As our ancestors welcomed the year 1820 in Concord, there was much activity about town. Down on Main Street the locals gathered and read their newspapers and spoke of President James Monroe’s time in the White House with speculation that he would be winning the election and serving once again as president. Maine was just admitted as the 23 state in the union and Mount Rainier erupted where Seattle is now located. The world saw Susan B. Anthony born and pioneer Daniel Boone pass away.
As the spring blended into summer, our ancestors found both warm weather and traveling preachers arriving in Concord. The last Sunday of July 1820 saw Concord host the very respected and celebrated preacher Lorenzo Dow. His presentation mesmerized the audience and left the people feeling both motivated and optimistic for the future. Certainly, a wonderful presentation that instilled hope for the future while the people looked toward the sky for a sign of continued health and prosperity.
With the crops planted and the merchants busy selling their wares, the people hoped for rain to sustain their crops to provide food for the upcoming winter. The winters of our ancestors tended to be especially difficult with freezing temperatures and deep snow. The corn would be harvested and ground to make meal while the fresh produce enjoyed as long as possible into the cold months. The apple harvest was especially enjoyed for most properties had one or two apple trees to provide for the property owners. The apples were not only consumed right off the tree but used for baking and spirits. The apples would be harvested, fermented and pressed into cider, hard cider that would be processed in great quantities and consumed well into the following year.
The farmers in Concord would religiously consult the Old Farmers Almanac to make sure their crops were successful. The almanac was first published in 1792 by Robert B. Thomas during President George Washington’s first term. Life depended on a successful crop and our ancestors consulted both the Old Farmers Almanac as well as the heavens for advice. With the crops safely planted and the local people waiting for rain there was much optimism as the preachers traveled into town to preach, comfort and raise some donations so that they too could live.
There were some farmers in Concord that followed the preaching of William Miller, a farmer himself from New York state, who traveled and preached about the second coming. The followers were known as Millerites and believed that the second coming would occur in April 1843. The thought with some of our ancestors was to live good productive lives and be ready for the year 1843. People living during this period held some superstitions close to heart too and were consistently looking for signs to develop and live their lives to the best of their abilities.
As the summer of 1820 progressed, our ancestors enjoyed their dinners, a mug of hard cider and perhaps a cigar as they patiently watched the sun set over Rattlesnake Hill to the west. Relaxing this warm evening as they headed towards another evening of slumber they spoke softly in hushed tones. They spoke about the past, the future and what would be. They wished the best for their families and only hoped that life would be easier for the next generation growing up in our beautiful little town nestled along the Merrimack River. As these moments passed this wonderful summer evening there were shouts in the distance and alarmed voices penetrating the dark silence of the night. It was on Friday, August 4, 1820 just before 11 p.m. that all eyes in Concord looked towards the heavens. There was a bright flash followed by a luminous meteor rising from the western horizon towards zenith. The event lasted a long two-minute period until impact. Our little town, at this late hour of the night was awakened with people traveling towards Main Street in search of answers. There were certainly concerns, was this a sign from above: if so, was it a good sign or a bad sign?
The very next morning the young boys in Concord awoke and coordinated a search of the surrounding hills. This boy thought it landed here, but the next boy was sure it was over there. People did search for the meteor that fell from the heavens into Concord that night 200 years ago, never to be found.
As the years continued the story was handed down to the next generation, certainly embellished, for everyone loves a good story. I first heard about the grand meteor from my father many years ago. He heard about the meteor over Concord from his fathers’ father. Though there was never a sign of the meteor being discovered, it did put on a marvelous show for the slumber laden people on a warm August night here in Concord.
As long as there are stars in the sky, people will continue to gaze and wonder, searching to this day for a sign, good or bad. People will wish upon a falling star.