History of Hillsborough County, New Hampshire, Part 135

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton)
Publication date: 1885
Publisher: Philadelphia : J.W. Lewis
Number of Pages: 1168

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HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.

cade, its legal voters between two and three hundred. It began, during this period (1847), to send two representatives to the Legislature. It would there- fore seem that these were very prosperous years in the town's career.

In this connection, it is useful and interesting to make another quotation from the observing pen of Mr. Goodwin :

" Within a few years (this also was written in 1860) many new streets have been laid out in the village, which, as well as the old ones, are being lined on both sides with new and elegant buildings ; and the peo- ple of Milford have become proverbially a very busy, enterprising, wide- awake people. Being of curious, investigating minds, they readily flock together at short notice, when it is announced that a' Lo, here ! or Lo, there !' is coming along to address the people ; and almost every subject that is agitated in this country-whether it relates to politics, religion, slavery, temperance, music or moral reform-has its. pro and con. unyielding ad- vocates ; and a debating club may be seen and heard almost every day at the shops, public buildings or corners of the streets, the people pre- ferring this mode of warfare to that of mobs, riots or 'Lynch law,' which are seldom or never resorted to in this town. There are few, if any, towns in this region whose inhabitants are more ambitious or aspiring, cherishing the mistaken idea that ' wealth makes the man,' and riches are sought after in every lawful way as tho' they were the 'one thing needful.'"

Burying-Grounds .-

" The feathered hearse and sable train."

The history of a people can be largely inferred from its tombstones. While the town does not grow in population, the graveyards are constantly growing. "Time, the tomb-builder," gathers in with astonishing swiftness. An elderly lady recently visited the town and many places with which, in days gone by, she had been familiar; but she saw but few people with whom she was acquainted, and she was confused and disappointed. She did not un- derstand it. Finally she visited the burial-places of the town and made a tour among the tombstones, and there she found her old friends. It was explained to her then. She was living, but these old friends, the familiar faces of the past, had all gone, and here their dust was laid, and the simple inscriptions upon toppling marble and erumbling granite revealed the whole truth.

September 2, 1784, the town voted to accept one acre of land on the north side of the highway, on the west side of William Crosby's land, and adjoining Thaddeus Grimes' land, as a present by William Crosby, for a burying-ground.

In 1839, the graveyard first laid out having been substantially occupied, the town purchased about two acres on the Brookline road for a cemetery. Cost of the land, with the fencing, four hundred and fifty-five dollars. It was made up into family lots, and the choice of lots sold at auction. Every lot in that cemetery having been taken, the town purchased another lot of a little over five acres of Rev. Mr. Moore, on the south side of the Wilton Railroad, in the west part of the village. The cost of the land, right of way across Mr. Moore's land, fencing and

new burying-ground. In 1852 the selectmen were authorized to grade and set out trees in the new bury- ing-ground.

For the most part, all the yards are well cared for. There are several costly and many tasteful monu- ments and slabs erected to the memory of the dead.

Temperance .- The first temperance committee appointed by the town were Leonard Chase, Daniel Putnam, Freeman Crosby, Pliny Whitney and Wil- liam Wallace. They made their first report in 1849, which covers eight pages of solid writing in one of the large record-books of the town. They continued in service a number of years, and then others took their places, who, in their turn, still made the same exhaustive reports and eloquent appeals to the best sentiment of the people, doing a grand work for the town, and through the persistent efforts of these men, supplemented by the strong Christian aid of their wives, sisters and mothers, Milford is recognized as the banner town of the State in the cause of temper- ance.

In the same year, 1849, the citizens inaugurated a movement for beautifying and adorning the common. The first measure was to cause it to be fenced, which was accomplished in 1850. They also planted a lot of elm-trees, which are now fully grown and add greatly to the attractiveness of the village.

The committee who were appointed to do this good work were Humphrey Moore, Daniel Putnam, Hiram A. Daniels, Jonas Hutchinson and Leonard Chase. After the trees were planted they had to be carefully cared for and watered. This was faithfully done, and we now see the result.

Since then the fence has been remodeled and the park enlarged and improved. The present fence was built in 1872.

Fire-Engines .- The first appropriation for a fire- engine was made in 1820. The town voted an appro- priation of seventy-five dollars towards defraying expenses of an engine. October 18, 1820, William Ramsdell, S. K. Livermore and Abiel Lovejoy were chosen first fire wardens. August 17, 1839, the town voted to raise three hundred dollars for the purpose of buying a new fire-engine, provided three hundred dollars be raised by subscription. In lieu of the above, the town voted to raise one hundred dollars in addition to the three hundred dollars, provided two hundred dollars could be raised by subscription. In 1840 it was voted to buy a second fire-engine, but it was not purchased until 1841. In 1856 the town voted to build an engine-house, and one was after- wards erected.

