THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

HOSMER.1 Two of this name, Thomas and James, supposed to be brothers, from Hockhurst, County of Kent, came to America. Thomas was of Cambridge, 1632, and probably removed to Connecticut, and was ancestor of Reverend Stephen, Harvard College 1699, the Honorable Titus, and Honorable Stephen Titus Hosmer, all distinguished men in that state. James came to Concord among the first settlers; died February 7, 1685; his first wife died 1641 and second wife, Ellen, 1665. They had James, John (a petitioner for Chelmsford, who died, according to tradition, in Ireland), Hannah, married Joseph Hayward, Mary, married Thomas Smith, and Stephen, born 1642. James, the eldest son, married Sarah White 1658, and was killed at Sudbury fight; his widow married Samuel Rice. He had James of Woodstock, Mary, married Samuel Wight, Dorothy, Hannah, married Colonel How of Marlborough, and Thomas, who married Hannah Hartwell 1696, and was father to Hannah, Sarah, Thomas, Mary, and James, of whom Thomas, the third child, married Prudence Hosmer 1731, and had Lucy, Honorable Joseph, Perses, Dinah, Lydia, and Benjamin, whose united ages were 465, or 78 each, nearly. James, the brother of Thomas last mentioned, married Elizabeth Davis of Bedford, and had Samuel, James, Elizabeth, Bulah, Ruth, and Elijah. Stephen, youngest child of the first James, married Abigail Wood 1667, and had Mary, Abigail, married George Wheeler, John, Bridget, Dorothy, Stephen, and James. Of whom Stephen married Prudence Billings 1707, and had children, Prudence, married Thomas Hosmer, above mentioned; Captain Stephen, the distinguished surveyor; Jonathan, grandfather to Simon, Esquire of Acton; Josiah, father to John and Jesse, Abel and Josiah of Templeton; Jane, and Ephraim of Acton, father to Samuel. Honorable JOSEPH Hosmer, above mentioned, was born December 25, 1735, and died January 31, 1821, aged 85. His father’s name was Thomas, and his mother’s Prudence Hosmer, second cousins, and great-grandchildren of James Hosmer, the first American ancestor. Possessing popular talents, he was early called to share the public duties of society. In the great events of the revolution he acted a conspicuous part, always in favor of liberty. Whilst the preliminary measures were under discussion, one of his townsmen made a powerful speech in which he attempted to ridicule the doings of the “sons of liberty.” Mr. Hosmer immediately replied in a strain of natural, unaffected, but energetic eloquence (for which he was afterwards distinguished), which particularly attracted public attention and introduced him to public favor. He was a militia office on the 19th of April, 1775, and the first captain of the Concord Light Infantry company, and was afterwards promoted to major. He was a representative five years, and a senator twelve, and was an active, influential member. He was appointed sheriff of the county in 1792, and sustained the office fifteen years. Major Hosmer was endowed by nature with strong, active powers of mind, and the character he formed enabled him to meet all events with 1. Lemuel Shattuck’s 1835 A HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF CONCORD;.... Boston: Russell, Odiorne, and Company; Concord MA: John Stacy (On or about November 11, 1837 Henry Thoreau would indicate a familiarity with the contents of at least pages 2-3 and 6-9 of this historical study.) HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

that fortitude which is an earnest of success. He early made a public profession of religion. Ardent without rashness, bold without presumption, and religious without fanaticism, he was eminently a useful man. HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

2 HOSMER

4 of this name had, as John Farmer found, in 1834, been graduated at Harvard College, 3 at Yale College, and 1 at Dartmouth College.

2. James Savage. A GENEALOGICAL DICTIONARY OF THE FIRST SETTLERS OF NEW ENGLAND, SHOWING THREE GENERATIONS OF THOSE WHO CAME BEFORE MAY, 1692, ON THE BASIS OF FARMER’S REGISTER. WITH TWO SUPPLEMENTS IN FOUR VOLUMES. Boston, 1860-1862

[WARNING: Although the files of genealogy in the Kouroo database began with the text of James Savage, it has proven to be necessary to extensively modify and supplement these records — and they no longer can be relied upon to read exactly as found in the abbreviated notations of Savage’s 1860-1862 volumes. For the original text, please consult the Internet version of the Savage files.] HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

1540

In England, there was great heat and drought.

A. James Hosmer,3 born in about 1540 and died during 1605 in Ticehurst, Sussex, England Spouse: Agnes, died during 1573; 2d spouse, unknown; offspring: A-1 Stephen Hosmer, born December 26th, 1570 in England, died during 1632 A-2 Thomas Hosmer, born November 2d, 1572 A-3 James Hosmer, born February 12th, 1574/1575 A-4 Martha Hosmer, died during 1572 A-5 Anne Hosmer, born during October 1578

3. This name also appears under the form of Horsemore, Horsmer, Horsmor, Horsmore, Hosmar, Hosmore, Hosmour. HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

1570

December 26, Tuesday (Old Style): A-1 Stephen Hosmer was born (he would die during 1632). He would get married on January 25th, 1601/1602 with Dorothy Selden, who had been born during 1582 and would die during 1640, and produce the following offspring: A-1-1 Thomas Hosmer, born January 2d, 1602/1603 in Hawkhurst, Kent, England and died April 12th, 1687 in Connecticut (elsewhere it says, died February 15th, 1672/1673 in Massachusetts — but might that have been a different Thomas Hosmer?) A-1-2 Stephen Hosmer, born during 1604 and died during 1605 A-1-3 James Hosmer of Hawkhurst, County Kent, England, born during 1605, who would in 1639 be one of the 63 original founders of Concord, Massachusetts A-1-4 William Hosmer, born during 1608 A-1-5 Mary Hosmer, born during 1609 A-1-6 Anne Hosmer, born during 1611 A-1-7 John Hosmer, born during 1615 and died during 1615 A-1-8 Stephen Hosmer, born 1during 621 HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

1635

According to a still-extant fragment from the earliest Concord records, it was “Ordered that the meeting-house stande on the hill near the brook on the easte of Goodman Judgson’s lott.” Public Buildings — Meeting-houses. — To provide suitable accommodations for public religious worship, was one of the first acts of the town after its incorporation. And hence we find it recorded in a fragment of the proceedings of the town in 1635 — “Ordered that the meeting-house stande on the hill near the brook on the easte of Goodman Judgson’s lott.” Tradition informs us, that this was on the hill some distance easterly from the common. This house served as a place of worship about 30 years. ... A town bell was procured very early, but at what time does not appear. At first it was hung on a tree, and its tones are said to have been terrible to the neighboring Indians. About 1696 it was broken, and sent to England to be recast. In 1700 it was “hanged on the meeting-house in the turret,” where it remained till the court-house was built, on which it was placed til 1791, when it was removed to the meeting- house. A new bell was procured, in 1784, from Hanover, weighing 500 lbs., but being broken, another was ordered from England in 1789, which continued till 1826, when the present one, weighing 1572 lbs., was obtained.4

4. Lemuel Shattuck’s 1835 A HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF CONCORD;.... Boston: Russell, Odiorne, and Company; Concord MA: John Stacy (On or about November 11, 1837 Henry Thoreau would indicate a familiarity with the contents of at least pages 2-3 and 6-9 of this historical study.) HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

The Hosmer family, originating in Kent County, England, acquired one square mile of land in Concord.

The Hosmer Home

James Hosmer (1) of Concord, born 1605, came in the Elizabeth from London during 1635 with his wife Ann, 27 year of age, and their daughters Mary, 2, and Ann, 3 months, and 2 maidservants. He had been of Hawkhurst, in County Kent; he had here James Hosmer (2), born during 1637; John Hosmer, born during 1639; another daughter Mary, born on January 10th, 1641, who died August 18th, 1642, and the wife, another wife named Mary, had died on May 11th, 1641. Soon he had yet another wife, in the record called Alice, by whom was born Stephen Hosmer (1), born on November 27th, 1642; Hannah Hosmer, born during 1644, and Mary Hosmer, born during 1646; and then another wife named Mary, although in another place this wife is said to be named Ellen. She died on March 3d, 1665. He was a freeman on May 17th, 1657, and died on February 7th, 1685. His daughter Mary Hosmer got married with Thomas Smith of Concord; and Hannah Hosmer got married on October 26th, 1665 with Joseph Hayward. HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

May 6, Wednesday (Old Style): Edward Bulkeley (1) became a freeman of Boston.

Representative Thomas Hosmer of Cambridge called Newtown in 1632, brother of James Hosmer (1), became a freeman of that town. He would remove early, with Hooker, to Hartford, Connecticut, where he would have good estate; would be constable, selectman, and representative several times, would have only son Stephen Hosmer (2) in about 1645, 1st daughter Hannah Hosmer in about 1639 (who got married on March 20th, 1657 with Josiah Willard of Wethersfield, Connecticut, and in 1686 was wife of Maltby), 2d daughter Esther Hosmer (who got married on September 20th, 1666 with the Reverend Thomas Buckingham of Saybrook, Connecticut, and probably died before her father), and 3d daughter Clemence Hosmer (who would get married on September 3d, 1662 with Jonathan Hunt of Northampton, Massachusetts). He had before removed to Northampton, Massachusetts, in old age marrying at Hartford, Connecticut on May 6th, 1679 with Catharine, widow of David Wilton, and dying on April 12th, 1687 (at the age of 83 says the monument, which is the oldest in the graveyard). His will of February 7th, 1686 would not name the daughter Esther Hosmer but does mentioned her “son Buckingham” and her grandson “Thomas B.” HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

1639

At about this point Benjamin Church was born.

Ambrose Martin made some remarks about the church in Concord that landed him in hot water. He said that the church covenant was but a “humane invention” and he said that “hee wondered at God’s patience, feared it would end in the sharp,” and he said that “the ministers did dethrone Christ and set up themselves.” he was ordered to pay £10 and ordered to submit to Mr. Mather “to bee instructed by him.” When he failed to comply the town seized and sold his cow, and then placed a levy upon his house and land.

James Hosmer came to Concord. Mr. Flint, Lieutenant Willard, and Richard Griffin were appointed “to have the ending of small matters this year” (they would be reappointed to this authority during the following 2 years).5

5. Lemuel Shattuck’s 1835 A HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF CONCORD;.... Boston: Russell, Odiorne, and Company; Concord MA: John Stacy (On or about November 11, 1837 Henry Thoreau would indicate a familiarity with the contents of at least pages 2-3 and 6-9 of this historical study.) HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

1656

March 20, Thursday (1655, Old Style): In Concord, Massachusetts, “Josia Willard, and hana hosmer were maried, the 20h march 1656” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

1658

October 13, Wednesday (Old Style): James Hosmer (2) of Concord, a son of James Hosmer (1) born during 1637, got married with Sarah White. This couple would produce James Hosmer (3) on October 23d, 1660, and Mary Hosmer on April 26th, 1664. He would be killed on April 21st, 1676 at the Sudbury fight of King Phillip’s War. HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

1663

June 19, Friday (Old Style): In Concord, Massachusetts, “Thomas Smith & mary hosmer maryed 19 Jen. 63” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

1665

March 3, day (1664, Old Style): In Concord, Massachusetts, “Elinne6 wife of James hosmer dyed 3 march 1664:1665” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS

October 26, Thursday (Old Style): According to the Concord Town Record, “Joseph heaward [most likely the son of George Heywood] & hanna hosmer [Hannah Hosmer (Heywood)] maryed.26.Octo:1665.” Also, in Concord, Massachusetts, “Joseph heaward & hanna hosmer maryed. 26. octo: 1665.” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS

6. “She has been called Alice on the record heretofore. Possibly the name was returned to Town Clerk Meriam as Ellice, and carelessly transformed by him into its present shape.” HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

1667

March 24, Sunday (1666, Old Style): Stephen Hosmer (1) of Concord, a son of James Hosmer (1) born on November 27th, 1642 got married with Abigail Wood. This is the couple that would produce Abigail Hosmer. Stephen (1) would be a freeman in 1690 and die during 1704.

May 24, Friday (Old Style): In Concord, Massachusetts, “[13] Stiuen hosmer and Abigail wood maryed 24. may. 1667:” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS

Which is to say (correcting the spellings and elaborating the details somewhat) that A-1-3-5 Stephen Hosmer, who had been born on September 27th, 1642 and would die on December 15th, 1714, got married on this day in Concord, Massachusetts with Abigail Wood, who had been born on April 10th, 1642 and would die on December 5th, 1717. Stephen would be one of those who would fight under the leadership of Captain Wheeler during King Phillip’s War. This couple would produce the following offspring: A-1-3-5-1 Mary Hosmer, who would be born on May 2d, 1668 A-1-3-5-2 Abigail Hosmer, who would be born on November 6th, 1669 A-1-3-5-3 John Hosmer, who would be born on August 31st, 1671 A-1-3-5-4 Ruth Hosmer, who would be born on August 28th, 1675 A-1-3-5-5 Dorothy Hosmer, who would be born on December 10th, 1677 A-1-3-5-6 Stephen Hosmer, who would be born on April 27th, 1680 A-1-3-5-7 Hannah Hosmer, who would be born on April 9th, 1682 A-1-3-5-8 James Hosmer, who would be born on June 27th, 1685 and would die on September 27th, 1685

[I do not know how to reconcile the above with another entry according to which “March 24, day (1666, Old Style) 1667: Stephen Hosmer (1) of Concord, a son of James Hosmer (1) born on November 27th, 1642 got married with Abigail Wood. This couple would produce Abigail Hosmer. He would be a freeman in 1690 and die during 1704.”]

June 10, Monday (Old Style): In Concord, Massachusetts, “Dority daughter of James hosmer & Sarah his wife born. 10. Jun. 1667” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS

June 22, Saturday (Old Style): In Concord, Massachusetts, “Dority daughter of James hosmer & Sarah his wife died 22: Jen’ 67” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

1668

May 2, day (Old Style): In Concord, Massachusetts, “mary daughter of Stiuen hosmer & abigal his wife born 2 may 1668” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

1669

February 4, Thursday (Old Style): According to the Concord Town Record, “John [John Heywood] son of Joseph heaward & hanna his wife [Hannah Hosmer Heywood] died 4.feb 69” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS

October 2, Saturday (Old Style): In Concord, Massachusetts, “hanna daughter of James hosmer & Sarah his wife borne 2 day octo: 69” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS

November 6, Wednesday (Old Style): Abigale daughter of Stiuen hosmer & Abigale his wife borne 6: nom’ 1669” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

1671

August 31, day (Old Style): A-1-3-5-3 John Hosmer was born, who would get married with Mary Billings, and die during 1751. This couple would produce the following offspring: A-1-3-5-3-1 John Hosmer, who would be born on July 24th, 1700 A-1-3-5-3-2 Nathaniel Hosmer, who would be born on December 24th, 1701 A-1-3-5-3-3 Daniel Hosmer, who would be born on December 4th, 1703 and would die young A-1-3-5-3-4 Mary Hosmer, who would be born on December 17th, 1711 A-1-3-5-3-5 Daniel Hosmer, who would be born during 1714 HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

1672

July 6, Saturday (Old Style): In Concord, Massachusetts, “Thomas son of James hosmer & Sarah his wife borne 6. July. 1672” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS

December 9, Monday (Old Style): In Concord, Massachusetts, “hanna daughter of James hosmer & Sarah his wife died 9. desem’ 72” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

1673

February 15, Saturday (1672, Old Style): A-1-1 Thomas Hosmer, who had been born on January 2d, 1603 in Hawkhurst, Kent, England, died in Massachusetts (elsewhere, it says died April 12th, 1687 in Connecticut; would this have been a different A-1-1 Thomas Hosmer?) Spouse - Francis Bushnell - born 1602 in England - 2d Spouse - Katherine Hoskins Children: A-1-1-1 Stephen Hosmer - born 1645 in Hartford, Connecticut A-1-1-2 Clarence Hosmer - born 1639 in Connecticut A-1-1-3 Clemence Hosmer - born 1642 - died 1698 A-1-1-4 Hannah Hosmer - born 1649 - Spouse: Josiah Willard A-1-1-5 Hester Hosmer - born 1641 - died June 3, 1702 - Spouse: Thomas Buckingham HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

1676

April 21, Friday (Old Style): Late in the previous night, and early on this morning, a war party of more than 500 Nipmuc warriors from the Mount Wachusett area attacked Sudbury, perhaps in retaliation for the white sneak attack on their camp in that vicinity in the previous month. An alarm was sent out and, in response, individuals or troops rallied there from Marlborough, Watertown, Concord, and even Charlestown, arriving piecemeal. The English were forced to retreat but the greater part of Sudbury was saved from destruction. “KING PHILLIP’S WAR”

However, the native American warriors had succeeded in burning the home there of Concord resident Daniel Goble’s father-in-law John Brewer. (Did this make Daniel so righteously, racially angry that he would be seeking vengeance against any and all redskins regardless of gender or age?)

Also killed by the tribalists in the Sudbury fight on this day, near the Haynes Garrison, was A-1-3-3 James Hosmer (2) of Concord, who had been born during 1637. He had gotten married on October 13th, 1658 with Sarah White and his death produced the following orphans: A-1-3-3-1 James Hosmer, who had been born on October 26th, 1660 A-1-3-3-2 Sarah Hosmer, who had been born during about 1662 A-1-3-3-3 Mary Hosmer, who had been born on April 26th, 1664 A-1-3-3-4 Dorothy Hosmer, who had been born on June 10th, 1667 and would die on January 22d, 1667/1668 A-1-3-3-5 Hannah Hosmer, who had been born on October 2d, 1669 and would die on December 9th, 1672 A-1-3-3-6 Thomas Hosmer, who had been born on July 6th, 1672

According to the diary of Samuel Sewall, Nota bene. Friday about 3 in the afternoon, April 21, 1676, Capt. Wadsworth and Capt. Brocklebank fall. Almost an hundred, since, I hear, about fifty men, slain 3 miles off Sudbury: the said Town burned, Garrison houses except. DIARY OF SAMUEL SEWALL In Boston meanwhile, a proposal was being made for the use of mastiffs to control the Indians. On the 21st of April an alarm was spread abroad that a large number of Indians, said to be 1,500, were about to attack Sudbury. They had already burned several houses7 and the day before killed Thomas Plympton, and a Mr. Boon and his son, returning from the west part of the town, where the former had been to bring the two latter to a garrison-house.8 A company from Watertown aided by several of the citizens, had attacked them on the east side of Concord river; where a severe battle was fought and they were compelled to retreat across it. At this time several of the citizens of Concord immediately went to their relief. Arriving near the garrison house of Walter 7. According to Gookin’s MS. 8. According to town tradition. HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

Haynes,9 they observed several squaws, who, as they drew near, danced, shouted, powwawed, and used every method to amuse and decoy them. Eleven of the English pursued and attacked them, but found themselves, too late, in an ambuscade, from which a large number of the Indians rushed upon and attacked them with great fury. Notwithstanding they made a bold resistance, it was desperate, and ten of them were slain. The others escaped to the garrison, where the neighboring inhabitants had fled for security, which was bravely defended.10 Of those who were killed at this time belonging to Concord, I have been able to ascertain the names of five only — James Hosmer, Samuel Potter, John Barnes, Daniel Comy, and Joseph Buttrick. Capt. Samuel Wadsworth of Milton was then at Marlborough, having been left there to strengthen the frontiers on the return of the army from the interior. Understanding the situation of Sudbury, he marched with 32 soldiers to its relief. Capt. Broclebank, whose quarters had been at Marlborough, also accompanied him as a convoy to Boston, where he was intending to go to communicate with the Council. They marched in the night, and fell into an ambuscade early in the morning, when all but a few, who escaped to a mill, were slain. These unfortunate soldiers were buried the next day, principally by a company of Christian Indians, who had been organized and sent out the day before by direction of the English, under Capt. Hunting of Charlestown. Four dead Indians only were found.11 From this time, which was more propitious to the Indians than any other, their success gradually diminished. This battle was the turning point. The principal body of the Indians, however, tarried in the vicinity of Groton, Lancaster and Marlborough, whence they could easily make incursions to annoy the English.12

9. According to town tradition. 10. According to town tradition. 11. It will be perceived that these statements differ somewhat from Hubbard and particularly in the date. He places it on the 18th while Gookin in the Manuscript from which I [Shattuck] have extracted, says it was the 21st. Judge Sewall’s Manuscript Journal says: “Friday about 3 o’clock in the afternoon, April 21, 1676, Capt. Wadsworth and Capt. Broclebank fall. About 50 men slain 3 miles off Sudbury - the said town burnt - except the garrison-houses.” The Middlesex Records, in speaking of the settlement of James Hosmer’s estate, have this expression: “Being slayene in the engagement with the Indians at Sudbury on the 21st of the second month [April] in the year 1676.” The order of the Council on the 22d of April affords presumptive evidence that the unfortunate loss of the Concord party was on the same day, though Hubbard does not positively assert it. The Roxbury Records say: “Samuel Gardner, John Roberts, Nathaniel Seaver, Thomas Hawley, sen., William Cheaver, Joseph Pepper, John Sharp, Thomas Hopkins, Lieut. Samuel Gardner, slain by the Indians at Sudbury under command of Samuel Wadsworth, April 27, 1676.” This was probably the day of entry, or a mistake for the 21st. 12. Lemuel Shattuck’s 1835 A HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF CONCORD;.... Boston: Russell, Odiorne, and Company; Concord MA: John Stacy (On or about November 11, 1837 Henry Thoreau would indicate a familiarity with the contents of at least pages 2-3 and 6-9 of this historical study.) HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

1685

February 7, Saturday (1684, Old Style): A-1-3 James Hosmer (1), who had been born during 1605, had sailed from England on April 9th, 1635 arriving at Cambridge in the Massachusetts Bay Colony, died in Concord, Massachusetts. He and his 1st spouse Ann Hosmer had produced: A-1-3-1 Marie Hosmer in England about 1633, who would die young A-1-3-2 Ann Hosmer, who had been born in England about 1635, who would also die young With a 2d spouse Mary Hosmer he had produced: A-1-3-3 James B. Hosmer, who had been born during 1637 A-1-3-4 Mary Hosmer, who had been born during 1639 in Concord and would die during 1642 With a 3d spouse Alice Hosmer who had died on March 3d, 1664/5, he had produced: A-1-3-5 Stephen Hosmer, who had been born during 1642 A-1-3-6 Hannah Hosmer, who had been born during 1644 A-1-3-7 Mary Hosmer, who had been born during about 1646 HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

1688

February 6, Monday (1687, Old Style): Joseph Franklin (half-brother of Benjamin Franklin) was born in Boston. Since he would die 5 days later (February 11th, 1687/1688), the next son would also be assigned the name Joseph.

A-1-3-3-1 James Hosmer, who had been born on October 26th, 1660 and would die during 1728, got married with Elizabeth Sawyer, who had been born on February 5th (1662, Old Style) 1663. Their union would produce the following offspring: A-1-3-3-1-1 Elizabeth Hosmer, who had been born on February 6th (1688, Old Style) 1689 A-1-3-3-1-2 James Hosmer, Jr., who had been born on February 26th (1690, Old Style) 1691 A-1-3-3-1-3 Uriah Hosmer, who had been born on August 17th, 1693 A-1-3-3-1-4 Zerviah Hosmer, who had been born on October 9th, 1695 A-1-3-3-1-5 Jesseniah Hosmer, who had been born on March 17th (1697, Old Style) 1698 A-1-3-3-1-6 Hannah Hosmer, who had been born on March 23d (1699, Old Style) 1700 A-1-3-3-1-7 Manasseh Hosmer, who had been born on August 7th, 1702 A-1-3-3-1-8 Ephraim Hosmer, who had been born on August 2d, 1704 A-1-3-3-1-9 Martha Hosmer, who had been born on November 1st, 1706 HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

1693

November 4, day (Old Style): A-1-1-1 Stephen Hosmer (2) of Hartford, Connecticut (the only son of Representative Thomas Hosmer, who had gotten married with a Bushnell of Saybrook, Connecticut and become a deacon) died in Northampton, Massachusetts. He had been born during 1645 in Hartford, Connecticut. He had gotten married in 1668 with Hannah Bushnell, who had been born in about 1645, and their union had produced the following offspring: A-1-1-1-1 Thomas Hosmer born during 1675 A-1-1-1-2 Hannah Hosmer born during 1671 (died 1750/1751) A-1-1-1-3 Mary Hosmer born during 1672 (died 1684) A-1-1-1-4 Stephen Hosmer born during 1673 (died 1673) A-1-1-1-5 Dorothy Hosmer born during 1674 (died 1707) A-1-1-1-6 Stephen Hosmer born during 1679 (died 1679) A-1-1-1-7 Sarah Hosmer born during 1681 (died 1685) A-1-1-1-8 Mary Hosmer born during 1684 (died March 2d, 1760) A-1-1-1-9 Deborah Hosmer born during 1687 (died September 23d, 1716) A-1-1-1-10 Clemence Hosmer born during 1691 (died September 7th, 1755)

In his will all the children whose ages are with the inventory of his large estate returned in January 1694 are named: Hannah Hosmer Post age 23; Dorothy Hosmer age 20; Thomas Hosmer age 18; Stephen Hosmer (3) (the minister of East Haddam, Harvard College 1699) and Esther Hosmer, twins age 14; Mary Hosmer age 9; Deborah Hosmer age 7, and Clemence Hosmer age 3. [Stephen Hosmer (3) would die on June 16th, 1749.] HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

1696

February 13, Thursday (1695, Old Style): A-1-3-3-6 Thomas Hosmer, who had been born on July 6th, 1672 and would die on November 2d, 1754, got married with Hannah Hartwell, who had been born on October 8th, 1675. Their union would produce the following offspring: A-1-3-3-6-1 Hannah Hosmer, who would be born on November 2d, 1697 A-1-3-3-6-2 Sarah Hosmer, who would be born on October 7th, 1700 A-1-3-3-6-3 Thomas Hosmer, who would be born on February 7th, 1703/1704 A-1-3-3-6-4 Mary Hosmer, who would be born on March 9th, 1706/1707 and would die on March 28th, 1798 unmarried A-1-3-3-6-5 James Hosmer, who would be born on February 26th, 1708/1709 HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

1700

July 24, Wednesday (Old Style): In Concord, Massachusetts, “John Hosmer ye son of John Hosmer & Mary his wife was Borne July ye 24th 1700.” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS

October 7, day (Old Style): In Concord, Massachusetts, “Sarah Hosmer ye daughter of Thomas Hosmer & Hanah his wife was Borne Octobr ye 7th 1700. CONCORD TOWN RECORDS HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

1701

December 24, Wednesday (Old Style): A-1-3-5-3-2 Nathaniel Hosmer was born, who would get married with Elizabeth who would die on May 28th, 1794 having given birth to: A-1-3-5-3-2-1 William Hosmer on October 19th, 1729 A-1-3-5-3-2-2 Nathaniel Hosmer on November 29th, 1731 A-1-3-5-3-2-3 Amos Hosmer on June 28th, 1734 A-1-3-5-3-2-4 Elizabeth Hosmer on December 31st, 1736 A-1-3-5-3-2-5 Reuben Hosmer on December 5th, 1739 A-1-3-5-3-2-6 Sarah Hosmer on September 21st, 1743 A-1-3-5-3-2-7 Lois Hosmer on July 24th, 1746 HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

1703

February 7, Sunday (Old Style): In Concord, Massachusetts, “Thomas Hosmer the son of Thomas Hosmer & Hanah his wife was Borne the 7th day of February, 1703.” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS

December 4, Saturday (Old Style): In Concord, Massachusetts, “Danll Hosmer ye son of John Hosmer & Mary his wife was Borne ye 4th day of Decembr 1703.” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

1706

February 26, Tuesday (1705, Old Style): A-1-3-5-6 Stephen Hosmer, who had been born on April 27th, 1680 and would die on December 21st, 1754, got married with Prudence Billings, who had been born during 1690. The couple would produce the following offspring: A-1-3-5-6-1 Prudence Hosmer on November 27th, 1707 A-1-3-5-6-2 Stephen Hosmer on November 13th, 1709 A-1-3-5-6-3 Jonathan Hosmer on March 29th, 1712 A-1-3-5-6-4 Josiah Hosmer on October 8th, 1714 A-1-3-5-6-5 Jane Hosmer on March 27th, 1717 A-1-3-5-6-6 Abigail Hosmer on December 31st, 1719 A-1-3-5-6-7 Ephraim Hosmer on November 22d, 1722 A-1-3-5-6-8 Sarah Hosmer on June 25th, 1725 A-1-3-5-6-9 Huldah Hosmer on April 15th, 1729 HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

1707

November 27, Sunday (Old Style) 1707: In Concord, Massachusetts, “Prudence Hosmer the daughter of Stephen Hosmer & Prudence his wife was Born novembr ye 27th, 1707.” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

1718

In Concord, Benjamin Whittemore, John Flint, William Wheeler, Samuel Chandler, and Daniel Brooks were Selectmen. Ordinarily the town’s 5 selectmen acted as Overseers of the Poor and as Assessors, but in this period there was in addition a board of 5 Overseers of the Poor. William Wilson continued as Town Clerk and Samuel Jones as Town Treasurer. After an epidemic that overwhelmed the town’s record-keeping capabilities, Thomas Brown senr, town clerk, made a summary record:

[Febr]uary ye 20th 1717/8. Whereas ye hand of God [hath] come forth against ye Inh[abitants of] Concord in a very awfull [manner] sending a very malignnt [& fatal] distemper amongst us wh[ereby there] hath ben a considerable n[umber of] p’sons, of men women [& children] of all Qualities Sexts & ages [that] hath ben rernovd from am[ong us] by death, most of wh has ben [very] sullen & unexpected so that from [the] last day of novembr last past until ye day of ye date above written hath ben remod not less then 27 prson Where upon I, Thomas Brown senr of ye aforesd Town thought meet to record a cattalogue of ye names of ye prsons as near in order as I can wh are as followeth.

Following the above in the same handwriting is a list of Concordians who had died from December 1, 1717 to February 20, 1718:

Imprimis Saml Stratton who decease november ye 30th 1717, next to him dyed mary parling. Next to her dyed Nath. Buss, next dyed mrs. Sarah Wilson, next to her dyed Saml Wheeler, next died decon dakins daughter, next dyed Abigail ye wife of George Wheeler, next dyed my daughter Elizabeth Hartwell, next dyed mrs Stow aged above ninty, next dyed Decon Jno. Heywood, next dyed my grandson viz: Thomas Hartwel, next dyed widow Sarah Shepherd, next dyed ye daughter of Saml Stratton, next dyed Widow Abigail Hosmer, next dyed mrs Sarah Wooddis widow, next dyed wm Hunts Childe, an only son, next dyed mr Peter Wright, next dyed mrs Elizebeth Rogers, next dyed Wm Russell, next John Shavaly a young man dyed, next John Smely dyed, next Mary Davis Widow dyed, next dyed ye son of Saml prescot an Infant, next dyed Widow Adams, next dyed Hanah ye wife of Henry Sparks, next dyed Paul Rice Febru. 20th at night 1717/ 8 dyed mrs Rebecca Prescott wife to Jonathan Prescott.”

Following that list, but in a different handwriting, we find listed this town clerk Thomas Brown senr, who died that March, and of his son Thomas Brown junr, who died that April. CONCORD TOWN RECORDS HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

1723

May 30, Thursday (Old Style): A-1-3-3-1-7 Manasseh Hosmer, who had been born on August 7th, 1702 and would die on March 20th, 1791, got married with Mary Carpenter. This union would on October 11th, 1724 produce A-1-3-3-1-7-1 Menasseh Hosmer, Jr. HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

1726

February 5, day (1725, Old Style): A-1-3-3-1-2 James Hosmer, Jr., who had been born on February 26th, (1690, Old Style) 1691, got married with Elizabeth Aspinwall, who would die on November 4th, 1797. Their union would produce the following offspring: A-1-3-3-1-2-1 Anna Hosmer, who had been born on November 28th, 1727 and would die on October 6th, 1756 A-1-3-3-1-2-2 Elizabeth Hosmer, who had been born on May 23d, 1738 A-1-3-3-1-2-3 James Hosmer, who had been born on October 21st, 1740 HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

1730

April 3, Monday (Old Style): A-1-3-3-1-8 Ephraim Hosmer, who had been born on August 2d, 1704, got married with Dorcas Carpenter who would die on April 21st, 1793. Their union would produce the following offspring: A-1-3-3-1-8-1 Zebulun Hosmer, who would be born on January 14th, 1731 and would die on July 24th, 1768 A-1-3-3-1-8-2 Sarah Hosmer, who would be born during 1732 and would die during 1733 A-1-3-3-1-8-3 Thomas Hosmer, who would be born on January 28th, 1733/1734 and would die on November 29th, 1759 unmarried A-1-3-3-1-8-4 Dorcas Hosmer, who would be born on September 10th, 1736 and would die on September 15th, 1736 A-1-3-3-1-8-5 Abel Hosmer, who would be born on January 29th, 1737/1738 and would die during August 1739 A-1-3-3-1-8-6 Abel Hosmer, who would be born on June 20th, 1741 HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

1724

August 26, Saturday (Old Style) 1724: A-1-3-5-3-1 John Hosmer, who had been born on July 24th, 1700 and would die on December 14th, 1733, got married with Mehitable Parker. The couple would produce the following offspring: A-1-3-5-3-1-1 John Hosmer on May 17th, 1725 A-1-3-5-3-1-2 Mary Hosmer on October 11th, 1726 A-1-3-5-3-1-3 Eleazer Hosmer on April 8th, 1728 A-1-3-5-3-1-4 Aaron Hosmer on July 21st, 1729 A-1-3-5-3-1-5 Mehitable Hosmer on April 23d, 1731 A-1-3-5-3-1-6 Helen Hosmer on January 12th, 1732/1733 HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

1726

October 16, Wednesday (Old Style): In Concord, Massachusetts, “Mary Hosmer ye Daughter of John Hosmer and Mehitabel his wife was born october ye 16: 1726” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

1728

April 8, day (Old Style): In Concord, Massachusetts, “Eleazer Hosmer ye son of John Hosmer and Mehitabel his wife was born April the 8th day 1728” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

1729

April 15, Tuesday (Old Style): In Concord, Massachusetts, “Huldah Hosmer ye Daughter of Stephen Hosmer and Prudence his wife was born april 15: 1729” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS

July 26, Saturday (Old Style): In Concord, Massachusetts, “Aaron Hosmer ye son of John Hosmer and Mehetabel his Wife was born July.26: 1729” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

1731

February 17, Wednesday (1730, Old Style): In Concord, Massachusetts, “Josiah Hayward and Mary Hosmer both of Concord were married (by John Flint) febr 17: 1730/31”[This was 1730/1731, which is to say, it was by the CONCORD TOWN RECORDS THE HEYWOODS OF CONCORD

Old (Julian) Calendar, 1730, but by the New (Gregorian) Calendar, 1731. The New Calendar would be adopted by Great Britain and the colonies in 1752 when, to bring the calendar in line with the solar year, it would add 11 days and began the new year in January rather than March. We can observe, however, from the nature of this “febr 17:1730/31” notation in the record, that recognition was already being given to the newer Gregorian system.]

March 9, day (1730, Old Style): A-1-1-1-1 Thomas Hosmer, who had been born during 1675, died in Hartford, Connecticut. He had gotten married with Ann Prentiss, born December 24th, 1674, on December 24th, 1700 in Hartford, Connecticut and the couple had produced the following children: A-1-1-1-1-1 James R. Hosmer A-1-1-1-1-2 Thomas Hosmer, born October 28th, 1701 in Connecticut A-1-1-1-1-3 Stephen Hosmer, born January 6th, 1703 in Connecticut and died 1758 A-1-1-1-1-4 John Hosmer, born during 1707 in Connecticut and died on September 15th, 1761 A-1-1-1-1-5 Sarah Hosmer, born September 7th, 1707 and died July 30th, 1754 A-1-1-1-1-6 Ann Hosmer, born September 14th, 1710 in Connecticut and died August 6th, 1753 A-1-1-1-1-7 Joseph Hosmer, born November 28th, 1705 in Connecticut

April 23, day (Old Style): In Concord, Massachusetts, “Mehetabel Hosmer ye Daughter of John Hosmer and Mehetabel his wife was born April.23: 1731” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS

April 29, Thursday (Old Style): According to a report in a Boston gazette, in the previous year Captain George Scott of Newport, Rhode Island had been 100 leagues from the coast of Africa on his way home with yet another HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

cargo of human flesh packed into his sloop Little George — when allofasudden there had been an uprising.

MIDDLE PASSAGE “We hear from Rhode Island that Captain George Scott of that place, who sometime since went from thence to Guinea, and was returning with a cargo of Negroes, they rose upon the said commander and company, and barbarously murdered three of his men, the said captain and the rest of his company made their escape, tho tis said they are all since dead except the captain and a boy; The Negroes we are informed were afterwards taken and made slaves by those other nation.” SERVILE INSURRECTION

(The slaver captain, undaunted by this setback, would sail out of Newport for the coast of Africa to collect more human raw material, each year for the following 5 years.)

In Concord, Massachusetts, “Thomas Hosmer and Prudance Hosmer both of Concord were married (by John Flint Esqr) April 29: 1731” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS

(A-1-3-3-6-3 Thomas Hosmer had been born on February 7th, 1703/1704 and would die on January 10th, 1787. Prudence Hosmer had been born on November 27th, 1707. Their union would produce the following offspring: A-1-3-3-6-3-1 Lucy Hosmer, who would be born on August 27th, 1732 A-1-3-3-6-3-2 Joseph Hosmer, who would be born on December 27th, 1735 A-1-3-3-6-3-3 Persis Hosmer, who would be born on April 19th, 1739 A-1-3-3-6-3-4 Dinah Hosmer, who would be born on March 20th, 1741 and would die unmarried on December 28th, 1831 A-1-3-3-6-3-5 Lydia Hosmer, who would be born on December 30th, 1745 A-1-3-3-6-3-6 Benjamin Hosmer, who would be born on May 18th, 1750) HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

1733

January 12, Friday (1732, Old Style): In Concord, Massachusetts, “Helen Hosmer ye Daughter of John Hosmer and Mehetabel his wife was born January.12: 1732/3” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS

May 23, Tuesday (Old Style): In Concord, Massachusetts, “Mary Hosmer ye Daughter of Stephen Hosmer and Mellescent his Wife was born May.23: 1733” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

1734

April 25, Thursday (Old Style): In Concord, Massachusetts, “Jonathan Hosmer and Martha Conant both of Concord were Married by Justice Flint April. 25: 1734” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS

A-1-3-5-6-3 Jonathan Hosmer, who had been born on March 29th, 1712 and would die on June 25th, 1775, and Martha Conant Hosmer, who had been born on July 10th, 1716, would produce the following offspring: A-1-3-5-6-3-1 Jonathan Hosmer on August 28th, 1734 A-1-3-5-6-3-2 Martha Hosmer on April 2d, 1736 A-1-3-5-6-3-3 Ruth Hosmer on May 8th, 1738 A-1-3-5-6-3-4 Stephen Hosmer on February 1st, 1739/1740 A-1-3-5-6-3-5 Sarah Hosmer on July 7th, 1745 A-1-3-5-6-3-6 Lucy Hosmer on November 14th, 1752 A-1-3-5-6-3-7 Abner Hosmer on August 21st, 1754 who would die on April 19th, 1775 A-1-3-5-6-3-8 Jonas Hosmer on October 21st, 1758

May 12, Sunday (Old Style): In Concord, Massachusetts, “Samuel Hosmer ye son of James Hosmer and Elisabeth his wife was Born May:12:1734” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS

June 28, day (Old Style): In Concord, Massachusetts, “Amos Hosmer ye son of Nathaniel Hosmer and Elisabeth his wife was born June:28:1734” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS

August 28, day (Old Style): In Concord, Massachusetts, “Jonathan Hosmer ye son of Jonathan Hosmer and Martha his Wife was born August 28: 1734” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS

October 22, Tuesday (Old Style): In Concord, Massachusetts, “Daniel Shepard and Jane Hosmer both of Concord were married by Justice Flint. october. 22: 1734” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

1735

December 27, Saturday (Old Style): In Concord, Massachusetts, “Joseph Hosmer ye son of Thomas Hosmer and Prudance his wife was born December:27:1735” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

1736

April 19, Thursday (Old Style): In Concord, Massachusetts, “Stephen Hosmer ye son of Stephen Hosmer an Melecent his wife was born April.19.1736” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS

December 31, Friday (Old Style): In Concord, Massachusetts, “Elisabeth Hosmer ye Daughter of Nathaniel Hosmer and Elisabeth his wife was born December.31:1736” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

1737

January 26, Wednesday (1736, Old Style): In Concord, Massachusetts, “James Hosmer ye son of James Hosmer and Elisabeth his wife was born January.26:1736/7” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

1738

April 11, Tuesday (Old Style): A-1-3-5-6-4 Josiah Hosmer, who had been born on October 8th, 1714 and would die on October 7th, 1788, got married with Hannah Wesson who would die on May 28th, 1789. The couple would produce the following offspring: A-1-3-5-6-4-1 Hannah Hosmer on February 18th, 1738/1739 A-1-3-5-6-4-2 Josiah Hosmer, Jr. on November 28th, 1740 A-1-3-5-6-4-3 Esther Hosmer on February 3d, 1742/1743 who would die on March 1st, 1825 unmarried A-1-3-5-6-4-4 Jesse Hosmer on January 17th, 1744/1745 A-1-3-5-6-4-5 Abel Hosmer on March 27th, 1747 A-1-3-5-6-4-6 Huldah Hosmer on December 28th, 1749 A-1-3-5-6-4-7 John Hosmer on June 17th, 1752 A-1-3-5-6-4-8 Sarah Hosmer on March 11th, 1755 A-1-3-5-6-4-9 Lucy Hosmer on January 24th, 1758

October 4, Saturday (Old Style): According to the Concord, Massachusetts Town Record, “Joseph Hayward and Abigail Hosmer both of Concord were married by Justice Flint october.4:1738” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

1739

March 6, Friday (1738, Old Style): A council of 12 churches, moderated by the Reverend John Hancock, convened at Concord for the ordination of the Reverend Daniel Bliss as the new minister at the 1st Parish Church1ST PARISH CHURCH Concord. After personal objections to Mr. Bliss had been resolved, a decision to ordain was reached.

March 7, Saturday (1738, Old Style): The Reverend Daniel Bliss was ordained as the new minister at the 1st Parish Church1ST PARISH CHURCH Concord, in place of the dismissed Reverend John Whiting.

March 12, Thursday (1738, Old Style): In Concord, Massachusetts, “Elisabeth Hosmer ye Daughter of James Hosmer and Elisabeth his wife was born March. 12:1739.” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS

April 12, day (Old Style): In Concord, Massachusetts, “Daniel Hosmer and Bethiah Conant Both of Concord Were married by ye Rend mr Daniel Bliss. April. 12:1739” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS

April 19, day (Old Style): In Concord, Massachusetts, “Piersis Hosmer ye Daughter of Thomas Hosmer and Prudance His Wife was born April. 19:1739” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS

December 5, day (Old Style): In Concord, Massachusetts, “Ruben Hosmer ye son of Nathaniel Hosmer and Elisabeth his Wife was born December. 5:1739” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS

December 6, Thursday (Old Style): Dr. Joseph Lee got married with Lucy Jones in Concord, Massachusetts. This union would produce Joseph Lee on May 12th, 1743 in Concord (Harvard Class of 1765), Jonas Lee on October 16th, 1745 (whose eager espousal of the rebel cause would save his father’s estate in Concord from revolutionary forfeiture), and Lucy Lee on June 1st, 1748. HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

1740

January 1, Tuesday (1739, Old Style): In Concord, Massachusetts, “Rebekah Hosmer ye Daughter of Daniel Hosmer and Bethiah his Wife was born January. 1st: 1739/40” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS

March 2, Sunday (1739, Old Style): In Concord, Massachusetts, “Nathan Hosmer ye son of Stephen Hosmer and Mellescent his Wife was born March. 2:1740.” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS

November 28, day (Old Style): In Concord, Massachusetts, “Josiah Hosmer ye son of Josiah Hosmer and Hannah his wife was born Nouember. 28: 1740.” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

1742

October 14, Thursday (Old Style): In Concord, Massachusetts, “Beulah Hosmer ye Daughter of James Hosmer and Elisabeth His Wife was born october. 14:1742.” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

1743

February 3, Thursday (1742, Old Style): In Concord, Massachusetts, “Esther Hosmer ye Daughter of Josiah Hosmer and Hannah his Wife was born February.3:1743.” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS

September 21, Wednesday (Old Style): In Concord, Massachusetts, “Sarah Hosmer ye Daughter of Nathaniel Hosmer and Elisabeth his Wife was born September. 21: 1743.” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

1744

March 13, Tuesday (1743, Old Style): Sarah Hosmer got married with Simeon Hayward.

May 16, Wednesday (Old Style): In Concord, Massachusetts, “Mellescent Hosmer ye Daughter of Stephen Hosmer and Mellescent his Wife was born. May. 16: 1744.” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

1745

January 17, Thursday (1744, Old Style): In Concord, Massachusetts, “Jesse Hosmer ye son of Josiah Hosmer and Hannah his Wife was born January.17:1745.” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS

November 6, Wednesday (Old Style): In Concord, Massachusetts, “Ruth Hosmer ye Daughter of James Hosmer and Elisabeth His Wife was born Nouember. 6:1745.” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS

December 30, Monday (Old Style): In Concord, Massachusetts, “Lydia Hosmer ye Daughter of Thomas Hosmer and Prudance His Wife was born December:30:1745.” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

1746

January 28, Tuesday (1745, Old Style): In Concord, Massachusetts, “Daniel Hosmer ye son of Daniel Hosmer and Bethiah his Wife was born January. 28:1746.” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS

July 24, Thursday (Old Style): In Concord, Massachusetts, “Lois Hosmer ye Daughter of Nathaniel Hosmer and Elisabeth His wife was born July.24:1746” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

1747

March 26, Thursday (Old Style): In Concord, Massachusetts, “Silas Hosmer ye son of Stephen Hosmer and Mellescent his Wife was born March. 26:1747.” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS

March 27, Friday (Old Style): In Concord, Massachusetts, “Abel Hosmer ye son of Josiah Hosmer and Hannah his Wife was born March. 27:1747.” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

1749

March 22, Wednesday (1748, Old Style): In Concord, Massachusetts, “Elijah Hosmer ye son of James Hosmer and Elizabeth his wife was Born March 22d. 1749” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS

December 7, Thursday (Old Style): Duncan Ingraham, who had prospered in Boston as a sea captain in the Surinam trade and as a slave trader, got married with Susanna Blake, daughter of Henry Blake and Susanna Newell (although Susanna had been born on November 10th, 1724 in Boston, she was a wealthy widow who had resided in Concord). This union would produce Susannah Ingraham Geyer, Duncan Ingraham, Jr., Mary Ingraham Condy, Henry Ingraham, Nathaniel Ingraham, Joseph Ingraham, and Francis Ingraham.

December 28, Thursday (Old Style): In Concord, Massachusetts, “Huldah Hosmer ye Daughter of Josiah Hosmer and Hannah his wife was Born December 28. 1749” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

1750

In Concord, Massachusetts, Ephraim Jones was Town Clerk. John Jones, Ephraim Jones, Nathaniel Whittemore, Ephraim Wood, Simon Hunt, and Joshua Brooks were Selectmen (6 selectmen?).

Ephraim Jones, who had since 1745 been the representative from Concord to the Massachusetts General Court, temporarily left that office (he would again be the representative from Concord to the Massachusetts General Court during 1753), and Chambers Russell became the deputy and representative to the General Court.

