USA > New Hampshire > Sullivan County > History of Cheshire and Sullivan counties, New Hampshire > Part 81
USA > New Hampshire > Cheshire County > History of Cheshire and Sullivan counties, New Hampshire > Part 81
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111 | Part 112 | Part 113 | Part 114 | Part 115 | Part 116 | Part 117 | Part 118 | Part 119 | Part 120 | Part 121 | Part 122 | Part 123 | Part 124 | Part 125 | Part 126 | Part 127 | Part 128 | Part 129 | Part 130 | Part 131 | Part 132 | Part 133 | Part 134 | Part 135 | Part 136 | Part 137 | Part 138 | Part 139 | Part 140 | Part 141 | Part 142 | Part 143 | Part 144 | Part 145 | Part 146 | Part 147 | Part 148 | Part 149 | Part 150 | Part 151 | Part 152 | Part 153 | Part 154 | Part 155
Arad Fletcher, 1877.
TOWN CLERKS,
Heber Miller, 1775, '76, '77, '78, '79, '80, 81, '82, '83. John Doolittle, 1784, '85, '86, '87, '88.
Caleb Aldrich, Jr., 1789, '90, '91, '92, '93, '94, '95, '96, '97, '98, '99, 1800, '1, '2, '3, '4, '5, '6, '7, '8, '9, '11. Daniel Brooks, 1810.
Benjamin Snow, 1812, '13, '14.
Joshua Britton, 1815 to 1816.
Theophalas Hoit, 1817.
Allen Pratt, 1818, '19, '20, '21, '22, '23, '24, '25, '26, '27.
Larkin Baker, 1828, '29, '30, '31, '32, '33, '34, '35, '36, '37, '38, '39, '40.
Charles F. Brooks, 1841, '42.
Nathan G. Babbit, 1843, '44, '45.
Anson Cole, 1846, '47, '48, '49, '51, '52, '64.
Timothy Hoskins, 1850, Alexander H. Wheeler, 1853.
Dexter Warren, 1854, '55, '56, '57, '58, '59.
Joseph Leonard, 1860, '61, '62.
Henry F. Cowdery, 1863.
Edwin J. Goodnow, 1864 to 1885.
REPRESENTATIVES.
Joseph Wilber, 1775 and 1784. Heber Miller, 1776. Ebenzer Britton, 1777 and 1778.
Joseph Burt, 1779, '80, '93, '94, '95, '96 ; 1781 voted not to send.
Isaac Chamberlain, 1782, '83.
Samuel Works, 1765, '86. Amos Babcock, 1787. Archilaus Temple, 1788, '89, '90, '91, '92 and 7. Alpheus Moore, 1798. Ezra Peirce, 1799, 1800, '01, '02.
William Britton, 1803, '13, '14, '15.
Joseph Buffum, 1804, '05, '06, '07. Job F. Brooks, 1808, '09.
Broughton White, 1810. Ephraim Brown, Jr., 1811 and 1812. Daniel Dwight, 1816 and 1817.
Simeon Cobb, 2d, 1818, '19, '21, '22, '23.
Jotham Lord, Jr., 1820, '24, '35, '36.
Larkin Baker, 1825 and 1826.
Samuel Winchester, 1827 and 1828.
Gaius Hall, 1829, '38.
Barton Skinner, 1830, '31, '32.
Timothy Hoskins, 1833, '34, '40.
Charles F. Brooks, 1837 to 1839.
Tileston A. Barker, 1842, '43, '52.
John Albee, 1844 and 1845.
Solomon Wilson, 1846, '47.
John Pierce, 1847, '48.
David Livingston, 1848 and 1849.
Abijah French, 1850 and 1851.
George W. Wheeler, 1853.
Haskell Buffum, 1854 and 1855.
Willard W. Pierce, 1856 and 1857.
Isaac K. White, 1858 and 1859.
Anson Cole, 1860 and 1861.
Jedediah Sabin, 1862, '65.
Daniel W. Patten, 1863 and 1864.
