also be said that a large number of able and influential citizens of New-Hampshire either had their birth within its ancient limits, or resided there for longer or briefer periods. Many of its citizens, also, have taken a more or less prominent part in all the wars and other events of a general character from 1719 to 1865. The civil, social, military and ecclesiastical history of the town, and to a great extent of the towns that have been carved out of its ancient territory, have been industriously gathered, through long years of patient zeal and labor, by Mr. Chase, himself a native, now well advanced in years, and well qualified for the peculiar work he has so happily accomplished. As we have heretofore remarked, the local histories of New-Hampshire are very few in number; hence we welcome this large and copiously illustrated volume with more than ordinary interest. It is, we hope, a favorable omen of what, in this respect, we may expect from other towns. We have not space to enter into an extended notice of the contents of this volume. A careful reading of it has, however, satisfied us of its general accuracy in those parts which touch upon the history of the Province at large, and we have no reason to doubt its fidelity to the truth in matters of family history, and in the details of local events. The genealogical data and the full indexes of names and subjects, are very valuable features of the book. We have rarely seen a local history so fully and richly illustrated, especially in the matter of portraits, of which there are 14, as this is. The style of the book is simple and plain, and while it makes no pretension to ornate rhetoric, is enlivened with the author's quaint humor, and bears testimony to his strong good sense. The history of Old Chester is a success, and we congratulate Mr. Chase, his townsmen and neighbors, upon its completion. Semi-Centennial of the Providence Journal, January 3, 1870. Providence: Knowles, Anthony & Danielson. 1870. 8vo. pp. 20. It was the remark of the late Rev. Dr. Calvin Chapin, of Rocky Hill, Ct., made to us many years ago, that a well conducted newspaper is one of the most potent agents for good in a free state, and that at the outset of his long ministry in that town (then a part of Wethersfield), he procured a subscription to the Hartford Courant, in nearly every family in his parish, and that the renewal of the greater part of these subscriptions was kept up for nearly forty years. Our observation confirmed the soundness of both his theory and practice. Of the many thousands of public journals that have been started in this country, few have been independent of local, or partizan, or mercenary considerations, and hence their influence has been limited and their existence short. The Providence Journal has always been well conducted, and is one of the few papers that have reached the venerable age of fifty years. Its editors have been as follows:- -William E. Richmond, Thomas Rivers, Benjamin F. Hallett, Lewis Gaylord Clarke, George Paine, John B. Snow, Thomas H. Webb, Henry B. Anthony (U. S. senator). James B. Angell (pres't of Uni. of Vt.), and George W. Danielson. The first nine pages of this pamphlet relate to the history of the paper, and the remainder is occupied by an interesting sketch of Providence fifty years ago, from the pen of Rev. Edwin M. Stone, whose happy industry in collecting and publishing historical information is well known to our readers. The pamphlet is worthy of preservation, and we hope the proprietors of the Journal will see fit to publish another edition in a style more befitting the valuable contents of the work and of the event which occasioned its preparation. Memorandum of Local Histories in the Library of the American Antiquarian Society. 8vo. pp. 15. This catalogue has recently been prepared under the direction of Mr. Haven, the secretary of the society, and will be found useful even by those who have no opportunity to consult the priceless treasures in that society's archives. Records of Massachusetts under its First Charter: A Lecture of a Course by Members of the Massachusetts Historical Society, delivered before the Lowell Institute, Jan. 26, 1869. By CHARLES W. UPHAM. Boston: Printed for the Author. 