USA > New Hampshire > Grafton County > Lebanon > History of Lebanon, N.H., 1761-1887 > Part 16
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Another thing which made this convention important was the fact that eight states had already taken action upon it, and stamped it with their approval. The action of New Hampshire would be decisive, this being the ninth state to vote. If New Hampshire approved of it, its adoption is made certain.
The convention met at Exeter in September, 1788. John Sul- livan was president. The provisions of the constitution were warmly discussed, and it was immediately manifest that some of its provisions would meet with strong opposition. The friends of the constitution feared the result, and an adjournment to a future day was proposed and carried, February 22, 1788.
The convention met again at Concord, June 18, 1788. A com- mittee was appointed to prepare and recommend certain amend- ments. The convention reached a final vote on its adoption, Sat- urday, June 21, when the yeas and nays were called. While the secretary was calling over the names of the members and record- ing their votes, there was a death-like sllence, every bosom throbbed with anxious expectation." We listen for the name
163
DEVELOPMENT OF THE TOWN.
of Colonel Payne and his answer-it is yea. The vote stood fifty-seven in favor and forty-six against the adoption. The vot- ing was conducted in silence, followed by intense excitement. Messengers started in all directions to announce the result. The vote of New Hampshire gave vitality to a government which later generations have held worth living and dying for.
The closeness of the vote shows how nearly equally divided the people were upon the great questions of the constitution. We learn from the elders that they were most warmly discussed in this town. There were here Federalists and Anti-Federalists, who had their arguments and their arguments, at many times and "in divers places."
It is said that the word Federalist came to a novel use. The pronunciation of it was made a test of soberness. If one in at- tempting to pronounce it rendered it Fetherlist, it was certain he had a "drop too much." Oftentimes accuser and accused both proved to be Fetherlists, not withstanding their party differ- ences.
At the annual meeting, March 11, 1788, we find an office filled for the first time-Joel Gilden and Sluman Lathrop, Surveyors of Lumber. This, after a time, became a prominent business in the town. Many of the magnificent pines "fit for masting the royal navy" found their way down the Connecticut to "Old Harford" and intermediate points.
Capt. David Hough was chosen representative to the General Assembly. Votes for president of the state: Hon. John Sulli- van, Esq., 82; John Langdon, Esq., 1; Beza Woodward, 3. For senator for Grafton County, Elisha Payne, Esq., had 57 votes ; Jonathan Freeman of Hanover, 12.
December 15, 1788, the town held its election for represent- atives to Congress. The state then had no congressional dis- tricts, as now, but each town voted for the three members to which the state was entitled, as many then, it will be noted, as we have now. The vote was as follows :
Benj. Bellows Esq. 29 Elisho Payne Esq. 32
John Sullivan Esq.
20
Simeon Olcott Esq. 15
Saml Livermore Esq. 22 Beza Woodward Esq. 7
Benj. West Esq. 17 Moses Dow Tsq. 3
164
HISTORY OF LEBANON.
At the same time the town voted for the first time for five presidential electors, with the following result :
John Dailey Esq. 21 John Sullivan Esq. 14
John Pickering Esq. 22 Simeon Olcott Esq.
2
Joshua Wentworth Esq.
20 Timothy Walker Esq. 1
Samuel Sherburne Esq.
21 Elisha Payne Esq. 5
NathI Adams Esq. 23 Moses Dow Esq. 3
Benj. Bellows Esq. 16 Sam Livermore Esq.
5
Charles Johnston Esq.
13 Francis Smith Tsq.
1
Beza Woodward Esq.
16 Peter Green Esq. 1
Moses Chase Esq.
10 John Stephens
1
February 2, 1789, the town met again for the choice of repre- sentatives to Congress. Benj. West had 23 votes, Saml. Liver- more 23, Abiel Foster 23. Samuel Livermore, Abiel Foster and Nicholas Gilman were elected, the last not among the candidates voted for in this town. The smallness of the vote shows that little interest was taken in this election.
At the annual meeting, March, 1789, for president of the state, John Sullivan, Esq., had 80 votes, John Pickering, Esq., 2, Benj. Bellows 2.
For senator from Grafton County, Jonathan Freeman had 65 votes, Elisha Payne, Esq., 16.
Capt. David Hough chosen representative.
.
The following is an instance of a proceeding common at the time, but not known in our day-the binding out of a boy : .
