History of Merrimack and Belknap counties, New Hampshire, Part 98

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 98
USA > New Hampshire > Belknap County > History of Merrimack and Belknap counties, New Hampshire > Part 98

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In Captain Benjamin Bradford's company were Isaiah Hoyt and Stephen G. Eaton, corporals, en- listed December 15, 1813, for one year; Jonathan Burbank, April 15, 1814, for the war; Henry T. Hildreth, January 24, 1814, one year; James A. Hastings, December 15, 1813, one year ; John Morrill, December 15, 1813, one year; Benjamin Putney, February 28, 1814, for the war, and died in service ; Buswell Silver, March 23, 1814, for the war; Moses Tenney, January 14, 1814, one year.

The record of enlistments in Colonel McCobb's regiment appears to show that some Hopkinton soldiers renewed their obligations before their original terms had expired, while others were recruits.

The operations of the British fleet off the Atlantic coast of the United States during the winter of 1813 and 1814 created much alarm. Ou the night of June 21, 1814, an alarm at Portsmouth, occasioned by a report that the British were landing at Rye, induced the Governor of New Hampshire to order out detach- ments from twenty-three regiments for the stronger defense of Portsmouth, when the detachments were organized into a brigade of five regiments and one battalion, under the command of Brigadier-General John Montgomery. The following Hopkinton soldiers were in Lieutenant-Colonel Nathaniel Fisk's First Reg- iment, in Captain Jonathan Bean's company : Thomas Town, first lieutenant, acting quartermaster from September 18th ; Moses Gould, sergeant ; Robert A. Bradley, Samuel Burbank, Barrach Cass, David C. Currier, Amos Eastman, John J. Emerson, Ebenezer Morrill, John Morey, Isaac Pearce, Hazen Putney, Jacob Straw, William Wheeler. These men were all enlisted for a term of ninety days from September 11, 1814.

The following men from Hopkinton were in Lieu- tenant-Colonel John Steele's Second Regiment, in Captain Silas Call's company : Nathaniel Morgan, sergeant; Jacob Chase, Amos Frye, John Johnson, John Hastings, Alvin Hastings, Francis Stanley, James Eastman, Amos Sawyer, Jonathan Gove, William M. Crillis and John Burnham. These men were all enlisted on the 2d of October, 1814, to dates running from November 8th to November 19th. Stanley died in service.

None of the men ordered from this town to Ports-

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mouth were called into active engagement with the enemy.

The Acme of Local Prosperity .- We have already mentioned the progressive prosperity of Hopkinton from the time of the complete legal establishment of the township to the beginning of the present century. We also noted the causes of this prosperity. We will now observe with reference to its culminating point. Hopkinton once became what it had never been, as well as what it is not now. In 1830, the United States census found the inhabitants of Hopkinton to be 2774. In 1767 there were only 473. The increase till 1830 appears to have been constant, but since then there has been apparently almost a steady de- cline. In 1880 there were 1836.

In the time of Hopkinton's greatest prosperity there were multiple signs of activity and enterprise. In the main village were as many as seven stores, with a corresponding number of miscellaneous shops. Some of these stores were places of wholesale trade. Among them were the business-houses of Towns & Ballard, Nathaniel Curtis and Thomas Williams. Wholesale trade and barter were extensively carried on in Hopkinton village. The teams of those who came from other places to traffic often filled the large village sqnare. The position of Hopkinton as a seat of county judicature, a position it held till the for- mation of Merrimack County, in 1823, made it an important centre of legal professional interest and influence. Here lived Baruch Chase, John Harris, Matthew Harvey and Horace Chase, lawyers. The local prosperity also demanded places of public entertainment. There were several hotels in the vil- lage, kept by Bimsley Perkins, Theophilus Stanley and others. Bimsley Perkins' tavern, which stood on the now unoccupied site just west of the village square, was one of the best-known public-houses in the State. There was also about this time a tavern in Contoocook, kept by Daniel Page, and soon after another erected by Sleeper & Wheeler. On Putney's Hill was a fam- ous rustic tavern, kept by Joseph Putney. According to the demands of this busy time, post-offices were established. The first post-office in town was estab- lished in 1811. John Harris was the first post- master. A post-office was established in Contoocook in 1831. Thomas Burnham was the first postmaster. During this prosperous period a bank existed in Hop- kinton a few years. This institution was known as the Franklin Bank, and was incorporated in 1833. The grantees were Horace Chase, Nathaniel Gilman, Isaac Long, Jr., William Little, Joseph Stanwood, Matthew Harvey, Andrew Leach, Moses Gould, Ebenezer Dustin, Timothy Chandler, Stephen Darling and James Huse. The management of this bank seems to have been of a bungling character, and the insti- tution finally settled with its creditors at a discount. The Franklin Bank occupied the old post-office building.

