USA > New Hampshire > Sullivan County > Charlestown > History of Charlestown, New-Hampshire, the old No. 4 > Part 65
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A. C. Bemis enlisted Oct. 12th, 1861, in Co. G., vol; wounded slightly, June 23d, 1864; discharged for disability, no date.
Joseph Brisland, enlisted, Dec. 10th, 1863, for three years; transferred from Co. G., to ninth N. H. vol., June 1st, 1865; promoted to corporal, July Ist, 1865; mustered out, July 17th, 1865.
James Dolon, jr., enlisted in Co. G., Oct. 12th, 1861; discharged for dis- ability at Coneord, N. H., July 25th, 1862.
George H. Hackett, enlisted in Co. G., Oet. 12th, 1861; enlisted 5th N. H. Vol. Wounded at Gettysberg, died of wounds at Fort Schuyler, N. Y., Nov. 12th, 1863.
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Webster Nash, enlisted Co. G., Oct. 12th, 1861; instantly killed at Fair Oaks, Va., June 1st, 1862.
William Blake Robertson, enlisted Co. G., Oet. 12th. 1861, discharged Mar. 25th, 1862; died of consumption at Charlestown, N. II., Sept. 17th, 1871.
Otis Thompson, enlisted Co. G., under Capt. Long; was instantly killed at Gettysburg, July 2nd, 1863.
William Woods enlisted in Co. G., Feb. 19th, 1864; promoted Sergeant : killed at Petersburg, Va., June 17th, 1864.
Daniel Pierce, enlisted in Co. G., Oct. 12th, 1861; discharged for dis- ability, Jan.8th, 1863.
George A. Wheeler enlisted in Co. G., Oct. 12th, 1861; wounded Dec. 13th, 1862; died of wounds Dec. 16th, 1862.
Lewis Holden, enlisted in Co. G., March, 1862, for three years; was dis- charged soon after the 7 days retreat. He then enlisted in 8th Conn. Vol. for three years; served two, was one of the first to enter Richmond. After being discharged, he enlisted in the U. S. Infantry; served three years on Texas Frontier. He was promoted to Sergeant and discharged as such at Fort Ringold, 1868.
James C. Parrish enlisted in Co. H., 5 Reg., Oct. 19, 1851-reënlisted Jan. 1st. 1864.
MEMBERS OF SIXTH N. H. INFANTRY.
William Milliken, enlisted in Co. F., Nov. 28, 1861-discharged for disa- bility Nov. 3d, 1862.
William Burns enlisted Jan. 4th, 1864, in Co. II .- mustered out July . 17th, 1865.
John Conley enlisted Feb. 9th, 1864, transferred from Co. E. to Eleventh N. H., June 1st, 1865-absent sick, July 17th, 1865.
MEMBERS OF SEVENTH N. H. INFANTRY.
The Seventh N. H. was in the terrible charge at Fort Wagner.
William Coffrin, veteran, enlisted in Co. K .. Seventh N. HI., Feb. 29th, 1864 ; promoted to Corporal, Dec. 9th, 1864; promoted to Sergeant, May 3d, 1865; mnstered out, July 20th, 1865.
Henry G. Webber, enlisted Ang. 26th. 1862; promoted to Adjutant; died at Cincinnati, Ohio, Apr. 12th, 1873.
MEMBERS OF NINTH N. H. INFANTRY.
George R. Peasley, enlisted in Co. G., Sept. 18th, 1862; wounded June 21st, 1864.
John R. Peasley enlisted Ang. 13th, 1862; transferred to vetran reserve corps, July 1st, 1863.
Charles N. Goodwin, enlisted in Co. G., Aug 13th, 1862; 3 years volunteer; promoted to Corporal ; wounded June 25th. 1864; absent and sick afterwards.
Horace G. Kendall, enlisted in Co. G., Aug. 13th, 1862; 3 years Vol., wounded May 12th, 1864; d. of wounds at Washington, D. C., June 5th, 1864; interred in National Cemetery, Arlington, Va.