Ebenezer Britton, 1866, '67, '68.
Charles Knight, 1869 and 1870.
Otis Hutchins, 1871.
Robert L. Aldrich, 1872 and 1873.
Nelson Wilbur, 1874.
Charles N. Quimby, 1875.
John Mason, 1876.
John A. Chamberlain, 1877.
William J. Reed, 1878.
Oliver J. Butterfield, 1879.
Theodore Cole, 1881 and 1882; Biennial Sessions.
Eli R. Wellington, 1883 and 1884.
Stephen H. Burt, 1885.
SELECTMEN.
1775 .- Heber Miller, Archelaus Temple, Waitstill Scott.
1776 .- Heber Miller, Benjamin Pierce, Ebeneser Britton.
1777 .- Joseph Burt, Amos Pierce, Ephraim Stone.
1778 .- Joseph Burt, Ephraim Stone, Daniel Pierce.
1779 .- Joseph Welbore, Nathan Franklin, William Hutchins.
1780 .- Ebenezer Britton, Isaac Butterfield, Micah Read.
505
WESTMORELAND.
1781 .- Jonas Butterfield, Abner Darbey, Israel Amsbury.
1782. Abiel Eddy, Benjamin Pierce, Joseph Burt, John Doolittle and Joshua Pierce.
1783 .- Isaac Chamberlain, Ebenezer Britton, Samuel Works and Isaac Butterfield.
1784 .- John Doolittle, Azariah Leach, William Hutchins.
1785 .- George Aldrich, William Hutchins Azariah Leach.
1786 .- George Aldrich, Nathan Franklin, Nathan- iel Wilbore.
1787 .- Ezra Pierce, Samuel Cobb, Caleb Aldrich.
1788 .- Ezra Pierce, Caleb Aldrich, Jr., Jonas Rob- bins.
1789 .- Caleb Aldrich, Jr., Jonas Robbins, George Cobb.
1790 .- Caleb Aldrich, Jr., George Cobb, David Hutchins.
1791 .- Caleb Aldrich, Jr., David Hutchins, Ezra Peirce.
1792 .- Caleb Aldrich, Jr .. Ezra Pierce, Nathan Babbitt.
1793 .- Caleb Aldrich, Jr., Nathan Babbitt, William Hutchins.
1794 .- Caleb Aldrich, Jr., Ezra Pierce, Nathan Babbitt.
1795 .- Caleb Aldrich, Jr., Nathan Babbitt, Abner Darby.
1796 .- Caleb Aldrich, Jr., Joseph Buffum, Nathan Franklin.
1797 .- Joseph Buffum, William Britton, Ezra Pierce, Joseph Burt, Daniel Cobb.
1798 .- Caleb Aldrich, Jr., Nathan Babbitt, Ezra Pierce.
1799 .- Joseph Buffum, William Hutchins, William Britton.
1800 .- Joseph Buffum, William Hutchins, William Britton.
1801 .- William Britton, Nat. Fisk, George Cobb.
1802 .- William Britton, George Cobb, Nat. Fisk.
1803 .- Nat. Fisk, Broughton White, Job F. Brooks. 1804 .- Nathan Babbitt, John Wheeler, Jr,, Caleb Aldrich.
1805 .- Job F. Brooks, Nat. Fisk, Robert Britton.
1806 .- Job F. Brooks, Nat. Fisk, Robert Britton.
1807 .- Job F. Brooks, Ephraim Brown, Jr., Robert Britton.
1808 .- Ephraim Brown, Jr., William Britton, Levi Green.
1809 .- William Britton, Levi Green, Moses Dudley. 1810 .- William Britton, Levi Green, Moses Dudley.
1811 .- Joseph Buffum, Timothy Skinner, William Britton.
1812 .- William Britton, Job. F. Brooks, Aaron Works.
1813 .- Job F. Brooks, Aaron Works, Ebenezer Bailey, Jr.
1814 .- Job F. Brooks, Aaron Works, Ebenezer Bailey, Jr.
