USA > New Hampshire > Rockingham County > Salem > History of Salem, N.H. > Part 13
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While the Congregational, Methodist and Baptist churches have the only regular organization in town at the present time, still there are many followers of other faiths scattered among us. There are a number of Roman Catholics, most of whom at- tend religious services in the neighboring churches of Methuen and Lawrence.
There have been in the past many instances of baptism by im- mersion in different parts of Salem. During the revival move- ment of 1858, a large party gathered at Dow's millpond (now Duston's) in North Salem to witness the baptism of about twelve converts. This was on June 20. Even as late as November 7 of that year a similar service was held in the Spicket by the old bridge at the Center. In this case there was but one person im- mersed.
In studying the old church records, and this of course applies more particularly to those of the first church, one is struck by the number and fullness of the entries referring to the character of the members of the society. It was customary then for each to take upon himself a personal oversight of the doings of the others. In this respect there is one great difference between the early times and our own: people today report the misdeeds of others to their neighbors, without making any direct effort to re- call the offenders from their evil ways; then they reported them to the church, which very promptly took occasion to call for an explanation. The use of strong language was as great an evil as the use of strong drink. But whatever the offense charged, reparation could be made by a full confession before the church, after which forgiveness was voted, since "satisfaction had been obtained." With all due reverence for the good intentions of
THE OLD GRAVEYARD AT SALEM CENTER. (M 37) (See page 150)
149
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY.
the worthy fathers, we cannot sometimes help wondering if the "satisfaction" was personal, from knowing "for a fact" that the reports were true.
CEMETERIES AND FUNERALS.
We have already referred to the old burying ground at the Center, particularly as to the original laying out, fencing, etc. Here rest all the dead of the old village with a few exceptions. In the rear of the old Marston house (M 51) near the river is a small graveyard where a few bodies have been laid at rest. Some others were taken to the places of repose of their kindred, to the old cemeteries at the west part of the town or near Hale's Bridge (M 636).
In all of these old yards are to be seen the ancient stones, bearing inscriptions to tell of those who of yore trod these paths and laid the foundations for our today. . Time has gradually played his customary havoc with the former erectness of many of the slabs, but man has once more taken Time by the forelock and called a halt. In 1894 the late Mr. James Ayer caused an article to be inserted in the town warrant asking for an appro- priation to have these old stones reset and straightened. Fifty dollars was voted, and again the next year the same amount, to complete the work. While Mr. Ayer was engaged in this task he copied the inscriptions from all the stones, in order that they might be preserved. These are valuable as sources of reference in genealogical tracings, especially as the town records are not very complete for the births and deaths of the early period.
The most interesting inscriptions have been selected to show the nature of the thought of the fathers in matters pertaining to death. The stone bearing the oldest date is in the cemetery at Hale's bridge, and is inscribed as follows :
"Here lies the body of Noia Watts, died in August ye 21, in the third year of her age 1750.
"Old Stile."
The oldest stone in the Center burying ground is about a foot square and bears some letters which are now illegible, but which were deciphered by Mr. Ayer in 1865 as "Tristram Currier 1753."
150
HISTORY OF SALEM.
We have deaths recorded several years earlier than this, but the bodies may have been taken to Methuen or Haverhill for burial, as was frequently the case, or the stones if erected here may have been destroyed. From about 1764 the number of stones marked for each year is larger. The last date is that of "Ellen Augusta Gilpatrick, died Apr. 20, 1887, aged 75 y'rs." Among the last is that of Mary Campbell's death, February 22, 1873. She was 88 years old.
The stone in the old burying ground which probably has for us the greatest general interest is that of Rev. Abner Bayley. It stands a short distance north of the hearse house, close to the wall beside the road. It is shown in the accompanying picture three-fourths of an inch from the left hand margin-a large dark colored stone with a rounded top. Upon it is inscribed the following legend :
"To perpetuate the memory of the Rev. Abner Bayley, who like a shock of corn fully ripe, departed this life March 10 A. D. 1798, in the 83ª year of his age, and 58th of his ministry.
