USA > New Hampshire > Hillsborough County > Bedford > History of Bedford, New Hampshire, from 1737 : being statistics compiled on the occasion of the one hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the incorporation of the town, May 15, 1900 > Part 34
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THE MEETING-HOUSE.
were located between it and the walls. The tything-man probably sat near the south door. He carried a long round pole with a turned gilt head. Most every family dog came to meeting on Sunday and sometimes sat in his pew and sometimes strolled through the aisles. In consequence the Sunday service was occasionally interrupted by a dog fight. This must have been the reason for the vote "that John Patten be instructed to keep the dogs out of the meeting- house."
Lieut. John Patten, having been recently married, was elected tything-man, with the intention on the part of his friends of thus placing him in an embarrassing position. He had made a small hatchet and a hook fixed to the end of his rod of office. With this he rapped the heads of two or three dogs and then dragged them out of the house with the hook. He had no further trouble with the rest. The dogs were called into their pews and kept there. Foot stoves were carried by members of the congregation for their own and the family's accommodation. They were usually used only by the weak or sickly. The singing was by the congregation as a body. There was no choir, one of the deacons "lining " the hymn. The minister always preached in his gown and bands. There were two services, one in the morning which began early and con- tinued until twelve o'clock, and the other in the afternoon, beginning at one o'clock. The afternoon service was called the "improve- ment."
The changes in the house made in 1838 consisted in taking out the pulpit, making an inclined floor from south to north on the main floor. There was an entry at the south door with a level floor, and the space in front of the moderator's desk, which was at the the south, was also level. The seats were stationary and arranged with two aisles. The gallery floor was extended so as to completely cover the former open space, thus forming two stories. The upper hall was used for various purposes. The floor of the gallery had formerly inclined toward the center of the house, but in the changes made in 1838 the floor of the second story was all brought to a level. The entrance to the second story was at the southeast corner, where a winding flight of stairs led to an entry way in the upper story at the west end of which was the selectmen's room. Entrance to the upper hall was by a door in the middle of the partition. This ar- rangement continued until 1861, when the inclined floor was replaced by a level one, in order that the military company then formed and
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HISTORY OF BEDFORD.
known as the Bedford Light Infantry, might have a place. to drill. An entertainment held on Thanksgiving evening marked the com- pletion of the work. The Bedford Light Infantry invited the Bed- ford Grenadiers-or what of them were then living-to an enter- tainment on Christmas night 1861. General Riddle commanded the Grenadiers. James Morrison, Silas Wallace, and many others of the old Grenadiers were drawn out in line. Speeches were made by Cyrus W. Wallace, Mr. Savage, George Riddle, and others. Then followed dancing and a supper. The condition of the old town house was such that in 1876 the following vote was passed :
1876. Voted to raise a sum not to exceed $5,000 to build a new Town House.
Apr. adjd. an. meeting-
Resolved. That the expression of this meeting is that the location of the new Town House be not changed.
Also "That the position of the new Town House be left to the building committee," which was also authorized " to dispose of the old Town House."
Dedication of the New Town Hall.
The following detailed account of the dedication of the new town hall, endorsed by the secretary, Silas A. Riddle, appeared in the Union Democrat of Tuesday, October 24, 1876, and is here given in full, as perhaps the best account obtainable :
Early Wednesday morning the roads toward Bedford showed signs of unusual activity, and conveyances of all sorts, public and private, were put in requisition by people bound for Bedford to assist in various capacities at the ceremonies connected with the ded- ication of the new town hall at that place, recently completed by Hon. Alpheus Gay, of this city, the contractor for the work.
The building is of wood, of two stories, and measures 75x50 feet. It is built in the most thorough and substantial manner, and the interior finish and trimmings throughout are of brown ash. The lower story is 12 feet in the clear, the upper 18 feet. From the ground to the ridgepole measures 60 feet. The building is sur- mounted by a bell tower, and that by a spire and vane of a very tasteful design. The top of the spire is 110 feet from the ground.
The arrangement of the upper and lower floors is precisely the same. A hall measuring 50x60 feet, with all the requisite ante- rooms, cloak-rooms, retiring-rooms, etc.
