USA > New Hampshire > Coos County > History of Coos County, New Hampshire > Part 34
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"1813. Fever Epidemic ; between Feb. 11 and June 30, twenty-nine deaths occurred; Lieut. Dennis Stanley and Deacon Joseph Brackett among the number. Many deaths among the soldiers from this vicinity stationed on Lake Champlain.
"1804. Thomas Carlisle & Co. were in trade here, and licensed to sell spirituons liquors by retail.
"1806, November 24. Thomas & J. M. Dennison licensed to retail spirituous liquors.
"1809. Francis & John Willson had a store.
"1815. James Dewey & Co. were among the traders at this time.
"1814. In this year Stephen Willson has the selectmen's approbation to keep a public tavern in Lancaster, also Major Sylvanus Chesman received license to be an innholder.
"1815, January 7. Dr. Benjamin Hunking received approbation to keep a public tavern.
"March 7. Sylvanus Chesman's license was continued. Dec. 29, Francis Willson licensed 10 keep a tavern in Town of Lancaster, and Dec. 28, John Willson is approbated to sell foreign and domestic spirits at his store.
"1816, February 8. William & Noyes Dennison were licensed to keep a tavern and exercise the duties of tavern-keepers. Sylvanus Chesman's license continued for the years 1816 and 1817.
"1818. Charles Baker & Benjamin C. Stevens received license to keep a tavern.
"1819. Col. John Willson was licensed to keep a tavern, Oct. 25th.
"1820, January 5. Ephraim Mahurin & Reuben Stephenson were licensed to sell spirituous liquors one year. Feb 14, Mr Samuel White was licensed to exercise the functions of a taverner.
"1819. This year, June 22, Barker's Location was annexed to Lancaster. It was a tract of land in Coös county, containing 3,020 acres, and was granted Oct. 21, 1773 to Capt. Joshua Barker of Hingham, Massachusetts.
"1834, July 4. At a special town meeting. Ephraim Cross, David Burnside, Benjamin Steph- enson, Richard P. Kent, John Willson, Warren Porter, Harvey Adams, and Turner Stephenson were chosen fire wards. The number of polls this year are 228."
1854, March 16 .- Voted to raise $150 to shingle the Town Hall and build a good, suitable fence around the burying-ground. Chose Royal Joyslin, agent, to take care of, and rent, the Town Hall: voted to raise $1,100 to defray town expenses. Robert Sawyer is appointed town agent for the purchase and sale of spirituous and intoxicating liquors, August 27, with a salary of $100.
1856 .- The town voted $2, 100 to defray town expenses, $1,500 to repair highways and bridges, "to be paid in labor:" the selectmen were instructed to establish the lines and bounds to the lands belonging to the town, and to erect monuments; also, to put a proper fence around the burying-ground and to take legal measures, if necessary, to cause owners of adjacent lands to establish their proportion of said fence. The selectmen are instructed to appoint a committee of three to purchase a town poor farm, and they are authorized to invest, as part payment. the school fund, literary fund, money rent and interest money, and the public money belonging to the town. The total vote for governor was 398, divided thus: Ralph Metcalf, 261; John S. Wells, 133; Ichabod Goodwin. 4. Number of polls inven- toried this year at 402; real estate at $261,680; number of horses, 373; cat-
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tle, 1,355: sheep. 2,208; bank stock. $22,000; "stock in trade," $18,110; mills. $8, 750; carriages, $750. May 26, upon the petition of twenty-eight legal voters of Lancaster, the selectmen fixed by boundaries a "Lancaster village precinct, " consisting of school districts one and twelve, excepting the polls and estates of Roswell Chessman, Bennet Greenleaf and Thomas Green, but at a duly called town meeting, held May 31. the town refused to accept the erection of the village by voting to "dissolve the meeting." There are fourteen school districts, with 550 scholars. November 4, 437 votes were cast for electors for President, of whom the ticket headed by WV. H. H. Bailey received 301 votes: that headed by Daniel Marcy, 136 votes.
1857, March 10 .- At the annual town meeting a long preamble and res- olutions were adopted and recorded, denouncing in the strongest terms the action of the state legislature in reference to the taxation laws, calling it unconstitutional and unjust, and claiming that by it " the burden of tax- ation fell most heavily on the hard working farmers." and it was resolved "to instruct the representatives of the town to use their best endeavors to bring the subject of the complaint before the next legislature, and see that, so far as in them lies, the laws be so far amended as to do ample justice to each one and all of the tax paying citizens of the state." It was further resolved, "that we claim nothing that is not manifestly right, and we are determined no longer to submit to that which is manifestly wrong."
