USA > New Hampshire > Coos County > History of Coos County, New Hampshire > Part 68
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A few meetings were held after the above, but after 1804 no action was taken until 1872, when a meeting was called by the three, Benjamin Thompson, John Eames, John M. Whipple, who had come into possesion of the proprietors' land yet undivided, and James W. Weeks, of Lancas- ter, Adams Twitchel, of Milan, and C. E. Benton, of Guildhall, Vt., were chosen to divide the undivided unappropriated lands between them. This was done August 4, 1872, and ended the history of the original propriety of Percy.
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570
HISTORY OF COOS COUNTY.
CHAPTER LIX.
Early Settlers-Residents in 1803-Early Births and Marriages-First Town Meeting-Extracts from Records in Relation to Schools, Roads, Etc .- Civil List.
ARLY Settlers .- John Cole, James Massuere, Edward Rowell, Caleb, Isaac and Benjamin Smith, with Elisha Blake, were early settlers. Their hardships were beyond belief. Elisha Blake drew on a hand- sled from Barrington to Stark, a distance of over a hundred miles, a heavy forty-gallon kettle, and an equal weight in other articles; James Massuere frequently carried forty pounds weight on his back the same distance.
These early settlers located on Beech hill, the soil was warmer and crops not so liable to be killed by frosts as on the uncleared and swampy intervals, but as time passed and improvements became general, one by one the old homes were abandoned for the more fertile valley lands, and, probably, to-day, the lots first "pitched upon " would be considered the least desirable locations. Aunt Hannah Cole's claim, where she toiled to make a home after the early death of her husband, is valueless and aban- doned now.
Settlers in Percy, January, 1803 .- John Cole on lot 6; Caleb Smith, 25; Isaac Smith. 12; Daniel Rowel, 11; Elisha Blake, 13; Anthony Clifford, S; James Massuere, 3; Peter Leavitt, 10; Peter Leavitt, Jr., 19; Joseph Lownd, 2: James Leavitt, 4; Daniel Miles, 9; Joseph Leavitt, 18; Nathaniel Dodge, 17; James Waid, 14; John Waid, 26; Edward Rowel, 23; Thomas Eames, 15; Jonathan Cole, 20; Barnard Cole, 21; Aaron Jackson, 22; Moses Dustin, 24; Thomas Leavitt, 29; Peter Massuere, 27; Benjamin Smith, 7; Robert Leavitt, 5; Daniel Rowell, Jr., 16; Hannah Cole, 1; Hannah Cole (55 acres), 28; Abner Clark (40 acres), 30; Abner Clark (50 acres), 31; Abner Clark (160 acres), 32.
Early Births and Marriages .- Piercy Rowell, son of Daniel, was born January 20, 1790. Lydia, daughter of same, June 20, 1792. Edward and Abigail Rowell were married April 24, 1794. Robert Pike and Libby Smith married March 5, 1797. Olive, daughter of Abner Clark, was born June 4, 1796. Edmund Cole and Judith Rowell married April 9, 1797. Sarah, born March 28, 1790; Lois, born October 15, 1791; Marcy, born Sep- tember 17, 1793; Rachel, born June 21, 1795; Olive, born February 9, 1797; Alice, born November 11, 1798; Almira, August 26, 1800; all daughters of Moses Dustin. Clifford Cole and "Jint " Rowell married October 6, 1799. Children of Benjamin Smith: Sally, born April 1, 1787; Nancy, June 6, 1759; Benjamin, March 2, 1792; Nathan, August 27, 1794; Hannah, Janu- ary 18, 1798. Jared, son of Abner Clark, born February 5, 1800. Jona-
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TOWN OF STARK.
than, son of Jonathan Rowell, born February 3, 1800. John Massuere, born June 28, 1795; Marcy, June 8, 1797; James, Angust 23, 1799; children of James Massuere. Weedon, son of Clifford Cole, born October 20, 1800. Nancy, born August 10, 1799; Eleanor, born January 7, 1802; daughters of Emerson Cole. Rev. James Treadway and Elizabeth Blake married May 16, 1802.
