History of Carroll County, New Hampshire, Part 90

Author: Merrill, Georgia Drew
Publication date: 1889
Publisher: Boston : W.A. Fergusson & Co.
Number of Pages: 1124

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719

TOWN OF TAMWORTH.

CHAPTER LXIII.

Town Annals from 1777 - Action of Town in Civil War - Soldiers in Organizations outside the State - Civil List and Later Annals.

T OWN ANNALS. - From the extremely full records of the town a most satisfactory history is gleaned, and we abstract from them the most important of the actions taken, in many instances preserving the language of the recorder and the quaint wording of the olden times.

Application being made to Daniel Beede, Esq., June 16, 1777, he notified the freeholders and inhabitants of Tamworth to meet at the dwelling-house of Mr Ephraim Hackett on the second day of July, 1777, for the purpose of choosing necessary town officers.

First Town Meeting, July 2, 1777. Mr Ephraim Hackett was chosen moderator, Timothy Medar, clerk ; John Fowler, Bradbury Jewell, William Eastman, selectmen ; Victorious Smith, Timothy Medar, assessors ; Ephraim Hackett, Hezekiah Hacket, Thomas Danforth, surveyors of highways : James Head, Mark Jewell, Stephen Webster, field drivers; Samuel Chase, Ezekiel Moulton, hog-reeves ; Ephraim Hacket, sealer of weights and measures ; Ezekiel Moulton, Mark Jewel, tithingmen. July 17 the first meeting was held for the transaction of business other than election of officers; a committee was chosen to affix prices of articles of produce at which they should be received for taxes, payment of labor, etc., as was sanctioned by an act of legis- lature; arrangements to lay out highways were made; the selectmen authorized to get the powder and lead for the town stock; and voted £20 lawful money to be laid out on the highway at +s. per day. Returns of promi- nent highways were made this year.

1778. January 24. Pursuant to notification a meeting was held

" Ist. To agree on a proper place to build a Bridge over Bear Camp river at the Easterly part of the town, or to choose a committee for that purpose, and to take such measures to build said Bridge as shall then and there thought proper; also to if the Town will build a Bridge over said River at the West end of the town. To see if the Town will settle Mr Joshua Nickerson as Minister of said Town, or to agree with him any other way that may then and there be thought most proper. To see if the Town will petition the Proprietors of Tamworth to see what they will give towards the support of the Gospel in said Town." A committee was chosen " to affix on proper places to build Bridges over Bear Camp River and compleat the building said Bridges," and a committee was chosen "to consult Colo Jon" Moulton and pitch on sum sutable place " for said bridges, and "to petition him for his assistance in the same, and if most agreeable to him to have the Bridge built under the Inspection of the Town. The said Committee are also Impowered to receive any Donation he may make and lay it out on the Bridge, and are required to make return of their application to Colo Moulton at the adjournment of this meeting the second Tuesday in March." " The

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HISTORY OF CARROLL COUNTY.

question was put whether they would settle Mr Joshua Nickerson as Minister of the Gospel in said Town which being put to Vote passed Unanimously in the Negative. The question was put whether the Town would agree with Mr Joshua Nickerson which being put to Vote passed in the Negative."

At the annual meeting, March 10, "The question was put whether the Town would give Mr Joshua Nickerson his Rates which being put to Vote passed in the Negative." Voted to raise ten pounds L. M. for the use of the town for the ensuing year.

1779. March 9, at the house of Mr William Eastman, voted to lay out a highway from Bear eamp river to the east part of the town. This was the era of depreciation in continental money ; so we read that it was voted to raise £ 225 to make and repair highways, labor at thirty-six shillings per day. This year an arrangement was made with the proprietors whereby the town " pitched on " the one-hundred-acre lot numbered three in the second range of hundred-aere lots in part for the "first settled Minister's" right, and a committee was chosen to "pitch on" one hundred acres in part of the school right, and make return thereof to the proprietors' clerk.

1780. The fourth article was "To see if the Town will pass an act that all ox sleds in Town shall be made of some certain fixed width for the benefit of having good wide paths in winter," and it was voted that "all ox sleds used in Town by the Inhabitants shall be made four feet and a half wide." The proprietors have evidently favorably considered the petition for aid in obtaining preaching, for it was voted to receive the money given by the proprietors for hiring preaching the ensuing year, and a committee. or rather "agent," appointed to obtain it. May 27. The sum for highways is so small this year that at a special meeting held this date it was voted "that a single Head shall work two days and all others in proportion ; Labor at thirty dollars a day." July 6. The town voted to hire the three men called for as soldiers in the Continental army, and David Folsom, Oliver Fowler, and Captain Stephen Mason chosen to join with the selectmen in arranging this and assessing all taxes which may be laid for hiring soldiers, and to receive from the inhabitants an account of all the service they have done in the war, etc.

