History of Coos County, New Hampshire, Part 33

Author: Merrill, Georgia Drew
Publication date: 1888
Publisher: Syracuse [N.Y.] : W. A. Fergusson
Number of Pages: 1194

USA > New Hampshire > Coos County > History of Coos County, New Hampshire > Part 33

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).

First Sabbath School .- The first effort for Sabbath school instruction was made in 1816 or 1817, by Mrs. William Farrar, who organized a school at her house, and invited the young people of the south part of Guildhall to join those of Lancaster.

* Roster of Capt. Wecks's Company .- John W. Weeks, Captain; Richard Bean, 1st Lieut ; James Green, 2d Lieut .; F. A. Sawyer, Ensign; Benjamin Stevenson, William Smith, Daniel Bailey, Am- aziah Knights, Elisha B. Greene, Sergeants William W. Bailey, Peter Gambsly, Obed S. Hatch, Josiah Reed, Benjamin Wilson, Robert Hoskins, Corporals; Alva Smith, Orrin R. Dexter, Silas Whitney, Solomon B. Clark, Musicians. The privates were: IFenry Alden, Samuel Abbott, Thomas Alverson, Daniel Bennett, Zerah Bennett, John Brown, Chester Bennett, Hazen Burbank, Daniel Burbank, Stephen Bullard, Benjamin T. Baker, Ebenezer Ball, Toomas Brigham, Gad Beacher, John Burns, John Burgin, 2d, John Bickford, Nathaniel Bennett, John Brainard, Zebulon Carter, Stephen Chase, Levi II. Christian, Seth Clark, Winthrop Collins, John Collins, Guy Clark, Jere Clough, Charles Collins, Moses Cooper, Sylvanus Currier, Otis Chaffee, Samuel Abraige, Benjamin Cross, Phineas Davenport, Eliphet Day, Jolm Dodge, Moses Davis, Eli Davenport, Luimer Dodge, John English, James French, Luther Fuller, Jer'h Fuller, Joel Farnham, John French, Timothy Ful- ler, Lemuel Fuller, Abner Gay, Wells Goodwin, Samuel Gotham, Robert Gotham, Samuel Henry, John Holmes, Neh. Houghton, Willard Huntoon, Alpheus Hutchins, Joseph Henderson, James Harvey, Sheldon Holbrook, Henry Hall, John Hicks, John M. Holmes, Daniel Holmes, Greenleaf Huntoon, George Huntoon, Warren Cassin, Joshua Knapp, Peter Labare, Joseph Labare, Samuel Linsey, George W. Lucas, Jacob MeIntire, James Mellen, Harry Moore, Shephard Morse, Ebenezer Mudge, Jacob B. Moore, John W. Moore, William Merriam, Nathaniel Moore, James Nesbit, Stephen Orr, Daniel Perkins, James Perkins, Theodore Philips, Benoni Potter, Orange Pixley,

251

TOWN OF LANCASTER.

1830 .- From 1820 to 1830 the town grew in population, wealth and development. The Agricultural Society, organized in 1821, had aided in stimulating the farmers to an improved condition of agriculture, and did good work in the four years of its existence. This was a palmy decade. Manufactures increased considerably. Col. Cross was doing a fine busi- ness in his hat shop. Business interests were keeping the machinery of the saw, grist, and fulling mills running to their fullest capacity. Lancas- ter was now the most important town in Northern New Hampshire, with a population nearly doubled in ten years, and now 1,187. The cleared area was extended, and the rough farms were freed from stumps. East Lancaster had been sought out for farms, and many a fine one developed. Political predilections had formed themselves into strong party issues, and keen political contests had become the order of the day. Richard East- man was county treasurer in 1828: A. N. Brackett, representative: John W. Weeks, member of Congress; and other citizens held prominent and responsible positions. New merchants had been attracted hither by the superior business opportunities. Royal Joyslin returned here from Bath. Jared W. Williams had come from the " Nutmeg " state, and cast his lot with this people. All were busy and prosperous. With wealth came a desire for better home advantages for that higher education which the Lancaster people had always prized so highly. This desire culminated in the incorporation of Lancaster academy, which has so nobly discharged the duty given into its care. It was organized and prosperously opened in 1829. In 1828 Lancaster raised $220 for support of the poor, and $1,000 for highways and bridges. Richard P. Kent, who began his long career in Lancaster as a clerk for Royal Joyslin in 1825, was one of the strongest additions to the population during this decade.

