USA > New Hampshire > Merrimack County > Northfield > History of Northfield, New Hampshire 1780-1905: In Two Parts with Many Biographical Sketches and. > Part 8
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Their wish was conceded to, and two deep cuts and two bridges were thus added to the cost of the construction. Zenas Clement, a lawyer, and one of the first directors, was then in business at Holmes, now Tilton Mills. Thomas Chase built the roadbed from Wolf Swamp to the main road crossing, Warren H. Smith the remaining distance in town, and it was opened to Sanbornton Bridge, May 22, 1848, with great rejoicing. All day the citizens of the two towns were transported to Concord and back free of charge. A platform was erected near the Elm Mills Woolen Company's present site and speeches were delivered and cannon fired. It was Northfield's proudest day.
John Mooney was local agent to secure funds and took a large amount of stock, as did John E. Forrest, Thomas Lyford, Thomas Chase, Capt. Isaac Glines, Col. Asa P. Cate, E. L. Wadleigh, Mr. and Mrs. William Gilman, Warren H. Smith and Jonathan and William H. Clough. Shares were $100 each and many invested their last hard-earned dollar in the enterprise, the whole cost of which was $2,850,000 to Woodsville. It is useless to enumerate here the causes of the depreciation of stock or subsequent losses and delays. The old common stock amounted to $459,600. The preferred stock of $800,000 paid 6 per cent. dividends from 1867 until 1884, when it was leased June 1 to the Boston & Lowell road for 6 per cent. on preferred for 99 years and was run as the White Mountains Division of the Boston & Lowell until 1889. Later, it was leased to the Boston & Maine. No interest was paid the holders of the first stock for years and it became almost worth- less, selling as low as $5 a share with few buyers.
It rallied somewhat, for various reasons, and in 1852 was quoted at $40 a share. Many well-to-do Northfield citizens were reduced almost to penury. This misfortune to the town is my excuse for dwelling thus at length on this topic. In 1897 it had
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TRANSPORTATION.
reached par and commanded a large premium, being sold at $160, and I am unacquainted with present quotations. It is now a part of the great Boston & Maine system, which controls and operates 3,260 miles of road and represents a capital investment of about $204,000,000, with $38,000,000 as the gross receipts. It employs more than 25,000 men and the annual pay roll reaches nearly $15,000,000. Northfield men, young and old, have had all these years an added interest, not only in the line, but in the pay car, that has been a welcome monthly visitor, though the sums passed out in the little envelopes then would today cause a strike all along the line. It has all these years furnished em- ployment for large numbers of our citizens and a large market for wood and ties. Several of the most reliable conductors and firemen are residents of the town.
TILTON & BELMONT RAILROAD.
But a small part of Northfield is crossed by this road, which was chartered in 1883 and opened for business August 17, 1888, at a cost of $48,964.79. No stock was issued, as the expense was paid by the Concord & Montreal Railroad.
TILTON & FRANKLIN RAILROAD.
It was first charted with the above name in April, 1887, and provided that if built by the Northern Railroad and Concord & Montreal it should be in operation by January 1, 1890, otherwise Charles E. Tilton, Franklin J. Eastman, Alfred E. Tilton, George S. Philbrick and others should be made a corporation empowered to build said road. The charter was amended July 30, 1889, the name changed to Franklin & Tilton Railroad and a new set of incorporators were named. These consisted of the directors of the Concord & Montreal road with the exception of A. W. Sullo- way, who was made an incorporator representing the Northern and Boston & Maine roads. These incorporators built the road at a cost of $250,000, paid jointly by the Boston & Maine for the Northern Railroad corporation. About three miles of the road lies within the limits of Northfield.
CHAPTER V. MILITARY HISTORY.
As the history of Northfield and Canterbury is identical until 1780, I shall make use of the name Canterbury in the following record :
New Hampshire was created by the king in council a separate government in 1679, under jurisdiction of a president and coun- cil. The first order issued to the province was to organize the militia. This was in the only charter ever granted to this prov- ince.