Piercy-Civil List .- By an act approved January 9, 1795, the town of Piercy was incorporated, and held its first town meeting January 26, 1795, electing Abner Clark, moderator; Daniel Rowell, clerk; Peter Leavitt, Barnard Cole, David Rowell, selectmen.
1795, March 3. The annual town meeting was held. Daniel Rowell was clected clerk; Aaron Jackson, Peter Leavitt, Caleb Smith, selectmen. May 10, a meeting was called to nominate a suitable person to the governor for appointment of justice of the peace, and Abner Clark was recommended and duly appointed.
1796. Abner Clark, town clerk; Abner Clark, Daniel Miles, Elisha Blake, selectmen. Moses Barker re- ceives thirteen votes for senator. Voted " not to raise any money for schooling." August 29, a committee. was chosen "to rectify and regulate the affairs of the town and town officers from the incorporation."
1797. Abner Clark, clerk; Abner Clark, Elisha Blake, Barnard Cole, selectmen; voted to raise eight dol- lars in cash to pay town debts.
1798. Abner Clark, clerk; Abner Clark, Daniel Rowell, Elisha Blake, selectmen. The fifth artiele in the warrant calling the annual town meeting reads: "To see if the town will vote to pay Rev. Wm. Treadway for one day's preaching out of the town treasury," and he is voted $3.33. At a later meeting Ensign Barnard Cole is voted $2.67 for a copy of the charter of the town, and thirty-three cents for postage on the town books.
1799. Abner Clark, clerk; Daniel Miles, Barnard Cole, John Waid, selectmen; John F. Gilman gets twenty-one (all) votes for governor. At a meeting called on April 1, John Waid is voted "disqualified for a selectman," and Aaron Jackson chosen in his place.
1800. Abner Clark, clerk and treasurer; Aaron Jackson, Barnard Cole, Abner Clark, selectmen. Voted " to raise 830 for schooling to be paid in rye, wheat or Indian corn." Jonathan Rowell licensed to keep a house of entertainment.
1801. Abner Clark, clerk and treasurer; Edward Rowell, Samuel Stone, Jonathan Rowell, selectmen; twenty-two votes cast for governor. Voted "to raise $30 for schooling to be paid in wheat at 6 shillings, rye at 5 shillings or Indian (corn) at 4 shillings per bushel." Divided the town into school districts: "from the crotch of the road on the lot called Lunn's lot westerly over Beach Hill to form the west district; from the sd. crotch of sd. road easterly to the top of Mill mountain on the road to form the middle district; from the top of Mill mountain easterly to the town line to form the eastern district."
1802. Abner Clark, clerk and treasurer; Abner Clark, Edward Rowell, Samuel Stone, selectmen. $120 raised for highways; $30 for schools, to be paid in wheat at one dollar, rye eighty-three cents, Indian corn sixty-six cents. Joseph Blair licensed to sell liquors. December 27 elected Jonathan Rowell clerk; Elisha Blake, treasurer and selectman in place of Abner Clark who removes from town.
1803. Jonathan Rowell, clerk; Edward Rowell, Jonathan Rowell, James Massnere, selectmen. John T. Gilman gets seventeen to John Langdon two votes for governor. $120 for highways, $30 for schools raised this year. Jonathan Rowell recommended for justice.
1804. Daniel Miles, clerk and treasurer; Daniel Miles, John Waid, Aaron Jackson, selectmen. Abner Clark and Elisha Blake chosen delegates to the convention at Northumberland meeting house concerning the county of Coos. The most valuable settlers' lots are No. 4, valued at $300; No. 5, at #200; No. 6, 8200; No. 15, $250. Edward Rowell licensed inn keeper.
1805. Abner Clark, clerk; Abner Clark, Daniel Miles, Robert Pike, selectmen. Raised $50 for schooling. Elisha Blake chosen grand juror, James Blair drawn as petit juror.
