~K>Z5 "3 Dartmouth College - Survivors Ly 1890 OF THE CLASS OF 1840. artmouth College Survivors Ly 1890 OF THE CLtfSS OF 1840. INTRODUCTORY NOTE. The class meeting of the graduates of Dartmouth College for theyear 1840, took place on June25th, 1890. It was held in the private room of the Rev. Mr. Slafter at the Wheelock House, in Hanover, on the afternoon and evening of the day before mentioned. Nine of the twenty survivors were present, viz: Harry Brickett, John Thompson Dame, Abner Holden Mer- riam, Thomas Gilmore Mitchell, Josiah Webster Pillsbury, Edmond Farwell Slafter, Charles Godfrey Stevens, Leonard Tenney, Benjamin Franklin Whidden. Letters were received from the following, viz: John Fullonton, Henry Clinton Hutchins, Aurin Moody Payson, Daniel Thurs- ton Plummer, William Lovell Sartwelle, Alexander Strong Wheeler. From the following no response was received by the commit- tee, viz; George Lewis Merrill, Francis Brown Mussey, Timothy Osgood Norris, Henry W. Palmer, William Porter. It was voted that each member of the class be requested to prepare a brief sketch of his career, and forward the same, all to be written in the third person, to Mr. Slafter, to be by him arraigned and sent to Mr. Stevens, who kindly offered to have copies made by type-writer and sent to those members of the class who had furnished sketches or letters. In the sketches a few facts have been added, taken from the "General Catalogue," or "Chapman's Alumni;" with this exception no changes have been made, unless such as are of very trivial character. The letters are here given without any change whatever. E. F. S. HARRY BRIGKETT. The week before beginning of the fall term in Dartmouth Col- lege, 1836, he started from his home in Littleton, N. H., for Hano- ver with just $12.00 in his pocket, all the money he could com- mand at the time to enter college. A friend in Newbury, Vt., his native town, kindly added to his stock a few dollars, enough for present use. He entered with his class and remained the four years, owing about $200. The rest he had earned. After graduation he taught two years in Jaffrey, N. H., in the Melville Academy, at the same time studying medicine with Dr. A. Howe. In the Fall of 1842 he attended medical lectures at Dartmouth Medical College, and remained there studying under Drs. Crosby and Peaslee, the next year attending lectures in the Fall of 1843, intending at the time to graduate and practice medicine as a profession. But Providence ordered otherwise. He was called in the spring of 1844 to the Francestown Acade- my, where he remained seven years, till June 185 1, as he was in urgent need of funds. From Francestown, in June, 1851, he was called to the Brown High School in Newburyporr, Mass., the classical department, where he remained two full years till the spring of 1853, when he was called to the charge of the Merrimack Normal Institute, founded by Wm. Russell, Esq., located at Reed's Ferry, Merrimack, N. H., At the end of four year he resigned to accept the charge of the First Congre- gational church at Hillsboro Bridge, N. H., where he remain- ed eight years. Resigning, he removed to Genesee, Henry Co., Illinois, as pastor of the Congregational church. He remained there seven years; thence he was called to the pastorate of the Union Evangelical church of East Lake George in Queensburg, Warren Co., N. Y., remaining there until January 1st, 1876, when he returned on call to the pastorate of his first charge, at Hillsboro Bridge. He remained as pastor at Hillsboro, Bridge six years, and in January, 1882, received a call to Thetford, Vt., which he accepted. He remained in Thetford eight full years, resigning April 1st, 1890. He has purchased a home in Hooksett, N. H., where he is now living. On August 18th, 1846, he was married to Miss Eliza Cutler of Jaffrey, N. H., who is now living. They have had five child- ren, three of whom are living. A son, Harry L., is a Congrega- tional minister. His children are all happily married, and he is a happy grandfather. Between the years 1848 and 186 1, he lectured in teachers' institutes in New Hampshire and Maine more than a hundred weeks. He was school committee of Hillboro Co., two years, and president of the New Hampshire board of school commis- sioners for one year. Several of his sermons and public addresses have been pub- lished. He has written poems for public occasion; some of them have been published. One of them was on the semi- centennial of the City and Church of Genesee in the au- tumn of 1886. His health and strength have been generally good. His life has been a busy one. He is now seeking in comparative retire- ment, rest and recuperation. JOHN THOMPSON DAME. John Thompson Dame, son of Dr. John Dame and Abigail (Thompson) Dame, was born at Orford, N. H., Oct. 2t, 18 16, and resided at Orford and Lyme until his establishment in business in Massachusetts. He fitted for college at Meriden, N. H., Academy. He read law the first year with Judge Leon- ard Wilcox at Orford, passed his second year of professional study at Harvard Law School and completed his preparatory studies in the office of the Hon. Sidney Bartlett in Boston and was there admitted to the bar in the Spring of 1843. He first opened an office in Marlborough, Mass., shortly af- ter his admission to the bar, where he continued practicing law and occasionally assisting in the academy for about a year, when he removed to Lancaster, Mass. He remained at the centre village in Lancaster after his removal there, until April 1st, 1850, when he left that village and took an office in Clinton, a new town established from another portion of the same Lan- caster. He practised law during his residence in Lancaster, acting Post-master for the last five years of his residence there and for the last two years acted as police magistrate. He has continued the practice of law since his removal to Clinton to the present time, alone to the year 1886, when his son, Walter R. Dame was admitted to the bar and the business connection still continues. He was Police Magistrate and Trial Justice for the town af- ter his removal to Clinton, to the year 1863. He was appoint- ed Postmaster of Clinton in 1853 and held that position until 4 i86i. He has been a member of the School Board of Clinton for a period of seventeen years, and its chairman for fourteen years of that time, and a trustee of the Bigelow Free Public Library of the town for six years, of which last board he is now a member, and its chairman. He has prepared and delivered occasional public lectures, prepared all the reports required by his position on the School and Library Boards, and in 1879 prepared a history of the town of Clinton for C. F. Jewett & Go's History of the county of Worcester. He and his firm have also during most of their law practice in Lancaster and Clinton acted as insurance agents and brokers and united that line with their legitimate