1815 .- Job F. Brooks, Ebenezer Bailey, William Arnold.
1816 .- Job F. Works, Ebenezer Bailey, William Arnold.
1817 .- Job F. Brooks, Simeon Cobb, Theophalus Hoit.
1818 .- Job F. Brooks, Theophalus Hoit, Jotham Lord, Jr.
1819 .- Theophalus Hoit, Jotham Lord, Jr., Gaius Hall.
1820 .- Theophalus Hoit, Gaius Hall, Abraham Howe.
1821 .- Theophalus Hoit, Gaius Hall, Abraham Howe.
1822 .- Job F. Brooks, Seth Hall, Jr., Aaron F. Daniels.
1823 .- Aaron F. Daniels, Jimna Walker, Ebenezer Bailey.
1824 .- Aaron F. Daniels, Jimna Walker, Ebenezer Bailey.
1825 .- Jotham Lord, Jr., Jimna Walker, William Britton.
1826-Jotham Lord, Jr., Jimna Walker, William Britton.
1827 .- Jotham Lord, Jr., Jimna Walker, William Britton.
1828 .- Nathan G. Babbitt, William Britton, Abel Gleason.
1829 .- William Britton, Abel Gleason, Samuel Winchester.
1830-Abijah French, Luna Foster, Aaron Works. 1831 .- Abijah French, Luna Foster, Aaron Works. 1832 .- Abijah French, Aaron Works, Larkin Ba- ker.
1833 .- Abijah French, Aaron Works, Larkin Ba- ker.
1834,-Abijah French, Aaron Works, Larkin Ba- ker.
1835 .- Sampson How, Austin Parker, Linus Ald- rich.
1836 .- Sampson How, Austin Parker, Linus Ald- rich.
1837 .- Abijah French, Aaron Works, Larkin Ba- ker.
1838 .- Abijah French, Aaron Works, Larkin Ba- ker. 1839 .- Abijah French, Aaron Works, Larkin Ba- ker.
506
HISTORY OF CHESHIRE COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
1840 .- Aaron Works, Larkin Baker, Gauis Hall.
1841 .- Larkin Baker, Aaron Works, Haskell Buf- fum.
1842 .- Haskell Buffum, James R. Ware, David Livingston.
1843 .- Haskell Buffum, James R. Ware, David Livingston.
1844 .- James R. Ware, Arby Barker, Augustus Noyes.
1845 .- Arby Barker, Augustus Noyes, James P. Ware.
1846 .- Charles F. Brooks, Arby Barker, Alexander H. Wheeler.
1847 .- Charles F. Brooks, Alexander H. Wheeler, John Allbee.
1848 .- Charles F. Brooks, Alexander H. Wheeler, John Allbee.
1849 .- Timothy Hoskins, Jonas Wheeler, Jr., Nel- son Wilber.
1850 .- Timothy Hoskins, Jonas Wheeler, Jr., Nel- son Wilber.
1851 .- Timothy Hoskins, Zenas Britton, Arvin Aldrich.
1852 .- Timothy Hoskins, Arvin Aldrich, Zenas Britton.
1853 .- Arvin Aldrich, Addison Ware, Prentiss Dag- gett.
1854 .- Addison Ware, Prentiss Daggett, Ezekiel Woodward.
1855 .- Addison Ware, Zenas Britton, Robert T. Aldrich.
1856 .- James R. Ware, Farly Norris, Caleb C. Dag- gett.
1857 .- David Livingston, Farly Norris, Caleb C. Daggett.
1858 .- David Livingston, Alfred Aldrich, George R. Perry.
1859 .- Alfred Aldrich, George R. Perry, Ebenezer Britton.
1860 .- Ebenezer Britton, 2d, Jedediah Sabin, John A. Chamberlain.
1861. Jedediah Sabin, John A. Chamberlain, Gaius K. Hall.
1862 .- John A. Chamberlain Gaius K. Hall, George W. Nims.
1863 .- John A. Chamberlain, Jewett E. Buffum, Artemas Knight.
