USA > New Hampshire > Cheshire County > Sullivan > A history of the town of Sullivan, New Hampshire, 1777-1917, Volume I > Part 14
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Mar. II, 1845-Charles Franklin Wilson, M .; Ephraim
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Foster, Dauphin W. Wilson, Chauncy W. Rawson, S. M .- Voted to remonstrate against the alteration of the Sullivan and Nelson dividing line by a petition of the inhabitants. If any such petition were presented to the General Court, it accom- plished its objects, for no alteration was made. Two extra meetings were held, on Sept. 23 and Nov. 29, Charles Franklin Wilson, M. for both, for a 2d and a 3d ballot for a Congressman.
Mar. 10, 1846-Asa E. Wilson, M. ; Chauncy W. Rawson, Selim Frost, Thomas Winch, S. M .- A 4th ballot for Congress- man was taken at this meeting. The Liberty party was now making inroads upon both Whig and Democratic parties, making it difficult to secure majorities. On the question, " Is it expe- dient to receive the surplus revenue belonging to the State of New Hampshire ?", the votes of Sullivan were 52 yes, 2 no. An act of the first U. S. Congress controlled by the Whigs, passed in 1841, distributed among the states, according to the electoral vote, the proceeds of sales of public lands. The Dem- ocrats opposed this act. New Hampshire was a Democratic state at that time and its General Court was opposed to receiving any part of this revenue. This vote was to take the sense of the voters. At this election, the Whigs carried the state, and the General Court of 1846 voted to accept the state's share of this public revenue.
Mar. 9, 1847-Asa E. Wilson, M .; Selim Frost, Thomas Winch, Frederick B. Nims, S. M .- On the question of revising the state constitution, the votes of Sullivan were 6 yes, 61 no. On the question of adopting a new militia law, the votes were 24 yes, 23 no. At a special meeting, July 8, Samuel Locke, M., a 2d ballot for Congressman was taken. Voted to defer indefin- itely the repairs upon the meetinghouse. Voted that Daniel H. Mason, Selim Frost, and Chauncy W. Rawson be a committee to receive proposals for the sale of the meetinghouse, or for its sale including all the privileges and appurtenances thereto be- longing, and to report at a future meeting. At a special meet- ing, Nov. 6, Joseph Felt, M., this committee had no report to make.
Mar. 14, 1848-Selim Frost, M .; Dauphin W. Wilson, Frederick B. Nims, Amos Wardwell, S. M .- On the question whether the General Court should enact a law prohibiting the
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sale of wines or spirituous liquors, except for chemical, mechan- ical, or medicinal uses, the Sullivan votes were 65 yes, 24 no. For a few years, beginning in 1847, Mrs. Mercy White was paid for keeping Mrs. Pompey Woodward (the colored woman before mentioned). On Nov. 7, Charles J. White, M., votes were cast for Presidential electors. During this year, the third and present meetinghouse was built by the First Congregational Society, and dedicated, Dec. 7, 1848. Town meetings were still held in the old meetinghouse until the Town Hall was built.
Mar. 13, 1849-Franklin Buckminster, M .; Amos Ward- well, Franklin Buckminster, Lucius Nims, S. M .- Voted that the proceeds of the sales of the public lands be divided equally among the school districts. See before, for the year 1846. At a special meeting, Sept. 5, Chauncy W. Rawson, M., the road from the new meetinghouse to the Gilsum road was accepted. At another meeting, Oct. 22, Joseph Felt, M., the construction of the road from the Jacob Spaulding place to East Sullivan was authorized. This road was fought bitterly by the voters on the west side of the town. The road commissioners of the county settled the matter by laying out the road, June 20, 1849.
Mar. 13, 1850-Franklin Buckminster, M .; Franklin Buckminster, Lucius Nims, Frederick B. Nims, S. M .- On the question of revising the state constitution, the Sullivan votes were 29 yes, 34 no. Voted to borrow $700.00 to build the road laid out, last year, by the road commissioners. There was a special meeting on Aug. 24, Frederick B. Nims, M., at which the select-men were authorized to act for the town in certain lawsuits (see section on lawsuits in chapter on INSTITU- TIONAL HISTORY). There was another meeting on Oct. 8, Franklin Buckminster, M., at which Asa E. Wilson was chosen a delegate to the constitutional convention at Concord. He declined and no one was chosen in his place. Votes were cast, at this meeting, for a Congressman, to fill the unexpired term of Hon. James Wilson, who had resigned.
