HISTORY OF NASHUA, NEW HAMPSHIRE - Part IV DUNSTABLE (NASHUA NH) DURING THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION ---------------------------------- Information located at http://www.nh.searchroots.com On a web site about GENEALOGY AND HISTORY OF NEW HAMPSHIRE and its counties TRANSCRIBED BY JANICE BROWN Please see the web site for my email contact. ---------------------------------- The original source of this information is in the public domain, however use of this text file, other than for personal use, is restricted without written permission from the transcriber (who has edited, compiled and added new copyrighted text to same). ======================================================== SOURCE: History of Hillsborough County, New Hampshire Philadelphia: J.W. Lewis & Co., 1885, 878 pgs. page 163 NASHUA, N.H. by John H. Goodale EXCERPTS ONLY... SEE ORIGINAL DOCUMENT FOR COMPLETE DOCUMENT CHAPTER VIII DUNSTABLE IN THE REVOLUTION Advanced Ideas of Equality-- Every Dunstable Man A Solider-- First Action of the Town-- The Minute-Men-- At Bunker Hill-- Enthusiasm and Anxiety-- Events of 1770-- Battle of Bennington-- Hardships and Privations-- Dunstable Opposed to Centralized Power-- The War Ended-- State Constitution Adopted-- List of Dunstable Revolutionary Soldiers The French and Indian wars terminating with the conquest of Canada gave the colonies of New England a severe but useful experience. THey had been taught the cost, hardships and dangers of war, and knew how to meet them. In these campaigns they had discovered that they were more than the peers of the European soldiery. They had no hatred of the British government in its constitutional exercise, had fond memories of their old homes, and had no expectation of a speedy separation from the mother-country, nor did they at the time desire it.... The era of the Revolution found every citizen of Southern New Hampshire a soldier. Scarecely a man of middle age could be met who had not faced an armed foe and was not familiar with the dangers of armed conflict. Colonel Blanchard is reputed to have said that "the boys of this town are better acquainted with the gun than the spelling-boo,"--were rather marksmen than scholars... During the long succession of encroachments which preceded and caused the Revolution, the inhabitants of Dunstable were not indifferent.... In September 1774, Jonathan Lovewell was sent a delegate to the convention at Exeter, called to choose delegates to the First Continental Congress. The same town-meeting voted a sum of money "to buy a supply of ammunition.," and voted to pay their share of the expenses to be incurred in forming a colonial organization. In January, 1775, Joseph Eayers and Noah Lovewell represented the town in the next Exeter convention to send delegates to Philadelphia. At this meeting, with an activity characteristic of the times, they chose Samuel Roby, Jonathan Lovewell, Joseph Eayers, Benjamin Smith, John Wright, Benjamin French, James Blanchard and John Searles a "Committee of Inspection" to see that all the persons in this town carry into practice the recommendations and instructions of the Continental Congress. From the first the people of New Hampshire were ready for a collision. An old law required every male citizen from sixteen to sixty years of age to own a musket, bayonet, knapsack, cartridge-box, one pound of powder, twenty bullets and twelve flints. Every town was required to keep in readiness for use one barrel of powder, two hundred pounds of lead and three hundred flints, besides spare arms and ammunition for those too poor to own them. The first news of bloodshed at Lexington was borne on the wings of the wind to every hamlet. Beacons were lighted, guns fired, drums beaten, and the bells rung to warn the people of their danger. In these movements, the men of Dunstable were among the most zealous, and the military spirit derived from their fathers, and the military experience of many in the French wars, were at once aroused into activity by the summons to the conflict. Instantly they hurried to Concord to avenge the death of their follow-citizens. Who and how many were these "Minute-men" is not recorded; but the town paid one hundred and ten dollars for their expenses. Within less than a week a company of sixty-six men were organized at Cambridge, under Captain William Walker, of this town, forty of whom, including the officers, were also from Dunstable. The following is the company roll, omitting the names of those from adjacent towns: William Walker, captain; James brown, first lieutenant; William Roby, second lieutenant; Daniel Warner, sergeant; John Lund, sergeant; Phineas Whitney, corporal; Medad Combs, Abijah Reed, John Lovewell, William Harris, Paul Woods, Joel Stewart, Simeon Butterfield, Peter Honey, Paul Clogstone, Philip Roby, Jonathan Harris, William