USA > New Hampshire > Cheshire County > Walpole > A history of Walpole, New Hampshire, Volume I > Part 4
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"The old tavern, in those days at those gatherings was turned into a literary pande- monium; wine drinking, late suppers, card playing, joke cracking and the like formed the programme for frequent meetings during the year; and the wee hours of the morning were the only acknowledged signal for breaking up. The good cheer of Maj. Bullard's house was known far and wide, and all travellers wanting a good time made it a point to stop at the Major's. Those wags were not content with cracking jokes on one another; but their shafts of ridicule extended to Parson Fessenden, who was a diminutive man, and wore a cocked hat and small clothes, which made him resemble the 'Jack of Clubs' and in consequence they dubbed him 'Old Palm', as the 'Jack of Clubs' played an important part in their favorite game of 'Palm Loo'.
"In those days there was another set of men living in town who used to, on all public days, congregate at the Major's house and drink something stronger than wine, and for amusement roll ten pins. They prided themselves on their courage, bravado, and strength; and after drinking till their courage was wrought up 'to the sticking point', if any of the parties had any old unsettled 'score', this was the time for settling it by a free fight, when, in some instances, all parties became involved. On some of those occasions one Abraham Hall, whose avoirdupois was four hundred and twenty pounds at the age of sixty, sometimes put in an appearance as peace-maker, by taking the belligerents by the nape of the neck and holding them asunder till their pugnacity cooled off. He is said to have been the most powerful man, physically, that ever lived in town." (AH)
The following items are from the Museum:
"1793-4-Cash and a generous price given for Human Hair at shop of John Andenoy on Main Street.
-John Bellows 2nd giving cash and a generous price for any kind of hatting furs, also hats exchanged for lambs wool.
-William Pierce wants apprentice to shoemaking business.
1793-Joshua Quinton advertised James Titus a went-away apprentice who answered that he never bound himself for any specific time and was free to leave the clothier business.
-Abner Graves, post rider, always with him an assortment of best kind of indigo, small books and every little article usually inquired for.
-Justus Webber from Boston, tailor at Col. Allen's store.
-Gurdon Huntington clock & watch making business, buys old copper and brass.
-Wm. Wire agent for Walter M'Coye drums.
23
1797-Caleb Johnson had for sale at a very low rate for cash a few barrels of West India and New England Rum.
-Josiah Gates operating a ferry.
-Nicanor Townsley carried on cabinet making business in Walpole Village about 20 rods west from Gen. Bellows.
-Wm. Ramsay carrying on wheel making business.
-Ebenezer Crehore's apprentice Ora Rugg, 18, ran away, reward 6 pence.
Dec. 1797-Stephen Prentiss, Jun ... has this day taken a shop on the Main Street in Walpole and is carrying on the chair making and painting business. ... Cash or almost any kind of produce received in payment.
-Petitions for divorce.
1798-Gamaliel Fenton now carrying on the Bell Foundry ... where Bells of any weight may be had ... Town Clocks also manufactured.
-Mr. Blackmer opening school of dancing September 1798.
-Zacheus Hale Loomis, musician (Brattleborough) wishes to engage at all assemblies and balls from Deerfield to Walpole or within 20 miles east and west. Gentlemen are requested to apply seasonably.
-Bellows & Stone wish to purchase Green Ginseng.
-Mr. Hubbard opening his subscription school in May (1798) Gentlemen and ladies Tuition 1 shilling & 6 pence per week.
-Moses Johnson has new lot of goods for sale. No credit extended. Good hard, sweet butter will be received at 10 pence per pound. Those who prefer cash to goods shall receive 9 pence per pound for their butter. NB No butter will be received but of the best kind, the milk well worked out and the butter perfectly sweet, hard and in good order.
-Moses Johnson Fresh lemons 10 pence in cash.
-Alexander Watkins 100 bu. good wheat for sale, brought from over the mountain where you all know they raise the best of wheat.
-Wanted to hire 10 or 12 workmen well acquainted with gunsmith business Gurdon Huntington, John Livingston, Jun. Same by Amasa Allen, Samuel Grant, Joseph Barnard.
