WYMAN TAVERN, THE INN AT KEENE, NEW HAMPSHIRE IN WHICH WAS HELD THE FIRST MEETING OF THE TRUSTEES OF DARTMOUTH COLLEGE

Thus spoke Gen. Simon G. Griffin (Dartmouth '68, h.) in 1897: "This house, first the old colonial tavern, then for more than half a century the almost sanctified parsonage, now the charming home, is the most interesting and important relic of early days now left in Keene".

Remaining to. us an added' score and more of years it is fitting that its story be retold in connection with the 150th anniversary exercises of Dartmouth.

Built in 1762 by Capt. Isaac Wyman it stands today a perfect type of colonial architecture, retaining many of its ancient characteristics. The entrance, chimneys, the overhead timbers and wainscoting in principal rooms, remaining much as in former years, there was a hall over the south half, a wine cellar and closets conveniently located, the room on the left being the inevitable taproom to which place as appears from the town records, in 1763 after electing a moderator, the meeting adjourned that, following the custom, the newly elected officer might "stand treat".

At that time the village could not have numbered more than fifty houses.

It was from Wyman Tavern that the men from Keene and vicinity set forth at sunrise on an April morning for Lexington, messengers bearing news of the battle having reached Keene—90 miles away—during the "forenoon" of the 20th. The alarm was sounded. A meeting was held in the afternoon when it was voted to send a company to "oppose the regulars". Volunteers were called for, 29 responding, Capt. Isaac Wyman having been chosen commander at the meeting. He had seen service in the French and Indian War of 1747-9 and later on had been in command at Fort Massachusetts—now North Adams. Guns, ammunition and equipment were gathered, together with rations for several days, for, said Capt. Wyman, "all the roads will be full of men and you can procure nothing on the way".

At sunrise the 21st of April, 1775, the. company having first visited the "South" room where Capt. Wyman "stood treat", started over the Boston road for Massachusetts, doubtless marching to the stirring strains of fife and drum playing "On the Road to Boston".

Throughout all these troublous times Wyman Tavern was the centre of the activities incident to those days.

In 1897 the Daughters of the Revolution placed on this house a tablet commemorating this historic event.

To Dartmouth men this old hostelry has a deeper significance than that pertaining only to patriotism. The first meeting of the Trustees was to have been held in Hanover, the second Tuesday in October. The notice having failed, a new call was made, as follows:

"Dartmouth College in Hanover, Oct. 11, 1770.

Whereas a meeting of the honorable corporation of Dartmouth College was appointed to be on this day in this place, but by some means the advertisement of the same, which was sent to be published in the New Hampshire Gazette miscarried, which makes another appointment necessary. These are therefore to notify all concerned that a meeting of said corporation is now appointed to be held at the house of Mr. Wyman, innholder in Keene, on Monday, the 22nd instant, at nine o'clock in the forenoon.

By Eleazar Wheelock, President of said College."

In response to this call seven members (a bare quorum) appeared, President Wheelock, Peter Gilman, William Pitkin, Rev. Benjamin Pomeroy, Timothy Pitkin, William Patten and John Smalley. Mr. Patten was chosen scribe. Of the New Hampshire members only Mr. Gilman was present, the Governor being kept at home by the death of an uncle.

To the interest centered in this first official meeting place there are added two others, as we recall the fact that for more than fifty years, beginning with 1818, it was the home of Rev. Zedekiah S. Barstow, D.D., for fifty-five years minister of the First Congregational Church and for thirty-five years a trustee of Dartmouth, also that it was the birthplace, in 1826, of Dr. Josiah W. Barstow, Dartmouth '46, now our oldest living alumnus.

It was because of this intimate relationship with Dartmouth that three years ago the Cheshire County Alumni Association voted to place upon this ancient house a bronze tablet commemorating the first trustee meeting. The ages and health of the present owners, Mrs. Perkins and Miss Adams, (sisters of John G. Adams, Dartmouth '54) was such that fitting dedicatory exercises could not be held. It was then proposed that a photograph of the old tavern tinted like the original colors should be presented to the College. This has just been done. Accompanying the picture, which is 20x24 inches in size, was the following letter:

Keene, N. H., Oct. 18, 1919,

Dear Mr. President:

Could you have: stood with us on the site of the old Fort in Upper Ashuelot on an autumn afternoon a century and a half ago and looked to the southward over Swanzey meadows, we might have seen rising in the distance a cloud of dust marking the coming of the old time horse and chaise.

Had we turned to the southeast a similar sight might have greeted our eyes, these coming from Portsmouth over the Boston road, later made historic by the minutemen from Keene and vicinity, marching to Lexington and Bunker Hill. Turning to the north we might have seen cantering past the old church, men from Hanover on horseback. Surely this was the meeting place of these three groups of men,—wise men it proved—who, on the morrow, were to formulate plans that would mean much in the history of the Province and State of New Hampshire that was to be.

To commemorate this meeting and preserve in colors the house where it was held a few of us, loyal sons of Dartmouth, are asking yon. to accept for the College this picture which bears the following inscription:

"In this house then known as Wyman Tavern, in Keene, N. H., was held the first meeting of the Trustees of Dartmouth College, Oct. 22, 1770.

"This picture framed in wood from the ancient building is presented by the Cheshire County Alumni Association 1919."

ELGIN A. JONES '74 CHARLES C. STURTEVANT '99 WILLIAM H. WATSON '03

Committee for Association.

To which President Hopkins responded as follows:

"October thirty 1919

Dear Sirs:

I left Hanover immediately after the sesqui-centennial exercises last week and am only now able to take up the correspondence having to do with that event.

Early in this I want to express appreciation, in behalf of the College as well as personally, for the gift of the beautifully framed picture of the Wyman Tavera in which was held the first meeting of the Trustees of Dartmouth College, October 22, 1770. It is a great satisfaction to have this and it is a valuable addition to the keepsakes of the College which have to do with its early history.

We received this in the middle of the afternoon of Monday, October 20th. I had it immediately taken to College Hall and hung at the entrance of the dining room, where it was available for the view of the group who, gathered for attendance at the great formal dinner. It will hereafter hang in the Administration Building.

May I ask that you who have been so good as to act as agents in this matter of the presentation likewise act as representatives of the College in transmitting to the Cheshire County Alumni Association our appreciation of this attractive picture so appropriately framed in the wood from the ancient building?

I am Most sincerely yours, ERNEST M. HOPKINS.