USA > New Hampshire > Merrimack County > Boscawen > A chronological register of Boscawen, in the county of Merrimack, and state of New-Hampshire, from the first settlement of the town to 1820. In three parts: descriptive, historical & miscellaneous > Part 4
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7
Provision was made for settling with the estate of the former minister, Mr. Stevens, and all oth- er accounts open with the proprietors ;- and con- cluded their meeting by confirming sundry votes, which they had past informally in the years 1758, '59 and '60, while their petition for incorpora- tion was pending.
The town of Boscawen did not hold their an- nual meeting this year in March, because their first charter. which was to continue only for two
54
HISTORY OF BOSCAWEN.
years had run out, and a new one, or confirmation of the old one, had not yet been given. But through the agency of Mr. John Webster, em- ployed by the town, a renewal of their town- charter was received in the month of Oct. 1763; and here follows :
PROVINCE OF NEW-HAMPSHIRE.
George the Third, by the Grace of God, of Great Britain; France and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith, &c.
Whereas our late royal Grandfather King George the Second, ofglorious memory, did of his special Grace, and upon the peti- tion of the inhabitants of a tract of land in our said Province, known by the name of Boscawen, and for the maintaining good order, and encouraging the culture of the land thereby, his let- ters patent or charter under the seal of our said Province dated the twenty-second day of April in the thirty-third year of his reign, and in the year of our Lord 1760,-did erect and incorpo- rate into a body corporate and politic, by the name of Boscawen, the inhabitants of the said tract of land, or those that shall there- on inhabit said Province, being butted and bounded as in the said patent, or charter expressed, and was to continue 'till the expira- tion of two years and no longer, which time being now elapsed, and the inhabitants having again petitioned to have the said char- ter privileges renewed, and it appearing to us necessary to ans- wer the good proposed, as well as to enable the inhabitants afore- said to assess, and collect their rates and taxes.
Know ve, that we, being willing to promote the good end pro- posed, have of our further grace and favour, by and with the ad- vice of our trusty and well beloved Benning Wentworth, Esq. our Governor. and Commander in Chief, and of our Council for said Province, revived and regranted, and by these presents do revive and regrant unto the said inhabitants and their successors on the said tract of land, all the powers, authorities, privileges, immunities and franchises in the said charter mentioned, as they enjoyed the same when that charter was in force, and to have continuance till we shall approve or disallow the same, and sig- nify much our approbation or disallowance ; and about any dis- pute that may arise about the authority in calling a meeting of the inhabitants, &c. the selectmen or those that were appointed to that office, and served therein for the last time, or the town clerk, are hereby authorized in the usual form and method to notify, and call a meeting of the inhabitants for the choice of town officers and other affairs of the town.
55
HISTORY OF BOSCAWEN.
-
In testimony whereof, we have caused the seal of our said Province to be hereunto affixed.
Witness, Benning Wentworth, Esq. our Governor and Com- mander in Chief, this seventh day of October, in the third year of our reign, A. D. 1763.
BENNING WENTWORTH.
By his Excellency's command,
with the advice of Council,
THEODORE ATKINSON, Sccretary.
PROVINCE OF NEW-HAMPSHIRE, Oct. the seventh, 1763. Record- ed in the book of Charters, No. 1, page 200.
Nov. 1, 1763. Agreeably to the provisions of the foregoing renewal of the town charter, George Jackman, Esq. Town Clerk, called a meeting of the freeholders and other inhabitants of the town of Boscawen for the choice of town officers ;- no other business of importance was attended to.
Jan. 9th, 1764. The town awarded Mr. John Webster =£82 old tenor for his time and expens- es in obtaining a second permanent act of incor- poration.
March 6th. At the annual meeting, after elect- ing town officers for the year, several committees were appointed, viz.
To settle accounts with former selectmen ; to lay out high ways which may be necessary ; to take care of the school lands ; to settle the line between the Parsonage and Mrs. Varney's inter- val lots ; to open and shut the interval, spring and fall ; and a committee of four to proportion the fence round the upper interval to the several proprietors.
There was no provision made for a school the present year ; but the town voted to make good the salary of Rev. Mr. Morrill, the value of which had depreciated ; against this vote Capt. Stephen
56
HISTORY OF BOSCAWEN.
