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YALE UNIVERSITY
LIBRARY

1X-4.RW1N C. 'x-iLANi; TT/ '?D, P-l,:',!;!!!?!.
jiOVLNnn A. Cn-iTICL. "i-T Vii-j: ri!,.^:!'i:vi'.
.Kiev. C. v.. ILiRlMNG'i'f.'X. ¦^z-.u Yk'E j'i.i::--!.k>,t,
JOl^N !¦¦ -lONEh, Ks'>.. Teeasur!;,[.
:I\.. GF..'/;!;!'. (.', BL.\LSDi'LL. Ki:".:..(-;t.isg .Secuetaht.
Rev. i-'U'AS KETVh'..^.f^'., CoRr.T.svoyt.nsc ^i < iif.rAi,{.
"i-fc;:xi;: a. I'i-r.i.uws, riK/-i,_,ii & LnaLviiJif,
j-;i.S!;ii;)i'.\i, ^uMMli'j' r..--
JOHN F. ,T(>>,E-; Es>.
«;apt. r. w. :\iu.'^0!R'.>v t,
Eev. C. v.. HAi;!;iN(.'ii>y.
I'EV. ML.>S KETCHU3L
ACTIVE iiEin:ii'r.s.
D. C. Bl.-.ino!iar<], .Y"? }'f,/,V €>(?/.
ir,i Anhiii Chn^e, jjucfii,o^.:tJi College.
R;.bi.';'t Ford, riq., hcitb'ir.:.
Rev. H. P. G;ige, A.st., h,,.^to,i. Jioas.
Rev. V.'J. Hart:?r..}}iiL\ a..m. ..'.v field.
Rev. Silas Ketchuu; ¦'(.'•¦',sf../.
Rev. Lewis Maivcni. J^ristul.
Cu.])'. . U. W. lsht^-;err,YQ. JJri:^t'!L
Ro'.-, F. H. Bartlett, Bri.'itnL
, Capt. C. A. Currii-,?, Cont.wcooJ..
Ik-. ¦/ A. Fello-ffs. ! :.:i,tOi':o:'Ji
J'.'la F, Joues, Esq.. ConU:o<'o.)l.
Go.'.-gi! n. .Kerehum, Cdu'io.y.^/.:.
James Ct. Tnggnrt,
G. W. Moi'.lil^
W. Scott Daviw, Esq.,
\. H. Cunicr, Covtoccook.
.George C. Kl:.::s'k-!!. m.b,, Cou.'- ¦(>¦¦.. .. t .
Rev. C. E. Harangton, Lan.-i.-^'.cr.
Hod. B. F. Pv.--,.^c(.tl, .Kpe.ing.
Jesse W('l.?li')', Esq., Hennnccr.
L. W, Co^'sv-oil, E^iq., 7.', )(,?i/7,^,^
Frank I. Morrill, Ivsq., .Z3r>.-';j)). ..'iu.Qs.
DaiKol L. MiilikcM, Esq., h.'>s,,„i .^Va.va-.

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t'l'll i-i. i'l'iXS OFTHE

i^cvo iiuimp.sljivf i^nti'quarlau ^orictJj

X(>

WHO INVENTED
STEAMBOAT

A STATEMF.XT OF THE EVIDEN'CE TH.\T TH^: FIRST AMERIC.iN'
¦ STEAM 0;.)AT, PROPELLf.D BY MEANS OF PADDLE 'WHEELS,
WAS INVENIIlO. constructed, AND SUCCESSFULLY
OPERATED ON C'liNMCTICCT RIVER, Ar.OL'Ti792,
BV CAPTAIN SAMUEL MOREY, OF ORFORD, N, H..
AND THAT ROBERT FULTON" SAW THE
i;o.-i.r IN npER.A'iioN

BY WM. A. MOWRY, A. M.
OF PROVIDENCE, R. I.

rhad before the .se'v hampshire .\ nti';,l..-.p i an soci-jvy at as .*djovrncd
whi:ti:;g, October -.;, 1^74

CO]^^XOOCOOTi :
PUBLISHED BY THE ANTIQUARIAN .-OCiETY.
BRISTOL:
GEORGE CROWELL KETCH I M, FRl.VTEK.
IS74.

WHO INVENTED THE AMERICAN
STEAMBOAT?

Dr. Renwick commences his biography of Robert
Fulton with this sentence: —
" The gratitude of mankind has not failed to re
cord with honor the names of those who have been
inventors of useful improvements in the arts." It
would, perhaps, be nearer the truth to say, " those
who have obtained the reputation of being the invent
ors of useful improvements in the arts." But it is
to be feared that, in too many cases, the real invent
or is not known.
It has been said that language was invented to
conceal one's thoughts. Many times it would seem
to be true that " history was invented to conceal facts."
However this may be, it may confidently be affirmed,
that frequently the truth of history is so covered up
and buried beneath the debris of passing events, that
it requires a long time to dig it out and bring it to
the light, so that it may be seen in its true character,
and its proper relations to other events be fully ap
preciated. If is especially the province of an Historical Soci
ety — such as I have the honor of addressing — to
rescue from oblivion facts of importance, and record
them for the benefit of the future historian. As a
general truth it may be said, that one or two gener
ations must pass by, before an impartial history can
be v.ritten.
The first steamboat upon American waters is gen
erally understood to have been made by Fulton, and
ts first voyage was in 1 807, from New York to Albany,

4 N. H. ANTIQUARIAN .SOCIETY.
It is not my purpose to discuss the relative merits of
European inver.tois in this paper, but to endeavor to
answer the questions: "AVho invented the first
American Steamboat? and When and where was
its first trip made? "
The claim has sometimes been set up that to
John Fitch belongs the honor ofthis invention. It
is certain that Fitch was a superior mechanic, and
that he made man}- experiments in' the application
of steam as a propelling power for boats. His plao
was to put in motion by means of steam a series of
paddles, which should operate like the human arm.
But this — 1783 — was before Watt had invented
his double engine, and the single engine was " too
feeble and cumbrous to yield an adequate force."
— Life of Fnlton,p. .//. This- method of paddles was
a failure, and has not been ibllowed up b}- any im
provements in that direction.
In 1787 James Rumsey made experiments in pro
pelling boats by pumping in water, to be afterwards
forced out at the stern, the resistance of the water
pushing the boat along. For this invention Rum
sey applied for a patent, but his application was
rejected, and experiments failed to bring success,
either for himself, or others following in the same
line of thought.
John Stevens experimented on the application
of steam to boats between 1790 and 1800. He in
vented a boat which was tried on the Hudson, but
without success.
We must conclude, therefore, that unless some
new -competitor appears, Fulton will bear otf the
prize. Unless it can be shown that a boat was con
structed, launched upon American waters, and pro-

FIRST AMERICAN STEAMBOAT. 5
pelled successfully by Steam power, prior to 1807,
then Fulton's Boat, the Clermont, plying between
New York and Albany, was the pioneer boat. But
if it can be shqwn that a steamboat had been con
structed, and successfully propelled by steam power.
prior to the above date, then the laurels do not be
long to Fulton.
It will be my purpose to show, in this paper, that
such was the case; that such a boat was invented,
made and put to a successful test, fourteen or fifteen
years before the date of Fulton's boat, and there is
strong evidence that Fulton saw the models of this
boat, that he made a visit to the place where the boat
was built, saw the boat itself, and it has been ever
claimed that, by this boat, and by the experiments of
its inventor and builder, his attention was directed to
the subject of steam navigation, and that the inven
tion which he claimed as his own, fairly belonged to
another. If I am not mistaken, the credit of inventing,
building and successfully working the first Steamboat
in America, is due to a self educated New England
er, a native of Connecticut, whose ancestors were
from the old Bay State, but whose family, while he
was yet a child, emigrated to northern New Hamp
shire, where he built the first steamboat in our coun
try, if not in the world, propelled by paddle wheels,
moved by a steam engine; and put it to a successful
test upon the waters- of the upper Connecticut river,
as early as 1792, or 1793.
It is only justice to Mr. Fulton to say, that he
was the first man — that is, in connection with Chan
cellor Livingston and by the aid of Livingston's mon-

6 N. H. ANTIQUARIAN SOCIETY.
ey — to make a practical busines.'; success of a steam
boat. He did build a boat, which was successfully
propelled by steam by means of paddle wheels, and
he is, perhaps, properly 'called the father of Ameri
can steamboat navigation.
But the question returns, was he the originator of
the plan? Was he the inventor? Did he 'make the
first paddle wheel steamboat that worked success
fully? To these questions we must answer, "No."
The invention and the first boat v. ere by another
man. The story of this invention I am to tell.
Between the years 1760 and 1770 occurred a
very importmt emigration from the -vicinity of Leb
anon, Connecticut, to Orford and Hanover, New
Hampshire. Rev. Dr. Eleazer Wheelock, the minis
ter of Lebanon, had established a school for the edu
cation of the Indians. As the number increased and
his resources increased also, he determined to move
the school nearer to the frontiers, both to diminish
the expense of living and to be nearer the Indians.
The school was therefore moved to Hanover in 1 770,
and called Dartmouth College. {Life of Ledyard.)
It is probable that this removal of Dr. Wheelock
and his sc'-iool from Lebanon to Hanover was in a
large measure due to the spirit of emigration which
had already sprung up among his parishioners and
their neighbors.
The first setders in the town of Orford were John
Mann and his wife, who started from Hebroa. Octo
ber 16, 1765. They made the journey in eis/Li days,
the young bride on horseback, and hc-r husl and
much of the way on foot. About three montht, later,
these pioneers ofa new settlement were follow^ d by

FIRST AMERICAN STEAMBOAT. /
another family from Hebron, consisting of Colonel
Israel Morey, his wife and several children.
This journey of about two hundred miles was
made in the dead of winter — January, 1766 — with
an ox team, the wife carrying in her arms an infant
six months old. What a journey was that, to be
made at such a season, much of it through a pathless
forest, an unbroken wilderness. From Charlestown
to Orford, sixty miles, it is said there was no road.
only a foot path with marked trees for guide boards. '
Among the children of this hardy and courageous
pioneer was a boy of four years named Samuel.
The family settled in Orford, and during the Revo
lutionary war the father was made General, and com
manded a body of brave men upon the frontier. As
the boy Samuel grew up to manhood he turned his
attention to some subjects connected with mechanics,
and chemistry, and from about 1780 to about 1820
or 1830, he devoted much of his time to practical ex
periments upon steam, heat and light. One writer
says of him:
" Samuel Morey was not a mere visionary experir
menteror superficial sciolist in hydrostatics and pneu-
matology. His correspondence with the late Pro.-
fessor Silliman of Yale College shows that he was
an ingenious inventor an3 practical philosopher."^
Orford Celebration, Mcinns Address, p. 2"].
In the first three volumes of Silliifian' s Journal' of
Science and Art, msiy be found several articles from.
his pen, upon light, heat and steam. An article in the.
first volume of the same Journal,. by John L. Sullivan,.
Esquire-, of Boston, describes and, rfl;^w^?2</j Morey's,
apparatus for producing . heat and., light from. tar.

S N. H. ANTIQUARIAN SCCIE'IV.
or rosin and the steam of water. In the same vol
ume is an article entitled " The Revolving Steam
Engine recently invented by Samuel Morey, and
patented by him on the 14th of Julv, 1815, with four
Engravings." I come now to the account of his in
vention ofthe steamboat.
I SHALL first relate the facts ofthe case as I un
derstand them, and then endeavor to bring such
proof as shall substantiate them beyond reasonable
dispute. It has already been mentioned that Cap
tain Morey had, for a long time, devoted himself
largely to experiments upon light, heat and steam.
Watt had invented the steam engine. Captain Mo
rey was fully persuaded that the po-wer of steam
could be applied to propelling boats by means of
paddle wheels. He therefore set himself to the
task of inventing a boat, to be thus pi"opelled b}'
steam. Lie made the boat, built the steam engine,
put in the necessary machinery, and with a single
companion, if not entirely alone, made his first trip
with complete success, running several miles frcm
Orford, New Hampshire, up the Connecticut river
to Fairlee, Vermont, and returning to Orford. This
was as early as 1793, probably in 1792; although
one writer says about 1790; at least fourteen ^¦cars
before Fulton's trial trip in the Clermont up the
Hudson, and nine years before his first trial beat
constructed in France. — Life oj Fulton.
It is doubtful whether Fulton had turned his
thoughts to the subject ofthe steamboat before this
time. This very }'ear, 1793, is the first mention of
this subject in connection with Fulton tl:;at I have
seen. Dr. Renwick mentions that he laid a scheme
relating to steam navigation before Ea:-1 Stanhope,

FIRST AMERICAN STEAMBOAT. g
in a letter dated September 30, 1793. Another
writer says, " Robert Fulton had thought of steam as
a motive power for vessels as early as 1 793." But it
is very certain from all accounts that he devoted his
energies to other subjects and other plans until 1793
and later. About this time (perhaps i 794) while in
England, he invented a mill for sav. ing niarble and
excavators for digging canals; a method of spinning
flax and making ropes. For several years about
this time, it would appear that his greatest efforts
related to inland navigation, or improvements in
canals. There is what appears to be conclusive evi
dence that Captain Morey, encouraged by Professor
Silliman, of New Haven, went to New York with
the model of his boat and had frequent interviews
with Fulton and Livingston, before they had invent
ed and put in operation the Clermont. He was
cordially received by thsm, and treated with great
respect and attention. They suggested to h:m some
improvements in the construction of his boat, and it
is even stated that they offered him for his invention
^100.000, if he would return home and make the
aherations suggested so as to operate favorably.
These alterations he made with entire success, and
again repaired to New York; but his Metropolitan
friends treated him with such coldness and indif
ference, as clearly to indicate that they had fully ac
quired the secret of his invention and desired no
further intercourse with him.
If the statements that are made upon what ap
pears to be competent authorit}^ are true, his treat
ment by Fulton and Livingston is anything but
creditable to them.

