Deacon John C. Hildreth's 91st Birthday

December 1899

December 1899

   The Baptist church was the scene of one of the season's most enjoyable events Wednesday, when a large party assembled to tender congratulations to Dea. John C. Hildreth and share with him the excellent dinner given in his honor by the church people. As he arose to express his gratitude for their kindness, a stranger could not have recognized in the tall, erect and still graceful figure one who was celebrating his 91st birthday. The after dinner speakers, among whom were William R. Thompson, G. F. Bradford, Levi E. Ferrin, Dea. Charles Taylor, Richard Davis, Edwin Blanchard, Mrs. C. H. Obear and others, spoke most kindly of the good influence he had exerted in his home, in the church and in everything pertaining to the moral and material interests of New Ipswich. The exercises were interspersed with songs and closed with prayer. A business meeting followed, which included the roll-call and the election of officers for the ensuing year. 

   Deacon Hildreth is the only survivor of the seven who were instrumental in building the present church edifice, which, when dedicated in 1850, was entirely free from debt. The other six were Nathan Sanders, Luke Cram, Herman Brown, William Blanchard, Reuben Ramsdell and Mrs. Lucy Sanderson. The first minister to preach in the new church was Rev. Mr. Topiliff. Mr. Hidreth has long served as deacon with honor to himself and the church and is loved and respected by all its members. He was born in Top-ham, Vt., as the fourth of 11 children of Elijah J. and Isabella C. Hildreth. He finished his school- life at Westford academy. For a time he worked for ex Gov. Samuel Bell when he was in congress, who gave him on leaving a recommendation which helped him to a clerkship in Boston. The population of Boston was then less than 100,000. Vessels sailed nearly up to the custom-house, while in East Boston there was but a single building, a shanty where salt was made: Chelsea had but one church. He knew personally a number who were engaged in the destruction by fire of the Charlestown convent, whom Mark Farley (called the law-book of New Hampshire) helped to protect. His residence in Nashua, was when it was a town of less than 1000 people with not a foreigner among them. The railroad was built during his stay between Nashua and Lowell, for which he ironed the first freight car. He also worked on the safe for the first bank in Nashua, of which Isaac Spaulding was cashier. He now tells the time by a clock with brass movement made by Col. Noyes in those years and still keeps the hammer that he carried in the procession when Pres. Andrew Jackson visited the town. 

   Mr. Hildreth has been a resident of New Ipswich since 1838, when he purchased the home in Smith Village, which he still owns. He remembers when Smith Village had 40 legal voters and a school of from 60 to 65 pupils and of Rev. Samuel Lee, superintendent of schools, saying he did not believe Suith Village schools could be excelled by any other in Hillsboro county.

   Deacon Hildreth's six children are Dr. John L. Hildreth of Cambridge, Henry L.. Hildreth of Auburn, Me., Mrs. Augusta H. Tenney of New Ipswich, Dr. William H. Hildreth of Newton, Chas. W. Hildreth of West- ford and Mrs. Ella H. Front of Colorado Springs. Two of the six are college graduates and four have been teachers. Of his eight grandchildren one is studying at Dart- mouth and one in a Colorado college. Another has lately opened a law office in Boston and still another is clerk in Shawmut National bank. His only surviving brother, Chas. L.. Hildreth, an alumnus of New Ipswich Appleton academy, has been superintendent for many years of the Lowell Machine shop, which keeps about 1800 workmen busy. 

   Richard Hildreth, the ancestor of the New England Hildreths, was born in the north of England in 1605, and was therefore 15 years old af the sailing of the Mayflower. The family antiquarians have settled on 1635 as the probable date when Richard Hildreth came to New England and settled at Cambridge with his wife and two children. He filled various civil offices during his stay besides being sergeant of the militia, In 1647 he witnessed the agreement drawn up by Henry Dunster, first president of Harvard college, and certain masons to build the first school house in Cambridge, located about midway between Harvard and Mount Auburn streets. The first two Hildreths who received a college education, graduated from Harvard.

Hildreth Home in Smithville

Farina Cologne. -Alcohol, 95 per cent., 3 gals.; oil of neroli, I oz.; oil of lavender, 1 oz.; oil of orange, I oz.; oil of melissa, I oz.; oil of jessamine, I oz.; oil of bergamot, 2 ozs.; oil of lemon, 2 ozs.; oil of petitgrains, I oz.; oil of rosemary, I oz.; rose water, 4 ozs.; orange flower water, 4 ozs. Mix thoroughly. Let it stand one week, then filter through paper

James Roger diary entry

September 27^th 1908 (Sunday)

Warm and clearer wind W to SW.  Mr. Peacock preached from Psalms.  I had rather to be door keeper &c.  and “A man’s life consisteth in the things: &c.  S.S. after Temperance lesson.  Mrs. Obear led.  Mr. Lewis called in afternoon for eggs.  C.E. at night. Mr. Peacock leader.  As Mrs. Thayer telephoned that the one appointed could not come.  Subject Home Missions “ The Cry of the City”.