History of Coos County, New Hampshire, Part 85

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 85

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Very soon after this. Alexander Rae, a magistrate of the County of Compton, Lower Canada, also visited the place; and, calling a meeting of those in favor of Canadian jurisdiction. he addressed them at considerable length, and in quite inflammatory language, assuring them of the imme- diate protection of His Britannic Majesty's government and advising them to resist, by any and all means within their power, what he termed, "the encroachments of the authorities of the state of New Hampshire." Thus

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assured, several of the Canadians openly defied the authorities of the state, fortified their houses. armed themselves and threatened vengeance on those loyal to the state. Many made threats against Deputy-Sheriff Blanchard in his attempts to discharge his official duties, and, on the morn- ing of the 2d of October. he awoke to find his dwelling surrounded by a body of armed men from Canada, augmented by a small detachment from the immediate neighborhood, headed by a sheriff, who immediately arrested him on a Canadian warrant, and started with him on foot, en route for Canada. The news of his arrest soon spread over this and the border- towns in New Hampshire, and created an intense excitement. By noon of the same day a party of nearly 150 mounted men, armed with a great diversity of implements of warfare, were in close pursuit, paying very little attention to the boundary line. They came up with the party having Blanchard one mile from the boundary on the Canadian side, and, after a short skirmish, in which two of the Canadians were wounded, (Bernard Young, from a pistol shot in the groin, and Alexander Rae, by a sabre-cut across the head, ) Blanchard was rescued and conducted to Canaan, Vt., where, after celebrating their victory on a foreign soil in their happy man- ner, these patriotic volunteers, so suddenly organized as an invading mili- tary force, as suddenly disbanded and quietly returned to their respective homes.

These counter invasions by armed men formed the subject of a long diplomatic correspondence between the governments of Great Britain and the United States, and was finally amicably settled by the treaty of Wash ington in 1842. Public feeling was much excited along the frontier, on both sides, by these events: and considerable apprehension was felt by many of the citizens of this territory for their safety. The animosity exist- ing between the parties was greatly intensified by these acts of violence. Most of the citizens armed themselves in self-defense, and a general con- dition of anarchy and confusion existed.

[See "Indian Stream War " in County History.]

The period succeeding the " war " for seven years was a season of com- paratively quiet rural life, unmarked by any disturbing element, or promi- nent political or social action. The year 1836 brought a cold season, with frosts every month in the year. Crops failed to ripen, and the material prosperity of the settlement was very considerably retarded by the scarcity of provisions resulting from the unfavorable weather. There was a con- tinnous succesion of favorable seasons after this for a long period. Exten- sive clearings were made in the surrounding forests, the virgin soil yielded abundant returns for the labors of the husbandman. and a very marked degree of agricultural prosperity prevailed.

Pittsburg was incorporated at the November session of the legislature in 140, and at that time contained about sixty ratable polls. fifty-four

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voters, and a total valuation of about $50,000, exclusive of the state lands. which were not considered subject to taxation for municipal purposes. although within the corporate limits of the town.

[Kimball B. Fletcher, son of Ebenezer, was appointed postmaster at Indian Stream, December 12, 1536. This office was kept at his residence near Fletcher's Mills, and discontinued after three years. This appoint- ment was made when United States officials were held in little respect. except where their own prowess demanded it, and Mr. Fletcher slept at night with a heavy, loaded hunting-rifle hanging within reach over his head, a large smooth-bore, loaded with a ball and six buck shots, by the side of his bed, and a double-barrelled rifle-pistol with sixteen-inch barrels under his pillow. It is safe to say that if there had been any attempt to interfere with him, some one would have been hurt, and the Canadian sympathizers knew it, and he was not molested.

In early times "raisings " of barns and houses were matters of neigh. borhood jollity. People assembled from many miles around: the men to lift or "raise" the heavy timbers into position; the women to aid in the cooking required for so large a company. When the "raising " was com- pleted, some bright man either gave a name to the building or a toast to the owners. The day's work was succeeded by a night of merriment and dancing. The subjoined toast was composed and delivered by Kimball B. Fletcher at the raising of Parker Tabor's house in Pittsburg in 1535 .- EDITOR.]

