Langdon Park

This program, from the dedication of Langdon Park on May 25, 1876, is archived in the Woodbury Collection at the Portsmouth Athenaeum.

The background information explains that in 1867:

KNOW ALL THEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that I, John Elwyn, of Portsmouth, in the County of Rockingham and State of New Hampshire, in consideration of the needs of Public Grounds in Portsmouth, do hereby lease and let to Albert L. Jones, Henry M. Clark, Alfred M. Hoyt. Frank: W. Miller and T. Salter Tredick, a certain tract of Land situated in said Portsmouth, and bounded as follows; namely:

Beginning on South Street at a stone fence which separates a pasture from a field called the "Middle Field," and running northerly by said fence in the "general direction thereof, but on a straight line to the South Mill Pond.  On the Eastern side of this field, with a perpendicular width of two hundred feet running from the Mill Pond. which is the Northern boundary of this field, Southerly on a line parallel to the first-named line holding a width of two hundred feet to South Street, thence running Southwesterly on South Street a distance sufficient to give a perpendicular width of two hundred feet to the bound first mentioned, the same containing about Five acres or less.

To have and to hold for them and their successors forever, but in trust, nevertheless for the following uses and purposes:

Firstly, To lay out, improve and put in order the said land as a Mall, in such way and at such times as their judgement shall dec1de, and  the means at their disposal will allow.

Secondly, To keep it open for the use of the public, under such rules and regulations as said Trustees may judge as most expedient for the preservation of the property and the maintenance of good order therein;

Thirdly, To make such bylaws and rules for their own government and to elect and appoint such and so many officers as they may deem necessary or expedient

And we the said Albert L. Jones, Henry M. Clark, Alfred M. Hoyt, Frank W. Miller and T. Salter Tredick, do hereby accept said trust and do covenant to and with the said John Elwyn, that we will cause the said grounds to be put in proper order for the use of the public, as soon as can properly be done with the means which may be put at our disposal therefore. That we will prohibit the erection of any building thereon, excepting such as may be economical in putting and keeping in order such grounds or to beautify and adorn said Mall and render it more useful for the purposes for which it is leased. That we will make such rules and regulations as may be deemed by us expedient for the beneficial use thereof. And we the said Trustees agree that we will pay all taxes and burdens on the said premises, whether on the part of the City of Portsmouth, the State of New Hampshire or the United States, and all taxes and burdens of every sort.

And it is hereby agreed and covenanted by and between the said Trustees and the said John Elwyn, that if the said Trustees and their successors shall neglect to perform and execute the covenants and agreements heretofore contained, according to the true intent and meaning thereof, then this lease or deed shall be null and void and the said John Elwyn and his heirs may enter into and repossess the said premises, in the same manner, and as fully as if this lease or deed had never been given.”

In accordance with this gift and with a view to avail and utilize the same, the above named trustees soon after procured a plan of the pond, with the proposed park or "grounds," and a marginal road around the pond, to be drawn by Mr. A. M. Hoyt, and a paper for subscriptions was prepared, and signed by the trustees, as follows:

“Hon. John Elwyn having given in trust to a Board of Trustees, a, lot of land (of five acres) on the South side of the South Mill Pond, as a nucleus for a Mall and Common, it is proposed by the Sons and Daughters of Portsmouth to purchase the same, to the amount of about forty acres for the purpose of laying out and beautifying a Common that shall be at once a source of health and an ornament to the good old City of Portsmouth, and a pleasure and pride to her numerous Sons and Daughters, at home and abroad.”  

This information included the following notice:

“On this occasion, (or at any time previously) there will be set in the Park, 100 [US] CENTENNIAL TREES, of all varieties; and any citizen, Society, or Association desirous to furnish one or more trees for this purpose may send them to the Park at any time or report at the Bookstore of Mr. JOS. H. FOSTER, or to either of the Trustees, or to Mr. JOHN F. MARDEN, on South Street.

“Or parties wishing to aid the cause, and preferring to be represented by one or more trees, rather than provide them, can do so by a donation of $5, (or any sum they see fit,) to the Treasurer.  .     -

“Citizens willing to contribute labor gratuitously toward the construction of the Park, either of. men or teams are invited to report at the grounds at any time previous to the 23d, to assist m setting trees, building fences and embankments, clearing the grounds, etc.”

The dedication program notes that:

“The response to this call was something wonderful, m its heartiness and unanimity. Although rather late in the season when issued, for the setting of trees, the list which follows herein, shows that more than 600 trees, many of them choice specimens-six times as many as were requested or expected-were furnished and planted in the park in the short space of two weeks.  This must be pronounced a very successful arbor day, and should encourage all of us to persevere in the same direction.

Although the trustees had not yet received any funds for the park, they voted to spend about $500 in clearing the grounds, preparing the soil for the reception of trees, properly fencing the park for its own protection, doing a little necessary grading, providing seats, water, &c. To assist in defraying these expenses, it was announced in the advertisement that contributions of any amount would be received by the treasurer, and that $5 or more would secure the setting of a representative tree for the donor, by the trustees. Several such subscriptions were made, but the first considerable contribution was from the Portsmouth Horticultural Society, (of which Mr. William R. Preston is President and Hon. M. Bufford Secretary,) who voted $200 from their own idle treasury into the now active but empty treasury of Langdon Park. Other smaller contributions of money, material and labor were_ also received, and all such are still solicited from any who approve the enterprise.

One feature certainly novel, and so far as we are informed, unique in this little park, is that besides the very numerous individual and family trees, groups and clusters which are planted-many companies, societies, associations, clubs, lodges, etc. are here represented by miniature gardens, groves, arbors, triangles, and other floral forms, with trees, hedges, etc. therein, symbolizing each their own Order or object.”