Chambers Russell of Concord was serving as Judge of the Court of Common Pleas and of the Court of Vice- Admiralty.

Concord’s 9 Surveyors of Highways and Bridges were increased to 12.

James Minott of Concord was an Assistant and Counselor.

Since the terrain where the Old North Bridge over the Concord River now stands is quite marshy and vulnerable to flooding, a raised, cobblestone causeway was at this point constructed to allow access during river floods, from the bridge at that location to Jonathan Buttrick’s house in Concord. He donated the land for this road to the town and pledged to build and maintain a stone wall on the road’s north side to protect his farm from travelers. The following table exhibits the appropriations for several objects at different periods in the town of Acton:13

1750 1760 1770 1780 1790 1800 1810 1820 1830

Minister £50 £52 £70 £3,562 £80 $353 $353 $363 ___

Schools 13 12 24 2,000 49 333 450 450 450

Roads 26 70 60 800 120 400 500 600 800

Incidental 20 12 80 10,000 100 500 1,000 1,400 600

At about this point Ammi Ruhammah Faulkner created the Grist Mill, sometimes referred to as the Corn Mill, at “Mill Corner” in South Acton.

During this year or the following year, A-1-1-1-2 Hannah Hosmer Post, who had been born during 1671, died. She had been married to Stephen Post, who had been born on December 3d, 1664 and would die on May 16th, 1752.

13. Lemuel Shattuck’s 1835 A HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF CONCORD;.... Boston: Russell, Odiorne, and Company; Concord MA: John Stacy (On or about November 11, 1837 Henry Thoreau would indicate a familiarity with the contents of at least pages 2-3 and 6-9 of this historical study.) HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

May 18, Friday (Old Style): In Concord, Massachusetts, “Benjamin Hosmer ye son of Thomas Hosmer Junr & Prudence his wife was Born May 18. 1750” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS

(Private Benjamin Hosmer would serve in 1775 in a Concord company commanded by Lieutenant Ephraim Wheeler, in Colonel Eleazer Brooks’s regiment.)

August 29, Wednesday (Old Style): A-1-3-5-3-1-1 John Hosmer, who had been born on May 17th, 1725 and would die on November 17th, 1771, got married with Martha Webber who would die on November 6th, 1768. The couple would produce the following offspring: A-1-3-5-3-1-1-1 Martha Hosmer on January 21st, 1756 who would die on August 15th, 1761 A-1-3-5-3-1-1-2 John Hosmer on May 10th, 1758 A-1-3-5-3-1-1-3 Martha Hosmer on October 1st, 1762 A-1-3-5-3-1-1-4 Benjamin Hosmer on January 31st, 1766 HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

1752

June 17, Saturday (Old Style): In Concord, Massachusetts, “John Hosmer ye Son of Josiah Hosmer & Hannah his wife was Born June 17 1752” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

1753

June 19, Tuesday: A-1-3-5-3-2-1 William Hosmer, who had been born on October 19th, 1729 in Concord, Massachusetts and would die on March 26th, 1802, got married with 20-year-old Anna Heald, who had been born on October 25th, 1733 to Amos Ephraim Heald and Elizabeth Billings Heald of Concord and would die on July 7th, 1818. The couple would produce the following offspring: A-1-3-5-3-2-1-1 Hepzibah Hosmer on August 2d, 1754 A-1-3-5-3-2-1-2 Elizabeth Hosmer on January 7th, 1756, who would get married with a Stimson A-1-3-5-3-2-1-3 William Hosmer on August 28th, 1757 A-1-3-5-3-2-1-4 Amos Hosmer on November 9th, 1759 A-1-3-5-3-2-1-5 Lucy Hosmer on March 5th, 1762 who would die during March 1817 A-1-3-5-3-2-1-6 Oliver Hosmer on March 6th, 1764 A-1-3-5-3-2-1-7 Mary Hosmer on June 5th, 1766 A-1-3-5-3-2-1-8 Anna Hosmer on June 25th, 1772 A-1-3-5-3-2-1-9 Ruben Hosmer on August 26th, 1775

Anna Heald Hosmer would die during 1778 at the age of 45.

September 23, Sunday: Ann Prescott was baptized in Concord, Massachusetts, the 8th child of Charles Prescott and Elizabeth Barrett Prescott. She would get married with Jesse Hosmer. HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

1754

August 21, Wednesday: William Murdock was born in Auchinleck, Ayrshire, son of a Scott millwright. He apprenticed with his father before joining James Watt and Matthew Boulton in their Soho works at Birmingham at the age of 23. Abner Hosmer was born in Acton, Massachusetts. He was the son of Deacon Jonathan Hosmer (March 26, 1712-June 25, 1776) of Concord, Massachusetts with Martha Conant Hosmer (October 10, 1716-May 5, 1795) and the brother of Jonathan Hosmer born in Concord in 1734, Martha Hosmer Wheeler born in Acton in 1736, Ruth Hosmer Powers born in Acton in 1738, Sarah Hosmer born in Acton in 1745, Lucy Hosmer born in Acton in 1752, and Jonas Hosmer born in Acton in 1758.

WALDEN: I was myself excited somewhat even as if they [the warring PEOPLE OF red and black ants] had been men. The more you think of it, the WALDEN less the difference. And certainly there is not the fight recorded in Concord history, at least, if in the history of America, that will bear a moment’s comparison with this, whether for the numbers engaged in it, or for the patriotism and heroism displayed. For numbers and for carnage it was an Austerlitz or Dresden. Concord Fight! Two killed on the patriots’ side, and Luther Blanchard wounded! Why here every ant was a Buttrick, –“Fire! for God’s sake fire!”– and thousands shared the fate of Davis and Hosmer. There was not one hireling there. I have no doubt that it was a principle they fought for, as much as our ancestors, and not to avoid a three-penny tax on their tea; and the results of this battle will be as important and memorable to those whom it concerns as those of the battle of Bunker Hill, at least.

LUTHER BLANCHARD JOHN BUTTRICK ISAAC DAVI S ABNER HOSMER HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

1755

March 26, Wednesday: “Nathan meriam of Naragast no 2 [“Now Westminster, Mass.] & mary Hosmer of Concord were married by Justice Whiting march 26 1755” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS

The Reverend George Farrar of Concord, Massachusetts was ordained at Easton.

GEORGE FARRAR [of Concord], son of George Farrar, was born November 23, 1730, graduated [at Harvard College] in 1751, and ordained at Easton, March 26, 1755. He died September 17th, 1756, aged 25, and was interred at Lincoln.14 THE FARRARS OF CONCORD/LINCOLN ALL CONCORD COLLEGE GRADS

June 5, Thursday: “Samuel Hosmer of Concord & Ann Parlin of Carlisle ware Married by the Revd mr Bliss June 5 1755” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS

A-1-3-3-6-5-1 Samuel Hosmer, who had been born on May 12th, 1734 and would die on January 22d, 1796, and his wife Ann Parlin Hosmer, who had been born on August 8th, 1732 and would die on July 5th, 1822, would produce the following offspring: A-1-3-3-6-5-1-1 Ann Hosmer, who would be born on August 27th, 1756 A-1-3-3-6-5-1-2 Hepzibah Hosmer, who would be born on July 24th, 1759 A-1-3-3-6-5-1-3 James Hosmer, who would be born during 1761 A-1-3-3-6-5-1-4 Samuel Hosmer, who would be born during 1762 A-1-3-3-6-5-1-5 Anna Hosmer, who would be born during 1763 A-1-3-3-6-5-1-6 Mary Hosmer, who would be born during 1764 and would die unmarried on February 19th, 1813 A-1-3-3-6-5-1-7 David Hosmer, who would be born on February 27th, 1769 A-1-3-3-6-5-1-8 Reuben Hosmer, who would be born on December 11th, 1771 A-1-3-3-6-5-1-9 Asahel Hosmer, who would be born on October 26th, 1775

14. Lemuel Shattuck’s 1835 A HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF CONCORD;.... Boston: Russell, Odiorne, and Company; Concord MA: John Stacy (On or about November 11, 1837 Henry Thoreau would indicate a familiarity with the contents of at least pages 2-3 and 6-9 of this historical study.) HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

1756

July 1, Thursday: A-1-3-5-3-2-2 Nathaniel Hosmer, who had been born on November 29th, 1731 and would die on August 4th, 1814, got married with Elizabeth Heald, who had been born on January 6th, 1733/1734 and would die on August 22d, 1810. The couple would produce the following offspring: A-1-3-5-3-2-2-1 Tabitha Hosmer on May 29th, 1756 A-1-3-5-3-2-2-2 Anna Hosmer on November 13th, 1759 A-1-3-5-3-2-2-3 Eunice Hosmer on August 22d, 1762 A-1-3-5-3-2-2-4 Nathaniel Hosmer on August 9th, 1765 A-1-3-5-3-2-2-5 Asa Hosmer on August 10th, 1769

August 27, Friday: In Concord, Massachusetts, “Anne Hosmer Daughter of Samuel Hosmer and Anne his wife was born August 27/1756” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

1758

January 24, Tuesday (1757, Old Style): In Concord, Massachusetts, “Lucy Hosmer ye Davghter of Josiah Hosmer & Hannah his wife born Jany 24:1758” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS

January 26, Thursday (1757, Old Style): The widow Mary Hayward Jones of Captain Ephraim Jones remarried in Concord, Massachusetts as the 4th wife of Nathaniel Woolcott or Wilcott.

August 20, Sunday: In Concord, Massachusetts, “James Hosmer Jun son of James Hosmer and Elizabeth his wife Died August 20/1758” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

1759

July 24, Tuesday: Outside Fort Niagara, the British forces defeated French relief forces under François de Ligneris, and also beat off a party sent out from the fort.

In Concord, Massachusetts, “Hephzibah Hosmer Daughter of Samuel Hosmer and Anne his wife was born July 24/1759” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

1760

January 31, Thursday: A-1-3-5-6-3-1 Jonathan Hosmer, who had been born on August 28th, 1734 and would die on July 10th, 1822, got married with Submit Hunt, who had been born on October 26th, 1737 and would die on June 3d, 1812. The couple would produce the following offspring: A-1-3-5-6-3-1-1 Jonathan Hosmer on September 24th, 1760 who would die on October 1st, 1777 A-1-3-5-6-3-1-2 Submit Hosmer on July 20th, 1762 A-1-3-5-6-3-1-3 Ruth Hosmer on March 25th, 1765 A-1-3-5-6-3-1-4 Anne Hosmer on March 23d, 1769 A-1-3-5-6-3-1-5 Mary Hosmer on July 27th, 1772 A-1-3-5-6-3-1-6 Simon Hosmer on May 1st, 1774 A-1-3-5-6-3-1-7 Lucy Hosmer, born during 1778

May 24, Saturday: A-1-3-3-6-5 James Hosmer, who had been born on February 26th, 1708/1709 and gotten married with Elizabeth Davis who had been born on January 11th, 1713/1714, died having produced the following children: A-1-3-3-6-5-1 Samuel Hosmer born on May 12th, 1734 A-1-3-3-6-5-2 James Hosmer born on January 21st, 1736/1737, who had died on August 20th, 1758 unmarried A-1-3-3-6-5-3 Elizabeth Hosmer born on March 12th, 1738/1739 A-1-3-3-6-5-4 Beulah Hosmer born on October 14th, 1742 A-1-3-3-6-5-5 Ruth Hosmer born on November 1st, 1745 A-1-3-3-6-5-6 Elijah Hosmer born on March 22d, 1748/1749 HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

1761

May 2, Saturday: May 2, 1761: A-1-1-1-1-3 Stephen Hosmer, who had been born on January 6th, 1702/1703, died. He had gotten married on June 18th, 1730 with Deliverance Graves, who had been born on October 27th, 1713 and died on July 5th, 1758, and the couple had produced the following children: A-1-1-1-1-3-1 Sarah Hosmer, who had been born on March 25, 1731 A-1-1-1-1-3-2 Stephen Hosmer, who had been born on January 10, 1733/1734 A-1-1-1-1-3-3 Marrianne Hosmer, who had been born on February 2, 1734/1735 A-1-1-1-1-3-4 Titus Hosmer, who had been baptized on December 19, 1736 A-1-1-1-1-3-5 George Hosmer, who had been baptized on February 4, 1738/1739 A-1-1-1-1-3-6 Anne Hosmer, who had been baptized on September 28, 1740 A-1-1-1-1-3-7 Deliverance Hosmer, who had been baptized on June 12, 1743 A-1-1-1-1-3-8 Timothy Hosmer, who had been baptized on September 1, 1745 A-1-1-1-1-3-9 Kather Hosmer, who had been baptized on November 29, 1747 A-1-1-1-1-3-10 John Hosmer, who had been baptized on January 7, 1749/1750 A-1-1-1-1-3-11 Prentice Hosmer, who had been baptized on February 2, 1751/1752 A-1-1-1-1-3-12 Graves Hosmer, who had been baptized on April 4, 1756

December 24, Thursday: A-1-3-3-6-3-2 Joseph Hosmer, who had been born on December 27th, 1735 and would die on January 13th, 1821, got married with Lucy Barnes, who had been born during 1742 and would die on August 7th, 1818. Their union would produce the following offspring: A-1-3-3-6-3-2-1 Lavinia Hosmer, who would be born on August 22d, 1762 A-1-3-3-6-3-2-2 Cyrus Hosmer, who would be born on February 28th, 1765 A-1-3-3-6-3-2-3 Lucy Hosmer, who would be born on December 8th, 1768 and would die on December 18th, 1768 A-1-3-3-6-3-2-4 John Hosmer, who would be born on May 21st, 1770 A-1-3-3-6-3-2-5 Lucinda Hosmer, who would be born on February 5th, 1773 A-1-3-3-6-3-2-6 Rufus Hosmer, who would be born on March 18th, 1778 HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

1762

August 22, Sunday: In Concord, Massachusetts, “Louina Hosmer ye Davghter of Joseph Hosmer & Lucy his wife was Born August 22:1762:” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS

When her printer son James Franklin died, Ann Smith Franklin, the Widow Franklin, became overtly what she had presumably been all along, the 1st woman editor of an American newspaper, The Mercury of Newport, Rhode Island.

“The modern man’s daily prayer is reading the daily newspaper.” — G.W.F. Hegel HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

1763

Aug’st 2, Tuesday: According to BIRTHS, MARRIAGES AND DEATHS OF THE TOWN OF CONCORD, MASSACHUSETTS (Groton, 1894), John Robbins & Sarah Gilson both of Groaton ware marr’d by Thomas Whiting.

August 16, Tuesday: “Nathan Hosmer & Bevlah Hosmer both of Concord were Marred by Justice Whiting august 16:1763” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS

This A-1-3-5-6-2-4 Nathan Hosmer, who had been born on March 2d, 1739/1740 and would die on December 25th, 1777, with this spouse Beulah Hosmer who would die on November 17th, 1778, would produce the following offspring: A-1-3-5-6-2-4-1 Beulah Hosmer in Concord on February 2d, 1764 who would die on May 10th, 1785 A-1-3-5-6-2-4-2 Lucy Hosmer in Concord on January 25th, 1766 A-1-3-5-6-2-4-3 Milicent Hosmer on July 25th, 1768 A-1-3-5-6-2-4-4 Silas Hosmer on September 30th, 1770 A-1-3-5-6-2-4-5 Nathan Hosmer on April 20th, 1773 A-1-3-5-6-2-4-6 Elizabeth Hosmer on September 10th, 1775 A-1-3-5-6-2-4-7 Stephen Hosmer born during 1778 who would die during 1778

December 15, Thursday: A-1-3-5-3-5-2 Lot Hosmer, who had been born on April 17th, 1741, got married with Beulah Dakin. The couple would produce the following offspring: A-1-3-5-3-5-2-1 Amos Hosmer during 1764 A-1-3-5-3-5-2-2 Lucy Hosmer HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

1764

January 26, Thursday: Ephraim Merriam was born in Concord.

February 2, day: In Concord, Massachusetts, “Beulay Hosmer ye Davghter of Nathan Hosmer & Beulah his wife was born Febrvory 2:1764” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS

February 16, day: In Concord, Massachusetts, “Jeremiah Robbins of Dunstable & Elisabeth Hosmer of Concord Married by Revd mr Bliss Febry 16:1764” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

1765

January 21, Monday: A-1-3-5-6-2-2-1 Elizabeth Hosmer was born, daughter of A-1-3-5-6-2-2 Stephen Hosmer, who had been born on April 19th, 1736 and would die on August 17th, 1801, with his spouse Elizabeth Farrar Hosmer.

December 12, Thursday: A-1-3-5-6-3-4 Stephen Hosmer, who had been born on February 1st, 1739/1740 and would die on March 28th, 1807, got married with Sarah Davis, who had been born during 1741. The couple would produce the following offspring: A-1-3-5-6-3-4-1 Stephen Hosmer on December 17th, 1766 who would die on February 21st, 1801 unmarried A-1-3-5-6-3-4-2 Sarah Hosmer on April 22d, 1769 A-1-3-5-6-3-4-3 Nathan Hosmer on June 3d, 1771 A-1-3-5-6-3-4-4 Eli Hosmer on November 21st, 1773 who would die on May 6th, 1774 A-1-3-5-6-3-4-5 Catherine Hosmer on June 5th, 1775 A-1-3-5-6-3-4-6 Lucy Hosmer on February 28th, 1778 A-1-3-5-6-3-4-7 Rebecca Hosmer on November 18th, 1780 A-1-3-5-6-3-4-8 Esther Hosmer on July 15th, 1783 A-1-3-5-6-3-4-9 Jonathan Hosmer on October 3d, 1785 HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

1766

January 25, Saturday: In Concord, Massachusetts, “Lucy Hosmer ye Davghter of Nathan Hosmer & Bevlah his wife was born Janvory 25:1766” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS

January 31, Friday: A-1-3-5-3-1-1-4 Benjamin Hosmer was born, youngest son of A-1-3-5-3-1-1 John Hosmer, who had been born on May 17th, 1725 and would die on November 17th, 1771, and Martha Webber Hosmer who would die on November 6th, 1768

November 22, Saturday: Amos Hosmer got married with Lucy Meriam. HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

1768

July 21, Tuesday: In Concord, Massachusetts, “Samuel Holden of Ipswich & Sarah Hosmer of Concord ware Married by ths Whiting Esq July 21 1768” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS

July 25, Saturday: In Concord, Massachusetts, “Mellesent Hosmer ye Davghtr of Nathan Hosmer & Beulah his wife was born July 25:1768” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS

November 24, Thursday: According to the Concord Vital Records, A-1-3-5-3-5-4 Daniel Hosmer, Jr., who had been born on January 28th, 1746, got married with Hannah Baker of Lincoln who would die on April 1st, 1802 (could this possibly be a record instead, of the posting of their bans, since we also have a record of the marriage as occurring on December 10th?).

December 10, Saturday: A-1-3-5-3-5-4 Daniel Hosmer, Jr. of Concord, who had been born on January 28th, 1746, got married with Hannah Baker of Lincoln who would die on April 1st, 1802. This couple would produce the following offspring: A-1-3-5-3-5-4-1 Lot Hosmer A-1-3-5-3-5-4-2 Daniel Hosmer on March 28th, 1773 A-1-3-5-3-5-4-3 Amos Hosmer HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

1769

February 9, Thursday: In Concord, Massachusetts, “Jesse Danforth & Huldah Hosmer both of Concord ware Married by Thomas Whiting Esq February 9 1769” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS

February 27, Monday: In Concord, Massachusetts, “David Hosmer son of Samuel Hosmer & Ann [Parlin Hosmer] his wife, was born February 27, 1769.” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS

December 14, Thursday: Mellicent Hosmer got married with Daniel Holden. HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

1771

July 11, Tuesday: A-1-3-3-1-8-6 Abel Hosmer, who had been born on June 20th, 1741 and would die on February 7th, 1814, got married with Sabra Cady. Their union would produce the following offspring: A-1-3-3-1-8-6-1 Dorcas Hosmer, who would be born on March 1st, 1772 and would die on September 14th, 1775 A-1-3-3-1-8-6-2 Zerviah Hosmer, who would be born on March 1st, 1772 and would die on March 1st, 1772 A-1-3-3-1-8-6-3 Zebulun Hosmer, who would be born on August 14th, 1775 and would die on September 15th, 1781 A-1-3-3-1-8-6-4 Solomon Cady Hosmer, who would be born on December 25th, 1777 A-1-3-3-1-8-6-5 Dorcas Hosmer, who would be born on July 11th, 1782 A-1-3-3-1-8-6-6 Ephraim Hosmer, who would be born on June 26th, 1784 A-1-3-3-1-8-6-7 Sabra Hosmer, who would be born on February 22d, 1787 A-1-3-3-1-8-6-8 Polly Hosmer, who would be born on April 1st, 1789 A-1-3-3-1-8-6-9 Betsy Hosmer, who would be born on September 12th, 1790 A-1-3-3-1-8-6-10 Thomas Hosmer, who would be born on May 25th, 1794 and would die on December 25th, 1794

December 11, Wednesday: In Concord, Massachusetts, “Reuben Hosmer, son of Samuel Hosmer & Ann his wife was born Decembr 11th, 1771” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

1773

February 5, Friday: In Concord, Massachusetts, “Lucinda Hosmer Daur. of Joseph Hosmer & Lucy his wife was Born February ye. 5. 1773” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS

In Providence, Rhode Island, Anna Brown, wife of Moses Brown, who had collapsed some 5 months earlier, died.

In Newport, Captain Pollipus Hammond died shortly before midnight. This 72-year-old’s eyes were closed by his friend, the Reverend Ezra Stiles. The gravestone of this negrero skipper still stands for our edification in the Common Burying Ground:

“Here lieth the body of the ingenious Capt. Pollipus Hammond who died February 5, 1773. The hoary head is a crown of glory if it be found in the way of righteousness.”

(His friend the Reverend Stiles, pastor of the 2d Congregational Church on Clarke Street in Newport, had invested in a slave trading voyage in 1756 that had returned him a 10-year-old boy. The Reverend would not free his slave until becoming president of Yale College in 1777. Noting that Hammond had disengaged himself from the international slave trade during his mid-50s, this slaveholding Reverend reassured himself with the conceit that had his dead friend “his Life to live over again, he would not choose to spend it in buying and selling the human species.”) THE TRAFFIC IN MAN-BODY HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

April 20, Tuesday: In Concord, Massachusetts, “Nathan Hosmer Son of Nathan Hosmer & Bulah His wife was Born April ye. 20:1773” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

1774

April 18, Monday: Nathaniel Baker was coming back from a home on the Lexington road where he had been courting Miss Elizabeth Taylor (they would marry) when he encountered Dr. Samuel Prescott and Dawes, who were carrying the message about the movements of the British army. He helped spread the alarm. Jacob Baker, age 54, his 5 sons Jacob Baker, Jr., Samuel Baker, James Baker, Nathaniel Baker, and Amos Baker (age 19), and a son-in-law Daniel Hosmer, Jr. all mustered with the Lincoln minutemen near the Zachary Smith home at the brook outlet of Sandy Pond, and marched under Colonel Abijah to the Concord common. Amos Baker was in the front line because he was one of the few having a bayonet, and the man next to him took one of the British bullets. He sighted the bodies of the 2 dead British soldiers on the far side of the bridge, and then went back up the hill to the house of Major Buttrick, where the bodies of the 2 Acton casualties had been carried. Jacob Baker, Jr. and James Baker served as privates in the militia company of Captain William Smith of Lincoln, in Colonel Abijah Pierce’s regiment, for a total of 4 or 5 days.

August 30, Friday: Dr. Lemuel Shattuck has pointed out that although there were some historians who attempted to make out that the first American liberty convention was held not in Middlesex but in Suffolk, “this is undoubtedly erroneous ... Middlesex took the lead in these important proceedings.”

Daniel Bliss, Esq. of Concord, a supporter of the Crown, insisted at this meeting of delegates that they were biting off more than they could chew, and would ultimately be humiliated through subjection to greater military force and harm, for “England is a mighty nation ... [and] open rebellion will lead inevitably to crushing defeat....” The Concord cabinetmaker, Joseph Hosmer, then rose and spoke in favor of revolution. AMERICAN REVOLUTION In August frequent meetings were held in Concord to consult on the proper measures to be pursued in those gloomy times. A county convention was also recommended, and it was invited to meet here at Concord on the last of the month. This convention, consisting of 150 delegates from every town in the county, held a session in Concord on the 30th and 31st of August. Messrs. Ephraim Wood, jr., John Flint, and Nathan Meriam were delegates from Concord; Mr. Samuel Farrar, Capt. Abijah Pierce, and Capt. Eleazer Brooks, from Lincoln; Messrs. Francis Faulkner, John Hayward, and Ephraim Hapgood, from Acton; Messrs. Stephen Davis, John Reed, John Moore, and John Webber, from Bedford; and from other towns, an able delegation. The Hon. James Prescott of Groton was chairman, and Mr. Ebenezer Bridge, clerk. The objects of the convention were brought forward, and discussed with great energy, talent, an most ardent patriotism; and a committee of nine were chosen to take them into consideration. They reported as follows:15 It is evident to every attentive mind, that this Province is in a very dangerous and alarming situation. We are obliged to say, however painful it may be to us, that the question now is, whether by a submission to some late Acts of Parliament of Great Britain, we are contented to be the most abject slaves, and entail that slavery on posterity after us, or, by a manly, joint and 15. Lemuel Shattuck’s 1835 A HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF CONCORD;.... Boston: Russell, Odiorne, and Company; Concord MA: John Stacy (On or about November 11, 1837 Henry Thoreau would indicate a familiarity with the contents of at least pages 2-3 and 6-9 of this historical study.) HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

virtuous opposition, assert and support our freedom. There is a mode of conduct, which, in our very critical circumstances, we would wish to adopt, - a conduct, on the one hand, never degenerating into rage, passion and confusion. This is a spirit which we revere, as we find it exhibited in former ages, and which will command applause to the latest posterity. The late Acts of Parliament pervade the whole system of jurisprudence, by which means we think the fountains of justice are fatally corrupted. Our defence must therefore be immediate in proportion to the danger. We must now exert ourselves, or all those efforts, which for ten years past have brightened the annals of this country, will be totally frustrated. LIFE and DEATH, or what is more, FREEDOM and SLAVERY, are in a peculiar sense now before us; and the choice and success, under God, depend greatly on ourselves. We are therefore bound, as struggling not only for ourselves, but for future generations, to express our sentiments in the following resolves - sentiments, which we think are founded in truth and justice, and therefore sentiments we are determined to abide by. Resolved, 1. That as true and loyal subjects of our gracious Sovereign, George the Third, King of Great Britain, etc., we by no means intend to withdraw our allegiance from him; but, while permitted the free exercise of our natural and charter rights, are resolved to expend life and treasure in his service. 2. That when our ancestors emigrated from Great Britain charters and resolves and solemn stipulations expressed the conditions, and what particular rights they yielded, what each party had to do and perform; and what each of the contracting parties were equally bound by. 3. That we know of no instance in which this province has transgressed the rules on their part, or any ways forfeited their natural and charter rights to any power on earth. 4. That the Parliament of Great Britain has exercised a power contrary to the abovementioned charter by passing acts, which hold up their absolute supremacy over the colonists; by another act blocking up the harbour of Boston, and by two late acts, the one entitled, “an Act for the better regulating the government of the province of Massachusetts Bay;” the other entitled “an Act for the more impartial administration of justice in said province;” and by enforcing all these iniquitous acts with a large armed force to dragoon and enslave us. 5. That the late act of Parliament, entitled, “an Act for the better regulating the government of the province of Massachusetts Bay,” expressly acknowledges the authority of the charter granted by their Majesties, King William & Queen Mary, to said province; and that the only reasons, suggested In the preamble to said act, HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

which is intended to deprive us of The privileges confirmed to us by said charter, are the inexpediency of continuing those privileges, and a charge of their having Been forfeited, to which charge the province has had no opportunity Of answering. 6. That a debtor may as justly refuse to pay his debts, because it is inexpedient for him, as the Parliament of Great Britain deprive us of our charter privileges, because it is inexpedient to a corrupt administration for us to enjoy them. 7. That in all free states there must be an equilibrium in the legislative body, without which constitutional check they cannot be said to be a free people. 8. That the late act, which ordains a council to be appointed by his Majesty, his heirs and successors from time to time, by warrant under His or their signet or sign manual, and which ordains that the said Counselors shall hold their offices respectively during the pleasure Of his Majesty, effectually alters the constitutional equilibrium, renders The council absolute tools and creatures, and entirely destroys the importance of the representative body. 9. That no state can long exist free and happy, where the course of Justice is obstructed; and that when trials by juries, which are the grand bulwarks of life and property, are destroyed or weakened, a people fall immediately under arbitrary power. 10. That the late act, which gives the governor of this province a power of appointing judges of the superior and inferior courts, commissioners of oyer and terminer, the attorney general, provosts, marshals and justices of the peace, and to remove all of them (the judges of the superior court excepted) without consent of the council, entirely subverts a free administration of justice - as the fatal experience of mankind in all ages has testified, that there is no greater species of corruption, than when judicial and executive officers depend for their existence and support on a power independent of the people. 11. That by ordaining jurors to be summoned by the sheriff only, which sheriff is to be appointed by the governor without consent of council, that security which results from a trial by our peers is rendered altogether precarious; and is not only an evident infraction upon our charter, but a subversion of our common rights as Englishmen. 12. That every people have an absolute right of meeting together to consult upon common grievances, and to petition, remonstrate, and use every legal method for their removal. 13. That the act which prohibits these constitutional meetings cuts away the scaffolding of English freedom, HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

and reduces us to a most abject state of vassalage and slavery. 14. That it is our opinion these late acts, if quietly submitted to, will annihilate the last vestiges of liberty in this province, and, therefore, we must be justified by God and the world in never submitting to them. 15. That it is the opinion of this body, that the present act, respecting the government of the province, is an artful, deep-laid plan of oppression and despotism, that it requires great skill and wisdom to counteract it. This wisdom we have endeavoured to collect from the united sentiments of the county. And although we are grieved that we are obliged to mention anything, that may be attended with such very important consequences as may now ensue, yet a sense of our duty as men, as freemen, as Christian freemen, united in the firmest bonds, obliges us to resolve, that every civil office now in commission in this province, and acting in conformity to the late act of Parliament, is not an officer agreeable to our Charter, therefore unconstitutional, and ought to be opposed in the manner hereafter recommended. 16. That we will obey all such civil officers now in commission, whose commissions were issued before the first day of July, 1774, and support them in the execution of their offices according to the manner usual before the late attempt to alter the constitution of this province; Nay, even although the Governor should attempt to revoke their commissions. But that if any Of the said officers shall accept a commission under the present plan of arbitrary government, Or, in any way or manner whatever, assist the Governor or administration in the assault now Making on our rights and liberties, we will consider them as having forfeited their commissions And yield them no obedience. 17. That whereas the Honorable Samuel Danforth and Joseph Lee, Esqrs., two of the judges of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas for this county, have accepted commissions under the new act by being sworn members of his Majesty’s Council, appointed by said act: we therefore look upon them utterly incapable of holding any office whatever. And whereas a venire on the late act of Parliament has issued from the Court of Sessions, signed by the clerk, we think they come under a preceding resolve of acting in conformity to the new act: we therefore resolve that a sub-commission to courts thus acting and under these disqualifications, is a submission to the act itself, and of consequence, as we are resolved never to submit one iota to the act, we will not submit to courts thus constituted, and thus acting in conformity to said act. 18. That is, in consequence of the former resolve, all business at the Inferior Court of Common Pleas and Court of General Sessions of the Peace next to be holden at Concord must cease, to Prevent the many inconveniences HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

that may arise therefrom: we resolve that all actions, writs, Suits, etc., brought to said court, ought to remain in the same condition as at present (unless Settled by consent of parties), till we know the result of a provincial and continental congress. And we resolve that no plaintiff, in any case, action, or writ aforesaid, ought to enter said action In said court thus declared to be unconstitutional. And we resolve, if the court shall sit in defiance to the voice of the county, and default actions, and issue executions accordingly, no Officer ought to serve such process. And we are also determined to support all constables, Jurors, and other officers, who from these constitutional principles shall refuse obedience to Courts which we have resolved are founded on the destruction of our charter. 19. That it is the opinion of this body of delegates that a provincial congress is absolutely necessary in our present unhappy situation. These are sentiments which we are obliged to express, as these acts are intended immediately to take place. We must now either oppose them, or tamely give up all we have been struggling for. It is this that has forced us so soon on these very important resolves. However, we do it with humble deference to the provincial and continental congress, by whose resolutions we are determined to abide; and to whom, and the world, we cheerfully appeal for the uprightness of our conduct. On the whole, these are ‘great and profound questions.’ We are grieved to find ourselves reduced to the necessity of entering into the discussion of them. But we deprecate a state of slavery. Our fathers left a fair inheritance to us, purchased by a waste of blood and treasure. This we Are resolved to transmit equally fair to our children after us. And if in support of our rights We are called to encounter even death, we are yet undaunted, sensible that he can never die too Soon, who lays down his life in support of the laws and liberties of his country. The causes of the opposition to the mother country, and the then state of the controversy, are clearly brought to view in these important proceedings. They were not mere paper resolves, to remain a dead letter, but were to be rules of action: and they were executed! The question on their acceptance, after being “maturely deliberated,” was taken by yeas and nays; 146 were in favor, and 4 in opposition. An additional vote, recommending a “provincial meeting,” to assemble in Concord, on the 1st Tuesday of October, was passed; and another, to transmit these proceedings to the several towns and to the Continental Congress. On the same day, a county convention was held in Worcester, and, nine days after, one in Suffolk, for similar objects. HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

1775

During the Revolutionary War there would be a Private Abel Hosmer of Concord serving in Captain Charles Miles’s company of Colonel Jonathan Reed’s regiment, and also a Private Abel Hosmer of Templeton serving in Captain Joel Fletcher’s company of Minute-men in Colonel Ephraim Doolittle’s regiment. There was a Captain Abel Hosmor [sic] serving in Captain Jonathan Holman’s company of Colonel Ephraim Doolittle’s regiment. There would be a 2d Lieutenant Amos Hosmer serving in Captain Thomas Hubbard’s company of the 3d Middlesex County regiment of Massachusetts militia, and also a Private Amos Hosmer serving in Captain Joseph Hosmer’s company in Colonel Eleazer Brooks’s regiment. Private Benjamin Hosmer served in a Concord company commanded by Lieutenant Ephraim Wheeler in Colonel Eleazer Brook’s regiment. Private Daniel Hosmer of Lincoln served in Captain William Smith’s company of Minute-men in Colonel Abijah Pierce’s regiment, but there was also and entry for a D’l Hosmer 2d. Private Elijah Hosmer served in Captain Joseph Hosmer’s (Concord) company in Colonel Eleazer Brooks’s regiment. Private Ephraim Hosmer served in Captain David Wheeler’s company in Colonel Nixon’s regiment. Private Ephraim Hosmour [sic] served in Captain David Goodwin’s company of Colonel Cogswell’s regiment. Private James Hosmer.... Private Jesse Hosmer.... Private Joel Hosmer.... Private John Hosmer of Concord.... Private John Hosmer.... Private John Hosmer.... Private John Hosmer.... Private John Hosmer.... Private John Hosmer.... Private John Hosmer.... Private John Hosmer.... Private John Hosmer.... Private Jonas Hosmer.... Sergeant Jonathan Hosmer.... Private Jonathan Hosmer, Jr..... Major Joseph Hosmer.... Joseph Hosmer.... Private Joseph Hosmer.... Captain Joseph Hosmer.... Corporal Levi Hosmer of Concord.... Private Levi Hosmer.... Levi Horsmore [sic].... Michael Hosmer, complexion, dark.... Private Nathan Hosmer.... Private Reuben Hosmer, Concord.... Reuben Horsmore [sic].... 2d Lieutenant Samuel Hosmer.... HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

Private Samuel Hosmer.... Private Samuel Horsmore [sic].... Corporal Stephen Hosmer.... Captain Stephen Hosmer.... Sergeant Stephen Hosmer.... Private Stephen Hosmer, Jr..... Private William Hosmer of Lincoln....

April 19, Wednesday: Subsequent to the militia/army dustups at Lexington and Concord, Duncan Ingraham took depositions from local eyewitnesses.

The inscription on the memorial to John Jack in the hill on the Old Hill Burying Ground near Concord’s Milldam was copied by a British officer, and would appear in an English magazine:16 SLAVERY

“GOD WILLS US FREE; — MAN WILLS US SLAVES. I WILL AS GOD WILLS; GOD’S WILL BE DONE. HERE LIES THE BODY OF JOHN JACK, A NATIVE OF AFRICA, WHO DIED MARCH, 1773, AGED ABOUT SIXTY YEARS. THOUGH BORN IN A LAND OF SLAVERY, HE WAS BORN FREE. THOUGH HE LIVED IN A LAND OF LIBERTY, HE LIVED A SLAVE; TILL BY HIS HONEST THOUGH STOLEN LABOURS, HE ACQUIRED THE SOURCE OF SLAVERY, WHICH GAVE HIM HIS FREEDOM: THOUGH NOT LONG BEFORE DEATH, THE GRAND TYRANT, GAVE HIM HIS FINAL EMANCIPATION, AND PUT HIM ON A FOOTING WITH KINGS. THOUGH A SLAVE TO VICE, HE PRACTICED THOSE VIRTUES, WITHOUT WHICH KINGS ARE BUT SLAVES.”

So, it would appear, regardless of what our naysayers might choose to believe, it appears that we did teach the Brits something or other about American freedom on this day — taught something by a Concord Tory! SLAVERY IN MASSACHUSETTS

16. According to Concord account, the British officers had selected this spot in a grove of young locust trees “as a point of observation from which they could watch the movements of the Americans and indicate by signals to their own soldiery sent in different directions, the plan of operations which circumstances might require them to pursue.” HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

Professor Elise Lemire’s mom, Virginia Lemire, took a photo in Sleepy Hollow recently, getting the lettering of John Jack’s memorial stone to stand out admirably by rubbing it with snow (see blowup on following screen). HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

At the Concord Centennials of the April 19th, 1775 fight, it would generally be credited to have been Joseph Spaulding of Carlisle who had been the one to fire that famous “shot heard round the world.” To my knowledge no American patriot has ever alleged that the shot he fired actually struck and killed any living person, so perhaps he was firing for effect. There has been some derogatory talk about the accuracy of American riflefire. For instance, during the redcoat march back to Boston, the militia is said to have discharged some 75,000 rounds at the men of the army and to have struck someone only approximately 274 times, which gives a “batting average” of approximately .365 for the day.

[A batting average of 365 would be, in baseball, a quite good batting average, but note, there is a decimal point in front of this particular “.365” number, indicating that it differs by a full three orders of magnitude from that fine batting average. If you ask me, that’s some shootin’ — it takes some doin’, to accomplish that many misses without someone looking over your shoulder and accusing you of missing on purpose!]

Another way to say this is that on that scorcher of an afternoon a militiaman Jonathan managed to rest his rifle on a stone wall and discharge it at a clump of army Johns walking down a road in the distance in the open in red jackets, without actually hurting anyone, a sum total of 74, 726 times.

We know that the tune to “Yankee Doodle,” which appears to date back to medieval times, had during the French and Indian campaigns been provided, by a British army surgeon, with lyrics in disparagement of American militias. On the march out to Concord in the morning this tune had been fifed to the regular army redcoats, and, while the army was on its panicked afternoon trip back to the safety of Boston, it is said that the colonial militia were singing those derogatory words17 back to them as they fired into the massed ranks from behind their stone fences. What would be Henry Thoreau’s reaction to living on this blood-stained ground sacred to human liberty? He would enter in his Journal on July 21, 1851:

Excepting the omnipresent butcher with his calf cart –followed by a distracted & anxious cow– Be it known that in Concord where the first forcible resistance to British aggression was mad[e] in the year 1775 they chop up the young calves & give them to the hens to make them lay –it being considered the cheapest & most profitable food for them– & they sell the milk to Boston.

And, of course, Thoreau would make a reference to this battle in WALDEN; OR, LIFE IN THE WOODS, comparing it caustically with a battle he had observed between some red Camponotus ants and some black Monomorium ants during the administration of President James Knox Polk, five years before the passage of Daniel Webster’s fugitive-slave bill. Even the son of Deacon Jonathan Hosmer and Mary Hosmer, Abner Hosmer the 21-year- old drummer for the Acton Minutemen whose face was half shot away in the 1st volley, figures in that battle between the ants who dismember each other to the strains of military music (text from WALDEN on following page, with added boldface to show the relevant sections). HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

17.Brother Ephraim fold his Cow Punk in Pye is very good And bought him a Com-mifion, And fo is Apple Lantern, And then he went to Canada Had you been whipp’d as oft as I To Fight for the Nation; You’d not have been fo wanton: But when Ephraim he came home Uncle is a Yankee Man He prov’d an arrant Coward, 'Ifaith he pays us all off, He wou’d’n’t fight the Frenchmen there And he has got a Fiddle For fear of being devour’d. As big as Daddy’s Hogs Trough. Sheep’s Head and Vinegar Seth’s Mother went to Lynn Butter Milk and Tanfy, To buy a pair of Breeches, Bofton is a Yankee town The firft time Vathen put them on Sing Hey Doodle Dandy: He tore out all the Stitches; Firft we’ll take a Pinch of Snuff Dolly Fufhel let a Fart, And then a drink of Water, Jenny Jones fhe found it, And then we’ll fay How do you do Ambrofe carried it to Mill And that’s a Yanky’s Supper. Where Doctor Warren ground it. Aminadab is juft come Home Our Jemima’s loft her Mare His Eyes all greaf’d with Bacon, And can’t tell where to find her, And all the news that he cou’d tell But fhe’ll come trotting by and by Is Cape Breton is taken: And bring her tail behind her Stand up Jonathan Two and two may go to Bed; Figure in by Neighbour, Two and two together, Vathen ftand a little off And if there is not room enough, And make the Room fome wider. Lie one a top o’to’ther.

Chriftmas is a coming Boys We’ll go to Mother Chafes, And there we’ll get a Sugar Dram, Sweeten’d with Melaffes: Heigh ho for our Cape Cod, Heigh ho Nantafket, Do not let the Bofton wags, Feel your Oyfter Bafket. HDT WHAT? INDEX

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WALDEN: I was witness to events of a less peaceful character. One day when I PEOPLE OF went out to my wood-pile, or rather my pile of stumps, I observed two large ants, the one red, the other much larger, nearly half an inch long, and black, WALDEN fiercely contending with one another. Having once got hold they never let go, but struggled and wrestled and rolled on the chips incessantly. Looking farther, I was surprised to find that the chips were covered with such combatants, that it was not a duellum, but a bellum, a war between two races of ants, the red always pitted against the black, and frequently two reds ones to one black. The legions of these Myrmidons covered all the hills and vales in my wood-yard, and the ground was already strewn with the dead and dying, both red and black. It was the only battle which I have ever witnessed, the only battle-field I ever trod while the battle was raging; internecine war; the red republicans on the one hand, and the black imperialists on the other. On every side they were engaged in deadly combat, yet without any noise that I could hear, and human soldiers never fought so resolutely. I watched a couple that were fast locked in each other’s embraces, in a little sunny valley amid the chips, now at noon-day prepared to fight till the sun went down, or life went out. The smaller red champion had fastened himself like a vice to his adversary’s front, and through all the tumblings on that field never for an instant ceased to gnaw at one of his feelers near the root, having already caused the other to go by the board; while the stronger black one dashed him from side to side, and, as I saw on looking nearer, had already divested him of several of his members. They fought with more pertinacity than bull-dogs. Neither manifested the least disposition to retreat. It was evident that their battle-cry was Conquer or die. In the mean while there came along a single red ant on the hillside of this valley, evidently full of excitement, who either had despatched his foe, or had not yet taken part in the battle; probably the latter, for he had lost none of his limbs; whose mother had charged him to return with his shield or upon it. Or perchance he was some Achilles, who had nourished his wrath apart, and had now come to avenge or rescue his Patroclus. He saw this unequal combat from afar, –for the blacks were nearly twice the size of the red,– he drew near with rapid pace till he stood on his guard within half an inch of the combatants; then, watching his opportunity, he sprang upon the black warrior, and commenced his operations near the root of his right fore-leg, leaving the foe to select among his own members; and so there were three united for life, as if a new kind of attraction had been invented which put all other locks and cements to shame. I should not have wondered by this time to find that they had their respective musical bands stationed on some eminent chip, and playing their national airs the while, to excite the slow and cheer the dying combatants. I was myself excited somewhat even as if they had been men. The more you think of it, the less the difference. And certainly there is not the fight recorded in Concord history, at least, if in the history of America, that will bear a moment’s comparison with this, whether for the numbers engaged in it, or for the patriotism and heroism displayed. For numbers and for carnage it was an Austerlitz or Dresden. Concord Fight! Two killed on the patriots’ side, and Luther Blanchard wounded! Why here every ant was a Buttrick, –“Fire! for God’s sake fire!”– and thousands shared the fate of Davis and Hosmer.

ISAAC DAVI S ABNER HOSMER HDT WHAT? INDEX

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WALDEN: ... There was not one hireling there. I have no doubt that it was a principle they fought for, as much as our ancestors, and not to avoid a three-penny tax on their tea; and the results of this battle will be as important and memorable to those whom it concerns as those of the battle of Bunker Hill, at least. I took up the chip on which the three I have particularly described were struggling, carried it into my house, and placed it under a tumbler on my window-sill, in order to see the issue. Holding a microscope to the first- mentioned red ant, I saw that, though he was assiduously gnawing at the near foreleg of his enemy, having severed his remaining feeler, his breast was all torn away, exposing what vitals he had there to the jaws of the black warrior, whose breast-plate was apparently too thick for him to pierce; and the dark carbuncles of the sufferer’s eyes shone with ferocity such as war only could excite. They struggled half an hour longer under the tumbler, and when I looked again the black soldier had severed the heads of his foes from their bodies, and the still living heads were hanging on either side of him like ghastly trophies at his saddlebow, still apparently as firmly fastened as ever, and he was endeavoring with feeble struggles, being without feelers and with only the remnant of a leg, and I know not how many other wounds, to divest himself of them; which at length, after half an hour more, he accomplished. I raised the glass, and he went off over the window-sill in that crippled state. Whether he finally survived that combat, and spent the remainder of his days in some Hotel des Invalides, I do not know; but I thought that his industry would not be worth much thereafter. I never learned which party was victorious, nor the cause of the war; but I felt for the rest of that day as if I had had my feelings excited and harrowed by witnessing the struggle, the ferocity and carnage, of a human battle before my door. Kirby and Spence tell us that the battles of ants have long been celebrated and the date of them recorded, though they say that Huber is the only modern author who appears to have witnessed them. “Æneas Sylvius,” say they, “after giving a very circumstantial account of one contested with great obstinacy by a great and small species on the trunk of a pear tree,” adds that “This action was fought in the pontificate of Eugenius the Fourth, in the presence of Nicholas Pistoriensis, an eminent lawyer, who related the whole history of the battle with the greatest fidelity.” A similar engagement between great and small ants is recorded by Olaus Magnus, in which the small ones, being victorious, are said to have buried the bodies of their own soldiers, but left those of their giant enemies a prey to the birds. This event happened previous to the expulsion of the tyrant Christiern the Second from Sweden.” The battle which I witnessed took place in the Presidency of Polk, five years before the passage of Webster’s Fugitive-Slave Bill.

