Rockingham County
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Atkinson is situated
in latitude 42-degrees 51', longitude 71-degrees 8', and is about four miles in
length and three in breadth, containing 6,800 acres, and is bounded north by
Hampstead, east by Plaistow, south by Haverhill, Mass., and west by Salem and
Derry. It is thirty-six miles from Concord and thirty-six miles from Boston, on
the Boston and Maine Railroad. Daily stage to village two miles.
It
originally was a part of Haverhill, which was settled in 1640. It comprises a
portion of the territory conveyed to the inhabitants of Pentucket (now
Haverhill) by the Indians Passaquo and Saggahew, with the consent of their chief
Passaconnaway, by their deed now in existence, dated November 15, 1642.
No settlement was made till eighty-five years later, when, in 1727 or '28,
Benjamin Richards, of Rochester, N. H., Nathaniel, Jonathan, and Edmund Page and
John Dow, from Haverhill, moved into the present limits of the town. When the
dividing line between New Hampshire and Massachusetts was settled, Atkinson,
then a part of Plaistow, was assigned to New Hampshire.
Plaistow was
incorporated February 28, 1749. Atkinson was separated from Plaistow August 31,
1767, and incorporated by the Legislature September 3rd of the same year.
The increase of population from the first settlement of the town was rapid,
and in 1775, eight years after the incorporation of the town, it numbered 575,
more than the average from that time to the present. The population by the
census of 1910 was 440.
The soil is of an excellent quality, yielding
large returns for the labor spent upon it, and the town has long been noted for
its superior fruit.
The location of the town is very high, commanding a
view of the spires of sixteen villages and of many mountains on every side
around it. The air is dry and pure, and Doctor Bowditch, the distinguished
physician, has long recommended it as one of the most favorable resorts in New
Hampshire for those afflicted with pulmonary complaints.
In the
Revolution, which occurred so soon after the incorporation of the town, the
people of Atkinson showed themselves truly patriotic. This they did by spirited
resolutions and by furnishing men and money for the army. Every man in Atkinson
signed the association test.
Mr. Nathaniel Cogswell, who had been a
merchant thirty or forty years in the adjoining Town of Haverhill, and had moved
into Atkinson in 1766, alone gave eight sons to the service, besides loaning
money to the town to be expended in bounty and military equipments, the greater
part of which money, by the depreciation of currency, he lost. These eight sons
performed more than thirty-eight years of service, a greater amount of service,
it is believed, than was rendered by any other family in the country.
They all survived the Revolution and settled in life, and were the Hon. Thomas
Cogswell, of Gilmanton; Hon. Amos Cogswell, of Dover; Capt. Nathaniel P.
Cogswell, of Atkinson; Moses Cogswell, Esq., of Canterbury; Dr. William
Cogswell, of Atkinson; John Cogswell, Esq., of Landaff; Dr. Joseph Cogswell, of
Yarmouth; and Mr. Ebenezer Cogswell, of Wiscosset, Me. Gen. Nathaniel Peabody,
by the important services he rendered to the country in this crisis of affairs,
was a host.
In all the wars in which our country has been engaged
Atkinson has been prompt to do its whole duty. In the War of 1812 she sent quite
a number of men to guard the forts along the coast, and Capt. William Page,
commander of a company of cavalry, in response to a requisition from the
governor, tendered the services of this entire company. Forty residents of
Atkinson served in the War of the Rebellion, very few towns in New Hampshire
furnishing so large a number in proportion to their population.
Ecclesiastical History. — The reasons assigned by the petitioners for a
separation from the Town of Plaistow were "that by reason of the great distance
of their dwellings from the meeting-house they undergo many and great
difficulties in attending the worship of Almighty God there, and that the said
meeting-house is not large enough to accommodate more than half of the
inhabitants of said town."
Before the erection of the church services
were held at the house of Mr. Nathaniel Cogswell. The first meeting-house was
built in 1768-69, and remained until 1845.
The town extended a call to
Mr. Stephen Peabody, February 26, 1772, and voted to give him "160 pounds lawful
money as a settlement, upon condition that the salary begin £66 13s. and 4d.
lawful money the first year, and add on 40 shillings per year till it amount to
80 pounds per year." They also voted to give him "ten cords of wood per year as
long as he carry on the work of the ministry in Atkinson." Mr. Peabody accepted,
and was ordained November 25, 1772, at which time the church was organized at
the house of Mr. Samuel Little.