" IIere is a fine frame ! It stands high on dry land. The owner is rich, and a very fine man. At home he is honored, and abroad it's the same; May he still keep increasing in honor and fame. This house it stands square, and in a fair view Of a river, fine meadows and neighbors a few. The timber is square, and is well put together; May God bless the owner forever and ever ! This house shall be finished from bottom to top.

There's one thing I'll mention I like to've forgot: He has a wife ready courted that is worthy of praise. In this house both together fat babie's they'll raise."

Tornado .- July 30, 1868, a fearful hurricane came from the northwest, cut through the dense forests a breadth of three-quarters of a mile, tearing rocks from their beds, and tossing them into the air. As it came through the Tabor Notch. it entirely destroyed the Tabor sugar-orchard of 300 trees: passing Indian Stream, it tore down 100 acres of massive maples and elms belonging to E. L. Farnham; continuing over the southwest side of Fletcher mountains, it turned its course northward, and nearly demolished the great sugar-orchard of E. C. Aldrich. Buildings were overthrown. the old Fletcher house rent into thousands of pieces, and the large Fletcher barn, made of immense timbers of hard wood built by Ebenezer Fletcher

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very early, and considered the strongest structure in the county, after being moved some inches from its base, had its roof taken off, and many of its timbers carried eighty rods. Mr. Aldrich's family were all there at the time, but had fled to the shed for safety, and that, strange to say, escaped destruction. The tornado also did much damage to stock, build- ings, and crops; but the only serious injury to man was the breaking of Mr. Chappell's leg by a flying timber.

CHAPTER LXXX.

Legislative Action Concerning Pittsburg, 1844-1867-Action of Town in the Rebellion- Civil List.

T the June session of the legislature in 1844 an act was passed author- izing a " survey of the public lands in the town of Pittsburg," and Ephraim Cross. of Lancaster, was appointed agent. James W. Weeks, of Lancaster, assisted by William D. Weeks, was employed for the field work under the direction of the agent. Work was commenced on the ground in August following. The boundaries of the town were traced and plotted; and a section containing 20,000 acres, embracing a considerable part of the settled portion of the town within its limits, and including more than two-thirds of the lands granted to the original settlers by the act of 1824, and which had been surveyed and lotted, and the lines marked, nearly a quarter of a century before. Cross proceeded to reorganize the old bound- aries of improved lands, cutting up and dividing farms regardless of the rights of owners, by arbitrary lines traced on the ground and monuments erected at the corners of the lots. This work is still known as "Cross's survey." and only recognized as determining the boundaries of lots not hitherto granted. A map of the work was prepared by J. W. Weeks, and placed on file at Concord. The north line of this survey, known as "Cross north line." forms the southern boundary of the "Colebrook Academy Grant," and the " Pittsburg School Grant " This survey was indefinitely suspended at the next session of the legislature.

In ists an act was passed "defining the boundaries of the town of Pittsburg." and adding to it the "township" of Carlisle, includ- ing an area of 60,000 acres, and which had not hitherto been con- sidered within the corporate limits of the town. Also, in the same year, another act was passed, exempting the town from the provisions of the general law in regard to dividing towns into school districts, and authoriz-

