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 52
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Townsend, Charles.
Amherst. Wounded, June, '64, Cold Harbor, Va.
Holbrook, Griggs.
76 N. Y. 8 Wis.
Hazewell, Arthur W.
9
French, Horace ..
519
520
HISTORY OF BEDFORD.
The following is a part of the record in the town report of 1865 '66, compiled by George W. Riddle :
DRAFTED MEN WHO FURNISHED SUBSTITUTES.
Sept. 1, 1863.
Individual bounty. $140.00
Town bounty.
Gilman H. Moore,
$300.00
Walter I. Bachelder,
125.00
300.00
Roger H. Vose,
175.00
300.00
Freeman R. French,
115.00
300.00
Leonard J. Brown,
200.00
300.00
Charles H. Kendall,
175.00
300.00
Levi J. Woodbury,
200.00
300.00
George Whitford,
150.00
300.00
Farnham Jenkins,
140.00
300.00
David R. Barnard,
175.00
300.00
Clinton French,
170.00
300.00
Horace S. Campbell,
155.00
300.00
George B. Shattuck,
140.00
300.00
John G. Vose,
175.00
300.00
Walter Gage,
115.00
300.00
Joseph G. Holbrook,
175.00
300.00
Charles H. Sargent,
175.00
300.00
Jno. H. Lord, in person,
175.00
300.00
$2,875.00
$5,400.00
SUBSTITUTES FURNISHED BY ENROLLED MEN.
March, 1865.
Individual bounty.
Horace Holbrook, one for three years,
$200.00
Town bounty. $300.00 300.00
Individual bounty added,
400.00
$1,000.00
VOLUNTEERS FURNISHED BY TOWN OF BEDFORD, UNDER THE CALL OF OCTOBER 17, 1863.
The town cashed the United States bounty of $300.00.
Town bounty. $150.00
United States bounty.
William Jones,
$.00.00
Edwin Burns, deserted, Jan. 3, 1864,
145.00
300.00
Charles Prescott,
151.00
300.00
Charles Jager,
265.00
300.00
Enoch F. Gage, one for three years,
200.00
$400.00
$600.00
521
THE CIVIL WAR.
Town bounty.
United States bounty.
George E. Yates,
$265.00
$300.00
George S. Allen,
198.00
300.00
John Neilson,
265.00
300.00
Charles Paterson,
265.00
300.00
Samuel Collard, veteran,
275.00
300.00
Peter Dailey, died wounds, June 19, 1864,
220.00
300.00
James Cuedy,
225.00
300.00
W. P. Mudge, V. R. C.,
25.00
George W. Cutler,
34.00
Larkin Sargent,
136.00
$2,619.00
$3,300.00
Average cost, $422.00 each.
NUMBER OF SOLDIERS FURNISHED FROM BEDFORD.
Forty men in First, Second, Third, Fourth, Seventh, and Eighth regiments, navy, and medical departments, received no town bounty.
Forty-two men in Ninth, Tenth, Eleventh, Fourteenth, Fifteenth, Sixteenth, and cavalry regiments received town bounty of $3,150.00 Eighty-two men volunteered prior to Sept. 1, 1863.
Sixty men furnished under calls of president since September 1, 1863, who have received from the town of Bedford, and from principals who have furnished twenty substitutes,
21,694.00
Total, 142 men,
$24,844.00
Expenses of enlisting paid from town treasury,
217.63
1 $25,061.63
AGGREGATE BOUNTIES AND EXPENSES.
Paid by town of Bedford and twenty individuals since September 1, 1863, for sixty soldiers, and cost returned to provost marshal September 1, 1865 :
Call.
Expenses.
Individual bounty.
Town bounty.
July 3, 18 drafted men,
$2,875.00
$5,400.00 5,919.00
Oct. 14, 14 volunteers,
$143.93
1864, 7 men reënlisted.
Feb. 1, 4 enlisted-11 men,
137.80
1,650.00
July 18, 10 men, heavy artillery, 2 substitutes, Holbrook and Gage,
126.00.
