USA > New Hampshire > Grafton County > Gazetteer of Grafton county, N. H. 1709-1886 > Part 57
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The Mascoma Edge Tool Co.'s shops are located on Mascomna street, Mar- tin V. Purmort, proprietor, and Henry M. Day, agent. They manufacture grass and grain-scythes, giving employment to over thirty men, and turn out annually 4,000 dozen scythes. The manufactory is one of the "landmarks" of the manufacturing interests of the town, having been built in 1844 or 1845, and has been continued in the same business up to the present time. The original buildings were erected by a Mr. Slayton, and have passed succes- sively to Haynes, Phillips, Messer & Colby, Emerson & Co., and, in 1869, to the present proprietor.
The Buck manufacturing concern, A. W. Rix, proprietor, is located on Mill street, in Lebanon village. An extensive business in the manufactory of patent wood-working machinery, including single, double and triple turning machines, and also a large size suitable for car work, blind-stile mortising and boring machines, horizontal and vertical boring machines, Buck's adjustable groover head, single and double, suitable for light and heavy work, also for car work, blind-slat crimping machines, patent pin and wedge machines, the Wellington's patent ensilage and also Wellington's patent root cutter. Mr. Rix also does a general business as a practical machinist and deals in all kinds of wood working machinery. This business was established about 1870 by Martin Buck, and was run by him till April, 1883, when it was purchased by Mr. Rix.
The spoke and axe-helve manufactory of Edward L. Kelley, at West Leba- non, was built by E. L. Kelley in 1881. He had previously been engaged in the business here seven years, when his building was destroyed by fire. In 1881 he built the present shop, and has for motive power a fifteen horse- power engine. He employs five men and manufactures about $4,000.00 worth of handles and $2,000.00 worth of spokes per year.
Thomas P. Waterman's saw-mill and packing box manufactory was built by him in 1882, upon the site of an old mill which was burned on January 22d, of that year. The mill cuts about 500,000 feet of lumber per year, and uses from 400,000 to 500,000 feet in the manufacture of packing boxes. It is said that the first grist-mill built in the town was located on this site. Mr. Waterman has recently built a grist-mill near the saw-mill.
D. W. Marston's handle and snow-shovel manufactory was established June 1, 1884. He employs from five to seven men, and manufactures about $3,- 500.00 worth of snow-shovels and about $3,000.00 worth of axe and other handles per annum.
The Wire Mop Co., on Shaw street, at Lebanon, was established by Luman F. Brooks, about six years ago. He manufactures 200 or 300 dozen mops- per year.
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George S. Shepard's parlor organ manufactory, at Lebanon village, was established in 1867. Mr. Shepard had previously been in the business at New Hampton, N. H., several years. He employs from two to five men and manufactures from two to four organs per month.
The Wire Novelty Company, on Howe street, Lebanon, was organized by John W. Thompson, in August, 1884, for the manufacture of broom holders, etc. In October of the same year he took into partnership with him A. W. Sulloway, of Franklin, N. H.
Jason Densmore's brick yard is probably the first one where bricks were made in Lebanon. S. S. Barrows made brick here as early as 1800, and was succeeded by William Barrows, his son, and he by Ira Greeley. Mr. Dens- more bought the place in 1883. He employs nine men and makes about 500,000 bricks per season.
The first meeting of the proprietors, under the charter was held at Mans- field, Conn., October 6, 1761. A committee was then chosen to lay out the lots and roads, with instructions to begin immediately. To encourage the speedy settlement of the town, the proprietors "voted that those of their num- ber who shall settle upon their lands within the term of ten years, shall have the privilege of cultivating and improving such part of the intervals as shall suit them, with these restrictions : That the interval so improved by them be in one piece or body, and when said interval shall be divided amongst the proprietors those persons aforesaid shall have their proportion of the interval so cultivated by them.
Surveys were immediately begun, and the town was divided into lots. Clearings were commenced, and four men spent the winter of 1762-63 in the towns, viz .: William Dana, Levi Hyde, Samuel Estabrooks and Charles Hill. Their camp was on the Connecticut, north of the White river. The first family to take up their abode in town, however, was that of William Downer July 11, 1763. It consisted of himself, wife and eight children. Oliver Dav- idson came in the autumn of that year, and built the first saw-mill, on Mas- coma river, about a mile from its mouth. He died soon after, this being the first death that occurred in the township. Besides Davidson there came in the autumn Elijah Dewey and James Jones, and their families. The follow- ing persons came soon after, and may be mentioned as among the first set- tlers : Nathaniel Porter, Asa Kilbourne, Samuel Meacham, Joseph Dana, Jonathan Dana, Huckin Storrs, Silas Waterman, Jedediah Hebard, Jesse Cooke, Zalmon Aspinwall, Joseph Wood, James Hartshorn and Nathaniel Storrs. Thomas Barrows came in 1769.
