In 1821, our ancestors residing in Concord were living in an era that was known as the “Era of Good Feelings.” The period of time referred to as the “Revolutionary Era” was experienced prior during the years 1763 to 1789. In 1821, the war was over for an extended period of time and the new freedoms; lack of British taxation and fear of war were things of the past. The people in New Hampshire were making a new life, dedicated and committed so that their children would know peace and prosperity. Yes, the “Era of Good Feelings” did eliminate some concerns, but there was still mother nature to contend with.
When the earliest settlers arrived on the shores of the Merrimack River this beautiful land was inhabited by many generations of Native Americans, the natural resources were abundant and the land forgiving. The harsh winters and warm summers were cycles that the original inhabitants enjoyed and utilized to survive. The first European settlers traveled up the Merrimack River viewing the high embankments and dense forests, the only cleared areas in sight were along the intervale beside the river where the Penacook Native Americans had cleared trees and planted annual crops. The early settlers continued to arrive and the Massachusetts Bay Colony granted the Pennycook Plantation in 1725 with the early settlements dating to 1727. As more people arrived and inhabited the multiple garrisons the community was incorporated as Rumford in 1733.
The population continued to grow; civilization was established further with each arriving year. History was being made by the settlers as they worked to establish themselves and their families further. Commerce was established and businesses provided the provisions so desired by our ancestors. A young woman entering into marriage could purchase cloth from England right down on Main Street to make her wedding gown. Fine teas imported from overseas could be enjoyed during the evening while relaxing around the fireplace. Family was close and entertainment flowed in the form of storytelling, traveling performers, books and early newspapers. The conclusion of the “Revolutionary Era” further solidified the desire for progress and prosperity as Concord entered the 1800s.
In 1821, the people were enjoying their routine life within the city. The fear of wolves and rattlesnakes in Concord were lessened and the people remained committed to help each other in any way that they could. There were barn raisings, and the people bartered with one another to make life a little easier. The future looked bright and the ongoing development of the community even brighter.
There continued to be concerns as the years progressed. Fire was of utmost concern, sparked by candles, lanterns and lightning. Volunteers eagerly addressed fires with bucket brigades and saved many a building. Storms would approach and destroy crops without warning, there was flooding near the Merrimack River. Winter brought extreme cold and deep snow while other seasons brought further burdens, such as the year 1821.
Without warning dark clouds appeared to the west of Concord, near the Warner and Sutton areas. Central New Hampshire was experiencing a devastating cyclone that would devastate our communities and claim innocent lives. The storm traveled quickly and history records much destruction from the cyclone that traveled from the west into an easterly direction towards Concord.
The Merrimack Valley provided some protection to our forefathers, strong granite laden hills deflecting winds for generations were no match for the cyclone of 1821. The twister traveled into the towns of Warner and Sutton, across Kearsarge Mountain and into Croydon. The cyclone did not cease until it arrived at the boundary near Boscawen. Pleas for help arrived and our ancestors joined together across these communities to assist.
The devastation was severe, a single-family dwelling in Sunapee directly in the path was devastated, a sleeping child pulled from bed and dashed into Lake Sunapee. New London and Sutton were devastated too as the cyclone traveled across the land taking with it many barns and homes. The Savory family home was in a direct path and destroyed with 14 people residing there, resulting in some loss of life. Homes were ripped from their foundations without even the sills remaining, stone walls bordering properties were completely lost and spread across miles. The Flanders and True families were also directly in the path of the cyclone as it passed from Warner to Salisbury with further loss of life. The hearths were pulled from the homes, with bricks still hot from the fireplace dispersed and covering survivors of the storm. Spruce boards stored in New London were later found thirty miles away in Canterbury.
There were additional cyclones reported on this same day in 1821 further to the south in Massachusetts. Our ancestors met tragedy with much remorse, the “Era of Good Feelings” permanently marred for them. Nature, in all of its fury delivered devastation that left many without the most basic means to survive.
In 1821, much like today, the community provided for those in need. Groups of individuals gathered and provided food, shelter and medical care for the families that suffered the greatest losses. Compassion for others has always been relevant, sadly it sometimes takes a very tragic event to recognize the goodness that each and every one of us holds closely to our hearts.