Stores, Articles of Traffic, Etc .- "Little capital was required for the stores of this period, the stocks of goods were very meager, and the sales, mostly on credit, very small. Rum was an important article of traffic. It is told of one of the merchants of that day, that he sold a full hogshead of rum, in quantities from half a pint to a barrel, one morning before break- fast. Failures were very frequent among the traders, and, according to Major Weeks, prior to 1832, every trader, excepting those then in business, had, at some time, failed.

Caleb Pronty, Daniel Pinkham, Levi Pratt, Albert Rathbone, Anthony C. Readfield, Abram Rogers, Martin Ray, George Shirland, Edmund Sanborn, John Sanford, John Shirley, Job Smith, Luther Southworth, Elihu Spencer, Jacob Sperry, James B. Stanley, Joshua Stephens, Abram Sanborn, Reuben Stevens, David Stodard, John C. Swain, Israel Sanderson, Daniel Stratton, Jacob Trussell, Daniel Utley, Samuel Vanschork, Jere Wheeler, Barney B. Whipple, James Whit- ney, Jeremiah White, Jotham Wilkins, John Wilkinson, Absalon Wilson, John Wilson, James Witherell, John R Wyatt, John M. Williams, Joseph Weed, Allen White, Andrew Woods, Thomas Whiton, George Warren, Simson Warren, Josiah Washburn, Robert H. Robertson, Alexander Jones, Peter Hamilton, Jedediah Robinson, Samuel Wright, Samuel Stackpole.

282

HISTORY OF COUS COUNTY.

Northumberland.

o Rosebrook's

Josiah Smith

Motions 7

Road 6 Heber Blanchard.

Bridge Road.

1Jail Indian Brook.

Court House

& Store Pas. J. Pearson. T. Carlisle. 16 Dr. Hunking. forr. Porter.

Lancaster Village In 1826. J. W. Weeks, del.

Porter's Shop !!

GYM Farrar.

Boardmany

Allen Smith. gHouse & Shop.

Gun House.

School House

Cemetary

11/1/1

Thes. Everett.

Joslyn's House.

hill House.

Island

CooS

Stephenson's

Store.

Cross

S. Whi

houx

to Jefferson Chesman's Mail

Road to Dalton.

Jonas Baker Gov. Williams

OD. BILtsThe

Choses HAR

Israel's

Parson Willard

J. Wilson YOla Theeting- House.

Common.[

Plound.

Whitefield

Road to

Road

Barn o

a Reja Store.

Esq. Barnard' F. Bingham A. Going

Hotø

"Mill House .

Janney

0 hrs. Chesman.

WG. Perkins.

River.

wilson's Taverna

old Shop Jason's Hall. aRed House

283

TOWN OF LANCASTER.

Freight .- "Goods from Boston were shipped to Portland by sailing vessels, and brought from there to Lancaster for $1.25 per cwt .. in the summer, on wagons, and, in winter, by sleighs, at 75 cents per cwt.

" The Mail came twice a week from Boston, was three days on the way, arriving on Wednesdays and Sundays: was carried to Colebrook once a week in a one-horse wagon. A weekly mail was carried on horseback to Bethel for Portland.

Vehicles .- " Most of the team work was done by oxen in the summer, and there was not a good team wagon in the town. One chaise (Parson Willard's, presumably,) was owned in the place, with a few one-horse wagons: steel springs and ' thorough braces ' were unknown.

" The annual musters of the 24th Regt. were held alternately at Lan- caster and Colebrook; later, the towns north of Northumberland formed the 42d.

