Article # 1

Pub. Sept. 4, 1886

The sun shone in rays of splendor down on the old historical town of Plainfield, as your correspondent was jogged along beside the "Blow-Me-Down" brook, a stream that waters a large portion of the southern part of "Little Sullivan's" fourth foster child; she being thirty-four years younger than Grantham, nearly nine years younger than Acworth, and twenty-six years the junior of Charlestown. "Blow-me-down Brook" is a meandering stream, which takes its source in Croydon Mountains and flows northwesterly across the northeast corner of Cornish to "Smith's Hill," in Plainfield, thence running southwest to "Jordan Hill," thence north to "Prospect Hill," and then with a sharp turn takes a southwesterly trend through Plainfield Plain, across the southwest corner of Cornish, and empties into the Connecticut River near the residence of Capt. Chester Pike. The scenery down —this valley, from Cornish Flat to the Plains, is beautiful beyond description, and reminds us of the poet's verse:-

Those straggling tides of life that seem

In wayward, aimless course to tend,

Are eddies of the mighty stream

That rolls to its appointed end."

We felt a strange satisfaction, perhaps inspiration, any how we were elevated as we stood on the last landward hill and looked down upon this People among whom we are now so delightfully settled, to felicitously recall their town's history to its recollection. I think it was Goethe who wrote that "when one is satisfied that the restless activity within is striving for just development, it should be regulated and employed for the benefit of others."

By the kindness of Mr. Benj. Ward, the town clerk, we have had access to a set of town books which, in our opinion, are simply perfect. The charter was granted Aug. 14, 1761, and from the 8th of September following, which was the time that the proprietors held their first meeting at the house of Capt. Thomas Stevens, in Plainfield, Conn., down through the dark days of the Revolution, every act of the town is recorded in a legible manner. All state and town, papers, conveyances, orders from the King's Treasures, and Receiver-Generals have been preserved and carefully placed on file. Is not this sufficient proof that the fathers of Plainfield were men of intelligence and prudent forethought?

Note: This is followed by a list of the officers chosen at the first proprietor's meeting. And that he will publish a list of the original grantees, together with the number of lots drawn in the division of the land. V. H.

# 2

It is always Sunday in Plainfield. You drive up from busy Claremont with its mills, stores and shops on its crooked stream and streets, and enter rest at once. The air seems filled with somnolent indolence, and silence broods both day and night. The tall elms and maples flap their 'wings in stillest solitude, the dullest tones of a lone dinner‑bell, breaks the silence with a startling distinctness. Now and then you hear the crow of the ubiquitous rooster. There is one dog, and he regularly profanes the sacred stillness of the midnight hour, with his bootless bark; the "three little maids from school" and the child in the flying chain swing seem to be the only vitality not impressed with the weight of solemnity that prevails the place. Yet the town has its history.

Our last communication was closed with an account of the Proprietor's first meeting, which was held in 1761 at Plainfield, Windham County. Conn. Lieut. John Stevens the chosen and agent to procure to Charter, and was paid "thirty Pounds lawful money for doing this business." The grant comprised 23,221 acres and was divided into sixty-four equal shares. [Copy of names destroyed.]

"Your fathers where are they? And the prophets will they live forever? We shall attempt to retrace the steps of ancestors, but in doing so, we shall tread upon the ashes of those who cleared the way for dwellings and provided many of the conveniences which their descendants now enjoy.

PLAINFIELD PLAIN AS IT WAS AND AS IT IS. ‑‑The schoolhouse that stands on the old Bradbury Dyer place at the head of Main Street, eastside, was erected in 1856 and under the new law, is the supplement of two other districts, where the children of the three in one attend school.

It is related, that a teacher of this school a long time ago, punished a pupil for some misdemeanor and the mother of the child went at once "to see about it." The teacher remained firm and declared she would punish the child again for a like act. Whereupon the Mother went away but soon returned with her sisters, cousins and aunts, which comprised nearly all the female population on the Plain. The teacher was dumbfounded. Next day she resigned, giving as her reason, that "she had no idea when she took the school, that if she struck one child, she should hit every family in Plainfield."

The burying ground adjoining on the East is the largest in town. It has been twice enlarged and contains many relicts of early settlers; the oldest gravestone we believe was erected over the grave of a daughter of Phineas Spalding in 1782.

The old common adjoining the schoolhouse, south, in ye ancient days was the old training ground, a meeting house once stood on this ground, but for reasons unknown to us was sold to the town, moved off, and is now used for a Town Hall. A gun‑house also stood on this common, and the cannon belonging to the old 15th Regiment was sheltered in it for many years.

We come next to the homestead of Chas. P. Gallup, son of Thomas, one of the proprietors of the town. This house was erected by Asa Kingsbury about a hundred years ago, "is beautiful for situation" and is decidedly the finest location on the Plain. It was used as a tavern for years, and many a so1dr's whistle has been wet with new rum and molasses on training and muster days at the bar of this establishment. The property came into the possession of Amanda Kingsbury the wife of Mr. Gallup, who says her father, came from Connecticut and settled on this estate. All the worldly possessions he had was the axe he brought with him. Mr. Gallup has held every office in the gift‑of the town, was representative o the court in '60 and '61.

The next is a wood cottage erected in 1868 by Turner Peterson and sold in 1877 to Arvin S. Bartholomew. Its present owner and occupant has been a resident of the town 42 years, has served as selectman, and now holds the office of. County Commissioner.

We now come to the Town Hall, a stately old building; was formerly a meetinghouse and as we have before stated, was moved on to its present foundation about 40 years ago. As we entered this ancient remnant of antiquity, a huge sunflower on the wall back of the stage, stared us square in the face, a paper crown with the word "Temperance" lay on the table, the floor was covered with evergreen and rubbish, which together with the old wooden benches and antiquated stage was truly a grand treat for a lover of ye ancient. The next is a fine large two story wood dwelling built in 1880, by Chas. Stickney, is located at the corner of Main Street and the Mill Village road, was formerly the old tavern stand of Silas Read, who wound up his tavern business in 1843. It is now owned and occupied by 3. S. Stickney. (Charles’ son.)

We cross the road and find the blacksmith shop of Joseph Stickney, erected in 1881. Joe stepped into his grandfather's shoes and came in possession of same bellows, anvils and drills, that his learned Grandsire used over sixty rears ago. The next is a little wood cottage almost enveloped in shrubbery, built in 1840, by Silas Read, and is now owned by the Widow Sibyl Williams who purchased of Silas Marcy, he of Mrs. Enos Spalding, who received by legacy from her father Silas Read. Mrs. W. is one of the oldest inhabitants on the street, and is carefully attended in her old age by her two nieces, Sarah J. and A. Emroy Bugbee. The former was a graduate of Kimball Union Academy, Class of '62, and for many years has been a successful teacher in the graded schools of Ohio and Indiana. The next is a two story wood dwelling erected by Aaron Gage for mercantile purposes and was followed by Lester Emerson, and Wm. Ward. Samuel Spalding came into possession and converted it into a dwelling and sold to Benj. C. Smith, a merchant, 16 years ago. Stickney bought of Smith's Estate.

We now come to the historical old buildings of Chas. H. Hill, a two story wood building with two additions. The main house was built for a store, said to be the oldest on the Plain. Hill bought of Mrs. Levi Bailey in 1880, and she of Cheever Knights in 1860. Knights bought of Totty Sargent a merchant, and Totty put on the additions. Mr. Hill has been town clerk four years and is an old locomotive engineer of the Sullivan Railroad. We now come to the fine brick church edifice belonging to the Congregational Society, and built in 1840. Its history we will give you next week.

