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44 M5D3 Copy3
OLD MEREDITH
AND
VICINITY
PUBLISHED BY MARY BUTLER CHAPTER DAUGHTERS OF AMERICAN REVOLUTION LACONIA, NEW HAMPSHIRE
:
5
1800
Glass FAZ
Book.
MED3
Copy 3
GEN
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 02958 9741
30
Gc 974.202 M540 Old Meredith and vicinity
070 MEREDITH ONNOd 1789
OLD MEREDITH POUND-1789
OLD MEREDITH
AND
VICINITY
UGHTERS
OF
· AMERICA
THE . NOILNY
Published by Mary Butler Chapter Daughters of American Revolution . New Hampshire. Laconia, New Hampshire
Copy 3
F44/ .MED3 Copy 3
Allen County Public Library 900 Webster Street PO Box 2270 Fort Wayne, IN 46801-2270
COPYRIGHT, 1926 BY
MARY BUTLER CHAPTER D. A. R. LACONIA, N. H.
All Rights Reserved 535153 F18, 38
Printed by THE RUMFORD PRESS Concord, N. H.
CONTENTS
PAGE
Early Church History of Meredith and Vicinity . . Charles H. Perkins.
1 Schools and School Houses of Old Meredith and
Vicinity . .
Charles H. Perkins. 18
Preparations for Settlement .
Mary Gale Hibbard. 28
Old Grave Yards
Abbie V. Smart. 33
Old Taverns .
Laura E. Varney 44
The Old Pounds
Abbie V. Smart. 50
The Public Square
51
The Old Red Oak.
Abbie V. Smart 52
The Story of Pehaungun
G. H. Tilton .
54
The Russian Count.
Elizabeth L. Putnam 55
The Hermit of Hermit Woods
Mary E. Neal Hanaford . 57
A Few Early Settlers and Their Houses
Mary Gale Hibbard. . 58
Plan. opposite 58
65
William Fernald .
65
Facsimile of Marriage Certificate.
66
Ebenezer Smith .
Sadie F. Curtis . 67
Wadleigh Family .
Mabel F. Perkins 68
The Neal Family .
Mary E. Neal Hanaford . 71 73
A Few Old Settlers Below the Bridge .
Jewett Homestead .
Abby Jewett Austin 74
On Winnisquam .
Clarence H. Pearson .. . 75
Two Early Settlers on the Boulevard
Mary E. Neal Hanaford .
76
John Adams Harper
Abby Jewett Austin . 77
Jonathan Folsom Frances E. Smith
78
The Abraham Folsom Family .
79
The Weeks Family .
Carl F. Blaisdell. 80
80
The Tilton Family
G. H. Tilton.
81
The Bell in the Old Brick Mill
G. H. Tilton . 83
A Legend of Indian Hill
Mary E. Neal Hanaford . 83
Meredith Center Maude Weymouth Rollins
84
Meredith Neck and Bear Island
Mary Gale Hibbard. 91
Chase Taylor's Company .
Capt. Robert S. Foss . 101
The Bennington Campaign Capt. Robert S. Foss . 103
[v]
On the Daniel Webster Highway
James McCrillis .
/
FOREWORD
The Daughters of the American Revolution, proud descendants of those soldiers who fought in the Revolutionary War, are much interested in all that pertains to that period of history, and in publishing this book the members of the Mary Butler Chapter have sought diligently to obtain and preserve such historic facts as are connected with the old town of Meredith, part of which is now included in Laconia, and its immediate vicinity.
Neighborhood traditions and interesting stories that have been handed down in families are given from time to time, and in gathering the material for this book, the most painstaking care has been exercised to have every stated fact proven, and we hope no errors will be found. A great many facts have been obtained from the original Proprietors and old Town Records, as well as from old deeds.
The enclosed map is a copy of the Proprietors' plan of 1770, with a few of the early roads added, as well as the names of some of the early settlers, together with the present owners of these lots.