ANTS KIRBY AND SPENCE HDT WHAT? INDEX

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After April 19, 1851 entry in Thoreau’s JOURNAL: In ’75 2 or 300s of the inhabitants of Concord assembled at one of the bridges with arms in their hands to assert the right of 3 millions to tax themselves, & have a voice in governing themselves– About a week ago the authorities of Boston, having the sympathy of many of the inhabitants of Concord assembled in the grey of the dawn, assisted by a still larger armed force – to send back a perfectly innocent man –and one whom they knew to be innocent into a slavery as complete as the world ever knew Of course it makes not the least difference I wish you to consider this who the man was – whether he was Jesus christ or another –for in as much as ye did it unto the least of these his brethen ye did it unto him Do you think he would have stayed here in liberty and let the black man go into slavery in his stead? They sent him back I say to live in slavery with other 3 millions mark that –whom the same slave power or slavish power north & south –holds in that condition. 3 millions who do not, like the first mentioned, assert the right to govern themselvs but simply to run away & stay away from their prison-house. Just a week afterward those inhabitants of this town who especially sympathize with the authorities of Boston in this their deed caused the bells to be rung & the cannons to be fired to celebrate the courage & the love of liberty of those men who assembled at the bridge. As if those 3 millions had fought for the right to be free themselves –but to hold in slavery 3 million others Why gentlemen even consistency though it is much abused is sometimes a virtue.

Politics makes strange bedfellows: After the confrontation at Concord’s North Bridge, Dr. John Cuming, a local slavemaster and revolutionary activist, treated wounded British soldiers in the home of local Royalist sympathizer Daniel Bliss — who was a Royalist at least in part because he abhorred human enslavement as it was practiced in America. AMERICAN REVOLUTION

Abner Hosmer’s body would be relocated from Concord to Acton. On a following screen is his original gravestone in Concord, which reads: “Momento mori / Here lies the Body of Abner Hosmer son of Deacon Jonathan Hosmer & Mrs. Mary his wife who was killed in Concord fight April 19th 1775 In defence of the just right & Liberties of his Country being in the 21st year of his age.”

At some point during this eventful day Major John Pitcairn visited the home of Squire Duncan Ingraham’s stepson and upon “seeing one of Mr. Ingraham’s negroes standing by the large pear tree in the rear of the house, with his hand behind him, commenced on him, as he did on the rebels at Lexington Common a few hours previously, by pointing a pistol at his head, and, in a loud tone of voice, ordering him to give up his arms; but as the unfortunate bondsman replied to order by holding up both his hands over his head, and saying ‘Dem is all the arms I have, massa,’ the serious consequence of the Lexington order was not repeated in Mr. Ingraham’s backyard.” CATO INGRAHAM HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

June 25, Thursday: In Providence, Rhode Island, the entire visiting patriot militia of East Greenwich, the “Kentish Guards” under the command of James Mitchell Varnum, in their serge uniforms with scarlet facings and their tricorn headgear, at the invitation of John Brown observed the Sunday worship at the immense new 1st Baptist Meeting House.

In Acton, Massachusetts, Deacon Jonathan Hosmer departed this Life in the 64th year of his age:

Deacon Jonathan Hosmer and Mary Hosmer had been the father and mother of Abner Hosmer, the 21-year- old drummer for the Acton Minutemen whose face had just been half shot away in the 1st volley at the Concord HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

bridge. HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

1776

Colonel Charles Prescott would serve as the Lieutenant-Colonel of the 3d Regiment of militia under Colonel Elisha Jones, for 3 years during the Revolutionary War.

In Concord, Ephraim Wood, Nathan Merriam, and Nehemiah Hunt were Selectmen.

In Concord, Ephraim Wood was again Town Clerk.

In Concord, Abijah Bond was again Town Treasurer.

Joseph Hosmer and John Cuming were Concord’s deputies and representatives to the General Court.

In Concord, Ephraim Wood was again Town Clerk.

In Concord, Abijah Bond was again Town Treasurer.

Colonel Roger Brown had purchased 4 acres of the old ironworks near Concord with water rights on the Assabet River and had founded a fulling mill, and in this year he hired a crew of workmen to extensively rebuild the old structure that would be his home. OLD HOUSES

March: Private Charles Miles, the son of Captain Charles Miles and himself later a militia captain, served as a private in a Concord company stationed at Roxbury, blocking the British army’s access to the mainland across Boston Neck.

Dr. John Cuming of Concord had evidently overcome his Royalist scruples — as he at this point became a member of the local Committee of Correspondence, Inspection and Safety. The committee of correspondence, etc., chosen March, 1776 [for Concord], were John Cuming, Esq., Ephraim Wood, Jr., Esq., Capt. Jonas Heywood, Capt. Joseph Hosmer, James Barrett, Esq., Capt. David Brown, and Capt. George Minot. In 1777, Colonel John Buttrick, Josiah Merriam, Isaac Hubbard, Capt. Abishai Brown, Capt. David Wheeler, Mr. Ephraim Potter, and Lieut. Nathan Stow. In 1778, John Cuming, Esq., Colonel John Buttrick, Ephraim Wood, Jr., Esq., Jonas Heywood, Esq., James Barrett, Esq., Capt. David Brown, and Mr. Josiah Merriam. These were re-elected in 1779, 1780, 1781 & 1782. In 1783, James Barrett, Esq., Jonas Heywood, Esq., Ephraim Wood, Jr., Esq., Capt. David Wood, and Lieut. Joseph Hayward. This committee was not chosen afterwards.18 AMERICAN REVOLUTION

18. Lemuel Shattuck’s 1835 A HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF CONCORD;.... Boston: Russell, Odiorne, and Company; Concord MA: John Stacy (On or about November 11, 1837 Henry Thoreau would indicate a familiarity with the contents of at least pages 2-3 and 6-9 of this historical study.) HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

When Lord Howe’s army evacuated Boston, the Rector of King’s Chapel, Henry Caner, a Loyalist, needed to flee with the British troops (after the departure of his assistant a few months later, the Chapel would be closed for about a year). In addition, both the Lovells, loyalist father teacher of the Boston Latin School and patriot

son assistant teacher, would sail with the fleet to Halifax, Nova Scotia (the father as Howe’s guest but the son as his prisoner). The son, the patriot James Lovell, would be exchanged and would become a delegate to the Continental Congress. The father, the loyalist John Lovell, would live out his life in Canada, dying at Halifax in 1778. Schoolmastering responsibilities were picked up by Samuel Hunt, Elizabeth Palmer Peabody’s uncle, who would be Master there, with some difficulty, for 36 years. Out of the 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence, five would have attended this school: • John Hancock • Samuel Adams • Robert Treat Paine • Benjamin Franklin • William Hooper of North Carolina HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

April 29, Monday: Meliscent Wood Hosmer died, wife of A-1-3-5-6-2 Stephen Hosmer who had been born on November 13th, 1709 and would himself die on February 4th, 1782. The couple had produced: A-1-3-5-6-2-1 Mary Hosmer on May 23d, 1733 A-1-3-5-6-2-2 Stephen Hosmer on April 19th, 1736 A-1-3-5-6-2-3 Silas Hosmer on September 13th, 1738 who had died on January 30th, 1740/1741 A-1-3-5-6-2-4 Nathan Hosmer on March 2d, 1739/1740 A-1-3-5-6-2-5 Meliscent Hosmer on May 11th, 1744 A-1-3-5-6-2-6 Silas Hosmer on March 26th, 1747 who had died on May 19th, 1753 A-1-3-5-6-2-7 Oliver Hosmer on July 19th, 1751

June 26, Wednesday: A-1-3-3-6-5-6 Elijah Hosmer, who had been born on March 22d, 1749 and would die on May 31st, 1828, got married with Sarah Gardner who would die on March 22d, 1827: “Elijah Hosmer & Sarah Gardner both of Concord was Joind in marriage by Ephrm Wood Esqr. June ye 26:1776” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS

This couple would produce the following offspring: A-1-3-3-6-5-6-1 Elijah Hosmer, who would be born on March 16th, 1777 A-1-3-3-6-5-6-2 Sally Hosmer, who would be born on November 13th, 1778 and would die on September 19th, 1858 unmarried A-1-3-3-6-5-6-3 Eben Hosmer, who would be born on February 22d, 1780 A-1-3-3-6-5-6-4 Bela Hosmer, who would be born on June 15th, 1781 and would die on June 7th, 1850 A-1-3-3-6-5-6-5 Joseph Hosmer, who would be born during 1782 A-1-3-3-6-5-6-6 Lydia Hosmer A-1-3-3-6-5-6-7 Sewall Hosmer, who would be born on October 20th, 1790 A-1-3-3-6-5-6-8 Perley Hosmer

August 10, Saturday: In Concord, Massachusetts, “John Hosmer and Dorithy Wheeler both of Concord was Joined in Marriage by Ephm Wood Esqr August ye 10th. 1776” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS

November 22, Friday: Captain John Paul Jones’s brigantine USS Alfred and Captain Hoysted Hacker’s USS Providence took the armed transport Mellish, which was carrying winter uniforms and military supplies for the British Army. AMERICAN REVOLUTION

“Mr Amos Hosmer & Mrs Lucy Meriam both of Concord was Joined in marriage by Ephm Wood Jur Esqr Novr. ye 22d 1776” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS

Which is to say that A-1-3-5-3-2-3 Amos Hosmer of Concord, who had been born on June 28th, 1734 and would die on November 2d, 1810, got married a 1st time in Concord, with Lucy Merriam of Concord, who had been born on August 7th, 1749 and would die on February 23d, 1804, before Ephraim Wood, Jr. (Amos would marry for a 2d time, with Sarah Hosmer, who would bear him children). HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

4 January 20, Saturday: Concord budgeted for a couple months of the services of 36 local soldiers at £63 /5 each, over 4 and above an initial bounty of £1 /5. TABLE OF REVOLUTIONARY CAMPAIGNS

WHEN REQUIRED MEN TIME WHERE EMPLOYED BOUNTY AMOUNT

4 4 January 20, 1776 36 2 months Cambridge £1 /5 £63 /5 January 20, 1776. Middlesex was ordered to raise a regiment of 571 men; Concord 26, Bedford 6, Acton 13, Lincoln 8. Concord, however, furnished 36. John Robinson was Colonel; John But- trick, Lieutenant-Colonel; Samuel McCobb, Major; Joseph Thaxter, Chaplain; Nathan Stow, Quarter-master; Jabez Brown, Adjutant. The Captains’ names were, John Ford, Simon Edgel, Josiah Warren, Asahel Wheeler, Benjamin Edgel, Job Shattuck, and John Lamont. Silan Mann was a lieutenant there under Wheeler. A new organization of the militia was made in February, 1776, and Concord, Lexington, Weston, Acton and Lincoln were assigned to the 3d Regiment. Oliver Prescott was then chosen Brigadier- General, Eleazer Brooks, Colonel of this regiment, Francis Faulkner, Lieutenant-Colonel; Nathan Barrett, 1st Major; Samuel Lamson, 2d Major; and Joseph Adams, Surgeon. The following were the officers of the several companies: Company 1, of Concord; Captain George Minott, 1st Lieutenant Edward Wright, 2d Lieutenant Emerson Cogswell. Company 2, of Weston; Captain Jonathan Fiske, 1st Lieutenant Matthew Hobbs, 2d Lieutenant Josiah Severns. Company 3, of Lexington; Captain John Bridge, 1st Lieutenant William Munroe, 2d Lieutenant Ebenezer White. Company 4, of Concord; Captain Thomas Hubbard, 1st Lieutenant Ephraim Wheeler, 2d Lieutenant Amos Hosmer. Company 5, of Acton; Captain Simon Hunt, 1st Lieu- tenant John Heald, Jr., 2d Lieutenant Benjamin Brabrook. Company 6, of Lincoln; Captain Sam- uel Farrar, 1st Lieutenant Samuel Hoar, 2d Lieutenant James Parks. Company 7, of Concord; Captain Thomas Barrett, 1st Lieutenant Samuel Heald, 2d Lieutenant Asa Green. Col. James Barrett was appointed to raise men in this county December 2d, 1775; and was mus- ter-master from December 28th, 1776, till his death. Capt. Joseph Hosmer succeeded him in 1780. The Concord Light Infantry was organized soon after, (of which Joseph Hosmer was Captain; Samuel Jones, Lieutenant; and Samuel Hosmer, 2d Lieutenant); and attached to this regiment.

March 1, 1776 145 10 days Dorchester Heights

This [the above] was a detachment of nearly all the militia, to take possession of Dorchester Heights just before the British evacuated Boston. The officers of the 3d Regiment abovemen- tioned were generally there. An attack on Boston was anticipated, and a considerable quantity of lint and bandages was sent from Concord to the hospital. 4 April 9, 1776 31 9 months Near Boston 55 /5 HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

WHEN REQUIRED MEN TIME WHERE EMPLOYED BOUNTY AMOUNT

This [the above] was an enlisted company for the purpose of fortifying and defending Boston and its vicinity. Officers: — Josiah Whitney, of Harvard, Massachusetts, Colonel; Ephraim Jack- son, of Newton, Lieutenant-Colonel; John Miller, Major. For the Middlesex Company, — Abishai Brown, Captain; Abraham Andrews, 1st Lieutenant; Silas Proctor, 2d Lieutenant; Jere- miah Williams and, Edward Heywood, all of Concord, were Sergeants. They were stationed at Hull. This company assisted in taking Col. Campbell, about three hundred Highlanders, and sev- eral provision ships. They left Concord June 1st, and were discharged December 1st. Thaddeus Blood, Esq., is the only person now living [1835] in Concord who belonged to this company. HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

1777

The records of the town of Lincoln, Massachusetts indicate that Jacob Lakin was born there during this year (this was presumably the cross-eyed man who would assist Henry Thoreau in his surveying, as a stake-driver, whom he mentions at several points in his journal).

Colonel Eleazer Brooks of Lincoln was appointed a Justice of the Peace. Justices of the Peace of Lincoln19

Chambers Russell Chambers Russell William Hayden

James Russell Samuel Hoar Charles Wheeler

Charles Russell Eleazer Brooks, Jr. Elijah Fiske

Eleazer Brooks Joshua Brooks Stephen Patch

Joseph Adams Grosvenor Tarbell Joel Smith

19. Lemuel Shattuck’s 1835 A HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF CONCORD;.... Boston: Russell, Odiorne, and Company; Concord MA: John Stacy (On or about November 11, 1837 Henry Thoreau would indicate a familiarity with the contents of at least pages 2-3 and 6-9 of this historical study.) HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

In Concord, Ephraim Wood, Nathan Merriam, and Nehemiah Hunt were Selectmen.

In Concord, Ephraim Wood was again Town Clerk.

In Concord, Abijah Bond was again Town Treasurer.

Joseph Hosmer was Concord’s deputy and representative to the General Court.

Amos Melvin (2) and others of Concord conveyed stores to the revolutionary forces in the vicinity of Boston, returning to Concord with the empty wagons. THE MELVINS OF CONCORD AMERICAN REVOLUTION

This was Concord’s prison structure as depicted by John Wilson, Secretary to Sir Archibald Campbell:

Concord’s revolutionary Committee of Correspondence, Inspection and Safety was renewed. The committee of correspondence, etc., chosen March, 1776 [for Concord], were John Cuming, Esq., Ephraim Wood, Jr., Esq., Capt. Jonas Heywood, Capt. Joseph Hosmer, James Barrett, Esq., Capt. David Brown, and Capt. George Minot. In 1777, Colonel John Buttrick, Josiah Merriam, Isaac Hubbard, Capt. Abishai Brown, HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

Capt. David Wheeler, Mr. Ephraim Potter, and Lieut. Nathan Stow. In 1778, John Cuming, Esq., Colonel John Buttrick, Ephraim Wood, Jr., Esq., Jonas Heywood, Esq., James Barrett, Esq., Capt. David Brown, and Mr. Josiah Merriam. These were re-elected in 1779, 1780, 1781 & 1782. In 1783, James Barrett, Esq., Jonas Heywood, Esq., Ephraim Wood, Jr., Esq., Capt. David Wood, and Lieut. Joseph Hayward. This committee was not chosen afterwards.20 AMERICAN REVOLUTION A committee also attempted to set prices: [A] committee, chosen by the town for the purpose, reported the prices of various kinds of “common labor, carpenters’, cordwainers’, blacksmiths’ women’s labor, firewood, charcoal, live swine, horse-hire, chaise-hire, upper leather, saddlery, entertainment at public houses, flax, spirits, milk, clothiers’ work,” etc. All who varied from the established prices were prosecuted and treated as enemies. Colonel John Buttrick was chosen to collect evidence against such as might be brought to trial. It does not appear, however, that any prosecutions took place in Concord.21

January 22, Wednesday: A-1-1-1-1-2 Thomas Hosmer, born on October 28th, 1701 in Hartford, Connecticut, died in West Hartford, Connecticut. On July 18th, 1734 he had gotten married with Susannah Steel in West Hartford, Connecticut, and the couple had produced the following offspring: A-1-1-1-1-2-1 Susannah Hosmer, born on May 24th, 1737 A-1-1-1-1-2-2 Thomas Hosmer, born on April 1st, 1739 A-1-1-1-1-2-3 Deborah Hosmer, born on April 6th, 1741 A-1-1-1-1-2-4 Eldad Hosmer, born on April 22d, 1743 A-1-1-1-1-2-5 Ruth Hosmer, born on September 20th, 1744 A-1-1-1-1-2-6 Daniel Hosmer, born during 1749 A-1-1-1-1-2-7 Jerusha Hosmer, born on October 18th, 1749 A-1-1-1-1-2-8 Elisha Hosmer, born on April 1st, 1753 A-1-1-1-1-2-9 Simeon Hosmer, born on May 7th, 1754 A-1-1-1-1-2-10 Ashbel Hosmer, born on April 30th, 1758

March 16, Sunday: Ward’s House in West Chester County, New York.

In Concord, Massachusetts, “Elijah Hosmer Son of Elijah Hosmer & Sarah his wife was Born March ye. 16th. 1777” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS

20. Lemuel Shattuck’s 1835 A HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF CONCORD;.... Boston: Russell, Odiorne, and Company; Concord MA: John Stacy (On or about November 11, 1837 Henry Thoreau would indicate a familiarity with the contents of at least pages 2-3 and 6-9 of this historical study.) 21. ibid HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

June 9, Tuesday: A-1-1-1-1-7 Joseph Hosmer, who had been born on November 28th, 1705, died in Hartford, Connecticut. He and his spouse Sabra Mygatt, who had been born during 1727 in Connecticut and would die on June 7th, 1789, had produced the following offspring: A-1-1-1-1-7-1 William Hosmer, who had been born on December 15th, 1745 A-1-1-1-1-7-2 Joseph S. Hosmer, who had been born on October 24th, 1749 and would die on May 21st, 1823 A-1-1-1-1-7-3 James Hosmer, who had been born on September 30th, 1751 and would die on August 19th, 1837 A-1-1-1-1-7-4 David Hosmer, who had been born on October 14th, 1753 and would die on October 24th, 1758 A-1-1-1-1-7-5 Robert Hosmer, who had been born on August 25th, 1755 and would die on August 26th, 1776 A-1-1-1-1-7-6 Prosper Hosmer, who had been born on June 22d, 1757 and would die on December 1st, 1850 in New York A-1-1-1-1-7-7 David Hosmer, who had been born on November 16th, 1760 and would die on June 9th, 1762 A-1-1-1-1-7-8 Roger Hosmer, who had been born on April 19th, 1762 and would die on March 10th, 1785 A-1-1-1-1-7-9 Sabra Hosmer, who had been born on December 15th, 1764 and would die on June 5th, 1854 A-1-1-1-1-7-10 David Hosmer, who had been born on November 6th, 1768 and would die during November 1772

December 25, Thursday, Christmas: Captain Cook reached Christmas Island (Kiritimati, Kiribati), so named it goes without saying because of the date of its discovery.

In Mannheim, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart set this date upon his Flute Quartet K.285.

Copied from a gravestone in Concord’s Main Street burying ground: “Nathan Hosmer, Æt. 36 years, December 25, 1777” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

1778

March: Lieutenant Colonel Archibald Campbell, Member of the British Parliament, had sailed with his 400-man 71st Highland Regiment into Boston Harbor aboard 5 vessels, entirely unaware that the port had come under the control of the American rebels. He, his servants, and his staff had initially been quartered in Reading and allowed freedom of movement, but when news arrived that the captive Colonel Ethan Allen was being mistreated by the British, he was locked up in the wooden jail in Concord. AMERICAN REVOLUTION

After a letter from General George Washington inquiring into conditions for this important prisoner, the Boston Council moved Campbell to a room in the jailer’s tavern where he had a servant and was allowed to use the yard. Campbell had continued to protest that he needed to be in a pleasanter, better provisioned, more livable town than Concord. When he gave his word not to attempt to escape, he was allowed parole of Concord town limits. He was allowed to visit shops and homes, and was closely attended by Dr. Minot’s daughter Mrs. Merrick. At the end of this month he was allowed to travel to New-York to be exchanged for Colonel Ethan Allen. He would regret that, by reason of the fortunes of war, his enforces residence at Concord had not been made less irksome. The town [Concord] voted, in March, 1778, to procure at an expense of 285 pounds, “shirts, shoes, and stockings, equal to the number of soldiers in the continental army, or the seventh part of the male inhabitants of the town [Concord] over 16 years of age:” 60 were assigned to Concord, 19 to Bedford, 28 to Acton, and 28 to Lincoln. Captain Joseph Hosmer was the receiver for the whole county.22

March 18, Wednesday: People were trying to kill each other at Quintan’s Bridge, New Jersey. AMERICAN REVOLUTION

Rufus Hosmer was born in Concord, son of the Hon. Joseph Hosmer.

November 13, Friday: In Concord, Massachusetts, “Sally Hosmer Daughter of Elijah Hosmer & Sarah his wife was Born November ye 13th. 1778” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS

November 17, Tuesday: A death recorded in Church records that has been appended to the town records but did not appear in those official registers of the Town of Concord, Massachusetts: “Mrs. Beulah Hosmer, aged 36, wife of Nathan Hosmer, November 17, 1778” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS

22. Lemuel Shattuck’s 1835 A HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF CONCORD;.... Boston: Russell, Odiorne, and Company; Concord MA: John Stacy (On or about November 11, 1837 Henry Thoreau would indicate a familiarity with the contents of at least pages 2-3 and 6-9 of this historical study.) HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

November 30, Monday: “Master” Timothy Minott of Concord died at the age of 86.

TIMOTHY MINOTT [of Concord] was born June 18, 1692, a son of James Minott, Esq., and graduated [at Harvard College] in 1718. He studied divinity, and was licensed to preach the gospel, and in that capacity was accustomed to officiate for the Rev. Messrs. Whiting, Bliss, and Emerson, in Concord, and in many neighbouring churches. He was never ordained, but spent most of his life in the more humble, but not less important office of a teacher of youth. His first introduction to this employment was in 1712, before he left college, in the public grammar-school in Concord. He was then engaged at the rate of £20 per year, on condition, say the town records, “if any thing should exceed his abilities his father should assist him.” He taught occasionally till 1721, and from that time constantly for above 40 years. According to the town records, for many years, it appears as a condition on which money should be raised to support the grammar-school, that “Mr. Timothy Minott undertake the work.” This vote of the town shows that his services were held in high estimation, an opinion which is fully confirmed by tradition. His occupation gave him the title of Master Minott, and enabled him to be a very useful man. He was more distinguished, however, for the excellence of his principles and character as a man, and for his faculties as a schoolmaster, than for any peculiar force or elegance as a preacher. He died November 30, 1778, aged 86.23

23. Lemuel Shattuck’s 1835 A HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF CONCORD;.... Boston: Russell, Odiorne, and Company; Concord MA: John Stacy (On or about November 11, 1837 Henry Thoreau would indicate a familiarity with the contents of at least pages 2-3 and 6-9 of this historical study.) HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

1779

Jonas Hartwell, the youngest of the children of Ephraim Hartwell (1) and Elizabeth Heywood Hartwell of Concord, graduated from Harvard College. He would become a successful merchant but, while visiting Bilboa, Spain, would be imprisoned by the Holy Inquisition and would die shortly after his release would be arranged by the US government.

During this year the 1st spouse of A-1-3-5-6-4-2 Josiah Hosmer, Jr., who had been born on November 28th, 1740 and would die during 1837, Eunice Whitcomb Hosmer who had been born on January 18th, 1747, died. She had produced for him the following progeny: A-1-3-5-6-4-2-1 Asa Hosmer on March 10th, 1768 A-1-3-5-6-4-2-2 Eunice Hosmer on July 13th, 1769 A-1-3-5-6-4-2-3 Josiah Hosmer on November 7th, 1770 A-1-3-5-6-4-2-4 Lucinda Hosmer during 1779

(A-1-3-5-6-4-2 Josiah Hosmer, Jr. would go on to remarry with a 2d spouse, Abigail Barrett, who would die on September 30th, 1829 having produced for him the following additional progeny: A-1-3-5-6-4-2-5 Sally Hosmer on February 11th, 1784 A-1-3-5-6-4-2-6 Josiah Hosmer on April 8th, 1780 (possibly this should read April 8th, 1786) A-1-3-5-6-4-2-7 Luther Hosmer on October 31st, 1788 A-1-3-5-6-4-2-8 Thomas Hosmer during 1790/1791 A-1-3-5-6-4-2-9 David Leonard Hosmer on February 23d, 1793 A-1-3-5-6-4-2-10 Abigail Hosmer on February 10th, 1799 A-1-3-5-6-4-2-11 Jefferson Hosmer on March 23d, 1801 A-1-3-5-6-4-2-12 Julia Maria Hosmer on June 6th, 1810) HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

1780

January 1, Saturday: Tomohito replaced Hidehito as Emperor of Japan.

A-1-3-5-6-4-7 John Hosmer, who had been born on June 17th, 1752 and would die on February 16th, 1836, got married with Mary Vassall Prescott who would die on June 8th, 1814 after having produced for him the following offspring: A-1-3-5-6-4-7-1 Jonathan Hosmer on December 16th, 1780 who would die on March 5th, 1786 A-1-3-5-6-4-7-2 Mary P. Hosmer on February 10th, 1784 A-1-3-5-6-4-7-3 John Hosmer on January 22d, 1786 who would die on March 5th, 1786 A-1-3-5-6-4-7-4 Dolly Hosmer on February 20th, 1787 A-1-3-5-6-4-7-5 John Hosmer on August 26th, 1789 A-1-3-5-6-4-7-6 Sarah Hosmer on March 17th, 1791 who would die on December 23d, 1871 unmarried A-1-3-5-6-4-7-7 Esther Hosmer on July 13th, 1793 who would die on July 24th, 1812 A-1-3-5-6-4-7-8 Charles Hosmer on July 15th, 1795 who would die during 1817 A-1-3-5-6-4-7-9 Edmund Hosmer on October 10th, 1798 A-1-3-5-6-4-7-10 Stephen Hosmer on October 4th, 1800

“And dares insulting France pretend,” an ode by John Stanley to words of Whitehead, was performed for the initial time. The value of money was regulated monthly. January 1, 1777, $100 in silver was worth $105 currency; in 1778, $328; in 1779, $742; in 1780, $2,934; and in February, 1781, $7,500. Such a rapid depreciation introduced great embarrassment and distress into all commercial transactions, which by no body of men could remove by resolutions, addresses, price-currents or prosecutions.24 AMERICAN REVOLUTION

February 4, Friday: Mrs. Abigail Wilkins, the Amiable Confort of Samuel Wilkins, Esquire, died at 30 years of age after a Long & painful Sicknefs and would be buried in Concord’s Hillside Burial Ground.

February 22, Tuesday: In Concord, Massachusetts, “Eben Hosmer Son of Elijah Hosmer & Sarah his wife was Born February 22d. 1780” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS

24. Lemuel Shattuck’s 1835 A HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF CONCORD;.... Boston: Russell, Odiorne, and Company; Concord MA: John Stacy (On or about November 11, 1837 Henry Thoreau would indicate a familiarity with the contents of at least pages 2-3 and 6-9 of this historical study.) HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

December 2, Saturday: Concord allowed for the drafting, in classes, of 16 additional citizen soldiers, for a 3-year period. AMERICAN REVOLUTION

25 TABLE OF REVOLUTIONARY CAMPAIGNS

WHEN REQUIRED MEN TIME WHERE EMPLOYED BOUNTY AMOUNT

June 5, 1780 19 6 months Continental Army 1000 16000

These [the above] men were hired by the same committee. They were intended to march to Albany to prevent the incursions of the Indians, but counter orders were issued and they went to Rhode Island. Cyprian How was Colonel; ———— Bancroft of Dunstable, Lieutenant-Colonel; ———— Stone, of Ashby, Major; Abraham Andrews, Captain; Silas Walker and Eli Conant, Lieutenants. Bedford furnished eight; Acton, eleven; Lincoln, twelve; Carlisle, nine.

June 22, 1780 19 3 months Rhode Island 17090

December 2, 1780 16 3 years Continental Army Hired in Classes

These [the above] men were to serve three years or during the war. The town decided, after con- siderable debate, by a vote of 53 to 42, to hire them in classes. The Selectmen, James Barrett, Esq., Jonas Heywood, Esq., Mr. Isaac Hubbard, Mr. Samuel Hosmer, Col. Nathan Barrett, and Mr. Job Brooks were chosen to divide the town into as many classes as there were men to hire, according to wealth. The town voted to “proceed against” any who should neglect to pay their proportion in the several classes; each one of which hired a man at as low a rate as possible. The men’s names were Charles Adams, Richard Hayden, Jonathan Wright, Joseph Dudley, Isaac Hall, Lot Lamson, Francis Baker, Joseph Adams, Benjamin Barron, William Tenneclef, Richard Hobby, Leonard Whitney, Samuel Farrar, John Stratten, Daniel McGregor, and Jonathan Fiske. Bedford furnished eight; Acton, ten; Lincoln, ten; Carlisle, six. They were mustered by Capt. Joseph Hosmer.

December 28, 1780 10 9 months Continental Army, Fishkill

December 3, Sunday: In Concord, Massachusetts, “Nathan Hosmer Son of Amos Hosmer and Lucy his wife was Born Decemr ye 3d 1780” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS

December 16, Saturday: In Concord, Massachusetts, “Jonathan Hosmer Son of John Hosmer and Mary his wife was

25. Lemuel Shattuck’s 1835 A HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF CONCORD;.... Boston: Russell, Odiorne, and Company; Concord MA: John Stacy (On or about November 11, 1837 Henry Thoreau would indicate a familiarity with the contents of at least pages 2-3 and 6-9 of this historical study. On July 16, 1859 he would correct a date mistake buried in the body of the text.) HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

born December ye. 16. 1780” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

1781

June 15, Friday: In Concord, Massachusetts, “Bela Hosmer Son of Elijah Hosmer and Sarah his wife was Born June ye 15th. 1781” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS

Concord budgeted for 3 of its citizen soldiers to serve an additional 5 months in Rhode Island. AMERICAN REVOLUTION

TABLE OF REVOLUTIONARY CAMPAIGNS26

WHEN REQUIRED MEN TIME WHERE EMPLOYED BOUNTY AMOUNT

June 15, 1781 3 5 months Rhode Island

Bedford furnished seven; Acton, eight; Lincoln, eight; Carlisle, four, for this [the above] cam- paign. The whole State furnished two thousand seven hundred.

June 30, 1781 14 4 months Continental Army

These [the above] men were hired by classes. Dea. John White was Chairman of the 3d class, which was assessed £180 to hire Joseph Cleisby. The 5th class, of which Reuben Hunt was Chairman, hired Jacob Laughton, for £90 lawful money as a bounty. Sometimes $100 were given by a single individual. All property seemed to be at the disposal of government, if required. The soldiers were paid off in government sureties which were sold for 2s. 6d. on the pound. Nathaniel French received ninety bushels of rye.

March 1, 1782 3 years Continental Army Hired in Classes

October 29, Monday: In Concord, Massachusetts, “Patty Hosmer, daugr. of Joel Hosmer & Abigail his wife, was born Octo. 29, 1781.” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS

26. Lemuel Shattuck’s 1835 A HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF CONCORD;.... Boston MA: Russell, Odiorne, and Company; Concord MA: John Stacy, 1835 (On or about November 11, 1837 Henry Thoreau would indicate a familiarity with the contents of at least pages 2-3 and 6-9 of this historical study. On July 16, 1859 he would correct a date mistake buried in the body of the text.) HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

1782

February 4, Monday: A death recorded in Church records that has been appended to the Concord, Massachusetts records but had not otherwise appeared in those official registers: “Capt. Stephen Hosmer, aged 73, February 4, 1782” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS

September 17, Tuesday: Le feste della Tessaglia, an allegorische Oper by Johann Rudolf Zumsteeg and 3 other composers, to words of Verazi, was performed for the initial time, in Stuttgart.

In Concord, Massachusetts, “Asa Hosmer Son of amos Hosmer & Lucy his wife was Born September ye. 17th. 1782” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS

October 24, Thursday: Levinah Hosmer got married with Abel Davis, HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

1783

November 6, Thursday: A-1-3-5-6-7-2 Ephraim Hosmer, who had been born on June 22d, 1756, got married with Mercy Whitney, who would produce with him the following offspring: A-1-3-5-6-7-2-1 Mary Hosmer during 1786 A-1-3-5-6-7-2-2 Artemas Hosmer during 1788 HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

1784

February 7, Saturday: In Concord, Massachusetts, “Rebecca Hosmer Dr. of Lt. Amos Hosmer and Lucy his wife was born Feb. ye. 7th. 1784” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS

February 10, Tuesday: In Concord, Massachusetts, “Polly Hosmer Daughter of John Hosmer and Mary his wife was born February ye. 10th. 1784” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS

November 4, Thursday: Charles Melvin (1) was born in Concord to Amos Melvin (2) and Anna Flatt Melvin. On December 11, 1814, he and Betsy Farrar, who would be born in 1787 in Concord, daughter of Jacob Farrar and Elizabeth Haywood, would get married in Concord. The couple would have 8 children. He would die on February 11, 1846 in Lowell MA, and the widowed Betsy Farrar Melvin would die in 1869. THE MELVINS OF CONCORD

November 7, Sunday: In Concord, Massachusetts, “Abijah Hosmer, son of Joel Hosmer & Abigail his wife, was born Novr. 7, 1784.” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

1785

May 10, Tuesday: A death recorded in the Church records of Concord, Massachusetts that has been appended to the town records because it did not otherwise appear in those official registers: “Miss Bulah Hosmer, aged 21, [dau. of Nathan & Beulah,] May 10, 1785” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS

October 22, Saturday: In Concord, Massachusetts, “Nathan Hosmer Son of Lt Amos Hosmer and Lucy his wife was born Octor. 22. 1785” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

1786

January 22, Sunday: In Concord, Massachusetts, “John Hosmer Son of John Hosmer and mary his wife was born January ye. 22d. 1786” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS

March 5, Sunday: A death recorded in Church records that has been appended to the town records but did not appear in those official registers of the Town of Concord, Massachusetts: “[John] Child of Mr. J. Hosmer, aged 6 weeks, March 5, 1786” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

1787

January 9, Tuesday: A death recorded in Church records that has been appended to the town records but did not appear in those official registers of the Town of Concord, Massachusetts: “Mr. Thomas Hosmer, aged 84, January 9, 1787” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS

From the minutes of the Meetings for Sufferings of New York Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends: A party of Indians with two Frenchmen surrounded the house; one of the Indians looking in, withdrew and beckoned with his hand upon which a friend was asked by signs whether there were soldiers there, the Indian shook hands with him and the rest came into the house, they were marked, painted and equipt for War, and it being about the conclusion of the Meeting, they shook hands with Friends, and one Friend having the French tongue could confer with them with the assistance of the two Frenchmen. When they understood Friends were at a Religious Meeting, they went to one of their houses got victuals of which a prisoner with them partook, and they departed.

What is very clear is that these Quakers in upstate New York who constructed the above narrative and inserted it into their meeting records had nothing like race relations on their minds. The entry above was merely an effort to save their farms from being seized by the local “Committee of Correspondence,” a group of revolutionaries who were a very real danger to them. They needed their surrounding community to understand that although they were followers of the Peace Testimony and therefore could take no part in this Revolutionary War, they were neither siding with the British army that was then operating in the vicinity nor with its roving bands of Indian allies. They were not King George’s men. What had actually happened was that one of these roving bands of Indian allies of the British army had entered the kitchen of a local Quaker home, with scalps dangling from their belts, bringing with them a white Revolutionary soldier they had taken captive and whom they were holding for ransom. When they demanded food, the Quakers fed them, but the entries in the Quaker records were crafted to explain how the Quakers had provided this food only under threat, and that the primary intent of the Quakers in providing this sustenance had been to feed this white Revolutionary soldier who was being held captive for ransom, rather than to feed these fighters who happened to be Indians, who were fighting on behalf of King George. Therefore the local Revolutionary “Committee of Correspondence” should not seize their Quaker farms under the pretense that they were enemies of the Revolution.

This would come to have to do, of course, with a fave Quaker kiddie story, “Fierce Feathers.” You might want to study about this because in some respects this Fakelore has expanded and expanded until it has become quite problematic (even, in some tellings, markedly racist). “FIERCE FEATHERS”

January 10, Wednesday: In Concord, Massachusetts, “Thomas Hosmer Husband to Prudence Hosmer his wife Dyed HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

January ye 10th 1787 [in his 84th yr. g.s.] CONCORD TOWN RECORDS

June 29, Friday: In Concord, Massachusetts, “Ephraim Hosmer Son of Lt Amos Hosmer and Lucy his wife was born June 29th. 1787” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS

December 20, Thursday: In Concord, Massachusetts, “Tilly Hosmer, son of Joel Hosmer & Abigail his wife was born Decembr. 20, 1787.” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS

Jacob Farrar, son of Jacob Farrar and Susannah Reddit Farrar of Concord, Massachusetts, died at the age of 65. HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

1788

October 7, Tuesday: A death recorded in Church records that has been appended to the town records but did not appear in those official registers of the Town of Concord, Massachusetts: “Mr. Josiah Hosmer, aged 73, October 7, 1788” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS

October 16, Thursday: Noah Webster, Jr. determined to abandon New-York. He confided to his diary: “30 years of my life gone — a large portion of the ordinary age of man: I have read much, written much, and tried to do much good, but with little advantage to myself. I will now leave writings and do more lucrative business. My moral conduct stands fair with the world, and what is more, with my own Conscience. But I am a bachelor and want the happiness of a friend whose interests and feelings should be mine.”

A-1-3-5-6-7-4 Samuel Hosmer, who had been born on September 11th, 1761 and would die on January 25th, 1848, got married with Sarah Hosmer who would die on December 5th, 1863, having produced for him the following offspring: A-1-3-5-6-7-4-1 Susanna Hosmer on February 11th, 1789 A-1-3-5-6-7-4-2 Silas Hosmer on March 25th, 1791 A-1-3-5-6-7-4-3 Sally Hosmer on March 15th, 1793 A-1-3-5-6-7-4-4 Lois Hosmer on April 7th, 1795 A-1-3-5-6-7-4-5 Nabby Hosmer on March 8th, 1797 A-1-3-5-6-7-4-6 Charles Hosmer on August 13th, 1799 A-1-3-5-6-7-4-7 Lucinda Hosmer during 1804

October 27, Monday: A-1-3-3-1-2-3 James Hosmer, who had been born on October 21st, 1740, died. He had gotten married with Sarah Dana, who had been born on August 30th, 1745 and would die on August 7th, 1832, and their union had produced the following offspring: A-1-3-3-1-2-3-1 Charles Hosmer, who had been born on January 20th, 1778 A-1-3-3-1-2-3-2 Elizabeth Hosmer, who had been born on October 4th, 1779 and would die on October 12th, 1787 A-1-3-3-1-2-3-3 Harvey Hosmer, who had been born on September 7th, 1781 and would die on January 4th, 1832 A-1-3-3-1-2-3-4 Samuel Hosmer, who had been born on April 12th, 1783 and would die on September 14th, 1787 A-1-3-3-1-2-3-5 Sarah Hosmer, who had been born on April 27th, 1786 and would die on September 21st, 1787

October 31, Friday: A-1-3-5-6-4-2-7 Luther Hosmer was born to A-1-3-5-6-4-2 Josiah Hosmer, Jr. and Eunice Whitcomb Hosmer. HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

1789

March 28, Saturday: In Concord, Massachusetts, “Mary Hosmer Daughter of Thomas & Hannah Hosmer Decd. Dyed 28 March 1789” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS

April 6, Monday: In Concord, Massachusetts, “Joel Hosmer, son of Joel Hosmer & Abigail his wife was born April 6, 1789.” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS

September 17, Thursday: In Concord, Massachusetts, “Sally Hosmer, daur. of Amos Hosmer & Lucy his wife, was born Septr. 17th, 1789.” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

1790

April: A death recorded in Church records that has been appended to the town records but did not appear in those official registers of the Town of Concord, Massachusetts: “Child of Mr. Jesse Hosmer, aged 4, April 1790” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

1791

In Concord, Ephraim Wood, Asa Brooks, and Jacob Brown were Selectmen.

Joseph Hosmer of Concord was a Senator.

In Concord, Elnathan Jones was Town Treasurer.

Captain Duncan Ingraham had been Concord’s deputy and representative to the General Court since 1788 but would at this point be succeeded by another.

John Merrick practiced law in Concord.

The town of Concord would no longer be appointing Wardens (these had been officers similar to Tythingmen).

A public stagecoach facility, that of John Vose & Company, began to operate out of Boston, passing through Concord. Public Stages were first run out of Boston into the country through Concord in 1791, by Messrs. John Vose & Co. There are now (1833), on an average, 40 stages which arrive and depart weekly, employing 60 horses between Boston and Groton, and carrying about 350 passengers; 150 have passed in one day.27 Since the Revolution new state-valuations have been taken, once in ten years, and that after the taking of the census. In these valuations various articles of personal property are required to be enumerated and described, not however uniformly alike. In

27. Lemuel Shattuck’s 1835 A HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF CONCORD;.... Boston: Russell, Odiorne, and Company; Concord MA: John Stacy (On or about November 11, 1837 Henry Thoreau would indicate a familiarity with the contents of at least pages 2-3 and 6-9 of this historical study.) HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

the following table some of the principal only are mentioned.28

Articles of Property. In 1781. In 1791. In 1801. In 1811. In 1821. In 1831.

Polls 326 340 390 390 435 489

Dwelling houses 193 188 227 224 235 253

Barns 174 142 184 183 203 225

Other buildings —— —— 64 79 265 125

Acres of tillage land 1188 1063 1112 1156 1137 1098

Acres of English Mowing 753 721 840 992 1205 1279

Acres of Meadow 2089 1827 2236 2131 2153 2111

Acres of Pasturing 3099 4398 3800 2982 3852 4059

Acres of Woodland 3878 4436 3635 3386 3262 2048

Acres Unimproved —— —— 1282 1732 1392 2833

Acres Unimproveable —— —— 384 —— 395 612

Acres Used for roads —— —— —— 348 286 ——

Acres of Water —— —— —— 515 695 ——

Barrels of Cider 882 799 1376 1767 1079 ——

Tons of English Hay —— —— 731 838 880 836

Tons of Meadow Hay —— —— 1434 1453 1270 1370

Bushels of Rye —— —— 4738 2942 3183 2327

Bushels of Corn —— —— 10505 10052 11375 11424

Bushels of Oats —— —— 1388 1463 2372 4129

Horses 137 146 182 179 145 177

Oxen 324 288 374 326 337 418

Cows 916 775 934 831 743 725

Swine 137 308 290 269 294 408

The total valuation, in 1801, was $20,322, in 1811, $24,554, in 1821, $25,860, and in 1831, $36,681.29.

During this year, Concord’s poor cost the town £185 to keep. MAINTENANCE OF THE POOR.— This has long been an important item in 28. Ibid. HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

the expenses of the town. From the earliest town records it appears that they were supported by subscription, or by several individuals voluntarily agreeing to keep them, in rotation. The first poor-rate, £10, was raised in 1721. About 1753, a small alms-house was built, principally by subscription, where Dr. Bartlett now [1835] lives, and where part of the poor were kept for nearly 50 years. Five years prior to 1800 they were let out collectively by contract. They cost £185 in 1791, $936.50 in 1796, and $900 in 1801. In 1800, the selectmen were directed to put them out to the lowest bidder “either altogether, in lots, or singly.” This auction usually took place immediately after the town meeting in May. This practice continued till 1821, when a contract was made to keep the poor together for $1,450; in 1824, for $1,200; and in 1827, for $1,150. Since then they have been supported in the pauper establishment belonging to the town. The rent of the Cargill farm, after it came into possession of the town, was vested as a fund for the erection of an alms-house. In 1816, this fund amounted to $2,359 and the town raised the additional sum of $650 and commenced the erection of the proposed building. Just before it was completed, October 28, 1817 it was burnt. In 1827, the buildings on the farm were enlarged and repaired in their present [1835] form. For all genuine objects of charity, the people of Concord have ever been ready to bestow their aid with generosity. In 1819 the town gave $200, and individuals $110 more, to the Lunatic Asylum, in connexion with the Massachusetts General Hospital.29 This is one of many similar acts of benevolence, which might be mentioned.30

October 14, Wednesday: In Concord, Massachusetts, “Prudence Hosmer relect of Thomas Hosmer died October 14, 1791 [in her 84th yr. g.s.] CONCORD TOWN RECORDS

October 27, Thursday: The Reverend Ezra Ripley of Concord officiated at the wedding of Brister Freeman’s daughter Nancy and Jacob Freeman of Lincoln. The couple would name their infant after its father. Jacob Freeman, Jr. would survive only to the age of 19.

29. After acknowledging, in very complimentary terms, the receipt of this donation, James Prince, Esq., the treasurer, remarks, in a letter dated June 29, 1819;— “This act of liberality and compassion, the first which has been displayed towards the Asylum from our citizens in their corporate relation, affords additional pleasure from the circumstance, that it emanated from a town, whose citizens were enrolled in the front ranks of patriotism and valor, at a most interesting period of our national history; and the trustees cannot but hope, that the influence of their bright example will now, as it did then, stimulate to wise imitation other towns within the state, and thus essentially subserve those principles of philanthropy and charity which led to the establishment, and which must be continued to secure the continuance, of this interesting institution.” 30. Ibid. HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

1792

January 18, Wednesday: In Concord, Massachusetts, “Betsy Hosmer, daur. of Amos Hosmer & Lucy his wife, was born January 18, 1792.” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS

January 24, Tuesday: Concord’s enlarged meetinghouse went into service, and was dedicated with a sermon by the Reverend Ezra Ripley, which sermon would then be printed.

Meanwhile, in neighboring Acton, Deacon Mark White of the Baptist church died at the age of 82.

April 20, Sunday: A-1-3-3-6-3-6 Benjamin Hosmer, who had been born on May 18th, 1750 and would die on January 2d, 1832 in Concord, Massachusetts, got married with Sally Miles, who would die on December 28th, 1792.

September 10, Monday: In Concord, Massachusetts, “Rebecca Hosmer, daur. of Joel Hosmer & Abigail his wife, was born, Septr. 10, 1792.” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS

December 28, Friday: A birth and death recorded in Church records that has been appended to the town records but did not appear in those official registers of the Town of Concord, Massachusetts: “Child of Mrs. Sarah Hosmer, aged 6 hours, December 28, 1792” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS

Sally Miles Hosmer, wife of A-1-3-3-6-3-6 Benjamin Hosmer, died.

