USA > New Hampshire > Hillsborough County > Manchester > History of Manchester, formerly Derryfield, in New-Hampshire : including that of ancient Amoskeag, or the middle Merrimack Valley, together with the address, poem, and other proceedings of the centennial celebration of the incorporation of Derryfield at Manchester, October 22, 1851 > Part 64
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The Superintending Committee upon the Town House enter- ed upon their duties, and in the course of the summer built the large and commodious house, now known as the "old Town House." It was built of brick, 90 feet in length by 66 feet in width. It had the post office and four stores on the first floor, a Town Hall 63 feet by 70, with two rooms for offices on the second floor ; and a hall in the attic, with armories on either side, for the military companies of the town. The building was surmounted with a cupola, on the top of which was an eagle
العدرات
OLD TOWN HALL.
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CALEF AND BALD HILL ROADS.
of fine proportions. It was also furnished with a clock, and a fine toned bell, of 2800 lbs. in weight. The whole structure with out buildings, was completed at an expense of about $17,000.
The Selectmen built a Pound, on the town farm, the one now standing and used upon it.
May 29th, 1841, the Selectmen upon petition, located the school house lot in District No. 4, upon land of the heirs of Joseph Moor, and a school house was forthwith built upon it by the District. The same season a school house was built in District No. 3.
In the Summer of 1841, a Court's Committee laid out the road now known as the "Calef road." It was thought, and prob- ably truly, that the public good did not require the road, and hence the Selectmen refused to lay out the road. A committee thought otherwise. The same year another committee laid out the "Bald Hill" road. This road was thought by the town still less necessary for the public, than the Calef road. A town meeting was held on the 14th day of August, to take into con- sideration the building of these roads, and other matters of in- terest to the town. At this meeting certain regulations were voted, for the management of the Valley Cemetery ; it was voted to discontinue that part of the Bald Hill road, between the Mammoth road, and Chester line ; to build the Calef road to Litchfield ; to fence the Centre Burying Ground; and to have a clock, and bell, upon the town House.
These votes were all carried into effect, the Court of Com- mon Pleas consenting to the discontinuance of the Bald Hill road.
On the 14th day of September, 1841, the Selectmen upon petition laid out Vine street, and Merrimack street from Elm street, to the old road to Manchester centre ; also the lanes east of Elm street, and those betwixt Merrimack and Manchester streets ; betwixt Amherst and Hanover streets ; betwixt Concord and Lowell streets ; betwixt Pine and Union Streets ; and be- twixt Hanover and Manchester streets.
The progress in building this year was very rapid. Aside from the many private buildings, and the splendid Town House already described, the Free Will Baptist Church was erected upon Merrimack street. It is of wood, and cost $5000.
School District No. 2, also built the Brick School House, on the corner of Lowell and Chestnut streets, this year. The
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THE HISTORY OF MANCHESTER.
lot containing 10,000 square feet, was the gift of the Amog- keag Manufacturing Company. The building cost $3,000 and its basement is occupied for two primary schools, while the second floor is appropriated to the High School. It is to be hoped that a more commodious building will be furnished for this school at no distant day. The Union Building on the corner of Elm and Market streets, owned by Messrs. Ayer & Leach, was also built in 1841.
This was the first building erected by private individuals on the west side of Elm street, upon land sold by the Company. E. W. Harrington, Esq., was its first occupant, as he had been of the first building built upon the street in 1839. He occu- pied the restaurant at the corner of Elm and Market streets, and one of the tenements upon Market street.
The annual meeting for 1842, was held March 8, in the new Town Hall. At this meeting it was found that the rate- able polls had increased to more than ten hundred and fifty, thus entitling the town to four representatives, and four were accordingly chosen. Five hundred dollars were appropriated to build reservoirs, and the selectmen were instructed to pre- pare and print for distribution 1300 copies of the receipts and expenditures of the town for the ensuing year, on or before the 15th of March, 1843.
This last vote was the origin of the plan that has ever since been practiced, that of printing in book form an account of the annual expenses of the town.
The money raised for reservoirs, was expended in building one at the intersection of Elm and Hanover streets ; and another in front of the residence of Isaac Riddle, Esq., upon Lowell street. These were the first reservoirs built in the place.