-Bellows & Stone Those persons who wish to make a payment in Beef Cattle are desired to bring them the first and second weeks in October, as we shall attend to killing and barrelling beef at that time.
John Hubbard, apothecary and writer, was a graduate of Dartmouth College in 1785. After teaching at New Ipswich Academy, he came to Walpole in 1796 where he continued teaching for a time. In 1798 he was appointed Cheshire County Judge of Probate, in 1799 Walpole post- master. As an apothecary he developed a vegetable pill for female com- plaints, advertising its potency in the Museum-the best remedy yet known in consumptive complaints, "fainting, indigestion, and hypochon- driac affections, vapours, or lowness of spirit, are carried off by the use of a single box".
24
DECADE 1800-1810
During the 1780's the family of Theodore Atkinson had their tract of Derry Hill surveyed and during the 1790's sold a 100 acre tract to Scotch- Irish settlers from Londonderry, N. H. They were of frugal and indus- trious habits.
When those farms were first settled, they were very productive, yielding immense quantities of hay, grain and potatoes. Whether the first po- tatoes raised in town were raised on Derry Hill is uncertain; but the first raised in New England came from the seed brought from Ireland to Londonderry by the immigrants to that place.
TURNPIKES
The following editorial appeared in the Museum August 26, 1799: "At the last ses- sion of our General Court several Petitions were presented for license to establish Turnpike roads. . . . Should these petitions be granted, the effect will be, that roads will be laid out in the best possible places, and those who suffer private injury for public good will have their damages equitably appraised and paid. Gates will be erected at convenient distances at which toll will be collected; the inhabitants of each town through which a road passes will be privileged to pass gratis, except when on journeys or going out of town. All foot passengers will be exempted from paying toll. Thus we find that each town through which a Turnpike passes will not only be bene- fited with an excellent highway, but likewise considerably relieved in the town taxes. The principal objection that has been stated is that it will be highly injurious, in a free country, to tax travelling, in a public road, and that it savors too much of the oppression of old countries. This objection must originate in total ignorance. Who would object to paying the toll of a good bridge rather than to cross a ferry; and who will object to paying the small toll of a Turnpike, when it will expedite his journey to that degree, that it will be more than saved in his tavern expenses? Add to this the saving of time, the safety and convenience attending a journey, and we presume there will not a reasonable objection arise. Wheel carriages will be mostly benefited by these roads. The waggoner may add one-fourth to his load, perform his journey in three-fourths the time, and he will find by experience that his team will last twice as long. Wherever a road is established the distance will be much abridged from the present route, hills will be avoided, and the roads will be made literally as smooth as a house floor. Let any man figure to himself the advantages, and say whether he would not give his vote for such a road, rather than endure the rocks, the gulphs, the hills and quagmires, which at present embarrass our highways; those who have travelled in Turnpikes are uniformly in favor of them, and say they wish every highway was the same."
THIRD N. H. TURNPIKE
December 27, 1799, a charter was granted to Frederick Wm. Geyer, Benjamin Bellows, Benjamin West, Amasa Allen, John Bellows, Daniel Newcomb, Peleg Sprague, Josiah Richardson and associates to lay out,
25
-
WRIGHT'S FERRY 1714
1
1
-
TO CHARLESTOWN
COLD
RIVER
MILL
1781
WILLARD'S TO ALSTEAD
BENJAMIN
FROM
ROAD
TO MILL.
1781
1
1774
TO ALSTEAD
BY LT. KILBURN'S
1781
BY NAT. MESSER'S
1774
TOALSTEAD 1781
1762
MAN'S
A D.
FIRST
26
N
SURVEYED AND RECORDED DURING 1781 SURVEYED AND RECORDED BEFORE 1781
1781
W
·
4 MILES
1781
ICKMAN'S
1
1762,1174
FIRST MEETING HOUSE
NORTH RD.
1766
TO ALSTEAD
NORTH RD.
ALSTEAD
BELLOWS POTASH
FROM LT. HUTCHIN'S
TO WESTMORELAND RD.
+LLI EGLI
BY BUNDY
TO KEENE RD.