Gerrish entered his dissent. The indemnity al- lowed Mr. Morrill, by the town, for the two last years was £200 old tenor, at the rate ££6 for a dollar for the 1st year, and ££7 per dollar for the 2d year .And this year, George Jackman, jun. Esq. was appointed Clerk of the proprietors, in place of Dea. G. Jackman.
SECTION 14.
1765. The stamp-act passed by the British Parliament furnished matter of grievance to the American Colonies. About this time, the Province Road was laid out by royal authority, John Went- worth, Governor, through the Province of New- Hampshire, from Portsmouth to No. 4, or Charles- town. Also a bridge was built over Contoocook river, near Capt. John Chandler's, by John Flan- ders and Capt. Henry Lovejoy. Said bridge con- structed with king-posts and long braces.
1766. The Rev. Mr. Morrill had been settled but a few years ; but from the depreciation of the value of his salary, and the acts of the town in making him an indemnity ; difficulties arose which threatened his removal. Some of the people had already withdrawn from his support, and united with the Episcopalian church : the town, there- fore, at a legal meeting, after consulting upon the state of things, appointed a committee of five to wait upon the Rev. Mr. Morrill, and ascertain. on what conditions he would take a dismission.
57
HISTORY OF BOSCAWEN.
The Rev. Mr. Morrill was disposed to make a statement of the terms for giving up his contract, at an adjourned meeting, which the town readily accepted ; and also voted to be at the expense of entertaining the mutual council to be called, to dissolve the pastoral relation : accordingly, the church, having consented to the procedure, the Rev. Mr. Morrill was regularly dismissed on the 9th day of December, 1766 ; but continued in town a very useful, respectable and exemplary citizen till the day of his death; which was Sept. 23, 1813, at the age of 77 years.
March 3, 1767. Provision was made at the annual meeting for three months schooling the present year. The selectmen were directed to employ a " regular preacher," and Mr. Nathaniel Merrill was employed.
July 25. The log meeting-house had become greatly impaired ; the town, therefore, took into consideration the building a new house, and agreed that one should be built near Ephraim Woodbu- ry's ; and that Dea. Morrill, Sinkler Bean and Capt. Archelaus Moore be a committee to fix on the spot ; who accordingly reported, Sept. 8, the place on which it was afterwards built. Mr. Mer- rill, being well received as a preacher, was em- ployed two months on probation for settlement.
The proprietors held a meeting in Boscawen June 3d, and it seems to have been the opinion of the inhabitants of the town that they would as- sume the expense of building the contemplated meeting-house ; but when consulted, it was found that though willing to grant the land fixed on for
58
HISTORY OF BOSCAWEN.
the building, they were unwilling to erect the house. A committee was appointed by the pro- prietors to aid the town in recovering the non- resident taxes.
Sept. 6, 1768. After much had been said and done respecting a meeting-house, the town chose a committee of five, Messrs. Thomas Fox, Benja- min Eastman, Peter Kimball, Joseph Atkinson, and George Jackman, Esq. to put up a frame at the town's expense ; who performed, immediately, the business of their appointment. Having thus disposed of the meeting-house, another object deeply affecting the interests of the town claimed attention-the re-settlement of a minister. The labors of Mr. N. Merrill proved so satisfactory to the church and people, that the town was indu- ced to offer him the following terms of settlement, viz. eighty acres of land ; an annual salary of £42 lawful money, during his ministry ; twenty cords of wood annually, and the use of the par- sonage. These terms Mr. Merrill was disposed to accept ; the town, therefore, agreed that the ordination should take place on the third Wednes- day of the following October ; appointed a com- mittee to provide for the council, and voted 7 lawful money to defray the expense of ordination. And Mr. Merrill was accordingly ordained on the day appointed.
Thus we have seen the inhabitants of Boscaw- en though delivered from solicitude respecting oc- currences abroad, in the two last years, closely occupied by their own very interesting concerns -the dismission of one minister, the re-settle-
59
HISTORY OF BOSCAWEN.
ment of another and preparations made for the erection of a decent house for public worship.
At a meeting of proprietors, Oct. 6, 60l. lawful money was voted to defray the expenses of the proprietary. And here it may be observed, that lawful money came into general use in reckoning in place of the Massachusetts and New-Hamp- shire old tenor.
SECTION 15.
July 25, 1769. A town meeting was held at the new meeting-house frame to the end of provi- ding for the completion of the building. The town raised 250l. old tenor to be added to what might arise from the sale of the pew-ground ; and a vote passed that this sum should be paid in work at 50s. per day-about 42 cents lawful money. The time assigned for the sale of the pews, was the 1st of August following ; and they were ac- cordingly sold.
