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| VOL. I. JANUARY, 1847. NO. 1. |
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| NEW ENGLAND |
| Historical & Genealogical Register: |
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| PUBLISHED QUARTERLY, |
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| UNDER THE DIRECTION OF THE |
| NEW ENGLAND HISTORIC, GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY. |
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| REV. WILLIAM COGSWELL, D. D., EDITOR. |
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| [Illustration] |
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| BOSTON: |
| SAMUEL G. DRAKE, PUBLISHER, |
| NO. 56 CORNHILL. |
| 1847. |
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| COOLIDGE & WILEY. Printers, Water Street. |
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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
Register of Births in Dedham, 99
Anniversary of the New England Society at Cincinnati, 100
Notices of New Publications, 100
[Illustration: G. L. Brown.
S. Schoff.
LANDING OF THE PILGRIMS AT PLIMOUTH 11ᵗʰ DEC. 1620.]
[Illustration: _T. Moore direxit, Boston._
JOHN FARMER, M. A.
Cor. Sec'ry N. H. Historical Society.
From a miniature painted in 1824.
_Engraved for the American Quarterly Register._]
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]
A great labor, and the one on which Mr. Farmer had been engaged for
a considerable time previous to his death, was the examining and
arranging of the State Papers at Concord. Under a resolution of the
Legislature of New Hampshire, approved Jan. 3, 1837, he was appointed
to "examine, arrange, index, prepare for, and superintend the binding,
and otherwise preserving, such of the public papers in the archives of
the State, as may be deemed worthy of such care." Of this species of
labor, no one knows the extent and difficulty, unless he has either
himself been versed in it, or has frequently watched its progress
when undertaken by others. Mr. Farmer, in a letter to a distinguished
literary friend in Massachusetts, written in August, 1837, says, in
reference to it, "that he has had a great burden resting on him for
the last four or five months;" and adds, "the records and files were
in great confusion, no attempt having been made for arranging and
binding a regular series of the former or for properly labelling and
classifying the latter. In a few cases, I believe, there were papers
of three centuries in the same bundle. This will serve to give you an
idea of the confusion in which I found them. I began first with the
Province Records, arranged under three different heads: 1. Journals of
the House; 2. Journals of the Council and Assembly; 3. Journals of the
Council. The Journals of the House received my first attention. These
I found to commence in 1711, and from that time to 1775, they existed
in twenty different portions, some in leaves, and in mere paper
books, of a few sheets each. Only three or four were bound volumes. I
arranged the whole so as to make eight volumes; copying about three
hundred pages, which would not conform in size. These have been bound
in Russia leather, with spring backs, and make a handsome array of
folios, containing 3,813 pages. The Council and Assembly Records,
beginning 1699 and ending 1774, in five volumes, large folio, and
containing 2,260 pages, next were arranged, and are now ready for the
binder. The Council records are imperfect, and it will be necessary to
copy much from the files before they are ready to bind. Besides these,
I have collected the speeches and messages of the Provincial Governors,
from 1699 to 1775, arranged them in chronological order, and have had
them bound in three handsome volumes of about 1,500 pages. I will not
mention the amount of papers in files which I have been over, new
folded, and labelled."
Governor Hill, in his annual message to the Legislature, in June,
1837, says: "Under the resolution of the last session, John Farmer,
Esq., has for several weeks been engaged in arranging for binding and
preservation the shattered records and public papers in the archives of
this State. Perhaps a century may occur before another person with his
peculiar tact and talent shall appear to undertake this work. Although
of extremely feeble health, there is not probably any other person in
the State, who can readily perform so much--none so well versed in its
history, and who has like him traced from the root upwards, the rise
and progress of government in the land of the Pilgrims, and the origin
and spread of every considerable family name in New England."
