USA > New Hampshire > Coos County > History of Coos County, New Hampshire > Part 48
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HISTORY OF COOS COUNTY.
was prevalent from this cause, particularly among the children. For the use of a horse to go to Portsmouth and return with two bushels of salt, one bushel was frequently paid. The nearest grist-mill, at Haverhill, was fifty miles away. Grists were carried on horseback, or on "cars" made of two poles fastened together; the horse or ox being attached to one end as to a pair of thills, the other, bearing the burden, dragging on the ground. Had it not been for the game and fish. which were abundant, many must have starved. Trout weighing seven pounds were not uncommonly found in Israel's river; moose could be killed at almost any time, and the meat preserved by drying or smoking; bear were equally as plenty. After corn and wheat were raised, much of it was pounded in large wooden mortars, and cooked and eaten.
The first white woman of the town was Nancy, whose story has been told in every book published concerning the White Mountains. Her full name is said by some to be Nancy Livermore; but the weight of au- thority gives it as Nancy Barton. She came here as cook for Col. Whip- ple, and kept a boarding-house for the men who were clearing land for him. She was a hard-working woman, and by her toil in this wild country, had accumulated some money, which, in the fall of 1788, she entrusted to an employé of Col. Whipple, with the intention of going with him to Portsmouth with the Colonel's next party, and settling down there to the enjoyment of married life. This did not meet the Colonel's wishes, for he did not desire to lose his competent cook, and he arranged with her treacherous lover to start during her temporary absence at Lancaster. She learned this, by some means, the day of their departure, at once walked to Jefferson, tied up a small bundle of clothing, and set out to overtake them at their first stopping place, the "Notch," thirty miles distant through an unbroken wilderness. She travelled all night through the freshly fallen snow, reached the camp soon after they had left, tried in vain to re-kindle the fire, and then hastened on after them through the "Notch " and wild valley of the Saco. For several hours she continued her course, fording and re-fording the icy river. Exhausted nature at last gave way, and she was found, frozen to death, a few hours afterwards, by a party who came after her from 'Col. Whipple's farm. Nancy's bridge and Nancy's rock in Bartlett both claim the melancholy honor of being the place where she expired.
Deborah Vicker .- The second woman was Deborah Vicker, who came from Portsmouth, and succeeded Nancy as cook for Col. Whipple. She lived here eighteen months before she saw a white woman. She brought with her the first Bible in the town, for which she paid ten weeks' work, at fifty cents a week. Her strong mind, energetic will, and remarkable physical endurance gave her immense influence among the Indians and settlers of a broad extent of territory. Tradition tells us that she made
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TOWN OF JEFFERSON.
the first maple sugar of the settlement, in what is now John A. Hicks's sugar orchard. Col. Whipple paid her over a year's wages in depreciated Continental currency which he knew to be nearly valueless. When she learned of the character of the pay, she quietly waited until the Colonel came again from Portsmouth, when she remonstrated with him in such a forcible manner that he gave her a choice of any unsold fifty acres in the town, in addition to what she had been paid. She chose the lower half of lot No. 10, range 6. In the deed made by Col. Whipple. December 10, 1797, the consideration is given as "one dollar duly and truly in hand paid before the delivery hereof, and the love I bear to the said Deborah Vicker." She at once employed Benjamin Hicks to fell some trees and begin a clearing. Returning to Portsmouth in a few months, she married Richard Stalbird, and the next spring came to Jefferson. Mr. Stalbird thought this land too rocky, and exchanged it with Col. Whipple for the upper half of the lot. Here Mr. and Mrs. Stalbird settled and made their life residence. In later years she added to her natural great skill in nurs- ing a knowledge of Indian remedies, and travelled. an angel of mercy, through northern New Hampshire, braving all kinds of dangers to relieve suffering, and was welcomed everywhere as "Granny Stalbird."
The first communication with Lancaster was by a bridle-path, without bridges. along Israel's river. The first path from the Notch came over the hill back of the Elephant's Head. Col. Whipple did a great labor on this. The first cows brought to town came by this path. The first barrel of rum in the settlement came on a car along this route, and was brought by Samuel Marden.