F. A. B

The Charter #3

'Province of N.H. George the THIRD. By the grace of God, of Great Britain, France and Ireland. King, defender of the faith, etc. To all persons to whom these presents shall come, Greeting.

Know ye, that we, of our special grace, certain knowledge, and mere motion, for the due encouragement of settling a new plantation within our said Province, by and with the advice of our trusty and well‑beloved Benning Wentworth, Esq., our Governor and Commander in Chief of our said Province of New Hampshire, in New England, and of our Council, of the said Province, have, upon the conditions and reservations hereafter made, given, granted) and by these presents for us, our heirs, and successors, do give and grant, in equal shares, and to our loving subjects, inhabitants of our said Province of New Hampshire, and our other governments, and to their heirs and assigns forever, whose names are entered on this grant, to be divided to and amongst them into sixty‑six equal shares, all that tract or parcel of land, situate, lying and being within our said Province of N.H., containing by measurement twenty‑two thousand three hundred acres, which tract is to contain almost six miles square and no more, out of which an allowance is to be made, for highways, un-improvable lands, by rocks, ponds, mountains and rivers, 1040 acres free." The bounds, privileges of Pairs, Markets, etc., we omit.

"The first meeting for the choice of town officers agreeable to the laws of our said Province shall be held on the second Tuesday of September next, which said meeting shall be notified by Mr. John Stevens, who is hereby also appointed the Moderator of the first meeting, which he is to notify and govern, agreeable to the laws and customs of our said Province, and that the Annual Meeting, forever hereafter, for the choice of such officers for the said town shall be on the second Tuesday of March annually, to have and to hold the said tract of land, as above expressed, together with all the privileges and appurtenances, to them and their respective heirs and assigns forever, upon the following conditions, viz.,

First, That every grantee, his heirs or assigns, shall cultivate five acres of land within the term of five years for every fifty acres of his or their share, or proportion of land in said township and continue to improve and settle the same by additional cultivation on penalty of the forfeiture of his grant or share in the said township, and of its reverting to us, our heirs and successors to be by us or them re-granted to such of our subjects as shall effectually settle and cultivate the same." The second condition required the careful preservation of all white and other pine trees suitable for masting the Royal Navy, under similar penalties, "with such others as Parliament shall enact."

Third requires a selection as near as may be to the center of the town (if the nature of the land permit) a portion for town lots one acre of which to be assigned to each of the grantees previous to any other division of the town.

Fourth condition         "Yielding and paying therefore to us our heirs and successors for the space of ten years, to be computed from the date hereof the rent of one ear of Indian Corn only, on the 25th day of December 1762.

Fifth  Every proprietor, settler, or inhabitant, shall yield and pay unto us, our heirs and successors, yearly, and in every year forever from and after the expiration of ten years from the above said 25th day of December, 1762, one shilling proclamation money for every one hundred acres he now owns, settles or possesses, and so in proportion for a greater or smaller part of said land, which money shall be paid by the respective persons aforesaid, their heirs or assigns, in our council chamber in Portsmouth, or to such officer or officers as shall be appointed to receive the same, and this in lieu of all other rents whatever. The Charter was duly signed and sealed the 14th day of August 1761. There were sixty grantees including Martha Smith, the Governor receiving two shares, limited to five hundred acres, one share for the incorporated society 'for the propagation of the Gospel in foreign parts.

This society was formed in England in 1701, and was sixty years old when Plainfield was incorporated; it was less confined than most others to limits of any sect or denomination.

One share for a glebe for the Church of England as by law established. The Church of England, commonly known as the “Episcopal Church” was established in the Sixteenth Century by Henry the VIII, who was declared by Parliament to he the supreme head of the Church, and from that day to this the government of the Church of England has been Episcopal and it is the secret of England's greatness. One share was reserved for the first settled minister; this grant was liberal, allowing the minister to be of any denomination whom the inhabitants might choose. One whole share for the benefit of a school forever.

About seven‑eighths of the original proprietors of the town were from Plainfield, Conn., three or four were from Canterbury, Killingly and Voluntown, Conn. Benning Wentworth, Theodore Atkinson and Mark Hunking Wentworth were residents of the Province of New Hampshire. A full and fair record of their first and subsequent meetings annually for forty years is preserved in the proprietors' book. The following are the names of the proprietors together with the number of the lot that each drew in the distribution of the lands.

# 4

The schoolhouse that stands at the head of Main Street on the old "Bradbury Dyer place," was erected in 1856, not in 1826, as was published in your issue of the 11th. Lot No. 57 was drawn by William Cutler, instead of Culler, as announced last week.

In our ramble down Main Street we left your readers at the Congregational meeting‑house, which was erected in 1840, and stands today as perfect in symmetry and stability as when constructed near a half century ago. Its shapely old towers,’ symbolical of a heavenward way, seem so contented in their positions of easy grandeur that we could not resist turning the key in the old rusty lock, and entering the portals of this deserted edifice, where, Hesperus‑like thoughts for our theme are changed from life and animation to melancholy and gloom. As we entered the auditorium from the vestibule, there was an air of dullness about the whole building which sent a chill of loneliness through our breast as we took our way up the aisle to the front of the mahogany veneered pulpit. We ascended the steps, and upon the "hair cloth sofa" lay the old "big Bible", open. We sat down beside it, and glanced at the top verse in the first column on the right hand page: "For he loveth our nation, and he hath built us a synagogue:" Luke VII, 5. While seated here we will give you the history of the "First Congregational Church in West Plainfield." which was organized Sept. 20, 1804, with ten members. The Rev. Micaiah Porter, from Voluntown, Conn., was installed July 17, 1805. He was about sixty years old at this time. He died in 1827. The Rev. Mr. Cook was the next minister, but remained only one year. The last record we have of him is that he received a seven years' assignment to the State prison. The Rev. Jacob N. Loomis came next for two years. A Mr. Goddard preached a year, followed by Dyer Burge, six months. In 1839 the Rev. William Hutchinson was installed; he added about twenty‑five to the church, and made strenuous efforts to secure a parsonage, but died before this good work was accomplished; he died April 24, 1842. The present church was erected during his settlement. The Rev. Jacob Scales was the next and last settled minister, he having officiated here, we believe, about twenty years. It was said of Mr. Scales that he was quite an eccentric gentleman, and many anecdotes are related (by the "world's people," of course,) regarding the habits, etc., of this good old man. It is stated that, during the last years of his service he had accumulated a whole barrel full of sermons, and at the beginning of the year turned them out into another barrel. Each Sabbath morning he would stir them up with a cane, shut his eyes, take one out, and with a "God bless the word today," proceeded to entertain his congregation. On one occasion an aged sister was making her annual call, and found him very industriously engaged in writing. "Why, Brother Scales," she exclaimed, "What are you doing?" "Preparing my sermon," said the parson. "Thank the Lord we are going to have something new!" and she hastily took her departure to notify the neighbors.

