erected in 1852. The Pleasant St. Christian Society was organized in 1802, and in 1806 a meeting house was erected. In 1839, they purchased their house on Pleasant street.

The following inscriptions are copied from monuments in the ancient or north graveyard, by the railroad depot.

Here are deposited the remains of the Honorable WILLIAM WHIPPLE, who departed this life on the 28th day of November, 1785, in the 55th year of his age. He was often elected, and thrice attended the continental congress, as a delegate for the state of New Hampshire, particularly in that memorable year in which America declared itself independent of Great Britain. He was also, at the time of his decease, a judge of the supreme court of judicature. In him a firm and ardent patriotism was united with universal benevolence and every social virtue.

Here rest the remains of Doctor JOSHUA BRACKETT, late president of the New Hampshire Medical Society, who, in the belief of the restoration of all things, calmly resigned his breath, July 17, A. D. 1802, in the 69th year of his age. Appointed by the state of New Hampshire, judge of the maritime court, and at the time she assumed her sovereign rights, he sustained the office with honor and integrity until the adoption of the Federal compact. He was in judgment sound, in friendship firm, in sentiment liberal, in benevolence unbounded.

Eastern view of the central part of Concord.

[The annexed view shows the appearance of the compact part of Concord, as seen from the high sandy bluff rising abruptly from the level meadows bordering on the Merrimac. The free bridge over the Merrimac is seen near the central part, above which appear the state house and other public buildings on the Main street of the city. The railroad depot is on the left, above which, in the distance, is seen the insane asylum. The new city hall on Main street, on the extreme right."

CONCORD, the seat of justice for Merrimac county, city, and capital of the state of New Hampshire, is principally situated on the west side of the Merrimac, near the center of the state, east and west, being 50 miles from the Atlantic coast, and the same distance from the Connecticut River. By railroad, from Boston it is 76 miles, and 158 from Augusta, Me., through Portsmouth, and 132 from Montpelier, Vt. The city limits are quite extensive, embracing within its bounds four villages or settlements. The principal village, or "the street," as it is frequently called, extends along the Merrimac about a mile and

a half, and is the central place for business, containing the state house, 10 churches, four banks, and other public buildings, and a population estimated at about 7,000. The state house is on State street, and was completed in 1819. It stands in a beautiful grove of trees. Its walls are of hammered granite, and cost, with its appendages, and the lot on which it stands, $82,000. The Methodist General Institute, which was incorporated in 1847, occupies the "old North Church." It is at the north end of Main street. The State Prison, mainly sustained by the labor of the convicts, is located in this section. The New Hampshire Asylum for the Insane, a half a mile south from the state house, was erected in 1841, and is an ornament to the city, and an honor to the state. The West Parish village, about three miles. from the state house, is a place of considerable manufacture of blankets and flannels. Here is a station of the Concord and Claremont Railroad. Fishersville, a thriving village, on the north line. of Concord, at the junction of the Contoocook with the Merrimac, about six miles from the main village, contains about 1,500 inhabitants. The first mill was erected by the Messrs. Fisher of Boston, in 1836.

Concord was originally called Penacook, from an Indian tribe of that name, whose head quarters were fixed here at the period of the English settlements. They were "under a powerful chieftain, called Passaconaway, who extended his dominion over subordinate tribes along the river, from the Winnipisseogee to Pawtucket Falls, and as far east as the Squamscots and Piscataqua."* It appears that he was regarded with the highest veneration by the Indians, on account of the wonderful powers he possessed. He was a powow, sustaining the of fice of priest and physician, and having direct communication with the Great Spirit. This tract was granted by Massachusetts to Benjamin Stephens and others, in 1725, and the settlement began the year following. The Rev. Timothy Walker was settled as minister in 1730, and died in 1782. "Mr. Walker," says Mr. Bouton, in his History of Concord, "is, more than any other single person, entitled to the appellation of the father of the town. In time of peace, they were in the habit of calling at his house, where they were hospitably entertained." In 1733, the plantation was incorporated by the name of Rumford, which name it retained until 1765, when the town was incorporated by its present name. It was incorporated as a city in 1853.

Concord suffered much from the incursions of the savages

* Bouton's History of Concord, 1855.

between

The following tradition is preserved: Mr. Walker, on one occasion, had for his text, "When thou hast vowed a vow unto God, defer not to pay it." After he had finished his sermon, an Indian, who happened to be present, stepped up to Mr. W., saying: "Now me row to go home with you, Mr. Minister." Mr. W., having no plausible reason for turning him off, replied, "Well, I suppose you must go, then." Having arrived at his house, the Indian vowed again, saying, Now me cow me have supper.' When this was finished, he said, "Me cow me stay all night." Mr. W. by this time thinking himself sufficiently taxed, replied, "It may be so, but I vow you shall go away in the morning."