ID N. H. antiquarian SOCIETY.'
The proof is positive and from a variety of sources
that he made frequent trips up the Connecticut in his
little boat ; but as he was so far from leading scientific
men, and the best mechanical skill, the result was that
Fulton, aided by the wealth of others and the influence
of friends, finally succeeded in building a large boat,
upon the very principle of Morey's — namely, paddle
wheels — which has given him the credit of bringing
into successful operation this important invention,
while if our conclusions are correct, the real inventor,
being a man in obscure life, and living far back from
the great Metropolis, has passed into such obscurity
as to be wholly unknown to fame.
It now remains for me to bring forward the requi
site proofs for the foregoing. I have in my posses
sion several letters written by Mr. George A. Morey,
of Fairlee, Vermont, a gentleman of the highest re
spectability, a nephew of Captain Morey, a man now
eighty-two years old, but of vigorous intellect, and
who well remembers the story, as frequently told by
Captain Morey and others who saw the boat when
first built. From these letters the following extracts
are made :
" It is and always has been claimed here, that he
was the inventor of the steamboat instead of Fulton.
Be that as if may, Fulton saw two of his models be
fore he took a patent; and he (Morey) took two or
three patents for the application of steam, before Ful
ton took any. And then Fulton took one for the
application of steam to boats, and that, after he had
seen both models of Morey's.
" Several years since I requested Mr. John
Willard, of New York, who married a granddaugh
ter of Captain Morey, to ascertain from the Patent

FIRST AMERICAN STEAMBOAT. IT
Records at Washington, how early Captain Morey
took out a patent on steam. -I was requested to do
this by the Secretary ofthe Vermont Historical
Society, some of the members of which thought
they knew that Captain Morey was the real invent
or, and that Fulton stole it. The result was, the
Record showed that Captain Morey took out two or
three patents before Fulton took any. Morey's were
for the application of steam ; Fulton's for the appli
cation of steam to boats. I sent the copy I ^re
ceived to the Secretary ofthe society. The' Records
have since been burned, and I have written to see
if the original copy can be found, so that the person
who took it can certify to it. I have the assurance
that thorough search shall be made, and all done
that can be to save and forward the evidence. Re
cent attention to the subject has resulted in the gen
eral conviction in this vicinity, that Fulton stole the
invention, and I have no doubt it will be proved that
Captain Morey put the first boat on the water, pro
pelled by steam, that ever was put on the water on
this continent."
I WILL next introduce a letter to the Boston
Journal., from the Hon. Clark Jillson, ex-Mayor of
Worcester, who has given much stud}' to the sub
ject of steamboats and their inventors, and who af
firms distinctly and unequivocally that Captain Mo
rey was the first man to apply steam power to nav
igation. " THE FIRST STEAMBOAT.
Worcester, Mass., Feb. 22, 1874.
To the Editors of the Boston Journal:
My attention has been called to a letter published
in your paper some days since, in relation to a state
ment made in my address to the Sons and Daughters
of Vermont, at Worcester, February 10, 1874,
wherein I aflSrmed that Captain Samuel Morey, of

12 N. H. ANTIQUARIAN SOCIETY.
Fairlee, Vermont, was the first man to apply steam
power to navigation.
" The writer ofthis letter claims that JamesRum-
sey and John Fitch were the original inventors of
steam navigation; but well authenticated history
does not sustain this proposition.
" It is well known that John Fitch prepared a me
moir of himself, including a history of his experi'-
ments in relation to steam, and that these papers
were bequeathed to the Franklin Librar}', in Phila
delphia, with directions that they should be unsealed
and perused thirty years after his decease. At the
appointed time they were opened, and found to con
tain a detailed account of his life, together with the
progress of his experiments in the application of
steam to navigation.
" By these papers — -written by himself, and con
cealed for a generation from public view, giving
contemporaries no opportunity to dispute an}' ofthe
statements therein set forth — the history of John
Fitch has been made up and presented to the world.
It is clear by his own showing that his experiments
did not amount to a success, and he stands before
the world today simply as a claimant.
" It is said that James Rumsey pretended that he
was the inventor of steam navigation, and applied
for a patent, but it was decided he was not the in
ventor, and his application was rejected. This dis
poses of Mr. Rumsey.
" There is no reliable historical evidence to show-
that Fitch was the inventor of steam navigation in
this country, from the fact that the progress in that
art can not be traced back to him ; but it can be traced
to Robert Fulton, and from him directly to Captain
Samuel Morey, and nowhere else. It is settled be
yond all question that Morey had launched his boat
on the waters of Vermont before Fulton had accom
plished the same thing in New York. It is. also a

FIRST AMERICAN STEAMBOAT. I 3
well established fact that Fulton visited Morey at
Fairlee for the purpose of witnessing his successful
experiment, before he ( Fulton ) had launched any
kind of steam craft upon the waters; and it can be
shown that Morey had been engaged in such experi
ments for years before; so that the first practical
steamboat ever seen upon the waters of America was
invented by Captain Samuel Morey, the father of
steam navigation as we see it today. History shows
conclusively that his rude boat was improved upon
and developed direcdy into what we now admire as
the modern steamboat, while the experiments of
Rumsey and Fitch not only rest in oblivion, but they
never added a single thought or suggestion to the
genius of Fulton.
" There is no doubt that Fitch was an inventor
and a man of consummate ability. The fact of his
conceiving the idea of writing a history of his own
life, claiming therein to be the original inventor of
one of the grandest arts the world has ever known,
and sealing up these statements for thirty years, till
every contemporary was dead, thereby making his
assertions the best evidence in existence of their own
accuracy, was the scheme of no common man.
" But this trick bears an unfavorable comparison
with the quiet acts of the honest Vermonter who^has
never uttered a word in his own behalf; but with
characteristic generosity and nobleness of heart un
folded his entire plan of steam navigation, wherein
had culminated the labors of his life to the shrewd
denizen of Gotham; to be by him appropriated and
handed down through the generations as his own in
vention. (Signed) Clark Jillson."
Mr. Jillson is a Vermonter, and his statement that
the invention of Captain Morey was made in Ver
mont has called out further evidence from a native
of Orford, New Hampshire.

14 N. H. ANTIQUARIAN SOCIETY.
J. B. Richardson, Esquire, of Boston, an eminent
lawyer, who was familiar with the facts of the case,
and with the evidence for the same, contributed an
article to the Boston Journal a few days later, which
I quote entire below. Mr. Richardson told me that
he had many times heard Mr. John Mann, Junior,
tell the story of this steamboat, substantially as
narrated above, and Mr. Richardson believed that
he — Mr. John Mann, Junior, — accompanied Captain
Morey in his first trip up the river in this boat.
"WHO MADE THE FIRST STEAMBOAT?
To the Editors of the Boston Journal:
"This question is not unlikely to become as inter
esting to the curious in such matters, and perhaps
not less difficult of satisfactory solution, than that to
whom belongs the credit of the discovery or appli
cation of ether; or, who wrote the famous Letters of
Junius? But your correspondent, Mr. Jillson of
Worcester, in his commendably ardent devotion to
the honor and fame of his native state, in his letter
published in The Journal, on the 24th instant, is in
error in one or two matters of circumstance, regard
ing Captain Samuel Morey, whom he believes to have
been the 'first inventor and father of steam naviga
tion.' Captain Morey spent the last seven years of
his life in Fairlee, Vermont, and died there, and he
has of course been spoken of as 'late of Fairlee', etc.
Hence the error of Mr. Jillson, probably. It is cer
tain, however, that the scene of Captain Morey's
first steam navigation, and of his experiments in it,
was on the Connecdcut river in New Hampshire,
and that Morey at that time resided in Orford, New
Hampshire. The most reliable account of Morey's
experiments and claim to having made the first ap
plication of steam to navigation, and the 'first practi
cal steamboat,' was made and published nearly twenty
years ago by the Rev. Cyrus Mann.

FIRST AMERICAN STEAMBOAT. 1 5
Rev. Mr. Mann was a son of the original settler
and founder of Orford. He died in 1859, atthe age
of seventy-three years. His eldest brother. Major
John Mann, Junior, was the first, white, male child
born in that town, and for many years previous to
his death was the nearest neighbor of the writer,
who has often heard him relate the story of Cap
tain Morey's first experience in ' steamboat naviga
tion.' Mr. Mann was an educated man, and of the
strictest integrity; and is reputed to have spent con
siderable time and research in the investigation of
the respective claims of Fulton, Morey and others
to the credit and honor ofa practical success in steam
navigation. The following is an extract from his
account of it above mentioned: —
" ' The credit of the original invention of the
steamboat is commonly awarded t6 Robert Fulton,
but it is believed it belongs primarily and chiefly
to a far more obscure individual. So far as is
known, the first steamboat ever seen on the waters
of America was invented by Captain Samuel Morey,
of Orford, New Llampshire. The astonishing sight
ofthis man ascending Connecticut river, between
that place and Fairlee, in a little boat just large
enough to contain himself, and the rude machinery
connected with the steam boiler, and a handful of
wood for a fire, was witnessed by the writer in his
boyhood, and by others who yet survive. This -was
as early as 1793, or earlier, and before Fulton's
name had ever been mentioned in connection with
steam navigation.'
" Mr. Mann, further on in this article, refers to
visits made by Fulton to Morey at Orford, during
the period of his experiments, and that Fulton and
many others who were investigating the same sub
ject did visit Captain Morey at that time, can be
shown beyond question. Robert Fulton may have
been the first man to bridge over the gulf between

I 6 N. H. ANTIQUARIAN SOCIETY.
experimental ventures and positive, useful achieve
ment in steam navigation, but he can by no means be
regarded as the originator ofthe idea, or the inventor
ofthe mechanism. Fulton- accomplished no more
than many others till 1807, long before which success-
full experiments, like that of Captain Morey, had been
made in very many places.
" But I intended only to correct Mr. Jillson's error,
and perhaps that of others, as to the venue of Captain
Morey's experiments, and his residence at that time.
(Signed) j. b. r. ¦
" 20 Court Street, February 27, 1874."
A FEW days subsequent to the date of the above
letter, another appeared in the same- paper, from St.
Johnsbury, Vermont. It is supposed to have been
written by a prominent, gentleman of that place, a
cashier in one ofthe banks. He says: —
" I AM inclined to believe that the state of New
Hampshire, and the town of Orford, are entitled to
the honor and claim of the man who first applied
steam to navigation on Arherican waters. I remem
ber when a boy, of hearing the old settlers of Orford
tell about Captain Samuel Morey's steamboat, and
how it run on Connecticut river. Captain Morey
was a man of remarkable inventive genius, and among-
other strange things, he told the good people of the
town that some day he should take a ride on the riv
er in a steamboat! They of course were faithless,
and only laughed at his project. But he persevered
and constructed the first steamboat, probably, that
ever rode upon river or sea. It was a rude affair
for a steamboat, but it proved successful.
" Captain Morey made his first, experimental, or
trial trip on Sunday, during the hours of religious
service, when the people were at church. He chose
this time so that nobody should see him", in case of
failure. The people went to, meeting in those davs.

first AMERICAN STEAMBOAT. I 7
notable man, with his rude craft, steamed up the
river between Fairlee and Orford, entirely alone,
[this is probably a mistake] and on the following
day announced to the astonished people his wonder
ful triumph. Honor to whom honor is due. Soon
after this Fulton consulted with Morey, and so did
others, and ere long a steamboat was launched on
the Hudson, and steam navigation, one ofthe mod
ern wonders, became a practical fact."
The article by Rev. Cyrus Mann, quoted above
by Mr. Richardson, (p. 15), was published in the
Boston Recorder, m. 1858. In this article he says: —
" Morey had his mind set upon the steamboat
and had actually brought it into operation, although
in a rude and imperfect state at that period. He
had corresponded with Professor Silliman, of New
Haven, and been encouraged by that distinguished
patron ofthe arts and sciences. Many ofthe writ
ings ofthis correspondence are still extant. Soon
after a few successful trips in his boat on the river,
Morey went -with the model of it to New York,
where he had frequent interviews with Messrs. Ful
ton and Livingston, to whom he exhibited and ex
plained his invention. They advised to have the en
gine in the side or center ofthe boat, instead ofthe
bow or fore part to which it had been assigned by
Morey. That they were highly pleased with what he
had exhibited is manifest from the offer made of
$100,000, if he would return home and make
the alteration suggested, so as to operate favorably.
They treated him with great respect and attention.
Taking a friendly leave he returned to his distant
residence to make the alteration.
" Having completed the work at considerable ex
pense of time and study, and with the help of his
brother Major Israel Morey, who aided in making
the machinery, he repaired to New York, expecting
the same cordiality which he had before experi-

I » N.. h. antiquarian society. ' . ¦
enced. But to his surprise; he was treated with
great coldness and neglect, and no further intercourse
with him was desired. The secret of his invention
had been fully acquired, and from subsequent de
velopments it appeared that Fulton, in the interval of
Morey's absence, had planned and formed a boat ac
cording to the model shown him, and he now desired
no further communication with the originator.. He
even went to Orford during the period in which the
alteration was being made, to examine its progress
and the prospect of success.
"In 1798, several years after Morey's boat had as
cended the Connecticut river, the legislature of New
York 'passed an act investing Mr. Livingston with
the exclusive right and privilege of navigating all
kinds of boats which might be propelled by the force
of fire or steam, on all the waters within the territory
or jurisdiction of the state of New York.'
"Subsequently, Mr. Livingston entered into a con
tract with Fulton, by which, among other things, it
-was agreed that a patent should be tjken in the
United States in Fulton's name. Irt 1802 or 1803,
Fulton came forward with an experimental boat 'o:
which he obtained a patent with the usual exclusive
privileges. Thus it appears that there was ample
time after his interviews with Morey for him to com
plete his schemes previous to their consummation.
He now claimed to be the inventor of die steamboat.
The patent could not be obtained without Fulton's
taking an oath that the improvement was whollv his;
"Does not this look like great unfairness towards
Mr. Morey? Does it riot almost irresistibly convey
the idea that the patentee surreptitiously seized upon
the invention and turned it to his own account; tak
ing advantage of the quiet disposition and retired
position of the real inventor? |In this light Morey
ever after, to the day of his death, viewed the whole
transaction. Living witnesses testify that he repeat
edly ' complained of Fulton for superseding him^n

FIRST AMERICAN STEAMBOAT. 1 9
obtaining a patent, and securing the honor and
emoluinent ofthe invention,' A gentleman of un
impeachable veracity, who was with Morey some
ofthe last years and days of his life, asserts that he
most bitterly criminated Fulton for his ill treat
ment in secretly depriving him of his sacred rights
and privileges.
'•' Why should the dying man have done this and
persisted in it amidst the solemnities of his situa
tion, and the approaching realities of eternity, unless
he knew that the truth was on his side? He was a
man of veracity, in whom his friends and acquaint
ances had entire confidence."
These statements are further corroborated by
Rev. Joel Mann, a brother ofthe writer ofthe above,
in his Centennial Oration at Orford, delivered
September 7, 1865. He says: —
"If I am not mistaken, Fulton obtained his first
idea of such a vessel from Morey, and secured a
patent just as Morey had secured or was preparing
to secure one for himself. Certain it is that the first
boat moved by steam was a little thing constructed
by him, and its trial trip was on this river, opposite
this village. The trial was made on a sabbath, when
the people were at meeting, to avoid notice; when
he, with a brother of mine, passed up in it near where
the bridge now is; for it was important to ascertain
whether it would go against the current as -well as
-with it.
" My brother Cyrus, a few years ago, collected and
published the proofs ofthe fact, that Morey was the
real inventor ofthe steamboat, so far, at least, as
steam could be applied to the propelling of such a
craft. Had our ingenious townsman lived in Boston
or New York, where his facilities for constructing
and making improvements would have been such
as he needed, he would now probably be acknowl
edged as the projector of those floating palaces which
are crossing oceans and visiting the remotest por
tions of the world."

