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 56
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The officers for 1888 :
Master, John F. Gove ; overseer, Frank E. Manning; lecturer, Eddy W. Stevens; steward, G. Allen Putnam; assistant steward, Dana K. Brown; chaplain, Henry L. Peaslee ; treasurer, Charles P. Farley; secretary, William F. Conner; gate-keeper, Timothy
37
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HISTORY OF BEDFORD.
Townsend ; Pomona, Mrs. Angeline Campbell; Flora, Mrs. Abbie Conner ; Ceres, Mrs. Mary A. Gove; lady assistant steward, Miss Bertha E. Parkhurst.
Topics for discussion were: "Fish and Game Laws of New Hampshire." "The Tariff Laws of our Country." "Resolved, That Agriculture, to be Successful, should be Conducted More Systemati- cally." " Australian Ballot System."
The officers for 1889:
Master, Charles P. Farley ; overseer, Frank E. Manning ; lecturer, Eddy W. Stevens; steward, G. Allen Putnam; assistant steward, Dana K. Brown ; chaplain, Ezra C. Barnes ; treasurer, John F. Gove ; secretary, Mrs. Addie E. Hull; gate-keeper, John McAffee; Po- mona, Mrs. Sarah L. Barnard; Ceres, Mrs. Sarah Barnes; Flora, Mrs. Susan Brown; lady assistant steward, Miss Bertha E. Park- hurst.
The following were a few of the interesting topics for discussion : "Literary Entertainments." "Public Schools." "What Branch of Farming is Most Profitable to Farmers ?" " Is it, or is it not, for the Best Interests of New Hampshire to Colonize the State with Foreigners ?" "Duties of the Patrons in Advancing the Interests of the Grange."
Narragansett Grange was invited by the State Grange to confer the third and fourth degrees at the December meeting of that body in Manchester. The regular officers did the work, and Brothers George Barnard, Charles Wiggin, William S. Manning, and Sisters Martha Barnard, Lizzie Wiggin, and Hattie F. Manning acted as candidates. The work was done in a very acceptable manner, which did credit to both officers and candidates.
Officers for 1890 :
Master, Charles P. Farley ; overseer, G. Allen Putnam; lecturer, Mrs. Sarah Barnes; steward, Dana K. Brown; assistant steward, Ed. L. Conner ; chaplain, Ezra C. Barnes; treasurer, Frank E. Man- ning; secretary, Mrs. Addie E. Hull; gate-keeper, William F. Con- ner; Ceres, Miss Martha Barnard ; Pomona, Mrs. Susan Brown; Flora, Mrs. Sarah L. Barnard; lady assistant steward, Miss Josie Putnam.
Topics for discussion were: "What Effect Has the Tariff upon Agriculture ?" "Civil Service Reform."
Officers for 1891 :
Master, William F. Conner; overseer, Orra G. Kilton ; lecturer, Mrs. Mary A. Gove; steward, Eddie L. Conner; assistant steward, William S. Manning; chaplain, Solomon Manning ; treasurer, Joseph
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SOCIETIES OF BEDFORD.
S. Parkhurst; secretary, Eddy W. Stevens; gate-keeper, George F. Shepard ; Ceres, Miss Nellie A. Richards; Pomona, Edith L. Shep- ard; Flora, Hattie F. Manning ; lady assistant steward, Miss Lizzie Wilkinson.
Only one topic for discussion : "Is Corn a Profitable Crop for Bedford Farmers to Raise ?"
The grange conducted a prize-speaking contest for school children during the winter of 1891.
Officers for 1892 :
Master, William F. Conner; overseer, Orra G. Kilton; lecturer, Frank E. Manning; steward, Ed. L. Conner; assistant steward, William S. Manning; chaplain, Solomon Manning; treasurer, Joseph S. Parkhurst; secretary, Eddy W. Stevens ; gate-keeper, Eugene H. Webber; Ceres, Mrs. Abby Conner; Pomona, Edith L. Shepard ; Flora, Hattie F. Manning; lady assistant steward, Amy N. Flint.
Topics discussed : " Resolved, That Commercial Fertilizers are a Damage to the Farmers of New Hampshire." "Methods of Fight- ing Enemies to Farm Crops." "Which Pays Better for Same Money Invested, Cows or Poultry ?"