The lower hall will be used for town-meeting purposes ; the upper for social gatherings, concerts, lectures, etc. The selectmen's room is also on the upper floor.
The cost of the complete building was about $6,750. It was built by contract by Hon. Alpheus Gay, of this city. His contract com- prised the whole work, except the stone, which was put in under the immediate superintendence of the Building Committee.
The painting was done for Mr. Gay by Mr. Michael O'Dowd, of this city, with the exception of a central piece of frescoing in the upper hall, which was done by W. S. James.
Mr. Gay commenced the work May 29, and completed all except some details of its furnishings September 27. It does full justice to our honored contractor.
The building itself is one of the finest and most complete in its appointments of any to be found in any country town in New Hamp- shire, and does credit to the town to which it belongs, as well as to the builder, and all who have been connected with the structure from its incipiency to its completion.
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HISTORY OF BEDFORD.
The ceremonies opened by the forming of a procession at the church, which escorted the orators and invited guests to the new edifice in which the dedicatory exercises were held. Before the commencement of the ceremonies the hall was completely packed with people, and it will probably never again in its history contain more people than on this occasion. Our own city furnished its full quota of the number; Concord was well represented, while the neighboring towns of Merrimack, Litchfield, New Boston, and other places swelled the number who assembled to rejoice with their neigh- bors of Bedford, who were out in full force and all intent on the entertainment of their guests, and right royally was it done.
The music for the occasion was furnished by Blaisdell & Ingalls' band, of Concord, and by a quartette who were greeted as children and grandchildren of Bedford, though our own city lays more imme- diate claim to them. The quartette consisted of Messrs. John M. Chandler, Henry M. French, Mrs. Currier and her sister, Miss Zilla Louisa McQuesten, with Mrs. Charles H. Scott as pianist. Miss McQuesten also favored the audience with several solos, which were highly appreciated and warmly applauded.
It was nearly eleven o'clock when the meeting was called to order by George W. Goffe, Esq., who, as temporary chairman, made a few remarks, referring to the completion of the new edifice during this centennial year, and welcoming to its shelter the sons and daugh- ters of Bedford who had come from a distance to assist in the cele- bration, as well as the many guests and friends assembled.
He then announced the officers of the day as follows: President, Isaac N. Riddle; vice-presidents, William McAllister, Hon. George Foster, John H. McAfee, Daniel G. Atwood, Thomas G. Holbrook, Nathaniel Flint, Charles F. Shepard, Paul T. Campbell, Henry Plummer ; secretary, Silas A. Riddle.
The president of the day was then called upon and made a few fitting and earnest remarks, referring to the elegance of the house completed in the centennial year, and the credit which it reflected upon the architect, builder, and gentlemen of the Building Committee. He spoke of the progress made in the century which had passed away; of the privations of our forefathers, and in conclusion warmly welcomed the guests to the hospitalities of the good old town of Bedford.
An appropriate and earnest prayer was then offered by Rev. Mr. Tyson, of Bedford.
Hon. Alpheus Gay then presented the keys of the building to the Building Committee, Messrs. George W. Goffe, Henry T. Barnard, and R. M. Rollins, briefly thanking them for the pleasant and friend- ly relations which had existed without interruption between them.
George W. Goffe, Esq., as chairman of the Building Committee, in accepting the keys spoke in the most flattering terms of the way in which the contractor had executed his work, saying that not a single mistake had been made, not one thing slighted ; he had em-
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1876-THE NEW TOWN HOUSE.
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DEDICATION OF THE NEW TOWN HALL.
ployed the best of workmen and had fully sustained the high repu- tation which he had long enjoyed as an architect and builder. The edifice was one of which every citizen might well feel proud.
Mr. Goffe then presented the keys to the chairman of the select- men, reminding them of the memories clustering around the old house, and hoping that if spared by fire, those who come after us in the next century, as this house in its turn is supplemented by a new one, may look back on us with feelings of pride akin to those we bear for the builders of the house which has now been demolished. In conclusion, he expressed confidence that when their time came to hand the keys to their successors in the office of selectmen, the building would be in as good condition as to-day.
