The Granite Monthly, Vol. IV
1881, John N McClintock, editor/publisher

Page 21

Centennial Address at Northfield, NH
The three Miles brothers came into town in 1769 or 1770, and settled on one farm; lived on it six or seven years, then sold it to Reuben Kimball of Concord, in 1776.  this farm has been kept in the Kimball name to the present time, Reuben giving it to his son Benjamin, who sold it to his brother David, whose descendants are still there.  Reuben Kimball was a soldier of the Revolution, and in the battle of Bunker Hill was hit by musket balls three times - once in the crown of his hat, once on the powder horn which hung at his side (which horn is now in the possession of the present occupant of the farm) and once in the leg, which wound never healed to the day of his death, June 12, 1815.

Well, Time whirls his wheel a little queerly sometimes.  Now here is Mr. J.A. Kimball, the last possessor of that farm, whose wife is a direct descendant of Abner Miles, the first possessor of said farm.  Said Abner sold his right and title to the farm, and cut off his descendants, heirs, assigns, etc., from all right, title, fee simple, forever and forever, when lo! a descendant of his steps in and claims equal rights with the purchaser.  And what is still more strange, it is said to be the result of a suit - not a law suit - which terminated in her favor; and so the descendants of the seller and the descendants of the purchaser both share equally in the blessings of said farm.

Page 104-5

Diary of Rev Timothy Walker of Concord, NH for the year 1780

April 27, Moses Kimball and Hannah Chase, both of Concord Married

May 16, Planted 9 hills of squashes, 9 of cucumbers, and 8 rows of beans, whereof 1 and about 1/8 were Mr. Kimball's sort.

June 1, Daniel Flood of Wear and Sarah Kimball of Concord (married)

July 9, Preached.  Baptized  Jenny - of Asa Kimball

Pages 230-233

Diary of Capt. Peter Kimball, 1776
By Charles Carleton Coffin.

There lies before me a time-worn book, which was carried by a patriot soldier through two campaigns of the revolution.  The covers are of boards covered with sheepskin, and first did service in enclosing the pages of the spelling book prepared by Thomas Dilworth, schoolmaster.  He was an authority in the last century, as Webster is in this.  Its possessor, Peter Kimball, one hundred and five years ago, tore out the printed pages, inserted blank leaves, and made it his diary, which I reproduce with its original spelling, with notes explanatory of some things which otherwise might be obscure.

Capt. Peter Kimball was born in Bradford, Mass., but removed to Boscawen in 1765, when he was twenty-six years of age.  He was a man of strong character and at once became a leading citizen.  He was an ardent patriot, and was ready to do his part in the struggle for independence.  The diary gives us the distances between Boscawen and White Plains, near the city of New York, in the daily marches of himself and comrades to join Washington's army after the evacuation of New York, resulting in the battle of White Plains.

Capt. Kimball never had the advantages of an education.  His spelling is phonographic, but that does not detract from the value of the writing.

The diary is prefaced by the following list of towns on the line of march, where he passed the nights:

"An account of our march Day by Day from Boscawen.

There is no date to show when he was appointed captain, but he was serving in that capacity in September, 1776, as will be seen by the context.  The diary thus begins:

"sept 16, 1776, in consequence of orders Recevd this Day from Col Stickney [of Concord] to Rais and Equip seven men to march to concord on the twentieth of this instant sept. the company was Raisd the 17th & after the order was Read and the incouragement known the invitation was given yt if there was Any man or men yt would go they ware Desired to make it manifest.  none semed to be willing.  But at Length Lieut Jackman, Ensign Ames, Sargent plummer, clark Noyes, [clerk of the company], simeon Jackman, moses manuel and myself agreed to go, Simeon Jackman being hire by Saml Jackman & Danl Richards [all citizens of Boscawen].

fryday ye 26th we marched to Concord and past muster.

Saterday 21 we stayed at Concord