1864 .- Jewett E. Buffum, Artemas Knight, Samuel D. Clark.
1865 .- Ebenezer Britton, 2d, Joseph Shelley, George R. Perry.
1866 .- Joseph Shelley, George R. Perry, Barton C. Aldrich.
1867 .- Joseph Shelley, George R. Perry, Barton C. Aldrich.
1868 .- Barton C. Aldrich, Willard Bill, Jr., Francis Snow.
1869 .- Willard Bill, Jr., Francis Snow, Prentiss Daggett.
1870 .- Willard Bill, Jr., William N. Patten, Jewett E. Buffum.
1871 .- Willard Bill, Jr .. William N. Patten, Heber B. Cole.
1872 .- Dexter Warren, Jasper Hall, Jewett E. Buffum.
1873 .- Dexter Warren, Jasper Hall, Jewett E. Buffum.
1874 .- Dexter Warren, Jasper Hall, Jewett E. Buffum.
1875 .- Abel E. Johnson, William N. Patten, Solon Chickering.
1876 .- Charles Knight, Albert Thompson, George J. Bennett.
1877 .- Charles Knight, Albert Thompson, George J. Bennett.
1878 .- Willard Bill, Jr., Albert Thompson, Barton C. Aldrich.
1879 .- Willard Bill, Jr., Barton C. Aldrich, Jewett E. Buffum.
1880 .- Willard Bill, Jr., Barton C. Aldrich, Jewett E. Buffum.
1881 .- William E. Cullen, John Works, Albert Thompson.
1882 .- John Works, Jasper Hall, Oscar J. Ware.
1883 .- John Works, Oscar J. Ware, Charles M. Scovell.
1884 .- Oscar J. Ware, Charles M. Scovell, Gilman A. Converse.
CENSUS .- The following is the census statis- ties of Westmoreland from 1767 to 1800.
1767,391 ; 1773, 698 ; 1775, 758 ; 1783, -; 1786, 1621; 1790, 2018; 1800, 2066 ; 1810, 1937; 1820, 2029; 1830, 1647 ; 1840, 1546; 1850, 1678; 1860, 1285; 1870, 1256; 1880, 1103.
GOVERNOR VOTE .- The following shows the number of votes cast for Governor in the most sharply contested elections to show the number of voters as compared with its population :
1838, 338; 1848, 313; 1860, 168; 1868, 307; 1876, 298.
In early times and up to the year 1791, when an act was passed relieving them from that
507
WESTMORELAND.
duty, the constables were by virtue of their office collectors of taxes. Every man in town was obliged, with certain exceptions, to serve as constable when chosen under the penalty of three pounds. The collection of taxes was, of course, to many an unpleasant service, and after the population became considerable it was very difficult to get constables who would willingly perform the duty. A small sum was allowed for the service.
The town, March 13, 1782, voted to prose- cute Leonard Keep and Samuel How for not serving as constables. This course of discipline, however, did not work out the desired result, and a few years after we find the town committing generally the collection of taxes to the lowest bidder.
In early times we find the town annually electing a board of "Tithing-Men," but this office has long since become obsolete. It was once considered an honorable and important position. Its duties consisted in enforcing the laws relating to the proper observance of the Sabbath day, by arresting travelers and by keep- ing rude boys quiet in meeting.
Another town-officer was the deer-reeve whose duties consisted in the protection, at certain sea- sons of the year, of the deer that roamed in the forest. We find no mention of this town-officer after 1781.
CHAPTER VIII. WESTMORELAND -(Continued).
MISCELLANEOUS.
