Month: January 2019

By Muriel Bristol (Transcriber) | January 8, 2019

In the year 1860, the newspapers discovered the venerable Mr. Ralph Farnham (1756-1860). These articles were copied very widely. Farnham was said to be a native of Milton Mills, NH, who was then living with his son, John Farnham (born 1797), in Acton, ME.

The Last Survivor of Bunker Hill. The statement has frequently been made by the newspapers and endorsed by Mr. Everett in his late Fourth of July oration, that there is no one left of that band of heroes who first withstood the shock of British arms in the open field. Eighty-five years having elapsed since that world renowned struggle, the burden of probabilities would favor that conclusion; yet the statement is not correct. There is one who took part in that memorable battle, and in subsequent events of the revolution, yet living, “full of years,” and venerated for his moral worth as well as for his age and public services. In the town of Acton, Maine, on a beautiful ridge of land, situated about a mile from Milton Mills, N.H., stands a cottage farm house, unpretending in its appearance, and bearing evidence of a very respectable antiquity. The passer-by will often notice a gray-haired man reading attentively by the window or walking about with a single cane perchance engaged in the ordinary labors of the husbandman. The stranger will perceive nothing very remarkable in the thick set, slightly bent figure, and well preserved, swarthy features of this old man of apparently eighty years, but the residents of the adjacent country involuntarily bend with reverence as they pass him. And well they may as he is the last of the Bunker Hill patriots. David Kinnison, who long survived his confederates of the famous Boston tea party, was living in 1831, in Chicago, at the extraordinary age of one hundred and fifteen years. He has since passed away. Ralph Farnham, the last of the Bunker Hill heroes, still lives, although he has nearly attained a span and a half of the space allotted to man. His one hundred and fourth birthday was celebrated at Milton Mills on the 7th. We have already given from the pen of a correspondent, some notice of this interesting affair. Although no pains were taken to extend a notice of the event beyond the immediate vicinity of the veteran’s residence, a very large concourse of people were in attendance. The features of the occasion were an address and one hundred and four greetings from a twelve pounder, and a dinner enlivened with toasts and speeches. Mr. Farnham, we learn, was not in the midst of the battle. Having been enrolled only on the day previous, it was his lot to be detailed among a guard to take charge of artillery and baggage, at some distance from the redoubt. In so close a proximity to the principal scene of strife, the observations he made and distinctly recollects to this day, are highly interesting, and we trust they will be given to the public by some competent pen. When we reflect how few persons living can even remember the event itself as a child of twelve at that time would now be ninety-five years old a living actor in that bloody drama becomes at once an object of interest, respect and veneration. – Boston Journal (St. Johnsbury Caledonian, July 20, 1860).

Massachusetts Governor Nathaniel P. Banks, Boston Mayor Frederic W. Lincoln, Jr., and other luminaries invited Farnham to visit Boston, MA, in October 1860.

HONOR TO A VETERAN. The Boston Journal says, that Gov. Banks, Mayor Lincoln, Edward Everett, Amos A. Lawrence, Judge Shaw, J.A. Andrew, William Appleton and many other citizens, have sent an invitation to Mr. RALPH FARNHAM, of Acton, Me., to visit Boston. Mr. Farnham is 104 years of age and the only survivor of Bunker Hill. It is understood that he has accepted the invitation, and will be here early in October.- The occasion will be one of high enjoyment, as “all the world, with his wife and children,” will desire to see him. This visit of Mr. Farnham will, doubtless, attract thousands from the country to Boston to welcome the old veteran (Vermont Journal (Windsor, VT), October 6, 1860).

While in Boston, Farnham had also an audience with Albert Edward, Prince of Wales (eventually King Edward VII), who was then on a North American tour.