"There were religious services in the 'Meeting House' on the hill, and the Methodists held meetings in the Court House." *

1840 .- During the decade ending with 1840, a steady increase of pros- perity, wealth, and improvement was also shown. Lancaster began to have its solid men of wealth and finance. The business men were shrewd, careful, and conservative, and suffered little from the great panic of 1837, which so paralyzed the business centers of the country, and a good bank, chartered in 1833, with Col. John H. White as president, and Royal Joys- lin, cashier, had been established. The first newspaper published in Coös county, The White Mountain Ægis, began its brief existence in 1838. By the great advance in staging, Boston can be reached from Lancaster in forty-eight hours time.

From A. N. Brackett's Diary .- The weather and climatic influences, judging from the diaries of Adino N. Brackett, were remarkably unfavor- able, however, to agricultural matters. He says: "A hail storm of un- precedented violence passed over Lancaster and Guildhall, July 16. 1831. The hail continued to descend from twenty to thirty minutes. The largest bail stones examined were over two inches in their greatest diameter. They were not perfectly globular, but shaped like a turnip, with fluted edges. Many of the stones would each weigh an ounce. It fell in such quantities as to cover the ground more than an inch deep, like a fall of snow, and where it rolled down hills, or off from houses, it lay more than a foot deep, and some remained unmelted thirty-six hours after the storm. In its effects it was most destructive. Fields of grain, corn, potatoes, and even grass, were laid level with the earth; trees were stripped of their foliage, and, wherever the wind was violent, windows were dashed to

* For a full description of Lancaster street or village in 1825, see biography of Richard P. Kent.

284

HISTORY OF COOS COUNTY.

atoms. Even shingles on buildings were split to pieces. Birds were killed. Fortunately the wind was slight during most of the storm, which was limited in extent. Some of the most flourishing farms in the lower part of Lancaster and Guildhall are stripped of their entire crop. Grass and grain are literally driven into the ground, so that they can, in no event, be of value the present year." He says further that "aside from this injury. crops of all kinds were remarkably good." "Bread stuffs toward the close of 1832 were very high, as the crops were injured by cold and damp weather." A constant rain continued from May 10, 1833, to May 15th; 1833 was an unproductive year. "Even the best farmers had to purchase flour and grain to support their families." "The year 1834 was very good for all kinds of produce." "The winter of 1834-35 has been remarkable for its varied changes. After a January thaw, the ground froze deeply, owing to the want of snow, which at no time during the winter was over sixteen inches deep along the Connecticut. Hereafter it may seem a great story, but it is believed that the ground froze to the

depth of four feet and over. Many brooks were frozen to the bottom, so that the water ran on top of the ice, thus raising them above their accus- tomed channels." Of 1836 he writes: "Remarkably cold. Frosts in some places every month in the year. The snow was deeper than for many years. The crops of corn and wheat were greatly injured, as the wheat was sown late to avoid attacks from the weevil. No season since 1816 has been so unproductive. Wheat, such as it is, costs $2 per bushel, and flour from the south and west is $14 per barrel." In 1837 the drought did much damage, but Mr. Brackett says: "Notwithstand- ing the scarcity and cold, the health of the inhabitants is very good." Hon. John W. Weeks sums up Lancaster, in 1839, and gives the charac- ter of its inhabitants thus :-

"From the village in Lancaster the roads diverge in four directions toward the sea-board; in one toward Canada, and in another westward. This central location gives the town most of the business. mercantile and professional, in the counties of Essex and Coos, performed by five store keepers, seven lawyers, four physicians, one bank, with a capital of $50,000, and one fire insurance company, to which may be added a flour-mill with three sets of stones, four saw mills, three clapboard and three shingle machines, one extensive clothier's mill. a tannery, machinery for carriage making, blacksmith work, coopering, and many other mechanical opera- tions. Our religious establishments are very respectable, consisting of a Congregational church, Methodist Episcopal society, three meeting-houses, many Baptists, Unitarians. Freewill Baptists, some Quakers. Christians, Restorationists, and no Mormons. There is also a printing press in town from which issues the Coos County Democrat. Its politics are indicated by its title. The character of our inhabitants is, in some respects dissimilar

255

TOWN OF LANCASTER.

to that of many other country towns, uniting the warm sensibilities of the heart with the more profound researches of the understanding; enter- prising, perhaps in the extreme; depending, however, more on individual effort, than on combined exertion: hospitable, yet economical; aspiring, yet restrained within the bounds of propriety; independent in principle, even to a fault, if fault it can be; patriotic, only in accordance with their own perceptions of right: equally regardless of all dictums, unless clearly an- nounced to their comprehension: patient and persevering, when cheered on by hope, yet possibly restless, when that 'anchor to the soul is deferred.""

