USA > New Hampshire > Strafford County > History of Rockingham and Strafford counties, New Hampshire : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men > Part 152
USA > New Hampshire > Rockingham County > History of Rockingham and Strafford counties, New Hampshire : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men > Part 152
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The house was sold at public auction May 25, 1850, to Micha Lyman for one hundred and seventy-three . dollars, and was sold by him to the town, and con- verted into the present tavern-house.
Officers of the Town .- Moderators .- During the eighty years since the town was incorporated the moderators at the annual elections have been as fol- lows :
Beard Plumer. 6 yrs
James Berry. 2 yra.
Julin Fish .. 1
Eh Wentworth
1
John Remick, Jr 8
John D. Lyman 1
Joseph Plumer, Jr.
4
Asa Fox
Levi Jones
Charles A. Varney 3
John Nutter.
1 Charles C. Hayes 14
Charles Jones.
6
Hanson Hayes.
10 E. W. Plumer.
2
Charles Swasy 3 Abram Sanborn
2
Thomas Chapman
Lnther Hayes.
1
Many of these gentlemen have served at other than the annual March elections, as well as others not here noted.
TOWN CLERKS.
1802-6. Gilman Jewelt.
1852-53. Daniel E. Palmer.
1807-10. John Fish.
1854-55. Ezra H. Twombly.
1811-22. Levi Jones.
1856-68. Joseph Mathes.
1823-39. Stephen M. Mathes.
1869. George W. Tasker.
1840. James M. Twombly.
1870-74. Joseph Mathes.
1875-82. Charles H. Looney.
1
James Roberts
617
MILTON.
REPRESENTATIVES.
1863, 1805-8. Beard Plumer.
1859-60. John E. Goodwin.
1804, 1809-10. John Fish.
Daniel E. Palmer.
1811-12, 1818-19. Theodore C. Ly'-
1861-62. Enoch W. Plunter.
.מחות
Charles A. Varney.
1813-15. William Palmer.
1863-64. Charles Jones.
1816-17. John Remick, Jr.
Theodore Lyman.
1820-21. Daniel Ilayes.
1865-6G. Ambrose Il. Wentworth.
1822-24. Levi Jones.
Thomas H. Roberts.
1825-27. Hanson Hayes.
1867-68. John U. Simies.
1828-29, 1835-36 .- Thomas Chap- man. ISG9. George Lyman. Samuel G. Chamberlin.
Hiram V. Wentworth
1830-32. Stephen M. Mathes.
1833-34. Stephen Drew.
1870. George Lyman.
1837-38. James M. Twombly.
Samuel W. Wallingford.
1839-40. James Berry.
1871. Samuel G. Chamberlin.
1841-43. Jolin 11. Varney.
George W. Tasker.
1842. None elected.
1872. George W. Tasker. Bray O. Simies.
1844-45. Charles Swascy.
1846-47. Ichabod H. Wentworth.
1873. Joseph Plumer.
1848-49. Asa Fox.
Elbridge W. Fox.
1850. Robert Mathes.
1851-52. Ebenezer Osgood.
1853. James Doldt.
1876. Sullivan 11. Atkins.
John D. Ly man.
Luther Hayes.
1854. John D. Lyman.
| 1877. Luther Hayes.
Samuel Washburn.
William F. Cutts.
1855-56. Eli Wentworth.
1878. William F. Cutts.
David Wallingford.
Luther II. Roberts.
. 1857-58. Luther Hayes.
1879-80. Ira Miller.
Lewis Plomer.
1881-82. Asa A. Fox.
SELECTMEN.
William Palmer.
Enoch Banfield.
Jolını Fish.
Asa Fox.
Jobn Remick, Jr.
David Wallingford.
Ezekiel Hayes.
John C. Varney.
Jotham Nute.
Daniel P. Warren.
Ebenezer Twombly.
Asa Jewett.
Levi Jones.
Joseph Mathes.
Samnel S. Wentworth.
Charles C. Hayes.
William Tuttle.
Asa M. Durrell.
Isaac Marston.