CURRENCY .- January 1, 1795, an act took effect, having passed in Congress February 20, 1794, abolishing the currency of pounds, shil- lings and pence, and from this date accounts were kept in dollars, dimes and cents ; after- wards in dollars and cents. The first settlers used very little money as a medium of exchange. Prices were based upon stipulated values of farm produce. Foreign gold and silver coins
constituted the only lawful money. The great expense of the French and Indian Wars ex- hausted the treasury of the State and incurred a heavy debt upon the province. Necessity compelled the issue of paper money, but this through depreciation of value furnished only temporary relief. This depreciation was has- tened by the province joining the Revolution- ary party. Silver rapidly increased in value. In 1720 an ounce was worth seven shillings and six pence, in 1760 it was worth one hundred and twenty shillings. On the 10th day of May, 1775, Congress voted to issue paper cur- rency; this took the name of " Continental money." From the first it was a currency that did not inspire the fullest confidence. It was influential in depreciating the issues of the State and became itself worthless in a few years. It brought financial ruin to many, its baneful effects were felt by all. In this town into many houses it brought poverty in place of competency.
In the year 1780, the condition of the Conti- nental Currency became truly deplorable ; we find that the town voted, March 8, to raise £4800 for highways, to be worked out at 15s. an hour. It was voted to pay Benjamin Aldrich £120 for eight weeks' board of a pauper child.
FINANCIAL .- In 1786, the Legislature hav- ing voted to submit certain propositions relative to the issuing of paper money for an expression of approval or of rejection by the people of the State, this town on the 15th of November, gave an expression of their views, as expressed in the following record :
" The State of New Hampshire,
" Westmoreland, November the 15th day in the year of our Lord 1786
" agreeable to a request from the Legislative au- thority of this state the Inhabitants of sª westmore- land on the aforesd day of No' being legally assembled in town meeting for the purpose Collecting their opinions relative to the proposed plan sent out by the Hon1 Court for making paper money-
" 1stly the Question's being put by divideing the house to know the number for having paper money,
508
HISTORY OF CHESHIRE COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
and the number against it, there appeared to be forty for having paper money made, and twenty against it. " 2ndly there appeared on aneother Division thereof to be thirty one against haveing paper money on the present proposª plan : and twentyone for haveing it agreeable to sª plan .---
" 3rdly Nineteen of those that ware against money's being Emitted agreeable to ye proposd plan which is sent out-Voted that they would have a bank of money made of paper Equal to the sum of this states debt, on the following plan Viz to have it made a tender in all Cases or payments and to have it not on Interest, and to have it given out for to run twenty Years, and to have it sink one twentyeth yearly until it should be Dead
"the above is a true Journal of the meeting afore- said
"Attest JOHN DOOLITTLE Town Clerk of sa Westmoreland "
LAWYERS. - Westmoreland has never pre- sented a rich field for the legal fraternity. The number of resident practitioners of the law have been few. The name of Elijah Wollage is the first to appear upon our records. Furthermore than evidence that he was an influential man in our town affairs we are ignorant. Following him came, in 1791, Jeremiah Mason. He was born in 1768 in Connecticut, graduated at Yale in 1788, admitted to the bar in 1791 and began the practice of his profession in Westmoreland, where he remained three years and then removed to Portsmouth. He soon was recognized as the head of his profession in this State, whose bar, at that time, was then, and, perhaps, since, unequaled in this country. In the State Legislature and the United States Senate alike he was easily " the first and fore- most." Daniel Dwight followed him and prac- ticed many years. In 1816 and 1817 he represented the town and held, at different times, positions of public trust and confidence.
Nathan Godfrey Babbitt also practiced law many years. He was born in Norton, Mass., February 12, 1787 ; came to this town abont 1790.
Joseph Buffum was born in Fitchburg, Mass., September 23, 1784, graduated at Dartmouth
College, studied law and was admitted to the Cheshire bar. For some years he practiced in Keene and was elected a Representative in the XVIth United States Congress, where he served one term. Declining a re-election, he removed to his paternal homestead in this town, where he lived many years, and died February 23, 1874, at the ripe old age of eighty-nine years. While adopting for many years of his life recluse habits, still he was known and respected by his townsmen generally as a man of sound judgment and of incorruptible hon- esty.