1806. Samuel Stone, clerk; Abner Clark, Aaron Jackson, James Massuere, selectmen. $50 raised for schools; $30 to procure a plan of the town, "waits and mashures," and to support the poor. Capt. l'eter Harwood licensed to sell liquors.
1807. Abner Clark, clerk; Abner Clark, Timothy Faulkner, Edward Rowell, selectmen; Voted to raise $75 for schooling, and $210 for building school houses.
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HISTORY OF COOS COUNTY.
1808. Edward Rowell, clerk; James Massuere, Elisha Blake, Edward Rowell, selectmen. Votes for gov- ernor, John T. Gilman, Esq., seventeen, John Langdon, one. Raised $100 for schooling, $150 for roads and bridges.
1809. Robert Pike, clerk; Robert Pike, Joshua Rowell, Lewis H. Massuere, selectmen.
Inventory of Polls and Personal Property, 1809 .- Emerson Cole, one poll, two oxen, two cows, one acre mowing, one of arable land. Caleb Smith, one poll, two oxen, one cow, one acre mowing land. Daniel Row- ell, Jr., one poll, two oxen, one cow, five young cattle, one acre each past- ure. arable, and mowing. Clifford Cole, one poll, one horse, two cows, three young cattle, two acres mowing, one of arable land. Edward Rowell, one poll, one horse, two oxen, three cows, four young cattle, three acres pasture, four mowing, two arable. Aaron Jackson, one poll, one horse, two oxen, four cows, two acres pasture, one arable, two mowing land. Abijah Potter, one poll, one horse, two oxen, five cows, three young cattle, three acres pasture, four mowing, two arable. Abijah Potter, Jr., one horse, two acres mowing. Isaac Hagar, one poll, one horse, two acres mowing, one arable land. Robert Pike, one poll, one horse, two oxen, two cows, one acre each mowing and arable land. John Waid, one poll, two horses, three cows, four young cattle, three acres pasture, two each mowing and arable. John Blake, one poll, two horses, one cow, three young cattle. Elisha Blake, one poll, two oxen, one cow, one young creat- ure, six acres of mowing and two arable. Dr. Nathan Cummings, one poll, three horses, two cows, one young creature, nine acres pasture, ten mowing, four arable. Thomas Minor, one poll, one horse, one cow. David Dodge, one poll, one horse, two oxen, one cow, one acre mowing, one arable land. Edmond Cole, one poll, one colt, two oxen, three cows, one young creature, two acres mowing and two arable land. Capt. Samuel Stone, one cow. Benjamin Smith, one poll, one horse, one colt, two oxen, one cow, five young cattle, three acres pasture, five mowing, two arable. James Leavitt, one poll, one horse, two oxen, four cows, one heifer. Peter Leavitt, Jr., one poll, one horse, two oxen, two cows, two acres mowing. Joseph Leavitt, one poll, two oxen, one cow, one three-year-old, two acres mowing. Jeremiah Scates, two acres mowing, one arable land. Joshua Rowell, one poll, two oxen, one cow. Andrew Cole, one poll, one cow. Anthony Clifford, one poll, one horse, one cow, one acre each past- ure, mowing and arable land. Capt. Daniel Miles, one poll, three horses, two oxen, one cow, five acres pasture, six of mowing, one of arable land. Thomas Leavitt, one poll. one cow, one acre of mowing, one of arable. Nathaniel Leavitt, one poll, one cow, two young cattle, one acre each mow- ing and arable. Peter Massuere, one poll. Lewis H. Massuere, one poll, two oxen, two cows, two young cattle, two acres mowing, one of arable. Timothy Faulkner, one poll, one cow, two acres pasture, three mowing, one arable. James Massuere, one poll, one horse, two oxen, four cows, three acres pasture, three mowing, one arable. Nathaniel Dodge, one poll,
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TOWN OF STARK.
one cow, one acre pasture. Joseph Lunn, one poll, one cow. two young cattle. Peter Leavitt, one poll, one cow. Jacob Puck, two oxen, seven acres pasture, four acres mowing. John Leavitt, 2d, one poll, two horses. David Page. The resident county tax is $31.52; the town tax $7.35.