Harris Jr., Archibald Gibson, Benjamin Whitney, Jonathan Danforth, David Adams, Benjamin Bagley, Eliphalet Bagley, David Adams Jr., Nehemiah Lovewell, Henry Lovewell, Eleazer Blanchard, Richard Adams, Ebenezer Fosdick, William Butterfield, James Gibson, John Snow, Abel Danforth, Simeon Hills, James Harwood, Ichabod Lovewell, Jacob Blodgett, Oliver Woods, Nehemiah Wright, Jonathan Emerson, Silas Chamberlain, Moses Chandler, Jason Russell. After reaching the vicinity of Boston, the New Hampshire troops were stationed at Medford [MA], and formed the left wing of the American army. They comprised two regiments, and were commanded by Colonel Stark and Colonel Reed. General Washington had not yet arrived. The Massachusetts historian of that campaign described the soldiers from this State to be "hardy, fearless and indefatiable. Almost every one of them was a trained marksman. There had been, with many of them, an experience in savage warfare; and forest hunting was familiar to all. They could aim their weapons at a human oppressor as readily as at a bear." The regiment of Colonel Prescott and other Massachusetts forces were stationed at Cambridge. By order of the Committee of Safety, at nine o'clock on the night of June 16th, Colonel Prescott, with his own regiment and a detachment from several others, including a company of one hundred men from Hollis, this State, marched to Charlestown, and took possession of the heights upon which, the next day, was fought the battle of Bunker Hill. The men were ordered to take one day's rations and a spade or pick-axe. It was mid-night before the ground was reached, and a line marked out for digging a breast-work. Working the rest of the night, and the next forenoon in the intense heat of a June sun without sleep and some of them without good and drink, word was sent to Colonel Prescott, if, in view of the impending fight, fresh troops had not better take the place of the weary ones, Colonel Prescott replied: "The men who have thrown up these works know best how to defend them." At eleven o'clock on the day of the battle, the New Hampshire troops were ordered to mark to the rare of Colonel Prescott's command, as a reinforcement. Fifteen charges of powder and ball were distributed to each man, with directions to amek them into cartridges immediately. Few had cartridge boxes, but used powder-horns; and as the guns were of different calibre, there was much difficulty in adjusting the balls. Some of Stark's men reached the rail fence near the redoubt, while the rest were stationed in the rear to protect the peninsula. In marching over Charlestown Neck, the New Hampshire soldiers were exposed to a constant fire from the British men-of-war; but Colonel Stark kept the men on a steady move, saying : "Before this fight is over, one fresh man will be worth ten tired ones." The British forces marched up the hill at two o'clock. The heaviest fire was on Prescott's men at the breast-works. A regiment of Welsh fusileers was opposed to Stark's command. They marched up the hill with seven hundred men. The next day only eighty-three appeared on parade, and every commissioned officer was missing. When the recoubt was abandoned by Colonel Prescott, because his men had neither ammunition nor bayonets to defend it, Colonel Stark's force held the enemy in check until the gallant band were safely across the isthmus. Of the Americans in the memorable abttle, one hundred and forty-give were killed and missing, and three hundred and five wounded,--in all four hundred and fifty. General gage reported the killed at wounded of the British army at one thousand and fifty-four, including eighty-nine officers. The New Hampshire regiments lost nineteen men killed and seventy-four wounded. The Dunstable company, under Captain Walker, was in Stark's regiment. Only one Dunstable soldier, William Lund, was killed, and two, Joseph Greeley and Paul Clogstone, were wounded. The latter died soon after. The Hollis company, which on that day was included among the Massachusetts troops under Colonel Prescott, lost heavily, eight men being left dead at the redoubt. The unusual heat of the day compelled the soldiers to lay aside their coats and knapsacks, many of which were lost in the excitement and hurry of the retreat. The battle fought on the 17th of June 1775, in sight of the metropolis of New England, destroyed less of human life than many of the sanguinary conflicts of the American Revolution. But no one had a more decisive influence in determining the future of the Ango-Saxon race on the western continent. It taught the British to respect American character and to fear American valor. EVENTS of 1776 AND 1777-- The people of Dunstable were anxiously awaiting the Declaration of Independence, and in 1776 the town officers made proclamation for the annual meeting, not as