And in his message of June, 1838, Governor Hill thus speaks: "In my
last annual communication to the Legislature, the progress made in the
examination and arrangement of our public archives, by John Farmer,
Esq., was mentioned. Since that time, with a method and perseverance
deserving high praise, Mr. Farmer has prosecuted his labors, until the
appropriation then made has been exhausted, and a small additional
expense incurred. Twenty-three volumes have been bound in a neat
and substantial manner. Among these volumes, is one containing the
Associated Test Returns, which has the original signatures of 8,199
citizens of this State, above the age of twenty-one years, who
'solemnly engaged and promised that they would to the utmost of their
power, at the risk of their lives and fortunes, with arms, oppose
the hostile proceedings of the British fleets and armies against the
United American Colonies.' This pledge, it should be remembered,
preceded the Declaration of Independence several months. It was,
therefore, in the language of a note prefixed by Mr. Farmer, to this
volume, 'a bold and hazardous step, in subjects, thus to resist the
authority of one of the most powerful sovereigns in the world. Had
the cause in which these men pledged their lives and fortunes failed,
it would have subjected every individual who signed it, to the pains
and penalties of treason; to a cruel and ignominious death.' In my
opinion, the cost to the State of this enterprise, by the man of all
others best qualified for such an undertaking, bears no comparison to
its importance: it is hoped the Legislature will direct Mr. Farmer
to persevere until he completes the work. Let every fragment of our
history be preserved; let us suffer nothing to be lost."
The Legislature wisely responded to the suggestions of the Governor.
Mr. Farmer was continued in the work; and his life was prolonged until
he had accomplished the most difficult portion of the task confided to
him.
We know that Mr. Farmer placed an humble estimate upon his labors. He
well understood the general indifference of the public to pursuits
of this nature. The direction of the living and moving crowd is
onward; and he who busies himself in gathering up the memorials of
the past, will be left behind,--himself and his labors too generally
unrewarded and forgotten. Mr. Farmer has done perhaps more than
any other individual in collecting and preserving the materials
for our local history, and establishing accuracy in its details.
He investigated faithfully, took nothing upon trust, and rested on
reasonable conclusions only where absolute certainty could not be
attained. Many have expressed surprise that Mr. Farmer could have been
so indefatigable and painstaking in his pursuits. But the fondness for
these investigations grows with indulgence. Success in establishing an
old fact is a triumph over time. Facts established are the warp and
woof of history; and the diligent antiquary thus gives to history its
main materials, veracity and fidelity, when enlightened philosophy
steps in and completes the work.
We have already mentioned, that Mr. Farmer was one of the three
or four gentlemen only in New Hampshire, who have been elected
Corresponding Members of the Massachusetts Historical Society. He was
also a Corresponding Member of the Rhode Island and Maine Historical
Societies, and of the American Antiquarian Society. He was also
elected in August, 1837, a member of the Royal Society of Northern
Antiquaries at Copenhagen.
There was scarcely a lovelier or more prominent trait in Mr. Farmer's
character, than the ever fresh and affectionate interest which he took
in the intellectual improvement and moral culture of the young. Having
no family of his own to engage his kind and generous affections, a
chief source of happiness to him seemed to be, to act the part of a
father and teacher to all the youth who were about him. He encouraged
lyceums and literary associations for mental improvement; often
heard recitations in private; examined compositions written at his
own suggestion; and directed the studies of such as applied to him.
And such was his suavity of manners, his instructive conversation,
and inexhaustible store of historical anecdote, that he scarcely
ever failed to inspire his pupils and intimate acquaintances with a
portion of his taste for literary and historical pursuits. Those who
knew him respected him. Those who knew him intimately and were his
friends, loved him. He was no dogmatist; never a violent partisan,
although decided in his opinions, on whatever subject he expressed
them. He possessed native delicacy and refinement of character. No
harsh expressions fell from his lips or proceeded from his pen. He was
nevertheless quick and sensitive to the distinctions between right
and wrong, and steadily threw his influence into the scale of truth.
His was a gentle spirit, seeking quiet and affection, like Cowper's,
though without his vein of melancholy; and, though instinctively
shrinking from vice, he was not disposed harshly to visit the offender.
He had zeal, but it was the zeal of a catholic spirit, and of kind
affections--the spirit of the Christian and gentleman, which respected
the feelings of others, in whatever situation or circumstances of life.
All who were acquainted with Mr. Farmer, will respond to the
affectionate and just tribute, which fell from the lips of the Rev.
