History of Merrimack and Belknap counties, New Hampshire, Part 69

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 69
USA > New Hampshire > Belknap County > History of Merrimack and Belknap counties, New Hampshire > Part 69

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).

May the 29th the selectmen issued their precept to | selectmen build a pound near the Brook by the Cross

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house ; Esqr. Bryant agrees to give the land." At an adjourned meeting, party feeling having been aroused, "Voted to reconsider the vote for Governor," and Timothy Walker had thirty-nine votes; Oliver Peabody, five. Then it was voted that the selectmen " purchase rum to give each man a good drink of grog, aud each one to do as much as he sees fit to build the pound." Deacon James Robertson was chosen representative for Bow and Allenstown.

March 2, 1799, "Then Lieut. Enoch Noyes re- ceived of John Grushee, Treasurer, five dollars, four of which was used to buy four gallons of rum to build the pound, as by vote of the town. Chose Enoch Noyes, Caleb Heath and James Robertson selectmen. Jacob Green is yet town Clerk." John Taylor Gilman had. forty-six votes for Governor; Timothy Walker, one; Oliver Peabody, one. Wil- liam A. Kent had fifty-five votes for recorder of deeds ; - Brooks, two. "Voted that the selectmen purchase a burying-cloth and locate school-houses." There were seven school districts in town, viz. : Heath, Centre, two on the River road, Woodhill, South and Bogg. Number of inhabitants, seven hundred and nineteen. In 1800, Enoch Noyes, Jacob Green and James Robertson were chosen selectmen; William Walker, pound-keeper ; and nine-pence bounty was voted on crows killed in town.

There were five licensed public-houses in town. In 1801 the selectmen were Enoch Noyes, Samuel Clement and James Robertson. Timothy Walker had twenty-nine votes ; John T. Gilman, twenty-eight ; and John Langdon, eight. The meeting-house hav- ing been boarded and shingled and under floor laid, the town-meetings were now held there. In 1802 a meeting was held at the house Benjamin Noyes to choose a representative for Bow and Allenstown ; no record of proceedings. At the annual meeting, March 2d, John Carter, Samuel Clement and Jona- than Clement were chosen selectmen. For Governor, John T. Gilman had twenty-eight votes, and John Langdon forty-five. "Voted to raise a sum sufficient to build school-houses in town, but not to build them this year, the selectmen to locate them and purchase the lands." In 1803 the selectmen were the same as the year before. For Governor, Gilman had thirty- five votes ; Langdon, twenty-nine ; whole number of votes, sixty-four. Jonathan Clement, Deacon Simeon Heath and Deacon James Robertson were chosen to lay out the thirty pounds for the support of the gos- pel. "Voted one shilling a head for crows, and three dollars for grey wild-cats killed in town or followed from this town to any other town." Benjamin Noyes was chosen representative for Bow and Allenstown. In 1804, Governor John Langdon had fifty-three votes for Governor, and His Excellency Jolın T. Gilman, twenty-seven. Joseph Baker, Samuel Clement and Jacob Green were chosen selectmen. The burying-cloth was ordered to be left at Jacob Green's. The heaviest tax-payer at this time was

Esquire Jolin Bryant, the owner of mills and nearly one thousand acres of land; next came Benjamin Noyes, Esq., the owner of one thousand acres. George Evans, of Allenstown, was representative for that town and Bow. The electoral vote was forty-three and twenty-six. "Voted to Petition the General Court to make a county charge of Soucook bridge, and chose Joseph Baker to take charge of the matter." Eli Eastman was paid three dollars bounty for killing a wild-cat.

June 20th, John Prentice, John Philips, Thomas W. Thompson, John Montgomery, William A. Kent, James Pinkerton, John Dinsmore, Isaac Thom and George Reid and their associates were authorized to build a turnpike road from Butler's Corner, in Con- cord, to the State line, near Andover bridge, four rods wide, on the most practicable route.