1869. 8vo. pp. 30. In the last number of the REGISTER we began, what we hope we shall have time and space for, a full and thorough review of the able course of lectures of which this forms one of the most valuable portions. The Founders of New-York. An Address delivered before the Saint Nicholas Society. By JAMES W. BEEKMAN, Saturday, Dec. 4, 1869. Published by the Society, MDCCCLXX. 8vo. pp. 37. Mr. Beekman's well written and instructive address is presented in good type and paper by Mr. Munsell. We are never weary of reading of the founders and early settlers of New-York, whose origin, character and purposes are here portrayed, and we devoutly pray that the empire city may soon again come under the controlling influence of such men as were those of whom Mr. Beekman so eloquently discourses-Sons of Saint Nicholas. A Genealogical Memoir of the Descendants of Capt. William Fowler, of New-Haven, Conn. Reprinted, with additions, from Memoirs of Hon. James Fowler, of Westfield, Mass., and from the NEW-ENGLAND HISTORICAL AND GENEALOGICAL REGISTER, July, 1857. Milwaukee: Starr & Son. 1870. Large 12mo. pp. 42. This very neatly printed pamphlet was prepared by Mr. Daniel W. Fowler, of Milwaukee, for private circulation. He claims no credit as to the authorship of it, except in completing his own line of descent, and some other additions of importance not included in the REGISTER for July, 1857. Mr. Fowler informs us that he is largely indebted to Mr. H. N. Otis, of Yonkers, N. Y., the author of the article in the REGISTER, above referred to, and of much of the "Ambrose-Fowler Genealogy.' The matter is very well arranged, but we think a strict following of the plan of arrangement and notation recently recommended in the REGISTER would be still better. Proceedings of the American Antiquarian Society, at the Annual Meeting, held in Worcester, Oct. 21, 1869. No. 53. Worcester: 1869. 8vo. pp. 53. The "Report of the Council," signed by Hon. Emory Washburn, contains brief notices of Hon. Charles Allen, Charles C. Little, Esq., Rev. Joseph B. Felt, LL.D., and Frederick W. Paine, Esq., lately deceased members, and concludes with a careful survey of the true aims and objects of the society, a statement of the principles upon which its labors are and should be conducted, and of the results that may reasonably be expected to follow. Mr. Haven's report on the library contains many suggestions that relate to the best interests of all our public libraries. Reminiscences of the Original Associates and Past Members of the Worcester Fire Society. Begun in an Address by Hon. LEVI LINCOLN, at a Quarterly Meeting, April, 1862, and continued in an Address by Hon. Isaac Davis, at an Annual Meeting, January, 1870. With the Roll of Members, from the commencement to the present time. Worcester: Printed by Charles Hamilton, Palladium Office. 1870. 8vo. pp. 72. This document-which in paper, typography and matter is exceedingly creditable to all concerned-was edited by a committee consisting of Messrs. Samuel F. Haven and Nathaniel Paine, and presents a complete history of one of the oldest and most respectable societies, or clubs, in the country. The roll of members, and data respecting them, arranged in tabular form, and enlarged and corrected by Mr. Paine, add great value to the work. A Tribute to the Memory of Hon. William Willis, LL.D., of Portland, Maine. Read before the Numismatic and Antiquarian Society of Philadelphia, at its Stated Meeting, Thursday evening, March 3, 1870. By Charles Henry Hart, Historiographer of the Society. Philadelphia. 1870. 8vo. pp. 8. This is a brief notice of one whose death not alone the readers of the REGISTER, to which he was a frequent and valuable contributor, but the whole republic of letters, and especially historical students, will more and more deplore. We expect soon to be able to present our readers with an extended memoir of Mr. Willis, from one who knew him intimately. The New-York Genealogical and Biographical Record. Devoted to the interests of American Genealogy and Biography. Issued Quarterly. 