1731
MILLS
BY SAM. WIERS
GRAVES ROAD 1781
GREAT BROOK
BY EDCHILD'S
1762 , 1774
BY ISAAC JOHNSON'S
ROAD
TO KEENE
17 81
TO KEENE 1781
1
FROM
1762, 1774
1
1762
TO GILMAN'S
BY TIM. MESSER'S AND BUCKMA GREAT BROOK
BY NAT. WATKINS'
HALL'S
TO WESTMORELAND
27
0
TO CHARLESTOWN
7
1
-
-
LAID AS COUNTY ROAD
LAID AS STATE ROAD
1796
1794
---
ROAD
STATE
1
FROM AARON GRAVES' TO DEACON PARKER'S
-
1794
OR
01
RIVER
INNECTICUT
MILL POND
/ TO CHARLESTOWN
RIVER
HALE'S BRIDGE (TOLL)
2
SURVEYED AND RECORDED 1781 - 1796 SURVEYED AND RECORDED THROUGH 1781
4 MILES
28
3
ALSTEAD
A1785
1785
TO
KEENG
COUNTY ROAD
NNOS
A 1794
1795
COUNTY
1788
COMMON
TO INGALS'
FROM
TO
JONATHAN ROYCE
1713
SURRY
7620
- 21
FROM
TO GATES MILL
KEENE
1793
WIDOW FAY
GOLDSMITH
JOS. MUNN
FROM ROBERT TO SAMUEL WIER'S
17 85
WEST MORELAND ROAD TO GOLDSMITH'S
1795
TO PRIEST'S
WESTMORELAND
29
WESTMORELAND TO GREAT ROAD
PROSPECT HILL)
MEETING aSnow
GREAT
1792 JOHN BELLOWS FERRY
BROOK
TO MORRISON'S
ROAD
LEVI FAY
1795
GREAT BROOK
1
CHESHIRE TURNPIKE 717991
TO CHESHIRE BRIDGE
CHARLESTOWN
TURNPIKE
1804
1081
RIVER
1810
1903
1803 TODREWSVILLE
1799
BLANCHARD OR
TURNPIKE
1799
3rd. N. M
1810
TUCKER BRIDGE
TOLL
TURNPIKE ERA
SURVEYED AND RECORDED THROUGH 1796
SURVEYED AND RECORDED 1796 - 1810
LAID AS TURNPIKES
LAID AS COUNTY ROAD
O
S
2
4 MILES
1
DREWSVILLE
1801
77 /H
CHESHIRE
JONATHAN ROYCE'S
010
)
REDINGTON TO
Rook
30
31
TOLL
1807
FROM RUSSELLS'
TO RIVER RD.
1800
MILL
١٦٩٩
1801
FOSTER'S TO HOOPER'S
8
JENNISON
3RD.
1806
GREAT
H
BROOK
HOUGHTON BROOK
1799
1801
COCHRAN'S
WHEELER TO MASON TO MARCH
١٦٩٦
1800/
TO LOCK'S
MEETING HOUSE COMMON
HILI
TURNPIKE
1
O
NORTH WALPOLE
1
LAID AS COUNTY ROAD
SURVEYED AND RECORDED
SURVEYED AND RECORDED
ROAD SYSTEM AT ITS HEIGHT
DREWSVILLE
1
COLO RIVER
1819
FOUR CORNERS
ROOF
GAGE ROAD
1811
ROBY'S CORNERS
DODGE TAVERN
1841
POND
COLD
RIVER
1842
1816
2
32
4 MILES
1810-1858 THROUGH 1810
1858
BIBI
33
GENZER RD.
POND,
MILL
NEW KEENE
RD.