heretofore, "in His Majesty's name," but in the 'name of the people of New Hampshire.' At this meeting, the "spirit of '76" was strongly manifested. Samuel Roby, Noah Lovewell, William Walker, Joseph Eayrs, Joseph French Jr., Captain Benjamin French, and Thomas Butterfield, were chosen delegates to the County Congress. Jonathan Lovewell, Robert Fletcher, Joseph Eayrs, Noah Lovewell, Silas Adams, Samuel Roby, Joseph Whiting and Thomas Butterfield were chosen a Committee of Safety. Samuel Roby, Benjamin Smith, Thomas Butterfield, John Searles, David Allds, James Blanchard, William Walker, John Wright and Henry Adams were chosen a Committee of Inspection, to see that no British goods were sold in town. Early in 1776 New Hampshire raised three regiments of two thousand men, which were placed under the command of Colonel Stark, Reed and Hale. They marched to Ticonderoga, and up the Lakes to Canada, but were compelled to retreat. The soldiers from Dunstable suffered severely, and lost one-third of their number by sickness and exposure. In 1777 three regiments of two thousand men were again raised by New Hampshire, for the Continental army. The same quota of troops was furnished by the State during the war, besides voluntary enlistments. In every levy of two thousand men the proportion to be furnished by Dunstable was sixteen. More than twice this number, however, must have been constantly in the army. It was in the summer of this year that General Burgoyne, marching with a strong army from Canada, captured Ticonderoga, a strong fortress at the head of Lake George. THe loss caused great dismay in the Eastern States. One of the New Hampshire regiments, commanded by Colonel Hale, was pursued and overtaken on July 7th, at Hubbardston, VT, seventeen miles southeast from Ticonderoga. A severe skirmish followed, in which several officers and one hundred of our men were taken prisoners. Of the Dunstable soldiers, John Butler and James Harwood were killed, and John Manning taken prisoner. There was great excitement in Vermont and New Hampshire at the success and intentions of General Burgoyne and his forces. The Legislature of New Hampshire met at Exeter, and ordered a regiment to enlist immediately, under the command of John Stark, "in order to stop the progress of the enemy on our western frontiers." The State could vote to raise troops, but could not pay them. The treasury was empty. In this emergency, John Langdon, Speaker of the House, and a merchant of Portsmouth, offered to loan three thousand dollars in coin and the avails of his plate and stock of goods, remarking that if our cause triumphed, he would be repaid; but if not, the property would be of no use to him. He also enlisted as a private. The appointment of John Stark was received with enthusiasm throughout the State. The people had confidence in him. They predicted his success, for they knew his dauntless courage, keen sagacity and untiring vigilance. Volunteers in large numbers flocked to his standard. All classes were eager "to take the woods for a Hessian hunt." Stark made his headquarters at Bennington, where the Vermont forces, under Colonel Warner, joined him. He was ordered by General Gates to take his militia to the west side of the Hudson. He declined to obey, as he was in the service of New Hampshire, and her interests required his presence at Bennington. Congress thereupon passed a vote of censure upon Stark, which in a few days they changed to a vote of thanks. He best understood what was his duty. Carrying out his own plan, he found that General Burgoyne had sent from Fort Edward fifteen hundred Germans, Tories and Indians to rob and plunder the people of Vermont, and thus secure horses and provisions for the British army, and Colonel Baum, at the head of these troops, was close at hand. A brisk skirmish took place on the 14th of August, in which thirty of the enemy were killed. The next day a heavy storm delayed the contest, and gave the British time to build a breast-work of logs and timbers. They were also defended by heavy artillery. On the morning of the 16th, General Stark laid his plans for a decisive fight, and was strengthened by a detatchment from Western Massachusetts. The battle began at three in the afternoon. After a two-hours' struggle the fortifications were carried, and two cannon and many prisoners captured. The rest of the British and Hessian fled. An hour later the enemy were reinforced by Colonel Breyman, and the fight was renewed. They fought until the sun went down, and Stark was master of the field. Only a small fraction of the foe escaped. The fruits of the victory obtained by these raw militia over European veterans, tories and savages were four pieces of brass artillery, eighty loads of baggage, one thousand stands of arms and seven hundred and fifty prisoners. Two hundred and seventy fell on