USA > New Hampshire > Hillsborough County > Peterborough > Historical sketches of Peterborough, New Hampshire : portraying events and data contributing to the history of the town > Part 20
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Probably they were given every year. The following one was prepared and read by Cyrus Ingalls. He was chosen to this duty at a meeting held Dec. 12, 1829. It does not appear from the records when it was rcad, and the paper itself, much faded and obscure, bears no date.
According to Peterborough Gene-
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ologies, on page 126, Cyrus Ingalls was the son of Nathaniel and Sarah (Hale) Ingalls, and was born in Rindge, N. H. February 7, 1797. He came to Peter- borough with his father in 1803. Afterward, he carried on the mercan- tile business; he was town clerk in 1829, 1830, 1831 and 1832, and in 1833 removed to Leominster, Mass., where he was living in 1876, and where, probably, he died.
ANNALS OF PETERBOROUGH FOR 1828. BY CYRUS INGALLS.
Seasons.
Very little snow through the winter. First of summer very wet which con- tinued till after the commencement of haying. The last part of the haying season the weather was good, the crop of hay large, but the quality, unusual- ly poor. The crops of grain, though not deficient in this part of the coun- try, were not unusually large. Wheat at the West and South very light, which caused a rise in the price of flour. Grain also increased in price the last of the year. Price of flour in January, $7.25, June, $6.50, Novem- ber, $9.50. Rye and corn in January, four shillings per bushel,rye in Novem- ber, $.80 to $.83, corn, $.75. But little snow in November and Decem- ber
Number of deaths-23.
January, Jeremiah Swan, 65, bleed- ing, sudden. April, Franklin Spauld- ing, 19, consumption; Charles McCoy, 67, apoplexy, sudden; John, son of Capt. Wilson, 2, supposed dropsy in head. July, son of Mrs. Hamilton, 5, drowned at S. Factory; John Morri- son, 30, drowned at the Falls. August, Mrs. Dunbar, 43, pulmonary com- plaint; William Diamond, 73; child of Wm. M. White; William Field, Jr., 19, fever; infant of Nathan Leathers, still born; Will Hardy, 16; child of Eber Thayer, 9 months, whooping
cough. September, child of Warren Goss, 2 years, fits; son of C. M. Howe, two years, dysentery; Mrs. Cain, 77; John D. Barry, 39, consumption; Mrs. Betsey Fairbanks, 34, consump- tion. November, Jonathan Hardy, apoplexy; Mrs. Hadley, wife of H. N., 42, consumption; infant of Samuel Gates; Mrs. Caroline Read, 41, sud- denly; December, Alpha Evans, 31, consumption.
Of the preceding number, seven were under the age of five years; from five to ten years, 1; from 10 to 20, 3; from 30 to 40, 4; from 40 to 50, 3; from 60 to 70, 3; from 70 to 80 2. More than half the number were na- tives of the town. Mr. Diamond is said to have been a native of Lexing- ton, Mass., and to have been one of the militia fired upon by the British Apr. 19, 1775, and afterward in the Revolutionary army. Came to this town with a family of five children, settled west of East mountain. Mr. Hardy came to this town in 1826 from Sutton, N. H. Mrs. Cain came to this town from - (obscured). Mrs. Dun- bar was married to Rev. E. Dunbar December 15, 1803, and came to this town from Milford, daughter of Wm. Peabody, Esq.