1770. The 5th of March was a memorable day, on account of the bloody scene opened in Boston,between several English soldiers and Amer- icans. The dispute arose from the jealousy excited in the breasts of our countrymen by certain ar- bitrary acts of the mother country ; but ended in the wanton butchery of several young men. It bears the descriptive name massacre.
March 6. The town employed Mr. Robie Morrill to keep a school four months; and com- pensated him by the use of the school-right, and both the house and interval lots a limited time.
60
HISTORY OF BOSCAWEN.
It became necessary to open the province road through this town to No. 4, Charlestown. The proprietors, therefore, Oct. 23, raised $250 to- ward defraying the expense, and the town united in aiding the business.
June 11, 1771. To fulfil the contract made with Rev. Nathl. Merrill at his settlement, the town procured of Capt. Henry Gerrish, eighty acres of land for 100 dollars.
May 5, 1772. A bridge was built over Black- water river by the town; and a road opened, at the expense of the proprietors, to the upper in- terval.
August 30, 1772. The first grand juror called for, to attend his Majesty's superior court at Am- herst, and Capt. Henry Gerrish was elected and served ; and received from the town 10s. lawful money as compensation for each term.
For several years the measures adopted by the mother country in relation to the American col- onies were deemed by them an abridgment of their rights, and their feelings were fast preparing to make open resistance to the unjust exactions. " Although Parliament had repealed the odicus " Stamp-Act, yet, in a few months, new duties " were imposed upon paper, glass, tea. &c., for the " purpose of raising a revenue to the crown ; but " finding that discontent existed among the colo- " nists, the duties were all removed, except that on "tea. And this was under such management as to " exempt the Importer from all duty, and throw the " whole weight of an enormous and perpetual bur- " den upon loyal subjects. without their consent."
61
HISTORY OF BOSCAWEN.
It was not however the burden, but the right of laying it, which called for resistance. It was viewed intolerable ; therefore, in December,while several ships lying in Boston harbor, laden with tea, they were boarded by a number of armed men, under the disguise of Mohawk Indians ; who soon discharged their whole cargo into the sea. Deeds of the same complexion were done in other American ports; and most of the patri- otic colonists voluntarily relinquished the use of this article for several years. These acts had their influence in preparing the way for those more effi- cacious, toward the security of equal rights, and the blessings of freedom from intolerable bond- age.
1774. The church and town of Boscawen are again deprived of the stated gospel ministry. The Rev. Mr. Merrill, who was settled in 1768, was removed about the first of April the present year. Respecting his removal, and what led to the event, no correct information can be had from any writ- ten record ; as the records of the town furnish none,and the church record was then misplaced,or lost,and has never to this day been found. To sup- ply this blank in our history, the memories of sev- eral now living retain the circumstances of that event ; and from this source the following brief account is given.
From some cause, Mr. Merrill was led to join himself to the Grafton Presbytery ; and by his influence the church was induced, in part, to change the congregational for the presbyterian form of church government. This new con- nexion led Mr. M. often from his flock, to supply
62
HISTORY OF BOSCAWEN.
other vacant churches in the Presbytery, which was an occasion of discontent among his own charge. The discontent was increased by some supposed, if not real aberrations observed in his conduct, and proved a fatal bar in the way of his usefulness. Mr. M., well aware of this, applied to the Presbytery. for a removal ; and he was re- moved, without the intervention of either the church or town.
In reference to the alteration, which had taken place in the form of church government, there seems to have been a general excitement ; for in a subsequent meeting of the town, Sept. 6, a committee of nine was appointed " to confer with the church in Boscawen about the government and discipline thereof."
July 15. By an order from the General Assembly of the Province of New-Hampshire. thetown met to choose a delegate to sit in convention at Exeter on the 21st inst. for the choice of members of the first Provincial Congress ; and Capt. Henry Gerrish was elected. The specific object of the first Congress is thus expressed. " To consider " what measures are best to be taken for the es- " tablishing the rights and liberties, and for the " restoration of the union and harmony between " the mother-country and the colonies."