"Blessed are the dead who died in the Lord, for they rest from their labors and their works do follow them.
"Ye who proclaim God's messages on earth, And preach eternal things of life and death, From sacred page the grace of Christ unfold, And shine like light in candlesticks of gold, Till the last trump calls with tremendous sound Awake! Awake! ye nations under ground."
Some of the ancient stones bear unique verses, which in some cases have been copied in later years. Here are a few of the best :
"Come heathen mortals cast an eye And go your way prepair to die For die you must One day like me Be turn'd to Dust"
This is on the stone of Hannah Cressey, who died in 1763.
151
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY.
Another reads :
"In memory of Judith Currier, daughter of Deacon Richard & Mrs. Elizabeth Currier, who died Nov. ye 18, 1792. Atat 27. "Behold and read as you pass by, As you are now, so once was I, As I am now so you must be, Prepare for death and follow me.
"J. Marble, Sculptor, Bradford."
The young wife of the proprietor of the old tavern now known as the Tenney homestead is noted in these words :
"In memory of Mrs. Lydia Jones consort of Mr. Hezekiah Jones, who died March ye 2nd A. D. 1793. ÆEt. 21.
"Friends and physicians could not save My mortal body from the grave; Nor can the grave confine me here When Christ shall call me to appear."
The life of Salem's greatest statesman is remembered in these words :
"HON. SILAS BETTON.
"In the relations of husband, father, citizen, friend and neighbor, his memory will be ever dear. He was eminently faithful in the discharge of all the duties of his public life. As a lawyer he was scrupulously honest and honorable. In remem- brance of his many and illustrious virtues, his mourning family have erected this simple monument.
"He was born August 26, 1768, and died January 22, 1822."
A particularly touching inscription is that recording the death of the congressman's daughter :
"Harriet Betton, second daughter of Hon. Silas Betton and Mary his wife, died March 5, 1815, aged 19 years, 11 months & 5 days.
"Formed by nature and fitted by education to be one of the brightest ornaments of society, she commanded universal ad- miration. Her mind naturally of a superior cast, was highly cultivated by study and improved by general literature. Her understanding was mature beyond her years. Of a quick per-
1
152
HISTORY OF SALEM.
ception, refined taste, and brilliant wit, her conversation was entertaining, instructive and captivating. Her pleasant tem- per and benevolent disposition rendered her dear to all her acquaintances.
"Ah! dear remains of one to virtue dear, Long thou'lt command the tribute of a tear; Oft shall the foot of friendship round thee tread; Oft shall the mourning wail proclaim thee dead; While fleeting memory can recount thy worth, And virtue has a name or friend on earth ; While every excellence has its just desert, This spot shall be a favorite, sad resort."
The tombs bear dates as follows : "Erected 1843 Tristram Haynes, died Aug. 1, 1837, aged 34.
James Haynes died Dec. 12, 1812, aged 49." "Erected 1847 Frederick W. Bailey."
"Erected 1856 Saunders."
"Erected 1861 Messer."
The five elm trees in front of the tombs were set out by James Ayer and John A. Messer, Nov. 8, 1861. In connection with funerals the town records have an interesting item under date 1811. "Voted that the selectmen should buy a burial cloth for the use of said town." , This was a large black covering to put over the coffin while carrying it to the graveyard. There was no hearse in those days, the body being borne on a bier on the shoulders of the pall bearers, who were named for this custom. The hearse was bought in 1824, and the hearse house at the edge of the burying ground built the same year.
The old coffin, used even after 1830, was scarcely more than a wooden box, painted red; this was the regular color. It cost three dollars. Many of them were made in the small house in the rear of Ewins' store (M 5) by a Gage. At the funeral the
PINE GROVE CEMETERY. (M 427) (See page 154)
. ... . ... . ..
TOWN HOUSE. (M 35)
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY.
153
coffin was placed on the table in the center of the room where all could view the corpse. Certainly these would today seem very crude arrangements.