Joshua Melvin was born in Concord to Amos Melvin (2) and Anna Flatt Melvin. He would get married with a Miss Durant. THE MELVINS OF CONCORD HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

1793

January 2, Wednesday: A death recorded in Church records that has been appended to the town records but did not appear in those official registers of the Town of Concord, Massachusetts: “Mr. Daniel Hosmer, aged 79, January 2, 1793” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS

This A-1-3-5-3-5 Daniel Hosmer had been born during 1714, and spouse Bethia Conant Hosmer, who would herself die on February 1st, 1801, had produced with him the following offspring: A-1-3-5-3-5-1 Rebecca Hosmer on January 1st, 1739/1740 A-1-3-5-3-5-2 Lot Hosmer on April 17th, 1741 A-1-3-5-3-5-3 Dorothy Hosmer on January 25th, 1742/1743 who would die on January 20th, 1810 A-1-3-5-3-5-4 Daniel Hosmer on January 28th, 1746 A-1-3-5-3-5-5 Bethia Hosmer on January 22d, 1748

April 14, Sunday: Elizabeth Cutting Hosmer died, after having produced for her husband A-1-3-5-3-2-5 Reuben Hosmer, who had been born on December 5th, 1739, a son A-1-3-5-3-2-5-1 Reuben Hosmer, Jr.

September 2, Monday: In Concord, Massachusetts, “Patty Hosmer, daur. of Cyrus Hosmer & Patty his wife, was born Septr. 2d, 1793.” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS

September 14, Saturday: A death recorded in Church records that has been appended to the town records but did not appear in those official registers of the Town of Concord, Massachusetts: “Mrs. —— Hosmer, aged 55, September 14, 1793” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS

November 20, Wednesday: In Concord, Massachusetts, the filing of a Marriage Intention: “Silas Hosmer of Concord & Polly Puffer of Sudbury, Nov. 20, 1793” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

1794

March: From this point into 1808, Joseph Hosmer would be in Concord.

It had been 84 years since it had been supposed that St. Helena would be utterly ruined within a couple of decades if tree planting was unsuccessful. The trees had not been planted but the island was still in existence! — and the Court of Directors of the East India Company was still urging the Governor and Council to encourage tree planting as “of the utmost importance to the island.” The Directors were encouraging tree planting to limit the effects of drought because, even in this early era, is was already understood that tree leaves attract moisture from the air which then drips to the ground.

May 28, Wednesday: A death recorded in Church records that has been appended to the town records but did not appear in those official registers of the Town of Concord, Massachusetts: “Widow. [Elizabeth] Hosmer, aged 90, [wid. of Nathaniel,] May 28, 1794” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

1795

January 19, Monday: In Concord, Massachusetts, “Nathan Hosmer son of Silas Hosmer & Polly his wife was born January 19th, 1795.” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS

April 11, Saturday: A-1-3-5-6-7-8 Joel Hosmer, who had been born on May 27th, 1770 and would die on April 14th, 1830, got married with Esther Wheeler, who would die on November 8th, 1844. The couple would produce the following offspring: A-1-3-5-6-7-8-1 Becka Hosmer on March 27th, 1797 A-1-3-5-6-7-8-2 Nancy Hosmer on September 7th, 1799 A-1-3-5-6-7-8-3 James Hosmer on March 3d, 1802 A-1-3-5-6-7-8-4 Harriet Hosmer on February 5th, 1805 A-1-3-5-6-7-8-5 Edmund Hosmer on September 8th, 1807 A-1-3-5-6-7-8-6 Ephraim Hosmer on November 2d, 1811

September 15, Tuesday: In Concord, Massachusetts, “Cyrus Hosmer, son of Cyrus Hosmer & Patty his wife was born Sept. 15, 1795.” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

1796

January 22, Friday: A death recorded in Church records that has been appended to the town records but did not appear in those official registers of the Town of Concord, Massachusetts: “Mr. Samuel Hosmer, aged 61, January 22, 1796” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS

November 18, Friday: A death recorded in Church records that has been appended to the town records but did not appear in those official registers of the Town of Concord, Massachusetts: “[Samuel] Son of Mr. Elijah Hosmer, aged 6, November 18, 1796” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS

November 27, Sunday: Ephraim Merriam was born in Concord, the 2d child and 1st son of Ephraim Merriam and Mary Brooks Merriam.31 Ephraim Merriam was a descendant of one of the original settlers of Concord. According to Shattuck’s history, Joseph Merriam, the ancestor of all the Concord Merriams, died January 1, 1641, only five years after the founding of the town, and the gravestone of his son Joseph, who died April 20, 1677 [at the age of 47], is the oldest memorial of that kind found in the first or Hill burying-ground.

31. A Merriam genealogy book that asserts Ephraim was born on November 26, 1785 is very clearly in error. HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

1797

February 8, Wednesday: Achille all’assedio di Troja, a dramma per music by Domenico Cimarosa, was performed for the initial time, at the Teatro Argentina of Rome.

In Concord, Massachusetts, “Reuben Hosmer of Concord & Lydia Powers of Littleton, Febr’y 8, 1797” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS

March 16, Thursday: In Concord, Massachusetts, “Stephen Hosmer son of Silas Hosmer & Polly his wife was born March 16, 1797.” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS

March 20, Monday: Clarissa Flint was born in Concord, to Abishai Flint and Patty Brown Flint. She would marry 1st with Saunders Cutter, and 2d with Daniel Hunt.

March 22, Wednesday: The possibility of extending Masonry had arisen when the Reverend Absalom Jones of Philadelphia appeared in Boston. An ordained Episcopal priest as well as a Mason, the Reverend desired to organize a Masonic Lodge in his home town. Under the authority of the charter of African Lodge #459, as of this date Provincial Grand Master Prince Hall of African Lodge #1 in Boston established African Lodge #459 of Philadelphia. FREEMASONRY

November 28, day: In Concord, Massachusetts, “Rebecca-Prescott Hosmer, daur. of Cyrus & Patty Hosmer was born Novr. 28, 1797.” HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

1798

There was a church revival in Carlisle which significantly increased the congregation. (However, the number of original communicants, as of 1781, had been 34, and by 1829, the number would have dropped to 27.)

In Concord, ??????????, Reuben Hunt, and Roger Brown were Selectmen.

Ephraim Wood was Concord’s deputy and representative to the General Court.

William Jones practiced law in Concord.

A daughter was born to Brister Freeman’s daughter Nancy and her husband Jacob Freeman. We do not know this child’s name. She would survive only until age 5.

Cyrus Hosmer was born in Concord to Cyrus Hosmer and Patty Barrett. He would be an older brother of George Washington Hosmer. He would get married with Lydia Parkman Wheeler and there would be 5 children: Lydia Hosmer, Sarah Parkman Hosmer, Joseph Henry Hosmer, Martha Hosmer, and Cyrus Hosmer. He would become a deacon of the church of the Reverend Daniel Bliss in Concord on March 3d, 1827. He would die on December 19th, 1833 in Concord.

THE FUTURE IS MOST READILY PREDICTED IN RETROSPECT HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

October 10, Wednesday: A-1-3-5-6-4-7-9 Edmund Hosmer was born, the 8th child of A-1-3-5-6-4-7 John Hosmer, who had been born on June 17th, 1752 and would die on February 16th, 1836, with Mary Vassall Prescott Hosmer, who would die on June 8th, 1814. Edmund, although not specifically named, would be making several appearances in WALDEN:

WALDEN: Sometimes, notwithstanding the snow, when I returned from PEOPLE OF my walk at evening I crossed the deep tracks of a woodchopper WALDEN leading from my door, and found his pile of whittlings on the hearth, and my house filled with the odor of his pipe. Or on a Sunday afternoon, if I chanced to be at home, I heard the cronching of the snow made by the step of a long-headed farmer, who from far through the woods sought my house, to have a social “crack;” one of the few of his vocation who are “men on their farms;” who donned a frock instead of a professor’s gown, and is as ready to extract the moral out of church or state as to haul a load of manure from his barn-yard. We talked of rude and simple times, when men sat about large fires in cold bracing weather, with clear heads; and when other dessert failed, we tried our teeth on many a nut which wise squirrels have long since abandoned, for those which have the thickest shells are commonly empty.

ANDREW HOSMER JOHN HOSMER EDMUND HOSMER EDMUND HOSMER, JR. HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

WALDEN: At length, in the beginning of May, with the help of some PEOPLE OF of my acquaintances, rather to improve so good an occasion for WALDEN neighborliness than from any necessity, I set up the frame of my house. No man was ever more honored in the character of his raisers than I. They are destined, I trust, to assist at the raising of loftier structures one day. I began to occupy my house on the 4th of July, as soon as it was boarded and roofed, for the boards were carefully feather-edged and lapped, so that it was perfectly impervious to rain; but before boarding I laid the foundation of a chimney at one end, bringing two cartloads of stones up the hill from the pond in my arms. I built the chimney after my hoeing in the fall, before a fire became necessary for warmth, doing my cooking in the mean while out of doors on the ground, early in the morning; which mode I still think is in some respects more convenient and agreeable than the usual one. When it stormed before my bread was baked, I fixed a few boards over the fire, and sat under them to watch my loaf, and passed some pleasant hours in that way. In those days, when my hands were much employed, I read but little, but the least scraps of paper which lay on the ground, my holder, or tablecloth, afforded me as much entertainment, in fact answered the same purpose as the Iliad.

BRONSON ALCOTT ELLERY CHANNING WALDO EMERSON EDMUND HOSMER EDMUND HOSMER, JR. JOHN HOSMER ANDREW HOSMER JAMES BURRILL CURTIS GEORGE WILLIAM CURTIS

Edmund Hosmer, grandson of Josiah Hosmer (4), was born about 1800 in Acton or Concord. Married, October 14, 1823, at Concord, Sally Peirce. Children, born at Concord: 1. John, born August 24, 1824, resides in Detroit. 2. Dolly, born April 9, 1826, married ———— King, of New Jersey. 3. Edmund, born November 23, 1827, resides in Missouri. 4. Andrew, resides at Mazatlán, Mexico. 5. Sarah, born January 9, 1831, married Charles M. Lunt, of Somerville, Massachusetts. 6. Mary, born April 2, 1832, married Charles Philip Lauriat, of Medford, Massachusetts. 7. Eliza, born August 23, 1833, resides in Los Angeles, California. 8. Jane, born December 29, 1835, unmarried, resides in Concord. 9. Henry, born April 7, 1837, died in Chicago. 10. Abigail Prescott, born October 1, 1839, unmarried; resides in Concord. HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

1799

March 14, Thursday: “David Hosmer of Concord & Annice Burgess of Acton were married by Rev. E. Ripley, March 14, 1799.” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS

October 26, Saturday: Samuel Taylor Coleridge 1st met Sara Hutchinson (sister of William Wordsworth’s future wife Mary Hutchinson Wordsworth), of whom he, a married man, would become enamored.

Wordsworth and Coleridge went on a walking tour of the Lake District that would last into November.

In Concord, Massachusetts “Asahel Hosmer of Concord & Eunice Wright of Acton, Oct. 26, 1799” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS

December 11, Wednesday: In Concord, Massachusetts, “Silas Hosmer son of Silas Hosmer & Polly [Patty Barett Hosmer] his wife was born Decemr. 11, 1799.” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

1800

Sylvestre François Lacroix’s COMPLÉMENT DES ÉLÉMENS D'ALGÈBRE, A L'USAGE DE L'ÉCOLE CENTRALE DES QUATRE-NATIONS (Paris: impr. Duprat) and TRAITÉ DES DIFFÉRENCES ET DES SÉRIES; FAI SA N T SUITE AU TRAITÉ DU CALCUL DIFFÉRENTIEL ET DU CALCUL INTÉGRAL.

It is possible that the Amos Baker who had married Ame Prescott in Concord in 1785 in this year remarried, with Eunice Dudley of Concord.

Nicholas Boylston, Esq. donated $23,200 to establish at Harvard College a professorship in Rhetoric and Oratory — with the condition that John Quincy Adams, son of the sitting President of the United States, be the first person appointed.

Timothy Flint graduated from Harvard. He would study to become a Reverend while teaching for one year at an academy in Cohasset, and delivering practice sermons at Marblehead, Massachusetts.

Washington Allston graduated from Harvard and moved to Charleston, South Carolina.

Rufus Hosmer of Concord, son of the Hon. Joseph Hosmer, graduated from Harvard. Rufus Hosmer, son of the Hon. Joseph Hosmer, was born March 18, 1778 and grad. Harvard, 1800. He was admitted to the bar in Essex in 1803, and son after removed to Stow, where he resided as a counsellor at law.32 NEW “HARVARD MEN”

April 28, Monday: Three Grand Sonatas for piano accompanied by violin and cello by Leopold Kozeluch were entered at Stationers’ Hall, London.

A-1-1-1-1-2-6 Daniel Hosmer, who had been born during 1749 in Connecticut and had gotten married with Mary Belding, died in Connecticut.

August 1, Friday: Royal Assent was granted to the Act of Union that would as of the following January 1st create the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland.

In Concord, Massachusetts, “Washington Hosmer, son of Cyrus & Patty Hosmer, was born Aug. 1t, 1800; & died Jan. 5th, 1803.” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS

32. Lemuel Shattuck’s 1835 A HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF CONCORD;.... Boston: Russell, Odiorne, and Company; Concord MA: John Stacy HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

1801

January 8, Thursday: In Concord, Massachusetts, “[3] Elizabeth Hosmer, widow of James Hosmer, died Jan. 8, 1801. Æt. 88.” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS

Thomas Jefferson wrote to Richard Richardson: “I recieved a few days ago your letter of Dec. 22. and on the 5th. inst. I wrote to mr Jefferson, and now inclose you an order on him for 550.16 D say £165–1. to be applied as follows. for Henry Duke for Simon £21-10 [for] Stepney 20-10, [to] Edmd. Goodwin admr. of Dickeson's estate [for] John 16-6 [for] Isaac 16-1, [to] the widow Duke for Mat 20-0, [to] Hendrick's estate for Moses 20- 0, [to] yourself for Joe 19-0, do. on account 31-4 [total =] 165-1 = 550.16 D the last sum was intended to have been £30. exact as you desired .... I have not yet heard of Powell’s going up to stay: but have written to mr Eppes to press him off. I am not yet able to give you information as to Journey work here.”

January 13, Tuesday: In Concord, Massachusetts, “Franklin Hosmer, son of Asahel Hosmer & Eunice his wife, was born Janr 13, 1801.” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS

February 6, Friday: Johann Friedrich Reichardt’s tragedia per musica Rosmonda to words of Filistri was performed for the initial time, at the Nationaltheater, Berlin.

In Concord, Massachusetts, “Bethiah Hosmer, widow of Daniel Hosmer, died Feb. 6. 1801. Æt. 81.” HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

1802

February 24, Wednesday: In Concord, Massachusetts, “William Caldwell, son of Elizabeth Hosmer was born February 24, 1802.” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS

April 1, Thursday: In Concord, Massachusetts, “Hannah Hosmer, wife of Daniel Hosmer, died April 1, 1802. [aged 59. ch. rec.]”

April 27, Tuesday: In Concord, Massachusetts, “Isaac Hosmer, son of Nathan Hosmer & Patty his wife was born April 27, 1802.” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

1803

During this year Luther J. Hosmer, Sr. was born in Acton, Massachusetts to David Hosmer and Annice Burgess Hosmer (1782-1805).

January 1, Saturday: The Free City of Regensburg was assigned to the domains of Karl Theodor Anton Maria Baron von Dalberg, Prince-Archbishop and Elector of Regensburg.

January 5, day: In Concord, Massachusetts, “Washington Hosmer, son of Cyrus & Patty Hosmer, was born Aug. 1t, 1800; & died Jan. 5th, 1803.” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS

January 6, Thursday: Heinrich Herz was born in Vienna. He would become better known under his French name, Henri.

January 12, Wednesday: Abel Barrett, merchant brother of Humphrey Barrett of Concord, died in Liverpool, England. Another class of donations has been made to the town for the relief of the silent poor, — those individuals who are needy, but do not wish to throw themselves on the town for support. They are as follows; from Peter Wright33 $277.42 Abel Barrett $500.00 John Cuming 833.33 Jonathan Wheeler34 500.0035

January 13, Thursday: Ma tante Aurore, ou Le roman impromptu, an opéra comique by Adrien Boieldieu to words of Longchamps was performed for the initial time, at the Théâtre Feydeau, Paris.

33. PETER WRIGHT was a weaver, son of Captain Edward Wright, and died January 15, 1718, aged 53. He bequeathed all his real estate, after the death of his wife and Cousin Elizabeth Hartwell, to the poor of Concord, to be under the direction of the selectmen, and of the minister, who is “to have a double vote to any of the selectmen.” What belonged to the town was sold, in 1731, for £500 currency. 34. JONATHAN WHEELER was the son of Ephraim Wheeler, and was successively a merchant in Concord, Boston, Baltimore, and England. He died, September 4, 1811, in the city of New York, ten days after his arrival from Europe. 35. Lemuel Shattuck’s 1835 A HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF CONCORD;.... Boston: Russell, Odiorne, and Company; Concord MA: John Stacy (On or about November 11, 1837 Henry Thoreau would indicate a familiarity with the contents of at least pages 2-3 and 6-9 of this historical study. On July 16, 1859 he would correct a date mistake buried in the body of the text.) HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

January 14, Friday: The ballet Daphnis et Pandrose, including music by Dalvimare, Devienne, Duvernoy, Gluck, Haydn, Himmel, R. Kreutzer, Martini, Méhul, Miller, and Winter, to a scenario by Gardel, was performed for the initial time, at the Paris Opéra.

May 26, Thursday: In Concord, Massachusetts, “Samuel Hosmer, son of Asahel Hosmer & Eunice his wife was born May 26, 1803.” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS

July 19, Sunday: In Concord, Massachusetts, “Joel Hosmer, husband of Abigail Hosmer, died July 19, 1803. [aged 45. ch. rec.]” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS

August 6, Saturday, 1803 Parisian piano maker Sebastien Erard gave a new grand piano to Ludwig van Beethoven (this magnificent present would arrive in Vienna sometime in October).

A-1-3-5-3-1-4 Aaron Hosmer died, who had been born on July 21st, 1729. He had gotten married with Caroline Chamberlain, who had been born on August 28th, 1736 and the couple had produced the following offspring: A-1-3-5-3-1-4-1 Rufus Hosmer on August 20th, 1770 A-1-3-5-3-1-4-2 Eldad Hosmer on October 25th, 1773 A-1-3-5-3-1-4-3 Parker Hosmer A-1-3-5-3-1-4-4 Aaron Hosmer

August 21, Sunday: In Concord, Massachusetts, “George Hosmer son of Nathan Hosmer & Patty his wife was born Augt. 21, 1803.” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS

November 27, Saturday: George Washington Hosmer was born in Concord, son of Cyrus Hosmer (an elder brother was also named Cyrus Hosmer).

Per the town records: “Washington Hosmer, son of Cyrus Hosmer & Patty his wife was born Novr. 27th, 1803.” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

1804

February 23, day: In Concord, Massachusetts, “Lucy Hosmer, wife of Lt. Amos Hosmer, died Feb. 23d: 1804. [aged 54. ch. rec.]” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS

February 28, Tuesday: The “Concord Artillery” militia formation was created in Concord, as proposed by Charles Hammond and others.

Friend Stephen Wanton Gould wrote in his journal: 28 of 2nd M 1804 / My mind has this afternoon been remarkably touched with the spirit of prayer, but I cannot write only wish to retain the savor of what I feel. —————————————————————————————————————————— RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS

July 14, Saturday: In Concord, Massachusetts, “William Hosmer, son of Asahel Hosmer & Eunice his wife was born July 14, 1804.” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS

July 25, Wednesday: Dr. Timothy Minott died in Concord at the age of 78. Timothy Minott [of Concord], son of Timothy Minott, teacher of the grammar-school, was born April 8, 1726, and graduated [at Harvard College] in 1747. He was a physician in Concord, where he died, July 25, 1804, aged 78.36

36. Lemuel Shattuck’s 1835 A HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF CONCORD;.... Boston: Russell, Odiorne, and Company; Concord MA: John Stacy (On or about November 11, 1837 Henry Thoreau would indicate a familiarity with the contents of at least pages 2-3 and 6-9 of this historical study. On July 16, 1859 he would correct a date mistake buried in the body of the text.) HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

The American public was being informed that former Treasury Secretary Alexander Hamilton had been killed in a duel with Vice President Aaron Burr:

Friend Stephen Wanton Gould wrote in his journal: 25th of 7th M 1804 / Deeply affected with desires for my own lasting preservation & increase in the best things Oh may the Almighty God who is ever willing to preserve me from the pollutions of the World, still continue to keep me & difuse His blessed spirit more and more in my Soul RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

1805

April 16, Tuesday: William Emerson Faulkner was born in South Acton, Massachusetts, son of Francis Faulkner of Acton and Mary Wright Faulkner of Concord.

Eight months after reaching Nagasaki, Russian envoy Nikolai Rezanov was finally able to meet with representatives of the Japanese government. They proceeded to categorically reject his request for relations.

In the dispute between the United States of America and the piracy-oriented Barbary States of the Mediterranean coast of Africa, American forces captured Derna (Darnah).

Friend Stephen Wanton Gould wrote in his journal: 3 day 16 of 4 M 1805 / My mind has for several days been sorrowfully affected, on finding, one of my beloved young friends & intimate acquaintances had joined a society called a society for the promotion of literature, not so much from its name, as the corruption of its members as I believe many of them are infected with deistical principals, from which I conclude their Questions for discussion will be generally such as will, amuse or rather confuse the head, & not rightly affect the heart, but by degrees tends to lead a seeking mind from the truth, & imperceptibly bring us to assent to things which the truth never did nor never will own And very clear I am that a mind (as his has been) seeking after best things will not proffit from such investigations, but at every interview will sustain great loss & thus go behind hand, till finally landed on such ground as will be very hard if possible to retract from These considerations have induced me in a degree of brotherly affection, & may I not say Gospel love to labor with him in order to turn his much beloved mind from what I conceive to be a gross error & again to abstract it from the confusions of the world, HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

& its vain persuits to the persuit of the one thing especially needful to be known & possessed, which is Experimental Religion in the Heart ——————————————————————————— RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS

April 19, Friday: In Concord, Massachusetts, “Amos Hosmer, junr. of Concord & Lydia Haynes of Sudbury, April 19, 1805” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

1806

February 6, Thursday: In Concord, Massachusetts, “Melicent Hosmer, daur. of Cyrus Hosmer & Patty his wife was born Feb. 6th, 1806.” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS

April 11, Friday: Amos Hosmer had been born on June 28th, 1734 and would die on November 2d, 1810. He had already gotten married a 1st time, with Lucy Merriam, who had been born on August 7th, 1749 and had died on February 23d, 1804, by whom there had been no issue. In Concord, Massachusetts, A-1-3-5-3-2-3 “Amos Hosmer & Sarah Hosmer both of Concord — married by rev. E. Ripley April 11, 1806.” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS

Before Sarah Hosmer would die on August 10th, 1820 there would be the following issue: A-1-3-5-3-2-3-1 Amos Hosmer on June 11th, 1777 A-1-3-5-3-2-3-2 Nathaniel Hosmer on December 3d, 1780 who would die during 1784 A-1-3-5-3-2-3-3 Asa Hosmer on September 17th, 1782 who would die on October 15th, 1844 A-1-3-5-3-2-3-4 Rebecca Hosmer on February 7th, 1784 who would die during 1810 A-1-3-5-3-2-3-5 Nathaniel Hosmer on October 22d, 1785 A-1-3-5-3-2-3-6 Ephraim Hosmer on June 22d, 1787 A-1-3-5-3-2-3-7 Sarah Hosmer on September 17th, 1789 A-1-3-5-3-2-3-8 Elizabeth Hosmer on January 18th, 1792

Edward Flint was appointed guardian over the 5 minor children of widow Mary Brooks Merriam.

Uncle Peter Thoreau wrote a 3d time from the Isle of Jersey, in the English Channel off the coast of France, to his niece “Miss Elizabeth Thoreau, Concord, Near Boston” (it is not known that any more than this series of 3 letters were ever written by the Thoreaus on the Channel Islands to their emigrant relatives in the New World). ELIZABETH ORROCK THOREAU

YOUR GARDEN-VARIETY ACADEMIC HISTORIAN INVITES YOU TO CLIMB ABOARD A HOVERING TIME MACHINE TO SKIM IN METATIME BACK ACROSS THE GEOLOGY OF OUR PAST TIMESLICES, WHILE OFFERING UP A GARDEN VARIETY OF COGENT ASSESSMENTS OF OUR PROGRESSION. WHAT A LOAD OF CRAP! YOU SHOULD REFUSE THIS HELICOPTERISH OVERVIEW OF THE HISTORICAL PAST, FOR IN THE REAL WORLD THINGS HAPPEN ONLY AS THEY HAPPEN. WHAT THIS SORT WRITES AMOUNTS, HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

LIKE MERE “SCIENCE FICTION,” MERELY TO “HISTORY FICTION”: IT’SNOT WORTH YOUR ATTENTION.

HOSMER “Stack of the Artist of Kouroo” Project HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

1807

May 14, Thursday: In Concord, Massachusetts, “James Hosmer & Sally Lee both of Concord — married by rev. E. Ripley May 14, 1807.” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS

Friend Stephen Wanton Gould wrote in his journal: 5 day 14 of 5 M / No public offering at Meeting. The forepart of it was a pretty favord time to me, but before it closed my mind got to roving. RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS

August 23, Sunday: In Concord, Massachusetts, “[23] Rufus-Lee Hosmer, son of James & Sally Hosmer, was born Aug. 23, 1807” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS

Friend Stephen Wanton Gould wrote in his journal: 1 day 23 of 8 M 1807 / Our Meeting this morng was a good composed time to me & I thought generally favord - Our dear old friend Mary Mitchell Said “While her eyes had surveyed her young friends she had felt her mind disposed to call to them in the language of the royal prophet “let the young men & mainds, Old men & children praise the Lord” She feelingly exhorted us to “attend to that inspeaking word which if attended to would work deliverance from Sin & an enlargement in the truth, she sweetly illustrated a religious life, & desired we might so live as to insure a reward of peace in the Solemn moment hastning on all — In the Afternoon the meeting was without preaching, but not without speaking for a drunken Indian woman came who disturbed us very much - I thought the disturbance was no disadvantage to me, as it drove me more to the center than perhaps I Should otherwise have got - After meeting C R - O W & myself took tea & spent the evening at D Buffums very agreeably & I hope to a degree of proffit - while setting there my thoughts were often turnd towards my precious H with desires she could partake with us - RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

1808

October 2, Sunday: In Concord, Massachusetts, “Nathan-Meriam Hosmer, son of Amos Hosmer, jr. & Lydia his wife was born Octo. 2, 1808, at Billerica” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS

Friend Stephen Wanton Gould wrote in his journal: 1st day 2 of 10th M / A home all day except early in the morning came down to the shop on an errand - The reason of my being at home was indisposition & a Portion Physic - which considerably reduced my frame - I understood by my H who was at meeting all day that D B was concernd in testimony in the forenoon - In the Afternoon Silence prevailed Brother Isaac called between meeting to see us, & after him Father R Brother D & C —— RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

1809

May 28, Sunday: In Concord, Massachusetts, “Hannah Hosmer, relict of Josiah Hosmer, died May 28, 1809.” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS

Friend Stephen Wanton Gould wrote in his journal: 1st day 28th of 5th Mo // Our Meeting were both silent, I labor’d to get the mind settled & enterd on the right foundation but was unable get where I wanted too or where I expected to from my feeling early in the morning - -Dear Sister Ruth staid with us last night & also this day she is preciously kind both to me & my dear H who remains comfortable - In the eveng made a little call at O Williams ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————— RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS

July 2, Sunday: George Gordon, Lord Byron sailed with Hobhouse on the Lisbon packet, Princess Elizabeth.

Internal government in Spain was reorganized by King José I, with the creation of 38 new provinces.

In Concord, Massachusetts, “Rufus Hosmer, son of Nathan Hosmer & Patty his wife, was born July 2d, 1809.” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS

Friend Stephen Wanton Gould wrote in his journal: 1st day 2nd of 7th Mo // Silent meetings, but I believe pretty good ones after meeting in the Afternoon went down to J Dennis’s with brother D R took tea & set sometime after in very instructing conversation, on our way home stopt a little at D Buffums Mary Collins took tea with my H I wanted to converse with her should therefore liked to have been at Home — John Rodman married ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————— RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

1810

January 20, Saturday: George Gordon, Lord Byron and Hobhouse left Vari and arrived at Keratea.

In Concord, Massachusetts, “Dorothy Hosmer daur. of the late Daniel & Bethiah Hosmer, died, Jan. 20, 1810. [aged 67. ch. rec.]” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS

July 20, Friday: In South America on this day, the nation of Columbia achieved its independence.

In Concord, Massachusetts, Amos Freeman and Love Oliver Freeman’s infant died at 3 months of age.

Friend Stephen Wanton Gould wrote in his journal: 6th day 20 of 7 Mo// It has been a day of no small seriousness to me I heard it had it intimated that a certain dear friend of mine was assailed with a weakness that I had no Idea of — OH! how necessary it is for the very foremost of us to be careful & Watchful over every part of our conduct, & particularly our apetites & propensities to excess in every particular. Who will fail, or fall into evil & become as burden next, is unknown — sure this dear precious friend of mine has known much of religion & advanced much further in it than myself — I feel hurt, yea deeply afflicted, but what shall I say? certain it is a Solemn Warning to me to be Strictly on my Watch for the enemy is forever lurking as in ambush that he may overthrow those that are desirous to Walk in the paths of virtue ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————— RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS

THE FALLACY OF MOMENTISM: THIS STARRY UNIVERSE DOES NOT CONSIST OF A SEQUENCE OF MOMENTS. THAT IS A FIGMENT, ONE WE HAVE RECOURSE TO IN ORDER TO PRIVILEGE TIME OVER CHANGE, A PRIVILEGING THAT MAKES CHANGE SEEM UNREAL, DERIVATIVE, A MERE APPEARANCE. IN FACT IT IS CHANGE AND ONLY CHANGE WHICH WE EXPERIENCE AS REALITY, TIME BEING BY WAY OF RADICAL CONTRAST UNEXPERIENCED — A MERE INTELLECTUAL CONSTRUCT. THERE EXISTS NO SUCH THING AS A MOMENT. NO “INSTANT” HAS HOSMER “Stack of the Artist of Kouroo” Project HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

EVER FOR AN INSTANT EXISTED.

July 24, Tuesday: In Concord, Massachusetts, “Ann Hosmer, wife of Jesse Hosmer, died July 24, 1810. [aged 56. ch. rec.]” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS

What this church record neglects to mention is that Ann Prescott Hosmer had presented her husband A-1-3-5- 6-4-4 Jesse Hosmer, who had been born on January 17th, 1745 and would die on September 24th, 1829, with a string of progeny 8 of whom had survived her and would also survive him: A-1-3-5-6-4-4-1 Nancy Hosmer A-1-3-5-6-4-4-2 Susan Hosmer during 1781 who would die on April 2d, 1863 unmarried A-1-3-5-6-4-4-3 Stephen Hosmer during 1782 who would die on February 8th, 1798 A-1-3-5-6-4-4-4 Charles Hosmer during 1783 A-1-3-5-6-4-4-5 Elizabeth P. Hosmer during 1785 who would die on August 27th, 1872 unmarried A-1-3-5-6-4-4-6 Josiah Hosmer A-1-3-5-6-4-4-7 Jesse Hosmer A-1-3-5-6-4-4-8 Hannah Hosmer A-1-3-5-6-4-4-9 Lucy Hosmer A-1-3-5-6-4-4-10 Abel Hosmer on April 21st, 1796

At the Bridge of Côa near Almeida, British and Portuguese troops produced heavy casualties among the French invaders, delayed their advance into Portugal.

Friend Stephen Wanton Gould wrote in his journal: 3rd day 24 of 7 Mo// Sure it is a Solemn thing to die. I have been in the room several times today with Cousin Elizabeth Stanton who was dieing & truly my mind was humbled under the consideration of our frailty & what poor distressed objects we are when reduced to a bed of Death — She died a little before 5 OClock this Afternoon & from her peaceful & inoffensive life I feel no doubt of her being at Peace — She died at my fathers house where she was brought four weeks ago last fist day. — ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————— RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS

November 2, Friday: In Concord, Massachusetts, “Lt. Amos Hosmer, husband of —— [Sarah] died Nov. 2d, 1810. [aged 74. ch. rec.]” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

Jacob Freeman and Nancy Freeman’s son Jacob Freeman, Jr. died at the age of 19.

Friedrich Hermann Otto replaced Hermann Friedrich Otto as Prince of Hohenzollern-Hechingen.

The Prussian government issued an edict ending the restriction of certain trades to guild members.

President Madison decreed that as of February 2d of the following year, trade with France would be restored and trade with Great Britain ended.

Friend Stephen Wanton Gould wrote in his journal: 6th day 2nd of 11 Mo// The day passed away in rather a dreary manner, it was a severe snow storm in consequence of which I did not go home at noon & dined at my fathers - notwithstanding the severity of the weather many of our friends that went to Somerset Quy Meeting returnd. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————— RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS

BETWEEN ANY TWO MOMENTS ARE AN INFINITE NUMBER OF MOMENTS, AND BETWEEN THESE OTHER MOMENTS LIKEWISE AN INFINITE NUMBER, THERE BEING NO ATOMIC MOMENT JUST AS THERE IS NO ATOMIC POINT ALONG A LINE. MOMENTS ARE THEREFORE FIGMENTS. THE PRESENT MOMENT IS A MOMENT AND AS SUCH IS A FIGMENT, A FLIGHT OF THE IMAGINATION TO WHICH NOTHING REAL CORRESPONDS. SINCE PAST MOMENTS HAVE PASSED OUT OF EXISTENCE AND FUTURE MOMENTS HAVE YET TO ARRIVE, WE NOTE THAT THE PRESENT MOMENT IS ALL THAT EVER EXISTS — AND YET THE PRESENT MOMENT BEING A MOMENT IS A FIGMENT TO WHICH NOTHING IN REALITY CORRESPONDS.

HOSMER “Stack of the Artist of Kouroo” Project HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

December 2, Sunday: In Concord, Massachusetts, “Marsena Bannister of Windsor Vermont & Rebecca Hosmer of Concord married by E. Ripley, Dec. 2. 1810.” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS

Friend Stephen Wanton Gould wrote in his journal: 1st day 2 of 12 M // This morning before meeting by a miss step I fell down Stairs & how ever it happened I cannot tell but I came head foremost came very near putting my shoulder out hurt my arm, nearly sliped out both my knee pans scraped both shins & strained the cords in my right instep very much - I got on my feet & felt myself much bruised & felt very faint but took some safron drops & felt better, went to meeting & dined at my fathers with my Wife -in the Afternoon went to meeting again tho’ very sore, particularly my knees & when meeting broke was scarcely able to rise, walked home, took tea & set the evening at reading, at betime took some Salts had my bed warmed & got into it - & was thankful I was no worse, tho’ more hurt than I have been in Years — ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————— RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

1811

March 16, Saturday: A-1-3-5-6-7 Ephraim Hosmer died, who had been born on November 22d, 1722 and had gotten married with Sarah Jones, who had been born on January 5th, 1733 and would die on October 2d, 1823. The couple had produced the following offspring: A-1-3-5-6-7-1 Sarah Hosmer on November 1st, 1754 who would die on October 22d, 1774 A-1-3-5-6-7-2 Ephraim Hosmer on June 22d, 1756 A-1-3-5-6-7-3 Prudence Hosmer on September 6th, 1753 (possibly this should read September 6th, 1758) A-1-3-5-6-7-4 Samuel Hosmer and A-1-3-5-6-7-5 Silas Hosmer on September 11th, 1761 A-1-3-5-6-7-6 James Hosmer on January 14th, 1766 who would die on October 22d, 1774 A-1-3-5-6-7-7 Amos Hosmer on December 27th, 1767 who would die on November 7th, 1774 A-1-3-5-6-7-8 Joel Hosmer on May 27th, 1770 A-1-3-5-6-7-9 Charles Hosmer on April 23d, 1772 who would die on November 8th, 1774 A-1-3-5-6-7-10 Artemas Hosmer on December 27d, 1773 HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

1812

April 1, Wednesday: Count Nikolai Ivanovich Saltykov replaced Prince Mikhail Barclay de Tolly as Chairman of the Committee of Ministers of Russia.

A-1-1-1-1-2-10 Ashbel Hosmer, who had been born on April 30th, 1758 in Connecticut and had gotten married with Mary Belden, died in New York.

Friend Stephen Wanton Gould wrote in his journal: 4th day 1 of 4th M 1812// This has been a precious day with me, my spirit has been much tender’d & sweetness from several occurences. particularly in Conversation with my dear friend Sarah Fish who has been to the Shop & opened Some of her exercises [meaning trials and difficulties] in which I was led into near sympathy with her & enabled to say a little which was at least satisfactory to my own mind & I believe was encouraging to her - My spirit was also tendered bu a short visit from my much loved neighbor Samuel Towle who has been in affliction all Winter, having had a sick daughter & now lays very low. - I was also not a little tender’d by a visit from Cousin William Borden. - our conversation turned on days that are gone & some of our relations that are doubtless at rest & the various changes that we are subject to in this World ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————— RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS

July 24, Friday: Tsar Alyeksandr made a public appeal in Moscow for assistance from every ablebodied Russian.

In Concord, Massachusetts, “Esther Hosmer, daur. of John Hosmer & —— [Called Anna, on her gravestone.] his wife, died July 24, 1812. [aged 19. ch. rec.]” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS

Edward Thompson Taylor had joined a crew of 172 aboard the privateer Curlew, which equipped itself with 16 cannon. At this point the privateer was intercepted off Cape Sable by the 40-gun HMS Acasta, Captain Kerr, at latitude 44° 15' N. longitude 62° 30' W. While the crew of the Curlew was incarcerated on Melville Island, a small peninsula of Nova Scotia on which the British had situated a prisoner-of-war camp, his fellow POWs asked the commandant to allow Taylor to lead them in worship.

Friend Stephen Wanton Gould wrote in his journal: 6th day 7th M 24th / Nothing worth inserting. — RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

August 15, Saturday: Mass in C by Giovanni Paisiello was performed for the initial time, at Paris.

In Concord, Massachusetts, “Reuben Hosmer, husband of —— [Lydia] died at Acton Aug. 15, 1812.” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS

Friend Stephen Wanton Gould wrote in his journal: 7th day 8M 15 / The mind has been turned on vaious subject, which very often deeply impress it. — The present State of things in this world & this beloved Nation in particular. The times are very trying, it seems as if there is nothing doing or to be done whereby an honest livelyhood can be obtained & what little that is done is so mingled with iniquity that one can scarcely touch & remain unpoluted. — I hear that this Afternoon that a prise has been sent in this Port by some privateer, & I am sure that knowingly I could not buy an ounce or gill of any thing she has on board & to have my hands or mind free from the most despicabale & mean kind of all Warfare — RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS

December 6, Sunday: According to the journal of Friend Thomas B. Hazard or Hafsard or Hasard of Kingstown, Rhode Island, also known as “Nailer Tom,”37 “The British Ship Macedonia, a prize to the U.S. Frigate United States got into Newport” on this day.

In Concord, Massachusetts, “Alexander Smith of Stow & Hannah Hosmer of Concord were joined in marriage by Abiel Heywood, justice of the Peace, Decr. 6, 1812.” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS

Friend Stephen Wanton Gould wrote in his journal: 1st day 6 of 12 M / To me pretty good meetings. C R spake a few words in the morng & again in the Afternoon H Dennis also was concern’d in testimony H Dennis Dined with us & before meeting brother JR came in & set with us. we soon fell into silence & H addressed him in a remarkable manner — My H went to meeting in the Afternoon - Sister Ruth took care of the child the while, & set the eveng with — brothe Isaac also called RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS

37. He was called “Nailer Tom” because his trade was the cutting of nails from scrap iron, and in order to distinguish him from a relative known as “College Tom,” from another relative known as “Shepherd Tom,” and from his own son who –because he had fits– was known as “Pistol-Head Tom.” HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

1814

February 10, Thursday: In Concord, Massachusetts, “Joseph Hosmer, 2nd, & Lydia Davis, both of Concord, married by Rev. E. Ripley Feb. 10, 1814.” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS

French forces attacked Russian forces at Champaubert, capturing General Olssufiev and allowing only a 5th of his army to escape.

The peace talks at Châtillon-sur-Seine had been getting nowhere and at this point were suspended. The allies met amongst themselves at Troyes.

Friend Stephen Wanton Gould wrote in his journal: 5th day 10 of 2 M / Our Meeting owning to the stormy weather was very small - two Women only attended, but it was among the preciously favor’d seasons to my mind — RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS

February 23, Wednesday: In Concord, Massachusetts, “Martha Hosmer, daur. of Cyrus & Patty Hosmer, died Feb. 23, 1814. [aged 20. ch. rec.]” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS

June 8, Wednesday: In Concord, Massachusetts, “Mary Hosmer, wife of John Hosmer died June 8th, 1814. [aged 54. g.s.]” [FOOTNOTE IN THE TOWN RECORD: “Her gravestone gives June 17, 1814, as the date of her death.”] CONCORD TOWN RECORDS

Hostilities began at St. Leonard’s Creek. (This would go on for some time.)

Friend Stephen Wanton Gould wrote in his journal: 4th day 8 of 6 M 1814 / We had the company of our interesting neighbour & friend Mary Briggs & Mariah Mumford this Afternoon & Sister Mary joined us in the evening - - I felt near sympathy with Dear M Briggs, her mind appears very tender & sweet & I have no doubt is preciously visited with the “Day Spring from on high” I read to her the acct of Thos Burling of N York who died some years ago at the Age of 14 Years - the acct of his Pious close & lively expressions of the times with his Sisters dream after his death was affecting to her mind & drew the pearly tear. — RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

September 28, Wednesday: In Concord, Massachusetts, “[30] Joseph Hosmer, son of Joseph Hosmer, 2d & Lydia his wife was born Sept. 28, 1814” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS

He would be the elder brother of Horace Rice Hosmer and a schoolmate of the Thoreau brothers. He would become a cordwainer (shoemaker). “Thoreau was an enigma to all of us. No one could place him.” — Joseph Hosmer HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

1816

April 3, Wednesday: In Concord, Massachusetts, “Benjamin-Gardner Hosmer, son of Joseph Hosmer, 2d & Lydia his wife was born April 3d, 1816.” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS

This was the 2d Hosmer son, “Benj.” He, as well as his older brother Joseph Hosmer, Jr., would be a schoolmate of the Thoreau brothers. Like his brother he would become a cordwainer (shoemaker).

January 24, Wednesday: Mary Godwin Wollstonecraft gave birth to William Shelley.

In Concord, Massachusetts, “Nathaniel Hosmer & Lydia Lee, both of Concord — married by Rev. E. Ripley Jan. 24, 1816.” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS

Juan Esteban Lozano de Torres replaced Pedro Cevallos Guerra as First Secretary of State of Spain.

DO I HAVE YOUR ATTENTION? GOOD.

HOSMER “Stack of the Artist of Kouroo” Project HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

February 19, Monday: In Concord, Massachusetts, “John Conant, Jr. of Stow & Mary Prescott Hosmer of Concord, Feb. 19, 1816” [FOOTNOTE: “According to the record, they were married March 28, 1815: the correct date is one year later. See page 371.”] CONCORD TOWN RECORDS

Friend Stephen Wanton Gould wrote in his journal: 2nd day 19th of 2 M / My H spent the Afternoon at her Fathers & the evening at Br Johns — This evening Sister Mary went home, having spent twelve Days with us (I believe) Mutually Agreeably RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS

April 3, Wednesday: In Concord, Massachusetts, “Benjamin-Gardner Hosmer, son of Joseph Hosmer, 2d & Lydia his wife was born April 3d, 1816.” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS

This was the 2d Hosmer son, “Benj.” He, as well as his older brother Joseph Hosmer, Jr., would be a schoolmate of the Thoreau brothers. Like his brother he would become a cordwainer (shoemaker).

December 16, Monday: A death recorded in Church records that has been appended to the town records but did not appear in those official registers of the town of Concord, Massachusetts: “Asa, son of Mr. Nathan Hosmer, aged 8 months, December 16, 1816” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS

Friend Stephen Wanton Gould wrote in his journal: 2nd day 16th of 12 M / My H rec’d a letter from Aunt Stanton which mentioned that mother was in health — Sister Mary took tea & set the evening with us. — RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

1817

February 10, Monday: The Delaware Society for Promoting American Manufactures was established at Wilmington.

King Wilhelm I of Württemberg signed a contract with Johann Nepomuk Hummel 4 months after Hummel had begun working for him,

A death recorded in the Concord, Massachusetts Church records that has been appended to the town records but had not appeared in those official town registers: “Son of Mr. Nathan Hosmer, aged 6 months, February 10, 1817” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS

August 1, Friday: The Vienna Singakademie, with director Antonio Salieri, opened its doors (Saleri’s institution would initially host 12 female and 12 male voice students).