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ing the selectmen of the town to divide the settled portions thereof into districts in such manner as they might deem just and proper, (some act of this kind being deemed necessary from the fact that it was impossible to comply with the existing statute in relation thereto, requiring all the land in the several towns to be districted, while the public domain within the limits of this town was not subject to local taxation.) At the November session of the legislature in 1848, an act was passed directing a further sur- vey of the "state lands in the town of Pittsburg, " and David Blanchard, of Pittsburg, and John Flanders, of Stewartstown, were appointed agents by Governor Dinsmore to make the survey. Field work was commenced in March, 1849, by David Blanchard, James W. Weeks, and John H. Spauld- ing. The principal streams were surveyed and plotted; the boundaries between the public lands, and a considerable portion of those of the settlers, determined; about 30,000 acres of the state lands lotted in lots of 206 acres, each including six acres as allowance for highways: the boundaries of the "Colebrook Academy Grant " determined and marked; and a plan of the work filed in the office of the secretary of state in June, following. This was the last survey by the state of the public lands in town. At the June session of the legislature of 1850, an act was passed "granting to each actual settler on the public lands in Pittsburg, who had entered on the same since 1824, the lands in his possession not exceeding the amount of one hundred acres." Another supplementary act was passed July 4, 1860, as follows :-

"That the title of this state in and to all lots of land in the town of Pittsburg, upon which any settler, his heirs, or assigns have been in actual possession, bona fide, and making improvements for the period of six months last preceding the passage of this act, or upon which any settler, having heretofore entered and made improvements, or the assessors of said town have so far considered the same to be owned by any indi- vidual as to tax and cause the same to be sold for taxes, is hereby confirmed and released in each case in. and to, said settler, his heirs, or assigns and to the purchaser under said sales."

At the June session. 1858. an act was passed granting to the town a tract of 6,000 acres of land lying between Indian and Perry streams and north of Cross's north line, for the aid and benefit of common schools. This grant was sold the following year, and the proceeds invested at six per cent., the income from which is annually expended for educational pur- poses.

In 1865 the state granted to the town a tract of 5,000 acres to aid in the construction of a road from the outlet of Connecticut lake to the town of Aukland, Quebec, a distance of eleven miles. This road was subsequently located, the timber cut out, and the section between Perry and Indian streams, about three miles, made passable for carriages: but the work proving very difficult, and the prospective benefit to be derived from the road when completed not promising to be sufficient to warrant the expense of keeping it in repair if built, the enterprise was abandoned. The town,

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HISTORY OF COOS COUNTY.

soon after, conveyed its right to the land to Charles H. Weeks and Frank Aldrich for $5,800, and applied the proceeds in part payment of the war debt of the town.

In June, 1867, an act was passed authorizing the sale of the public lands in Pittsburg, amounting in all to about 100,000 acres; reserving and excepting from such sale, however, the amount of 100 acres to each of two actual settlers thereon. These lands were accordingly sold, on the 17th of October, 1867, to William H Smith, of Bangor, Me., for twenty cents per acre; and, thus passing into private hands, became subject to municipal taxation. The taxes assessed thereon materially lighten the burden of the residents in the matter of town expenditures.

Action of the Town During the Rebellion .- At a meeting holden June 18, 1864, it was voted "to raise 8300 to pay each man who was drafted May 18, 1864." Also, "voted to pay each inhabitant the sum of $300 as a bounty, who may be drafted to serve in the army of the United States during the existing Rebellion from and after this date, or to the substitutes of such drafted men." At a meeting held July 5, 1864, it was voted " to pay to the men who have been, or shall hereafter be drafted from this town, or to the substitutes for such conscripts the sum of $100." At a meeting held July 23, 1864, it was voted " to furnish a substitute for each man for the term of three years who will pay into the town treasury the sum of $200." At a meet- ing held Angust 29, 1864, it was voted "to pay non-residents the sum of $300 for three years men." Also voted to pay residents of the town $300 for one year men; also voted " to pay residents of the town $600 for three years men, who shall enlist and be mustered into the service of the United States to fill the quota of this town under the present call for troops." Chose an agent to fill the quota under the present call for troops. At a meeting held February II, 1865, it was voted "to pay the sum of #500 to residents of this town who shall enlist and be mustered into the service of the United States for the term of one year to fill the quota of this town under the President's call of December 19, 1864, for 300,000 volunteers." Also, voted "to pay the sum of $300 to each non-resident who shall enlist, and be mustered into the service of the United States for the term of three years to fill the quota of the town under said call." At the annual meeting, held March 14, 1865, it was voted "to pay the sum of $200 to each drafted man who may be accepted to serve in the army of the United States for one year."