One of the board of selectmen, William U. Gage, Esq., briefly re- plied by thanking the Building Committee for their efficient ser- vices, and referring to the pleasant relations which had ever existed between the two boards.
After the musical exercises the president called upon Rev. Dr. C. W. Wallace, of Manchester, a native of Bedford, who gave an inter- esting historical address.
He referred to the occasion which had called them together to dedicate their new and beautiful structure to take the place of one which years and decay had rendered no longer a fitting representa- tive of an enterprising and prosperous town. Yet the old building possessed a charm and glory which can never belong to the new ; the altar of worship, the table of communion were in the building, but will find no place here. May a greater than these preside here, even as in the temple at Jerusalem the presence of Shekinah was re- placed by a greater. The former building represented the condition of things when church and state were united-this the idea of their complete separation. The house of God is yonder, while here we have the place for the transaction of the affairs of this life, daily be- coming more important as we approach the ideal of a perfect state. This hall is an honor to the present generation-a rich legacy to the future.
The reverend speaker then took a hasty retrospect, glancing at the wonderful progress made during the first century and compared the old times with the present. Referring to educational matters, while proudly acknowledging the great advance which had been made, he reminded his hearers there was yet much to do. While of 12,000,000 between the ages of five and seventeen, more than 5,000,000 don't attend school, and while there are in the country 1,600,000 men who cannot read nor write and nearly half of them are white. This should arouse the anxious thoughts of the patriots and the earnest prayer of the Christian. Our nation was founded upon the princi- ples of the Christian religion ; the God of the Bible is recognized in our courts and legislature, and though adverse sentiments have floated to us, though men have sprung up who deny the existence of God, still to-day we stand as a Christian nation, our feet upon the
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HISTORY OF BEDFORD.
rock, and in proportion to the population there is more open acknowl- edgment of faith in Christ than there was one hundred years ago. He referred to the vast number of printed publications now, while one hundred years ago there were but thirty-seven in the whole land. . While much of this literature is elevated in tone, patriotic, moral and religious in tendency, it is to be deplored that there is also a Satanic department to the American press, the tendency of which is to destroy public morals and blast private reputations and undermine our whole social fabric; still he would have the press entirely free, for "Truth is born of God, and in the open field will come off victorious in conflict with error."
Referring again to the progress made in science, mechanical and industrial art, he said that society has been made over and whether made better or not, the change is an accomplished fact; the shadow will never turn back upon the dial plate of the ages, and it becomes us to see that the moral virtue of the community keeps pace with the sweeping marks of the age in which we live.
The nation, which was poor and weak at the close of the Revolu- tion, enters upon its second century rich and strong; we have en- dured the tests of one of the greatest civil wars known to history and to-day, upon our own soil and with right on our side, we might defy the world. To maintain the glory of the past, we must see that every child, whether of native or foreign parentage, is educated. This education must be homogenous, and though it may be a ques- tion for debate whether or not the Bible should remain as a book for daily reading in our common schools, the great principles taught in that book must be inculcated in those schools. What it teaches of accountability to God; the sacredness of an oath ; truth, honesty, temperance, the common and equal rights of all, must be ingrained into the young heart of the nation, or before the close of another century republican institutions will have ceased to exist. Love of country, loyalty, is an indispensable virtue. Next to the cross must stand the stars and stripes ; the ballot box must be purified and kept pure. He who tampers is the most subtle and dangerous of enemies. If such sentiments are implanted in the heart of the nation, our re- public will stand firmly.
Passing to matters of local history, he referred to the first settle- ment of Bedford by the Scotch-Irish, so called, in 1737, the same stock that settled in Londonderry and the adjacent towns. It was a good stock from which to descend, for the heart of a real Scotch- Irishman was of fine, tough fibre, warm to friends, loyal to truth, but unyielding to enemies. They were the men, 27,000 of whom, en- dured an eight months' siege at Londonderry, Ireland, shut up with- in walls but 2,000 feet one way by 600 the other. A noble ancestry is a shame rather than a glory to a degenerate people, but we hope we are not altogether unworthy of our sires. No Tory was found here when the War of Revolution broke out-not one that wavered except Parson Houston, and three of his family entered the Conti-
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DEDICATION OF THE NEW TOWN HALL.