professional business. He was married June 11, 1845, to Miss Eliza Elmira Reeves of Wayland, Mass., who still concinues his partner in life. Six children have been born to them, two sons and four daughters, of whom one son and two daughters have died and the same number of each sex now survive and neither of them have been married. The surviving son above referred to, graduated at Harvard University in the class of 1883, and at the Boston Law School in that of 1886, was immediately admitted to the bar in Boston, and became associated with his father in the law and insurance business at Clinton. He holds at present the positions in town of chairman of the Board of Assessors and a member of the School Board. The two daughters now iiving, both reside at home. They have had the advantages furnished by the town public schools, supplimented by such occasional instruction as could be obtained in town. The elder, Miss Ab- by Eliza Dame is now and for considerable time has been the teacher of the Ninth Grade of the town Grammar School. JOHN FULLONTON. He was born in Raymond, N. H., August 3, 1812, the son of Jeremiah and Hannah (Dudley) Fullonton. He was married June 1, 1841, to a most excellent woman, Elizabeth Elliott, of Haverhill, Mass., who made for him a delightful home, and all that is embraced in that most charming word in our language. They had two children, a son and a daughter. The son died about four years ago, and his wife died, leaving him in sorrow and tears, a little more than a year ago. His daughter, as al- ways, lives with him, and makes up for the loss of her mother, all that a daughter possible could. 5 From college he went immediately to Parson sfield, Me., and taught in the academy three years. Thence to Clinton and Whitestown, N. Y., where he taught, and supplied the Seminary church with preaching eleven years. During this time, was elected professor in Theological department of the seminary at Whitestown. This department was transferred to New Hamp- ton, N. H., in 1854, where it remained sixteen years, and then became a department of Bates College in Lewiston, Me., where he now resides. During all these years his life had been an active one, but in the main uneventful. He missed one of the highest ambitions of early life, which was to be an orator, but he had not the proper training to that end, and his head has al- ways been seriously affected by public speaking, so he was forced to forego largely that chosen line of effort. In the class- room, however, he passed a pleasant, and as may be hoped, not a useless life. Recently, at the age of 78, with increasing infirmities, and certain chronic complaints he felt compelled to tender a resig- nation of his position as teacher in college. This was declined by the Board of Trustees, and instead it was voted, that he should remain nominally a member of the faculty, on half salary, the remainder of his life, doing little or no work, as he may elect. He has been an assistant editor of a religious paper ever since 1839, writing more or less on all manner of subjects every year. When able to speak in public, his best efforts were in the inter- est of establishing and endowing institutions of learning, espec- ially interesting at the time and place,so his work in this totali- ty cannot be recorded. He has not only taught classes all the time, but had the management of schools, served most of the time as president of boards of trustees, and for more than thirty years as chairman of executive committees, largely engaged in providing for and managing school interests, directing studies, employing teachers, and looking after financial interests. His books contain in all the record of $40,000, or more, which has passed through his hands, gathered in driblets and appropriat- ed in equally small sums. As to branches of studies taught, they embrace all from elementary arithmetic and grammar to a full fit for sophmore classes in college. During the last thirty years he has been connected with a Theological school com- posed in a considerable part of college graduates. The chief branches of study have been the Hebrew Language, Pastoral Theology and Church History. Public positions, other than in 6 school work he has neither occupied nor sought. He was rath er accidently appointed chaplain of the New Hampshire Legis- lature for the year 1863. He served in the House of Represen- tatives for the year 1868. But felt so far out of his sphere, that he peremptorally refused a nomination for re-election. He writes that he shall await the receipt of the promised sketches of the lives and experiences of the living of his dear classmates, with solicitude and interest, and shall prize them as the most valuable memorials of the past. He received the honorary degree of A. M. from Whitestown Theological Seminary in 1849, and that oi D. D. from, his Alma Mater in 1862. He was a professor in Whitestown Theological Seminary from 1852 to 1854; professor of Social Literature and Pastoral Theology in New Hampshire Biblical Institute from 1854 to 187 1, and professor of Ecclesiastical History and Pastoral Theology in Bates College from 187 1 to the present time, 1890. HENRY CLINTON HUTCHINS. On leaving college he entered the office of the Hon. Joseph Bell, at Haverhill, N. H. and spent something over a year with him, thence he went to the law school at Cambridge, where he spent a year under Judge Story and Professor Greenleaf, the remainder of the period before his admission to the bar was spent in the office of Hubbard and Watts in Boston. He and Mr. Wheeler having been admitted to the bar they entered into partnership January 1, 1844, under the name of Hutchins and Wheeler, and the partnership has so continued until this day. Their offices were for many years in Tudor's building on Couit street, and after that in Sear's building, until February last when that building was burned. They removed tempora- rily to Niles block in School street, where they now are, but expect to return again to Sear's building. in January, 1891, by which time it is expected to be rebuilt. He was married October 9, 1845, to Louise Grout at Bellows Falls, Vermont. They had two children, both boys, the eldest died in youth, the other whom he named for his class-mate, Ed- ward Webster, is a lawyer and with our firm in Boston. Mr. Hutchins and Mr. Wheeler lived, for a few years after their partnership was formed and after they had married, in Charlestown, Mass., when they moved to Boston, where they have both since resided. His domestic life has been in all respects most happy. His wife died January 5, 1883, and a beloved niece and her daugh- ter now live with him and look after his household. His son is married and lives near him and has two young children living, having lost two young daughters by scarlet fever. He has worked hard and constantly in his profession, and as the world goes, may be said to have