History of Merrimack and Belknap counties, New Hampshire, Part 199

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton), ed
Publication date: 1885
Publisher: Philadelphia [Pa.] J. W. Lewis & co.
Number of Pages: 1520

USA > New Hampshire > Merrimack County > History of Merrimack and Belknap counties, New Hampshire > Part 199
USA > New Hampshire > Belknap County > History of Merrimack and Belknap counties, New Hampshire > Part 199

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

"The humble Petition of David Lawrence, Esqr., and Ebenezer Smith, Geat", ia behalf of themselves and others, Proprietors sod Inhabitants of New Salem, in the Province aforesaid, upoo Winipisiokee Pood.

"Sheweth That 17 Families have actually Settled and are now resi- dent in New Salem aforesaid, and four other Families preparing to go & reside there.

" That they humbly apprehend they are ripe for ao Incorporation and aQ Investment with Town Privileges, which will greatly assist the pres- eut Settlement, and accelerate its Completion, as they can thereby make proper Highways, & have power to chuse Town Officers, &c.

"They therefore pray your Excelley & Hon' to take the premises into your Consideration, and that they may be incorporated accordingly.

" And your Petrs will ever pray, &c.

" DAVID LAWRENCE. " EBENEZER SMITH.

" Portsmouth, 16th June, 1768."

INCORPORATION.

"Province of New } George the third, by the Grace of God, of Great Hampebira. Britain, France and Ireland, King, Defender ot the faith, &c.

"To all whom these presents shall coma, Greeting: Whereas, our Loyal Subjects, Jahabitante of a certain tract of Land within our prov- ince of Naw Hampshire, known by the game of New Salem, and con- taigiag six milea aquare, and bounded as hereafter mentioned, have humbly petitioued ua that they may be erected and incorporated into s township and iofranchised with the same priviledges which other towna within our said province have and enjoy by law, and It appearing unto us to be conducive to the general good of our said province, as well as of the said inhabitants in particular by maintaining good order & enconrag-

ing the culture of the land, that the same should be done. KNOW YK, therefore, that we, of our special grace, certain knowledge, and for the encouragement and promotion of the good purposes end euds aforesaid, and with the advice of our trusty and well-belov'd JOHN WENT- WORTII, Esqr , pur Governor and Commander in Chief of our aaid PROV- INCE and of our said COUNCIL of the same, have erected and ordained,

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HISTORY OF BELKNAP COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.

and by these presents, for us, our heirs and Successors, do will and or- dain, that the Inhabitants of the tract of Land aforesaid & others who improve thereon hereafter, the same being butted and bounded as fol- lowe, vizt. : Beginning at a Hemlock tree, mark'd with sundry Letters & spotted on four sides, standing at the great bay on Winipesioke River at the N. E. side line of Sanborn towa, where said line leaves said Bey ; thence runs worthwesterly, bounding on said Sanborn towo five miles and 124 Rods to a beach tree mark'd, it being the corner bounds between said Towns ; thence North, 55 Degrees East, ten miles and 226 rode to an hemlock tree & spruce tree, both standing on a rock ; thence to 35 De- grees East, 30 rods to a pine tree mark'd, standing on a ledge of Rocke by the side of Winipesioke pond, where a small brook or branch runs into said Pond, River and Baye, till it comes to the bound begun at, be and hereby are declared to be a TOWN CORPORATE, and are hereby erected and incorporated into a BODY POLITIC and CORPORATE to have continuance and Succession forever by the name of MEREDITH with all the powers and Authorities, priviledges, Immunities and Franchises which any other Towns in said Province by law have and enjoy, to the said Inhabitants or who shall hereafter Inhabit there, and their Succes- Gors for ever, always reserving to us, our heirs and Successors, all white pine trees which are or shall be found growing, and being on the said tract of Land fit for the use of our Royall navy, reserving also to us, our beirs and successors, the power and right of dividing said town when it should appear necessary and convenient for the Inhabitants thereof. Provided, Nevertheless, & tis hereby declar'd that this Charter & grant is not intended aud shall not in any manner be construed to affect the private property of the said soil within the Limite aforesaid, and as the severall towns within our said Province are by the laws thereof enabled & authoris'd to Assemble & by the majority of the voters present to chuse all Officers & transact such affairs as in the said Lawe are declar'd. We do by these presente nominate and appoint Ebenezer Smith to call the first meeting of said Tohabitants, to be held within the said Town, at any time within Three months from this date; hereof giving legal notice of the time & design of holding such meeting, after which the annual meeting in said Town shall be held for the choice of said officers and the purposee aforesaid on the first Monday in April annually.