Town Clock .- In 1866 the town voted two hun- dred dollars towards a town elock, the citizens to raise four hundred dollars more. It was purchased, and did very poor service until the present year, when the town voted -an appropriation of five hun- preparing the same for burial purposes was $623.55. : dred dollars, and a new clock is in the place of the In 1850 the town chose a committee to see about a

old one.

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MILFORD.

Poor-Farm. - For a great many years the town owned and occupied a farm on which the town's poor were kept, but, agreeably to a vote of the town in 1868, this farm was sold. It was situated in the southerly part of the town. Since then many of its poor, by arrangement, have been kept at the county farm in Hillsborough County.

Taverns .- There is but one in town for the aecom- modation of transient patrons, and that is an old one. The earliest of Milford's landlords was Jonathan Buxton. He was a model inn-keeper. He was skill- ful in making flip. There are those living in Milford now who remember seeing Buxton mix his flip with a singeing hot iron. Everybody who chose sold liquor in those days. There was scarcely a house between Milford and Wilton, on either side of the river, that did not hold a license to sell the ardent. Old Dr. Fuller, who lived on the spot where the new town- house stands, in the first dwelling-house ever built in the village, used to put into his cellar twenty-five barrels of cider for domestic consumption ; but his cider had a large circle of acquaintances, and whoever pleased, night or day, could walk into his cellar with mug in hand and help himself.

It would be a great task to give a sketch of the landlords of Milford since the days of Jonathan Buxton. Mr. Buxton was the first librarian of the town, as he was also first tax collector.

The Ponemah .- Recently a new and handsome hotel has been built in the south part of the town, near Milford Springs, called the Ponemah House. It stands on a fine eminence, is handsomely made and furnished and kept as a first-class summer house. It owns the Milford Springs. These springs are noted for their medicinal waters. The Ponemah Company are engaged to some extent in bottling this water for the market. The enterprise is just started, and it is too early to predict the result.

CHAPTER V.

MILFORD- (Continued).

MILFORD IN THE GREAT CIVIL WAR.

Patriotism of the People-David Goodwin made Historian-The Women's Soldiers' Aid Society-Names of Milford's Soldiers.

IT is simply stating a faet to say that a more gen- erous and patriotic people could not be found in this great land than lived in and went forth from Milford during the dark period of the Rebellion days. Her response to every call for volunteers was hearty and effective. To every appeal for succor and aid for those on the field and in the hospitals she gave with a munificent hand. The flower of her populace went forth at their country's call ; some never returned, but fell upon "the field of glory ; " others came back, and as citizens of a grand republic, have been as noble

and true in the paths of peace as they were brave and patriotic in war. The record of these people, in the greatest civil conflict the world ever witnessed, is one of which every son and daughter of Milford is justly proud.

In 1861, when the President sent forth that first requisition for volunteers, a recruiting-office was im- mediately opened at the town hall, and forty-eight men, one-half of whom were married and one-half single, were soon enrolled. They were the first forty- eight men on the list of Milford soldiers hereafter given. The company, under the command of Captain George H. Gillis, left for Portsmouth ou the 7th of May, 1861. The company was made up of soldiers from the following towns, viz: Milford, forty-eight Amherst, thirteen ; Wilton, eleven ; Mont Vernon, five; New Boston, five; Lyndeborough, two; and a few from other towns, making in all ninety-three.

"At an informal meeting of the citizens of the town, holden on the 224 of April, 1861, a committee, consisting of George Daniels, William Ramsdell, O. W. Lull, Daniel Putnam and Clinton S. Averill, was ap- pointed to act in behalf of the town in relation to all matters connected with the enlisting and equipping of a company of volunteers, and l'ur- nishing aid and support to the families of such enlisted members as be- long to this town."

This committee proceeded at once to discharge the duties imposed upon them, and at a legal town-meet- ing, held May 11, 1861, made a report of their work and received the sanction of the town. Major George Daniels offered at the meeting a resolution,-

"That the selectmen be instructed to borrow a suin not exceeding $3000, and that such portion thereof as may be required be appropriated to pay the expense of an outfit, with incidental expenses, and to furnish assistance to families of such citizens of this town as have enlisted and been mustered into the service under the first call of the President of the United States for volunteers."