nental army, while nearly all the men capable of bearing arms did good service. In the War of the Rebellion this town made an hon- orable record. Like so many others, this town has suffered a con- stant drain of emigration, and not a few have obtained positions worthy of the town which gave them birth. You who have stayed at home have prospered. Your farms and buildings are better to- day than ever before, and if I may venture a word of advice, it is to cultivate the sublime grace of contentment; be admonished also to yield a liberal support to the institutions of education and religion. The schoolhouse and the meeting-house have made our New Eng- land what it is. Again congratulating the people of Bedford upon the completion of the house which is to serve in the future for so many useful purposes, he implored them "to hand the blessings you enjoy, unimpaired down to others, and be ready when the shadows gather, with faith in our Holy Redeemer, to join the great assembly in the bright field beyond the dark river."
The address of Dr. Wallace was listened to with marked atten- tion, and at its conclusion he was greeted with enthusiastic applause.
After a song by the quartette, Thomas Savage, Esq., a young law- yer of Boston, a native of Bedford, was called upon and gave an eloquent and polished oration, referring to the memories which cen- tered around the old house, and expressing a hope that the present edifice might promote the patriotism and stimulate the citizen to honor in no less a degree than had the old. He touched upon the growth of republican ideas in the Old World, who looked to the West for its example ; he referred in glowing terms to the men and the character of the olden times, whose virtues and whose deeds were worthy of so much emulation, and whose blood and treasure were so freely poured out to maintain the rights which we now en- joy; he referred to the Goffes, the Orrs, the Chandlers, the Barrs, the Riddles, and the many others who had left a record of which the town was so justly proud, and expressed bright hopes for the future prosperity of the town, the state, and the nation.
After a musical interlude, Hon. George B. Chandler was intro- duced as the toastmaster of the occasion.
In a few earnest and well-chosen words, Mr. Chandler spoke of the pleasure it gave him to be present on this occasion, and referring to Bedford as his birthplace, said that around it clustered all the affectionate remembrances of childhood and youth, which always renders the home of one's early days so dear through the stern real- ities of after life. As a descendant and representative of a family which had been so long and so intimately connected with the his- tory of the town, he felt that he ought to be no stranger on this happy occasion. He referred in complimentary terms to the voices of the former townsmen which had been already heard (Dr. Wal- lace and Mr. Savage), the one bearing the ripe honors of a long life spent in the service of God and man; the other full of the hope of an early and vigorous manhood, and in conclusion gave some remin-
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HISTORY OF BEDFORD.
iscences of the old heroes who had passed away. He then gave as the first sentiment of the day :
The Old Town House. It was a link which bound us to the long, long ago. Who can picture the scenes enacted within and about it during the last one hundred and twenty years ?
John A. Riddle, Esq., of Bedford, was called upon to respond to this, which he did by giving historical and statistical information re- garding the difficulties which attended the commencement and com- pletion of the structure which has now been supplanted. The paper which he read gave evidence of a great deal of labor and research and was rich in local historical lore.
It seems that in 1732 the general court of Massachusetts granted seven townships of land to certain proprietors as a reward for im- portant services ; Narragansett No. 5, afterwards called Bedford, was among these. The question of building a meeting-house was first voted upon in 1738, when the proprietors in a meeting held at Boston voted against granting a tract of the undivided land for that purpose. But at a meeting held May 18, 1743, it was voted by the proprietors that a tax of thirty shillings, old tenor, be laid on each right towards building a meeting-house. No immediate action seems to have been taken, however, and in 1748 it was voted that £ 10 of the money in the hands of the treasurer for building the meeting-house be drawn out to provide preaching.