"In Testimony whereof we have caus'd the Seal of our said Province to be hereto affixed. Witness our aforesaid Governor and Commander in chief, this thirtieth day of December, in the 9th year of our reign, Annoqui Dominit 1768.

" By his Excellency command with advice of council.

"Recorded in the Secretary's office.

" T. ATKINSON, JUNT., J. W.

" Attest T. ATKINSON.

"J. WENTWORTH.

" A true Coppy,

" Attest DAN'L SMITH, T. Clerk."

June 13, 1769, the proprietors of Meredith met at the house of Caleb Robinson, innholder, at Exeter, and John Folsom, Jeremy Smith and Captain John Odlin were accepted as second settlers ; also, " Voted Ebenezer Smith, Esq., ten pounds sixteen shillings, Lawful money, for his charges in getting the charter of Incorporation for the Town of Meredith." June 7, 1770, the proprietors " Voted to apply fifty dollars for preaching the Gospel the present year in the town." According to the records, the first proprie- tors' meeting held in Meredith met at the dwell- ing-house of Ebenezer Smith, Esq., September 17, 1778, pursnant to warning given by Ebenezer Smith, proprietors' clerk, and Jonathan Smith, Joseph Rob- ards and Abram Folsom, assessors, and elected Wil- liam Mead moderator.

WARNING FOR FIRST TOWN-MEETING.

"Province of New [ These are to notify and waro all the freeholders and Hampshire. other Inhabitants of the town of Meredith that are qualified by law to vote in town-meetings, that they assemble them- selves together on Monday, the twentieth day of this instant, March, at the dwelling house of me, the Subscriber in said town, at twelve of the clock on said day, then and thier to chuce a moderator for said meeting, and town clerk, Constable & Selectmen, and all other town Officersas the law directs to be chosen at such meetings.

" Dated at Meredith this eixth day of March, Anno Domini 1769.

" EBENEZER SMITH.

" By order of the authority to coll said meeting."

TRUE COPY OF THE RECORD OF THE FIRST TOWN-MEETING.

"Province of New [ At a legal meeting of the freeholders and other In- Hampshire. habitants of the town of Meredith, held on Mon- day, the twentieth day of March, 1769, at the house of Ebenezer Smith. " lly. Voted William Mead, Moderator.

" 2ly. Ebenezer Smith, towa Clerk & sworn.

" 3ly. Voted Ebenezer Smith, Ruben Marston and Ebenezer Pitman be selectmen for the year Insewing and sworn.

" 4ly. Nicholas Carr Folsom chosen constable and sword.

" 5ly. Voted Abraham Folsom & Ruben Marston servairs of highways & sworo.

" 6ly. Voted Thomas Danford & Ebenezer Pitman, tythingmen & BworD.

" 7ly. Voted Abraham Folsom & Robert Bryent be assessors & sworn.

" Sly. Voted Abraham Folsom & Robert Bryeat be auditors & sworn.

" gly. Voted Samuel Torrey & Abraham Folsom, fence viewers and not sword. " 10ly. the meeting was desolved. " Attest " EBENEZER SMITH, Town Clerk."