Mar. II, 1851-Asa E. Wilson, M .; Lucius Nims, Fred- erick B. Nims, Thomas Winch, S. M .- Chose a committee, con- sisting of Martin Spaulding, Ichabod Nichols Wardwell, and Selim Frost, to take measures to sell the old meetinghouse. On
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the matter of revising the state constitution, votes were cast upon 15 proposed amendments, of which 8 received a majority of the votes, 6 a minority, and one a half of them with the other half against it. On the question whether it were expedient for the General Court to enact a law exempting homesteads from execution to the extent of $500.00, the Sullivan votes were 15 yes, 16 no. At a special meeting, May 31, Chauncy W. Rawson, M., it was voted to build a Town Hall. Chose Charles Franklin Wilson, Thomas Winch, and George Wardwell a com- mittee to contract for building it, and to purchase land, if neces- sary, to set it on. It was, at first, voted not to set the hall on the spot upon which the old meetinghouse stood, but this motion was reconsidered, and it was voted to leave the location discre- tionary with the building committee. As is well known, it was placed just in front of the site of the old meetinghouse. This was the last town meeting ever held in the old meetinghouse. The first such meeting in that building was on Jan. 4, 1809. It had served the town for its meetings for 42 years and nearly 5 months. Thomas Spaulding erected it, and his grandson, Dauphin Spaulding, 2d, took it down. Had it been preserved, in the original form, with its square pews and galleries retained and decorated, with the accompaniment of paint, cushions, and carpets, it would easily have beceme an attractive building, and a landmark of great interest and value.
Mar. 9, 1852. The first town meeting in the new Town Hall, where all town meetings have since been held-Franklin Buckminster, M. ; Thomas Winch, Ichabod Nichols Wardwell, George Washington Nims, S. M .- Votes were cast upon three amendments to the state constitution, all of which received large majorities of the Sullivan votes. At a special meeting, July I, Franklin Buckminster, M., voted that the select-men insure the Town Hall in the Cheshire County Mutual Fire Insurance Company. Voted that the Town Hall be used by those who wish to set up a high school therein in the autumn of 1852. On Nov. 2, Asa E. Wilson, M., votes were thrown for Presi- dential electors. There was unusual interest in our state, that year, in the Presidential contest, because Gen. Franklin Pierce, the Democratic nominee for the high honor, was a native and a citizen of New Hampshire. Sullivan was a staunch Whig town
10
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and did not enthuse over Gen. Pierce, and cast 41 votes for the Whig electors, who voted for Gen. Scott for the Presidency. The Democratic, or Pierce, electors received 21 votes, and the Free Soil electors received 14 votes.
Mar. 8, 1853-Rev. Josiah Peabody, M .; George Wash- ington Nims, Daniel Adams Nims, Levi F. Mason, S. M.
Mar. 14, 1854-Rev. Josiah Peabody, M .; Franklin Buck- minster, Amos Wardwell, David Alvaro Felt, S. M .- Voted that the select-men dispose of proceeds of the common to best advantage. Voted to raise the price of labor two cents for a man and three cents for a yoke of oxen per hour.
Mar. 13, 1855-Asa E. Wilson, M .; David Alvaro Felt, Chauncy W. Rawson, Dauphin Spaulding, S. M .- Voted that select-men procure suitable instruments for sealing weights and measures. Voted that the select-men use their discretion about a new graveyard and hearse.
Mar. 11, 1856-Asa E. Wilson, M .; David Alvaro Felt, Chauncy W. Rawson, Dauphin Spaulding, S. M .- The select- men were appointed a committee to purchase and prepare a new burial ground within a half mile of the meetinghouse and, if they purchase one, to build a new hearse house. On. Nov. 4, Asa E. Wilson, M., votes were cast for Presidential electors.
Mar. 10, 1857-Hosea Towne, M. ; Ichabod Nichols Ward- well, Joseph Whitney, George C. Hubbard, S. M .- On May 16, Franklin Buckminster, M., voted to purchase the land for the new burial ground; that the selectmen be instructed and authorized to make the purchase and fit the ground, and build a new hearse house, and be also authorized to build a new tomb. They did not build any tomb. Mr. C. F. Wilson gave one at a later period. At a meeting, Sept. 5, same moderator, the select- men were authorized to fence and prepare the new burying ground as they should see fit.
Mar. 9, 1858-Franklin Buckminster, M .; Charles Mason, George C. Hubbard, Dauphin W. Nims, S. M .- Voted that one might take a lot in the new cemetery, where one should choose. Voted not to pay for a new cemetery at East Sullivan. At a meeting on Dec. I, Charles Mason, M., voted to discontinue so much of the road laid out by the county commissioners, from Moore's mill in Stoddard to the road from J. Spaulding's to East Sullivan, as would be in Sullivan.