Adino N. Brackett wrote this description of Jefferson in 1821 :-
"The turnpike road, leading from Lancaster to Portland, runs through Jefferson; and a road of considerable travel, which passes by the north end of the White Mountains, branches off from the turnpike in this town. The easterly side runs up high on Mount Pliny, which lies mostly in this town. Along the southwesterly and westerly side of this mountain lie a number of excellent and beautiful farms, which command a most delight- ful view of the White Mountains.
"Israel's river runs through Jefferson from southeast to northwest. It receives a considerable southern branch a little southward of the seat formerly owned by Col. Joseph Whipple, and now by Daniel Austin, Esq. Here the river forms an extensive and beautiful meadow. This lies directly in front of the house, and, during the spring and summer months, is clothed in the richest vegetable green. The meadow is perfectly level, which might fatigue the eye, were it not occasionally caught by a majestic spreading elm, which the taste of the owner has suffered to occupy the spot where it has stood rooted for ages. In addition to these, the fine farms before mentioned lie directly before you at a short distance beyond
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HISTORY OF COOS COUNTY.
the meadow, between which, and the farms at the base of Mount Pliny, stretches a zone of fine forest trees; and, to complete the scenery, a little to the right appear the lofty domes of Mount Washington, Mount Jeffer- son, and Mount Adams. The beauty, the variety, and the grandeur of the objects which are here presented, render it one of the most delightful spots, during a clear summer's day, which is anywhere to be found in actual existence, and the imagination can hardly create a finer scene. But when the clouds begin to roll over the mountains in dreadful haste, all is at once changed; what before was beautiful now becomes terrible; the clouds, broken by the violence of the wind, cover, in part, the mountains' heads, or roll down and envelope the plains in darkness. If the eye breaks the gloom, the mountain resembles a gigantic maniac ready to seize the affrighted inhabitants.
"The land in the westerly part of the town is too wet for cultivation. The high land is covered with a growth of hard wood, of which the sugar maple forms a considerable part. The low land is covered with spruce, fir, and larch. There are a few pines in the town, but not enough for the use of the inhabitants. There is no saw or grist mill in Jefferson, nor any machinery carried by water. About a year ago (1820) a fine set of mills, which were erected by Col. Whipple at a great expense, were burned down. Israel's river furnishes water and sites sufficient for any number of mills. Jefferson has no settled minister. but it is believed a regular Baptist church exists there. It has an handsome and convenient school-house."
Boundaries and Population .- Jefferson is bounded north by Lancaster and Kilkenny, east by Randolph, south by the White Mountain region and Carroll. west by Whitefield. The population in 1810 was 197; in 1820, 252; in 1885, 965. December 7, 1842, all the inhabitable portion of Kil- kenny was annexed to Jefferson, and it now forms the east and south- eastern part of the town. The total valuation of the town in March, 1887, was $288,972; the number of polls, 318; number of horses, 394: number of cattle, 988; number of sheep, 661.
CHAPTER XXXIV.
Civil List-Representatives, Town Clerks, Selectmen, Supervisors.
R EPRESENTATIVES .- Immediately after the annual town meeting, that day when the citizens of each little republic met to choose their servants for "the year ensuing." came the great day of the year, the district meeting, at which the ambitious would-be-representative was
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TOWN OF JEFFERSON.
elected to go to Concord or-to stay at home. Few people of the present day realize with what vim and energy a campaign of this kind was conducted. Food was free, and "refreshment " flowed. The " District " was composed of Lancaster, Jefferson, Bretton Woods and Nash and Saw- yer's Location. Of course Lancaster was the larger town, and in the words of the immortal Sampson, " What in - do we want of Giffersin?" The records show that at a meeting held in Jefferson in 1801. Richard C. Ever- ett was elected representative; in 1803, 1807, 1809, 1811, William Love- joy; in 1813, 1815, 1817, A. N. Brackett.