Ichabod Hayes.
Beard Plumer.
Eli Wentworth.
Ichabod Hayes.
John S. Horsey.
James Roberts.
Josiah N. Witham.
Josiah Witham.
Lewis Plumer.
Neadon C. Lyman.
Josephi Sayward.
Isaac Scutes.
Josephi C. Wentworth.
Joseph Walker.
David Wallingford, Jr.
William S. Nutter.
Simeon S. Wakeham.
Hapley Meserve. Ilauson Hayes.
Charles II. Goodwin.
Joseph l'humer.
Josephı Plumer.
Ichabod II. Wentworth.
Moses II. Shepleigh.
Jamies llayes, Jr.
George Lyman.
Thomas Chapman.
Thomas H. Roberts.
Stephen Diew.
Daniel B. Goodwin.
James M. Twombly. John Nutter.
Charles Jones.
Charles Swasey.
Elbridge W. Fox.
John 11. Varney.
Charles Ilayes.
James Berry.
Ilenry B. Scates.
Israel Nute.
Jolin Lucas.
Joseplı Cook.
George H. Plumer.
James Y. Pinkham.
Asa A. Fox.
Ephraim Hayes.
Martin V. B. Cook.
Reuben J. Witham.
William H. H. Piukhan.
John D. Lyman, a native of Milton, has held the offices of Secretary of State, senator, and bank com- missioner.
Charles Jones has served as a member of the Coun- cil, Eli Wentworth iu the Senate.
Luther Hayes has been county commissioner, sheriff, senator, and fish commissioner.
John S. Hersey and George Lyman have cach held the office of county commissioner.
Traditions .- The red man's power had been broken, and remnants of the scattered tribes driven into the northern wilderness before this town had a perma- nent settlement; the inhabitants, therefore, were never tronbled with Indian depredations. There is a tradition, however, that some time before a settlement was made here a small party of hunters were en- camped near where the upper end of Three Ponds village now is, and that while tending their traps in the vicinity of the Northeast Pond they one day dis- covered unmistakable signs of the presence of In- dians. This discovery put them upon the alert, and a watch was set for their stealthy foes. Very soon two of the red rascals were seen prowling about the camp with evident hostile intent, but believing their presence unsuspected they failed to use their usnal caution, and before they had a chance to carry out their nefarious purpose two well-directed leaden mes- sengers summoned them to the happy hunting-grounds. Their bodies were buried upon the bank of the river, and the hunters were molested no more.
But although the Indian trail was no more seen in the forest, or his moccasin-track upon the sand, and the blooming maiden could meet her bashful lover upon the mountain-side or by the rippling stream without fear of molestation, yet these early settlers were not entirely free from the trials incident to forest life. Bears were for a time somewhat plenty and trouble- some, often feasting upon the succulent corn, and oc- casionally upon a tender lamb, pig, or calf. Not a few amusing stories have been told of them. Mrs. David Wallingford used laughingly to tell of a fright she once received from one of these prowlers. She was berrying some distance from her home, and being anxious to fill her basket and return home in good season for her afternoon duties, she had briskly plied her fingers without taking any note of her sur- roundings. After stripping the shadowy side of a fine bunch of bushes of their delicious treasures she stepped softly around to the other side, and there in the bright sunshine lay Bruin quietly taking his after- dinner siesta, having evidently gorged himself with the Inscious fruit. Mrs. Wallingford did not long watch his slumber, but sped carefully but swiftly homeward, being anxious only to place as great a distance between herself and the sleeping beast as possible in the shortest space of time.
A somewhat amusing story used to be related by a lady, who was one of Milton's early settlers, in which her husband was mistaken for a bear, and somewhat disturbed the equilibrium of a young man "who would a-wooing go." It appears that the husband of this lady was i very industrious man, as indeed most of the carly settlers were, and was always up betimes in the morning and busy with his daily labors.
William B. Wiggin.
Jolın U. Simes.
Ebenezer Wentworth.
Jolın F HJart.
-
1874-75. Charles C. Hayes. George E. Simes.