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Mar. 8, 1859-George C. Hubbard, M .; Frederick B. Nims, Joseph Whitney, Atwell C. Ellis, S. M .- Chose David Seward an agent "to investigate the subject of the town's claims in the Winch farm [the town farm] and settle the matter in such a manner as he think proper, with power to prosecute the claim if necessary". This farm had been left to the town, for the use of the poor, by the widow of Caleb Winch, Sr., who was formerly the widow of James Rowe. The widow of her second husband's son, John Winch, was entitled to certain rights therein during her life. She was then living with her son, Thomas Winch, in Langdon. The town had become alarmed lest the rights of Mrs. Winch in the estate had been exceeded. Mr. Seward found no difficulty, however, in reaching a most amicable settlement with Mrs. Winch and her son, who very generously offered to quit their rights in the old farm to the town, together with the title to two and a half acres of land then owned by Mr. Winch, which formerly belonged to the farm, for the modest sum of thirty-five dollars. At a special meeting, May 20, with the same moderator, the town accepted this propo- sition, and David Seward was authorized to take a deed of it in behalf of the town. This has since been known as the town farm. The buildings are gone, but there is a certain amount of income derived from it. At the annual meeting, it was voted to sell part of the common south of the road leading from the meetinghouse to East Sullivan. It was also voted, and most appropriately, "that the thanks of the town be presented to the Rev. Thomas S. Norton for the interest which he has taken in the schools of this town, and the fidelity with which he has per- formed the duties of superintending school committee in years past." Mr. Norton had then resigned his long and useful pastorate.
Mar. 13, 1860-George C. Hubbard, M .; Frederick B. Nims, Joseph Whitney, Atwell C. Ellis, S. M .- On the question of buying a county poor farm, the Sullivan votes were 13 yes, 39 no. A serious distemper appeared, this year, among the cattle in this state. At a special meeting, June 25, Chauncy W. Rawson, M., it was voted "that a committee of three be appointed to take all precautionary measures to prevent the cattle disease from being brought into town, and to prevent its spread in case it should get into town". Chose the select-men
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for such a committee. Voted to pay the expenses of a com- mittee, chosen at an informal meeting of Sullivan citizens on June 9, to investigate the subject and examine the cattle now in town that may have been exposed to the said disease. On Nov. 6, George C. Hubbard, M., voted for Presidential electors.
Mar. 12, 1861-Charles Mason, M .; Atwell C. Ellis, George C. Hubbard, Alonzo Farrar, S. M .- On question of revising the state constitution the votes of Sullivan were 23 yes, 29 no. A special meeting, June 27, Joseph Whitney, M., dis- continued the lay-out of a new road. All affairs pertaining to roads will be fully treated in a separate chapter. At a special meeting, Nov. 25, Chauncy W. Rawson, M., the first vote was passed by the town which had reference to the great Civil War, which for five years was the all-absorbing matter of business throughout the entire United States. At this meeting, it was voted "that the town will authorize the laying out of money agreeably to an act passed June session, 1861, [by the state legislature ], entitled ' An Act authorizing cities and towns to aid the families of volunteers and for other purposes, and choose a committee to carry such vote into effect'". Chose the select- men for such a committee.
Mar. 11, 1862-Charles Mason, M .; Alonzo Farrar, Dauphin W. Nims, John Locke, S. M .- At a special meeting, Aug. 16, George C. Hubbard, M., voted "to appropriate money for voluntary enlistments in town". Voted " that the selectmen be authorized and instructed to pay to each person, or his order, that enlists in the military service from this town, under the recent call of the Governor for volunteers, until the quota of this town is full, the sum of $150.00, upon his giving satisfac- tory evidence to the select-men that he has been accepted and mustered into the United States service". At another meeting, Sept. 27, Dauphin Spaulding, M., it was voted "to pay those who volunteer for nine months (under the recent order for nine months men) the sum of one hundred dollars". It was of course intended that each should be thus paid. Voted "that the select-men be instructed to borrow money and pay to each person $100.00, who may volunteer for nine months, after he has been mustered into the United States service."
Mar. 10, 1863-Franklin Buckminster, M .; Dauphin W.
