History of Cheshire and Sullivan counties, New Hampshire, Part 104

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton)
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: Philadelphia : J. W. Lewis
Number of Pages: 1200

USA > New Hampshire > Sullivan County > History of Cheshire and Sullivan counties, New Hampshire > Part 104
USA > New Hampshire > Cheshire County > History of Cheshire and Sullivan counties, New Hampshire > Part 104

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valuable accessions, in order to prevent the tear- ing asunder of what she already possessed.

The Assembly of Vermont determined to receive the forty-three towns into her jurisdiction, and report was made as follows :

" That this assembly is willing to receive the in- habitants of the New Hampshire grants, cast of Con- neetieut River and west of the Mason line, into union with this state, if we can agree on terms that shall be safe for the State and beneficial to the whole."

A minority of the delegates to the convention at Charlestown, among whom were Oliver Ashley and Matthias Stone, the delegates from Claremont, protested against the action of the convention as follows : 1

" IN CONVENTION AT CHARLESTOWN, Jan. 18, 1781. " We, the subscribers, delegates from the several towns to which our names are affixed, wishing for and endeavoring to form a union of the New Hamp- shire grants on both sides of Connecticut River, and contented that they be annexed to New Hampshire or be a separate State, as Congress may judge proper ; but thinking ourselves not authorized by our constit- uents to unite with the said grants, in the method re- solved by the said convention, and being of opinion that their proceedings have a tendency to weaken the reins of government-to retard the exertions of those who are engaged to oppose the public enemy-to in- troduce irregularity and disorder in the county of Cheshire, and not conducive to the end proposcd ; think it our duty to protest against the proceedings of said convention."

The other delegates, besides Messrs. Ashley and Stone, of Claremont, who signed this protest, were those from Winchester, Walpole, Charlestown, Richmond, Keene, Alstead and Newport.

About this time a petition was presented to the Vermont Assembly, by inhabitants living to the west of Vermont, for a like union with that State of the territory lying to the east of Hudson River. In this the petitioners prayed for protection against their enemies in Canada. It was the evident de- sign of the Assembly of Vermont to form a large

1 Copied from "Provincial and State Papers of New | Hampshire," vol. x., p. 393.

CLAREMONT.

and powerful State out of their own territory, all the territory situated east of Connecticut River, north of Massachusetts and south of latitude forty- five, and all the territory north of the line of Mas- sachusetts, and extending to Hudson River.

Vermont having asked for admission to the Union, Congress did not look favorably upon her request while her controversies with New Hamp- . shire and New York were unsettled, and, accord- ingly, on the 7th of August, 1781, passed the fol- lowing :

" Resolved, That a committee of five be appointed to confer with such person or persons as may be ap- pointed by the people residing on the New Hampshire grants, on the west side of the Connecticut River, or by their representative body, respecting their claim to be an independent State; and on what terms it may be proper to admit them into the Federal Union of these States, in case the United States, in Congress assembled, shall determine to recognize their inde- pendence, and thereof make report.

" Resolved, That in case Congress shall recognize the independence of the said people of Vermont, they will consider all the lands belonging to New IIamp- shire and New York, respectively, without the limits of Vermont, aforesaid, as coming within the mutual guarantee of territory contained in the articles of confederation ; and that the United States will, ac- cordingly, guarantee such lands, and the jurisdiction over the same, against any claims or eneroachments from the inhabitants of Vermont, aforesaid."

The committee chosen under the foregoing reso- lutions were Mr. Boudinot, of New Jersey; Mr. Vandyke, of Delaware; Mr. Carroll, of Maryland; Mr. Montgomery, of Pennsylvania ; and Mr. Ran- dolph, of Virginia. Mr. Madison was on the com- mittee who had drafted the resolutions.