1870. Published for the Society, Mott Memorial Hall, No. 64 Madison Avenue, New-York City. Vol. I. Nos. for January and April, 1870. The Genealogical and Biographical Society, recently established in the city of NewYork, among other evidences of its rapid growth and prosperity, has begun the publication of a work with the above title. It is well printed and well edited, and gives token of the good taste, ability and enterprise of its conductors. The numbers are limited, as yet, to about 8 pages each, but as matter accumulates and the Society (which we learn is well founded and happily officered) enlarges its work and extends its borders, the publication will grow in size rapidly enough. The price of the "Record " is one dollar per annum, and the Committee of Publication consists of Messrs. Henry R. Stiles, M.D., S. Hastings Grant, Esq., and John S. Gautier, Esq. Eulogy pronounced at the Funeral of George Peabody, at Peabody, Massachusetts, 8th February, 1870. By Hon. ROBERT C. WINTHROP, LL.D., President of the Peabody Education Fund. Second Edition. Boston: Press of John Wilson & Son. 8vo. pp. 26. Mr. Winthrop's intimate personal and official relations to the deceased, and to the management of his magnificent charities, entitle this discourse to higher consideration than we ordinarily give to funeral orations, for it is much more than an affectionate and eloquent tribute to the distinguished dead it is a candid analysis of his character and motives. It will take an exalted rank among works of its class, and deserves to be read and pondered by the people for its noble sentiments, sound philosophy and religious temper. DEATHS. BALDWIN, JOHN C., in Orange, New Jersey, April 21st, 1870, aged 70 years.Mr. Baldwin was born in Danville, Vermont, March 29, 1800, and was an elder brother of Governor H. P. Baldwin of Michigan. He accumulated great wealth in business in New York and Baltimore, and was a man of large and systematic benevolence. During his life time he gave away about $800,000, mostly to educational and charitable institutions. On May 4th, his will was proved before Surrogate Moore in Newark, New Jersey, and admitted to probate-Messrs. Charles P. Baldwin, Levi P. Stone, Joseph S. Gallagher and Oliver E. Wood being named as executors. The will represents property valued at over $400,000, mostly in all kinds of securities. The only real estate was a house and lot No. 53 Cortlandt street, New York, which was bequeathed to the Union Theological Seminary. The bequests to public institutions are as follows:-American Bible Society $8000; American Tract Society $8000; American and Foreign Christian VOL. XXIV. 31 Union $8000; New-York city Missionary and Tract Society $8000; American Board of Foreign Missions $10,000; Presbyterian Committee of Home Missions $10,000; New-York Association for Improving the Condition of the Poor $5000; American Sunday School Union $5000; Presbyterian Erection Fund $5000; Society for the Relief of Poor Widows with small children $5000. After bequeathing about $236,000 to different relatives and friends, the residue of the estate is to be divided equally among the following Colleges, for the instruction of indigent young men who may desire to study for the ministry :Middlebury College, Vermont; Williams College, Massachusetts; Hamilton College, New York; and Wabash College, Indiana. Mr. Baldwin left no descendants, and his paternal ancestors in this country were: 1. NATHANIEL BALDWIN, a Puritan emigrant, who settled in Milford, Conn. in 1639. His first wife was Abigail Camp, who died in Milford March 22, 1648. His second wife was Joanna Westcoat, widow of Richard Westcoat, who died in 1682. He died in Fairfield, Conn. in 1658, leaving the following children :-John; Daniel; Nathaniel; Abigail; Samuel; Sarah and Deborah. 2. JOHN BALDWIN, born before 1640 and married by Robert Treat, magistrate, Nov. 19, 1663, to Hannah Osburn, daughter of Richard. He removed from Milford to Newark, New Jersey, where he died in 1688, leaving two children :— Hannah and John. 3. JOHN BALDWIN, born in Newark, about 1685. He married Lydia Hanison and died Dec. 21st, 1732, leaving five children:-Silvanus; Ebenezer ; Jonas; Hannah and Moses. 