In Concord, Massachusetts, “Isaac Lee Hosmer, son of Nathaniel Hosmer & Lydia his wife was born Augt. 1t. 1817.” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS

Friend Stephen Wanton Gould wrote in his journal: 6th day 1st of 8 M 1817 / This day about 1/2 past 12 OClock at noon Our much valued friend Sarah Robinson departed this life in The 85th Year of her Age — It may be Said in Truth that this day has fallen “A great Woman & a princess” few that has been raised in this town or indeed any other that has left a brighter character few possessed so great an assemblage of useful quallifications. - in Society she has spent a long life of activity for the promotion of its various concerns & has always been remarkable for her Wisdom & discression in every department of life. This Afternoon about sunset Aunt Stanton Sailed for New York in Sloop Express. - This Afternoon A long interview with Uncle Wm Mitchell & things seem to be settled in a tolerably good footing & I hope well continue so. — RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS

August 27, Wednesday: In Concord, Massachusetts, “Lucinda Hosmer, daur. of Lucy Hosmer, was born Augt. 27, 1817.” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS

In Westport, Massachusetts, Paul Cuffe was so obviously failing that his family and friends were summoned for a group farewell. HDT WHAT? INDEX

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Early in 1817, Cuffe’s health began to fail. By July, it became obvious to himself and to his family that he was dying. Late in August, Cuffe called his family and “shaking hands with all, showing fellowship and friendship, bid us farewell.” Paul Cuffe died at the age of 58 in the early morning hours of September 7, 1817,38 “sensible to the last moments,” saying to his nurse: “let me pass quietly away.” RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS

October 17, Friday: In Concord, Massachusetts, “Ephraim Hosmer of Concord & Lucy Parks of Lincoln, October 17, 1817” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS

October 23, Thursday: A death recorded in Church records that has been appended to the town records but did not appear in those official registers of the Town of Concord, Massachusetts: “Mr. Charles Hosmer, aged 23, died at Savannah, October 23, 1817” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS

October 28, Tuesday: On this day all of Concord’s plans for the proper care of the town poor went up in smoke. The alms-house burned, a loss estimated at $3,500. Provision Against Fire. — The Fire Society was organized May 5, 1794, and holds its annual meetings on the 2d Monday in January. The Presidents have been, Jonathan Fay, Esq., Dr. Joseph Hunt Tilly Merrick, Esq., Dr. Isaac Hurd, Deacon Francis Jarvis, Hon. Samuel Hoar, and Joseph Barrett, Esq. The Engine Company was formed, and the first engine procured, in 1794. A new engine was obtained in 1818. A Volunteer Engine Company was organized in 1827, who procured by subscription a new engine in 1831.39 MAINTENANCE OF THE POOR.— This has long been an important item in the expenses of the town. From the earliest town records it appears that they were supported by subscription, or by several individuals voluntarily agreeing to keep them, in rotation. The first poor-rate, £10, was raised in 1721. About 1753, a small alms-house was built, principally by subscription, where Dr. Bartlett now [1835] lives, and where part of the poor were kept for nearly 50 years. Five years prior to 1800 they were let out collectively by contract. They cost £185 in 1791, $936.50 in 1796, and $900 in 1801. In 1800, the selectmen were directed to

38. Some sources say he died on August 27th, some on September 7th, some on September 9th, and some on September 17th. –But then, my paper edition of the Britannica isn’t even aware he existed. 39. Lemuel Shattuck’s 1835 A HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF CONCORD;.... Boston MA: Russell, Odiorne, and Company; Concord MA: John Stacy, 1835 (On or about November 11, 1837 Henry Thoreau would indicate a familiarity with the contents of at least pages 2-3 and 6-9 of this historical study. On July 16, 1859 he would correct a date mistake buried in the body of the text.) HDT WHAT? INDEX

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put them out to the lowest bidder “either altogether, in lots, or singly.” This auction usually took place immediately after the town meeting in May. This practice continued till 1821, when a contract was made to keep the poor together for $1,450; in 1824, for $1,200; and in 1827, for $1,150. Since then they have been supported in the pauper establishment belonging to the town. The rent of the Cargill farm, after it came into possession of the town, was vested as a fund for the erection of an alms-house. In 1816, this fund amounted to $2,359 and the town raised the additional sum of $650 and commenced the erection of the proposed building. Just before it was completed, October 28, 1817 it was burnt. In 1827, the buildings on the farm were enlarged and repaired in their present [1835] form. For all genuine objects of charity, the people of Concord have ever been ready to bestow their aid with generosity. In 1819 the town gave $200, and individuals $110 more, to the Lunatic Asylum, in connexion with the Massachusetts General Hospital.40 This is one of many similar acts of benevolence, which might be mentioned.41

October 29, Wednesday: In Concord, Massachusetts, “Josiah Hosmer & Elizabeth Brown, both of Concord, Oct. 29, 1817” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS

40. After acknowledging, in very complimentary terms, the receipt of this donation, James Prince, Esq., the treasurer, remarks, in a letter dated June 29, 1819;— “This act of liberality and compassion, the first which has been displayed towards the Asylum from our citizens in their corporate relation, affords additional pleasure from the circumstance, that it emanated from a town, whose citizens were enrolled in the front ranks of patriotism and valor, at a most interesting period of our national history; and the trustees cannot but hope, that the influence of their bright example will now, as it did then, stimulate to wise imitation other towns within the state, and thus essentially subserve those principles of philanthropy and charity which led to the establishment, and which must be continued to secure the continuance, of this interesting institution.” 41. Ibid. HDT WHAT? INDEX

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1818

Horace Rice Hosmer’s sister, Martha Putnam Hosmer, was born. She would grow up to go to work in a tailor’s shop in another town.

January 17, Saturday: In Concord, Massachusetts, “Martha Hosmer, daur. of Joseph Hosmer, 2d & Lydia his wife was born Jan. 17, 1818.” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS

Friend Stephen Wanton Gould wrote in his journal: 7th day 17 of 1 M / My H set the eveng at Aunt Earls I joined her about & spent an hour very plreasantly RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS Friend Morris Birkbeck (1764-1825), who had been the 1st farmer in England to raise merino sheep, wrote back to England from the prairie south of Olney, Illinois (the town in which if you run over a squirrel you now need to pay a fine of $500, but only if the squirrel had been white): MY DEAR SIR, Jan. 17, 1818. I WROTE to you early in September, since which I hope you have received a copy of my journal. Thus having made you of our party on the journey, and introduced you to some acquaintance with our Princeton affairs, I am now going to take you to the prairies, to shew you the very beginning of our settlement. Having fixed on the north-western portion of our prairie for our future residence and farm, the first act was building a cabin, about two hundred yards from the spot where the house is to stand. This cabin is built of round straight logs, about a foot in diameter, lying upon each other, and notched in at the corners, forming a room eighteen feet long by sixteen; the intervals between the logs “chuncked,” that is, filled in with slips of wood; and “mudded,” that is, daubed with a plaister of mud: a spacious chimney, built also of logs, stands like a bastion at one end: the roof is well covered with four hundred “clap boards” of cleft oak, very much like the pales used in England for fencing parks. A hole is cut through the side, called, very properly, the “door, (the through,)” for which there is a “shutter,” made also of cleft oak, and hung on wooden hinges. All this has been executed by contract, and well executed, for twenty dollars. I have since added ten dollars to the cost, for the luxury of a floor and ceiling of sawn boards, and it is now a comfortable habitation. To this cabin you must accompany me, a young English friend, and my boy Gillard, whom you may recollect at Wanborough. We arrived in the evening, our horses heavily laden with our guns, and provisions, and cooking utensils, and blankets, not forgetting the all-important axe. This was immediately put in requisition, HDT WHAT? INDEX

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and we soon kindled a famous fire, before which we spread our pallets, and, after a hearty supper, soon forgot that besides ourselves, our horses and our dogs, the wild animals of the forest were the only inhabitants of our wide domain. Our cabin stands at the edge of the prairie, just within the wood, so as to be concealed from the view until you are at the very door. Thirty paces to the east the prospect opens from a commanding eminence over the prairie, which extends four miles to the south and south-east, and over the woods beyond to a great distance; whilst the high timber behind, and on each side, to the west, north, and east, forms a sheltered cove about five hundred yards in width. It is about the middle of this cove, two hundred and fifty yards from the wood each way, but open to the south, that we propose building our house. Well, having thus established myself as a resident proprietor, in the morning my boy and I (our friend having left us) sallied forth in quest of neighbours, having heard of two new settlements at no great distance. Our first visit was to Mr. Emberson, who had just established himself in a cabin similar to our own, at the edge of a small prairie two miles north-west of us. We found him a respectable young man, more farmer than hunter, surrounded by a numerous family, and making the most of a rainy day by mending the shoes of his household. We then proceeded to Mr. Woodland's, about the same distance southwest: he is an inhabitant of longer standing, for he arrived in April, Mr. E. in August. He has since built for us a second cabin, connected with the first by a covered roof or porch, which is very convenient, forming together a commodious dwelling. In our walk we saw no game but partridges, and a squirrel. We found plenty of grapes, which I thought delicious. The soil seemed to improve in fertility on closer inspection, and the country appeared more pleasant: in fact, my mind was at ease, and this spreads a charm over external objects. Our township is a square of six miles each side, or thirty-six square miles; and what may properly be called our neighbourhood, extends about six miles round this township in every direction. Six miles to the north is the boundary of surveyed lands. Six miles to the east is the Bonpas, a stream which joins the Big Wabash about six miles south of us, where the latter river makes a bold bend to the west, approaching within six miles of the Little Wabash: this river forms our western boundary, at about the same distance up to the northern line of survey above-mentioned. The centre of this tract is our prairie, containing about 4,000 acres. There are many other prairies, or natural meadows, of various dimensions and qualities, scattered over this surface, which consists of about two hundred square miles, containing perhaps twelve human habitations, all erected, I believe, within one year of our first visit -- most of them within three months. At or near the mouth of the Bonpas, where it falls into the Big Wabash, we project a shipping port: a ridge of high land, without any intervening creek, will afford an easy communication with HDT WHAT? INDEX

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the river at that place. The Wabash, as you know, is a noble stream, navigable several hundred miles from its junction with the Ohio, and receiving other navigable rivers in its course: White River in particular, opening a communication with the most fertile region of Indiana, will at a future day hold a distinguished rank among rivers. The country above, both on the Wabash and White River, is peopling rapidly; and there is, through the Ohio, a great natural channel of intercourse between this vast country and the ocean. Steam- boats already navigate the Wabash: a vessel of that description has this winter made its way up from New Orleans to within a few miles of our settlement. They are about building one at Harmony, twenty miles below, as a regular trader, to carry off the surplus produce, and bring back coffee, sugar, and other groceries, as well as European manufactures. There are no very good mill-seats on the streams in our neighbourhood, but our prairie affords a most eligible site for a windmill; we are therefore going to erect one immediately: the materials are in great forwardness, and we hope to have it in order to grind the fruits of the ensuing harvest. Two brothers, and the wife of one of them, started from the village of Puttenham, close to our old Wanborough, and have made their way out to us: they are carpenters, and are now very usefully employed in preparing the scantlings for the mill, and other purposes. You may suppose how cordially we received these good people. They landed at Philadelphia, not knowing where on this vast continent they should find us: from thence they were directed to Pittsburg, a wearisome journey over the mountains of more than 300 miles; at Pittsburgh they bought a little boat for six or seven dollars, and came gently down the Ohio, 1,200 miles, to Shawnee-town; from thence they proceeded on foot till they found us. On their way they had many flattering offers; but true to their purpose, though uninvited and unlooked for, they held out to the end, and I believe they are well satisfied with their reception and prospects. By the first of March I hope to have two ploughs at work, and may possibly put in 100 acres of corn this spring. Early in May, I think, we shall be all settled in a convenient temporary dwelling, formed of a range of cabins of ten rooms, until we can accomplish our purpose of building a more substantial house. My young folks desire to be most kindly remembered to you: they are full of life and spirits; not one of them, I believe, having felt a symptom of repentance from the commencement of our undertaking. I remain, dear Sir, ever yours.42

March 5, Thursday: In Concord, Massachusetts, “Cyrus Hosmer, husband of Patty Hosmer died March 5,

42. NOTES ON A JOURNEY IN AMERICA, FROM THE COAST OF VIRGINIA TO THE TERRITORY OF ILLINOIS [IN 1817] (London: Severn & Co., 1818). This region of Illinois now boasts more pig farms per square mile than anywhere else in the United States of America. HDT WHAT? INDEX

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1818. [Æt 53. g.s.]” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS

Franz Schubert applied for membership as an accompanist in the Gesellschaft der Musikfreunde. He would be rejected because he was not an amateur.

Mosè in Egitto, an azione tragico-sacra by Gioachino Rossini to words of Tottola after Ringhieri, was performed for the initial time, in Teatro San Carlo, Naples. It was an immediate success.

Julia Thuillier Savage Landor gave birth to an infant that would be christened Arnold Savage Landor in honor of one of the earliest speakers in the House of Commons, Sir Arnold Savage (actually, they had no idea whether this famous personage had or had not been one of their family’s ancestors).

Friend Stephen Wanton Gould wrote in his journal: 5th day 5 of 3rd M / Our friend Daniel Quinby was at Meeting & appeard in a short but sound & powerful testimony - his opening was from Nehemiah 2 Chapt 17 verse “ye see the distress that we are in, how Jerusalem lieth waste, & the gates thereof are burned with fire: come let us build up the Walls of Jerusalem that we be no more a reproach” he very forcibly impressed the necessity of our living up to our profession & rebuilding the walls & waste places of Zion, & that we steadily persue the purpose, notwithstaning the Sanballats & Tobiahs that might arise & dispise the work as a vain thing & too much to be attempted - he labord to streangthen the feeble laborers & to warn the rebelious among us & concluded in a living powerful Prayer which reached the hearts of some present. —

August 7, Friday: In Concord, Massachusetts, “Lucy Hosmer, wife of Joseph Hosmer, Esq. died Aug. 7, 1818. [aged 76. ch. rec.]” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS

Friend Stephen Wanton Gould wrote in his journal: 6th day 7th of 8th M 1818 / Engaged this forenoon - The Arbitrators in The case of Avis Knowles set & George Hazard. I was obliged to be with them, which was exercising to my mind particularly as I have been two days out of my buisness, but saw no other way than to submit The Arbitrators decided the case & both parties agreed to abide the Award which is no small release to my mind. In the Afternoon Wm Almy & several others called to see me, which took up much of my time — The concerns of other people & of Society at times are very incumbering to me — Oh that I may be what I ought to be Oh that I may experience Holy help, for I greatly need it. — RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS HDT WHAT? INDEX

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September 7, Monday: On this day and the following one there was a great music festival in Hamburg in which Handel’s Messiah and Mozart’s Requiem were performed. The participating choruses were prepared by Louise Reichardt.

In Concord, John Potter of Concord got married with Sybil Gay Flagg of Littleton.

Friend Stephen Wanton Gould wrote in his journal: 2d day 7th of 9th M / The mind under some exercise, & desires prevalent that I may experience more of the quickening power of Truth to opperate & renew unto good works but alass how poor I am How weak I am! RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS HDT WHAT? INDEX

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1819

February 4, Thursday: Just outside of London, Joshua Abraham Norton was born.

A birth and death recorded in Church records that has been appended to the town records but did not appear in those official registers of the Town of Concord, Massachusetts: “Daughter of Mr. Abel Hosmer, [FOOTNOTE: “This was Susan G. Hosmer, daughter of Josiah & Elizabeth.”] born and died in Cambridge, aged 6 months February 4, 1819” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS

Friend Stephen Wanton Gould wrote in his journal: 5th day — My H had an opportunity to ride to town & I walked in to Meeting, there were public appearances from James Greene, D Howland, Thos Anthony, Susanna Bateman & Betsy Purinton, & Henry Chase in Supplication — The weight of the service fell on Thos Anthony who was much favord to hold up the Standard of Truth in the view of a very large assembly In the last meeting, there was some labor, but we had some pleasant circumstances & tho’ the Passover was eaten with bitter herbs, we were favored to make an escape. — Hannah dined at O Browns, but being Detained at the meeting House on a committee after both meetings rise - I went to Joseph Anthonys, where I met my old friend James Greene & was glad to see him as well as a number of others who were there - In the evening returned to O Browns & lodged. RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS

NEVER READ AHEAD! TO APPRECIATE FEBRUARY 4TH, 1819 AT ALL ONE MUST APPRECIATE IT AS A TODAY (THE FOLLOWING DAY, TOMORROW, IS BUT A PORTION OF THE UNREALIZED FUTURE AND IFFY AT BEST). THIS PERSON, WHO WOULD PROCLAIM HIMSELF THE EMPEROR OF THE UNITED STATES, WAS NOT AT THIS POINT THE HEIR TO ANY THRONE REAL OR EVEN IMAGINARY (!) BUT MERELY ANOTHER HDT WHAT? INDEX

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FECKLESS HUMAN INFANT WHOM ONLY A MOTHER COULD LOVE.

March 15, Monday: John Hosmer made out a deed to Abel Hosmer for some property “in the west part of Concord.”

Friend Stephen Wanton Gould wrote in his journal: 2nd day 15 of 3rd M / We had to sit the evening with us Wm Lee his daughters, Mary & Abby. Avis Mumford & Sister Mary this was a pleasant visit to us RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS HDT WHAT? INDEX

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1820

February 13, Sunday: In Concord, Massachusetts, “Otis Maynard & Rebecca Hosmer, both of Concord, were married by Abiel Heywood, Just. peace, Feb. 13th, 1820.” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS

That night, on the street outside the Paris Opéra, in an attempt to extinguish the Bourbon line, Louis Pierre Louvel, a saddler, an admirer of Napoléon, stabbed Charles Ferdinand d’Artois, Duc de Berry, nephew of King Louis XVIII, as he was departing with his wife at about 11PM, leaving his dagger in his right chest. The duc, who anyway had never been in the line of succession, breathed his last the following morning (subsequent to this incident, the Paris Opéra would relocate from the Salle Montansier, its home since 1794, to the Salle HDT WHAT? INDEX

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Favart).

While the reaction was at its height after this murder and the failure of the government of prime minister Élie, Comte de Decazes, Professor François Pierre Guillaume Guizot was deprived of his post as general director of communes and departments in the French ministry of the interior.

The assassin would be sentenced to death on June 6th and beheaded on June 7th, and the dagger has been deposited in the National Archives. François-Auguste-René, vicomte de Chateaubriand would soon publish MÉMOIRES, LETTRES ET PIÈCES AUTHENTIQUES TOUCHANT LA VIE ET LA MORT DE S.A.R. MONSEIGNEUR CHARLES- FERDINAND D’ARTOIS, FILS DE FRANCE, DUC DE BERRY; PA R M. LE VICOMTE DE CHATEAUBRIAND. HDT WHAT? INDEX

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Friend Stephen Wanton Gould wrote in his journal: 1st day 13th of 2 M 1820 / Meetings silent walking very bad & but few women gathered - The Men however attended & I thought some zeal was mannifested by some who were not Members — as low as things are, yet there is certainly something among us which attracts Some & induces them to attend our meetings - May Our conduct be such as to evince that we live conformable to our profession — RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS

August 10, Thursday: In Concord, Massachusetts, “Sarah Hosmer, wido. of Amos Hosmer, died Aug. 10th, 1920. [aged 73. ch. rec.]” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS

August 11, Friday: On Brister’s Hill in Concord, Massachusetts, Love Oliver Freeman died at the age of 49.

October 11, Wednesday: The 1st annual agricultural exhibition at Concord, under President Cyrus Baldwin. Exhibiters received prizes totaling $244. Agricultural Society. — This, though properly a county society, is so connected with Concord, as to deserve to be noticed in its history. The members of the Massachusetts Agricultural Society, living in the western parts of the county, met at Chelmsford, January 6, 1794, and formed a society for the “promotion of useful improvements in agriculture,” and were incorporated, February 28, 1803, as “The Western Society of Middlesex Husbandmen.” It did not include Concord, nor other towns in the easterly part of the county. Meetings were held semi-annually, alternately at Westford and Littleton, but no public exhibitions took place. The following gentlemen were successively elected Presidents; the Rev. Jonathan Newell of Stow, the Rev. Phineas Whitney of Shirley, the Rev. Edmund Foster of Littleton, Ebenezer Bridge of Chelmsford, Dr. Oliver Prescott of Groton, Colonel Benjamin Osgood of Westford, Wallis Tuttle, Esq., of Littleton, and the Hon. Samuel Dana of Groton. An act was passed, February 20, 1819, authorizing any agricultural society, possessing $1,000 in funds, to draw $200 from the state treasury, and in the same proportion for a larger sum. This society accordingly voted, in the following September, to extend its operation throughout the county, and to raise funds that it might avail itself of the grant of the state. An act passed, January 24, 1824, incorporating it as “The Society of Middlesex Husbandmen and Manufacturers”; and it was agreed to have annual shows at Concord. The first was held here October 11, 1820; and they have since been annually repeated. The subjoined table exhibits the names of the presidents, orators, HDT WHAT? INDEX

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and amounts of premiums awarded. The names of those orators, whose addresses have been published, are printed in italics.43

October 17, Tuesday: In Concord, Massachusetts, “Warren Worster of Grafton, Vt. & Lucy Hosmer of Concord, were married by Rev. Ezra Ripley, Octo. 17, 1820.” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS

43. Lemuel Shattuck’s 1835 A HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF CONCORD;.... Boston: Russell, Odiorne, and Company; Concord MA: John Stacy (On or about November 11, 1837 Henry Thoreau would indicate a familiarity with the contents of at least pages 2-3 and 6-9 of this historical study. On July 16, 1859 he would correct a date mistake buried in the body of the text.) HDT WHAT? INDEX

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1821

August 11, Saturday: In The Middlesex Gazette an article signed “S” recounted the convenient local legend “–the oldest people telle [sic] me that they heard it in their youth–” that Henry Thoreau would reference in Draft F of “The Ponds.”

WALDEN: Some have been puzzled to tell how the shore became so regularly paved. My townsmen have all heard the tradition, the oldest people tell me that they heard it in their youth, that anciently the Indians were holding a pow-wow upon a hill here, which rose as high into the heavens as the pond now sinks deep into the earth, and they used much profanity, as the story goes, though this vice is one of which the Indians were never guilty, and while they were thus engaged the hill shook and suddenly sank, and only one old squaw, named Walden, escaped, and from her the pond was named.

A deep and clear body of isolated water such as Walden Pond must have seemed quite mysterious before the development of the geological theory of ice ages, and before the development of an account of how buried masses of ice often linger at the edge of a retreating glacier and gradually melt over centuries or dozens of centuries, to leave precisely such deep water-filled holes. Alas, however, a people with a “forgotten” history of genocide, such as these white Concordians, are ever in dire need of some fanciful account by which their record can precisely be reversed and the people they victimized be portrayed as aggressors while the guilty (or themselves, descendants of the guilty parties and inheritors of the loot the guilt and the shame of genocide) can be allowed to posture as innocent prisoners being tortured and burned alive by barbarous savages. Barbarous savages whom these white Christians trapped in their peaceable villages in the snow of that winter of 1676-1677, and roped together at the neck, and marched onto the Deer Island concentration camp in Boston Harbor and destroyed by starvation and exposure.44 Note that in this 1821 news item the existence of Walden Pond has become a fanciful proof that it is God, not white Concordians, who destroys strange peoples who interfere with the legitimate agendas of white Concordians. This article is not a “news story” at all, but rather it is a fantasy by which white people, as inheritors of desperate deeds, have discovered a way to add to the original affect of the viciousness and greed of their parents the affect of outrage of a surviving victim and thus mobilize, in the service of their own lives, the force of a shame which might otherwise forestall them from further such acts of desperation.

44.The scenario is rather a familiar one –although its deeps have never adequately been fathomed– at least we have been able to observe this legitimation-myth as it repeated itself in Minnesota during our race war and then in Germany before and during World War II. Margaret Fuller, not one easy to deceive, described it as “the aversion of the injurer for him he has degraded.” HDT WHAT? INDEX

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Walden Pond This pond, in the southerly part of town, has something singular, both in its appearance and in the tradition concerning it. It is said that the place which now contains a body of water, was once a high hill — that on this hill the Indians assembled at certain seasons to celebrate their religious festivals, and at other times to burn and torture prisoners taken in the wars with the early settlers of the country; it was on a meeting of numerous chiefs and tribes for the latter purpose, that this celebrated hill disappeared in the midst of their barbarous rejoicings, and sunk with all its savage inhabitants upon it. And on account of the remarkable depth of the water, which has never been fathomed, it was supposed to have continued to sink to such an amazing depth, that the bottom dropped out one day. This much for tradition — We do not vouch for the truth of the story, still there is enough that is singular about this pond, to warrant a stranger in going a little distance to view it; its banks are very bold, and decorated on all sides with evergreens and other forest trees — its waters are pure — no weeds or grass grow on its borders, no stream runs into it, or issues from it, and it is found to be highest in the driest time. In this deep water many pike and pickerell have been taken, weighing from one to five pounds, and it is confidently asserted, that others have been seen which would probably weigh from ten to twenty pounds; this sort never have been taken. Some of your readers, it is hoped, will give a more particular description of this singular pond.

Perhaps father John Thoreau, or someone else who regularly read the gazettes, clipped this vicious article when it was printed and passed it on to Henry in 1853/1854 while he was writing the history of the pond. Perhaps it was passed on with the suggestion that Thoreau be the one to realize the last sentence, “give a more particular description of this singular pond” — give a description of this singular pond that will particularly and effectively remove it forever from the list of geographical landforms available for use by white people as legitimators of genocide. HDT WHAT? INDEX

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We may remember that indeed there was a “high hill” near Concord, upon which a “barbarous” event had taken place. However, this barbarous event was not the torture and slaughter of innocent white people by savage red people, but was, instead, the murder of Native American women and children by white Concordians. For which, you must refer to the events of 1676.

Walden

Mount Misery

According to Professor Walter Roy Harding’s THE DAYS OF HENRY THOREAU (NY: Alfred A. Knopf, 1966), in the course of this year: “A Review From Professor Ross’s Seminar”

WALTER HARDING’S BIOGRAPHY Chapter 1 (1817-1823) -Downing gives a cursory account of the Thoreau and Dunbar heritage and more fully traces the nature and movement of the Thoreau family in the first five years of Henry’s life. Thoreau’s father, John, while intellectual, “lived quietly, peacefully and contentedly in the shadow of his wife,” Mrs. Cynthia Dunbar Thoreau, who was dynamic and outspoken with a strong love for nature and compassion for the downtrodden. • 1st Helen -quiet, retiring, eventually a teacher. • 2nd John Jr. -“his father turned inside out,” personable, interested in ornithology, also taught. • 3rd Henry (born July 12,1817) -speculative but not noticeably precocious. • 4th Sophia -independent, talkative, ultimately took over father’s business and edited Henry’s posthumous publications. The Thoreau’s constantly struggled with debt, and in 1818 John Sr. gave up his farm outside Concord and moved into town. Later the same year he moved his family to Chelmsford where he opened a shop which soon failed and sent him packing to Boston to teach school. (Robert L. Lace, January-March 1986) HDT WHAT? INDEX

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In 1836, in John Warner Barber’s CONNECTICUT HISTORICAL COLLECTIONS: CONTAINING A GENERAL COLLECTION OF INTERESTING FACTS, TRADITIONS BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES, ANECDOTES, ETC., RELATING TO THE HISTORY AND ANTIQUITIES OF EVERY TOWN IN CONNECTICUT, WITH GEOGRAPHICAL DESCRIPTIONS (Durrie & Peck and J.W. Barber), in regard to Lake Quinebaug (Nell Alexander’s Lake) in Killingly, Connecticut:

In ancient times, when the red men of this quarter had long enjoyed prosperity, that is, when they had found plenty of game in the woods, and fish in the ponds and rivers, they at length fixed a time for a general powwow, a sort of festival for eating, drinking, smoking, singing and dancing. The spot chosen for this purpose was a sandy hill, or mountain, covered with tall pines, occupying the situation where the lake now lies. The powwow lasted four days in succession, and was to continue longer had not the Great Spirit, enraged at the licentiousness which prevailed there, resolved to punish them. Accordingly, while the red people in immense numbers were capering about upon the summit of the mountain, it suddenly “gave way” beneath them, and sunk to a great depth, when the water from below rushed up and covered them all except one good old squaw, who occupied one of the peaks, which now bears the name of Loon's Island. Whether the tradition is entitled to credit or not we will do it justice by affirming that in a clear day, when there is no wind and the surface of the lake is smooth, the huge trunks and leafless branches of gigantic pines may be occasionally seen in the deepest part of the water, some of them reaching almost to the surface, in such huge and fantastic forms as to cause the beholder to startle!

Professor Robert M. Thorson has inferred in his WALDEN’S SHORE: HENRY DAV ID THOREAU AND NINETEENTH-CENTURY SCIENCE (Harvard UP, 2013, page 307), that the Concord fable about the inversion of Walden Pond in Concord, Massachusetts would be merely Henry’s extrapolation from this fable about Alexander’s Lake in Killingly, Connecticut, pointing out that in his personal copy of WALDEN we find the

notation in his handwriting “This is told of Alexanders Lake in Killingly, CT, by Barber in his Con. Hist. Coll.” “That Thoreau borrowed this story of topographical inversion for Walden suggests he thought it applied there as well.” Nevertheless, Concord had been the initial inland town settled in all of New England and the record we have of its Walden Pond fable dates to 1821 or earlier, whereas the Killingly region had not been settled HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

by white intrusives until 1700 –in fact the 42d such town settled in Connecticut– and the record we have of its Alexander’s Lake fable has been dated only as far back as 1835. Aiding us in this is evidence of Concord’s criminal motivation: we don’t yet know of any criminal motivation in the case of Killingly, but, in the case of Concord, we do know of a decided motive for the creation of such a fable: the fable helped conceal through the common criminal tactic of inversion the town shame of a mass murder of reds by whites, followed by the undeniable hanging of white town citizens on Boston’s common for this sad race atrocity. Unless and until, therefore, we have chronological evidence to the contrary from Connecticut, it is going to remain more plausible for us to suspect that all the cultural borrowing had been done by Connecticut that to suspect that any of the cultural borrowing had been done by Concordians!

August 23, Thursday: In Concord, Massachusetts, “Joel Wright of Goffstown, N.H. & Mira Hosmer of Concord, were joined in wedlock by Rev. Ezra Ripley Augt. 23d, 1821.” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

1822

March 23, Saturday: In Concord, Massachusetts, “[19] Jonathan Hosmer, son of John Hosmer died March 23d, 1822. [aged 45. ch. rec.]” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS

June 30, Sunday: In Concord, Massachusetts, “Ann-Prescott Hosmer, daur. of Abel & Olive-P. Hosmer was born June 30 1822.” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS

Friend Stephen Wanton Gould wrote in his journal: 1st day 30th of 6 M / Silent meetings & both rather smaller than usual. — RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

1823

May 21, Wednesday: A-1-1-1-1-7-2 Joseph S. Hosmer –who had been born on October 24th, 1749 in Connecticut, and had gone through a succession of wives without issue, 1st with Jersuha Prior, 2d with Betsey Prior, and 3d with Miriam Newberry– on this day died in Connecticut.

October 14, Tuesday: John Langsford, Jr. of Gloucester, 25 years of age, drowned at sea.

“Edmund Hosmer & Sally Peirce, both of Concord were Joined in wedlock by Rev. Ezra Ripley, Octo. 14, 1823.” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

1824

January 24, Saturday: During an Ontario Canal Company meeting at Canandaigua’s Mead’s Hotel, nine directors were elected (the canal would never be dug).

The 1st issue of the Westminster Review was published.

Gioachino Rossini conducted Zelmira in London, for the initial time, at the King’s Theater.

An act incorporated a “Society of Middlesex Husbandmen and Manufacturers” to stage annual agricultural exhibitions at Concord. Agricultural Society. — This, though properly a county society, is so connected with Concord, as to deserve to be noticed in its history. The members of the Massachusetts Agricultural Society, living in the western parts of the county, met at Chelmsford, January 6, 1794, and formed a society for the “promotion of useful improvements in agriculture,” and were incorporated, February 28, 1803, as “The Western Society of Middlesex Husbandmen.” It did not include Concord, nor other towns in the easterly part of the county. Meetings were held semi-annually, alternately at Westford and Littleton, but no public exhibitions took place. The following gentlemen were successively elected Presidents; the Rev. Jonathan Newell of Stow, the Rev. Phineas Whitney of Shirley, the Rev. Edmund Foster of Littleton, Ebenezer Bridge of Chelmsford, Dr. Oliver Prescott of Groton, Colonel Benjamin Osgood of Westford, Wallis Tuttle, Esq., of Littleton, and the Hon. Samuel Dana of Groton. An act was passed, February 20, 1819, authorizing any agricultural society, possessing $1,000 in funds, to draw $200 from the state treasury, and in the same proportion for a larger sum. This society accordingly voted, in the following September, to extend its operation throughout the county, and to raise funds that it might avail itself of the grant of the state. An act passed, January 24, 1824, incorporating it as “The Society of Middlesex Husbandmen and Manufacturers”; and it was agreed to have annual shows at Concord. The first was held here October 11, 1820; and they have since been annually repeated. The subjoined table exhibits the names of the presidents, orators, and amounts of premiums awarded. The names of those orators, whose addresses have been published, are printed in italics.45

January 31, day: In Concord, Massachusetts, the filing of a Marriage Intention: “John Hosmer, jun. of Concord

45. Lemuel Shattuck’s 1835 A HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF CONCORD;.... Boston MA: Russell, Odiorne, and Company; Concord MA: John Stacy, 1835 (On or about November 11, 1837 Henry Thoreau would indicate a familiarity with the contents of at least pages 2-3 and 6-9 of this historical study. On July 16, 1859 he would correct a date mistake buried in the body of the text.) HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

& Mary Eliza H. Turner of Boston, Jan. 31, 1824” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS

June 7, Monday: In Concord, Massachusetts, “Sarah-Parkman Hosmer, daur. of Cyrus Hosmer & Lydia P. his wife was born June 7 1824” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS

July 22, Thursday: In Concord, Massachusetts, “James-Davis Hosmer, son of Abel & Olive P. Hosmer, was born July 22d, 1824.” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS

In Newport, Rhode Island, Friend Stephen Wanton Gould wrote in his journal: 5 day 22nd of 7th M / Small Meeting a low time - Suffering is our lot - May a right improvement be made. — RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS

August 24, Tuesday: Le roi Rene, ou La Provence au XVe siecle, an opera comique by Ferdinand Herold to words of Belle and Sewrin, was performed for the initial time, in the Theatre Feydeau, Paris.

In Concord, Massachusetts, “John Hosmer, son of Edmund Hosmer & Sally his wife was born Augt. 24, 1824” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

1825

April 1, Friday: Felix Mendelssohn heard Franz Liszt for the 1st time, at a Concert Spirituel at the Academie Royale of Paris.

Lucy Lee Hosmer died, who had been born on June 1st, 1748 and had presented her husband A-1-3-5-6-4-5 Abel Hosmer, who had been born on March 27th, 1747 and would die on November 3d, 1832, with the following offspring: A-1-3-5-6-4-5-1 Lydia Hosmer on November 1st, 1770 A-1-3-5-6-4-5-2 Jonathan Hosmer on July 1st, 1772 A-1-3-5-6-4-5-3 Silas Hosmer on November 28th, 1774 A-1-3-5-6-4-5-4 Abel Hosmer on November 15th, 1777 A-1-3-5-6-4-5-5 Esther Hosmer on February 15th, 1781 A-1-3-5-6-4-5-6 Samuel Hosmer on July 11th, 1783 A-1-3-5-6-4-5-7 Lucy Hosmer on March 8th, 1786 who had died during 1792

May 26, Thursday: There was a meeting at the church of the Reverend William Ellery Channing in Boston to determine questions of organization. The Reverends Jared Sparks, Henry Ware, Sr., and John Gorham Palfrey were in attendance. Lewis Tappan was selected as the initial treasurer of a new body, the American Unitarian Association. He would discover, however, that these Unitarians were not interested in the state of other people’s souls to the exclusion of an interest in the state of their own souls, and that the practical impact of this was that, in his personal crusade for funds to send a Unitarian missionary off to India, to redeem a few benighted Indians from their pagan savagery, he was barking up a stump. And this would make him more and more dissatisfied. TAPPAN FAMILY

In Concord, Massachusetts, “Levi Whitney of Boston & Julia Hosmer of Bedford were joined in marriage by Abiel Heywood, Justice of the peace May 26, 1825.” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS

In Newport, Rhode Island, Friend Stephen Wanton Gould wrote in his journal: 5th day 26th of 5 M / Our Moy [Monthly] Meeting was this day held in Town, it was a time of love; nothing went hard & friends were comforted together. — there was a little preaching, well ment but not of the first stamp, either for life or correct delivery RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS

WHAT I’M WRITING IS TRUE BUT NEVER MIND HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

YOU CAN ALWAYS LIE TO YOURSELF

June 26, Sunday: In Concord, Massachusetts, “Helen Maria Hosmer daur of John Hosmer & Mary E.H. his wife was born June 26th 1825” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS

In Newport, Rhode Island, Friend Stephen Wanton Gould wrote in his journal: 1st day 26th of 6th M 1825 / In our Meeting this forenoon we had the public appearances of Susanna Vigineron[?], Hannah Dennis & Abigail R Hoag — In the Afternoon Jonathon Dennis & father Rodman bore short testimonies We took tea at Father Rodmans & in the evening call on Isaac Williams & family who were at Meeting & are boarding at Sarah Perrys - they Appear to be wise discreet friends, their company was interesting & edifying. — RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS

The People of Walden “Stack of the Artist of Kouroo” Project HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

1826

April: The constitution of the Trinitarian Congregationalist Society of Concord was signed by 69 persons.

April 9, day, 1826: In Concord, Massachusetts, “Dolly Hosmer, daur. of Edmund Hosmer & Sally his wife was born April 9th, 1826” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS

September 6, Wednesday: In Concord, Massachusetts the public installation of the officials of a chapter of Royal Arch Masons (over and above the town’s existing Corinthian Lodge of Free Masons).

September 19, Tuesday: In Concord, Massachusetts, “Joseph-Henry Hosmer, son of Cyrus Hosmer & Lydia P. his wife was born Sept. 19. 1826” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

December 5, Tuesday: Dr. Andreas Wawruch visited Ludwig van Beethoven and diagnosed an inflammation of the lungs. The doctor would be visiting the composer daily through December 14th.

On this day and the following one the completed church building of Concord, Massachusetts’s Trinitarian Congregationalists, on Walden Street, erected by Thomas Benjamin at an expense (including a bell weighing 1,125 pounds) of between $5,000 and $6,000 at the direction of a building committee that consisted of Moses Davis, John Vose, and Ebenezer Hubbard on a lot donated by Ebenezer Hubbard, was dedicated by its initial

16 members, and a sermon “The Grand Theme of the Gospel Ministry” was delivered by the Reverend Samuel Green of Boston’s Union Church on Essex Street, which sermon would in the following year be printed by Allen & Atwill of Concord as “The Grand Theme of the Gospel Ministry; a Sermon preached at the Dedication of the Trinitarian Church in Concord, Mass., December 6, 1826. By Samuel Green.” The introductory prayer and reading of the Scriptures was by the Reverend Samuel Stearns of Bedford, the dedicatory prayer was by the Reverend John Codman, D.D. of Dorchester, and the concluding prayer by the Reverend Sewall Harding of Waltham.

The Reverend Asa Rand would preach in this new edifice until the ordination of the Reverend Daniel Starr Southmayd on April 25th, 1827. The Trinitarian meeting-house, built in 1826, is 60 feet long, 58 wide, and 22 high, with a spire of 68 feet. The entrance is at one end, and it has narrow pews facing and descending towards the pulpit, and a gallery at one end. Building committee, Moses Davis, John Vose, and Ebenezer Hubbard; builder, Thomas Benjamin; expense (including a bell weighing 1125 lbs.), between $5,000 and $6,000. It was dedicated December 6, 1826, when the Rev. Mr. Green of Boston preached a sermon, afterwards printed.46

December 18, Monday: In Concord, Massachusetts, “Charles Henry Hosmer son of John Hosmer & Mary HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

E.H. his wife was born Dec. 18th 1826” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS

46. Lemuel Shattuck’s 1835 A HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF CONCORD;.... Boston: Russell, Odiorne, and Company; Concord MA: John Stacy (On or about November 11, 1837 Henry Thoreau would indicate a familiarity with the contents of at least pages 2-3 and 6-9 of this historical study. On July 16, 1859 he would correct a date mistake buried in the body of the text.) HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

1827

March 3, Saturday: Cyrus Hosmer and Reuben Brown, Jr. became deacons of the church of the Reverend Daniel Bliss in Concord.

July 3, Tuesday: According to BIRTHS, MARRIAGES AND DEATHS OF THE TOWN OF CONCORD, MASSACHUSETTS (Groton, 1894), Rev. Charles Robinson and Jane Park both of Groton were married by Rev Dr. Ezra Ripley.

November 16, day: A death recorded in Church records that has been appended to the town records but did not appear in those official registers of the Town of Concord, Massachusetts: “Mr. Josiah Hosmer, aged 43, November 16, 1827” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS

November 23, day: In Concord, Massachusetts, “Edmund Hosmer, son of Edmund Hosmer & Sally his wife, was born Novr. 23 1827.” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS

November 24, day: In Concord, Massachusetts, “Abijah Hosmer, husband of Mary his wife, died Novr. 24, 1827. [died Nov. 17: aged 42. Gazette.]” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

Winter: Concord’s school committee consisted of the Reverend Ezra Ripley, Dr. Abiel Heywood, Esq., Deacon John White, Dr. Joseph Hunt (perhaps a son of the Joseph Hunt who had died in 1812?), and Deacon George Minott. Horatio Wood was from September 27th to August 28th the teacher of the grammar-school in the town center (among his pupils was William Stevens Robinson, and, Franklin Benjamin Sanborn would allege, John Thoreau, Jr.; in the following year he would teach instead at Newburyport) and was Edward Jarvis’s principal companion out of school and study hours, walking together on many mornings. Henry Swasey McKean had charge of the #3 “out-school” in Concord, that is, the one-room wooden school located in the Nine-acre Corner district (this was during the winter of his senior year at Harvard College).

However, the Thoreau brothers 13-year-old John Thoreau, Jr. and 9-year-old David Henry Thoreau were neither with schoolmaster McKean nor with schoolmaster Wood — they were instead being schooled at the Town School in the center district under schoolmaster Edward Jarvis to prepare them for their transfer to the Concord Academy under preceptor Phineas Allen. REVEREND HORATIO WOOD

YOU HAVE TO ACCEPT EITHER THE REALITY OF TIME OVER THAT OF CHANGE, OR CHANGE OVER TIME — IT’S PARMENIDES, OR HERACLITUS. I HAVE GONE WITH HERACLITUS.

December 1, Saturday: In Concord, Massachusetts, the filing of a Marriage Intention: “Reuben Haynes of Sudbury & Lydia Hosmer of concord, Dec. 1, 1827” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS

December 18, Tuesday: James Walker Bartlett was born, the 4th child of Dr. Josiah Bartlett and Martha Tilden Bradford Bartlett of Concord.

HOSMER “Stack of the Artist of Kouroo” Project HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

1828

May 31, Saturday: In Concord, Massachusetts, “Elijah Hosmer — 78 years — died May 31, 1828.” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS

August 5, Tuesday: In Concord, Massachusetts, the filing of a Marriage Intention: “Bradley Stone of Concord & Clarissa Hosmer of Acton, Aug. 5, 1828” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS

August 31, Sunday: Sarah Melvin was born in Concord to Charles Melvin (1) and Betsy Farrar Melvin (eventually she would get married with Isaac Buteau). THE MELVINS OF CONCORD

Friend Stephen Wanton Gould wrote in his journal: 1st day 31 of 8 M / Our Meetings were rather smaller than usual. In the forenoon Father Rodman bore a short testimony, & Silent in the Afternoon. — After tea took a walk into the Clifton burying ground, where are the remains of many of our Ancient brethren & sisters in The Church & many of our Ancestors & kinsfolk. - I like to go there some times, it brings into mind the memory of many whose character & standing in our society I venerate & love. — I reflect also that this is the last day of the Month & also of the Summer & where I may be or how situated at the end of another, is not known - a desire to be thankful for present good, & hope for more to come. — RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS

October: Hon. Luke Fiske and the Reverend Bernard Whitman spoke at the Concord annual agricultural exhibition. Exhibiters received prizes totaling $496. Agricultural Society. — This, though properly a county society, is so connected with Concord, as to deserve to be noticed in its history. The members of the Massachusetts Agricultural Society, living in the western parts of the county, met at Chelmsford, January 6, 1794, and formed a society for the “promotion of useful improvements in agriculture,” and were incorporated, February 28, 1803, as “The Western Society of Middlesex Husbandmen.” It did not include Concord, nor other towns in the easterly part of the county. Meetings were held semi-annually, alternately at Westford and Littleton, but no public exhibitions took place. The following gentlemen were successively elected Presidents; the Rev. Jonathan Newell of Stow, the Rev. Phineas Whitney of Shirley, the Rev. Edmund Foster of Littleton, HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

Ebenezer Bridge of Chelmsford, Dr. Oliver Prescott of Groton, Colonel Benjamin Osgood of Westford, Wallis Tuttle, Esq., of Littleton, and the Hon. Samuel Dana of Groton. An act was passed, February 20, 1819, authorizing any agricultural society, possessing $1,000 in funds, to draw $200 from the state treasury, and in the same proportion for a larger sum. This society accordingly voted, in the following September, to extend its operation throughout the county, and to raise funds that it might avail itself of the grant of the state. An act passed, January 24, 1824, incorporating it as “The Society of Middlesex Husbandmen and Manufacturers”; and it was agreed to have annual shows at Concord. The first was held here October 11, 1820; and they have since been annually repeated. The subjoined table exhibits the names of the presidents, orators, and amounts of premiums awarded. The names of those orators, whose addresses have been published, are printed in italics.47

October 8, day: In Concord, Massachusetts, “Stephen Dumeresque Hosmer son of John Hosmer & Mary E.H. his wife born Oct. 8th 1828” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS

47. Lemuel Shattuck’s 1835 A HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF CONCORD;.... Boston MA: Russell, Odiorne, and Company; Concord MA: John Stacy, 1835 (On or about November 11, 1837 Henry Thoreau would indicate a familiarity with the contents of at least pages 2-3 and 6-9 of this historical study. On July 16, 1859 he would correct a date mistake buried in the body of the text.) HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

1829

January 17, Saturday: In Concord, Massachusetts, “Martha Hosmer, daur. of Deacon Cyrus Hosmer & Lydia P. his wife, was born Jan. 17, 1829” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS

The Yeoman’s Gazette carried a report of an “adjourned meeting of a large number of the Citizens of Concord” which had taken place on January 7th and which had been about the planned formation of a town Lyceum.

The Reverend Waldo Emerson wrote in his journal:

I am called by an ancient and respectable church to become its pastor. I recognize in these events, ... the hand of my heavenly Father. This happiness awakens in me a certain awe: I know my imperfections: I know my ill-deserts; and the beauty of God makes me feel my own sinfulness the more.... O God direct and guard and bless me, and ... especially her [his fiancée Miss Ellen Louisa Tucker] in whom I am blessed.

In Providence, Rhode Island, Friend Stephen Wanton Gould wrote in his journal: 7th day 17th of 1 M 1829 / I trust I am under a thankful sense of the many favours & mercies which I receive from the good hand & providence of God, who I know has [?] extended kindness towards me far beyond my deserts Various occurrences to day have called to mind some very interesting Scenes & incidents of my early life, & may they long remain. — Yesterday we had a satisfactory letter from our dear John, on his acct we feel a mixture of gratitude & fear - Gratitude that he is doing as well as he is doing, & Fear as to what may befall him in his tender Years. — RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

March 11, Wednesday: Frances Jane Shattuck was born in Concord, 4th child of Daniel Shattuck and Betsey Miles Shattuck.

The Reverend Waldo Emerson was ordained as a junior pastor at the 2d Congregational (Unitarian) Church on Hanover Street in Boston.48 (His father had been pastor of the First Unitarian Church in Boston but had died early after suffering from a respiratory problem.) Finally Waldo would be able to move out of his lodgings at Divinity Hall in Cambridge, and in with George Sampson on North Allen Street in Boston (he would later board with Abel Adams on Chardon Street, nearer his church).

At 6PM Felix Mendelssohn conducted, from the piano, using for the first time a baton, the first performance of Johann Sebastian Bach’s St. Matthew Passion in nearly a century. In the alto section of the chorus was Fanny Mendelssohn. This performance, in the Berlin Singakademie, was much more successful than the original. There was a standing-room-only audience, and in attendance were the King of Prussia, Professor G.W.F. Hegel, Gaspare Spontini, Alexander von Humboldt, and Heinrich Heine.

March 18, Wednesday: According to an almanac of the period, “Decrees of amnesty for General St. Anna and his adherents, and for the general expulsion of the Spaniards from the country, passed both Houses of Congress of Mexico.” CHRONOLOGY OF EVENTS

In Concord, Massachusetts, “[43] Andrew Hosmer, son of Edmund Hosmer & Sally his wife was born March 18th, 1829.” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS Edmund Hosmer, grandson of Josiah Hosmer (4), was born about 1800 in Acton or Concord. Married, October 14, 1823, at Concord, Sally Peirce. Children, born at Concord: 1. John, born August 24, 1824, resides in Detroit. 2. Dolly, born April 9, 1826, married ———— King, of New Jersey. 3. Edmund, born November 23, 1827, resides in Missouri. 4. Andrew, resides at Mazatlán, Mexico. 5. Sarah, born January 9, 1831, married Charles M. Lunt, of Somerville, Massachusetts. 6. Mary, born April 2, 1832, married Charles Philip Lauriat, of Medford, Massachusetts. 7. Eliza, born August 23, 1833, resides in Los Angeles, California. 8. Jane, born December 29, 1835, unmarried, resides in Concord. 9. Henry, born April 7, 1837, died in Chicago. 10. Abigail Prescott, born October 1, 1839, unmarried; resides in Concord.