been fairly successful, and ought to be content. He has travelled somewhat; was in Europe six months in i860 with his wife visiting London, Paris, Italy, Switzerland, the Rhine, Holland, Berlin, Vienna, England and Scotland. He was again, six months in Europe in 1864, visiting Madrid, Gibralter, Grenada, Valencia and Barcelona. He spent six weeks at some French baths in Plombiere and the Tyrol, he made this journey on account of his health. In 1873 he was again in Europe with his wife, and travelled with his son also, who went abroad in 1872 after his graduation, travelling at this time chiefly in Switzerland, England and Ire- land visiting of course again Paris and London. In 1886 he was in Europe again for six months, with his son and a niece, travelling again through Italy, Switzerland, the Rhine, Holland, Berlin, Vienna and Munich, visiting Paris and London, Scot- land, Edinborough, the Scotch Lakes and Glasgow. In 1888 he visited Yellowstone Park and Alaska, going by the Northern Pacific R. R., and returning by the Canadian Pacific. In November, 1888, he was seized with a trouble of the heart, which has driven him from his office and from active business, and he has not yet been able to return. He considers it very doubtful whether he will again be able to undergo the excitement of professional life, and he is grateful to God every day, that Mr. Wheeler and himself have two good sons to suc- ceed them, and to take up matters when they lay them down. Mr. Hutchins was elected an honorary member of the Phi Beta Kappa Society, in 1869. He was president of the Bar Association of Boston during the two years of 1887 and 1888. He regretted that he could not be present at the class meeting, June 25th, 1890, fifty years from graduation. He sent a greet- ing to his class-mates, nine of whom were present of the twenty surviving. This letter inclosed a copy of one to President 8 Bartlett, which contained a check for jive thousand dollars, as a gift to the college. The class passed a resolution expressive of their gratification at this generous gift to the college, and their sincere regret that they could not meet their dear class-mate on this occasion, face to face. ABNER HOLDEN MERRIAM. Abner Holden Merriam, son of Nathan and Ruth (Keyes) Merriam, was born at Westminster, Mass., May n, 1812. In consequence of a flow of blood to the head, at the time of graduation, by medical advice, he gave up his intention of study- ing for the ministry. He commenced teaching the academy at Westminster, Mass., September, 1840, and continued till May, 1847. He was on the board of School Committee and Supt. S. S. a part of the time while at Westminster. He taught the academy at Winchendon, Mass., from September, 1847, to November, 1848. He resided at Leominster, Mass., from November, 1848 to April, 1853, teaching there and its vicinity, about two years. He spent the remaining part of the time in introducing the Congregationalist, which was then in its infancy. After remov- ing to Templeton, Mass., he taught a select school for one term, and then devoted his time to his old trade, chair making, a little farming and agency for the Congregationalist. Some twenty years were spent in that way. For the last five years he has devoted his time to farming and agencies of various kinds, life insurance, book agencies, etc. At present, July, 1890, he has more farming and less agencies. He has held the office of Deacon of the Trinitarian Church at Templeton. for twenty years, or more. He married Emily, daughter of Deacon Abel and Betsy Fairbanks Wood, of Leominster, Mass., April 14, 1842. They have had five child- ren — one son and four daughters. One son and two daughters are now living within three miles of home, each having three children. The health of his wife is not good, but she is so as to be about the house. 9 THOMAS G1LMORE MITCHELL. He was born in Mount Vernon, N. H., Nov. 19th, 1820. He was the son of Joshua and Mehitable Gilmore Mitchell. While yet a child he removed with his parents to Woodstock, Vt., which, thenceforth became his residence during his minority. Preparatory studies were persued at Woodstock and Castleton. Membership in Dartmouth College was secured in the autumn of 1836, and graduation in 1840. After an interval of two years, occupied in part with teaching, theological studies were commenced at Bangor Seminary, and completed in 1845. One year was devoted to missionary labors. The pastorship of a Congregational Church in Auburn was accepted; and ordination with installation occurred Nov. 18th, 1846. Union by marriage with Miss Laura Ann Packard, daughter of Gen. Eliphelet and Abigail Snell Parckard, followed, Feb. 4th, 1847. Health fail- ing, the relation of pastor was dissolved after three years con- tinuance. For two years thereafter, the time was devoted to manual labor, with a view to health, preaching being continued on the Lord's day at West Minot. In November, 185 1, charge of the Congregational church of Madison was accepted and held for 32 years. Mr. Mitchell is still a resident of Madison, and more or less active in the work of the church, as circum- stances make it needful and desirable. As the fruit of his marriage six children were born, four sons and two daughters. Two sons died in infancy. Two who are twins, survive, and with the daughters constitute the present living members of his family. Albert Eliphelet Mitchell is me- chanical engineer of the Erie railroad. Allen Gilmore Mitchell is supervisor of the mountain division of the Pennsylvania Central railroad. Lizzie Ann, is wife of the Hon. George Flint of An- son. May Ella, is wife of Deacon Frank Dinsmore of Madison. The sons are also both married. Life, on the whole, has been very pleasant with this family. Its varied experiences serving only to bind the members to- gether, the children finding pleasure in ministering to their pa- rents, especially to their mother, who, though unable to work or enjoy the privilege of locomotion even, is made very cheer- ful and happy by their loving intercourse. Providence has kindly furnished means so the "little wanted here below" is at hand, and no occasion is found for trouble about the future. 