President John Cutt was commissioned January 1, 1680, and the councillors January 22. In the president's commission was the following clause as to the needs and the organizing of a militia :
"ORDER 1.
"And for ye better defence and security of all our loving sub- jects within the said Province of New Hampshire our further will and pleasure is, and we do hereby authorize, require and command ye said President and Council for the time being, in our name, and under the Seal appointed by us to be used, to give and issue forth commissions from time to time to such person and persons, whom they shall judge shall be best qualified for regu- lating and disciplining the Militia of our said Province : and for the arranging and mustering the inhabitants thereof and in- structing them how to bear arms.
"And that care be taken that such good discipline be observed as ye said Council shall prescribe : '
"Yet if any invasion shall at any time be made, or other de- struction or annoyance, made or done by Indians or others upon or unto our good subjects inhabiting within ye said Province of New Hampshire.
"We do by these presents, for us our heirs, and successors, declare, ordain and grant, that it shall and may be, lawful to
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and for our said subjects so commissioned by our said Council from time to time, and at all times, for their special defense and safety, to encounter, expel, repel and resist by force of arms and all other fitting means whatever, all and every such person or persons, as shall at any time hereafter attempt or enterprise the destruction, invasion or annoyance of any of our said loving sub- jects, their plantations or estates."-Potter's Military History of New Hampshire.
The calling of an assembly within three months was provided for in this commission at Portsmouth or Strawberry Bank.
FIRST MILITIA LAW.
Adopting the principle that in time of peace a government should prepare for war, a military law was enacted by the As- sembly in 1718 and this was the first attempt at anything like a regular organization in the state. Heretofore it had all been left to the governor and council.
It was under the new law that Colonel Clough and his scouts were sent out by Gov. Benning Wentworth to protect the Can- terbury settlers 1721-'46, as given in the chapter on Early Set- tlers, page 3.
After the close of the Indian Wars the "north fields" were being settled and farms cleared. There was little time for mili- tary drill, only as the presence of game in the forests gave the boys an opportunity to learn the use of firearms, and the stories of bloody encounters had created in them a deep-settled purpose to do likewise when opportunity offered.
Then, too, they were not ignorant of the increasing oppressive acts of the mother country and their patriotism was at fever heat long before the news of Lexington and Boston Harbor reached them. Every man capable of doing military duty had long be- fore been singled out and the "expected" was eagerly awaited.
It came in startling messages in 1775 "that Howe, Clinton and Burgoyne had landed in Boston and that British troops were arriving and that other parts of the country were actually en- gaged in war."
Then came that wonderful paper called the "Association Test" to the selectmen of Canterbury, as to all New Hampshire towns, which I give in full. Also, another from the Continental Con- gress dated March 14, 1776.
ยท
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HISTORY OF NORTHFIELD.
After the close of the Seven Years' War, and 1775, the Pro- vincial Legislature obliged every chartered town through its officers to keep on hand a supply of powder and flints; a specified number of snowshoes and bullets and each town was directed to have a 'Larm List and each able-bodied man was to have a flint- lock musket, two spare flints, priming wire and brush.
Later the 'Larm List became the Training Band.
Prior to 1776 Captain Clough and Lieutenant Miles com- manded the men in the "north fields," and later, it is said, there were two companies in Northfield.
ASSOCIATION TEST.
"To the Selectmen of Canterbury
"Colony of New Hampshire "In Committee of Safety
"Apr. 12 1776
"In order to carry the unwritten 'Resolve' of the Honorable Continental Congress into execution you are requested to desire all Males above twenty-one years of age (Lunaticks, Idiots, and Negroes excepted) to sign to the Declaration on this paper, and when so done to make return hereof together with the name or names of all who shall refuse to sign the same to the General Assembly or Committee of Safety of this Colony
"M. Weare. Chairman"
"In Congress Mar. 14 1776 Resolved, That it be recommended to the several Assemblies, Conventions & Councils, or Committees of Safety of the United States immediately to cause all Persons to be disarmed within their respective Colonies, who are notoriously disaffected to the cause of America or who have not associated, and refuse to associate to defend by arms the United Colonies against the hostile attempts of the British Fleets and Armies. "Charles Thompson Secretary"
The response from Canterbury was prompt and conclusive. One hundred and twenty names were at once placed below the following pledge:
"In consequence of the above Resolution of the Hon. Conti- nental Congress and to show our determination in joining our American Bretheren and in defending the Lives, Liberties and Properties of the Inhabitants of the United Colonies.