LAID OVEROLD MILL ROAD
1817
1815
1848
COUNTY RD. 1817, 1822
1856
A1811
1821
1813
GREAT BROOK
TO LEONARD'S 1826
1846
TO
WHIPPLE
FROM
1819
TO COCHRAN'S
1822
CHRISTIAN HOLLOW
DRURY'S
HILL RD. 1814
DICKEY'S
1822
1 811
1822
1839
ALPOLE
HOUGHTON BRO
1817
make, and keep in repair a Turnpike road of 4 rods wide in such route or track as in their best judgment and skill, shall combine shortness of distance with the most practicable ground, from Bellows falls in Wal- pole, on Connecticut river through Keene toward Boston to Massachu- setts line. There were to be as many gates as needed to collect toll, but none was to be placed on roads now public. (There was one in the fork of the County and Watkins Hill roads in Christian Hollow, no record of any other in Walpole.) The gates were to be left open when not at- tended, and no toll was to be collected from those going to worship or to mill. For avoidance of paying toll treble could be collected. Rates per mile were as follows: 15 sheep or hogs, 1¢; 15 cattle or horses, 2¢; horse and rider or led horse, 3/4¢; sulkey chair, 1 horse chaise, 2 wheeled, 11/2¢; chariot, coach, stage wagon, phaeton or chaise with 2 horses, 4 wheels, 4¢; carriage (1 beast) 1 (2 beast), 11/2¢; 1¢ additional for each pair oxen or horses; sleigh 1 horse, 3/4¢; 2 horse, 11/2¢; 1/2¢ for each additional horse; sled 1 horse, 1/2¢; 2 horse, 1¢; l¢ for each additional pair. No toll was to be collected until $600 per mile had been expended. An accounting was to be made at the end of each ten years, the charter null and void if the road had not been completed within the first ten years. After 40 years the state had the privilege of buying the road for the amount expended plus 12% per annum, minus the tolls collected.
There is no record to show the exact original course of the road, but we have evidence to indicate the following: Starting at the toll bridge (Vilas Bridge), the road crossed Cold River about one third of the dis- tance west from the arch bridge to the new bridge (1958); followed present course of Rt. 12 into village via Turnpike Street; through the village, up Prospect; beyond the Country Club bore to the left; came out again near Lawrence Britton's (#413); followed present road to Christian Hol- low (not sure of course through Hollow); followed the Whipple Hill Road a short distance, then bore left to come out just above Mrs. Harry Jennison's (changed 1811 to present course up the hill from the Hollow); crossed through the pasture to the old Goldsmith Tavern (later Car- penter); continued down past the cemetery to present Keene Road near Conley's (#357); crossed to Patnodes' buildings (#359); then down through the woods almost a direct line to the Westmoreland line, farther east than what is left of the present road. It connected with the Green Mt. Turnpike at Bellows Falls and a Massachusetts Turnpike at Townsend, Massachusetts.
At Cold River the old road had come down from the plain and crossed the river about as it does now. There was a bridge there early, but they
34
seem to have had trouble keeping it. In 1789 there was a vote to repair it. In January 1794 an emergency seems to have arisen and a special town meeting was called at which it was voted to build a new bridge. Manoah Drury bid it off for 103 pounds. The builder was to build it at his own hazard and maintain for twelve years, when it would belong to the town. It was to be 18 ft. wide, completed by June 20. He did better than that, having it completed by May 2.
It appears that in 1806 the bridge had again gone out, or at least been damaged, for at the meeting in March the town voted to petition the court for a committee to alter the county road from Samuel Wightman's to Jonathan Royce's so as to pass the Turnpike bridge and avoid building Cold River bridge, to contract with the directors of the Turnpike Corporation to pass over their bridge below Samuel Wightman's free of expense to public travel provided county court should see fit to alter county road. The selectmen were to contact Mr. Wightman for opening a road across his meadow from the Turnpike bridge to the foot of the hill west of Israel Wightman's till a decision by the court. The town allowed Mr. Drury to give his right to the bridge to the town rather than requir- ing him to repair it. (12 years not quite up.)
1273794
CHESHIRE TURNPIKE
In 1804 a charter was granted for the Cheshire Turnpike from Charles- town to Keene, with much the same terms as the Third New Hampshire Turnpike. It entered Walpole at Drewsville, passed down through that village, through the Valley much as the present road, joining the 3rd N. H. Turnpike at Keene. From Woods' (#576) to the old Whitney place (#579) at the end of Maple Grove Road it followed a straight course over the hill west of the present road.