1
3,000.00
400.00
600.00
1 This includes $3,300 United States bounty cashed by town, October, 1863, $3,275 individual bounties for substitutes, making a total of $6,575.
522
HISTORY OF BEDFORD.
Call.
Expenses.
Individual bounty.
Town bounty. $300.00 1,800.00
July 1 navy, Captain Rollins,
Dec. 17, 4 men, 1 year,
$25.00
Total, 60 men,
$432.73
$3,275.00
$18,669.00
Individual bounty,
3,275.00
Expenses,
432.73
$22,376.73
It is expected that this sum will be refunded by the United States to the town of Bedford, or a portion of it, a bill being now before congress to that effect.
Expenses of enlisting 142 soldiers for the town of Bedford during the war, and the amount of cash paid out of the town treasury :
March, 1863, paid George W. Riddle for services enlisting thirty- seven volunteers, in Tenth, Eleventh, Fifteenth, and Sixteenth regi- ments, and for cash paid out, $8.00,-$22.00.
Received of United States, enlistment fees, 11 men,
$165.00
October. Geo. W. Riddle, 21 days, Cash expenses, 35.08
$42.00
R. Fulton, 12 days, Cash expenses,
24.00
28.25
L. C. French, 2d, 4 days, Cash expenses,
8.00
6.60
143.93
Balance,
$21.17
1864. Dr.
March.
Cash paid G. B. Moore,
$40.00
T. W. Moore, Jr., expenses paid out, 7.40 Hackett, Way, and Blood, and ex- penses enlisting, 27.60
Geo. W. Riddle, services reducing quota, enlisting 12 men, getting credits, substitute bounties, etc., 17 days, 34.00
Cash paid expenses, see bill,
33.50
Cr.
Cash balance on hand, $21.17
Received of United States, enlistment fees of Moore, Blood, Way, and Hackett, 70.00
91.17
Balance paid from town treasury, 1865,
$51.33
$142.50
523
THE CIVIL WAR.
Total expenses paid from town treasury for
reduction of quota and enlisting 63 men, to July 1, 1864, $73.33
August, 1864. Expenses of enlisting 10 men, heavy artillery :
L. B. Bowman's bill,
$63.91
D. G. Atwood's bill,
38.82
S. A. Shepard's bill,
23.87
$126.60
March, 1865. Expense of enlisting 4 men :
George W. Riddle, 4 days,
$8.00
Cash expenses,
9.70
$17.70
Total,
$217.63
Bounties and expenses paid by adjoining towns :
Town.
No. of men.
Bounties.
Expenses.
Average cost of enlistment per man.
Average bounty per man.
Amherst,
153
$20,560.00
$371.22
$2.42
$135.00
Merrimack,
132
35,145.00
1,339.00
13.39
266.00
Goffstown,
157
36,795.00
492.00
3.13
234.00
Weare,
186
66,895.00
1,295.00
6.96
359.00
Bedford,
142
1 19,486.00
217.00
1.53
137.00
Justice to the brave men who went forth from our town to fight the battles of our country and protect its flag, demand that some record should be made and kept to commemorate their names, suffer- ings, and heroic deeds. Our fallen dead, who fell in battle, died and starved at Andersonville, sick, wounded, and died in hospitals-let us ever remember them with gratitude, and cherish their memories. As long as the Republic lives and men have memories their names will be honored, respected, and revered. That those who may come after us may know who the brave men were who went from Bedford, assisted, defended, and saved our country, is my only apology for com- piling and arranging these statistics, and printing them with the town reports of this year. There may be some slight inaccuracies which can be corrected in the future, but in the main they are correct from the best information that can be obtained. At no distant day it is hoped that the town will cause a complete history of its soldiers to be written, which will be of great value to them, their friends, and our citizens.
BEDFORD, March 1, 1866.
GEORGE W. RIDDLE.
1Exclusive of United States and individual bounties.
Spanish-American War.