4. REV. MOSES BALDWIN, born in Newark, Nov. 5, 1732. He married Rebecca Lee, August 7, 1765, and died at Palmer, Massachusetts, Nov. 2, 1813. He was the first to receive a bacalaureate degree at Princeton College, N. J., and was Pastor of the church at Palmer for more than 50 years. He had : Nabby; Lydia; John; Daniel; Ezra Lee; William; Becca Lee; Polly and Moses. 5. JOHN BALDWIN, born at Palmer, Mass., Feb. 13, 1770. He married July 25, 1796, Peggy Williams, daughter of Rev. Nehemiah Williams of Brimfield, and died at Pawtucket, R. I., Oct. 16, 1826. They had :-Percy Keyes; John C.; Mary Ann; Nehemiah W.; Chas. P.; Becca Lee; Eliza M.; Martha E.; Samuel H.; Moses H.; Henry Lee; Henry Porter; James A. and Harriet R. B. A. B. HERRICK, Hon. Benjamin Jones, in Alfred, Maine, May 24, 1870, aged 79 years, 1 month and 16 days. He was the eldest son of Joshua and Mary (Jones) Herrick, and was born in Norwich, Connecticut, April 8, 1791; his parents, soon after his birth, removed to Beverly, Mass., where they subsequently resided. He was extensively known throughout his county and State, and was one of its most prominent, wellknown and estimable citizens. Mr. Herrick has been a member of the legis lature, high sheriff and register of deeds of York County, and has also filled various other positions of honor and trust. He was married January 14, 1819, to Miss Mary Conant, only child of the late Nathaniel Conant, Esq., of Alfred, who died November 30, 1868. They leave four children-two sons and two daughters. The oldest daughter is the wife of Sylvester Littlefield, Esq. of Alfred, and the youngest is the wife of Hon. John H. Goodwin, of Biddeford, HALL, Doct. Abiel, in Alfred, Maine, December 18, 1869, aged 82 years. NESMITH, Hon. John, died at Lowell, Oct. 15, 1869, æt. 76. He was b. in that part of Londonderry, N. H., now Windham, son of John and Lucy (Martin)Nesbith, who lived fifty years upon the homestead of his father, who was one of the early Scotch farmers of that town. He received the scanty school education of his time, and at fourteen years of age was placed in the store of Mr. John Dow, of Haverhill, Mass. He afterwards became the partner of his elder brother, Thomas, in trade in Londonderry, and subsequently both became members of a firm in the city of New-York. In 1832 the brothers came to Lowell, made large purchases of real estate, entered into manufacturing, and laid out plans of business which resulted in large accumulations of property. Mr. John Nesmith was one of the projectors of the mills in Lawrence, and of the purchase of the Winnipissiogee and Squam Lakes in New-Hampshire as reservoirs for the mills of Lowell and Lawrence. He was a student and inventor, having made useful improvements in machinery, and invented machinery for making shawl fringe, wire fencing, &c. He was deeply interested in the opening institutions of the young city of spindles, and held many of the municipal offices. His political opinions were strong, bold and decisive. Whig, Freesoil and Republican in associated action, he filled, with credit to himself and his constituents, various public trusts, in the legislature, as lieut.-governor, presidential elector, and collector of the revenue. In his social relations he was genial, hospitable and generous. In the early part of his life he buried two wives, one a daughter of the distinguished Judge, Senator and Governor, Samuel Bell of New-Hampshire, and the other, daughter of Governor John Bell of the same state. Twentyeight years since, he married the daughter of the late Hon. Aaron Mansur of Lowell, who survives him, as do also some children. He leaves a large estate, about a hundred thousand dollars of which are ultimately to be paid over to the State of New-Hampshire for the benefit of the blind. PATTERSON, Capt. Thomas, died in Londonderry, N. H., Oct. 27, 1869, aged 83 years. Capt. Patterson was widely known, and was one of those citizens whose substantial qualities have contributed to give character to that town. He was a grandson of Peter Patterson, one of the earliest settlers, and was himself a good type of the Scotch element. In person he was erect and vigorous till