In 1842, the Concord Railroad was opened to this town. The first train of passenger cars passed over this road with the officers of the road, and a few gentlemen invited to witness the trial trip, on Tuesday, the 28th of June ; but the opening of the road for the public travel, was not till July 4th, when the cars made free trips to Nashua, and thousands of people were present from the adjacent towns, to take their first ride in the cars, or to witness their incoming or outgoing. The trial trip is well remembered by many of our people, as connected with the death of one of our most valuable citizens,
FOSTER TOWNE, ESQ. He was one of the gentlemen invited from this town to par-
Mums affectionately. Faster Towns-
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DEATH OF FOSTER TOWNE, ESQ.
ticipate in the trial trip. The day was rough and windy, and Mr. Towne took a severe cold, and was seized with violent pains in the cars ; after his return to his house, about one o'clock P.M., became delirious, and died on the 1st day of July. Mr. Towne was a native of Londonderry, lived some years in Hudson, where he was a trader, and removed to Hooksett in 1827, as Agent of the Factory in that place. He continued as Agent some six years, when he resigned, and went into trade in Hooksett. He continued in trade about two years, when he removed to Pembroke and went into trade. From Pembroke, Mr. Towne moved to Manchester in June, 1829, where he be- came largely interested in real estate. At the time of his death he was Secretary of the Amoskeag Mutual Fire Insurance Com- pany. Being a man of business, enterprise, and property, his death was a public calamity, and although it took place in the early time of our city, when the bonds of social intercourse were but slight and fragile, yet his name is held in respectful remem- brance by our citizens. He was 44 years of age at the time of his death.
In the summer of 1842, a school house was built in District No. 6, and another in No. 9; also a Hook and Ladder House was built on Market street in the rear of Union Building, where the Franklin street church now stands. And the same season, the fence about the Burying Ground at Manchester Centre, was finished, and a portion of the lot which had been occupied by the town for the purpose of burial, but which was owned by Mr. Henry Varnum, was purchased of him, and enclosed with the rest of the lot.
The Manchester Lyceum was organized this year, and has since continued in successful operation. The Second Metho- dist Episcopal Society having sold their Chapel upon Hanover street, to the Unitarian Society, built their large and commodi- ous brick church upon Elm street. It cost $16,000, and was dedicated Dec. 6, 1842. The Amoskeag Falls Bridge was also built this year, at an expense of $12,069.
The Manchester Democrat was established this year, by W. H. Kimball, and Joseph Kidder, Esqrs., its first number having been issued, Tuesday, May 3d, 1842. It advocated the prin- ciples of the democratic party. It has been continued to the present time. Some time in the summer of this year, Messrs. J. C. Emerson, and O. D. Murray, proprietors of the Memorial, purchased and removed to Manchester, "the Iris," a month-
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THE HISTORY OF MANCHESTER.
ly paper, and the "Literary Souvenir." a weekly paper. L. B. Everett, Esq., was the editor of those papers.
The first of September, the Memorial passed into the hands of Messrs. Wetmore & Wallace ; the Iris and Souvenir were united and published monthly, and soon after Mr. Murray left the establishment. The first of December, Mr. Emerson com- menced the publication of the Semi-Weekly Advertiser, Col. Isaac Kinsman, editor, which was continued only some four or five weeks.
The Gleaner, a paper in this town, that gained an unenviable notoriety for its abuse and scurrility, was first published on Sat- urday, November 12, 1842, by Mr. John Caldwell,
The Manchester Allodium, a neutral and literary paper, was started with the first of the year, 1843, by Mr. Willard N. Har- adon. This paper took the place of the Semi-Weekly Adver- tiser, published by Mr. Emerson, Mr. Haradon having purchas- ed Mr. Emerson's printing material, and its first number was issued January 14th 1843. Mr. Haradon continued the pub- lication of the Iris and Literary Souvenir. He continued to publish these papers until April 8, of this year, when he sold them to Mr. E. D. Boylston, now the Junior editor of the Amherst Cabinet. Mr. Boylston continued both papers, but under new names. The name of the Manchester Allodium was changed to the Manchester Transcript, and the Iris and Souvenir was changed to the New Hampshire Magazine. Mr. Boylston con- tinued their publication through the summer and fall, when the New Hampshire Magazine was discontinued, and the Trancript was moved to Great Falls.