The covenant of the church adopted at
its organization was evangelical. Mr. Peabody continued pastor of the church
until his decease.
After the death of Mr. Peabody the pulpit was
supplied by the following gentlemen: Jacob Cummings, from 1822 till 1824;
Stephen Farley, from 1824 till 1832; Luke A. Spofford (Ins.), from 1832 till
1834; Samuel H. Tolman (Ins.), from 1835 till 1839; Samuel Pierce (Ord.), from
1843 till 1844; Jesse Page, 1845 till 1869; Charles F. Morse (Ins.), 1872 till
1875; Charles T. Melvin, 1876 till 1880; Ezra B. Pike, 1880 till 1882; John O.
Barrows, 1882 till 1885; James Alexander, 1886; Augustus C. Swain, 1887 till
1892; Geo. Hale Scott, 1893 till 1907; Edgar Warren, 1907 till 1910; R. Albert
Goodwin, 1910 till 1914.
In March, 1819, three months previous to the
death of Mr. Peabody, the town "voted to let the Universalists have the
privilege of using the meeting-house the present year their proportion of
Sundays, according to the taxation." This vote was repeated in subsequent years.
Deeming it expedient, on account of the inconvenience which attended the
worship of God in connection with those of other denominations, the church and
orthodox part of the community formed, February 19, 1834, a society for the
support of Christian institutions, called the "Congregational Society in
Atkinson." During the year 1835 a meeting-house was erected by this new society
from subscriptions by themselves and others. It stands on land given for this
purpose by Joseph B. Cogswell.
In 1845, Mrs. Judith Cogswell, widow of
Dr. William Cogswell, gave to the Orthodox Congregational Church and Society a
bell weighing 1,300 pounds. A fine parsonage was erected in 1872. The
meeting-house was remodeled in 1879 at an expense exceeding its original cost.
In 1872, Francis Cogswell, George Cogswell, Nathaniel Cogswell, and
Jesse Page gave to the Congregational Church a thousand dollars each, "The
interest to be expended, under its direction, for the support of preaching and
sustaining the gospel ministry"; and Joseph B. Cogswell, another brother, a
similar amount for the support of preaching and repairs on the house of worship.
Donations to the preaching fund have also been made by John Pettengill and Eliza
W. Noyes.
It may be well to remark that the singing in the church has
always been by a volunteer choir. To one family, children of Mr. Henry Noyes,
has the church been especially indebted. Four sisters of this family sat side by
side for more than forty years preceding 1865, and several brothers nearly as
long, and the husband of one of the four sisters sang in the choir more than
fifty years, a great part of the time as the leader.
A Universalist
Society was incorporated June 18, 1818, by the name of the Universalist Society
of Atkinson and Hampstead. The old society was given up, and the present one
formed in 1839, and is known by the name of the Atkinson Universalist Society.
The society erected a meeting-house in 1842.
For the years 1843 and 1844
the Rev. Josiah Gilman resided in the town, and supplied the pulpit half the
time. Since then the society has had preaching only occasionally.
Education. — The early settlers seem to have been people of intelligence, and
one of their first thoughts was the education of their children. March 29, 1774,
according to the records of the town, it was voted to hire a schoolmaster eight
months the ensuing year, an unusual length of school for so small a population
at that early period. January 30, 1775, the town was divided into three school
districts and subsequently into six; the present number is five. The people,
however, were soon dissatisfied with the advantages of the common district
schools, and in 1788 erected a suitable building and established Atkinson
Academy, which is entitled to an honorable place among the educational
institutions of New England from its antiquity and usefulness.
The first
four academies of New Hampshire were Phillips, at Exeter, incorporated 1781; New
Ipswich, incorporated 1789; Chesterfield, incorporated 1790; and Atkinson,
incorporated February 17, 1791. As the one at Atkinson, however, went into
operation several years before its incorporation, it is really the second in the
state in point of age. The origin of the academy is due mainly to the efforts of
three men, — Hon. Dr. and Gen. Nathaniel Peabody, Rev. Stephen Peabody, and Dr.
William Cogswell.
The first academy building, one story in height, was
erected in the center of the town, where the road to Salem diverges from the
main street. It was burned in 1802 and rebuilt in 1803.