1781. February 19. Another soldier is called for, and Captain Mason is authorized to obtain one for three years' service. March 13. William Eastman is voted 253 bushels of corn for his service as constable. Also to raise £100 for the use of the town and . £18 on a single poll for highway purposes ; all other estates in proportion, labor at £9 a day. The selectmen are directed to petition the General Court to commission Colonel David Gilman a justice of the peace. July 19. Voted to raise one man to serve three months in the militia now ealled for; to raise two men to serve in the "Continental Batalions for six months if they cannot be obtained for three years or during the war," and that Obadiah Dudey be called upon to answer

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TOWN OF TAMWORTH.

or pay for one of said men, etc. December 25, voted that the town will not give Richard Jackman any more for his son's service in the army than has been agreed upon.

1782. As Ensign Allen Hacket has by written agreement bound himself to serve eight months in the Continental army or send a good serviceable man in his stead, the town relinquishes its claim on Charles Hackett as a soldier. Bounties to soldiers had been advanced by various individuals, and as some claimed compensation from the town it was voted "that in case any money should be received from or allowed by the state for the bounties advanced," when received it should be allowed or restored to those who had advanced it. Obadiah Dudey is to be released from being a Continental soldier on paying twenty dollars to the town. One more soldier is called for. Voted unanimously to continue the present form of state government; to build two schoolhouses the ensuing year; to build three bridges across Bear Camp river, and to lay out a road to the middle bridge.

1784. Thirty-one votes for Meshech Weare for president of the state.

1785. Road from Lieutenant Israel Gilman's to Sandwich line laid out.

1786. Voted to build a pound on William Eastman's land : to raise £15 to hire preaching ; £20 " for the use of schooling; " that David Clongh shall not have any help from the town till he gives the selectmen orders to draw what is due for his service in the army. November 25. Voted that the money voted to hire preaching be taken to pay for finishing the bridges lately built and to finish the two schoolhouses and any other necessary use that may be wanting.

1788. The selectmen are directed to pay Joshua Nickerson a note given by the town to William Kimball for service in the war. Selectmen authorized to petition the General Court for authority to tax non-residents. Marks for cattle, sheep, and swine are scattered along with the other records. William Cheever's is "a top cut off the left ear."

1789. Captain Israel Gilman is given twenty bushels of corn for his service as constable. Voted that the money for preaching be paid in produce, and to raise £20 for that purpose. David Gilman, Samuel Gilman, and Stephen Mason, Esquires, chosen a committee to have the publie rights set off.

1790. At the annual meeting "The question was then put wheather the Town would receive Mr William Vittum and his Family as Inhabitants of Tamworth and to enjoy all Town priviledges with them which question being put to vote passed in the affirmative." This year, in pursuance of a warrant issued by the judge of probate, Ebenezer Smith, David Copp, and Nathan Hoit, committee appointed for the purpose, set off lots two, seven. and eight in the third range of 100-acre lots, and lots five and six in the fourth range for glebe lots; also, lots one in the third range, one in the fourth range, one, three,

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HISTORY OF CARROLL COUNTY.

and four in the second range, for the right of the first settled minister ; also, lot ten and south half of nine in the first range, ninety-two, ninety-three, ninety-four, ninety-five, ninety-six, and ninety-seven, fifty-acre lots south side Bear camp river. for school right. Their return was accepted by Joseph Badger, judge of probate of Strafford county, February 17.

1791. Voted that any person should have the liberty of paying all taxes. except the hard money tax, in corn at 3s., rye at 4s., and wheat at 6s. In selling the school lands. payments were to be made in the same articles and at the same prices, the land being sold at 6s. per acre. Voted not to send a delegate to the convention for revising the constitution.

1792. Voted that "the selectmen shall make a tax in money for to pay any debt or to do any business in town that cannot be done without." After arranging for the settlement of Mr Hidden (May 7), the town voted to give up all the right it had in the land granted to the first settled minister " unto Mr Samuel Hidden to be his own property as soon as he is ordained here." Also that his salary should be continued no longer than he is the minister of the town. Nine votes were cast for and twenty-six against the proposed state constitution. As the town has a minister seeured, the next thing is a meeting- house. October 8 the town voted "to set one on the north side of the highway between Captain George Dodge and the proposed site of Mr Hidden's house." This vote was later reconsidered, and one passed "to set it on the first convenant nole West of the hollar on the Road between Capt Dodge & Mr William Eastman's," and Saml Gilman, Esqr, David Gilman, Esqr, and Capt Israel Gilman were chosen to build the meeting-house.