10 JOS1AII WEBSTER PILLSBURY. He was born at Hamilton, Mass., March 20th, 18x1. Alter his graduation he decided to engage for a time in teaching, to recruit his finances, thinking that later in life he might study a profession. In the autumn of 1840 he commenced with a select school in Bedford, New Hampshire, which he followed by a similar school the next winter in Dunstable, Mass. In the spring of 1841 he was engaged as principal in the academy at Pepperell. On June 1st, before commencing the term, he married Miss Elizabeth Dinsmoor, a native of Windham, N. H., but then re- siding in Lowell, Mass. She was well educated and had been a successful teacher. After the marriage, she was engaged as assistant principal. They entered upon their work in Jume and continued with fair success for nearly two years, when their con" nection with the academy was dissolved. They then moved to Weymouth, Mass., and took charge of the public school at the Landing, there being two departments. Here they continued till Mr. Pillsbury's health failed, and it was found necessary for him to leave sedentary pursuits for open air exercise; and it was in the spring of 1844 that they moved to Henniker, N. H., where Mr. Pillsbury wrought on his father's farm through the season, and was then able to teach the village school through the winter following. In the Spring of 1845 tne Y bought a farm in Milford, New Hampshire, in which town they have, for the most part, resided. At this time (1845) Mr. Pillsbury abandoned the idea of studying a profes- sion, though he did not altogether leave teaching, He has held some town offices, has written and delivered lectures on diffirent subjects, has been a newspaper correspondent, and from 1862 to 1864 was School Commissioner for Hillsborough County un- der the school law then existing in New Hampshire. In 1846 a daughter was born to them, who liyed to the age of 20 years, when consumption seized her as its prey. She had acquired a thorough literary and musical education, and was prepared for, and had entered on a life of eminent usefulness, and had en- deared herself to a wide circle of friends, when she was called we trust, to genial employment in a higher realm. Three years after her birth, a son was born, in 1849, wn o still lives. He was educated in the lower and higher schools fittted for college and entered Harvard, but did not graduate. 11 He went to Illinois and taught school a year, and commenced the study of law with an uncle. Returning he finished his law studies, and was admitted to the bar. He began in Boston where he has built up a good practice, and the testimony of Judges and others is to the effect that his management of cases and general practice are able, gentlemanly and jusc. He has been a member of both branches of the Massachusetts Legislature, three years in each, and was president of the Senate two years, the second year receiving the entire vote of both po- litical parties, who testified to his ability, urbanity and imparti- ality. He is the Fourth of July orator for Boston this year, 1890. Mr. Pillsbury went to South Carolina (Port Royal) during the war and was in government employ two years; that place hav- ing been conquered and held by the Federal forces till the war closed. He then returned and resumed his employments. He is now mostly retired from active life, though not unemployed. The companion of his early life is the fond companion of his age, and with the attentions of a most devoted son, and daugh- ter-in-law, and many other endeared friends, their cup of bless- ing is abounding. EDMUND FARWELL SLAFTER. He was born in Norwich, Vermont, May 30th, 18 16, and was fitted for college at Thetford Academy. He taught a few weeks in the same academy, after graduating in 1840, before joining the Theological Seminary at Andover, which he did in Novem- ber of that year. After the first year in the seminary, he took charge of the academy at Topsfield in Massachusetts for a sin- gle year. The object of this teaching was to obtain the means of lubricating the wheels of the educational coach that he was running at that time. After two years more at the seminary at Andover, he withdrew his connection, in order to give atten- tion to those special studies in which he was to be examined for admission to orders in the Episcopal church. He was ordained by the Rt. Rev. Manton Eastburn in Trinity Church, Boston, July 12th, 1844. He became rector of Saint Peter's Church, Cambridge and continued in charge two years and a quarter, when he accepted the rectorship of Saint John's Church, Jamai- ca Plain, then a part of Roxbury, now incorporated into the city 12 of Boston. He remained there somewhat more than seven years, when he was disabled by what was then called the "clergyman's sore throat." He was a member of the School Committee sev- eral years, and chairman of the board the last year of his resi- dence in that town. Resigning the parish, he removed to Boston where he spent four years performing very little cleric il duty. These four years he devoted largely to the study of history, tak- ing a general survey of ancient history, reading such authors as Arnold, Ferguson, Cook and Gibbons, and Grote for the history of Greece, He gave much time also, to the study of American history, dealing topically with such questions as the tariff, slav- ery, and others, refering to original documents for information. These studies were very interesting and engrossing. His voice having partially recovered, he accepted thi appoint- ment of superintendent of the American Bible Society for the Episcopal Church in the United States. The duties of this of- fice involved a large correspondence, and oversight of the work of the Society in the important centres, as Boston, New York, Philadelphia and others. He continued in this work twenty years, retiring in 1877. About that time he was requested to take charge of several properties amounting in all to much more than half a million dollars. This involved much care and responsibility. More than half of this amount has been paid out in legacies, and the remainder still continues in his charge as trustee. This state- ment has been made, in round numbers, in order to convey a fairly correct idea of the care and responsibility involved in his occupation for the last fifteen years. During the whole period since he left parochial work, nearly 40 years, his obligatory duties have left him a generous margin of leisure, which has been utilized by studies and investigations on a great variety of topics of an archaeological and historical character, such as the voyages and exploring expeditions to our coast during the hundred years anterior to any permanent settle- ment, the history and character of the aboriginal inhabitants, our colonial annals, the local and family history, particularly of Massachusetts, the ecclesiastical history of New England, the church organizations, their practical working and stability. The outcome of these studies has been the publication of some volumns and brocardicas, touching directly or indirectly such topics as above indicated. Among others the following may be mentioned:— 13 i. An octavo volume giving an account of the Slafter family for two hundred years. 2. A memoir of Samuel de Champlain, an early explorer of the New England coast, the founder of Quebec and the dis- coverer of the lake that bears his name. No complete memoir of this distinguished French navigator had before been publish- ed. The whole work includes an English translation of Cham- plains journals, by another hand, in three volumes, heavily an- notated by the author of the memoir. 