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HISTORICAL MISCELLANY.
Frederic Royce, enlisted in Co. G., June 13th, 1862; 3 years Vol; mus- tered out, June 10th, 1845.
Willianı H. Royce, enlisted in Co. G., June 13th, 1862, 3 years Vol., pro- moted to Corporal; wounded May 12th, 1864; also wounded, July 30th, 1864; d. of wounds at Fort Schuyler, N. Y., Aug. 17th, 1864.
Michael Torpy, enlisted in Co. G., Aug. 13th, 1862, 3 years; mustered out, June 10th, 1865.
George W. Gibson, recruit and volunteer, enlisted in Co. G., Dec. 10tlı, 1863; captured at Poplar Grove Church, Va., Sept. 30th, 1864; paroled Oct. 7th, 1864; mustered out, May 22nd, 1865.
George T. Ward, enlisted in Co. G., Aug. 14th, 1862.
Napoleon B. Osgood enlisted Ang. 19, 1862, for three years-mustered out June 6th, 1865.
FOURTEENTH N. H. INFANTRY.
The Fourteenthi was the last of the three years regiments raised in New- Hampshire on call of President Lincoln, for five hundred thousand men which followed the reverses of the Virginia campaign of 1862. It was com- posed of intelligent and patriotic volunteers who appreciated the value of the nation, and did not shrink from the great conflict which was going on for its preservation. They first did good service at Washington for a year and a half. They were then ordered to the army of the Gulf and were at New Orleans; from there they were ordered to the Shenandoah Valley and participated under Sheridan in its conflicts. Their last service was at Sa- vanah and in that region in the final scenes of the war. The history of this regiment cannot be given here, but I will say that its record is most hon- orable to the state and the companies that composed it.
Jolin Ashey enlisted Jan. 4th, 1864, in Co. I., for three years-mustered ont July 8th, 1865.
Lewis Ashey enlisted Jan. 5th, 1864, in Co. G., for three years-mustered out July 8th, 1865.
The following were in Co. B.
Emanuel D. J. Bailey, enlisted May 12th, 1864, 3 years volunteer-must- ered out July 8th, 1865.
Henry E. Barrett, enlisted Sept. 22nd, 1862; promoted to Ist Sergeant Sept. 24th, 1862; to 2nd Lieutenant, Apr. 4th, 1863; honorably discharged March 22nd, 1864.
Frederick B. Andrews, enlisted Sept. 22, 1862. Was instantly killed in battle near Winchester, Va., Sept. 19th, 1864. He fills an unknown grave.
Warren Abbott enlisted Sept. 22nd, 1862; mustered out July 8th, 1865.
Norman L. Adams enlisted Sept. 22, 1862; promoted to Corporal Apr. 14th, 1864; mustered ont July 8th, 1865.
John Loren Adams, enlisted Dec. 22nd, 1863; recruit-three years volun - teer; mustered out July 8th, 1865.
James Bowman, enlisted Dec. 23d, 1863; wounded Sept. 19th, 1864; died of wounds at Winchester, Va., Nov. 4th, 1864.
William J. Bosworth, enlisted Sept. 22nd, 1862; died in Hospital of dis- ease, at Washington, D. C., Jan, 19th, 1864.
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HISTORICAL MISCELLANY.
Patrick O'Brien, enlisted Sept. 22nd, 1862; mustered out July 8th, 1565. John F. Cooley, enlisted Sept. 22nd 1862; mustered out July 8th. 1865.
John Casey, D. or S., Dec. 22nd, 1863, for three years ; mustered out JJune 6th, 1865.
Charles N. Corbin, Dec. 22nd, 1863-drafted for three years-mustered out, July 8th, 1865.
Oliver Mitchell enlisted Dec. 29th, 1863, for three years-wounded Sept. 19th, 1864; discharged for disbility at Manchester, N. H., May 8th, 1865.
