USA > New Hampshire > Rockingham County > Salem > History of Salem, N.H. > Part 19
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The prime mover in the establishment of the library was the late Wm. G. Crowell, to whose untiring efforts so much of sub- stantial progress in the town was due. Several citizens con- tributed generously to the fund for providing books. Mr. David Bailey gave $550, Mr. Charles H. Tenney, $500, Mr. Levi Wood- bury, $100. Smaller amounts were given by Gilman Corning, J. M. Tenney, Wm. G. Crowell, Stephen Bailey, Charles Austin, Eliphalet Coburn, Levi W. Taylor, T. M. Russ, Warren Emer- son, Wallace W. Cole, James Ewins, Daniel W. Tenney, John Taylor, Frank Emerson, Charles Kimball.
The first board of trustees comprised William G. Crowell, Matthew H. Taylor and Charles Kimball. Since that time the following citizens have served on the board: James Ayer, Clin- ton L. Silver, Wallace W. Cole, Levi W. Taylor, John F. Hall, Benjamin R. Wheeler, Loren B. Mclaughlin, Daniel A. Abbott and Lorenzo F. Hyde. The last two, with C. L. Silver, con- stitute the present board.
The first librarian was Ernest L. Silver. He was followed by Mrs. Susan A. Cluff, who held the position until 1907, when she resigned. Mrs. D. A. Abbott, the present librarian, was appointed to succeed Mrs. Cluff.
The year after the library was founded the town appropriated fifty dollars toward its maintenance. After this the state law demanded a certain percentage of the total taxation value of the town for support of the library. This sum was then $78.30, and has since increased to $86.40. In 1896 the town raised
230
HISTORY OF SALEM.
fifty dollars in addition to the legal requirement, but in 1897 no extra sum was voted. This, however, was the only year in which an addition to the required amount has not been voted, varying from forty dollars to one hundred and twenty-five., Besides this money for books and expenses, occasional extra appropriations have been made for repairs on the building. All in all, this new department of the educational work of the town has not been a very expensive undertaking, while it has been of very great value to the people. Here is an excellent field of work for philanthropic citizens-a new up-to-date library, well stocked, would be a very acceptable addition to the town.
From the last report of the librarian it may be seen that the total number of volumes in February, 1907, was 2,038 (to which about 75 have since been added). Besides these there are 336 bound volumes of public documents and reports, and 832 paper covers and pamphlets. The library is open only on Saturdays. Books are boxed and sent to North Salem and the Depot, a sys- tem of blank slips for home use being employed for drawing the volumes. The total number of volumes issued from Feb- ruary, 1906, to February, 1907, was 4,942, an average of 95 each week. The expense of the institution for last year, includ- ing repairs, was $328.71.
CHAPTER VII.
Military History.
In all of the military activities of the state and nation Salem has taken an important part. As a border town it has felt more keenly than some others the influence of the interests of two states, an influence which perhaps widens the common sym- pathies and demands a more prompt response to the call of a common cause. Also, since the vast unsettled territory to the north left the town exposed during its early days, its first citi- zens, and through them the later generations, were imbued with that spirit of resolution and daring that has been so conspicuous in its soldiers upon the field of battle.
The town had hardly begun its existence when the troubles on the Canadian border demanded attention. Men were sent to different points, those from Salem being assigned to the Lake George expedition. That their service was duly appreciated is shown by action of the voters in 1758, after the return. Those men who had gone on the campaign requested to be "Released of their Rates, for Their Heads for all That went from This Town The year Past." This request was voted down. Not even their poll tax could be abated as a return for their service to the province. But we are not told what pay they received from the province; it may have been considered sufficient with- out extra recognition from the town.
