore Perry, who won the battle of Lake Erie against the British squadron, in 1813. The firm Perry, Wendell, Fay & Co., was for many years the selling agent of the Middlesex Mills. Mr. Wendell resided at Jamaica Plain. He died February 28, 1901, aged eighty-four years. WILLIAM M. SHACKEORD. Admitted 1844. Shipmaster and Owner. Born in Kittery in 1789. In 1804 he went to sea on board the ship "Resolution," of 600 tons bur- 60 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES. den, the largest merchantman which had ever at that time sailed out of Piscataqua river. He became Captain of a ship when twenty years of age, and in a few years part owner. He owned five-eighths of ship "Georgia," which he also commanded. He was afterward Captain and sole owner of the ship "Izette." Early in the war of 1812 Capt. Shackford sailed for Hava- na with a cargo of flour. He there sold both ship and cargo at a handsome profit receiving over $30,000 in bills in pay- ment. He then took passage for home on a schooner of un- mistakable American build but with a Spanish captain and under the Spanish flag. Knowing the possibility of capture by the British on such an evidently American built vessel, he had removed the bottom of his sea chest and chiselled a groove up in the front panel of the chest in which he stowed his papers and bills and then replaced the bottom. On the passage the schooner was brought to by a gun from the British ship of the line, the "Bulwark." Shackford and his chest were conveyed on board and the schooner was ordered to lie by during the night, but at daylight it was found she had slipped away. Finding nothing on Shackford to prove him other than a passenger on a vessel belonging to a friendly nation, the British Captain, when off the coast of Connecticut, set him ashore and he reached home with his papers and property safe. At Providence he saw the schooner on which he took passage safe in her home port. The above incidents are related by his grandson, Capt. Wm. G. Shackford, of Orange, N. J. During this same war he joined a coast defence company called the Sea Fencibles. It was made up principally of un- employed Shipmasters and Mates of vessels, uniformed and armed with pistols and cutlasses, and who also served a few pieces of artillery. About ten o'clock in the evening, June 21 , 1814, the town was alarmed by a report that the British were 61 FEDERAL FIRE SOCIETY. landing at Rye. The Sea Fencibles (with other companies) started for the scene of action dragging their cannon by ropes. But before reaching Rye they learned that the alarm was false. In 1834, having retired from the sea, Capt. Shackford be- came a Dircetor in the Piscataqua Bank, and remained in its directory until his death forty-one years later. On the adop- tion of the National Banking System the institution reorgan- ized as the First National Bank of Portsmouth. He was also for twenty -five years, 1844 *® 1869, President of the Portsmouth Savings Bank. For forty years he was a member of the Portsmouth Marine Society — part of the time serving as its Secretary and Treasurer. Capt. Shackford was a man of uncommon sagacity and prudence. He lived to enjoy a vigorous old age, as well as the entire respect of this community. For many years he re- sided at 35 Daniel Street, where, after a brief illness, he died November 12, 1875, in his eighty-seventh year. DA VID D. BAKER. Admitted 1844. Officer of United States Marine Corps. He was stationed at Portsmouth quite a number of years. Lieut. Baker was rather a striking figure of a man, with a very soldierly ap- pearance. During the Mexican war he was attached to the frigate "Cumberland" in the Gulf of Mexico. He was pro- moted to be Captain September 28, 1847. In 185 1 he was again in Portsmouth residing at No. 3 Jeffreys Court. He died at Pensacola, of yellow fever, August 31, 1853. CHARLES COFFIN HARRIS. Admitted 1844. Born June 9, 1S22. Son of William