Larkin Baker was born in this town Septem- ber 17, 1795, and remained until his decease, February 3, 1872. For many years his counsel was sought from far and near upon all legal matters. Possessed of a tenacious memory, an aptness for scholarship, he soon took a promi- nent place in both town and county. He held the commission of justice of the peace during nearly the whole of his business career, and transacted nearly all the business of the town in this line. He was assistant judge of the Court of Common Pleas seven years, judge of Probate for Cheshire County twenty-two years, resigning in 1864 by reason of poor health, and held, at different times, all the offices within the gift of his native town.
PAUPERS .- " The poor ye have always with you." The first record that relates to the poor is July 7, 1783,-" Voted that a woman, who resides at the house of Joshua Pierce, who is warned out of town, be carried out of town according to the directions of the law." At this time it was the common practice of the towns generally to warn out new-comers with the view to prevent their acquiring a legal settle- ment. This had to be done within a year after the person came into the town. It does not appear that Westmoreland practiced the pro- tection given by the law, as we find only one necessary record, " where it speaks of having warned out all indiscriminately, without regard to their condition or ability to support them-
509
WESTMORELAND.
selves." For many years the paupers were let out to the lowest bidder, subject to the judg- ment of the overseers.
In September 2, 1791, we find the following unique record : "Voted that Josiah Powers and widow Miller be vendued by the Selectmen to the lowest bidder at this meeting. Widow Miller struck off to Mr. Joseph Buffum for two shillings and nine pence per week, until March meeting next. Josiah Powers struck off to Mr. Elias Gates for one shilling and seven pence per week." In 1832 the town purchased of Nat Daggett his farm for a poor- farm, having raised $2000 for this purpose, and there supported its paupers until its sale, in 1874. The repeated changes in the law have been in the direction of throwing more and more the burthen of the support of the poor upon the county ; this rendered town poor-farms an useless expense. In 1868 a county alms- house was located and built in this town.
We can no more fittingly illustrate the quo- tation heading this brief article than by refer- ring to one of the town paupers by the name of Grace Goodnow, who died at the extreme old age of over one hundred and sixteen years, and was undoubtedly the oldest person within our town records.
CEMETERIES .- Without doubt the first cem- etery dedicated in Westmoreland for burial purposes was the one near the residence of F. G. Parker. Here, in the northwest corner of the yard,
" Each in his narrow cell forever laid, The rude forefathers of the hamlet sleep."
Whether this yard was founded by private enterprise or at public expense, we know not ; but be that as it may, the good sense and taste exercised in selecting this beautiful site as the " city for the dead " must be' unquestioned.
The cemetery upon Canoe Meadow also bears an early date. About 1805 Nathaniel Daggett deeded the land to Nathan Franklin and others upon the condition that it be kept
inclosed forever for the purposes of a cemetery. The lot had been used many years prior for the same purpose. The oldest inscription in this yard is that of Mrs. Amos Davis, bearing date of September 6, 1764.
For years prior to 1832 two contiguous lots, divided by a stone wall, running north and south, near the residence of Willard R. Gline, were used for cemeterial purposes. Nathan Franklin owned the lot upon the east side of the wall, Phinehas Gline the one upon the west side. This year both gave their respective lots to the town in trust for the uses of a cemetery forever. The dividing wall was re- moved and the two lots inclosed in one. Soon after Edward Simmons built a private family- tomb therein.
The oldest cemetery in the East Parish was situate east of the dwelling of F. W. and F. P. Hall, on the north side of the highway. For many years it has been uncared for, and in con- sequence has assumed the look of dilapidation. Though silent, still it speaketh in unmistakable language, forgetfulness.
The cemetery now used in this parish origi- nated in a gift of a lot of land from Alfred Al- drich to certain individuals, upon the considera- tion that an inclosing wall should be built and maintained, and the lot to be used for the pur- poses of a cemetery. The inclosing wall was built in 1847. The sextons of this yard have been Alfred Aldrich, Liberty Page and Joshua Hall. Lemuel Wight was the first one buried therein. Aaron Gary, who built the inclosing wall, was the first one buried therein after its completion.