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We, the Subscribers do hereby solemnly engage and promise that we will to the utmost of our Power, at the Risque of our Lives and Fortunes with Arms oppose the Hostile Proceedings of the British Fleets and Armies against the United American Col- onies." Of the 128 names the following 40 were from the "north fields":
William Glines, Jr., Joshua Boienton, Richard Allison, Benja- min Blanchard, 3d., William Moore, Nathaniel Glines, John Mc- Donald, Nehemiah McDonald, Jonathan Gile, David Blanchard, Shubael Dearborn, Nathaniel Dearborn, Benjamin Blanchard, Richard Blanchard, Edward Blanchard, Nathaniel Whitcher, Reuben Whitcher, Ebenezer Kimball, William Simonds, Josiah Miles, John Hills, John Molony, Jesse Cross, John Cross, Stephen Cross, William Hancock, Reuben Kezar, Jacob Heath, John Roen, Nathaniel Perkins, John Gibson, Thomas Gibson, James Lind, Perkins, Peter Hanaford, Benjamin Collins, John Forrest, John Forrest, Jr., Gideon Sawyer, John Simons, Thomas Foss, Timothy Hills.
Of the enrollment and equipment I cannot speak. It is known that some, when the news of Lexington reached the "north fields," left their ploughs in the furrows, mounted their horses in citizens' clothes, and went to fight the battles of their country. Many of them are enrolled in the following list, and all have & place with their families in genealogical order.
Some of those whose names follow came to reside in town after the close of the war and are accordingly eligible to a place on our
ROLL OF HONOR.
Elias Abbott was with Colonel Bedel in Capt. James Osgood's Company of Rangers sent to Canada to fight the Indians in 1776.
Abner Flanders went September, 1776, to reinforce the Con- tinental army under Capt. Benjamin Emery, to New York under Colonel Baldwin. He was credited to Haverhill when enlisted.
Moses Danforth served in the Revolutionary War.
Ezekiel Danforth also served in Canada and was killed at Bemis Heights. His widow was a pensioner.
Henry Danforth served in the New Hampshire State Troops in 1780 and had been in Whitcomb's Rangers before he was 17 years old.
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HISTORY OF NORTHFIELD.
William Forrest was with Stark at Bunker Hill.
Moses Cross was in Capt. James Shepard's company of Con- tinental line, Northern army.
Samuel Goodwin was under Captain Calef, Colonel Wingate and, later, with Captain Salter in the artillery at Fort Wash- ington. He was with Capt. David Place November 5, 1775; at Seavey's Island and still later with Colonel Wingate at Ticon- deroga.
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Caleb Aldrich was with Colonel Reed and Captain Hinds at New York.
Jesse Carr was in the Continental army.
Charles Glidden had seen much service before the Revolu- tionary War. He was one of 20 who fought at Bunker Hill, then enrolled as First Lieutenant.
Edward Dyer was under Capt. Ebenezer Webster in 1782 in the Ranger service in the upper part of the state.
George Hancock's name appears on Train Band List. IIe en- listed and expected to go but was not called for.
Joseph Hancock was a fifer in the Revolutionary army.
Jacob Hancock was from Hampstead and came with Captain Blanchard to Salisbury Fort on his way to Canada in the French and Indian War. He served under Captain Mooney, was taken prisoner and sent to Louisburg; returned by way of Halifax in 1758. He was killed at Bunker Hill.
Abraham Brown was a drummer in the army three years and adjutant four years.
Cornelius Ludlow was a Revolutionary soldier.