Richard B. Cornwell, enlisted Sept. 22nd, 1862-wounded Sept. 19th, 1864-mustered out, July 8th, 1865.
James W. Corbin, enlisted Sept. 22nd, 1862-transfered to Co. A., Nov. 1862-mustered out July 8th, 1865.
Chauncy L. Corbin, Musician, enlisted Sept. 22nd, 1862-honorably dis- charged at Concord, N. H., Jan. 19th, 1861, for disability.
Henry Easter, enlisted Sept. 22nd, 1862-mustered out, July 8th, 1865.
Hiram Green, enlisted Sept. 22nd, 1862-mustered out, July 8th, 1865.
Jolin Hassam, enlisted Oct. 9th, 1862-died of disease at Washington, D. C., July 31st, 1863.
Charles E. Holbrook, enlisted Oct. 9th, 1862-2nd Lieutenant, promoted to 1st Lieutenant, April 4th. 1863-honorably discharged April 23.1. 1864.
John King, enlisted Sept. 22nd, 1862-mustered out, July 8th, 1865.
John Kelly, enlisted Sept. 22nd, 1862-mustered out, July 8th, 1865.
Charles H. Knapp, enlisted Jan. 4th, 1864-three years volunteer, mus- tered out, July 8th, 1865.
George R. Knapp, enlisted Sept. 22nd, 1862-promoted to Corporal, Feb. 1st, 1865-mustered out, July 8th, 1865.
Patrick Mc Kean, enlisted Sept 22nd, 1862-mustered out, July 8th, 1865.
Willard Lawrence, enlisted Sept. 22nd, 1862, wounded, Sept. 19th, 1864- died of wounds, at Winchester, Va., Sept. 26th, 1864.
Van Buren Leland, enlisted Sept. 22nd, 1862-promoted to Corporal, Dec. 9th, 1864, mustered out, July 8th, 1865.
George H. Lynds, enlisted Jan. 12th, 1864-three years volunteer-mus- tered out, July 8th, 1865.
Charles H. Melville, enlisted Oct. 7th, 1862-mustered out, July 8th, 1865. Michael Mc Mahon, enlisted Sept. 22nd, 1862-mustered out, July 8th, 1865. William Mc Mahon, enlisted Oct. 2nd, 1862-mustered out July 8th, 1865.
Harlan P. Marshall, enlisted Sept. 22nd, 1862-promoted to Corporal, June 1st, 1865-mustered out, July 8th, 1865.
George W. Parks, enlisted Sept. 22nd, 1862-mustered out, July 8th, 1865.
Fred S. Parks, enlisted Sept. 22nd, 1862-mustered out, JJuly 8th, 1865.
Orson D. Putnam, enlisted Sept. 22nd, 1862-died of disease at Natchez, Miss., July 22nd, 1864.
Levi G. Richardson, enlisted Sept. 22nd, 1862-died of disease in New York City, Oct. 22nd, 1864.
Lucius Rumrill, enlisted Sept. 22nd, 1862-mustered out, July 8th. 1865. Stephen A. Spooner, enlisted Sept. 22nd, 1862-promoted to Corporal
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HISTORICAL MISCELLANY.
May 1st, 1863-honorably discharged at Concord, N. H., Jan. 16th, 1865, for disability.
Thomas O'Sullivan, enlisted Sept. 22nd, 1862-honorably discharged at Concord, N. II., July 7th, 1864, for disability.
Erastus Smith, enlisted Sept. 22nd, 1862-wounded slightly Sept. 19th, 1864-mnstered out, July, 8th, 1865.
George A. White, enlisted Sept. 22nd, 1862-mustered out, July 8th, 1865. Albert H. Tyrell, enlisted Sept. 22nd, 1862-promoted to Sergeant, May 1st, 1863-wounded, Sept. 19th, 1864-mustered out, July 8th, 1865.
Charles H. Wright, enlisted Sept. 22nd, 1862-wounded; Sept. 19th, 1864, mnstered out, May 24th, 1865.