In the war with Spain Bedford was represented by only one soldier, whose discharge papers read as follows :
Charles Arthur Campbell enlisted at St. Paul, Minn., June 13, 1898, in Company C, of the Thirteenth regiment, Minnesota infantry. Sent to San Francisco, then to Manila, and served during Spanish- American War, 1898, and in Philippine insurrection, 1899, in the Philippines. Took part in street riot in Londo; Toudo uprising ; skirmishes in Toudo district and Mariquina road ; attack on railroad at Bocave; skirmish and battle of St. Maria. With General Law- ton expedition in following engagements : Naryaguay, Angor, San Rafael, Baliang, Muasin, Salicor, and San Isidro. Mustered out at Presidio, San Francisco, Cal., October 3, 1899.
/
Extracts From the Records.
1
In the following chapter have been brought together such items of interest as do not seem to have a specially pertinent place in other chapters. They are taken from the official records, mostly from those strictly of the town, but a few from the Province records. They are certainly of historical interest, and have been arranged in chronological order, as a convenience for reference :
Thursday, April 2ª, 1747. The Honble Mr. Husk brot down ye petition of Capt. John Goffe & Mr. Sam'l Cummings praying for men to guard ye towns of Hollis & Souhegan East. (State Papers.)
The inventoried value of taxable estate in Bedford in 1768 was £2,959, and the number of polls, 86.
An act of 1758, limiting the number of taverns in New Hamp- shire to 89, gave Bedford 1.
There seems to have been trouble at one time with the tax collec- tor, for we find that a writ was issued by the town, acting through its selectmen, John Bell and John Little, on the 26th of February, 1774, directing the sheriff as follows :
Hillsborough, S.S.
Bedford.
To the sheriff of said County of Hillsborough, his under sheriff or deputy, greeting :
WHEREAS, James Caldwell, James Aiken and John Bell, did at Bedford, in the County of Hillsborough aforesaid, on the 23rd day of January, Anno Domini 1.764, they then being selectmen of said town, make and deliver to Richard McAllester of said Bedford a certain list of rates, being the town rate amounting to 1147 pounds 6 shilling and 10 pence, old tenor, assessed on the poll and estates of the inhabitants of said town for the defraying of charges of said town, with a legal warrant to collect the same and to pay it to us or to the selectmen of Bedford for the time being, by the 28th day of March, then next, as appears by the record of said town; and where- as the said McAllester hath not collected and paid the same as afore- said, but hath neglected his duty therein and the sum of 206 pounds 9 shilling and 9 pence, old tenor, thereof, equal to 10 pounds 6 shil-
5:26
HISTORY OF BEDFORD.
lings and 5 pence 3 farthings lawful money is yet in arriars and un- paid as also appears by said records ; these are then in His Majesty's name to require you forthwith to levy and. collect the said sum of 10 pounds 6 shillings 5 pence 3 farthings, lawful money, of the goods and chattels or land of the said Richard McAllester within your precinct according to the laws of this province in such case made and provided and for want of good, chattels, or land of said Richard to be by him shown to you or found within your precinct to satisfy the said sum last mentioned, with two shillings more for this execution together with your own fee, you are to take the body of the said Richard if he may be found in your precinct and commit him to His Majesty's gaol at Amherst, in said county, there to re- main until he shall satisfy the same. And the said sum of 10 pounds 6 shillings 5 pence 3. farthings, when collected as aforesaid, you are to pay us, the subscribers, selectmen of Bedford aforesaid or to our successors in said office and make due return hereof within 60 days coming.
Given under our hand and seal this 26th day of Februrary, in the fourteenth year of His Majesty's, Annoque Domini 1774.
John Bell John Little Selectmen of Bedford.
What further was done about the matter is not on record.
1770-The caption or heading which appears at the beginning of all the town warrants, from its incorporation in 1750, was always the same save for the omission after 1770 of the tax on negro slaves. Down to that time we find such entries as this: "A tax or assess- ment on the male polls, estate both real and personal Income. Facualty and money at Interest and Negro Slaves, of the inhabi- tants of the town of Bedford in the Province of New Hampshire, to and for the support and maintenance of the Rev. Mr. John Houston, for the year 1770."