Interview of the Prince with Ralph Farnham. By appointment, Ralph Farnham, the Revolutionary veteran, had an interview with the Prince this morning. The meeting was very cordial. The Duke of Newcastle, who, with most of the suite, was present, asked the veteran if he saw Burgoyne when he surrendered, adding, “You rather had him there.” The old soldier then remarked chuckingly, that hearing so much said in praise of the Prince, he began to fear that the people were turning royalists. This and Mr. Farnham’s manner elicited much laughter, in which the Price joined. The Prince then sent for pen and ink and exchanged autographs with his visitor – one of the men who had stood before British soldiers in 1776 [SIC], in a manner and with a bearing very different from that with which he received the Prince’s courtesies and exchanged glances with the majors, colonels and guardsmen of the suite this morning. Mr. Farnham speaks of the interview with the greatest pleasure, and says he wished to show the boy and his soldiers that he bore no anger for old times. The old man represents the general feeling. Till within the last three months the American public wore not aware that a survivor of one of the bloodiest and most heroic and first struggles of the Revolution is still “a monument of mercy” in our midst. Like most of signers of the Declaration of Independence, Ralph Farnham, who is the only survivor of battle of Bunker Hill now left of band who so nobly resisted the overpowering efforts of the British soldiery in that struggle, has been spared to a good old age, having recently attained his 104th year. Mr. Farnham, who has just been introduced to the Prince of Wales in Boston, was born in Milton Mills, New Hampshire, July 7, 1756. His last birthday was celebrated at that place by the firing of a gun for every year the veteran had attained, by a dinner, speeches, and all the usual honors of patriotic demonstrations of a like description. Since the public were apprised of the existence among them of this time honored veteran be has been flooded with visitors, and letters for the purpose of obtaining autographs, or who wish to enquire of him various matters connected with the Revolution, of which they suppose he has personal cognizance and recollection. He receives all his visitors courteously and kindly, replying to all their questions. He relates anecdotes of Washington and General Putnam, the hero of Bunker Hill, and other leaders of newborn republic. Of Washington he says, with truth, he was “a fine man,” and with sad truth that “there are no such men as Washington living in these days.” He says of Putnam that “he was a rough old fellow, but as brave as a lion, and feared nothing nor anybody.” After Bunker Hill the venerable Ralph served three campaigns, during the years 1775-76, -77, and in 1780 he was settled in the village where he has still resided. He was the first settler the place, which was then an immense “forest wild,” abounding in fierce animals and remote from civilized communities. He resided in this “desolate place” for four years, when he at length brought home a wife to cheer his loneliness. His wife presented him with seven children of whom four still survive, and it is one of them, his second son, John, that the veteran of Bunker Hill now dwells. The old warrior is still vigorous, and does not seem near so old as he really is. He observes regular habits, going to rest at 7 P.M. and rises at 5 A.M. He eats heartily, steps firmly and sleeps soundly, and may yet live many years and survive millions of his contemporaries of the present generation. He has been a member of the Baptist persuasion for eighty years. He spends much of his time reading the Scriptures with a pair of spectacles formerly the property of his maternal ancestor, and now 160 years old. He possesses all his faculties perfectly, except his hearing, which is slightly defective. What must have been the reflections of the Prince during his interview with this venerable man? Let the muses reply. – N.Y. Herald (Dawson’s Fort Wayne Daily Times (Fort Wayne, IN), October 26, 1860).

Farnham attended a concert held in his honor on Monday, October 15, and set out for home again on Friday, October 19, 1860.

The Bunker Hill Veteran. A complimentary concert was given to Ralph Farnham, the Bunker Hill Veteran, at the Music Hall, on Monday evening. A large company was present. He was to leave for home on Friday morning (New England Farmer (Boston, MA), [Saturday,] October 20, 1860).

The Veteran of Bunker Hill – His Journey Home – Acknowledgements – How to Prolong Life.

Acton, Me., Oct. 23, 1860.

Editors of the Boston Traveller: I will give you a brief account of my journey home. When we arrived at Lawrence there was a largo crowd at the depot. They requested me to hold my hat out of the window, which I did, when they showered the “needful” into it, as I never expected to see in my life. Then as the train moved on, we left them amid such cheers as I never shall forget.

At Dover, N.H., I received the like reception, and the Mayor very kindly attended me over to Great Falls, and presented me with a ten dollar bill.

At Great Falls I met with the same kind reception as at Lawrence and Dover, and the ticket master at the Great Falls Branch Railroad invited me to a dinner, which I enjoyed very much.

After leaving Great Falls, I was received with hearty cheers all the way along until I arrived at Acton. I told them when I got home, that “I had seen the elephant,” and I was very glad to get back. I am in good health, and my friends think I am better than when I left homo. I am sure that I am as well. I am very grateful for the honor done me by the invitation to visit Boston, and the many attentions which I received when there. I remember with special pleasure my visit to Bunker Hill, attended by the Charlestown City Authorities, the Military and the Music; also, the addresses delivered on that occasion by the Mayor and Mr. Frothingham. I am also greatly indebted for the liberal sums of money, and the many presents I received. My thanks, which is all have to offer, seem but a poor return for so many favors.

I ought especially to mention Mrs. W. Farnham Lee, and the company of Lancers, and Mayor Dana of Charlestown, and Mr. Gilmore’s Concert Band for their liberal presents.