The compiling of this book has been under the supervision of Mrs. Mary Gale Hibbard. She was most ably assisted by Mrs. Sadie E. Curtis, Mrs. Mabel M. Perkins, Mrs. Lenora Spindel and Mrs. Mary E. N. Hanaford. The Chapter wishes to make grateful acknowledgment to ex-Mayor Charles H. Perkins and Capt. Robert S. Foss for much time and labor expended in assisting with this work; also to Mr. and Mrs. John Edgerly and to the late Morrill S. Swain for much valuable information; and to Mrs. Abby N. Folsom and Mrs. Sarah H. Sargent for many interesting facts regarding the Folsom family.
In conclusion, our sources of information were so many and varied, that it is impossible to mention them individually, and so the Chapter wishes to extend its most sincere thanks to all who have so kindly and patiently assisted it in making this book a success.
ABBIE V. SMART, Ex-Regent Mary Butler Chapter.
[ vii ]
EARLY CHURCH HISTORY OF MEREDITH AND VICINITY
Charles H. Perkins
The old town of Meredith embraced the part of the present Laconia and Lake- port on the west side of the Winnipiseogee River, Opechee and Paugus Lakes, the Weirs, Meredith Village and Meredith Centre.
The first record in the book of the proprietors is November 3, 1748, and is a list of "The names of men that desire that they may have a township or grant of land, we being the Lol and dutefil subjects of his majesty King George the Second".
The proprietors, who had purchased the land of the heirs of John Tufton Mason, at a meeting held "at the dwelling house of Sarah Prush, widow, in Portsmouth" December 31, 1748, granted the land. Four of those who received the grants were Hampton men, twenty-four were of Stratham, seventeen of Exeter and one of Nottingham. The township was granted to these forty-six, and twenty per- sons to be added afterwards, "in equal shares as hereafter herein excepted." The tract was declared in the grant, to contain "the extent and quantity of six square miles." But it was found that the indentations of the bays made the grant smaller, and that a line seven miles from the northwest corner would not reach the greater lake. January 4, 1753, the owners voted to give Jonathan Long- fellow one shilling for every acre he shall, at his own charge, get added to the township. May 3, 1754, the proprietors of Portsmouth increased the grant by calling the north line twelve miles instead of seven, so adding Meredith Neck.
The township was to be divided into one hundred shares. "One of the said shares (shall) be for the first minister of the gospel who shall be settled on the said land and continued there during his life, or until he shall be regularly dismissed." This share was given to Mr. Williams when he was settled as minister: "one other share shall be toward and for the support of the gospel ministry there forever."
"That there be six acres of land left in some convenient place for building a meeting house and school house thereon, making a training field, a burying place and any other public use the inhabitants there shall see cause to make of it." Another specification was "that the said owners build a meeting house there upon the land to be left for that purpose, fit for the public worship of God, for the use of the inhabitants, within ten years from this time, and maintain the preach- ing of the gospel there constantly next after twelve years from this time."
Because of the hardships incident to settling, the following reward was voted October 3, 1753: "Whereas those persons that first settled in new towns are exposed to many difficulties as well as great charges in clearing of ways to their own particular lots, voted that the proprietors be taxed £4,000, old tenor, to be paid in one year to the first twenty proprietors that shall appear and give obliga - tion to settle."
[1]
The year 1765 was one of particular activity in building the new township of New Salem, as it was called. The committee sent in 1766, to view the new settle- ment, report twelve clearings.
From the report it would seem that some of the settlers were hired to clear the land and occupy it. Others bought the farms or received them and the proprie- tors received the reward for settling.
How the settlers reached their new homes, tradition tells not, except in the case of Ebenezer Smith. He is said to have come in the spring, and worked through the summer with his men, returning to his young wife in the fall, no doubt with wondrous accounts of the beautiful bays and the richness of the land around their forest home. The next spring he comes to his new home, but not alone, as before. Behind him, on his faithful horse sits his wife; the little babe he carries in his arms and in his pocket, the puppy.