the years 1740 and 1750. On Aug. 11, 0. S., 1746, Lieut. Bradley and four other men were killed a short distance westward of the site of the insane asylum. At this period, fearing an attack from the Indians, five of the houses in Concord were garrisoned as a defense. A company of soldiers, under Capt. Ladd and Lieut. Bradley were sent by the governor from Exeter for the defense of Rumford and the adjacent towns. On the morning of the 11th, Lieut. Bradley took seven men with him for the purpose of going to a garrison about two and a half miles from Rumford. They had proceeded upward of a mile, when they fell into an ambuscade of about 100 Indians, who killed five of their number and captured the two others, after a bloody struggle, in which four of the Indians were killed and two wounded, who were carried off on biers. The bodies of Lieut. Bradley and his companions, shockingly mangled, stripped of their clothing, and bloody, were put side by side in a cart, which was driven into the main street, where a great number of men, women and children were collected to see the dreadful sight. The next day they were all buried in two graves, near what was then the north-west corner of the old burying ground.

On the 22d of Aug., 1837 (corresponding with 11th of Aug., O. S.), a granite monument was erected at the place of massacre, on the north side of the road leading to Hopkinton. A large concourse of people assembled, a long procession was formed under the direction of Col. Brown, chief marshal, and when the monument was raised, the procession moved to the grove of oaks on the south side of the road. A hymn, by the Rev. John Pierpont, of Boston, was then sung, and an address was given by Mr. Asa McFarland. After the reading of the original petition of the inhabitants of Rumford for succor against the Indians, by Richard Bradley, Esq., a conveyance of the monument and grounds to the New Hampshire Historical Society was then delivered to the Rev. Mr. Boutwell, who received it on behalf of the society. An ode, by G. Kent, Esq., and an historical ballad by Miss Mary Clark was given. Prayers were offered by the Rev. Mr. Boutwell and Rev. E. E. Cummings. The following is the hymn by Mr. Pierpont.

Not now, O God, beneath the trees

That shade this vale at night's cold noon,
Do Indian war-songs load the breeze,
Or wolves sit howling to the moon.

The foes, the fears our fathers left,

Have with our fathers passed away;

And where in death's dark shade they knelt,
We come to praise thee and to pray.

We praise thee that thou plantest them,

And mad'st thy heavens drop down their
dew;

We pray that, shooting from their stem,
We long may flourish where they grew.

And, Father, leave us not alone;

Thou hast been, and art still our trust;

Be thou our fortress, till our own

Shall mingle with our fathers' dust.

The monument, 12 feet high, has the following inscription:

This monument is in memory of SAMUEL BRADLEY, JONATHAN BRADLEY, OBADIAH PETERS, JOHN BEAN, and JOHN LUFKIN, who were massacred Aug. 11, 1746, by the Indians. Erected 1837, by Richard Bradley, son of the Hon. John Bradley, and grandson of Samuel Bradley.

The following inscriptions are copied from monuments in the graveyard at the north end of State street. The first is that of John Farmer, M. A., one of the most distinguished genealogists and antiquarians in this country. He was naturally of a feeble constitution, and from early life his appearance was that of a person in the last stage of consumption. But notwithstanding his great bodily infirmity, he was by his industry and perseverance to accomplish wonders.

At the age of sixteen he became clerk in a store in Amherst, N. H. Afterward, in 1810, he engaged in teaching school, an employment in which he greatly excelled. While engaged in this profession, Mr. Farmer cultivated his natural taste, and pursued with industry historical inquiries. In 1813, he was elected a corresponding member of the Massachusetts Historical Society, and contributed largely to its "collections." In 1821, he removed to Concord, and formed a connection in business with Dr. Morill, as an apothecary. His feeble health compelled him to lead quite a sedentary mode of life.

From the time of his removal to Concord, Mr. Farmer devoted himself princi pally to his favorite studies and pursuits, and soon became distinguished beyond his fellow-citizens for a knowledge of facts and events relative to New Hampshire and New England. His published works are very numerous, and considering his infirm health during the seventeen years he resided at Concord, those who best knew him were surprised at the extent and variety of his labors. His "Genealogical Register" may be called his great work. A great labor, and the one on which he was engaged for some time before his death, was the examining and arranging the state papers at Concord. To this undertaking he was appointed by the legislature of New Hampshire, in Jan., 1837. His last sickness was short. He wished to be still and tranquil. His reason remained unclouded to the last. Having expressed consolation in the hope of eternal life through Jesus Christ, he gently fell asleep in death.

JOHN FARMER, born at Chelmsford, Mass., 22d June, 1789; died in this town, 13th Aug., 1838; aged 49 years. Honored as a man, distinguished as an antiquarian and scholar, beloved as a friend, and revered as a Christian philanthropist, and a lover of impartial liberty. His death has occasioned a void in society which time will fail to supply; and the reason and fitness of which, as to time and manner, and attendant circumstances, eternity alone can fully unfold.