At the time of which we speak, there were three

churches in existence in Hopkinton village. They are also now in existence. We have already given some account of the Congregational Church, which ceased to be under the special patronage of the town about 1811. A Baptist Church had been formed in 1769.1 A meeting-house was partially completed in 1795. It stood about a mile southwest of the village, near the present residence of George W. French. In 1831, the present Baptist Church was huilt. An Episcopal Church was formed here in 1803. It was known as Christ's Church, and the congregation worshiped in the court-house. In 1827, a new or- ganization, known as St. Andrew's Church, was formed. The same year, the erection of the present church was begun, and the edifice was dedicated in 1828. In 1823, a Free-Will Baptist Church 2 was organized at Contoocook, and a church was erected in 1827. About 1803, a West Congregational meeting- house was built at Campbell's Corner, bnt no regular society appears to have been formed. This meeting- house stood but a few years.3 The Universalists had an active foothold in Hopkinton in its most prosperous period. In 1836, a small church was built in the west part of the town, near the present residence of Charles Barton. In 1837 a second church was erected in Contoocook. There appears to have been no regular church membership in either instance.+

In its palmy days, Hopkinton had a creditable edu- cational record. In the earlier part of the present century, considerable attention was paid to improved public instruction, Select tuitional schools were fre- quently taught in the old court-house. A famous select school of about twenty-five years' duration was taught in Hopkinton village by John O. Ballard, better known as Master Ballard, who lived and taught in the house now used as a Congregational parsonage. Master Ballard was a native of Warner, who came to Hopkinton and engaged in trade, and, in consequence of the war of 1812, failed in business, and thereafter devoted himself to teaching. The branches taught in his school were mostly English, but something of the classics was introduced in later years, when he was assisted by his son, the Rev. Edward Ballard, a late widely-known Protestant Episcopal clergyman of

1 The Baptist Church was gathered by Dr. Hezekiah Smith, and was a branch of the Haverhill (Mass.) Church. It became independent in 1771. Io consequence of a laxness of doctrine, it separated from the State Association. In 1822, Rev. Michael Carlton became its pastor and rallied the Calvinistic element, by which it has since been identified.

" This church was the result of a schism in the original Baptist Church in this town. The Free-Will Baptist movement was inspired by Deacon Jonathan Fowler, son of Mary Woudwell, by her second husband.

3 In 1831, Deacon Amos Bailey, of West Hopkinton, left a legacy to be paid to any Congregational Society worshiping in the west part of the town. A society was organized with headquarters at Contoucook, but it did not legally appear that Contoocook was in the part of the town in- plied in the bequest. The Second Congregational Society kept up A nominal existence till about 1851.

4 'fhe Rev. J. F. Witherel, a resident Universalist minister at Contoo- cook, in company with Rev. J. Sargent, of Sutton, for a time published the L'hiverantist Family Visitor, a monthly periodical of twelve pages of A cominon tract size. The first number was issued in April, 1841.

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HISTORY OF MERRIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.

Brunswick, Me. Master Ballard's pupils came from far and near, and his school was of repute abroad as well as at home. John O. Ballard died April 27, 1854, aged eighty-six years. His remains lie in the old village cemetery of Hopkinton.

Hopkinton Academy was established in 1827. The first organization of trustees was as follows: Ebenezer Lerned, president; Abram Brown, Stephen Sibley, Matthew Harvey, Phineas Clough, Roger C. Hatch, Michael Carlton. The old court-house was re- modeled and its upper story reconstructed for the use of the academy. The first term of school began on the first Wednesday in May. Hopkinton Academy was incorporated on the 26th of the next June. The first teacher was George l'eck, who remained but a short time. The catalogue of the fall term an- nounced the following hoard of instruction : Jeremiah Russell, A.B., preceptor; Mr. Jeremiah Gates, as- sistant preceptor; Mr. Luther Cross, lecturer on chemistry. The whole number of pupils was seventy- three,-gentlemen, forty-seven; ladies, twenty-six. The next year separate male and female departments of instruction were established. The catalogue of the fall term then announced the following instruc- tors : Rev. John Nash, A.M., preceptor; Miss Judith D. Peabody, preceptress. The students were : Gen- tlemen, forty-five; ladies, thirty-two,-total, seventy- seven. Hopkinton Academy advanced rapidly in success and popularity. In 1830, there were one hun dred and thirteen students ; in 1831, one hundred and fifty-nine ; and in 1835, one hundred and sixty-two. In the list of teachers were Enoch Colby, Enoch L. Childs, Moody Currier, Miss Caroline Knight, Miss Mary L. Childs, Miss Lucy Adams, Miss Mary Y. Bean and many others ; in later times, M. B. Steb- bens, Dyer H. Sanborn, William K. Rowell and others. In 1843, Hopkinton Academy experienced a heavy reverse, its financial affairs showing a deficit of over seventeen hundred dollars, arising from bad notes and expenditures above the income. The in- stitution took a new lease of life in 1851, when a new charter was secured ; but the old and famous institu- tion succumbed again to modern innovations in public educational plans, and the structure it occupied went up on the wings of flame in March, 1873.1