The road was two years in building, taking a straight course through Bow from Main Street, Concord, to Hooksett bridge. The principal roads in town at this time was the River road and the road from South Street, Concord, to Bow Mills, over Meeting-House Hill and Wood Hill to Dunbarton line, at the Elliot place. Branch roads had been built from the meeting- house to Solomon Heath's, from Tom Merrill's bridge to the River road, from near the centre to Benjamin Noyes' ferry, from Wood Hill easterly to Dunbarton line. Au- gust 10th, John Bryant sold to Jacob Carter, of Con- cord, the land from Badger's Brook to Isaac White's and between the road past Isaac Moore's and the river, about thirty acres, with a small island in Garvin's Falls, east of said land. John Carter had a grist-mill at the falls the year before. December 13th the north- erly Bow gore and the southerly to the Soucook were annexed to Concord, and that part southeast of the Sou- cook was annexed to Pembroke. These gores were caused by the easterly line of Bow crossing the east- erly line of the Pennacook grant at an angle of about thirty degrees. A charter was granted for a bridge across the Merrimack, below Garvin's Falls, to John Carter, Philip Carrigan, Jr., and Nathaniel Cavis and their associates and successors. The bridge was built, but was of short duration.

In 1805, Samuel Clement, John Carter and Jona- than Brown were chosen selectmen, and Nathaniel Cavis representative for Bow and Allenstown. Philip Richardson's widow, Manuel, became a town charge. Isaac Moore, Masters Wood and Hardy are men- tioned as teachers this year. Votes for Governor: John T. Gilman had thirty-two and Governor John Langdon sixty-four.

" Voted, To hire Rev. Thomas Waterman to preach in the meeting-house one year from the first of May next. Chose Joseph Jones to search the proprietors' book to know if there is any ministerial land belong- ing to Bow."

In 1806, Samuel Gault, Joseph Jones and John Colby, Jr., were chosen selectmen. Governor John Langdon had sixty-five votes, and John Taylor Gil-

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man eight for Governor. "Paid Thomas Waterman three hundred and sixty-four dollars for preaching last year."

In 1807, Samuel Clement, George Colson and John Colby, Jr., were chosen selectmen ; John Carter, Esq., representative of Bow and Allenstown. John Lang- don had seventy-two votes for Governor, and John T. Gilman one.

In 1808, John Langdon had fifty-three votes for Governor, and no opposition. Samuel Clement, Sam- uel Gault and John Colby, Jr., were chosen select- men, and John Evans, of Allenstown, representative.

At the June session Israel Aldrich, George Colson, John Carter, Jonathan Eastman, Richard Ayer, James White, Benjamin Noyes, John Eastman and their associates and successors were authorized to build a canal at Garvin's Falls, and to hold land adjoining Garvin's and Turkey Falls, as to them may appear necessary, not to exceed twenty acres; also to con- struct such locks and dams as may be required to ad- mit the passage of boats, rafts, masts and lumber, the fish not to be obstructed, or Inmber not intended by the owner, the canal to be completed within five years.

In 1809, Samnel Clement, John Johnson and Andrew Gault were chosen selectmen, and Samuel Clement representative. John Langdon had sixty-five votes and Jeremiah Smith thirty-nine for Governor. Lieu- tenant Thomas Colby, Joseph Jones and Nathaniel Cavis were chosen fish wardens.

In 1810, Samuel Clement, John Johnson and John Colby, Jr., were chosen selectmen. The census shows seven hundred and twenty inhabitants. Eight persons were licensed to sell spiritnons liquors and keep pub- lic-house. John Carter paid nine dollars for getting the proprietors' book. Hall Burgin, of Allentown, was chosen representative.

On July 4th citizens of Bow, Concord, Pem- broke and Dunbarton assembled at the house of Ben- jamin Noyes, Esq. General Nathaniel Head was chosen president of the day and John Carter vice- president. The Declaration of Independence was read, an appropriate address was delivered by Obadiah Carrigan, a procession escorted by the juvenile artil- lery of Pembroke (Captain Martin), under the direc- tion of Captain Whittemore and Lieutenant Gault as marshals. They marched to the bank of the Merri- mack, where they found a table furnished by Esquire Noyes with all the luxuries of the country. After dinner they drank to the following sentiment, by Dea- con Samnel Gault, a volunteer : " The American Eagle, may she soar over her foreign and domestic enemies."