Mr. Bouton, on the occasion of his funeral: "We believe our departed
friend and fellow-citizen possessed the spirit of a Christian. Owing to
bodily weakness and infirmities, he could not attend public worship on
the Sabbath, or be present at any public meeting. But we know he was a
firm believer in the doctrines of Christianity; a regular contributor
to the support of divine worship; an intelligent and frequent reader
of the Holy Scriptures; and that he ever cherished and manifested
the profoundest reverence for the institutions and ordinances of
religion, and particularly a respect for Christian ministers of every
denomination, whose conduct became their profession. His spirit and
views were eminently catholic. He loved the good of every name, and
cheerfully united with them in all approved efforts and measures for
the advancement of truth and righteousness." He annually contributed
to the Bible, Missionary, and other Charitable Societies; and no man
living, perhaps, felt a deeper interest in the success of the great
enterprises of Christian benevolence, than did Mr. Farmer.
His last sickness was short. Few of his friends were aware of his
danger, till it was evident that he could not long survive. Many
gladly offered their services to wait upon him, and watch around his
dying-bed; but the privilege of this was reserved to a few early-chosen
friends. He wanted to be still and tranquil. To a dear friend, who
stood by him, to watch every motion and meet every wish, he expressed
peace of mind, and consolation in the hope of eternal life through
Jesus Christ. On the evening of the Sabbath before his decease, he
desired the same friend to sing to him a favorite hymn, which she did.
His reason remained unclouded to the last, and he gently fell asleep in
death, at a few minutes past 6 o'clock, on Monday morning, the 13th of
August, 1838, in the 49th year of his age.
Upon the plain white marble stone, marking the place where the mortal
remains of Mr. Farmer lie, is the following inscription:
"John Farmer, born at Chelmsford, Mass., 22 June, 1789; Died
in this town, 13 August, 1838; Æt. 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."
FOOTNOTES:
[1] Considering the character which the Register is to sustain, we have
supposed that this number of the Work could commence with no article
more interesting, than a Biographical Notice of Mr. Farmer. The Notice
is principally an Abstract from a Memoir of him prepared by Jacob B.
Moore, Esq., now residing at Washington, D. C.
[2] We purposely omit a further notice of Mr. Farmer's ancestors, as a
full account will appear in the genealogy of the Farmer Family, which
he prepared and published, some years before his death. Having been
remodelled and improved, it is inserted in this number of the Register.
[3] These Memoirs of graduates at Harvard and Dartmouth Colleges were,
agreeably to the desire of Mr. Farmer, placed in the hands of the Rev.
Dr. Cogswell of Boston, for his disposal.
GENEALOGICAL MEMOIR OF THE FARMER FAMILY.
Remodelled and Prepared on a New Plan.
BY SAMUEL G. DRAKE, M. A.
[As one of this name has very justly been styled "The Father of
Genealogy in New England," and has left behind him an enduring
monument of his labors in this department of literature, it is
deemed highly proper to commence our Genealogical Series with
that of his family. It will be viewed, we doubt not, with great
interest, by all lovers of such subjects, and more especially
as the Memoir is from his own pen; that is to say, as to facts,
it is entirely the same as that, which was published by the
distinguished Genealogist himself; but the plan of it here
presented, is new, and is probably preferable to any other
hitherto adopted. Indeed there does not appear to have been
any general fixed plan for the exhibition of Genealogies. The
following method, the result of much reflection, is now offered
for the consideration of those who may engage in preparing
Genealogical Memoirs. ED.]
_Explanation of the Plan._
As the plan laid down may not be apparent at first view, the following
explanation may be deemed necessary. The Arabic numbers running
through the whole Genealogy, are to show not only the number of every
individual descended from the same ancestor, but by the aid of them,
the connection of every person is seen at a glance, and the ancestors
or descendants may be traced, backward or forward, with the greatest
ease and facility. One number set under another, or two numbers set
against the same individual, show, in all cases, that such individual
has descendants, and the lower number indicates the place in the series
where the descendants are to be found; remembering that the Roman
numerals are only employed to show the number of children belonging
to the same particular family. For example, (18)/(59) VIII. OLIVER,³
shows, that this person is No. 18 in the regular Arabic series, and
that following (59), onward, his family will be found; the VIII is
sufficiently obvious. The ³ at the end of the name, denotes the
individual to be of the 3rd generation from the first in the series,
and so of all other numbers in a similar situation; i. e., all those
placed like an exponent at the end of names, show the generation. All
names of persons having descendants, are necessarily repeated, in their
order, but are not renumbered. Thus JOHN³ (10) is repeated after 18,
the (10) showing his original place in the series.
From what is said above it is thought the plan will be perfectly
apparent on the most cursory perusal. The names of persons descended
in the female line are printed in the ordinary Roman letter, to
distinguish them from those of the male line, always printed in small
capitals.
