4 NEW HAMPSHIRE AGRICULTURE. 



at Harvard, had studied theology, and was for several years a 

 minister of the standing order, but was never settled. The Revo- 

 lution, however, swept him from clerical, first into military, 

 and subsequently into civil life. In 1 777* 1 ne was appointed a 

 justice of the Court of Common Pleas for Rockingham County, 

 an office which he held until he became disqualified by the 

 limitation of age, in 1807 ; having been presiding justice from 

 1789. He died May 5, 1822, at the mature age of eighty-five 

 years. 1 



By his deeds bearing dates from June 20th, 1803, and June 

 23, 1807, the farm passed to its third owner, his youngest son, 

 Captain Joseph Walker. 2 He held it until his death, March 3, 

 1833, when it descended by law to his only son, the present 

 owner (Joseph B. Walker). 



During the ownership of the second and third proprietors, a 

 period of about fifty years, the agriculture of New Hampshire 

 was more conservative than progressive, and made few 

 advances. A traditional system of mixed husbandry prevailed, 

 mingled with domestic manufactures. The farmer lived more 

 entirely than now upon the products of his farm. He sold lit- 

 tle and bought little, and that mostly by barter. 3 



The latter part of this period, however, marks the approach- 

 ing renaissance of New England agriculture. Improved breeds 

 of sheep and horses were introduced. The horse hay-rake and 

 iron plows came into use. The first New Hampshire Board 

 of Agriculture was established, as were our several county 

 agricultural societies. The depressing influences of the wars 

 of the Revolution and of 181 2 had passed away, and the new 

 spirit of a new age was everywhere felt and manifest. 



For nearly thirty years after the death of its third proprietor, 

 the farm of the First Minister was occupied by tenants. To 

 say that its condition improved during that period, would be to 

 say what is not true. To say that it was maltreated, would be 

 equally so. For the use of it, the fourth proprietor received a 

 fair annual rent and the tenants secured for themselves a fair 

 net profit. 



J See Biographical Sketch, Appendix B. 



2 See biographical notice of Capt. Joseph Walker, Appendix C. 



3 See Agricultural Advancements, 1782 to 1833. Appendix D. 



