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Robert dinsmoor: the "rustic bard"

5/31/2015

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Robert Dinsmoor was born in Windham on October 7, 1757. A brief biographical overview of his life can be found in Morrison's "History of Windham, NH": 

At the age of eighteen, he served three months in the Revolutionary 
army, and subsequently at several different times. He was at 
the capture of Burgoyne. At the age of twenty-live he married 
Mary Park, of Windham, and settled on a part of his father's 
farm, at the east end of Cobbett's Pond, where he spent the remainder
of his life in farming. He was an elder in the Presbyterian church, in 
Windham, for about fifty years, and much of that 
time was clerk of the session. He was a Presbyterian of the 
straightest sect. An anecdote is related of him, and many such 
might be told, which illustrates the truth of this. For many 
years after the settlement of the town, every tax-payer was 
obliged to contribute towards the support of preaching in the 
town, and there was but one church, the Presbyterian. During 
the ministry of Rev. Samuel Harris, a shoe-maker, who was a 
Methodist, moved into the town. He often asked Mr. Harris if 
he would exchange some Sunday with a Methodist minister from
another place. Not meeting with success in obtaining the request, 
he one day told Mr. Harris that if he would exchange with his 
favorite Methodist minister, Mr. Peaslee, he would make him a 
nice pair of calf-skin boots. The good man had a large and 
somewhat expensive family, and his salary was only four hundred 
dollars per year. The earnest importunity of the shoe-maker, 
coupled with the promise of the calf-skin boots, broke down for 
him the barrier of sect that stood between the Methodist and the 
Presbyterian ; but he dared not make the arrangements for the 
exchange without consulting his elders. When the matter was 
laid before the session. Deacon Dinsmoor at once exclaimed, 
" Mr. Harris ! Mr. Harris ! would you sell your soul to the divil 
for a pair of boots'?"

 He was a constant attendant on the church 
services, always taking part in the singing, though in his declining
years he sat in his own pew. He was very apt in conducting 
religious meetings in private houses, as well as in the district 
school-houses. He would read a hymn with great good taste, 
and strike a familiar tune, in which old and young could join, 
thus making the meeting inviting, by its music, to those who would 
not come to hear the simple Calvinistic truth, as taught by the 
good elder. He was a most genial companion, very fond of society,
and maintained, for one situated as he was, with much ol 
the time only a weekly mail, a large correspondence. Then again, 
he was called upon for a poem, at any and all times, without fee 
or reward. If a church was to be dedicated, a minister ordained, 
a new school-house built, or a Fourth of July celebrated. Uncle 
Robert must contribute a poem to the occasion. His friends 
never considered that while he was writing for their amusement 
and gratification, the weeds were growing in his corn, or that the 
hay standing in the field might be caught by a shower, and the 
"wolf" might be looking in at the door. Twenty years before his death, the "Rustic Bard" had a paralytic shock, which came near resulting fatally, and for even a 
greater length of time, he was so bowed with rheumatism as to 
be unable to stand erect. Still, he was a powerful man physically, and
 lived to the good old age of seventy-nine. He died of 
pneumonia after a brief illness, at his ow^n home, March 16, 1836. 

Picture
1812 note signed by Deacon Robert Dinsmoor permitting Samuel Anderson to obtain articles from Haverhill, MA merchants for the mourning of David Anderson
Of his first wife, Mary Park, by whom he had twelve children, 
we have been able to learn but little. That she was a most 
excellent wife and mother, the frequent affectionate mention of 
her name, by her husband and large family of children, gives 
indubitable proof. 

On Dec. 31, 1801, he m. for his second wife, Mary, dau. of 
John Davidson, and the widow of Samuel Anderson, of Londonderry.
 She occupied the trying place of step-mother to a large 
family with singular good judgement, and won the affection of the 
children and grandchildren of her husband. To all the boys and 
girls of the neighborhood, she was known by the endearing name 
of "Aunt Molly." She survived her husband, and d. Jan. 19, 
1838. She was b. March 17, 1754. Children: --
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    Derek Saffie is an avid Windham historian who enjoys researching and sharing his collection with all those interested in the history of the New England town.
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