20 N. H. ANTIQUARIAN SOCIETY.
I HAVE been thus full in making these quotations,
from so many sources, in order to substantiate be
yond any dispute the position which I had taken,
that Captain Samuel Morey was the real inventor of
the steamboat.
It may not be out of place to add an anecdote or
two, illustrative of the character and peculiar traits
ofthis wonderfiil man. These I have received from
his nephew, the only remaining grandson of General
Israel Morey, a man now neaHy eighty two years of
age. "One year, after a very cold summer, .corn sold as,
high as $3. a bushel, and hay from $30. to $40. a
tori, and famine stared the poor in the face. Cap
tain Morey being an extensive farmer had large
quantities of both articles. Corn he sold to the poor
only, for a dollar a bushel, or a day's work in haying,
and but one bushel at a time ; and so close was he
driven, and so large the number to feed, that near
harvest time one-half bushel was all that one man
could have at a time: yet one dollar was all he would
take, while others sold for two dollars and fifty cents or
three dollars per bushel ; and though he was set up
on by speculators, not a bushel could they get. One
case I will notice : —
" A SPECULATOR called on him and enquired if he
had corn to sell. He said he had. He asked the
price. He replied, ' one dollar per bushel.' "How
much have you ? ' inquired the speculator. ' A few.
hundred bushels,' replied the Captain. The buyer
said he would take what he had. He was told by the
Captain, ' You cannot have one kernel. It is not for
such c  d scoundrels as you — speculating out ofthe
poor, but for honest, laboring men, that vyork for a
living; and if you are not away soon, I will set the
dogs on you.' The speculator departed speedily

FIRST AMERICAN STEAMLOAT. 21
To have realized the scene, you should have seen
Captain Morey. He was a size larger than Daniel
Webster. His frown would frighten any man, but
his smile was peace. I never saw any man whose
face showed more distinctly his inward feelings.
But to return : — A very poor man, whose family
had been kept a long time by his generosity, ob
tained fifty cents, went to the Captain and wanted a
half bushel of corn. He was told he might keep
his money. 'But,' said he, 'you go to my head
man and get your half bushel of corn.' He then
wanted to leave his fifty cents, and take a bushel;
but was told that 'one half bushel was all any man
could have for love or money ; and, as harvest was
near, they must pick the early ears and make the
ends meet.' His hay he sold in the same way to
farmers and poor men.
" He told the tax collector of Orford, that if any
one on his tax bill could not pay the tax without dis
tress, to come to him, and he would pay the tax for
him. He was like no body else. He was as
much larger in intellect as in person. He loved
sports, and was ahead of all, whether in hunting,
ball playing, or any ofthe sports of the day. He
was tender hearted and humane.
"When there was to be a man hanged in Ha
verhill, ten miles from here, (I was a lad then), he
did not wish the boys to go to see the execution.
He told us, if we would stay at home and have a
game of ball, he would give to all such a good sup
per and plenty of lemonade. He joined with. us,
greatly to our delight and enjoyment, and seemingly
to his own.
" To us it was a great day. We found it, as he
had told us, 'better than a hanging.'

2 2 N. H. ANTIQUARIAN SOCIETY.
" He despised drunkenness. He told, a few years
before he died-1843-that he took a distaste to drink
ing when a bo}^. His father kept tavern. A good dea
con came in and called for a glass of rum, which was
furnished, and he began to talk about the drought,
which was very severe at that time, and fears were
expressed that nothing would be raised. He took a
second glass, and then mixed religion with the drought,
and hoped there would be a revival. He took a third,
glass, and then said he hoped there would not be an
other drop of rain, till they had one of the greatest
revivals ever known, if all the crops went into the
ground, and all the people died. This settled the
question with him, that rum and religion had better
be kept separate."
In another letter from the same gentleman occurs
the following: —
"In their early days Captain Samuel Morey and
his four brothers were deadly foes to bears, wolves,
catamounts and the like, and if they were more
friendly to deer, it was because they evidently liked
their meat better, and not because they killed less.
They evidently inherited much of the English hunt
ing blood, as they each kept hounds, if not full packs,
enough to make several. Samuel kept a park of
deer many years, and raised the animals and domes
ticated them. Although they were all excellent
marksmen, Samuel excelled. I have seen him shoot
deer on the full run, and hawks on the wing. He
was something of a politician, and had the honor of
representing the town of Orford as long as he would.
Mechanism was his chief study, though in his latter
days he took great delight in geology.
"He wrote an article, which was published in Silli-
man's Journal, describing the wells on the summit

FIRST AMERICAN STEAMBOAT. 23
between the Connecticut River .and the Merrimack,
and giving his views that the tides of the Atlantic
wore the wells with rolling stones, one of which is now
in the Museum at Dartmouth College. In speaking
of it to me, he said, 'people then called me a fool or
crazy, but now all Geologists agree that all this
country was once under water.' Moulton, his broth
er, ( so named from General Moulton of New Hamp
shire, an old friend of General Morey), received a
liberal education, (graduated at Dartmouth College
in I 789 ), was a lawyer, for some years a judge ofthe
Orange County Court, and many years a leading
me.-nber of the Vermont legislature. He stood high
in his profession, was a man of fine parts, and sought
knowledge more for the pleasure it gave then for
the good it might do.
"My father ( Israel junior, ) was the oldest of the
sons that lived, ( one older died in infancy. ) He was
a lieutenant ( though a boy merely ) in the revolu
tion, and had the command ofa small force stationed
on the road from Well's River to Canada in block
houses to protect the settlers and travelers from the
Indians." I might quote further incidents relative to this
family, but the above must suffice.
Since writing the above I have received a copy
of the proceedings at the '•'¦Reunion of the Sons of
Vennonl^'' at Worcester, with the Address of Hon.
Clark Jillson, and an appendix containing a series of
letters relating to the origin of steam navigation in
this country.
This pamplet of sixty pages corroborates quite
fully the positions taken in this paper.

24 N. -H. ANTIQUARIAN SOCIETY.
In conclusion it will only be necessary to recapit
ulate, very briefly, the points aimed at: —
It is beyond question that the present system of
American steamboats can be traced directly back to
the Clermont, Fulton's boat, built under his superin
tendence, with money furnished by Chancellor Liv
ingston. It were in vain to attempt to detract from
Fulton's fame, as the one first to bring into successful
operation, the principle of applying steam power to
the propulsion of steamboats by paddle wheels.
But when it is asked, ' Where did Fulton get the
idea ? " there is much evidence to show that it was
from Captain Samuel Morey's little boat on the Con
necticut river.
Whether this be so or not, there can be but little
doubt that, when the question is asked, " Who in
vented, built and run the first, Ame'Hcan, paddle wheel
steamboat ? " the answer must be, " Captain Samuel
Morey." The old gentleman from Fairlee, above referred
to, (Mr. George A. Morey), in a letter to the Hon.
Mr. Jillson, says: —
"I can assure you that all here, who lived in Cap
tain Morey's day, as much believe he was entitled
to the honor of being the first man that put a steam
boat upon American waters, as they believe they
have an existence."
And Mayor Jillson himself says: —
" The time is not far distant when history will ac
cord to Captain Samuel Morey the honor of being
the originator of steam navigation in America."

APPENDIX.

the boat sunk in fairlee pond.
The Antiquarian Society was informed that the
original boat, constructed by Capt. Morey, was sunk
in Fairlee Pond, about fifty years ago, in about 25 ft.
of water, not far from shore. That it had been seen
from the surface, under favoring circumstances, by
persons now living, and that its proximate locality
was known.
The Society, at an adjourned meeting, on the 24th
of 06lober, 1874, appointed Capt. G. A. Curtice, of
Contoocook, and Edward W. Howe, Esq., of Boston,
a Committee to proceed to Orford and Fairlee, en
quire into the facts of the case, and report as to the
practicability of raising the boat and preserving the
Engine, in case it could be found. The following is
their REPORT.
Contoocook, N. H..Nov. 2, 1874.
The undersigned, hnving been dulj- appointed and commis
sioned to investigate the facts concerning a Steamboat, said to
have bep.n built by Capt. Samuel Morey, and to have been sunk
in Fairlee (Vt.) Pond, proceeded to that vicinity, Oct. 27, 1874.
Onr first call was to see Dea. Isaac Willard, of Orford, N. H.,
who has been active in behalf of the fame of Capt. Morey. He
was absent, but his brother, David E. Willard, showed us every
courtesy, taking- his team and cariyiug us at once to the house
of Daniel Morey, of Fairlee, a grand-nephew of Capt. Samuel
Morey. Morey js a man about thirt3-five years of age, a sec
tion hand on the railroad. He kindly gave us the use of his
boat, on this and the following day, iu which to explore the pond.
Daniel Morej- fully believes the boat to be in this pond, but
has never seen it. His brother, who has resided in California
for the past fifteen j'ears, has told Daniel that he had seen the
boat on the bottom of the polid, under very favorable circum-

26 N. H. ANTIQUARIAN SOCIETY.
stances of clearness and quietness of water, and brightness of
sunshine. We spent the afternoon in sounding the pond, and,
early Wednesdaj' morning, having, by the kindness of Mr. Wil
lard, been put in communication with a Mr. Williams, a fisher
man, over sixty years of age, -who consented to accompany us,
¦we proceeded again to the pond, with ropes and a grappling
iron. We had been told that this Mr. Williams had certainly
seen the boat at the bottom of the pond, but Mr. Williams said
he had never seen it, though he had often been told by Capt.
Bond, of Haverhill, N. H., when fishing -with him through the
ice, jitst where the boat was lying. Capt. Bond has been dead
several years. Williams did not know certainl)' of a living per
son who had ever seeii the boat, [since it was sunk], though he
was quite decided as to its position in the water, and of the
appearance of the boat, which he had often seen, when a boy,
though he had never seen it moved by steam power.
His description was, substantiallj', as follows : A large boat,
full twentj- feet in length, painted white, with red streaks, and
black gunwale, called the " Aunt Sally." It was used as a
pleasure boat, and was fitted with paddle -wheels on the sides,
which a mau turned by means of a crank ; and, afterwards, when
propelled by steam, the wheel was in the stern.
The boat was sunk, by the enemies of Capt. Morej-, by filling
it with stones. He thought the machineiy was in tlae boat
ivhen sunk. According to his arithmetic, we concluded that the
boat was sunk between 1820 and 1825. With his assistance,
we dragged over a considerable tract in the iminediate vicinilj-
of the reputed position of tbe famous " Aunt Sally," but the
pickerel grass was so thick and long — from one to six ieet —
that the grapple, whose prongs were about one foot in length,
had to be cleared every ten or twelve feet, and but little satis
factory progress could be made. Once, only, was any thing
more solid than grass touched by the grapple.
The boat is said to lie in about eighteen feet of water, on a
bottom so soft that a pole can easily be forced down four or five
feet, in the midst of this dense pickerel grass ; and uo one
claims that it has been seen for at least twenty years. If Wil
liams' memory is to be trusted, it cannot be the original dug-out
which made the triumphant trip on tho Couuectiout river in
1792 or '93, but a much heavier boat, wliich, if filled with stones,
would, in all probability, be out of sight lono- ere the present
time. Most of the villagers at Orford, whom we met, expressed a
firm belief in the boat at the bottom of Fairlee Pond, and hoped it
could be raised ; but a Dr. AVillard Ilosford, an intelligent
physician of sixty years or more, did "not take any stock in
this boat story." The Doctor has been a resident" of Orford

FIRST AMERICAN STEAMBOAT. 27
many j'ears, and was well acquainted with Capt. Samuel Morey.*
Although our mission was not verj' successful, as regards the
boat, we are happy in obtaining possession, for a time at least,
of what was called, in Orford and Fairlee,
"the model engine and BOILER."t
They are the property of Mr. Daniel Morey, before mentioned ;
the engine is still iu good working order, though the copper
boiler, of ingenious structure, has suffered explosion.
Capt. Samuel Morej''s ''Model" — probably the flrst or among
the first of hi.s successful steam motors — is a rotary engine, bal
anced on a disk 1|- inches in diameter, the disk attached to a
tube connecting with the boiler. In this disk are two openings,
J by ^ inch ; one connected with the boiler, as mentioned above,
the other opening into the air. This forms the valve seat. The
valves consist of a second disk, with corresponding openings,
fitting exactly upon the surface of the first disk, and from the
two openings in this upper disk, are tubes leading to the extrem
ities of the cylinde'-. The piston rod is attached to a station
ary crank in the centre of the machine, and the outward and
inward movements ofthe piston cause the revolution ofthe up
per disk, cylinder, &c., upon the lower disA;; thus bringing the
valves or openings in the dipper disk, alternatelj' over the steam
tube and the escapie opening of the lower disk.
The entire length of the machine is 6|- inches. The cj'linder,
which is of brass, is 1 15-i6 inches in length, and IJ inches in
diameter. Length of stroke, 1 .3-16 inches. The piston, which
is of cast iron, is If inches in diameter, with a groove on the
edge, in which twine was used for packing. The piston rod
plays on friction rollers.
Respectfully submitted, g. a, c.uhtice.
Ed-ward W. Hq-we.

*The tradition and belief among those who possess, and have possessed, this Model, is
that it is the orijrinal one exhibited to Fulton and Livingston, The model might bave
ijeen exhibited to Livingston before his departure for France in 1801, But it is manifest
that it could not have ijeen shown to Fulton, after the boat was built in 17f2-3, till after
his return from France, iu 1806. If Fultou and Livingston vLsitcd Morey at Orford, it
must liave been between this latter date, and August. 1807, w^lien the Clermont was
launched. What knowledge of Morey's invention Livingston carried to France with
bim, and what influence, if any, it had on Fulton's experiments there, will probably
never be known, S. K.

tDr. Ilosford. in a letter to the society, dated Dec. 3, expresses himself as believing
tliat the original boat was '-worked up into firewood," and that the traditions concerning
the original, have clustered around and centei-edin a boat built by Morey, which was sunk
in Fairlee Fond about fifty years ago, Dr, Hosford was Capt. Samuel Morey's medical
adviser, and socially intimate with him from 1830 to the time of his death, in 1843, and says
that Capl. Morey never alluded to the boat in his conversations with him.

28 N. II. ANTIQUARIAN SOCIETY.
That a boat was sunk in Fairlee Pond about 1820,
or 1825, all seem to be agreed. That it was not the
original boat seems to be conceded with equal unan
imity. That it had an Engine in it when sunk, seems
probable. The only point of interest, therefore, cen
tering in the sunken boat, is, Was the Engine the
same that was used to propel the original boat?
Who can tell? If the original Engine constructed
by Capt. Morey is there, the Society would use great
exertions to recover it; believing the machinery,
much of which is said to have been of copper, would
not be so destroyed as to preclude the identification
of its parts. But if it is a subsequent affair, much of
the stimulus to exertion would be wanting. Whoever
has any information on this subject, or concerning
Capt. Morey and his inventions, is requested to com
municate it to SILAS KETCHUM,
Corresponding Secretary,
Bristol, N. H.