the battle-field. The American loss was thirty-four killed and forty wounded. But the important result of this victory was the restoration of confidence to the desponding American army. "One more such blow," said Washington "and we shall have no more anxiety as to the designs of Britain." Congress having adopted a temporary form of government, both for the State and the Union, the voters of Dunstable, on February 9, 1778, in town-meeting, adopted unanimously the Congressional Articles of Confederation. On April 17, 1778, Captain Benjamin French and Deacon William Hunt were chosen delegates to the State Convention, to be held in June, to form a State constitution. A commitee of eleven was also appointed, namely, Cyrus Baldwin, Joseph Whiting, Robert FLetcher, Jonathan Lovewell, Captain Daniel Warner, Joseph Eayrs, Captain Banjamin Smith, Lieutenant David Allds, Colonel Noah Lovewell, Lieutenant Joseph French and Lieutenant Jacob Taylor, "to assist said members during the convention's session." A bill of rights and a constitution were drafted, and an able address to the people issued, signed by John Langdon, president of the convention. But the people would not sanction either. Their experience of royal usurpation, and the fear of giving too much power to the rulers prevailed, and both were negatived by a large majority. Dunstable voted unanimously to reject them. In August 1778, fourteen men went as volunteers from Dunstable, under Colonel Noah Lovewell, to Rhode Island. The seat of war having changed from New England to the Middle and Southern States, in 1779, 1780 and 1781 a large number of Dunstable men went into active service as soldiers in New York and Virginia. How many soldiers were furnished to the army from Dunstable during the seven years of the War of the Revolution is not possible to ascertain with entire accuracy, but the number was maintained until the close of the contest, in October 1781. No town in this State had greater unanimity in favor of national independence and the most vigorous prosecution of the war. There were no Tories in Dunstable, and no residents of the town went into exile for supporting the usurpations of the British King. In preparing the only history of Nashua intherto published, its author, Charles J. Fox, Esq. made an examination of the town and State records, and availed himself of those who participated in that long and bloody struggle. Mr. Fox had the habits of investigation which admirably fitted him for the work, and it was his intention, had his health and life been prolonged, to have given the subject further attention. His summary of the soldiers of this town, we give in his own words,-- "The whole male population of Dunstable in May 1775, between the ages of sixteen and fifty years, was only one hundred and twenty-eight, and nearly every man, either as a volunteer or as a draft, was at some period in the service. They were in almost every fight, from Bunker Hill to Yorktown, and their bones are mouldering upon many a battlefield, from Massachusetts to Virginia. They were at Bunker Hill in the post of danger and honor; they were at Ticonderoga, where, borne down by pestilence and want, they were compelled to retreat, fighting step by step, in the face of a victorious foe; they were at Bennington with Stark, where the first gleam of light broke in upon our prospects; at Saratoga, where his first omen of victory was converted into an enduring triumph; at Trenton and Princeton, where, under the eye of Washington, they surprised and captured the Hessians, and gave hope to the disheartened nation; and at Yorktown, when the whole British army capitulated, and independence was won." The following is the list of soldiers from Dunstable who served in the army at some time between April 1775, and October 1781. Some of them were in service only a few months, or for a single expedition. The names thus collected number one hundred and fifty-nine, or thirty-one above the number of males in the town on April 1, 1775, between the ages of sixteen and fifty. But it is to be borne in mind that quite a number went into service for a single expedition, like that to Bennington, who were OVER fifty years of age. Of this class there were said to have been over forty. The list was made chiefly by Mr. Fox in 1844, at which time there were four Revolutionary soldiers living in the town, namely, Eleazer Fisk, James Jewell, Isaac Foot and Ebenezer Harris, from whose recollection several of these names were obtained. The thirty-nine marked with a star (*) were at the battle of Bunker Hill; the forty-four marked with a dagger (+) are taken from the town records; those without a mark are from verbal and other sources: David Adams*, David Adams Jr.