USA > New Hampshire > Rockingham County > Newfields > History of Newfields, New Hampshire, 1638-1911 > Part 18
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1st That a very considerable Part of the Petitioners themselves do not wish the Bridge to be removed: and were only induced to sign the Petition upon a Misrepresentation, that there would not be any Bridge unless it was Removed: the Contrary of which will not so clearly ap- pear; that we presume to hope the honble Court will consider the said Petition, as in fact it is a Measure calculated to serve the private Views of a few Persons about the Newfields to the manifest detriment of the Public in general-
2dly Because the principal Reasons therein assigned for Removal of the Bridge are not True, for they say that at the proposed Place the river is narrower & the Tide less Rapid than at the Place where the Bridge Stands. the bare denial of which we presume might be a suf- ficient Answer - For the River at the Bridge being not only broader but much deeper, consequently the Tide cannot be so rapid -The very Water Courses of the present Bridge by their Width & depth afford a larger Passage for the Water, than the whole wedth of the River at the newfields and from which deducting the Spaces which the Piers & abut-
.
185
FERRY AND BRIDGE OVER SQUAMSCOT RIVER.
ments of a Bridge will necessarily take up, the Course of the Water will be so much obstructed as will affect the Navigation to a very great Degree as well as endanger the Bridge it self -They also say that a . Bridge at the Newfields would better Accommodate the Public & less obstruct the River - neither of which facts are True, for the Contrary will clearly appear by the Memorials: and also by the Plan (herewith exhibited) it will appear that for all Travellers on the lower Road leading over said Bridge the way by the Proposed Bridge is a Mile & three quarters further than by the Present Bridge and a much worse road especially for Carriages - And even the Western Road thro' Epping Nottingham Deerfield, Epsom &c the lower Road is 154 Rods nearer - so that upon the very moderate computation of only 50 Persons a Day passing said Bridge by each of said Roads such Removal will Occasion' the Public more than 6,000 miles Travel in a Year; besides more than a' quarter of a Days work for every Team passing to and from Ports-' mouth that Way; which will be a Cost far exceeding the Repair of the' Bridge; so that the Public cannot (with any Propriety) be said to be' Accommodated by a Measure which will be detrimental to more thou- sands than it can really Benefit single Persons - The same we must still object & say with Respect to the Obstruction of the River, untill we hear upon what new Principles they will prove That, the Smaller the Passage the same Body of Water passes through in the same Time the less rapid the Stream-
3dly Because a Work of such Importance as a Bridge over a Navigable River, in its own Nature ever is should be done not only in such manner & Place as would best Accommodate the Public in passing over the same, but also be the least detrimental to the Water Carriage; and which in that River is of considerable Consequence And accordingly the Place where the Bridge now is was fixed upon for that purpose by a Committee of both Branches of the Legislature, accompanied by an approved Engeneer, sent on Purpose to view & examine the River before the Bridge was built and now many Years tryal clearly shows that the place was well chosen: Whereas it is uncertain whether a Bridge could be made to stand at the proposed Place where the current is quicker and the Botom sandy-
4thly Because there has been more than a Mile of Road laid out on purpose to accommodate the Present Bridge, which upon Removal there of, if continued open will be a needless burden on the Public: and if shut up, will leave those Persons who upon Confidence in the public Faith have purchased or divided their Estates in Conformity thereto, to purchase Roads for themselves: some of them thro' the same Land, which their Ancestors generously gave the Public: And several Miles more of New Road, must be purchased by the Public-
5thly We object & Answer that all the other Reasons by them assigned for the Removal of the Bridge; either opperate as forcably for the re- pair of the same where it now is; or are mere Suggestions without the least Foundation-
186
HISTORY OF NEWFIELDS.
All which we are ready to Prove to the honle Court on Trial and for which among other Reasons, We humbly pray that the Prayer of said Petition may not be granted-
And that Leave may be given to bring in a Bill to regulate the Repair of the Present Bridge & prescribing the Method in which the Same shall be supported in future by Subscription, or otherways as to your Honrs in Wisdom shall seem meet: And your Memorialists as in Duty bound shall pray-
Lee, 30th January 1786.
This remonstrance was signed by the committees of the sev- eral towns. Samuel Gilman, Joseph Young and Wentworth Cheswell were the committee of Newmarket.
Eighteen citizens of Epping also remonstrated against the removal of the bridge.