At the annual town meeting in 1842, a most liberal policy prevailed, in regard to our schools, and it was voted that the sum to be raised for the support of schools, should be as much greater than that required by law, "in proportion as the inven- tory of 1842 exceeds that of 1840." This was a liberal ap- propriation. But in this year, 1843, they voted the specific ap- propriation of $1300 for the support of schools, over and above the amount required. This example of liberal policy, thus ear- ly set by the people of the "New Village," has been followed to the present time, and with such success that few towns in New England, have a superior system of Common Schools.
They also adopted the provisions as to the internal police of towns contained in the Revised Statutes of the state, with such exceptions as the situation of the town demanded.
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LIQUOR PROSECUTIONS.
December, 30th, 1843, Mr. Haradon, commenced the pub- lication of the Manchester Operative, a paper devoted to the interest of the operatives, as its name would indicate. This was discontinued in November, 1844. The first of September 1843, Mr. Haradon, with Messrs. J. C. Stowell, George S. Wilson, and Samuel E. Young, purchased the White Mountain Torrent, a paper devoted to the cause of Temperance, and pub- lished at Concord and moved the same to Manchester. It was published here until sometime in November, when it was re- moved to Concord.
The community were greatly excited this year, upon the cause of temperance. A decided effort was made by the friends of temperance, to restrain the traffic in intoxicating drinks. In- dividual efforts had ceased to be of much avail, and it was pro- posed to bring the authority of the town to bear upon the sub- ject. Accordingly, at a town meeting, held at the Town Hall, June 5, 1843, it was
"Voted that the selectmen be authorised to prosecute all per- sons who may violate the license law."
It was also "voted that an agent should be appointed by the selectmen, to purchase all intoxicating liquors for sale in town on the first day in June inst., at first cost and proof, and that an agent be appointed to sell the same for medicinal and mechan- ical purposes only."
Other important matters were transacted at the same meeting. The selectmen were authorized to fit up the house upon the Town Farm, for a House of Correction ; to build the "Hook- sett road," as laid out by the Road Commissioners, leading from Elm street northerly to the Mammoth Road, near the "Wycome Farm ;" also to build the road leading from David Dickey, Jr's, to the Derry road ; and the Representatives were instructed to favor the purchase of a farm by the County for the keeping of the County paupers.
The selectmen forthwith proceeded to carry into effect the votes of the town. The building of the roads was jobbed out ; the House of Correction was fitted up; an agent for the sale of intoxicating liquors appointed ; and various prosecu- tions instituted for the violation of the license law. Public opinion however, does not seem to have sustained the vote or the law, and the whole movement being in the hands of men who had not the public confidence, if they had that of the friends of temperance, the prosecutions in the end had but little
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THE HISTORY OF MANCHESTER.
effect in restraining the sale of intoxicating liquors. They were so managed as to savor a great deal of oppression ; suspicions were afloat that individuals had private ends to accomplish, politics were mixed up with the prosecutions ; private charac- ter was assailed, and in short a state of public feeling was in- duced that savored very little of temperance. This state of things existed in a greater or less degree through the year 1843, and into that of 1844, a period of time during which but little advancement was made in the moral and social character of the town ; and of a surety the cause of temperance suffered, rather than gained by the excitement.
Nevertheless the extraordinary growth of thet own continued, the companies and individuals building largely for the accom- modation of the increasing population. St. Michael's (the Epis- copal,) Church was built, in 1843, the society having been or- ganized in 1841. The church is located pleasantly on the corner of Lowell and Pine streets, is of wood, 60 feet in length by 40 feet in width, and cost $3000.
The Manchester Atheneum was established in the winter of 1844, mainly through the influence and exertions of Hon. Samuel D. Bell, who has contributed largely of his time and means, to forward the interests of an institution, that is an hon- or to our city, but which owes its permanent success to the encouragement and liberal donations, amounting to more than two thousand dollars, bestowed by the Amoskeag Company, the Stark Mills, and Manchester Print Works. This institution has been merged in the City Library, a particular account of which is to be found in the Chapter upon our "Schools, Educational and Literary matters."
At the annual Town Meeting, March 12, 1844, the sum of $3,100, was raised, "to defray the expense of schools, the en- suing year ;" and it was voted, that "$2,400 of said money be ex- pended in School District No. 2" This district comprised the "New Village."
