Than the breath of my babe I ween,
The petals no whiter or purer
Than the soul of my wee heart’s queen.
South Boston, Mass.
MEN OF OLD NOTTINGHAM AT THE BATTLE OF BUNKER HILL.
BY JOHN SCALES, DOVER, N. H.
That old Roman, Sallust, says: “Surely fortune rules all things. She makes everything famous or obscure rather from caprice than in conformity with truth. The exploits of the Athenians, as far as I can judge, were very great and glorious, something inferior, however, to what fame has represented them. But because writers of great talent flourished there, the actions of the Athenians are celebrated over the world as the most splendid achievements. Thus the merit of those who have acted is estimated at the highest point to which illustrious intellects could exalt it in their writings.”
Also, that latest of classical authors, Josh Billings, says: “Young man, blow your own horn!” These quotations express exactly the way in which the illustrious intellects of authors in Modern Athens (of America) have exalted the deeds of Massachusetts’ heroes to such a degree that most people, outside of New Hampshire, do not suppose our state had much to do at the battle of Bunker Hill, whereas New Hampshire men constituted nearly four fifths of all the men and officers in that battle. Therefore I think I have just cause to “blow my horn” for my native town, and my ancestors who fought in that battle.
Old Nottingham comprised a tract of land supposed to be ten miles square, and which is now Nottingham, Deerfield and Northwood. It was incorporated in 1722, and settlements commenced in it soon after, at the “Square,” a beautiful ridge of land about 450 feet above the sea level. At the beginning of the Revolution, Nottingham had 999 inhabitants, Deerfield 929, and Northwood 313. The records show that the people were making preparations for the coming conflict, and had sent generous assistance to the “Industrious Poor sufferers of the town of Boston” during the siege. During the winter of 1774–5, Dr. Henry Dearborn had a company of men which met at the Square to drill from time to time. In November, 1774, a town-meeting was held and a committee appointed to “Inspect into any Person,” suspected of being a Tory.
On the 20th of April, 1775, news reached the Square that a battle had been fought the day before, and in the evening a large number of citizens assembled at the store of Thomas Bartlett. On the 21st, at 4 o’clock, a company of nearly one hundred men commenced their march for Boston, being armed and equipped as best they could at such short notice.