About the middle of the last century it became evident that soon something must be done to provide for burials in the fu- ture, as the old graveyard was about taken up. On June 6, 1850, the town purchased of John L. Clendenin the Pine Grove Cemetery lot, of five acres, ninety-four rods, for $167.62. The deed bears the condition that one-third of the lot be reserved forever for the use of the town, the other two-thirds to be divided into lots and sold, the income from which is to be used to improve and ornament the enclosure. An increase in the provision for caring for the reserved third of the lot, which in- cludes the walks, drives, etc., was made in 1889 by the Corning Fund, organized by Gilman C. Corning, the subscriptions to which were as follows :
Gilman C. Corning
$100.
Whittemore Rowell
100. 100.
Levi Woodbury
Elizabeth S. Cundy
50.
Amanda O. Simes
50.
Warren Emerson
25.
Mary A. Cochey
15.
Frank Emerson
15.
E. B. Taylor
15.
Dean Emerson
10.
Stephen Currier
10.
Stephen Bailey
10.
Charles Kimball
10.
J. W. Wheeler
10.
G. M. Woodbury & Co.
10.
Charles Austin
50.
Mary G. Emerson
5.
F. P. Woodbury
5.
C. W. Noyes
100.
Wm G. Crowell
10
These subscriptions make up a total fund of seven hundred
-
154
HISTORY OF SALEM.
dollars, the income of which is used for the purpose above mentioned.
In addition to this there are smaller funds aggregating $1,247.72, which furnish income for the care of the lots of the donors. The cut on page 152 shows the general neat appearance of the graveyard.
The town later acquired the piece of land just south of this cemetery, known as the William Jones land (M 426), which it now holds for future burial purposes.
In the north part of Salem is the Mount Pleasant Cemetery, instituted by an association which bears this name. It is con- trolled by a board of trustees of five, from whom a president is elected and a treasurer and a clerk. These officers are elected at the annual meeting held in January. Only owners of lots may be members of the association. Thus this cemetery is in a way a private institution; that is, does not come under the supervision of the town.
The land for this burying ground was bought by John Taylor of Thomas Duston, Sr., about 1850. Among the first purchasers of lots were John Taylor, Kimball Gordon, each of whom took about ten lots, John Taylor, Jr., Isaiah Newell, James Taylor and Robert Chase.
The two old cemeteries at Hale's bridge and near the Wind- ham line already referred to furnish in themselves the only information which we now have in regard to them. The former is probably the older, as this part of the town was settled even before the village.
CHAPTER V.
Civil and Political History.
We have seen the steps in the building of the town, from the first separation as a parish until nearly all of its main lines of activity were fairly started. The growth since that time has been very gradual. In fact, Salem has never been a town of rapid development. What few instances we do find of rapid growth have been local, and centered about some industrial expansion.
The best evidence of the size of the town is found in the tax lists at different periods during the first years, as the census returns were not taken until some time after the town was incorporated. The first census was ordered by the provincial legislature in September, 1767, to be made in December of the same year. No record of the Salem return at this time can be found. An inventory of the polls and estates had been ordered by vote of the town ten years prior to this census, but nothing was done about it. The next year, however, in 1758, the select- men were chosen as a committee to take the inventory. The following return was made to the legislature in 1783 in com- pliance to an order for a return of the males of the town who were of military age; this was during the war, when the govern- ment was trying to obtain better information upon which to calculate the obligations of the several towns toward support of the army, etc :
"A return of the Male Poles from 21 yrs & upwards for the Town of Salem
"Dated Salem Decbr 15, 1783.
"Footed 235.
"Abbit Pettengill 1 Selectmen William Thom for Salem."
156
HISTORY OF SALEM.
This return was sworn to before Timothy Ladd, Justice of the Peace. It does not give the population, nor even a basis upon which to estimate. The first complete census was taken by the selectmen in 1786. The House and Senate concurring had passed a bill on March 3, 1786, ordering a census of all the towns of the state. A penalty of five pounds was to be imposed upon any town whose selectmen should fail to comply with the order. Here is the return :
"State of New Hampshire. "Rockingham S. S.