Hubartus Neal, for the remonstrants, makes deposition rela- tive to the bridge as follows :
The Deposition of Capt Hubartus Neal of Lawful Age Testifies and says, that he the Deponent has been well acquainted with Exeter River for many years, more particularly with them Parts of said River, where both the Ferries were formerly kept between Stratham & Newmarket, and say that at the lower place where the Bridge is now built the Bot- tom is very hard, & firm, and about Ten feet deepth of Water in the Channel at low Water, and the River is about four hundred feet wide - the Deponent also says that at the Newfields Landing the River is about Two hundred and ninty-five feet wide, & from three to Six & half feet Deep and the Bottom, Sand & loose Bottom-
And the Deponent further saith, that he viewed the said Bridge last week & upon Examination the Deponent found the Stone Abutments of said Bridge which extend about two hundred & fifty feet to remain almost intirely firm and good as when first built, and also all them parts of the Piers below half Tide.
HUBARTUS NEAL.
Feb. 6, 1786.1
Capt. Archelaus Woodman and Walter Bryent also made depositions of substantially the same import.
That the bridge between Stratham and Newmarket was built with money raised by a lottery sanctioned by the state is an established fact. It was generally known as the "Lottery Bridge."
Some may be interested to see a lottery ticket issued in aid
1 Prov. Papers XIII, 41-2.
TOLL BRIDGE
187
FERRY AND BRIDGE OVER SQUAMSCOT RIVER.
of the bridge, and we give herewith a fac-simile of an original now in possession of Dr. Charles F. Hussey of Portsmouth.
THIS TICKET [No. 24] entitles the Poffeffor thereof, to any Prize drawn againft it's Number, in the SECOND CLASS of a LOTTERY granted by the General Court of the State of New Hampshire. 9th November 1780, for repairing and fupporting Stratham and Newmarket LOTTERY BRIDGE, (fo called) in faid State.
: Bridge Lottery, No. 11.
...
E HABATTUS NEAL.
The Town Records of 1792 show that "The Public Bridge had been supported a long time by subscription." It was now "given to a few private persons to have a toll thereon, which we 102 inhabitants of Newmarket presume will amount to more than ten times as much as will keep the Bridge in repair."
The act making it a toll-bridge was passed by the Legislature, June 21, 1792.
In 1806 a chartered company was organized to rebuild and care for the bridge. The charter was signed by Gov. John Lang- don June 18, 1807, and the bridge built by Henry Wiggin of Newfields by contract for $4,900. Its formal opening occurred December 10, 1807. The bridge was again rebuilt about 1838, and in 1884 the "draw" was repaired.
In 1892 the selectmen of Stratham and Newfields, acting as proprietors of the bridge, took up the stock of the bridge, issuing promissory notes therefor.
The Legislature, March 21, 1901, provided :
That the proprietors of the Stratham and Newmarket bridge are hereby authorized and empowered to sell and convey all the property and franchises of said corporation, upon such terms and to such person or corporation, as it may, by vote of a legal meeting, direct: provided that all obligations of said corporation, existing at the time of such sale, shall be first paid and discharged.
The bridge has now been placed by deed in full possession of Rockingham County, authority having been given by the Legis- lature April 10, 1907, and accepted by both Stratham and New- market at their annual meetings, March, 1908. The outstanding debt of $7,000 is assumed by the two towns equally. The entire
188
HISTORY OF NEWFIELDS.
expense of maintenance will hereafter devolve upon the county. The care of the "draw" will be the most expensive item. H. F. Marden was the last toll-collector.
Concerning bridges of the early times it should be added that in 1722 in consideration of the heavy burden laid upon the citi- zens of Dover "in building and renewing the many bridges in The said town, over and above the ordinary annual repairs of Highways through the same," occasioning a "much greater and more grievous tax than any other Town in the province, more especially for the Erecting and maintaining Two very large Bridges over the river of Cocheco and Lamprey river," through their committee consisting of Richard Waldron, Stephen Jones and Paul Gerrish, they petition Governor Shute and the General Assembly "that the bridging of The Said Two rivers may be made a province Charge to be defrayed out of the public Treas- ury," believing they "are more than even wth the Inhabitants of any Neighboring town in ye Costs of bridging," exclusive of the two large bridges. They were spurred to such action at this time from the fact that a freshet the year preceding had "floated away the boom at Cocheco with 3 piers and the Standing bridge at Lamprel river" and they were now to be rebuilt.
This petition was duly considered, and the House voted £60 in aid of the town, but the Council did not concur, and the endeavor failed.
On June 1, 1723, the selectmen of Dover again petition, but this time for the appointment of a committee "to view the said river and the landings on Each side in order to finding a more convenient place to build anew so as to prevent the like Mis- fortune wth ye former, and Make a report of their doings at ye next Sessions." They preface their petition with the fact that the bridge over Lamprey River had been carried away "for want of firm foundation."