The resolution was unanimously adopted, and all of the recommendations of the committee were accepted. The town voted that, in addition to the dress and arms furnished by the State, the soldiers of Milford should be furnished with their board and eleven dol- lars a month till accepted by the State, and after that seven dollars per month in addition to government pay; also a revolver and india-rubber blanket, be- sides such other articles for the promotion of eleanli- ness and health and to meet possible contingencies, which the patriotic ladies were then providing for them. They voted to soldiers who had families a still further allowance: if he had a wife, six dollars per month; a wife and one child, eight dollars per month ; a wife and two children, ten dollars per month ; and still more in special cases.

At a subsequent town meeting held September 27, 1861, the committee, through Major Daniels, made a report of its disbursements for the above purposes, receiving the indorsement of the town. At about this time the Souhegan Bank offered the government a loan of twenty thousand dollars to aid in carrying on the war.

At the annual town-meeting holden March 11,

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HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.

1862, it was voted that David Goodwin be town historian, to record the events of the present war as connected with the people of Milford, to be preserved in the archives of the town. Mr. Goodwin faithfully performed his duties, and in those "archives," put in perfect order by his careful hand, is a reliable rec- ord of the splendid work done by the patriotic men of Milford, and from that record the facts of this sketch relating to the war are taken.

The history of the work of woman in the great struggle in this country has not yet been written. When it is, it will be found to surpass in sympathy. tenderness and practical and effective assistance to the mighty cause anything that was ever dreamed could be accomplished by the gentler sex. The ladies of Milford early engaged in the great soldiers' aid work. They made a record worthy of being placed alongside of that of their brothers, husbands and fathers who fought that the nation might live.

In October, 1861, a society of ladies was organized under the name of "The Women's Soldiers' Aid So- ciety," and they chose the following officers: Presi- dent, Mrs. Humphrey Moore; Vice-Presidents, Mrs. Stillman Hutchinson, Mrs. Martin Hall, Mrs. Abel Chase, Mrs. Hezekiah Hamblett, Mrs. Charles A. Burns, Mrs. Benjamin F. Hutchinson; Secretary, Elizabeth A. Livermore; Treasurer, Miss Hannah P. Ramsdell; Executive Committee, Mrs. William Crosby, Mrs. Joshua M. Holt, Mrs. John Dickey, Mrs. Ira Holt, Mrs. John A. Powers. The society num- bered more than eighty members, besides seventy men as honorary members. The first report or ad- dress of the society made by Miss Livermore is here given, as it reveals clearly the spirit which impelled this noble company of women to push forward the glorious work which carried comfort and solace to many a soldier's home and heart,-

" March 28, 1862.

" There was no hamlet so obscure in the United States in the early part of the year of our Lord 1861 that its inhabitants did not thrill with hor- ror at the mad wager of battle cast before them by the defeated, fierce, ambitious leaders of the Southern slave-power. Their sceptre of power had departed from them with the exit from office of the last Democratic President. They would not even in name submit longer to constitutional law. They had instigated the old barbaric force to throw itself again in the path of progress. Almost with unanimous voice the North said, ' We will meet this force on the battle-field, and may God speed the right.' Lightning flashed intelligence, steam lent her wings and Northern patriots met the foe. Woman lent her aid to speed swiftly husband, brother, friend and citizen to save our capital -- Washington. U'norganized, she helped clothe the soldiers who had volunteered from every peaceful pursuit. Organized, she continued her labors to render the hospitals of the I'nited States, and other temporary hospitals hastily prepared for the volunteers, comfortable for the sick and wounded.

" In Milford a society was organized, called 'The Women's Soldiers' Aid Society' in October, a woman paying twenty-five cents or more. One hundred and thirty-eight dollars were collected by membership and by levies. Women met once a week to sew and knit, while some devoted a great part of their time in laboring for the soldiers' comfort. Six bar- rels of articles, most essential to hospital service, were sent on their errand of love before the close of the year. The work still continues, as the varied calls for assistance reach us, and will be continued until there is a certainty that no more is needed."

" ELIZABETH A. LIVERMORE, " Secretary of I. S. A. Society."

This noble work was continued by this patriotic society all through the war until "no more was needed."

In October, 1863, the secretary made another an- nual report, closing it with the following eloquent words which she quoted from another :

"The blessings of thousands who are ready to perish, and of tens of thousands who love their country and their kind, will be cast upon those who originated and those who sustain this noble work. Let the people's hearts never fail, and their hands never weary ! but let them, of their abundance, give to this commission full measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, that, wherever the red hand of war is seen, its divine footsteps may follow ; that wherever the red hand of war is lifted to wound, its white hand may be lifted to heal; that its work may never cease until it is assumed by a great Christian govern- ment, or until peace once more reigns throughout the land ; and, even then, gratitude for its service and joy in its glory shall never die out of the hearts of the American people."