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Nims, John Locke, David Alvaro Felt, S. M .- On the question of revising the state constitution, the Sullivan votes were 4 yes, none opposed. A special meeting was held on June 24, ad- journed to June 29, Hersey Wardwell, M., when a hot discus- sion arose over the new road from J. Spaulding's to J. Dunn's. As the county commissioners had laid it, and a refusal to build it would have laid the town liable to prosecution, there was no alternative but to vote to construct it. Even so small a town as Sullivan was not without men who did not take a philosophical view of the war. A sufficient number of signatures were received to call a meeting, in the warrant for which was an article : "To see if the town will vote to pay such a sum of money as is required by law to exempt every soldier from going to the war from this town, if drafted and called for, so that our boys may stay on our soil". The meeting was held June 29, Franklin Buckminster, M. With the good sense characteristic of the town, the article was "passed over". The sentiment of Sullivan was intensely patriotic and loyal and overwhelmingly opposed to any such shirking of the obligations of young men to their country, if their services were required. It did indeed take from the "soil " many of our noble young men, and we have truly never recovered from the blow, but it was a sacrifice as noble as it was costly. The country needed it and required it. The young men went into the service in the most heroic and manly spirit, and no murmur of complaint ever came from their lips or those of their kindred. At a special meeting, Sept. 21, Charles Franklin Wilson, M., it was voted "to pay the sum of $300.00 to each drafted man from this town, and the same sum if one furnish a substitute, agreeably to the law passed the last session of the legislature". Voted "that the select-men be instructed to borrow the sum of $300.00 to pay each drafted man, or his substitute, after he has been accepted and mustered into the United States service, agreeably to the law passed at the last session of the legislature". At a meeting, Dec. 5, Franklin Buckminster, M., voted "that the town raise a bounty in addition to the state and United States bounties". Voted "to raise a sum not exceeding $300.00 for any man who may enlist to fill the quota of this town under the recent call of the President for volunteers". Voted "that the town advance the
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money and pay the state and United States bounties to volun- teers under the recent call, taking an assignment for the same ". Voted "that the selectmen be instructed to borrow money to pay said bounties". Voted "that the select-men act as agents to procure volunteers to fill the quota of the town". Voted " that the select-men be the agents to carry out the provisions of the 5th [preceding] article". Voted "to abate the taxes assessed against citizens of this town who now are or have been in the service of the United States". At a meeting on Feb. 24, 1864, Charles Franklin Wilson, M., it was voted "to pay to veteran volunteers who will re-enlist to fill the quota of this town the sum of $300.00, and the number not to exceed three". Voted "that the town advance the money and pay the state and United States bounties to veteran volunteers, under the recent call, taking an assignment for the same". Voted "that the select-men be authorized to borrow money to pay said bounties".
Mar. 8, 1864-Charles Franklin Wilson, M .; David Alvaro Felt, Charles Franklin Wilson, Lucius Pembroke Nims, S. M .- At a special meeting on Aug. 15, David Alvaro Felt, M., it was voted "that the town pay to three years men who will volunteer to fill the quota of this town, or to their substi- tutes, the sum of $300.00, to be paid in gold or its equivalent, to each three years man who shall have been mustered into the service of the United States". This was after the call of the President for 500,000 volunteers. Voted "that the town ad- vance the state and United States bounties and take an assign- ment for the same,-to volunteers under the recent calls ". Voted "to choose an agent to procure volunteers or substitutes to fill the quota of the town". David Alvaro Felt was chosen as such agent. Voted "that the select-men be authorized to borrow money on the credit of the town, to pay said bounties". On Nov. 8, D. A. Felt, M., votes were cast for Presidential electors. On the question of revising the state constitution, the Sullivan votes were 29 yes, 5 no. Paid D. A. Felt $31.58, Franklin Buckminster $28.35, and C. F. Wilson $8.50, for procuring men as volunteers to fill the town's quota. At a meeting, Dec. 9, David Alvaro Felt, M., it was voted " that the town pay bounties, not exceeding $100.00, for one year men ; $200.00 for 2 years men ; and $300.00 for three years men, to
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each person who shall be mustered into the military, naval, or marine service of the United States, to fill the quota of this town, whether such person shall have voluntarily enlisted or volunteered as a substitute for a drafted or enrolled man ". Voted "to pay our own citizens who will volunteer for one year into the military service of the United States, after having been mustered into said service, the sum of $800.00". Voted "that the town advance the state bounty to any person who will enlist and be credited on the quota of the town". Voted "that the select-men be authorized to borrow money on the credit of the town, to pay all bounties which the town may have voted". Voted " to choose an agent to procure volunteers, to be credited to the quota of the town". Franklin Buckminster was chosen as such an agent. No one can read these records of Sullivan's war meetings without a profound sense of the ardent loyalty that little town cherished for our beloved country and the cause of freedom. The aid and encouragement given to the soldiers were all that they could possibly have been. These efforts were matched by the zeal of the ladies for the holy cause, who toiled night and day to prepare the articles which many well- filled boxes carried to the soldiers at the seat of war. A more particular account of Sullivan's part in the great struggle will be found in the chapter on MILITARY HISTORY.