When first
established the academy, through the scarcity of such institutions, soon gained
an enviable reputation, and was largely patronized from a distance, fitting
young men for college, and giving instruction in the higher English branches. It
early became a mixed school, when but little attention had been paid to female
education, and has so continued to the present time, being the first academy,
according to Rev. Dr. Foll, himself one of the pupils, where the sexes were
educated together in the higher branches.
It is interesting to note, in
comparison with the present educational expenses, how small were the charges of
the school in its early history. The tuition for the first two years was only
6s. for a quarter of twelve weeks; then 9s.; in 1797, $2.00; in 1805, $3.00; in
1839 it was raised to $4.00; in 1854 it was $4.80. Board at first was 4s. 6d.,
including lodging and washing. Then for many years it was 6s.; in 1830 it was
7s. 6d. for the whole week, including washing and lodging, and 6s. for those who
spent the Sabbath at their homes; in 1850 from $1.50 to $2.00 per week,
including room-rent and washing.
Very many have enjoyed its privileges
who would otherwise have secured no instruction beyond that of the common
district schools. To the town where it is located it has been of priceless
value.
Among the many pupils of the old academy are not a few who have
attained eminence. There may be mentioned the names of Levi Woodbury, noted in
youth as in manhood for his untiring industry; Governor Kent, of Maine; Jonathan
and Joseph Cilley; President Brown, of Dartmouth College; Gen. James Wilson;
Judge White, of Salem; President Hale, of Hobart College; Benjamin Greenleaf,
author of many mathematical works; Edmund R. Peaslee, LL. D., the distinguished
medical professor and practitioner, of New York City; Judge Greenleaf Clarke, of
the Supreme Court, Minnesota. To these should be added, besides others
previously mentioned, a large number of clergymen of great usefulness.
Grace Fletcher, the first wife of Daniel Webster, was educated here, and has
been described by her schoolmates as a pale, modest, retiring girl.
The
following have been principals of the academy: M. H. Neal, D. Hardy, Samuel
Moody, S. Dinsmore, S. P. Webster, John Vose, Moses Dow, Wm. Cogswell, Francis
Vose, Jacob Cummings, Stephen Farley, Enoch Hale, John Kelly, Jos. Peckham, J.
A. Taylor, B. A. Spaulding, J. W. Ray, E. H. Greeley, Jos. Garland, C. D. Fitch,
W. C. Todd, C. P. Parsons, J. W. Dodge, J. W. Spaulding, N. Barrows, W. E.
Buntin, B. H. Weston, E. C. Allen, M. P. White, J. V. Hazen, C. D. Tenney, B. H.
Weston, T. B. Rice, H. N. Dunham, A. P. Averill, O. B. Lord, W. H. Thompson.
Oscar E. Gibbs is the present principal.
The first house in the town was built by Benjamin Richards, at the end of the lane leading from the main street, a little north of the burying-ground. In this same house Lieut. Ezekiel Belknap died, January 5, 1836, aged one hundred years and forty days. He was a soldier of the old French war, afterwards an officer in the Revolutionary war, and was present at the execution of Andre.
Edward B. Murray, Co. C, 3d Regiment; enlisted
December 23, 1861; discharged July 20, 1865.
James Carroll, Co. F., 3d
Regiment; enlisted December 6, 1864.
Jacob Van Dunran, Co. C, 4th
Regiment; enlisted December 9, 1863.
George W. Heath, Co. E, 4th
Regiment; enlisted September 18, 1861; re-enlisted February 25, 1864; discharged
January 27, 1865.
Edmund F. McNeil, Co. H, 4th Regiment; enlisted
September 18, 1861; re-enlisted January 1, 1864, and promoted to 1st sergeant;
killed August 16, 1864.
John E. Austin, corporal Co. H, 1st Regiment;
enlisted May 3, 1861; discharged August 9, 1861; corporal Co. H, 4th Regiment;
enlisted September 18, 1 86 1; promoted to 1st sergeant February 20, 1864;
discharged August 23, 1865.
George Hopper, Co. G, 5th Regiment; enlisted
August 17, 1864; discharged June 28, 1865.
John Mulligan, Co. G, 5th
Regiment; enlisted August 29, 1864.
John Conley, Co. H, 5th Regiment;
enlisted August 13, 1864.
John Henrys, 5th Regiment; enlisted August 9,
1863.
Harry Blake, Co. H, 5th Regiment; enlisted August 13, 1864;
promoted to corporal April 18, 1865; discharged June 28, 1865.