After this affairs were little influenced by thoughts of war until the threatening clouds of the Revolution began to darken the sky. Salem was near enough to Massachusetts to be fully informed of the doings of that active colony in the strenuous years immediately preceding the outbreak of hostilities. The ordinary topics of conversation gave way to the various specu- lations regarding the outcome of the impending quarrel. Mean- time men were laying plans for really serious business. The
232
HISTORY OF SALEM.
more excitable and enthusiastic among the younger citizens were making arrangements for organizing military companies, while those of the "town fathers" who had keen foresight began to pre- pare for a call to the defense. In 1774 a supply of ammuni- tion was purchased for the town, as is shown by a vote taken early in the next year :
"Ordered that Richard Dow constabel to Pay himself four Pound tane Shilings and Eleven pence it being for Lead and flints for a town stock of emonation and for the Expense a goin after it and for warning persons out of the town in ye 1774- "Dated march ye 28 1775." "4:10:11
This "warning persons out of town" was a method then in vogue for being rid of paupers who had moved here from other towns. They were given a certain length of time within which they must leave the town. Not infrequently they were actually deported by the constable. Sometimes persons of undesirable characters, not paupers, were thus summarily dismissed from the town limits.
With all minds keyed to the highest tension, the suspense increasing daily and men eager to show their fidelity to their country by striking a blow for freedom from the prosecution which had become so unbearable-this was the condition in which our ancestors awaited the next piece of news. Then came the reports of the fight at Lexington, Mass., on April 19, 1775. From the mass of confused stories of the affair the real facts could not be obtained for a few days. Meantime there had been great excitement among the inhabitants of the town, many conferences were held, with the result that the selectmen posted the following notice for a town meeting:
"At the Desire of Some Inhabitants of this town we have Hereby Notified the Inhabitants of this town to meet at the Public meeting House in Salem on tuesday the 25th day of April Instant at three of the Clock in the afternoon in order to Raise a Propper Number of men for the Defense of the Country and also to make Some Provision for their Pay if Called for.
"Dated April ye 22-1775."
"John Hall 1 Select "John Kelley ( men
SALEM GRADUATES M. H. S., 1907. (See page 227)
PRESCOTT C. HALL'S RESIDENCE. (M 183)
233
MILITARY HISTORY.
Wait two weeks for a meeting after its notice was posted ? Not they ! Three days was all too long at such a time. Even the following record of this meeting, if read somewhat hurriedly, will be seen to speak the excited condition of the mind which framed it:
"At a meeting of the Inhabitants of this town on the 25 day of April 1775 then voted to Enlist 30 men for the Defense of the Country if Called for : Voted Six dollars per month for Each man when Called for: Voted the Select men be a Committee to Provide Provisions for the Enlisted men when Called for."
John Stark, afterwards the famous general of the American army, on hearing of the battle at Lexington, left his sawmill in Londonderry and, mounting his horse, hurried to Cambridge. He left word that all of his neighbors who should go, join him the next day in Medford. On the following morning he received a colonel's commission, since he had made a good mili- tary record in the service of the British and American com- bined forces during the French and Indian war of 1754 and the following years. Stark was well known in New England and used his well-earned prestige to help raise troops. He enlisted eight hundred during the first day, and several com- panies reported later.
Among these was the company of Elisha Woodbury, who had been chosen captain of the recruits from Salem. A few of the men had joined other companies, and were not in Stark's regi- ment. The work of organization was fairly finished when the appointment of Washington as commander-in-chief of the Con- tinental forces was announced on June 15. During the night of the 16th the troops worked on the intrenchments on Breed's Hill, better known as Bunker Hill, and with the dawn of June 17 began the second brilliant and memorable chapter of the war. The British army in Boston, on seeing the redoubt above frown- ing down upon them, resolved to dislodge the saucy rebels. The story of the ensuing conflict is too well known to need rehears- ing here. It will be remembered that Colonel Stark's regiment was given the defense of the left of the American line. Captain Woodbury's company, composed of the men from Salem, Pelham and Windham, experienced here their first battle. When the
234
HISTORY OF SALEM.
ammunition was exhausted and it was evident that the position could not be maintained, the Americans made one last desperate resistance with bayonets and clubbed muskets, then beat a re- treat, after suffering a loss of about four hundred and fifty men, while the British lost more than a thousand. Colonel Stark withdrew his regiment in almost perfect order, exhibiting throughout the fight that coolness and mastery which gave him his success.