Levi Morrill was enlisted from Epping; he moved to North- field later.
John and Parker Cross were both at Bunker Hill.
Thomas Cross was also in the service. Company or place not given.
Theodore Brown was under Capt. Henry Elkins in Piscataqua Harbor.
William Glines (called Miller Glines) left his mill and entered the service. (See Glines gen.)
William Keniston was, when 16 years old, under Stark at Ben- nington.
Jonathan Gilman (see gen.) was at Bunker Hill.
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Phineas Fletcher was at the surrender of Cornwallis at York- town and died on his way home, as no transportation was fur- nished.
Lieutenant Lyford was educated in the school of war. He was appointed lieutenant in the year 1777 in Major Whitcomb's "Core" of Rangers, and served until January, 1781, at which time General Washington ordered that the officers of said corps should retire on half pay for life. But Whitcomb ordered him to march to headquarters whereupon Lyford and his soldiers were mutinous, marched at once to North River and reported to Gen- eral Heald. He at once sent a memorial to the Legislature, June 21, 1780, setting forth that he had been in the service in 1775 and complaining of bad treatment.
Ile must have been a trusted officer as Gen. Enoch Poor sent to headquarters the following from Ticonderoga (without date) :
"Last evening we sent Lieut Lyford to Split Rock on a recon- aisance. Enemy there two schooners, seven armed Gondolas and a large no. of Batteaux. He heard guns some miles below and supposes whole army on way here. Send help. We have only 2240 men."
Wednesday, February 9, 1780, the Legislature voted Lieut. Thomas Lyford of Whitcomb Rangers should receive from the treasury $560 in part for deprivation of his wages.
Richard Blanchard went with William Forrest to Bunker Hill, unenlisted, in citizens' clothes.
Jonathan Wadleigh fought with his two brothers side by side at Bunker Hill.
Others in the service were Abner Miles, Shubael Dearborn, Nathaniel Dearborn, Reuben Kezar, Nathaniel Perkins and Na- thaniel Perkins, Jr. The former died at Bunker Hill. William Rines and Joseph Glines and Lieut. Jonathan Heath also died there. There were 20 in all from the "north fields" at Bunker Hill.
Samuel Rogers, William Rines, Joseph Clisby, John and Samuel Dinsmore, William Danford, Robert Forrest and others whose names are found in Part II of this work.
Edward Blanchard was commissioned, September 5, 1775, by order of Mathew Thornton, governor, to be captain of the New Hampshire company in the Thirteenth Regiment of Militia of the Colony of New Hampshire. He was ordered to take instruc-
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HISTORY OF NORTHFIELD.
tion from the Congress of said colony for the time being (in recess of Congress), or the Committee of Safety or any superior officer. Signed by Mathew Thornton, president; E. Thompson, secretary. Dated, Exeter, September 5, 1775.
In 1790 these titles are attached to the following names on the tax list :
Capt. Thomas Clough, Capt. Samuel Gilman, Col. Henry Gerrish, Lieut. Jacob Heath (and captain in 1796), Capt. Stephen Haines, Capt. Daniel Hills, Lieut. David Morrill, Lieut. James Perkins, Ensign William Sanborn, Capt. James Shepherd, Capt. Edward Blanchard, Lieut. Joseph Hancock, Adjt. and Capt. Samuel Gilman, Lieut. John Cochran, Capt. Stephen Haines, Lieut. Edmund Kezer, Col. Timothy Walker (non-resi- dent), Ensigns Nathan Colby and William Smith, Lieut. Reuben Blanchard, Lieut. David Hills, Capt. Mathew Sanborn.
WAR OF 1812.