48. Note that “Unitarian” is a subspecies of “Congregational.” HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

September 24, Thursday: James St. Clair Morton was born, a son of Dr. Samuel George Morton (he was not a Quaker; he would graduate at the United States Military Academy on 1851, enter the Corps of Engineers, be an assistant professor of Engineering at the academy in 1855-1857; he would publish in 1856 “An Essay on Instruction in Engineering,” in 1857 “An Essay on a New System of Fortifications,” in 1858 “Memoir on Fortification,” in 1859 “Dangers and Defences of New York City,” and in 1860 “Life of Major John Saunders, of the Engineers”; he would explore the Chiriquin country of Central America for a railroad route across the isthmus in 1860 by authority of the federal Congress, and after that take charge of the work on the Washington aqueduct; he would superintend the construction of Fort Jefferson and the fortification of the Dry Tortugas off the tip of Florida during March 1861, be promoted to captain, and during May 1862 report to General Don Carlos Buell as chief engineer of the Army of the Ohio; he would become during October 1862 the chief engineer of the Army of the Cumberland, and command its bridge brigade, becoming Brigadier-General of Volunteers on November 29, 1862; he would construct the entrenchments about Murfreesboro, Tennessee, participate in the capture of Chattanooga, be wounded at Chickamauga Creek, and superintend engineering operations under General William S. Rosecrans; he would be promoted to Major of Engineers during July 1863, be chief engineer of the 9th Army Corps during the Richmond campaign of 1864, and participate in the battles of North Anna, Tolopotomy, and Bethesda Church; he would be killed in the lead of an attack during the Union assault on Petersburg, Virginia on June 17, 1864 and, posthumously, be awarded the brevet of Lieutenant-Colonel).

A-1-3-5-6-4-4 Jesse Hosmer died.

Four schools opened in Baltimore — separate schools for boys and girls in the east end, and separate schools for boys and girls in the west end.

Friend Stephen Wanton Gould wrote in his journal: 5th day Attended the Monthly Meeting in Newport which was a season of some exercise to me - feeling it my duty to enter a good deal into the concerns of buisness before them & withall my own Certificate of removal to Providence was granted. — There is that existing in R I Moy [Monthly] Meeting that excites real fear in my mind that things are getting into a dangerous state among them Oh this naughty Spirit of striving to be the greatest & of the most account in the World or society — Dined with Br David Rodman — Spent 6th & 7th days at Newport visiting my friends & attending to some buisness I had there & in the time went to Portsmouth to visit my Uncle & Aunt Stanton who were very glad to see me. - John went to Providence on 6th day & I staid till First day morning when I got on board the Steam Boat & got to the Institution so as to attend the Afternoon Meeting. — Found John & his Mother Well & enjoying the company of each other very sweetly... RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

1830

April 21, Wednesday: A birth and death recorded in Church records that has been appended to the town records but did not appear in those official registers of the Town of Concord, Massachusetts: “[Adelaide M.] Daughter of Mr. John Hosmer, 6 months old, April 21, 1830” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS

Friend Stephen Wanton Gould wrote in his journal: 4th day 21st of 4 M / Our Meeting in the family was silent & rather a low time to me. — RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

June 1, Tuesday: In England, threshers, and other agricultural machines, were impacting the lives of farm laborers so radically that they began to fire the ricks of straw in the fields. The unrest would become famous as the “Swing Riots.”

Maine’s Cumberland and Oxford Canal was completed.

In Concord, Massachusetts, this was the day of the federal census enumeration. We notice immediately that the federal government was interested in how old a white American was but considered it to be a matter of indifference, how old an American of color was.

Male Female Total

Under 5 years 151 126 277

Of 5 & under 10 119 116 235

Of 10 & under 15 104 115 219

Of 15 & under 20 116 89 205

Of 20 & under 30 192 195 387

Of 30 & under 40 124 120 244

Of 40 & under 50 80 82 162

Of 50 & under 60 48 63 111

Of 60 & under 70 30 46 76

Of 70 & under 80 26 27 53

Of 80 & under 90 11 11 22

Of 90 & under 100 0 2 2

1,001 992 1,993

Free persons of color, any age 15 13 28

1,016 1,005 2,021

Friend Stephen Wanton Gould wrote in his journal: 3rd day 1 of 6 M 1830 / To day was our Sub Committee Meeting - On the whole it was a pleasant time, tho’ some subjects were before us which interested & tried my feelings - particularly that of omiting to employ Moses Mitchell & Jos Hoag as teachers in the Boys School — They have been honest & faithful teachers & their conduct such in trying cases as has inspired my respect & confidence, & if they leave the Institution it will be with my esteem & love. — HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

The Trustees of O Browns Fund also had a Meeting & such of us as was present agreed to appoint Samuel B Tobey to the trust in the place of Maik Coffin who has been disowned by the Monthly Meeting of Nantucket - RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS

June 7, Monday: In Concord, Massachusetts, “Horace Rice Hosmer, son of Joseph Hosmer & Lydia his wife was born June 7th 1830” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS

October 9, Saturday: Felix Mendelssohn arrived in Venice.

A convict ship, the John, set sail from England for Van Diemen’s Land, Australia. Of the 200 convicts undergoing transportation, 66 had received life sentences and the average sentence was 9 years.

Harriet Goodhue Hosmer was born in Watertown, Massachusetts, a daughter of Dr. Hiram Hosmer, descended from James Hosmer of Hawkhurst, County Kent, England, one of the 63 original founders of Concord, Massachusetts in 1639, with Sarah Grant Hosmer. (Most of her life she would live and work with Charlotte Cushman in Rome, but the Harriet Hosmer collection of sculpture, including a bust titled “Hesper,” is at the Watertown Free Public Library at 123 Main Street.)

Friend Stephen Wanton Gould wrote in his journal: 7th day 9 of 10 M / This Morning our friends who left on 3rd day to attend Sandwich Quarter returned bringing with them the Satisfactory account that things went well & apprehended difficulty was averted & things probably in a better State but it is feared not long to be depeneded on RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

1831

January 9, Sunday: A new constitution was announced in Hesse-Kassel. During the celebrations Louis Spohr’s Jessonda was performed, as was a play by Niemeyer. In the play was a new hymn by Spohr: Hessens Feiergesang for chorus and winds to words of Wolf.

In Concord, Massachusetts, “Sarah Hosmer, daur. of Edmund Hosmer & Sally his wife was born Jan’y 9th, 1831” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS

Friend Stephen Wanton Gould wrote in his journal: 1st day 9th of 1st M 1831 / Our Morng Meeting was silent In the Afternoon Wm Almy was here & preached a wonderful sermon from the admirable one, preached on the Mount - grounding his remarks on “Blessed are the Meek” &c to my mind it was one of the greatest evidences of inspiration I ever heard from him. it was calculated to do good & I am fully of the belief it did do good & I was willing & desirous to take all of it that belonged to me RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS

July 30, Saturday: The Liberator.

In Concord, Massachusetts, “John Albert Hosmer son of John Hosmer & Mary E.H. his wife was born July 30th 1831” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS

Friend Stephen Wanton Gould wrote in his journal: 7th day 30 of 7 M 1831 Passed an uncomfortable forenoon at home, but got so as to be able to Walk up to Joseph Bartons & drank tea with them, which was a very pleasant & interesting visit to me RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

December 28, Wednesday: As threatened earlier in the month, the USS Lexington under Commander Silas Duncan arrived in the Falkland Islands and looted settlements, disarming and carrying away inhabitants such as one of the governor’s aides.

In Concord, Massachusetts, “Dinah Hosmer died Decr. 28, 1831 — 90” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS

Calvin Edson, the living skeleton, placed himself on exhibit in Boston for an admission fee of 25 cents.49

In Providence, Rhode Island, Friend Stephen Wanton Gould wrote in his journal: 4th day 28 of 12 M 1831 / My H being almost sick with a cold - I rode to Smithfield with Deborah Ramsdell to attend Moy [Monthly] Meeting -It was a rather low Meeting but we were favourd to transact what little buisness we had with a good degree of order Most of those who have been head were absent RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS

49. Born in Stafford, Connecticut, Edson was 42 years of age and had a wife and three children. When he had served as a soldier during the Revolutionary War, his weight had been 135 pounds and he had been 5 foot 6 inches. Since then his height had shrunk by 3 inches and he had come to weigh but 58 pounds. He was able to ride horseback and would demonstrate that he was able to lift 150 pounds. HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

1832

January 2, Monday: In Concord, Massachusetts, “Benjamin Hosmer died Janr 2d, 1832 — 81” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS

(Private Benjamin Hosmer had served in 1775 in a Concord company commanded by Lieutenant Ephraim Wheeler, in Colonel Eleazer Brooks’s regiment.)

February 2, Thursday: In the year of the publication of the 5th edition,50 Waldo Emerson began Gilbert White’s THE NATURAL HISTORY AND ANTIQUITIES OF SELBORNE.

Henry Joseph Hosmer was born in Northfield, an 8th-generation descendant of the James Hosmer (1605-1685) who had emigrated from Hawkhurst, Kent, England in 1635, settling first in Cambridge and then in Concord, Massachusetts. On December 3, 1874 he would get married with the widow Laura Alan Ballou Whiting (September 26, 1833-October 5, 1896). She would bring a daughter Florence Danforth Whiting to the marriage. This Hosmer family would reside the present 363 Main Street. He would be Treasurer and General Manager of the American Powder Company of Acton, Massachusetts. He would be a Representative to the General Court from 1884-1887, and would be from 1889-1990 a state Senator. He would be on the Concord Board of Water and Sewer Commissioners. He would be a Selectman, Treasurer of the Middlesex Institution of Savings (1893-1899), Director of the Concord National Bank (1881-1898), a Trustee of Town Donations, and a member of Concord’s Social Circle. He would also serve as Treasurer of Concord’s Home for the Aged, and in the Concord Antiquarian Society. He would die on November 14, 1902.

In Providence, Rhode Island, Friend Stephen Wanton Gould wrote in his journal: 2nd of 2nd M 1832 / Quarterly Meeting - which has been a favourd one. — The public appearances were in rotation first a few Words by Anna D Wing - then Thomas Anthony in a favoured Gospel testimony followed in one & the same tenor by Susan Howland - then after pretty good communications from Danl Clapp & Hannah Dennis The Meeting closed. — & proceeded to buisness. —very considebrable of Moment was before us - Rowland Greenes concern to pay a religious visit to the Yearly Meeting of Virginia & part of that of N Carolina was united with - several return certificates were granted to friends who had visited us in the Ministry some time past - And the appointment of Theophilus Shove by Swansey Moy [Monthly] Meeting to the Station of an Elder was concurred with — there were several acceptable religious communications in the last Meeting & some that probably might as well have been spared. — The Children all went to Meeting from the School. - The Girls were carried in Carraiges. — RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS

50. THE NATURAL HISTORY OF SELBORNE / BY THE LATE GILBERT WHITE; WITH ADDITIONS BY SIR WILLIAM JARDINE. New ed. London: Printed for Whittaker, Treacher & Co. Series title: Constable’s miscellany …; v. 45. I do not know that this was the edition which Waldo Emerson was consulting. HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

April 2, Monday: Congressman William Stanbery of Ohio was quoted in the National Intelligencer as alleging fraud by Sam Houston and John Henry Eaton.

In Concord, Massachusetts, “Mary Hosmer, daur. of Edmund Hosmer & Sally his wife was born April 2d, 1832” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS

May 17, Thursday: Setting out for America, Prince Alexander Philipp Maximilian zu Wied-Neuwied wrote to a brother that Karl Bodmer was “a lively, very good man and companion, seems well educated, and is very pleasant and very suitable for me; I am glad I picked him. He makes no demands, and in diligence he is never lacking.”

“Isaac Hosmer & Harriet Lee Hayward, both of Concord, were joined in marriage by Rev. Hersey B. Goodwin, May 17th, 1832.” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS

In Concord, Massachusetts on this day, also, formation of the Concord Mozart Society, replacing the Concord Harmonic Society (which had been a choir). The Concord Harmonic Society was formed about 1800, for the purpose of improvement in sacred music. For several years past it has not been under regular organization. May 17, 1832, the Concord Mozart Society was formed, and takes place of the other. Ephraim Willey was chosen President, Elijah Wood and Francis Hunt, Vice-Presidents, and Phineas Allen, Secretary.51

In Providence, Rhode Island, Friend Stephen Wanton Gould wrote in his journal: 5th day 17 of 5 M / In the Steam Boat Rush Light this Morng We went to Newport to make some preparations for yearly Meeting. — Found our friends Well & the House which we continue to hire of Aunt Nancy Carpenter, & in which our goods still remain - in as good order as could be expected, considering it has been left 51. Lemuel Shattuck’s 1835 A HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF CONCORD;.... Boston: Russell, Odiorne, and Company; Concord MA: John Stacy (On or about November 11, 1837 Henry Thoreau would indicate a familiarity with the contents of at least pages 2-3 and 6-9 of this historical study. On July 16, 1859 he would correct a date mistake buried in the body of the text.) HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

for a Year — On our arrival we were informd that our Son Jn S Gould had passed us in the NYork Boat from NYork on his way to Hudson to see us. — RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS

NOBODY COULD GUESS WHAT WOULD HAPPEN NEXT HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

1833

January 3, Thursday: Great Britain seized control of the Falkland Islands by landing troops and ejecting the Argentine administrators.

Karl Bodmer boarded a steamboat at Mount Vernon, Indiana, bound for New Orleans.

A birth and death recorded in Church records that has been appended to the town records but did not appear in those official registers of the Town of Concord, Massachusetts: “Son of Abel Hosmer, born & died January 3, 1833” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS

March: A survey article by the Reverend Frederic Henry Hedge appeared in The Christian Examiner, on Samuel Taylor Coleridge and the Transcendentalism of Herr Professor Immanuel Kant, Johann Gottlieb Fichte, and Friedrich von Schelling.

(no “k”) Luther Hosmer, Jr. was born in Boston to Luther J. Hosmer, Sr. and Anna L. Shaunessy Hosmer (1812-????).

March 10, Sunday: In Concord, Massachusetts, “Rufus Hosmer & Sophia S. Turner, both of Concord, were Joined in marriage by Rev. Hersey B. Goodwin March 10, 1833.” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

March 27, Wednesday: The Concord playwright John Augustus Stone having recently won another of Edwin Forrest’s play competitions for vehicles suitable for his manly stage talents, receiving a cash prize for THE ANCIENT BRITON — on this night this new prize composition of his was performed at the Arch Theater in Philadelphia. Concord must have been proud of him! (But since he would be a suicide, he has been entirely erased from the town memory.)

At the age of 21 Stephen Pearl Andrews, who had been studying law, was admitted to the Louisiana bar. TAPPAN FAMILY He would establish a law practice in New Orleans, and would there become acquainted with Lewis Tappan (at a point at which in New-York a reward was being offered for the head of Arthur Tappan).

THE AGE OF REASON WAS A PIPE DREAM, OR AT BEST A PROJECT. ACTUALLY, HUMANS HAVE ALMOST NO CLUE WHAT THEY ARE DOING, WHILE CREDITING THEIR OWN LIES ABOUT WHY THEY ARE DOING IT.

June 4, Tuesday: Waldo Emerson left Venice, back to Padua, then Milan (arriving June 6th).

Charles Babbage informed Bryan Donkin that the contractor Joseph Clement for his Calculational Engine required payment of bills for the period January 1st to March 12th. He was refusing to turn over completed parts until payments were up to date. He asked Donkin to arrange that he and Joshua Field meet with the contractor.

In Concord, Massachusetts, “Harriet Matilda Hosmer daur of John Hosmer & Mary E.H. his wife was born June 4th 1833” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS

August 23, Friday: In Concord, Massachusetts, “[53] Eliza Hosmer, daur. of Edmund Hosmer & Sally his wife was born Augt. 23d 1833” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS

HOSMER “Stack of the Artist of Kouroo” Project HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

September: A Concord Ornamental Tree Society was formed, to sponsor the planting of trees along the town streets. The 44 members included Dr. Josiah Bartlett, Squire Nathan Brooks, Deacon Reuben Brown, Stedman Buttrick, Squire Samuel Hoar, Dr. Edward Jarvis, Abel Moore, the Reverend Ezra Ripley, Daniel Shattuck, John Thoreau, Senior, and Colonel William Whiting.

September 28, day: In Concord, Massachusetts, the filing of a Marriage Intention: “John M. Cheney of Concord & Louisa P. Hosmer of Stow, Sept. 28, 1833” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS

November 17, Sunday: Cyrus Hosmer was born in Concord, Massachusetts to Cyrus Hosmer and Lydia P. Wheeler Hosmer. HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

1834

At 4 years of age, little Horace Rice Hosmer was being taught the alphabet by his 12-year-old sister Martha Putnam Hosmer, out of their mother Lydia Davis Hosmer’s NEW TESTAMENT.

March 10, Monday: The Dusseldorf Theatrical Association constituted itself to bring theater and opera to the city. In charge of directing the operas would be Felix Mendelssohn.

Nehemiah Ball, Jr. was born in Concord, 7th child of Nehemiah Ball and Mary Merriam Ball. He would be fitted for college at the Hopkins Classical School in Cambridge and would prove to be intellectually quite capable, but erratic in disposition.

Friend Stephen Wanton Gould wrote in his journal: 2nd day 10 of 3 M / Recd a letter this evening from my dear Wife at Newport - Mentioning that our beloved Sister Ruth was in a very suffering State with her breast & also that Aunt Nancy Carpenter was quite poorly. — RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS

November 29, Saturday: In Concord, Massachusetts, “Rufus Henry Hosmer son of Rufus Hosmer & Sophia his wife was born Nov. 29th 1834” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS

TRALFAMADORIANS EXPERIENCE REALITY IN 4 DIMENSIONS RATHER THAN 3 AND HAVE SIMULTANEOUS ACCESS TO PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE. THEY ARE ABLE TO SEE ALONG THE TIMELINE OF THE UNIVERSE TO THE EXACT TIME AND PLACE AT WHICH AS THE RESULT OF A TRALFAMADORIAN EXPERIMENT, THE UNIVERSE IS ANNIHILATED. BILLY PILGRIM, WHILE CAGED IN A TRALFAMADORIAN ZOO, ACQUIRES THEIR ATTITUDE TOWARD TIME, AND SO WHEN HE RETURNS TO EARTH, HE BECOMES A HISTORIAN VERY LIKE ALL OUR OTHER HISTORIANS: ALTHOUGH HE CANNOT HIMSELF SEE INTO THE FUTURE THE WAY THE TRALFAMADORIANS DO, LIKE ALL OUR OTHER HUMAN HISTORIANS DO HE PRETENDS TO BE ABLE TO SEE ALL PERIODS OF OUR PAST TRAJECTORY NOT WITH THE EYES OF THE PEOPLE WHO WERE LIVING HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

DURING THOSE PERIODS, BUT WITH THE OVERARCHING EYE OF GOD. THIS ENABLES HIM TO PRETEND TO BE VERY VERY WISE AND TO SOUND VERY VERY IMPRESSIVE!

HOSMER “Stack of the Artist of Kouroo” Project HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

1835

December 29, Tuesday: At New Echota, President Andrew Jackson, completing a removal treaty with persons representing one group of the Cherokee, declared that the white people were going to consider this treaty as binding upon the entire Cherokee nation.

In return for $5,000,000 and a promise of land in Oklahoma, all Cherokee land east of the Mississippi River would be considered to have been forfeited.

In Concord, Massachusetts, “Jane Hosmer, daur of Edmund Hosmer & Sally his wife was born Decr. 29th. 1835.” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS

Richard Henry Dana, Jr. and the Alert came to anchor in the bay of Monterey. HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

AND NOW, FOR SOMETHING ENTIRELY DIFFERENT, A REPORT FROM OUR SAILOR:

It was ten o’clock on Tuesday morning when we came to anchor. The town looked just as it did when I saw it last, which was eleven months before, in the brig Pilgrim. The pretty lawn on which it stands, as green as sun and rain could make it; the pine wood on the south; the small river on the north side; the houses, with their white plastered sides and red-tiled roofs, dotted about on the green; the low, white presidio, with its soiled, flying, and the discordant din of drums and trumpets for the noon parade; all brought up the scene we had witnessed here with so much pleasure nearly a year before, when coming from a long voyage, and our unprepossessing reception at Santa Barbara. It seemed almost like coming to a home. The only other vessel in port was the Russian government bark, from Asitka, mounting eight guns, (four of which we found to be Quakers,) and having on board the ex-governor, who was going in her to Mazatlan, and thence overland to Vera Cruz. He offered to take letters, and deliver them to the American consul at Vera Cruz, whence they could be easily forwarded to the United States. We accordingly made up a packet of letters, almost every one writing, and dating them “January 1st, 1836.” The governor was true to his promise, and they all reached Boston before the middle of March; the shortest communication ever yet made across the country. The brig Pilgrim had been lying in Monterey through the latter part of November, according to orders, waiting for us. Day after day, Captain Faucon went up to the hill to look out for us, and at last, gave us up, thinking we must have gone down in the gale which we experienced off Point Conception, and which had blown with great fury over the whole coast, driving ashore several vessels in the snuggest ports. An English brig, which had put into San Francisco, lost both her anchors; the Rosa was driven upon a mud bank in San Diego; and the Pilgrim, with great difficulty, rode out the gale in Monterey, with three anchors ahead. She sailed early in December for San Diego and intermedios. The brig Pilgrim had been lying in Monterey through the latter part of November, according to orders, waiting for us. Day after day, Captain Faucon went up to the hill to look out for us, and at last, gave us up, thinking we must have gone down in the gale which we experienced off Point Conception, and which had blown with great fury over the whole coast, driving ashore several vessels in the snuggest ports. An English brig, which had put into San Francisco, lost both her anchors; the Rosa was driven upon a mud bank in San Diego; and the Pilgrim, with great difficulty, rode out the gale in Monterey, with three anchors ahead. She sailed early in December for San Diego and intermedios. As we were to be here over Sunday, and Monterey was the best place to go ashore on the whole coast, and we had had no liberty-day for nearly three months, every one was for going ashore. HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

1836

October 11, Tuesday: Asa Messer died.

In Concord, Massachusetts, a birth record: “Mary Eliza Prince Hosmer, daughter of John & Mary E.H. Oct. 11, 1849” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

1837

April 7, Friday: The Liberator.

In Concord, Massachusetts, “Henry Hosmer, son of Edmund Hosmer & Sally his wife April 7th. 1837.” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

1838

March 24, Saturday: The Edwina left New-York bound for Mobile, Alabama, where F.A.P. Barnard was to join up with his brother, Captain John Gross Barnard.

French ships blockaded Buenos Aires to enforce indemnity claims and assist rebels in Uruguay.

In Concord, Massachusetts, “Mary [Amanda Conant] Hosmer, wife of Jesse Hosmer, died March 24th, 1838. [aged 36. g.s.]” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS

April 7, Saturday: In Concord, Massachusetts, “Patty Hosmer, relict of Cyrus Hosmer, died April 7th, 1838. [aged 67. ch. rec.]” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS

A few days after his lecture at the Concord Lyceum, Jones Very showed up again, unexpectedly, along with HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

several other Harvard students, in the company of the Professor Cornelius Conway Felton who had taught

Sophocles, Euripides, and Homer during Thoreau’s sophomore and junior years at Harvard College. Waldo Emerson promptly sent out messengers and succeeded in attracting Henry Thoreau, Ebenezer Rockwood Hoar,52 and the Reverend Barzillai Frost to help him entertain these visitors.

On a very successful concert tour, Franz Liszt left Venice for Vienna.

52. Are we quite certain this was Ebenezer Rockwood Hoar rather than his nephew Rockwood Hoar, son of George Frisbie Hoar? HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

1839

Anna Eliza Prescott was born to Phineas E. Prescott and Sarah Prescott. She would get married in 1873 at the age of 34 with Cyrus Hosmer of Concord, Massachusetts, who had been born on November 17, 1833 in Concord. Their union would produce Cyrus Joseph Hosmer IV in 1874, Ralph Prescott Hosmer in 1877, and George Salisbury Hosmer in 1879. Anna Eliza Prescott Hosmer would die during 1923 at age 84.

During roughly this year, one pupil at the Concord Academy was Thomas Hosmer of Bedford, who would grow up to be a dentist in Boston, but who at this time was walking daily to Concord for classes. Many years later, in his instar as “adult Boston dentist,” this Thomas Hosmer would write to Dr. Edward Waldo Emerson and relate of his teacher Henry Thoreau that:

I have seen children catch him by the hand, as he was going home from school, to walk with him and hear more.

This might seem surprising, since Henry’s task at the school was to teach the older pupils Latin and Greek, and Natural Philosophy, while it was his brother John who taught the younger pupils. Dr. Hosmer indicated that Thoreau’s morning talks “showed that he knew himself there to teach broadly, and to awaken thought, — not merely to hear lessons in the rudiments of letters.” He would repeat the considered advice that Henry had offered to these older lads in regard to street language: “Boys, if you went to talk business with a man, and he persisted in thrusting words having no connection with the subject into all parts of every sentence — Boot-jack, for instance, — would n’t you think he was taking a liberty with you, and trifling with your time, and wasting his own?” He then introduced the “Boot-jack” violently and frequently into a sentence, to illustrate the absurdity of street bad language in a striking way.

Another of the boys being taught in this year, presumably about 12 years of age, was the Cyrus Warren whom Thoreau would years later chance upon as a grown man walking along the sidewalk:

November 10, Monday, 1851: … In relation to politics–to society–aye to the whole out-ward world I am tempted to ask–Why do they lay such stress on a particular experience which you have had?– That after 25 years you should meet Cyrus Warren again on the sidewalk! Haven’t I budged an inch then?–53 This daily routine should go on then like those–it must be conceded–vital functions of digestion–circulation of the blood &c which in health we know nothing about. A wise man is as unconscious of the movements in the body politic as he is of digestion & the circulation of the blood in the natural body. …

April 19, Tuesday: A birth and death recorded in Church records that has been appended to the town records but did not appear in those official registers of the Town of Concord, Massachusetts: “Hon. Rufus Hosmer, of Stow, aged 61, April 19, 1839” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

April 24, Sunday: Waldo Emerson lectured at the Concord Lyceum in Concord. This was the 5th lecture of the series, “Tragedy.” THE LIST OF LECTURES

May 1, Wednesday: In England, the 1st adhesive stamp was introduced (it was a penny stamp).

Waldo Emerson lectured at the Concord Lyceum in Concord. This was the 6th lecture of the series, “Comedy.” THE LIST OF LECTURES

In his journal Henry Thoreau mentioned “Lady of the Lake” from THE COMPLETE WORKS OF SIR WALTER SCOTT, by Conner & Cooke in New-York in 1833.

May 3, Friday: In Concord, Massachusetts, a birth record: “Frederick Prescott Hosmer, son of John & Mary E.H. May 3, 1849” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS

53. Thoreau was later to copy this into his early lecture “WHAT SHALL IT PROFIT” as:

[Paragraph 61] In relation to politics, to what is called society—aye, often to the whole outward world, I am often tempted to ask—why such stress is laid on a particular experience which you have had?—that after twenty-five years you should meet Hobbins—registrar of deeds, again on the side-walk?1 Haven’t I budged an inch then?

1. There were no County Registrars of Deeds by the name of Hobbins in Massachusetts from 1823 to 1862. HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

October 19, Saturday: In Concord, Massachusetts, “Abagail Hosmer, daur. of Edmund Hosmer & Sally his wife Octr. 19th. 1839.” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS

On this Cornwallis Day –in order to avoid the excesses of military competition experienced in the previous year when the Concord Light Infantry and the Concord Artillery had hired two competing bands from Boston and had paraded on Concord Common, with each attempting to crowd out their enemy’s marching formation and tangle their enemy’s feet by the beat from a different drummer– instead of competing, the Concord Light Infantry unit and the Concord Artillery unit united and began to portray the British soldiers under the leadership of General Cornwallis. Meanwhile, the state militia, attired in clothing from attics, portrayed the

DIFFERENT DRUMMER

Americans under the leadership of General Washington. James Russell Lowell, who was present, has reported that after firing blanks at each other, these citizen soldiers adjourned to taverns to fraternize and tell war stories. (This sort of training was the only experience the soldiers would receive in fighting, and the only experience their officers would receive in ordering men to fight, prior to some training they would conduct near Manassas Junction, Virginia on July 21, 1861!) HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

THE FUTURE IS MOST READILY PREDICTED IN RETROSPECT

“Stack of the Artist of Kouroo” Project HOSMER HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

1840

February 1, Saturday: A-1-3-5-6-3-8 Jonas Hosmer died, who had been born on October 21st, 1758 and whose1st Spouse Betsy Willard had died on March 21st, 1813, who had gotten married with a 2d Spouse Abigail Sparhawk Cook who would die on February 13th, 1843. He had produced, with his 2d Spouse Abigail Sparhawk Cook Hosmer, the following offspring: A-1-3-5-6-3-8-1 Jonas Hosmer on January 5th, 1787 who had died on July 14th, 1788 A-1-3-5-6-3-8-2 Betsy Hosmer on September 28th, 1788 who had died on November 21st, 1795 A-1-3-5-6-3-8-3 Jonas Hosmer on April 14th, 1790 who had died on November 17th of that year A-1-3-5-6-3-8-4 Olive Hosmer on July 14th, 1792 who had died on August 5, 1833 unmarried A-1-3-5-6-3-8-5 Eli Hosmer on September 13th, 1794 A-1-3-5-6-3-8-6 Harriet Hosmer on July 3d, 1796 A-1-3-5-6-3-8-7 Hiram Hosmer on September 4th, 1798 A-1-3-5-6-3-8-8 Joseph W. Hosmer on February 21st, 1800 who had died on March 29th, 1800 A-1-3-5-6-3-8-9 Isabella Hosmer on February 6th, 1801 A-1-3-5-6-3-8-10 Alfred Hosmer on November 7th, 1802 A-1-3-5-6-3-8-11 Edwin Hosmer on March 7th, 1805 A-1-3-5-6-3-8-12 Elbridge Hosmer on September 28th, 1807 HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

1841

February 17, Wednesday: In Concord, Massachusetts, a birth record: “Adelaide Ophelia Hosmer, daughter of John & Mary E.H. Feb’y 17, 1841” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

1842

May 7, Saturday: Frederick Douglass spoke in Dudley, Massachusetts.

In Concord, Massachusetts, “Rufus Henry Hosmer son of Rufus Hosmer & Sophia, aged 7 yrs Died May 7, 1842.” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

1844

May 18, Saturday: In Concord, Massachusetts, a birth record: “—— Hosmer, daughter Nathan S. & Ruth, May 18, 1844”54 CONCORD TOWN RECORDS

An announcement of regret for the closing of THE DIAL appeared in the New-York Daily Tribune, noting that that journal had been “sustained for three years by the free-will contributions of” Waldo Emerson, Margaret Fuller, Ellery Channing, the Reverend Theodore Parker, Charles Lane, Charles A. Dana, Henry Thoreau, Elizabeth Palmer Peabody, “and others of the deepest thinkers and most advanced minds of our country.”55

Here then are the accumulated issues of this publication, from midyear 1840 to midyear 1844: THE DIAL, 1840 THE DIAL, 1841 THE DIAL, 1842 THE DIAL, 1843 THE DIAL, 1844

May 21, Tuesday: In Concord, Massachusetts, a birth record: “[Edward M.] Hosmer, son of John & Eliza, May 21, 1844” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS

May 22, Wednesday: In Concord, Massachusetts, a birth record: “Edward Mortimer Hosmer, son of John & Mary E.H. May 22, 1844” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS

Documentation of the international slave trade, per W.E. Burghardt Du Bois: “Suppression of the Slave- Trade on the coast of Africa: Message from the President, etc.” –HOUSE DOCUMENT, 28 Cong. 1 sess. VI. No. 263.

It was Abba Alcott’s 14th wedding anniversary. W.E. Burghardt Du Bois: The enhanced price of slaves throughout the American slave market, brought about by the new industrial development and the laws against the slave-trade, was the irresistible temptation that drew American capital and enterprise into that traffic. In the United States, in spite of 54. “This should read Nathan Henry Hosmer, son of Nathan S. & Ruth.” 55. There would be a successor magazine, and one of the first principles of this successor magazine would be that no contribution would ever be accepted from Thoreau — his participation would be ruled out categorically from the get-go. HDT WHAT? INDEX

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the large interstate traffic, the average price of slaves rose from about $325 in 1840, to $360 in 1850, and to $500 in 1860.56 Brazil and Cuba offered similar inducements to smugglers, and the American flag was ready to protect such pirates. As a result, the American slave-trade finally came to be carried on principally by United States capital, in United States ships, officered by United States citizens, and under the United States flag. Executive reports repeatedly acknowledged this fact. In 1839 “a careful revision of these laws” is recommended by the President, in order that “the integrity and honor of our flag may be carefully preserved.”57 In June, 1841, the President declares: “There is reason to believe that the traffic is on the increase,” and advocates “vigorous efforts.”58 His message in December of the same year acknowledges: “That the American flag is grossly abused by the abandoned and profligate of other nations is but too probable.”59 The special message of 1845 explains at length that “it would seem” that a regular policy of evading the laws is carried on: American vessels with the knowledge of the owners are chartered by notorious slave dealers in Brazil, aided by English capitalists, with this intent.60 The message of 1849 “earnestly” invites the attention of Congress “to an amendment of our existing laws relating to the African slave-trade, with a view to the effectual suppression of that barbarous traffic. It is not to be denied,” continues the message, “that this trade is still, in part, carried on by means of vessels built in the United States, and owned or navigated by some of our citizens.”61 Governor Buchanan of Liberia reported in 1839: “The chief obstacle to the success of the very active measures pursued by the British government for the suppression of the slave-trade on the coast, is the American flag. Never was the proud banner of freedom so extensively used by those pirates upon liberty and humanity, as at this season.”62 One well-known American slaver was boarded fifteen times and twice taken into port, but always escaped by means of her papers.63 Even American officers report that the English are doing all they can, but that the American flag protects the trade.64 The evidence which literally poured in from our consuls and ministers at Brazil adds to the story of the guilt of the United States.65 It was proven that the participation of United States citizens in the trade was large and systematic. One of the most notorious slave merchants of Brazil said: “I am worried by the Americans, who insist upon my 56. Cf. United States census reports; and Olmsted, COTTON KINGDOM. 57. HOUSE JOURNAL, 26th Congress, 1st session, page 118. 58. HOUSE JOURNAL, 27th Congress, 1st session, pages 31, 184. 59. HOUSE JOURNAL, 27th Congress, 2d session, pages 14, 15, 86, 113. 60. SENATE JOURNAL, 28th Congress, 2d session, pages 191, 227. 61. HOUSE EXECUTIVE DOCUMENTS, 31st Congress, 1st session, III. pt. I. No. 5, page 7. 62. Foote, AFRICA AND THE AMERICAN FLAG, page 152. 63. Foote, AFRICA AND THE AMERICAN FLAG, pages 152-3. 64. Foote, AFRICA AND THE AMERICAN FLAG, page 241. 65. Cf. e.g. HOUSE DOCUMENTS, 28th Congress, 2d session, IV. pt. I. No. 148; 29th Congress, 1st session, III. No. 43; HOUSE EXECUTIVE DOCUMENTS, 30th Congress, 2d session, VII. No. 61; SENATE EXECUTIVE DOCUMENTS, 30th Congress, 1st session, IV. No. 28; 31st Congress, 2d session, II. No. 6; 33d Congress, 1st session, VIII. No. 47. HDT WHAT? INDEX

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hiring their vessels for slave-trade.”66 Minister Proffit stated, in 1844, that the “slave-trade is almost entirely carried on under our flag, in American-built vessels.”67 So, too, in Cuba: the British commissioners affirm that American citizens were openly engaged in the traffic; vessels arrived undisguised at Havana from the United States, and cleared for Africa as slavers after an alleged sale.68 The American consul, Trist, was proven to have consciously or unconsciously aided this trade by the issuance of blank clearance papers.69 The presence of American capital in these enterprises, and the connivance of the authorities, were proven in many cases and known in scores. In 1837 the English government informed the United States that from the papers of a captured slaver it appeared that the notorious slave-trading firm, Blanco and Carballo of Havana, who owned the vessel, had correspondents in the United States: “at Baltimore, Messrs. Peter Harmony and Co., in New York, Robert Barry, Esq.”70 The slaver “Martha” of New York, captured by the “Perry,” contained among her papers curious revelations of the guilt of persons in America who were little suspected.71 The slaver “Prova,” which was allowed to lie in the harbor of Charleston, South Carolina, and refit, was afterwards captured with two hundred and twenty-five slaves on board.72 The real reason that prevented many belligerent Congressmen from pressing certain search claims against England lay in the fact that the unjustifiable detentions had unfortunately revealed so much American guilt that it was deemed wiser to let the matter end in talk. For instance, in 1850 Congress demanded information as to illegal searches, and President Fillmore’s report showed the uncomfortable fact that, of the ten American ships wrongly detained by English men-of- war, nine were proven red-handed slavers.73 The consul at Havana reported, in 1836, that whole cargoes of slaves fresh from Africa were being daily shipped to Texas in American vessels, that 1,000 had been sent within a few months, that the rate was increasing, and that many of these slaves “can scarcely fail to find their way into the United States.” Moreover, the consul acknowledged that ships frequently cleared for the United States in ballast, taking on a cargo at some secret point.74 When with these facts we consider the law facilitating “recovery” of slaves from Texas,75 the repeated refusals to regulate the Texan trade, and the shelving of a proposed congressional investigation into these matters,76 66. Foote, AFRICA AND THE AMERICAN FLAG, page 218. 67. Foote, AFRICA AND THE AMERICAN FLAG, page 221. 68. Palmerston to Stevenson: HOUSE DOCUMENTS, 26th Congress, 2d session, V. No. 115, page 5. In 1836 five such slavers were known to have cleared; in 1837, eleven; in 1838, nineteen; and in 1839, twenty-three: HOUSE DOCUMENTS, 26th Congress, 2d session, V. No. 115, pages 220-1. 69. PARLIAMENTARY PAPERS, 1839, Volume XLIX., SLAVE TRADE, class A, Further Series, pages 58-9; class B, Further Series, page 110; class D, Further Series, page 25. Trist pleaded ignorance of the law: Trist to Forsyth, HOUSE DOCUMENTS, 26th Congress, 2d session, V. No. 115. 70. HOUSE DOCUMENTS, 26th Congress, 2d session, V. No. 115. 71. Foote, AFRICA AND THE AMERICAN FLAG, page 290. 72. HOUSE DOCUMENTS, 26th Congress, 2d session, V. No. 115, pages 121, 163-6. 73. SENATE EXECUTIVE DOCUMENTS, 31st Congress, 1st session, XIV No. 66. HDT WHAT? INDEX

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conjecture becomes a practical certainty. It was estimated in 1838 that 15,000 Africans were annually taken to Texas, and “there are even grounds for suspicion that there are other places ... where slaves are introduced.”77 Between 1847 and 1853 the slave smuggler Drake had a slave depot in the Gulf, where sometimes as many as 1,600 Negroes were on hand, and the owners were continually importing and shipping. “The joint-stock company,” writes this smuggler, “was a very extensive one, and connected with leading American and Spanish mercantile houses. Our island78 was visited almost weekly, by agents from Cuba, New York, Baltimore, Philadelphia, Boston, and New Orleans.... The seasoned and instructed slaves were taken to Texas, or Florida, overland, and to Cuba, in sailing-boats. As no squad contained more than half a dozen, no difficulty was found in posting them to the United States, without discovery, and generally without suspicion.... The Bay Island plantation sent ventures weekly to the Florida Keys. Slaves were taken into the great American swamps, and there kept till wanted for the market. Hundreds were sold as captured runaways from the Florida wilderness. We had agents in every slave State; and our coasters were built in Maine, and came out with lumber. I could tell curious stories ... of this business of smuggling Bozal negroes into the United States. It is growing more profitable every year, and if you should hang all the Yankee merchants engaged in it, hundreds would fill their places.”79 Inherent probability and concurrent testimony confirm the substantial truth of such confessions. For instance, one traveller discovers on a Southern plantation Negroes who can speak no English.80 The careful reports of the Quakers “apprehend that many [slaves] are also introduced into the United States.”81 Governor Mathew of the Bahama Islands reports that “in more than one instance, Bahama vessels with coloured crews have been purposely wrecked on the coast of Florida, and the crews forcibly sold.” This was brought to the notice of the United States authorities, but the district attorney of Florida could furnish no information.82 Such was the state of the slave-trade in 1850, on the threshold of the critical decade which by a herculean effort was destined

74. Trist to Forsyth: HOUSE DOCUMENTS, 26th Congress, 2d session, V. No. 115. “The business of supplying the United States with Africans from this island is one that must necessarily exist,” because “slaves are a hundred per cent, or more, higher in the United States than in Cuba,” and this profit “is a temptation which it is not in human nature as modified by American institutions to withstand”: HOUSE DOCUMENTS, 26th Congress, 2d session, V. No. 115. 75. STATUTES AT LARGE, V. 674. 76. Cf. STATUTES AT LARGE, V., page 157, note 1. 77. Buxton, THE AFRICAN SLAVE TRADE AND ITS REMEDY, pages 44-5. Cf. 2D REPORT OF THE LONDON AFRICAN SOCIETY, page 22. 78. I.e., Bay Island in the Gulf of Mexico, near the coast of Honduras. 79. REVELATIONS OF A SLAVE SMUGGLER, page 98. 80. Mr. H. Moulton in SLAVERY AS IT IS, page 140; cited in FACTS AND OBSERVATIONS ON THE SLAVE TRADE (Friends’ ed. 1841), page 8. 81. In a memorial to Congress, 1840: HOUSE DOCUMENTS, 26th Congress, 1st session, VI. No. 211. 82. BRITISH AND FOREIGN STATE PAPERS, 1845-6, pages 883, 968, 989-90. The governor wrote in reply: “The United States, if properly served by their law officers in the Floridas, will not experience any difficulty in obtaining the requisite knowledge of these illegal transactions, which, I have reason to believe, were the subject of common notoriety in the neighbourhood where they occurred, and of boast on the part of those concerned in them”: BRITISH AND FOREIGN STATE PAPERS, 1845-6, page 990. HDT WHAT? INDEX

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finally to suppress it.

July 3, Wednesday: In Concord, Massachusetts, a record of a marriage: “Cap. Silas Hosmer & Sarah W. Bailey, both of Concord, July 3, 1844” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS

July 9, Tuesday: Margaret Fuller arrived in Concord. Margaret “Greta” Fuller Channing had just been born to Ellery Channing and Ellen Kilshaw Fuller Channing on May 2d. HDT WHAT? INDEX

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October 15, Tuesday: Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche was born to a Lutheran pastor Karl Ludwig Nietzsche and a former teacher Franziska Nietzsche in Röcken near Leipzig, Prussia. The family considered itself not German but Polish (the name “Nietzschy” derives from “Nikolaus”).

In Concord, Massachusetts, a record of a death: “Asa Hosmer, aged 62 y. Oct. 15, 1844” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS

Robert Chambers confessed in a letter to a friend that he had made the experiment of reading aloud a chapter from the anonymous sensation VESTIGES OF THE NATURAL HISTORY OF CREATION to the novelist Catherine Crowe.

At just about this same time (it was a Saturday walk at midmonth) George Combe the noted phrenologist suggested to Chambers that he should be reading VESTIGES —a book Combe was presently studying which Chambers would surely find agreeable. HDT WHAT? INDEX

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October 29, Tuesday: Isaac Hecker wrote to the Reverend Orestes Augustus Brownson:

After my union with the Church was fully completed I asked myself what now is my next step? What can I do? The idea of a pilgramage siezed me with much force and had I succeeded in getting a comrade in all probability I should not now be here. I did not, and the project is delayed probably to die forever at least in that form.

Copied from a gravestone in Concord’s Sleepy Hollow burying ground: “Mary D. Hosmer, aged 2 mo.; daughter of Isaac, October 29, 1844” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS HDT WHAT? INDEX

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1845

Nahum Ball Onthank painted a portrait of Annie Hosmer of Concord, Massachusetts, at the age of 3.

The only personage I am able to identify in the Concord Town Records Book that more or less matches this “Annie” would be “Adelaide Ophelia Hosmer, daughter of John & Mary E.H., Feb’y. 17, 1841.” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS

LIFE IS LIVED FORWARD BUT UNDERSTOOD BACKWARD? — NO, THAT’S GIVING TOO MUCH TO THE HISTORIAN’S STORIES. LIFE ISN’T TO BE UNDERSTOOD EITHER FORWARD OR BACKWARD.

“Stack of the Artist of Kouroo” Project HOSMER HDT WHAT? INDEX

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January 27, Sunday: The fee for a Magnetic Telegraph Company telegram message of 10 words between New-York and Philadelphia was set at $0.25. The company’s daily business gross began at about $25 but they reassured themselves that within a few months they would be able to double that gross, to about $50 worth of message TELEGRAPHY traffic per day.

In Concord, Massachusetts, a record of a death: “Ruth Hosmer, aged 39 y. wife of Nathan S. Jan. 27, 1845” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS

President John Tyler signed the bill HR 432 into law, the stated purpose of which was to reduce election fraud. (Holding local and national elections on the same day would mean that voters would be less able to cross over into other districts to vote fraudulently. Thus, in one election in the Kansas Territory, the date was deliberately set for the day of the presidential election so that Missourians would stay in Missouri to vote for president rather than crossing into Kansas to vote on the slavery issue.) This bill had been sponsored by Representative Duncan of Ohio at the 2nd session of the 28th Congress (a similar bill had in the previous year passed the House but not the Senate). What this actually would accomplish would be to institute, by the election of 1848, our present timing conventions for presidential contests. The effort to substitute for the proposed November election date a date in early December (mainly because of the inconvenience this would cause in South Carolina where electors were still chosen by the legislature and the legislature was not customarily in session this early in a winter) had been overcome.

The first election to be scheduled per this new election calendar, our current one, would occur in 1848. Would Thoreau care? No, Thoreau had no intention ever to vote.

March 2, Sunday: In Concord, Massachusetts, a birth record: “[Ella Sophia] Hosmer, daughter of Rufus & Sophia, HDT WHAT? INDEX

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March 2, 1845” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS HDT WHAT? INDEX

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A Sunday in early September: Joseph Hosmer, Jr. related, long afterward, that “Early in September, 1845, (can it be so long,) on his [Henry Thoreau’s] invitation I spent a Sunday at his lake side retreat, as pure and delightful as with my mother. The building was not then finished, the chimney had no beginning — the sides were not battened, or the walls plastered. EMERSON’S SHANTY TIMELINE OF WALDEN

A 19th-Century Irish shanty in the Merrimack Valley It stood in the open field, some thirty rods from the lake, and the “Devil’s Bar,” and in full view of it.... The entrance to the cellar was thro’ a trap door in the center of the room. The king- post was an entire tree, extending from the bottom of the cellar to the ridge-pole, upon which we descended, as the sailors do into the hold of a vessel.... The cooking apparatus was primitive and consisted of a hole made in the earth and inlaid with stones, upon which the fire was made, after the manner at the sea-shore, when they have a clam-bake. When sufficiently hot remove the smoking embers and place on the fish, frog, etc. Our bill of fare included roasted horn pout, corn, beans, bread, salt, etc. Our viands were nature’s own, “sparkling and bright.” ... The beans had been previously cooked. The meal for our bread was mixed with lake water only, and when prepared it was spread upon the surface of a thin stone used for the purpose and baked, — (as illustrated.) ... When the bread had been sufficiently baked the stone was removed, then the fish placed over the hot stones and roasted — some in wet paper and some without– and when seasoned with salt, were delicious.