The first town meeting held in Meredith was at the house of Ebenezer Smith on Monday, the 21st day of March, 1769.
The town held its meetings at the houses of its citizens until the North Church "so called" was built, the first recorded meeting there being on August 30, 1790.
To give some idea of the growth of the town from 1766 as previously mentioned it is recorded that at the town meeting of March 11, 1793 in the North Church, Ebenezer Smith was elected the first representative to the General Court, the record being "Eighty-four votes were cast for Ebenezer Smith, and none for any other person."
Our fathers were not unmindful of the gospel, for at the Annual Meeting of the Proprietors of the town of Meredith held at the house of Capt. Samuel Folsom, innholder, in Exeter, on Tuesday the 5th day of June, 1770, it was "voted that Fifty Dollars shall be applied for Preaching the Gospel in said Town for the Pres- ent year by the Proprietors of said Town of money that is already Raised Pro- vided there be any in the Bank and if not then to tax each Original Right to Raise the same.
Voted that Josiah Sanbon and Ebenezer Smith Esq'r be a Committee to agree with some Suitable Person to Preach the Gospel in Meredith for the Present year so long as Fifty Dollars will allow according to the above vote."
THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF MEREDITH
Commencing shortly after the above vote and probably from time to time, they received the spiritual ministrations of Dr. Samuel Shepard of Brentwood, a skilful and learned physician, an eloquent preacher and a Baptist missionary. Through his efforts, the cause of the Master was so strengthened that on the 4th day of November, 1779, the people met at William Mead's and without ceremony, formed themselves into a church.
They adopted the name of Anti-Pedo Baptist Church of Meredith and accepted the Calvinistic articles of faith at a meeting held August 3, 1780. On the 21st day of August in the same year nineteen male and eight female members were added to the church, and at the meeting held to vote on their reception John Gil- man was chosen clerk of the society.
Nicholas Folsom and Abram Swain were chosen ruling elders, and Jonathan
[2]
Edgerly and Brother Crocket, deacons. The right hand of fellowship was given to the deacons by Elder Folsom, and the ordination prayer was made by John Mead. John Kimbal and Gideon Robins assisted in the laying on of hands. After this their numbers so increased that in 1782, it was voted, after a season of prayer and fasting, to set apart Nicholas Folsom to the work of the Christian ministry. Accordingly on the second Wednesday of September of the same year, a council of the ministers and delegates from the churches in Brentwood, Mad- borough, Gilmanton and Sandwich, met and ordained Mr. Folsom, the sermon being preached by Elder Hooper of Brentwood. Elder, or Priest Folsom as he was sometimes called, was ordained while standing upon a large rock a short dis- tance from the road, upon the farm of Reuben Morgan. This rock was later split up, in part, to make some foundation stones for the extension to a barn near by, but parts of the rock remain on the old spot. "This farmi is now owned by the State and is in use by the School for the Feeble Minded."
This same year an effort was made to make Elder Folsom the town minister, but the town voted not to receive him. He was generally respected but the voters objected to his doctrinal views. (This vote was taken on September 2, 1782.)
The home of William Mead at which the church was organized in 1779, was located on the height of land on the right-hand side of the Province Road above the Crocket schoolhouse. The foundation stones mark the site and an abundant growth of purple lilacs add their testimony of former days.
The outlook from this site is one of much beauty with its extensive views of lakes and mountains.
We have no definite record as to when the original church was built, but it is located on Holland's map dated 1784.
It was located on the right-hand side of Province Road in the corner of the pasture of Jeremiah Smith and about half way between "Weeks Corner" and the home of Jeremiah Smith. This house was said to have been about the dimensions of an ordinary schoolhouse. Early in the century it was set on fire at the instiga- tion of a Mrs. Morgan, a very eccentric woman. It is said that she was offended because the people came to her house with their foot-stoves and to warm them- selves between the services at the church and declared she would have relief from the annoyance. It is reported that she gave a feeble-minded boy some live coals and induced him to start the fire that completely destroyed the building. Her husband paid for the building.