"Agreeable to an order Received from the Honorbl House of Representatives for the purpose of taking the Number of Inhabi- tants we have Proceded and Find the White Males to be five hundred thirty and one -531 White females five hundred forty & four, 544-1075 3 Male Slaves Female Slaves 4- 7 "Attest
Wm Thom
James Webster Richard Kimball
Selectmen for Salem
"To the Honbl Joseph Pearson, Deputy Secry."
This shows that the town has not grown as fast since the Revolution as it did during the early years of its history. The recent growth, especially in the neighborhood of the Depot village, exceeds by far the most rapid rate of increase of other periods. But as in other cases, this has been caused by the advent of new and larger commercial and transportation in- terests.
FIRST TAX LIST.
The first tax list contained in the records is for the year 1754. There are fragmentary reports for other years between 1749 and 1754, but no complete lists are preserved. In this latter year the total amount of taxes raised was £144 2s 10d, new tenor. The largest part of this sum was paid to Mr. Bayley, who received £50 7s 3d, new tenor, and £198 11s, old tenor. The
1
WINTER SCENE ON MAIN STREET. (M 87)
157
CIVIL AND POLITICAL HISTORY.
town treasurer had bills for minor expenditures amounting to £23 14s 5d. This office was held by Mr. Joseph Wright. The schoolmaster, Mr. Josiah Thomson, was paid seventy pounds, old tenor, which shows that considerable stress was put upon education even thus early. This left in the treasury at the close of the year a balance of seven pounds, new tenor, certainly not a very princely sum, but still a balance rather than a town debt. A list of the taxpayers of this time is here presented.
As the two constables collected the taxes, both lists must be included in order to present the names of all the taxpayers at that time. It may be that the same name will be found on both lists. This may be due to the fact that the person's property was in different localities and thus came under the range of both constables. These lists are of great value in determining when men came into Salem. The list headed "Out of town taxpay- ers" has several names which were later on the residents' list, which indicates that these men must have acquired the land some time before they actually took possession.
In many cases these farms have been handed down through the original family to a time well within the memory of the present generation. Today, however, these cases are rare. Probably not more than a score of the present property owners trace their descent to the original owners of the homes where they now reside. These few will be noted under the historical descriptions of places.
The first four tax lists after the incorporation of the town have not been preserved. The oldest now accessible is that of 1754, of which the names on one set of papers is here presented. The list of Constable Parker for a "ministerial tax," and that of Constable Wheeler for a "town charges" tax together include all the names. It is to be understood that this does not repre- sent the entire tax that each man paid, but will serve as a line for comparative ownership at the time. The original spelling is here preserved :
"A ministerial Rate made and Purposioned one the inhabi- tance of the town of Salem october the 30: 1754 and Delivered to Samuel Parker Constabel for the town afore sª to Collect-
-
158
HISTORY OF SALEM.
Abial Asten Abraham Anes Ebenezer Ayer Jonathan Bayley Edwd Bayley Andrew Balch John Baley Jonathan Corlis Jonathan Corlis Juner
David Corlis Isaac Clough
Josiah Clough
Isaac Clough Juner Wyman Clough
W. Sarah Crese
0-6-2
Daniel Crese Joseph Crese Edwª Clark
Judice Corning
George Corning
John Corning Josiah Emerson
John Giles
John hall Juner
Rapha hall David heath Jonous Hastines Joseph hull
Oliver kimbel William Leach John Lowel John Merrill Peter Merrill David Merrill Nathaniel Merrill Joseph Merrill Jonathan Morgin John ober
1-9-4 0-13-8 1-18-0 0-8-2 1-1-4 0-19-6 0-17-4 1-19-0 0-12- 0 0-13-8 1-12- 4 0-16-10 0-16-2 0-7-6
0-7-6 0-7-6 0-10-2 0- 2-10 0-8-8 0-11-8 1-1-0 0-17-4 1-7-8 0-16-10
0-8-0 0-9-9 0-9-6 0-13-4 0-8-2 1-2-0 0-11-10 0-13-4 0-8-4 0-9-8
1-11- 6 0-12-6 1-19- 6
159
CIVIL AND POLITICAL HISTORY.