In 1809 Samuel Plaisted, of Jefferson, had forty-six votes for representa- tive, but it does not appear that he was elected until 1820. The district now was composed of Jefferson, Durand (called Randolph a few years later), Shelburne, Shelburne Addition (Gorham), Bretton Woods, and Nash and Sawyer's Location. This year, 1820, Samuel Plaisted waselected. In 1821 and 1823, Frederick Ingalls was chosen. In 1828 and 1830, William Cham- berlain was chosen. Mr. Chamberlain was one of the first settlers, and evidently a prominent man in the town. In 1832, Clovis Lowe was chosen: 1834, Daniel Pinkham: 1836, Robert Tuttle; 1838, David Legro; 1840, Robert Tuttle: 1841, Justus Low; 1843, Joseph Meserve: 1545, James G. Summers: 1847, Edward Parsons. In 1850 Jefferson had 161 voters, and was entitled to send a representative alone, and elected Benjamin H. Plaisted. He was a son of Samuel Plaisted, who was representative in 1820. B. H. Plaisted was also representative in 1851 and in 1852. In 1853-54, Moses Woodward; 1855, B. H. Plaisted: 1856-57, Nathan R. Per- kins; 1858-59, Benjamin Kenison; 1860-61, Charles L. Plaisted: 1862-63, Nathan R. Perkins; 1864-65, C. L. Plaisted; 1866, N. R. Perkins; 1867-68, Charles Hight; 1869, C. L. Plaisted; 1870-71. Benjamin F. Howard; 1872-73, William Gray: 1874-75, Ezra B. Rogers; 1876-77, John A. Hicks; 1878-79-80, Lewis J. Palmer; 1881-82, Abner Davis; 1883-84, William Crawshaw; 1585-86. Manasseh Perkins; 1887, Benjamin Garland.
Town Clerks .- 1798, Samuel Plaisted; 1799, Reuben Haywood; 1800-01-02-03-04-05-06. James Hight; 1807- 08, Eleazer Dennison; 1809-10-11-12, John Marden; 1813-14, Samuel Plaisted, Jr .: 1815-16-17, William Plaisted; 1818, Josiah Hight; 1819, William Plaisted; 1820-21-22-23, Benjamin Ilicks, Jr .; 1824-25-26. Timothy Faulk- ner: 1827-28-29-30, Benjamin Hicks, Jr. : 1831, Hubbard Holmes: 1832-33-34-35-36-37-38, Benjamin licks, Jr., 1839-40, Aaron M. Pottle; 1841, Benjamin Hicks, Jr .: 1842-13-44-45-46-17-18, Edward Parsons: 1849. Francis W. Town was chosen town clerk, held the office part of the year and probably moved away. Moses Woodward took his place: 1850, Edward Parsons; 1851. Lneins M. Rosebrook; 1852, J. P. Plaisted; 1853-54-53-56-57-58-59, Charles L. Plaisted; 1860-61, James H. Goodall; 1862-63-64-65-66-67-68-69-70-71-72, 6. L. Plaisted: 1873-74-75- 76-77-78-79-80-81-82-83-84-85-86-87, John A. Ilieks.
Selectmen .- 1798, Benning Simes, James Ilight, Samuel Plaisted: 1799, John Marden, James Rider, Will- iam lewes; 1800. Samuel Plaisted, Eleazer Dennison, Benjamin Ilicks: 1801. John Marden, James Rider, William Hewes: 1802, Samuel Plaisted. Timothy Holmes, Asa Grosvenor; 1803, James Rider, Sanmel Plaisted, Benning Simes; 1804. Timothy Holmes. Thomas Marden, Samuel Plaisted: 1805, Thomas Marden, William Summers, Thomas Hart; 1806, Benning Simes, * Sanmel Plaisted, Sanmel Hart; 1807, John Ingerson, Thomas
* Eliakim Hartford, a young man, was chosen first selectman, but not being a " frecholder," the vote was recalle I and Benning Simes chosen in his place.
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HISTORY OF COOS COUNTY.