By this system of deducing or displaying descents, any corrections or
additions may be made without disfiguring the appearance of the work,
as for instance, (63) IV. SARAH,⁴ whose family is indicated to be given
at (126); it will appear that other individuals were found belonging to
her family after the work was made up, therefore a new entry is made of
her at (164), and yet all is perfectly clear.
Although it is highly desirable, that individuals and families should
succeed each other in the regular order of their generations, it is not
always possible to make a genealogical memoir so; for it is apparent
that in numerous instances, especially among the early families, we
are obliged to pass over individuals, not knowing whether they had
descendants; and when a long memoir is made up it is often found that
many so passed over, had children. These therefore cannot have their
proper place in the memoir without great labor, requiring a new draft
of nearly the whole work. By the plan now presented we avoid the
difficulty, in its most objectionable feature, by placing all such at
the end of the memoir whenever we find them, with the same numerical
references, &c., as employed throughout. Thus, in the following
genealogy we have several placed in this manner for illustration; as
for example, (110) III. CHARLOTTE⁶ falls into the series, with her
descendants at (174), while (83) I. EDWARD⁵ does not fall in till
(176), and so of a few others.
In preparing this memoir the reader must remember, that the author
published it in 1828, and hence, that the present tense often used by
him, has reference to the date of publication. We make this note to
avoid too frequent interpolations in brackets. Mr. Farmer had printed
in 1813, sundry Family Records of different branches of the family,
and in 1824, he issued an Appendix to it. This with the other part
made about 30 pages in 18mo. These contained a good deal not found
in his last work. All three are here incorporated into a regular and
continuous genealogy. The copies of the first two printed works which
I have used, have many manuscript additions and corrections in the
author's own hand. The title-page of the Memoir runs thus:
* * * * *
A GENEALOGICAL MEMOIR OF THE FAMILY BY THE NAME OF FARMER, WHO
SETTLED AT BILLERICA, Ms. HINGHAM, FARMER & BROWN, PRINTERS, 1828.
[The following Dedication is upon the back of the title-page.]
To JEDIDIAH FARMER, The following Memoir of our Ancestors,
collected from various authentic sources, and with considerable
enquiry and investigation, is offered to you as a token of
fraternal regard and affection, by your affectionate brother,
JOHN FARMER.
Concord, N. H., January 28, 1828.
MEMOIR.
The surname of FARMER is one of considerable antiquity, and is one of
those names derived from occupations or professions, which, next to
local names, or those derived from the names of places, are the most
numerous.[4] It comes from the Saxon term _Fearme_ or _Feorme_, which
signifies food or provision.[5] But some think it derived from _Firma_,
which signifies a place enclosed or shut in; and some contend for its
French etymology from the word _Ferme_.
The FARMERS, so far as my researches will enable me to conjecture, were
of Saxon origin, and, in the reign of Edward IV., King of England, were
seated in Northamptonshire, where they remain to the present day. They
resided at Easton-Neston about 1480. Anne, the daughter of Richard
Farmer, Esq., of that place, married, before 1545, William Lucy, and
their son, Sir Thomas Lucy of Charlecote, knighted by Queen Elizabeth,
in 1565, was the knight and magistrate whose name is associated with
some of the early events of the life of Shakspeare. William Farmer,
created Lord Leinster in 1692, the ancestor of the present earl of
Pomfret, resided at Easton-Neston. Jasper Farmer, one of this family,
is said to be the ancestor of the Farmers in the State of Pennsylvania.
From Northamptonshire they seem to have spread over several of the
contiguous counties before the middle of the sixteenth century; being
found in Leicestershire as early as 1490, in Warwickshire in 1545, and
in Shropshire at nearly the same period.
Sir William Dugdale, in his Antiquities of Warwickshire, mentions
Richard Farmer and his wife, and John their son, and Maud his wife,
to whom, and the heirs male of the said John, the place or parish
of Merston-Boteler in that county, was granted by the King's Letters
Patent, dated November 23, 1545. He also names Rev. Thomas Farmer,
minister of the parish of Austrey in 1542, and Rev. John Farmer,
incumbent of the church in Bagington, 1552, and Rev. Richard, of the
parish of Ashowe.