Charles Smith, enlisted Dec. 22nd, 1863-three years volunteer mustered out, July 8th, 1865.
FIRST REGIMENT N. H. VOLUNTEER HEAVY ARTILLERY.
Sylvester A. Hamlin, first Sergeant enlisted Sept. 7th, 1864, for one year, wounded at Fair Oaks, mustered out, June 15th, 1865.
William S. Gibson, was two years in Massachusetts Second Regiment, and two years in First Connecticut.
Nelson A. Rich, enlisted July 10th, 1861, in a Vermont Regiment, dis- charged Sept. 16th, 1864-reenlisted Feb. 7th, 1865-discharged Feb. 6th, 1866, was in the Army of the Potomac.
Nelson A. Rich, b. in Mendon, Vt., March 11th, 1844; m. Sept. 8th, 1869, Fannie A. Mc Grath, of Charlestown, b. March 5th, 1846.
The quota of soldiers for Charlestown in the war of the Rebellion was 138, which were all furnished. Those whose names are not found in the above list never had a residence in town. It is possible however that the names of a few who were residents here may have been overlooked and consequently omitted. See Edmund H. Cushing, page 321.
PHYSICIANS.
The number of persons who practised medicine and surgery, in the ear- ly settlements on the Connecticut River was very limited. In Hadley the inhabitants had no physicians for more than twenty years, after the settle- ment. Thomas Hastings then commenced practice under license as it is supposed of the General Court. IIe was both physician and surgeon, and it appears that his field which consisted of the towns of Hadley, Northamp- ton, Hatfield, Deerfield, and which was sometimes extended to Springfield, Suffield, Westfield, Enfield and Brookfield, was very considerably more extensive than his practice. This is evident from the fact, that he found time in addition to his professional duties, to be teacher of the town school. Hle was succeeded by his son, of the same name, who also entered into the labors of his father, as the instructor of the children and youth of the place-and we do not find that the business of the son was interfered with by the advent of any competitor. He was a man of great intelligence, as his father had been before him-John a younger brother of Dr. Thomas Hastings, Jr., resided in Hatfield for a time whence in 1735, he removed up the Connecticut River to Fort Duminer, and became, on the settlement
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HISTORICAL MISCELLANY.
of No. 4, one of its early inhabitants, and the earliest physician and sur- geon of the township, and also one of its most distinguished and useful citizens.
For an account of Dr. David Taylor, (see page 578.)
For an account of Dr. William Page, (see page 148.)
Dr. Oliver Hastings, studied under Dr. William Page of Charlestown, and subsequently under Dr. Frink of Rutland Mass., and Dr. Blake of Montreal. On completing his profession he entered into partnership with Dr. Page, and secured very soon an extensive practice which was only relinquished when his health and strength would allow him to attend to it no longer. (See page 393.)
Dr. Thomas Bliss, came to Charlestown in 1797, and continued in town till 1805. He is supposed to have been a native of Springfield, Mass. On leaving Charlestown, he settled down permanently in his profession in Long Meadow, Mass.
The family record of Dr. Joseph Roby, has been given. Ile came from East Sudbury, Mass. Ile engaged on coming to town for a time, with Mr. Ephraim Curtis, who was his brother-in-law in mercantile business, but finally commenced the practice of medicine, in which he was quite success- ful for a number of years. His appetite at length got the mastery of him and he became addicted to intemperate habits, which unfitted him for the duties of a medical practitioner and he died Aug. 24th, 1818, at the age of forty-nine.
For an account of Dr. Edmund Pelouze. (See page 506.)
Dr. John P. Batchelder, was in town from 1809 to 1821. Ile was b. in Amherst, N. H., in 1784, or about that year. He studied his profession with Dr. Matthias Spaulding, and took his medical degree at Harvard University. He obtained a good reputation both as a physician and sur- geon. He was appointed professor of Anatomy and surgery at Castleton, on the establishment of the Medical School there. On the establishment of the Berkshire Medical School in Massachusetts, the same position was of- fered him and accepted. This caused him to remove with his family from Charlestown to Pittsfield which he did in 1824. Ile held his profes- sorship in Pittsfield, three or four years during which time he was in part- nership with Dr. Child, when he removed to Utien, N. Y.