*, Richard Adams*, Henry Adams, Silas Adams+, Isaac Adams+, John Allds, David Allds, Jacob Adams+, James Blanchard+, Josiah Butterfield, Abel Butterfield, Simeon Butterfield*, Thomas Butterfield, Charles Butterfield, Benjamin Bayley*, Eleazer Blanchard*, Oliver Blodgett, David Blood+, James Brown*, Samuel Butterfield+, John Butler+ (killed at Hubberton, Vermont 1777), Ephraim Blood+, Reuben Blood+, Simeon Blood+, JohN Blanchard+, Nathaniel Blanchard, Jonathan Butterfield+, Timothy Blood+, Eliphalet Bayley*, William butterfield*, Paul Clogstone* (died at Cambridge, 1775), John Cockle+, Stephen Conery+, John Conery+, Medad Combs*, Joseph Combs* (died in the army), William Cox, Thomas Clark, John Clogstone, Samuel Conery, William Dandley, James Dandley, Joseph Dix, Jonathan Danforth*, Noah Downs+, Castor Dickinson (colored), Jonathan Emerson (a lieutenant under Cilley), Ebenezer Fosdick*, Benjamin French Jr. (killed in the army), John Fletcher, Joseph Farrar, Ebenezer Fisk (living), David Fisk, Nathan Fisk, Richard Francis, Irving Foot (living), Theodore French, JohN French, Archibald Gibson*, James Gibson*, William Gibbs+, David Gilson+, David Gilson Jr.+, Peter Honey*, Peter Honey Jr. (died in the army), William Harris* (died in the army), William Harris Jr.*, Jonathan Harris*, Abraham Hale, William Hunt, John Honey Jr. (died in the army), Thomas Harwood, James Harwood* (killed at Hubberton, Vermont, July 7, 1777), Ebenezer Harris Jr. (living), William Honey, Abijah Honey, Calvin Honey+, Archibald Harrod, James Harrod+ (died December 1777 in the army), John Hosey, John Harwood, Joseph Honey+, Calvin Honey+ (died in the army), Israel Ingalls, James Jewell (living), Nathaniel Jewell, Nathaniel Kemp, Jeremiah Keith+, Reuben Killcut, Cahrity Killcut, William Lund* (killed at Bunker Hill), Joel Lund+ (an ensign), John Lund*, Jonathan Lund, Thomas Lund, Jonathan Lovewell Jr., Jonathan Lovewell+, Ichabod Lovewell*, John Lovewell*, Nehemial Lovewell+, Henry Lovwell*, Asa Lovejoy, Noah Lovewell+ (quartermaster of Colonel Gilman's regiment), Joseph Lamson Jr.+, William Lancey, Richard Lovewell, Stephen Lovewell (colored), Thomas Lancey, Levi Lund, William Man+ (killed in the army), John Manning+ (taken prisoner at Ticonderoga, and afterwards retaken), Eliphalet Manning+, Jonathan Powers, Thomas Perry+, Ebenezer Perry+, William Powell, --- Pike, William Quinton+, William Roby* (an ensign, and died in the army), Samuel Roby, John Robbins Jr., Abijah Reed*, Abbot Roby*, Benjamin Robbins, David Reed+, Thomas Roby, John Searles, Benjamin Smith, John Snow Jr.*, Joseph Swallow*, Joel Stewart*, Daniel Shedd+, Joseph Snow (died in the army), Daniel Searles, David Smiley+, James Seal+, Silas Swallow+, Benjamin Taylor, Jacob Taylor, Benjamin Temple, Levi Temple, Benjamin Taylor Jr.+ William Walker* (a captain and major), Daniel Warner* (quartermaster), Joseph Whiting, Oliver Woods* (died at Cambridge), Oliver Woods Jr., John Wright Jr.+, Benjamin Whitney*, Sylvanus Whitney*, Oliver Wright+, Jonathan Wright+, Samuel Whiting+, Oliver Whiting+ CHAPTER IX DUNSTABLE WITH FREE INSTITUTIONS Scarcity of Money-- Slow But Sure Growth-- "The Pine Barrens"-- Social Gatherings-- Mrs Elizabeth Butterfield-- Rev. Joseph Kidder-- The Striped Frock-- Wholesome Food-- Schools and Text-Books-- Catching Salmon and Shad-- Marketing-- The Lovewells and Blanchards-- The close of the War of the Revolution found the people of New England sadly embarrassed in their resources....In 1775 the population numbered only seven hundred and five. This small number had diminished in 1783 to five hundred and twenty-seven, or eighteen percent... Added to the poverty of the people was the diversity of opinion in regard to the powers and limitations of the State and national governments. In December 1782, Dunstable chose Jonathan Blanchard representative to the State Convention at Exeter, bu tnot decisive action was taken by that body. In 1784, Captain Benjamin French, in 1786 and 1787, Colonel Noah Lovewell were representatives, but no important measures were settled. In January, 1788, Deacon William Hunt was chosen a delegate to the convention which met at Exeter the following month to adopt the Constitution of the United States, which had recently been sent out by Congress for acceptance by the several states. Throughout the country, as well as in the several State Conventions, there was great diversity of opinion in regard to it, and much opposition. Some believed that the Constitution vested too much power in the general government, and would gradually annihilate the existence of the States. Others feared that it had not enough authority to protect itself form the encroachments of the States, and would soon be powerless. There was danger on both sides. On the one side was anarchy, on the other usupration. It was an untried experiment, and every little community was divided. It was debated in town-meeting, and Dunstable voted "not to accept the