The New England Historical & Genealogical Register, Vol. 1, No. 1, January 1847

Part 1

Chapter 13,023 wordsPublic domain

CONTENTS.

Page.

Memoir of John Farmer, M. A., 9

Genealogical Memoir of the Farmer Family, 21

Memoirs of Graduates of Harvard College, 34

Congregational Ministers and Churches in Rockingham County, N. H., 40

Foreign Missionaries from Norwich, Ct., 46

Passengers in the Mayflower in 1620, 47

Major Pendleton's Letter, 53

Capt. Miles Standish's Inventory of Books, 54

Juridical Statistics of Merrimack County, N. H., 54

Biographical Notices of Deceased Physicians in Massachusetts, 60

Extract from a Letter of Hon. William Cranch, 65

Letter from Rev. John Walrond to Rev. William Waldron, 66

Form of a Family Register, 67

Genealogy of the Chase Family, 68

" " " Dudley Family, 71

Epitaphs, 72

Instances of Longevity in Belfast, Me., 73

Scraps from Interleaved Almanacs, 73

Decease of the Fathers of New England, 74

Notice of Governor Bradstreet, 75

Sketches of Alumni at the different Colleges in New England, 77

The Fathers of New England, 91

Governor Hinckley's Verses on the Death of his second Consort, 92

Biographical Notices of Physicians in Kingston, N. H., 95

Anniversary of the New England Society at Cincinnati, 100

Notices of New Publications, 100

NEW ENGLAND

HISTORICAL AND GENEALOGICAL REGISTER.

===================================== VOL. I. JANUARY, 1847. NO. 1. =====================================

MEMOIR OF JOHN FARMER, M. A.,

LATE CORRESPONDING SECRETARY OF THE NEW HAMPSHIRE HISTORICAL SOCIETY.

John Farmer, who was the most distinguished Genealogist and Antiquary of this country, was born at Chelmsford, Ms., June 12, 1789.[1] He was the eldest son of John Farmer, who married, January 24, 1788, Lydia Richardson, daughter of Josiah Richardson of Chelmsford, Ms. His father was the son of Oliver Farmer, born July 31, 1728, who was the son of Edward, born at Ansley, Warwickshire, England, who emigrated to this country about the year 1670, and settled at Billerica, Ms.[2]

Mr. Farmer inherited a feeble constitution. From early life till death, his appearance was that of a person in the last stage of a consumption. But notwithstanding his great bodily infirmity, he was enabled by his industry and perseverance to accomplish wonders.

From childhood, he was fond of books and study; ever diligent as a scholar, and excelling most of his school-fellows in his acquisitions of knowledge. Hours which, during recess or vacation, the more hardy and robust would spend in athletic games and youthful sports, he was disposed to employ in poring over books of history, geography and chronology, inquiring after ancient records and papers, looking into the genealogy of families, and copying and treasuring up anecdotes and traditions of Indians and Revolutionary struggles. In his fondness for writing, and for copying antiquarian, civil, ecclesiastical and literary matters, he almost insensibly acquired a beautiful style of penmanship, which gave to all his manuscripts a peculiar air of neatness and grace. A favorite of the clergyman of his native place, he was allowed free access to his books and papers, and thus he imbibed those impressions of filial respect for the ministers of the gospel, which he exhibited on all occasions through life. He regarded, with great reverence, the clerical profession, looking upon the ministers of the cross as indeed "the messengers of God."

At the age of sixteen, he became a clerk in a store at Amherst, N. H. Here he remained five years, giving diligent attention to the business of his employers, and devoting his leisure hours to literary studies and correspondence. In a letter to the Rev. Hezekiah Packard, D. D., who had been his teacher before he went to Amherst, Mr. Farmer spoke with affection and gratitude of his early Instructor; and in a reply, dated Wiscasset, Me., Dec. 4, 1809, the Doctor says, "If any of my friendly and religious counsels, or any books I put into your hands, made deep and lasting impressions upon your tender mind, you will join me in giving praise and glory to God and the Redeemer. I can truly say of my pupils, as St. John did of those he had converted to the Christian faith, 'I have no greater joy than seeing them walking in the truth.' I am much pleased with the account you give of your industry and progress. If you have no idea of a college education, it might appear as useful to you to become more familiar with your favorite branches, geography, history, the constitutions of our State governments and that of our common country, as well as with the origin and progress of wars, and other calamities of the eastern world." No pupil, probably, ever more highly valued an instructor, than did young Farmer; and that he placed a high estimate upon the teachings of Dr. Packard, is sufficiently shown by his affectionate remembrance of him, and by his pursuits in after life, and the results of his many labors.