HONORARY MEMBERS.

Joseph Barnard, Esq.,
Hoii. Charles H. Bell,
George F. Blanchard, Esq.,
Alpheus S. Bliss,
Rev. E. E. Bliss, d.d.,
Daniel S. Chase, m.d.,
Hon. Horace Chase, a.m.,
Ira S. Chase, m.d..
Miss Abbie M. Hemenway,
Edmund 8. Hyyt, a.m.,
Capt. G. W. Lovewell,
Hon. G. W. Nesinith. LL.D.,
Dauphin W. Osgood, m.d.,
William K. Rowell, a.m..
Rev. M. B. Aiigier, a.m.,
Isaac Brooks Dodge, Esq.,
Seneca A. Ladd, Esq.,
Ora M. Huntoon, Esq.,
Rev. Lewis Howard.
Hon. Nathaniel S. Berry,
Rev. Wrn. A. Mowry, a,m.,
Rev. E. H. Greeley,
E Iward W. Ho-.ve, am.,
Walter Newcomb, P]sq.,
Austin T. Sanger,

Hopkinton. Exeter.
Fremont, Neb.
Calais, Vt.
Constantinople, Turkey.
Fremont, Neb.
Hopkinton.
Bristol.
Burlington, Vt.
Portland. Me.
Somerville, Mass.
Franklin.Fbochow, China.
Oakland, Cal.
Ipswich, Mass.
Amherst. Meredith.
East Unity.
Warren.
Worcester, Mass.
Providence, H. I.
Concord.
Boliton, Mass.
Detroit, Mich.
Concord.

NOTICE.
All contributions of Books, Pamphlets, Almanacs, Periodicals
and Maps, old or new, and Manuscript Records, Letters, Ad
dresses, Memorials, Legal and Military Documents, relating to
historical matters, or of any historic importance ; or any curi
osities, domestic or foreign, particularly Indian Relics ; and the
rude Agricultural, Mechanical and Household utensils of our
Forefathers ; will be thankfully received, and their donation
suitably recognized, by the Society. All such should be sent,
by express or otherwise, to Henry A. Fellows, Curator and Li
brarian, Contoocook, N. H.
Copies of this Pamphlet will be sent, post-paid, on receipt of
25 cts., by John F. Jone.", Treasurer, Contoocook, N. H.

y*"^^..^ *?»> TTT-.^i^ ^r!r ''**'^'~=',^'™"'*"^~'"^,'^,' tw^ ''^ '<!r'^^-^!^*s?^ ^»'s

A LIST OF
1705-1877.

CONTOOCOOK :
1877.

collections of the
ia.eto l^ampsijlte Antiquarian §bomt]o.
ill NO. 3.

A
LIST OF THE
¦
CENTENARIANS OF
WHO HAVE DECEASED SINCE
170o.
WITH SKETCHES OF M.ANY OK THEM.
COMPILED FIiO.M VAIUOUS SOURCES.

By DANIEL F. SECOMB,
Member of the N, H, HiBtorical Society.

VONTOOCOOK :
PUBLISHED BY THE ANTIQUARIAN SOCIETY.
George Crowell Eetchnm, Printer,
1877.

In compiling the following record of the Centen
arians OF New Hampshire, I have made use of all
the sources of information within my reach. Most
of the names of those who died prior to 1823, were
taken from Farmer and Moore's Gazeiteer of New
Hampshire, published in th.at year. Some of the
names given in that list have been omitted, as it ap
peared the persons named had not completed a cen
tury. Doubdess many errors occur in the present
list, but the effort has been to make it as complete as
possible. The thanks of the compiler are due to the officers
ofthe New Hampshire Antiquarian SocIET\^ for
valuable papers from their archives ; also to Erastus
Wadleigh, Esq., of Sutton ; Moses F. Little, Esq.,
of Hill ; Horatio G. Belknap, Esq., of Concord ;
and to all who have in any way aided him in the
preparation of the list.
Concord, March 16, 18 jf.

CENTENARIANS

OF

NEW H A M PS H f RE .
June, 1 705. Henry Langstaff, Portsmouth, ^.loi .
1732. William Perkins, Newmarket, f^. 116,
He was born in the west of England, and participat
ed in the Civil War in that country, previous to com
ing to America. His descendants were numerous,
and many of them have been distinguished for lon
gevity. 1739. James Wilson, Chester, yE. 100.
Between 1752 and 1756. John Lovewell, Duns
table, yE. 1 20. He was a native of England, and
tradition affirms that he was an Ensign in the army
raised by Cromwell in 1653, and that he left the
country on the restoration of the Stuarts in 1660.
He probably first settled at Weymouth, Mass. ; was
engaged in King Philip's War in 1676, and came to
Dunstable shortly after its close, where he settled
near Salmon brook, on which he had a mill. He also
kept a small store near by. In his old age he was
extremely vigorous, for as late as 1 745 he was con
stant in his attendance upon church, and used to
chase the boys from his orchard with his cane. He
was the father of Capt. John Lovewell, the hero of
Pigwackett.

64 N. h. antiquarian society.
1754. Wm. Scoby, Londonderry, JE. no. One
of the first settlers in that town.
1754. James Shirlea, Chester, JE. 105.
1765. Elizabeth Hight, Newington, JE. 100.
1767, Anna Glover, Pelham, JE. 106.
1772. Howard Henderson, Dover, JE. 100. In
his youth he followed the sea, and was present in
Sir Cloudesley Shovel's squadron, at the taking of
Gibraltar in 1 704.
1775. Mrs. Leah, Portsmouth, JE. 103.
1775. Mrs. Mayo, Portsmouth, JE. 106.
Nov. 1779. Hannah Belknap, Atkinson,^. io6y.
iim. Her maiden name was Ayer, and she was
married to Ebenezer Belknap, of Haverhill, Mass.,
25 Feb. 1 69 1. They lived near the line of
Plaistow, where he died at the age of 95. Of their
1 2 children, all, save one who died at the age of 1 7,
lived to an advanced ao^e, one son and four dauffh-
ters exceeding a century each; another son fell but
seven months short of it, and a grandson died in his
loist year.
1 787. Robert Medin, Wakefield, .^.115. A na
tive of Scotland, in his a6live life he lived many
years in Portsmouth, from whence he used to travel
on foot to Boston (66 miles) in one day, and return
on another. This journey he performed the last
time when he was 80 years old.
1789. Lydia Ulrich, Hollis, ^E, 104. A native
of Ireland, she resided many years in Dunstable,
where her name was spelled Ollerich in the town
records. 1790. Mrs. Haley, Exeter, JE. loi.

N. H. centenarians. 65
1 79 1. Jacob Green, Hanover, JE. lOO.
24 Sept. 1792. Mrs. Stagpole, Dover, JE. loi.
18 Dec. 1795. Hugh Tallant, Pelham, JE. no.
He was a royalist in 1776, and gave the Town Com
mittees of Pelham and Nottingham West some troub
le. They imprisoned him at one time, but finally re
leased him upon his giving bonds to be of good be
haviour. He may have been the Hugh Tallant of
Whittier's ballad, " the Sycamores." A grandson,
bearing his name, died at East Concord, 29 May,
1861, JE. 95y. 4m.
1800. Sarah Newmarch, Portsmouth, JE. loi.
1800. Thomas Wason, Chester, JE, 100.
1 801. Ezekiel Leathers, Durham, JE. 100.
1802. Abednego Leathers, Durham, JE. loi.
12 June, 1802. Susannah Brownson, Landaff,
yE.i02y. 9m. She was born 3 Aug. 1699 and lived '"
the 17th, 1 8th and 19th centuries.
January, 1805. Abigail Sanborn, Canterbury,
JE. 1 01. A member of the Shaker family.
I Dec. 1805. Hannah Lovejoy, Amherst, .£.102.
"She left 336 descendants."
1808. Martha Chesman, Dunbarton, JE. loi.
1808. Daniel Davis, Allenstown, JE. 105.
1808. Mrs. McClench, Merrimack, JE. 100.
1808. Catharine Sherburne, Conway, JE^. 101.
1808. Martha Porter, Lebanon, JE. 100.
7 May, 1809. Joshua Foss, Barrington, .^. 100.
He left 7 children, 47 grand-children, 95 great-grand
children and 4 of the fifth generation, in all 153.
,1810. Catharine Sanborn, Sanbornton, .^.100.
1 8 TO. Mrs. Hixon, Portsmouth, JE. 100.
1810. Tabitha Bohonnon, Salisbury, JE. loi.
She left but few descendants.
1 8x1. Mrs. Mclntire, Gofifstown, JE. 106.

6'6 N. H. ANtlCjUARIAN SOCIETY.
i6Aug. 1811. Maj. Ezra Deolph, Hopkinton,
JE. 102. A native of Tolland Conn., he was a brave
officer in the French and Indian wars, and a patriot
of the Revolution.
181 1. Mary Bean, Sutton, JE. 100. She was the
wife of Lemuel Bean, to whom she was married in
Sandown, where their children were born, six of
whom ( 3 sons and 3 daughters ) survived her, and
were the ancestors of more than 50 families now
(1876) living in Sutton ; and one of their grand-chil
dren was the first male child born in that town. Their
descendants were long lived, many of them exceed
ing 80 years, and distinguished for industry, cheer-
fullness and physical strength.
181 1. Benjamin Conner, Exeter, JE. 100.
1812. James Atwood, Hampstead, JE. 100.
1812. Eunice Whidden, Canterbury, JE. 100.
1 81 3. Mary Davidson, Goffstown, JE. 100.
1813. Joanna Hixon, Newington, JE. 105.
181 3. Sally Philbrick, Sutton, JE. looy. i2d. She
and her husband, Benjamin Philbrick, were among
the first settlers in Sutton, being there previous to
1779. A son, Benjamin Philbrick, Jr., died in War
ner in 1845, ^- 96. Some of their descendants still
remain in Sutton.
181 5. Anna Leavitt, Hampton, JE. 100.
181 5. Sarah Morse, Salem, JE. 100.
17 June, 181 5. John Shaw, Holderness, JE. loi.
1 81 6. Comfort CoUins, Seabrook, JE. 105.
April, 181 6. Elizabeth Richards, Newington,
JE. loi.
Feb. 1 81 6. Deborah Ayers (colored), Canter
bury, ,/E. 102.

N, H. CENTENARIANS. 67
181 6. Zeno (colored), Nottingham, JE. loi.
181 7. Elizabeth Darling, Portsmouth, JE. 102.
181 7. Elizabeth Pitman, Epsom, JE. 100.
181 7. Abigail Craig, Rumney, JE. 104. Wife of
Daniel Craig. They lived for some time in Chester,
from whence they removed to Rumney.
181 7.' Mrs. Bunker, Barnstead, JE. io5y. 8m. 23d.
181 7. Mary Fernald, Portsmouth, JE. 100.
1818. Hannah Foss, Gilmanton, ^.103.
1 818. Dorcas Rowe, Meredith, JE. 100.
1818. Dye (of Indian descent), Exeter, JE. 105.
1818. Corydon (a negro), Exeter, JE. 100.
1819. Eleanor Pike, Meredith, JE. loi.
6 Apr. 1819. Jacob Davis, Sutton JE. 105. He
was a native of the southerly part of New Hamp
shire, and settled in Sutton in 1 770. He was a pious,
trustworthy man, and for several years one of the
leading; men in the town ; but becoming disabled bv
age and family afflictions, he became poor, and was
assisted by the town. Many of his descendants be
came insane, and but few remain. His widow died
12 Apr. 1819, iE. 97.
1820. Dorothy Creighton, Epping, JE. 101.
1820. Samuel Downes, Somersworth, JE. 100,
1820. Patience Sibley, Poplin, JE. loi.
7 Feb. 1821. Sarah Godfrey, Deerfield, .^.iooy.5m,
30 Mar. 1 82 1. Jonathan Foster, Mason, JE. 101.
14061. 182 1. Jane McLellan, Wentworth, yE. loi.
A nadve of Ireland.
June, 1 82 1. Mary Smith, Salem, JE. loi.
1 82 1. Joanna Aplin, Keene, JE. 100.
{1821. Isaac Small, Canterbury, ^. looy. 5m. 25d.'
1822. Hannah Small, Canterbury, JE. loiy. 9m.
Isaac and Hannah Small were married in 1758.

68 N. H. ANTIQUARIAN SOCIETY.
1822. Thomas Walker, Sutton, JE. 103. He
was born in England, and was a soldier in the French
and Revolutionary wars. After 1818 he received a
pension for his Revolutionary services, and was cared
for by the town. His descendants were not numer
ous. 1822. Hannah Bailey, Chesterfield, JE. 103.
Widow of Joseph Bailey, of Lunenburg, Mass. She
left 4 sons, I daughter, and 133 grand- and great-
grand-children. 5 Apr. 1823. Samuel Welch, Bow, JE. my. ym.
He was born in Kingston, i Sept. 1710. His grand
father, Philip Welch, was a native of England, and
one of the first settlers in Ipswich, Mass., where his
son, Samuel Welch, was born, who settled in Kings
ton at an early date. When about 80 years of age,
he joined the expedition to Cape Breton, and died
soon after his return. Samuel Welch, the centenari
an, married Eleanor Clough, daughter of John Clough,
of Salisbury, Mass., by whom he had 4 children, of
which but one survived him. Atthe age of 84 he
married Mrs. Rachel Elliott, daughter of William Sar
gent, of Newton. The early part of his life was pass
ed in Kingston, from whence he removed to Pem
broke. Leaving Pembroke at the age of 60 years,
he settled in Bow, in an obscure place, and in an un-
comforlable dwelling, devoting himself to the cultiva
tion of his farm and the care of his household, until
prevented by age from so doing. He was a tem
perate man, and enjoyed almost uninterrupted good
health ; was of a timid disposition and loved retire
ment ; was rather above the medium size, with Gre
cian features. At the age of 11 1 years his mental
faculties were but slightly impaired, but his bodily

N.'.-H. CENTENARIANS. 69
Strength had failed, so that he moved about with dif
ficulty ; and he spoke of life as one weary of its bur
thens, and " wished to be away." His death corre
sponded with his life ; it was calm and tranquil. His
family were remarkably vigorous, and most of its
members lived to a great age ; his mother to nearly
a century, as also a brother and a sister.
21 Apr. 1823. Abigail Roberts, Durham, ^.104.
22 Sept, 1823. Sarah Dame, Newington, JE.
I coy. lom.
1823. Mary Parker, Coventry,^. loiy. I2d.
1823. Nathaniel Palotte, Canterbury, JE. 102.
A native of Spain.
13 Ocl. 1823. Mary Barnard, Amherst, yE. loiy.
6m. She was a daughter of Jeremiah Holman, of Lan
caster, Mass., where she was born 29 Mar. 1722.
She was married to Robert Barnard, of Bolton, Mass.,
and was the mother of nine children. In her old age
she lived with her son. Rev. Jeremiah Barnard, of
Amherst. She retained, in a remarkable degree, her
bodily and mental powers to the last. Many of her
descendants lived to a great age, a son to 84, a
daughter to 102, a grand-daughter to 92, and anoth
er grand-daughter is now (1877) living at the age of
80. 1823. Lt. Job Kidder, Goffstown, JE. looy. 3m,
He was a soldier in the French and Indian war.
Aug. 1824. Tryphena Stiles, Somersworth, JE.
i02y. 5m. She was born 27 Feb. 1722.
14 061. 1824. Sarah Smart, Sanbornton, ^E. 100.
1824. Abigail Owen, Winchester, JE. 102.
1824. Hannah Wheeler, Keene, JE. 103.
1824. Francis Como, Sutton, JE. 100. He was
born in France, and settled in Sutton in 1779.