Constant accessions were made to the population down to the period of the Revolution, when the tide was checked for a time, but the following figures will give a fair idea of the growth of the town in its early days : The popu- lation in 1763 was 162; 1775, 374 ; 1790, 1,180; and in 1800, 1,574.
In accordance with the Act of Incorporation of the town of Lebanon, the first meeting of the inhabitants of the town was held on the 15th day of May, 1766. Their record is in the following words, et literatum et verbatum :-
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" A True Copy of ye Votes Passed at A Town Meeting Held at Lebanon on May ye 13th, 1765, at ye house of Mr. Asa Kilbourn, (viz.) After Chus- ing a Moderator. Query-2nd. Whether we will Have a Minister This Summer or Will Not. Voted in the Affirmative.
" 3rd. That We First Send Subscriptions to ye Neighboring Towns and Get What We Can Subscribed and What Remains Wanting to Supply ye Pulpit Six Months, Will Stand Responsible For To Be Haid at ye end of sd Six Months. Voted the affirmative.
" 4th. Chose Aaron Storrs To carry a Subscription To Take Care To Get as Much In ye Neighboring Towns as he can.
" Voted that the Selectmen take it upon them to Seek Quarters for ye Minister and Provide For His Accommodation. "
This was indeed a very pleasant opening of the town record, an honor to the inhabitants, thus to lay out first, a christian highway, then selecting a ministerial surveyor to work and improve it with moral power and gospel truth.
At the next town meeting, warned September 13, 1765, John Wheatley was chosen moderator, and it was " voted that the highway through the interval on the great river (the Connecticut) shall be an open way." It was also "voted that the town lay out land for a burying place on the north side of the road that leads to the saw-mill on Charles Hill's land which place is now the 'old burying ground.' At the first March meeting, in 1766, Charles Hill was chosen moderator ; Jo'n Wheatley, Silas Waterman; and Charles Hill, selectman ; Sila; Waterman, town clerk ; Aaron Storrs, constable ; Jed- ediah Hibbard, and Samuel Meacham, tythingmen ; Charles Hill and Jede- diah Hibbard, highway surveyors. Voted Silas Waterman 3s. 8d. lawful money to pay for record book." At town meeting of August 25, 1766, the subject was discussed " whether it would be proper and convenient under our present circumstances to pursue such methods as may be thought best for the obtaining of a steady gospel administration amongst us. Resolved, in affirmative, and to treat with Rev Mr. Treadway." * * *
In October, 1767, it was "voted to have the Rev. Mr. Wales to preach the ensuing year. February 26, 1768, it was voted not to do anything about building a meeting-house, but in July following it was voted that a spot near the burying ground should be the place to set a meeting-house upon.
March 14, 1769, it was voted to build one bridge across the Maskoma, near the mill, January 19, 1771, it was decided to change the location of the proposed meeting house, and "Samuel Chase, Esq., Capt. Hezekiah Johnson and Lt. David Woodard were chosen a committee to affix the spot to set said meeting house," but these gentlemen not being residents of the town, a committee was chosen to receive and wait upon them during the peform- ance of their duties. January 29, 1771, it was " voted to build a house for public worship to be thirty feet square and ten feet posts."
August 21, 1771, "voted to enlarge the meeting house already voted to be built, to forty-eight feet in length, and thirty-four feet in width and twenty feet posts." September 4, following, the committee made their report and it was
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voted to change location of meeting house from near the burying ground "to the most convenient place in Mr. Hill's pasture, near the road that leads to- the saw-mill."
January 7, 1772, "voted to accept a spot pitched by a committee in the field of Jonathan Dana to set the meeting house, * * and April 7th fol- lowing, it was voted to change the size of the meeting house to 40 feet in length, thirty in breadth, and ten feet posts." April 20, 1772, "voted to transpose the meeting house from Mr. Dana's field to Mr. Hill's field. * August 10, 1772, "voted to build on the east side of Mr. Hill's pasture and to build it 48 feet long by 34 broad and 10 or 12 feet posts." All former votes on the subject were annulled. At the March meeting, in 1773, it was voted to lay out a road from the bridge to the meeting house. Thus it will be seen that the first meeting house came into existence with a strug- gle. In May, 1774, the question arose "whether the town will do any- thing to finish the meeting house. Resolved in the negative."