In the course of the year 1810, finding the labors of his station too arduous for his feeble health, Mr. Farmer left the store, and engaged in teaching school, an employment in which he is said to have greatly excelled. Two or three years previous to this, a literary association for mutual improvement was formed at Amherst, the members of which met weekly for debate, the rehearsal of pieces, and reading original compositions. Of this society, Mr. Farmer was for about eleven years the chief supporter, contributing largely to the interest and usefulness of the meetings by his own performances, and by inviting and attracting to it the young men of promise that were about him. The neighboring clergy were made honorary members of it, and frequently attended its meetings, and participated in the discussions.

While engaged in school-keeping, Mr. Farmer cultivated his natural taste, and pursued, with industry, historical inquiries. In 1813, becoming known to some of the Members of the Massachusetts Historical Society, he was elected a Corresponding Member of it, and immediately became a contributor to its Collections, which have been published. In 1816, he published, in a pamphlet form, his "Historical Sketch of Billerica," and furnished many valuable facts towards the materials for the History of Chelmsford, afterwards published by the Rev. Mr. Allen. In 1820, he published "An Historical Sketch of Amherst from the first settlement of the town," in pamphlet form. In these two publications, the marked peculiarities of his mind are strongly exhibited. He evinced a memory wonderfully tenacious of particular facts, dates, and names, sound judgment in collecting, selecting, and arranging his materials, and an exquisite niceness and exactness in all the details of these histories.

About this time, Mr. Farmer commenced the study of medicine with Dr. Matthias Spalding, an eminent Physician of Amherst; but after a few months, foreseeing that he should be unfitted to discharge the laborious duties of the profession, he relinquished the study; and in 1821, removed to Concord. He there formed a connection in business with Dr. Samuel Morril, and opened an apothecary's store, from which circumstance he received the title of _Doctor_. His feeble health not allowing any kind of hard manual labor, or exposure to the changes of weather out of doors, he, partly of necessity and partly of choice, adopted a very sedentary mode of life. He was rarely away from his place of residence. He deemed it hazardous for him to leave home. In 1836, however, after a lapse of eighteen years, he visited Boston, where he was treated with marked respect and attention by the _literati_ of the city; but was quite ill, while there, and unable to enjoy very much of what he expected from his visit. He soon returned home, restored to comparative health.

From the time of his removal to Concord, Mr. Farmer devoted himself _principally_ to what had become his favorite studies and pursuits. He gathered together books of ancient date, early records of the towns, and notices of the first settlers of the country; inquired into the names, ages, characters and deaths of distinguished men of every profession; and entered into extensive correspondence with individuals who might be able to furnish him with facts, relating to the subjects of his inquiry. In short, he soon became known as an Antiquary, distinguished beyond any of his fellow-citizens, for exact knowledge of facts and events relative to the history of New Hampshire, and of New England generally. His mind was a wonderful repository of names, and dates, and particular incidents; and so general and well established was his reputation for accuracy of memory, that his authority was relied on as decisive in historical and genealogical facts. And though at times, he might have been inaccurate, it is to be remembered, that, while he was the greatest Genealogist and Antiquary of the country, he was also the _Pioneer_ in this department of knowledge; and while some, who shall follow him, may _occasionally_ discover a mistake, the _honor_ of _this_ is not to be compared to the _honor_ of _projecting_ and _executing_ such works as Mr. Farmer's.