In 1811, for Governor, John Langdon had ninety- one, and Jeremiah Smith twenty-nine. John Brown Daniel Parker and Joseph Jones were chosen select- men, and Nathaniel Cavis, Esq., representative. " Voted, to pay the fourteen men ordered in 1807 ten dollars a month, when they are called for."

In 1812, William Plumer had eighty-six votes for Governor, John T. Gilman thirty-three, and

John Brown one. John Brown, John Johnson and Daniel Parker were chosen selectmen. War was declared between Great Britain and the United States this year. Nathaniel Cavis was chosen repre- sentative. The branch turnpike from Hopkinton to Hooksett Falls, through Bow, was chartered June 17th.

In 1813, John Colby, Jr., Daniel Parker and John Johnson were chosen selectmen. William Plumer had one hundred and seven votes for Governor and John T. Gilman forty-three,-one hundred and fifty votes in all. Samuel Clement was chosen represen- tative from Bow, which was no longer classed with Allenstown for that purpose.

In 1814 John Colby Jr., Jonathan Cavis and Philip Colby were chosen selectmen, and Nathaniel Cavisre- presentative. For Governor, William Plumer had one hundred and seventeen, John T. Gilman forty-two.

In 1815, Samuel Clement, Daniel Parker and John Johnson were chosen selectmen, and Nathaniel Cavis representative. "Voted, to sell twenty-acre lot called the Lane land." It sold for one hundred and eighty dollars. A road was laid from Bow centre to Captain William Walker's this year. That part of Bow south of the Suncook River was annexed to Allenstown.

In 1816 the same board of selectmen served. Sam- nel Clement was chosen representative. For Governor, William Plumer had one hundred and fifteen, and James Sheaff thirty-seven votes. This was the coldest summer ever known,-snow squalls the 6th and 8th of June and heavy frost on the night of the 11th; the corn crop was nearly spoiled.

In 1817, Samuel Clement, David White and Nathan- iel Cavis, Jr., were chosen selectmen ; Samuel Cle- ment, Esq., representative; Jeremiah Heath, collec- tor.

In 1818 " Voted that Elder Henry Veazey be in- vited to open the town-meeting by prayer," the first instance of the kind on record. The selectmen were the same as last year.

In 1819 the selectmen were Samuel Clement, Philip Colby and David White. " Voted unanimous for the new county of Merrimack." For Governor, Samuel Bell had thirty-six votes, William Hale seventeen, William Plumer forty-three, and Daniel L. Morrill twenty-six.

In 1820, Philip Colby, John Johnson and Jonathan Cavis were chosen selectmen. Samnel Clement had been representative since 1816. The seventy-five votes cast for Presidential electors were all for the Republi- can candidates.

In 1821, " Voted to build a pound, the selectmen to locate and let it out by vendne to the lowest bidder." William Pickering had the whole vote, one hundred and forty-five, for treasurer.

In 1822, Gates & Rowell were paid forty-nine dol- lars for building the pound, and William Walker was chosen pound-keeper.

In 1823, Rev. Henry Veasey was chosen inspector of

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schools and to take care of the key to the meeting- house, for which he was paid nine dollars. " Voted that any one have liberty to put a stove in the meet- ing-house at their own expense."

In 1824, Jeremiah Russell, Philip Colby and David White were chosen selectmen, and Stephen Webster collector. A road was laid out from Page corner to Farrinton's. John Brown was representative in 1822, '23 and '24.

In 1825 there were no party lines. David L. Mor- rill had one hundred and forty-six votes for Governor, and Ruth Heath one. Jacob B. Moore had one hundred and forty -seven votes for register,-the whole vote. Samuel Clement was representative. The road south- west from the Bog, and from John Colby's to Hook- sett line, was laid out. David White, James Morgan and Edward C. Clement were chosen selectmen, and Jeremiah Russell collector.

In 1826 David White reported the road laid out from the Cheever road to William Walker's.