C. Harris, who for 62 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES. thirty-seven years conducted a private school for boys in this town with remarkable success. Mr. Harris was fitted for col- lege at his father's school from which he entered Harvard College, graduating there in 1840. He became a Teacher in Portsmouth and also studied law. When the discovery of gold was made in California he crossed the Isthmus of Panamsi and in company with two of his brothers purchased a vessel for trading purposes on the Pacific. They finally ran down to Honolulu for a cargo of provisions, and there Mr. Harris left the vessel and set up the practice of law, in which he became very successful. He soon began to take a prominent part in Hawaiian politics and in 1854 was made Police Magistrate. On the accession of Kamehameha V, he entered his cabi- net as Attorney General, and was the chief adviser of that Monarch in all the important constitutional changes which were made. He was afterward Minister of Finance, and still later became Minister of Foreign Affairs in which office he continued until about a year before the death of the King, when — owing to a split in the cabinet — he resigned and never again occupied a ministerial position. In February, 1874, he was appointed First Associate Jus- tice and in February, 1877, Chief Justice of the Kingdom. At his death, which occurred in July, 1881, the press of Honolulu thus eulogized him : "We know that many will mourn Mr. Harris as a faithful friend and kindly adviser. Many a man in this community owes his success to his advice and assistance. Strong of will, of indomitable courage, both moral and physical, of great mental capacity, one of the greatest of Hawaii's adopted children has passed away." WILLIAM H. ROLLINS. Admitted 1844. Lawyer. Graduate of Harvard in same class (1840) with 63 FEDERAL FIRE SOCIETY. Charles Coffin Harris. Mr. Rollins is still living (1905) in the house d'^ Pleasant Street, where his father and his grand- father lived, and which has been his own residence for over eighty years. The Eastern Railroad had not been built when he entered college, and so he travelled to Cambridge by stage coach — the only mode of passenger conveyance at that period. His honorable career in his chosen profession is well known to all his fellow citizens. JOSEPH HOOKER. Admitted 1843. Born in Hadley, Mass., November 13, 1814. Educated at West Point Military Academy, and entered United States Army as 2d Lieutenant of Artillery. Served in the Seminole Indian War in Florida in 1837-38. Was subsequently ap- pointed Aid to Col. Crane, Commander of the Eastern Divis- ion, U. S. A., and stationed for several years in Portsmouth. He went to the Mexican War as ist Lieutenant of Artillery and returned with rank of Captain. During the Civil War, 1 86 1 to 1S65, he held high commands in the field, being for six months of 1863 Commander of the Army of the Potomac. In 1864 he received the thanks of Congress for distinguished services. In 1868 he was retired with rank of Major Gener- al, U. S. A. He died at Garden City, Long Island, October 31, 1879, aged sixty-five years. His native state of Mass- achussetts has erected on Beacon Hill, Boston, an equestrian statue in bronze of this, her distinguished son. SAMUEL LARKIN, JR. Admitted 184$, Son of Major Larkin (F. F. S. 1815). Lieutenant in United States Navy. Died in 1856. 