April 1, 1771, " Voted that the town petition the General Court of said Province from an act that the Inhabitants of sª Meredith may have liberty to catch fish in Winepisockey River three days in each week and that the sd river may be kept clear of wears or any other incumbrance to the free passage of the fish the other four days of each week." April 6, 1772, " Voted that no person or persons shall use or improve in the publick road in sª town any ox-sled or sleds under the demention of four feet and six inches in whedth, upon paine of forfiting his or their sled or sleds that shall be so found under the aforesaid dementions, to be forfited unto the present Selectmen of sd town and by the said Selectmen taken from the owner or owners upon sight and utterly destroyed, etc. Voted to build a house for the publick use of said town, about 24 feet hy 20, in six months from this date & to be borded & the flowers layd." April 4, 1774, " Voted to build a meeting-house in said town forty feet long & thirty-two feet in wedth, to be eight feet studed and that the said meeting-honse be set on the west side of the Province Road on the lot drawn to the original Right of John Leavitt, Jur., in the first division in said town, and that the same be completed within sixteen months from this date." April 3, 1775, "Voted to raise six pounds, lawful money, to be applied to hire preaching some part of the year ensewing. Voted to raise six pounds, lawful money, to be applyd for schooling and that the Selectmen hire some suti- ble woman to keep the same if they can convenantly hire such a one."

CHAPTER III.

MEREDITH-(Continued).

War of the Revolution-Action of Town Concerning Deputy-Powder, Lead and Flints-Firearms-Committee of Safety-Soldiers' Pay, etc .- Names of Legal Voters-Names of Soldiers-Soldiers' Orders and other Documents-War of 1812.

Revolution .- This infant town took a strong and patriotic stand in the Revolutionary contest, At a

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MEREDITH.

special town-meeting held May 15, 1775, the following action was taken :

"Ebenezer Smith was chosen as Deputy to meet with the Deputies from the other towns in said Province, which convention is proposed to be holden at the town of Exeter, in said Province, the seventeenth day of this instant, May, at ten o'clock A. M., with full power to adopt and pursue such measures as may be judged most expedient to preserve and restore the Rights of this and the other Colonies, and that he is hereby impowered to act in behalf of himself and his constituants for six months if it should be thought by said convention necessary, and to adjurn as oc- casion may require. Voted that the Selectmen of said town purchas one barriel of powder of about fifty or sixty wt., and lead or bullets & flints answerable thereto and that they apply for the part of the Prov- ince stock of powder belonging to this town and that they also purchase ten good guns at the cost & charge of said town end to be procured as soon as may be. Voted to inlist ten soldiers of this town to bold them- selves in readiness to march to the releaf of any of ouer distresed country' breathren, and that they be furnished by the committee of said town at the cost thereof, and that each soldier have two shillings pr day for each day they shall expend."

August 29, 1776, " Chose a Committee of safety to consist of five persons. Voted John Folsham, Jona- than Smith, Nathaniel Robinson, William Mead and Lieutenant Joseph Robards be said Committee. Voted to raise the sum of forty-five pounds, lawful money, to be applyed to purchase fire-arms, such a number as that sum will purchas, for the use and service of said town, and that the selectmen of said town be a com- mittee to applye that sum of money to procure said fire- arms at the cost and charge of said town, as abovesaid, as soon as may be."

An article in the warrant calling a town-meet- ing on March 31, 1777, at the house of Ebenezer Smith, where the meetings were usually held, was for the town "to assist Captain Joshua Crocket in the raising eight men from the company under his com- mand to serve in the Continental Army the term of three years, or during the war with Britain, as they chuse, including those that have already enlisted and passed muster in either of the regiments of Stark, Poor or Scammell, and see what sum the town will vote to raise for those that shall appear to enlist into said service as aforesaid, and vote thereon as the town shall see fit when met."

At an adjourned meeting of the town, April 7, 1777, this action was taken,-" Voted to choose a committee of three persons to procure the five men that are the remainder part of the proportion of men for the three Continental Regiments to be raised from this town at the cost and charge of said town, and that the committee allow & pay each man the sum of ten pounds, lawfull money, as a town bounty, and allow in that proportion and give credet to all and each per- son that have been from this town, according to their respective times they have served accordingly in the present war." April 6, 1778, " Voted to raise eighty pounds to pay the other Continental Soldier to be raised for and in behalf of this town, and if said sol- dier should not be procured, then the money to be for the use of said town."