1793. Voted to build the meeting-house " two story high;" " that one Barrel of Rum shall be procured for the fraimeing and Raiseing the Meeting House - also two kentals of Salt fish." Common laborers are to be paid 3s. per day on the meeting-house, and carpenters 4s., they " finding themselves." March 18 the pews were sold at prices ranging from £3 to £10. The site for the meeting-house is an absorbing question. Many meetings are held before the matter is adjusted. In the warning of a special town-meeting to meet at Captain Dodge's barn, May 25, the principal article read : -

" To see if the town will agree to move the Meeting House from where the timber now lays and agrees upon some other spot to set it, and in case the Town after agreeing to move the House cannot agree to set it. then to chuse a Committee of indiferent men from some of the neighboring towns to pitch on a place to set said House or to act upon the above in any other way or manner may be thought best when met."

Record of Meeting. - Voted Samuel Gilman moderator after some votes were put and negatived adjourned to Mr Wm Eastman's pastue and other places where it was proposed to set the Meeting House. Voted That they will not set the Meeting House in Mr Wm East- man's Pasture Voted They will not set the Meeting House on Capt Dodges Land a few rods South of the great Rock where Mr Hidden was Ordained Voted to set the Meeting House on the first nole next to where the timber now lays towards the westerly end of the Town

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TOWN OF TAMWORTH.

Another proposal being made agreed to and Voted in the following manner Viz That two places be proposed to set the House on one on the nole next to Mr Hiddens House and the other over the hollar near Mr Eastmans Land and that all who has a mind to have the House by Mr Hidden to stand Westward and they who have a mind for the other place to stand East- ward and the House to be set on the place that the majority appears to be in faver of provided that they will agree to hall all the Timber on the spot and purchas the Land to set the House on without any cost to the other party - The voters then seperated and the most went West- ward and agreed to hall the Timber and to purchas the Land to set the House on -- Therefore it is Voted that the Meeting House shall be set on the first nole about south East from Mr Hiddens House at the corner of the Roads leading to the Ironworks & the other Road leading to the lower end of the Town in lieu of any other place before proposed or voted

This appears to have settled the site, although May 25 Israel Gilman, Jr, Daniel Field, and Stephen Philbrook enter their " desent " in vigorous language and apparently strong reasonings. August 31. Voted " That there shall be a Dinner dresst for Raiseing the Meeting House."

1794. Much of the business before the many town-meetings was concern- ing the meeting-house, now in rapid course of construction. Voted to rebuild the great bridge across Bear Camp river near James Mason's.

1798. Voted that the persons lately annexed to this town and taxed to pay the minister for 1787 shall have the same abated if they are not willing to pay it. Voted that the soldiers now called out of this town shall have their wages made up with their continental pay to eight dollars a month. Voted that the persons who are not liable to pay a minister's rate, by their being of another persuasion, shall give in their names to the selectmen or clerk in the month of April. Labor on roads is to be six cents an hour for an able-bodied man, "he finding himself tools and diet." Voted forty dollars to build a bridge over the mill brook near Mr Sanborn's gristmill, also forty dollars to build a bridge over Corway river near Henry Weed's mills. Lines between Tamworth and Sandwich and Tamworth and Ossipee perambulated.

1800. The selectmen are authorized to convey one half of the mill privi- lege on the south side of the river (where Jacob Gilman's mill now stands) to contain half an acre, to Jacob Gilman, provided Mr Eastman consents. 1804. John T. Gilman has 116 votes for governor to John Langdon 33. Roads are changed as the needs of the people demand, and minister's taxes abated with more liberality than most towns. 1806. A committee appointed for the pur- pose report a change in Parson Hidden's salary ; it to be "$201 dollars yearly in lieu of his former contract." Mr Hidden accepts of the change. Voted to raise three hundred and fifty dollars for school money ; also, to secure and plaster the roof of the meeting-house; also, "that the return for Representa- tives to Congress be sent by the male and that the clerk be cleared of any fine if said return is not delivered." 1807. "Nineteen votes cast for a revision of the Constitution and one hundred and twenty-two voted against it." Voted not to petition the General Court for a division of the county. The selectmen

