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198 in the "Debateable Land," cropping out in different generations, as it has on this side of the "blue sea." Tradition and evidence point to Charter Robert Armstrong as the progenitor of this American Armstrong family. He had two children: one died on the passage to America; the other was

(2) Deacon John Armstrong, who was born in the north of Ireland, in 1713, and emigrated to America when young. In the historic town of Windham, New Hampshire, a part of the old Londonderry settlement, is an antiquated farmhouse, built in 1762 by him, which was his home till his death, May 6, 1782. He was an occupant of this farm in 1738, which is the homestead of the family in the town, and still resided upon by the descendants. He married Janet, who died on October 12, 1776, aged seventy years. They had seven children. His son,

(3) David Armstrong, was born June 11, 1747; lived in Windham, New Hampshire; signer of the Association Test, in 1776. He married, January 8, 1775, Elizabeth Hemphill, and died June 21, 1836. Eleven children. His son,

(4) Robert Armstrong, was born April 6, 1779; lived in Windham, New Hampshire; married Alice Park, and died August 21, 1849. Six children. His son,

(5) David Armstrong, was born in Windham, November 8, 1806; removed to Boston, Massachusetts, in 1826, where he resided till his death, September 14, 1851. He was a ship-carpenter. He met, and married, in Charlestown, Massachusetts, Mahalia Lovering. She was born in Loudon, New Hampshire, on February, 4, 1810, and now resides in Boston. Her parents were John and Elizabeth (Winslow) Lovering. The latter was a direct descendant of Governor Edward Winslow, who was Governor of Massachusetts in 1633, 1636, and 1644, and was a passenger in the Mayflower in 1620. Mr. Armstrong had three children survive him. His only son is the subject of this sketch.

(6) George W. Armstrong was born in Boston, Massachusetts, August 11, 1836. He was educated in the public schools of that city. Was an attendant of the Hawes School, which was a noted institution, opened in 1823, and closed as a grammar school in 1859. In connection with this it may be well to state the fact, not generally known, that this was the first place in America where singing was introduced and taught as a school exercise. The teacher was that noted man, whose fame as a musician was wide as the world, the late Lowell Mason.

In 1884 "The Hawes School Boys" instituted an organization, having for its object an annual reunion of its members. This body has a membership of some one hundred and fifty persons, widely scattered, living in all sections of the country.

In this association Mr. Armstrong has a warm interest, takes an active part, and is its present vice-president.

In his fourteenth year, the one in which he was to be graduated from the grammar school, by the severe illness of his father he was obliged to leave the studies in which he delighted, and was thrown upon his own resources, to fight the battle of life, which he has fought so well and so successfully.

He did not start absolutely penniless, like many of our most successful men. The legacy he received from his father's estate was the sum of