Constitution," and chose a committee of nine to draft a list of objections to be forwarded to the State Convention at Exeter. They attended to their duty. Fortunately, however, the State Convention adopted the Constitution. It was a compormise between the doubts of conflicting parties, and the fears of both have happily failed to be verified. The action of New Hampshire had a controlling influence upon the New York and other conventions then then in session. The State Constitution, in the mean time, had been submitted to the popular vote in March 1784, and was approved by a large majority. It went into operation in June 1784, and Mesheck Weare became chief magistrate under the title of "President," which title was changed by the State Convention of 1792 to "Governor," to distinguish the office from that of the chief magistrate of the nation. Few of our people of the present generation are aware of the comparatively low rank of this town in population, trade and wealth at the close of the last century. We give a table of its population at four different periods, as compared with several towns in the vicinity: TOWN 1775 1790 1800 1880 Valuation 1883 ===== ---- ---- ---- ---- -------------- Nashua 705 632 802 13,397 $12,195.266 Hollis 1255 1441 1557 1,080 924,675 Hudson 649 1064 1267 1,045 779,869 Merrimack 606 819 926 1,042 836,755 Amherst 1428 2369 2561 1,225 1,040,783 It will be seen by the above table that Nashua (then Dunstable) had in 1790 and in 1800 less inhabitants that the neighboring towns. This inferiority in numbers and wealth continued until the introduction of cotton manufacture in 1826. Her trade for many years after the Revolutionary War was exceedingly small. There was no post-office in the town, and no village. THe nearest semblance to one was the little hamlet of five or six dwellings near the meeting- house located two miles below the city hall, and near the present farm-house of Mrs. Alfred Godfrey. It consisted of a store, the only one in town, kept by a Mr. Chamberlin; a tavern, kept by Cummings Pollard; a blacksmith-shop, a hatter's shop and the residence of "Parson Kidder." It was designated by the people of the town as the "Centre...." The most prominent carpenter of Dunstable at that time was John Whittle. He built the first house on Concord Street, just north of the "Indian Head House," in 1782. Afterwards he removed to the vicinity of the old meeting-house at the "Centre," and a few years later built the house now occupied by his grandson, E.G. Tyler, at the corner of Main and Tyler Streets. Of his nine children, two sons and seven daughters, only the youngest survives,--Mrs. Elizabeth Butterfield, who was born May 12, 1795, and now resides in Tyngsborough village, in the ninety-first year of her age. In 1754 the town built a meeting-house on the triangular piece of land in front of what was long known as the Jesse Estey tavern, now the farm-house of Mrs. Alfred Godfrey. For nearly sixty years it was the only place of religious worship in town. It was without bell or steeple, and externally had a rather barn-like appearance. The centre portion of the house had square pews with seats on all sides. The pulpit was reached by a long flight of stairs, and a dome- shaped sounding-board was suspended over it. Mrs. Elizabeth Butterfield, of whom we have just made mention, distinctly remembers attending Sunday services in this house. The seats of the pews had hinges, and when the congregation rose at prayer the seats were lifted to increase the standing room. The recollections most vivid to her are the extreme length of the prayers and the momentary "clatter" made by dropping the lids at its close. Rev. Joseph Kidder began preaching here in 1767, and continued to occupy the pulpit for fifty years. He lived and died in the house opposite the residence of Mrs. Godfrey, and of late known as the Scott place. Mr. Kidder was a minister of the old school, and the man and the parish are best described in the worfds of Professor E.D. Sanborn, as used in delineating the state of society in most of our new Hampshire towns at the close of the Revolutionary War: "There were no libraries, and the very few books which did exist, being chiefly sermons or expositions of portions of the Bible, were not extensively read." Religious papers were unknown and biographies of children of precocious piety and sainted Christians too good for earth had not then been written. A large proportion of the entire population attended church. No blinds excluded the blazing suns of summer; no fires softened the intense cold of winter. The hearers listened devoutly to long, doctrinal sermons, even when the breath of the preacher was frozen as it escaped his lips. 