But, with all his peculiarities, he commanded the respect and admiration of the entire community. The church, and its primitive days, contained fifty box pews. A few of them near the entrance were afterward removed to give standing room for a general "how do do" between services, with perchance, a "here, aunt Patience, won't yer' try one of Rebecca Jane's fust nut‑cakes?" OT "Brother Spauldin', how's yer calves er prosperin' this Spring? We ascended a narrow flight of stairs to the singers' gallery, which is directly over the vestibule, and as we gazed down among the vacant pews, our thoughts went back to boyhood days, when we used to sit in like loftiness among the singers; of the trials arid great tribulations of choristers; of petty quarrels and jealousies brought about by quibblers, which seem so natural, and came to the conclusion t1iat the best place for singers, after all, was in back seats, especially when they have lost their teeth, and wear wigs. We left the building in a gloomy mood, and wended our way to Solomon Dow's, whose farm adjoins the church property. The house is a large, square, two‑story wood, with a "hopper roof," erected about seventy‑five years ago by Silas Read, who sold to one Capt. Wood, he selling in 1835 to Jerry Dow, and in 1868 it came into possession of its present owner and occupant, Solomon CS., a son of the late Doctor Hiram Dow, a brother of the late Prentis Dow, of Claremont, who in his latter days, remembered his nephew by freeing the estate from all encumbrances, thereby leaving Solomon owner of the largest farm on the street.

The next is a wood cottage, erected in 1830, by Calvin Spaulding, and stands on the corner of Main Street and the hill road to Cornish. It eventually came into the hands of Enos Stone, whose widow resides in Boston. It may he in place here to remark that one‑eighth of the entire town of Plainfield be noticed by the names on the charter, published last week.

We cross the "road" and come to the elegant two‑story brick dwelling of Win. Hall, the merchant and postmaster of Plainfield. This building was erected by Calvin Spaulding, in 1821, who sold to Cheever Knights, in 1830. Luther Parker bought of Knights, and he sold to Mrs. Lorenzo Eggleston, she to Carlos Dyer, and he to its present occupant in 1870.

We pass on down through "Lowell Hollow," which is no‑wise connected with the "Manchester of America," yet it has a remarkable history, as it evidently was once Plainfield's busy business centre. A fatal and mournful accident happened near this hollow many years ago, the account of which together with its history we will give in our returning ramble. The peculiar feature beyond the hollow is a long level tract known as "Eggleston Plains," where we find a splendid two‑story brick dwelling, erected in 1842 by Col. Charles Eggleston, on the premises known in early days as the "Gates farm," which was subsequently owned by one Fuller. William P. Eggleston, son of the Colonel, came in possession of the property in 1871.

The last muster of the 15th Regiment, 5th Brigade and 3d Division of the N.H. State Militia, took place on "Eggleston's Plains," with Col. Benj. Walker, we believe, in command of the Regiment. Wm. P. Eggleston is also the proprietor of the "Eggleston Coffin and Casket Factory," on Blow‑me‑down brook in "Spring", about one mile from Connecticut River. The good he manufactures under the supervision of W. P. Thrasher, formerly of Claremont, are noted for excellence in style and finish. The mill is one of the first erected, has a fall of seven feet, and is second best on the stream. It was originally used for dressing cloth and carding wool, and, further on, axe helves, gun rods and rakes were turned out of this mill in great quantities.

Col. Chas. Eggleston was a man of considerable importance in his day. He served on the Board of Selectmen, was Collector in 1830, appointed Postmaster in 1822, and was commissioned Capt. of Artillery by Coy. Morrill in 1824, Lieut. Colonel f the 15th Regiment, by Gov. Harvey, in 1830, and in 1831 was commissioned Colonel by Coy. Samuel Dinsmore. He served in Col. McCleary's Regiment in the War of 1812. As we stood on the old muster field, we could easily fancy an armed host, with banners aloft, with pompous officers and caparisoned horses, headed by the majestic figure of Col Benjamin Pepper Walker, filing past the Commander‑in‑‑Chief for inspection and review, amid the shouts of the multitude as the pomp of a Roman triumph unfolded to their admiring gaze.

# 5

Before starting on our tour up the Plain, a short history of the Plainfield lands devoted to moral and literary purposes may be of interest and edifying to the reader; four shares of the town out of the sixty‑four were applied to these objects.

Lot No. 17, drawn for the support of schools, has probably been the most productive of the' four. A portion of the share was sold as far back as 1770. In 1779 another portion was sold for $300, and the money put to interest "to be laid out for the support of schools," For the remaining school lands, we believe, the town receives an annual rental. Tne town was divided into school districts in October 1785; for twenty years anterior while the inhabitants were few and far between; harassed with British taxes, and all the anxieties, expenses, fears and losses of seven years' war; afforded few advantages for mental cultivation. The Rev. Mr. Carpenter and some others kept school, but the education of most of the youth was limited to Dilworth's Spelling Book and the Psalter; those who were able read round in the Bible, two verses each, in the morning; but their Grammar, Geography and Philosophy, the names and power of the letters, and the art. of spelling words, were all learned from Dilworth's Spelling Book. The schools were generally gotten up, as they now are, in our new States and Territories. The teacher issued proposals, and a few made an effort to furnish cattle or grain sufficient to compensate him for teaching a winter; those who were too poor or too ignorant to prize or improve the opportunity hoped for better times and kept their children at home. Several of the families had kindred and friends in Plainfield, Conn., and some of their sons were sent there for education. Plainfield, Conn., at that time, contained one of the first and best academies in the land.

Lot. No. 32 was drawn for "the first settled minister." In 1773 or 4, the Rev. Abraham Carpenter came into town from Rehoboth, Mass., and became the first settled minister. The town voted in March, 1779, to "accept the Rev. Abraham Carpenter to be the minister of the town." It has been said that the lands given him never yielded him a profit equal to one dollar per acre; and although it amounted to 3O acres, it never exposed him to envy. on account of his riches, and it is not probable that he or any successive preacher in this town of any denomination, were ever in danger of suffering from a great increase of worldly possessions.

The first meetinghouse was raised on what was known formerly as the George Avery place. It was afterward moved to the top of the hill, back of Widow Williams', or what was known as the Lyman French place, but it was never completed, at least so as to be fit, for use in winter; the frame was subsequently utilized in the construction of a barn for Mr. Earl Westgate.

No. 51 was drawn for the Glebe (an area of land within an ecclesiastical parish used to support a parish priest), and for many years was wholly unproductive; when it became profitable, the avails, with very little exception, were carried out of town until about 1837. After the establishment of Grace Church, the Glebe profits, together with those accruing to the share for the propagation of the Gospel in foreign parts, were expended in town. To what purpose these benefits are now applied we are unable to state.

Lot No. 1, drawn "For the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign parts" was without doubt intended to aid the cause of Missions. At the time this society was formed (1701), the good people of England had access to no ports more foreign or more needy than their American provinces. After these colonies became independent States, some supposed that every title and bequest authorized by the Mother Country would become void; but the United States Courts have settled all title of that sort in New Hampshire and Vermont by allowing the Episcopal Church the full and undivided use of the ensemble avails of what was granted to that ancient society.

Messrs. Stevens, Smith, Gallup, Kimball, Cutler and Nash were among the first to plant themselves in this forest, and to make their families sharers of the toils, privations, sorrows and joys of a residence in the wilderness. Most of these pitched their tents, cleared and cultivated the land, and brought up their children near the Connecticut River. Anna Smith, daughter of Francis and Eunice Smith, was born Sept. 2d., 1765. She was the first born of the settlers.

Fearing that the reader may be surfeited with moral and literary statistics, we will change the character of this communication by beginning our Rambles UT) the Plain.