Officers for 1893 :
Master, Orra G. Kilton; overseer, William F. Conner; lecturer, Albert L. Flint; steward, Loren E. Charles; assistant steward, George F. Barnard; chaplain, Solomon Manning; treasurer, Joseph S .. Parkhurst; secretary, Eddy W. Stevens; gate-keeper, Frank E. Manning; Pomona, Mrs. Nella Stevens; Flora, Miss Hattie F. Manning; Ceres, Mrs. Angeline Campbell; lady assistant steward, Mrs. Mary A. Gove.
Officers for 1894 :
Master, William S. Manning; overseer, William H. Ryder; lecturer, Hattie F. Manning; steward, Welcome A. Dunton ; assist- ant steward, George F. Barnard ; chaplain, Solomon Manning; treas- urer, Joseph S. Parkhurst ; secretary, Eddy W. Stevens ; gate-keeper, Albert C. Hodgman; Pomona, Miss Lizzie Wilkinson ; Flora, Mrs. Mary Parkhurst; Ceres, Miss Georgia F. Way; lady assistant stew- ard, Mrs. Mary A. Gove.
Topics for discussion in 1894 : "Would Participation of Women in Public Affairs Tend to the Welfare of the Community?" " Re- solved, That the Farmers of To-day are Keeping Pace with the Rest of the World." " Resolved, That Our Farms are Better Sup- plied with Tools and Appliances than Our Kitchens." "Can the Social, Educational, or Material Interests of Bedford be Advanced ? If so, How ?"
In the afternoon and evening of January 17, 1895, Narragansett
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HISTORY OF BEDFORD.
Grange celebrated the twentieth anniversary of its organization. The afternoon session opened at 1: 30 p. m., with 155 present.
Address of welcome, William S. Manning, master; history of the grange, E. W. Stevens; song, William B. French; address, Past Master Solomon Manning; remarks, C. C. Shaw, H. O. Hadley, A. L. Flint, Joseph Kidder, Horace Townsend, Stephen Goffe, Quincy Barnard, C. P. Farley, E. W. Stevens, and Orra G. Kilton. The officers were installed by State Master Bachelder, assisted by General Deputy Alonzo Towle, as follows :
Master, William S. Manning; overseer, William H. Ryder; lecturer, Hattie F. Manning ; steward, Welcome A. Dunton ; assistant steward, George F. Barnard; chaplain, Albert L. Flint ; treasurer, Joseph S. Parkhurst; secretary, Eddy W. Stevens ; gate- keeper, Fred H. Flint; Pomona, Mrs. Nella A. Stevens; Flora, Mrs. Mary A. Parkhurst ; Ceres, Miss Mary E. Manning; lady assistant steward, Mrs. Mary A. Gove.
Supper was served at 7 o'clock, and at 8 o'clock patrons came together again for an evening session, there being 264 members present.
Programme : Address, State Master Bachelder ; original poem by a charter member, and read by Miss Hattie Manning; address, Gen- eral Deputy Towle; music, Milton George and Gerda L. Huntoon ; recitation, William H. Ryder; song, William B. French; essay, Dana K. Brown; song by the choir; remarks by several visiting patrons ; song, Walter Kittredge of Merrimack; song, A. A. Platts of Merrimack.
Officers for 1896 :
Master, William H. Ryder; overseer, Welcome A. Dunton ; lecturer, Mrs. Sarah Hull; steward, Miss Martha Barnard; assistant steward, Edmund B. Hull; chaplain, Albert L. Flint; treasurer, Thomas J. Wiggin ; secretary, Dana K. Brown; gate-keeper, Albert C. Hodgman ; Ceres, Mrs. Katherine A. Ryder; Pomona, Mrs. W. G. Currier ; Flora, Mrs. Susan K. Brown; lady assistant steward, Mrs. Angeline Campbell.
Officers for 1897 :
Master, William H. Ryder; overseer, Welcome A. Dunton ; lecturer, Sarah M. Hull; steward, John Quaid; assistant steward, Edmund B. Hull; chaplain, Quincy Barnard; treasurer, Thomas J. Wiggin; secretary, Dana K. Brown, Mary A. Gove; gate-keeper, Frank H. Barnard; Pomona, Mrs. Mary Currier ; Flora, Mrs. Susan K. Brown; Ceres, Mrs. Katherine A. Ryder.
Topics for discussion : "Should Bedford Farmers Increase Their
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SOCIETIES OF BEDFORD.