Marden, Benning Simes; 1808, Samuel Plaisted, Eleazer Dennison, Lazerus Holmes; 1809, Benning Simes, Thomas Marden, William Chamberlain; 1810, James Rider, William Summers, Benning Simes; 1811, John Marden, James Rider, Samnel Plaisted; 1812. Samuel Plaisted, John Marden, James Rider; 1813, Samuel Plaisted, Richard Perkins, Samuel Plaisted, Jr .; 1814, Benjamin Simes, Samnel Plaisted, William Plaisted; 1815, Levi Seavey, John Ingerson, Joshua Hart; 1816, James Rider, William Chamberlain, Samuel Plaisted; 1817, Samuel Plaisted, James Rider, William Chamberlain; 1818, James Hight, Jared Barker, George W. Simes; 1819, Samuel Plaisted, William Chamberlain, James Rider; 1820, William Chamberlain, Samuel Plaisted, Benjamin Hicks, Jr .; 1821, Samuel Plaisted, Benjamin Hicks, Jr .. Israel Hight; 1822, George P. Plaisted, Timothy Faulkner, Benjamin Hicks, Jr .; 1823, Timothy Faulkner, Richard Perkins, Timothy Estes; 1824, G. P. Plaisted, William Chamberlain, Timothy Estes; 1825, Richard Perkins, Jr., Timothy Faulkner, Timothy Estes; 1826, Richard Perkins, Timothy Estes, Timothy Faulkner; 1827, Luke Woodward, Timothy Faulkner, G. P. Plaisted; 1828, William Chamberlain, William Dennison, William Summers; 1829, G. P. Plaisted, Peter Stillings, Timothy Estes; 1830, William Dennison, John J. Blaisdell, David Chamberlain; 1831, William Dennison, Clovis Lowe, Ezekiel Drew; 1832, John J. Blaisdell, David Chamberlain, William Chamberlain; 1833, John J. Blaisdell, David Chamberlain, William Plaisted; 1834, William Chamberlain, John J. Blaisdell, Robert Tuttle; 1835, William Chamberlain, Robert Tuttle, David Chamberlain; 1836, Robert Tuttle, William Chamberlain, Israel Hight; 1837 Robert Tuttle, Israel Hight, James G. Summers; 1838, David Legro, James G. Summers, Nicholas Tuttle; 1839. David Legro, Nicholas Tuttle, Timothy Estes; 1840, Benjamin Reed, William Chamberlain, David Legro; 1841, Benjamin Reed, William Chamberlain. J. H. Perkins: 1842, Benjamin Reed, William Summers, Charles Plaisted; 1843, Elias Hall, Joshua Plaisted, Benja- min Hicks, Jr .; 1844, Elias Hall, Nicholas Tuttle, Charles Plaisted; 1845, Nicholas Tuttle, B. H. Plaisted, Francis W. Town; 1846, Benjamin Reed, Moses Woodward, B. H. Plaisted; 1847, B. H. Plaisted, James G. Summers, Nicholas Tuttle; 1848, Edward Parsons, Lewis J. Palmer, Nicholas Tuttle; 1849, B. H. Plaisted Anson Stillings, Jeremiah Ricker; 1850, B. H. Plaisted, Charles Hight, Charles Hutchinson; 1851, Charles Hutchinson, B. H. Plaisted, Charles Hight; 1852, B. H. Plaisted, Charles Hight, Nicholas Tuttle; 1853, B. H. Plaisted, Joseph T. Pinkham, I. H Perkins; 1854, B. H. Plaisted, Charles Hight, Dan Eastman; 1855, Pres- bury West, Jr. Lewis J. Palmer, Edward Parsons; 1856. B. H. Plaisted, Charles Hight, Anson F. Wesson; 1857, B. II. Plaisted, Anson F. Wesson, John Goodall; 1858, Emmons S. McIntire, John Goodall, William Gray; 1859, John Goodall, William Gray, Amasa Holmes; 1860, Charles Hight, Amasa Holmes, Levi Stalbird; 1861, Charles Hight, Levi Stalbird, James F. D. Rosebrook; 1862, Charles Hight, J. F. D. Rosebrook, Sylves- ter P. Martin; 1863. Charles Hight, Jolin Goodall, J. F. D. Rosebrook; 1864, Charles Hight, Nathan R. Per- kins, John P. Plaisted; 1865, Charles Hight, John Goodall, Moses Roberts; 1866, Nicholas Tuttle, John Crawshaw, Benjamin Tuttle; 1867, John Crawshaw, Benjamin Tuttle, Jolm A. Hicks; 1868. C. L. Plaisted, John A. Hicks, Nathan R. Perkins; 1869, C. L. Plaisted, E. B. Rogers, Benjamin Tuttle; 1870, C. L. Plaisted, Ezra B. Rogers, Benjamin Tuttle; 1871, Ezra B. Rogers. Benjamin Tuttle, William E. Howe; 1872, Benja- min Tuttle, William E. Howe. John Crawshaw; 1873, Benjamin Tuttle, John Crawshaw. William E. Howe; 1874, John Crawshaw, Alonzo L. Berry, Charles Crawford; 1875, Benjamin Tuttle, Charles Crawford, James Hight; 1876, Charles Crawford, James Hight, William Crawshaw; 1877. Benjamin Tuttle; William Crawshaw, Ephraim James; 1878, William Crawshaw, Ephraim James, Alonzo L. Berry; 1879, Benjamin Tuttle, Ezra B. Rogers, George W. Crawford; 1880, Charles H. Burnham, Jared H. Plaisted, George W. Crawford; 1881, Ezra B. Rogers, Benjamin C. Garland, Manasseh Perkins; 1882. Charles H. Burnham, Nicholas Tuttle, 2d, Albert L. Martin; 1883. C. H. Burnham, Nicholas Tuttle. 2d, Albert L. Martin; 1884, C. H. Burnham, Manasseh Perkins, William F. Jewett; 1885, William F. Jewett, William J. Chamberlain, Charles K. Gile; 1886, William J. Chamberlain, C. K. Gile, John W. Crawshaw; 1887, William J. Chamberlain, Mark Rines, Edmund J. Mc- Intire.