This society raised and disposed of more than fifteen hundred dollars' worth of articles to the soldiers in the field besides large bounties to their families at home. A fitting close of this branch of our subject is found in the eloquent words made use of when the society disbanded :

" As the Rebellion has been crushed, peace has been joyfully pro- claimed, and the object for which our association was instituted no longer needs our efforts ; feeling that our benevolent efforts have not been in vain, we now disband our organization, and turn our attention to other pursuits and avocations, feeling thankful that we have been permitted to labor in the great cause of humanity-the cause of God-to sympathize with the afflicted and to do something toward the salvation of our beloved country."

But not only were the ladies of Milford benevolent and liberal in their aid to the cause, but the men gave largely of their means. The town voted generous and large bounties, and furnished assistance to all soldiers' families without stint.

Sixty Milford soldiers lost their lives by the war, forty of whom were never brought home to be buried. Thirteen were killed in battle. Their names are Oliver W. Lull, Abram B. Shedd, William D. Coffin, Jeremiah Lyon, Josiah P. Smith, Alexander M. Rob- bie, Samuel Dolbear, Thomas M. Gilpatrick, George L. Jones, Isaac F. Frye, J. I. Plympton, Samuel F. Jones and Joseph Shedd.

It is not within the scope of this sketch to give a personal history of each soldier who fell or was wounded in the battles of this cruel war. When the history of Milford is written in detail the work will be done. It is gratifying to know that every fact is pre- served and will in dne time be published to the world.

"Orrin A. Hamblett was the first soldier who volunteered from Mil- ford into the I'nited States service. Soon as the news of the massacre of Massachusetts sokliers in the streets of Baltimore reached us, he enlisted in Boston, April 19, 1861, into the Fourth Battalion of Rifles, Company C."

We quote the following from Mr. Goodwin's pen as a just tribute to a noble boy :

"Charles Wendell Mills, youngest son of John and Sarah Mills-a kind and loving boy-was born January 27, 1844. He enlisted as a pri- vate for nine months in the Sixteenth Regiment New Hampshire Volun- teers, Company C, October 10. 1862. At the expiration of his term of service he returned home with his regiment August 14, 1863; received

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MILFORD.

his discharge August 20, 1863. He contracted a fever at the siege of Port Hudson, of which he died August 23, 1863. He enlisted, as he said, because his government called him and he felt it his duty to go, and at the last said he had 'done all that had been required of him ; the boat is ready, let me go home.'"'

Mr. Goodwin speaks of another of Milford's heroes as follows :

" A. B. Hayden was shot through the wrist in the battle of Fredericks- burg. Five men had been shot down in his regiment. At the fall of the fifth man this brave soldier grasped the flag-staff and bore the stars and stripes aloft ; but he was doomed to the same fate as his companions. A ball soon struck and shattered his left arm. He was carried to the hos- pital in Alexandria, where he died January 5, 1863. He was embalmed and brought home January 13, 1863."

Most of the soldiers from Milford were discharged and came home July, 1865. August 3, 1865, the peo- ple, grateful for the deliverance of their country from the grip of rebels, assembled in the park and gave their soldiers a generous welcome home. Speeches and music and general pleasures were indulged in, and "Peace on earth and good will among men " once more reigned.

The following are the names of all the Milford sol- diers who went into the United States service during the war :