The South Village Cemetery originated in 1851 from a gift of land for this purpose from John D. Brown. Already, though the years are brief since its inclosure, still how numerous its spires of marble to-day!
The Pratt Cemetery was inclosed by Rev. Allen Pratt and deeded by him to the town in trust for this purpose.
BRIC-A-BRAC .- From Sanborn's " History of
510
HISTORY OF CHESHIRE COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
New Hampshire" we cull the following items of interest, relating to the years 1770, '71 :
"In the summer of 1770 the valley of the Connecti- cut from Northfild, Mass., to Lancaster, N. H., was overrun by an army of greedy, loathsome, devastating worms. They were at maturity of the size and length of a man's finger. They moved from the northwest toward the southeast, completely covering the ground and devoured every green thing along the line of their march, except potatoes and pumpkins. Their march lasted about a month, when they suddenly disappeared, .and no one knew when or how. Following them came vast clouds of pigeons. The air was literally filled with their immense numbers. They were caught by the wholesale, and were it not for the food they furnished, with potatoes and pumpkins raised and saved, the people must have perished from star- vation.
" The following year (1771) was noted for the great- est freshet ever known on the Connecticut River. The water rose to an unprecedented height, sweeping down the valley with resistless fury, and leaving its marks that years have not effaced. So suddenly came the flood that all kinds of stock were caught and swept away in the raging torrent. Houses and families were swept away in many cases. Crops were destroyed, and again the valley-dwellers were doomed to much suffering. The experience of these two years naturally drove settlement to the hills for some years thereafter."
The winter of 1798-99 was memorable for its severity. Snow came about the middle of No- vember and lasted late into the spring. The Sentinel speaks of snow being three feet in depth in the forest on the date of May 11th. The winter of 1810 was one of great contrast, there being no sledding until February 20th.
The year 1804 was noted for its "great eclipse " of the sun. Commencing at 12 M., it lasted until three o'clock P.M. It occurred in June. It was so dark that fowls went to roost, thinking it to be nightfall, and many people were greatly alarmed.
A local hurricane of great severity occurred in 1815. It seemed to commence near Hell Gate, in the southwest part of the town, and traveled in nearly an easterly direction. Along its way the forests were swept down like grass before the seythe. Passing over the buildings of Simeon Cobb, now occupied by George F.
Hubbard, it struck the house, twisted it partly around, blew down the chimneys and materially injured it. The barns and out-buildings were laid low. At the time Mr. Otis Briggs was in the barn, but fortunately escaped by falling be- tween two large timbers that furnished protec- tion from the mass of debris above him. Mr. Lemuel Willis, then a young man, was walking near the house when the gale caught him up and bore him some sixty rods to the ridge of land, where it deposited him, unharmed from his aerial flight. The out-buildings on the Darius Daggett farm, now the estate of Lurana Wil- lard, were demolished. The dwelling-house did not escape considerable injury. Some barns on the farm north of E. Hunt's were laid low. The gale passed on in its work of devastation until it reached the glebe district, where it seemed to lose its fury.
In early times, and until the advent of the present century, everybody rode horseback. The women had their side-saddles to ride by them- selves, or oftentimes the pillion, on which to sit behind the saddle, and hold on with arm around their escort. Nearly every door-yard had its horse-block from which more easily to mount.
One Widow Ware, living in the East Parish, was the first owner of a carriage in town, somewhere about 1800. It had a covered body put upon a wooden axle, with a spring seat. About 1812 Ephraim Brown and Steward Esty purchased the first buggies brought into the town ; both were built by Wilder, of Keene. About 1832 leather thoroughbraces came into fashion, and in 1847 steel springs were introduced. October 4, 1810, a subscription paper was started to secure the sale of stock in the pro- posed Westmoreland Bridge, to be built at the present Britton's Ferry, then owned by Solomon Robbins. The stock being readily taken, a corporation was legally formed and the contract of building the bridge, piers and all complete awarded to Peleg Kingsley, for six thousand dollars. The two piers were only raised to about low-water mark, upon
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.