A clause of Mr. Francis Barnett's will, dated June 20, A. D. 1772 : item "I bequeath to the use of the poor of the town of Bedford the interest of 15 pounds lawful money per annum in the following man- ner viz. The said 15 pounds to be raised out of my estate by my executors and shall be afterward expressly deposited in the hands of the selectmen of said Bedford for the time being and their succes- sors in office, to be put to interest and the interest paid annually to the poor of said town as the said selectmen shall think proper." On March 24, 1774, the selectmen "received a note of hand of 15 pounds lawful money from Sam Patten and Hannah Barnett, exec- utors of the last will and testament of Francis Barnett late of said Bedford deceased for the security of the payment of a legacy left by said Barnett, the interest of which 15 pounds is to be applyed to the use of the poor of said Bedford by the selectmen of said Bedford for the time being, or ye successors in said office forever. And the
527
EXTRACTS FROM THE RECORDS.
said 15 pounds to be in the care of the said selectmen, which note is in full of said legacy left by said Barnett as aforesaid. Witness our hands in our capacities. John Bell John Little Adam Dickey se- lectmen." A true copy by John Rand Town Clerk. This fund is still in the town's possession, together with other similar funds. Mr. Barnett's widow was late in life a beneficiary of this fund.
1772-There seems to have been an event which aroused great interest, and that was the breaking jail of Capt. Joseph Kelley and one John Thomas, who escaped from the Amherst. jail on the 14th · day of October, 1772. We find that the town joined in a petition to the court of general sessions asking them to direct the county solicitors to sue the sheriff, and appointed in August of 1773, James Martin, to represent the town in the action. It was deemed suffi- ciently important to justify a vote of "Thanks to the town of Merri- mack for there care in writing Cercular to us on this weighty affair."
1773-It appears that one Mr. Noah Parker, who was the sealer of weights and measures, got into trouble with the town on that ac- count, for we find this entry on the 24th day of February, 1773: "Fourthly, to see if they will alow the town clerk to sue Mr. Nor Parker for the weights and measures purchased from him in March 1770." Apparently Mr. Parker died or left town some other way, for at a later date it was voted not to sue him. But the weights and measures were not forgotten, for we find that a later article inquires "To see what method the town will take to recover the Waights and Measures that has been paid for by the town this some time past."
The town voted "That the selectmen writ to Matthew Patten Esq., to provid the Waits and Measures by next April court, or ex- pect to be prosecute for want thereof as he received the town money for the same."
Again the town weights and measures, March 30, 1773: "To see if the town will allow Matthew Patten Esq., the whole or what part of his account he has brought in against the town of Bedford, for his trouble of bying and bringing up the Weights and Measures for said town." It was voted "not to allow Matthew Patten Esq., his account for purchasing and bringing up the Weights and Measures, as we think it to be extravagant."
1775 .- Matthew Patten was made chairman of the Committee of Safety for Hillsborough county, and was reappointed for 1776. He was commissioned a justice of the peace and of the quorum for Hillsborough county in 1784. In the last named year Zacheus Chandler was commissioned a coroner. In 1789, Stephen Dole, and in 1786, John Orr were commissioned justices of the peace.
1778, March 25, Voted, "That the selectmen be directed to de- mand of Matthew Patten Esq., being clerk of the proprety of Nere- genzot No. 5, and Messrs. John Goff Esq. of Derryfield, and James Vose. of Bedford committee of said proprety, the liece and pappers
528
HISTORY OF BEDFORD.
thereof of the privileged Lieutenant John Orr, who had built a saw- mill upon the lots No. 21 and 22 in the 9th range, and that said Lieutenant John Orr, shall have the same privileges of the town that he had of the proprieter."
