4Q
��THE GRANITE MONTHLY.
��State, showing a remarkable aptitude for finance, only second to that of his father.
John Taylor Oilman was a Federalist in politics, and a firm supporter of the administration of Washington. Some of the other prominent Federalists in the State were Josiah Bartlett, Joshua Atherton, John Pickering, and Nathaniel Peabody. Gen. Sullivan, John Lang- don, Timothy Walker and Samuel Livermore, were republicans, sympa- thizers with Jefferson and Madison. In 1794 Dr. Bartlett, who had been several times elected president of the State, and and who had served as the first governor under the new constitu- tion, declined all further public offices, and John Taylor Oilman was selected as the standard bearer of his party. Timo- thy Walker was the candidate of the re- publicans. That party was just then greatly in the minority, and Oilman was easily elected. He was at this time at the meridian of his strength and ripened manhood, and one of the most popular men in the State. He was re-elected several times, though opposed by such men as Walker and Langdon. In 1805 the republicans triumphed, and John Langdon was elected governor. Four years after- ward the Federalists again came into power, but Jeremiah Smith was the gubernatorial candidate. The next year Langdon was again elected, and also in 1811. William Plumer, of Epping, was elected by the Republi- cans in 181 2. Plumer was re-nomi- nated the following year, but the Fed- eralists, who had again taken John Taylor Gilman for their standard bearer, tri- umphed. Mr. Gilman was elected the two next consecutive years without any trouble, although opposed each time by that able republican chief William Plumer. His administration covered the exciting period of the last war with England, and though of the opposite party in politics, he was not one to dally when the honor of the flag was in jeopardy. He managed the affairs of the State with much energy and skill, its military defenses requir-
��ing his exclusive attention. Detach- ments of militia were located on the frontier of the "Coos country," to guard against invasion in that quarter. In 1 8 14 an attack from the British fleet, off our coast, was expected to be made on the navy yard at Portsmouth, and upon the town itself. Great excite- ment prevailed. All eyes were direct- ed to Gov. Oilman, who, serene and calm, but active and determined, sur- veyed the scene. He issued his call for troops ; the State militia, prompt to respond, rushed forward with all its foimer alacrity and patriotism. More than ten thousand men gathered at Portsmouth and upon the shores of the Piscataqua, to meet the lion of St. George. But the danger passed ; the war closed, and New Hampshire, under the guidance of its master hand, came out unscathed and untarnished.
Gov. Gilman declined a re-election in 1 S 16, and announced his intention never to participate in political strug- gles again. He had now reached that age at which it is natural for men to look forward to days of rest and seclu- sion. Few men had lived a more active life, or had been more prominent- ly before the public. He had been chief magistrate of the State for fourteen years, a much longer period than any other man ; John Langdon, who came next to him, having been governor for a term of eight years, and Josiah Bartlett, William Plumer, and Samuel Bell, four years each. No one of the royal governors held the office so long, with the single exception of Benning Wentworth, whose administration began in 1 74 1, and ended in 1767, a period of twenty-six years.
Gov. Oilman's first wife died in Feb., 1 791, and after two years of widow- hood he married a Mrs. Mary Adams, a lady who was two years older than himself. She died Oct. 15, 181 2, and for his third wife he married Mrs. Charlotte Hamilton, who resided on Front street. The governor was the father of five children, a son who died before him, and four daughters, three of whom married and settled at Port-
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