3. A memoir of Sir William Alexander, the Earl of Stirling, a Scotch nobleman to whom James I. gave the charter of Nova Scotia, and other grants of land in Canada and within the borders of New England and New York. 4. "The Icelandic Sagas" in an English translation by Beamith with an introduction and annotations by E. F. S. The Sagas contain all the evidence we have of the discovery of this country by the Northmen about the year 1000. 5. Pre-historic Copper Implements. — An open letter to the Historical Society of Wisconsin. An attempt to show that the copper implements found in Wisconsin were fabricated by the Indians and not by a previous race more highly civilized, as claimed by some writers. 6. Incorrect Latitudes. — Showing why the latitudes set down by the early navigators and explorers were all incorrect, with a description of the instruments used, as the Astrolabe, Jacob's staff, etc. 7. The Vermont Coinage. — Some account of the coins issued by that State before the establishment of the United States mint. 8. The coinage of the Earl of Stirling, under authority grant- ed by Charles II. 9. Royal Emblems and Memorials in use in the Thirteen Colonies before the American Revolution, with illustrations of the Royal Arms still preserved. 10. Historical Discourse on the growth of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States. 11. A Quarter-Century Discourse delivered before the New England Historic Geneological Society. Besides the above, he has published ten or twelve pamphlets on a variety of subjects which need not be definitely described. He has been a contributor to magazines and newspapers. He 14 is a member of the New England Historic Geneological Socie- ty and was its corresponding secretary for a period of twenty years. He is a member of the Massachusetts Historical Socie- ty, whose limit of members is one hundred. He is a member of the Bostonian Society, and of the Royal Historical Society of Great Bntian, and of a large number of the Historical So- cieties of the different states of the Union. He is correspond ing secretary of the Massachusetts Bible Society, and chairman of its executive committee. He has been a member of the Council of the Prince Society since its organization in 1858, and president of the society for the last ten years. The object of this association is to print rare book's or manuscripts on Ameri- can History, and they are only sold to members of the society. Twenty volumes have been issued including what are "now in press They are expensive, averaging five dollars for each vol- ume. The proof sheets of each volume are sent to Mr. Slafter, as president of the society, for his examination and correction. In 1884 he was elected Registrar of the Diocese of Massachu- setts, to which office he has been annually re-elected to the present time. In virtue of this office he is the custodian of all manuscripts and printed books and documents belonging to the Diocese, and is charged with the duty of adding to the collec- tion whatever may elucidate the history of the Episcopal Church. Since he has been in charge he has added a large number of historical manuscripts and over 800 bound volumes to the archives of the Diocese. He has issued seven reports, one an- nually, of his proceedings, which have been printed in pamphlet form by order of the Diocese. Such is an outline of his occupations for a period of fifty years. His maxim has been not to aim so much at great achievements, as to do thoroughly and as well as he was able, whatever he be- lieved it his duty to do at all. He was married to Mary Anne Hazen of Boston, Aug. 16, 1849. She died Aug. 6, 1886. To him the memory of thirty-seven years of perfect happiness will always be precious. They had no children. CHARLES GODFREY STEVENS. Charles Godfrey Stevens, son of Godfrey and Hannah (Poole) Stevens, was born at Claremont, N. H., Sept. 16, 182 1. He fit- ted for college at the High School at Claremont and Kimball Union Academy Meriden, N. H., and entered Washington (now 15 Trinity) College, Hartford, Conn., in 1836, was there two years. He left after an attack of typhoid fever and entered Dartmouth as junior in 1838. After graduation he was a tutor in the fami- ly of Richard Coke of Gloucester Co., Virginia, a year. Then for a short time he was at the Law School of Harvard Univer- sity; afterwards read law in the offices of James H. Bingham and Upham & Snow, at Claremont, and was admitted to the bar of Sullivan Co., N. H., in 1845. He removed to Boston in the fall of that year, and to Clintonville (then a village in Lancas- ter, Mass.) now Clinton, in July 1846, where he has since lived. He married September 29th, 1846, Laura A. Russell at Bel- lows Falls, Vt., by whom he has had three children, two of whom are now living. He has filled various public offices; he was a member of the Mass. Constitutional Convention of 1853, and of the Mass. State Senate of 1862. He was appointed by Gov. John A.Andrew, Draft Commissioner for Worcester Coun- ty, in the fall of 1862. He was appointed Justice of the second District Court of Eastern Worcester on its establishment in 1874. He organized the Clinton Savings Bank in 1851, and was made its secretary and solicitor, which offices he still holds. He organized the First National Bank of Clinton in 1864, and was elected its president, which office he still holds. He or- ganized the Clinton Hospital Association and was elected its president. He has been a director in several fire insurance companies, and is now vice-president of the Merchants and Far- mers' Mutual Fire Insurance Company of Worcester, Mass . He has delivered public addresses before Lyceums, Mechanic's Institutes and Literary Associations; and in i860, took the stump in favor of the election of Abraham Lincoln. During the Rebellion, he was frequently called upon to ad- dress his fellow citizens in aid of recruiting service and has the satisfaction of knowing that his town furnished more than its quota for the service of its country. He has been a member of the School Committee of Clinton, and has been and now is Senior Warden of the church of the Good Shepherd of Clinton, Mass., and finally during the forty years of the incorporation of Clinton, he has been elected mod- erator of the annual town meeting thirty-six times. He has worked hard in his profession and has been fairly successful, so that, when he crosses the river, he trusts his estate will be suf- ficient to meet all claims against it. He was elected an honor- ary member of the Phi Beta Kappa Society, 1890. 