Though I am in my 105th year, I am not past all usefulness; I split my own kindling wood and build my own fires; I am the first one up in the morning, and the first one in bed at night; I never sleep or lay down in the day time, but rise at 5 and retire at 7, and this I continue summer and winter. I have always been temperate, and for over thirty years past I have not tasted a drop of spirituous liquors or even cider. I was never sick in my life, so as to require the attendance of a physician.

About 25 years ago I broke my thigh, by falling on the ice, and had a surgeon to set it, but this is the only time a doctor ever attended me. I live on plain farmer’s diet, drink tea and coffee, and eat a very light supper, never eating meat at supper, I have no doubt it is owing to these abstemious and regular habits, and the avoidance of medicine at all little ailments, that my life has been so prolonged.

I voted for General Washington for President, and have voted at every Presidential election since, and hope to vote at the next election. This is the duty of every Christian freeman.

This letter, which my grand-son has written at my direction, I have carefully read and approved, and I sign it with my own hand. (Signed) RALPH FARNHAM (Burlington Weekly Free Press, November 1, 1861).

Two months later, Ralph Farnham died of “dropsy” [edema] in Acton, ME, December 26, 1860. (He is buried in the Farnham Cemetery there).

GREAT FALLS, N.H., Dec. 26. Ralph Farnham, the last survivor of the battle of Bunker Hill, died this morning at the residence of his son, in Acton, Me., aged one hundred and four years, five months and nineteen days (Vermont Chronicle (Windsor Falls, VT), January 1, 1861).

See also Milton in the News – 1877 (and Milton in the News – 1894), regarding a daughter, Joanna Farnham; Milton in the News – 1909, for a reprise of Ralph Farnham; and Milton in the News – 1925, regarding a grandson, William P. Farnham.

Previous in sequence: Milton in the News – 1857; next in sequence: Milton in the News – 1861

References:

Find a Grave. (2018). Ralph Farnham. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/13754805

Wikipedia. (2018, December 6). Edward VII. Retrieved from en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_VII

Wikipedia. (2018, December 14). Edward Everett. Retrieved from en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_Everett

By Muriel Bristol (Transcriber) | January 6, 2019

In this year occurred a tragic accident in which a toddler died when he disturbed a pile of logs.

Miscellaneous Items. A son of Mr. Richard Thompson, of Milton Mills, N.H., aged four years, attempted to climb upon a pile of logs, when the logs gave way and crushed him beneath them, causing instant death (New England Farmer (Boston, MA), October 17, 1857).

Richard Thompson had been born in Scotland, June 11, 1828, son of William and Mary (Dunce) Thompson. He died in Rochester, NH, February 23, 1901.

He married, probably in NH, circa 1850-51, Sarah I. McIlroy. She was born in Glasgow, Scotland, April 15, 1827, daughter of John and Elizabeth (Kennedy) McIlroy. She died in Rochester, NH, July 29, 1907.

Richard Thompson, a spinner, aged thirty-four years (born Scotland), headed an Acton, ME, household at the time of the Eighth (1860) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Sarah I. Thompson, a lady, aged thirty-four years (born Ireland [SIC]), their children,  John W. Thompson, aged eight years (born NH), Elizabeth Thompson, aged five years (born NH), Mary H. Thompson, aged three years (born, NH), and Isabell Thompson, aged one year (born ME), and [her father] John McRoy, a day laborer, aged seventy years (born Ireland). Thompson owned $250 worth of real estate, likely their Acton home, and $100 worth of personal estate.

One may note the sad gap in their listed children between John W. and Elizabeth; also, whether it was related or not, that they moved from the scene of the accident in Milton Mills to nearby Acton after 1857, i.e., after the accident.

Previous in sequence: Milton in the News – 1854; next in sequence: Milton in the News – 1860

References:

Find a Grave. (2018, June 1). Richard Thompson. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/190239779/richard-thompson

Wikipedia. (2018, September 6). Panic of 1857. Retrieved from en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panic_of_1857

By Muriel Bristol | January 2, 2018

Nine Milton men joined together as proprietors of the Milton Social Library in 1822. The following act of the New Hampshire legislature established them as a corporation, June 14, 1822.

The Milton Social Library was a private subscription library. Likely, its original books came from the personal collections of the proprietors. The act authorized them to set rules, choose officers, take subscriptions, receive donations (not to exceed $1,000), assess fines (not to exceed $4), and perform other necessary functions.

No hint is given here of the location of the Milton Social Library, other than it being somewhere in Milton. The proprietors came from all parts of Milton.