The old fashioned wood cottage of Hiram and Solomon Stone, located at the southern extremity of Eggleston plain on the west side of the street, was erected in early days by Stephen Read, who sold to Doctor Heroon a physician of much note, who sold to Capt. David Stone the father of the present owners. David died at the age of 93, was the son of Abel who also lived to the advanced age of 93, and was one of the first settlers. Hiram is now in vigorous health at the age of 82. His brother Solomon 76 years of age we found seated at the table in his old chair, with his leather apron on, making shoe pegs with a jackknife. We asked the old gentleman why he didn't buy his pegs; his prompt answer was "these new fangled things go back on me."

Many years ago a great black bear put in an appearance in this neighborhood which caused much excitement; he was first discovered by two little girls, peeking over a stump fence. The alarm was given and his bruinship was soon surrounded by men and dogs and one Dean, more noted than all others as a "dead shot" advanced, and leveled his musket at him, he pulled the trigger, but alas "twas a "flash in the pan." The men and dogs ran towards home: the bear ran towards Dean, and Dean ran toward the bear, they met; the bear stood on his hind legs, and before Dean could plunge his knife into the ferocious animal he was hugging him awfully; with one hand on the beast's throat he kept his great open jaws at bay, while with a huge knife in the other hand he reached the brute's heart. They rolled on the ground locked in each other’s embrace. The cowardly fellows who had run away seeing that all danger was over came to the rescue; all was quiet, "not even a leaf moved." Imagine if you please the feelings of poor Dean's wife with her large family of children in their little log cabin, while these miserable cowards stood over this dead hear and poor Dean, but hold! Dean breathes; with great difficulty they pulled the bear's paws away from him, and rubbed him vigorously with sweet‑fern and smart weed, they bathed his lips with New England rum, and Dean was himself again; he lived to a good old age, and in his declining years often amused the village boys by relating to) them the "biggest bear story of his life."

We do not favor bear stories as a rule; they are so common, we relate this simply to please, the children.

We now find ourselves descending into "Lowell hollow" where many years ago there was a foundry which was occupied in casting oven mouths, fire‑dogs etc. There was also a Tannery here in early times and it is said to have been the first, in town, we were informed by one old gentleman that the streamlet that falls underneath the highway in this hollow, in primitive days, was a roaring cataract. This however was before the forests had been disturbed by the woodman's axe. An old house once stood on top of the hill, south of "Lowell Hollow," erected we believe about 1780 was owned at one time by Ransom Dutton. A Mr. Alexander with his wife and two small children once lived here and while

'he was away one day Mrs. A. had occasion to run into a neighbor house of an errand and left the little ones playing together on the bed. She turned the key in the lock of the bed room door and hurried away; the eldest got off the bed and began playing with fire, in the fire place; the bed clothing was soon ablaze, the screams of the children aroused the neighbors and hastened the mother home, and upon unlocking the door the little ones were found writhing and twisting in the agonies of death. The scene was heart‑rending and one that was long remembered by the people of Plainfield; the house was not destroyed at this time, and was afterward occupied by old Job Pierce who was found on the floor one morning dead; the building was soon after taken down and but few traces are left of its checkered existence.

# 6

The wood cottage of Lucius Stone was erected by Deacon S. afterward

Calvin Fullam, a tanner by trade, bought of Read and sold to Benjamin Parker. It subsequently came into the hands of Jacob Scales, a Congregational minister who sold to Enos Spaulding, he selling in 1877 to Cheever Knights, its present owner and occupant. Mr. Knights carried on the coffin and casket business for many years in "Squag," and was the founder of that enterprise. He is father of Charlie Knights, the well-known landscape painter and ornamenter.

We come next to the residence of the late Dr. Beckley, which was erected by Col. Charles Eggleston. It is built of brick and is pleasantly located, surrounded by maples arid evergreens. The Doctor purchased of Archibald Spencer, about 1854, and was for over thirty years one of Plainfield's most successful practitioners. He began his medical career in the drug store of Luther Brown, in Claremont, and studied medicine with Drs. Crosby, of Hanover and Jarvis, of Claremont. His widow, who now owns and occupies these premises, a daughter of William Daniels, one of the largest land owners in town, and is sister of Mrs. Miller, the wife of C. R. Miller, manager of the New York Times.

The next is a two story brick building with a "hopper" roof erected in 1820 by Silas Read, and has been successively owned and occupied by Dr. Anger, Dr. Wardner, Charles Flanders, a lawyer, and Joseph Westgate, a farmer. In 1852 Enos Spaulding purchased, and at his death it came into the possession of his son, Insly W. Spaulding, the present "Boniface" of the Plains. The out buildings connected are large and in excellent condition, and his beautiful fields beyond display the improvements made by three generations of Spaulding’s. Insley is a genius in his way, and is a fair type of a Western New Hampshire Yankee. We asked him how it was that the weeds grew so rank in his garden, he replied, "You see, about the last work a farmer does in the spring is to plant his garden, and my soil is so all‑fired rich that the weeds git ahead in spite of me." It is said that the first frame house on the Plain was erected in the northeast corner of Mr. Spaulding's garden, was moved about 1820, and is now the blacksmith shop of Oliver Millner , located just around the corner of the road to the river. Mr. Millner is a native of Bear River, Nova Scotia, came to town last April, and bought shop and business of Insley Spaulding. He also purchased the wood cottage just west of his shop, erected by Mr. Spaulding a few years ago. Mr. Millner it is said, is master of his trade, and is to be found / al all times in his leather pinafore ready for business.

We now come to the best arranged country store in Sullivan County and although it was once the old Cabinet shop of Capt. Spaulding that stood near the corner of Main Street and the Hill road to Cornish Flat and from which was turned out those old fashioned bureaus, tables and wash‑stands that are so highly prized by antiquarians of today, it has lost none of its prestige by its removal for Benjamin Smith the merchant, who sold to Hall its present owner and occupant. Plainfield may well feel, proud of her merchant and Post Master and to prove that he is really popular we have only to state that Will came within two votes of being elected in the last fall election, on the republican ticket, to represent this old democratic town at the State Legislature; he has been engaged in business here for the past twenty years, is brother of Israel D. Hall of Claremont who was for four years his partner in business.

The next in line, is the Baptist Church edifice. This building is constructed of brick and was erected in 1840, was first occupied as a Union house by three denominations. The Episcopal church having succeeded the Universalists, occupied it half the time for several years. The present Baptist church was organized in 1861. The First Baptist church in town was organized Sept. 1791. Mr. Dodge was the first preacher, Jonathan Cram was ordained in 1795 and continued more than 20 years; he lived in town as a mechanic and was first deacon before he commenced preaching. He was followed successively by Rev. Mr. Colburn, Kendrick, Hough, Strong, and Williams and in 1841 Mr. Miles was installed.

The church at Plainfield is now under the pastorate of Rev. J. W. Graham who has labored hard for several years with good results; we regret that we are unable to give a complete history of this church; suffice it to state that at present the attendance is large and many earnest Christians of other denominations worship here.

For many years, long ago, old Peter Abbott, rung the bell. He could not take a joke. The village boys, who were spoiling for a little fun, one Saturday night removed the tongue from the church bell. Sunday morning Old Peter was at his post pulling vigorously to call the people to meeting, but the bell didn't ring. Peter went into the street, put his spec's on and looked into the tower, to see if the bell was there. Yes‑‑he went back, gave her another pull, no use, the bell wouldn't ring; the poor old man was perplexed. People gathered about to hear what he would say; he sat down, in a perfect state of reflection, until he discovered a peculiar twinkle in the eye of one of the boys, when he exclaimed: "Wall‑‑wall‑‑there's one thing for sartin, thar'ii be er tongue less in this ere Meeting house today," took his hat and started for home.