1780-In the warrant for the town meeting of March 28, there was an article "To see whether the town will allow the constables for the year 1780 any reward for their extraordinary trouble," also "To see whether the town would allow Hugh Matthews and Joseph Matthews for their service as soldiers in the year 1776," also "To see whether the town will raise any money to repair the meeting house as it is in great need at present," also "To see if the town thinks proper to provide a town stock of arms and ammunition as the law directs," also "To see whether the town will raise money to build a pound, as it has been wanted for some time past or what method they will take to build one, and where they will sett it," also " As the bridge over Piscataquog River in the town of Bedford is very much out of repair, and will in a little time be dangerous to pass over, it is to see what method the town will purpose to repair it." also " To see whether the town will vote to have the remaining part of the grave-yard fenced, and what method they will take." It was voted to pay Mr. O'Neil. Voted to have twenty-one Sabbath days preaching during the year. Voted to allow the constables $1,780 for their "extraordinary trouble." Voted to raise 150 pounds to repair the meeting house.
1780-"State of New Hampshire to the Worshipfull Matthew · Patten, Esq., one of the justices of the peace within and throughout the said state, humbly shows Thomas Boyce, James Vose, and Will- iam White, all three now selectmen of Bedford in the County of Hillsborough and state aforesaid for the present year, that Peggy Littlefield of Portsmouth in the County of Rockingham and state aforesaid, spinster (a free malatto), and Hager her child aged one year, have lately come to inhabit in said town of Bedford, having no legal settlement, and are likely to become chargeable to said town, wherein, Fact Their last legal settlement was in Portsmouth aforesaid, and the said Peggy she hath had more than fourteen days notice to depart from the said town of Bedford with her said child, has not departed therefrom but neglected it; wherefore your com- plainants pray warrant may issue to bring the said Peggy and her child aforesaid before you to the end said Peggy may be examined touching the premises, that she may be sent and conveyed to said Portsmouth where she properly belongs, agreeably to the law of said state in such case made and provided. Bedford, March 24, 1780." Peggy was accordingly delivered to the constable with orders to convey her and her child to the constable of the next town "in the way to said Portsmouth."
1781, Feb. 28. "To see what method the town will take to pro- cure the money that is owing Mr. John O'Neil for teaching a school in said Bedford as he is very uneasy about it."
529
EXTRACTS FROM THE RECORDS.
1781, May 24-Voted, "That the present selectmen pay Robert McGaw the money that the town is Endue him."
Voted, "To allow the widow Margaret Moore 12 shillings lawful money, the old way, per week, for the nursing and boarding Will- iam Harrington when he was sick."
The need of improved school facilities is apparent at this time for 1782, April 24, " Voted to receive Esquire Pattens acounts ox- ibeted by Major Goff."
Voted not to purchase any arms, not to raise money to build a pound, and not to refence the grave-yard.
There seems to have been a judgment obtained against the town in favor of one Jameson for in the warrant of October 2, 1783, appears this article, "Secondly : whereas we are informed that there is an execution out against the town of Bedford in favor of
Jameson for about 28 pounds, and whereas we cannot procure cash to satisfy the same, to see what the town will do the case." "The remonstrance of Partick Flyng and others were put over at a late meeting to be considered at this meeting."
At the town meeting of November 21, 1783 it was voted to send Lieut. Whitefield Gilmore to the convention for "redress of greiv- ances " in this state to be held at Peterboro on November 25, 1783.
" Patrick Flyng and others not appearing nothing was done with respect to his remonstrance."
The towns of Bedford and Merrimack met at the house of Na- thaniel Holt in Merrimack on Monday, December 8, 1783, to choose a representative to the general court. They chose Judge Thornton to be representative. He was the first representative of the town under the new constitution. A letter was received from the con- vention at Peterboro for the redress of greivances, etc.
At a meeting held on December 15, 1783, it was voted "to con- cur with the convention held at Peterboro for the redress of greiv- ances."
1784, November 10-It was directed that the militia of the state, should be divided into 25 regiments. No. 9 comprised Goffstown Dunbarton, Weare, New Boston, Bedford, Francestown, Antrim, and Deering.