About the middle of August, Messrs. Jonas Fay and Ira Allen, representing Vermont west of the Connecticut River, and Bazaleel Woodbury, of Dresden (Hanover), representing the towns of the eastern union, who, on the 22d of June, immedi- ately after the formation of the western union, had been appointed agents to apply to Congress for the admission of Vermont into the Federal union, ar- rived in Philadelphia to gain their first knowl-

edge there of what had been going on. The con- ference took place on the 18th of August, and, after a hearing upon and consideration of the sub- ject, the committee recommended to the adoption by Congress of the following :

" Resolved, That it be an indispensable preliminary to the recognition of the independence of the people inhabiting the territory called Vermont, and their ad- mission into the Federal Union ; that they explicitly relinquish all demands of lands or jurisdiction on the east side of the west bank of Connecticut River, and on the west side of a line beginning at northwest cor- ner of the State of Massachusetts; thence running twenty miles east of Hudson river, so far as the river runs northeasterly in its general course ; thence by the west bounds of the townships granted by the late Government of New Hampshire to the river running from South Bay to Lake Champlain; thence along the said river to Lake Champlain; thence along the waters of Lake Champlain to latitude 45 degrees north, excepting a neck of land between Massiskoy bay and the waters of Lake Champlain."

This resolution was adopted by Congress, twelve States, being all except New York, voted for the adoption of the resolution.

The Legislature assembled at Charlestown in October and in committee of the whole for the consideration of the Congressional resolutions, the subject was discussed for three days, when the fol- lowing resolution was adopted :

" Resolved, That this committee recommend to the Legislature of this State to remain firm in the princi- ples on which the State of Vermont first assumed government; and to hold the articles of union which connect each part of the State with the other invio- late."

They then affirmed for the information of Con- gress that they would not submit the question of their independence to the arbitrament of any power whatever; but that they were willing, at present, to refer the question of their jurisdictional bound- ary to commissioners mutually chosen ; and when the State should be admitted into the American Union they would submit any such disputes to Congress. They elected nine commissioners on

HISTORY OF SULLIVAN COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.

their part to meet with similar commissioners from New Hampshire and New York.

A long and, at times, bitter controversy fol- lowed, with but little prospect of a settlement of the difficulties. Finally, Governor Chittenden wrote a long and confidential letter, dated Decem- ber 14, 1781, to General Washington, giving a full history of the troubles and the causes of them. On January 1, 1782, General Washington replied at length, which had the effect to bring about a full and final settlement, and the admission of Ver- mont into the Federal Union, substantially on the basis of the resolution of Congress above quoted.

The following is copied verbatim from " Provincial and State Papers of New Hampshire," vol. x. page 483.

PETITION OF SUNDRY INHABITANTS OF CLARE- MONT, PRAYING FOR SPEEDY RELIEF FROM DIF- FICULTIES OF VERMONT INTERFERENCE.

" To the Honorable General Assembly or Committee of Safety for the State of New Hampshire :

" We, the Inhabitants, as individuals, of the Town of Claremont Laboring under great difficulties on ae- count of the pretended claim of Vermont, & not being able to Hold Town meetings under New Hamp- shire, we Humbly Request Directions how to proceed, as we are threatened in person & property, by their taxes and Laws, which we utterly refuse to submit too, they carry so high a hand that we must have speedy relief or must submit to their jurisdiction which will be very grievous to your petitioners and therefore we Humbly pray for a speedy answer. We are short in words & particulars as being sensible you are in some measure knowing to our circum- stances, & we your petitioners in Duty Bound shall ever pray.

" ('laremont, Jan'y 14, 1782.

" Elihu Everts

Josiah Stevens

Henry Stevens

Elihu Stevens

Roswell Stevens T. Sterne

Jesse Matthews

Reuben Petty Josiah Rich Thomas Jones

John Peckens Joseph Ives

Wm. Strobridge Bartlitt Hinds

Gideon Lewis John West."

David Rich

The Vermont Legislature met at Bennington, and on the 11th of February, 1782, the business relating to the east and west union was brought up for consideration, and Governor Chittenden laid before the House the letter of General Washington and other papers relating to the subject. On the 19th the Governor and Council and House of Rep- resentatives met in committee of the whole to take into consideration the resolution of Congress of the 20th of August and other matters relating to the union controversy.

While in committee of the whole a motion was made-" That the sense of the committee be taken upon the following question, viz .: Whether Con- gress, in their resolutions of the 7th and 21st of August last, in guaranteeing to the respective States of New York and New Hampshire all ter- ritory without certain limits therein expressed, has not eventually determined the boundaries of this State ? "

Which question, being put, was carried in the affirmative. The committee of the whole reported its doings to the House, which report, being read, was accepted and adopted, when on motion it was then resolved, " That this House do judge the Ar- tieles of Union completely dissolved.