7P N. H. ANTIQUARIAN SOCIETY.
He was engaged in the French and Indian and
Revoludonary wars, and received a pension after
1818. In his old age he became blind and helpless,
and was assisted by the town. His descendants have
mostly left Sutton.
27 Mar. 1825. Sarah Kelley, New Hampton.
JE. 104. She was a nadve of Exeter, but spent the
last 30 years of her life in New Hampton.
9 June, 1826. Elizabeth Parker, Claremont. JE.
i02y. 8m. i7d. She was born in Cheshire, Conn.,
20 Sept. 1723, was married twice, and was the moth
er of 12 children, but two of whom survived her.
1826. Widow Hoit, Chester, JE. 100.
1826 Joanna Deering, Bartlett, JE. loi.
1826. Mary Bean, Conway, JE. loi.
29 Aug. 1827. Eleazer Brown, Warren, JE.
I coy. 7111. i9d.
2 Oct. 1827. Thankful Leonard, Sharon, JE.
I coy. 1 1 d.
1827. Francis Sawyer, Canterbury, JE. 100.
1828. John Archibald, Chester,^. 100.
20 Feb. 1829. Sarah Gillis, Merrimack, JE. loiy.
7m. 3d. She retained her reason until the moment
of her death ; she had been a member of the Presby
terian church 70 years.
4 Apr. 1829. Cato Seavey, (colored) Rye, said to
be JE. 108. He was born in Africa and his age
was not certainly known ; many thought him to be
older than above stated.
2 Oct. 1829. Mary Fowler, Canterbury, JE.
loiy. 5m.
1829. Rebecca Doloff, Meredith, JE. loi.
1829. Abigail Horn, Dover, JE. 100.
1829. Greeley Jackson, Hillsborough, JE. 103.
1829. Zackariah Kelsey, (colored) Gilford, .^.100

N. H. CENTENARIANS. Jt
1830. Padence Clement, Milton, JE. loi.
1830. Nathan Colby, Franklin, JE. 102.
1830. James Lamb, Wendall, JE. 104. He was
one of the first settlers in New London, and was a
soldier in the old French and Indian and Revolution
ary wars, and was present at Quebec when Wolfe
fell. He was a native of Scotland.
1830. Abigail Topliff, Milton, JE. loi.
1830. Samuel Wilson, New Boston, JE. 102.
He was able to walk about until a few weeks before
his death.
22 Feb. 1 83 1. Duncan McNaughton, Moulton-
borough, JE. 1 15.
1831. Jerusha Alexander, Walpole, JE. 100.
1 83 1. Priscilla Johnson, Enfield, JE. io2y. 6m.
She had lived in Enfield 39 years and never had a
sickness that required a doctor. Her descendants
were 9 children, 75 grand-children, 182 great-grand
children, and one ofthe fifth generation.
1 83 1. Hannah Locke, Barrington. yE. 104.
1 83 1. Jonathan Knapp, Lyman, JE. 100.
1832. Mrs. Bailey, Salem, JP^. looy. 8m.
1832. Abigail Jan vrin, Portsmouth, yE. loi.
1832. Abigail W^ormall, Brentwood, JE. 100.
5 Apr. 1833. Capt. Caleb Farley, Hollis, JE.
i02y. 5m. 6d. He was born in Billerica, Mass., 30
Oct. 1730, setded in Hollis, in 1765', served as a
soldier in the old French war, and received his dis
charge at Crown Point in 1759. Though his consti
tution was never remarkably strong he was seldom
sick. He busied himself about his farm or in mak
ing shoes undl he was past 90, at which time, and
after, he would readily mount his horse. He uni
formly shaved himself until he was past loi, at which
time his memory was as bright as in most people at

72 N. H. ANTIQUARIAN SOCIETY.
60 or 70. He was married twice, and by his first
wife had 8 children ; a daughter of 78 years and a
son aged 70 years only survived him. He died in
peace. 26 Aug. 1833. Abigail Brown, Dover, JE. I02y.
4m. igd. She was a daughter of Robert Willey, of
Madbury, where she was born 7 April 1731. Her
mother lived to the age of 102, and her maternal
grand mother to 104. She enjoyed good health
until the Thursday preceding her death, could knit
without glasses, but could not read ; said she could
never find glasses tliat afforded her any assistance-
Her hearing and memory were good, her person
straight, her step quite firm, her temper cheerful, and
her whole appearance li'Ke that ofa person 70 or 80
years of age. She had been a member of the Free
will Baptist church 50 years, and on her i02d birth
day attended meeting and addressed the Congrega
tion. On Thursday, Aug. 22, she was attacked by
cholera ^ morbus, -which caused her death on the
Monday foUowing. She retained her reason to the
last. 24 Jan. 1834, Mary Wiggin, Stratham, ^E. looy.
3m. i6d. She was the widow of Andrew Wiggin,
Esq., was for many years a worthy member of the
Free-wiU Baptist church, and retained Jier faculties
in a remarkduie uv:;,:;Tee to the last,
25 Feb. 1834. Elizabeth H::7eltine, Concord, yE-
l-Qby. 7m. i4d. She was the 4th child of Nathaniel
Abbot, one of the original proprietors of Concord,
where she was born, i July, 1733 ; married Joseph
Hazekine and lived in die South-west part of the
town. She was remarkable for kindness of temper,
suavity of manners, vivacity of spirit, energy, and a

N. H. CENTENARIANS. 73
tenacious memory. This last she retained untU the
close of her life.
28 Feb. 1834. John Pitman, Barnstead, JE. loiy.
9m. He was born in Lee, 7 May, 1732 ; settled in
the wUderness, at Barnstead, in March 1 789 ; where
by industry and perseverance he overcame many dif
ficulties. He was a man of strict integrity and train
ed his children to be faithful to their calling, honest
in their dealing's, and charitable to the afflicted. On
his I ooth birth-day he sent for his pastor, Rev. Enos
George, who baptized him, as he stood upon the
stepping stone to his door, in the presence of an as
sembly of his friends and neighbors. His widow,
Susannah Pitman, died 6 Mar. 1835, JE. 95.
4 July, 1834. Andpas Dodge, Goffstown, JE.
i02y. 2m. i8d. He settled in Goffstown in 1759,
and was a soldier in the old French and Revolution
ary wars.
Sept. 1834. Miss Comfort Lewis, Portsmouth,
JE^. 105. On the ist of Jan. 1773, she was removed
by the Overseers of the Poor to the Portsmouth
alms house of which she remained a constant in
mate untU her death. She retained her senses to
the last, and within a few hours of her death, feeling
ly expressed her gratitude to the keeper of the
house, and the Overseers of the Poor, for the kind
attention she had received.
1834. Mrs. Thompson, Newton, yE. 100.
7 Apr. 1835. John Whitcomb, Swanzey, i03y.
4m. yd. His only son died May, 1835. yE. 81.
1835. ^^s- Alexander, Winchester, JE. 100.
1835. Sarah Coburn, Chester, JE. 105.
1835. Mary Riddle, Derry, yE. no.
5 Jan. 1836. Ezekiel Belknap, Atkinson, yE. looy.
4od. He was a son of Moses Belknap, of Atkinson,

74 N. H. ANTIQUARIAN SOCIETY.
who died in his looth year, and was born 15 Nov.
1735. In the dme ofthe Revoludon, he was a zeal
ous whig, and his name appears first on the "Associ-
adon Test paper" of Atkinson, in 1776. He was an
officer in Col. Welch's regiment, and was present at
the surrender of Burgoyne at Saratoga, 1777.
14 June, 1836. Maj.Jerry Crocker (colored), Hen-
niker, yE. 100. He was a soldier of the Revolution.
I Oct. 1836. Mrs. Benjamin Batcheller, Fitzwil
liam, JE. looy. 6m.
18 Mar. 1837. Oliver Elliott, Mason, JE. io2y. 7m.
15 May, 1837. Mary Rollins, Andover, JE. 100.
1839. Theodosia Smith, Concord, yE. loi.
Feb. 1839. Benjamin Avery, Ellsworth, JE.
io4y. 5m.
22 Mar. 1840. Molly Norton, Chester, looy. 6m.
Widow of Joseph Norton.
29 Oct. 1840. Elizabeth Lawrence, Troy, yE. 1 01.
Her maiden name was Graves, and she was born in
Sudbury, Mass., where she was married to Daniel
Lawrence of Weston, who -was in Prescott's regiment
at the batde of Bunker Hill. They settled in Marl-
boroug'i, now Troy, in the spring of 1776, where he
died 13 July, 1832, JE. 84 y. They had 2 sons and
3 daughters. 27 Dec. 1840. Jenny Kenniston, Brookfield, yE.
1 10. 1840. Ann Braley, Danbury, JE. 100.
3 Dec. 1 841. Phebe (Wetherbee) Platts, Fitzwil
liam, yE. loiy. 4m. She was born 7 July, 1740, in
Lunenburg, Mass. ; married to Abel Platts, _ Jr., of
Rindge, 20 April, i 759. They lived together nearly
60 years, and were the parents of 4 sons and 7
daughters. She died at the residence of her grand
son, Hosea Platts.

N. H. CENTENARIANS. 75
4 Jan. 1843. Eunice Wingate, Stratham, yE.
I coy. 8 m. i4d. She was a sister of Hon. Timothy
Pickering, of Salem, and the wife of her cousin Hon.
Paine Wingate, of Stratham, one of New Hampshire's
first Senators in Congress, and for a long time one
of the Judges of the Sufrerior Court of the State.
He died at Stratham, 7 Mar., 1S38, JE. gSy. lom.
lod. Their descendants are numerous and re
spectable. 21 Mar. 1843. Dea. William Cross. Haverhill,
I coy. 7m.
1843. Betsy Sargent, Weare, yE. loo.'
1844. Sally Hardy, Henniker, JE. 103.
19 Oct. 1844. Jerusha Marsh, Winchester, yE.
i02y. id. She could read without- artificial aid, and
retained her faculties remarkably. After she had
passed her I ooth year, she attended meeting at the
Universalist church, where a discourse, appropriate
to the occasion, was preached, to which she listened
with apparent interest. She was an intelligent and
• devoted chrisdan.
1 Feb. 1845. Samuel Mc Gwinn, Andover, yE.
noy. 2m. 15 d. He was born at Wick in Scodand,
in 1775, he was impressed into the Bridsh Navy,
whUe on a voyage to America, the vessel in which he
sailed was captured by a Yankee privateer, and he
made his first appearance here as a prisoner of war.
After his exchange, he joined the American army, in
which he served long enough to entitle him to a
pension, under the a6l; of 18 18.
II Apr. 1845. Sarah Brimball, Sanbornton, yE.
looy. 8d. She was probably of Scotch Irish descent,
and was born according to some accounts, on the
passage across the ocean, and according to others,
soon after the arrival of her mother in Boston ; where

76 N. H. ANTIQUARIAN SOCIETY.
she was christened, at the Old North church. She
was married to Simon GUman, about the year 1774'
and shordy after went with her husband to reside in
the then new town of Sanbornton. They settled in
the easterly part of the town, near Great Bay, in an
unbroken forest. Here, being very vigorous in
health and constitudon, she labored with her husband
in felling trees, and subduing the forest, and here
she lived, with the excepdon of a short time spent at
GUmanton in 1806, undl her death. Her husband
was absent in the army, the last years of the revo
lutionary war, during which time the care of the
family devolved on her. He was drowned in the
bay, in the summer of 1805, atthe age of 60 years.
She was next married to Sylvester Brimball, whom
she survived many years. Her health was uniform
ly good, undl she experienced a shock of palsy, about
two weeks before her death. Her memory held
out remarkably; her eyesight continued excellent;
and hearing was unimpaired. She was of a lively,
cheerful turn of mind; ofa pleasant disposition, and
a good singer; a good woman in aU respects, and a
true christian. For some years she was a member
ofthe second Baptist church in Sanbornton. She
was the mother of six children, 4 sons and 2 dauo^h-
ters. Oct. 1846. Capt. John Palmer, Canterbury, yE.
I02y. 5m. He was born in Marblehead, Mass., May
1744, was engaged in the East India trade about 30
years; and, in the War of the Revoludon, was lieu
tenant and captain of a privateer. About 1790 he
removed to Hopkinton, where he went into trade ;
moved to Concord in Mar. 1 794 ; and thence to
Canterbury in 1800. In 1816 he returned to Con
cord ; but went back to Canterbury in 1844, where

N. H. CENTENARIANS. 77
he died. Being unfortunate in business he became
disheartened, and was reduced in his circumstances.
He was rather small in stature, very spry and quick
in his motions. For sometime he was irregular in
his habits, but finally became stri6lly temperate in
drink, and rather abstemious in food. In his old age
he was industrious and a6live, working at the cooper
ing business, until he was near loo years of age.
He retained his sight and hearing, and also his mem
ory, until within a week of his death.
. 20 July, 1847. . Lydia Gustine, Marlow, yE. loi.
Her maiden name was Mack, and she was a native
of Conne6licut. One of her sisters lived to be 97.
1847. Mrs. Willey, Concord, ^. looy. 3m.
18 July, 1847. Dr. Ezra Green, Dover, yE. loiy.
2od. He was born in Maiden, Mass., June 17, 1746;
fitted for College by Rev. Mr. Emerson of that
town, graduated H. C. 1765 ; studied medicine with
Dr. Sprague of Maiden, and. commenced pra6lice in
Dover in 1768 or '69. Shortly after the battle of
Bunker HUl, he joined the army as Surgeon, and
was stationed on Winter Hill with the 3d N. H. Reg
iment.* On the evacuadon of Boston by the British,
Mar. 1 776, he went with the army to New York. Af
ter remaining there a few weeks, they proceeded up
the Hudson to Albany, whence they went to
Saratoga, where they landed, and marched to Ft.
George, where they remained about a fortnight ;
they then went down Lake George in bat-
teaux to Ticonderogo. After stopping there a short
time, they proceeded down Lake Champlain to St.
Johns, and marched from thence to Montreal,
where they joined the army under Gen. Arnold.
On the advance of Gen. Carlton, the army