16 LEONARD TENNEY. He was born in Groton, N. H., Aug. 5, 1814. His father, Benjamin Tenney, and mother, Betsey Boynton Tenney, were both natives of Hollis, N. H. In the autumn of 183 1 he united with the Congregational Church in Groton. In March, 1833 he left home, to reside in Haverhill, N. H., where he read through Adams' Latin Reader with the Rev. Henry Wood. After teach- ing school in Orford the following winter, he entered Kimball Union Academy and remained there, excepting when he was away earning money, till the summer of 1836, when he entered Dartmouth College. On leaving, college in 1840, he remained in the yicinity of Hanover, engaged in teaching till March 1842, when he went to the Theological Seminary in Andover, Mass., and before the close of the school year was admitted to the class, and the next two years he spent in that seminary. Soon after graduating in 1844, he began to preach in Jaffrey, N. H., and on March 19, 1845, was installed pastor of the Congrega- tional Church. On June 26, 1845, ne was married to Miss Malvina Baker of Lebanon, N. H. During ten years he was Superintendent of schools at Jaffrey, and two years, beginning in April, 1855, ne was County Commissioner of schools. In September, 1857, he began his ministry in Thetford, Vt., where he remained ten years. Here he was Superintendent of Schools six years, and from that town he was elected to the legislature in 1866-7. ^ n Jan. t, 1868, he became pastor of the Congregational Church in Barre, Vt., and that pastorate continued till May 15, 188 1. In this town he served as Superintendent of Schools seven years. He has four children, — a daughter and three sons. Two of the sons are graduates of Dartmouth College. ALEXANDER STRONG WHEELER. He was born at Wayland, Massachusetts, August 7th, 1820. Graduating in 1840, he went to Virginia where he taught for a year, then to Troy, N. Y., where he studied law for a year, then to the Harvard Law School, then to the office of Sidney Bartlett of Boston. He was admitted to the bar, Jan. 1. 1844, and immediately entered into partnership with his class-mate, Henry C. Hutchins, who by a singular coincidence was born on the same day with himself. That partnership has continued to the present time and will continue as long as the two live. 17 He has never held and never sought political office. But while he has labored diligently in his profession he has taken an interest in, and been connected with religious, educational, benevolent and business institutions, and thusendeaveredtodo something in the contributions every man owes to the com- munity. He was married, Jan. 6, 1848, to Augusta Hurd of Charles- town, and they have two children now living. The editor desires to add that the law firm of Hutchins and Wheeler, of so long standing, is one of the best known and trusted, for honesty, fidelity and ability in the city of Boston. Mr. Wheeler has published three pamphlets on the following subjects, viz: — Socialism; The Labor Question; and Banking in Boston; and many articles in the newspapers. He has been president of the Unitarian Club in Boston ; president of the Massachusetts Charitable Congregational Society; trustee of the National Sailors' Home; manager of the Boston Asylum and Farm School; trustee of the Franklin Savings Bank; a director of the Second National Bank of Boston; a director of the Mut- ual Benefit Insurance Company; director of the Dwelling House Insurance Company; director of the Bigelow Carpet Co..; direc- tor of the Clinton Wire Cloth Co.; director of the Kearsarge Mills Co.; director of the Cabot Mills Co. He is a member of the corporation and of the executive committee of the Massa- chusetts Institute of Technology. He is chairman of thj com- mittee of the Bar Association in connection with the New Court House in Boston. BENJAMIN FRANKLIN WHIDDEN. He was born in Greenland, New Hampshire, December 12, 1813. In early life he was on a farm. Before fitting for college he learned the cabinet maker's trade, which was of assistance to him at the academy. He fitted for college at Kimball Union Academy. Soon after leaving college, he went south as a teacher in Latin, Greek, French, Mathematics and the higher branches of English. His school was in the old county of Hanover in Vir- ginia, the county of Patrick Henry and Henry' Clay. It was in 18 slavery days, and was supported by an association <>i old plant- ters, and made up of young gentlemen and young ladies. His salary was made up of individual tuitions of from $20 to $50 a year for each scholar. The number was from 20 to 30, the school year was 10 months. It was all under his charge and direction, was pleasant and lasted four and one-half years. A school teacher in that day stood well in society, and was on a level with all the better class of citizens. This was his first entrance into busi- ness life and upon business habits, and gave him a clear insight into southern life in all its phases. His vacation of two months came mostly in the winter, which he spent in Washington, where he had the advantage of books, of attending the courts and congress, of seeing and hearing the foremost men of the nation. The business of a teacher in the South then was a passport to an introduction wherever he went. He saw, heard and was introduced to leading men; to such men as Clay, Web- ster, Wright, McDuffy, Calhoun, Tom Marshall, John Quincy Adams, Critenden. Tom Benton, Choate, Preston, Jones, Seward, Wyse, Stevens and a host of others. He considered this an important part of his education. The style of speaking had not then degenerated into diffuseness, and everlasting elaboration, but was still Ciceronian and Grecian. Clay was a model of eloquence, Webster of power and im- pressiveness, McDuffy and Tom Marshall for power of attack and storm, Choate for magnetic pow r er, Benton for storming the castle, and John Quincy Adam wis always the "old man elo- quent" and invincible. His memory of his young life of that day is ever before him, and "a gracious possession forever." He returned to Lancaster, N. H., in October, 1845; was ad- mitted to the bar in July, 1846, and commenced practice at Lancaster in 1847. For many years he was connected more or less, wich educational matters. He procured the passage of the law for a School Commissioner in each county in New Hamp- shire, and was appointed commissioner of Coos County in 1851 and 1852. In 1850 he drew the bill and agitated the subject of the Homestead Law, which passed the House by a large majori- ty, and became the law of the State in 185 1. Though a young men, he was called the "Father of the Homestead Law." He was a member of the Legislature of New Hampshire in 1849, 1850, and in 1867. In 1867 he opposed and defeated the pas- 19 sage of the Flowage Act, and was engaged on the committee to revise the statutes. Soon his practice of the law increased so that all his time was employed in his profession. In 1845 he was appointed County Solicitor which gave him charge of the criminal business for the county. This gave him a busy life till 1862, when he was, on the recognition of the government of Hayti by our government, appointed by President Lincoln, Commissioner and Counsul General to that government with plenipotentiary power to make and conclude "a treaty of