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.