Samuel G. Smith's house and out buildings were erected this year, and trees and shrubbery set out. Also Bernard Whittemore's house adjoin- ing his store. The store was built in 1826. Albert Smith rebuilt and re- paired his house. James Walker re- paired his house and outbuildings. George McCrillis first occupied his house, built in 1826-7 Sold in 1829 to Thomas Wilson, of Fitzwilliam. George W. Senter bought his farm of Capt. Wm. Scott. The house was built by Capt. Scott in 1826. Capt. Scott bought one-half of his father's farm. Taylor Scott built and occu- pied his house, N. of Doctor Richard- son's. Nathaniel Whittemore moved
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into town from South Boston on to a farm which he purchased of his broth- er, Bernard Whittemore, in 1827. This house was built in 1815 by Samuel Davidson. Samuel Alld moved into his house purchased of Charles Brown. This house was built in 1812 or 1813, by Nathan Richard- son. Charles and Joseph Fletcher took possession of their farm which they purchased of Samuel Alld. In- galls & Goodridge commenced trading in the Daniel Abbott old store. Fletcher and Gowing moved from Eli Hunt's store to Fox & Smith's, Fox & Smith having relinquished business. Mason and Colby commenced build- ing machinery in the shop at the Union factory.
The mail stage from Exeter to Brattleboro through this town com- menced running July 1, three times a week. That part of the route from this town to Brattleboro was begun with a small coach and three horses only, but it was found necessary in course of the year to add another horse and procure a larger coach. This is the first stage that has ever run regularly through the town, with the exception of that which run for a short time from New Ipswich to Hancock, and another which run from Keene to Hillsborough, commencing in 1825 and discontinued in 1826. The mail had heretofore been transported on this route but once a week.
This was one of the first routes es- tablished under the Federal Constitu- tion in 1788 or 1789. John Smith, Esq. was the first postmaster in town; his successor was S. Smith, Esq. the pres- ent occupant who has held the office ever since, except the time in which he was a member of Congress.
(Jonathan Smith, his brother, suc- ceeded him when he was elected to Congress and held the office about four years. J. S.) The mail was car-
ried for many years on horse back, then in a one horse wagon, and then for about twenty years in a two horse carriage.
On the 18th of December, the New part of the Phoenix Factory was burned. This was the largest build- ing every destroyed by fire in town. It took fire in the upper story prob- ably from the stove which was used for warming the room. The fire was discovered at half past six o'clock a. m., while the hands were at breakfast. The engine at the Factory was put in operation as soon as practicable tho' not without some delay, owing to the dry state it was in from its not having been used since the annual meeting of the engine company in October, and the bursting of the hose at the commencement by working the ma- chine too rapidly, and also the hurry and confusion of the moment, and the (obscure) of the hands, this being the first case of actual service since the organization of the fire company. The engine from the Union Factory was brought to the spot in a short time, and the two were kept in opera- tion for about four hours. But not- withstanding the vast quantities of water thrown by the engines, every effort to save the building proved un- availing and by eleven o'clock the ruin was complete. The walls were left standing and some parts of the floors and machinery in the north part of the building.
The water wheel and consequently the mainshaft that carried the ma- chinery were kept running during the fire. The motion of the burning drums, and the mournful creaking of the heated gudgeons seemed to add an unusual (obscure) to the conflagration. The amount of property destroyed was estimated at about $34,000.00.
( The few lines remaining of Mr. Ingall's paper are totally illegible. J. S. )
[ From page 171 to here was published in the Peterborough TRANSCRIPT, Jan. 15, 1914.]
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PETERBOROUGH IN 1840.
BY JONATHAN SMITH
The Rev. Curtis Cutler was the minister of the Congregational Chureh in Peterborough from January, 1840, to June, 1848, as the colleague of Dr, Abbott. He left the pulpit from ill health, and removed to Cambridgc, Mass., where he died in 1874, aged 68 years. After leaving Peterborough. he entered mercantile business which he followed the rest of his life.
" ANNALS OF PETERBOROUGH FOR THE YEAR 1840."