" And thereupon it was Resolved, That the west bank of the Connecticut River, and a line beginning at the northwest corner of the Massachusetts State from thence northward twenty miles east of Hudson's River, as specified in the Resolutions of August last shall be considered as the east and west boundaries of this State ; and that this Assembly do hereby relin- quish all claims and demand to and right of jurisdic- tion in and over any and every district of territory without said boundary lines ; and that authenticated copies of this Resolution be forthwith officially trans- mitted to Congress and the States of New Hampshire and New York respectively."

Thus by the act of the Vermont Assembly the unions east and west were dissolved, under circum- stances and in such a manner as to preclude the prospect of their being again renewed.

There were some in Claremont who were chagrined at the turn matters had taken in Ver-

CLAREMONT.

mont, and the Tories were ever ready to play upon any emergency which gave the least indication of discord and disunion among the Whigs. Four different times in 1782-the first March 12th, and the last July 1st,-did the people meet before the business usually transacted at the annual meeting in March was fully accomplished. The last meet- ing was held in "ye barn of Msrs. Thomas and Timothy Dustin in said town after being legally warned." Elihu Stevens, Esq., was chosen mod- erator. Here it was " Voted to look into ye state of ye treasury."

In 1784, by the treaty of peace with Great Britain, the Tories were allowed the privilege of returning to this country to collect their debts and dispose of their property. This was a favor valua- ble to many in Claremont, who had left in the be- ginning of the war and had kept themselves aloof or out of public view during its continuance. John Brooks, before spoken of, returned early this year, for the purpose above named. But he found no friends among his former acquaintances. In- sults and ridicule were heaped upon him whenever he went abroad. Disappointed, humbled and, it may be, vexed at this reception, he disposed of his effects and quickly left town.

At the annual town-meeting this year Captain Benjamin Sumner was chosen to represent the town in General Assembly to be held at Concord, on the first Wednesday in June following. At a town-meeting held August 9, 1784, it was voted to appoint a committee " to treat with Captain Oliver Ashley to know of him whether he has fulfilled the demands of the State upon him for soldiers, and likewise to desire him to make out the pay- roll for the sudden alarm to guard the Frontier in the late war."

At a town-meeting held in December, 1785, it was voted to " give the Rev. Augustine Hibbard a dismission from his church, and recommendation as a gospel minister." Also that " all his estate, both real and personal that he now possesses be freed from all taxes during his residence in Clare- mont."

town during this year, but there was no stated preaching until the following year, when Rev. John Peckins was ordained. The formation of this new religious society increased the bitterness of feeling against the ministerial tax system. The members of the new society firmly but calmly re- fused to conform to this requirement of the law, pleading that they were of a different denomina- tion. It was therefore deemed advisable to strike them from the grand list, and a vote was passed at a town-meeting " that those people that call them- selves Baptists pay no more rates to the Congrega- tional order for the fewter."

At a town-meeting held in August, 1780, it was voted that "we lay our claims for our private ex- penditures in the late war on special claims in- cluding our Vermont services." The town also voted that the "State make a bank of paper cur- rency." A committee of five was also chosen to give instructions to Sanford Kingsbury, Esq., the Representative to the General Court, " how and in what manner s'd money shall be made to answer the public best and also in what manner s'd money shall be drawn out of the treasury to answer the most valuable purposes." These steps were in accordance with a plan proposed by the "General Court Committee for emitting a paper currency." It would seem that there was not per- fect unanimity in regard to this plan, for on the 21st day of November a town-meeting was held in which the question was again tried and settled in favor of the plan, eighteen voting for and five against it. At this period the general govern- ment, as well as the States, was deeply involved in debt. " Silver and gold, which had been exten- sively circulated during the last years of the war, were now returning by the usual course of trade to those countries whence large quantities of nec- essary and unnecessary commodities had been im- ported."

The country was entirely drained of specie, and Congress then possessing no power to lay imposts, there was no check to this universal flow from the public treasury. To remedy existing evils, taxa-

The Baptist Society was first formed in this | tions upon polls and estates were resorted to, and

HISTORY OF SULLIVAN COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.

thus almost insupportable burdens were thrown upon the husbandman and the laborer.

Hence arose a clamor throughout the State for the establishment of a paper currency. In every town was a party in favor of this measure. It was insisted that through this method life would be imparted to commerce and encouragement to agriculture, that the poor would thereby be pro- vided with means for the payment of their debts and taxes, and finally that it would work as an effectual check to the operations of speculators and monopolists.