Incidents of the Prosperous Period .- For the sake of the convenience of the narrative, we will say that Hopkinton was in her palmy days from 1790 to 1840. The turning-point of the tide of prosperity was the effect of an act of the New Hampshire Legis. lature of 1814, the progressive result of which was the location of the State capital at Concord. Hop- kinton had hoped for the honor of becoming the seat of State government. The organization of Merri-

mack County, in 1823, and the location of the county- seat at Concord, was another blow to Hopkinton's prosperity. Yet this town exhibited many of the traits of an active and prosperous community for years after its population began to decrease.

One of the incidents of the prosperous period was the improvement of the accommodations afforded by public highways. In 1805, an important accommoda- tion was effected by constructing the present main line of highway from Hopkinton village to Putney's Hill, greatly improving the traveling connection be- tween the two villages, Hopkinton and Contoocook. In 1815, the so-called turnpike was constructed, being a part of a main line to Concord, avoiding toilsome Dimond Hill on the east and north. In 1827, the so- .alled new road from Hopkinton to Dunbarton was built to accommodate a stage-line from Boston, Mass., to Hanover, N. H. The Basset Mill road, from Con- toocook to Weare, was made in 1836. The so-called new road to Concord was opened about 1841, to. horten distance and also avoid Dimond Hill on the sonth and west. Hopkinton was upon the routes of several important stages till the introduction of the railroad, of which we shall speak hereafter, and many of its roads were projected with reference to this fact.

Though Hopkinton has been a centre of judicial and legislative influence, this town can hardly be said to have had a local political history of very great importance. In the early days of the independence of the United States, Hopkinton conceived a pref- erence for the Republican, or Jeffersonian party, and the principles of that party were dominant in all State questions till 1865, when a majority vote was given to Walter Harriman for Governor. Till this time, whether called Republicans, as at first, or Democrats, as in later times, the reactionary party never yielded in Hopkinton, except upon mere local or subsidiary questions. The agitation caused by the repeal of the Missouri Compromise seriously affected the old Democratic majority, but the War of the Re- hellion was in its last year before Hopkinton gave a majority to an anti-Democratic candidate on the State ticket.

Since we had occasion to speak of the part this town has horne in earlier wars, we may now say something of the local militia. In the year 1792, a State law was enacted for the government of the State militia, and, with some modifications and amend- ments, it continued till the abolition of the old militia system, in 1851. In 1819, the militia of Hop- kinton was classed in a Twenty-First Regiment; in 1842, in a Fortieth Regiment. There were, in the palmy days of this town, two companies of infantry, with uniformed officers. There was also a company of uniformed riflemen and another of uniformed in- fantry, known in later times as the "Cold Water Phalanx." There was also a section of uniformed cavalry, known as "The Troop," of the same regi-

1 The town-house and the academy were burned on the early morning of the 29th of March. A new building, including Lyceum Hall, con- structed by private contributions, was soun erected by an appropriation of twenty-five hundred dollars by the town. The new edifice was dedi- cated on the evening of the 3d of March, 1874.

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mental classification as the other town militia. Dur- ing the existence of the local militia, training-days and muster-days were notable occasions to the popu- lace. A large number of military titles were locally incurred. Some of the militia officers developed considerable efficiency in a peaceful way. A few of the old commanders are now living. Perhaps the oldest of these is Captain Moses Hoyt. Jonah Campbell was celebrated as a drummer of the former days; he died in May, 1880, at the age of eighty- four years. George Choat, a celebrated fifer, is now living at an advanced age.