Civil List and action of Town from March 9, 1841, to March, 1887, inclusive. First Annual Meeting .-

1841. Nathaniel Perkins, clerk; Nathaniel Perkins, Ross C. Haines, Abner Hyland, selectmen; Nathan- iel Perkins, Samuel Meeham, Samuel Whitney, superintending school committee. Voted to raise $100 for schooling the year ensuing. Voted to raise $300 for the repair of highways and bridges. Voted "that the seleetmen be a committee to district the town anew, both school and highway, and report at the next annual town meeting their doings thereon." The whole number of votes cast for governor was fifty-three, of which John Page, Democrat. received forty-five, and Enos Stevens, Free Soil, eight.

1842. Nathaniel Perkins, clerk; Burleigh Blood, Jeremiah Tabor, Samuel Huggins, selectmen; Nathaniel Perkins, Abner Hyland, Richard I. Blanchard, superintending school committee. Sixty-three votes were cast for governor, of which Henry Hubbard, Democrat, received fifty-one, and Enos Stevens, Free Soil, twelve.

1843. Nathaniel Perkins, clerk; Nathaniel Perkins, John Haines, Richard Quimby, selectmen; David Blanchard, Nathaniel Perkins, Jr., Ephraim C. Aldrich, Jr., superintending school committee. At the annual meeting, March, 1843, it was voted " that the cattle shall have the privilege of running at large this year as they did last." Pittsburg, Clarksville, Dixville, Millstield, and Errol were classed for choice of representa- tive.

1844. Samuel Mecham, clerk; John Haines, Parker Tabor. David Johnson, selectmen; Nathaniel Perkins, treasurer; Nathaniel Perkins, representative. John Haines was appointed collector of taxes, and his com- pensation fixed at 5 per cent. on the amount collected. Voted to put up Adeline Small, a town pauper, and dispose of her at the lowest bidder.

1845. Samuel Mecham, clerk; Simon Danforth, Ira C. Bowen, Ross C. Haines, selectmen; Richard I. Blanchard, treasurer; David Blanchard, Samnel Mecham, E. C. Aldrich, Jr., superintending school committee. 1846. Samuel Mecham, clerk; Abner Hyland, Samuel Mecham, Hiram Perkins, selectmen; David Blan chard, E. C. Aldrich, John T. Amy, superintending school committee.

1847. Amos F. Abbott, clerk; Richard I. Blanchard, Burleigh Blood, Richard Quimby, selectmen; Amos F. Abbott, David Blanchard, Moody B. Haynes, superintending school committee. Voted to divide the pro-

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portion of the surplus revenue of the United States belonging to said town-one-half on the invoice of the town, and the other half per capita, and chose Richard I. Blanchard agent to distribute the same.

1848. Samuel Mecham, elerk; Richard I. Blanchard, Richard Quimby, Cyrus E. Farnham, seleetmen; David Blanchard, Samuel Mecham, William C. Locke, superintending school committee; Richard I. Blanchi- ard, representative. Number of votes east for governor seventy-three. Voted that several barn-yards be con- stituted " pounds " the ensuing year. Voted that the barn-yards of William C. Locke, Clark J. Haines, and Israel W. Tyler be constituted "pounds." (At the June session of the legislature the state appropriated =450 for repairs of highways in town, and Richard I. Blanchard was appointed agent to lay out the same.

1849. Samuel Mecham, clerk; Richard I. Blanchard, Cyrus E. Farnham, William C. Locke, selectmen: John T. Amy, Amos F. Abbott, Erasmus D. Intehinson, superintending school committee. Chose Josiah A. Young, of Clarksville, to represent the district.

1850. Erasmus D. Hutchinson, clerk; Parker Tabor, Ross C. Haines, Burleigh Blood, selectmen; John T. Amy, Erasmus D. Hutchinson, and John C. Haynes, superintending school committee; Simon Danforth, treasurer. Benjamin Coon, a panper, was bid off by the week; and it was voted that " the pay was to cease at his death."