1784-The town seems to have sued the proprietors and to have gotten judgment, but the grounds of the suit are not disclosed. This entry appears under date of January 26, "Voted that execu- tion be immediately taken out against the committee of the proprie- ters of Bedford, viz. Col. John Goffe, Matthew Patten, and Esquire James Vose, for what they recovered against us some years since at the Superior Court by the inhabitants of Bedford."
March 12, "Robert Morrell who about nine months since threw himself on the town for maintenance desired to be no longer under 35
-
530
HISTORY OF BEDFORD.
the care of the town there being an alteration in his circumstances." With it the selectmen complied.
There seems to have been a standing difficulty between the town and the Selectmen Thomas Boise and James Vose for the years 1778, 1779, and 1780. At least these selectmen sued the town, and the town on June 28, 1784, voted "not to pay Thomas Boise and James Vose what they sue for but to stand tryal with them in the law " and James Underwood, James Martin, and Lieut. John Orr were the committee chosen for the above purpose.
1784, December 23-" Voted that Lieut. John Orr and Mr. James Underwood assist John Rand and John Wallace Esq. in defending the town against Thomas Boies and James Vose who have com- menced an action against said Rand and Wallace selectmen A. D. 1783."
" Voted that Messrs. James Underwood, Stephen Dole and James Martin be a committee to apply to the Superior court, to sit by adjournment in May next, at Amherst, to have the town admitted as defendant in the action James Vose and Thomas Boise against John Rand and John Wallace esquires and the execution to issue, in case the plaintiff recovers, against the inhabitants of said Bedford ; and like wise to be a committee to bring an action against said Vose, Boise and William White to account for what money they have received for the town of Bedford, and ye same to pursue to final judgment and execution."
1785, June 14-A vote to pay the town of Bedford the wages of Robert Jones and John George for their services as soldiers at Cohes in the year 1782, was brought up, read, and concurred .- Senate journal.
1785, September 5-" Voted to recommend to Capt. Dunlap that he call the town together to choose men to be recommended to the Colonel of the regiment we belong to for militia officers."
1786-The town voted on Oct. 10 upon the proposition made by the General Court as to the issuance of paper money by the state, and it voted "that paper money be admitted in to bear interest, and that it be a lawful tender in all payments." 21 votes for, 8 votes against having paper money. The town had voted to let the use of the school lands at vendue to the highest bidder, for. the term of 7 years. The land was in the possession of John Orr under a lease which he had made with the town sometime previously.
Apparently the town received a proposition from Jacob McQuade that he have the use and improvement of the school land "so long as he will keep himself and family from being anyway chargeable to the town, or so long as the town thinks proper." But the vote previously made to sell the use of the land at public auction was not rescinded and McQuaid was not able to get the use of the town school land as a condition of supporting himself and his family.
1788, February 8-A vote so far granting the prayer of the peti-
531
EXTRACTS FROM THE RECORDS.
tion of Jerusha McAllaster, and that she have liberty to sell ten acres of land in Bedford. Also one quarter of a saw mill, and that she have liberty to bring in a bill accordingly was brought up read and concurred. (Senate.) And on February 12 read third time and enacted, the land "being a part of No. 7 in the Seventh Range in said town," and that the mill being part of real estate of her late husband, William McAllaster.
1790, Jan. 4-Voted to allow Mr. Jacob McGaw one years rent for the farm that Jacob McQuaid now lives on. (Jacob McQuaid was a Revolutionary soldier, who in his old age "cast himself upon the selectmen for support " and Mr. McGaw having supported him for three years at his own expense felt as if the town had better bear part of the burden.)
At the March meeting in 1787 it was voted "that the representa- tive be instructed to vote that the courts in the County of Hills- borough be held in or near the center of said County." This apparently was the vote about which considerable discussion had raged, one side maintaining that Amherst being so far from the center of the county it was unfair for citizens in its remoter pre- cincts to be required to go so far to attend court when that should be necessary. There were other arguments on the other side and in favor of keeping Amherst as the county seat.
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