Dr. Batchelder had a taste for literature and before coming to Charles- town, had belonged to a literary society in Amherst, of which Charles II. Atherton, William Claggett, William Gordon and John Farmer, were members. He m. April, 1815, Lucy Dickinson, (dan. of Elihu and Belin- da (Graves) Dickinson) b. Oct. 27th, 1792, and lived in the house built by his father-in-law, now owned by Silas T. Jacobs. By his marriage he had one son, John, who became a physician and settled in the city of New York.
A sketch of Dr. Putnam Barron, has already been given for which see page 282.
Dr. Jacob Adams, was born in Windsor, Vt. Studied with Dr. Trask a physician of Windsor, and received his degree from the Medical School at Hanover-He came to Charlestown in 1822, and removed to Utica, N. Y. in 1824. (See page 305.)
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HISTORICAL MISCELLANY.
Dr. John Duncan studied with Dr. Hastings, and was intended by him as his successor. He attended lectures first at Castleton, afterwards at Bowdoin College, receiving from the latter institution, the degree of M. D. He commenced practice in 1822. He married Caroline Hastings, (see page 396) and died of consumption, Oct. 30, 1825, aged 39. When he found he was in a decline he went South for his disease, but received no benefit. He was a native of Scotland, and possessed fine talents.
For an account of Dr. Webber, see page 594.
Dr. Horace Saunders succeeded Dr. Barron, at North Charlestown, (see page 544.)
Dr. Pliny Safford, settled in town in 1818, but after remaining two years removed to Westminster, Vt.
Dr. Alexander Campbell, came to Charlestown from Rockingham, Vt., where he had long been in practice in 1825, and returned to Rockingham, again in 1830, where he died in the course of a few years.
Dr. Hiram Hoyt, came to Charlestown, from Meredith, N. H., where he had been a short time in practice. He was a native of St. Johnsbury, Vt., and a graduate of the Dartmouth Medical School. He came to town in 1828, and removed to Syracuse, N. Y., in 1832.
Dr. John W. Furbur, was in Charlestown, in 1835 and 1836. He had practised a short time previously in Weathersfield. He was a native of Dublin, N. H.,-studied in Quechee, Vt., and attended some lectures at Ilanover. He removed from Charlestown to Quechee, and from there to Bridgewater.
Dr. S. E. Hale, opened an office in town in 1841, and remained a year, when he removed to Arlington, Vt. He studied with Dr. Kimball, of Lowell, Mass.
Dr. Otis Russell Freeman, came to Charlestown, in 1813, and removed to Springfield, Vt., in 1846. He was son of Dea. Jonathan Freeman, 2nd, of Ilanover, N. HI. He married Abigail Willard Alden, only daughter and child, of Dr. Samuel Alden, of Hanover.
Dr. David H. Marden, came to Charlestown, in 1846, and left in 1850. . He was a native of New Boston, and studied his profession with Dr. James Danforth, of that place. He attended some lectures at Dartmouth. He removed to Landgrove, Vt.
Dr. Daniel Pierce, came to C., in 1860-removed to Hollis, N. H., in 1863, which place he soon after left.
Dr. James Monroe Whitaker, was in practice in town between eight and nine years. He graduated at Dartmouth College, in 1861-received the degree of M. D., in 1864-was appointed surgeon in the army, and subse- quently practised in the Asylum, at Concord. He left Charlestown to ac- cept of the appointment of Superintending Physician, of the Massachusetts State Alms House, at Tewksbury, Mass., in May, 1874. Ile held the posi- tion only a year, when he resigned. He left for California, in Nov. 1875, and at the last accounts had opened an office, at Los Angelos.
Dr. David Comstock Moore. (See page 483.)