In 1827, Samuel Clement, John Parker and Nathan- iel Goodhue, Jr., were chosen selectmen; Jonathan Cavis, collector; Isaac Clough, a merchant at the Cen- tre, town clerk. The removal of the meeting-house to the turnpike, near Clough's store, began to be agitated.

In 1828 South School District was organized. John Parker, Nathaniel Carter and David White were choseu selectmen ; Jonathan Cavis, representative ; Philip Colby, collector. The electoral vote was as follows : one hundred and fifty-three Democratic, thirty-five Whig.

In 1829, " Voted to divide the literary fund among the school districts, unless it can be used for the es- tablisling of a public college."

In 1830 the census returned one thousand and sixty- five inhabitants, the maximum number for the town. Philip Colby was chosen representative, and Mendel Samson collector. The first check-list used this year. Nathaniel Goodhue, Jr., Isaac Clongh and Moses Mc- Cutchins were the superintending school committee, the first appointed. The Wood Hill District, No. 10, was formed.

In 1831 the vote for Congressmen was as follows : one hundred and forty-seven Democratic, twenty- three Whig. David White was chosen representative.

In 1832, John Farnum was chosen representative. Captain John Brown, James Green and William Boynton were appointed a committee to lay out eighty dollars, with what had been raised, to repair the out- side of the meeting-house for a town-house.

In 1833 the Baptist meeting-house was built at the Centre, at an expense of about sixteen hundred dollars, by Deacon Walter Bryant, Nathaniel Cavis, Obed Gault, Aaron Nichols, Robert W. Robertson and others. The Congressional vote was as follows: one hundred and forty-eight Democratic, twelve Whig. A weekly mail-route was established from Concord to Goffstown, through Bow, and Isaac Clough, a merchant of Bow Centre, was appointed postmaster and held the office

until 1840, when Robert W. Robertson, another mer- chant near, held the office till 1842; Willaby C. Had- ley was postmaster from 1842 to 1850; John T. Mor- gan from 1850 to 1868; James Green 1869; George H. Elliot from 1870 to 1873, when Jonathan C. Ham- mond was appointed, and now holds the office. Jona- than Brown, Jr., and James McCauley alternated in carrying the mail for what they could make as com- mon carriers. Our citizens had received their mail through the Concord office to this time.

In 1834 the subject of buying a poor-farm was agi- tated, and Nathaniel Carter, Esq., John B. White and John Brown were appointed a committee to in- quire into the matter of the expediency of the pur- chase. William R. Parker was chosen representa- tive.

In 1835 the Congressional vote stood: one hun- dred and fifty-two Democratic, twenty-four Whig. Isaac Clough has been town clerk from 1826. " Voted a road be laid out around Wood Hill."

In 1836, Jonathan Cavis was choseu representa- tive. "Voted to lay out a road around Wood Hill whenever Dunbarton and Gofftown open a road to meet it," which was never done. "Voted to appropri- ate the non-resident highway tax for post guides, and to purchase the Branch turnpike throngh Bow of the proprietors and lay out a highway on the same."

In 1837 it was voted not to buy a poor-farm. John Parker was chosen representative.

In 1838, David Putney was chosen representative. The vote for making town clerks register of deeds stood : fourteen for to eighty-three against it. "Voted to hire fifteen hundred dollars to defray the expense of the suit, Sandwich against Bow, in regard to the Matthew Gault family." In this year the Bog Dis- trict was divided.

In 1839, "Voted to divide District No. 4, the river road to be one and the turnpike the other." Oliver Messer was chosen representative.

In 1840 the electoral vote stood : one hundred and eighty Democratic, twenty-four Whig. "Voted to au- thorize the selectmen to hire a sum, not exceeding ten thousand dollars, to carry on the law-suit between Bow and Sandwich," which was changed to one thou- sand dollars at a subsequent meeting.

In 1841, William Messer was chosen representative. A road was laid out to the Quimby place, in the south part of the town.

In 1842, Amos Morgan was chosen representative. The first vote for road commissioner stood one hun- dred and sixty-three to seven.

In 1841, James Morgan was chosen representative. "Voted not to have capital punishment abolished." The electoral vote stood one hundred and sixty to seven. Schuyler Walker had been town clerk since 1838.