It is the business of the annalist to collect and record facts. It cannot be expected in a country town like this, and in the space of a single year, that many events would take place of sufficient importance to merit a place on the pages of a history of the world, nor many even that would possess great interest to the present inhabi- tants of the place, much less to future generations. Yet, when we consider that great results frequently proceed from small beginnings, and great in- conveniences sometimes arise from small neglects and omissions, it is true that circumstances which now seem of trifling importance should be preserved from oblivion, as we know not how great consequences may be depending on them in the events of the future. At least, though this record should answer no higher pur- pose, it may perhaps gratify some future lover of old documents, who may perchance, discover this manu- script among the forgotten and mould- ering papers of the Ministerial Li- brary, and it may perhaps furnish materials to some Lyccum writer of a future generation for an cssay, con- trasting the ignorance, rudeness and inconveniences of the people of 1840 with the superior light and comforts
of his own age. At any rate, duty requires mc to make a faithful record, and let it be for the benefit of whom it may concern.
TOWN OFFICERS FOR 1840. Augus- tus C. Blodgett, Town Clerk; William Moore, Treasurer; William M. White, John Smith, John Todd, Jr., Select- mcn; William Moore and Timothy K. Ames, Representatives to Gen. Court; School Committee, appointed by Selectmen, Abial Abbott, Curtis Cutter, J. B. French, Albert Smith, Daniel B. Cutter; Committee on Town Library, Abial Abbott, Curtis Cutler, J. B. French.
Money raised by the town for the support of Public Schools, $1000; for roads and bridges, $400; Highway taxes, worked in Districts, $1200; Winter Highways in Districts, $200; New Road around Robbe's hill, $750; Incidental expenses, $400.
A new census and valuation of the town was taken this year. The num- ber of inhabitants in 1840 was 2,163, showing an increase during the last ten years of 179. The valuation of the town was $663,000.
This account compares favorably with the neighboring towns, many of which experienced a loss for the last ten years.
POLITICAL MATTERS. This town has shared in the great political ex- citement which has prevailed through- out the country. At no previous time probably since the organization of the government has such an absorbing interest bcen manifested in the result of a presidential election, nor such strenuous efforts been made by both political parties. Conventions and meetings, in all parts of the land, have been attended by vast multitudes,
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who have been addressed by the most spirited and stirring harangues by the most eloquent speakers. Yet, amidst all this excitement, to the honor of the people be it said, there has been no tendency to riot and disorder, but everything passed off with a quiet and order almost incredible. The result of the election was a change of ad- ministration by a large majority. A democratic convention was held at Concord on the 16th day of June, which was attended by a number from this town. A great Whig Convention was held the next day, June 17, at the same place, at which seventy-two attended from Peterborough. A great Whig meeting was held at Frances- town, October 20, which was attended by about one hundred from this town. The meeting was addressed by Daniel Webster. The next week a Demo- cratic meeting was held at the same place, at which were about seventy- five from Peterborough. Daniel Webster, passing through this town on his way from Keene to Nashua, made a few remarks to such of the citizens as were hastily assembled at Col. French's tavern. An incident occurred to him after his departure from this town which may be worth mentioning. In passing through Tem- ple, his horse began to fail, and meet- ing with an elderly man (Mr. Boyn- ton) with a spirited horse, he engaged him to carry him to Wilton. During the ride, they entered into conversa- tion which, naturally enough, turned upon politics, and among other things the name of Daniel Webster was mentioned. Mr. W. asked the other if he had ever seen Daniel Webster. He said he had once, many years ago. He then asked him if he should know him if he saw him again, to which he replied that he thought he would. Mr. W. then raised his hat, and, look- ing him in the face, said, "Did you ever see me before?" The other, ob-
serving him for a moment, exclaimed, "I declare, I believe you are the very critter."
The 4th of July was celebrated in this town without distinction of party. An oration was delivered by James Smith of this town (son of William Smith, and grandson of Pioneer John Smith, J. S.), a member of the gradu- ating class of Yale College. A dinner was provided at Col. French's, of which about 175 partook. John H. Steele, Esq., presided on the occasion A copy of the toasts drank has been deposited in the Ministerial Library."
(A copy of the toasts is herewith given. J. S.)
