USA > New Hampshire > Grafton County > Lebanon > History of Lebanon, N.H., 1761-1887 > Part 20
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The inhabitants of the easterly part of Lebanon take the liberty of submitting the following proposals for the consideration of the gentle- men composing the said commitee viz
1st That in consideration of said road being laid out made and com- pleted on the north side of Mascoma river in Lebanon from Ichabod Packard's on or nigh the route of said road as it is already staked out to the lower end of Enfield pond by Payne's mills (so called) and from thence to Enfield town line that the proprietors aforesaid shall be exempted from the payment of all damages which they might otherwise have been subjected to on account of said road passing through lands belonging to the several owners thereof from said Packards to where said road may cross said Mascoma river at the lower end of the pond before mentioned
2d. That upon the fulfilment of the consideration above mentioned the proprietors aforesaid shall be paid the sum of two hundred dollars by the inhabitants aforesaid.
3d That one or more surety or sureties shall become obligated to the proprietors aforesaid for indemnifying them against said damages and the payment of the sum above specified.
This was manifestly a deliberate bid on the part of the inhabi- tants of the easterly part of the town for the location of the road on the north side of the river.
On the other side :
The said committee further represent that they are informed by David Hough, one of the selectmen of the town of Lebanon, that the town of Lebanon has voted to raise the sum of six hundred dollars to be paid said proprietors if said road should eventually be made to cross Mascoma river at Dr Pheneas Parkhurst's and twice more before it ar- rived at the meeting house [at staple bridge and at Coles foundery] and by said meeting house to Ichabod Packards, thence on to the south side of Mascoma river as now laid to Enfield line
The proprietors voted that in case the six hundred dollars shall be paid by the town of Lebanon, and the corporation be secured
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HISTORY OF LEBANON.
from all land damages, then the road should be laid on the south side of the river, otherwise the road should be laid on the north side of the river, provided the inhabitants of the easterly part of the town comply with their promise of two hundred dollars.
After many discussions and various negotiations, the turnpike received a final location, keeping mainly on the south side of the river. After crossing Stony brook, instead of following along the banks of the river, it passed by the Cleaveland place and kept on by Manchester's, across the point of the ridge westward of the Floyd or Gile buildings. The house which was occupied for a tavern by - Barnes stood on the road as thus laid, and was moved to its present location when the road was changed about 1826.
The following are the courses and distances of the road through the town as they are found upon the old records :
Beginning in Enfield near the Shakers Thence by the side of the pond 330 rods to a hemlock tree or stump Marked XVII; thence north 45° west 92 rods to a maple stump XVIII thence north 20 west 40 rods to stake and stones marked XIX; thence north 33 west 66 rods to Houstons barn, southwest corner; thence north 48 west 88 rods to stake and stones marked XXI; thence north 55° west, 122 rods to a beech tree marked XXII; thence north 82° west 10 rods to a beech tree marked XXIII; thence south 63º west 48 rods to stake and stones marked XXIV ; thence south 42° west 36 rods to a maple tree marked XXX ; thence south 40° west 60 rods to stake and stones marked XXVI ; thence south 77° west 14 rods to Capt. Aaron Cleaveland's horseshed ; thence north 89° west 68 rods to a stake and stones marked XXXIII; thence south 80° west 136 rods to a stake and stones marked XXIX; thence south 65° west 64 rods to the stone causeway built by Peter Miller at the north end; thence north 68 west 160 rods to a birch tree marked XXXI; thence north 50° west 40 rods to a white birch marked XXXII ; thence north 80° west 66 rods to the southeasterly corner of Packards bridge [Chandler's] ; thence north 20 west 12 rods across the river to stake and stones marked XXXIV; thence west 32 rods to a great rock with stones on the top; thence north 38 west 40 rods to stake and stones marked XXXVI thence north 50 west 37 rods to a pine stump marked XXXVII; thence north 65° west 24 rods to a pine stump marked XXXVIII; thence north 45 west 71 rods to a white maple tree at the crotch of the roads [Howard Benton's] marked XXXIX
Thence on the main road towards the mouth of White River north 64° west 67 rods to a stake and stones marked I; thence south 82° west across the river 31 rods to a stake and stones marked II; thence north
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ROADS AND BRIDGES.