amity, commerce and naviga- tion, and for the extradition of fugitive criminals." There hav- ing been no diplomatic relations opened between the United States and Hayti till his arrival there. He found a long docket of cases open for consideration and settlement. The first year was taken almost wholly in their examination. He found the Government friendly, and our relations mutually important to each other. Commerce was already large and growing. He concluded a full and complete treaty in 1864 with that Govern- ment, which was immediately confirmed by both Governments That treaty is found in volume 13 of the U. S. Statutes at large on page 711 to 729 inclusive, and was published July 6th, 1865. He found no difficulty in meeting, and in most cases settling amicably, the long list of cases on the docket between the two countries. One of the most trying, and which called for heroic treatment, was that of Antonio Pelletior, which arose a short time before his arrival. He gives this case as a specimen of what came before him to examine and manage. Captain Antonio Pelletier, a naturalized American citizen, owner and commander of the Barque "Willemene" under the American flag, sailed out of a city on the Gulf of Mexico in the United States with a clearance and an assorted cargo on his manifest, bound for the Spanish Main. By stress of weath- er on his voyage he was driven upon the coast of Hayti, but was anchored in safety near a harbor. His vessel was seized by Haytian authority as a slaver, the captain was arrested and placed in irons; his vessel, cargo, property and all his money seized and confiscated; The captain was tried under Haytian law, without being allowed consul, and condemned to be shot, (as they do not hang). He was still in prison on Mr. Whidden's arrival in the country awaiting his execution. He addressed a note to the Government, asking a postponement till he could ex- 20 amine into the case. It was granted. He found he had not invaded their territory, had transgressed no law, either State or International, that their suspicions were groundless, and that he had been denied the right of defense. He reported his case to our Government in full, and was complimented in Secretary Seward's approval. He exposed the illegal course of the Hay- tian Government and demanded that he be released from prison and placed in a hospital for his restoration to health. This was done. In a short time he was sent under a guard of soldiers to the United States Legation, with a note from the Secretary of Foreign Relation, that he was delivered up to the commissioner. He received him under a protest of the illegality of the proceed- ings. He sent him to the Isthmus in a Spanish vessel, and then to New York under the American Flag, reserving his claim for personal suffering and loss of property for future con- sideration. It was afterwards provided by treaty, between the United States and Hayti that the claim of Captain Antonio Pelletier against the Government of Hayti be arbitrated, and referred to Ex-Judge Strong, late of the U. S. Supreme Court. On his re- turn to the United States at the close of his mission, Mr. Whid- clen was summoned to Washington, as a witness before Judge Strong, for the prosecution rested largely on his testimony. The case was tried at the State Department and both govern- ments were ably represented. Mr. Whidden's dispatches to the Government, the law under which he was tried, a copy of the record of the trial and sentence, prisoner's condition and treatment in prison, value of vessel, cargo and property set out on record, all these having come before him, he was called to tell the story. It was a pityable one, and closed the case. The decision was reserved for consideration. Captain Pelletier was a man of, ability and education. He spoke four different languages with ease. He was a gentleman by birth and a nobleman by nature, but broken down in health in a filthy prison in the Torrid Zone. Early in June after the trial in January, Judge Strong awarded him the sum of $55,500, Poor Pelletier died on the same day. It would take too much space to rehearse other cases. Suffice to say Mr. Whidden's mission was approved by the Government and complimented by Mr. Seward, the Secretary of State. * 21 Hayti is a beautiful and picturesque country. It has many high mountains and a soil rich and exhaustless. Its people are volatile and passionate, like all people of the Tropics; but edu- cation and improvement were noticable at that time. Like many a Northern man he had the yellow fever at last, resigned and came home. On his return home, as soon as he regained his health, re-entered again in the practice of the law, and still has his sign out. In 1868 he was appointed Judge of Probate, and held the office till 1874, when with his wife he traveled somewhat extensively in Europe. He always had a passion for travel. He has left out much that has transpired in his life since 1840, because it would take too much space here; perhaps some that his class might be interested to know. Fifty years is a good while in a busy life, and necessarily embraces consider- able history. He is not a pessimist, but believes the world is advancing, particularly the lower stratum of the human race. Mankind is rising more to a common level. Monarchies sink as the people rise. He was married June 17, 1851 to Miss Eliza T. Spaulding of Lancaster, N. H. By her, he had one child, Dr. John W. Whid- den. who is in successful practice in Portland, Maine. John's mother died September 1st 1868, respected, beloved, and mourned by all who knew her. July 15, 1874, he was married to Miss Kate J. Brooks of Cincinnati, Ohio. By her, he had one child that died in infancy, She was a woman of great culti- vation and rare accomplishments, but died suddenly, November 30th, 1879. And now he has rapidly gone over the 50 years that have passed since he left the classic halls of old Dartmouth, taking a few glimpses of what has happened to him, and that with other contributions may be interesting to us all. When the last shall have answered the roll call, who will speak for 1840. 