78 N. H. ANTIQUARIAN SOCIETY.
retreated to Ticonderoga. He remained at Mt.
Independence undl December, when he left the army
and returned to Dover. In Oct. 1777, he enlisted
as Surgeon on board the Ranger, Capt, John Paul
Jones, and sailed from Portsmouth on a cruise. In
1778 the command ofthe vessel was given to Capt.
Simpson, and they returned to Portsmouth in 06t.
He spent the following winter in Dover, and in the
next spring went on another cruise, with Capt. Simp
son. The next autumn he relinquished his place, to
Dr. Palmer of Exeter, and returned to Dover, where
he was married, by Dr. Belknap, to Susannah Hayes.
In 1780, he went on a cruise in the Alexander, Cap:.
Mitchell, and again in 1 781, in the same vessel, under
Capt. Simpson. On his return in the autumn of
that year, he relinquished his profession, and en
gaged in trade, in which he continued until 181 4. He
was one of the delegates to the convention which
ratified the Federal Consdtudon, voted for it,' and
was always a firm Federalist. About 1 790 he was
chosen Deacon ofthe first church in Dover, and al
though nearly 80 years of age, he took an a61;ive
and prominent part in the establishment of the Uni
tarian church in that town in 1827.
17 May, 1848. Daniel Buttrick, Troy, yE. looy.
4d. He was born in Concord, Mass., 13 May, 1748.
Married and was the father of 5 sons and 3 daugh
ters. He removed to Troy in the spring of 1831.
20 Feb. 1849. Hon. Timothy Farrar, Hollis, yE.
lOiy. 7m. 13d. He was born in Lincoln, Mass., 28
June, 1747; but resided in New Ipswich, the greater
part of his life ; was a member of the Governor's
Council in 1780-82-83 ; a Jusdce of the Superior
Court from 1791 to 1803, and a Jusdce of the Court
of Common Pleas from 1813-1816; also an ele6lor

N. H. CENTENARIANS. 79
c 1 President and Vice President in 1796, 1800, 1808
r..id 181 2. In his old age he removed to Hollis, and
was cared for by his daughter, at whose house he
died. His son, Timothy Farrar, Jr., born at New
Ipswich, March 1 788, died at Dorchester, Mass., 27
Oct. 1874, yE. 86, was for many years a resident of
Hanover, and 8 years a Justice ofthe Court of Com
mon Pleas.
20 June, 1849. Mrs. Joseph Leach, Dunbarton,
yE. 102.
22 June, 1849. Elizabeth Grindle, Goshen, yE. 104.
1 1 Jan. 1 85 1. Hepzibah Hartshorn, Amherst, yE.
i03y. 6m. i8d. She was a daughter of Eben and
Lydia Holt, who were among the earliest settlers in
Souhegan West, and was born there 13 June, 1747.
She was married to WiUiam Hartshorn, 27 Apr.
I 790. She was a cripple for many years before her
death, but managed to go about by the assistance ofa
crutch, and milked her cow after she had passed her
ninetieth year. She occupied a log house, (the last one
remaining in town) which was taken down shortly
after her decease.
14 Jan. 1851. James Chesley, Rochester, looy.
iim. He was descended from PhiUp Chesley, one
cf the first settlers at Oyster river, Durham, where
he was born 25 Jan. 1750. He married Mary Fur-
L'jr, daughter of Ensign Furber, of Rochester, whom
he survived more than fifty years. After her death
he removed to Portsmouth, where he again married,
and resided for some years. After the death of his
B-: ond wife, he returned to Rochester and spent the
last years of his life with his daughter, Mrs. Mary
Horne. He was the father of 1 1 children, 9 of whom
survived him. He had large number of grand- and
great-grandchildren. Many of his chUdren lived to
a great age.

8o N. H. ANTIQUARIAN SOCIETY.
26Mar. 1851. Sarah Hardy, Lyme, yE, loiy.
4m. lod.
1851. Reuel Mace, Brookline, yE. 100.
185 1. Eleazer Bennett, Durham, yE. loiy. 6m.
1851. Mehitable Currier, Danbury, yE. i03y. 9m.
12 Dec. 1852. Thomas Wicom, Hooksett, yE.
looy. lom.
1852. Moses Stickney, JafTrey, yE. looy. 7m.
He was the first male chUd born of English parents
in J affrey.
23 Jan. 1853. Charles Willey, Notdngham, yE.
107. A soldier ofthe Revolution.
14 July, 1853. Susannah Peters, Alstead, lOoy.
8m. 1853. Samuel Rice, Langdon, yE. 104. A sol
dier of the Revolution.
1853. Sarah Norris, Rye, yE. 102.
30 Jan. 1854. Honora O'Neill, Bradford, yE.
I05y. icm. A native of Ireland.
2 Feb. 1854. Jonathan Fletcher, Walpole, yE.
looy. 5 m.
4 July, 1854. Sally Page, N. Wolfeborough, yE.
lOoy. 6m.
6 Nov. 1854. Hannah B. Morrill Bath, yE. 100.
19 Dec. 1S54. Nancv Colcord, Brentwood, JE.
looy. 8m. Widow of Eliphalet Colcord, of Exeter.
1854. Sarah Hoyt, Hampstead, .E. icoy. 7m.
1855. Betsy Leonard, Keene, yE. looy. 7m.
5 Jan. 1856. Anthony Clark, Warner, yE. 100.
A negro soldier of the Revolution, and a famous
musician at the musters, dancing parties and h-olics,
in the section of country where, he lived.
1856. Sally Kingsbury, Plainfield. yE. loiy. 4m.
1856. Lydia Carlisle, Westmoreland, yE. 100.
1856. Lydia Elliott, -Concord, yE. I03y. 4m.

N. H. CENTENARIAN.S. ol
Her maidtn name was Goodwin, and she was born
in Newton, 30 Jan. 1 753 ; married to Joseph
Elliott in 1773, and removed to Concord 19 Feb.
1778. She was one ofa family of nine children, two
sons and seven daughters. One of her brothers
was a soldier in the Fi-ench War, and -died at the age
ot 22, the other lived to be more than 97 ; one sister
died at the age of 99y. 8m., another at 97, and another
was living in Jan. 1853 at the age of 96. She was the
mother of eleven children, all of whom reached ma
ture years, but 4 only were living at the celebration
of her hundredth birth day, at which time her grand-
chUdren numbered 70, great-grand-children 100,
great-great-grand children at least 8. Atthe age of
103 she was in good health, in the enjoyment of her
mental faculties and bodily senses in a remarkable
degree, her hearing only being somewhat impaired.
1856. Joshua Stanford, Dublin, yE. I03y. 8m.
He was born in Sudbury, Mass., 27 Mar. 1753. In
Aug. 1854, he was able to do some work, and could
read without glasses, but his hearing was much im
paired. 1 7 Mar. 1858. Rev. Laban Ainsworth, Jaffrey,
yE. looy. 7m. 26d. Born in Woodstock, Conn., 19
July, 1757, graduated Dartmouth College 177S, or
dained in Jaffrey 10 Dec. 1782 ; was sole pastor of
the church in that place forty-nine years, after which
time he had a colleague; he attended public worship
in the church on his looth birth day. He is believed .
to have been the oldest clergyman who ever deceas
ed in New Hampshire.
19 Nov. 1858. Miss Grace Goodnow, Westmore
land, yE. 116.
13 July 1859. Rebecca KUlom, HUlsboro, yE. 102.

82 N. H. ANTIQUARIAN SOCIETY.
17 Jan. 1859. Mary Allison, Notdngham, yE. 108.
Born 20 May, 1750.
8 Jun.', 1859. Amy Spalding, E, Washington, yE.
i02y. 21T!. She was born in Windham, Conn., 29
Mar. 1757, and was a daughter of Samuel and Anna
(Huntinj;ton) Roundy of that place. When she was
16 years old the family removed to Lempster, to
Vv^hich place she made the journey on horseback,
carrying a yor.mjer sister in her lap ; the horse also
carried a bag containing many ofthe family utensils
and swam most of tlie streams they met with on
their journey. They encountered the usual hard
ships and privations incident to setders in a new
township, but by patient industry and perseverance,
finally triumphed over all obstacles. She was mar
ried to Ebenezer .Spalding of Lempster, and lived
for many years on a place near Washington line, on
th?, turnpike leading from Washington to Lempster.
There most of her children, 7 sons and 3 daughters,
were born. Nine ot them lived to years of maturity,
and she saw them settled in life, with a numerous
posterity growing up around them. Through life she
was an active, healthy woman ; never, with one ex
ception, confined to the house by severe sickness,
AlthouQ-h her school privile^res were limited, she
was a good scholar and writer. She moved to E,
Washington in 1807, and spent the last years of her
life in the family of her son, Mr. Henry Spalding.
15 Sept. 1859. Miss Lydia Barnard, Amherst,
yE. loty. I im. She was a dau;,'hter of Robert and
Mary Barnard of Boiton, Mass., where she was born
2 Oct. 1757. Her n.other died 13 Oct, 1823, yE.
loiy. 6m. Her faculties were but slighdy impaired
by age, until she had passed her looth year.

N. H. CENTENARIANS. 83
I 7 Dec. 1859. Dea. Joseph Wood, West Lebanon,
yE. looy. im. He was born in Conne6ficut, 8 Nov.
1759, and was a generous benefa6tor of the church
in West Lebanon.
1S59. Betsy Hayes, Exeter, yE. 102.
i860. Sarah Hancock, Canterbury, yE. 100.
i860. Hannah Peasley, Weare, yE. loi.
1 86 1. Mr. Thorne (colored), Lisbon, yE. 108.
31 061:. 1 86 1. Joel McGregor, Newport, yE. looy.
II m. 9d. He was born in Enfield, Ct., 22 Nov. 1760,
enlisted into the army, 1777, was taken prisoner, 1 780.
and confined 8 months in the Old Sugar House, in
New York, including the winter of 1780-81, during
which time he suffered much from cold and hunger.
Soon after the war, he settled in Newport, where he
ever after resided, and where he raised a family.
His health was good for the last few years of his life,
but his mind was somewhat deranged. In 1859, he
was supposed to be the last Revolutionary soldier
left alive in New Hampshire.
1862. Mary Frances Reshaw, Chatham, yE. 107,
26 June, 1863. Pamelia Whipple, Fitzwilliam, yE.
loiy. im.
18 July, 1863. Sarah Fellows, Salisbury, yE. looy.
7m. 22d. Her maiden name was Stevens, and she
was born in Plaistow, 26 Nov. 1762 ; married, 20
May, 1782, Moses Fellows, and had 9 sons and 4
daughters, all of which, except the first-born, lived to
be heads of famUies. In Apr. 1876, 2 of them were
living, one in the 89th, and the other in the 85th,
year of his age. Her first child that lived was born
in 1784, the youngest in 1807, making 12 chUdren
in 23 years. Of these one died at the age of 40 ; all
the others lived to be older. Through life she was
a very industrious, temperate and healthy woman.

84 N. H. ANTIQUARIAN SOCIETY.
1864. Sarah Draper, Chesterfield, yE. loi.
1864. Keziah Spinney, New Market, yE. 102.
1865. Samuel CasweU, Barnstead, JF^. 107. He
was born in Nottingham, and setded in Barnstead as
early as 1785 ; he was at all times quiet, industrious
and contented, a thorough temperance man, using
neither ardent spirits nor tobacco. He lived with
his wife 80 years, and it has been said was never
seen 15 miles from home. He attended town-meet
ing in Nov. 1864, and voted for Gen, McClellan for
president. 27 Oct. 1865. Lucy Whitcomb, FitzwUliam, yE.
loiy. I im.
9 Jan. 1866. Sarah BanfiU, Madison, yE. 100.
May, 1866. Simon Sankey(colored), Belknap Co.
Farm, yE. 107.
21 Sept, 1866. Rebecca Belknap, Peterboro'yE, 103.
29 Nov. 1866. Sarah Byam, Jaffi-ey, yE. I02y.
2m. She was a daughter of James and Sarah Hey
wood, of Chelmsford, Ms., where she was born 20
Sept., 1764 ; married, 1784, John Byam, of Chelms
ford, and in 1798 they removed to Jaffrey, where Mr.
Byam died in 1835. They had 6 daughters, and at
one time the daughters resided in 6 different states ;
4 of them were living at the time of their mother's
death, the oldest being over 80 years of age. iMrs.
Byam's descendents were 6 children, 38 grand-chUd-
ren, 90 great-grand-children, and 5 great-great-grand-
chUdren. 22 Dec.' 1866. Dorothy Tebbets, Rochester, yE.
looy. nm. 28d. She was born 25 Dec, 1765.
10 Mar. 1867. Rebecca Teel, Wilmot, yE. looy.
2m. 9d. She was born i Jan. 1767.
20 May, 1867. James Austin, Northfield, yE. looy.
9m.

