Chapter 1—My Childhood
I was born at Gorham, Maine, November 26, 1827. My parents,
Robert and Eunice Harmon, were for many years residents of this
state. In early life they became earnest and devoted members of the
Methodist Episcopal Church. In that church they held prominent
connection, and labored for the conversion of sinners, and to build up
the cause of God, for a period of forty years. During this time they
had the joy of seeing their children, eight in number, all converted and
gathered into the fold of Christ. Their decided second advent views,
however, led to the separation of the family from the Methodist Church
in the year 1843.
While I was but a child, my parents removed from Gorham to
Portland, Maine. Here, at the age of nine years, an accident happened
to me which was to affect my whole life. In company with my twin
sister and one of our schoolmates, I was crossing a common in the city
of Portland, when a girl about thirteen years of age, becoming angry
at some trifle, followed us, threatening to strike us. Our parents had
taught us never to contend with anyone, but if we were in danger of
being abused or injured, to hasten home at once. We were doing this
with all speed, but the girl followed us as rapidly, with a stone in her
hand. I turned my head to see how far she was behind me, and as I did
so, she threw the stone, and it hit me on the nose. I was stunned by the
blow and fell senseless to the ground.
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When consciousness returned, I found myself in a merchant’s store;
my garments were covered with blood, which was pouring from my
nose and streaming over the floor. A kind stranger offered to take me
home in his carriage, but I, not realizing my weakness, told him that I
preferred to walk home rather than soil his carriage with blood. Those
present were not aware that my injury was so serious, and allowed me
to do as I wished; but after walking only a few rods, I grew faint and
dizzy. My twin sister and my schoolmate carried me home.
I have no recollection of anything further for some time after the
accident. My mother said that I noticed nothing, but lay in a stupor for
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