In 1822, Mr. Farmer, in connection with Jacob B. Moore, Esq., commenced a Periodical Miscellany, devoted principally to, "1. Historical Sketches of Indian wars, battles, and exploits; of the adventures and sufferings of the captives: 2. Topographical Descriptions of towns and places in New Hampshire, with their history, civil and ecclesiastical: 3. Biographical Memoirs and Anecdotes of eminent and remarkable persons who lived in New Hampshire, or who have had connection with its settlement and history: 4. Statistical Tables; Tables of Births, Diseases, and Deaths: 5. Meteorological Observations, and facts relating to climate." Three volumes of this work were published.

In the same year he received the honorary degree of Master of Arts from Dartmouth College; and in the following year he was complimented with the appointment of Justice of the Peace for the newly constituted county of Merrimack, but he did not deem the office of sufficient importance, ever to act under his commission.

The New Hampshire Historical Society was established, May 20, 1823; and, although Mr. Farmer was unable to be present at any of the early meetings of its founders, he took a deep interest in its establishment, and contributed much towards its organization and success. Though he was never more than once or twice present at the meetings of the Society, yet he never failed to communicate with the members, by letter or otherwise, on such occasions. He was Corresponding Secretary of the Society till his death, the duties of which office he discharged with rare ability and fidelity. Of the five volumes of Collections, published by the Society, he was on the Publishing Committee of four. The fifth volume was wholly compiled by him, and all the preceding volumes are enriched by his contributions.

In 1823, Mr. Farmer, with an associate, Jacob B. Moore, Esq., published "A Gazetteer of the State of New Hampshire, comprehending, 1. A concise description of the several towns in the State, in relation to their boundaries, divisions, mountains, lakes, ponds: 2. The early history of each town; names of the first settlers, and what were their hardships and adventures; instances of longevity, or of great mortality; and short biographical notices of the most distinguished and useful men: 3. A concise notice of the formation of the first churches in the several towns; the names of those who have been successively ordained as ministers, and the time of their settlement, removal or death: 4. Also, notices of permanent charitable and other institutions, literary societies, &c." This work was one of immense labor.

Mr. Farmer's published works are very numerous; and, considering his infirm state of health during the whole seventeen years of his residence in Concord, those who best knew him were surprised at the extent and variety of his labors. The following is believed to be an accurate list of his productions, with the exception of his occasional contributions to the newspapers, or other ephemeral publications.

1. A Family Register of the Descendants of Edward Farmer, of Billerica, in the youngest branch of his Family. 12mo, pp. 12. Concord, 1813; with an Appendix, 12mo, pp. 7. Concord, 1824. This work, with some additions, was reprinted at Hingham, in 1828.

2. A Sketch of Amherst, N. H., published in 2 Coll. Mass. Hist. Soc. ii. Boston, 1814.

3. A Topographical and Historical Description of the County of Hillsborough, N. H., published in 2 Coll. Mass. Hist. Soc. vii. Boston, 1818.

4. An Historical Memoir of Billerica, Ms., containing Notices of the principal events in the Civil and Ecclesiastical Affairs of the Town, from its first settlement to 1816. 8vo, pp. 36. Amherst, 1816.

5. An Historical Sketch of Amherst, N. H., from the first settlement to 1820. 8vo, pp. 35. Amherst, 1820. A second edition, much enlarged, was published at Concord, in 1837. 8vo, pp. 52.

6. An Ecclesiastical Register of New Hampshire; containing a succinct account of the different religious denominations; their origin, and progress, and present numbers; with a Catalogue of the Ministers of the several Churches, from 1638 to 1821; the date of their settlement, removal, or death, and the number of communicants in 1821. 18mo, pp. 36. Concord, 1822.

7. The New Military Guide, a compilation of Rules and Regulations for the use of the Militia. 12mo, pp. 144. Concord, 1822.

8. The New Hampshire Annual Register and United States Calendar, published annually at Concord, from 1822 to 1838, inclusive, seventeen numbers, each consisting of 144 pages, 18mo, excepting those for 1823 and 1824, which were in 12mo, pp. 152, 132.

9. A Gazetteer of the State of New Hampshire, with a Map, and several Engravings, (in conjunction with Jacob B. Moore, Esq.) 12mo, pp. 276. Concord, 1823.