Dr. N. Grout Brooks son of Dr. Lyman Brooks for many years a distin-
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HISTORICAL MISCELLANY.
guished Physician in Acworth, read medicine with his father, studied at Dartmouth Medical College-graduated Albany Medical College, in 1861; appointed Surgeon in the Sixteenth Regiment of Vermont volunteers. After the discharge of the Regiment, appointed Assistant Surgeon in U. S. Gen- eral Hospital at Brattleboro, Vt. Ile afterwards practised in Acworth, till May, 1874, at which time he removed to Charlestown where he has an ex- tensive practice.
There have been a number of other physicians in Charlestown, but their stay has been only for a few months. Of these were Dr. Frink, Dr. Leech, Dr. Pollard and Dr Hall. A Dr. Chandler, an apothecary, was here also a short time, six or seven years ago.
CLERGYMEN BORN IN CHARLESTOWN.
Rev. Joseph Labaree, Cong., Rev. Benjamin Labaree, never installed, Cong., Rev. Seth Farnsworth, Cong., Rev. John Robertson, Episcopal.
LAWYERS WHO HAVE PRACTISED IN CHARLESTOWN.
Simeon Olcott, Benjamin West, Joseph Dennie, a short time, Frederick A. Sumner, John C. Chamberlain, Samuel West, a short time, Samuel Hunt, jr., a short time, William Briggs, Henry Hubbard, George Olcott, John James Gilchrist, Edmund L. Cushing, Henry Hubbard, jr., Alfred T. Batchelder, firm of Colby and Batchelder, since May 1st, 1874.
COLLEGE GRADUATES.
John Hunt, (son of Colonel Samuel and Esther (Strong) Hunt) II. U., 1789, (see Hunt).
John Dickinson, (son of Elihu and Belinda (Graves) Dickinson) D. C., 1797, settled as a lawyer in Nashville, Tennesee.
Horace Hall, (son of Oliver and Hannah (Terry) Hall) D. C., 1798, (see Hall).
Solon Stevens, (son of Samuel and Talitha (Bingham) Stevens) D. C., 1798, (see Stevens).
Theophilus Olcott, (son of Rev. Bulkley and Martha (Pomroy) Olcott) D. C., 1800.
Henry Hubbard, (son of Hon. John and Prudence (Stevens) Hubbard) D. C., 1803, (see Hubbard).
George Olcott, jr., (son of Hon. Simcon and Tryphena (Terry) Olcott) Y. C., 1805.
Joseph Labaree, (son of Peter, jr., and Sarah (Kennedy) Labaree) M. C., Vt., 1811.
Seth Farnsworth, (son of Levi and Olive (Hayden) Farnsworth) D. C., 1822, (see Farnsworth).
Ralph Metcalf, (son of John and Roby (Converse) Metcalf) D. C., 1823, (see Metcalf).
John Chamberlain, (son of Hon. John C. and Nancy (Hubbard) Cham- berlain) D. C., 1823.
Frederic A. Sumner, jr., (son of Frederic and Mrs. Abigail (Stone) Sumner) D. C., 1823.
John J. Gilchrist, (son of Capt James and Susanna (Wyman) Gilchrist) H. University, 1828 (see Gilchrist).
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HISTORICAL MISCELLANY.
Benjamin Labaree, (son of Benjamin and Hannah (Farwell) Labaree) D. C., 1828, (see Labaree page 467.)
William Chaplain Willard, son of (Roswell and Elizabeth (Taylor) Will- ard) D. C., 1831.
Kaled E. Sumner, (son of Frederic A., and Mrs. Abigail (Stone) Sumner) D. C., 1833.
Henry Hubbard, jr., (son of Hon. Henry and Sally Walker (Dean) Hub- bard) H. U., 1837.
Nathaniel Dean Hubbard (son of Hon. Henry and Sally (Walker) Dean Hubbard) H. U., 1840.
Edward Gilchrist, (son of Capt. James and Susanna (Wyman) Gilchrist) H. U., (not by regular course) 1840.