The town was chartered in 1750, and the matter of building a meeting-house early occupied their attention. In 1751 it was " Voted that there be a meeting-house built in this town." Imme- diately thereafter they got into troubled waters about its location and subseqently a committee was appointed. "Inasmuch as the town was not able to conclude in their own person" to decide between the two locations specified, Capt. Andrew Todd, Capt. John Mit- chell, and Lieut. Robert Cochrane, of Londonderry, were elected such a committee. They managed the matter so well that a vote of thanks was subsequently tendered them by the town for their good judgment in the selection of a site, and Lieut. Moses Barron, Deacon John Orr, and Mr. James Little were appointed a building commit- tee. The ghost of the location for the meeting-house was not laid yet, however, and in 1755 all previous votes of the town were re- pealed, and it was voted to build on the site actually occupied, and the frame of the new house was raised October 14 and 15, 1755. Matters do not seem to have gone smoothly, however, and at a meeting held March 30, 1757, it was voted to dismiss the committee appointed to board and shingle the meeting-house, and Capt. Moses Barron, Robert Walker, and Samuel Patten were appointed a com- mittee for that purpose. Patten, however, refused to serve, and in May, 1757, William Moor was chosen to fill the vacancy. Commit- tees upon committees were chosen, dismissed and re-chosen, to at- tend to the various departments of the building, and we fear that the Bedford brethren did not dwell together in unity. It was not
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DEDICATION OF THE NEW TOWN HALL.
until 1760, five years after the raising, that a town-meeting was called to see if they would vote to sell the pews at public vendue to raise money for completing the house ; then from 1760 to 1767 re- peated votes were taken to see if a pulpit should be built, and hav- ing been built, to see if it should be painted. It was finally voted that the pulpit should be painted "the same color as Mr. McGre- gore's pulpit in Londonderry."
In 1784 luxury begins to assert itself, and it was voted to plaster the walls on top of the audience room.
In 1789 it was voted to postpone · the finishing of the meeting- house, and a committee was appointed to prevent it taking further damage.
The compiler of all these statistics from the town records here sagely remarks, "that it is doubtful whether the house was ever fully finished until razed to the ground in this present year of 1876."
At the conclusion of the reading of Mr. Riddle's paper a vote of thanks was passed by the citizens of Bedford to Hon. George B. Chandler, Henry Chandler, and John M. Chandler for their " very useful present in the shape of an elegant chandelier for our new town hall."
An adjournment was then taken for dinner. The dinner was provided in the lower hall and is beyond description. All the sub- stantials and many of the luxuries of food were present in abund- ance, and though fully 1,000 people must have been fed, there was enough for more. The waiters were among the elite of the town, and the dinner was never surpassed even by Bedford itself, whose fame in this regard extends far and near.
After dinner the exercises in the upper hall were continued, and Hon. Geo. B. Chandler announced as the second sentiment :
From the Old House Into the New. May this beautiful edifice dedicated this day to the uses of the citizens of Bedford become their social " mecca " at whose shrine all her people may delight to gather. May no sounds save those of gladness be heard within these walls.
Hon. Lewis W. Clark, of Manchester, was called upon for a re- sponse. His remarks were given in a very eloquent manner and abounded in happy thoughts and sentiments. He congratulated the town upon having one of the best, if not the very best, town house in the state, completed without the burden of extra taxation. He deprecated the idea of calling upon outsiders to take an active part in the dedicatory exercises while home talent so much abounded in the town. He accorded great praise to the town, yet reminded the audience that Mr. Riddle's paper had shown that more credit was due to those who under so many difficulties had labored so earnestly and so persistently for more than thirty years to erect the old house. That building was used for more than half its history for religious purposes, and from the teachings disseminated there, the enviable position of the town to-day had been reached, and the means of erecting this house attained. He eloquently referred to the various
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HISTORY OF BEDFORD.
uses to which the old house had been put, its services to church and state, the civil and warlike councils which had been held in it. It had done its part toward making and maintaining the honor of the flag; of those who were instrumental in building the old house not one remains to counsel us to-day. He touched upon the value at- taching to the new house in the development of the social life of the town, and hoped that the house might be no insignificant means for the preparation of those who congregated therein to pass from this to " the house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens."
Our Country. 1776-1876-1976.
Hon. John G. Sinclair responded in a most able manner, recount- ing briefly the progress which the infant colonies of 1776 had made, and reminding his hearers that God only knows to what we may attain in 1976. What the future is to be depends, he said, upon our children and upon our children's children, and the present is more a time for prayer than for prophecy. Our prayer should be that our country may ever be as it has been, a land of liberty and asylum for the oppressed till time shall be no more.
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