In conformity with a resolution of the New Hampshire Legislature, passed March 3, 1786, calling upon " the seleetmen of the several towns, districts and parishes in this State" "to make a return of all the inhabitants within this State, on or before the second Wednesday of June next, viz. : the whole number of white and other free citizens ; inhabitants of every age, sex and condi- tion, including those bound to servitude for a term of years ; and also in a separate column, or class all other persons not comprehended in the foregoing description, except Indians not paying taxes." The following was the return from Claremont :

" Males 487

Females 427

Slaves

Not inhabitants-transient persons now residing in said town.

Males

Females 25

Total. 965"

sion. The plan did not meet with public appro- bation, a majority of the people having voted against it. The uneasiness grew to disturbance and riot, even so far that a band of men, armed with swords and muskets, attempted to intimidate the Legisla- ture during its session at Exeter. A few of the ringleaders were seized, the mob dispersed, and the people gradually settled down with the conclusion that industry in developing the resources of the country would soon afford adequate relief from present embarrassments and insure prosperity and permanent wealth.

In 1787 the difficulties respecting the location of the Congregational meeting house were still unsettled. The town voted this year to hold public worship in the school-house that stands a few rods south of Atkins' Bridge. This is now, and for many years has been, known as the Upper Bridge.

About this time Josiah Stevens, father of Josiah, Alvah and Paran Stevens, commenced trade in a little shed or temporary out-building, near where the Keyes house, now owned by Henry C. Noyes, stands. Young Stevens came to town with his father, Elihu Stevens, Esq., in 1775. Ile com- meneed business with a very small stock of such goods as he thought would be most needed by the settlers, and increased his stock from time to time to meet the requirements of his customers. The bringing of the first hogshead of molasses and chest of tea into town was the occasion of wonder and excitement throughout the neighborhood, and some of the more prudent settlers, as tradition has it, declared that " it was a piece of foolish extrava- gance that would certainly come to no good." But the new merchant still kept on meeting with a moderate degree of success. In a few years, the his small store building across Sugar River on the ice, and located it near the Atkins Bridge, on the site now occupied by George N. Farwell's large brick block. Mr. Stevens built up a large busi- ness, and in many ways contributed to the growth and prosperity of the town, and for many years was the leading merchant of this vicinity.

To still the clamor and ascertain the real sense of the people upon this subject, the General As- sembly, in session at Exeter, September 13, 1786, " tide of business having shifted, Mr. Stevens moved formed a plan for the emission of fifty thousand pounds, to be loaned at four per cent. on land se- curities, and this to be a tender in payment of taxes, and for the fees and salaries of public offi- cers. The plan was sent to the several towns, and the people were requested to give their opinions in town-meeting for and against it, and to make re- turn of the votes to the Assembly at its next ses-

This year the town voted to raise " 80 pounds for

CLAREMONT.

the repair of highways, and to allow 3 shillings per diem to able-bodied men, 18 pence per diem for a yoke of oxen, 8 pence for a plow, and 8 pence for a cart."

Sanford Kingsbury was a prominent citizen of Claremont, and in 1789 was a member of the Ex- ecutive Council, of the State Senate in 1790 and 1791, and of the convention to revise the Consti- tution in 1791 and 1792.

From the " Town Papers of New Hampshire" we copy the following petition for the incorporation of the Episcopal Society, verbatim :

"To the honorable the Senate and House of Rep- resentatives in General Court convened Humbly shew

" Benjamin Sumner & Ebenezer Rice-Members of the Protestant Episcopal Church in Claremont in the County of Cheshire that said Church has laboured under many and great inconveniences for want of an incorporation, they therefore pray your honors to in- corporate said society by law and make them a body politic capable of receiving and holding property both real and personal and to have & enjoy all the privi- leges and immunities belonging to a corporate body, and as in duty bound will ever pray

" Claremont December 26th, 1793. " BENJ. SUMNER, in behalf of

" EBENEZER RICE, the Church."

" STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE.

" In the House of Representatives Jany 21 1794.

" Upon reading and considering the foregoing peti- tion & the report of a Committee thereon, Voted that the prayer thereof be granted and that the Petitioners have leave to bring in a Bill accordingly.