March 14, 1775,* it being the commencement of a new era in the history of the country, the names of the town officers will be given, viz .: Nehemiah Estabrooks, moderator ; Dea. Nehemiah Estabrooks, John Wheatley. Esq., and Lt. John Griswold, selectmen ; Silas Waterman, town clerk and treasurer ;. Azariah Bliss, constable; Charles Saxton, John Lyman, Abiel Willis, and Nath'l Porter, Jr., tythingmen ; Henry Woodard, Lt. Samuel Payne, Nath'l Porter, Jr., and Zacheus Downer, highway surveyors; Lt. John Griswold, Joseph Martin, and Ensign Wm. Dana, fence viewers ; Capt. Bela Turner, sealer ; Joseph Wood, James Jones, Samuel Bailey, Abel Wright and Charles Hill, haywards; Nath'l Storrs, Silas Waterman, Ebenezer Bliss, and Jesse Cook, school collectors ; Bela Turner, John Wheatley, Levi Hyde, John Griswold, and John Slapp, school committee. Voted, £6 to defray town debts, and £40 lawful money for repairing highways and bridges. Also voted £2 to defray the expenses of the committee appointed by the Province of New Hampshire to attend the Continental Congress.
July 17, 1775, chose Nehemiah Estabrooks, Maj. John Griswold, John Wheatley, John Slapp, Silas Waterman, Jedediah Hebbard, and Azariah Bliss a Committee of Safety. Voted, that in case it is not convenient for all to meet, any number, not less than three, may be empowered to act, and that any one of the committee may be empowered to issue a warrant in case of necessity or deputize an officer if occasion shall require it. Voted, that said committee be directed to confer with the committees of the neighboring towns, that there may be a plan of uniformity in their proceedings.
Feb 1, 1776, Resolved, to pursue the present plan proposed for a redress of grievances and chose Dea. Estabrooks, John Wheatley and John Griswold to act as said committee and to correspond on that subject with other towns.
March 12, 1776, Chose Dea. Estabrooks, Moderator, Silas Waterman, town clerk and treasurer, and the remainder of the usual town officers.
March 31, 1776, Dea. Estabrooks, moderator. "Query, whether the town of Lebanon will procure a town stock of ammunition for the use of said town. Resolved in the affirmative. Whether the town will direct the select-
* The proceedings of the town meeting following from March 14, 1775, to 1783, were of so much interest that we have given them entire as copied by the late C. C. Benton, from whose writings the foregoing statements of town meeting doings have been gathered. - ED.
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men to procure one hundred pounds of powder, four hundred pounds of lead, six hundred flints, to be deposited in some proper place in said town, and under the direction of the selectmen, as a town stock of ammunition for said town, and also to see if the town will agree to purchase. a like quantity of powder, etc., to be disposed of by said town to the inhabitants thereof at a reasonable price, in order to accommodate them for the ensuing muster, in May next. Resolved in the affirmative.
March 11, 1777. chose the usual town officers, and elected Maj. Slapp, Lieut. Ticknor, Dea. Dana a committee of safety. Voted to the soldiers from this town in the Royalton Company, in proportion with Hanover, said to be eight men at 10 shillings each. In regard to the small-pox, voted that the peo- ple of Lebanon who are disposed to be innoculated, shall have the pre-emin- ence before the people of other towns, and in case there is sufficient room, the doctor may take some from other towns, but under very stringent rules. Voted, the committee of safety appoint as many meet persons as they shall judge necessary to accommodate the public as Tavern Keepers in the town the current year, under such restrictions and regulations as they shall judge most conducive to the peace and good order of the town and the public gen- erally. Voted, that Charles Sexton and Zacheus Downer be inspectors of public houses in this town, the current year."
April 14, 1777, Voted not to choose a county Register.
November 26, 1777, Voted not to direct the selectmen to pursue the war- rant sent to them by the Assembly at Exeter, for the choice of counsellor and Representative the ensuing year. Voted, that the town will vindicate the selectmen in their non-compliance with the aforesaid warrant.