This indenture made the sixth day of August anno domini 1789 Between Jesse Cook, Stephen Billings and Gideon Baker, Selectmen of Lebanon in the county of Grafton and state of New Hampshire of the . one part and Samuel Weathers of Woodstock in the county of Windsor and state of Vermont, Husbandmen of the other part witnesseth- that the said Selectmen, by and with the Consent of two of the justices of the peace for the said county of Grafton have by these presents put, placed, and Bound John Patrick Juner, of the age of twelve years on the twelfth day of Dec. last, a poor boy belonging to Lebanon whose parents John Patrick and Molly his wife are not able to maintain him, to be an apprentice with him the said Samuel, and as an apprentice with him the said Samuel to dwell from the date of these presents untill he, the said John Patrick Juner, shall Come to the age of twenty- one years, according to the law in such case provided, by and during all which time and term the said John Patrick jjuner shall the said Samuel his said master well and faithfully serve in all such lawful business as he, the said John Patrick juner, may be put to by the Com-
6
ABEL STORRS.
165
DEVELOPMENT OF THE TOWN.
mand of his said master, according to the wit, power, and ability of him the said John Patrick juner & honestly and obediently shall behave himself in all things towards his said master, and honestly and orderly towards the rest of the family of the said Samuel,-and the said Samuel doth hereby covenant for his part, with the said selectmen for them and their successors in office and for the said John Patrick jun. that he, the said Samuel, shall teach and instruct him the said John Patrick jun. in the mistery and occupation of Husbandry and also shall learn him to read and write, and shall also find him with sufficient meat drink apparel and other things needful for an apprentice, so that the said apprentice shall not dureing said term be a charge to the said town of Lebanon, and shall at the expiration of said term dismiss the said apprentice with two new suits of Cloths, one suitable for Sabbath days, the other for other days
In Witness whereof the Parties hereunto have set their hands and seals the day and the year first above written
Signed sealed and delivered
In presents of John Colburn Jr Aaron Hutchinson
Samuel Mathews
Jesse Cook Stephen Billings Gid. Baker
We Elihu Hyde and Aaron Hutchinson two of the justices of the peace for the County of Grafton within mentioned do hereby declare and assent to the binding of the within named John Patrick Juner an apprentice to the within named Samuel Weathers according to the form & effect of the within written Indenture. Given under our hands the sixth day of August Anno Domini 1789
Elihu Hyde Aaron Hutchinson
A NEW MEETING HOUSE.
For some time past, a meeting-house has appeared upon the records. Several votes indicated that the matter was settled and the meeting-house built long before this. Not by any means ! So far they have been only thinking, planning and voting. As yet there has been only some preliminary skirmishing between the parties, now and then a reconnoisance, sometimes "in force." to feel each other's strength. But the real battle is now at hand, and the historian will devote himself to this one subject until the meeting-house is located and built. The records supply the best history and become quite dramatic in their interest.
April 9 1789 Voted to build a Meeting House near to Mr Abbotts [head
166
HISTORY OF LEBANON.
of School Street] where a former Comtee stuck a stake for that Purpose, by a majority of eighteen votes.
So once more the people of the center and eastern parts of the town have prevailed. By no means. For there is debate and discussion and next :-
Voted to reconsider the matter respecting building a meeting house, near to Mr Abbotts and it is accordingly reconsidered! !
Voted to choose a committee of four men to find the center of this Town. Chose Col. Elisha Payne, Aaron Hutchinson Esq. Deacn Theo- philus Huntington, and Capt. David Hough a committee for sd purpose
A good committee of the first citizens of the town.
This was in April. In June we make a new acquaintance, the shadowy form of the present town hall rises before us. There has been much talk and planning between the afternoon of the 7th of April and the 22nd of June. A new object is presented for the suffrages of the people-for a "majority of eighteen votes," more or less.
Voted to Build a TOWN HOUSE on some convenient spot of ground that shall be agreed on by this Town and that the Society (religious) have Liberty to add to s'd house to make it convenient for Public Wor- ship & make use of it for s'd purpose as they shall see fit.
Voted to raise two hundred pounds for the purpose of building a Town House-that the Selectmen be directed to measure from the cen- ter tree to the several spots proposed to set a Town House and report the distance to each spot at an adjourned meeting
This now is the problem whose solution we watch with intense interest-Whether a town house with a meeting-house attached can be more readily located than a meeting-house, pure and simple.
Oct 1. 1789 met and heard the report of the Select men respecting the distance from the center of the Town to the several spots proposed to set a Town House on. Adjourned for one quarter of an hour. Prob- ably at the suggestion of the Leaders of various parties who wish time to consult. possibly to look at the different "spots."