"Sent up for Concurrence.

" NATHL. PEABODY, Speaker.

" In Senate the same Day Read and Concurred. " NATHL. PARKER, Depy. Secy."

In 1790 a complete census of the State was made by towns, and the following is the return from Claremont, as appears by the "Town Papers of New Hampshire:"

" Males above 16 years of age. 348

Males under 16 years of age. 391

Females 692

Other free persons. 2

Slaves

Total 1435"

In 1783 the whole number of ratable polls in Claremont was 163. In 1885 the whole number of voters on the check-list in town was 1250.

The steady but gradual growth of the town will be seen from the census of population each decade since 1775, when it was 523. In 1790, it was 1435; in 1800, 1889; in 1810, 2,094; in 1820, 2,290 ; in 1830, 2,526 ; in 1840, 3,217; in 1850, 3,606 ; in 1860, 4,026 ; in 1870, 4,053; in 1880, 4,704.

WATER-POWER AND MANUFACTURES.

One of the great advantages and sources of wealth of Claremont is its superior water-power, derived mainly from Sugar River. This river is the outlet of Sunapee Lake, which is nine and a half miles long and from half a mile to two and a half miles wide, and is eight hundred and twenty feet above Connecticut River, into which it empties in the town of Claremont. Sugar River is about eighteen miles long from its source to its mouth. It passes through the towns of Sunapee, Newport and Claremont. It is fed by what is called South Branch, which has its source in Lempster, Unity and Goshen; the North Branch, coming from Springfield, Grantham and Croydon, both of which it receives in the town of Newport after passing the village of that town ; and other smaller streams along its course. But the river is chiefly supplied with water from Sunapee Lake, especially in dry times. The Sunapee Dam Company was incorpor- ated by the New Hampshire Legislature, Decem- ber 4, 1820. This company is composed of mill- owners in Claremont, Newport and Sunapee, who derive their motive-power from Sugar River. Among the rights granted by the Legislature was the right " to sink the outlet of Sunapee Lake at the source of Sugar River to the depth of ten feet below the low-water mark of said Lake, and to erect and maintain a dam there, with suitable gates and flumes, to the height of said low-water mark, for the benefit of the mills and mill privileges."

For many years Sugar River has furnished the power for a very large number of mills, represent- ing very many different industries in the towns through which it runs, and, at the present time, is

HISTORY OF SULLIVAN COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.

the principal source of their wealth. Upon this water-power they depend for their future growth and prosperity. As above stated, the fall of this river is eight hundred and twenty feet. In the town of Claremont it falls three hundred feet or more, and there are thirteen excellent mill privi- leges on these falls. Upon many of these privileges are mills upon both sides of the river, thus afford- ing opportunity to utilize the whole power. It is estimated that each foot of fall is capable of turn- ing one thousand spindles. There is a fall of two hundred and twenty-three feet in these thirteen privileges. The Sunapee Dam Company was duly organized immediately after the charter was granted, and suitable dam and other appliances were erected for the purpose of holding the water of Sunapee Lake in reserve for use at times of low water in the river, by mills along its course. This corporation has been kept up and the dam and other appliances erected have been maintained and improved from time to time. Whenever the lands about the lake have been flowed, or other damage accrued from the erection of this dam, those in- jured have been compensated by the company, and in not a few instances the right to flow has been purchased. Without this great natural res- ervoir and the right to use it, granted by the Leg- islature, neither Claremont, Newport or Sunapee could have reached their present condition of wealth and consequent importance.

Although this company has the right to draw the lake down ten feet below low-water mark, it has never been drawn to anything like that extent. The capital stock in mill property in Claremont is $685,000. The annual product from the different mills and manufacturing establishments is $1,256,- 000. The number of hands employed-males, females and children-is 912, and the annual pay- rolls amount to $275,000. Since 1820, when the Sunapee Dam Company was incorporated, the manufacturing business of Claremont, dependent upon water-power, with a few pauses and lapses, has gradually, but steadily, grown to its present proportions. The first real, earnest start in man ufacturing business did not occur until 1832.

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History of Cheshire and Sullivan counties, New Hampshire, Part 104

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) Publication date: 1886 Publisher: Philadelphia : J. W. Lewis Number of Pages: 1200

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton)
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: Philadelphia : J. W. Lewis
Number of Pages: 1200