N. H. CENTENARIANS. 85
17 Sept. 1867. Jenny \'arney, Ossipee, yE. 103.
30 Sept. 1867. Betsey Eastman, Salisbury, yE.
i05y. 9m. She retained her faculties remarkably
undl a short dme before her death. She was the
mother of Hon. Joel Eastman, of Conway.
10 Feb. 1868. Mary Hanson, Farmington, yE.
looy. 2 6d. She was born 15 Jan. 1768.
17 Aug. 1868. Flora Stewart, Lond'nderry, yE. 1 03.
II Sept. 1868. Lemuel Briggs, Westmoreland^
yE. looy. 9m. 9d.
9 July, 1869, Hannah G. Calef, Salisbury,yE.ioo.
12 Sept. 1869, Linda M. Crapo, Rochester, yE.
loiy. 2 id.
18 Sept. 1869. Ruth HemphiU, Henniker, ^.100.
9 Dec. 1869. Frances Morse, E. Weare, yE. looy.
9m. She was a daughter of Daniel Chase of Ames-
bury, Ms., and was born 12 Feb. 1769 ; she removed
to Hopkinton about 1780; married, ist, John Favor;
2d, Nathan Worthley of S. Weare ; 3d, Jonathan
Morse of Hebron ; and died at the residence of her
son, John Favor.
16 Mar. 1870. Abigail Wilson, Derry, yE. 1 04y. 2m.
8 Apr. 1870. Thomas Agnew, Dover, yE.ioi.
im. 28d.
1 87 1. Anna C. Place, Barnstead, yE. 102.
21 Nov. 1871. John Fay, Dover, yE. 103.
7 Mar. 1872. Mary Brockway, E. Washington,
yE. looy. nm. id. She was one of 10 children (5
sons and 5 daughters) of WUliam and Mary Proctor
of Chelmsford, Ms., and was born 6 Apr. 1770;
married Jonathan Brockway, 24 Feb. 1 789. They
spent the honey-moon in sugar-making, and then
moved into an unfinished house in E. Washington,
which she helped to finish with her own hands. On
this spot she .spent the remainder of her life, and it is

86 N. H. ANTIQUARIAN SOCIETY.
now (1876) owned by her grandson, George W. Carr.
She was the mother of 10 children ; 6 sons and 4
daughters, the 2 youngest being twins. Atthe age
of 98 years, she spun and knit a pair of socks for her
pastor. She also knit for the soldiers in the late war
of the Southern Rebellion. She greatly enjoyed the
gathering of her friends and neighborson her looth
birth day. She was a worthy member of the Baptist
church in E, Washington. Her chrisdan life vvas
trustful and exemplary, and she always maintained a
peaceful and obliging temper. [100.
II July, 1872. Joseph Laravia, Somersviorth, yE.
n Nov. 1872. Temperance Jewett, Barnstead,
JE. lOoy. 7m. 4d. Her maiden name was Dodge,
and she was born in Rowley, Ms,, 4 Apr. 1772 ; was
married in 1792 to Dr. Jeremiah Jewett of Rowley,
and shortly after settled in Barnstead, where her hus
band died, 22 Apr. 1836, at the age of 79 years. Her
sister was the mother of George Peabody, the cele
brated English banker.
12 Nov. 1872. Mrs. Goddard, N. Litdeton, JI.
lOoy. 5m. 26d.
3 June, 1873. Stephen Philbrick, Tamwort'.i, JE.
I02y. im. i4d. ; born 20 Apr. 1771. He attended
the Nov. town-meedng preceding his death, and vot
ed for Gen. Grant, his townsmen standing with un-
covered heads whUe he deposited the first vote in
the ballot box on that occasion.
4Sept.i873. John McCrUlis, Goshen, yE. looy.
im. i9d. More than a thousand of his friends and
neighbors, including a large number of his masonic
brethren, assembled to greet him on his hundredth
birth day. Of his descendents 91, represendng 5
generadons, were seated at the dinner provided on
that occasion. He was burned with masonic honors.

N. H. CENTENARIANS. 87
15 Apr. 1874. Dorcas Rice, Jaffrey, yE. io4y. 4m.
5d. She was born in Oxford, Ms., 10 Dec. 1769,
removed to FitzwUliam, at the age of 15, married at
20 and became the mother of 1 1 children, but 3 of
whom survived her. She was a slender, delicate
child. In her old age she retained her eyesight, hear
ing and general faculties of mind and body.
I June, 1874. Sarah Kay, Dover, supposed to be
yE. 106. She was a native of Queen's County, Ire
land, irom whence she came more than 30 years be
fore her death, at which time she was an old lady,
and was of mature years at the dme of the rebellion
in 1798, and those who were best acquainted with
her history thought her age to be as above stated.
16 Sept. 1874. RusseU PhUlips, Gilmanton, yE.
looy. 8m. He was born 15 Mar. 1774 ; was a wor
thy, upright, temperate man. For many years pre
vious to his death, his hearing was much impaired.
He voted at every ele6l;ion from 1796, his first ballot
being for Adams and Jefferson. Threesons (one of
which is Dr. B. H. Phillips of Pembroke) and 3
daughters survive him.
I Dec. 1874. Polly Bickford, N. Wakefield, yE.
105. She was born 2 Dec. 1769.
20 Mar. 1875. Anah Goss, Amherst, yE. 105)'.
im. 2od. She was born in Lunenburg, Ms,, i Feb.
1770 ; came to Amherst atthe age of 15, and mar
ried at 16 Ephraim Goss, with whom she lived 54
years. She was the mother of 10 chUdren, but 2
of whom survived her. She retained her faculties
untU within about a year of her death, when her eye
sight and memory failed. One of her granddaughters
fs the wife of Ex-Gov. Cheney.
9 May, 1875. Nathaniel Eaton, Sutton, yE. lOoy.
5d. He was born in HaverhiU, Ms., 4 May, 1775,

88 N. H. ANTIQUARIAN SOCIETY.
removed to Sutton about 1800, where he ever after
resided. One of his descendents is Gen. John Eaton,
Commissioner of Education ofthe U. S. Of his 9
chUdren, 4 survived him.
8 Sept, 1875. Capt. Thomas Card, Dover Point,
yE. looy. 22d, He was a healthy, a6l;ive person
through his whole life, his last sickness being almost
his first. He attended and voted at every Presidential
eletlion after he came of age.
6 Dec, 1875. Rachel Elliott, Greenville, JE. lOoy,
gm. She was born 13 Jan. 1775, and was the widow
of Abijah Elliott of Mason.
7 Mar. 1876. Judith Webster, E. Kingston, yE.
lOoy. 6m. She was born at South Hampton, 29 Aug.
1775, and was a daughter of Elijah Brown, who
lost his life in the service of his country. Her mother
beincr in feeble health, she was left to earn her own
living at 10 years of age. When 28 she married
John Webster of E. Kingston, and moved there imme
diately after, She died atthe residence of her son,
George B. Webster, Esq.
2 Apr. 1876. Betsy Straw, Warner, yE. ioi\-.5m.
23d. She was born at Weare, 10 061. 1774, and Avas
the 2d child of George Hoyt, and the last survivor
ofafamUy of n chUdren. When she was about 8
years old, her family removed to Henniker, where
she married, 8 July, 1798, James Joslyn, by whom she
had 4 children, 3 of whom died in infancy. Her hus
band died 26 Nov. 1802 ; and 3 Aug. 1S15, she mar
ried Jonathan Straw, of Warner, whom she survived
nearly 30 years. After his death she returned to
Henniker, where she remained until 30 May 1872,
when she went to Warner, to live in the family of
Mr. Alfred W. Sargent, at whose house she died.
She left but one living descendent, a great-frrandson

N. H. CENTENARIANS. 89
but multitudes of friends will kindly cherish her mem
ory. She was endowed with a vigorous constitudon,
and a remarkably cheerful disposidon ; retained her
mental faculties, and was interested to the last in the
events of the time, as well as those long past, and
was able to give interesting reminiscences of her early
life. She died of lung fever, and was hurried in
Henniker, where she had passed the most of her life.
6 Sept. 1876.' Mrs. Turner, Winchester, yE. 100.
29 Nov. 1876. Esther Faulkner, Chesterfield, yE.
loiy. im. 7d. She was born 22 061. 1775.
5 Dec. 1876. Lucy White, E,Rochester,yE.iooy.22d
15 Mar. 1S77. William Devine, Dover, yE. looy.
lom. A native of Scotland, he came to this country
in 1837, since which time he has lived in Newbury-
port, Lowell and Great Falls, engaged in the cotton
manuia6lories. He enjoyed almost uninterrupted
good health, as previous to his last sickness he had
hardly been confined to the house a day by illness for
half a century.
2S Mar. 1S77. Margaret Evans, Concord, yE.
loi}'. 8m, 2 id. Margaret Sargent was born Chester,
7 July, 1775 ; married (i) Sherburn Wiggin, 1797, and
removed to Concord shortly after. Capt. Wiggin died
in 1814, and she married (2) Artemus Evans of Con
cord, who died many years since. Of her 8 children,
4 survive her, 2 ofthe num'oer being over 70 years of
age. Possessed of a cheerful tetnperament, she passed
through life happily, and endeared herself to her family
and friends. In her old age she was most tenderly
cared for by one of her daughters, with whom she
resided many years. She united with the Unitarian
church in Concord, 4 06f. 1840, and for years had
been the oldest member.
OMITTED IN ITS PROPER ORDER.
18 July, 1849. Catharine Evans, Madbury, yE.
i02y. 2m, She was the widow of Solomon Evans,
and a member of the Society of Friends.

— -ii^f —
Officers Elected in 1877.
REV. SILAS KETCHUM, President.
HON. BENJAMIN F. PRESCOTT, \st Vice President.
WALTER SCOTT DAVIS, Esq., 2d Vice President.
JOHN F. JONES, Esq., Treasurer.
CHARLES GOULD, Esq., Recording Secretary.
Capt, G, a. CURTICE, Corresponding Secretary.
GEORGE H. KETCHUM, Curator.
HENRY A, FELLOWS, Chairman ofthe Historical Cotnmittee.

COLI>ECTIONS OF THE

New Hampshire Antiquarian Soeiety.
NO. 4.

THE

1879 .

CONTOOCOOK 1879.

COLLECTIONS OF THE
NO. 4.

ADDRESS

ANNUAL MEETING,

July 15,1^9.

BY REV. SILAS KETCHUM,
phesideh't.

CONTOOCOOK :
PUBLISHED BY THE ANTIQUARIAN SOCIETY.
GEORGE CROWELL KETCHUM, PRINTER,
1879-

The Ne'w Hampshire Antiquarian Society held its Seventh
Annual Meeting at the Society's Rooms in Contoocook, on Tues
day, July IS, 1879. The Meeting was called to order at 10 o'
clock, A, M,, the President in the chair. Present, Mr. Balcom,
George C. Blaisdell, m. d., Mr. Darwin C. Blanchard, P. B. Cogs
well, Esq., Capt. Grovenor A. Curtice, Walter Scott Davis, Esq.,
Mr. Henry A. Fellows, Rev. Harlan P. Gage, a. m., Mr. Charles
F. Goodhue, Charles Gould, Esq., Rev. C. W. Griffin, Rev. Chas.
Harden, William H. Hardy, Esq., John F. Jones, Esq., Mr.
George H. Ketchum, Mr. H. H. Metcalf, L. W. Peabody, m. d.,
Thomas B. Richardson, Esq., and Rev. Clarendon A. Stone,
Members ; Hon. Clark Jillson, Honorary Member ; and a large
number of visitors.
Letters having been presented and read from Gen, John Eaton,
Col. L, W. Cogswell and others, the President arose and delivered
his Annual Address as foUo'ws: —

%nmu.

Gentlemen :
Should I attempt to give expression to the senti
ments I feel today, I should fail to convey to you a
full understanding of the pleasure I experience in
meeting you, amid the objects and associations ofthis
home of our Society, after a year's absence from your
councils and your labors. That I am permitted to
engage with you, in the business of this occasion, is a
favor for which I am grateful to Him who has spared
my life.
It might seem, at the commencement of any given
year, that the Society had followed to its farthest
profitable limit every clew, thus far discovered, which
promised desirable returns ; and that the oppor
tunities to enrich our collections, without direct out
lay of money, were nearly or quite exhausted. —
Nevertheless fresh trails are soon discovered, new
treasures unexpectedly appear, and unsought fields
ready for the harvest present themselves, to stimu
late our ambition.
No new enterprises have, so far as I know, been
undertaken by the Society in the past year. We
(93)

94 N. H. ANTIQUARIAN SOCIETY.
have kept on our way, in a modest and quiet man
ner, and have no occasion to be ashamed of what we
have accomplished.
I am happy to know that the pressing want of
room, to which I called your attendon a year ago,
has been met, as far as it can be in the building we
now occupy, by the acquisition of the two remaining
rooms on this floor, giving us now the whole second
story of the building.
The committee appointed to devise a seal for the
use of this Society, and cause the same to be en
graved, have attended to their duty, and I lay before
you the results of their labor. The device was drawn
by Mr. D. C. Blanchard, assisted by suggestions
from Luther P. Hubbard, Esq., of New York, and was
engraved by Tiffany & Co. of that city. [See title.]
No new numbers have been added to our printed
Collections, within the year ; but there has been
considerable enquiry for our publications, and ex
changes have been sought by and effected with the
Pennsylvania Historical Society, Harvard College,
the Young Men's Library of Albany, and with vari
ous individuals.
The report of the Curator will inform you of the
additions by classes that have been made to the
Library and Museum. But I desire to call attention
to some worthy of especial notice : —
The donation of four pieces of Mound Pottery by
the Hon. George F. Blanchard, late President of the
Nebraska State Senate, an Honorary Member of
this Society, is worthy of grateful recognition. All
relic 3 of that unknown and mysterious race, who
filled the valley of the Mississippi with monuments
of their strange and unique civilization, and disap-

ANNUAL ADDRESS, 1 879. 95
peared from the land at a period so remote that the
aborigines, found in possession by the first white dis
coverers, had no trace nor tradition thereof, will ever
possess a peculiar charm and interest to the anti
quary. There is no difficulty whatever in connecdng
the cave-men and the lake-dwellers of Europe with
the historic races of the succeeding age. But here
is a race, whose latt.*st works antedate the earliest
dawn of history in Europe, and whose identity with
any historic people has never yet been established.
In the summer of 1878, I became acquainted with
the Rev. Eli Newton Sawtell, D. D., of New Market,
New Jersey, through our esteemed friend, Luther P.
Hubbard, Esq. Dr. Sawtsll is a native of Milford,
N. H., and has lived a busy and checkered life. He
was an early emigrant to East Tennessee, and as
sisted in founding what is now known as Greenville
and Tusculum College, and the Marysville Theologi
cal Seminary. He was afterwards pastor ofa church
in Louisville, Ky., and was then selected to establish a
chapel at Harvre, France, for American and English
seamen, of which he was superintendent sixteen
years. He was also commissioned to visit Italy,
Austria, Germany, Belgium and Holland on public
business, and in the prosecution of his various labors
he crossed the Atlantic eight times. He was also the
founder ofthe Ladies' Seminary at Cleveland, Ohio,
now one of the distinguished institutions of its kind
in the old West, and was several years its president ;
assisted in establishing Lincotn University, in Penn
sylvania ; and was founder and pastor of the first
Congregational Church of Saratoga Springs. He is
now nearly eighty-two years old. I recendy spent
some days with him at his home in New Jersey, where

96 N. H. ANTIQUARIAN SOCIETY.
I found him enjoying a happy and vigorous old age.
At my suggestion he has made this Society the re
pository of the records of his long and useful life.
The chief avails to the Society thus far, are a few rel
ics of his early life, and a valuable collection of 108
foreign coins, some of them of great rarity. He has
however placed in my. hands all his most valuable
private papers, including his journals kept in Europe,
and correspondence at home and abroad, much of it
with men well known on two continents in the first
half of this century. By his instruction I am to retain
these during his life-time, and then present the
original papers, of which there are many hundreds,
to this Society for preservation.
In 1878 I opened a correspondence with General
William S. Stryker, Adjutant General of New Jersey,
the compiler of several elaborate works relating to
the military history of that State, all of which by his
generosity are now in our library, with a view to se
cure certain works reladng to New Jersey. Gen.
Stryker was then just depardng for Europe. On
his return he interested himself in the matter, and has
forwarded to the Library a number of volumes.
I have also received from Hon. John S. Swett, late
Superintendent of Public Instruction for California, a
nadve of Pittsfield, eight volumes reladng to the his
tory and progress of educadon in that State. Both
these donadons should be suitably a knowledcred.
It also gives me pleasure to inform you, that the
ancient Melodeon, of which some account was given
at the Annual Meeting a year ago, and which the So
ciety then voted to purchase ofthe lady who held it
in Amherst, has been purchased by Mrs. Georgia C.
Ketchum, and I hereby present it to the Society in her