John ober Juner
Isrel ober
Abigil Ellenwood
Abial Pitman
Joseph Pitman
Joseph Peasle
Samuel Parker
Timothy Sanders
Thomas Silver
James Swan
Timothy Swan Joshua Thorndick
Jonathan Woodbrey
Ebenezer Woodbrey
nataaniel Woodbrey
Isral Woodbrey Joseph Wright
Hannah Weebster
Peter Youreing
Arthur Kirkwood
Richard Killey Juner
w Easter Currier
Asa Corlis Samuel Crowell
0-13-2
0-13-2 0-9-6 0-9-6 0-7-6 1-2-2 1- 6- 4 0-9-6 0-9-8 0-9-6 1-0-0 0-9-4 1- 4-14 0-14-0 0-14-6 0-12-0 1-6-2 0-18-0 0-11-4 0-7-6 0-7-6 0-4-7 0-7-6 0-9-6"
The list of the other constable is as follows :
"A Lest of tax made and Proportioned on the Inhabitants of the Town of Salem in the Province of new hampshire 30th of october 1754 for Defaring the Charges of the Town Committed to Stephen Wheeler Constable of the Sª town to Corlect-
John Ashbee 0-6-1 0-1-8 0-7-8
w Susanna allen Jacob Bedell John Bedel 0-4-6
Timothy Bedel 0-4-5
Joshua Baley 0-4-5
John Clements 0-7-4 0-1-7
Nathaniel Clement
.
160
HISTORY OF SALEM.
Nathaniel Clement Juner
Edwª Carlton Jethro Clough John Chorier
Nath11 Dowe Richard Dowe
Daniel Dow
Ruben Dow
Thomas Doston
Obdiah Duston
Caleb Duston
obdiah Eastemon Jonathan Corlis th 3
James frinch James forde Daniel greenogo
Banin Hilton
Joseph Harris
Timothy Johnson
John Johnson
william Johnson Richard Kelley
william Kelley
Richard Kimball
David Meckitips John Page Daniel Peaslee Seth Pete
Richard Pate
Asa Pate
Nathaniel Peaslee Jun
Benoni Rowel
Benoni Rowel Jun
John Rowel Samuel Rowel Josiah Rowel william Sanders Olever Sanders
0- 6-11 0-8-0 0-5-1 0-4-4 0-17-7 0-15-10 0-5-4 0-5-9 0-7-3 0-7-1 0-5-9 0-7-3 0-6-8 0-4-1 0-3-9 0-5-0 0-7-3 0-4-7 0-12-11 0- 6-11 0-6-4 0-4-1 0-4-4 0-13-9 0-6-0 0-17-10 0-14-0 0-8-9 0-12-10 0-7-17 0-3-9 0-5-7 0-6-4 0-6-1 0-5-5 0-4-1 0-10-5 0-11-11
CLARENCE P. HALL.
RESIDENCE OF LINCOLN H. HUNT. (M 480)
CIVIL AND POLITICAL HISTORY.
161
Samuel Sanders Jonathan Wheeler Jonathan wheeler Jun Banjmn wheeler abner wheeler william wheeler Nath11 woodman John watts junr
Isriel young Phiplip hoyte
Stephen wheeler
Benjn Rowlens
James hadley william Twonson
Isriel young juner
Richard young
Daniel massey Robort Elenwood
0-9-10 0-3-9
"A list of Such as Live out of town
John watts John Emery
Benjmn Clement william morse
Thomas Eatton
Richard Currier
Samuel marbel
Even Jones
william weebster
Thomas weebster
Ebenezer weebster
nath11 Chase
Isriel weebster
Thomas Crooss"
James hastiline Jur
0-4-5 0-6-1 0-6-9 0-13-0 0-6-5 0-6-5 0-5-5 0-6-4 0- 9-10 0-4-3 0-7-2 0-8-0 0-4-3 0-7-10 0-3-9 0-3-9
The lists in this part of the records are badly confused, so that it is difficult to say whether we have here all of the names of the time under consideration. In this connection there is a fragment of another list, containing names different from those above, but still land owners in Salem though probably all living elsewhere. The first ten were near the western border:
"Herig Boyd John Dinsmore Franses Dinsmore
Samuel Armor Andrew Armor Robert Spere
12
162
HISTORY OF SALEM.
