Periodically we will be writing pieces of history on the town of New Hampton that will often include photographs. Most of this history is found within the walls of Gordon-Nash Library. -Jerrica, Library Director
First Edition WALDEN – Henry David Thoreau – 1854
A first edition of Henry D. Thoreau’s classic, Walden is one of the library’s prized titles. This copy has the ownership signature of the library’s namesake, Stephen Gordon Nash/Aug. 1854 in pencil on the front-end paper.
Judge Nash read this work carefully as his markings appear on a significant portion of the pages (a cursory examination suggests at least 75-80% of the pages are marked). However, the book was checked out from G-NL at least twenty-two times between 1900 and 1935. Given such use, it is in remarkably good condition (a credit to the residents, students, and sojourners who borrowed it). It also means there is no way to know if all of the marks were made by the Judge. In fact, a word written in the margin on p. 23 (“here”) does not appear to be in his hand.
It is interesting to note that SGN acquired this book as soon as it was available, as it was published on Aug 9, 1854, and he signed and dated his copy the same month.
George F. Dodge, M.D. and Eva F. Dodge, M.D.
George F. Dodge came from Tamworth, NH to attend N.H.L.I in 1891 and graduated in June of 1894 giving an oration with an address to the Literary Adelphi: Fidelity to Trust. He would return to New Hampton to marry New Hampton native, Winnie J. Worthen in 1895 and worked five years at F. P. Morrill’s store on Main Street. Together they had three daughters.
George and Winnie’s first daughter, Eva also attended N.H.L.I. and graduated in 1916. She went on to become a pioneer for women’s medical health after earning an MD from the University of Maryland’s Medical School (1925). She was a woman of firsts and in 1928 went to China and became the acting professor of obstetrics at Woman’s Christian Medical School in Shanghai. She did work in 4 African Nations and is notable for becoming the Assistant Medical Director for Planned Parenthood. According to the American Medical Association of America, “She was named Little Rock “Woman of the Year”, she received the Alumni Honor Award and Gold Key of the Medical Alumni Association of the University of Maryland, and she was elected President of the Pan American Medical Women’s Association. From 1945 until her retirement in 1964, she served as a faculty member of the Medical School of the University of Arkansas and Director of the Maternity and Gynecology Outpatient Department.” (source: https://www.amwa-doc.org/awards/blackwell-exhibit/eva-f-dodge-md/).
The Gordons of New Hampton
During the library’s recent renovations, a poem written by a descendant of one of New Hampton’s first settlers was uncovered. The poem “Must we die” is a walk through life with the ultimate end in heaven. Written by Deacon John Calvin Gordon to his future wife Sarah “Sally” Robinson, they were married in 1830. The letter was given to the library in 1979 by Isabel Rand, with a note explaining she found the poem in the files of her grandparents, Henry and Catherine Gordon of New Hampton. It was a wonderful surprise to find that the young Gordon attended New Hampton Academy in 1825.
| Must we die When youthful scenes around us rise And hope in every vein beats high When fairest prospects greet our eyes Tis hard to die When the good will of all we gain And friends so near and dear stand by When love around us winds his chain Tis hard to die When health wealth honor all are ours Secure from every slander die Reposing in love’s pleasing bowers Tils hard to die But when our youthful scenes are o’er And all our youthful hopes do fly Then prospects fair are seen no more Tis rough to die When on a sick bed pained we lay When friends do from us causeless hie When every earthly tie gives way Tis good to die When boundless mercy does proclaim Secure our mansion in the sky Then trusting in his holy name Tis bliss to die John Calvin Gordon for Sarah Robinson(mirror writing) |
John Gordon grew up on Main Street with his nine siblings in the house pictured. He and Sally also grew a large family of seven, moving into the family home with his parents.
John was a farmer and wool manufacturer who produced stockings and gloves prepared in a large iron kettle. He was Deacon of the Calvinist Baptist Church for many years and also served the town as clerk. According to A Small Gore of Land, “The avenue of maples, which formerly stretched from the village to the Old Institution, is said to have been planted by Deacon John Calvin Gordon to shade the path taken by him and his family each Sunday when they went to the Calvinist Baptist meeting house.
John’s son, Adoniram Judson Gordon, born in 1836, attended New Hampton School until it was taken over by the Free Will Baptists. He then transferred to a school in New London. Like his father, A. J. Gordon felt the pull of the pulpit. He became a preacher and rose very rapidly in the church eventually becoming pastor of the Boston Baptist Church. Widely known as a speaker and writer, he was a great power in Baptist affairs for more than 30 years and the founder of Gordon College. He came home to New Hampton in the summer and held services at the Dana Meeting House donating generously for its restoration. I believe his portrait still hangs in the meeting house. A. J. Gordon’s book, Risen With Christ, is in the library’s collection, along with several other titles by him.
-Jerrica Blackey, Director
12/21/21