The building of these Turnpikes opened the staging and teaming era, and gave impetus to the development of the country. Produce was taken to market on these roads, such travel bringing a great deal of business to the keepers of public houses along the way. After snow fell it was not unusual to see 20 to 40 sleds or sleighs passing over the pike in a day.
In 1806 the old brick store was built where the Bemis store (#168) is now (1962). At first there was a road from there westerly along the south line of the old Crafts lot, but later the present Westminster Street was laid from the same point "a little north of the cistern being the southeast corner of the Crafts Tavern lot, thence to the county road leading down the river" (now Washington Square west). In 1808 it was extended to the river to accommodate the bridge which was soon to be built.
35
The bridge was chartered June 17, 1807 "anywhere between south line of Hale's grant at Bellows Falls and Walpole-Westmoreland line", and the year following was built across the Connecticut on the site of the present bridge. It is said to have been the third on the Connecticut. It was built by a corporation and the superstructure was on wooden piers. "At its completion the citizens had a great jollification on the land just west of the bridge, playing ball, wrestling and drinking blackstrap. Before commencing their games a substantial crop of mullen had to be cleared away, the land at that time bearing nothing better, and being considered of little value." (AH 92-3)
"From 1798 till 1802 or 3 the small pox raged in town, the extent of its ravages being throughout New England. Several times during those years an article was inserted in the town warrant to see if the town would build a pest house, but the town invariably voted the proposition down. The inhabitants were also reluctant in giving permission to have their families vaccinated. Thomas Jefferson and some of the leading men at Washington tried vaccination in their own families, which proved efficacious, after which a general circular was issued to the people of the United States, setting forth its harmless effect on the patient and its potent effect in preventing the spread of the dread disease. The physicians and some of the leading men of Keene also issued a similar circular, after which the inhabitants of Walpole, less fearful, allowed their families to be vaccinated and in a short time the small pox found no food to live upon.
"In 1803 a new newspaper, called the Political Observatory and printed by David Newhall, was published here. The proprietors were Thomas C. Drew, Elijah Burroughs, Amasa Allen, Alexander Watkins and Jonathan Royce. Its first editor was Stanly Gris- wold, grandfather of our townsman H. W. S. Griswold. The paper was very ably con- ducted, supporting the Administration of Thomas Jefferson, while the Museum, at this time, advocated the principles of the Federal party which had held political sway in town from the time of the adoption of the United States Constitution. Thomas C. Drew, Elijah Burroughs, Amasa Allen, Alexander Watkins and Jonathan Royce cast, it is said, the first votes in town in opposition to the Federal party.
"In the number of the Political Observatory of the 20th of October, 1804, is pub- lished an account of a heavy fall of snow, which covered the fall crops to the depth of three feet. Orchards were nearly ruined, one man estimating his individual loss at $300. The same year, Amasa and Oliver Allen's store was robbed of goods to the amount $600, for the thieves of which they offered a reward of $500." (AH)
"After the State Constitution was adopted in 1792, companies, regi- ments and battalions were formed throughout the state, and Walpole furnished her share of men to constitute the 20th regiment. So far as is known an artillery company was the only uniformed one, except a portion of a mounted company called the Cavalry, up to 1826. (Two companies of cavalry were constituted in 1803, 40 rank and file each, from Walpole and Westmoreland.) The uniforms of the artillery were a blue coat and pantaloons trimmed with red, and upon the head a bell shaped cap with
36
a black plume tipped with red. The ordnance was a six pound brass cannon, and each soldier wore a short sword strapped to his side. A por- tion of this company (drafted men) went to Portsmouth in 1814, under the command of Josiah Bellows 3rd.