Captain Woodbury's company lost two men; Moses Poor was killed and Ephraim Kelley wounded. Both were privates from Salem. There may have been other losses from this company which are not mentioned here for the reason that only the Salem men are here followed. The list of Captain Woodbury's fellow- townsmen who were in the battle of Bunker Hill, together with their rank, company and regiment is here given :
LIST OF SOLDIERS OF SALEM, N. H., IN THE BATTLE OF BUNKER HILL.
RANK.
COMPANY. ʼ
REGIMENT.
Amy, Heman
Private.
Woodbury's.
Stark's.
Austin, Abiel
Bailey, Enoch
Bradford, William
Bailey, Dudley
Fifer.
Hutchins'.
Reed 's. Stark's.
Cole, Solomon
Private.
Woodbury's. 66
Corliss, Jonathan
Lieut.
66
66
Corliss, Emerson
Private.
Currier, John
Duty, William
Corporal. Private.
66
66
Duston, Obadiah
Gage, Andrew
Gage, Job
Towne's.
Hall, Benjamin
Sergeant. Private.
Woodbury's.
Hall, David
Hall, James
Harris, Joseph
66
66
Hazelton, Jonas
Heath, Joshua
Sergeant.
66
Hardy, Jacob
Private.
Perkins'.
Gridley 's.
Howard, John
6
66
66
66
66
60
235
MILITARY HISTORY.
Kelley, Ephraim
Private.
Woodbury 's.
Stark's.
McNellie, John
60
66
Parsons, Stephen
Perry, William
66
66
Poor, Moses (killed) 66
Roque, Bryan
60
Rowell, Lemuel
66
Rowell, Israel
60
Wheeler, Abner
Drummer.
Woodbury, Elisha
Captain.
Woodbury, Elisha, Jr. Private.
66
Woodbury, Luke
Corporal.
Woodbury, Jonathan Private.
66
60
A note shows that Captain Woodbury received pay at the rate of six pounds per month, and Ensign Jonathan Corliss had sev- enty shillings per month. Corliss was subsequently made lieu- tenant, and Luke Woodbury, a corporal at Bunker Hill, was appointed ensign Nov. 7, 1776.
For some reasons it might be found convenient to have all of the information here given concerning each man placed together under one heading. But the enlistments were at irregular times and for irregular terms of service, which would cause such an arrangement to lose all of its coherence and become a meaning- less mass as far as the sequence of the stages of the war or the unity of the town's part in the war is concerned. It has seemed far better to keep the arrangement as nearly chronological as possible, so as to bring out more vividly the attitude of the town at different periods of the conflict and to bring the troops back to the town in groups as they were discharged.
The men who were really keen to go to the war and were sit- uated so that they could go are found enrolled in Colonel Stark's regiment. Many others, whose stress of circumstances or obtuse enthusiasm prevented their joining their neighbors, began to plan at home how they might raise a company of militia for the common cause when needed.
Arrangements were begun for forming some sort of company, but as no further evidence for immediate need was presented the organization was allowed to remain unfinished for a few
236
HISTORY OF SALEM.
months. But in August several meetings were held to complete the establishment of a militia to be ready for the service of the country if needed. Committees were appointed to confer with those of neighboring towns in regard to having a general organ- ization of the various companies that should be formed. Two companies were raised, one in the north part of the town and one in the south part. The south company was commanded by Capt. Joshua Swan. The other officers were: First lieutenant, Thomas Robinson ; second lieutenant, Abbott Pettingill; ensign, Oliver Kimball, Jr. The committee chosen to consult with other towns consisted of Robert Young, Jonathan Tenney, Thomas Douglas and John Hall. The north company had the follow- ing officers: Captain, John Allen; first lieutenant, Richard Dow; second lieutenant, Samuel Johnson; ensign, Daniel Gor- don. Four men were also chosen to consult with out-of-town companies-Richard Dow, Benjamin Bixby, Ensign Henry Little and William Hall.