This petition resulted in a vote "That Six Indifferent Persons be chosen a Committee to Survey Lamprey River and Report . ye Most commodious place for building a bridge across Said River, and That Col. Walton, Mr. Edwr Ayres & Mr. Benja Thomas be three of ye Committee to joyn" with the same num- ber appointed by the House, consisting of Col. Peter Weare, Col.
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FERRY AND BRIDGE OVER SQUAMSCOT RIVER.
John Plaisted and William Moor. A proviso was added that "ye Petitioners pay ye Charges of the Committee."
On July 12, 1723, Thomas Walton, Edward Ayers and John Plaisted, "being the Maj." Part of sª Committee," reported "that met at time and place appointed did view and find out a place which in our best Judgment is at the Picked rock so called a little above ye first Dam on sª River wch wee according to our understanding think the most proper place to erect the Bridge."
· Benjamin Thomas on the above committee, not receiving sea- sonable notice of the time fixed for the action of the committee, afterwards made investigation and concurred in the judgment of the reporting members.
In the General Assembly, July 22, 1723, it was ordered that copies of the committee's report be sent to the selectmen of Dover and Exeter and they be given to understand that the Governor and Council "expect that a suitable bridge be built as soon as possible at the place mentioned in ye sª Report, wch they have ac- cepted, and that they communicate the same to the selectmen of Exeter, in order to that town's bearing their proportionable part of the charge of said bridge, as to right and justice doth apper- tain."
The letter commanded to be sent to the selectmen of the two towns with the copies of the report expresses the expectation "that you will improve every opportunity in forwarding so necessary a work and that there be no failure on any part or by any means in Complying with this order."
Pascataqua bridge was erected in 1794, and the Concord turn- pike built.
Chapter XII.
ROADS AND MILLS.
Roads in the colonies were hardly ever laid out, but were left where Indian trail or chance cart tracks in the woods had marked them. The footpath was blazed by cutting the bark from trees on the right and left every 10, 20, or 30 yards.
Our ancestors were content to travel on horseback and so had but indifferent roads. Such roads as there were usually hugged the streams. Remote planters were satisfied if they kept open a track by which their houses could be reached on horseback.
As the settlers increased in number and spread out through the town and into adjoining towns, public highways became es- sential for intercommunication, to take the place of the earlier bridle paths, and in the records they are often mentioned. We have not been able to determine when the first one was laid out, but in 1645, on the "last day of the 10th month" John Legat received half an acre of land "by the river side before his houses for the sittin of a cowhouse" on condition that "the highway" be kept the usual breadth of three rods.
On June 3, 1645, Goodman Smart received a grant of land "Reseruing six Rod In bredth for A highway between mr Hil- ton's march and this sayª land."
The lot layers assign to John Gilman, September 29, 1648, land south of Mr. Hilton's "begining at the highway."
The selectmen in 1652, "23 day 10 mon." give liberty to any man receiving land grants between Mr. Hilton's and Thomas Biggs' to fence it in provided they make gates for the country highway, or any necessary highway for carting.
In 1657 were "conveniente carte waies" from the upper to the lower fall of Lamprey River.
March 16, 1660, we learn that John Hilton's 29 acres of land was "on the left hand of the path betwixt the Great hill and the little brooke going into m' Nutters creeke" and his one acre "between the cart way & the brooke."
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ROADS AND MILLS.
John Gilman received land, April 3, 1665, "lying on the left hand of the way going to Pascasack joyning upon Dover lyne."
April 4, 1666, Charles Gilman received land at Lamprey River "provided there may be a highway through it to m' Hiltons saw mill."
Moses Gilman and others were appointed, March 29, 1668, to run the line [bridle path] between the two meeting houses of Hampton and Exeter, and Robert Smart and others to do the same between Dover and Exeter, and July 10, 1671, a committee was appointed to run the line between Exeter Falls and Lam- prey River Falls.
March 30, 1675, several persons received grants of land that were to have been laid out ten years earlier. The one to John Gilman mentions the "highway going to Wadleighs upon a pine plaine to an Indian field," and also "an Indian path that leads to Teaghaquell." The grant to Moses Gilman mentions "Lam- prey river path being the old path," and makes allowance for "highways."
April 1, 1678, Moses Gilman was "surveyor of highways for the west syde of the river."
In 1680 we find that Goodman Smart's 300 acres on the south east "runs by the highway between the said land & the marshes."