Mar. 14, 1865-Franklin Buckminster, M .; David Alvaro Felt, Atwell C. Ellis, George White, S. M .- Voted that the labor of men and oxen on the roads should be ten cents an hour. Voted that the select-men may dispose of the armory. This action ended the militia history of Sullivan. The old red build- ing, originally a school-house, but used many years for an armory, is still well remembered by the older readers of this book. See MILITARY HISTORY. For many years, from 1863 onwards, the vote to pay for coffins and the digging of graves included also the tolling of the bell for the deceased. It had been used for that purpose by the meetinghouse sexton since its purchase in 1860. It was first tolled for the death of Henry H. Keith, on the afternoon of Dec. 6, 1860, and again as his funeral procession passed the church upon the following day. He had died at Saxton's River, Vt., on the 5th. At a special meeting on Apr. 5, Chauncy W. Rawson, M., it was voted
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"that the select-men be instructed to build a self-supporting bridge near Caleb Goodnow's mill, and that $600.00 be appro- priated to build it ".
Mar. 13, 1866-Franklin Buckminster, M .; David Alvaro Felt, Atwell C. Ellis, George White, S. M .- Voted that each man and pair of oxen should receive 15 cents an hour, while " working on the roads ".
Mar. 12, 1867-Charles Mason, M .; George White, Charles Mason, Henry C. Rawson, S. M .- On the question,- " Is it expedient to abolish pauper settlements in towns ?",- thus throwing the support of the poor upon the counties, the Sullivan votes were one in favor and 49 against the proposition. This vote expressed a humane sentiment. It is cruel to take respectable poor persons from a town where they have long lived, and of which they are perhaps natives. It has caused many heart-burnings. In the case of aliens, who have no attach- ments to the locality and, like animals, merely wish to be fed, the case is different. Respectable natives and long residents of a municipality ought, if possible, to be cared for near and among their old neighbors and friends. Economic considerations favor the county plan undoubtedly, but humane principles and justice, except perhaps in case of aliens, favor the town system of caring for the poor.
Mar. 10, 1868-Charles Mason, M .; Charles Mason, Henry C. Rawson, Alanson A. Nims, S. M .- Voted "that the select-men of Sullivan transmit to the County Commissioners the vote of the town remonstrating against the further expendi- ture of money for the use of the county farm, and take measures to dispose of the property now held by the county". Voted not to purchase a mortgage held by Dauphin W. Nims, against the estate of a citizen who died leaving a large family with no means, but to pay the interest on the note. Here again Sulli- van showed, as had been repeatedly the case before, how kindly are the instincts and feelings of the people of the town, as a rule. On. Nov. 3, Charles Mason, M., votes were cast for Presi- dential electors. On the question of revising the constitution of the state, 22 votes were in favor of and 23 against the proposition.
Mar. 9, 1869-Charles Mason, M .; Henry C. Rawson,
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Alanson A. Nims, Daniel Willard Rugg, S. M .- Voted to repair the Town Hall at an expense of $50.00. Appointed George Washington Nims the agent to make the repairs. On Nov. 9, George C. Hubbard, M., the town voted on the ques- tion,-" Are you in favor of an act to establish a state police ?" The votes of this town were 4 yea, II nay.
Mar. 8, 1870-Asa E. Wilson, M .; Alanson A. Nims, Daniel Willard Rugg, Joseph N. Nims, S. M .- Voted to build 17 rods of wall on the north line of the town farm, against land of Seth Nims. On the question,-" Is it expedient to establish the county of Amoskeag ?" the votes of the town were none in the affirmative, 77 in the negative. On the question,-" Is it expedient to establish the county of Monadnock ?" the votes were none in the affirmative, 74 in the negative. On the ques- tion,-" Is it expedient to call a convention to revise the con- stitution ? " the votes were 2 yes, 49 no. It was voted that labor on roads should be 20 cents an hour, and that road taxes might be paid in service or cash.
Mar. 14, 1871-Asa E. Wilson, M .; John Locke, Henry Melville Osgood, George White, S. M .- Voted to instruct the select-men "to take all necessary time to examine and appraise the real estates when taking the invoice". Voted that select- men sell the buildings upon the town farm, reserving what may be of service in mending fence.
Mar. 12, 1872-George C. Hubbard, M .; John Locke, George White, Merritt L. Rawson, S. M .- There was a special meeting, Nov. 5, with the same moderator, to vote for Presi- dential electors.
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