G43
HISTORY OF STRAFFORD COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
The young man alluded to had been visiting his lady love in the neighborhood one evening, and no doubt the happy hours had fled much more rapidly than he anticipated, so that the industrious husband- man had already left his bed and was busy in his cornfield before the young lover had mounted his good horse for his homeward ride in the morning gloaming.
As he approached the farmer's cornfield, his mind filled with sweet reflections, his quick ear detects a rustling sound. He eagerly listens for a moment, and rising in his stirrups, discovers some moving ob- ject among the waving corn. Only one idea strikes him, and that is a bear idea. Yes, truly, it must be a bear feasting upon the farmer's July corn. Ile hastily concludes that his courting may really end in a catch ; he will wake the farmer, and together they will secure the bear.
Thus thinking he carefully wends his way to the farm-house door, and gently taps for fear he may frighten the bear away, and is somewhat surprised that his knock is immediately answered by the thrifty housewife, who is already up and busy with her household duties. But he says, " Madam, there is a bear or something in your cornfield, and I called to get your husband to help me capture it." The lady, at once taking in the situation, pleasantly replied, "Oh, that animal is already captured; that is my husband." At this answer the young man blushingly retired, and no doubt before he again called for help to hunt bears he was careful to note the time.
It is told that Caleb Wakeham once had quite an adventure with Bruin. Knowing how fond he was of tender, juicy pork, friend Wakeham had built a high log fence about his pig-pen that he considered bear- proof. Notwithstanding this precaution he, one night, heard a terrible outcry, which he at once con- eluded was caused by some sudden and unwarrantable intrusion upon the privacy and quiet rest of his por- cine friends. He waited not for a second call, for indeed the alarm was a continuous cry for help, but at once arose and hied to the rescue. He found mat- ters somewhat mixed and quite serious. Bruin had selected his supper, and was trying to get away with it, but he found it much more difficult to get out with the pig than to get in without it. Mr. Wakeham as- sailed the intruder with clubs and stones, these being the only weapons at hand. But although it was two to one, the bear was the victor, not only saving his own life but winning a good supper.
Schools, Etc .- But very little can be learned in re- lation to the schools prior to the incorporation of the town. It appears, however, that at that time the ter- ritory was divided into eight school districts.
Whether or not there were sehool-houses at that time, or when houses were built, the writer has not been able to determine. That all the districts were not supplied with houses is evident from the fact that rent was paid in several instances, as shown by the records. | law requires of schooling."
On the 1st day of December, 1806, the town was redistricted, and the number of districts was reduced to five, and remained without any material change until Nov. 3, 1828, when a redistricting was had and the town divided into ten districts. Subsequently two other districts were created, and in 1851 a com- mittee, consisting of Charles C. Hayes, John D. Ly- man, and Joseph Pearl, was chosen to define the limits of the several districts. This committee made their report at the annual March meeting, 1852, constituting twelve districts and defining their limits. This report was accepted.
But the spirit of change was still manifest, and very soon territory was taken from districts Nos. 2 and 4, and district No. 13 was constituted. Since that time this district and No. 5 have been discontinued, and their territory and inhabitants united with other districts, so that at this time there are only eleven districts, and this is probably three or five more than ought to be in town.
The school-houses are generally in very good con- dition, and well adapted to the purposes for which they are designed, those at Three Ponds and Milton Mills being arranged for two schools, the schools in these districts being graded. There is also a classical institute at Three Ponds, where the higher branches are taught a portion of the time.
Although this town has not appropriated money for the support of schools as liberally perhaps as many other towns, the schools have held a very respectable rank among those of other towns in the county and State. The amount of yearly appropriations for school purposes have increased from one hundred and thirty dollars and twenty cents in 1802 to very nearly fifteen hundred dollars at the present time.
A few of the votes taken in town touching school matters may be of interest in this connection :
March 14, 1803, voted to leave the amount of school money to be raised to the selectmen.
Nov. 5, 1804, voted to sell the timber on the school lot; and in accordance with this vote said timber was sold at public auction on the 13th day of the same month for the sum of 81212.25.