On March 29, 1777, when the call was issued for all legal voters to assemble, the following names were en- tered in the town records :

John Folsham, Nicholas Carr, Joshua Folsham, Joseph Robards, Sam- uel Tonery, David Watson, Job Judkins, George Bean, Jonathan Clark, Gordon Lawrence, Nathaniel Doeham, William Mead, John Mead, Ben- jamin Mead, Reuben Marsten, Jr., Thomas Frohock, John Gilman, Isaac Farren, John Dockham, John Sweasey, Jacob Eaton, Benjamin Batch- elder, Phillip Connor, Nathaniel Holland, Robert Bryant, Benjamin Sinclair, Nathaniel Robinson, Gideon Robinson, William Ray, James Merilles, Thomas Sinclear, David Broughton, Eben Pitman, Abram Swein, Joshue Crockett, John Kimball, Thomas Doeham, Jonathan Smith, Pearson Smith, Timothy Somes, Jonathan Edgerly, Daniel Morri- son, Jonathan Samuel Shepherd, Jonathan Crosby, Elias Swain, Chase Robinson and Abraham Folsom.

Among the Revolutionary soldiers accredited to Meredith we give these names,-

Nathaniel Holland, John Robinson, Jonathan Crosby, Jonathan Smith, Jr., Moses Senter, Oliver Smitb, Thomas Froheck, Aaron Rawlings, Jo- seph Eaton, James Sinclair and William Maloon (Jonathan Smith was in Rhode Telaod service).

April 5, 1784, the town voted "that the selectmen settle with those soldiers who have served during the war as this town's quota of the Continental [Army ], as they shall think just, and make provision for the pay- ment thereof, as they shall judge best, and also settle with Thomas Frohock for the loss of a gun & blanket lost in the army."

The following are interesting documents in this connection :

SOLDIERS' ORDERS.

" meredith December ye 15th 1777- "Sr Pleas to pay Colo Ebenezer Smith the full Sum of the Rations Due to me the Subscriber es eu Ensign in your Regiment in Gen! Starks Bri- gade-and you will oblige your Humble Seryt

" ROBERT BRYANT, Ensign. " To COLO THOMAS STICKNEY-of Concord-"

"To the paymaster of the continental men Pleas to pay Ebenezer Smith the whole of Pay due to me up to the first of the year 1782 I being soldier in the Newhampshire line in Colonel Reids regiment and you will oblige your Humble Serve

bis "ARON X ROLING mark

" Meredith December the 2ª 1783.

" test ROBERT BRYANT JOHN KIMBEL "

" New Salem January 27th 1785 " To the Treasurer of the State of New Hampshire

" Sir please to pay Daniel Cook or his order all that is due to my late husband Nathaniel Chese deceased who was a Soldier in the 2ª N H R, and was killed in 1781-

" Attest- " Value recd witness my hand her " BETSY X CHASE." .

" SAMU GILMAN

mark

RELATIVE TO WILLIAM MALOON, SOLDIER.

" The deposition of Nathaniel Wadleigh, of lawful age, testifies & saye that William Mallon was in the Service in the Contental Army as one of the six months men in the first New Hampshire Regiment in Captain Farewells Company in the year 1781-& I suppose that he had his discharge at the same time that I & the Rest had our discharge & he & myself Came out ef Camp together & further saith not-

" Meredith March 12th 1791

" NATHANIEL WADLEIGH.

" [Sworn before Ebenezer Smith]."

" I certify that In Conformity with an act of Congress of the 5th of July, 1812, Entitled an act Concerning Invaled Pensioners, Nehemiah' Leavitt, who was a Corparel In the newhampshire Line of the Revolu- tionary Army is Placed on the Pension ef the United States and Roll of the Newhampshire agency at the Rate of two dollars and fifty cents pr Month, to Commence on the twenty-Eighth day of December one thou- sand Eight hundred and eleven.

"Given at the War office of the United States this twentieth day of October 1812-

" W. EtsTIB."

838

HISTORY OF BELKNAP COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.