There are several financial incidents that may be mentioned in this connection. One of these was the purchase of the town poor farm, in pursuance of a vote of the town, in 1833. This purchase was made by a committee consisting of Stephen Sibley, John Silver and Daniel Chase. The poor farm was the former property of Mr. Chase, of the committee, and was located on Dimond Hill, where now lives Walter F. Hoyt. The town sold the property in 1872. In 1837-38, Stephen Sibley, a committee for the town, received the "surplus money," being paid $2.17 for his services the first time and $4.31 for the same the second. The sum of about six thousand dollars ac- crued from the two installments.

In the earlier part of this sketch, we mentioned the appropriation of lands to religious and educational purposes. There was also a tract near Putney's garrison that was laid out for a training-field. In time, all these lots became of no practical utility; but, since the town could not sell what was perpetually devoted to a particular use, each lot was leased in practical perpetuity, or for nine hundred and ninety- nine years, or "as long as wood shall grow and water run." The school land was leased in 1786, the train- ing-field in 1796 and the parsonage land in I798. In the end, the funds from these leases worked into the public treasury, though, for a time, the interest was devoted to the respective public uses indicated by the original intention of the town. The "literary fund " from the State accumulated till 1857, when the schools began to take the principal, continuing till it was gone.

A great temperance reform was effected in Hopkin- ton during the period of its greatest public pros- perity. Drinking had been an almost universal habit. Liquor was sold at all public places at all times. On holidays and other occasions of public gathering, the sales were enormous. There was a time when thirty-six hogsheads of rum were put into one store in Hopkinton village in one week, but a portion of this quantity was doubtless disposed of at wholesale and went out of the town again. A radical change was effected, and liquor-selling was abolished. The conflict was vigorous and prolonged, but temper- ance principles triumphed.1 Among the stanch

1 Not far from 1840, a temperance organization, known as the "Gue |

local apostles of temperance during this reform were Rev. Roger C. Hatch, of the Congregational Church, Rev. Michael Carlton, of the Baptist Church, Rev. Arthur Caverno, of the Free-Will Baptist Church, and Dr. James A. Gregg.

Hopkinton can hardly be said to have ever been a manufacturing town, but in the days of its highest prosperity there were many mills of various kinds within its limits. The most important of these were at Contoocook, where, for many years, Joab & David N. Patterson (brothers) manufactured woolen cloths. Abram Brown and John Burnham manufac- tured lumber, and ground corn and grain. Hamilton E. Perkins also manufactured lumber. There were numerous smaller works at Contoocook.

This town having been a seat of county judica- ture, there are some interesting penal facts that may be mentioned here. The county jail was located on the South road, so-called, a short distance out of the village towards Weare. The same building is now occupied as a residence by Benjamin O. Kimball. There was also a stocks and whipping-post on the village square in earlier times. In 1818, Captain Benjamin Pierce, of Hillsborough, publicly whipped a culprit in Hopkinton. This was the last instance of the kind in town. On the 6th of January, 1836, Abraham Prescott, convicted of the murder of Mrs. Chauncey Cochran, of Pembroke, was executed upon the gallows in Hopkinton, the execution taking place on a lot just north of the village, now owned by George W. Currier and occupied by him as a pasture. The execution being public, a large concourse of people was assembled.

During the period under remark, there were various local enterprises of minor mention. The Hopkinton Engine Company was incorporated in 1814; it existed about fifty years. The Contoocook Village Engine Company was incorporated in 1831 ; this organization is still in existence. The Hopkinton Aqueduct As- sociation was incorporated in 1840. The village aqueduct is supplied with fresh, pure water from several springs on the eastern slope of Putney's Hill.

We must not omit, in this connection, a reception to General Lafayette, given in 1825, under the two huge elms in Hopkinton village already mentioned, when the distinguished guest of the United States was making a tour of the county. Very few particu- lars of this reception have been locally preserved. Miss Betsey P. Eaton, a school-teacher in Hopkinton village, is entitled to credit for preserving so much of

Catton Society," was effected in Contoocook, Ebenezer Dustin was president and Lorenzo Merrill secretary. Shares were issued at oue dollar each, and five thousand dollars was invested. The organization contained members in Concord and Warner and perhaps other towns. Nicholas Quimby, of Hopkinton, and Nathaniel Davis, of Warner, were prosecuting officers of this society, which was very effective in enforcing the provisions of the State law providing for the suppression of the liquor traffic. The Gun-Cotton Society died out after the local trade in liquors was practically abolished.