Henry
Hall, Co. C, 7th Regiment; enlisted January 3, 1865; discharged July 20, 1865.
John Smith, Co. C, 7th Regiment; enlisted January 3, 1865; discharged
July 20, 1865.
William Lovell, Co. C, 7th Regiment; enlisted September
12, 1864; died at Jones' Landing, Va., date unknown.
Andrew Mack, Co. K,
7th Regiment; enlisted September 12, 1864; promoted to corporal July 3, 1865;
discharged July 20, 1865.
Frederick W. Sleeper, Co. C, 7th Regiment;
enlisted November 20, 1861; re-enlisted February 28, 1864; discharged July 20,
1865.
James Richmond, Co. H, 9th Regiment; enlisted December 9, 1863.
Mamuel Silver, Co. K, 9th Regiment; enlisted December 9, 1863.
Andrew Coleman, Co. K, 9th Regiment; enlisted December 9, 1863.
Lafayette Tebbetts, Co. C, 10th Regiment; enlisted August 25, 1864; discharged
June 3, 1865.
James Harper, Co. G, 10th Regiment; enlisted October 29,
1863; date of discharge unknown.
Lorenzo Frost, Co. K, 15th Regiment;
enlisted October 16, 1862; discharged August 13, 1863.
Frank P. Ireson,
Co. K, 15th Regiment; enlisted October 16, 1862; discharged August 13, 1863.
A. Noyse, Co. K, 15th Regiment; enlisted October 16, 1862; died July 24,
1863.
Charles G. Perkins, Co. K, 15th Regiment; enlisted October 16,
1862; discharged August 13, 1863.
Orrin F. Richards, Co. K, 15th
Regiment; enlisted October 16, 1862; discharged August 13, 1863.
Arthur
L. Merrick, Co. K, 15th Regiment; enlisted October 16, 1862, sergeant;
discharged August 13, 1863.
Robert King, Co. A, 17th Regiment; enlisted
December 10, 1862; promoted to corporal; discharged April 16, 1863.
J.
H. Smith, 17th Regiment; enlisted February 4, 1863; date of discharge unknown.
Patrick Mack, Co. C, 1st Cavalry; enlisted March 31, 1864.
John
Roberts, Co. C, 1st Cavalry; enlisted March 31, 1864.
Ebenezer Buck, V.
R. C.; enlisted November 10, 1863; date of discharge unknown.
Patrick
Dunn; enlisted July 29, 1864; date of discharge unknown.
Patrick K.
Norton; enlisted July 3, 1863; date of discharge unknown.
Philip G.
Lord; enlisted July 3, 1863; date of discharge unknown.
Andrew M.
Dunning; enlisted July 3, 1863; date of discharge unknown.
Joseph Vedo;
enlisted July 3, 1863; date of discharge unknown.
George Hughes;
enlisted August 29, 1864; date of discharge unknown.
Marcus M. Merrick,
Co. H, 1st Regiment; enlisted May 3, 1861; discharged August 9, 1861.
Gilman Noyes, Co. H, 1st Regiment; enlisted May 3, 1861; discharged August 9,
1861.
David O. Clarke, sergeant Co. K, 5th Regiment; enlisted October
12, 1 86 1; discharged March 16, 1863.
Joseph A. Carlton, Co. K, 5th
Regiment; enlisted October 12, 1861; discharged February 7, 1863.
James
Hahir, Co. G, 10th Regiment; enlisted December 29, 1863; transferred 2d N. H.
Regiment, June 21, 1865.
John C. Ryan, Co. K, 5th Regiment; enlisted
October 12, 1861; discharged January 7, 1863.
Samuel B. Mason, sergeant
Co. H, 4th Regiment; enlisted September 18, 1861; discharged September 27, 1864.
Byron Noyes, sergeant Co. H, 4th Regiment; enlisted September 18, 1861;
discharged September 27, 1864.
Nathaniel G. Scott, marine; enlisted
March 15, 1864; date of discharge unknown.
Lorin Heath, marine; enlisted
August 11, 1864; date of discharge unknown.
The Atkinson Public Library
was founded by the State in July, 1894. It has 1953 volumes. Alice Gilbert is
librarian.
Atkinson Grange, P. of H. and I. O. U. R. M. are the
societies.
Contributed 2022 Nov 07 by Norma Hass, extracted from History of Rockingham County, New Hampshire and Representative Citizens by Charles A. Hazlett, published in 1915, pages 213-219.
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