64 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES. JOHN H. BOARDMAN. Admitted 184$. Physician. Resided 14 Middle Street. Col. Peirce, in the list of members compiled by him, mentions Dr. Board- man as also a Poet — one of the Poets of Portsmouth. He died in 1874. ALEXANDER J. RICE. Admitted 184.5. Graduated at Harvard in 1841, and studied Medicine. He was appointed Assistant Surgeon in United States Navy March 5, 1847. He died at Pensacola April 20, 1851, in the twenty -ninth year of his age. JOHN A. BATES. Admitted 184b. Purser in United States Navy. While stationed at the Portsmouth Navy Yard he resided with his family on Austin Street. Purser Bates was a familiar figure on the streets of Portsmouth in those days, his rotund person, brisk manner, and hearty appearance presenting a picture suggestive of ro- bust health and manly vigor. His death occurred in 1871. GEORGE W. HAVEN. Admitted 1846. Son of John Haven (F. F. S. 1789). Graduated at Dart- mouth College 1838. He afterward studied in Germany, where he met the famous poet, Goethe, to whom he had letters of in- troduction, and other German literary men. His knowledge of German and Italian literature was extensive. He was al- so well read in the science of political economy. He was for 65 FEDERAL FIRE SOCIE TV. forty years a Director of the Rockingham Bank. He deliv- ered lectures in Portsmouth on Dante, on political economy, and on banking. Mr. Haven resided in the house on Islington Street, erected by his father in 1799, w^hich was demolished (a hundred years after its erection) to make room for the new- High School Building, which now occupies its site. He died there August 9, 1895, aged eighty -seven years. JAMES BRACKETT PARROTT. Admitted 1846. Born in Portsmouth, November 26, 1817. Iron Dealer — of firm of Spalding and Parrott. Noted as a lover of Nature, and for his pedestrian excursions, which extended for many miles around Portsmouth. He was also devoted to athletic exercises, and no less to literature, his favorite author being the immortal Bard of Avon. He was himself a man of con- siderable literary gifts, and with a strong poetic vein, exhibit- ed in numerous short poems contributed to the Portsmouth Journal, and particulary in the fine ode always sung at the semi-annual dinners of this Society. In his will he bequeathed a very generous sum to the Society. The handsome silver lov- ing cup, belonging to the Society, was purchased with part of the bequest. His interest in his native city was also exhibited in his will by the gift of one thousand dollars to be used to- ward the embellishment of the borders of the South Millpond. In recognition of this gift the broad road on the margin of the pond has received the name of Parrott Avenue. Mr. Parrott's sturdy figure will long remain in the memory of his contemporaries. He died January 29, 1890, in his sev- enty-third year. His body lies in St. John's Churchyard near the remains of his ancestors, and of his brother. Admiral Enoch G. Parrott, U. S. N., who also was a member of the Federal Fire Society. 66 The following "Observations" were originally printed on a separate broadside: PORTSMOUTH, March 6th, 1789. THE FEDERAL FIRE SOCIETY taking in- to confideration the danger of fire, and the fright and confequent mifmanagement of many at the time, think it may be beneficial to have confantly expofed in their houfes for the perufal of their fam- ilies, fuch obfervations as may contribute to fubdue a fire, or prevent or leffen any of its attendant ca- lamities ; — and as the greateft fires arife from fmall beginnings, they think no circumftance too trivial to mention, which has the remoteft tendency to their fecurity; — they therefore recommend to each other, and to the families with which they are re- fpe6tively conne6ted, an attention to the following obfervations: Observations. To Prevent a Fire. All wood work in building fhould be fo fecured as to prevent all probability of fire communicating from the places for making fires; and every houfe ought to be critically examined by its inhabitants, efpecially after burning a chimney, and if danger- ous places be found they fhould be immediately fecured. Any member who knows of a dangerous building, is requefted to inform the fociety, or com- plain to the Firewards. Hot afhes or embers ought never to be put into a wooden veffel, and the moft proper time for taking them up is the morn- ing. After the hearth round a fire be fwept, the brufh or