In memory of Countess SARAH RUMFORD, only daughter of Count Rumford, and granddaughter of Rev. Timothy Walker, the first settled minister of Concord. As the founder of the Rolfe and Rumford Asylum, and patroness of other institutions of a kindred character, she manifested a deep sympathy with the afflicted, and a commendable regard for the poor. Having passed a large portion of her life in Europe, she returned near its close to her family mansion in this city, where she was born Oct. 10, 1774, and where she died, Dec. 2, 1852.

The countess was born in the Rolfe house, at the "Eleven Lots." Her father, Maj. Benj. Thompson, afterward Count Rumford, taught school in Concord about three years previous to the revolution, and married Mrs. Sarah, the widow of Benj. Rolfe, Esq. In 1775, falling under the suspicion of being a loyalist, he was treated in such a manner that he finally put himself under the protection of Gen. Gage, at Boston. After the death of her mother, in 1792, the countess went to Europe, and was introduced into the first circles in Bavaria, Paris and London. Her principal residence was at Brompton, near London, in a house inherited from her father. In 1845, she returned to Concord, where she remained in great retirement, having as her only companion a young lady whom she adopted when a child at Bromp

She occasionally attended worship at the North Church, and visited her family relatives and friends. "By her habits of economy, the property she inherited, together with her pension of about $1000, had accumulated to a very considerable sum at the time of her decease; all of which she disposed of by will; partly to family connections, but mostly for charitable objects."

Rev. Nathaniel Bouton, in his highly valuable History of Concord, has given an interesting sketch of the domestic and social habits and customs of the people half a century since, part of which we extract,

as it applies with equal truth to New England life generally at that period.

Ancient Burials.-The ancient mode of carrying coffins to the burying-ground was to select twelve men as bearers, who carried them on a bier from every part of the town; sometimes the distance of six, seven and eight miles.

There is a tradition that on the death of a man on the east side of the Merrimac River, opposite the Rolfes, his neighbors were afraid his body would be attached for debt, as the law then allowed. To avoid this, the body was concealed in the cellar for a few days; then, on the advice of Dea. George Abbot, a litterbier was constructed, to be carried by men on horseback; a grave was dug at sundown on Sabbath evening, and soon after the company started with the body from a Mr. Blanchard's house, ferried it across the river, and taking it on the litter proceeded as fast as they could to the old burying-ground. By some delay, however, they did not reach the spot till near sunrise, when they found the grave was too short. Just then, discovering an officer riding on horseback up Main street, they pitched the coffin end foremost into the grave, which they immediately began to fill up. The officer, supposing the body to be buried, turned about and went away. Afterward they dug the grave longer, placed the coffin in, and buried it in a proper

manner.

Lieut. John Webster, who was a famous mast-master, in his latter years was involved in debt. He died in a small house situated in the lot back of Mr. Ezra Ballard's, at Little Pond. His body was first concealed in a potato hole, which was covered over with straw, and logs laid on it. At the time of the funeral the bearers rode on horseback, with drawn swords, which, the sheriff perceiving, he dare not molest them.

Previous to 1800, there were very few carriages or wagons in town. The people generally rode on horseback, or went on foot. There were very few sleighs. In heavy snows, horse or ox-sleds were commonly used to convey people from one place to another.

Dwelling Houses-Domestic and Social Habits and Customs.-The first order, or, as it may be called, generation of dwelling houses in Concord, were built of hewn logs. They were all situated on lots laid out in the "first and second range" of house lots, as surveyed in 1726. But as soon as saw-mills could be erected and materials provided, these gradually gave place to framed houses, one story in hight, about sixteen to twenty-four feet on the ground, with from one to three rooms. The second order of houses was more scattered over the territory; and now and then appeared a house of larger dimensions, two stories in hight, with gambrel roof; or two stories in front, with low, slanting roof back. The third order of houses appeared after the revolutionary war, from 1785 to 1800. They were built two stories, with what is called a hip-roof, with two front rooms, a door in the middle, and entry and hall running through, and an L, one story, on the back side, for a kitchen. Tradition represents that in the first, and many of the second order of houses, the windows were either of paper, or mica, or diamond-cut glass. Chimneys were built of stone, with huge fire-places, and an oven on one side running back. The fire was made by placing a large log, called a back-log, three feet long, or more, on the backside of the fire-place; two rocks in front of it served for andirons, with a large fore-stick, resting on the rocks, and a back-stick upon the back-log. Then smaller wood, from three to four feet in length, was piled on. The whole was lighted with a pitch-knot, or other combustibles. This made a glorious fire. At each end or corner of the fire-place were small benches, on which children sat, and roasted first one side and then the other; while the old folks enjoyed the full blaze in front, and hauled off and on, as they were able to bear it! Instead of modern gas light, or oil, or even dipped candles, they used in the evening pitch-pine knots, which gave a clear and brilliant light, by which the women could see to sew or knit, and others (if they had books), to read. Splinters of pitch-pinę were lighted to carry about the house and into the cellar, instead of lamps and candles.

In early times, every family kept close at hand a flint and steel, with which to strike fire. The fire fell on a piece of old punk, or upon tinder kept in a tin box.