Supervisors .- 1880, Nathan R. Perkins, Jacob Davis, William Crawshaw; 1882, Jacob Davis, Abner Davis, Lewis H. Palmer; 1884, Abner Davis, Jacob Davis, Lewis H. Palmer; 1886, Richard B. Eastman, Ezra B. Rogers, John B. MeIntire.
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TOWN OF JEFFERSON.
CHAPTER XXXV.
Educational Interests - Action of the Town in Relation to Schools 1798-1827 - " Old North School-House " -- School Officers - Superintending Committee -- Board of Education.
DUCATION .- We now come to the history of schools. At the first town meeting of which we have record, Tuesday, March 13. 1798, it was voted to raise nine pounds to pay for the town charter and necessary charges. It was also voted to raise thirty dollars in cash or wheat to support a school. March 12, 1799, it was voted to raise " twenty dollars to be laid out in schooling." There was no school-house, and, at an adjourned meet- ing held December 19, it was voted that the " school tax " be used to pay town charges. March 8, 1803, it was voted to build a school-house and a committee chosen. The meeting adjourned to March 21st, when "the vote to build a school house was reconsidered." March 11, 1806, it was again voted to build a school-house, but the vote was " recalled." and meet- ing adjourned. The sturdy friends of education were not discouraged by defeat. March 19, the adjourned meeting was " disolved," and April 5, 1806, the following "Petition " was presented to the selectmen :-
"STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE,
Coös, $$8.
. " The subscribers, Freeholders, in Jefferson, County of Coos, do humbly request you, the Se- lectmen of the town of Jefferson, Benjamin Simes, Samuel Hart, and Samuel Plaisted, to call a Town Meeting for the following purposes:
" 1st. To choose a moderator to govern said meeting.
" 2d. To see if the town will allow the selectmen's bill for building a bridge over Israel's river, and raise money to discharge the same.
' 3d. To see if the town will raise money to maintain a school.
"4th. To see if the town will vote to build one or more school-houses, and to agree in what manner they shall be built.
" Benjamin Hieks, Lazeras Holmes,
"James Fight, John Garland.
"John Marden, Samuel Marden
" Thomas Marden, William Summers,
" John Wentworth, Nick Stillings,
" Joshua Hart."
A meeting was called and it was voted to build a school house. 24x18, the present year, and that James Hight and James Rider should be a committee to " conclude where it should be built." May 16, 1806. it was voted that John Marden and Samuel Hart " be a committee to receive material from the town to build a school-house and have it built by the last of November." It appears that the committee did not agree upon a location, and the next March it was voted to build two houses, and. on the 9th of April, 1807, Benning Simes, Samuel Plaisted and Eleazer Dennison were chosen a committee to divide the town into two districts. March S,
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HISTORY OF COOS COUNTY.
1808, a vote to raise money to build a school-house was taken and lost. March 14, 1809, it was voted that the " town make a tax to the amount of two hundred dollars for building school-houses."