Town meeting, Dec'r 24, 1777, Voted to choose a committee of three men to examine into the cases of those persons who neglected their duty when draughted into the public service the current year. Maj. Slapp, Joseph Wood and Lemuel Hough were chosen said committee. Voted, that the aforesaid committee be, and are hereby authorized and empowered to detain such de- linquents aforesaid before them, and to make strict inquiry into the cause of their neglect ; and if said committee shall judge their reasons sufficient, they shall acquit them or him. If otherwise, said committee shall exact a fine not exceeding ten pounds of each delinquent for every defect as aforesaid. And said committee are hereby empowered, in case of non-compliance, to issue forth a warrant for the collecting said fines out of the estate of such delin- quents as shall refuse to pay as aforesaid, said fines to be improved for the benefit or encouragement of such of the inhabitants of said Lebanon as have gone, or hereafter shall go into the public service.
March 10, 1778, after election of Town officers, voted that all taxes that may be granted the current year, shall be raised upon the dollar by an equal distribution according to the number of polls in town, and that the assessors shall assess the inhabitants of this town, and if any shall refuse to pay, who is liable, or is suspected of not giving in a true account of his interest, and re- fuses to take his oath, then the assessors shall assess them according to their best judgment, in such sums as to them appears equitable in such a case.
March 31, 1778, Voted, that Amos Robinson and any other person dis- posed to attend public worship in this town, have full liberty therefor as they shall think proper. Voted that Azariah Bliss and Jesse Cook be Tavern keepers the current year.
Voted that the committee of safety and selectmen exert their authority to suppress tippling houses in this town the current year. Voted to raise the sum of 291-17-6 as a Continental tax, to be paid in Continental bills into the Town treasury, by the first day of October next.
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Voted, that the public tax of f 200 granted February 3, 1778, be paid in Continental bills and bills emitted by the State of New Hampshire.
A Pamphlet containing the Constitution of Vermont, being read in the meeting, voted, unanimously, to accept it with the several articles of alteration proposed to be made thereof by the convention of committees from a con- siderable number of towns on the grants east of the Connecticut river, and concur with such towns as are disposed on said easterly grants, in the pro- posed union with the State of Vermont. Voted, that Dea. Estabrooks and John Wheatley be a committee to represent the town of Lebanon in the pro- posed convention of committees from a number of towns on the grant east of Connecticut river, to be held in said Lebanon, in May next.
June 26, 1778, " Voted the sum of £8, being the proportion of said Lebanon, of the public expense arising from the complication of the union with the State of Vermont." Voted a tax of £37, 15s. 2d. to discharge the debts of the town. Voted, that Mr. Waters, Mr. Jones, Joseph Tilden and Martin Dewey be released from a fine laid upon them for delinquency in public service. Voted, that Maj. Slapp procure a copy of an Act passed by the State of Vermont for regulating taverns and preventing tippling houses."
July 7, 1778, "Voted, that an average, with respect to the public service, be made amongst the inhabitants of said Lebanon upon polls and estate, and that the selectmen be a committee to join the military officers in making said average."
December 1, 1778, "Voted, that we approve of the conduct of our rep- resentatives and others, members of the Assembly of the State of Vermont, (held at Windsor, in said State, in October last), who dissented from said Assembly, excluding the sixteen towns east of Connecticut river, (that had entered into a union with said State) from any privilege whatsoever, that might, and in justice ought, to accrue to said town, by virtue of their afore- said union with said State." Chose Dea. Estabrooks and John Wheatley to represent the town of Lebanon in a proposed convention of the towns upon the Grants east and west of Connecticut river, to be held at Cornish in this month."
Annual meeting March 9, 1779. "Chose town officers, and also chose Dea. Estabrooks, John Wheatley, Elehu Hyde, Silas Waterman and Edmund Freeman a Committee of Safety. Adjourned to April 20, 1779. Voted that all monies received for taxes and from other sources, and all payments shall be made equal in value to what it was in 1774. Voted a tax of £20 to pay town debts." Voted, to build a bridge over the river Moscoma near the house of Jesse Cook as soon as public affairs will admit, and chose a committee to examine and select the most proper spot and report. Voted £40 for repair of highway, and that labor should be 3 shillings per day at the rate of wheat at 6 shillings per bushel. Adjourned to May 3. : 779, at the house of Azariah Bliss, inn holder. "Voted, to erect a cart bridge over the river Mascoma, near the house formerly occupied by Jesse Cook, and voted a tax of {11 for said purpose, accounting wheat 6 shillings, rye 4 shillings, Indian corn 3 shillings per bushel." Voted £2 12s. to James Jones for the journey of his horse to Saratoga, and 3 shillings for the loss of his bridle.