10. Collections, Historical and Miscellaneous, (in connection with J. B. Moore, Esq.) 3 vols. 8vo, pp. 302, 388, 388. With an Appendix to Vols. II. and III. pp. 110, 97. Concord, 1822, 1823, 1824.

11. Memoir of the Penacook Indians, published in an Appendix to Moore's Annals of Concord, 1824. 8vo, pp. 7.

12. A Genealogical Register of the First Settlers of New England, containing an Alphabetical List of the Governors, Deputy Governors, Assistants or Counsellors, and Ministers of the Gospel, in the several Colonies, from 1620 to 1692; Representatives of the General Court of Massachusetts, from 1634 to 1692; Graduates of Harvard College, to 1662; Members of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company, to 1662; Freemen admitted to the Massachusetts Colony, from 1630 to 1662; with many other of the early inhabitants of New England and Long Island, N. Y., from 1620 to the year 1675; to which are added various Genealogical and Biographical Notes, collected from Ancient Records, Manuscripts, and printed Works.

13. A Catechism of the History of New Hampshire, from its first settlement, for Schools and Families. 18mo, pp. 87. Concord, 1829. Second edition, 18mo, pp. 108, in 1830.

14. The Concord Directory. 12mo, pp. 24. Concord, 1830.

15. Pastors, Deacons, and Members of the First Congregational Church in Concord, N. H., from Nov. 18, 1730, to Nov. 18, 1830. 8vo, pp. 21. Concord, 1830.

16. An edition of the Constitution of New Hampshire, with Questions; designed for the use of Academics and District Schools in said State. 18mo, pp. 68. Concord, 1831.

17. A new edition of Belknap; containing various Corrections and Illustrations of the first and second volumes of Dr. Belknap's History of New Hampshire, and additional Facts and Notices of Persons and Events therein mentioned. Published in 1 vol. 8vo, pp. 512. Dover, 1831.

18. Papers in the Second and Third Series of the Massachusetts Historical Collections.

19. Papers in the five published volumes of Collections of the New Hampshire Historical Society.

20. Papers in the American Quarterly Register, viz: Sketches of the First Graduates of Dartmouth College, from 1771 to 1783; List of the Congregational and Presbyterian Ministers of New Hampshire, from its first settlement to 1814; List of the Graduates of all the Colleges of New England, containing about 19,000 names; List of eight hundred and forty deceased Ministers who were graduated at Harvard College, from 1642 to 1826, together with their ages, the time of their graduation and of their decease; and Memoirs of Ministers who have graduated at Harvard College to 1657.

It will be obvious that these works required severe labor and unwearied care in their preparation. Of Mr. Farmer's edition of Belknap's History of New Hampshire it is sufficient to say, that the work is very much improved by the Annotator, who has embodied a great mass of valuable matter in his notes relative to the subjects of which he treated. It was his intention to have prepared a second volume for the press, and he had collected a mass of materials for the work, but did not live to accomplish his design.

The Genealogical Register is a most wonderful exhibition of persevering industry. It may justly be called his _great work_, both on account of the quantity of matter which it contains and the difficulty of tracing out branches of families, where we have no regular genealogy. It embraces many thousands of names of persons, with dates of birth, death, offices sustained, places of residence, &c., chiefly through the seventeenth century. For one who is fond of genealogical investigations, there is no treasure-house like it. There are but a few surnames found in New England, during the two centuries of our existence, which do not there appear. Had Mr. Farmer published nothing else, this would remain a lasting monument of his patient research and marvellous accuracy. He has left a corrected copy of his Register, greatly enlarged by successive additions, corrections, and illustrations. He has also left several valuable manuscripts, more or less complete, containing Sketches of deceased Lawyers, Physicians, Counsellors, and Senators in New Hampshire; Tables of Mortality and Longevity; Memoirs of more than two thousand early graduates of Harvard College, and also of many graduates of Dartmouth College. Those of Dartmouth College consist only of a few memoranda of those individuals who received their degrees prior to 1799.[3]