The first library in town was kept at the house of Benjamin Whipple,
and was called the Dunbarton Social Library. Some of the books are
still preserved. A parish library, containing many valuable works, was
collected by Miss Mary Stark, and was for many years the source of
pleasure and profit to the attendants at St. John's Church. Some years
after her death the books were given to a Library Association, formed
at the Center, which in turn was merged with the Public Library,
founded in 1892, of which Miss Hannah K. Caldwell was, till her
marriage, the efficient librarian. The position is now filled by Mabel
Kelly. A library is also owned by Stark Grange.
For the past thirty years or more, many summer boarders have come to
Dunbarton. The houses of James M. Bailey, William B. Burnham, and Peter
Butterfield, were well filled for several years, while at many other
places some people were accommodated. At the present time two houses at
the Center, owned by Henry P. Kelly, are filled every summer; also the
house of Frank C. Woodbury, the former home of Deacon Parker on the
"hill beautiful," where "glorious golden summers wax and wane, where
radiant autumns all their splendors shed."
The pure air of Dunbarton seems to be conducive to long life. Two
citizens passed the century mark. Mrs. Joseph Leach died in 1849, aged
102 years, 9 months. Mrs. Achsah P. (Tenney) Whipple lived to the age
of 100 years, 9 months. Her centennial birthday was celebrated June 28,
1886, by a large gathering of relatives and friends. Her only daughter
married Joseph A. Gilmore, for many years Superintendent of the Concord
Railroad, and also Governor of New Hampshire. Her grand daughter was
the first wife of Hon. William E. Chandler, who, doubtless, has pleasant
recollections of his visits to his betrothed at the home of her
grandparents.
Among the residents of the town who attained the age of 90 years or
more were Mrs. Mary Story, 98 years, 4 months, 12 days; Mrs. Ann C.,
widow of Deacon John Wilson, 98 years; Deacon John Church, 97 years;
Mrs. Abigail (Burnham) Ireland, 94 years; There were several others
whose ages I do not know. Mr. and Mrs. Guild, near the Bow line, I
think were over 90 years. Many have passed the age of 80 years. Deacon
Samuel Burnham is now 88 years; he and his wife lived together more
than 63 years. Mr. and Mrs. James Stone lived together more than 65
years. Mrs. Stone survived her husband only a few weeks. Colonel Samuel
B. Hammond and wife celebrated their golden wedding in 1892.
Stark Grange is the only secret society in town, though some individuals
belong to societies in adjoining towns. The membership of Stark Grange
is about ninety.
The patriotism of the town has always been unquestioned.
Dunbarton has sent her sons to battle for the right in every war.
Seventeen men took part in the French and Indian War, including Major
Robert Rogers, and other men by the names of Rogers, Stark, McCurdy,
and others.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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