The War of 1812 .- The town does not seem to have taken a very active part in the War of 1812, and but little concerning it is to be found in the records. August 1, 1812, a warrant was issued for a town-meet- ing, to see what compensation the town will make to the militia who are attached to the regular service from this town, " by virtue of a Law of the Congress of the United States," in addition to the pay to be allowed by the general government, agreeable to a petition of sundry inhabitants of said town. At the legal meeting following, on September 19th, the vote was passed not to raise any money for that purpose.

Theophilus Dockham, a soldier of Meredith, was taken prisoner at General Hull's defeat.

CHAPTER IV. MEREDITH-(Continued).

Civil History after the Revolution-Extracts from Town Records con- cerniag Place of Town-Meeting-Change of Date of Town-Meeting- Preaching of the Gospel-Parsonage Right-Weirs Bridge-Equip- ments of War-Punishment of Rogues, Vagabonds, etc .- " Pole Parish" at Meredith Bridge-Town Farm-Proprietors of Winnipe- saukee Steamboat granted Permission to raise Bridge-Fire-Engine Company-Boston, Concord and Montreal Railroad-Village Precinct at Meredith Bridge-Town-House-The Great Catastrophe-Village Precinct, Meredith Village-Committee of Investigation, etc .- Present Town-House.

Civil History .- In 1778, Ebenezer Smith was chosen to represent the town in a convention to meet at Con- cord, June 10th, " for the laying of a plan of govern- ment for this State." This year Meredith was represeuted in the General Court with Sanbornton.

The town held its meetings at the houses of the citizens until August 30, 1790, when the place of holding was changed to the North Church. The date of annual meeting was changed, by an act passed November 5, 1784, to the second Monday in March. March 9, 1795, the town voted Chase Wiggin consta- ble, and that he pay nineteen shillings for that office. September 14, 1801, at a special meeting, the town " Voted to raise sixty dollars for to be applyed to hyre the Preaching of the Gospel in said town the currant year. Voted, to sell the Parsonage Right in said town. Voted, to Lease said Lots for the Terms of eighty years, or as long as wood Grows or water Runs, the interest to be paid yearly, to be applyed for the use of hiring the Preaching of the Gospel in town annually." March 12, 1804, " Voted, that the town should build the one-half a Bridge over the river at the Great wears (so called), at the outlet of Winnipissogee pond."

One article in the warrant calling the meeting of March 13, 1810 was

"To see what method the Town will accept to procure Powder, Ball, Flints, Tin or Camp-Kittles, and a place for the safe keeping of the same, agreeably to law of this State; also, to see if the Inhabitants of said town will vote to build, purchase or hire a Building or house to he used for the keeping, correcting and setting to work of Rogues, Vagabonds,

Common beggars, Lewd, Idle and disorderly Persons, and to appoint proper officers for the Government of said house, and to make, establish and adopt all necessary rules, orders and Regulations for the Ruling, Governing and punishing of Such Persone as may there be committed ; also To see if the town will give their consent that a Pole Parish shall be incorporated at Meredith Bridge, to consist of Poles belonging to Meredith and Gilmantown, by the name of the Meredith Bridge Religish Society, agreeable to a Petition of Sundrey inhabitants and freeholders of said town. Also, Voted, to choose committee of three to confer with the Selectmien of committee of Gilmantown and Sanborntown, concern- ing erecting a building to put Vagabonds and Disorderley persons in and imploy them."

In September, 1827, the town " Voted, not to divide the town into school districts, agreeably to the late law of the State of New Hampshire." In November ·of the same year this vote was passed, that " all the school districts in said town be defined as they are now defined."

At the annual town-meeting held March 9, 1830, it was

"Voted, that the selectmen be authorized and directed to purchase a farm for the use of said Town, and take a Deed of the same, and also that the Selectmen he authorized and directed to give the Towns secur- ity for the purchase sum, payable at such time and in such manner as the Selectmen may deem proper, and that such farm shall not exceed the value of fifteen hundred dollars, end, when such purchase has been made, the said Selectmen are authorized and directed to proceed and make arrangements to move the poor of the Town of Meredith onto said farm as speedily as circumstances will authorize, and that the Selectmen be authorized to appropriate for this purpose any sum of money, raised or not otherways appropriated, belonging to said Town."