{State of New Hampshire}

AN ACT TO INCORPORATE CERTAIN PERSONS BY THE NAME OF MILTON SOCIAL LIBRARY 

[Approved June 14, 1822. Original Acts, vol. 27, p. 33; recorded Acts, vol. 22, p. 117]

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives General Court convened, That Gilman Jewett, Stephen Drew, David Wentworth, John Scates, Isaac Worster, Josiah Witham, Charles Ricker, Samuel Blaisdell, Hanson Hayes, and their associates, proprietors of said Library, and all who may hereafter become proprietors of the same be, and they hereby are incorporated into, and made a body politic and corporate, by the name and Style of the Milton Social Library with continuance and succession forever; and in that name may sue and be sued, prosecute and defend to final Judgment and execution, and are hereby vested with all powers and privileges of Corporations of a similar nature, and may enjoin penalties of disfranchisement or fine not exceeding four dollars for each offence, to be recovered by action of debt to their use in any court of competent Jurisdiction; and may purchase and receive subscriptions, grants and donations of personal property not exceeding the sum of one thousand dollars for the use of their association.

Sec. 2. And be it further enacted that said proprietors be and hereby are authorized and empowered to meet at Milton aforesaid on the first Saturday of October annually, to choose all such officers as may be found necessary for the orderly conducting of the affairs of said association, who shall continue in office until others are chosen in their room. And the said corporation may convene as often as may be found necessary for the filling up of any vacancies may happen in said officers, and for transacting all other business for the benefit of said corporation except the raising of money, which shall be done at the annual meeting and at no other time, at which annual meeting they shall vote all such sums as shall be necessary to defray the annual expense of preserving said Library, and for enlarging the same; and may make and establish a constitution, rules and bye laws for the government of said corporation, provided the same be not repugnant to the constitution and laws of this State. 

Sec. 3. And be it further enacted that Gilman Jewett before named be, and he hereby is authorized and empowered to call the first meeting of said proprietors at such time and place as may be Judged proper in said town of Milton by posting up a notification of the same at the Meeting house in said town, and at some other public place therein, at least fifteen days before the time of holding said meeting, and the said Gilman Jewett may preside in said meeting until a Moderator be chosen; and the proprietors at said meeting shall have all the power and authority to establish such bye laws, and choose all such officers as they may or can do by virtue of this act at their annual meeting.

This act of incorporation designated Gilman Jewett (1777-1856) as moderator of the first library meeting, until someone might be chosen to fulfill that role. Gilman Jewett had been Milton’s first town clerk (1802-1806); he served on the executive committee designated to oversee construction of Milton’s first meeting-house.

Library proprietors Gilman Jewett, David Wentworth (1770-1832), John Scates (b. 1774), Josiah Witham (b. c1768), and Hanson Hayes had signed the Milton incorporation petition of twenty years before (May 28, 1802). (The other four library proprietors were either too young or resided elsewhere at the time).

Library proprietor Stephen Drew (1791-1872) was Milton’s first physician; he was a selectman in 1828. Isaac Worster (1772-1838) served as a Milton selectman in 1809-10 and 1814 (his son (1804-1870) and namesake was the ardent early supporter of abolitionism). Josiah Witham (b. 1768) served as a Milton selectman in 1812-13 and 1815-17.

Library proprietor Charles Ricker (1784-1836) served in Milton’s War of 1812 militia company. Hanson Hayes (1792-1851) served as lieutenant of that militia company; he served later as a Milton selectman in 1819-24.

Ichabod Hayes (1770-1830) of West Milton was said to have been one of the organizers of the Milton Social Library. He died in Dover, NH, July 8, 1830, aged sixty years, from injuries sustained when he was thrown from his horse, who had been frightened by a clap of thunder. He left behind among his papers this list of books contained then in the Milton Social Library (with his opinions of their literary merit in quotes) (Richmond, 1936). [Where possible, authors’ names, book titles, and publication dates have been added in brackets].