R. Farmer, Esq., of Kennington Common, near London, informs me,[6] that
his ancestors as far back as he had been able to trace them, belonged
to Oldbury, near Bridgenorth, in Shropshire, and that their names were
Edward. Thomas Farmer, Esq., one of the Managers of the British and
Foreign Bible Society, is of this family. Rev. Hugh Farmer, the learned
author of the Dissertation on Miracles, and other theological works,
was of Shropshire, and was born at a place called Isle Gate, belonging
to a small hamlet almost surrounded by the river Severn, a few miles
from Shrewsbury.[7]
The branch of the family traced in the following pages was formerly
seated in Leicestershire, on the borders of Warwickshire; and, about
1500, were living in the village of Ratcliffe-Cuiley, near Witherly.
Of those who resided there at that period, I am unable to speak with
any degree of certainty, having the advantage of no records, or family
memorials. The late Rev. Richard Farmer, D. D., of Cambridge, England,
made some collections of a genealogical nature, and from these it would
seem, that the most remote ancestor, whom he had traced, was EDWARD,
who is mentioned by Anthony Wood in his Athenæ Oxonienses, and in his
Fasti Oxonienses, as being the Chancellor of the Cathedral church in
Salisbury, in 1531; which office he sustained until his death in 1538.
JOHN FARMER is the next ancestor of whom I have any account, and of
whom I have nothing more than the fact found among Rev. Dr. Farmer's
MSS., that he was living at Ansley in Warwickshire in 1604. Between him
and Edward of Salisbury, there were probably two or three generations,
whose names cannot be given with much confidence, although it is
presumed from Guillim's Heraldry, that the name of one was Bartholomew.
There has been a considerable number of the name in England, and
several of them of the Warwickshire branch of the family, who have been
employed in public life, or have been known by their writings. The
following list of them has been collected from various sources:
ANTHONY, who was appointed in 1687, by James II., President of Magdalen
College; but, being a papist, and there being other objections against
his character, he was superseded by Bishop Parker.[8]
EDWARD. "In the year 1529, in the beginning of February, Edward Lee
became Chancellor of the church of Salisbury by the resignation of
Thomas Winter, and was succeeded in that dignity by EDWARD FARMER, in
December, 1531."[9]
GEORGE, Esq., who was Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas in
1663.[10]
HATTON, who was Major of Prince Charles' regiment, and was killed by
Culham Bridge, near Abingdon, Jan. 11, 1645.[11]
HUGH, already mentioned, who was born 1714, died 1787, a. 73. Memoirs
of his Life and Writings were published in 1805, by Michael Dodson,
Esq., London, in an octavo volume of 160 pages.
JACOB, who published a "True Relation of the State of Ireland," London,
1642, octavo.
JAMES, who was minister of Leire, in Leicestershire, and was ejected in
1660.[12]
JOHN, who was a madrigaler, and who published a work noticed by Dr.
Rees, issued in 1591, London, octavo.
JOHN, Esq., who was Governor of the island of Barbadoes.[13]
JOHN, who was a clergyman, and published twenty sermons. London, 1744,
octavo.
JOHN, who published the "History of the Town and Abbey of Waltham in
Essex, England." London, 1735, octavo.
JOHN, who was a surgeon, and published "Select Cases in Surgery,
collected in St. Bartholomew's Hospital." 1757, in quarto.
PRISCILLA, whose Life was published in 1796, by her grandson, Charles
Lloyd.[14]
RICHARD, who was a Baptist minister, and who is noticed by Neal in his
History of the Puritans.
RICHARD, who published a sermon on Luke xxi: 34. London, 1629, quarto.
RICHARD, D. D., who published "An Essay on the Learning of Shakspeare."
London, 1766.
RALPH, who was minister of St. Nicholas in Somersetshire, and was
ejected in 1660. He published the "Mysteries of Godliness and
Ungodliness, discovered from the writings of the Quakers." London,
1655, quarto.[15]
S----, Esq., who was a member of Parliament, 1818.[16]
THOMAS, who was born August 20, 1771, nephew of Dr. Richard, Rector of
Aspley-Guise in Bedfordshire.
THOMAS, who was a printer, and published a work called "Plain Truth,
&c." London, 1763, quarto.
WILLIAM, who wrote an Almanac for Ireland, printed at Dublin, 1587,
supposed to have been the first printed in that country.[17]
WILLIAM, of Magdalen College, who was a Baronet, and was created Master
of Arts in 1667.[18]
* * * * *
[Thus far we have but the links of a broken chain, which must
necessarily be the results usually of attempts of this nature. What
follows is without any lost link between those named and a common
ancestor.]