65° west 42 rods to a cherry tree marked III; thence south 83º west 28 rods to a stake and stones marked IV; thence south 73° west 52 rods to a stake and stones marked V; thence south 85° west 118 rods to the south end of Houghs horse-shed [old Lafayette hotel] ; thence south 80º west 44 rods to a stake and stones marked VII; thence north 71° west 71 rods to a rock with stones on the top; thence south 81 west 90 rods to a maple tree by Mr Pecks house marked IX. [This tree stood until a few years ago, when, giving signs of decay, it was reluctantly cut down.] Thence south 87° west 156 rods to a stake and stones at the west end of Mr Peck's bridge [staple bridge]; thence west 100 rods to the north abutment of a bridge by Mr Gates [Moses Perley's] ; thence north 71° west 38 rods to stake and stones marked XII; thence north 85° west 14 rods to stake and stones marked XIII; thence south 78 west 70 rods to stake and stones marked XIII; thence north 87° west 130 rods to the north corner of the bridge called Doct. Parkhurst's bridge [Hubbard bridge] ; thence south 62° west 14 rods to stake and stones marked XVI; thence north 75 west 13 rods to an oak tree marked XXII ; thence north 46° west 98 rods to Mr Waters well [on the Richard Kim- ball place] ; thence north 35 west 78 rods to a pine bush marked XVIII ; thence north 33° west 98 rods to a stake one rod south of Hubbards store, thence north 170 west 22 rods to Esq Hutchinsons office; thence north 8° west 76 rods to stake and stones marked XXII standing north from Dana's [Southworth's] tavern; thence north 46° west 54 rods to a pine stump marked XXIII; thence south 65° west 15 rods to the north end of Lyman's bridge at or over Connecticut river.
The road was divided into sections and that is the reason of the change in the Roman numerals. The last section commenced by Howard Benton's and terminated at Lyman's bridge. A sur- veyor would look in vain at this day for the various beech, maple and pine trees or stumps, or "the great rocks with stones on the top" mentioned. Perhaps only two of the marks mentioned through the town remain unchanged, one is "Mr Water's well" and the other the "stump of the maple tree by Mr. Peck's."
The following persons of Lebanon were officers of the road at various periods :
David Hough, director, to 1803.
Joseph Wood, director from 1806 to 1809, from 1810 to the abandonment of the road.
Stephen Billings, director, 1809.
Ziba Alden, director from 1817 to 1827.
James Ralston, clerk from October, 1801, to July, 1802.
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HISTORY OF LEBANON.
Rev. Isaiah Potter, clerk from 1806 to 1815, when he resigned. Thomas Waterman, clerk from 1815 to the end.
The toll gate was placed where Colonel Hoffman lived. Gatekeepers, - Woodbury, Zenas Alden and Col. William Hoffman.
Commencement in those days was attended by great multi- tudes from all surrounding regions. Many of those coming from Enfield and Canaan used to save their toll by passing over the old county road by George Blodget's. Whether their horses climbing those steep hills commended the economy of their drivers is doubtful.
At the annual meeting March 10, 1801, Maj. Constant Storrs was chosen representative.
Voted that the selectmen have four shillings per day for their services as selectmen.
The town was divided into nine school districts.
The center village under this division was in the sixth district, whose dimensions were as follows: On the west the farms of Mr. Breck and Edwin Perley; on the north Hanover line; on the east Howard Benton's; south, the Porter farm, occupied by Howe, and contained the following families: Rev. Isaiah Potter, Hobart Estabrook, Samuel Estabrook, Abner Smith, Walter Peck, Simeon Peck, Eliel Peck, Jahleel Peck, Joseph Abbott, Roger Freeman, Luther Pike, Joseph Weed, John Kimball, Benj. Kimball, Guy Hough, Charles Toothaker, Enoch Freeman, Jacob W. Brewster, John Colburn, Nathaniel Bidwell, Zenas Alden, Robert Colburn, Jacob Ela, Asahel Abbott, Thomas. . Hough, Barnabas Fay, Stephen Kendrick, Jon. Quimby, John Walton, Samuel Young, Beriah Abbott, Elkanah Sprague, John Porter, Jesse Cook, Stephen Billings, Jesse Cook, Jr., Samuel Niles, Andrew Wheatley.
At the annual meeting March 9, 1802, Col. David Hough had 151 votes for councillor, there being only one vote cast for any other candidate, and was elected.
Aaron Hutchinson, Esq., was chosen representative.
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ROADS AND BRIDGES.
August 28, 1802, the town voted for five representatives to Congress, with the following result :
Samuel Tenney, 88 Silas Betton, 85
Clifton Clagget, 85 Samuel Hunt, 81
David Hough, 81
Who were elected; Capt. David Hough was of Lebanon and was reelected. Besides these Constant Storrs, Moody Bedel, Nahum Parker, Thomas Cogswell, Jonathan Smith each had 11 votes, and Aaron Hutchinson had 6.
At the annual meeting March 8, 1803, Aaron Hutchinson was chosen representative.