Met according to adjournment and voted to build a Town House on Mr Peek's land, northerly of the Road about six rods easterly of a green pine tree standing in his field-that the Selectmen be a com- mittee to lay out the spot of ground for to set s'd House on & also a parade sufficient to answer said purpose as they shall judge necessary- that Capt. David Hough. Ensign Hezh Waters and Lt. Conslant Storrs be a Comttee to draught the fashion of sd House. Voted that Col Elisha Payne be a Comtee man to assist in s'd drughts, Adjourned for four weeks.
167
DEVELOPMENT OF THE TOWN.
The committee this time are all military men, bristling with titles. Something may be expected from the well-known energy and efficiency of that class of men.
Oct 29. 1779. Met and voted to accept the draught of s'd House as ex- hibited by the Comtee. Adjourned for 15 minutes. Met and Chose a Comtee to forward the building of s'd House. Chose Mr Simeon Peck. Maj Nathaniel Wheatley & Capt. David Hough Comtee for said purpose.
By this time the town house is so assured that it is time to think of disposing of the old meeting-house standing on its origi- nal location, so they vote that the selectmen be empowered to dispose of it, exclusive of private property, after said house is not wanted for public use.
The "spot" selected for the town house as above was near Scytheville, probably in the vicinity of S. A. Peck's. The exact place is uncertain, for the "Green Pine Tree," is no longer vis- ible.
Still farther :
Voted that the several Surveyors of highways be a Comtee to collect the votes of every legal voter in Town respecting the spot to set a Town House on, in order to accommodate the whole Town, and make return to the adjourned meeting.
Nov 27th Met and adjourned to Dec 4. Met at the house of Mr. Simeon Peck and adjourned for half an hour. Met and adjourned till the second Tuesday in March, and the fore named Comtee be directed not to proceed in matters respecting s'd House till s'd time of adjourn- ment.
March 9 1790 Met and Adjourned till March 25 inst. Met according to adjournment and voted to reconsider all the votes respecting s'd Town House. Voted to dissolve s'd Meeting
Spring came and ripened into summer, summer faded into au- tumn, and autumn sank into bare and leafless winter. Several town meetings were held during the season, but not one word concerning either meeting-house or town house.
Suddenly, in a gloomy day of December, it was the 20th day A. D. 1790, like thunder out of a clear sky, comes this vote :
Voted that the place to set a Meeting-house on (it is to be a meeting house after all) be near Mr. Abbotts. Voted to choose a Comtee of 8 men to choose a comtee respecting sd meeting house (the town clerk uses no capital this time, as though he had little faith in it). Chose Capt Human Lathrop, Capt David Hough, Mr Clap Sumner, Maj. Wheatley St. Constant Storrs Ens. Hezh Waters Col. Edmand Freeman.
168
HISTORY OF LEBANON.
Mr Simeon Peck. Adjourned 15 minutes Met. Committee recommend that Lt. Constant Storrs Mr. Simeon Peck Capt. Hough & Ensign Waters be a Comtee to prepare a plan and devise measures for the building s'd Meeting House, and report to ajourned meeting
Dec. 27 1790 Voted to reconsider the former vote respecting building a meeting House near Mr Abbotts. And so closed the year 1790
The records for the year 1791 are missing. The subject of a meeting house seems to have come up during the year, for at the annual meeting, March 13, 1792, "Voted to reconsider a former vote to build a meeting house," by Mr. Simeon Peck.
About this time the old meeting house, which had patiently waited the decision of the town, whether it should be supplanted by another, and wondered whether the adventures of the new would equal those of the old, suddenly disappeared. It was on the long contested spot in the early evening. It was not there in the morning. "A company of young men, headed by one 'Cap- tain Stubbs' alias Comfort Allen, gathered in the night and pro- ceeded quietly to remove the bone of contention, and before the morning light, the house of worship was levelled to the ground. The timber was bought by private persons and the house rebuilt on the hill near H. Farnam's, and continued to be used for meet- ings for several years."-Dr. Allen's Centennial.
It appears that the house was not wholly torn down, but some part of it remained, for with a sort of grim humor, the warning for a meeting immediately after calls upon the legal voters to meet in town meeting "at the standing Part of the old meeting house in said Lebanon." The town also took measures to pun- ish those who had assaulted the old house.
It is not difficult to ascertain the motive for this destruction of the old house. It was not, probably, mere wanton mischief, such as young men will sometimes indulge in, but had a bear- ing on the great controversy. Judging from some of the votes passed, and other circumstances, a division of the people was im- pending, and there was a threat of two meeting houses. One party, the west and southwest of the town, were satisfied with the old location and proposed to keep the old house. The center and east saw that they must either go there, or else assume the ex- pense of a new house. It was considered that if the old house was out of the way, there was small probability that those in that part of the town would build alone a new house.
COL. CONSTANT STORRS.
From painting by J. J. Jennys, June 23, 1802.