In 1776 an article was inserted in the warrant asking that the town purchase the land in front of the meetinghouse for a pa- rade ground.
The land referred to is that now occupied in part by the Meth- odist church and dwelling houses along Main Street and Law- rence road, and extending from these streets to the river. This lot was afterwards the scene of musters of the militia companies, and was known as the "Marston land." The town at this time, however, refused to consider the matter and the article was voted down.
Although these companies were not put into the field as soon as organized, individuals were in the Continental service very early in the war. Aaron Copp was a corporal in Capt. Jeremiah Gilman's company, Col. John Nixon's regiment, when it was in camp on Winter Hill, Sept. 30, 1775. Also there were men in the army at Cambridge in 1775, as is shown by the fact that the town was reimbursed fifty-six pounds, twelve shillings, six pence "for pay roll for men to Cambridge in 1775." Who these latter men were, however, is not stated.
SALEM PUPILS EN ROUTE TO M. H. S.
(See page 227)
-
-
-
237
MILITARY HISTORY.
In October, 1775, a war inventory was taken by order of the government. The statistics for Salem are given as follows :
"All males under 16
296
Males from 16 to 50 not in the Army
151
All males above 50
49
Persons in the Army
47
All females 539
Negroes
2
1084
Powder,
43 pd.
Fire Arms,
104
Town Stock of Powder
71 lbs.
Dated October 4th, 1775
John Kelley 1 Select
Caleb Preston 5 men.
The within account Sworn to before me
John Hall, Town Clerk."
This inventory, coming as it does at this time, is interesting to us from several considerations. It is the first authentic census of Salem at the period of the Revolution. The provincial legislature had ordered a census in 1767, but we cannot find any return of its accomplishment. These figures here give us the population of the town as 1,084 persons. It will be interesting to see how this compares with some of the later returns, for instance within our time. (See Chapter V.) It shows that there were in the army at this time forty-seven men. Besides those mentioned above we find some other Salem men enlisted, and even at an earlier date. Joseph Clough was in Capt. Gil- man's company June 12, 1775. He was then twenty-five years old. But there was the company under Capt. Elisha Woodbury in which there must have been at least thirty-eight Salem men, as that number of blankets were furnished by John Hall and John Kelley, the selectmen, at a cost of twenty-two pounds six shillings three pence. The bill was drawn May 27, 1775, Caleb Duston giving a receipt for the goods from the Committee of Supplies.
It was felt by the men in charge of affairs in the colonies that
. 238
HISTORY OF SALEM.
there should be some general public expression of the attitude of the people toward the cause of independence. Such an expres- sion would serve not only to indicate the spirit of the country, but also to put each man on record with himself, which was an end greatly to be desired in those days of uncertainty. The psychological principle of outward expression as a stimulus to inner feeling, such as is seen in the signing of a pledge, was recognized, although perhaps not as such, and put into practice. A form of pledge was circulated in 1776 throughout the col- onies for signatures. It was known as "The Association Test," and was drawn as follows:
"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 Colonies."
This was calculated to find out who were loyal to the American cause and who were the "Tories." Still this was not always a safe basis upon which to judge a man. The natural conser- vatism of the English type of mind, as opposed to the caprice of mental action of the south European, made it impossible for some of our ancestors to fully grasp, especially in the few years of the development of estrangement between the colonies and the mother country, the idea of an independent government. The casting aside of the support and protection of the power to which they had been reared to look with reverence was a step not to be lightly contemplated nor hurriedly undertaken. It indeed needs a liberal mind to shake off in the reasoning period of middle age the outgrown doctrine which has been instilled into it during childhood and youth.