After the return of the soldiers from the well-won victories of Yorktown, Stillwater and Saratoga, there were many who remained in the service and used to come out several times yearly for drill unless holding a surgeon's certificate of disability. Those who had remained at home had not been idle and many joined voluntary companies for home protection and these were soon equipped and trained for future needs, though many deprecated the reopening of hostilities. When the British had made, in August, 1814, their attack on Washington and their fleets were seen along the New England coast, the old spirit of '76 was re- vived and the following from Northfield enlisted for the service, in Capt. Ed Fuller's company, under Lieut .- Col. John Steele of Peterboro for 60d .: Benjamin Rollins, Samuel Carr, Jr., John Marden, Benjamin Morrill, Joseph Dalton, David Keniston, Jr., Ephraim Cross, Milton Gile, John Otis, Jonathan Gile, Galusha Glidden, Jerry Blanchard, Shubael Dearborn, Josiah Ambrose Woodbury. The latter was drafted, but only went to Ports- mouth.
Asel Canfield, later a resident of Northfield, was in the British army in Canada.
Ephraim Cross was not mustered in.
Jonathan Gile was in the Fourth United States Regiment, Western Brigade, and was ordered to Vincennes. He was at the battle of Tippecanoe. He was drowned.
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MILITARY.
Jerry Blanchard's record is unknown.
Shubael Dearborn, who had fought in the Revolution, again enlisted, but was too old to go. His brother also enlisted but died before being mustered in.
Caleb Aldrich went to New York under Colonel Reed and Captain Hinds.
Benjamin Rollins was a musician under Col. John Steele.of Peterboro and Capt. Ed Fuller. He was a pensioner. He en- listed for 60 days, September 28, 1814.
Samuel Carr was in the same company for the same time. John Marden was mustered in September 28, 1814.
Benjamin Morrill enlisted for 60 days in Capt. Ed Fuller's company under Colonel Steele.
Joseph Dalton was mustered in September 28, 1814, for 60 days.
David Keniston, Jr., enlisted in the infantry and was always called the "infant."
"ANCIENT AND HONORABLE AMERICAN COMPANY," MINUTE MEN.
This organization was in response to an order from the gov- ernor that each town should organize a company of soldiers.
WHEREAS
"Some of the inhabitants of the town of Northfield who are exempted by the laws of New Hampshire from bearing arms, conceiving the times to be very alarming, hearing of horrid mur- ders being committed by the Indians on our frontiers, and also of the unjust treatment which we receive from the beligerants, namely England and France with respect to our commercial rights deem it a duty we owe to our revolutionary Heroes who spilt their blood to gain our independence, a duty we owe to our wives and children, and the warm attachment which we have for our Country (viz) the United States, to volunteer ourselves to be ready at short notice to repel the hostile foe and do also form ourselves into a company to be in future known by the ancient and honorable American company-and do pledge our honors to be under good discipline and be in subjection to our superior Officers which are to consist of one Coln, one Major, one Secre- tary, one Surgeon, one captain one Lieut one ensign 4 Sergents and 4 Corporals"
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HISTORY OF NORTHIFIELD.
"Each commissioned officer to be chosen by ballot or by the company marching along single file, and giving the name of the person he wishes for his officer, to a person placed to receive said names-and likewise to choose a committee to frame Laws and regulations for sd Company
"It is the opinion of your committee that the present company know by the name of the Ancient and honorable American Com- pany should consist of one Captain one Lieutenant, one Ensign, 4 Sargents and 4 Corporals and do so far do away the former bye Laws as to remove the field officers thinking them improper and unnecessary
"Sept 30, 1804
The signatures are as follows :
"A. T. Clark, Jonathan Clough, B. Blanchard, J. Dearborn, 'J. Cross, Capt. Heath, W. Forrest, J. Rollins, Stept Colby, Israel Hodgdon, Moses Goodwin, Jona Sanborn, Stephen Chase, Thomas Lyford, Saml Dalton, S. Jewell, Lt O. ITall, J. Gile, Saml Beede, J. Dearborn, And Gilman, F. Smith, Ab. Clough, Jno. Davis, J. Cilley, Jonathan Ayers, J. Smith, B. Jones, T. Clough, Abraham Brown, Isaac Glines, B. Whicher, Abraham Glines, Robert Evans, Simon Gilman, J. Ambrose, J. Glines; Sergts, Lieut. Hancock, 1st Sargent, M. Goodwin, 2nd Sargent, J. Cilley, 3rd Sargent, T. Lyford, 4th Sargent; Corporals, J. Smith, B. Jones, T. Simonds, S. Chase."