George William Curtis and James Burrill Curtis were brothers who lived for a time on the Hosmer farm on HDT WHAT? INDEX

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Lincoln Road. They had helped Henry Thoreau build his shanty on Walden Pond and Thomas Blanding suggests that they are likely candidates for the following tale from “The Village” in WALDEN:

WALDEN: Several times, when a visitor chanced to stay into the PEOPLE OF evening, and it proved a dark night, I was obliged to conduct him WALDEN to the cart-path in the rear of the house, and then point out to him the direction he was to pursue, and in keeping which he was to be guided rather by his feet than his eyes. One very dark night I directed thus on their way two young men who had been fishing in the pond. They lived about a mile off through the woods, and were quite used to the route. A day or two after one of them told me that they wandered about the greater part of the night, close by their own premises, and did not get home till toward morning, by which time, as there had been several heavy showers in the mean while, and the leaves were very wet, they were drenched to their skins. I have heard of many going astray even in the village streets, when the darkness was so thick that you could cut it with a knife, as the saying is. Some who live in the outskirts, having come to town a-shopping in their wagons, have been obliged to put up for the night; and gentlemen and ladies making a call have gone half a mile out of their way, feeling the sidewalk only with their feet, and not knowing when they turned. It is a surprising and memorable, as well as valuable experience, to be lost in the woods any time.

JAMES BURRILL CURTIS GEORGE WILLIAM CURTIS Since George William Curtis has related a similar incident, it seems likely that he was the companion mentioned in “The Ponds”:

WALDEN: In warm evenings I frequently sat in the boat playing the PEOPLE OF flute, and saw the perch, which I seemed to have charmed, hovering WALDEN around me, and the moon travelling over the ribbed bottom, which was strewed with the wrecks of the forest. Formerly I had come to this pond adventurously, from time to time, in dark summer nights, with a companion, and making a fire close to the water’s edge, which we thought attracted the fishes, we caught pouts with a bunch of worms strung on a thread; and when we had done, far in the night, threw the burning brands high into the air like skyrockets, which, coming down into the pond, were quenched with a loud hissing, and we were suddenly groping in total darkness. Through this, whistling a tune, we took our way to the haunts of men again. But now I had made my home by the shore.

GEORGE WILLIAM CURTIS HDT WHAT? INDEX

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However, Thoreau’s friend George would later remember this as having happened, not at the pond, but on the Concord River.

During a heavy thundershower either of the spring or of the fall (Thoreau does not specify which),

WALDEN: In one heavy thunder shower the lightning struck a large pitch-pine across the pond, making a very conspicuous and perfectly regular spiral groove from top to bottom, an inch or more deep, and four or five inches wide, as you would groove a walking-stick. I passed it again the other day, and was struck with awe on looking up and beholding that mark, now more distinct than ever, where a terrific and resistless bolt came down out of the harmless sky eight years ago.

October 6, Monday: In Concord, Massachusetts, a birth record: “Susan Drew Snow Hosmer, daughter of Silas & Sarah W. Oct. 6, 1845” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS HDT WHAT? INDEX

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1846

March 7, Saturday: In Concord, Massachusetts, a record of a marriage: “Isaac L. Hosmer (age 28) & Mary C. Sawin (age 19), both of Concord, March 7, 1846” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS

August 25, Tuesday: Mayor John K. Haberfield of Bristol, England politely mentioned that some readers of the NARRATIVE doubted that Frederick Douglass could have written it. (There is nothing in the newspaper report of the Bristol Mercury and Western Counties Advertiser to indicate that Douglass, in his address in the Victoria Rooms, attempted in any way to ease this doubt that had been politely mentioned to him. He seems not to have referred to his book at all, or even to writing in general.)

In Concord, Massachusetts, a record of a death: “Amelia Hosmer, aged 61 y. widow of Rufus, Aug. 25, 1846” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS

Giuseppe Acerbi, Italian traveller, nature investigator, and diplomat died.

Luke Halloran died and was buried in the Tooele Valley, near present-day Grantsville, Utah. HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

1848

January 29, Sunday: In Concord, Massachusetts, a birth record: “Silas Albertus Hosmer, son of Silas & Sarah W. Jan’y 28, 1848” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS

February 28, Monday: Louis-Napoléon Bonaparte left London for Paris. The United States became the initial government to recognize the new French Republic. The deed was accomplished by Minister Richard Rush without authority from Washington DC (when they would hear of it, at the end of the following month, the President and Secretary of State would concur).

In Concord, Massachusetts, a record of a death: “Patty B. Hosmer, aged 72 y. wife of Nathan, Feb. 28, 1848” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS

April 15, Saturday: Giuseppe Garibaldi had been in Uruguay to avoid a death sentence. He, 56 men, two cannon, and 800 muskets donated by the government of Uruguay sailed from Montevideo for Italy. At this point they were unaware that there had been an uprising in Milan (they would acquire this news in mid-Atlantic from a passing ship).

In Concord, Massachusetts, a birth record: “Forrest Gaylord Hosmer, son of Luther & Ann L. April 15, 1848” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS

At midnight, Daniel Drayton and Captain Edward Sayres set off down the Potomac River from Washington DC to some land of freedom and justice for all, with 76 escaping slaves in the 54-ton bay schooner Pearl. Captain Sayres, the owner of the Pearl, was in charge of the ship and its 1-man crew, a young sailor and cook named Chester English. Drayton had chartered the vessel for $100 and was in charge of arranging for the “cargo.” He would later write that he always believed in the nobility of the cause although he was in fact also being paid for his services. Two days before departure the three white men had brought the Pearl to a secluded spot near the Seventh Street wharf. The slaves belonged to “41 of the most prominent families in Washington and Georgetown and were valued at $100,000.” Among those aboard were Mary and Emily Edmondson, black, sisters. The Pearl would need to travel undetected more than 100 miles down the Potomac River to the Chesapeake Bay, then another 120 miles up the bay, across the Delaware Canal and along the Delaware River to New Jersey, a free state (they would be apprehended on April 16th). HDT WHAT? INDEX

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June 15, Thursday: Waldo Emerson delivered the 5th of his 6-lecture series “The Mind and Manners in the Nineteenth Century” at the Marylebone Literary and Scientific Institution in London, with his friend Thomas Carlyle still stuck in the audience. This one was on “Poetry and Eloquence” (he was in favor of both poetry and eloquence) and, as it was merely a reworked earlier lecture rather than containing new materials, it wasn’t too bad. THE LIST OF LECTURES

In Concord, Massachusetts, a record of a marriage: “Andrew J. Harlow (age 24) of Rochester, N.Y. & Martha Hosmer (age 19) of Concord, June 15, 1848” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS

At about the midpoint of the month Walt Whitman arrived back in Brooklyn, his newspaper work in New Orleans having been abandoned. He would, until 1854, be doing newspaper work in Brooklyn and on Manhattan. He would also be doing carpentering jobs, building houses, selling stationery, and attempting some freelance writing.

September 6, Wednesday: August Bondi started for the United States with his parents.

In Boston, the Free Soil State convention.

Copied from a gravestone in Concord’s Sleepy Hollow burying ground: “Sarah P. Hosmer, aged 6 yrs.; adopted daughter of Sarah V. Hosmer, September 6, 1848” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS HDT WHAT? INDEX

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1849

February 19, Monday: In Concord, Massachusetts, a birth record: “Emma Antoinette Hosmer, daughter of John & Mary E.H. Feb’y 19, 1849” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS

Henry Thoreau was written to by Nathaniel Hawthorne in Salem. My dear Thoreau, The managers request that you will lecture before the Salem Lyceum on Wednesday evening after next — that is to say, on the 28th inst. May we depend on you? Please to answer immediately, if conve- nient. Mr Alcott delighted my wife and me, the other evening, by announc- ing that you had a book in press. I rejoice at it, and nothing doubt of such success as will be worth having. Should your manuscripts all be in the printers' hands, I suppose you can reclaim one of them, for a single evening's use, to be returned the next morning; — or per- haps that Indian lecture, which you mentioned to me, is in a state of forwardness. Either that, or a continuation of the Walden experi- ment (or, indeed, anything else,) will be acceptable. We shall expect you at 14, Mall-street. Very truly Yours, Nathl Hawthorne.

19 of 2 mo 1849: Bernard Barton died. Lucy Barton allied with Edward J. Fitzgerald to produce a selection of her father’s materials, POEMS AND LETTERS OF BERNARD BARTON, SELECTED BY LUCY BARTON, WITH A BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICE BY EDWARD FITZGERALD (this was long before Fitzgerald had even so much as heard of the Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam). “THE QUAKER POET”

February 23, Friday: In Concord, Massachusetts, a birth record: “Frank Bacon Hosmer, son of Joseph Jr. & Martha, Feb’y 23, 1849” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS

July 3, Tuesday: As French troops entered Rome, Giuseppe Garibaldi began his retreat across Italy.

In Concord, Massachusetts, a record of a marriage: “Nathan S. Hosmer (age 38) & Sophia Wheeler (age 35) both of Concord, July 3, 1849” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER HDT WHAT? INDEX

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1850

March 28, Thursday: The defense continued its case in re the Commonwealth of Massachusetts v. John White Webster.

In Concord, Massachusetts, a birth record: “Densmore Bailey Hosmer, son of Silas & Sarah W. March 28, 1850” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS

April 11, Thursday: David Hosmer died at the age of 81, who had been born on February 27th, 1769 in Concord, Massachusetts to Samuel Hosmer and Anne Hosmer. He was the older brother of Asahel Hosmer and had been the husband of Annice Burgess Hosmer (1782-1805) who had given birth in 1803 to a son Luther J. Hosmer, Sr., and then to a 2d wife who would outlive him, Sarah Partridge Hosmer (1804-1860).

April 23, Tuesday: In Concord, Massachusetts, a record of a birth and death: “Sophia Hosmer, still-born, daughter of Nathan & Sophia, Apr. 23, 1850” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS

Lysander Spooner recounted to Gerrit Smith an unpleasant experience he had recently had in the practice of law. The police of Washington DC had arrested William L. Chaplin and some others, them of having aided Robert Toombs and Alexander Stephens, slaves, in their escape. Chaplin’s bail was set at $19,000 by Maryland authorities and $6,000 by Washington authorities, and the abolitionists who raised the bail money had retained Spooner as his defense attorney. When Chaplin escaped to New-York with a girlfriend, the bail the abolitionist had put up was forfeited (left with nobody to defend, Spooner resigned from the case).

In Arizona, John Glanton and his gang of professional scalphunters were surrounded and killed by the Yuma. Over the previous couple of years Glanton’s gang had killed approximately a thousand native Americans, earning roughly $100,000 by turning in their scalps for the Mexican government’s reward. Since they also sold Mexican and anglo scalps as native American scalps, the United States of America had been offering a $75,000 reward for their capture (the Yuma, being colored people, would of course not be eligible for such a monetary reward from the government — however, Fort Yuma would be named in their honor).

William Wordsworth died at Rydal Mount, Grasmere, Westmorland at the age of 80. Alfred, Lord Tennyson would be chosen to succeed him as Poet Laureate. (The Poet Laureate of England was considered a life member of the Royal Household, charged with creating occasional verse upon occasion, but no longer received his traditional annual award of one “pipe,” or double-hogshead cast containing 126 gallons, of Canary wine. The monarchy, which had begun that practice in 1630, had for reasons unknown discontinued it as of 1790.) POETS LAUREATE

“WHAT SHALL IT PROFIT”: The ways by which you may get money almost without exception lead downward. To have done anything by which you earned money merely is to have been truly idle or worse. If the laborer gets no more than the wages which his employer pays him, he is cheated, he cheats himself. If you would get money as a writer or lecturer, you must be popular, which is to go down perpendicularly. Those services which the community will most readily pay for it is most disagreeable to render. You are paid for being HDT WHAT? INDEX

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something less than a man. The State does not commonly reward a genius any more wisely. Even the poet- laureate would rather not have to celebrate the accidents of royalty. He must be bribed with a pipe of wine; and perhaps another poet is called away from his muse to gauge that very pipe. As for my own business, even that kind of surveying which I could do with most satisfaction my employers do not want. They would prefer that I should do my work coarsely and not too well, ay, not well enough. When I observe that there are different ways of surveying, my employer commonly asks which will give him the most land, not which is the most correct.

April 26, Friday: In Concord, Massachusetts, a birth record: “Not named, still-born, daughter of Nathan S. & Sophia Hosmer, April 26, 1850” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

June 7, Friday: In Concord, Massachusetts, a record of a death: “Bela Hosmer, aged 69 y. son of Elijah & Sarah, June 7, 1850” CONCORD TOWN RECORDS

The Frolic, under Captain Edward H. Faucon, in the service of Samuel Russell & Co. of Shanghai and Boston, left Hong Kong destined for San Francisco. This opium-running is a period in Richard Henry Dana, Jr.’s favorite captain’s life upon which Dana has not considered it important to report in any great detail, choosing instead to report extensively on the putative disappearance of a “French John” character he had put in his “boys’ book” who definitely did not appear on any of the ship’s crew lists and who may very well have never existed outside the realm of the literary imagination.

TWO YEARS BEFORE THE MAST: Captain Faucon, who took out the Alert, and brought home the Pilgrim, spent many years in command of vessels in the Indian and Chinese seas, and was in our volunteer navy during the late war, commanding several large vessels in succession, on the blockade of the Carolinas, with the rank of lieutenant. He has now given up the sea, but still keeps it under his eye, from the piazza of his house on the most beautiful hill in the environs of Boston. I have the pleasure of meeting him often. Once, in speaking of the Alert’s crew, in a company of gentlemen, I heard him say that that crew was exceptional: that he had passed all his life at sea, but whether before the mast or abaft, whether officer or master, he had never met such a crew, and never should expect to; and that the two officers of the Alert, long ago shipmasters, agreed with him that, for intelligence, knowledge of duty and willingness to perform it, pride in the ship, her appearance and sailing, and in absolute reliableness, they never had seen their equal. Especially he spoke of his favorite seaman, French John. John, after a few more years at sea, became a boatman, and kept his neat boat at the end of Granite Wharf, and was ready to take all, but delighted to take any of us of the old Alert’s crew, to sail down the harbor. One day Captain Faucon went to the end of the wharf to board a vessel in the stream, and hailed for John. There was no response, and his boat was not there. He inquired of a boatman near, where John was. The time had come that comes to all! There was no loyal voice to respond to the familiar call, the hatches had closed over him, his boat was sold to another, and he had left not a trace behind. We could not find out even where he was buried. HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

1851

Squire Samuel Hoar represented Harvard College before the Massachusetts Legislature, and was credited by President James Walker with having “saved it.”

When the Reverend Professor Francis Bowen resigned as professor of history at Harvard, Richard Hildreth applied for that post (his attacks on the “Cambridge party” probably had rendered this a hopeless pursuit; Harvard simply has never ever functioned, and presumably will never ever function, in any mode other than that of self-congratulation).

Late in this year, William Elliott’s son William Elliott, Jr. left Harvard.

Alfred Winslow Hosmer was born in Concord to Nathan S. Hosmer and Sophia Hosmer. He would have a younger brother Herbert W. Hosmer.

At this point Horace Rice Hosmer gave up on the Democratic Party: “I voted for freedom every time until Hayes made me tired.”

James Kendall Hosmer matriculated at Harvard.

NEW “HARVARD MEN” HDT WHAT? INDEX

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1854

March 30, Thursday: 1st Lieutenant John Wynn Davidson, who was commanding a reinforced company under orders to locate a fugitive band of Jicarilla Apaches and keep them from fleeing westward across the Rio Grande, disobeyed orders and attacked the Jicarilla camp on a ridge near Cieneguilla (present-day Pilar, New Mexico). They soon found themselves surrounded in a basin below the village, and in the fight every member of the 15- man Company F detachment was killed or wounded. The hard campaigning of 1854 would leave the exhausted men of Company F with threadbare uniforms, played-out horses and damaged equipment. Nevertheless, Colonel Thomas Turner Fauntleroy would plan to send Company F of the 1st US Regiment of Dragoons back into the field early in the following year. WHITE ON RED, RED ON WHITE

Henry Thoreau went to the Island at 6 AM. Later in the day, he read an article on the zoologist Étienne Geoffrey Saint-Hilaire in the January issue of Westminster Review, entitled “Le Principe des Connexions.”

March 30. 6 A.M.— To Island. First still hour since the afternoon of the 17th. March truly came in like a lamb and went out like a lion this year. Remarkably and continuously pleasant weather from the very first day till the lath. Apparently an early spring, –buds and birds well advanced,– then suddenly very severe cold and high winds cold enough to skim the river over in broad places at night, and commencing with the greatest and most destructive gale for many a year, felt far and wide; and it has never ceased to blow since till this morning. Vegetation is accordingly put back. The ground these last cold (thirteen) days has been about bare of snow, but frozen. Some had peas and potatoes in before it. First half of month very pleasant and mild spring weather, last half severe winter cold and high winds, The water at its highest, –not very high,– this month on the 17th. Ducks have been lurking in sheltered places not frozen. Robins feed along the edge of the river. At the Island I see and hear this morning the cackle of a pigeon woodpecker at the hollow poplar; had heard him tapping distinctly from my boat’s place 1/4+ of a mile. Great flocks of tree sparrows and some F. hyemalis on the ground and trees on the Island Neck, making the air and bushes ring with their jingling. The former –some of them– say somewhat like this: a eke eke, ter twee twee, tweer tweer twa. It sounded like a new bird. The black ducks seem always to rise with that loud, hoarse croaking — quacking. The river early is partly filled with thin, floating, hardly cemented ice, occasionally turned on its edge by the wind and sparkling in the sun. If the sun had kept out of the way one day in the past fortnight, I think the river would have frozen to bear. Read an interesting article on Etienne Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire, the friend and contemporary of Cuvier, though opposed to him in his philosophy. He believed species to be variable. In looking for anatomical resemblances he found that he could not safely be guided by function, form, structure, size, color, etc., but only by the relative position and mutual dependence of organs. Hence his Le Principe des Connexions and his maxim, “An organ is sooner destroyed than transposed,” — “tin organ eat plutot altere, atrophie, aneanti, que transpose.” A principal formula of his was, “Unity of Plan, Unity of Composition.” Concord Mar. 30th ’54 The undersigned, wishing to enjoy equal advantages with their fel- low countrymen at a distance, earnestly request, that Mr Emerson will read to the Lyceum as many of the lectures which he has read abroad the past winter as may be convenient for him, including the one on Poetry; though they promise to repay him only with an eager attention. Henry D. Thoreau[ ] N. A. Barrett Josephine Hosmer A. Merrick HDT WHAT? INDEX

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[LP.] Cheney [J.M. Cheney] [FM Mackay] N. Brooks Samuel Hoar[ ] Josiah Bartlett Mary M. Brooks Anne M. Whiting Geo[]M. Brooks Louisa J. Whiting[ ] [A. D. Frye] Sophia E. Thoreau[ ] John H Bent John Thoreau Cynthia D[.] Thoreau JW. Walcott John [Brown] Jr [B.N. Holden] Alvan Pratt— Cyrus Peirce Albert Stacy Rufus Hosmer Jonas Hastings James Giles [Da]nl. Shattuck Charles Bowers A[C] Collier Moses Pritchard Julius M. Smith [ ] Cyrus Warren N[.] Henry[] Warren Nancy Warren Elijah Wood Jr O.[L.] Page Francis Monroe [F.]A. Wheeler Saml. Staples F.E. Bigelow L [May]

WALDO EMERSON ALBERT STACY HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

April 4, Tuesday: A week after declaration of war, Mikhail Ivanovich Glinka left Paris for Russia.

The 2d Regiment of Dragoons under Lieutenant Colonel Philip St. George Cooke defeated the Jicarilla Apaches at the canyon of Ojo Caliente.

The police raided a fandango house on Pacific Street between Stockton Street and Dupont Street in San Francisco, and arrested 11 men and 14 women under this municipality’s new anti-prostitution ordinance (evidently these people were suspected of having been up to no good). CALIFORNIA HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

Joseph Tussaud returned to London with a head-chopping machine that he had procured from Clément Sanson. This “guillotine” was to become a part of Madame Tussaud’s Waxworks.

HEADCHOPPING

Henry Thoreau spent all day surveying an Acton woodlot belonging to Abel Hosmer near the railroad and the road to Stow, Jessie Willis, George Wright, Joel Conant, (?) Adams, Asa Parker and the area just west of the Damon Mill land. HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

View Henry Thoreau’s personal working drafts of his surveys courtesy of AT&T and the Concord Free Public Library: http://www.concordlibrary.org/scollect/Thoreau_Surveys/Thoreau_Surveys.htm

(The official copy of this survey of course had become the property of the person or persons who had hired this Concord town surveyor to do their surveying work during the 19th Century. Such materials have yet to be recovered.)

View this particular personal working draft of a survey in fine detail: http://www.concordlibrary.org/scollect/Thoreau_Surveys/58a.htm

An article by John Russell Bartlett appeared in the New York Herald, on pages 5 and 6, entitled “The Aboriginal Semi-civilization of the Great California Basin, with a Refutation of the popular theory of the Northern Origin of the Aztecs of Mexico,” on the migration of Aztecs and the distribution of Native Americans in the Great Basin region, from which Thoreau would copy into his eighth Indian Notebook.

American and English ships began to land forces at Shanghai to protect American interests during Chinese civil strife. This would continue until June 17th. US MILITARY INTERVENTIONS

May 3, Wednesday: Henry Thoreau went in the morning rain by boat to Nawshawtuct.

He wrote to a Hosmer, we believe to Edmund Hosmer (although we do not have this letter but only a narrow strip torn from a draft of the letter).

C.H. Tracy surveyed the town of Ravenswood, near San Francisco. CALIFORNIA HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

November 5, Sunday: In the Crimea, the Battle of the Inkerman heights. The Russian army surprised the British when they attacked east of Sevastopol. A combined British and French defense managed to stave off the assault but the fighting left 15,000 total casualties. Both sides would settle in for a long siege.

Antonín Dvorák was apprenticed to a butcher in Zlonice, Bohemia.

Eugene V. Debs was born.

Henry Thoreau and Charles Wheeler went past the mouth of John Hosmer’s hollow near the river (Gleason G5), met Hosmer and Anthony Wright there investigating the pit left by somebody’s recent “pirate-treasure” digging in the sand, and went on to White Pond (Gleason J4).83

83. NOTE: Not the same person as the Charles Stearns Wheeler classmate who at this point had been dead for over a decade. Refer to Albert Gallatin Wheeler, Jr.’s THE GENEALOGICAL HISTORY OF THE WHEELER FAMILY IN AMERICA (Boston 1914). Also: Willett, Martha Miller: CONCORD TO WAUKESHA: THE ANCESTRY OF PAUL HOLLAND WHEELER AND AMANDA WHEELER ROSE. Brooklyn NY: M.M. Willett, 1983. Wheeler, Henry Warren. WHEELER AND WARREN FAMILIES DESCENDANTS OF GEORGE WHEELER, CONCORD, MASS., 1638, THROUGH DEACON THOMAS WHEELER, CONCORD, 1696, AND OF JOHN WARREN, BOSTON, MASS., 1630, THROUGH EBENEZER WARREN, LEICESTER, MASS., 1744. Albany NY: J. Munsell’s Sons, 1892. Tolman, George. THE WHEELER FAMILIES OF OLD CONCORD, MASS. Concord Antiquarian Society, 1970. Molyneaux, Myrtelle W. THE WHEELER FAMILY OF CRANFIELD, ENGLAND, AND CONCORD, MASSACHUSETTS, AND SOME DESCENDANTS OF SGT. THOMAS WHEELER OF CONCORD. Long Beach CA : M.W. Molyneaux, 1992. Wheeler, Henry Martyn. GENEALOGY OF SOME OF THE DESCENDANTS OF OBADIAH WHEELER OF CONCORD. Worcester MA, F.P. Rice, 1898. Wheeler, Joseph Lewis. SOME DE[S]CENDENTS OF SERGEANT THOMAS WHEELER OF CONCORD, MASS., 1640-1969. Benson VT, 1969. HDT WHAT? INDEX

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1855

February 19, Monday: Henry Thoreau replied to Elizabeth Oakes Smith.

In this letter Thoreau commented on his regard for the relation between time and eternity:

As for the good time that is coming, let us not forget that there is a good time going too, and see that we dwell on that eternal ridge between the two that neither comes nor goes. The sermon of February 14th had not been well received, and would not again be attempted until Thoreau obtained a more receptive and capable audience at the Eagleswood community on Raritan Bay in New Jersey in November 1856. Thoreau noted in his journal:

February 19. Rufus Hosmer says that in the year 1820 (?) there was so smooth and strong an icy crust on a very deep snow that you could skate everywhere over the fields and for the most part over the fences. Sam Potter’s father, moving into town, turned off into the fields with a four(?)-horse team as soon as he had crossed Wood’s Bridge and went directly across to Deacon Hubbard’s. When Wood’s Bridge was carried off upstream, it was landed against Hubbard’s land. Showed me where his grandfather, Nathan Hosmer, who lived in the old house still standing on Conantum, was drowned when crossing the river on the ice from town, just below the bridge since built Many will complain of my lectures that they are transcendental. “Can’t understand them.” “Would you have us return to the savage state?” etc., etc. A criticism true enough, it may be, from their point of view. But the fact is, the earnest lecturer can speak only to his like, and the adapting of himself to his audience is a mere compliment which he pays them. If you wish to know how I think, you must endeavor to put yourself in my place. If you wish me to speak as if I were you, that is another affair I think it was about a week ago that I saw some dead honey-bees on the snow The water is about a foot deep on the Jimmy Miles road. E. Conant thinks that the Joe Miles causeway is rather worse than Hubbard’s in respect to water. Rice and some others always say “cassey” for causeway. Conant was cutting up an old pear tree which had blown down by his old house on Conantum. This and others still standing, and a mulberry tree whose stump remains, were set anciently with reference to a house which stood in the little peach orchard near by. The only way for Conant to come to town when the water is highest is by Tarbell’s and Wood’s on the stone bridge, about a mile and a half round It is true when there is no snow we cannot so easily see the birds, nor they the weeds.

February 20. I have caught anot.her of those mice of February 16th and secured it entire, — a male. Whole length...... 6 1/2 inches Head, from the nose to the ears....1 inch Tail...... 3 1/8 inches HDT WHAT? INDEX

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Longest of the whiskers...... 1 5/8 inches. Hind legs the longest, though only the feet, about three quarters of an inch in length, are exposed, without the fur. Of the fore legs a little more is exposed than the hands, or perhaps four to five eighths of an inch, claws concealed in tufts of white hair. The upper jaw projects about half an inch beyond the lower. The whole upper parts are brown, except the ears, from the snout to the tip of the tail, — dark-brown on the top of the head and back and upper side of the tail, reddish-brown or fawn or fox (?) colored on the sides. Tail hairy and obscurely ringed. The whole lower parts white, including the neat white feet and under side of tail. The irregular waving line along the sides, forming the boundary between the brown and the white, very sharply defined from side of the snout to the tip of the tail. Above brown, beneath white very decidedly. The brown of the sides extends down by a triangular point to the last joint or foot of the fore legs and to the same or heels of the hind ones, or you may say the white of the belly extends upward on the sides between the legs in a broad bay. The ears are large, broad and roundish, five eighths of an inch long, ash or slate-colored, thin and bare except at base. The reddish brown and the white are the striking colors. It is in the attitude of hopping, its thighs drawn up and concealed in the fur and its long hind feet in the same plane with its buttocks, while the short fore feet appear like hands. Fur dark slate, under both brown and white hair. The droppings black, say one sixth inch long, cylindrical. Some of the whiskers are dark, some whitish. It has a rather large head, apparently curving forward or downward [Vide Mar. 12th.]. A very slight and delicate tinge of yellowish beneath between the fore legs It is undoubtedly the Arvicola Emmonsii of De Kay. It is a very pretty and neat little animal for a mouse, with its wholesome reddish-brown sides distinctly bounding on its pure white belly, neat white feet, large slate- colored ears which suggest circumspection and timidity, — ready to earth itself on the least sound of danger, — long tail, and numerous whiskers. This was caught in a dry and elevated situation, amid shrub oaks. It apparently, like the other, came up through a hole in the snow at the foot of a shrub oak (Quercus ilicifolia) This tawny or reddish-brown color which belongs to the king of beasts and to the deer, singular that it should extend to this minute beast also [Vide [p.202].Vide Mar. 10th.]! A strong wind drying the earth which has been so very wet. The sand begins to be dry in spots on the railroad causeway. The northerly wind blows me along, and when I get to the cut I hear it roaring in the woods, all reminding me of March, March. The sides of the cut are all bare of snow, and the sand foliage is dried up. It is decided March weather, and I see from my window the bright-blue water here and there between the ice and on the meadow. The quadrupeds which I know that we have herein Concord are (vide Emmons, p.5):— Of Order Family CARNIVORA.—VESPERTILIONIDÆ. One. Have we more of the three in the State? SORICIDÆ Have we any? TALPIDÆ Condylura longicaudata, Star-nose Mole. Have we not another of the three moles? URSIDÆ Procyon lotor, the Raccoon. CANIDÆ Vulpes fulvus. MUSTELIDÆ Mustela martes, Pine Marten. Putorius vison, the Mink. Putorius vulgaris, Reddish Weasel. Putonus Noveboracensis, Ermine Weasel. Lutra Canadensis, Otter. Mephitis Americana. RODENTIA CASTORIDÆ Fiber zibethicus. LEPORIDÆ Lepus Americanus. Lepus Virginianus. MUSCIDÆ (altered to MUBIDÆ on Arvicola hirsutus, p. 59) Meadow Mouse, probably. (His albo-rufescens only a variety according to Audubon and Bachman.) Arvicola Emmonii [Mus leucopus.] Mus musculus, Common Mouse Mus rattus (?), Black Rat Mus decumanus, Wharf Rat, Brown Rat Arctomys monax, Woodchuck Sciurus lucotis, Little Gray Squirrel Sciurus Hudsonius Sciurus striatus Pteromys volucella Have we the Gerbillus Canadensis, Jumping mouse? According to this we have at least twenty-one and perhaps twenty-six quadrupeds, — five and possibly six HDT WHAT? INDEX

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families of the Order Carnivora, and three families of the Order Rodentia; none of the Order Ruminantia. Nearly half of our quadrupeds belong to the Muridæ, or Rat Family, and a quarter of them to the Mustelidæ, or Weasel Family. Some, though numerous, are rarely seen, as the wild mice and moles. Others are very rare, like the otter and raccoon. The striped squirrel is the smallest quadruped that we commonly notice in our walks in the woods, and we do not realize, especially in summer, when their tracks are not visible, that the aisles of the wood are threaded by countless wild mice, and no more that the meadows are swarming in many places with meadow CAT mice and moles. The cat brings in a mole from time to time, and we see where they have heaved up the soil in the meadow. We see the tracks of mice on the snow in the woods, or once in a year one glances by like a flash through the grass or ice at our feet, and that is for the most part all that we see of them Though all the muskrat-cabins will be covered by an early rise of the river in the fall, you will yet see the greater part of them above the ice in midwinter, however high the water may be I frequently detect the track of a foreigner by the print of the nails in his shoes, both in snow and earth; of an india-rubber, by its being less sharply edged, and, most surely, often, by the fine diamond roughening of the sole. How much we infer from the dandy’s narrow heel-tap, while we pity his unsteady tread, and from the lady’s narrow slipper, suggesting corns, not to say consumption. The track of the farmer’s cowhides, whose carpet-tearing tacks in the heel frequently rake the ground several inches before his foot finds a restingplace, suggests weight and impetus.

February 21, Wednesday: Henry Thoreau made a comment in his journal about “invalids who have weak lungs, who think they may weather it till summer now,” suggesting that for some time he had been struggling with a bad cold.

February 21. Another Arvicola Emmonsii, a male; whole length six inches, tail three inches. This is very little reddish on the sides, but general aspect above dark-brown; though not iron-gray, yet reminding me of that; yet not the less like the hue of beasts in a menagerie. This may be a last year’s mouse Audubon and Bachman say that when “it sheds its hair late in spring... it assumes a bluish gray tint, a little lighter than that of the common mouse.” JOHN JAMES AUDUBON P. M.—To Fair Haven Hill via Cut. A clear air, with a northwesterly, March-like wind, as yesterday. What is the peculiarity in the air that both the invalid in the chamber and the traveller on the highway say these are perfect March days? The wind is rapidly drying up earth, and elevated sands already begin to look whitish. How much light there is in the sky and on the surface of the russet earth! It is reflected in a flood from all cleansed surfaces which rain and snow have washed, — from the railroad rails and the mica in the rocks and the silvery latebræ of insects there, — and I never saw the white houses of the village more brightly white. Now look for an early crop of arrowheads, for they will shine When I have entered the wooded hollow on the east of the Deep Cut, it is novel and pleasant to hear the sound of the dry leaves and twigs, which have so long been damp and silent, more worn and lighter than ever, crackling again under my feet, — though there is still considerable snow about, along wall-sides. etc.,— and to see the holes and galleries recently made by the mice (?) in the fine withered grass of such places, the upper aralia hollow there. I see the peculiar softened blue sky of spring over the tops of the pines, and, when I am sheltered from the wind, I feel the warmer sun of the season reflected from the withered grass and twigs on the side of this elevated hollow A warmth begins to be reflected from the partially dried ground here and there in the sun in sheltered places very cheering to invalids who have weak lungs, who think they may weather it till summer now. Nature is more genial to them. When the leaves on the forest floor are dried, and begin to rustle under such a sun and wind as these, the news is told to how many myriads of grubs that underlie them! When I perceive this dryness under my feet, I feel as if I had got a new sense, or rather I realize what was incredible to me before, that there is a new life in Nature beginning to awake, that her halls are being swept and prepared for a new occupant. It is whispered through all the aisles of the forest that another spring is approaching. The wood mouse listens at the mouth of his burrow, and the chickadee passes the news along We now notice the snow on the mountains, because on the remote rim of the horizon its whiteness contrasts with the russet and darker hues of our bare fields. I looked at the Peterboro mountains with my glass from Fair Haven Hill. I think that there can be no more arctic scene than these mountains in the edge of the horizon completely crusted over with snow, with the sun shining on them, seen through a telescope over bare, russet fields and dark forests, with perhaps a house on some remote, bare ridge seen against them. A silver edging, or ear-like handle, to this basin of the world. They look like great loaves incrusted with pure white sugar; and I HDT WHAT? INDEX

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think that this must have been the origin of the name “sugar-loaf” sometimes given to mountains, and not on account of their form. We look thus from russet fields into a landscape still sleeping under the mantle of winter. We have already forgotten snow, and think only of frosted cake. The snow on the mountains has, in this case, a singular smooth and crusty appearance, and by contrast you see even single evergreens rising here and there above it and where a promontory casts a shadow along the mountains’ side. I saw what looked like a large lake of misty bluish water on the side of the further Peterboro mountain, its edges or shore very distinctly defined. This I concluded was the shadow of another part of the mountain. And it suggested that, in like manner, what on the surface of the moon is taken for water may be shadows. Could not distinguish Monadnock till the sun shone on it I saw a train go by, which had in front a dozen dirtcars [from] somewhere up country, laden apparently with some kind of earth (or clay?); and these, with their loads, were thickly and evenly crusted with unspotted snow, a part of that sugary crust I had viewed with my glass, which contrasted singularly with the bare tops of the other cars, which it had hitched on this side, and the twenty miles at least of bare ground over which they had rolled. It affected me as when a traveller comes into the house with snow on his coat, when I did not know it was snowing How plain, wholesome, and earthy are the colors of quadrupeds generally! The commonest I should say is the tawny or various shades of brown, answering to the russet which is the prevailing color of the earth’s surface, perhaps, and to the yellow of the sands beneath. The darker brown mingled with this answers to the darker- colored soil of the surface. The white of the polar bear, ermine weasel, etc., answers to the snow; the spots of the pards, perchance, to the earth spotted with flowers or tinted leaves of autumn; the black, perhaps, to night, and muddy bottoms and dark waters. There are few or no bluish animals Can it be true, as is said, that geese have gone over Boston, probably yesterday? It is in the newspapers [Henry Hosmer tells me (Mar. 17th) that he saw several flocks about this time!].

March 1, Thursday: Henry Thoreau wrote to Ann E. Brown.

Concord Feb. 29th ’55 Mrs. Brown, Dear Madam, Though I failed to recognise you last evening in the dusky entry, I as- sure you that I have not forgotten a pleasant call which I made at your house some years ago. Yrs truly Henry D. Thoreau

Thoreau for the 8th time (Dr. Bradley P. Dean has noticed) deployed in his journal a weather term that had been originated by Luke Howard: “I did well to walk in the forenoon, the fresh and inspiring half of this bright day, for now, at midafternoon, its brightness is dulled, and a fine stratus is spread over the sky.”

March 1. 10 A.M. — To Derby’s Bridge and return by Sam Barrett’s, to see ice cakes and meadow crust. The last day for skating. It is a very pleasant and warm day, the finest yet, with considerable coolness in the air, however, — winter still. The air is beautifully clear, and through [it] I love to trace at a distance the roofs and outlines of sober-colored farmhouses amid the woods. We go listening for bluebirds, but only hear crows and chickadees. A fine seething air over the fair russet fields. The dusty banks of snow by the railroad reflect a wonderfully dazzling white from their pure crannies, being melted into an uneven, sharp, wavy surface. This more dazzling white must be due to the higher sun. I see some thick cakes of ice where an ice-car has broken up. In one I detect a large bubble four inches in diameter about a foot beneath the upper surface and six inches HDT WHAT? INDEX

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from the lower. In confirmation of my theory, the grain of the ice, as indicated by the linear bubbles within it,

was converging beneath this bubble, as the rays of light under a burning-glass, and what was the under surface at that time was melted in a concave manner to within one and a half inches of the bubble, as appeared by the curvature in the horizontal grain of the more recently formed ice beneath. I omit to draw the other horizontal grain. The situation of this bubble also suggests that ice perhaps increases more above than below the plane of its first freezing in the course of a winter, by the addition of surface water and snow ice. Examined again the ice and meadow-crust deposited just south of Derby’s Bridge. The river is almost down to summer level there now, being only three to four feet deep at that bridge. It has fallen about eight feet since February 17. The ice is piled up there three or four feet deep, and no water beneath, and most of the cakes, which are about one foot thick, have a crust of meadow of equal thickness (i.e. from six inches to a foot) attached beneath. I saw in one place three cakes of ice each with a crust of meadow frozen to it beneath, lying one directly upon another and all upon the original ice there, alternately ice and meadow, and the middle crust of meadow measured twenty eight by twenty-two feet. In this case the earth was about six inches thick only for the most part, three to four feet high in all above original ice. This lay on a gentle ridge or swell between the main Derby Bridge and the little one beyond, and it suggested that that swell might have been thus formed or increased. As we went down the bank through A. Hosmer’s land we saw great cakes, and even fields of ice, lying up high and dry where you would not suspect otherwise that water had been. Some have much of the withered pickerel- weed, stem and leaves, in it, causing it to melt and break up soon in the sun. I saw one cake of ice, six inches thick and more than six feet in diameter, with a cake of meadow of exactly equal dimensions attached to its under side, exactly and evenly balanced on the top of a wall in a pasture forty rods from the river, and where you would not have thought the water ever came. We saw three white maples about nine inches in diameter which had been torn up, roots and sod together, and in some cases carried a long distance. One quite sound, of equal size, had been bent flat and broken by the ice striking it some six or seven feet from the ground. Saw some very large pieces of meadow lifted up or carried off at mouth of G.M. Barrett’s Bay. One measured seventy-four by twenty-seven feet. Topped with ice almost always, and the old ice still beneath. In some cases the black, peaty soil thus floated was more than one and a half feet thick, and some of this last was carried a quarter of a mile without trace of ice to buoy it, but probably it was first lifted by ice. Saw one piece more than a rod long and two feet thick of black, peaty soil brought from I know not where. The edge of these meadow-crusts is singularly abrupt, as if cut with a turf-knife. Of course a great surface is now covered with ice on each side of the river, under which there is no water, and we go constantly getting in with impunity. The spring sun shining on the sloping icy shores makes numerous dazzling ice-blinks, still brighter, and prolonged with rectilinear

sides, in the reflection. I am surprised to find the North River more frozen than the South, and we can cross it in many places. I think the meadow is lifted in this wise: First, you have a considerable freshet in midwinter, succeeded by severe cold before the water has run off much. Then, as the water goes down, the ice for a certain width on each side the river meadows rests on the ground, which freezes to it [Or rather all the water freezes where it is shallow and the grass is frozen into it. Vide Mar. 11th.]. Then comes another freshet, which rises a little higher than the former. This gently lifts up the river ice, and that meadow ice on each side of it which still has water under it, without breaking them, but overflows the ice which is frozen to the bottom. Then, after some days of thaw and wind, the latter ice is broken up and rises in cakes, larger or smaller with or without the meadow-crust beneath it, and is floated off before the wind and current till it grounds somewhere, or melts and so sinks, frequently three cakes one upon another, on some swell in the meadow or the edge of the upland. The ice is thus with us a wonderful agent in changing the aspect of the surface of the river-valley. I think that there has been more meadow than usual moved this year, because we had so great a freshet in midwinter succeeded by severe cold, HDT WHAT? INDEX

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and that by another still greater freshet before the cold weather was past. Saw a butcher-bird, as usual on top of a tree, and distinguished from a jay by black wings and tail and streak side of head. I did well to walk in the forenoon, the fresh and inspiring half of this bright day, for now, at midafternoon, its brightness is dulled, and a fine stratus is spread over the sky. Is not “the starry puff (Lycoperdon stellatum)” of the “Journal of a Naturalist,” which “remains driving about KNAPP the pastures, little altered until spring,” my five-fingered fungus? The same tells of goldfinches (Fringilla carduelis) (Bewick calls it the “thistle-finch”) “scattering all over the turf the down of the thistle, as they pick out the seed for their food.” It is singular that in this particular it should resemble our goldfinch, a different bird. BEWICK’S LAND BIRDS

March 10, Saturday: Some of the specimens accumulated by Benedict Jaeger may have been consumed in a fire which destroyed the entire interior of Nassau Hall at Princeton University (it is possible that some turtles and some stuffed anteaters survived the conflagration by having been on display at the time in Philosophy Hall).

Jacob B. Farmer gave Henry Thoreau a part of an animal foot (probably of a pine marten).

March 10. Snowed in the night, a mere whitening. In the morning somewhat overcast still, cold and quite windy. The first clear snow to whiten the ground since February 9th. I am not aware of growth in any plant yet, unless it be the further peeping out of willow catkins. They have crept out further from under their scales, and, looking closely into them, I detect a little redness along the twigs even now. You are always surprised by the sight of the first spring bird or insect; they seem premature, and there is no such evidence of spring as themselves, so that they literally fetch the year about. It is thus when I hear the first robin or bluebird or, looking along the brooks, see the first water-bugs out circling. But you think, They have come, and Nature cannot recede. Thus, when on the 6th I saw the gyrinus at Second Division Brook, I saw no peculiarity in the water or the air to remind me of them, but to-day they are here and yesterday they were not. I go looking deeper for tortoises, when suddenly my eye rests on these black circling appleseeds in some smoother bay. The red squirrel should be drawn with a pine cone. Those reddening leaves, as the checkerberry, lambkill, etc., etc., which at the beginning of winter were greenish, are now a deeper red, when the snow goes off. No more snow since last night, but a strong, cold northerly wind all day, with occasional gleams of sunshine. The whitening of snow consequently has not disappeared. Miss Minott says that Dr. Spring told her that when the sap began to come up into the trees, i. e. about the middle of February (she says), then the diseases of the human body come out. The idea is that man's body sympathizes with the rest of nature, and his pent-up humors burst forth like the sap from wounded trees. This with the mass may be that languor or other weakness commonly called spring feelings. Minott tells me that Henry Hosmer says he saw geese two or three days ago! Jacob Farmer gave me to-day a part of the foot probably of a pine marten, which he found two or three days ago in a trap he had set in his brook for a mink, — under water, baited with a pickerel. It is clothed above with a glossy dark-brown hair, and contains but two toes (perhaps a third without the talon), armed with fine and very sharp talons, much AUDUBON curved. It had left thus much in the trap and departed. Audubon and Bachman call my deer mouse “Mus Leucopus, Rafinesque,” American White-Footed Mouse; call it “yellowish brown above” and give these synonyms: “Mus Sylvaticus, Forster, Phil. Trans., vol. Ixii., p. 380. Field-Rat, Penn., Hist. Quad., vol. ii., p. 185. Field-Rat, Arctic Zool., vol. i., p. 131. Musculus Leucopus, Rafinesque, Amer. Month. Review, Oct. 1818, p. 444. Mus Leucopus, Desmar. Mamm., esp. 493. Mus Sylvaticus, Harlan, Fauna, p. 151. Mus Agrarius, Godm., Nat. Hist., vol. ii., p. 88. Mus Leucopus, Richardson, F. B. A., p. 142. Arvicola Nuttallii, Harlan, variety. Arvzcola Emmonsii, Emm., Mass. Report, p. 61. Mus Leucopus, Dekay, Nat. Hist. N. Y., pl. 1, p. 82." By fur he does not mean the short inner hair only. Says they are larger in Carolina than in the Eastern States, but he does not describe any larger than mine. “Next to the common mouse, this is the most abundant and widely diffused species of mouse in North America. We have received it ... from every State in the Union, and from Labrador, Hudson's Bay, and the Columbia River.” Has found it “taking up its abode in a deserted squirrel's nest, thirty feet from the earth.” “They have been known to take possession of deserted birds' nests — such as those of the cat-bird, red-winged starling, song thrush, or red-eyed flycatcher.” “We have also occasionally found their nests on bushes, from five to fifteen feet from the ground. They are in these cases constructed with nearly as much art and ingenuity as the nests of the Baltimore Oriole.” Of some he has, says, “They are seven inches in HDT WHAT? INDEX

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length and four in breadth, the circumference measuring thirteen inches; they are of an oval shape and are outwardly composed of dried moss and a few slips of the inner bark of some wild grape-vine; other nests are more rounded, and are composed of dried leaves and moss.” Thinks two pairs live in some very large ones. “The entrance in all the nests is from below, and about the size of the animal.” Female sometimes escapes with her young adhering to her teats. “Nocturnal in its habits.” Only sound he has heard from them “a low squeak.” Not so carnivorous as “most of its kindred species.” Troubles trappers by getting their bait. Lays up “stores of grain and grass seeds,” acorns, etc. In the North, wheat; in the South, rice. Eats out the heart of Indian corn kernels. Thinks it produces two litters in a season in the North and three in the South. Foxes, owls, etc., destroy it. Thinks the ermine weasel its most formidable foe. Thinks it sometimes occupies a chipping squirrel's hole. Thinks that neither this nor the mole does much injury to garden or farm, but rather “the little pinemouse (Arvicola pinetorum, Le Conte), or perhaps Wilson's meadow-mouse (Arvicola Pennsylvanica, Ord, A. hirsutus, Emmons, and Dekay).” Yet Northern farmers complain that the deer mouse gnaws young fruit trees, etc.; maybe so. Avoids houses, at least those where there are wharf rats and cats. Observed this afternoon some celandine by Deacon Brown's fence, apparently grown about an inch. Vide if it is really springing.