In 1845 the boundaries of school districts were de- fined.

In 1846, Samuel R. Green was chosen representa-

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tive. A road was laid out from Brown's Mills to Turkey Falls.

In 1847 all but two voted in favor of buying a county farm. "Voted to raise six hundred dollars to build a town-house, forty-four by thirty-four, the se- lectmen, with William Messer and George Wheeler, to be the building committee. Colonel James Green offers to give the land for the house to stand on, as long as wanted for that purpose, if the town will fence it. Voted to pay him thirty dollars, he to re- linquish all claim and extend the lot one rod on the southeast side, which he agreed to on condition that all sects and parties be allowed the use of the house when not interfering with previously posted notices on the door of the house."

"Voted that the selectmen take a deed of the lot on the conditions specified." The electoral vote stood : one hundred and fifty-five Democratic, thirty-one Whig, nine Liberty, the first anti-slavery vote. Daniel K. Gault was chosen representative.

In 1849, "Voted to raise seventy-five dollars more than the law requires for schooling." Enoch Alexan- der was chosen representative.

By the census returns in 1850 there were one thou- sand and fifty-five inhabitants in town, ten less than in 1830. Some of the soldiers did not appear at the May training in consequence of the small-pox being in town, thus forfeiting the dollar due them ; but the town voted to pay them their dollar. "Voted one hundred and thirty-nine to thirty-six not to alter the Constitution ;" but the State voted otherwise, and Schuyler Walker was chosen delegate to the Consti- tutional Convention.

In 1851, Amos Hadley, Jr., was chosen representa- tive. An emphatic nay was voted on all the amend- ments proposed by the convention. " Voted, that the selectmen purchase a hearse and harness, and erect a building for the same on the town-honse lot." Eighty- three voted in favor and twenty-five against the home- stead exemption.

In 1852 the electoral vote stood : one hundred and forty Democratic, twelve Whig, twenty-seven Free- Soil. There were fifteen school districts, with boun- daries defined.

In 1853, Archibald Stark was chosen representative. In 1856, " Voted, that the selectmen purchase a poor- farm, to pay one thousand dollars down and pledge the credit of the town for the balance." Their be- ing so much opposition, a meeting was called, and it was voted to reconsider the former vote, ninety-one to thirty-two, and not to purchase a farm.

In 1859, " Voted to huy a poor-farm," which was done, and in 1866, " Voted to sell the same." The representatives from 1854 to the present time, 1885, is given, viz .--

1855, Benjamin A. Noyes : 1857, Andrew Ganlt ; 1859, Samnel R" Green ; 1860, Frederick Clough ; 1862, James Thompson ; 1864, John W' Goodline ; 1866, William P. Short ; 1868, Benjamin Noyes ; 1870, Samuel C. Clement ; 1871, James Thompson ; 1873, Richard W. Goodhue ; 1874,

Guilford Upton ; 1875, Ira Woodbury ; 1876, Hiram Colby ; 1877, John Brown (2d) ; 1878, Samuel Gile ; 1879, Horace H. Parker ; 1880, Cavis G. Brown; 1881,1 Henry C. Clough ; 1883, Leonard Kendall ; 1885, Andrew Noyes,

In 1860 the census returns give 909; 1870, 745 in- habitants. In 1882 the town voted to exempt from taxation for ten years capital exceeding ten thousand dollars invested in manufacturing purposes. Brown, Moore & Co., built a pulp-mill the next year at Garvin's Falls, which is doing an extensive business.

The town of Bow, reduced to its present dimensions contains about sixteen thousand acres, bounded on the north by Concord, east by Merrimack River, which separates it from Pembroke, south by Hooksett and west by Dunbarton. Its extent on the river is about five miles. The Concord Railroad runs through the town a few rods from the river; the Rohinson's station is the only stopping-place in town, Several fine farms are situated on the river. West of the river about a mile is the Parker range of hills, extending from Turee Pond to Hooksett Falls, affording several excellent . farms in a healthy location, overlooking Pembroke Street ; then comes a depression, called the Bog,-land fertile, but stony ; very well adapted to the growth of fruit.

