 His father, who had the same name, was a physician (born in Georgetown, Maine, 5 September 1772; died in Andover, New Hampshire, 10 January 1813).His father studied medicine, settled in Andover in 1796, and practised successfully till 1812, when he was appointed surgeon's mate in the U.S. Army.His father wrote verses and numerous newspaper articles, and composed several pieces of music that were published in Samuel Holyoke's "Columbian Repository".