1810. Edward Rowell, clerk; Edward Rowell, James Massuere, James Leavitt, selcetmen. $100 cach raised for schools and roads. Ephraim MeIntire licensed innkeeper. Edward Rowell receives 86.54 for services as selectman and town clerk. James Massnere and James Leavitt each for services as selectmen, $3.00.
1811. Edward Rowell. clerk; Abijah Potter, Daniel Miles, Elisha Blake, selectmen. Politics have changed surprisingly. John Langdon gets twenty-one votes for governor, to Jeremiah Smith fourteen. Have the heavy creditors of individuals concluded to keep their influence out of town on election days? School tax, district No. 1, $12.81; No. 2, $18.46; No. 3. $9.29. December 19, Edward Rowell chosen selectman in place of Daniel Miles absent from town.
1812. Edward Rowell, clerk; Joshua Rowell, Robert Pike, Edward Rowell, selectmen. $60 for schools; $120 for highways.
1813. Edward Rowell, clerk; Daniel Rowell, James Leavitt, Ebenezer Holmes, selectmen. $70 for schools; $120 roads and bridges.
1814. Edward Rowell, clerk; Daniel Rowell, Ebenezer S. Sanborn, Ebenezer Holmes, selectmen.
1815. Edward Rowell, clerk; Edward Rowell, James Massuere, Ebenezer S Sanborn, selectmen. Raised $120 for roads; $80 for schools; $30 for town expenses.
1816. Edward Rowell, clerk; Daniel Miles, Reuben McIntire, Sylvanus Robbins, selectmen, Raised $100 each for schools and roads. Robert Pike chosen selectman in April, in place of Daniel Miles, absent from town.
1817. Edward Rowell, clerk; Daniel Rowell. Jr., Aaron Jackson, Jr., Abijah Potter, Jr., selectmen. $100 each raised for schools and roads.
1818. Abijah Potter, clerk; Daniel Rowell, Jr., James Massuere, Aaron Jackson, Jr., selectmen. Voted $100 each for roads and schools.
1819. Edward Rowell, clerk: Daniel Rowell, Jr., Aaron Jackson, Jr., James Massuere, selectmen. $150 for roads; $100 for schools.
1820. Edward Rowell, clerk; John Blake, James Massnere, Edward Rowell, selectmen. Raised $100 for schools; $150 for roads.
1821. Edward Rowell, clerk; Abijah Potter, Jr., Daniel Rowell, Jr., Edmond Cole, selectmen.
1822. Edward Rowell, clerk; Abijah Potter, Jr., John Blake, Daniel Rowell, selectmen. Raised $120 for roads; $100 for schools; $25 town expenses.
1823. Edward Rowell, clerk; Daniel Rowell, Jr., John Blake, Daniel Miles, James Massuere, David Hines, selectmen. $100 for highways and bridges; $60 for schools.
1824. Edward Rowell, clerk; Edward Rowell, John Waid, Jr., Clark McFarland, selectmen. Voted to set off a school district on the north side of the Ammonoosnc; to raise $125 for highways.
1825. Edward Rowell, clerk; Edward Rowell, Abijah Potter, Jr., Aaron Potter, selectmen. Several paupers are being supported by the town.
1826. Aaron Potter, clerk; Aaron Potter, Moses Jackson, David Hines, selectmen.
1827. Aaron Potter, clerk; Aaron Potter, Abijah Potter, David Hinds, selectmen.
1828. Aaron Potter, clerk; Aaron Potter, Daniel Rowell, Robert Pike, selectmen.
1829. Aaron Potter, clerk; Daniel Rowell, Aaron Potter. Asa Stone, selectmien.
1830. Aaron Potter, clerk; Abijah Potter, Jr., Joshua Cole, Benj. Cole, selectmen. A portion of Strat- ford is added to the town. $200 highway money raised.