'The minister of the standing order,' possibly the only thoroughly educated man in the town, 'mighty in the Scriptures' and austere in moral, was regarded by the children of his flock with awe, by the parents with reverence." From the close of the Revolutionary War to the close of the century (1800) the farmers of this town increased, not only in numbers, but in the conveniences and enjoyments of home-life. Food and clothing became abundant. In winter the outside, home-made woolen frock of striped blue and white, put on over the head, buttoning at the neck and reaching to the knees, was universally worn by the farmers and their boys. For a time they were worn at public gatherings, and when Parson Kidder was once called upon to open a town-meeting with prayer, he said that half an acre of striped frocking rose up before him. Schools in winter began to be fully attended by boys and girls, many of whom were of adult size and years. Chirography and orthography recieved increased attention. The town records of Dunstable show a neatness and facility in penmanship which do not suffer in comparison with that of to-day. There were few text-books in use. The reading-books then used were the New England Primer, with its rude cuts of Adam and Eve, Jonah and the Whale, and rustic rhymes, such as: "In Adams fall We sinned all," the Psalms and the New Testament. Dilworth's spelling-book was used by the more advanced pupils. In arithmetic, instruction did not extend beyond the four "fundamental rules," reduction and simple interest. No text-book was used, but the schoolmaster wrote the "sums" on each individual slate. Unfortunately, the black-board was unknown. Accuracy in the use of language was sometimes taught verbally, but neither grammar nor geography were recognized studies. There was a market diminution of fish in later years, and in 1793 the Legislature of the State enacted laws regulating the taking of fish by providing that during a certain part of every twenty-four hours the Merrimack waters should be undisturbed. The number, however, continued to diminish, so that in 1812 not more than fifty salmon were often taken in the most lucky haul. More or less, however, were taken until the obstruction of mill-dams at Lowell, about 1824, prevented their annual migration. The last shad taken in Dunstable were from the bend in the Nashua River, just above the iron bridge on Canal Street, in 1839. Several of the winters between 1790 and 1800 abounded with deep snows. In 1792 the snow remained until the middle of May, but, melting suddenly, was followed by a warm and productive summer. The spring of 1794 opened unusually early; but on the 17th of May there came the most destructive frost recorded in the history of the State. The young apples, and other fruit were formed, the rye headed, and other crops so far advanced as to be exposed. The frost was very severe, and entirely destroyed the fruit and the English grain crops of that year. The corn and hay crops, however, were abundant. Meanwhile, some of the men who had taken the lead in military and civil affairs of the town and State were passing away. On the 16th of July 1788, Hon. Jonathan Blancard died at the age of fifty. He was descended from a long line of honorable ancestry. His father and grandfather had been men of note and influence in colonial history. His father died when he was in his twentieth year, and he at once took his place as surveyor and proprietor's clerk When the contest arose between the British government and the colonies, Mr. Blanchard became an active and earnest advocate of the American cause. He was a member of the Continental Congress at the time of his death. His residence was at the old family mansion, one hundred yars southwest of the brick school-house on the Lowell road and near the cemetery where he was buried. His widow survived until 1811. In 1792, Jonathan Lovewell Esq., brother of Captain John Lovewell, the Indian fighter, died at the age of seventy-nine. Early in life he took a prominent part in public affairs. He served in the last of the French and Indian Wars and afterwards took an active part in the War of the Revolution. At the close of the war he was a member of the convention which framed the State Constitution, and after its adoption was for several years a judge of the Court of Common Pleas. He was never married. In his religious views he was an Arminian, a follower of George Whitefield. During the first century of the history of Dunstable the two most prominent families were the Lovewells and the Blanchards. Both of them have disappeared from Nashua, so far as regards the actual name. In local affairs they were at times too patriotic and liberty-loving to be otherwise than harmonious. The Lovewell family first attained celebrity by the Pequawket fight. The Blanchards became widly known as surveyors of wild lands, and traversed most of the western and northern towns of this county before they were settled by the white people. (end)