1862, July 10 .- The town instructed the selectmen to build a good, per- manent, covered bridge on Main street across Israel's river, with a double track, and two good side-walks.
The Great Rebellion .-- The first action of the town concerning the sol- diers of the War of the Rebellion was taken May 13, 1861, when it was " voted to raise the sum of five hundred dollars for the purpose of furnish- ing such needful supplies to the Lancaster volunteer recruits and their families as the selectmen may think proper." September 17. the select- men were authorized to pay to all families of volunteers from the town who are indigent and in need of help, such sums as in their discretion is needed for their support.
1862, August 12 .- Voted to pay one hundred dollars to any resident of Lancaster " who has, or may hereafter, enlist in any of the three years' regi- ments of this state: and seventy-five dollars to any enlisting for nine months."
1863, August 6 .- The town voted to pay to each drafted man who en- ters service, or who furnishes a substitute for the army, the sum of three hundred dollars as soon as mustered into the U. S. service. November 27, voted to pay in advance the state and U. S. bounties, ($402 in case of new recruits, and $502 for re-enlisted men, ) and the selectmen are instructed to borrow and pay to each recruit a sum not exceeding $100, until the
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quota of the town is filled, also voted to repeal the resolution of August 12, 1862.
1864, April 15 .- Voted " that the selectmen shall pay to such veteran soldiers as went originally as part of the quota of this town, and who have or shall re-enlist as a part of the quota, and who has never received any bounty from this town, a bounty of three hundred dollars," ete .: also, to instruct the selectmen to pay one hundred dollars to all who may enlist and be credited to the town.
Action of Town .-- June 18, 1864 .- The town authorized C. B. Allen and Jason H. Woodward, to purchase or procure substitutes. not exceeding twenty, at the most reasonable and advantageous rates for the town, not exceeding three hundred dollars each. July 9, the selectmen were in- structed to pay all re-enlisted men who re-enlisted before April 1, 1564, the · three hundred dollars previously voted for this purpose, if they have re- ceived no previous bounty. August 29, the selectmen were directed to advance the state and U. S. bounties to men residents of the town for three months. as may enlist to fill the present quota of the town, at the rate of $100 for one year's men, $200 for two years' men, and $300 for three years' men; Capt. Edward Brown was appointed agent to act in con- nection with recruiting officers to fill the quota: a town bounty of $800 was voted to all volunteers enlisting for one year. $1,000 for two years, and $1,200 for three years, in addition to the state and national bounties; the selectmen were further instructed to procure and loan to as many respon- sible persons as will put in substitutes for three years, the sum of $575 each, taking a note in each case payable in nine years with interest.
First Volunteers .- Recruiting officer Henry O. Kent opened a recruit- ing office in Lancaster, for the enlistment of soldiers for the United States army, April 22, 1861. Twenty-two enlisted that day. They were H. R. Richardson, H. D. F. Young, F. M. Rhodes, T. Cassidy. J. Benway. O. R. Moulton. E. R. Jones, J. C. Jenness. C. W. Fletcher, J. Hagan, I. M. Wal- lace, J. Beaton. C. Fuller, E. Butler, C. F. Marden, S. H. Clough. W. P. Horn. C. W. Balch, G. Burt. C. Buck, J. G. Sutton. The next day the work went on. Soon appear on the roll these additional names: G. W. Morgan, T. Maguire, R. O. Young, Fred. A. Wentworth. Edgar Gaines, John Ferrin. George Garfield. William Morgan, William H. F. Staples, Simon Merrill, Cyrus W. Merrill. Hubbard Gaskill, George Chancy. George Robinson, John W. Morse, William L. Perry, Albert Heath, James E. Smith. Michael Smith, Bernard Johnson, Welcome A. Crafts, Thomas Kenney, Cummings M. Winchester, John Handerson. White Pilbro. John Woodward, William W. Walker, Cleaveland C. Beard, William K. Mont- gomery, Frederick T. Bennett. Joseph K. Hodge.
First Departure of Recruits-Eighty volunteers left Lancaster, for Portsmouth, May 6, 1861, bearing the name of " Coos Volunteers." On
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examination by the surgeon at Portsmouth, several were discharged for disability.