"The uniforms of the cavalry company were red coats trimmed with black, buff breeches with high legged boots and a hard, bell shaped leather cap, bearing a red plume tipped with white. Strapped upon the horse's back was a holster for a brace of pistols, a canteen and knapsack, while the soldiers wore a cutlass or broad-sword strapped to the loins. The music for the company consisted of clarinet, fife and bugle, without keys, played by Charles Chaffin. This company disbanded sometime between 1826 and 1830." (AH 150-1)
In 1805 the First New Hampshire Company of Riflemen was em- powered to meet at Walpole and organize, subject to the state commander- in-chief the same as the militia. No one subject to do military duty was allowed to join. The company included John Bellows, Thomas Drew, Nicanor Townsley, Samuel Grant, Isaac Redington, William Pierce, Francis Gardner, Josiah Bellows, Daniel Carlisle, Jonas Fairbanks, Almerin Parker, Elisha White, Levi Hubbard, Stephen Ormsby, Aaron Graves Jr., Samuel Morrison, Ephraim Stearns and others.
"About 1826 a new company was formed consisting of about forty men besides the officers, and called the Walpole Rifle Co. Jonathan Cutler was the first captain of this company, David Buffum 2nd, Charles Redington 3rd, etc. Cutler made the rifles in a shop that stood on the site of Col. Buffum's store (Central Garage #11), and was a moving spirit in organiz- ing the company. This company was uniformed in grey throughout, trimmed with velvet, with a black wool tuft on the shoulder of the coat. The 'pants' were faced with black velvet extending about eight or ten inches upward from the bottom. Their caps were similar in shape to those above described except that the plume was black. This company made a very fine appearance when on duty and occupied on muster days the extreme left wing of the regiment, while the artillery occupied the extreme right. This company was in existence about fifteen or more years, when it was disbanded, owing to the growing disfavor for military organi- zations." (AH 151)
One night previous to July 4, 1808 a party from Keene stole from its position on Main Street the old cannon given to the early settlers by the King of England and used at Col. Bellows' fort. The whole population became aroused and the delinquents were arrested and brought to trial at the court in Keene. "The court decided that the cannon was not the
37
property of the town of Walpole and the defendants were discharged. Thereupon, the cannon was immediately loaded to the muzzle and drawn in front of the Court house and discharged."
The Walpole people determined to retrieve the cannon regardless of the court decision. Knowing that the cannon was hidden in a granary, they hired a stage driver to go to Keene with a heavy wagon after a load of grain. On the pretext that he wished to get an early start in the morn- ing he persuaded the clerk to loan him the key to the granary. He met a cavalcade of some 30 horsemen from Walpole. Leaving their horses in a fringe of bushes on a crossroad between Court and Washington Streets, they moved stealthily to the granary.
In moving the cannon they made noise enough to awaken the neigh- bors. The town bell was rung and an alarm of fire was raised, but the Walpole men were able to load the cannon, put the whip to the horses and head for Walpole. A party of Keene citizens mounted their horses and gave chase, but fortunately took a wrong road and there was no battle.
At break of day the old ordnance spoke in Walpole, amid the cheering of a hilarious crowd. (July 4, 1809)
Sometime later the people of Westminster clandestinely appropriated it for their own celebration, whereupon 80 Walpole men, led by the selectmen, went to Westminster after the cannon. Leaving the travelled road they cautiously approached the village, hidden by a high board fence on the east side of the road. The Vermonters were busily engaged in loading and firing and at every report would shout: "Do you hear that, Walpolians?" After the Walpole men had heard the question put three or four times they simultaneously put their shoulders against the fence and pushed it over, shouting: "Yes, we do hear." Without parley they brought the cannon away in triumph.
It was later stolen by men from Alstead. They loaded it too heavily, with green grass for wadding, and it spoke for the last time. (See account in AH 90-92.)
DECADE 1810-1820
"At this time, and for two or three years previous, the New England States had witnessed the rise and spread of a singular disease, which was called the 'spotted fever', but afterwards took the name of 'malignant fever'. This town was not exempt from its ravages and many homes were made desolate. The first indication of an attack was not infrequently a sud- den pain in the extremities, quickly spreading over the whole system, and
38
often terminating fatally in less than twenty-four hours. The disease was not thought to be contagious. In the spring of 1812 several children died of it. The following March, 1813, seven persons died of the disease, in as many days. The number that died of this disease in town cannot be definitely ascertained but it was large. The disease then called spotted fever is supposed to be the same as that now known as cerebrospinal meningitis.
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