There is no record showing that this money was ever appropriated to school purposes.
March 12, 1805, "Voted to learn the amount of school money to be raised discretionary with the selectmen."
March 11, 1806, "Voted to raise half as much more money as the law requires for support of schools." But at a subsequent meeting, held in May following, " Voted to leave this matter to the selectmen."
March 10, 1807, “ Voted to raise, in addition to what the law requires, half as much more money for the support of schools."
March 13, 1810, " Voted to lay out the interest due the town in schooling."
March 12, 1811, "Voted to add $100 to what the
649
MILTON.
March 10, 1812, " Voted to add all the interest on notes due the town to what the law requires for the support of schools for the ensuing year."
March 14, 1815, a committee of five was chosen to separate the school property from other town property, and at the next annual meeting this committee re- ported 8388 school property and $628 parish prop- erty.
It appears that this report was not satisfactory, for on March 10, 1818, the town chose another commit- tee for the same purpose.
This committee reported at the next annual meet- ing that they were unable to ascertain the exact amount, but in their opinion $1000 should be appro- priated for the support of the gospel, and $500, to- gether with the school lot, which they considered worth $500 more, for the support of schools.
March 11, 1817, a committee of three was chosen to visit and inspect the schools. This was the first superintending school committee in town.
March 14, 1826, " Voted that the selectmen be an- thorized to dispose of the school lot as they think most conducive to the interests of the town."
This lot was subsequently sold for $206, but the records do not show that it was appropriated for schools.
March 10, 1829, " Voted that the principal of the literary fund be funded with the town, and that the town raise the interest annually for the benefit of schools,"
March 14, 1837, " Voted that all literary money over and above $500 be expended the present year, and all that may be hereafter received be expended the same year it is received."
March 13, 1838, "Voted that the interest of the surplus revenue now accrued be expended for support of schools."
July 28, 1842, " Voted that the selectmen dispose of the notes in the hands of Levi Jones, and appro- priate the same towards the extinguishment of the debt due from the town to the several school districts by paying over to each district its proportion the present year." It appears that in accordance with this vote $186.46 was paid to the several districts.
March 13, 1877, "Voted that the railroad money received from the State be appropriated for schools."
March 9, 1880, " Voted that the surplus dog tax be applied to the support of schools."
fully of their income for the support of the gospel, at first by paying the legally assessed parish taxes, and later by free contributions. They do not appear to have had regular preaching before the church or- ganization. Immediately, however, upon the com- pletion of the meeting-house an effort was made to settle a minister in town, as will appear by the fol- lowing record of the first meeting in the new house, held Aug. 27, 1804: " Voted to choose a committee to treat with the Rev. Mr. Nayson and see on what terms he will agree to settle in town." At a subsequent meeting, held on the 5th day of November following, this committee reported as follows :
" MILTON, Nov. 5, 1804.
" GENTLEMEN,- We have, according to your desire, talked with Mr. Nayson, and we find that if the town are agreed to give him the use of a decent parsonage during his ministry and three hundred dollars yearly, that he would settle with us upon them conditions. . . .
" RICHARD WALKER.
" BENJAMIN SCATES."
The town voted to accept this report. Mr. Nayson, however, probably did not settle in town. The town accounts show the following sums to have been paid for preaching from the treasury of the town, viz. :
Prior to 1805 :
Reuben Nayson for preaching. $82.00
Mr. Brown for preaching. 4 00
24.00
Mr. Pillsbury for preaching. 55 00
Capt. PImmer for boarding ministers. 33.00
$4.00
Renben Nayson for preaching.
34.11
Capt. Plumer for boarding ministers.
54.00
1807, 66
21.00
20.00
5 00
1809, Mr. Papkin for preaching ..
30.00
1810, Asa Piper for preaching.
30 00
1811, 4 16
2. 50
6€ Mr. Goding for preaching.
5.00
1812, Asa Piper for preaching.