George H. Gillis, John C. Clark, George E. Hartwell, John Mahar, * Ozias Wright, Loammi B. Ward, Charles F. Conant, John F. Crosby, Richard Mahar, Robert Mckenzie, * Francis Divan, * John Brown, A. McArthur, Thomas Gourley, * Sylvanus Adams, * Alex. Mc Robbie, * James McRobbie, D. P. Ward, William Merriles, * Jeremialı Lyon, * G. H. Drew, * Norman Burdick, * Grosvenor Colby, William H. Ramsdell, * George I. Lovejoy, William Abbott, Charles Prew, * Alfred F. Lynch, * Edward F. Lund, * Charles F. Crosby, Thomas B. Hall, *S. F. Jones, *George Worcester, Daniel H. Greene, * A. S. Hutchinson, * William D. Coffin, * Samuel Dolbear, * Albert A. ('ochran, * James Bonner, * Eugene HI. Amsden, *James G. Williams, John B. Burns, * Abner W. Osgood, * William H. Howe, J. M. Blanchard, * W. W. I. Robbins, Charles Nut- ting, George Clark, Jolin W. Crosby, *J. I. Plympton, G. II. Jones, * Charles S. Hazen, George S. Tuck, D. W. Gordon, Joseph II. Kimball, M. F. Burnham, John II. Clarke, W. P. Kendall, Alfred Shattuck, John H. Lund, George W. Dimick, T. L. Livermore, *A. B. Shedd, P. A. Shedd, * J. HI. Lovejoy, * William P. Heald, C. R. Stickney, H. L. Robbins, J. C. Clarke, John O'Connor, A. M. Darracott, O. C. Crosby, George E. Hartwell, J H. Stimson, * HI. E. Mills, F. J. Stimson, George W. Chickering, Joshua Royleigh, *Josiah P. Smith, C. II. Camp, Nelson Wood, O. W. Lnil. S. G. Dearborn, F. J. Lawrence, William Gourley, John F. Howard, Andrew L. Marvel, John Meikle, William A. Crosby, H. M. Potter, *Joseph Gilina, $Joseph E. Shedd, Thomas Gilpatrick, Abel F. Gutterson, * Jolin M. Stanyan, Harris Gray, Luke IIallegan, John E. Herrick, Orrin A. Hamblett, Thomas H. Law, George A. Holt, James W. Ames, Joseph Buss, Edward Powers, Frank Hood, D. M. Perham, John Bonner, HI. J. Richardson, * John Martin, * E. P. Ross, F. W. Dennis, MI. P. Felch, Dennis Holden, Thomas P. Connery, Frederick F. Turner, R. B. Kidder, Ilugh Connor, J. B. Fretts, A. B. Bennett, F. O. Howe, Patrick Dillon, A. B. Hayden, J. W. Spald- ing, J. E. Mackay, A. W. Heald, John Ilolland, I F. Frye, Charles Howe, W. II. Howe, J. P. Richardson, H. P. Hutchinson, C. H. Dun- ning, J. B. Melendy, John Arbuckle, Thomas Regan, C. M. Aiken, J. W. Shattuck, Charles Huntley, Charles Brooks, Francis Morlock, John C. Aiken, J. A. Lovejoy, F. E. Greisinger, W. G. Averill, J. P. Shedd, G. F. Stone, G. R. Ilartshorn, Frank Crosby, Albion Wyman, L. A. Duncklee, Noah Lund, C. W. Mills, B. F. Clarke, E. K. Jewett, J. E. Fuller, C. II. Osgood, H. C. Stimson, C. C. Bartlett, H. M. Mills, * J. D. Crosby, Edwin lloward, Joseph Cushing, William Abbott, W. P. Connery, Alvin B. Chase, J. Hutchinson, A. F. Crosby, Allen R. Hood, * William Garvin, A. F. Hanscomb, Ed. Hanscomb, Jasper Osgood, Frederick A. Eldridge, James Ryan, H. A. llaskell, E. P. Jones, A. F. Hutchinson, F. A. Fisher, George Marvel, E. L. Nelson, F. T. Cogin, W. D. Hutchinson, Patrick Chroan, A. M. Hatch, John McKenney, R. H. Pierce, I. HI. Layden, J. Carlton, Jr., W. P. Easton, Charles II.

Worcester, W. II. Gillis, Robert Chumard, II. O. Connor, John Dame, II. M. Tyler, Thomas Jess.

Those names with the star (*) prefixed are those soldiers who re-enlisted.

The names of the seventy substitutes furnished from abroad are not recorded.

CHAPTER VI. MILFORD-( Continued).

NEW TOWN-HOUSE.

Selection of Spot-Laying of Corner-Stone-Description of Building- Dedication.

FOR several years prior to 1869 the subject of a new Town House was agitated. It had its advocates and its opponents. Like most enterprises of the kind, its birth was through great labor. It was evident to a majority of the people that the town had outgrown the old town- house. Since 1833-34, when it was abandoned by the First Church or Congregational Church for its new church structure, the old hall had been used ex- clusively for town and social purposes. Before that time its history has been already given. In 1847 the town purchased the pew-holders' rights and moved the house a short distance north and east of its orig- inal site, fronting it to the south. The first story was devoted to stores and the upper one to the town hall. It has been well said that it was early consecrated to free speech and a free ballot, and in these respects it was not unlike the other New England town-houses. It served its employers well. The time came, however, when it was unsatisfactory and inadequate to meet the wants of the populace. It was finally determined to have a new one. Then came the usual struggle over its location. It was first voted to build near the bridge, and then the spot where it now stands was substituted. The old house was again moved to a lot near the bridge, on the west side of the village square, where it still stands, and again repaired, improved and sold.

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History of Hillsborough County, New Hampshire, Part 135

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) Publication date: 1885 Publisher: Philadelphia : J.W. Lewis Number of Pages: 1168

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton)
Publication date: 1885
Publisher: Philadelphia : J.W. Lewis
Number of Pages: 1168