1851. John T. Amy, elerk; Ross C. Haines, Ephraim C. Aldrich, Jr., Elias L. Farnham, selectmen; John T. Amy, Alonzo Lyndsey, Allen B. Young, superintending school committee; Parker Tabor, treasurer; John T. Amy. representative.

1852. Erasmus D. Hutchinson, elerk; Ross C. Haines, Amos F. Abbott, Simuel Dailey, selectmen: John T. Amy, superintending school committee; Ross C. Haines, treasurer; John T. Amy, representative. Whole number of votes east eighty-four.

1853. E. D. Hutchinson, clerk: Samuel Dailey, John T. Amy, Jonathan Heath, selectmen; E. D. IInteh- inson, superintending school committee; John T. Amy, treasurer; Amos F. Abbott, representative. Whole number of votes cast eighty-three.

1854. Jolin C. Haines, clerk; Burleigh Blood, David Johnson, Jonathan Heath, selectmen; John T. Amy, superintendent of schools; Samuel Dailey, treasurer; Ira Quimby, collector of taxes, with compensation fixed at 81. Number of votes cast eighty.

1855. Moody B. Haines, elerk; John T. Amy, Samuel Dailey, Elijah C. Sawyer, seleetmen; John T. Amy, superintendent of schools; Samuel Dailey, treasurer; Samuel Comstock, of Clarksville, representative. Whole number of votes east seventy-seven. (It was during this year that the extension of the river road was laid out, from the east line of the Aldrich farm to the Center school-house.)

1856. David Blanchard, elerk; Elijah C. Sawyer, David Blanchard, Ira Quimby, selectmen; David Blanch- ard, superintendent of schools; Samuel Dailey, treasurer. Number of votes cast seventy-two.

1857. David Blanchard, clerk; Samuel Dailey, Thomas P. Judd, John C. Haines, selectmen; Walter W. Barnes, superintendent of schools; Ephraim C. Aldrich, Jr., treasurer; Moody B. Quimby, representative. Number of votes cast sixty-eight: whole number of names on check-list seventy-nine.

1858. Moody B. Haines, elerk; David Johnson, Samuel Dailey, Thomas P. Judd, selectmen; John T. Amy, superintendent of schools: David Johnson, treasurer: Moody B. Quimby, representative.

1859. Moody B. Haines, clerk; David Johnson, Samuel Dailey, Sydney P. Luther, selectmen; John T. Amy, superintendent of schools; David Johnson, treasurer; David Johnson, representative. Number of votes cast seventy-three.

1860. David Blanchard, elerk; John T. Amy, David Johnson, John C. Haines, selectmen; John T. Amy, superintendent of schools; David Johnson, treasurer. Whole number of votes cast eighty-five.

1861. David Blanchard. clerk; John T. Amy, Elias L. Farnham, John C. Haines, seleetmen; Jeremiah W. Tabor, superintendent of schools; Samuel Dailey, treasurer; George Washburne, representative.

1862. Moody B. Haines, clerk; Moody B. Haines, George Dennett, David Johnson, selectmen; Jeremiah W. Tabor, superintendent of schools; Samuel Dailey, treasurer.

1863. David Blanchard, elerk; Ephraim C. Aldrich. David Blanchard, Roswell W. Danforth, selectmen; Jeremiah W. Tabor, superintendent of schools; Samuel Dailey, treasurer. Number of votes cast mety- nine.

1864. George Dennett, clerk; John T. Amy, Moody B. Haynes, Otis Parker, selectmen; Moody B. Haynes, superintendent of schools; George Washburne, representative; John C. Haines, treasurer.

1865. John C. Haynes, elerk; Jolin C. Haynes, Cyrus E. Farnham, George Washburne, selectmen; Fer- nando C. Jacobs, representative; John T. Amy, superintendent of schools; John C. Haines, treasurer.