March 25 the town took the following action :
Voted to choose a committee to form a vote in regard to the small Pox matter. Chose Rev. Isaiah Potter Stephen Kendrick Col David Hough for the committee, who reported as follows:
That the town consents that the Innoculation for the small Pox be carried on agreeable to Law in said town for the term of six months from the 20th day of Sept: next, under the Direction of the Selectmen in some one Place or Places, not exceeding three, whare the selectmen shall think most proper, under the following conditions and regulations, that is to say-that the individuals who are to be innoculated shall pay all the Expense of erecting any building or Rent of any already set up, and Compensate the selectmen for their attendance, and fully in- demnify the town from any Expense in consequence thereof, and duly conform in all respects to the law in that behalf provided. But no liberty is hereby granted for any innoculation until sufficient surety is made to the selectmen that the above conditions shall be observed
Voted to except the report of the committee.
At the annual meeting March 13, 1804, Stephen Kendrick was chosen for the first time town clerk. Clapp Sumner chosen rep- resentative.
November 1, 1804, the town voted for presidential electors with the following result :
Oliver Peabody
112 Robert Wallace 113
John Prentice
112
Benj. West 113
Timothy Farrar 113
Charles Johnson 113
William Hale 112
John Goddard
35
Timothy Walker 34
Levi Bartlett
35
George Aldrich 34
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HISTORY OF LEBANON.
Jonathan Steele 35 William Tarlton 34
Robert Alcock 34
The first names of this list constituted the electoral ticket of the Federalists, whose candidate was C. C. Pinkney of South Carolina.
The second list of names constituted the ticket of the Repub- licans, whose candidate was Thomas Jefferson. This was the successful ticket in both the state and nation. The vote shows that the town was strongly Federalist in its politics.
At the annual meeting March 12, 1805, the vote for governor was as follows :
John Taylor Gilman, 174; Col. John Langdon, 80. Gilman was the Federalist candidate and Langdon the Democratic. The latter was successful; his election marks the beginning of Demo- cratic rule in New Hampshire. The elections this year show one of the sudden changes of parties. Governor Gilman was first elected in 1794, and reelected each year till 1805. The vote given above shows a great gain in the Democratic vote of the town. In the presidential vote it was a little more than one- quarter of that of the Federalists. In this vote it lacks only fourteen of being one-half.
Voted that the selectmen procure a work-house for the use of the poor.
Aaron Hutchinson chosen representative.
At a meeting held Feb 22d 1806 Maj. Thomas Waterman was ap- pointed an agent for the town to remonstrate to the Hon. Court of Common Pleas. against the acceptance of the doings of sd Courts Com- mittee relative to the alteration of the River road through this town.
This is the first instance on the records of any outside action in the roads of the town.
At the annual meeting March 11, 1806, the vote for governor was as follows:
John Langdon R 83 John T. Gilman F 74
Jeremiah Smith F 14 Elisha Ticknor 1
John Langdon was elected by a large majority.
Maj. Thomas Waterman chosen representative.
The vote for a work-house was renewed.
At a meeting April 22, 1806, upon a report of a committee chosen for that purpose the town was divided into fourteen
217
ROADS AND BRIDGES.
districts. During this and preceding years the town was largely occupied in making new roads, in altering and discontinuing the old.
On October 28, 1806, a town meeting was warned at the old meeting-house. The object in holding the meeting at that place was that the people might view a piece of road from Poggem.
At the annual meeting March 10, 1807, the vote for governor was as follows: John Langdon, R., 71; John S. Gilman, F., 55, which means that the town had become Democratic.
Major Thomas Waterman chosen representative.
Upon the question, Is a revision of the constitution necessary ? yeas 1, nays 65.
During the year there seems to have been much dissatisfac- tion with the bounds of the school districts and the division of the school money, but the town at various meetings held during the year refused to take any action in the matter.
At a meeting held September 7, 1807:
Voted that the Selectmen make such suitable provision of meat and drink and powder for soldiers on Battalion and Regimental Muster days, as may be done in cheapest manner to answer the law.
The law was as follows: "That the selectmen of the several towns and unincorporated places within this state shall furnish suitable meats and drinks for the refreshment of all non-com- missioned officers and soldiers within their several towns and places, or thirty-four cents in lieu thereof for each man, on regi- mental and battalion musters which may be in the months of September and October, and also one-quarter of a pound of powder to each non-commissioned officer and soldier; at the ex- pense of said towns and places; and it shall be the duty of each soldier to consume said powder when directed by his command- ing officer; the meats and drinks to be furnished on the parade where such regimental or battalion musters are; the number of men ascertained by a roll certified by the commanding officer of the company to which they belong. And if the selectmen of any town or place, after proper notice of such muster shall neglect or refuse to furnish the supplies aforesaid, they shall forfeit and pay the sum of fifty cents for each non-commis- sioned officer or soldier whom they shall neglect to furnish, to be recovered by the commanding officer of the company which
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HISTORY OF LEBANON.
shall be so regulated, in any court proper to try the same, to be appropriated towards defraying the expenses of said company."