No. 1. THE DAY WE CELEBRATE, Emphatically the Birthday of Civil Liberty, whose sun shed a cheering ray upon our Fathers of Seventy-six like to the natural sun upon the Tem- pest-tost mariner, and as it rises to- ward meridian splendor, we'll shed a glorious effulgence over the benighted regions of the other climes.
No. 2. REPUBLICAN GOVERNMENTS. May their genial influence become universal, and Kings, Queens and Despots become names found only in history.
No. 3. THE STAMP ACT. The sig- nal gun for the Revolution. It has taught the Mother Country a lesson she never can forget.
No. 4. THE NOBLE SEVENTY-TWO, who in this town, June, 1776, signed a virtual Declaration of Independence- then worthy of Peterborough, and of whom Peterborough may well be proud. Honor and Reverence to the three survivors (Thomas Steele, Ben- jamin Mitchell and William Robbe). May their example be to us another lesson of patriotism.
No. 5. OUR COUNTRY. The glo- rious inheritence handed down to us by the Revolutionary Patriots. May it continue to descend to their right
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heirs, undiminished, unimpaired till the last trump shall wake the dead.
No. 6. THE CONSTITUTION. The Temple of our Liberties. Should any Sampson in his blindness wish to pull down any of its pillars, may it fall on him and crush him to powder.
No. 7. NEW HAMPSHIRE. The great manufactory of heroes, states- men and patriots. Whence other states derive their supplies.
No. 8. AGRICULTURE, MANUFAC- TURES, AND COMMERCE. Three grand pillars of national prosperity. While we wish success to all, we would cau- tion one not to be too independent of the others.
No. 9. FREE SCHOOLS. The nur- series of our infant intellects. May they continue to receive the fostering hand of an approving people.
No. 10. THE MILITIA. Freedom's bulwark and our nation's sure de- fence.
No. 11. THE SEVEN PAST PRESI- DENTS. In the political firmament, they form a constellation as bright and distinguishable as the seven stars in the natural.
No. 12. THE SURVIVING HEROES OF THE REVOLUTION. In a few short years every vestige of these devoted men shall have passed from among us. Let us reverence them for their age and honor them for their patriotism, and learn of them this noble lesson- to love our country as they did.
No. 13. WOMAN. Formed by the hand of Providence to share with man the excellencies and frailities of human nature, and as she sympathizes in his toils and sufferings, may it ever be deemed right that she should join with him in his festivities.
David J. Clark, Albert Smith, Daniel B. Cutter, William Wallace, Augustus C. Blodgett, Committee.
JOHN H. STEELE, President. WM. SCOTT, Marshal.
Appended to the toasts is an ac- count of the celebration, evidently in the handwriting of Dr. Abbott, as follows:
"1840, July 4th. A procession was formed from Col. French's tavern to the church. Exercises were introduced by an anthem by the choir, vocal, instrumental, a prayer by Dr. Abbott, a hymn, Declaration of Independence, read by Dr. A. Smith, music, an ora- tion by James Smith, a senior member of Yale College, music. Procession from the church to Col. French's hall, where more than 150 ladies and gentle- men sat down to a cold collation. No ardent spirits. Good humor and social feeling prevailed through the whole. Nothing of party politics disturbed the harmony and cheerfulness of the festival. Mr. Smith was requested to deposit a copy of his oration in the Ministerial Library, but declined the request. In the evening, there was a display of fireworks from the hill. No occurrence took place during the day or evening, unfavorable to the joys of the day."