23.00
19 Mr. Thustin for preaching
3.00
1813 Asa Piper for preaching. 4.50
46 Israel Briggs (1807) for preaching. 33.00
Various votes have been passed at different times relative to raising and appropriating parish or minis- terial money.
March 14, 1803, " Voted that each poll pay twenty- five cents for preaching, and other ratable estate in proportion."
March 12, 1805, " Voted to raise fifty cents on a poll, and other ratable property in proportion, for sup- port of the ministry."
"Voted to tax all denominations alike, with the privilege of directing what teacher may have their money."
Religious Matters .- Comparatively little can be March 9, 1813, "Voted not to raise any money for the support of the ministry." learned in regard to the religious ideas and feelings of the early settlers in Milton prior to the formation May 3, 1813, "Chose a committee to ascertain what property there is in Milton, which was given by the proprietors of Rochester to procure preaching of the gospel in said town." of the first church. It is, however, apparent that they recognized their dependence upon a supreme governing power, and the duty incumbent upon them as rational and intelligent beings of rendering homage It does not appear that this committee ever made a report. But a committee chosen March 10, 1818, to ascertain the amount of all the parish and school property then belonging to the town did report to that Supreme Ruler and Governor, and of inform- ing themselves in regard to His attributes, and of His requirements for love and worship at their hands. With these ideas they contributed freely and cheer- i March 9, 1819, "That they cannot ascertain the exact
1805, Christopher Page for preaching
26 00
1806, Jolin Dorrance for preaching. יר
Daniel Hayes boarding Dorrance ..
1808, Mr. Preston for preaching.
Mr. Bunt for preaching.
650
HISTORY OF STRAFFORD COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
amount, but in their opinion $1000 should be ap- propriated for the support of the gospel." 1826. From this time nntil December, 1832, the church had no settled minister, but was supplied by April 8, 1820, " Voted to lay out sixty dollars and the interest of the $1000 called parsonage property for the support of the gospel, and that the same be divided between each society in the town petitioning for the same." Rev. Clement Parker, E. S. Anderson, and others, whose names do not appear upon the church records. Rev. Benjamin G. Willey was then settled, and re- mained in charge until 1846. He was succeeded by Revs. Edward F. Abbott, August, 1846, to May, 1848 ; March 8, 1831, " Chose a committee of three to as- sist the selectmen in making a fair and impartial division of all the notes belonging to the town; and voted that notes amounting to $1000, as be by them separated from all other town property, and kept sep- arated as a special fund belonging to the town, as parish property, and that the same shall be managed as a fund entirely separate from all other notes." James Doldt, May, 1848, to January, 1870; Frank Haley, February, 1870, to April, 1874; John N. Lowell, August, 1874, to August, 1875; Samuel W. Clarke, April, 1876, to April, 1877; John N. Lewett, 1877 to 1880; George Sterling, October, 1881, to thie present time. This church originally so small, and in a location sparsely settled, has made an almost nu- precedented addition to its membership of two hun- It does not appear that this committee ever took any action in the matter; at any rate the record does dred and thirty-six, making a total of two hundred and forty-seven; of which number ninety-two are not show that any separation of the notes alluded to | supposed to be now living; sixty-nine being now ac- was had. At this time the town held notes against individuals amounting to $1744.78, a large propor- tion of which were entirely worthless.
These notes were carried forward from year to year until 1844, when the selectmen, in accordance with a vote of the town, selected those considered worth- less, amounting to $635.98, and placed them in the town chest, where they doubtless now remain.
What proportion of those worthless notes repre- sented parish property has not yet been determined.
No further action was taken in the matter until March 13, 1860, when it was "voted to divide the ministerial money equally between the five established societies."
March 10, 1863, "Voted to divide the ministerial money equally among the several religious societies in town who shall hold meetings regularly four months in the year previous to the first day of Janu- ary."
These two latest votes would seem to indicate that it was the intention of the town to divide whatever money there might be that the societies could have any claim upon, and thus end the whole matter, but it does not appear that this was carried into effect, or that any effort was made to determine what, if any, amount they were equitably entitled to.