The next is a two story wood dwelling owned by the Baptist Society, and use as a parsonage, was built by Daniel Kingsbury for Tavern purposes way back in early days, and it was here that Daniel used to deal out new rum "with sug., 3 cents; no sug, 2 cents.: The first calico dress ever seen in Plainfield was worn by Almira Kingsbury, the only child of Daniel, and wife of Austin Tyler of Claremont; it was said to have cost 75 cents a yard and created quite a furor among ye young ladies in ye ancient days. The building subsequently came into the hands of Geo. Westgate who sold to the Society in 1875.

We come next to the beautiful residence of Benjamin F. Ward, a former merchant and son of William Ward who was also a merchant. The house is a two-story wood, was owned successively by Aaron Gage, George Johnson, and Chas. Flanders, who sold to the Wards; it is one of the most desirable abodes on the street. In a modest way, Mr. Ward is an excellent husbandman as his waving fields of grain will witness. There is a florist here too, for the grounds are profuse with beautiful flowers, and here

"My song to flowery gardens might extend,

To teach the vegetable arts to sing."

Oh! blooming, radiant flowers; How they carry one hack to boyhood's days; the days of patchwork trousers and one suspender, when the modest offering of posies, made with palpitating heart and burning check, to the pert and saucy girl whose black eyes raise such a turmoil in one's brains that the little speech is all forgotten, and an incoherent mumble prefaces the hasty presentation how one recalls the careless way she sticks them in her belt; little recks she the early rising and tiresome search for the trailing arbutus, when robins and high‑bolders call to each other through the trees, and the woodchuck is looking over the township map to see who has planted lettuce, nor does she notice the decoration of mud on the ceiling of one's trousers, which are the traces of the thrilling soul‑stirring glide down the clay bank into the lonely snake infested pond, where the sad pale water lilies grow, nor the rip caused by the intersecting snaglet on that wild descent! Then she gives the flowers with winning grace to your red‑headed rival‑‑Oh! the agony of it!

The next is a wood cottage erected by Ai Read, who was in his day the leading merchant and businessman of Plainfield. The house is now owned and occupied by his widow, who is a daughter of the late Ephraim Tyler of Claremont. Her sister, Emily, resides with her.

The next is a story and a half wood building, and was formerly the store of B. F. Ward. It was moved on to its present foundation about eight years ago and made into a dwelling by Turner Peterson, who is its present owner and occupant.

The next is a two story wood house, on top of the hill nearly opposite the schoolhouse, where we started on our rambles. It was erected about seventy years ago by Moses Bryant, who kept a country store near where the schoolhouse stands. Bryant sold to Kingsbury, he sold to Ward, sand he to Sanborn Davis, who sold to F. F. Pearl, of Lowell, Mass. It is vacant and for sale.

F.A.B.

# 7

In our late letters we have described in a rambling way Plainfield Plain as it was and as it is: have given some statistics relating to the early settlement of the town, and the formation of some of its churches. Perhaps it would have been better to have given at the start the names of those who took part in the battles of the Revolution, of those Heroic Martyrs who put even life itself? in peril for a principle: a principle that was reflected throughout America from a personality and presence of a "Father of his Country," George Washington, who was filially true to the laws of his God, and faithful to hi's domestic relations: which comprehended the whole people.

The most prominent among the little handful of men engaged on the American side of this great struggle, from Plainfield, we believe, was Josiah Russell, who was appointed Captain of the Second Company of Rangers, Sept. 14th, 1776. The Assembly, this year, voted to raise two thousand men for "the service." The following is a copy of the muster‑roll of Capt. Russell's company, "who signed an enlistment 24th of Sept., 1776." Lieut. Dan'l Chase; Ens'n, Josiah Stone; William Paine, Benj. Comings, Zebediah Fitch, James Cate, Sam'l Fitch, David Huggins, Thomas Hall, Jr., John Chase, Abijah Hall, Robert Dunlap, James Hall, Benj. Thompson, Thos. Stafford, Edward Hall, Jr., Jos. Vinson, Elias Gates, Stephen Cady, John Weld, James Wellman, Jr., Josiah Stone, Stephen Manning,

_______ Colburn, Asa Colburn, Thomas West, Sam'l Fairfield, Littlefield Nash, Periey Roberts, Sma’l Williams, Isaac William, ; Jessie Carpenter, Asa Gallup, Lem'l Smith, Simeon Cory, Josiah Russell, 3d.

• The company was in the 17th Regiment, which was under the command of Col. Jonathan Chase of Cornish, and comprised 492 men; the proportion for the army was 61. There was at this time seventeen regiments of militia in the State, considering of 16,710 men from 16 to 50 years of age, including a company of thirty‑three men, under the command of Captain James Osgood of Conway. William Cutler, Joseph and Samuel Kingsbury enlisted in this company. and we believe, were with Col Bedel at Ticonderoga, but this is not certain. Lemuel Dean and Wilder Willard enlisted in Capt. House's company, at Hanover. This company belonged to Col. Cilley’s Regiment, and was mustered in, in March 1777. Ebenezer Jennings, Jonathan Howe, Laban Hall and Walter Blois enlisted to fill up a regiment in the service, and were hired by Col. Samuel Folsom and paid by Elip' Giddings, Muster Master. Joseph Kimball was at Fort Ticonderoga, in what company or regiment we are unable to state. He was born in Preston, Conn., Dec. 29, 1732, and when 32 years of age settled on what is now called the Gilkey Farm, which encloses the cemetery where his remains now rest. A substantial monument marks the place of his burial, from which we learn that he was a successful hunter, a kind neighbor and a soldier. He died in October, 1822.

The following are the names of others whose remains were buried in this cemetery: Capt. Benj. Chapman, died Jan. 20, 1802, aged 65 years, Jemina, his wife, died April 14, 1812.

Chapman was a fifer of Capt. Joshua Haywood's company, in Col. Gilman's regiment, and was mustered and paid by Muster and Paymaster Jonathan Chase of Cornish. Abel Stone died June 15, 1835, aged 93; Lydia, his wife, died April 3, 1812 aged 72. Adian Williams, son of Job, died Oct. 11, 1798, aged 11 years. Caleb Kingsbury died Jan. 13, 1809. Nathaniel Dean died June 14, 1788, aged 71; Lydia his wife, died June 4, 1788, aged 84. Chas. Gilkey, drowned Aug. 23, 1820, aged 35; Wm. Gilkey, died Jan. 27, 1815, aged 32; Chas. Gilkey died Aug. 27, 1815, aged 68. There are a few more graves here, but they are only marked with rough stones without inscriptions.

Over the wall of moss‑covered boulders that have lain here for more than a century we found another small cemetery, where we find the grave of Lieut. Thomas Gallup, died Sept. 30, 1777, aged 52. We believe he served in the French War, and enlisted from Connecticut.

Another stone bears the inscription of Sarah Hogg, died Aug. 8, 1862, age 90. George Avery died Jan. 21, 1857, aged 98; Mary, his wife, died Sept. 7, 1857, aged 92; Ruth, their daughter, Sept. 24, 1801, aged 5 years. We pulled away the brakes and vegetable mold that clung tenaciously to the base of this little tables and with difficulty traced the following lines:

"Very pleasant has she been unto us thy Parents."