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HISTORY OF MERRIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.

a relation as is embodied in the following memoran- dum :

"June 22, 1825 .- Keeping school in this village this summer, and Esquire Chase called at the door, saying Lafayette was here, and wished me to dismiss the school, that we might all have the pleasure of shaking hands with so distinguished a personage. His aids were Ignatius Sar- gent and Peter C. Brooks, citizens of Boston "

Miss Eaton afterwards became Mrs. Stephen B. Sargent, and later, Mrs. John Brockway.

The Masonic fraternity was influential in Hopkin- ton in the earlier part of the present century. In 1807, Trinity Chapter was formed, being the second in priority in the State. In 1825, Masonic Hall was dedicated. It occupied a position on the corner of Main Street and South Road, its site being on the lot now occupied by Willard T. Greene. Trinity Chap- ter was transferred to Concord in 1847, and Masonic Hall was soon afterwards moved to Fishersville (now Penacook).

The Railroad .- The Concord and Claremont Rail- road passes through this town. Its chief business station is at Contoocook, where there is a junction with the Concord and Peterborough line. Cars first ran regularly to and from Contoocook in the fall of the year 1850, in anticipation of a line of travel that at first extended only to Bradford on the one hand and to Hillsborough1 on the other. There was a day of great festivity in Contoocook on the opening of local railroad travel. A subscription was raised, a public dinner provided and music and artillery employed. A thousand persons sat down to eat. The tables were spread under a temporary shed. A free ride to and from Concord was given by the railroad officials. The Warner Artillery came with music and one gun to do the military honors. The gun was posted on the in- tervale on the north side of the river and just below the railroad bridge. Speeches were made, the band played, the cannon thundered and people were happy.

Many people of this town paid dearly for this en- joyment. The assessments on original stock made an . indescribable consternation. To be rid of their obliga- tions, stock was disposed of at rninous rates. Disap- pointment and chagrin was on every hand. Yet the railroad has been a public benefit, though a part of its introductory management was disastrous.

CHAPTER IV. HOPKINTON-(Continued).

The War of 1861 .- Fort Sumter was bombarded April 13, 1861, and the North flew to arms to suppress the great Rebellion. The town of Hopkinton sustained its share of the excitement of the time. Bells were

rung, flags suspended, processions formed and speeches weremade. When President Lincoln asked for seventy- five thousand volunteers, a response was heard from Hopkinton. Joah N. Patterson, of Contoocook, a volunteer, soon- began enlistments in town. The first man he enlisted was James B. Silver; he was enlisted in Deacon Nathaniel Evans' store, where Kimball & Co. now trade. One or more parties from Hopkinton had already enlisted in Concord. Patterson enlisted a considerable number of men, who were stationed at Contoocook till they were ordered to the camp of the New Hampshire Second Regiment, at Portsmouth. The Hopkinton Cornet Band escorted them to camp. Previously to departing by a special train, the volun- teers marched through the main street of Contoocook from the square to the Free-Will Baptist Church and remarched to the depot. Their departure was wit- nessed with many tears by a large collection of peo- ple.

During the progress of the war, Hopkinton did her. part towards maintaining the cause of the Union. On the 29th of October, 1861, the town adopted the pro- visions of an act of the State Legislature of the pre- vious June, authorizing towns to assist the families of volunteers. On the 26th of August, 1862, the town voted to pay one hundred and fifty dollars each to all soldiers who had enlisted for the war since the last call for troops; to all who, subsequently to the 1st of August, had enlisted to fill up the quota, two hundred dollars each ; to all who would enlist for nine months, seventy-five dollars each ; and to all who would from that date enlist for three years, or during the war, two hundred dollars each. By two calls in July and one in August, the government had asked for six hundred thousand men. On the same 26th of August, a vote was passed to assist the families of soldiers to an extent not exceeding twelve dollars a week,-a sum equivalent to four dollars for a wife and the same amount to each of not more than two children. Soon atter, Patrick H. Stark and Daniel E. Howard were made enlisting officers. On the 2d of October of the same year, another vote was passed, giving one lun- dred and fifty dollars each to all soldiers enlisting for nine months, or two hundred dollars if the entire quota was filled. In 1864, during the intense con- cern for the Union then prevailing, the town voted, on the 4th of June, to raise forty thousand dollars for the encouragement of voluntary enlistments, and also to pay three hundred dollars each to drafted men or their substitutes. The last public action of the town, in anticipation of the future needs of the war, was on the 8th of November, 1864, when the town anthor- ized the selectmen to enlist or otherwise procure men in prospect of any call.

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History of Merrimack and Belknap counties, New Hampshire, Part 98

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