Co. F, 2d Regt. N H. Vols .- This company was formed, taking the Coos recruits as a nucleus. Its organization was completed in the early part of June, 1861. We give its first officers and the names of the men who enlisted in Coos: Captain, Thomas Snow; First Lieutenant, Joshua F. Littlefield; Second Lieutenant, H. D. F. Young: Sergeants, W. A. Crafts. F. M. Rhodes, Hugh R. Richardson, C. W. Fletcher, Louiville W. Brackett; Corporals, William O. Lyford, William H. Tucker, Oscar H. French, James S. Morrow, John Chandler, David Clark, R. O. Young, James H. Swaine; Privates, John Barney, Charles Buck, George Burt, Joseph Benway, George H. Chancey, Samuel H. Clough, Edgar Gaines, John Henderson, Henry S. Hilliard, James Hagan, Bernard Johnson, Thomas Kenney, George W. Morgan, James Mayhew, Cyrus W. Merrill, Simon Merrill, Patrick McCaffery, George W. Robinson, William H. H. Staples, Thomas J. Severance, Clark Stevens, Levi Witham, Ira M. Wal- lace.
Fire Engine .- June 18, 1864 .- The town votes $1.000 "to purchase a fire engine and other necessary apparatus to put the fire department upon an efficient footing"; and chose E. R. Kent, J. I. Williams, and Ezra B. Bennett, a committee to see to the expenditure.
A Centennial Celebration was held in Lancaster, July 14, 1864, to com- memorate the deeds of the early pioneers, and the progress of the town. It was a lovely day, and from two to three thousand persons participated in the exercises, procession, etc. Among the prominent sons of Lancas- ter, residing elsewhere, who were present, were: E. D. Holton, of Mil- waukee. Wis .; J. B. Brown, of Portland, Me .; Nathaniel White, of Con- cord, and I. B. Gorham, of St. Johnsbury, Vt. Addresses were made by the president, D. H. Mason, of Boston, and E. D. Holton. Henry O. Kent was marshal-in-chief: Harvey Adams, special marshal for Sabbath-schools.
Centennial Park was named in town meeting, November 4, 1869, and the selectmen authorized to purchase it from Samuel Twombly.
Freshets .- In 1869, October 3, the heaviest rain-fall for twenty years occurred in this region commencing at 6 o'clock P. M., and continuing un- interruptedly for forty hours. The loss was great in Lancaster, and esti- mated at $20,000; the most serious loss was that sustained by Col. Free- man. Israel's river rose rapidly ; a temporary dam was constructed from Col. Freeman's mill to check it, but the dam gave way about 11 P. M. Oc- tober 4. and a torrent rushed down Mill street and through Mechanic street, sweeping all before it; up Main street, tearing up Mill street and taking side-walks away. Soon after Freeman's mill fell, burying and spoiling the costly machinery. His loss was estimated at $10,000. There
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were many other buildings damaged, and much property in lumber and machinery swept away, and crops on the low meadows were much injured.
1570, February 19 .- An unexpected and disastrous flood on Israel's river occurred, doing great damage to property and periling many lives, although none were lost. Main street bridge was swept away and roads damaged about $1,000; many houses and cellars were flooded and property destroyed; total loss about $10,000.
1874. March 10 .- Annual meeting. - Voted $20,000 for current expenses including state, county and school taxes, and pay existing liabilities: that the town ratify the action of the selectmen, and the town take the plot of land on which the engine house is located; also, that the engine house be enlarged to admit engine No. 2. At the same meeting voted to exempt from taxation the land and building containing a hall of sufficient capacity to accommodate one thousand persons for the term of ten years if one he erected.
1878, November 5. - The town voted to raise $800, to be expended in pro- curing a force pump and pipe, and placing the same under the grist-mill, provided. "that Frank Smith & Co. pay an additional sum of $200, and that the citizens of the village raise an additional $800 "
Freshet of 1886. April 1 .- Israel's river, swollen to an enormous degree, broke up the ice. and a tremendous gorge was formed at the head of Frank Smith & Co.'s mill pond, obstructed by the solid mass of ice formed in the channel during a previous thaw, and which resisted the great force of the flood. Turned aside by this, the swollen stream with its load of floating ice swept over the slight embankment back of the premises of G. I. Hayes and Mrs. Heath, into Mechanic street, throwing masses of ice here and there and breaking down trees and fences. On it swept, carrying away every- thing movable or destroying it. Taking the course of the flood of 1870 it piled ice and debris around the houses on the south side of Mechanic street, crushed the shed of the Stuart House and surrounded both that building and the house of Mrs. John Brown by a great depth of water, so that the inmates of the latter had to be taken out from the attic windows. Recross- ing Mechanic street it struck the Town Hall building, carried away the Ætna Engine, No. 2. and took N. B. Wilson & Son's two story sash and blind factory out into the river and against Main street bridge which caused it to collapse. All day long the river's course was unchanged: but. finally, by blasting out the ice in the mill pond, the proper channel was cleared and danger passed. Mr. Wilson's loss was fully $3,000, and per- haps no more destructive flood ever visited Lancaster. No lives were lost. fortunately.