Acreage of Corn?" "To What Extent Should Agriculture be Taught in Our Public Schools ?" " What Nature Studies, if any, Should be Taught in Our Public Schools." "Postal Savings Bank and Rural Mail Delivery." "Canning Fruit." "Jellies." "Pick- les." "Vegetables for Dairy Stock." "The Raising and Marketing of Milk." "Butter Making." "New Methods in Dairy Farming." " Special Crops for Dairy Fodder." Those who took part in the discussions were : J. E. French, E. B. Hull, W. B. French, E. W. Stevens, J. F. Gove, and W. A. Dunton.
Two singing schools have been conducted under the auspices of the grange. The first instructor was Mr. Hill and the second Mr. U. Leroy George. Both gentlemen were from Manchester.
Officers for 1898 :
Master, William H. Ryder, E. W. Stevens; overseer, John A. Quaid ; lecturer, Welcome A. Dunton; steward, William Henry Darrah; assistant steward, Edmund B. Hull; chaplain, Albert L. Flint; treasurer, Thomas J. Wiggin ; secretary, Mrs. Mary A. Gove ; gate-keeper, John W. Riley; Ceres, Mrs. Katherine A. Ryder, Mrs. N. A. Stevens; Pomona, Miss Lillian Kingsley ; Flora, Miss Rosa Spencer; lady assistant steward, Mrs. Angeline Campbell.
Topics : "Frauds that the Farmer Pays For." "The Kitchen Garden and What it Should contain." "Outdoor Adornment." " How to Grow Good Potatoes." "Should our Native Birds be Protected by Law?" "What are Some of the Qualifications of a Good Housekeeper ?"
Officers for 1899:
Master, Eddy W. Stevens; overseer, John F. Gove; lecturer, George H. Wiggin; steward, John Riley; assistant steward, Will- iam S. Manning; chaplain, Miss Annie R. Morrison; treasurer, Thomas J. Wiggin ; secretary, Mrs. Mary A. Gove; gate-keeper, George H. Hardy; Ceres, Mrs. Nella A. Stevens; Pomona, Miss Lillian Kingsley ; Flora, Miss Abbie Gault ; lady assistant steward, Mrs. Georgia F. Manning.
Topics : "How Can we Improve our Worn Out Pastures ?" " What Should be the Farmer's Aim in Life?" "How May we Best Improve our Long Winter Evenings ?" "How to Make Farm Life Attractive." "Does the Mechanic Receive Better Remunera- tion for Labor than the Farmer ?" "Do we Take Sufficient Interest in the Affairs of the Town, County, and State ?"
Officers for 1900 :
Master, Eddy W. Stevens; overseer, George F. Barnard; lec- turer, Miss Hattie F. Manning ; steward, John W. Riley; assistant
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HISTORY OF BEDFORD.
steward, William S. Manning; chaplain, Albert L. Flint; treasurer' Thomas J. Wiggin; secretary, Mrs. Mary A. Gove; gate-keeper' George H. Hardy; Ceres, Mrs. Nella A. Stevens ; Pomona, Miss Lillian Kingsley; Flora, Miss Abbie Gault; lady assistant steward, Mrs. Angeline Campbell.
Topics : "Labor Saving Inventions." "Trans-Siberian Railroad." "Among what Class of People can be Found the Most Successful Grumblers in the Country? Why?" "Are the Holidays Detri- mental to Farm Work?" "What is the Greatest Need of the Grange at the Present Time ?"
Officers for 1901 :
Master, Edmund B. Hull; overseer, Julius H. Putnam; lecturer, George H. Wiggin; steward, Ernest A. Jenkins; assistant steward, Frank H. Barnard ; chaplain, William M. Flanders; treasurer, Thomas J. Wiggin ; secretary, Miss Evelyn A. Stevens; gate- keeper, Arthur N. Hodgman; Ceres, Mrs. Sarah M. Hull; Pomona, Mrs. Susie M. Putnam; Flora, Mrs. Ella M. Tinker; lady assistant steward, Miss Nellie T. Shepard.
Topics : " Resolved, That Farming is More Profitable than Thirty Years Ago." "Agricultural College." " Resolved, That our Country Towns Offer Better Inducements than our Cities for our Young People." "What Legislation, State or National, is Needed for the Improvement of the Highways ?"
Officers for 1902 :
Master, Edmund B. Hull; overseer, Julius H. Putnam ; lecturer, Mrs. Minnie S Melendy; steward, John A. Quaid; assistant stew- ard, Frank H. Barnard; chaplain, William M. Flanders; treasurer, Thomas J. Wiggin ; secretary, Miss Evelyn A. Stevens ; gate-keeper, Lewis Gault; Ceres, Mrs. Sarah M. Hull; Pomona, Mrs. Grace A. Quaid ; Flora, Mrs Clara E. Conner; lady assistant steward, Miss Nellie T. Shepard.