The amount paid according to law for the year 1807 was as follows :
Stephen Kendrick for powder and rum for field day $23.20
Jonathan Hamilton for provisions and transporting Do 23.30
Another account of this year placed by the side of one for 1881 will show the changes of time :
1807
Gideon Baker for service as comtee man in selling with the select-
men
$0.34
Ephraim Wood, Do
0.34
James Howe Do
0.34
1881 1.02
For auditing Selectmen's accounts
$15.00
At the above meeting the selectmen were directed to, purchase the cemetery at East Lebanon of Benjamin Fuller.
At the annual meeting March 8, 1808, Voted to procure one scraper for each highway district. There were nine districts.
Voted that the town will pay for Ringing the Bell on all public meeting days, and on funeral occasions
This is the first mention of a bell in the town. It was pro- cured some time in 1807 by subscription. Nothing is now known of its weight or character. This was the third bell to send its peals through the valleys and among the hills of this region. The first was for the use of Dartmouth College, brought by General Eaton in a horse-cart from Hartford, Conn., 1790. It reached Hanover on the afternoon of the day before commencement. "It was immediately suspended from a tree and made the. welkin ring with a new sound, to the great joy of all the inhabi- tants and of all the visitors of that occasion," many of whom had never heard a bell before.
The second was a bell at Meriden, procured about 1798. It is said to have excited so much envy among the neighboring towns, and so much boasting among the people that it was called the "Meriden Idol."
219
ROADS AND BRIDGES.
The first bell-ringer was Jacob C. Richardson, who was paid for that service and for sweeping the meeting-house $17.
The Federalists of the town seem this year to be demoralized, as indicated by the vote for governor: John T. Gilman, F., 18; John Langdon, 75.
1
Major Thomas Waterman, representative.
But in the election for presidential electors November 4, 1808, the Federalists recovered their strength. Their electoral ticket had 156 votes, the Republicans 67. The candidate of the Fed- eralists was C. C. Pinkney ; of the Republicans, or Democrats, James Madison, who was elected, though the majority was against him in the state.
At the annual meeting March 14, 1809, the votes for governor were: Jeremiah Smith, F., 190; John Langdon, R., 74. Jere- miah Smith was elected by a small majority.
Col. David Hough was chosen representative.
The town voted not to lay a road from Lebanon city to the mouth of the White River. This road was designed to be in competition with the Fourth New Hampshire Turnpike.
Guideboards are mentioned this year for the first time.
Paid Downing Amsden for Gide boards $3.75
Thomas Hough for lumber for gide Posts $1.24
" James Hutchinson for Lettering Guid Boards $5.00
Here is another sad account :
Paid Elijah Rowell for Horse and journey to Orange in Vermont in search of the Stranger's friends that died at Mr. Aldens $1.80
1810.
Town officers, Capt. Joseph Wood, moderator.
Town clerk, Capt. Jesse Cook.
Selectmen, David Hough, Capt. Diarca Allen, Hobart Esta- brook.
Tything men, Aaron Hebbard, Runa Hall.
Hog reeves, Ephraim Wood, Jr., James Crocker, Jr., Bracket Greno, Josiah Magoon, James Ralston, Harry Wheatley.
Collector and constable, James Willis.
Fence viewers, Aaron Hutchinson, Esq., Jonathan Hamilton, Silas Waterman.
Poundkeeper, Eliel Peck.
220
HISTORY OF LEBANON.
Sealer of weights and measures, James Howe.
Sealer of leather, Osgood True.
The town voted that the selectmen should visit the schools, and that Rev. Mr. Potter should assist them.
For some time this and surrounding towns had been greatly disturbed by reports of the disappearance of dead bodies from the cemeteries. The vicinity of the Medical College established at Hanover near the close of the last century gave sufficient ground for these reports. There is no doubt that the graves were sometimes disturbed. The selectmen were accordingly di- rected to enforce the law passed June, 1810, against "digging up the bodies of dead people." The penalty for this offense was severe, namely, "a fine not exceeding two thousand dollars to be publickly whipped not exceeding thirty-nine stripes, or be imprisoned not exceeding two years." The same penalty was also enforced against any person who should knowingly receive any such body.