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CHAPTER XXV.
BY J. W. WEEKS.
The Old Meeting House, Description of - Pews - Pulpit - " Singers Seats " - Dress - Foot Stove - Location of Meeting House - Parson Willard - Members of the Congregation, Descrip- tion of - Choir, Etc.
T THE Old Meeting House, Choir, Etc .- The size of the house shows that our grandfathers were men of "enlarged ideas," as the house of wor- ship they built would accommodate all the assembled congregations of the town of Lancaster of to-day. It comprised the whole of the present Town Hall building, and two immense porches, with stairways to the galleries; the west end shooting up in belfry and spire to a point nearer the clouds than anything of the kind has reached in this region in modern times. The galleries would seat from four to five hundred persons. The "Singers seats "-the entire front row in the gallery-would accommodate eighty persons. A row of pews ran around the wall of the body of the house. These were called " wall pews," and were raised two steps above the others. The broad aisle divided the house into two equal sections, and smaller aisles separated the wall and body pews: of the latter there were two rows on each side of the broad aisle. The pews were oblong structures, divided by finished panels to the height of nearly three feet: these panels surmounted by an eight inch balustrade with cap. Board seats extended across the one side and both ends of the wall pews, and one side and one end of the body pews. They had no upholstery, and were all hung with iron hinges so as to turn up when the people rose during prayers. The din of rising, turning up, and turning down the seats may be left to the reader's imagination.
The pulpit was a massive structure, placed so high that the minister could, from it, have a full view of the gallery, (which was slightly ele- vated at the back side,) and was reached by a flight of winding stairs. Above the pulpit was a sounding-board, in form like an immense tunnel with the top covered, suspended from the ceiling by an iron rod. I think sometimes our boyish minds would wander from the subject discussed by the minister to the probability of the falling of the sounding-board, and the consequent crushing of the minister's head. The pulpit was somewhat tastefully and expensively finished. On this, and the "Deacons' seat " in front, was the only attempt at painting about the place. These were covered with a slight coating of lead color. Directly in front of the pul- pit was a broad-leaved table, on which the communion service was set on
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stated occasions. This table was supported by iron braces, and was let down when not in use.
There were no means of warming the house until it had been used nearly a quarter of a century, when an enormous stove was set up in the broad aisle in front of the pulpit, but, so far as availing to warm the large building, it might as well have been set up on the common. How the people kept warm in the frigid cold of winter seems now a wonder. The heavy home-spun woolens of the men, with the fur and skin garments then so frequent, served their purpose; while the women wore thick flan- nels and heavy knit socks, and each good matron, when she entered the church, was followed by a boy with her " foot-stove." This was a tasty frame with a loose cubical tin lining with a side of about eight inches, the top being perforated. It contained a pan filled with coals and was carried by a bail. When "madame " took her seat, the stove was placed under her feet, and was passed to the others in the pew from time to time.
The " Old Meeting House " was located upon the " Meeting House Com- mon." which was a plot of six acres purchased by the town and consisted of several town lots. It extended westerly as far as the easterly line of John M. Whipple's land. northerly to within two rods of the river, easterly to near the house lately owned by Mrs. L. B. Joyslin, and southerly about as far as the ash tree near the house of P. J. Noyes. A large part of William Boswell's house, a portion of the front of the house of Mr. Wood- ward, and a strip of Mrs. Spark's garden are within the bounds of this plot, and several lots on Mechanic street. These have been lost to the town through carelessness. This common, or that portion of it on the hill, was cleared of the pine stumps, leveled or graded, and served not only as a site for the "Meeting House." but as a parade ground for the militia at their spring and fall trainings. It was reached from below by a road cut in the side of the bank which was very narrow and very steep. and by three flights of stairs, one above the other, each flight containing about twelve steps. The landing at the foot was about where the southeast corner of William Boswell's house now stands. The " Meeting House " stood upon a level with the residence of John M. Whipple, and E. V. Cobleigh, facing the south, squared to the four cardinal points of the compass, the western end being within about six rods of J. M. Whipple's east line, and north side about on a line with the south line of Cottage street.