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HISTORY OF CARROLL COUNTY.

instructed to petition the General Court for some of the state lands for the benefit of an academy. Voted to abate certain taxes in Israel Gilman's list " if he cannot git them ; and if he does he then is to pay them to the town." The subject of locking Saco Falls is under discussion, and Thomas Whitman is to have five dollars for going and inspecting them. 1808. Voted to sell the school lands. 1809. Captain Benjamin Gilman, Jacob Gilman, Esq., Colonel Samuel Gilman were chosen agents to meet the committee appointed by the General Court to determine on the dispute with Eaton and Burton respecting town lines and give such information as they think proper under existing circumstances.

1813. In this year a malignant plague swept through the country, causing many deaths. It was voted "that if the spotted fever which has prevailed in other towns should prevail in this town the selectmen are authorized to provide medical aid and medicine at the expense of the town." 1814. Voted to purchase fifteen guns, and the selectmen chosen to buy them. 1815. If any inhabitant of Tamworth shall kill any wolf within this town or twenty miles of it, the town agrees to pay him twenty dollars bounty. 1817. Con- stable's office bid off by Captain Simon Gilman for $2.01. Major Joseph Gilman, Isaac Proctor, Stephen Philbrick, Levi Folsom, Jr, Samuel Savage, Samuel Shaw, Ford Whitman, James Peters, Heury Remick, David Briers are chosen "heads " of school districts. 1818. This year it is voted that the money on hand belonging to the town shall be put out at interest. Ivory Butler & Co., Japheth Gilman, Francis Proctor are licensed as " taverners." 1819. That faithful and long-serving official, Timothy Medar, appears to have recently died, as a town-meeting is warned January 5 to choose a town clerk to serve until March 9. Four hundred and fifty dollars raised for school pur- poses. Voted that any person that shall presume to sell spirituous liquor on the public land around the meeting-house on public days shall be fined one dollar for each offence. 1820. The altering of one-horse sleighs so that the horse may go to the left of the sleigh is recommended by the town. 1821. Attention is paid to schools. It was voted this year that the pay for visiting schools shall not come out of the school money ; that " no school instructor shall be allowed to teach unless their certificate is signed anew or have new ones," and to raise $450 for schools. One hundred and three votes for, nine- teen against a revision of the state constitution were cast. Voted that all persons living in the vicinity of mills, stores, or meeting-houses, who let sheep, hogs, horses, or cattle go at large, shall be fined one dollar for each offence. Joseph Wiggin approbated as a "taverner." 1822. Rev. Mr Hidden, John M. Page, and Tufton Mason chosen committee to examine school-teachers ; Rev. Mr Hidden is to be the "only visiting committee of schools." 1823. Shubael Marston receives $1.04 for taking care of the meeting-house this year. Artemas Rogers, William Clark, and Thomas Bradbury approbated as

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TOWN OF TAMWORTH.

" taverners." Major Levi Folsom to retail liquor at his store. 1824. Simeon Whitman, town clerk, dies in August, and Ford Whitman is chosen. Daniel Roberts and Samuel McGaffey licensed to keep tavern. 1825. Ford Whitman, Gilman & Shaw, Uriah B. Russell, Levi Folsom, Jr, Zenas Blaisdell, David & Avery Dow are licensed as merchants ; William Hill and Thomas Bradbury as taverners. 1828. Captain Nathaniel Hubbard, treasurer. For the first time the amount raised for schools is limited to what the law requires. Voted to raise $200 for the use of town; $200 to repair the meeting-house as a town- house : to leave with the selectmen the hiring or buying a farm for the poor ; that the interest on the fund notes or the whole notes be collected. 1829. Voted Rev. Samuel Hidden have leave to preach four Sabbaths at the South meeting-house, and to pay him five dollars for taking care of the meeting-honse this year. Voted that the bridge near Captain Simon Gilman's become a town bridge; that all scholars examined by the examining committee pay all expenses of examination ; that the literary fund ($244.75) be put on interest for one year, when one half of the principal and interest is to be divided among the several districts and laid out for schooling, and the remainder to be left on interest. Jeremiah Mason and David Dow are directed to find how many deer have been killed in town the present year, and by whom killed, and to prosecute the aggressors to the extent of the law.