169
DEVELOPMENT-OF THE TOWN.
It is only in the light of such conjectures that this vote, passed April 26, 1792, can be understood :
Voted to unite and build one meeting house for the town .- to Build a meeting house on or Near the old meeting house spot .- To Choose a Commtee to Build s'd house viz Lemuel Hough, Capt. David Hough, Hezekiah Waters, Aaron Hutchinson. Esq., Lt Constant Storrs, Voted that the above Commtee set a stake where the house shall stand-that they Draw a Plan for sd house and lay it Before our Next meeting, and Draw a subscription to Raise money to Build s'd house
At this meeting the west and southwest people prevailed. It was probably a reaction in their favor from the destruction of the old house. But
May 7. 1792 Voted to Reconsider a former vote of uniting and Building a meeting house for the town altogether .- To releas the above Commit from Building a meeting house-that the Town will Except of the money subscribed of those that tore down the old meeting house if there is suficient subscribed to satisfy the agents.
Besides Comfort Allen, who was the leader in the raid on the old house, it is more than probable that the following persons were "there or thereabouts," Eliel Peck, Jonathan Quimby, James Ayers, Nathaniel Kimball, Moses Persons, Joseph Lath- rop, Gordon Lathrop, Joseph Byington, Enoch Worthen, Urban Lathrop.
May 17 1792 Voted to choose a Committee to set half an hour to see if they can agree on a Place to Build a meeting house Committee- Capt Nath! Hall, Capt David Hough, Clap Sumner. Adjourned for half an hour. Met and Committee report that the westerly side of the Plane on which Robert Colburn now lives is the Place for a meeting house about 25, or 30 rods southerly from the School house on sd Plains
Voted to form the meeting into a Committee of the whole and go out and Vew the Spot Reported by sd Committee for the meeting house Voted to Except the Report of the Commt which was to Build a meeting house on the s'd Plain within 25 or 30 rods of a school-house. Sd vote carried By a majority of 104 to 41
Voted to reconsider a former vote for Building a meeting house By Esq. Elihu Hydes, sd vote passed the 26th of April Last.
Voted to go on and Build a meeting house on or Near the Stake which the committee of the whole stuck; Not more than 25 or 30 rods from sd stake.
Capt. David Hough, Lieut. Constant Storrs, Mr. Stephen Bil- lings, Lieut. Robert Colburn, Capt. Nathaniel Hall, Mr. Clap Sumner were chosen a committee to build said house. The com-
170
HISTORY OF LEBANON.
mittee was instructed "to make out a subscription and Raise as much money as they can and sell the Pew ground, and finish sª house; and when finished, if money remains in their hand Raised by subscription and sail of Pew ground, to be Refunded Back to the subscribers; sª Committee to Build according to the old Plan." Also the committee are instructed to "look out all Necessary roads Leading to sª meeting house spot."
The meeting house is located finally by this decisive vote. Though it does not appear in the records, the decisive consid- eration was a generous offer by Robert Colburn to give to the town what is now the park, if they would locate the house upon it. The park was then a field under cultivation, hence the direc- tion to the committee "to look out roads to the meeting house spot." That spot was some distance inside the present fence and a little to the west of its present location as a town hall, for that is the building where fortunes were so raised.
Though the above vote for the location of the meeting house seems a very decisive one, there was dissatisfaction. The de- feated party did not lose heart, and made another trial to have the location changed.
A special meeting was called for the 11th of September, 1792, at eight o'clock a. m., "to see if the town will agree upon some just Plan of measuring, whereby they may find a spot to set a meeting house upon that may Do Equal justice to the whole of the Inhabitants of sª Lebanon and do any other Business Relative thereto that they shall think propper. Voted to Chuse a commt to Propose a Plan of measurement to find where the center of Travel is in sª Lebanon. Chose Nath1 Porter Dan1 Alden, Capt Dan1 Phelps Capt David Hough for above said Purpose Ad- journed for half an hour"
Met and the committee reported "that a former Plan of meas- urement to find the center of Travel should be the Present Plan." Voted not to accept said plan.
The 12th day of November, 1792, they voted "to choose a Commt to set with the old meeting house commt to see if they could agree on Sumthing that should make harmony and union in said town in Regard to meeting house affairs. Chose Jesse Cook, Aaron Hutchinson Nath1 Storrs Robert Colburn"
The following is the report of the committee :
SETH BLODGETT.
171
DEVELOPMENT OF THE TOWN.