August 3, 1809, a regular school system for the town was inaugurated. John Marden was chosen clerk for the North District, and Thomas Marden, William Chamberlain and Joshua Hart, committee. Samuel Plaisted was chosen clerk for the South District, and George Holmes, William Sum- mers and Nicholas Stillings, committee. In 1812 a vote to raise money to finish the school-houses was taken and lost. In 1813 there was an article in the warrant "to see if the town will accept the committee's account of what they have expended on the school-house, and whether the town will accept the school-house," and the meeting adjourned without taking any action on the article.
The first record we find of the use of the school-house was the second Tuesday of March, 1816. The town meetings heretofore had been held in private dwellings, Hight, Holmes, and Plaisted being mentioned. This year the meeting was warned and held at the "North school-house in said town, " at which Nicholas Stillings, John Marden and William Plaisted were chosen school committee. In 1819 we find a vote to allow the east part of the town a part of the school money, and also to allow the school- master two dollars for his expenses home. In 1827 the town was divided into four districts, and the next year another district was added, and the limits and bounds of each district defined. It was also voted that each district should elect its own officers. In 1829 it was voted that the " liter- ary fund " be divided among the school districts, and that each district should have the control of its own money.
This year there were seventy votes cast. Benjamin Pierce for governor had fifty-six and John Bell fourteen. The town tax was $73; county tax, $31; state tax. $55; and school tax, $124. There probably had been more or less schooling up to this time. The people had but little money and had to work hard and bear many privations; but a few determined, progressive men made their influence felt, and to-day their descend- ants are an honor to the town. A part of the "Old North School- house " still stands. After many years' service as school-house, church and public hall, it makes a good shop for a busy mechanic. Its old walls are almost sacred. Generations have come and gone. Here a governor of Maine learned his A B Cs. Here old Master Grout wielded the rod, and old men mention his name with respect. Here the old itinerant, after a weary horseback ride of many miles, told of peace and good will. Here the voters came and chose their town officers, and helped elect the governor and president, and from here they sometimes sadly bore their dead to rest. The prayer meeting and the singing school were convened within its walls, and young men whispered the old, old story, and went out, and lived, and
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TOWN OF JEFFERSON.
loved, and died, and others came, and are hurrying along, in the same procession, down and out, perhaps, to a better life beyond.
School Officers .- The first superintending school committee of which we find record was March 25, 1828, and their names were John J. Blaisdell, Benjamin Hicks, Jr., and David Chamberlain. After this, as the years pass along, we find the names of Aaron M. Pottle, B. H. Plaisted, Francis M. Town, Nicholas Tuttle. Benjamin Read, Abraham Bedell, Charles Hight and Elisha Bedell. In 1855 it was voted to have but one man, and Marshall C. Dexter was chosen for one year. Then we find L. B. Moulton, Presbury West, 3d, Nathan R. Perkins (for some years), then L. B. Moulton, James M. Hartwell. Truman Carter and William Crawshaw. Haven Palmer was committee two years, and William Crawshaw again in 1868 and '69. In 1870 Abner Davis was chosen and held the office two years. In 1873 Davis was elected again and held the office some years, after which Richard B. Eastman and L. H. Palmer were chosen Abner Davis was the last superintending committee chosen under the old district system.
Wealth and population have increased. We now have eight school- houses and one good graded school. Good school-houses are taking the places of the old ones, and capable teachers are fitting the children for the active duties of life. The children are quick to learn, and many of them leave the school-room as students. only to return in a short time as efficient teachers. The people are now, not only voting for good school-houses, but are voting money for books, globes and good teachers. The board of edu- cation now is Abner Davis, John M. Morse and George E. Hutchins.
CHAPTER XXXVI.
Ecclesiastical History-First Sermon-Baptist Church-Names of Early Members-Pastors- Free Will Baptist Church-Members-Pastors-Elder Morse-Methodism-Progress - Leaders- .Class - Members - Church Organized - Pastors - Sabbath-School.
F IRST Sermon .- In Dr. Jeremy Belknap's account of his tour to the White Mountains in the summer of 1784, we find that the first ser- mon preached in Jefferson was by Dr. Belknap. His text was from 1 Corinthians, 6: 19, 20. Rev. Daniel Little, then pastor of the church in Kennebunk, Maine, baptized eight children; Rev. Manasseh Cutler, of Ipswich, Mass., made the concluding prayer. Thirty-eight people of the place were present. This religious service was held in Colonel Whipple's barn, Tuesday afternoon, July 26, during a thunder shower.
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