1850. - The prosperity of the town steadily increased. The ordinary changes of business firms and buildings suited to the fluctuations and in- creased demands of trade had continued. The population in 1850 was 1,559. Several new buildings of increased cost had been erected. The far away war with Mexico had called for some citizens, of whom a few never returned, dying in that inhospitable climate. From 1845, the chroni- cles taken from the diaries of Richard P. Kent, will give quite a history of the town, as the course of events was carefully noted by him. We would note, however, that in 1850 there were ten lawyers, thirty-one justices of the peace (more than any other town of its size in the state), three physi- cians, and two clergymen.

James S. Brackett, in his " Historical Sketch of Lancaster, " a valuable pamphlet published in 1876, sums up the history from 1850 to 1876 thus: "In 1860 the population was 2.020. The last ten years had been marked by no striking event. The village, however, showed a marked improve- ment. Several large and commodious stores had been built, the Lancaster House, the fruit of a projected branch road from the Grand Trunk railway, had been erected and successfully run, being the resort of numerous visit- ors to this beautiful mountam region. The Unitarian meeting-house had been built in 1856, and regular services held in it. The Coos Republican was well established, and, on the whole, the people were enjoying a season of prosperity."

Village Streets .- Names were first regularly given to the village streets in 1860, at a meeting of the citizens called for that purpose. We give the principal ones: Main street, from the Town Hall to the residence of Hor- ace F. Holton: Elm street, from Main street, south of Israel's river. west- erly, to the Wentworth place; Middle street, from Main street east, from near north end of the lower bridge: Mechanic street, from the Town Hall across the upper bridge to Middle street; Prospect street, from Town Hall, southwesterly, toward Whitefield: Cottage street, from Prospect street west; Portland street, from Prospect street up Meeting House hill, and towards Jefferson Mills; Pleasant street, easterly, from Portland street past the houses of Henry Heywood and George R. Eaton: High street, easterly, from Main street, between the old Cross place and George VanDyke's resi-

286

HISTORY OF COOS COUNTY.

dence; Summer street, from Middle street to North street; North street, from north end of Main street, toward Northumberland; Bridge street, from north end of Main street, toward the toll bridge; Water street, from Elm street past N. H. Richardson's factory; Canal street, from Main street, north of bridge, northwesterly to the machine shop; Bunker Hill avenue, from Summer street, easterly, past George M. Stevens's house; Railroad street, from Elm Cottage, on Main street, past the railroad depot to Sum- mer street; Lancaster Place, the square between Lancaster House and buildings south; Williams street, southeasterly, from Elm street, opposite Water street, to Whitefield road; Kent Place, passage way and square north, and in rear of R. P. Kent & Son's store; Church street, the place south, and in rear of the Methodist church; Mill street, easterly from Main street, north of Main street bridge.

"In 1870 Lancaster had a population of 2,248. Four clergymen were occupying the different pulpits; five physicians were endeavoring to cure the various 'diseases that flesh is heir to'; fourteen lawyers, and an aston- ishing number of magistrates, thirty-two, were dispensing even-handed justice among the remaining inhabitants. The terrible civil war-the mutterings of which had been heard through the land-at last burst upon the country. Lancaster responded gallantly to the call for soldiers. Never backward when their country calls, her citizens rose almost as one man, and gave of their treasure and their blood. No town stands with a more honorable record than ours in this awful crisis of our national history. *

The decade closed with signs of continued prosperity, and a noticeable feature was the increased taste shown about public buildings, private residences, and the improvement of farms. * The prosperity of the town has been in no measure retarded, and to-day we stand with a large population, more wealth, greater intelligence, and, we hope, with no less morality than ever before." Population in 1880, 2,723; valuation, $1,247,324. In 1881 a comprehensive and thorough sys- tem of drainage was adopted.