22 Letters by Members of the Class of 1840, not present at the meeting held June 25, 1890. AURIN MOODY PAYSON. I Rev. Drs. Leonard Tenney and Harry Brickett, Com. of Class 1840, Dear Bros, and Classmates: — Your invitation to meet our surviving comrades, at the annual commencement this summer, was received some time since, and I heartily thank you for the kind words it contains. I have been hoping all along till within a few days, to be there but an attack of rheumatism in my left lower limb almost pre- vents me from walking. I regret exceedingly, my inability to come and see once more my dear old comrades in the ranks of college warriors. My life has been one of hard labor, and I hope, to some extent, useful. Among the great multitude of my pupils, I cannot recall even four that have not done well, and some have distinguished themselves in the ranks of wealth, learning and honor. You ask for some "personal and domestic history." — Here you have a sprinkling: I was principal of South Berwick Academy, Maine, more than eight years. Then I was elected principal of the Boys' High School at Portsmouth, N. H., I went there and taught ten years; was then elected principal of the Girls' High School and taught that ten years; finally they elected me principal of both, and my letter of resignation, of which here is a copy, will show how pleasantly that long por- tion of my life was spent in the cause. Portsmouth, May 8, 1874. Hon. Albert R. Hatch, Chairman High School Committee, My Dear Sir: — Circumstances have arisen, which make it my duty to resign my position as principal of the united High Schools of this city. Have just been elected to the office of Superi: pendent of the Public Schools in Wakefield, Mass., near where my family now resides,on whose account I thankfully accept thi appointment. During the last fifteen years, I have had offered me high and honorable situations elsewhere, all which were declined. Although the salaries were considerably higher than here, yet I did not feel disposed to leave the good old city I loved so well. In tendering my resignatioa to take effect on the 15th in st., it gives me great pleasure to say that for more than twenty years there have existed the most friendly relations be tween myself and the several committees who have had the care 3.nc\ oversight of the schools. To yourself personally as a long tried ai^d efficient member of the committee and to the other gentlemen associated with you I desire to express my sincere thanks for your uniform courtesy and regard. With my best wishes for your prosperity and that of the city, I have the hon- nor to be Your Obt. Servant, A. M. Payson. Several years made up of short periods of teaching in other places complete my experience in that calling. I studied for the ministry and preached more or less for several years, and was requested to "settle" over some churches, but was urged so strongly to teach and told that I might do as much good. I finally gave up preaching. All my family are living, save one, my second daughter, Mrs. C. O. Walker, who lived in Portsmouth. Two daughters living are teachers, and three sons in Boston, one in R. H. White & Co.'s establishment ; one a member of the firm of A. C. Hardy & Co., and the youngest, wholesale clerk in Leopold Morse & Co.'s house. All doing well. I have done some literary work. Pres. A. D. Smith in reply to a book I sent him, said "you have honored the state of New Hampshire." If I live I want to finish a little volume nearly complete in manuscript, for the benefit of a class of young men. Although I have no college honors of which to speak, yet as Judge Sargent once said, I have much to be grateful for. He used to call on me at Portsmouth and was a classmate I dearly loved. 24 If we should not meet on College grounds any more, I hope we may be found among the soldiers of our blessed Lord jesus, who "have fought the good fight and have kept the faith," .ind that we may each have "the crown of life, that fadeth not away!" With my best wishes for yourselves and our dear old Alma Mater. I am truly your classmate A. M. PAYSON. P. S. If any of our classmat js wish to hear anything I have written, you may read them any scraps of this letter you think may be proper. P. 86 Cedar Street, Maiden, Mass. DANIEL THURSTON PLUMMER. Newbury, June 23, 1890. Mr. Tenney, Dear Brother: — Yours of a late date is received. I thank you for the kind invitation you tender me to be present at the re-union of the survivors of the class of '40. I intended to have met with you on that occasion, an occasion replete with joy and sadness. Now when the time draws near, I regret to inform you I cannot attend. It is a great disappointment to me. The time, that has elapsed since we parted, has been filled with incidents and events of thrilling interest, the recital of which would be deeply emotional. What a panorama it would afford. I shall not at- tempt to recount my own experience. Suffice it to say, that as a whole it has been highly enjoyable. All this time I have been blessed with uninterrupted good health, notwithstanding the cares and exposures of my profession. On account of these, I relinquished the profession some years ago and have since given my time to my personal interests. I have a pleas- ant home amid picturesque surroundings. I live four miles from Newburyport, in old Newbury. It would afford me great delight to receive a visit from you and all the rest of my class- mates. My family would greet you with a hearty welcome. Now as we sail on life's ocean still, nearing the other shore, let us ever be cheerful in full assurance that He who laid the raging winds and quieted the surging billows, walks upon the waters still. Believe me ever sincerely yours in fraternal es- teem Dan'l T. Plummsr. P. S. Please report to me the proceedings o r the meeting. 25 WILLIAM LOVELL SARTWELLE. Comanche, Texas, May 12, 1890. Rev. Tenney and Brickett, My dear old Classmates and Brothers: — I have delayed answerinr your circular, hoping to be able to make arrange- ments for my presence at the "semi-centennial anniversary of our graduation." Nothing would give me greater pleasure than to meet in the hallowed precincts of old Dartmouth, the surviv- ing members of our class. But I fear business obligations and duty to others will not permit my absence from home next month. I therefore send to each of the dear brothers, that may be present at the celebration, the warmest greetings of an affec- tion, that has been true and unchanged during the fifty years of our separation. May the peace of God fill each of your hearts, and may His richest blessings be enjoyed by you all. To the great outside world, my life has been an uneventful one, quiet and obscure. I moved to Texas from Alabama as a lawyer in 1846, married in 1850. Have a wife and one surviving child who is a clergyman in the Episcopal ehurch. Was a soldier in the Confederate army during the whole period of our late deplora- ble Civil war. Have never aspired for political offices. Have served as Grand High Priest of the Grand Royal Arch Chap- ter of Texas, and during most of my fifty years of work, cares, trials and temptations, have always felt that the noblest, grand- est life on earth is that of a consisent, earnest follower of the Lord Jesus Christ. How I would like to recall with you, the memories of Auld Lang Syne, but it may not be on this side of the dark river, so, dear brothers, farewell, if it is God's will, until the re-awakening and re-union on the other side. Will you kindly tell me of the meeting and who were there? Yours truly and fraternally, W. L. Sartwelle. 26 UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS-URBANA 3 0112 110180996