Topics : "What is Education ?" "Why is Education Necessary to Success ?" " Resolved, That a Man shall Obey the Laws of his Country if he Believes them to be Morally Wrong." "The Raising and Selling of Milk." "Resolved, That an Electric Road would be of Benefit to the Town." "What are the Advantages or Dis- advantages of our Rural Mail Delivery ?" "Small Fruits." "How to Produce Hay."
DEATHS.
1877. James T. Kendall, May 20.
1880. Elijah C. Cotton, June 30.
.
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SOCIETIES OF BEDFORD.
1881. William Flint, April 15. Henry T. Barnard, October 16.
1883. Paul T. Campbell, January 30. John Ferguson, May 24. Mary A. Parker, May 8.
1884. Solon C. Gilmore, March 31. Samuel E. Morrison, June 15. Nina A. Straw, November 14.
1885. Margaret Townsend, July 13. Annie H. Farley, September 20.
1886. Alice M. Stevens, August 28. Samuel Seavey, September 28.
1887. Annie H. Smith, January. Eliza J. Stevens, July 14. Past Master Willard C. Parker, July 23. Lizzie Farley, wife of Past Master Farley, August 9.
1889. Nathaniel B. Hull, April 18.
Della J. Shepard, April 18.
1890. Kate J. Wiggin, January.
Almira B. Ward, January.
1891. Simon Jenness, January 18. Past Master George H. Wiggin, October 26.
1893. Sarah E. Parker, November 28.
1894. Myra L. Robinson, March 23.
1895. Helen M. Barnard, November 22.
1897. Grace N. Farley, April.
1899. Edith L. Shepard, March 12. Mary A. Parkhurst, July 1.
1900. Silas A. Riddle, March 16. Cornelia B. Flint, July 8.
Timothy Stevens, August 24.
Stephen Goffe, September 7.
Freeman R. French, December 13.
1901. Annie Wiggin, April 2. Hannah Flint, February 2.
LAFAYETTE LODGE OF MASONS, No. 41.
Previous to 1824 citizens of Bedford were holding conferences with a view of forming a lodge of Masons nearer home than those which then existed at Amherst, Concord, Dunstable, and Goffstown. A general meeting was held at the house of Thomas Rundlett on March 4, 1824, at which a petition for the granting a charter for Lafayette lodge was framed, and Robert Dunlap was nominated to be master, Thomas Rundlett to be senior warden, and John Moor to be junior warden. The petition was granted by the grand lodge, and these were the charter members : Josiah Gordon, Joseph Colley,
568
HISTORY OF BEDFORD.
Jonathan Dowse, John Martin, Diocletian Melvin, James Darrah, Jr., William McDoel Ferson, William P. Riddle, Jesse Richardson, Otis Batchelder, John Moor, James McKeen Wilkins, Joseph E. A. Long, James Harvell, Robert Dunlap, Thomas Dunlap, Samuel Chesman, John Goffe, Adam Gilmore, Lewis F. Haines, John Lang- ley, Adam Smith, Jr., and Thomas Harris of Bedford, William Wal- lace, and Thomas Pollard, Jr., of Goffstown, and Mace Moulton of Amherst.
The organization was completed by the election of Joseph Colley, treasurer, and James McKeen Wilkins, secretary, and the appoint- ment of William McDoel Ferson, senior deacon, William Wallace, junior deacon, James Darrah, Jr., and William P. Riddle, stewards, and Otis Batchelder, tyler.
A hall over the store of Gen. William P. Riddle was fitted up for a lodge room, and formally dedicated on September 1, when the lodge was formally chartered. The address was delivered in the meeting-house by Rev. Joseph E. A. Long. The last meeting of the lodge was held in Bedford, June 4, 1845; its home was then moved to Manchester, to the Dunlap block, where the first meeting was held August 13. The masters, with their years of service, dur- ing its stay in Bedford, were : Robert Dunlap, 1824, '25, '33, '44,. '45; John Moor, 1826; Joseph Colley, 1827, '35; Diocletian Mel- vin, 1828; Otis Batchelder, 1829; Thomas G. Peckham, 1830, '31 Thomas Rundlett, 1832; John Wells, 1834; William McDoel Fer- son, 1836, '37, '38; Jonathan Dowse, 1839, '40, '41, '42, '43.