broom fhould be carefully examined. — The utmoft care ought to be taken of lighted can- dles and their fnuffs, as inftances of damage done by them are innumerable, therefore children and domefticks who are intrufted with them, fhould from time to time be cautioned of the danger, and forbidden to carry a naked candle into a place con- taining light combustible matter; — fuch combufti- bles hould alfo be kept out of the way of children as much as poffible, and no child at any time fhould 69 FEDERAL FIRE SOCIETT. be fuffered to play with fire. At bed time but one fire fhould be raked up, the reft fhould be careful- ly extinguifhed, and the burnt fticks laid a diftance apart, flat on the hearth, that if any stick fhould rekindle in the night, it fhould not communicate fire to the others, and the brands could not fall to fcatter the coals. One or two pails of water fhould be fet on the hearth; and every door in the houfe fhould be fhut when the family retire, that the progress of a fire beginning in any room, might be retarded by confinement, and that it might not fo rapidly communicate to other rooms, and its fmoke fuffocate the fleeping family. As a live coal will ftick to the hair of animals, they fhould not be left where fire is raked up. The window fhutters fhould be left open, or have holes in them, that if the room fhould take fire, it might be obferved by thofe who pafs by. To Subdue a Fire. As there is a critical moment in the time of ev- ery fire which carries it beyond the reach of any efforts which can be made to ftop its further prog- refs, every person fhould be ready to attend at the fhorteft warning, for which purpofe every article of cloathing fhould be fo placed when taken off as to be eafily found in the dark; the candle fhould have one ftated place, and be extinguifhed in fuch a manner as to be eafily lighted, and fome appara- tus for lighting it fhould be kept conftantly pre- 70 OBSER VA TIONS. pared in fome convenient place. Buckets, Bags, Mops, Ladders, and every other implement for fub- duing a fire, or relieving or affifting diftreffed inhab- itants, f hould be kept in conftant readinefs : Every houfe ought to have a fcuttle on the top ; every well fhould have a pump, or fome other conveniency which may be depended on for drawing water ex- peditioufly; every pump fhould have its fpear fo long, as that the upper box may play below the platform, to prevent freezing, and a box fhould be built with a cover at leaft two feet high by the fide of the pump, that a pail may be let down if the pump fhould fail. The warm fteam which arifes in this box, is an additional guard againft the freez- ing of the pump. A BUILDING on fire fhould be kept as clofe as poffible. — The utmoft care fhould be taken to pre- vent the wafting of water. Earth is extremely ufeful in extinguishing fire on a floor, it fhould therefore be ufed when it can. To Lessen the Calamities Attendant on a Fire. The fright which involves the reafonable facul- ties of many people in time of fire, fhould as much as poffible be avoided by frequently converfmg on what might be the moft prudent fteps to pursue in time of danger; that fo the members of a family may firft attend to the mq/t valuable moveables^ and fee them properly fecured; for which purpofe it is prudent for every family to keep a number of 71 FEDERAL FIRE SOCIETY. trunks with ftrong handles, and the owner's name on them; as alfo for fhopkeepers to be provided with box counters on wheels. Children fhould have particular dire6tions to watch in fome confpic- uous place at times of fire, and obferve the direc- tions of the fparks, and to give immediate notice if any other building fhould catch. Spies fhould be placed in different parts to deteft thieves in time of fire. Papers and valuable effects fhould be compactly depofited, that they may be fecured at fhort notice. 