March 11, Sunday: The body of Tsar Nikolai I was taken from the Winter Palace to the Cathedral of the Fortress of SS. Peter and Paul. Accompanying it were members of the Cadet School, including Modest Musorgsky.

In the afternoon Henry Thoreau went to Annursnack Hill (Gleason D3).

March 11. P.M. — To Annursnack. Clear and rather pleasant; the ground again bare; wind northerly. I am surprised to see how rapidly that ice that covered the meadows on the 1st of March has disappeared under the influence of the sun alone. The greater part of what then lay on the meadows a foot thick has melted, — two thirds at least. On Abel Hosmer’s pasture, just southeast of the stone bridge, I see where the sod was lifted up over a great space in the flood of the 17th of February. There is one bare place there, showing only the fine and now white roots of grass, seven rods long by two or three. There are other smaller ones about it. The sod carried off is from four to six inches thick commonly. Pieces of this crust, from a quarter to a third the size mentioned, are resting within ten or twenty rods. One has sunk against the causeway bridge, being too wide to go through. I see one piece of crust, twelve feet by six, turned completely topsyturvy with its ice beneath it. This has prevented the ice from melting, and on examining it I find that the ice did not settle down on to the grass after the water went down and then freeze to it, for the blades of grass penetrate one inch into the ice, showing that, the water being shallow, the whole froze, and the grass was frozen in, and thus, when the water rose again, was lifted up. The bared places I have noticed as yet were not in the low ground, but where the water was comparatively shallow, commonly at a distance from the river [Vide (p. 245)]. A bluebird day before yesterday in Stow [Next page.]. Saw a cake of recent ice very handsomely marked as it decayed, with darker marks for the original crystals centred with the original white. It would be a rare pattern for a carpet, because it contains a variety of figures agreeable to the eye without regularity. Many of those dirty-white millers or ephemeræ in the air. As I sit at the base of Annursnack the earth appears almost completely bare, but from the top I see considerable white ice here and there. This shows that what is left is only the whitened and rotting ice, which, being confined to the lowest hollows and meadows, is only observed from a height. At this season, — before grass springs to conceal them, — I notice those pretty little roundish shells on the tops of hills; one to-day on Annursnack. I see pitch pine needles looking as if whitewashed, thickly covered on each of the two slopes of the needle with narrow, white, oyster-shell-like latebræ or chrysalids of an insect. HDT WHAT? INDEX

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March 17, Saturday: In the New-York Times:

TIMELINE OF WALDEN HDT WHAT? INDEX

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March 17. Saturday. H. Hosmer says he has seen black ducks. Edmund Hosmer's meadow, i. e. the Hunt house meadow, is covered with great pieces of meadow, the largest thick and dense cranberry meadow. It is piled three or four feet high for several rods. Higher up on the North Branch I see where the trees, especially the swamp white oaks, have been chafed smooth and white by the ice (at that time), from the ground to three or four feet (six in some cases), as if scraped with a hoe, and the bushes all along the shore — willows, alders, etc., etc. (blueberry swamps in some places) — have been more or less broken down. I hear the lesser redpolls yet [The last.]. See now along the edge of the river, the ice being gone, many fresh heaps of clamshells, which were opened by the musquash when the water was higher, about some tree where the ground rises. And very many places you see where they formed new burrows into the bank, the sand being pushed out into the stream about the entrance, which is still below water, and you feel the ground undermined as you walk. White maple blossom-buds look as if bursting; show a rusty, fusty space, perhaps a sixteenth of an inch in width, over and above the regular six scales [There is an interrogation-point in the margin against this paragraph.]. I see scraps of the evergreen ranunculus along the riverside.

May 3, Thursday: At 3 PM Henry Thoreau went to Assabet Bath (Gleason 4/E5) and had a conversation about Jonas Melvin with Humphrey Buttrick, one of the few Concordians who had been able to return from the War upon Mexico.

May 3, 1855: P.M. — To Assabet Bath. Small pewee; tchevet, with a jerk of the head. Hardhack leafed two or maybe three days in one place. Early pyrus leafed yesterday or day before, if I have not named it. The skull of a horse, — not a mare, for I did not see the two small canine teeth in the upper jaw, nor in the under, — six molars on each side, above and below, and six incisors to each jaw. I first observed the stillness of birds, etc., at noon, with the increasing warmth, on the 23d of April. Sitting on the bank near the stone-heaps, I see large suckers rise to catch insects, — sometimes leap. A butterfly one inch in alar extent, dark, velvety brown with slate-colored tips, on dry leaves. On the north of Groton Turnpike beyond Abel Hosmer's, three distinct terraces to river; first annually overflowed, say twenty-five or thirty rods wide, second seven or eight feet higher and forty or sixty wide, third forty feet higher still. Sweet-fern opened apparently yesterday. Vaccinium Pennsylvanicum began to leaf yesterday. Young red maple leaf to-morrow; also some white birch, and perhaps sugar maple. Humphrey Buttrick, one of eight who alone returned from Texas out of twenty-four, says he can find wood- cock’s eggs; now knows of several nests; has seen them setting with snow around them; and that Melvin has seen partridges’ [Ruffed Grouse Bonasa umbellus (Partridge)] eggs some days ago. He has seen crows building this year. Found in a hen-hawk’s nest once the legs of a cat. Has known of several goshawks’ nests (or what he calls some kind of eagle; Garfield called it the Cape eagle); one in a shrub oak, with eggs. Last year his CAT dog caught seven black ducks so far grown that he got sixty cents a pair for them; takes a pretty active dog to DOG catch such. He frequently finds or hears of them. Knew of a nest this year. Also finds wood ducks’ nests. Has very often seen partridges [Ruffed Grouse Bonasa umbellus] drum close to him. Has watched one for an hour. They strike the body with their wings. CURRENT YOUTUBE VIDEO He shot a white-headed eagle from Carlisle Bridge. It fell in the water, and his dog was glad to let it alone. He suggested that my fish hawks found pouts in holes made by ice.

June 6, Wednesday: Waldo Emerson purchased some land from E. Hosmer.

http://aschmidt01742.files.wordpress.com/2010/09/cmth125.jpg

June 6. P.M. — Up Assabet by boat to survey Hosmer’s field. HDT WHAT? INDEX

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On the Island I hear still the redstart -tsip tsip tsip tsip, tsit-i-yet, or sometimes tsip trip trip trip, ise vet. A young male. It repeats this at regular intervals for a long time, sitting pretty still now. Waxwork open and pollen one or two days. I notice a clam lying up, and two or three cleared or light-colored places, apparently” Bream-nests commenced. You see the dark eye and shade of June on the river as well as on land, and a dust-like tint on river, apparently from the young leaves and bud-scales, covering the waters, which begin to be smooth, and imparting a sense of depth. Blue-eyed grass maybe several days to some places. One thimble-berry blossom done - probably several do.Fs. “There are now those large swarms of black-winged millers (?) a half-inch long, with two long streamers ahead, fluttering three to six inches over the water; not long, methinks; also other insects. I see a yellow-spotted tortoise twenty rods from river, and a painted one four rods from it which has just made a hole for her eggs. Two catbirds' nests in the thickest part of the thicket on the edge of Wheeler's meadow near Island. One done laying (I learn after); four eggs, green, - much darker green than the robin's and more slender in proportion. This is loosely placed in the forks of a broad alternate or silky cornel bush, about five feet from the ground, and is composed of dead twigs and a little stubble, then grapevine bark, and is lined with dark root-fibres. Another, eight rods beyond, rests still more loosely on a Viburnum dentatum and birch; has some dry leaves with the twigs, and one egg, - about six feet high. The bird hops within five feet. (This egg gone on the 9th.) The white maple keys are about half fallen. It is remarkable that this happens at the time the emperor moth (cecropia) comes out. Carex crinita (?), a few days, along bank of Assabet. Whiteweed, Merrick's pasture shore, these two or three days. The Salix cordata (which apparently blossomed some (lays after the S. sericea) is very common on Prichard's shore and also Whiting's. Also at the last. place is a small shrub, -a little of it, - perhaps S. lucida, which apparently blossomed about same time [as], or a day or two after, the sericea.

August 1, Wednesday: In New Bedford, on this anniversary of the emancipation of the slaves of the British West Indies, Frederick Douglass led the speaker’s list. EMANCIPATION DAY ABOLITIONISM

August 1 P.M.— To Conantum by boat. Squirrels have eaten and stripped pitch pine cones. Small rough sunflower a day or two. Diplopappus cornifolius (how long?) at Conant Orchard Grove. In the spring there, which has not been cleared out lately, I find a hairworm, eight or nine inches long and big as a pin-wire; is biggest in the middle and tapers thence to tail; at head is abruptly cut off; curly in your fingers like the tendril of a vine. I spent half an hour overhauling the heaps of clamshells under the rocks there. Was surprised to find the anodon and the green-rayed clams there. Pennyroyal and alpine enchanter's-nightshade well out, how long? Young Adams of Waltham tells me he has been moose-hunting at Chesuncook. Hunted with a guide in evening without horn, it being too early to call them out. Heard the water dropping from their muzzles when they lifted their heads from feeding on the pads, as they stood in the river.

August 2. Silas Hosmer tells me of his going a-spearing in Concord River up in Southboro once with some friends of his. It is a mere brook there, and they went along the bank without any boat, one carrying a large basket of pine and another the crate and a third the spear. It was hard work. He afterward showed them how they did here, by going in midsummer with them and catching a great many.

September 27, Thursday: Henry Thoreau wrote to Friend Daniel Ricketson. Concord Sep 27th '55 Friend Ricketson, I am sorry that you were obliged to leave Concord without seeing more of it–its river and woods, and various pleasant walks, and its HDT WHAT? INDEX

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worthies. I assure you that I am none the worse for my walk with you, but on all accounts the better. Methinks I am regaining my health, but I would like to know first what it was that ailed me. I have not yet conveyed your message to Hosmer, but will not fail to do so. That idea of occupying the old house is a good one–qu ite fea- sible,–and you could bring your hair-pillow with you. It is an inn in Concord which I had not thought of–a philosophers inn. That large chamber might make a man's ideas expand proportionably. It would be well to have an interest in some old chamber in a derserted house in every part of the country which attracted us. There would be no such place to receive one's guests as that. If old furniture is fashionable, why not go the whole-house at once? I shall endeavor to make Hosmer believe that the old house is the chief attraction of his farm, & that it is his duty to preserve it by all honest appliances. You might take a lease of it in perpetuo, and done with it. I am so wedded to my way of spending a day–require such broad margins of leisure, and such a complete ward+robe of old clothes, t hat I am ill fitted for going abroad. Pleasant is it sometimes to sit, at home, on a single egg all day, in your own nest, though it may prove at last to be an egg of chalk. The old coat that I wear is Concord–it is my morning robe & study gown, my working dres s and suit of ceremony, and my night-gown after all. Cleave to the simplest ever–Home–home–home. Cars sound lik e cares to me. I am accustomed to think very long of going anywhere,–am slow to move. I hope to hear a response of the oracle first. However I think that I will try the effect of your talisman on the iron horse next Saturday, and dismount at Tarkiln Hill. Perhaps y our sea air will be good for me. I conveyed your invitation to Channing but he apparently will not come. Excuse my not writing earlier–but I had not decided. Yrs Henry D. Thoreau.

Sept.27. Collecting fuel again this afternoon, up the Assabet. Yesterday I traced the note of what I have falsely thought the Rana palustris, or cricket frog, to its true source. As usual it sounded loud and incessant above all ordinary crickets and led me at once to a bare and soft sandy shore. After long looking and listening, with my head directly over the spot from which the sound still came at intervals (as I had often done before), I concluded, as no creature was visible, that it must issue from the mud, or rather slimy sand. I noticed that the shore near the water was upheaved and cracked as by a small mole-track and, laying it open with my hand, I found a mole cricket (Gryllotalpa brevipennis). Harris says that their burrows “usually terminate beneath a stone or clod of turf.” They live on the roots of grass and other vegetables, and in Europe the cor- responding species does a great deal of harm. They “avoid the light of day, and are active chiefly during the night.” Have their burrows “in moist and soft ground, particularly about ponds.” “There are HDT WHAT? INDEX

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no house crickets in America.” Among crickets “the males only are musical.” The “shrilling” is produced by shuffling their wing-covers together lengthwise. French call crickets cri-cri. Most crickets die on approach of winter, but a few survive under stones. See furrows made by many clams now moving into deep water. Some single red maples now fairly make a show along the meadow. I see a blaze of red reflected from the troubled water.

September 29, Saturday: Henry Thoreau was sent, by Ticknor & Co. in Boston, a royalty payment for the sale of 344 copies of WALDEN; OR, LIFE IN THE WOODS in the amount of $51.60 along with an expression of corporate condolences:

Boston, Sept. 29, 1855 H. D. Thoreau In a/c with W.D. Ticknor & Co Walden— On hand last settlement 600 Cops. Sold Since last a/c 344 remaining on hand—256 Cops Sales 344 Cops @ 15¢ is $51.60

Dear Sir, We regret, for your sake as well as ours, that a larger number of Walden has not been sold. 60 We enclose our check for Fifty One /100 Dollars for sales to date.

Ever Respy W. D. Ticknor & Co. Henry D. Thoreau Esq Concord Mass.

On this day Thoreau was studying James Ellsworth De Kay’s MOLLUSCA OF NEW YORK. MOLLUSCA, VOLUME V HDT WHAT? INDEX

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Men who regretted for Thoreau’s sake as well as their own that a larger quantity of WALDENs has not been sold. HDT WHAT? INDEX

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Soon he would be reading in George Bancroft’s A HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES, FROM THE DISCOVERY OF THE AMERICAN CONTINENT,

BANCROFT’S US, I BANCROFT’S US, II BANCROFT’S US, III

in Richard Hildreth’s THE HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, FROM THE DISCOVERY OF THE CONTINENT TO THE ORGANIZATION OF GOVERNMENT UNDER THE FEDERAL CONSTITUTION (New York: Harper & Brothers, Publishers, 82, Cliff Street, 1848-1852), HILDRETH’S US, I HILDRETH’S US, II HILDRETH’S US, III HDT WHAT? INDEX

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in the 4th volume of the Reverend Samuel Purchas’s HAKLUYTUS POSTHUMUS OR PURCHAS HIS PILGRIMES, CONTAYNING A HISTORY OF THE WORLD, IN SEA VOYAGES, & LANDE TRAVELS, BY ENGLISHMEN AND OTHERS, or perhaps A RELATION OR IOURNALL OF THE BEGINNING AND PROCEEDINGS OF THE ENGLIſH PLANTATION ſETTLED AT PLIMOTH, IN NEW-ENGLAND, BY CERTAINE ... (Imprinted at London for Henry Fetherstone at ye Signe of the Rose in Pauls Churchyard, 1625), or perhaps THE PRINCIPAL NAVIGATIONS, VOYAGES, TRAFFIQUES & DISCOVERIES OF THE ENGLISH NATION: MADE BY SEA OR OVERLAND TO THE REMOTE & FARTHEST DISTANT QUARTERS OF THE EARTH AT ANY TIME WITHIN THE COMPASSE OF THESE 1600 YEARS BY RICHARD HAKLUYT VOLUME FOUR (London: J.M. Dent & Co.; New York: E.P. Dutton & Co.) PURCHAS’S VOLUME IV

and in the 26th volume of Sir William Jardine’s edition THE NATURALIST’S LIBRARY, a volume originated in 1839 on whales and other mammals, AMPHIBIOUS CARNIVORA; INCLUDING THE WALRUS AND SEALS, AND THE HERBIVOROUS CETACEA, MERMAIDS, &C., VOL.VII BY ROBERT HAMILTON, WITH PORTRAIT AND 84 MEMOIR OF FRANÇOIS PÉRON (Edinburgh: W.H. Lizars; London: Henry G. Bohn, 1852 [that edition being electronically unavailable, I am forced to render for you the previous edition, of 1843]).

MAMMALIA. WHALES, ETC.

84. Some of this material on whales would find its way into CAPE COD. HDT WHAT? INDEX

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Additional cemetery land was consecrated in “Sleepy Hollow” adjoining Concord’s New Burial Ground, the Middlesex County Courthouse, the Concord Townhouse, and the grounds of the Agricultural Society.

Waldo Emerson dedicated the new garden cemetery as “the palm of Nature’s hand.” “Address at the Consecration of Sleepy Hollow Cemetery” ... They have thought that the taking possession of this field ought to be marked by a public meeting and religious rites: and they have requested me to say a few words which the serious and tender occasion inspires.... The life of a tree is a hundred and a thousand years; its decays ornamental; its repairs self-made: they grow when we sleep, they grew when we were unborn. Man is a moth among these longevities...... when these acorns, that are falling at our feet, are oaks HDT WHAT? INDEX

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overshadowing our children in a remote century, this mute green bank will be full of history.... Our use will not displace the old tenants. The well-beloved birds will not sing one song less, the high-holding woodpecker, the meadow-lark, the oriole, the robin, purple finch, bluebird, thrush and red-eyed warbler, the heron, the bittern will find out the hospitality and protection from the gun of this asylum, and will seek the waters of the meadow.... We shall bring hither the body of the dead, but how shall we catch the escaped soul?

[Also (Baker, Charles, EMERSON AMONG THE ECCENTRICS, Penguin Books, New York, 1996, pp. 397-398): “I have heard that when we pronounce the name of man, we pronounce the belief in Immortality.” “The real evidence is too subtle, or is higher than we can write down in propositions… All sound minds rest on a certain preliminary conviction, namely, that if it be best that conscious personal life shall continue, it will continue; if not best, then it will not.” “In this quiet valley, as in the palm of Nature’s hand, we shall sleep well when we have finished our day.”]

Thoreau had measured for the new artificial pond in the cemetery, termed “Cat Pond.”

John Shepard Keyes had been active in the creation of this cemetery. During this summer and fall almost alone and unaided I laid out the cemetery according to Clevelands plan, so far as was feasible, and with my own hands drove the stakes for the lots and saved as many trees as possible from cutting. Made all the arrangements for dedication and had a memorable address from Emerson a poem from Sanborn, an ode by Channing all delivered on a lovely September day in the glen by the lot I afterwards selected. This was followed by a sale of lots the choice for the first bringing $50. from Wm Monroe and realizing more than I expected some fifty lots sold, and the undertaking successful Thanks to me we have a ‘Sleepy Hollow’ cemetery I am quite content to take my long sleep in— and for my only epitaph “The Founder of This Cemetery” J.S. KEYES AUTOBIOGRAPHY HDT WHAT? INDEX

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Friend Daniel Ricketson had been scheduled to visit Concord again and spend time with Henry, but had canceled the visit when he learned that Ellery Channing had moved to Dorchester and would not be available in Concord. So Henry, not standing on dignity, went off to New Bedford:

Clear fine day, growing gradually cooler. Henry D. 1 Thoreau of Concord arrived about 1 /2 o’clock.

September 29: Go to Daniel Ricketson’s, New Bedford. At Natural History Library saw Dr. Cabot, who says that he has heard either the hermit, or else the olivaceous, thrush sing, — very like a wood thrush, but softer. Is sure that the hermit thrush sometimes breeds hereabouts. De Kay, in the New York Reports, thus describes the blackfish— [The quotation is somewhat abridged.]

“FAMILY DELPHINIDÆ. Genus Globicephalus. Lesson. The Social Whale. Globicephalus melas. Delphinus melas. Trail, Nicholson’s Journal. D. globiceps. Cuvier, Mem. Mus. Vol. 19. D. deductor. Scoresby, Arct. Regions. D. intermedius. Harlan. Phocena globiceps. Sampson, Am. Journal.”

“Length 15 to 20 feet;” “shining, bluish black above;” a narrow light-gray stripe beneath; “remarkable for its loud cries when excited.” “Black Whale-fish,” “Howling Whale,” “Social Whale,” and “Bottle-head.” Often confounded with the grampus. Not known why they are stranded. In 1822 one hundred stranded in one herd at Wellfleet. First described in a History of Greenland. In the Naturalists’ Library, Jardine, I find Globicephalus deductor or melas, “The Deductor or Ca’ing Whale.” First accurately described by Trail in 1809. Sixteen to twenty-four feet long. In 1799 two hundred ran ashore on one of the Shetland Isles. In the winter of 1809-10, one thousand one hundred and ten “approached the shore of Hvalfiord, Iceland, and were captured.” In 1812 were used as food by the poor of Bretagne. They visit the neighborhood of Nice in May and June. Got out at Tarkiln Hill or Head of the River Station, three miles this side of New Bedford. Recognized an old Dutch barn. R.’s sons, Arthur and Walton, were just returning from tautog fishing in Buzzard’s Bay, and I tasted one at supper, — singularly curved from snout to tail.85 THE SLEEPY HOLLOW CEMETERY — OLD GRAVES (Franklin Benjamin Sanborn) My arrival to reside in Concord was at the time when old customs were changing for new ones. The settlement of Waldo Emerson here in 1834, after his return from Europe, and his first acquaintance with Thomas Carlyle, had something to do with these changes, especially after his friends began to gather round him here — the Thoreaus, John and Henry, in 1836; Alcott in 1840; Hawthorne in 1842; Ellery Channing in 1843; Margaret Fuller from 1836 to 1845 (though she never resided but only visited in 85. [Refer to DANIEL RICKETSON AND HIS FRIENDS, page 337.] WALTON RICKETSON HDT WHAT? INDEX

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Concord); and the Ripley family in 1845, inheriting the Old Manse, and receiving there Mrs. Ripley’s brother, George Bradford, who had been with Hawthorne at Brook Farm, and at Plymouth with Marston Watson at his garden and nursery of “Hillside,” which Thoreau surveyed and mapped for the Watsons in 1854. Mrs. Marston Watson (Mary Russell, a sister of William and Thomas Russell, Boston lawyers) had also lived in the Emerson family before her marriage, and was “The Maiden in the East” to whom Thoreau inscribed an early poem. These friends and among the Concord residents, the Hoar, Whiting and Bartlett families, and Edmund Hosmer, a sturdy farmer, with his daughters and kindred, all made up a circle especially intimate with Emerson, Alcott and Thoreau, though by no means all agreeing with the social, religious and political reformers, to which class belonged Garrison, Phillips, Theodore Parker, the Brook Farm and Fruitlands residents, and many visitors from America and Europe. Among these soon appeared Henry James, Charles Newcomb, the May family, Frederick Douglass, and other fugitive slaves, whom Mrs. Brooks, the Thoreaus, and other anti-slavery households received and cherished — helping them on their way to freedom, when pursued, as they sometimes were. My school grew in numbers during its first term, and much more in its first full year, 1855-56, near the beginning of which, in September, 1855, I was called on to make my first public appearance as a citizen — not as a voter; for I still had a voting residence in New Hampshire, where my brother and I had aided in voting down the pro-slavery Democratic party, whose leader at the time was Hawthorne’s college friend, Gen. Pierce, then President of the United States. One evening, early in September, I was sitting in our Channing apartment with my sister, when Mr. Emerson called for an errand surprising to me. The Sleepy Hollow Cemetery had been purchased and was to be dedicated, and Emerson was to give the address. He was also on the Town Committee to arrange for the exercises at the grove, where the prayers, hymns and poems were read and sung; and it was in that capacity he called on me. He said, “I asked Mr. Channing for a poem on this occasion, and he has sent me a good poem, but they tell me it cannot be sung. Now will you not write for us verses that will go to some familiar tune?” He had seen some of my college verses, and others which were made to be sung, and had been sung, and he inferred from that, a capacity to do the same for Concord. I assented, and presently showed him these lines: Ode. Shine kindly forth, September sun, From heavens calm and clear, That no untimely cloud may run Before thy golden sphere, To vex our simple rites today With one prophetic tear. With steady voices let us raise The fitting psalm and prayer;— Remembered grief of other days Breathes softening in the air: HDT WHAT? INDEX

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Who knows not Death — who mourns no loss,— He has with us no share. To holy sorrow, solemn joy, We consecrate the place Where soon shall sleep the maid and boy, The father and his race, The mother with her tender babe, The venerable face. These waving woods, these valleys low, Between the tufted knolls, Year after year shall dearer grow To many loving souls; And flowers be sweeter here than blow Elsewhere between the poles. For deathless Love and blessed Grief Shall guard these wooded aisles, When either Autumn casts the leaf, Or blushing Summer smiles, Or Winter whitens o’er the land, Or Spring the buds uncoils. The day proved to be that prayed for; these lines were sweetly sung to the tune of St. Martin’s; and in the choir I recognized the voices of some of my new friends. Mr. Emerson liked them, and printed them afterward in his “Parnassus,” as he did Channing’s poem, which as poetry was much better, and which also appears in “Parnassus,” and in the XIth volume of the Centenary edition of Emerson, as here: Sleepy Hollow. (W.E. Channing) No abbeys gloom, no dark cathedral stoops, No winding torches paint the midnight air; Here the green pine delights, the aspen droops Along the modest pathways, and those fair Pale asters of the season spread their plumes Around this field, fit garden for our tombs. And thou shalt pause to hear some funeral bell Slow stealing o’er thy heart in this calm place; Not with a throb of pain, a feverish knell, But in its kind and supplicating grace It says, “Go, Pilgrim, on thy march! be more Friend to the friendless than thou wast before:” Learn from the loved one’s rest, serenity! Tomorrow that soft bell for thee shall sound, And thou repose beneath the whispering tree, One tribute more to this submissive ground:— Prison thy soul from malice, bar out pride! Nor these pale flowers, nor this still field deride. Rather to those accents of Being turn, Where a ne’er-setting sun illumes the year Eternal: and the incessant watch-fires burn Of unspent holiness and goodness clear,— Forget man’s littleness, — deserve the best,— God’s mercy in thy thought and life confest! Seldom has a finer poem been read on such an occasion. My own verses were favorably received, and the late Judge Keyes, whose daughter Annie had become one of my pupils, said that I was now a citizen of Concord, and, like some French poet whom he named, HDT WHAT? INDEX

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as rewarded with a grave at Pere la Chaise, ought to have a burial lot granted me wherever I chose. Long afterward I bought my present lot, in which my poet-son is buried with a slab of marble from Athens above him, inscribed with a Greek line from a Roman tomb in Boetia, of the early Christian period. HDT WHAT? INDEX

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CAPE COD: In the summer and fall sometimes, hundreds of blackfish (the PEOPLE OF Social Whale, Globicephalus melas of De Kay; called also Black Whale- fish, Howling Whale, Bottle-head, &c.), fifteen feet or more in CAPE COD length, are driven ashore in a single school here. I witnessed such a scene in July, 1855. A carpenter who was working at the light-house arriving early in the morning remarked that he did not know but he had lost fifty dollars by coming to his work; for as he came along the Bay side he heard them driving a school of blackfish ashore, and he had debated with himself whether he should not go and join them and take his share, but had concluded to come to his work. After breakfast I came over to this place, about two miles distant, and near the beach met some of the fishermen returning from their chase. Looking up and down the shore, I could see about a mile south some large black masses on the sand, which I knew must be blackfish, and a man or two about them. As I walked along towards them I soon came to a huge carcass whose head was gone and whose blubber had been stripped off some weeks before; the tide was just beginning to move it, and the stench compelled me to go a long way round. When I came to Great Hollow I found a fisherman and some boys on the watch, and counted about thirty blackfish, just killed, with many lance wounds, and the water was more or less bloody around. They were partly on shore and partly in the water, held by a rope round their tails till the tide should leave them. A boat had been somewhat stove by the tail of one. They were a smooth shining black, like India-rubber, and had remarkably simple and lumpish forms for animated creatures, with a blunt round snout or head, whale-like, and simple stiff-looking flippers. The largest were about fifteen feet long, but one or two were only five feet long, and still without teeth. The fisherman slashed one with his jackknife, to show me how thick the blubber was, –about three inches; and as I passed my finger through the cut it was covered thick with oil. The blubber looked like pork, and this man said that when they were trying it the boys would sometimes come round with a piece of bread in one hand, and take a piece of blubber in the other to eat with it, preferring it to pork scraps. He also cut into the flesh beneath, which was firm and red like beef, and he said that for his part he preferred it when fresh to beef. It is stated that in 1812 blackfish were used as food by the poor of Bretagne. They were waiting for the tide to leave these fishes high and dry, that they might strip off the blubber and carry it to their try-works in their boats, where they try it on the beach. They get commonly a barrel of oil, worth fifteen or twenty dollars, to a fish. There were many lances and harpoons in the boats, — much slenderer instruments than I had expected. An old man came along the beach with a horse and wagon distributing the dinners of the fishermen, which their wives had put up in little pails and jugs, and which he had collected in the Pond Village, and for this service, I suppose, he received a share of the oil. If one could not tell his own pail, he took the first he came to.

ROBERT HAMILTON JAMES ELLSWORTH DE KAY

October 12, Friday: Henry Thoreau wrote to Friend Daniel Ricketson. HDT WHAT? INDEX

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As I stood there they raised the cry of “another school,” and we could see their black backs and their blowing about a mile northward, as they went leaping over the sea like horses. Some boats were already in pursuit there, driving them toward the beach. Other fishermen and boys running up began to jump into the boats and push them off from where I stood, and I might have gone too had I chosen. Soon there were twenty-five or thirty boats in pursuit, some large ones under sail, and others rowing with might and main, keeping outside of the school, those nearest to the fishes striking on the sides of their boats and blowing horns to drive them on to the beach. It was an exciting race. If they succeed in driving them ashore each boat takes one share, and then each man, but if they are compelled to strike them off shore each boat’s company take what they strike. I walked rapidly along the shore toward the north, while the fishermen were rowing still more swiftly to join their companions, and a little boy who walked by my side was congratulating himself that his father’s boat was beating another one. An old blind fisherman whom we met, inquired, “Where are they, I can’t see. Have they got them?” In the mean while the fishes had turned and were escaping northward toward Provincetown, only occasionally the back of one being seen. So the nearest crews were compelled to strike them, and we saw several boats soon made fast, each to its fish, which, four or five rods ahead was drawing it like a race-horse straight toward the beach, leaping half out of water blowing blood and water from its hole, and leaving a streak of foam behind. But they went ashore too far north for us, though we could see the fishermen leap out and lance them on the sand. It was just like pictures of whaling which I have seen, and a fisherman told me that it was nearly as dangerous. In his first trial he had been much excited, and in his haste had used a lance with its scabbard on, but nevertheless had thrust it quite through his fish. I learned that a few days before this one hundred and eighty blackfish had been driven ashore in one school at Eastham, a little farther south, and that the keeper of Billingsgate Point light went out one morning about the same time and cut his initials on the backs of a large school which had run ashore in the night, and sold his right to them to Provincetown for one thousand dollars, and probably Provincetown made as much more. Another fisherman told me that nineteen years ago three hundred and eighty were driven ashore in one school at Great Hollow. In the Naturalist’s Library, it is said that, in the winter of 1809-10, one thousand one hundred and ten “approached the shore of Hvalfiord, Iceland, and were captured.” De Kay says it is not known why they are stranded. But one fisherman declared to me that they ran ashore in pursuit of squid, and that they generally came on the coast about the last of July. About a week afterward, when I came to this shore, it was strewn as far as I could see with a glass, with the carcasses of blackfish stripped of their blubber and their heads cut off; the latter lying higher up. Walking on the beach was out of the question on account of the stench. Between Provincetown and Truro they lay in the very path of the stage. Yet no steps were taken to abate the nuisance, and men were catching lobsters as usual just off the shore. I was told that they did sometimes tow them out and sink them; yet I wondered where they got the stones to sink them with. Of course they might be made into guano, and Cape Cod is not so fertile that her inhabitants can afford to do without this manure, –to say nothing of the diseases they may produce. HDT WHAT? INDEX

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Concord Oct 12th 1855 Mr Ricketson, I fear that you had a lonely and disagreeable ride back to New Bedford, through the Carver Woods & so on,—per- haps in the rain, too, and I am in part answerable for it. I feel very much in debt to you & your family for the pleasant days I spent at Brooklawn. Tell Ar- thur & Walter that the shells which they gave me are spread out, and make quite a show to inland eyes. Methinks I still hear the strains of the piano[,] the violin[,] & the flageolet[,] [blended] together. Excuse me for the noise which I believe drove you to take refuge in the shanty. That shanty is indeed a favor- able place to expand in, which I fear I did not enough im- prove. On my way through Boston, I inquired for Gilpin’s works at Little, Brown, & Co’s;—Monroe’s;

Page 2 Ticknor’s, & Burnham’s. They have not got them. They told me at Little Brown & Co’s that his works (not complete) in 12 vols 8vo, were imported & sold in this country 5 or 6 years ago for about 15 dollars. Their terms for importing are 10 per cent on the cost. I copied from “The London Catalogue of Books, 1816-51” at their shop, the fol- lowing list of Gilpin’s Works— L S d “Gilpin (Wm Dialogues on Various Subjects 8vo 0—9—0 Cadell Essays on Picturesque Subjects 8vo " 15 " " HDT WHAT? INDEX

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After my return home, wishing to learn what was known about the Blackfish, I had recourse to the reports of the zoölogical surveys of the State, and I found that Storer had rightfully omitted it in his Report on the Fishes, since it is not a fish; so I turned to Emmons’s Report of the Mammalia, but was surprised to find that the seals and whales were omitted by him, because he had had no opportunity to observe them. Considering how this State has risen and thriven by its fisheries, –that the legislature which authorized the Zoölogical Survey sat under the emblem of a codfish,– that Nantucket and New Bedford are within our limits, –that an early riser may find a thousand or fifteen hundred dollars’ worth of blackfish on the shore in a morning, –that the Pilgrims saw the Indians cutting up a blackfish on the shore at Eastham, and called a part of that shore “Grampus Bay,” from the number of blackfish they found there, before they got to Plymouth, –and that from that time to this these fishes have continued to enrich one or two counties almost annually, and that their decaying carcasses were now poisoning the air of one county for more than thirty miles, –I thought it remarkable that neither the popular nor scientific name was to be found in a report on our mammalia, – a catalogue of the productions of our land and water. HDT WHAT? INDEX

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Exposition of the New Testament 2 vols 8vo 0—16—0 Longman— Forest Scenery, by Sir T. D. Lauder 2 vols 8 0—l8—0 Smith & E Lectures on the Catechism, 12mo 0—3—6 Longman Lives of the Reformers 2 v. 12mo " 8— " Rivington Sermons Illustrative & Practical 8vo 0—12—0 Hatchard. " to Country Congregations, 4 v. 8vo 1—16—0 Longman Tour in Cambridge Norfolk &c 8vo 0—18—0 Cadell " of the River Wye, 12mo " 4 ", with plates 0—17—0 Cadell Gilpin (W S (?)) Hints on Landscape Gardening Roy. 8vo 1—0—0 Cadell.” Beside these I remember to have read 1 volume on Prints

Page 3 His Southern Tour (1775) Lakes of Cumberland 2 vols— Highlands of Scotland " " NB. There must be plates & West of England. in every volume. I still see an image of those Middleborough Ponds in my mind’s eye—broad shallow lakes with an iron mine at their bottom—com- paratively unvexed by sails—only by Tom Smith & his squaw Sepit’s “sharper”. I find my map of the state to be the best I have seen of that district. It is a question whether the islands of Long Pond or Great Quitticus offer the most attractions to a Lord of the Isles. That plant which I found on the shore of Long Pond chances to be a rare & beau- tiful flower—the Sabbatia chlo- roides—referred to Plymouth. In a Description of Middleborough in the Hist. Coll. vol 3d 1810—signed Nehe- miah Bennet, Middleborough[,] 1793[,]—it is said. “There is on the easterly shore of As- sawampsitt Pond, on the shore of Betty’s Neck, two rocks which have curious marks thereon (supposed to be done by the Indians) which HDT WHAT? INDEX

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appear like the steppings of a person with

Page 4 naked feet which settled into the rocks, likewise the prints of a hand on several places, with a number of other marks; also there is a rock on a high hill, a little to the eastward of the old stone fishing wear, where there is the print of a person’s hand in said rock.” It would be well to look at those rocks again more carefully,—also at the rock on the hill. I should think that you would like to explore Snipatuct Pond in Rochester[,—] [it] is so large & near. It is an interesting fact[,] that the alewives used to ascend to it[,]—if they do not still,—both from Mattapoisett, & through Great Quitticus. There will be no trouble about the chamber in the old house, though, as I told you, Hosmer counts his coppers and may expect some compensation for it. He says “Give my respects to Mr R[.] & tell him that I cannot be at a large ex- pense to preserve an antiquity or curiosity. Nature must do its work,” “But” say I, [he] asks you only not to assist Nature.” I find that Channing [is] gone to his wife at Dorchester—perhaps for the winter— & both may return to Concord in the Spring. rs Henry D. Thoreau HDT WHAT? INDEX

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October 23, Tuesday: Anti-slavery residents of Kansas adopted a new Free State constitution at Topeka, outlawing slavery (no black people allowed). THE 2D GREAT AMERICAN DISUNION

Cousin Charles Howard Dunbar reported that, at the recent Cattle Show in Haverhill, his horse had drawn 5,286 pounds up the hill from Hale’s factory. DUNBAR FAMILY

According to Franklin Benjamin Sanborn, Henry Thoreau’s Uncle Charles Jones Dunbar had been in the practice of mimicking a currently popular ventriloquist, magician, and juggler named Potter. In corroboration of this he quoted a snippet from Thoreau’s journal:

People are talking about my uncle Charles. George Minott [a sort of cousin of the Thoreaus] tells how he heard Tilly Brown once asking him to show him a peculiar inside lock in wrestling.”Now, don’t hurt me, - don’t throw me hard.” He struck his antagonist inside his knees with his feet, and so deprived him of his legs. Edmund Hosmer remembers his tricks in the bar-room, shuffling cards, etc.; he could do anything with cards, yet he did not gamble. He would toss up his hat, twirling it over and over, and catch it on his head invariably. He once wanted to live at Hosmer’s, but the latter was afraid of him. “Can’t we study up something?” he asked. Hosmer asked him into the house, and brought out apples and cider, and uncle Charles talked. “You!” said he, “I burst the bully of Haverhill.” He wanted to wrestle, would not be put off. “Well, we won’t wrestle in the house.” So they went out to the yard, and a crowd got round. “Come, spread some straw here,” said uncle Charles, - “I don’t want to hurt him.” He threw him at once. They tried again; he told them to spread more straw, and he “burst” him. Uncle Charles used to say that he had n’t a single tooth in his head. The fact was they were all double, and I have heard that he lost about all of them by the time he was twenty-one. Ever since I knew him he could swallow his nose. He had a strong head, and never got drunk; would drink gin sometimes, but not to excess. Did not use tobacco, except snuff out of another’s box, sometimes; was very neat in his person; was not profane, though vulgar.

Now is the time for chestnuts. A stone cast against the trees shakes them down in showers upon one’s head and shoulders. But I cannot excuse myself for using the stone. It is not innocent, it is not just, so to maltreat the tree that feeds us. I am not disturbed by considering that if I thus shorten its life I shall not enjoy its fruit so long, but am prompted to a more innocent course by motives purely of humanity. I sympathize with the tree, yet I heaved a big stone against the trunks like a robber, — not too good to commit murder. I trust that I shall never do it again. These gifts should be accepted, not merely with gentleness, but with a certain humble gratitude. The tree whose fruit we would obtain should not be too rudely shaken even. It is not a time of distress, when a little haste and violence even might be pardoned. It is worse than boorish, it is criminal, to inflict an unnecessary injury on the tree that feeds or shadows us. Old trees are our parents, and our parents’ parents, perchance. If you would learn the secrets of Nature, you must practice more humanity than others. The thought that I was robbing myself by injuring the tree did not occur to me, but I was affected as if I had cast a rock at a sentient being, — with a duller sense than my own, it is true, but yet a distant relation. Behold a man cutting down a tree to come at the fruit! What is the moral of such an act?

October 27: P.M. –A chestnutting down the turnpike. There are many fringed gentians, now considerably frost-bitten, in what was E. Hosmer’s meadow between his dam and the road. It is high time we came a-nutting, for the nuts have nearly all fallen, and you must depend on what you can find on the ground, left by the squirrels, and cannot shake down any more to speak of. The trees are nearly all bare of leaves as well as burrs. The wind comes cold from the northwest, as if there were snow on the earth in that direction. Larches are yellowing. I try one of the wild apples in my desk. It is remarkable that the wild apples which I praise as so spirited and HDT WHAT? INDEX

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racy when eaten in the fields and woods, when brought into the house have a harsh and crabbed taste. As shells and pebbles must be beheld on the sea- shore, so these October fruits must be tasted in a bracing wall: amid the somewhat bracing airs of late October. To appreciate their wild and sharp flavors, it seems necessary that you be breathing the sharp October or November air. The outdoor air and exercise which the walker gets give a different tone to his palate, and he craves a fruit which the sedentary would call harsh and crabbed even. The palate rejects a wild apple eaten in the house — so of haws and acorns — and demands a tamed one, for here you miss that October air which is the wine it is eaten with. I frequently pluck wild apples of so rich and spicy a flavor that I wonder all orchardists do not get a scion from them, but when I have brought home my pockets full, and taste them in the house, they are unexpectedly harsh, crude things. Then must be eaten in the fields, when your system is all aglow with exercise, the frosty weather nips your fingers (in November), the wind rattles the bare boughs and rustles the leaves, and the jay is heard screaming around. So there is one thought for the field, another for the house. I would have my thoughts, like wild apples, to be food for walkers, and will not warrant there to be palatable if tasted in the house. To appreciate the taste of those wild apples requires vigorous and healthy senses, papillae firm and erect on the tongue and palate, not easily tamed and flattened. Some of those apples might be labelled, “To be eaten in the wind.”

December 25, Tuesday: Rather than spend Christmas at home with his pregnant wife Ellen and his 3 little children – who had recently been so graciously restored to him– feckless daddy Ellery Channing elected to visit with Friend Daniel Ricketson in New Bedford.

Mary Ann Gordon Andrews, wife of Stephen Pearl Andrews died (having no idea of their names or their birth dates, we have no idea what had happened to the 4 boys to whom she had given birth in the course of her 20- year marriage to an anarchist).

Henry Thoreau wrote to Friend Daniel mentioning having read about a horse in France that had died at the advanced age of 50 (horses normally live 20 to 25 years, with 44 years being about the maximum to be expected; perhaps the oldest horse, Old Billy who had succumbed in 1822, had survived for something like 62 years). He also wrote about their friend Thomas Cholmondeley adventuring off to be a British officer in the Crimean War. Concord Dec 25’55 Friend Ricketson, Though you have not shown your face here, I trust that you did not interpret my last note to my disadvantage. I remember that, among other things, I wished to break it to you, that, owing to engagements, I should not be able to show you so much attention as I could wish, or as you had shown to me.— How we did scour over the country! I hope your horse will live as long as one which I hear just died in the south of France at the age of 40.— Yet I had no doubt you would get quite enough of me. Do not give it up so easily— The old house is still empty–& Hosmer is easy to treat with. Channing was here about ten days ago. I told him of my visit to you, and that he too must go and see you & your country. This may have suggested his writing to you. That island lodge, especially for some weeks in a summer, and new explorations in your vicinity are certainly very alluring; but such are my engagements to myself that I dare not promise to wend your way – but will for the present only heartily thank you for your kind HDT WHAT? INDEX

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& generous offer. When my vacation comes, then look out. My legs have grown considerably stronger, and that is all that ails me. But I wish now above all to inform you – though I suppose you will not be particularly interested – that Cholmondeley has gone to the Crimea “a complete soldier”, with a design when he returns, if he ever returns, to buy a cottage in the South of England, and tempt me over; – but that, before going, he busied himself in buying, & has caused to be forwarded to me by Chapman, a royal gift, in the shape of 21 distinct works (one in 9 vols – 44 vols in all) almost exclusively relating to ancient Hindoo literature, and scarcely one of them to be bought in America. I am familiar with many of them & know how to prize them. I send you information of this as I might of the birth of a child. Please remember me to all your family– Yrs truly Henry D. Thoreau. HDT WHAT? INDEX

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1857

Joseph Hosmer sold the Hosmer family farm in Concord, which had been in the family’s possession for 220 years, and moved to Chicago. HDT WHAT? INDEX

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1858

December 21, Tuesday: James R. Hosmer, who had been born during 1834, got married with Martha Jane (Jeannie) Albert (who had been born on June 25, 1837 and would die on January 3, 1867). HDT WHAT? INDEX

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1862

January 3, Friday: John Albee (1833-1915) wrote from Chicopee Falls, Massachusetts to Charles Wesley Slack. He agreed to preach and gave personal background.

There was fighting at Cockpit Point / Freestone Point. US CIVIL WAR

86 Rent receipt in Henry Thoreau’s handwriting:

Concord, Mass. Jan 3rd 1862 Recd of Geo Hosmer twenty dollars in full for one yr rent of House to Jan 1st 1862 Henry D. Thoreau for Maria Thoreau.["] $650.00.

86.This “Geo Hosmer” may have been a Cambridge minister living in the house, in Cambridgeport (part of Cambridge), in which at one time Thoreau's aunt Maria lived. HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

1869

Betsy Farrar Melvin died. THE MELVINS OF CONCORD

Lydia Davis (or Davys) Hosmer, age 80, suffered “A broken vein, a clot of blood,” and was taken to be cared for at the Concord poor farm (this same thing would happen to one of her sons at the age of 67, although we do not know whether it was Joseph Hosmer born in 1814 who was taken in during the year 1881 or Benjamin Gardner Hosmer born in 1816 who was taken in during the year 1883).

COPYRIGHT NOTICE: In addition to the property of others, such as extensive quotations and reproductions of images, this “read-only” computer file contains a great deal of special work product of Austin Meredith, copyright 2018. Access to these interim materials will eventually be offered for a fee in order to recoup some of the costs of preparation. My hypercontext button invention which, instead of creating a hypertext leap through hyperspace —resulting in navigation problems— allows for an utter alteration of the context within which one is experiencing a specific content already being viewed, is claimed as proprietary to Austin Meredith — and therefore freely available for use by all. Limited permission to copy such files, or any material from such files, must be obtained in advance in writing from the “Stack of the Artist of Kouroo” Project, 833 Berkeley St., Durham NC 27705. Please contact the project at .

“It’s all now you see. Yesterday won’t be over until tomorrow and tomorrow began ten thousand years ago.” – Remark by character “Garin Stevens” in William Faulkner’s INTRUDER IN THE DUST

Prepared: January 20, 2018 HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

ARRGH AUTOMATED RESEARCH REPORT

GENERATION HOTLINE

This stuff presumably looks to you as if it were generated by a human. Such is not the case. Instead, someone has requested that we pull it out of the hat of a pirate who has grown out of the shoulder of our pet parrot “Laura” (as above). What these chronological lists are: they are research reports compiled by ARRGH algorithms out of a database of modules which we term the Kouroo Contexture (this is data mining). To respond to such a request for information we merely push a button. HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER

Commonly, the first output of the algorithm has obvious deficiencies and we need to go back into the modules stored in the contexture and do a minor amount of tweaking, and then we need to punch that button again and recompile the chronology — but there is nothing here that remotely resembles the ordinary “writerly” process you know and love. As the contents of this originating contexture improve, and as the programming improves, and as funding becomes available (to date no funding whatever has been needed in the creation of this facility, the entire operation being run out of pocket change) we expect a diminished need to do such tweaking and recompiling, and we fully expect to achieve a simulation of a generous and untiring robotic research librarian. Onward and upward in this brave new world.

First come first serve. There is no charge. Place requests with . Arrgh. HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER HDT WHAT? INDEX

THE FAMILIES OF CONCORD: HOSMER