The harmony between the countries was inter- rupted, and the rights and liberties of the colonists infringed by successive acts of the British Cabi- net ; in laying taxes ; imposing duties ; altering the charter of Massachusetts, and setting up a new government over the Province ; empowering the Governor to send criminals to England for trial ;
65
HISTORY OF BOSCAWEN.
having already taken possession of the town of Boston by an armed force ; removed the Custom- house officers from the town, and shut up its port. These were acts affecting the common interest of the several colonies, and required their united wisdom to devise a speedy remedy, and prevent, if possible, the horrors of war. Delegates were therefore elected in the then 13 colonies, and met in Congress, the 5th of September, at Philadel- phia.
Nov. 1. The town of Boscawen appointed a committee to employ immediately "a gospel preacher of the congregational order."
-
SECTION 16.
1775. The annals of 1775 present us with 3.000,000 of people born free, in general alarm, preparing for war ; rushing to the field of battle, and there witnessing the costly sacrifice of blocd and treasure, for the security of their freedom.
Jan. 17. Capt. Henry Gerrish was again cho- sen delegate to meet in convention at Exeter the 25th inst., to elect members for the 2d Congress.
One barrel of gun-powder, Icwt. of lead, and 100 flints, were ordered to be procured for the use of the town.
Also voted, to adhere strictly to the advice of the Continental Congress, and appointed nine men to act as a Committee of Safety.
March 7. Mr. Samuel Ela, who had been sup- plying, was again engaged to preach the ensuing
64
HISTORY OF BOSCAWEN.
season. May 10, the town consented that a pro- portion of preaching should be enjoyed in the west part of the town.
On the alarm being given at Lexington, numbers from this town volunteered, as well as from all parts of New-England; and several joined the troops at Cambridge,* three of whom volunteered in the expedition to Quebec.
1776. Congress finding all attempts for a re- conciliation with the parent-country vain ; in the name of the American people, whom they repre- sented, declared on the 4th of July the thirteen United States to be Free and Independent. And this declaration gave a systematic energy to the war.
March 5. This town compensated sundry per- sons, who volunteered their services on the alarm, the preceding year ; chose a large committee of safety, agreeably to a recommendation from Con- gress ; provided for town schools, and gave the people liberty to resolve themselves into school districts. Mr. Judson preached in town several months.
March 28, 1777. By an order from the Gener- al Court, the town used means for obtaining en- listments for the public service, and offered a bounty of 50 dollars to those who would enlist for three years. Also appointed a committee (May 26) to fix the price of certain articles of living ; it being necessary from the depreciation of the paper currency. And such was the patriotism of
* The number of those who served in the several Campaigns, in 1775-76, will be given in the 3d part, with the proceedings of the town for their indemnity.
65
HISTORY OF BOSCAWEN. ·
the people of the town, that they voted, in public meeting, not to employ Peter Green, Esq., as an Attorney, or Jacob Green as Deputy Sheriff, be- cause of their unfriendly feelings towards the grand cause of our country. Messrs. Judson and Easterbrook were employed to preach.
Jan. 20, 1778. The town was very desirous that Mr. Easterbrook would settle with them in the ministry. He did preach several months, but did not consent to settle.
Provisions were made by the town, under the authority of the State, to supply the families of those employed in the continental service.
March 3. That part of the town, west of Bea- ver-Dam, were permitted to enjoy their proportion of preaching, according to their tax.
April 21. George Jackman, Esq., was chosen delegate, to meet in convention at Concord, to adopt a more permanent system of state govern- ment.
July 7, 1779. The selectmen and Capt. Peter Kimball were authorized to provide 4 men for the continental service, and 5 men for the defence of Rhode-Island.
Sept. 8. The plan of state government was laid before the town, but was not accepted. At this meeting, George Jackman, Esq., was chosen dele- gate to meet in convention, to regulate the prices of sundry articles of living.
Dec. 6. Col. Henry Gerrish was chosen, to rep- resent the towns of Boscawen and Salisbury, in the General Court, and to aid in the choice of members of Congress.
9
66
HISTORY OF BOSCAWEN. 1
March 7, 1780. At this time, the paper curren- cy had greatly depreciated, so that a day's work, upon the highway, was reckoned at £6, or 20 dollars. And to indemnify the selectmen for their services, whose uniform compensation, annu- ally, had been two dollars each, the town engaged, at their annual meeting, to give to each of them $100, paper money, and two bushels of peas.
June 22. A committee was chosen to provide men for the continental service, and authorized to compensate them. ££1000 were raised at the an- nual meeting for preaching, and a committee chosen to lay it out ; but the record does not spe- cify the person employed.