The congregation of the old church as to size and numbers in 1518 would put to shame any congregation of modern times. People came from long distances, some on horseback, many on foot. Those who owned the aristocratic " one-horse chaise " neither came on horseback, or on foot, but rode in the chaise even if they lived but a short distance from the meeting house. The boys and girls thought it only refreshing exercise to walk three or four miles to church, the girls usually exchanging their thick
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shoes for light morocco ones before they arrived. The older people and some of the girls came on horseback.
Outside, at some little distance from the house, were two "horse- blocks." These were sections of immense pine logs, and had two steps cut in each. They were used in mounting their horses, by the elderly women and the more clumsy of the girls. Tradition says that some girls did not need them; that Lucy Howe and Betsey Stanley would stand on level ground, put their hand on the neck of the horse, and leap at once into the saddle. This comes by tradition, but I know, that, after Betsey Stanley was married and surrounded by boys and girls of her own, she rode a horse as if she were a part of the animal.
The Rev. Joseph Willard was the first pastor of this church and settled in 1794. Goldsmith's country clergyman is a good representative of Par- son Willard as he was universally called. "E'en children followed with endearing wile, to pluck his gown and share the good man's smile." How well I recollect his measured and formal step (formed in his seven years' service under the severe drill of that old Prussian Baron Steuben), as he alighted from his "one horse chaise." His genial face and handsome figure will be remembered by all who saw him as he marched up the broad aisle and ascended the pulpit stairs. The service was as formal as his step, but his manner of performing it was as graceful as his figure. As to what was called doctrine, to my recollection little was then thought or known of it. The distinction with the public seemed to be in the manner of worship. The Congregationalists were called the "standing order," as they stood for prayers, while Methodists and Baptists kneeled.
Mr. Willard was not a dyspeptic; he enjoyed a good dinner, and to listen to and tell a good story. The latter sometimes at the expense of his pa- rishioners which was not always received with the good humor with which it was told. In his frequent visits to his congregation he went on horse- back, that being the only mode of conveyance, except the stately chaise, till about the time of his death. My first recollection of him was when he came to call on my parents, when I was a child. He would hitch his horse at the gate, and my oldest sister and myself would run and meet him, when he, taking a hand of each, would lead us back to the house, chatting pleasantly; then if my father was at home the decanter of old Jamaica and tumbler were brought out, and the parson refreshed himself after his long ride. An hour passed in quiet, cheerful conversation, in which my mother joined if her mischievous children permitted her, and woe to us, after the parson was gone, if we had not behaved well. He left as he came, with pleasant words and smiles. leaving usall better and happier for his visit.
I should judge he must have been extremely liberal and tolerant in his views. About 1818 or 1520, it became noised about that Mr. Willard was not " sound in the faith " (a term much used at that time), and, as Major
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Weeks said, in 1822, Mr. Willard, learning there was dissatisfaction, asked for his dismissal, which was granted. He was succeeded by James R. Wheelock, in 1824, who, it was supposed, had more correct views, but Mr. Wheelock's cold. forbidding eye, stern features, and his harsh attacks on all those who did not endorse his views, lost him his support, and after a pas- torate of one year he resigned. In 1825 Mr. Willard was recalled to his former pastorate. The text of his first sermon was characteristic of the occasion. It was these memorable words of Peter to Cornelius, "There- fore I came to you without gainsaying as soon as I was sent for, I ask. therefore, with what intent ye have sent for me " He gave his people such a sermon as an able man with peculiar feelings would be likely to give under similar circumstances. He occupied the pulpit from that time until his death. which occurred on Sunday morning, July 22, 1826, at the age of sixty-six. The congregation had assembled, and the people were beginning to be uneasy at the non-appearance of their minister. when a man walked up the broad isle and said, "Parson Willard is dead!" This announcement caused great grief, for many loved him. Mr. Willard had dressed for church that morning as usual, but, feeling ill, he laid down and died as if going to sleep. Rev. Joseph Willard was connected with some of the most prominent families in New England, viz .: The Dwight and Edwards families. His high character and Christian sympathy were ben- eficial to the community, and he had a wonderful influence for good in molding the minds of the people. Mrs. Willard was an estimable lady. Her father, John Haven, Esq., of Portsmouth, was a gentleman of cult- ure and means.
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