1831. Aaron Potter, clerk; Joshına Cole, Aaron Potter, Benjamin Cole, selectmen.
1832. Aaron Potter, clerk; Aaron Potter, Solomon Cole, Benjamin Cole, selectmen. Voted to lay out road around Mill mountain and Cole hill.
Stark .- Officers and action of Town :-
1833. Aaron J. Smith, clerk; Aaron Potter. Solomon Cole, Harwood Pike, selectmen.
1834. Aaron J. Smith, clerk; Harwood Pike, Aaron J. Smith, Aaron Potter, selectmen. 8400 for high- ways; $180 for town debts. School districts 5, 6 and 7 formed. School house voted to be erected in distriet No. 4, near the foot of the long hill.
1835. Aaron J. Smith, clerk; Aaron Potter, Solomon Cole, William G. Hodgdon, selectmen. Voted $200 town charges; $300 for roads and bridges; $200 to build the Mill mountain road.
574
HISTORY OF COOS COUNTY.
1836. Aaron J. Smith, clerk; Solomon Cole, Harwood Pike, William C. Hodgdon, selectmen. School district No. 8 formed from No. 2. 1837. . Aaron J. Smith, clerk; Harwood Pike, George W. Rowell, Stephen Cole, selectmen. $450 raised for roads.
1838. Aaron J. Smith, elerk; Aaron Potter, Abijah Potter, Jr., Andrew Cole, Jr., selectmen.
1839. Aaron J. Smith, clerk; Solomon Cole, Aaron Potter, Justus Potter, selectmen. Raised $175 for town expenses and debts; $300 for highways, $75 of this to be expended in building bridges near Samuel Stone's and Aaron J. Smith's.
1840. Aaron J. Smith, clerk; Aaron Potter, Solomon Cole, Benjamin Cole, selectmen.
1841. A. J. Smith, clerk; Solomon Cole, H. Pike, Joel Hinds, seleetmen.
1842. A. J. Smith, clerk; Aaron Potter, Abiathar Pike, Moses Jackson, selectmen.
1843. A. J. Smith, clerk; Moses Jackson, Solomon Cole, Aaron Potter, selectmen.
1844. Solomon Cole, clerk; Moses Jackson, C. Perkins, J. Blake, selectmen.
1845. Solomon Cole, clerk; Harwood Pike, Clifford Cole, Jr., Levi Rowell, seleetmen.
1846. Solomon Cole, elerk; Aaron J. Smith, Levi Rowell, Joseph Hinds, selectmen.
1847. Solomon Cole, clerk; Aaron Potter, Joseph Hinds, John Massuere, selectmen.
1848.
Harwood Pike, clerk; A. J. Smith, John Massnere, Leonard Potter, selectmen.
1849. Harwood Pike, clerk; Solomon Cole, Charles Rowell, Calvin Perkins, selectmen.
1850. S. Cole, clerk; Moses Jackson, Calvin Perkins, Aaron J. Smith, selectmen.
1851. S. Cole, elerk; Harwood Pike, Moses Jackson, Aaron J. Smith, seleetmen.
1852. S. Cole, clerk; James G. Summers, Harwood Pike, Sylvester Cole, selectmen.
1853. Solomon Cole, clerk; A. J. Smith, S. Cole, E. Hinds, selectmen.
1854. Solomon Cole, clerk; S. Cole, J. A. Pike, W. Cole, selectmen.
1855. Solomon Cole, clerk; Levi Rowell, Aaron J. Smith, Luke Cole, selectmen.
1856. Solomon Cole, clerk; Luke Cole. Harwood Pike, Sylvester Cole, selectmen.
1857. Aaron J. Smith, clerk; Sylvester Cole, Luke Cole, Aaron A. Potter, selectmen.
1859.
A. J. Smith, clerk; Harwood Pike, Woodbury Cole, Lorenzo D. Cole, selectmen.
1861.
A. J. Smith, clerk; Solomon Cole, Luke Cole, Nehemiah Cole, selectmen.
1863.