Georg Spere
Thomas Spere
James Twodol John Bolton
"the acompt of out town mens Rats
Ebenezer Ayer jur
0-1-0
Jaremiah Bayley
0-0-4
Caleb Hall
0-2-6
Nathaniel Messer
0-0-4
Peter Ayer
0-0-4
Mathe Mitchel
0-0-4
Willm Mitchel
0-0-4
John Mitchel
0-0-4
Andrew Mitchel
0-0-4
Ebenezer Mitchel
0-0-8
Richard Messer
0-0-2
Daniel Haseltine
0-0-2
John Tipet
0-0-3
Jonathan Swan
0-0-4
Samuel Clark
0-0-4
John Simons
0-0-4
Thomas Harris
0-0-4"
Such items bearing upon taxation as are relative to other town interests are referred to under their proper headings. As there were a few slaves in town the question naturally arose as to whether or not they were taxable property. Also, what should be the attitude toward free colored citizens. In 1778 it was voted that blacks be subject to the same duties and taxes as the whites, if free. Black slaves were to be regarded as personal property, which was subject to the same rates as real estate.
An interesting item in the tax vote of 1787 is the stipulation of method of payment. According to the list about forty-seven per cent. of each man's tax was to be paid in certificates and fifty- three per cent. in silver. The collectors for that year were Abner Wheeler and Barnard Kimball. The financial condition during this period which followed the war was necessarily unsettled. But it was not more so than many of the people . Many lines of business had been temporarily stagnated, which made it harder for the laborer to obtain a living for his family. This state of af-
163
CIVIL AND POLITICAL HISTORY.
fairs caused frequent migrations and wanderings of the less successful part of the population. Families from other towns came to Salem without having any visible means of support. They became town charges in many cases, whereupon they were summarily "warned out of town" by the constable, and ordered to return to the town whence they came. The town records con- tain warning after warning in almost endless succession.
The collectors were paid by varying standards rather than by some uniform system. In 1798 they received 61/2 pence for each pound collected. Eight years later the collector was paid twenty dollars for collecting a minister's tax of three hundred eighty dollars. And twenty years after that, or in 1826, the collection of taxes was bid off at auction for three cents on the dollar. As the valuation increased and the taxes became conse- quently more easy of collection, the collector's pay was reduced to a lower and lower rate. Thus in 1847, with a total assess- ment of $2,458.37, the collector was paid 13/4% ; in 1870, with an amount of nearly $12,000, 1 1-3% was paid; andl in 1900, $125 was paid for collecting something more than $16,000, or 3/4 of 1%. In the last six years the total taxation has increased over fifty per cent, or to more than $25,000. Meantime the rate has fluctuated between $17 and $23 on $1,000 of valuation. The rate for 1906 was $21 per $1,000.
TAX LIST OF 1800.
From several viewpoints the property condition of the town at the beginning of the last century is extremely interesting. It is to be observed that the town treasurer was not deemed an essen- tial officer, as in many years none was elected. The collectors not infrequently paid the bills against the town. Sometimes they were ordered to pay certain taxes over to the selectmen. This was especially the case with the school tax; the teachers then applied to these officers for their pay. Of course the town paid the minister at that time, and the tax for this item was received by the collectors.
In 1800 Joseph Thom and Samuel Clement were the con- stables, and the taxes were divided between them for collection. The "town tax" and "school tax" were of the same amount
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164
HISTORY OF SALEM.
each. Besides these two there were the "minister's tax" and the "state and county tax." The amount of each given to each constable to collect was as follows :
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