ECCLESIASTICAL AFFAIRS. In the Unitarian Society, Rev. Curtis Cutler was installed Colleague Pastor with Rev. Dr. Abbott. January 29, sermon by Mr. Robbins, of Boston. The Presbyterian Society having removed their meeting house, it was dedicated February 5. Sermon by Mr. Warner, of Milford. Mr. J. B. French was ordained March 18, as minister of the Society. Sermon by Mr. Savage, of Bedford. In the Baptist Society, Mr. Wilmarth left in April and was suc- ceeded by Mr. Jones, who also took the Academy. The Society have pur- chased of the Phoenix Factory Com- pany the land and buildings opposite the Unitarian meeting house, west of Powers' building, on which they in- tend to erect a church the coming season. In the Methodist Society, Mr. Brewster succeeded Mr. Cromack
1
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Peterborough in 1840.
as a preacher. This Society pur- chased the house of Mr. Alexander next north of the Town House, moved it to the North side of the lot and fitted it up for a parsonage house. They also built a meeting house next to the town house which was dedicated September 16. Sermon by Elder Dowe. A praiseworthy liberality and Christian spirit was manifested in inviting all the ministers of the dif- ferent denominations in town to take part in the exercises of dedication and also in inviting them to their Com- munion, which was administered in the afternoon of the same day. A celebration by the Sunday School of the Unitarian Society was held in the church October 27. An interesting discourse was delivered by Rev. Mr. Muzzy, of Cambridgeport, Mass. It appears from the above that all the Religious Societies in town have had new preachers during the year.
BILL OF MORTALITY.
1840. Jan. 23, Wm. Henry, son of Wm. Moore, 5 yrs. Dropsy in the head.
March 4, Elizabeth McMullen 25 years. Consumption.
March 14, John son of Joseph Crain, 9 years. Typhus fever.
March 30, Samuel C. Oliver, 34 years. Unknown. Sudden.
April 9, Clarinda Wilson, 20 years. Consumption.
April 21, Sarah, wife of Jabez Davis, 36 years. Liver complaint.
April 26, child of John Vose, 2 years. Fever.
May 26. Infant son of Curtis Cut- ler, 6 days.
June 20, widow Templeton, 67 years. Debility.
June 23, Sally, wife of John Sanders, 41 years. Chronic diarrhoea.
June 25, wife of Isaac Bigelow. Inflammation of the bowels.
July 2, son of Leonard Hill. 6 years. Fits.
July 9, child of Horace Evans, 2 years. Dropsy.
July 25, widow Dorcas Pierce. 69 years. Affection of the heart.
August 27, wife of John Muzzey. 61 years. Apoplexy.
August 28. James Walker. 20 years. Consumption. Died at Cavendish, Vt.
September 1, Wm. Smith, 61 years. Fell in fit and fractured skull.
September 24, Benjamin Mitchell, 85 years. Died in Temple.
October 6, son of Amasa Alexander, 11/2 years. Bowell complaint.
October 17, Sally Morison, 85 years. Old age.
December 9, Mrs. Haggett, 78 years Dropsy.
Mrs. McPherson, about 70 years. Fever.
Mr. Buckman. Gravel. Died at Nahor's. Total 23.