George Avery, it is said, was an old Indian hunter, and, at one time, / while on a scouting expedition with his party, passed into Royalton, Vt., a town that at that time was enduring many hardships and great suffering from Indian hostilities. They called at a cabin for food. Bread and milk was set up and plenty of it. They began to "wade in." The alarm was given that the red­skins were in town. The comrades of George run, while he continued to eat; they called to him again and again, assuring him that the Indians were indeed coming. No use; George said he "as going to have his bread and milk." He got it, and the Red Skins got him, carried him to Canada, where he maized" it for a few months, when he was exchanged or came home on parole, we are not certain which. Anyhow, George used to say that "them infarnal red imps did een‑er‑most " twitch him bald‑headed afore they got him into Canada."

We will now account hastily our trip from the Plains over Home Hill down and along the banks of the Great River, (the ancient name of the Connecticut) returning home through the Freeman district. We were kindly invited by a friend to make this ramble in an antiquated carriage which he said had come into his possession by purchase at an auction sale, and it was brought to town by the Westgate family a hundred years or more ago. You may rest assured that this was a chestnut we couldn't well refuse, and as we stepped in and squeezed our self down beside our friend, with our knees nearly up to our chin the words of the jubilee singers flashed through our mind.

"Swing low good ole chariot

Good ole chariot, swing so low."

All the blue and black eyed muses that become idols in the silent sanctuary of one's thoughts, unfolded their white wings and sailed away with our little bay filley as she bounded off, without "whip or spur' with the air of one who says to the earth "I spurn thee," to the winds "II can outstrip thee," to the clouds "1 can soon be with thee," to the lightning "I am thy companion."

A calmness of prefect satisfaction settled upon us; and when we arrived at the summit of Home hill, it seemed as though we needed no higher joy, no superior earthly beatitude. But we must he brief and haste on towards the Great river, so we begin our descent with the horse, carriage and all at an angle between 43 degrees and perpendicular. "Hold on my friend," we exclaimed, "these pitches are too much for us;" "Keep cool, I guess we are all right" says he. "In a doubtful case the gentler course is to be pursued, and we'll get out," says I, and we got out and pursued our way on foot allowing the carriage to take its zigzag route down this rocky eminence while we stumbled along over water‑bars and ruts, pausing now and then to observe any new phase of the scenery our progress developed. We were soon on safe ground, and in our carriage seat, and arrived soon at the mansion of Madam Stevens the oldest person in Plainfield, who is in her 98th year. Time and space at this time will not permit us to give a history of this excellent lady and her mansion, which we hope in some future letter to give. Suffice it to say that she is in full possession of mental faculties and is in every sense remarkably agile. We inquired as to her habits of life. Her answer was that she "never had had any bad ones, but she did enjoy a good smoke.'

Our trip home was delightful, and the scenery along the river was beautiful beyond description. My friend claims to he a dead shot with a pistol and he says he always takes one on such trips as this; we saw a woodchuck gliding along through the grass toward his hole under an old stump where he stopped and cool>' turned around and looked us square in the face. My friend jumped from the carriage, took deliberate aim and fired, for a rough guess should say the distance was about fifteen feet; he rushed up to the hole and giving it thorough examination, exclaimed, "I say Briggs, that woodchuck was a little too quick for me."

# 8

"These, as they change, Almighty Father, these

Are but the God.

The rolling year Is full of Thee.

Forth in thy ,pleasing Spring:

Thy beauty walks, Thy tenderness and love

Wide flush the fields; The softening air is balm;

Echo the mountains round; the forest smiles;

And every sense and every heart is joy."

Would you know the felicity of a drive in the country, you should take a ride with a Parson. It is not, often one has an opportunity to ride with the minister, for the simple reason that he is of that class who usually do not possess horses; not perhaps, because of the fact that he doesn't get as weary in his solemn work of "trying to save the world," other men do by various avocations, or that he is not subject to botherations, by lightning‑rod men, map peddlers and patent medicines as other men are, but from the circumstance that the average salary of the country minister will not permit of his indulgence in this luxury. However, it was our good fortune to find in Plainfield a philanthropist in the Rev. J. A. Graham, who is of that body of grandest men on the earth, the ministers of the Gospel, and who is also the owner of the finest stud of young horses that we saw on the Plain. His magnificent little "organ" yearling, which was sired by W. H. Moody's "Volunteer," to say the least, is a very graceful fellow: his two‑year old, by Pike's Hambletonian, is a beauty, and is faultless in symmetry and action, and his three‑year‑old, by "Fearnaught," of Lebanon, reminded us of Homer's description of his favorite animal:

"The winged coursers harness to the car

Xanthus and Ballos of immortal breed

Sprung from the wind, and like the wind in speed."

It was after the three‑year old that we were invited by its owner to ride over the hills to Mill Village, where we find a little settlement of half‑dozen houses, including a saw and grist‑mill. We understand that the first grist‑mill in town was erected here. It is not related of the early settlers of this town that they ever went to mill horseback, with the grist in one end of the bag and a stone in the other. The residence of Farnam J. Spencer is the most prominent of any here, and was erected in early days by Capt. Record; it is a two‑story wood, faces north, with side entrance on the east; it has commodious grounds, with flower gardens, shade trees and vines, which, together with the swings, hammocks, etc., lend an enchantment that is quite charming. The farm consists of eighty acres of fine meadow and pastureland, which produces abundantly under the careful husbandry of its owner. Capt. Record sold to Simeon Spaulding, and, at his death, his daughter, Mrs. Jordan, came in possession, who sold to Hayes Kenyon, he selling in 1857 to George Cole, he selling to Archibald Spencer, a son of Joseph, one of the early settlers, and father of F. J. Spencer, present occupant and owner. Farnam has excellent chickens and cows, and is owner of one of the finest geldings in Plainfield, which is almost as dear to him as the apple of his eye. In early days a tannery existed here owned by one Bellows, who sold to Capt. Record.

Dr. Heroon, a prominent physician in his day, owned and lived in a house that stood in the corner of Spencer's garden; it was long ago taken away. Mr. Spencer married a Claremont lady, who well sustains the good reputation of her native town in culinary arts.

We next visited the Abel Stone place, about a mile northeast; up, up, way up on top of a high hill we found an old‑fashioned, square, hopper‑roof house, erected more than a hundred years ago by Abel Stone, who lived to the advanced age of 93. It is indeed a sightly place, and can be seen for miles around. The views from this house for grandeur, excel any, we have found on our rambles in Plainfield. It came into the possession of David Stone and Calvin Spaulding as heirs of Abel Stone, who sold to William IL Jordan thirty‑five years ago, and his widow Esther (Spaulding) Jordan, a daughter of Simeon, now owns and carried on the farm. She is 80 years old, has eight children, all living, two at home, with one grandson. The farm, we believe, contains three hundred acres of good land. The house is indeed a real curiosity. Abel gave Jim Gilkey a valuable horse for doing the finish, and filigree work on the parlor and the bedroom over it, and it was all worked out with a jack‑knife. William Luery received $100 for building one hundred rods of stonewall on this farm. A fellow said, who had traveled a good deal, that he never got out of sight of the Abel Stone place but once, and that was when he was in Concord State Prison. Mrs. Jordan has many old relics of ancient days, she showed us a blue and white plaid linen shawl woven by her mother in 1791, also a linen apron and an elegant embroidered cotton and wool coverlid in red, white and green, more than a century old. For a change, we will now stroll into Meriden.