The sale of a portion of "m" Hiltons newfield" in 1681, men- tions "ye waye side yt goeth down to m' Smarts."
Peter Folsom and Richard Hilton were chosen, August 15, 1692, "surveyors of ye hy ways."
Capt. Peter Coffin received, October 10, 1693, a grant of land "joyneing to douer line on the north side and upon ye hy waye to Pascaset mille."
The main way was laid out, December 4, 1707, between Cor- net Winthrop Hilton and Dudley Hilton's dwelling houses from Newfield Landing to the extent of the town's lands by Gilman's sawmill.
At a meeting of the Council held at Portsmouth, April 30, 1719, it was voted that lands "be appropriated to the encourage- ment of the iron works building at Lamprill river for cole, wood, & for settling people thereon, to be imported for that service, &
192
HISTORY OF NEWFIELDS.
settled in such order as a Committee appointed for that purpose shall direct."
The General Assembly, May 2, 1719, passed a vote "respecting lands on either side of the line between Exeter and Dover, always excepting highways through any lotts granted as abovesaid, & land sufficient to mills or works sett up on Lamprile river."
In 1721 a "mast way" was made leading from Colonel Hil- ton 's "to patuckawaye mills."
A petition of the selectmen of Dover, dated May 4, 1722, men- tions a line to run "northerly two miles for the depth of the Land granted to the Iron works."
Edward Hall and others were appointed, May 5, 1722, to sur- vey and make highways from Dover and from Exeter "to Winu- pissokee Pond."
It seems that the people of Nottingham labored under great difficulties and disadvantages for want of a suitable road to a convenient landing place. One had already been laid out at great expense for clearing and bridging, but was longer than necessary, and except at low water in the rivers was impassable for loaded carts. A "pretty good cart way" commonly called "Hall's way" only four or five miles from the landing place at Newmarket "towards Nottingham" had already been made, "which if continued thro' that part of Exeter which is between Notingham and ye Parish of New Market would be above three miles nearer, & on every other acc't more convenient," and the town through its committee petitions Governor Belcher and the Legislature for a continuance of this highway through Exeter and Newmarket, September 23, 1731. Interested parties having been duly notified, a public hearing was had upon the petition, and on March 6, 1733, the prayer of the petition was granted, and the town of Exeter required to "lay out the said Highway forthwith, as Commodiously as may be for the Town of Not- tingham."
In 1731 the following persons give land for this road : Joseph Hall, Moses Coffin, Robert Barber, Christopher Robinson, Sam- uel Sinclair, Samuel Stevens, Benjamin Sanborn, Theophilus Hardy, Jonathan Colcord, Stephen Lyford, Richard Mellon, James Marston, Samuel Hilton, Robert Pike, Samuel Mighell, Richard Clark, Isaac Marston, Winthrop Hilton, John Perkins,
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ROADS AND MILLS.
Richard Sinkler, Fitz W. Sargent, James Gilman, Jonathan Gil- man, Thomas Gilman, Walter Neal, Nathaniel Taylor and Nathaniel Pease "being interested in the Land thro' which it is supposed the Highway" will pass, and expressing their desire that the highway be laid out as a public highway. This high- way passed through the land of Robert Barber, Jonathan Col- cord, Steven Lyford, Robert Pike, Samuel Mighell, Isaac Mars- ton, Winthrop Hilton, John Perkins, James Gilman, Walter Neal and Nathaniel Pease, as it is recorded that they gave land for it.
Hall's Mill Road was laid out by a committee of the General Assembly, 1763-66.
The selectmen of Newmarket laid out, August 18, 1763, a high- way two rods wide in Newmarket through the land of several per- sons to the general satisfaction, but afterwards it was discovered that through inadvertency of the surveyor a mistake was made in several of the courses between the "Gate near Piscassick Bridge and Josiah Hilton's South West Corner" so that instead of the "Returns Directing it in such convenient Places as was in- tended and agreed on it directs it to such Places as are very In- convenient and almost Inaccessible to the damage of some and the great Dissatisfaction of others." The selectmen, John Bur- leigh, Israel Gilman, Jr., and Walter Bryent, and 23 others, petition the governor and "Honrs"' to interfere, appoint, send a committee to investigate and provide a remedy. The petition is dated July 3, 1765. A hearing was ordered, and afterwards, November 28, 1765, the Legislature appointed Col. John Went- worth, Andrew Wiggin and Richard Jenness, a committee to investigate and report. March 20, 1766, this committee viewed the said highway, heard the parties, and reported :
That the Highway above Mentioned ought to be & Remain as follows. Beginning at a Gate about twelve Rods to the North West of Piscasuk Bridge then Running Northerly as the Way was formerly Laid out and as it now goes through the land of Joseph Hall Esq. and through the Land of Edward Colcorde as it now Goes to Joseph Lovering's Land then Beginning by Lovering's Land on the west side of Said way and Running through the Same as followeth North ten degrees West thirty two rods then north fourteen degrees west twenty two rods to Jacob Ames Land then North forty degrees West thirty rods to a Stone Bridge, over a small Brook the way to be two Rods wide and on the
13
194
HISTORY OF NEWFIELDS.