Jonathan Smith, a native of this town, died at Bath on August 10, of consumption. The above bill of mor- tality exhibits a healthy state of the community, the number of deaths being but little over one in a hundred of the whole number of inhabitants. Eight of the deaths were of persons under ten years of age, and eight of persons above sixty, leaving six (sev- en?) between ten and sixty years of age. There are several names men- tioned above which ought not to pass into oblivion without some notice, but from my imperfect acquaintance with the individuals and their history, I can do but little more than to men- tion their names, trusting that some one competent to the task will do justice to their memories. The death of Mr. Oliver was a sudden and severe blow to the community. He was cut off, as it were, in a moment, in the vigor of life, and in the midst of use- fulness, and the numbers which assembled to pay him the last funeral
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rites, bore sufficient testimony to the estimation in which he was held. He was an active enterprising, and use- ful member of society, a good citizen, an honorable man, ready and liberal supporter of those civil and religious institutions on which rest the order, the peace and the happiness of the community. I believe it may be said of him in the full and true sense of the term, that he was an honest man- "the noblest work of God." The name of Sally Morison, more com- monly known as "Aunt Sally," is familiar to all, particularly the older part of the community. Naturally possessing a feeble constitution, yet she lived to an advanced age and out- lived all the members of her family of that generation, and what is more re- markable, she passed the whole of her life on the farm where she was born. The powers of nature at length be- came exhausted, and she gradually sank into the grave without any par- ticular disease having fixed itself upon her. Jonathan Smith, a son of Deacon Smith, of this town, died at Bath, his place of residence. He was a graduate of Harvard University and devoted himself to the study of the law. He became eminent in his pro- fession, and was engaged considerably in public life. Had life and health permitted, he would doubtless risen to still higher honors, but death ar- rested him in the midst of his honor- able career, and the hopes of his friends were cut off. His talents were of a high order and his character above reproach. There are other names which are deserving of a par- ticular notice, but time will not per- mit. Their friends will need no other memorial of them than what they al- ready possess, embalmed in their memories, and to strangers a recital of private worth and affection cannot be appreciated,
SEASONS. During the month of January the ground was covered with an unusual depth of snow, probably four feet on a level, though much drifted. A thaw took place about the 20th of February, and the river broke up but without doing much damage. From that time, the snow gradually wasted away, and was nearly gone by the first of April. The spring was early, trees were in blossom May 18. The summer was warm and dry, vege- tation suffered much from drouth, but not so much in this town as in many other places. The crop of hay was good. Grain and potatoes in many places were much injured by want of rain. Corn was generally very good, and, on the whole, the season was a favorable one for the agricul- turist.
PRICES OF VARIOUS ARTICLES. Flour from $6 to $7 per barrel; rye, $1.00 per bushel; corn, $1.00; oats $.50; wheat, $1.25; barley, $.75; fresh pork, 5 to 6 cents per pound; beef, 4 to 6 cents per pound; butter, 14 to 18 cents a pound; English hay, $10 to $13 per ton; potatoes, 25 cents a bushel; hard wood, $2 and $2.25 per cord; hemlock, $1.33 to $1.50. Within the last two years, there has been a reduction on most articles ranging from 10 to 33 per cent.
EDUCATION.
THE ACADEMY. Mr. C. W. Piper, who has been the teacher about two years, left at the close of the winter term for want of patronage, having but ten or twelve scholars. He was succeeded by Rev. Z. Jones, formerly a teacher in the Baptist Seminary at Hancock, under whose instruction the school rapidly increased. In the fall term, there were about ninety scholars but in the winter it fell to about fif- teen. The amount paid for tuition during the year by scholars belonging to the town was about $240, and by scholars belonging out of town about
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$115. The Academy on the whole, has flourished as well as could be ex- pected, when we consider the great number of similar institutions around us. The present teacher has given good satisfaction and ought to be well patronized and supported.
COMMON SCHOOLÅ. I hardly know in what language to speak on this subject. In same respects, certainly it deserves the language of commen- dation. There is some appearance of improvement. There is some en- couragement to hope for a better state of things. The sum raised by tax for the support of schools was larger this year than in previous years, being enough, in addition to what is re- quired by law, to make the sum of $1000. In some of the districts, a greater interest has been manifested on part of the inhabitants in the suc- cess of their school, and meetings were held in the autumn in three districts, when the duties of parents and other matters in relation to the interests of the school were discussed. The Super- intending Committee were invited to attend and give their assistance and advice, and doubtless some good was accomplished in this way. In other respects, the schools remain as before, the same system is pursued, each school receives its share of the money, which is expended in hiring a female teacher a few weeks in the summer, and again a teacher, usually a male, a few weeks in winter, with a vacation about twice as long as the term of schooling. If no outrage is committed either by teacher or scholars, things usually go on quietly, and but little is known out of school of what is doing in school. Under such a method of treatment, it can hardly be expected that our schools will be very efficient or will accomplish all the good of which they are capable.
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