Nov 16 1892. Agreed that the Revd Isaiah Potter's Hearers Shall be considered as one Family, and that there be an Indifferent Comtte from out of Town that shall take Mr Potters rate bill View it, and have the Hired men and those that aint a going to live in Town not reckd and the rest reckond as in said family and the said Comtte shall ride into Each and Every part of this Town and view Every Circumstance of said Family as to Attendance on Publick worship, and say whether the said Family shall meet all the Time at the repaired Meeting-house, or all the time at the new Meeting-house, or whether at each of said houses part of the time, and if so, then in what Proportion at Each of said Houses so as to do Equal justice to Each member of said Family, as to attendance and Publick worship
Jesse Cook Robert Colburn
Cook Papers
Nov. 22 1792 Voted that a disinterested Comtt be chosen to Deter- mine a center spot for a meeting house for Publick worship, which Commtt shall consider the travel as it Respects quality and quantity and actually measure to find the same and say where in Justis it ought to be Erected upon the consideration of Every Circumstance of the Present and future Inhabitents-Provided measures are taken to Pre- vent injustis in the Respect to Subscriptions for work Done on the. house already raised.
Nov 26. Voted to Reconsider the last claws in the last vote (viz) Provided measures are taken to Prevent injustis with Respect to Sub- scriptions and work Done on the meeting-house already Raised. Chose a commt in town to measure sd town. Chose a commt to nominate a Commt, viz Nath1 Porter, Lemuel Hough Clap Sumner Dean Downer Charles Saxton. Adjourned for 1/2 an hour. Met and Commt report that Stephen Billings Lt. Joseph Wood, Dan1 Hough Capt. Asher Allen be a commt to measure sd town and are accordingly chosen with the substitution of Samuel Estabrooks for Stephen Billings who declined
December 24, 1792, the committee reported as follows :
Lebanon Dec 17 1792
To the Inhabitants of the Town of Lebanon-Greeting !
We, the subscribers that were appointed By sd Town as a committee to measure & find where sd Town could get together with the Least Travel-have accordingly Gone and measured & calculated to Different Spots and Beg leve to Report.
In the first Place we calculated the said Travel to the New meeting house & secondly to the mouth of the Lane Between Mr James Jones & Mr. Nathaniel Storrs and found that there was 215 miles & 29 rods less Soul Travel to s'd lane than to the New Meeting house-Likewise we found the land Travel to the aforesaid spots to Be 37 miles & 246 (rods) the least Travel to the New meeting house Reconing one travel from
1
172
HISTORY OF LEBANON.
Each habitable Hundred acre Lot. Likewise we found it to Be 52 miles & 303 Rods more Land Travel to Mr Peck's spot than to the New meeting house.
Samuel Estabrook) Dan'1 Hough Asher Allen
Committee Joseph Wood Jr
In the above report the "land travel" means the distance to the specified points from each inhabited house in town. By "soul travel" is meant this distance multiplied by the number of persons living in each house. From the report it appears that the meeting-house on the Plain was nearer a geographical center of the town than the other localities, but that the center of popu- lation was at the "mouth of the lane between James Jones and Nathaniel Storrs," which was in the neighborhood of Abel Storrs'.
This report seems to have been final. The meeting-house, which had been already raised and work done upon it, stood its ground. We at this day see that the location was wisely chosen. The village is both the geographical and the natural center of the town.
Various papers relative to this meeting house are here given. The people had little money to vote or give for the expense of building, but they had material and labor. The following is the subscription of the inhabitants :
Coppy of Subscription Paper for the Purpose of raising money for Building a Meetinghouse on the plain by Robert Colburns.
GEORGE BLODGETT.
173
DEVELOPMENT OF THE TOWN.
Wheat €
Cash shillings
Wheat
Cash
Stephen Billings.
3 -0 0
6
Stephen Bliss ..
£3 0 -0
6
Simeon Peck.
20 -0
0
12
James Hartshorn.
0-15 -0
Isaiah Potter.
15 -0 -0
10
Phinias Parkhurst.
5 -0 -0
6
Isaac Walbridge
3 -0 -0
6
Hezekiah Waters. 3 -0 -0
6
Josiah Cleaveland.
5 -0
0
6
Aaron Hutchinson
15 -0 -0
20
Jabez Kellogg.
2 -0
-0
Clap Sumner.
10 -0 -0
12
John Colburn Jun
9 -0 -0
20
Reuben Putnam
1 -4 -0
Beriah Abbott ..
10 -0 -0
20
Andrew Aldrich.
0 10 -0
Elkanah Sprague
5 -0 -0
Fredrick Cook.
0 -5 -0
Johathan Hamilton
5 -0 -0
10
Roger Hebbard .
0 -6 -0
Simeon Cook ..
0-10 -0
Zenas Alden.
4 -0 -0
David Stoddard.
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