73 Alphabetical List OF MEMBERS NAMED IN THE BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES. Federal Fire Society. MEMBERS NAMED IN THE BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES. Adams, Thomas A. Baker, David D. Ball, John (Jr.) Barnes, Lewis Bartlett, Ichabod Bartlett, James P. Bates, John A. Blunt, George F. Blunt, Oliver C. Boardman, John H. Boyd, William Briard, Samuel Brown, Nathaniel Brown, Thomas Chase, Stephen Chauncy, Charles Cheever, Charles A. Childs, Ebenezer L. Coffin, Charles Coffin, Horatio Coues, Peter Coues, Samuel E. Page. 49 62 47 38 50 60 65 33 40 65 32 25 38 38 25 28 45 46 36 57 24 51 75 FEDERAL FIRE SOCIETY. Gumming, George B. Cutter, Ammi R. Cutter, Charles William Cutter, Jacob Cutter, Ralph C. Cutter, William Cutts, Edward Dearborn, Benjamin Emery, James W. Fisher, John Flagg, John Foster, John W. Freeman, Peyton R. Furber, Theodore Goddard, John T. Goodrich, Charles B. Goodwin, Ichabod Hale, John Hale, Samuel (Jr.) Ham, Samuel Hardy, Stephen Harris, Charles Coffin Hart, Richard Haven, Alfred W. Haven, Charles C. Haven, George W. Haven, John Haven, Joseph Haven, Nathaniel A. Page. 59 iS 51 32 56 34 41 20 57 30 30 42 37 35 53 55 52 24 46 34 25 62 27 50 43 65 25 20 20 76 MEMBERS NAMED IN BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES. Haven, Samuel (Jr.) Hooker, Joseph (General) Horney, Gilbert Humphries, Daniel Page. 21 64 28 37 Jackson, Hall Jackson, John Jaffrey, George Jones, Samuel Jones, William (Jr.) Jones, William P. Kennard, James Ladd, Charles H. Ladd, Henry H. Ladd, William Larkin, Samuel Larkin, Samuel (Jr.) Leavitt, Gilman Livermore, Edward St. Loe Lyde, Nathaniel Lyman, John P. Manent, George Martin, Thomas Mason, Jeremiah Neil, Thomas Neil, William Nichols, Ichabod 22 22 45 35 47 57 51 54 54 41 42 64 37 26 44 56 49 21 33 41 32 26 Odell, Lorj' 48 77 FEDERAL FIRE SOCIETY. Parrott, James B. Parrott, William F. Parry, Edward Parsons, Isaac D. Pearse, Samuel Pearse, Stephen Peirce, Charles Peirce, John Peirce, Joshua W. Penhallow, Oliver W. Pickering, Jacob S. Pickering, John Pierrepont, James H. Page. 66 58 30 56 37 36 39 29 43 47 36 17 48 Randall, Reuben S. Rice, Alexander Rice, Alexander J. Rice, George W. Rice, John Rice, Robert Rice, Samuel Rice, William A. Rindge, Daniel Rogers, Daniel R. (died 1825) Rogers, Daniel R. (died 1867) Rollins, William H. Rundlett, Alfred Rundlett, Edward 37 53 65 58 50 35 26 58 17 28 54 63 55 53 Salter, Richard Sargent, Edward Seaward, John H. Shackford, William M. 31 29 32 60 78 MEMBERS NAMED IN BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES. Page Shapley, Reuben .... 26 Shapleigh, Richard 40 Sheafe, Edmund Q. 49 Sheaf e, Jacob (Jr.) 18 Sheafe, James 19 Sheafe, John H. 46 Sheafe, Thomas 19 Sheafe, William 21 Simes, John D. 58 Simes, Stephen H. 48 Sparhawk, George 46 Storer, George W. 53 Thompson, Ebenezer 35 Thompson, John L. 59 Thurston, John 43 Toppan, Christopher S. . 56 Tread well, Daniel H. 47 Treadwell, William 34 Trundy, Meshach B. 48 Waldron, Daniel 35 Wardrobe, John 28 Wendell, Mark R. 60 Wentworth, Mark H. 55 Wheelwright, Eben (Jr.) 48 Whipple, Oliver 21 79 Federal Fire Society. MEMBERS ADMITTED SINCE 1846. Federal Fire Society. MEMBERS ADMITTED SINCE 1846. Admitted. Died. 1846 Jeremiah S. Young, Manufacturer, 1861 1847 George F. Pearson, Rear Admiral, U.S. N., 1867 1847 George M. White, Captain, U. S. N., 1882 1849 John J. Pickering, Pres. Rock'm N. Bank, ^905 1850 Samuel Storer, Lawyer, 1898 1851 William A. Winder, Captain, U. S. A,, 1903 1851 William H. Parsons, Shipmaster, 1869 1852 Daniel Austin, Clergyman, 1877 1852 Washington Williams, Merchant, i860 1852 Justin Dimick, Maj. General, U. S. A., 1S71 1852 Charles W. Pickering, Commodore, U. S. N., 1888 1852 William Sheafe, Capitalist, 1882 1853 Joseph H. Foster, Treasurer, 1885 1853 Charles T. Chase, Med. Director, U.S N., 1876 1855 True M. Ball, Goldsmith, 1890 1855 William L. Dwight, Shipmaster, 1899 1855 Albert L. Jones, Ship Owner, 1870 1855 Edward S. Ryder, Dentist, 1897 1855 John T. Parrott, Farmer, 1856 1857 Alexander H. Ladd, Merchant, 1900 1857 Clement March, Merchant, 1878 1858 M. Parry Jones, Merchant, 1866 i860 Pearce W. Penhallow, Shipmaster, 1885 1S61 Charles Doe, Chief Justice, N. H •» 1896 83 FEDERAL FIRE SOCIETY. Admitted. 