It "was also voted, "that the bell be rung twice each week day, for the benefit of Schools the ensuing year."
At this time the population and business had so increased, that it was thought just and proper, that the Courts should be held here a portion of the time. Accordingly, a town meeting was called to consider of the subject, May 15, 1844. At this meeting, it was voted,
"To instruct our Representatives in the General Court, to
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FOURTH OF JULY, 1844.
use their best endeavors to obtain one term of the Court of Common Pleas, and two additional terms of the Probate Court for the County to be holden in said town of Manchester."
The Selectmen were also instructed to fit up the town Hall for the use of the Courts, and to tender the same to the County, and also to present a petition to the Legislature, praying that a term of the Court of Common Pleas, and two additional terms of the Probate Court be holden in this town.
The Selectmen forwarded the petition as directed, and an effort was made by our representatives as instructed, to accom- plish the desired object, but their efforts failed ; the people of the County had not then opened their eyes to the importance of the "New Village," of Manchester. However, at the Fall session, December 28th, 1844, a bill passed the Legislature providing for the holding of the October Term of the Court of Common Pleas in the town, whenever the Clerk of that Court should be notified by the town, that a proper place had been provided for holding the same at the expense of the town.
The Unitarian Society organized in 1842, having bought the Chapel of the Methodist Episcopal Society, situated upon the corner of Hanover and Chestnut streets, upon the lot now owned and occupied by Nathan Parker, Esq., moved it upon their lot, at the corner of Merrimack and Pine streets, in 1844 and fitted it up for a church ; the same now occupied by that Society, except that, it has since been much enlarged and im- proved.
Political excitement was rife in this state as elsewhere in 1844. The presidential canvass was carried on with great zeal. Both political parties decided upon having a grand political demon- stration of their forces at Manchester, on the 4th of July. The utmost exertions were used to have the people present in mass- es, and with success. The streets were filled with men, wo- men, and children. It was estimated that from 15,000 to 20,000 people were present from out of the town. It had been con- jectured that no house could accommodate the audience of ei- ther party, and accordingly preparations had been made for the speakers in the open air. The place of meeting for the Whigs, was the ravine just below Granite street, then covered with its primitive growth of hemlock and pine ; while that of the Democrats was in a primitive growth of pines, betwixt Trem- ont Square and Pearl streets. The oration before the Dem- ocrats was pronounced by George Barstow, Esq., and that be-
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THE HISTORY OF MANCHESTER.
fore the Whigs by Charles Francis Adams, Esq., of Boston. Objections were brought against both places on account of their "distance ;" one was said to be "away up," and the other "away down in the woods." Military Companies were present from Nashua, New Boston, and Weare, which in addition to those of the town, made an imposing display.
On Monday the 12th day of August, 1844, the new Town House was destroyed by fire. Smoke was discovered issuing from the bell deck about half past 10 o'clock, A. M., and in a few moments was forcing itself through every crevice and cran- ny of the roof. Shortly after, the flames burst out of the north west corner of the roof, and in an hour the noble structure was a heap of smoking ruins. The fire took in the armory of the Stark Guards, from a lighted piece of paper, inadvertently thrown upon the floor. This doubtless, through some grains of pow- der scattered upon the floor, communicated to shavings beneath, betwixt the floor and the Hall. Here it was confined, and had been burning some time before the smoke and flame found vent. Upon breaking out at the north west corner of the build- ing, the fire seemed to spread at once all over it. Taking in the attic, and being thus under way, no efforts could save any part of the building. Most of the goods in the stores and cellars were removed, as also the contents of the Post Office : but the printing office of Mr. J. C. Emerson, in the third story, and the offects of the Stark Guards, and Granite Fusileers, in their Ar- mories in the attic, were almost entirely destroyed. The loss to individuals and the town was about $30,000 of which $11,- 000 was covered by insurance.
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A town meeting was called immediately, to be held on the 30th of August, to take into consideration the subject of re- building the Town House ; and other matters for the protec- tion of the town against fires. At this meeting, it was
"Voted to build the Town House, as good, or better than the old one, and put a clock and bell, on the same."