March 9, 1880, " Voted that the interest of the min- isterial fund be divided equally among the several so- cieties in town that support preaching four months in å year prior to January first."
The First Congregational Church in the town was organized on the 8th day of September, 1815, and consisted of nine members, viz. : Barnabas Palmer, Hatevel Nutter, Benjamin Scates, Abigail Scates, Deborah Wentworth, Mary Chamberlain, Achsah Palmer, Mrs, - Nutter, and Elizabeth Roberts.
Benjamin Scates was the first clerk and deacon, and Rev. Curtis Coe the first pastor. The church re- mained under his care, and that of the Rev. Dyer Burge until 1819, when Rev. James Walker was called, and continued in charge until his death in September,
tive members. Sally Jones and Deacon E. W. Plumer are the elder active members, having united with the church in 1836, and held a continued membership up to this time. Ebenezer Osgood became a member in 1832, but asked and obtained a dismissal a few years ago for the purpose of uniting with the Second or Union Church.
This church worshiped in the old meeting-house until 1835, when the house was built at Three Ponds, which has since been transformed into a " Classical Institute." After this time for several years the meetings were held alternately at the Three Ponds and Milton Mills. The present meeting-house of this church was built in 1860, and is a spacious and elegant edifice.
The present church officers are George Sterling, pastor ; E. W. Plumer, S. G. Chamberlain, deacons ; Robert Mathes, clerk ; Joseph Plumer, Jr., treasurer.
The "First Christian Church" was organized March 3, 1827, with ten members, as follows, viz. : Hapley Meserve, Joseph Goodwin, Anna Goodwin, Joanna Meserve, Eliza Rines, Abigail Burnham, Ruth Burnham, Mary Burnham, Dorcas Ricker, Mary Howe.
The first deacons were Hapley Meserve and Samuel Rieker, and the first clerk was Hapley Meserve. The pastors have been Simeon Swett, John Davis, John T. G. Colby, Samuel S. White, Jotham S. Johnson, and A. G. Comings.
The deacons have been H. Meserve, Samuel Ricker, Joseph Goodwin, Jonathan Howe, Joseph II. Nutt, James H. Twombly, and John C. Varney, and the clerks, Hapley Meserve, Daniel B. Goodwin, and Martin V. B. Cook. Two hundred and one members have been added to this church, and sixty-eight have died. Their house of worship, known as Union Chapel, was dedicated Sept. 22, 1841.
Baptist Church .- Prior to 1834 a church existed, known as the Acton and Milton Baptist Church. This church had a large membership in Milton. On the 28th day of October, in said year, fifty-two mem-
651
MILTON.
bers were dismissed from said church, and the 30th day of the same October they organized themselves into a new church, called the Baptist Church of Mil- ton. The membership was as follows : Charles Swasey, Sarah Swasey, John Shackford, Elizabeth Hart, Ann E. Hart, Hannah Nutter, Ruth Nutter, Samuel S. Hart, Daniel Jones, Nancy Witham, Ira Witham, Na- than Jones, Mehitable Witham, Eunice Swasey, Har- riet Fox, Widow Betsey Berry, Susan S. Nutter, Mary Ann Nutter, John Witham, Jr., William S. Nutter, Aaron II. Hadsdan, Nathaniel O. Hart, John Witham, Francis Berry, Josiah Witham, Susan Jones, Martha Witham, Fatima Wallingford, Lydia Jewett, Susan Archabald, Eliza G. Berry, James J. Jewett, Lydia Witham, Nathan Dore, Climena Witham, Alice Hus- sey, Mary Wentworth, Lydia Fall, Sarah Wentworth, Sally Merrow, Eliza Merrow, Mary Jones, Nancy Jewett, Asa Jewett, Betsey Berry, Mary Witham, Abigail Witham, Deborah Dore, Sarah Berry, Fran- cis Wallingford, Sarah Dore, Elizabeth Nutter. Wil- liam S. Nutter was chosen clerk, and Charles Swasey and John Witham, Jr., were chosen and ordained as deacons. Of these fifty-two members nine only are now living.
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