For a time the society worshiped in the North Church, occupying it one Sunday and the Congregationalists the next.
This arrangement probably did not last many years as a second place of worship was built near General Wadleigh's place. The cottage across the way was the parsonage. The Laconia-Meredith town line passed across the foundation of the old church which was located on the left-hand side of the road. This church was called the "Old Day Gun." A schoolhouse known as the Union School was located near and may have been standing at the same time that the church was here. The schoolhouse was later removed.
The old church organization circulated a petition for its incorporation in 1797
[3]
which was signed by many of the citizens. A copy of the petition was posted at the house of "David Boynton, Inholder" and served on the selectmen.
"Strafford S. S. Meredith August 28th, 1797.
"At a Legal town Meeting this day holden at the North Meeting House in said town the fourth article in the Warrent for said Meeting to Consider of the Petition of the Baptist Society of this town at the General Court of this State Praying for an Incorporation.
"The above is a true Coppy from record Attest :
"DANIEL SMITH JR., Town Clerk."
The society was incorporated by an act passed December 14, 1797.
The society continued to minister to a large parish till May 20, 1831, when thirteen members (four men and nine women) addressed a letter requesting their dismission for the purpose of organizing the Second Baptist Church in Meredith. This request was granted by the First Baptist Church on May 30, 1831.
In 1833 others withdrew to form the church at Piper's Mills.
The church continued with varying fortunes till during the years 1844 and 1845 the last recorded minister-Elder Chickering of New Hampton-supplied one- third of the time, and two-thirds for the second or village church. The church struggled on for a time, but finding it impossible to sustain preaching, it dis- banded by general consent in 1846. In justice, however, it should be said that the good people who formed its membership through all these years seem to have striven to support the preaching of the gospel and to maintain a proper measure of discipline. That, after nearly seventy years of effort, they were compelled to disband was not their fault. Situated as it was half way between the fast growing villages of Meredith Bridge (now Laconia) and Lake Village on one side and Meredith on the other, the result was only a question of time.
In 1865 the building was sold to the Advent society of Lake Village and by them taken down and moved to the corner of School and North Streets, Darius G. Drake (father of Ex-Mayor Drake), Andrew Pickering and Augustine Piper, being those most interested in its purchase and removal. Here it was called the North Church and later by some the "North Horn" possibly because of the loud preach- ing. It was destroyed in the fire of May 26, 1903.
Rev. Nicholas Folsom was born in Brentwood, N. H., July 3, 1747.
His father was an Englishman, named John Smith, who took the name of John Folsham from his native town after he came to America, and became a settler in Meredith in 1778, accompanied by his son Nicholas, who, in his youth, was a sol- dier in the Indian War, and who in July, 1777, enlisted in Capt. Chase Taylor's company of volunteers from Sanbornton, and fought valiantly in the battle of Bennington. He was in service till September 18, 1777. Elder, or Priest Folsom as he was sometimes called, was a man of more than ordinary gifts and was deeply impressed with the idea that he was a chosen instrument to preach the gospel to the pioneers.
Tall, dark complexioned, well proportioned, he was one who never thought it necessary to be stern even in moments of religious excitement.
He was thoroughly in earnest, however. It is said that he often started from. home without his breakfast, preaching in Meredith, Moultonboro and Sandwich
[ 4]
the same day, reaching home at night after a travel of almost forty miles, and going supperless to bed. This was his life for many years. He received no stated compensation for his services, but what was given him found a place in his capacious saddle-bags as he rode about the country on horseback. He was often cold, weary and hungry, and possessed few of the comforts of life.
About the time Elder Folsom's health began to fail, Parker Fogg, at a meeting held at the house of John Wadleigh, was admitted to membership in the church by letter. He was a brilliant and enthusiastic young man and apparently zealous in building up the cause. Accordingly it was voted to give him ordination, the exercises to take place in February 1821, at the meeting house in the Third Division. After the ordination, "of which there is no record", of his successor, Elder Folsom passed the remainder of his life upon his farm. It is stated that he continued to preach at times both in Meredith and Sanbornton after giving up his pastorate.