near the close of his life, possessing, also, a "sound mind in a sound body;" a mind marked by great individuality and positiveness of character. Of the ancestral brogue he retained enough to grace his goodly portion of Scotch humor. This humor, in connection with peculiar colloquial powers, rendered him acceptable company to the old and the young. Half a century ago he was the most noted teacher in these parts. He taught thirty-one terms with great success, particularly in difficult schools. No "hard case" of a youngster ever required a second course of his peculiar discipline, although in the main he controlled his pupils by firmness and kindness, rather than by fear. Through life he was always on the best of terms with Young America. The various offices of trust within the gift of his townsmen he filled with general acceptance. But one brother and one sister of Capt. P. now survive-Ex-Gov. G. W. Patterson, of Westfield, N. Y., and Mrs. Elizabeth Baker, of Tilton, N. H. A. Since the above was written, his widow, Mrs. Hannah D. Patterson, dau. of the late John Duncan, Esq., has followed him (Nov. 12), aged 71. Although many of the aged people of Londonderry have recently died, there remain about twenty-five above the age of eighty, of whom five are over ninety. (N. H. Statesman.) SPOONER, Charles, in Plainfield, Otsego Co., N. Y., Feb. 14, 1870, aged 79 years and 11 months. He held the office of postmaster at Spooner's corners, N. Y., for many years. He married Feb. 17, 1814, Ursula, daughter of Samuel and Thankful (Clarke) Taylor. She was born Oct. 6, 1792, died Oct. 16, 1864. He was son of Ruggles (and Mary Moffit) Spooner, who was born in Petersham, Mass., Ap. 18, 1765, died June 2, 1836. At the age of 18, enlisted in the revolutionary army, and in 1786 settled in Otsego Co., N. Y. For 22 consecutive yrs. he held the office of justice of the peace, and was post-master of Plainfield, N. Y. from 1809 to 1832. He was grandson of Capt. Wing (and Eunice Stevens) Spooner, who was born in Dartmouth, New Bedford, Dec. 29, 1738, died in Petersham, Dec. 7, 1810. He served in the revolutionary war, was in command of a company at the battle of White Plains. It is stated that on the retreat, as he and Capt. Ivory Holland were walking side by side, a cannon ball passed between them, killing a man immediately in front. He was gt. -grandson of Deacon Daniel (and Elizabeth Ruggles) Spooner, who was born in Dartmouth, admitted freeman, Newport, R. I., 1732, removed to Petersham about 1749, where he resided until his death, 1797, in his 104th year, having served as deacon of the First church nearly half a century. He was gt.-gt-grandson of Samuel (and Experience Wing) Spooner, who was born in Plymouth, Jan. 14, 1655, died in Dartmouth, 1737; in the confirmatory deed of Bradford, he is named as one of the proprietors of Dartmouth. He was gt.-gt.-gt.- grandson of William (and Hannah Pratt) Spooner, who was in Plymouth as early as 1637, and subsequently of Dartmouth, where he died Benjamin Willis was son of Hon. Samuel and Mehitable (Gifford) Willis, who an early settler of Dartmouth, and a proprietor in the eight hundred acre division, and a man of much prominence grandson of Comfort Willis, who lived in Bridgewater, and was a Trooper in Philip's war, and gt.-grandson of Deacon John Willis, who was at Duxbury as early as 1637, and was an original proprietor and among the first settlers of Bridgewater, and a Representative 25 years. 8. ToUCEY, Hon. Isaac, died at his residence in Prospect street, Hartford, at 7 10 a. m. July 30, 1869, at the age of 73. He was born in Newtown, Fairfield county, Nov. 5, 1796. He was a descendant of the Rev. Thomas Toucey, a graduate of Yale College, of the class of 1707, the first congregational minister of Newton. Under private instruction, and afterwards at a school at Westport, he pursued the course of study prescribed at Yale, but ill health interfered with his intentions of ultimately obtaining a degree. He studied law at Newtown, in the office of Judge Chapman, of the supreme court, father of the [late] Hon. Charles Chapman of Hartford, and on being admitted to the bar in 1818, he began |