"Voted that the officers uniform themselves."
Northfield, October, 1814.
"This day by an entire Vote of the company they agreed to equip themselves and be ready for Military duty against the com- mon enemy at a minute's warning in defence of this State."
"We the subscribers do Volunteer our services to the Commder in chief of the State of New Hampshire and do enge to equip our- selves for Military duty for defending ourselves against the com- mon enemy, and to be ready at a minute's warning."
This document is signed by Jona Gilman, David Keniston, Timothy Hills, David Hills, Samuel Thompson, J. Molony, Cap- tain Clough, John Hills, Charles Glidden, Lieut. William Han- cock, F. Keniston, Jona Ayers, William Cross, Samuel Rogers.
I have no record of the battles in which all this valor displayed itself but conclude that the "common enemy" was vanquished
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MILITARY.
and the "hostile foe" was repelled and expelled, and that their duty to those Revolutionary heroes, who spilled their blood, was fully discharged.
UNCLASSIFIED ITEMS.
Timothy Hills was commissioned as ensign in the Tenth Com- pany in the Eleventh Regiment of militia, State of New Hamp- shire.
John Taylor Gilman, Governor
Sworn to before Daniel Hills, Justice of the Peace, September 23, 1802.
Another paper records the fact that he was asked to resign June 14, 1804, and his resignation was accepted by J. T. Gil- man, Captain General.
Peter Wadleigh was chosen sergeant of this (Eleventh) regi- ment, as shown by the following :
"To Peter Wadleigh Greeting
"Chosen Sergt of 10th Co. 11th Regt and officers & soldiers are commanded to obey him as 1st Sergt.
"Oct 7. 1811
"ASA ROBERTSON Commandant
11th Regt
"Rockingham &s
"He took oath of allegiance and oath of office before Chas. M. Glidden Jr Justice Pease"
He received the following order the year previous :
"SIR :
"The field officers of the Eleventh Regiment have agreed to meet at Aaron Austin's in Concord the first Monday in March next at ten oclock a. m. for the purpose of establishing some Rule for filling up the Light Infantry & Cavalry companies in said Regiment at which time and place I wish you to attend with your subaltern officers if it is convenient
"From Yours &c
"ASA FOSTER JR""
Another paper shows that Timothy Hills, gentleman, was con- stituted and appointed captain of Company 17 in the Voluntary
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HISTORY OF NORTHFIELD.
Corps of Infantry. Signed, John Taylor Gilman, Governor, October 28, 1814. (Note .- This date may be incorrect.) He received the following order September 25, 1811:
"BATTALION ORDERS.
"To Capt Timothy Hills
"Pursuent to Regimental Orders to me transmitted, you are hereby ordered to appear with the company under your Comand Equipped with Arms & Accoutrements according to law for In- spection and review on Thurs. the tenth day of October next at eight oclock a. m. on the Parade ground near Austin's tavern in Concord and there waite further orders: You are further di- rected to make out two returns of your Company and hand one to the Inspector, the other to me when your Company is In- spected.
"Signed ASA FOSTER
"Majr Second Battalion 11th Regt
"Canterbury Sept 25, 1811
"N. B. You are desired to see that your soldiers have their Powder made into Cartridges before the day of Muster."
The above papers show that Northfield citizens were not inac- tive in the great struggles for liberty and self-protection, while their neighbors were in active conflict with the enemy. They were found among others belonging to Col. Timothy Hills.
MILITIA LAWS.
After the close of the war, the general government, as well as the state Legislature organized or reorganized the militia laws and the Thirty-eighth Regiment was reorganized. It included all those eligible to military duty in Northfield, Canterbury and Lou- don. Asa P. Cate was colonel, Joseph Cofran, adjutant, and Hiram Cilley, second lieutenant. The latter had been a captain and quartermaster in the Tenth Regiment.
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