The farm where he lived and died was given to him by Ebenezer Smith, Esq., early after coming to town. Mr. Smith thought a great deal of Mr. Folsom and induced him to settle in Meredith, saying "I own all this land about here and you pick out just the place you like and I will give it to you."
Besides his ministerial duties, he was a surveyor and assisted in surveying in and about the town. Many stories are told of him, humorous and otherwise, of his life and experiences, but all showing the true nobility of the man.
He died at his home farm December 29, 1830, at the age of nearly 83 years and 6 months. His remains rest in Opechee Cemetery surrounded by those of his old neighbors and friends for whom he gave of his best through life.
His descendants have reason to be grateful for his memory. A great-great- granddaughter-Mary E. Plummer married Georges Clemenceau, the French statesman who had so much to do during the World War in the interest of his country and humanity.
The communion set which he used in his church services was destroyed in the Lakeport fire May 26, 1903, together with other possessions then owned by Mrs. Abbie Folsom who married his great-great-grandson.
The Town of Meredith was incorporated December 30, 1768 and the name New Salem disappears. As previously stated the first money for church purposes was raised at the house of Samuel Folsom at the Annual Meeting of the Proprie- tors, Tuesday, June 5, 1770, when fifty dollars was raised for preaching. Again December 1, 1772, it was voted "to raise by tax six shillings lawful money on each original grantee's right in said township for to hire the preaching of the gospel part of the ensuing year in said town."
In Ebenezer Smith's account of 1773 we find that he paid Samuel Morrill £6 for preaching five Sabbaths.
April 4, 1774 Meredith voted "To build a meeting house forty feet long, thirty- two feet in width and eight feet studded and to petition to the proprietors for help in building."
In the year 1775 the vote was to raise 6 pounds lawful money to be applied to hire preaching some part of the ensuing year. When the war came, April 7, 1777, "voted not to raise any money for preaching".
[5]
April 6, 1778, "Voted again to build a meeting house forty-six by thirty-six feet."
On September 17, 1778, the Proprietors of Meredith voted to sell the sawmill with the privilege thereto belonging. Two-thirds of the money was to be applied to help build a meeting house at Meredith.
On March 13, 1786, a meeting was called, but adjourned to March 29th. "Voted to build a meeting house in said town within one year from September next ensuing, about forty-eight by thirty-eight feet, twenty foot post and to be boarded and shingled and set on the acre of land purchased of John Leavitt for that purpose. Voted Ebenezer Smith Esq., Chase Robinson, Capt. Joshua Woodman, Lt. William Davis and Elias Philbrick be a committee for that purpose and confer with the Baptist Society and report to this meeting what of the sum given by the proprietors of said town for building a meeting house, they shall have." Adjourned to July 3rd.
July 3, 1786, "Committee reported that the money given by the proprietors be divided according to the proprietors belonging to each ineeting house, which re- port was varble that the meeting be dismist and the people separated from the meeting accordingly."
THE NORTH MEETING HOUSE
Probably following the vote of March 13, 1786, as above, the construction of the North Meeting House on the Parade was begun. The first reference we find that speaks of it by name was in the call for a town meeting to meet at the North Church on August 30, 1790. At this meeting it was voted "To see if the town will choose a committee to do something more to the North Meeting House. Voted Ebenezer Smith, Esq., Capt. William Davis, Lt. Joseph Robards, Capt. William Ray and Lt. Reuben Morgan be a committee for that purpose and that they sell the privaleges for pews and see the same built and lay and pay out in finishing said house."
December 13, 1790, meeting called at Meeting House voted "also to be sold at public vendu to the highest bidder on said day the pews in said North Meeting House to be completely finished, conditions of sale to be known at time and place of sale."
The North Meeting House was erected on the lot above mentioned which was on the left-hand side of Province Road and bounding on the line of the old Parade Cemetery and opposite the old Pound.