1887 .-- Notwithstanding the severe losses by fire and flood, Lancaster has kept the calm serenity of an onward course. Its financial prosperity is shown by the solidity of its banks, the extent of the business interests de- veloped by its citizens, and the beautiful houses which have been built. The new court-house having been constructed, there is a certainty of the county seat remaining here for years. Swift express trains convey trav- elers to and from New York in a day's time, and every thing seems to augur long years of prosperous and happy existence for this most lovely of New Hampshire's towns.

Real Estate and Personal Property-1886 .- Number of polls, 674; real estate, value, $819, 125; forty-five carriages, value, $3, 136; number of horses, 528. value, $37,706; number of cattle, 1,706, value, $39,976; number of

287

TOWN OF LANCASTER.

sheep, 1,568, valne, 84,278; number of swine, fifty-three, value $340; stock in trade, 873,750; bank stock and money at interest, $101,474; mills, value, $12,650; dogs. 148.

CHAPTER XXIV.

Brief Extracts from Town Records, 1769 to 1834 - First Town Meeting - First Town Clerk - First Representative of " Upper Coos " - Burying Field - Pound - Vote for President and Sena- tor - Assessment for Roads payable in Wheat - Standard "half bushel" - Preaching, Etc. - Concerning building Mills - Emmons Stockwell, Inn Keeper-Town Meetings, where held - School Districts - Meeting House - Rev. Joseph Willard - Early Taverns - Prices of Produce paid as Minister's Salary - Licenses Granted - Barker's Location Annexed - First Fire Wards - Miscellaneous Extracts from later Town Records - Action of Town in the Rebellion, Etc. - Cen- tennial Celebration - Freshets.

T HE following extracts from the early town records tell their own story of the times and the then important matters. From the first town meeting in 1769. when Edwards Bucknam was chosen clerk, he held that office until 1789 inclusive :-

" In 1776 Joseph Whipple was chosen to represent the towns of Lancaster, Northumberland. Dartmouth (now Jefferson), Apthorp (merged in other towns), and Stratford. Voted, to give their representatives instructions from time to time. He was also elected in 1778, and received the thanks of the town. He was chosen the subsequent year, 1779.

" 1779, March 9. Major Jonas Wilder, Edwards Bucknam, Lieut. David Page, Lieut. Em- mons Stockwell, Mr. Moses Page and Mr. Dennis Stanley were chosen a committee to pitch a burring (burying) field in some convenient place in said town as soon as possible.

" 1783, March 11. Voted that the Pound shall be built for the present on the road between Major Wilder's and the bridge-place or fordway over Israel's River to Dartmouth, and Major Wilder chosen Pound keeper.

"In 1784, at the first election in the town, Meshech Weare had eight votes for President and Moses Dow eight votes for Senator.

" In 1785 it was voted that twenty bushels of wheat be assessed on the polls and estates, to be laid out in keeping open the roads the ensuing winter. Voted, also, that Capt. David Page sealer of weights and measures be directed to prove his half bushel by Esq'r Peverly's and then the same shall be the standard for this town. Thirteen votes cast at this town meeting.

" 1786, March 14. It was voted that thirty-two dollars be assessed to hire preaching the en- suing summer, and, that Major Jonas Wilder, Edwards Bucknam, and Lieut. Emmons Stockwell be a committee to hire a minister.

" 1787, March 27. Voted that the Nine Pounds, twelve Shillings for Preaching Last year be assessed and collected to hire Preaching this year

"1788, March 11. Voted, fifty bushels of wheat be assessed to hire preaching the ensuing summer, and Col. Jonas Wilder, Edwards Bucknam, Esq., and Dr. Francis Willson be a commit- tee to hire a preacher to preach about eight Sundays. Capt. John Weeks chosen delegate from the Upper Coos to the state convention to ratify the Federal constitution. Voted that the highway surveyors break the road in the winter, and are allowed one bushel of wheat per day for their -work that is a man and a yoke of oxen.

288

HISTORY OF COOS COUNTY.