A. J. Smith, clerk; Harwood Pike, Andrew Cole, Aaron A. Potter, selectmen.
1864. A. J. Smith. clerk; Harwood Pike, S. Cole, Luke Cole, selectmen.
1865. A. J. Smith, clerk; S. Cole, Solomon Cole, Woodbury Cole, selectmen.
1866. A. J. Smith, clerk; Woodbury Cole, J. A. Pike, Luke Cole, selectmen.
1867. A. J. Smith, elerk; Nehemiah Cole, Lnke Cole, Aaron A. Potter, selectmen.
1868. A. J. Smith, clerk; Sylvester Cole, Woodbury Cole, Joseph A. Pike, selectmen.
1869. A. J. Smith, clerk; Sylvester Cole, J. A. Pike, Dexter Cole, selectmen.
1870. A. J. Smith, clerk; J. A. Pike, Woodbury Cole. Daniel Cole, seleetmen.
1872.
A. J. Smith, clerk; Sylvester Cole. J. A. Pike, G. M. Smith, selectmen. Dexter Cole, clerk; Sylvester Cole, B. Thompson, Silas Cole, selectmen.
1875. Dexter Cole, clerk; Sylvester Cole, B. Thompson, Silas Cole, seleetmen.
1876.
A. J. Smith, clerk; Nehemiah Cole, Woodbury Cole, Silas Cole, selectmen.
1877.
A. J. Smith, clerk; J. A. Pike, Woodbury Cole, F. T. Potter, selectmen.
1879.
Albert Thompson, clerk; J. A. Pike, George S. Blake, F. T. Potter, selectmen.
1880. A. J. Smith, clerk; J. A. Pike, N. E. Hinds, F. T. Potter, selectmen.
1881. A. J. Smith, clerk; J. A. Pike, N. E. Hinds. Sylvester Cole, selectmen.
1882. A. J. Smith, clerk; Sylvester Cole, E. R. Forbush, Seth Cole, selectmen.
1883. A. J. Smith, clerk; Sylvester Cole, N. E. Hinds, Seth Cole, selectmen.
1884. W. T. Pike, clerk: J. A. Pike. L. F. Hervey, C. A. Cole, selectmen.
1885. L. F. Hervey, clerk; W. T. Pike, G. S. Blake, C. A. Cole. selectmen.
1886. L. F. Hervey, clerk; W. T. Pike. G. S. Blake, Milton I. Cole, selectmen.
Representatives. [For classed representatives, see county history.] 1872, James A. Pike; 1873. Albert Thompson; 1874, Woodbury Cole; 1875, Albert Thompson; 1876, Sylvester Cole; 1877, Sylvester Cole; 1878, Joseph A. Pike; 1879-81, George M. Smith; 1881-83, George M. Smith; 1883-85, Ephraim R. Forbush; 1885-87, Freeman T. Potter; 1887-89, Andrew Jackson.
1858. A. J. Smith, clerk; Aaron J. Smith, Solomon Cole, Woodbury Cole, selectmen.
1860.
A. J. Smith, clerk; Woodbury Cole, Solomon Cole, Moses Jackson, selectmen.
1862.
A. J. Smith, clerk; Solomon Cole, Nehemiah Cole, W. Cole, selectmen.
1873.
1871. A. J. Smith, clerk; W. Cole, J. A. Pike, D. Cole, selectmen.
1874.
L. F. Henry, clerk; B. Thompson, E. R. Forbush, Silas Cole, selectmen.
1878.
Albert Thompson, clerk; J. A. Pike, George S. Blake, F. T. Potter, selectmen.
575
TOWN OF STARK.
CHAPTER LY.
Union Church-Missionaries-Schools and Districts-Town Hall-Town Library-Action of Town in the Rebellion-Lumber-Business Interests-Brief Sketches.
u NION Church .- Not long after the coming of the railroad the citi- zens of Stark decided to build a church. Solomon Cole, Benjamin Thompson and Andrew Cole were chosen building committee, and business was carried on rapidly. The church was soon completed, and was the finest church for the cost (about $1,050) ever put up in the county. It was not built by any denomination, and is controlled entirely by the pew-owners. It will seat 250 comfortably, and services have been held regularly most of the time since its erection, principally by Methodists and Free Will Baptists. Rev. Clifford Cole of the latter church did good service as preacher for many years. A Sunday-school of from fifty to sixty scholars is conducted through the year.