A committee consisting of Messrs. Daniel Clark, Asa O. Colby, John M. Smith, Elijah Hanson, Stilman Fellows, Walter French Samuel D. Bell, Alonzo Smith, E. A. Straw, and W. A. Burke, were chosen to procure a plan and specifications for the new Town House, and upon those being in readiness, the Select- men were authorized to receive proposals for building the sanie. This committee with the selectmen were authorized "to appoint an Agent to oversee the building of the Town House, and fix
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NEW TOWN HOUSE.
the compensation of said overseer or Agent." It was also vo- ted, that the selectmen and this committee be instructed "to build the Town House the present season."
Another committee was raised consisting of Messrs. Samuel D. Bell, John A. Burnham, Walter French, Ezekiel Blake, E. A. Straw, Isaac C. Flanders, and Moody Currier, to examine the different sources from which water might be obtained for the pur- pose of extinguishing fires ; the selectmen were also directed to purchase two fire engines with the necessary apparatus, and au- thorized to borrow a sum of money, not exceeding twenty thousand dollars, to meet the expenses of the Town House, bell, clock, and engines. It was also voted that the plan of the Town House should be such, that every part above the stores in the basement should be for town purposes alone, and that no part should be let for any purpose whatever, above the stores, except the Hall. The meeting adjourned to September 17th, then to hear the committee on the subject of water.
The selectmen and Committees entered at once upon their specific duties. Two engines, the "Massabesic, No. 4," and the "Torrent, No. 5," were purchased immediately, with the neccessary apparatus.
The plan and specifications for a Town House of Mr. Ed- ward Shaw, of Boston, were accepted by the committee, and a contract was made with him to construct the building accord- ing thereto. The committee upon water, examined the various sources from which water might be obtained for the purpose of extinguishing fires, and made a report on the 17th of Septem- ber, that a full supply of water could not be obtained short of bringing the water of the Massabesic Lake into the town by an aqueduct.
While this committee were making the necessary surveys, as a basis for their report, the fact had transpired, that water could not be furnished the town by aqueduct, short of an amount of money entirely beyond its means. It had been sup- posed that Ray, Christian, Mile, and Amoskeag brooks, one or all, might be brought into the town, at a comparatively trifling expense, and thus an abundant supply of water could be furnished, but surveys and inquiry established the facts, that those brooks were not high enough to supply water only to a small portion of the town, and that all combined, they could not afford a supply of water only through a portion of the year. Under these circumstances, another town meeting had been called, to take place on the same day to which the meeting of
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THE HISTORY OF MANCHESTER.
the 30th of August stood adjourned ; and in the warrant calling the same, such articles were introduced as would enable the town to act upon the subject of securing an abundant supply of water, in case of fires, and for that purpose only. Accordingly on the 17th of September, the Committee made their report ; it was accepted, and the meeting was dissolved. Upon its dis - solution, the new meeting was organized, and the following votes were passed ; viz :
"Voted, that the board of Fire-Wards be authorized to con- struct a new reservoir on Pine street, near the Culvert, and a reservoir on Lowell street, near the School House, to complete the reservoirs now commenced on Union street, to deepen and improve the reservoir in Concord Square, and to make neces- sary arrangements to render the Pond which is expected to be made by the Amoskeag Manufacturing Company on Merri- mack street, useful in case of fire."
"Voted that the sum of one thousand dollars be appropria- ted for the foregoing purposes, and that the Selectmen be au- thorized to hire the sum, on the credit of, and to give notes in the name of the town."
"Voted, that the fire-wards be authorized to procure if pos- sible, the land necessary for a reservoir on Union street, of such height that the water may be distributed thence to other reser- voirs in the Village, and make report at the town meeting to be holden in November next, with an estimate of the expense necessary for that purpose."
"Voted, that the Selectmen be authorized to establish such a watch as they may deem necessary for the protection of the town against fires."
"Voted, that the Selectmen be authorized to build two or more engine houses, for the use of the town."
"Voted, that the Selectmen be authorized to procure by pur- chase, or otherwise, at such places as the Fire-wards shall di- rect, lots of land, for the erection of Engine houses."
"Voted, that the Selectmen be authorized to borrow on the credit of the town, one thousand dollars for the purpose of pro- curing lands and erecting Engine houses thereon."
"Voted, that the Selectmen prohibit as far as possible, the digging in the streets to the injury of the reservoirs now built or that may be built at any time hereafter."
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