List of Books in Milton, N.H., Social Library. [Charles] Rollins, Hist. Egyptians, Cartheginians & Venetians. “good;” [John & William Langhorne,] Plutarch’s Lives, 6 vol. [1792] “50 lives – statesmen &c.;” [Jeremy] Belknap’s Hist. [1813] “good;” Josephus, 3 Vol.; [William] Allen’s [American] Biog., 1 Vol. [1809] “lives of divines & statesmen in America;” [Jeremy] Belknap’s Biog., 1 Vol. “do;” [Rev. Joseph] Buckminster’s Sermons, 1 Vol.; [Anthony F.M. Willich & Thomas Cooper] Domestic Encyclopedia [or Dictionary of Useful Knowledge, Chiefly Applicable to Rural & Domestic Economy], 4 Vol. [1821] “good;” [Jane Porter,] Scottish Chiefs, 3 Vol. [1809] “Romance;” [Henry Fielding,] Thomas Jones or Navie (?), 4 Vol. [1780]; Life of Washington, 1 Vol., by [David] Ramsey [1807]; American Revolution, 3 Vol; [J.] Goldsmith’s [A General View of the] Manners & customs [& Curiosities of Nations] [1818], 2 Vol; [James Cook,] Cook’s Voyages [Round the World] [1806], 2 V.; [John] Evens’ sequell [to Sketch] in 1 V. [1811]; [William] Paley, [Principles of Moral and Political] Philosophy [1794]; [Dubroca,] Life of Bonaparte [First Consul of France] [1802]; [John Mason,] Self Knowledge, 1 V. [1758]; [Notes of Nathan] Smith’s Lectures, 1 V. [1816]; [William Giles,] Guide & refuge, 1 V. “divinity;” [John Trumball], M’Fingal [A Modern Epic Poem in Four Cantos] [1799]; Life of [?]; [Ann Radcliffe,] Romance of the forrests [1791]; Mythology “not good;” Natural History.

Public libraries, as we know them, hardly existed at this time. (Maybe in a major city). Books were expensive. Only private subscription libraries could make them available for a subscribing clientele. Portsmouth’s private library, the Portsmouth Athenaeum, had been established just a few years earlier, in 1817.

Here follow some published notifications for similar Vermont libraries. They give some idea of the terms one might encounter at such private libraries: an initial subscription fee and signing of articles, followed by semi-annual fees or dues.

A LIBRARY. The utility, and benefit arising to every class of people, from Social Libraries, must be apparent to every intelligent mind. There is no member of society, who has not, at some Seasons, leisure to attend to the cultivation of his mind, and the increase of his knowledge, or to amusing himself by reading and perusing books of wit and humor. To effect this, a Subscription paper has been circulated, and a considerable number of subscribers obtained, who have had two meetings, formed and accepted a Constitution, and adjourned till Monday evening, the 21st inst. Any persons in this, or the neighboring towns, who are desirous of becoming Sharers in this Library are hereby requested to attend at the Academy, on that evening, at SIX o’clock (Green Mountain Patriot, January 11, 1799).

SOCIAL LIBRARY. THE Proprietors of the SOCIAL LIBRARY, in Rutland, are hereby informed, that the meeting of the said proprietors, is adjourned to the first Monday in April next, at two o’clock in the afternoon in the Library Room in Rutland. The Proprietors are requested to give a general attendance at that time, and to return all the books they shall then have taken out.

The Library, at present contains ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTY-ONE VOLUMES, OF VALUABLE BOOKS, which will be increased, as fast as the monies arising from new subscriptions, shall enable the proprietors to purchase new books. Any person living in Rutland, in Clarenden, as far south as the Mill River, and east of the hills, next west of Otter Creek, in Pittsford, as far north as the Meeting-House, and east of Otter Creek, and in Medway, west of the west mountain, may become a proprietor on subscribing the articles of the Library, and (if a minor) giving security to observe them, and paying two dollars at the time of subscribing, and securing to the librarian, the payment of two dollars, at the end of 6 months, and two dollars more at the end of twelve months, from the time of subscribing.

Frederick Hill, Clerk. March 11th, 1794 (Farmer’s Library, March 11, 1794).

References:

Belknap, Jeremy. (1813). History of New Hampshire. Retrieved from www.google.com/books/edition/The_History_of_New_Hampshire/_m8rAAAAYAAJ?

Boston Library Society. (1844). Catalogue of the Books of the Boston Library Society. Retrieved from books.google.com/books?id=5uTTV2GYNxIC

Goldsmith, Joseph. (1818). A General View of the Manners, Customs and Curiosities of Nations. Retrieved books.google.com/books?id=QFyJ6_lUE3cC

Find a Grave. (2013, July 29). Gilman Jewett. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/114597023

John B. Clarke Co. (1921). Laws of New Hampshire: Second Constitutional Period, 1821-1828. Retrieved from books.google.com/books?id=Ku8KAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA80

Richmond, Katherine F. (1936). John Hayes, of Dover, New Hampshire: A Book of His Family. Tyngsboro, MA.

Wikipedia. (2018, December 13). Subscription Library. Retrieved from en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Subscription_library