GOLDEN CROSS. COMMANDERY.
Thomas Savage Commandery, No. 192, United Order of the Golden Cross, was instituted in Bedford, April 25, 1882, and has had a prosperous existence. It should be said that more attention has been paid to the benevolent and business features of the order than to its social possibilities. Its regular, stated meetings are held quarterly, special meetings being called if business demands at other times. The largest number of members at any time has been forty- five, and the present number is forty. It was named for a much honored pastor, long at the head of the Presbyterian church in town.
There were twenty charter members, as follows :
William McAfee, Orline M. McAfee,
W. Clinton Parker,
S. Lizzie Parker,
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SOCIETIES OF BEDFORD.
Stephen Goffe,
Annie S. Goffe,
Henry L. Peaslee,
Elizabeth J. Cotton,
George W. Flint,
Fannie M. Flint,
Charles P. Farley,
Lizzie A. Farley,
Solon C. Gilmore,
Mary E. Gilmore,
Newton I. Peaslee,
Mary L. Peaslee,
George L. Walch,
Frank H. Rowe, M. D.
Frances A. Pressey,
Fred Cotton.
The following were the first officers: Past noble commander, Charles P. Farley ; noble commander, W. Clinton Parker ; prelate, Henry L. Peaslee ; herald, Fred Cotton; noble keeper of records, Annie S. Goffe; financial keeper of records, George W. Flint; treasurer, Orline M. McAfee ; warden inner gate, Mary L. Peaslee ; warden outer gate, Newton I. Peaslee ; medical examiner, Frank H. Rowe, M. D.
The noble commanders have been: W. Clinton Parker, F. H. Rowe, Charles P. Farley, Henry L. Peaslee, John F. Gove, G. Allen Putnam, George L. Walch, William S. Manning, and Mary A. Gove. C. P. Farley has held the position at various times for nineteen terms, and Henry L. Peaslee, for ten terms. Ella D. Walch has served as noble keeper of records for twenty-one terms, and Annie S. Goffe and Sarah H. Smith for nine terms each.
Sarah L. Barnard has held the position of treasurer for twenty terms, Orline M. McAfee for thirteen terms, and Mary L. Peaslee, for seven terms.
George F. Barnard has been the financial keeper of records twenty terms, Newton I. Peaslee nine terms, and H. L. Peaslee eight terms. The above four offices are occupied by officers who constitute the business force of the order.
The amount of insurance carried by members at the present time is $47,500; the number of deaths has been eight, and the total amount of benefits paid to families of deceased members has been $9,000.
Library.
There was a circulating library in Bedford as early as May 28, 1789. The date of the foundation of the Peterborough library, which is usually stated to have been the first public library formed in the state, is December 21, 1799.
At a meeting held at the dwelling house of Isaac Riddel, Inn- holder in Bedford, by a Number of Subscribers for the purpose of erecting a Library to be kept in sd Bedford held according to the appointment of sd subscribers on Thursday, the 28th day of May 1789.
1st Voted Zechariah Chandler Esqr Moderator to regulate sd meeting
2ly Voted that David Patten serve as Clerk untill another is chosen in his stead.
gly Voted that this meeting stands adjourned untill the first Mon- day in July next to meet at the said Isaac Riddels, at one o'clock in the afternoon and that the Clerk set up Three Notifications for said meeting one at Squire Chandlers one at Capt Doles & one at Isaac Riddels all in sd Bedford
July 6th 1789 Met according to adjournment-Voted That Jno Orr Zechariah Chandler Esqrs & David Patten be a Committee to form Regulations for said Library.
(From an old manuscript in the possession of John A. Riddle.)
The books were all covered with leather, and were kept at the house of Deacon John Houston, afterwards in Riddle's store. Some of the books comprised in it are still in use in town in a good state of preservation. The list of original subscribers and the catalogue and book of records of the proprietors were preserved among the effects of the late Samuel Chandler. ` His granddaughter, Mrs. Eugene Hale, removed them with other property of her grandfather to her home in Ellsworth, Me. Fire destroyed her residence there, so a complete account of the early library of Bedford is lacking. It appears, however, that most of the older and more important fami- lies in town were included among the subscribers, and that quite a
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LIBRARY.
large and well selected lot of books were in use through the town from an early date, until about 1848.