By an act passed June 23d, 1780, the easterly portion of this town and westerly portion of Grantham were united and erected into a parish for parochial purposes by the name of Meriden. In 1856, July 12th, the Grantham portion of this parish was annexed to Plainfield. The ratable estate of the town was about $375 in 1773. The following are the names which comprised the company of militia in 1781, who agreed in writing that "We do pawn our words and Honors that we will freely and cheerfully submit to such officers as ye Major part shall chuse." Meriden, June 25, 1781.

John Andre, Samuel Muncel, Perley Roberts, Thos. Gallup, Oliver Adams, Eliphalet Miner, Benj. Bugbee, Elijah Johnson, Simeon Pool, Wm. Huntington, Isaac Williams, Walter Blois, Hoggs Cutler, Rulof Spaulding, Benj. Jordan, Nathan Draper, Ehen Burr, Stephen Sq. Petticrew, Sam'l Fairfield, Isaac Rice, John Stevens 3d, William Kile, Thomas West, John Stevens, Sample Gilkey, Phillip Hopkins, Eben Clough, Danl Kimball, Abel Stevens, Lemuel Cotton, Nathan Parkhurst, Jonathan Parkhurst, Jessie Roberts, Nathan Young, Ziba Roberts, Eben Jennie, Stephen Jennings, James Jenne, Elijah Gleason, Job Stevens, Asa Bates, Simeon Short, Zadock Bloos, Peter King, Bean Cory, Sami Pool, Jun., Theophilus Howard, Joseph Spaulding, Abel Stafford, Eliphalet Adams, Parly Hews, Isaac Jenne, Philip Jordan, Sami Eglestone, Nathanl Stafford, Champion Spalding, Philip Spalding, Nathnl Taylor, Robert Scott, Charles Scott, Nathnl Delano, Peter Bugbee.

Plainfield, Oct 26, 1778.

"Sir, these may inform you that the people appeared to be unanimous in the choice of Danl Kimball for an ensign in Capt. Josiah Russell's company and suppose he ought to Be commissioned.

These from your humble sert,                   Francis Smith, Major.

To Col. Jonathan Chase."

"Elias Cady first Lieut., April ye 27th, 1785, in this State, Capt. May 8, 1781, Vermont, Lt., 1777, in this State, Joseph Smith Capt. Apr. ye 27th 1785, in this State, First Lt., Sept. ye 5th, 1775, in this State, Jessee Wilicocks Capt. April ye 27th, 1785, in this State, 1st Lt. Sept. ye 5th, 1775, in this State; Capt. May 8th, 1781, Vermont; Nathan Young, Capt., April ye 27th, 1785, in this State; Ensign, May ye 8th, 1781, under Vermont; Daniel Chase, Capt., April ye 27th 1785, in this State, Second Lt., Sept. 5th, 1775, First Lt., Sept. 19th, 1775, all of this State, John Cook Capt., April ye 27th, 1785, in this State, Ensign, May 19th, 1775, Ensign, July 1st 1775, under Massachts. David Perry Capt., April yo 27th, 1785, in this State, Second Lt., May ye 1st 1775, First Lt., Dec. 2d, 1776, under Connecticut, John Quirmby, Capt. April ye 27th, 1785, in this state, State of New Hampr.

P1ainfield, Jan. ye 15th 1788."

F.A.B.

# 9

"I tell you, Sir, the old Fifteenth Regiment was a noble one, Sir! A noble one!" said Uncle Jesse French, the oldest and most prominent living representative of this family in Plainfield. He is now 91 years old, having been born in town, in 1795. He was Captain of Artillery from about 1825, till about 1835, and, "I tell you Sir," said he, "T'wouid er done you good to see my men load and fire in them days; he! he! he! Yes Sir! t'would or done you good to seen 'em do it', ha! ha! ha! And the old gun-house used to stand right up there Sir, near the corner of the Orthodox Church. Yes Sir, near the corner of that old church the gun was housed, Sir. The old soldiers that began to train when I did, Sir. are all gone. Yes Sir, all dead; just one left and that's me, Sir, and that's me. There were Johnson, Eggleston, Hamblet, Cummings and several others, all Captains of Artillery, and Porter, Newton, Colby, Merrill, Jackson and Gove, all Colonels, and all dead, I believe, except Colby, who lives on the hill just beyond my place. Yes, Sir, muster days was great days and everybody turned out, women and all, to see the regiment parade! And I tell you, Sir, there wasn't many boys of the old 15th that couldn't pass muster! No, Sir, not many."

Hezekiah French, the father of Jesse, settled in Plainfield in 1773, and came from Plainfield, Conn., with his wife and two children on a cart, drawn by a yoke of oxen. Jesse is by trade a carpenter, and has had something to do about the construction of nearly every house in Meriden. He has voted at every annual town meeting since he was 21 years of age. Never signed a pledge in his life; has used a little cider occasionally; has not used ardent spirits since muster days, and then only when treated by the officers. "The old oaken bucket" has supplied the elixir that has invigorated the blood which flows in his veins, for almost a century, and he is content. In 1870, when 75 years old, he represented the town at the state legislature, and with Gen. Wilson, a member from Keener was the two oldest members in the House. He served seven years on the board of Selectmen, and is the oldest schoolmaster in town. It is related of him that when he was a young man he applied for a school in the adjoining town of Lebanon, and at the examination the committee put a series of questions which had been ingeniously prepared to confuse him, and they did almost to distraction; but Jessee got through at last, was accepted, and then requested of the committee permission to ask them a few questions. His request was granted, and the catechizing commenced, consisting of questions in the rudiments of common English branches. They could not answer them; Jessee was pleased "inardly," and went home perfectly satisfied. He lives on his farm in a story‑and‑a‑half wood dwelling which in early days belonged to the Adams family. His son Frank L., the well‑known inventor, lives with him in a state of single blessedness. French's self‑adjustable, automatic wheel wrench is now in general use, the result of which is, that no wagon nuts are dropped into the sand and you don't get any wheel‑grease on your fingers. The most important of all Mr. French's inventions is his "Imperial" axle‑‑nut, which is certainly one of the most valuable in the carriage line we have ever seen. It makes an old carriage run as quiet as a new one, and can be applied to any that takes the common nut. Mr. French has sold one half of his interest in the "Imperial" nut to Mr. Stickney, the well‑known merchant of Meriden, and under the firm name of French 1 Stickney, machinery is being constructed at Concord, for the special manufacture of this valuable invention.

As you approach Meriden village from the south, after crossing "Blood's Brook," you arrive at the base of bold eminence called Meriden Hill. There are two roads here, one converging north‑east, the other to the north‑west, toward Kimball Union Academy on top of the hill. You may take either road to reach this ancient institution, and before you get half‑way up the hill will be exceedingly sorry you didn't take the other; but as "one eye witness is worth ten ear witnesses," you must go and see for yourself, and believe.

The Meriden Hotel is a large three story wood building, erected in 1820, by John Bryant. It came into the possession of the Institution in 1853. Mr. L. A. Purmont is its present proprietor, and he keeps an excellent house. Mr. Purmont has been principal of the Hartford, Vt., High school, for nineteen terms. This school has in attendance 140 scholars, and it is said to be one of the best schools in the State. The next building going east, is a two story wood, built about 1850, by Frank Daniels, and is owned now by E. E. Clark, who occupies the first story as a country store and the second story as a dwelling. Mr. Clark keeps a neat store, carried a good stock, and does a business of about $15,000 per annum.

The next building below is a large two-story wood, erected in 1830, by Daniel Emerson, for a boarding house. It eventually came into the possession of the Institution, and is now being remodeled at an expense of 3,000 dollars, and is to be used as a boarding house. It contains twenty‑five very desirable rooms, in fact just such rooms as any parent might wish a child to occupy, while away at school. It is now occupied by Prof. D. G. Miller, Principal of Kimball Union Academy.