North Easterly side of said Line through Lovering's land to the stone bridge then north eight degrees east fifty eight rods to Stephen Lyfords land the way to be on the westerly side of said line then North nineteen degrees East thirty four Rods as the way is now fenced out then North forty two Degrees East twenty four Rods then North forty nine De- grees East thirty five Rods to Nath Ames his Land then North forty five Degrees East Sixteen Rods then North Sixty Seven Degrees East thirty Rods then North twenty two Degrees East twenty two Rods as the way is now fenced out to Jacob Ames Land then through Said; Ames his Land North twenty two Degrees East ten Rods then North thirty one Degrees East Sixteen Rods then North fourteen Degrees west twenty Rods on a Strate Line to Josiah Hilton's South Corner Keeping the way as it now goes till it comes to a High way formerly Laid out the way to be on the Westerly side of said Line throw Said Ames' Last mentioned Land.
Never-the-Less since the Said Jacob Ames has by an agreement with the Select men Partly fenced the Road from Said Last mentioned Bridge on the Westerly Side of his orchard up a steep hill if the Said Jacob Ames will within thirty days from the tenth of July next Cause the Said way on the Westerly Side of his orchard to be made Passable in the Judgment of the Selectmen of Said New Market then we think it ought to go on the west side and if not to go through his Land as above said.
And also that there be paid unto the Person whose names here after mentioned for their Lands by the Select men of the above Said New Market.
Lawful money.
To James Marston
3: 4: 9
to Edward Colcord
3: 5: 6
to Nathaniel Ames
2:11:0
to Stephen Lyford 3: 9: 9
to Joseph Lovering
4: 0: 0
All which is Humbly Submitted by
JNO WENTWORTH
ANDr WIGGIN
RICHA JENNESS 3d Committee.
-
This report was accepted, allowed and confirmed.
A road was laid out, in 1768, from Lamprey River to Oyster River.
Benjamin Coe, in 1854, was chairman of the Board of County Road Commissioners, and laid out a new road from South Deer- field to Candia.
Turnpikes were never popular in New Hampshire, as the peo- ple looked upon them as monopolies. The toll gates set up were in great disfavor. The turnpike continued its exactions at the
195
ROADS AND MILLS.
gates till 1841 when the pressure of public opinion forced the owners to cease their demands and the roads became free.
The town made grants of mill sites with the right to cut tim- ber in specified tracts, the occupants paying annual rents for the rights thus conferred. These rents were set apart for the support of the ministry at Dover. Sawed lumber was floated to Portsmouth in rafts and then transported to the West Indies. The extensive forests became a source of wealth and the various water-falls were rapidly improved.
The early settlers on the Pascataqua were compelled to secure most of their bread from England and Virginia. There was no grain mill nearer than Boston, and even that was a wind- mill.
In May, 1631, Thomas Eyre wrote to Ambrose Gibbons, "I will now put on the sending of you the modell of a saw mill that you may have one going."
In 1632, Stephen Dean, who came to Plymouth in 1621, in the Fortune, built the first corn mill in New England on Copps Hill, Boston. This was a wind mill. On "October 18 Captain Camock and one Mr. Godfrey a merchant came from Piscata- quack in Captain Neal his pumace and brought sixteen hogsheads of corne to mill. They went away in November."
In 1634 Capt. John Mason sent eight Danes to Pascataqua to make potash and build mills. The saw mill they erected at the falls of Newichewanock was sold in September, 1635. Mason wrote, May 5, 1634, "Those people I have sent with Mr Jocelyne are to sett up two mills." At this time he sent with the Danes 22 women.
Miller's toll was established by law in 1640.
At a town meeting held in Dover, October 7, 1647, it was ordered "That Mr Ambrose Gibbons, Mr Richard Walderne, Thomas Dayton, Anthony Emrey, William Pomfrett, are to treat with Elder Nutter & Elder Starbucke about the accommodation of a saw mill at Lamprell Riuer & as these men shall agree it shall be the acte of the towne."
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