Town-meeting day, in November of that year, the proprietors sold at auction on the town house steps, what remained of the books. The library was incorporated as appears from the following act.1
About 1872 another subscription library was started in town by George W. Goffe. Persons interested subscribed money and con- tributed books to form a free circulating library. A case for the books was purchased (Clinton H. Bixby made it) and placed in the vestry. There were about one hundred and fifty volumes at one time. The first librarian was Silas A. Riddle. The books were in considerable demand and the library was well patronized.
The whole subject of town libraries and town appropriations for their support began to be agitated throughout the state about 1890. By the terms of an act passed in 1892, a town library became possi- ble in Bedford, the provisions of the Public Statutes giving state encouragement to such an enterprise having been adopted at the annual town-meeting. Rev. A. D: Smith, John A. Riddle, and George M. Davis, M. D., were chosen the first board of trustees. One of the first acts of the board was to circulate a paper among the subscribers of the old library transferring their interest in it to the town. Their consent having been secured, 137 volumes were thus obtained as a nucleus for a free public library. Later there were added from other sources a few more volumes. In December,
1 An act for incorporating certain persons by the name of the Proprietors of the Social Library in Bedford.
That William McAfee, Adam Smith, John Bevins, James Moor, William Moor, Stephen Dole, David Stevens, John Houston, Patrick McLaughlin, Joseph Bell, John Patten, Samuel Chandler, Josiah Gorden, Roger Vose, Stephen French, Isaac Rid- dle, Thomas Wallace, Hugh Riddle, John Aiken, Phineas Aiken, John Craig, William Riddle, Samuel Gilcrest, David Patten, John Orr, Robert Dunlap, Theodore A. Goffe, Elisha Lincoln, Jr., Aaron Gage, Joseph Nicols, Joseph Moor, Asa Barns, George Orr, Josiah Caldwell, Thomas Chandler, John Houston, Joseph Houston and Benja- min Sprake, proprietors of said Library and all such as may hereafter become pro- prietors of the same, be and they are hereby incorporated into a body politic by the name of the Proprietors of the Social Library in Bedford, with continuation and suc- cession forever, with all the powers and privileges incident to corporation of a like nature and may enjoin penalties of disfranchisement or fine not exceeding four dol- lars for each offence and make purchases and receive subscriptions, grants and do- nations of personal estate, not exceeding the sum of one thousand dollars.
And be it further enacted that the said Society be, and they are hereby authorized to assemble at Bedford, aforesaid, on the last Tuesday in February, annually, to choose all such officers as may be found necessary for the orderly conducting the affairs of said corporation who shall continue in office until others are chosen in their room, and that said corporation may assemble as often as may be found neces- sary for filling up any vacancies which may happen in said office and for transact- ing all other business, excepting the raising of money, which shall always be done at their annual meeting and at no other time, at which annual meeting they shall vote all necessary sums for defraying the annual expense of said library and for enlarging the same and shall make such rules and by-laws for the government of said corporation as may by them be found necessary, provided the same be not re- pugnant to the constitution and laws of this State.
John Orr and Adam Smith were authorized to call the first meeting. This act was approved June 16, 1802, by J. T. Gilman, Governor.
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HISTORY OF BEDFORD.
105 new volumes under the conditions of the law were received, and some of the ladies of the town did the work of preparing them for distribution. The library was first opened to the public February 16, 1893, with Jasper P. George, librarian. He continued to act efficiently in that capacity until 1898, when he removed from town. He was succeeded temporarily by Mrs. Milton P. George, his son's wife, and later the same year by Mrs. Charles P. Woodbury, who is still in charge.
During the nearly ten years of the library's history, the number of volumes in its possession has steadily increased from 242 at the time of its opening to about 1,200 volumes. While the larger num- ber have been through purchase, the town making an annual volun- tary appropriation for the purpose, there have been many volumes acquired by donation from public-spirited citizens and friends of the town. The books have been stored in a small room in the ves- try, made suitable and fitted for library purposes in 1895.
1
Slavery in Bedford.
There is abundance of indisputable evidence that there were slaves in Bedford, and that they were held there as property for many years. Some of the earliest settlers had such property, and the cen- sus of 1767, made for the province, reports under the caption of slaves in Bedford, six males and three females ; that of 1775, under the head of " Negroes and Slaves for Life," 10. What proportion of these were slaves for life and what for a shorter term does not appear.
There is to be found among some old papers relating to the town, the following interesting document, which reads :
"Boston, Nov. 11, 1740. Received of Mr. Zechariah Chand- ler 110 pounds in full for a negro boy, sold and delivered him for my master, John Jones.
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