July 16, 1779, " Voted, to choose agents to attend a convention to be held at Dresden, (now Hanover plain) and made choice of Dea. Esterbrooks and Captain Turner. July 28, voted to accept said committee's report and con- cur with the late convention at Dresden in their further proceedings." Voted, "that the town provide three gallons of rum for those who assist in raising
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the bridge over the river near Capt. Turner's." December 22, 1779, voted to raise the sum of £200 for defraying the charges of an agent or agents to rep- resent the circumstances of the people upon the New Hampshire Grants, before the Hon. the Continental Congress, the first day of February next. Voted, that the constable shall not demand any part of the above tax of £200, of any of the inhabitants of this town who have put themselve under the pro- tection of the State of New Hampshire.
January 26. 1780, " Voted, that the Company Officers of the militia in this town select six men for a scouting to party in conjunction with other towns, in order to make discovery of the enemy, if any there be, and giving timely notice to the inhabitants." Voted, also, to recommend it to the said officers, to equip fifty-six men, to be ready at a minutes warning to march against the enemy in case of an invasion, and to be put in the best condition to resist a general attack. Voted, that the six men for scouting be engaged till the first day of April next, unless sooner discharged, and also that each man receive forty shillings per month for the time being, as money passed in 1774, and also, that the town provide each man with a blanket and a pair of snow shoes, to be returned to said town. Voted, that in case Lieut. Ticknor should fail to go with said scouts, that they choose any one they please to take his place. Voted, that the authorities of this town stop the transporting of all kinds of provisions, that may be attempted to be carried away, from or through this town, till the danger of the enemy be over, excepting such as are purchased for the use of the Continential Army. Voted, that the authorities of the town and all others be directed to examine all strangers suspected to be spies, and if need be to detain them, as the exigency of the case may require. February 4, 1780, at a special meeting, voted, to raise four men in addition to the six men already raised for a scouting party, and be furnished with blan- kets and snow shoes on the same conditions, and paid the same. Annual meeting, March 14, 1880. After the election of town officers, they choose Dea. Estabrooks, Elehu Hyde and Elisha Lathrop committee of safety, then voted, that the executive authority of the town, shall proceed in their several de- partments to pursue and conform themselves to the rules, prescribed in the laws of Connecticut-especially those acts that more immediately refer to the peace and good order of the town, etc. Voted, £35 to pay indebtedness, £40 for repairs of highways and £20 for cutting roads, as money went in 1774. Voted, that the authorities pursue the rules of Connecticut laws so far as they may be consistent with the present political state of the town of Lebanon. " Voted, that one half of the town meetings be held in future at the dwelling house of Zalmon Aspenwall, and at Henry Woodward's. Voted, to raise fro, accounting wheat 6s. per bushel, forthwith.to be paid to Capt. Payne as a bounty for raising five men for scouting northward for six months, unless sooner discharged. Also, voted, that the town will assist the militia officers in raising twelve men for one month, and to pay each man serving as afore- said ten bushels of wheat or money equivalent, by the 20th of January next, and that the selectmen provide for the support of said twelve men for one month at the expense of the town, and that they supply them with ammunition in case they are not supplied from the public store."
November 9, 1780, Voted, to keep a guard upon the public roads as long as it shall be thought necessary, and to request the military officers to class such men in town under their command, as are fit for duty, to attend upon guard- ing as aforesaid, and in case of delinquency, after due notice, shall be liable to a fine of one bushel of wheat or the equivalent in money. They also chose Elehu Hyde, Simeon Peck Nath'l Storrs and Theopholus Huntington to be a
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committee to adjust the accounts of provisions, expended in the late alarm, and also the wages and provision of the twelve men. And also directed the selectmen to purchase one barrel of power, and lead and flints in proportion and to render an account thereof to the town. Then voted a tax of £82-0-6 to defray the expenses of the town, caused by the late alarm. And also the wages and rations of the said twelve men raised, for their services on the frontier, and also appointed Huckin Storrs to remove the provisions from Strafford to Royalton in case said men are ordered to that town. Voted a tax of £114-19-7 to defray the expenses of the town, and voted to Stephen Bliss f2-18-9, for sundries paid soldier ; in Col. Chase's, Col. Bellow's and Col. Ellis' regements, and voted, that the town is willing to pay their proportion of thirteen gallons of rum, delivered out of Col. Chase's store, in said Lebanon, by order of Capt. Payn and Col. Chase, to the soldiers when passing through in the late alarm.
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