It was of two stories and probably of the dimensions given above. The lower story was used as a town hall and the upper story as a church. It had the old- fashioned high-backed pews, a high pulpit, above which was a sounding board, and a gallery on the highway end under which was the entrance.
In this church the Rev. Simon Finley Williams was on the 28th day of Novem- ber, 1792, installed to the pastoral care of this church and people as the first settled minister in Meredith, by vote of the town.
Here the church stood till the year 1859. In the year 1858 the Free Will Baptists of Meredith Village commenced to build a church, and as the record states, "There was standing on the Parade a meeting house which the proprietors
[6]
kindly gave to the society and the following year the building was removed to the village and rebuilt."
The town meetings were held here till 1854 the year before the disaster at Meredith.
SECURING AND INSTALLATION OF FIRST MINISTER BY MEREDITH On December 10, 1791, the following call was issued:
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE, STRAFFORD, SS.
These are to notify and warn all the Freeholders and other Inhabitants of the town of Meredith, who are legal voters in town affairs, to meet and assemble themselves at the north Meeting House, in said town, on Monday the second day of January next, precisely at ten of the clock in the forenoon for the following purposes: viz 1 ly, to choose a moderator for said meeting. 2 ly, To see if the town will Vote to give the Reverend Mr. Simon Finley Williams a call to settle in the ministry in said town. 3 dly, To see what encouragement they will Vote to give the said Mr. Williams for settling in town, as above. 4 thly, To choose a Committee, of as many persons as the town shall think proper, to treat with Mr. Williams on the matter, and make report to the town of Mr. Williams' approbation or disapprobation of the encouragement. Voted 5 ly, to pass any Vote or Votes in or about the prem- ises, as the town shall think best when met.
Given under our hands and seal at Meredith, Aforesaid, this tenth day December A. Domini, 1791.
WILLIAM DAVIS, REUBEN MORGAN, Selectmen of Meredith.
"At a legal meeting of the Inhabitants of the town of Meredith, held at the North Meeting House, in said town on Monday the second day of January 1792, it was Voted 1 ly, When met chose Capt. Joshua Woodman moderator for said meeting. 2 ly, The town clerk being absent, chose John Gilman, clerk, P. T. to keep the minutes of the meeting, who was sworn by the moderator, there being no magistrate present. 3 dly, Voted to give the said Mr. Williams a call to settle, as above, and Voted to choose a Committee to consult together what sums to offer to Mr. Williams and report to the town at this meeting for their acceptance or non-acceptance, and for that purpose chose as a commit- tee Capt. William Davis, Lt. Joseph Robards, Mr. Chase Robinson, Ens. Robert Bryant, Mr. Gideon Robinson, Ens. Daniel Smith, Ens. Joseph Neal, Lt. Ruben Morgan, John Robards, John Perkins, Moses Merrill, Capt. William Ray, Reuben Marston, William Pike, and Jonathan Danforth. After said committee had consulted together on the premises made the following report, Viz. that as their opinion the town should build a house forty feet in length and thirty-two feet in width, two stories high, for said Mr. Williams, on the first Division lot, in said town, called the ministers lot, and board, clapboard and shingle said house and make and complete a good cellar under the half of said house, and build a good stack of chimneys in said house, and finish three rooms in said house in a good work- manlike manner, to be done and completed by the first of November next, as a settlement, and to give to the said Mr. Williams sixty pounds, as salary, yearly, so long as he shall continue to be the town minister, the one-third part of said sum to be paid in cash, the one-third part to be paid in corn and grain, and the one-third part to be in good beef and pork, the above beef and pork to be at the common cash price: which report the town voted to receive. The town chose a committee of three persons, Viz. Capt. William Davis, Capt. William Ray and Lt. Joseph Robards, to present the same to Mr. Williams for his approbation or disapprobation. The town also Voted that if Mr. Williams should settle in town that he shall preach in the second and third Divisions their full proportion according to the money they pay toward the support of said Mr. Wiliams, if requested.
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