Edmund H. Cushing, (son of Hon. Edmund L., and Laura (Lovell) Cush- ing) H. U., 1859.
George D. Holton. (son of David, jr., and Emeline (Browne) Holton) D. C., 1873.
Henry P. Saunderson. (son of Rev. Henry H., and Elizabeth (Cummings) Saunderson) D. C., 1873.
THE OLD JAIL.
The state having been divided into counties, in 1771, and Charlestown made one of the shire towns of Cheshire, a Jail was required which was erected previous to the holding of the first court in 1772. Elijah King was appointed Jailor. This building was set on fire and consumed (Samuel Stevens' Journal.) Dec. 25th, 1773, and Mr. King lost nearly all his furni- ture and valuables. This was Saturday, and on the following Monday, the people had nearly all the timber upon the spot for building another, and the following Saturday they turned out and hewed it. During the Revolu- tionary times, this jail was a very necessary institution. Many tories and persons suspected of Toryism, were put into it and confined till such time as it was deemed safe to set them again at liberty. Mr. King who was suspected of entertaining too favorable an opinion of the royal cause was brought before the committee of Safety, in June 1777, for saying "That he looked upon the country as engaged in a wrong cause, and that if he must take up arms it would be on the other side," and was required by them to give bonds to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, in the sum of £ 500, that he would be of good behavior towards the subjects of the United States, and of New-Hampshire in particular; and that he would not go more than a half mile from the house of his residence, until the 1st of the following January, or further order of the committee of Safety, or General Court, or leave obtained of the committee of the town, and in case he refused to give such bonds he was to be restrained of his liberty, and placed in close confinement. Prentice Willard of Winchester, at the same time was placed in the same condemnation ; and Samuel Smith, Simon Baxter, Elijah Willard, Abner Sanger, and some others, for more decided and offensive expressions of their views, were sentenced to be closely con- fined in jail .*
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HISTORICAL MISCELLANY.
During the Vermont controversy this jail became noted all over New- Hampshire, owing to the imprisonment of certain persons belonging to New-Hampshire, by the Vermont authorities which brought on a conflict between the two States, of which Charlestown was the central point of in- terest, which at one time threatened to result in a civil war (see Vermont Controversy in this work). During this period of excitement Isaac H. Ely was jailor. I ought to have stated that previous to the surrender of Burgoyne, this jail was burned a second time. On its being rebuilt after this, the court room was connected with the building and continued to be so till 1802, when a new Court House was erected on what is now called Summer street, which all the present inhabitants will remember as the old town hall, and which occupied the site of the present town hall. The old Court House in the jail had quite a spacious audience room, but of its par- ticular dimensions I have no information. It was in this that Judge Ol- cott presided and Benjamin West displayed his rare and almost unequalled eloquence, and in this public meetings of various kinds were called and held.
In this jail was confined, in 1811, George Ryan for high way robbery. (See page 302.) Also James Mc Donald, the most noted counterfeiter and accomplished scoundrel of his day, was confined here for a time. It was destroyed on the morning of the Ist of April, 1842, under the following cir- cumstances.
John Hicks, a noted burglar and thief, for robbing a peddler's cart in Marlow, N. H., and some other misdeeds, had been arrested and placed in the jail. Having once attempted to escape without successt and wearying of his confinement, he determined at length to set the building on fire, and try what chances of escape the circumstances of its conflagration might afford. This determination he put in execution on the morning of the first of April, 1842, which resulted, not only in the burning of the jail, but of numerous other buildings, great and small, in the vicinity. The fire was set about one o'clock in the morning, and, when the alarm was first given, had made very little progress. Hicks supposed that the first thing the jailor, Capt. Challis, would do, would be to release the prisoners; and, as he would probably do this before many people had collected, he should stand a chance to escape; but in this he miscalculated, for the first thing Challis did was to go to work to remove his furniture and valuables, think- ing it would do no harm for the prisoners to warm awhile in the fire they
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