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.

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.
A Sketch of Amherst, N. H., published in 2 Coll. Mass. Hist. Soc. ii. Boston, 1814.
A Topographical and Historical Description of the County of Hillsborough, N. H., published in 2 Coll. Mass. Hist. Soc. vii. Boston, 1818.
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.
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.
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.
The New Military Guide, a compilation of Rules and Regulations for the use of the Militia. 12mo, pp. 144. Concord, 1822.
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.
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.
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.
Memoir of the Penacook Indians, published in an Appendix to Moore's Annals of Concord, 1824. 8vo, pp. 7.
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.
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.
The Concord Directory. 12mo, pp. 24. Concord, 1830.
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.
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.
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.
Papers in the Second and Third Series of the Massachusetts Historical Collections.
Papers in the five published volumes of Collections of the New Hampshire Historical Society.
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."