At a town meeting held September 10, 1810, James Hutchin- son was appointed agent of the town to carry on a suit against the White River Falls Company.
At a meeting held on the 27th of August to choose representa- tives to congress, the Federalist candidates were George Sulli- van, William Hale, James Wilson, Roger Vose, who each received 151 votes, and Daniel Blaisdell, who received 149.
The Republican candidates were Josiah Bartlett, John A. Hooper, D. L. Morrill, Samuel Dinsmore, Obadiah Hall; each received 62 votes.
1811.
Diarca Allen, David Hough and Hobart Estabrook, select- men; Jesse Cook, town clerk.
Vote for governor: John Langdon, R., 104; Jeremiar Smith, F., 175. Langdon was elected.
William Hale, George Sullivan, Daniel Blaisdell, Federalists, representatives to congress, had 156 votes.
John A. Harper, Obed Hall, Republicans, had 82 votes.
From the record it appears that there had been a freshet lately, as Selden Freeman asks the town to make him some con-
221
ROADS AND BRIDGES.
sideration for brick destroyed by water-which they declined to do.
This year one of the citizens of the town received the reward of patience and perseverance. James Crocker, who lived at the place now occupied by the widow of Sam'l B. Gerrish, had asked the town annually for nearly ten years to grant him a road from his house to the meeting-house by way of Deacon Huntington's, Howes' and Mr. Peck's bridge. The town had directed the selectmen and appointed committees to examine and report upon the proposed road, but somehow he did not get the road. He did not call out the commissioners or the court's committee, but reposed confidently upon the justice of his fellow-citizens and continued his applications. When we learn the route he had to go to get to the meeting-house, west of Frank Peabody's on to Horace Storr's, and then by an old road to the bridge at Scythe- ville, it seems tardy justice when his request is finally granted. The road is the one now traveled to the John Ela farm.
War of 1812.
As early as 1806 England began proceedings which gave of- fense to the United States, and finally culminated in war. Eng- land and France were at war with one another. By an order in council the whole coast of Europe from the Elbe to Brest was declared to be in a state of blockade. Napoleon retaliated by declaring a blockade of all the British islands. Another order of England forbade all coast trade with France. Under these orders English and French cruisers seized and condemned Amer- ican vessels without scruple, and without fear, so small was our navy. American commerce under the action of these powerful nations was swept from the seas. In addition England claimed the right to search American vessels for suspected deserters from her navy, a right exercised in the most offensive manner and re- sulting in the impressment of many native-born citizens into the British navy. Remonstrances were of no avail.
In November, 1807, another order in council was issued, for- bidding neutral vessels to enter French ports, unless they had previously entered a British port and paid a duty. Napoleon retaliated by a decree confiscating every vessel which should submit to British search or pay any duty to Great Britain. In the view of these haughty nations no other people had any rights which they were bound to respect.
In December, 1807, congress laid an embargo which held all vessels, foreign or American, in our ports, and ordered all American vessels to return home immediately. On all sides the commerce of the United States suffered. If any of her vessels ventured abroad two powerful nations were ready to seize their cargoes, and one of them scrupled not to seize both cargoes and crews. Finally their own government shut them up in their own ports. The natural, inevitable result was great discontent. The people were divided into two great parties, the Federalists and the Republicans. The Federalists were apologists for Eng-
223
WAR OF 1812.
land and opposed to the measures of the government. The Re- publicans (the Democrats of the period) resented the conduct of England and favored war. Controversies between these par- ties were exceedingly bitter. Each condemned what the other proposed or did. Negotiations were entered into, but they came to nothing. England thought she had nothing to fear from the United States, and if they did not like her orders in council, or the proceedings of her cruisers, what difference did it make to her? She persistently adhered to her policy.
There was nothing left to the United States but to declare war against her oppressor, which was done June 18, 1812.
To the Federalists the act savored of the ridiculous. For a country impoverished, with an empty treasury, with a navy com- prising only eight frigates, two sloops and five brigs to take up arms against England, the mistress of the seas, they said and felt, was the height of folly. The Republicans, on the other hand, gloried in the courage and faith of the act. Little was done on either side for a time. On the land defeats exceeded successes on our side. But victories were gained on the seas and lakes. Though England at first despised our navy, she soon learned to respect it. Many of her haughty cruisers were forced to strike their flags to the courage and skill of the despised Yankees. Besides, a vast swarm of privateers scoured the ocean in every direction and preyed upon British commerce, with such success, that in a single year they captured more than three hun- dred vessels. Fourteen of these privateers sailed from Ports- mouth the first year of the war, commissioned by the United States "to take, burn, sink and destroy the enemy wherever he could be found, either on high seas or in British ports."
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