The next is a large two story building, erected in 1852, by one Kate, a tailor, it subsequently came into the hands of Cyrus Richards, Principal of the schools for 36 years. It is now owned and occupied by F. H. Miller.

The next is the residence of Mrs. Lucia Wells, erected about 1840.

The next is a wood dwelling built by Joshua Spaulding, in 1835, and is occupied by Dr. Herman Cooper.

The next is of wood, built by L. Bryant about 1830, is now owned and occupied by Miss Susan Bryant.

The next is the Parsonage belonging to the Congregational Society, erected by Asa Russell about 1827.

The next is the residence of Miss Amanda Slack, built by H. Wells, a hatter, in 1815.

The next is a wood cottage, erected in 1815, by H. Wells, for a hat shop. Now owned and occupied by Miss Mary D. Frost, daughter of the late Dr. Elias Frost, a physician of much note. He settled in Meriden in 1808, bought the house where John Pettingill now lives of the Rev. David Dickerson, and for 45 years retained possession of a large and lucrative practice. He had a large number of students, who pursued their studies under his direction, among whom were Drs. Timothy and Robert Gleason, who eventually settled in Claremont. He was a very generous hearted and liberal man. lie married Mary Roberts, daughter of Ziba, and sister of Hannah (Roberts) Stevens, the oldest person in town. His son George was 18 years in the Treasury department at Washington, D.C.

 E. D. Frost, a farmer now owns and lives on the Doctor Wheeler farm, and Susan J. who married W. B. Rector of Virginia. Rector was a Capt. in a Confederate company of Lynchburg, and was killed at the battle of Winchester. Dr. Frost was a graduate of Brown University, was president of the Grafton County Medical Society and represented his town at the General Court.

The next is a fine story and a half wood dwelling, built in 1836, by Samuel Davis, its present owner and occupant. Mr. Davis is a native of Grantham.

# 10

Good men can always be found to lift up the standard of righteousness and truth, in opposition to infidelity; and thus it was at the close of the Revolution, when infidelity was discovered to have become widespread and alarming throughout our country, with a population of only about seven millions of people. The demand for an educated ministry greatly exceeded the supply, and for this reason an important ecclesiastical council was convened at Windsor, Vt., October which embraced delegates from the leading churches in New England. Among the representatives at this council were such names as President Dwight of Yale College; Professors Porter, Woods and Stuart of Andover Theological Seminary; and Professors Moore, Adams and Shurtleff of Dartmouth College, and many others. The result of the council was the adoption of a constitution which embraced essentially the present charter of Kimball Union Academy, whose object should he as set forth in the charter:‑‑"To assist in the education of poor and pious young men for the gospel ministry; and such others as may he admitted by the trustees, subject to pay tuition." It was christened Union Academy‑‑it being the child of the united churches of New England; eventually to receive, and sparkle in history, under the cognomen of its principal donor. Woodstock, Vt., Orford, N.H., and other places made liberal offers, but lion. Daniel Kimball, a resident of Meriden, arose in the council and said he was read)' to pledge six thousand dollars to the institution., for immediate use, and the bulk of his property at his decease. This offer was accepted, determined its location in Meriden and its full name, Kimball Union Academy, after the decease of Mr. Kimball. It was incorporated June 16, 1813.

The first academy building was dedicated January 9, 1835, and on the following day the first school was opened with seven pupils in attendance. Otis Hutchins, a graduate of Dartmouth College, class 1804, was its first Principal, followed successively by John L. Parkhurst of Brown University, Israel Newell of Bowdoin College, Cyrus S. Richards of Dartmouth College, Rev. J. E. Goodrich a graduate of the University of Vermont, Boy. L. A. Austin of Middlebury College, Vt., George J. Cummings of Dartmouth, and Prof. D. G. Miller, a graduate of Dartmouth class '84. The latter gentleman is its present Principal, and is ably assisted by Edwin H. Ross, a graduate of Dartmouth, class '86, and Miss Abbie McCutcheon, a graduate of the Abbott Female Seminary, Andover, Mass. There are at present fifty pupils in attendance, including about twenty‑five young ladies.

In 1824, the academy building was consumed by fire, together with a library of considerable value. In 1825 the second building, now the wing of the main building, was finished and dedicated. In 1839 Madam Kimball, the widow of Daniel Kimball, bequeathed ten thousand dollars for the establishment of a Female Department, and in order to accommodate the greatly increased patronage, the present main building was erected and completed in 1840; and in the autumn of that year the department went into operation, with Miss Martha Green, the widow of the late Rev. Moses Bradford of Mclndoes, Vt., as the first Principal.

The academy proper is very commodious, three stories high, and is built of brick; the wing is two stories high. There is a library here containing over twelve hundred volumes of books, which was incorporated by the name of Meriden Library, Dec. 11th, 1797.

The number of students attending this school has sometimes exceeded three hundred. The average attendance during the thirty‑six years of Prof. Richards's principal-ship, was at least two hundred. This patronage was gathered from almost all the States and Canada, and it has been authoritatively said that it was such a patronage, too, as certainly cannot be found out. of New England, nor in the vicinity of large cities; and like the waves that chase each other over the restless ocean, the influences that have gone out from this fountain, as a power for good, have pervaded the entire land‑‑the world. The record is safely recorded above. How much plainer and fuller shall we understand it all, when the "Book of remembrance" shall be opened. Till then, veiled in the mantle of charity, faults and virtues even, must await their true estimation; and the day of unveiling draweth on apace.

During the past season the buildings have been repaired and painted at an expense of about six hundred and the pristine student of 40 years ago would scarcely recognize the rooms in the second story of the main building where he was wont to do active work in the reciting line. The apartment block, better known as the Bryant block, has also undergone a renovation at an expense of over six hundred dollars, and, we believe, is reserved especially for young lady students to set up housekeeping in, on a small, but solemn scale.

From 1815 to 1880 there have been eight Principals, thirty‑one permanent teachers, seventy‑two assistant teachers, seventeen teachers of instrumental music, three of painting and crayoning, one of elocution (Benj. F. Rowe), three of gymnastics (two ladies and one gentleman), and thirty teachers of penmanship.

Sixteen students in Dartmouth College have received aid in preparing for the ministry, from the fund of K. U. Academy. The whole number of male graduates, 1282; female, 353; male non‑graduates, 511; female, 453‑‑making a total of 2599. Dartmouth College has received these and graduated 533. Other colleges 252. Professional schools, 461.

Occupations have been as follows: Clergymen 333, Foreign Missionaries 26, Physicians 211, Lawyers 313, Editors 36, Teachers 431, Farmers 112, General Business 328; of these there are College Presidents 7, Professors in Colleges, 34, Members of Congress 4, Judges of Higher Courts 3.

The following were the students in 1815:

Micah Adams, Weston B. Adams, Sally Bryant, Betsey Gates, Lodema Baker, of Plainfield.

Beriah Green, Preston, Conn.

Elijah H. Kimball, Pomret, Vt.

Joseph Porter, Hartford, Vt.

Samuel P. Fiske, Edwin B. Stevens, Claremont

Wm. H. Lemmex, Demarara, S. America

Silas Metcalf, Chloe Cheney, Newport George Nelson, Lyme. Samuel Powers, Croydon

Harriet Wines, Deer Island, Me.

Henry Allen, James If. Kendrick, Lebanon