" 1789, March 9. Twenty votes were cast for State officers. Voted that Doctor Francis Will- son suspend collecting the wheat rate now in his hand until after harvest.

" 1790, March 9. Voted that sixty bushels of wheat be collected to hire Preaching and defray Town charges.

"1790, December 13. The Town voted to join in conjunction with Conway (for) the forma- tion of a new County; also voted to raise thirty bushels of wheat including what the law directs to be laid out in schooling the present winter.

"1791, March 8. A committee was chosen to build a Pound in said town on such spot as they think best.

"1791, April 12. Col. Jonas Wilder, Mr. Elisha Wilder, and Mr. Stephen Willson were chosen a committee to hire Preaching.

"1792, March 13. Voted to raise fifty bushels of wheat to hire preaching and to pay that already hired.

"Lieut. E. Stockwell, Capt. David Page, Col. Edwards Bucknam, Capt. John Weeks, Lieut. Stanley chosen a committee to receive proposals of any gentleman concerning building mills on Israel's River near Stockwell's Bridge.

"1792, March 19. Capt. John Weeks elected representative for one year.

"1792, August 20. Lieut. Emmons Stockwell is permitted to retail spirituous liquors in this- Town of Lancaster, and also to keep a public house of entertainment and to mix liquors of any kind under the rules and regulations of the laws of this State, one year from this date.

"1793, March 17. Voted, to raise Nine Pounds to pay for Preaching and Town Debts."

The Town meetings had been held at the houses of various individuals, until November 7, 1793, when the meeting-house was used for this pur- pose-although unfinished. At this time action was taken to "raise- Twenty Pounds in labor, at Three Shillings per day, for clearing the meet- ing house spot."

"1793, November 22. Voted to raise Nine Pounds to be laid out in felling trees on the minis- ter's house-lot.

"1794, March 11. Annual Town Meeting .- Chose a Committee of nine to arrange for a divis- ion of the Town into School Districts. Jonas Baker was empowered to sell the pine timber on the Minister's house-lot to the best advantage, and, also, that the pay for said timber shall be laid out in felling trees on the minister's hundred acre lot adjoining.

"April 28. Voted to raise Nine Pounds ' solly' for preaching the present season."

A town meeting was " warned " to be held in the meeting-house, which was probably completed by this time, as it was voted to accept the settle- ment made by the committees for building the meeting house and belfry.

"1794, August 7. The Town voted to concur with the Church in giving the Rev. Mr. Joseph Willard an invitation to settle with us in the Gospel Ministry, and choose a committee to provide. for an Ecclesiastical Council.

"1795, March 24. It was voted to raise Eighty Dollars to pay Town Debts and the Selectmen directed to give due bills to those bringing in accounts. John McIntire was allowed Two Dollars for damage of breaking through a bridge. Jonathan Cram represents this district in 1795.

"1808. E. Rawson, M. Warriner, and Jonathan Carlton, were licensed to retail spirituous liquors.

"In 1793, Fortunatus Eager, 1794, Edwards Bucknam and Jonas Wilder, 1795, Richard C. Everett and Stephen Willson, 1796, Richard C. Everett and Sylvanus Chesman, 1797, Stephen Willson, 1798, Artemas Wilder, Jr., and John Toscan were licensed to sell spirituous liquors, and distilled spirits.

"1801, November 16. The Selectmen of Lancaster agreed with Rev. Joseph Willard that that

289

TOWN OF LANCASTER.

part of bis salary to be paid in produce this year, shall be furnished at these prices-Wheat $1 per bushel, Rye 5-6 of a dollar, Corn 2-3 of a dollar, Oats at 1-3 of a dollar, and Flax at 14ets per pound.

"1811, August. Small pox prevailed.

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.

History of Coos County, New Hampshire, Part 33

Author: Merrill, Georgia Drew Publication date: 1888 Publisher: Syracuse [N.Y.] : W. A. Fergusson Number of Pages: 1194

Author: Merrill, Georgia Drew
Publication date: 1888
Publisher: Syracuse [N.Y.] : W. A. Fergusson
Number of Pages: 1194