1
SECTION 17.
1781. The town of Boscawen had been desti- tute of a settled minister for the seven last years, though several candidates had been employed, and several attempts made for a settlement. It now seemed the united desire of the town, to secure such a blessing ; therefore, at their annual meet- ing, March 6, the selectmen were directed to as- sess such a tax upon the inhabitants, as would sup- ply them with a preacher eight months ; and re- quested their committee to employ Mr. Samuel Wood four sabbaths, whose late labors among them had been generally acceptable. And at this meeting, Lt. Enoch Gerrish was chosen agent to provide the beef and men required of the town for the public service the present year.
67
HISTORY OF BOSCAWEN.
July 31. A special meeting of the town was called, at the request of the church, to ascertain the feelings of the people in respect of the labors of Mr. Wood; and also, to his taking the pastoral charge of the church, in the work of the gospel ministry among them. And the town voted to give him an invitation to settle with them in the ministry, accompanied with the following encour- agement for his support, viz. €50 a year, for the two first years, equal to silver at 6s. 8d. per ounce, or in current money, of equal value, as his annual salary. After the two first years, to increase ££5 a year, to ££70, which should be his stated salary, as long as he remained their minister. And also €90 settlement, equal to silver at 6s. 8d. per ounce, should he settle with them, with the use of the parsonage.
The committee, appointed to present the invi- tation and proposals to Mr. Wood, were authorized to receive his answer, and, if affirmative, to unite with him in fixing the time of his ordination, and to make all necessary provision for the same .--- Mr. Wood was disposed to accept the terms of settlement, and accordingly united in the calling a council, and was ordained Oct. 17, 1781.
Sept. 10. The depreciation of the town taxes was found to be so great, that the selectmen were directed to lay a new tax in silver money, and re- duce the old tax to that value.
Dec. 4. The towns of Salisbury and Boscawen made a trial, but could not agree, to send a repre- sentative to the General Court. The land of de- linquent proprietors was sold for taxes, at public auction, July 11, 1781.
68
HISTORY OF BOSCAWEN.
1782. After the surrender of Lord Cornwallis, on the 9th October, there seemed far less anxiety in the American people, in respect of the conclu- sion of the war. And as the enemy was in the southern states, the calls for men and means, for the support of the war upon the people of New- England, were less frequent and urgent. This town did nothing more the present year, than (March 5) to re-appoint Lt. Enoch Gerrish their agent, to provide the town's proportion of men, beef, &c., for the army.
May. The meeting house in town had been built several years ; but, owing to other public ex- penses, it still remained unfinished. The town now took up the subject, and ordered the gallery- pews to be sold, and the avails of the sale to be laid out in finishing the house.
On the 2d day of October, the proprietors held a meeting, not having been in session, before, for about 10 years. At this meeting, they agreed, that all their lands, remaining common and undivided, should be sold at public auction; and they were accordingly sold, excepting those appropriated to
particular uses. Also, the proprietors made a do- nation to the town of 400 feet of glass, for the meeting house, and appointed Col. Henry Ger- rish to procure the same. And at the adjourn- ment of the meeting, Nov. 12, they specifically reserved two acres of the common land on Clay- Hill, as a brick-yard for the town proprietors, and concluded their meeting by the appointment of George Jackman, Esq., Henry Gerrish, Esq., and Mr. Cutting Noyes, a committee to call meetings in future.
1
69
HISTORY OF BOSCAWEN.
1783. After the experience of the privations and distresses of an eight years' warfare with a nation powerful in arms, a cessation of hostilities is announced, and, Feb. 4, the freedom, sovereign- ty and independence of the United States acknowl- edged to the universal joy of the American people ; being invested by Divine Providence, with the richest blessings, to be inherited by unborn gen- erations.
March 4. Notwithstanding the past difficulties and discouragements experienced by the inhabit- ants of this town, they were generally prosperous in their improvements ; especially those in the westerly part of the town. Such was the in- crease of their numbers and property, that it be- came desirable, for their convenience, to have a house for public worship erected ; the town took some measures to this effect, but a meeting house was not built till several years afterward.
A plan of state government was sent out to the people for adoption ; but a majority of the town objected to the offices of Governor and Privy- Council, and appointed Rev. Samuel Wood, Henry Gerrish, Esq., and Samuel Fowler, delegates to the convention, to offer the town's objections.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.