March 11, 1829, "Voted, that the police law of Portsmouth be adopted at Meredith Bridge and three- fourths of a mile from said bridge every way on the Meredith side and no farther ;" also, "that idle per- sons be made to work." October 2, 1832, " Voted, not to give any liberty to the proprietors of Winni- pisogee Steamboat to raise Wares (Weirs) Bridge." In November, 1832, however, they amended their vote in this way, "That the proprietors of Winnipis- iogee Steamboat, now building, or any of them have the right, so far as this town is Interested, to raise and make such alterations in the Bridge at the Wares, at the outlet of the lake, as will be found Necessciry in order for the safe passage of the Said Boat over the falls at said outlet at all times." March 12, 1839, "Voted, 446 votes out of a total of 467 for a division of Strafford County into three parts."

Fire- Engine Company .- May 11, 1840, " Luke Furnald, Joseph Dodge, David Corlis, Jr., Nathaniel G. Corliss and John Busiel have given notice that we and our associates have formed ourselves into a com- pany, to be known by the name of the First Fire-En- gine Company in Meredith village, agreeably to an act of the Legislature of New Hampshire, passed July 1, 1831, A. B. Merrick, clerk." March 11, 1845, " Voted, that the selectmen be authorized to invest the sum of $10,000 in the capital stock of the Boston, Concord & Montreal Railroad, providing that the railroad comes through Meredith and stop build- ing the road called the Long routes." March 11, 1846, " Voted, that the surplus fund agents be author- ized to collect and pay over the two first assessments

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MEREDITH.

that is now due on the railroad stock, which the town by vote directed the selectmen to subscribe for at the last annual meeting, and if the road should go north of Lake village they shall pay over the assessments as they are called for." March 14, 1848, " Voted, that the town agent be directed to collect twenty-six hun- dred dollars of the town funds in his hands, and pay the same to the treasurer of the Boston, Concord and Montreal Railroad, in part of assessment on stock taken in said road by the town." March 14, 1849, " Voted, that the selectmen be authorized to borrow a sum of money, not to exceed seventeen hundred and fifty dollars, to meet the deficiency in the town's sub- scription for railroad stock." August 20, 1849, " Pur- suant to an application and request of Stephen Gale, W. Melchor, John T. Coffin, Jeremiah Elkins and sixty-five other citizens of Meredith Bridge, dated July 25, 1849, made to the selectmen of the town, the latter established a village precinct there." March 9, 1852, " Voted, by 221 to 125, against amendment of State Constitution abolishing the religious test; by 174 to 165, in favor of the amendment abolishing the property qualification of voters." March 15, 1854, " Voted, that the town of Meredith build a town-house at Meredith village, providing the inhabitants of Third Division build one-half of the house by con- tribution, and pay their share to be raised by taxes. Voted, that the town build a town-house, in conjunc- tion with the citizens of Meredith village, at Mere- dith village. Voted, that the town raise seven hun- dred and fifty dollars for the purpose of building a town-house at Meredith village, and that as much of that sum as may be necessary to do the same be ap- plied thereto. Voted, that the town of Meredith build and finish a suitable town-house, and that the same be finished in season for the annual meeting to be holden on the second Tuesday of March, 1855. Voted, that John Haynes, William Pike and David B. Plumer shall be the building committee to see to the building of the town-house at Meredith village. Voted, that the selectmen be authorized to call the next annual town- meeting in 1855 at Meredith village, if the town- house is finished and is ready."

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History of Merrimack and Belknap counties, New Hampshire, Part 199

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton), ed Publication date: 1885 Publisher: Philadelphia [Pa.] J. W. Lewis & co. Number of Pages: 1520

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton), ed
Publication date: 1885
Publisher: Philadelphia [Pa.] J. W. Lewis & co.
Number of Pages: 1520