ANNUAL ADDRES.S, 1 879. 97
name. This instrument was made by Charles Aus
tin of Concord as early as 1843, and is one of the
earliest constructed in the state or in the country.
It belonged to the Hardy Family who for about ten
years, from 1848, were well and favorably' known
as conct-rt singers in all the larger towns and cities
of New England and New York. The troupe con
sisted of Elbridge Hardy, Esq., of Amherst ; Elbridge
Gerry, his eldest son ; Sarah, afterwards Mrs. Ams-
den, for many years a member of the choir of St.
Paul's Church, New York City ; and Josie Maria.
On this instrument the younger members of the com
pany all received their earliest musical instruction ;
and in the very trunk which now contains it, it ac
companied them in their various musical pilgrimages.
All of them have departed to "the undiscovered coun
try," and Mrs. Ketchum, as a younger daughter of
Mr. Hardy, with whose earliest musical reccoUections
this instrument is associated, takes pleasure in re
covering po.ssession of it after it has been alienated
from the family quite twenty-five years, and placing
it here where it may remain if not "a thing of beauty"
yet "a joy forever." All the Hutchinsons sang to it
again and again, as did Lyman Heath, Bernard Co
vert and Ossian E. Dodge, and as no doubt our
friend here. Major Little would, if he had not had a
better one of his own.
It gives me pleasure to state that the five closed
cases for New Hampshire Insects have now all been
filled. One half this service was rendered by one of
our members, Mr. A. G. Hanson of Weare, in a
manner which challenged the admlradon of all. The
remaining portion has been accomplished by our new
associate, Mr. Charles F. Goodhue of Webster, with

98 N. H, ANTIQUARIAN SOCIETY.
equal skill. The old case of insects, known as the
"Collins Cabinet," containing originally 206 speci
mens of beasts, reptiles. Insects and "creeping
things" all rudely mounted, has been rendered worth
less by the action of light and the lapse of time. The
case put up by myself In 1873, containing 250 speci
mens, was but a miscellaneous collection, poorly pre
pared, and Is fast falling Into the same condition. This
new collection is chiefly confined to lepidoptera. I
hope however, that additional cases may be provided
for other classes of insects, especially for coleoptera,
so very numerous and abundant in New Hampshire.
The service rendered us by Miss Mary B. Harris
of Warner, In filling Vols. Ill and IV of our Scrap-
Collections, merits more than "honorable mention."
It has been one of no small labor, and of much value,
and has been cheerfully performed by one, not of our
number, through pure sympathy with our purposes,
and good-will towards the Society. As the offer of
adequate remuneration would scarcely come within
the intent of service rendered, we should not fail to
make such acknowledgment as will suitably Indicate
our appreciation of the labor bestowed on this Im
portant department of our work.
This Society unlike most If not all similar bodies,
interposes no. obstacle to the elecdon to active or
honorary membership of either sex. Accordingly
we have elected as Honorary Members two ladies,
one of whom was a nadve of our own state, who had
gained a reputation for taste, skill and dilllgence in
literature, not only in our own country but in Europe,
and has since our last Annual Meedng passed to her
reward in the " unseen holy." I refer to Mrs. Sarah
Josepha Hale, whose first attempts at authorship

ANNUAL ADDRE,SS, 1 879. 99
graced the columns ofthe New Hampshire Patriot,
and the pages of Farmer and Moore s ColleBions ;
and whose first effort In covers, " The Geniiis of Ob
livion," published in 1823, is one of the highly prized
volumes In our Library. In testimony of our respect
for her memory, suitable resolutions should be for
warded to her family, and an ample memoir be pre
pared for our historical collections. It would be a
source of much pleasure to the Society if a portrait
could be furnished for our rooms, to preserve in her
native State a remembrance of the features of one
for whose virtues our citizens have always cherished
a profound respect, and in whose fame they have
felt a worthy pride.
And this leads me to mention the portraits of Rev.
and Mrs. Broughton White, presented by William A.
Wallace, Esq., of Canaan. Their reception last year
was at so late an hour as to forbid my taking any due
notice of them in my former address. They were
painted about fifty years ago ; but never received the
finishing touches, as will be seen by examination ; the
artist being denied any further sittings, and summar
ily dismissed for intemperance and misbehavior.
Rev. Broughton White was the son of Joseph and
Keziah (Britton) White, and was born In Westmore
land, 18 March, 1773; fitted for college at Chester
field Academy, and graduated from Dartmouth In
1 797. He afterwards taught the Academy above
named, and gave some years to agricultural pur
suits. Then studied theology, and was ordained at
Surry, 10 June, 181 8. He was pastor at Washing-
toh from 181 8 to 1831 ; preached In several other
places, and sometime in Lempster ; afterwards re-
sidfed in Putney, Vt., and died in Acworth, 14 Mar.,

lOO N. H. ANTIQUARIAN SOCIETY.
1861. He was a thorough scholar, possessed a well-
balanced mind, was simple In his habits, and of sin
cere and devoted piety, His wife was Ruth, a
daughter of Hon. Noah Sabin of Putney, in which
town she died, 15 Oct. 1853, aged 81.
I made some months ago an application to the
American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Mis
sions for a donation of volumes to assist in filling up
our set of the Missionaiy Herald, of which we had
before (including the earlier volumes of the Pano-
plist. Its predecessor ) the first eleven and the last
twelve volumes, besides several hundred numbers,
from 1 8 10 to 1830. The request was granted, and a
complete set of the Herald,{xom. 1830 to 1866 inclu
sive, was forwarded to our Library ; we returning
all our duplicates.
To persons unacquainted with the real value ofthe
Herald, this might seem like cumbering our shelves
with useless lumber. But to the well-informed it will
appear quite otherwise. Within the period of Its
publlcadon vast changes have come over the methods
and condidon of the half-civilized and the uncivil
ized world, including the great Inhabited islands of
the sea. China, India, Slam, Asiatic Turkey, the
whole maritime territory of Africa, the Hawaiian
Islands, Madagascar, the Fijis and Micronesia. Tas
mania, and tribes of our own aborigines, have been
revolutionized and transformed since 18 10. In all
these changes, while governments have employed
statesmanship, diplomacy, commerce, and the various
arts of peace and war ; yet It is confe.ssed by the
ablest statesmen, both English and American, and by
all men who have a comprehensive knowledge of the
forces which have contributed to these results, that

ANNUAL ADDRESS, 1 8 79. IOl
the most potent and most conspicuous, in every be
neficent change. In shedding abroad the light of ed
ucation and in endowing the rude races with moral
power, has been and still is the missionary of the
Cross, who has fought with the sword of the Spirit
under the olive-branch of peace. Under the leader
ship of captains, whose names are remembered only
by the few, have been wrought conquests, more ex
tensive and enduring than Rome could boast when
her eagles were omnipotent from the Tigris to the
Irish Sea. And in these volumes will be found a re
cord of these transformations more clear and accu
rate than can be found in any other equal number
of pages in any language.
I now turn to two very pleasant episodes in the
past year, which have afforded me unusual gratifica
tion :
As your President I was honored by an invitation
to become the guest of the Essex Institute, on the
occasion of the celebradon of the 250th anniversary
of the landing of the Gov. John Endlcott at Salem,
on the I Sth of September, which invitation I accepted.
It was a notable and most interesting occasion. The
proceedings have been published in a volume, a copy
of which 1 herewith present you, reference to which
will give you a better understanding than I can other
wise convey, ofthe transactions ofthe day. I must,
however, testify to you of the great pleasure I expe
rienced, not only in meeting there many gentlemen of
distinction from various parts of our own country,
but especially that accomplished scholar, Arthur Pen-
rhyn Stanley, Dean of Westminster, of whose his
torical works I had long been a student, and of his
erudition and eloquence a warm admirer. He made
on that occasion his first address this side the Atlantic.

I02 N. H. ANTIQUARIAN SOCIETY.
At the time this Society was formed It was the only
one In America with a plan of equal scope, and pro
posing the same methods of operation. But follow
ing in the line of endeavor we had marked out, with
such deviations as to limits and modus operandi as
the differing circumstances seemed to demand, our
worthy friend here. Judge Jillson, our orator for to
day, with other gentlemen in and around Worcester
formed In 1875 the Worcester Society of Antiquity,
under the general statutes of Massachusetts. On
my return from Salem to Connecticut last autumn, I
took occasion to accept an invitation to visit their
rooms in Worcester. I received from the ofificers
of the Society the most courteous attention, was
shown their Library and Collections, and many
objects of historical interest in the city. They have
made an excellent begining ; and in an especial man
ner have shown their wisdom by publishing regular
ly their proceedings, as well as other valuable his
torical documents ; and are in a very prosperous con
dition. It is a source of additional gratification to
me that I am able, in your presence, to shake hands
with the only other President of a similar organiza
tion in the country, and to pledge to him our cordial
fraternal regard, and continued co-operation. In the
work so bravely undertaken and so successfully car
ried on by the Society he represents.
Gentlemen : The old Club, out of which this
Society took its rise, I helped to organize in this town
twenty years ago. How well or ill I served It , let
those who were members with me, of whom four are
present here today, determine. To me was a.ssigned
the responsibility of drafting the constitution under
which the present Society was organized. From Its
Inception until now, I have been assigned arduous

ANNUAL ADDRESS, 1879, 103
duties in the conduct of its business. For three
years you have honored me by placing in my hands
as your President the general direction and govern
ment of your affairs. With what efificiency I have
been able to discharge the responsible duties of the
ofifice Is not for me to say. I only know that I have
never from its commencement allowed any opportun
ity pass unimproved, by which I was able to benefit
the Society ; that I have never suffered anything to
go undone that I could possibly do, to advance Its
interests or promote its prosperity. For all the
cheerfulness and alacrity with which you, or any of
you, have helped to carry out my plans ; for all the
attention to my wishes, and friendly aid by which you
have sought to make my duties easy and my burdens
light; for all co-operation of whatever kind, from what
ever source ; I return you my most grateful acknowl
edgments. But today I must lay down my ofifice, and decline
to take any place of responsibility In your affairs for
the present — probably forever. For the greater part
of the past year I have been an invalid. I have la
bored under the most painful disadvantage of bodily
Infirmity. Six months ago I did not expect to see this
day Neither have I now any large expectation of
seeing this day twelve-month. But whether that shall
be so or not, giVes me small concern. I feel that
my feward and my Inheritance are beyond. Never
theless, if I am spared, I am pledged to the people of
New Hampshire to complete a literary work which I
have begun, to which I desire to give all the strength
I can expend beyond the dudes of my position as the
pastor of a church of Christ.*
What I have done I have done. But I make no
* A DiHionary of New Hampshire Biography.

I04 N, H. ANTIQUARIAN SOCIETY.
merit of it ; for I have done It from the love I have
for this kind of work ; for the great affection I bear
the State ; and especially for the strong desire I have
had to make this Society prosperous and permanent.
As an organized body we are scarcely six years
old. We have not labored under brilliant auspices ;
our financial resources have been small ; our location
Is obscure ; we have not had the prestige of great
names. And yet, we have collected a Library ofmore
than lo ooo titles; nearly 3000 manuscripts ; and a
Museum containing besides Indian and foreign relics,
specimens of nearly all the implements known to our
fathers which have now gone out of use. We have
not printed much ; our funds have not allowed it.
But we have engrossed in manuscript volumes. In
dexed and made accessible for immediate use, as
much original material for history as would fill at
least twelve volumes of 500 pages each, the size of
our printed Collections. Our Library and Museum
number more than 35 000 ardcles. All this has been
by fidelity and dilllgence. So far is the field from
being exhausted that there would be no difificulty
whatever, under an energetic management, in ac
complishing an equal amount in any six years to
come. The Society has worked well in the past ; it
stands well In the present. There was never a time
when we could less afford to fail. We have enjoyed
a prosperity beyond our expectations. The New
Hampshire Antiquarian Society has won its right
to live. EsTO perpetua !

ANNUAL ADDRES.S, 1 8 79. I05
RESOLUTIONS. Contoocook, N. H., July 19, 1879.
Dear Sir : — At the Annual Meeting of the New Hampshire
Antiquarian Society, held at the Society's Rooms in Contoo
cook, on Tuesday, the 15th of July, inst., the Committee on Reso
lutions reported the following Preamble and Resolution which
were unanimously passed : —
Whereas, Our retiring President, Rev. Silas Ketchum, has this
day in his Annual Address, formally announced his inability, by
reason of his feeble health, to longer serve the Society in an offi
cial capacity ; and Whereas, He has since the organization of our
Society continually served its interests in an official manner ;
Resolved, That it is eminently fitting that we should at this
time place upon our records a testimony of our appreciation ofthe
invaluable service which Brother Ketchum has rendered the
Society. Resoltied, That we recognize in him the father of the thought
which has found development in the organization of the New
Hampshire Antiquarian Society, and that to him more than to
any other man, we its members are indebted for its past growth and
present prosperity.
Resolved, That we hereby return the poor homage of our thanks,
for his continued and indefatigable labors in promoting that growth,
with the prayerful wish, that restored health may return our broth
er to the annual sittings of our Association for many years to come.
HARLAN P. GAGE,
GEORGE C. BLAISDELL,
CHARLES GOULD,
Committee on Resolutions.
A true copy of Record, Attest, CHARLES GOULD,
Secretary of N. H. Antiq. Society.
Rev. SILAS KETCHUM.

106 N. H. ANTIQUARIAN SOCIETY.

1878.
Rev. SILAS KETCHUM, President.
Capt. G. A. CURTICE, ist Vice President.
SAMUEL L. FLETCHER, Esq., 2ND Vice President.
JOHN F. JONES, Esq., Treasurer.
CHARLES GOULD, Esq., Recording Secretary.
W. SCOTT DAVIS, Esq., Corresponding Secretafv.
GEORGE H, KETCHUM, Curator.

1879.
CoL. LEAN DER W. COGSWELL, President.
Capt. G. A. CURTICE, ist Vice President. *
L. W. PEABODY, M. D., 2ND Vice President.
JOHN F. JONES, Esq. Treasurer.
CHARLES GOULD, Esq., Recording Secretary.
W. SCOTT DAVIS, Esq., Corresponding Secretary.
Rev. CHARLES HARDON, Curator.

YALE UNIVERSITY

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