The original Christian element of the town was Congregational. As early as 1810 a church of that belief was formed with seven members, but it never assumed large proportions nor influence.
Missionaries .- Rev. Royal M. Cole, son of Solomon Cole, a graduate of Bangor (Me.) Theological seminary, went as missionary to Turkey in August, 1868, and has been in active and continuous service in that field ever since.
John W. Cole, brother of the above, graduated at Bangor Theological seminary in 1862, and had made preparations to go to California as a mis- sionary, but died shortly after his graduation. Elvira Cole, of the same family, graduated at Mt. Holyoke (Mass.) seminary in 1870, married Rev. Nelson Cobleigh, and accompanied him as missionary to Oregon and Wash- ington Territory, where she is now connected with the management of Whitman college, Walla Walla, W. T.
Schools, Districts, etc .- The people of Stark have ever felt a deep in- terest in education. Some of the actions of the town meetings are told in brief and meager language on the town records, but it is the unwritten that most shows the difficulties surrounding the acquisition of knowledge dispensed in the early log school-house situated at a long distance from many of the primitive homes, but a good intellectuality was developed; and in later years the children of the parents educated in these primitive days were given advantages of learning of which their parents had no con- ception in their youth, but no school of a higher grade than the common school has flourished in the town. The town was early divided into school districts. [See extracts from records.] Later divisions were as follows:
576
HISTORY OF COOS COUNTY.
At the annual town meeting in 1846, a committee previously appointed to district the town made a report dividing the town into nine districts, the boundaries of which are duly spread upon the town record book. In 1879 Joseph A. Pike, George S. Blake and Freeman T. Potter, as a committee of the town, re-arranged the school districts, constituting eight; and the educational plan thereafter existing has continued substantially the same until the present.
In 1876 these rules were adopted for the schools :-
"School-rooms shalt be kept warm and clean, and teachers in their discretion require scholars to kindle fires and sweep school-rooms. Scholars shall be responsible to teachers for any miscon- duct in going to or returning from school, except when in the immediate care of their parents, masters, or guardians. No profane swearing, obscene or vulgar language or expressions will be allowed to be used in or about the school-houses or grounds."
The penalty for a " willful offense" of these rules was expulsion from the school and its benefits.
Town Hall .- At the annual meeting in 1846 it was voted to build a town-house "near the bridge on the south road, near Clifford Cole, Jr.'s"; the site to be selected by a committee of nine-one from each highway district-Daniel Rowell, Solomon Cole, John Massuere, Abiathar Pike, Ezra Hinds, Weeden Cole, Moses Jackson, John Roberts, and Joshua. Lunn, and $300 was voted for the purpose. The neat and commodious town hall on its pleasant situation was the outgrowth of this movement.
Town Library .- In July, 1873, a movement was made for a library for the use of the people. A subscription paper was circulated, and very soon the handsome sum of $328 was raised for the purchase of books, and the "Stark Library Association " formed. In the call for the annual meeting of March, 1874, the eleventh article in the warrant read "to see what ac- tion the town will take with regard to a town library"; and it was voted "to accept the library of the Association now existing, and to pay $100 a year" for its benefit. Albert Thompson was appointed librarian; Albert Thompson, W. T. Pike, and Joshua Rowell chosen to purchase books. The town voted $100 annually for some time thereafter, and of late years has appropriated $50 a year for the benefit of the library. This library has been well patronized, has wrought a perceptibly good work among the community, and now consists of over 1,200 well selected volumes. George P. Rowell, of the Percy Summer Club, gave to the town recently about seventy fine books for the town library. Electa M. Pike is the librarian.
Action of Town in the Rebellion. March 11, 1862 .- Voted that $100 of money already raised be applied if necessary to the support of families of volunteers, to be appropriated under and in accordance with law.
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