* * * * *
(1) JOHN,¹ of Ansley, who m. Isabella Barbage of Great Packington,
in Warwickshire, is the first ancestor of whom I have
the means of giving any account, supported by original
documents and family memorials in my possession. Ansley,
the place of his residence, is a small village in the
northerly part of the county of Warwick, situated about
ten miles from the city of Coventry, four from Atherstone,
which borders on Leicestershire, and five from Nuneaton,
a considerable market town, and has a population of 541.
In this place, and near Ansley Hall,[19] the seat of the
Ludfords, he owned houses and lands, which passed to his
posterity through several generations, and may still be
owned by his descendants. Of his family I have procured
some facts, which will be given. He died before the year
1669, and Isabella, his widow, came with some of her
children to New England, a few years after this period, and
m. Elder Thomas Wiswall of Cambridge Village, now Newton,
who d. Dec. 6, 1683. She d. at Billerica, May 21, 1686, at
an advanced age.
The children of this John Farmer were,
(2) I. JOHN² of Ansley, who had the paternal estate. He d. before
(9) 1700, and his widow m. Richard Lucas of Ansley.
(3) II. MARY,² who m. William Pollard of the city of
Coventry, and d. before 1701. Their eldest son, Thomas,
came to New England, m. Sarah Farmer, his cousin, settled
in Billerica, d. April 4, 1724, leaving 10 sons.
(4) III. EDWARD,² who was b. about 1640, (probably the second son,)
(10) m. Mary ----, who was b. about 1641. He came to New
England between 1670 and 1673,[20] fixed his residence at
Billerica, and was admitted to town rights and privileges
in that place, Jan. 11, 1673. He afterwards lived a year or
two at Woburn, and one of his children was born there. In
Billerica he was chosen to several of the most important
town offices, and was employed in public service, until
he was quite advanced in life. He had 8 children, 4 sons
and 4 daughters. To his youngest son, Oliver, he gave the
farm on which he resided, which is still in possession
of one of his descendants. On this farm have resided 6
successive generations, in the space of 154 years. He
died at Billerica, May 27, 1727, a. about 87. Mary his
wife d. March 26, 1716, a. 77. The male descendants of
Edward Farmer, of the patronymic name, have nearly all
been agriculturists, and no one among them has attained
any considerable civil or literary distinction. In the
female line of descent there have been several of liberal
education, and others who have been honored with civil
office.
The house of EDWARD FARMER, (which stood until after
1728,) was fortified as a garrison for a number of years.
While occupied as such, the following incident occurred,
which has been handed down by tradition in the family.
During the Ten Years' Indian War, and probably about the
year 1692, when the first depredations were committed in
the town of Billerica, the Indians meditated an attack
on this garrison. For some days they had been lurking in
the neighborhood of it without being discovered. Early in
the forenoon of a summer's day, the wife and daughter of
Edward Farmer went into the field to gather peas or beans
for dinner, being attended by several of her sons, who
were young lads, as a guard to protect them. They had been
out but a short time before Mrs. Farmer discovered that a
number of Indians were concealed behind the fences, and
so near that she could almost reach them. Had she given
any alarm, they would probably have rushed from their
lurking-places, seized the party and fled; although their
object was to get possession of the garrison, which offered
more plunder and a greater number of captives. But with
admirable presence of mind, and without making known the
discovery she had made, to her sons, who might, with more
temerity than prudence, have attacked the Indians, she
said, in a loud tone of voice, "Boys, guard us well to the
garrison, and then you may come back and hunt Indians." The
Indians, supposing they were not discovered, remained in
their hiding-places, while the other party soon left the
field for the garrison, which they reached in safety. Then
the alarm was given, the people collected, and the Indians
fled with precipitation. After the return of peace, the
Indians declared, that had it not been for that "one white
squaw," they should have effected their purpose.
(5) IV. ISABELLA,² who came to New England.
(6) V. ELIZABETH,² who m. a Mr. ---- White, and visited New
England ab. 1681.
(7) VI. THOMAS,² who came to New England, and was living in
Billerica in 1675 and 1684. He afterwards returned to
England, or removed elsewhere.
(8) VII. ANN.²