1866. John C. Haines, clerk; John T. Amy. Elias E. Farnham, David Johnson, selectmen: John T. Amy, superintendent of schools; Fernando C. Jacobs, representative; John C. Haines, treasurer. Number of votes cast cighty-nine.

1867. John C. Haines, clerk; Calvin J. Danforth, David Johnson, Elijah C. Sawyer, seleetmen; John T. Amy, superintendent of schools; John C. Haynes, representative; John C. Haines, treasurer. Whole number of votes cast eighty-nine.

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1868. George Dennett, clerk; Elias L. Farnham, David Johnson, Hiram B. Shuff, selectmen; Lorenzo. Farnham, superintendent of schools; John C. Haines, representative. Number of votes cast 105.

1869. Justus W. Baldwin, clerk; Sydney P. Luther, James W. Baldwin, Calvin J. Danforth, selectmen; John T. Amy, superintendent of schools; Thomas C. Hart, representative; Albert Locke, treasurer.

1870. Moody B. Haines, clerk; Calvin J. Danforth, Parker T. Danforth, Fernando C. Jacobs, selectmen. Thomas C. Hart, representative; Samuel Dailey, -- (?).

1871. Moody B. Haines, clerk; Sydney P. Luther, Richmond P. Tabor, Parker T. Danforth, selectmen; Justus W. Baldwin, superintendent of schools; Elias L. Farnham, treasurer; Thomas F. Johnson, represent- ative.

1872. Justus W. Baldwin, clerk; Sydney P. Luther, Calvin J. Danforth, James W. Baldwin, selectmen; Justus W. Baldwin, superintendent of schools; Samuel Daily, representative; Elias L. Farnham, treasurer. Whole number of votes cast 162.

1873. Moody B. Haines, clerk; Sydney P. Luther, Richmond P. Tabor, Timothy Blanchard, selectmen; Moody B. Haines, superintendent of schools; Elias Farnham, treasurer.

1874. Moody B. Haines, clerk; Calvin J. Danforth. Sydney P. Lnther, Samuel Dailey, selectmen; Moody B. Haines, superintendent of schools; Elias L. Farnham, treasurer; Samuel Dailey, representative.

1875. Justus W. Baldwin, clerk; Calvin J. Danforth, Elias L. Farnham. Amasa S. Huggins, selectmen; Moody B. Ilaines, superintendent of schools; Elias L. Farnham, treasurer; Parker T. Danforth, representa- tive. Voted not to appoint a liquor agent. For governor, Hiram R. Roberts, Democrat, had fifty-two votes; Person C. Cheney, Republican, fifty votes.

1876. Justus W. Baldwin, clerk; Sydney P. Luther, Hiram B. Shuff, George F. Farnham, selectmen; David Blanchard, superintendent of schools; Elias L. Farnham, treasurer; John W. Straw, representative ;. David Blanchard, delegate to the constitutional convention to be held at Concord in December, 1876. The vote for presidential electors in November was, Democrat, fifty-one; Republican, fifty-nine.

1877. Justus W. Baldwin, clerk; Calvin J. Danforth, Hiram A. Shuff, Harvey S. Shoppe. selectmen; Justus W. Baldwin, treasurer; Moody B. Haines, superintendent of schools; John W. Straw, representative. Voted to raise the sum of $2,500 for highways.

1878. Justns W. Baldwin, clerk; Calvin J. Danforth, Hiram A. Shuff, Charles S. Holmes, selectmen; David Blanchard, superintendent of schools; Calvin J. Danforth, representative; Charles Judd, James H. Bacon. Hiram B. Shuff, supervisors.

1879. Justus W. Baldwin, clerk; Calvin J. Danforth, John H. Hawes, Harvey S. Shoppe, selectmen; Elias L. Farnham, treasurer; David Blanchard, superintendent of schools: Calvin J. Danforth, representative.

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History of Coos County, New Hampshire, Part 85

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