1830. The selectmen are authorized to purchase a town farm as soon as one can be bought at advantage. The town-meetings are frequently held at public houses, and this year mostly at the inn of Enoch Remick. 1831. Shubael Marston and Nathaniel Hubbard are chosen overseers of the poor. Voted to raise $1,000 for town expenses. Voted to raise two hundred and one dollars for minister's tax, to be assessed upon the society and those willing to pay this tax according to the former contract. 1832. Voted that Japheth Gilman have the privilege of pasturing sheep on and of mowing the burying- ground by his fencing it. 1833. The constables instructed to remove all tents where they are selling rum away from the vicinity of the meeting-house. $1,200 raised for town purposes, $450 for schools, and the selectmen are authorized to assess $201 on the Congregationalists for the support of Rev. Samuel Hidden. 1834. Seven votes cast for, one hundred thirty-two against, a revision of the constitution. 1835. Voted " that all the ardent spirits near the meeting-house be removed or destroyed by the constables, and the town to save them harmless." 1836. Voted " to receive Wentworth Lord as an inhab- itant provided he can get set off from Ossipee -said Lord is to bring with him his land, stock, etc. -- the taxes on one hundred acres of his land, his stock, and poll he is to pay to the collectors of this town, and the taxes on the remainder of the land he brings with him is to go to the support of a bridge." Lines between Tamworth and Sandwich perambulated. Voted not to divide the county on any plan, and against granting an appropriation for an insane

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HISTORY OF CARROLL COUNTY.

hospital. 1837. Isaac Hill had 122 votes for governor, Neal McGaffey 115 votes for senator, John Peavey had 115 votes for county treasurer. Nathaniel Hubbard, Timothy Cook, and Samuel Chapman appointed to receive the town's surplus money from the state, and Nathaniel Hubbard selected to get it. The subject of a better road between the village and the Iron Works is under discussion. Several routes have been proposed, committees of examination chosen, and reports made, none of them satisfactory, and at the March meeting this year Daniel Q. Bean, Nicholas W. Staples, and Mark Jewell, Jr, were chosen to explore all the routes and to lay out a road. 1838. Representative instructed to use his influence to procure the repeal of the act prohibiting the emission and circulation of bills of a small denomination. 157 votes cast in favor, and 12 against, the division of the county of Strafford into three counties. 142 against, and two in favor of revising the constitution. The selectmen are authorized to use $70 of the town's money and paint the East and South meeting houses. Voted to loan the surplus money to residents of the town. 1839. James Wilson had 159 votes for governor to John Page 132. 169 votes for, 74 against, dividing the county of Strafford into three counties. Voted to raise $1,000 for use of the town, $300 for schools, $280 for state and county tax.

1841. John Page has 141 votes for governor, Enos Stevens 114, Daniel Hoit 32. Voted "that all females who in the opinion of the selectmen shall have had just cause for divorce on the first day of April shall be considered as widows " for the purpose of distributing the surplus revenue. 1843. Voted that there be no license granted to any person in Tamworth for the sale of distilled liquors, and the selectmen authorized to prosecute any one who shall sell. 1844. Voted to license one man to sell ardent spirits and wine, and by a vote of 88 to 35 chose an agent to prosecute all violators of the license law. 164 votes cast against, and 47 for, abolishing capital punishment. 189 votes against, 11 for, alteration of the constitution. 1845. There were three town- meetings called this year to vote for congressman. At the annual meeting John P. Hale had 178 votes, John Woodbury 100, Ichabod Goodwin 96, Joseph Cilley 56. September 23, John P. Hale had 119 votes, John Woodbury 50, Ichabod Goodwin 17. November 29, John P. Hale had 164 votes, John Woodbury 59, Ichabod Goodwin 3. 1847. Voted to pay Otis Hatch five dollars for services in vaccinating : to raise $400 to build the new highway to the Iron Works. 1848. Jared W. Williams has 138 votes for governor, Nathaniel S. Berry 198. 170 votes cast against, and none in favor of, the passage of a bill by the legislature granting licenses to sell liquor otherwise than medical and mechanical purposes, and the town refuses to grant any license. The tickets for electors of President headed by Arthur Livermore had 7 votes, that by James Bell 38, Samnel Tilton 98, while Arthur Livermore and Daniel Hoit received 124 votes. 1850. Voted to raise $300 school money more than the law requires.

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History of Carroll County, New Hampshire, Part 90

Author: Merrill, Georgia Drew Publication date: 1889 Publisher: Boston : W.A. Fergusson & Co. Number of Pages: 1124

Author: Merrill, Georgia Drew
Publication date: 1889
Publisher: Boston : W.A. Fergusson & Co.
Number of Pages: 1124