1861 Charles H. Rollins, [861 George J. Wentworth, [862 Eben R. Doe, [863 Nathaniel G. Weeks, [863 Charles G. Pickering, [S64 Samuel Webber, 1864 Jacob J. Storer, [865 William H. Treadwell, [865 John N. Macomb, 1865 Alexander Murray, [867 William G. Temple, [867 Z. B. Tower, 1869 GouverneurK.Haswell, [869 A. Eugene Watson, [S69 E. Greenleafe Parrott, 1870 Arthur R. Yates, 1870 Henry K. Thatcher, [870 John S. Pray, [870 Joseph N. Bradford, [871 Stephen Rand, Jr., [871 Charles Main, 1 87 1 Ezra H. Winchester, [872 William W. Low, [873 Samuel F. Coues, 1874 William R. Boardman, [874 Emil Richter, [874 A. Sydney Wentworth, 1874 W. Augustus Peirce, [877 Augustus Lord, [877 Robert C. Peirce, 1878 Alfred O. Larkin, [878 Francis E. Langdon, [879 John Sise, ^^79 Joseph Sise, Died. Shipmaster, 1S97 Merchant, 1872 Banker, 1864 Shipmaster, 1869 Merchant, 188^ Manufacturer, Res. Manufacturer, 1902 Shipmaster, 1S97 Colonel, U. S. A., 1889 Rear Admiral, U. S.N. , 18S5 Rear Admiral, U.S.N. , 1894 Maj. General, U. S. A., Res, Commander, U. S. N., Res. Paymaster, U. S. N., 1876 Rear Admiral, U. S. N., 1879 Captain, U. S. N., 1S91 Rear Admiral, U. S. N., 1880 Shipmaster, 1889 Captain, U. S. N., 1872 Pay Inspector, U. S. N., Res. Manufact'r and Farmer, Res. Manufact'r and Farmer, 1904 Captain, U. S. N., 1877 Surgeon, U. S. N., Res. Lawyer, 1879 Physician, Res. Merchant, 1900 Banker, Res. Banker, 1S79 Banker, 1S93 Capitalist, Res. Physician, 1890 Merchant, 1898 Merchant, 1894 84 MEMBERS ADMITTED SINCE 184b. Admitted. 1 879 William Russell Foster, 1S79 Arthur Watson, 1 88 1 Charles E. Batchelder, 1 88 1 Robert F. Bradford, 1 88 2 Walter I. Jones, 1882 Frederick P. Jones, 1883 William Winder, 1883 Wendell Goodwin, 1884 James K. Cogswell, 1884 Philip C. Johnson, 1886 William H. Everett, 1890 Harry B. Ball, 1890 Charles C. Carpenter, Lawyer, Captain, U. S. M. C, Lawyer, Captain, U. S. N., Treasurer, Merchant, Commander, U. S, N., Merchant, Rear Admiral, U. S.N., Rear Admiral, U. S. N., Commander, U. S. N., Architect, RearAdmiral, U.S.N. , Died. 18S3 1882 1894 1892 1902 1898 Res. 1896 Res. 1887 Res. 1898 1899 85 Federal Fire Society. LIST OF ACTIVE MEMBERS, A. D. 1905. Federal Fire Society OF PORTSMOUTH. N. H. LIST OF ACTIVE MEMBERS A. D. 1905. Admitted. 1867 James R. May, 1871 John W. Moore, 1878 Edward May, 1879 Frank Goodwin, 1879 David B. Macomb, 1879 Joseph W. Peirce, 1883 Wallace Hackett, 1883 Andrew P. Preston, 1884 Arthur C. Heffenger, 1884 John W. Parsons, 1886 John S. H. Frink, . 1887 John J. Berry, 1889 Frank S. Preston, 1890 Joseph Foster, 1890 Frederick M. Sise, . 1 89 1 Mortimer L. Johnson, 1895 James A. Spalding, . 1895 S, Ellery Jennison, . 1896 Robert O. Treadwell, 1897 Arthur W. Walker, 1897 J* Louis Harris, 1899 William Beals, Jr., . 1899 George F. Evans, Residence. 30 Middle Street Brooklyn, N. Y. Jamaica Plain Boston, Mass. University Heights, N. Y. 8 Middle Street 25 Middle Street 40 Bow Street 8 Austin Street 81 State Street Greenland 96 State Street Portsmouth 26 Middle Street I Mark Street 15 Middle Street Portland, Me. Kittery, Me. 120 State Street 9 Middle Street 77 State Street Boston, Mass. Portland, Me. FEDERAL FIRE SOCIETY. Admitted. 1899 Charles H. Fish, 1900 Fielding Bradford, . 1 90 1 Stephen Decatur, 1 90 1 Charles C. Hall, 1 90 1 Charles E. Wentworth, 190 1 William E. Marvin, 1904 Thomas W. Luce, . 1905 Thomas H. Simes, . Residence. Dover, N. H. Portland, Me. Kittery, Me. 51 Pleasant Street Cambridge, Mass. 14 Middle Street 5 Middle Street 38 State Street 90 THIS BOOK COMPILED AND PUBLISHED UNDER DIRECTION OF CHARLES C. HALL. JOSEPH FOSTER, JAMES R. MAY. ji: ■■ it '■-■<* .ll ■■•■ •-''J WJ LIBHARY 014