A range of hills extends the whole length of the westerly part of the town, the highest elevations being about five hundred feet above the sea-level.

Military History from 1767 to 1785-BOW PRIOR TO AND DURING THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR .- The military history of Bow prior to 1767 is comprised in the military history of the parishes of Pennacook and Suncook before town privileges were granted them. But few families occupied the soil now con- stituting the town of Bow. No military organization had been effected. Several who had served in the French War afterwards became residents, viz. : Ephraim Foster, in Joseph Blanchard's company, in 1755 ; Andrew Stone, in the Crown Point expedition, in 1756; Samuel Winslow, in Captain Fogg's com- pany ; Henry Hemphill, in Crown Point expedition, 1758; Samuel Clement, 1760, in Captain Harron's company ; and Amasa Dow, in Captain Ladd's com- pany, at No. 4. In 1773 Concord, Bow, Pembroke, London, Canterbury and Northfield comprised the Eleventh Regiment, commanded by Colonel Thomas Stickney, with Benjamin Thompson (afterwards Count Rumford, as major. January 12, 1775, the town voted to buy a stock of ammunition. After the battle of Lexing- ton, April 19th, pursuant to call, " Voted to send Benjamin Noyes as delegate to a convention, to be holden at Exeter, 17th of May." Said convention voted to raise two thousand men besides those already in the field, and appointed a committee of supplies for the army. John Stark was commissioned colonel of the First New Hampshire Regiment, of ten com- panies. March 2, 1774, Aaron Kinsman was com- missioned captain, Ephraim Moor lieutenant, and

1 Biennial elections after this.

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Ralph Cross ensign. When the First Regiment was formed, Captain Kinsman was selected as captain of the Seventh Company. When the town militia, June 23, 1775, chose Ephraim Foster captain, with lieu- tenant and ensign the same, several of the citizens of Bow enlisted in Kinsman's company. Among them were David Clement, Ebenezer Bean, Benjamin Cotton, Jonathan Currier, Samuel Rogers and John Manuel, for three months, ending August 1st. Manuel was killed at the Bunker Hill, June 17th. Barnet Harvey and John Robertson were in Joshua Abbot's company ; Benjamin Bean, Jr., Ephraim Garvin and William Robertson, in Captain Parker's company ; Colonel Bedell's regiment of rangers, in the north- ern Continental army; Thomas Colby, in Captain Noyes' compamy ; James Moor (a fifer) and Moses Noyes, in Daniel Moor's company ; Reuben Currier and John Moor, in Captain James Osgood's company, of Conway, July 28, 1775. Samuel Winslow was in Captain Dearborn's company ; William Robertson, in Colonel Reed's regiment. In Colonel Baldwin's regiment the following Bow men were enlisted and were at the battle at White Plains in October, 1776 : Ephraim Moore, Ralph Cross, Ralph Cross, Jr., Aaron Kinsman. The officers of the town militia at this time were Captain, Benjamin Bean; First Lieutenant, John Grushe ; Second Lieutenant, Timothy Dix ; En- sign, William Rogers. Solomon Farley was returned as among the sick in Colonel Poor's regiment. Moses Cross was in Captain Shepherd's company April 3, 1777. Captain Bean, James Moor, Esquire Bryant, John Noyes and Joseph Baker were appointed a Committee of Safety, and voted "to raise two hundred and seventy pounds to hire our proportion of three years' men for the Continental service, and give each man fifty dollars upon his enlisting." John Riddle, Stephen McCoy, Jonathan McCoy, Daniel McCoy, James Bowes, James Reddell, John Sulloway and Aaron Noyes accepted the offer. Early in July a party of eight men, consisting of David Carr, Willaby Colby, Richard Clough, David Clough, Benjamin Bean, Peter Manuel, John Dow and Samuel Manuel, all of Bow, marched for the relief of Ticonderoga. On their arrival at Charlestown they met the news of its evacuation and orders to return, being in service seven days, under Captain Bean, who soon died.

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History of Merrimack and Belknap counties, New Hampshire, Part 69

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