The Test was signed in Salem by one hundred and seventy ; thirty-six refused to sign it. In the whole of New Hampshire eight thousand one hundred and ninety-nine signed, while seven hundred seventy-three refused.
In March, 1777, the town of Salem was supposed to have one hundred ninety-eight men between the ages of sixteen and fifty from which to draw for recruits. The troops raised here were to be put into Col. Josiah Bartlett's Seventh regiment.
239
MILITARY HISTORY.
In April, however, two companies were raised in this vicinity, one by Richard Dow, the other by Jeremiah Dow. Together they included eighteen Salem men, enlisted for a period of three years. But instead of being put into the Seventh Regiment un- der Colonel Bartlett, they were assigned to Captain Robinson's company in Col. Nathan Hale's Second Regiment.
RICHARD DOW'S COMPANY.
Nathaniel Chase Aaron Copp
"Joseph Harris
*Israel Rowell
*James Rowell
*Richard Clement
*Ebenr Easman
*Samuel Smith
*Wm Morland Andrew Gage
*Moses Copp
*James Young
JEREMIAH DOW'S COMPANY.
*Thomas Currier
*Solomon Coal (Cole). (He was aged 35. Left the com- pany at Albany; no cause given, but later was wounded at Stillwater, Sept. 19, 1777.)
*Israel Hull
*Asa Bixby
*Wm Woodbury
*Israel Woodbury, Jr. Nathel Clark
Lemuel Rowell
Samel Silver
Heman Ame.
They were mustered May 6, 1777. Those whose names are starred (*) were mustered out and paid October 16, 1778. A note says that Luke Woodbury was ensign of this company, although his name does not appear in the above list.
At a town meeting held April 2, 1777, means for raising troops were discussed. It was voted to offer as an extra induce- ment for enlisting a bounty of sixty dollars to each recruit. A committee of nine men was chosen to have charge of the enlist- ing. They were Richard Messer, William Hall, Amos Dow, Capt. Richard Dow, Benj. Bixby, Capt. Elisha Woodbury, Capt. Sam- uel Kelley, Capt. John Allen, and Lieut. Zechariah Woodbury ( ?) (Should this last be Clough ?)
On April 22 an additional bounty of forty dollars was voted to those who should enlist for three years. The two companies above mentioned were raised under this bounty, as is shown by this record in the town books:
240
HISTORY OF SALEM.
"May 8, 1877. Each of the following received $100. town bounty in full, to 3 yr. soldiers.
Israel Hull
James Rowel
Samuel Smith
Asa Bixby
Israel Woodbury
Thomas Currier
Richard Clements
Ebenezer Eastman
Israel Rowell
William Moorland
Moses Copp
William Woodbery
William Woodland
Attest Zech W. Colog ( ?)
Joseph Harris, Jr. Soloman Cole
Attest William Hall
Richard Messer."
There is an irregularity in the record in the name of William Woodland. There was no such person in Salem at this time. William Woodbury and William Moreland (spelled otherwise) were the only two men whose names might be confused, and they both appear in this list. It would seem also that if a name were to be separately attested the name of the testator should be in its proper form. This Colog is evidently intended for Clough.
The payment of this bounty must be met by taxes. Thus a special soldiers' rate was levied in 1777, amounting to seven hun- dred seventy-one pounds thirteen shillings nine pence four farth- ings.
After Capt. Jeremiah Dow's company had been put into Capt. Robinson's command Dow raised another company. It was as- signed to Lieutenant Colonel Welch's regiment of volunteers, and joined the Continental army September 27, 1777. Follow- ing is the roster of Salem men, which we assume were the only ones mustered at this time :
Capt. Jeremiah Dow Lieut. David Gordon
Daniel Silver
David Messer
Ensign Richard Kimbal
John Merril Jun™
Henry Woodbury
Sergeant Jonathan Massey do Benjamin Woodbury Dudley Currier
RUSTIC SEAT, CANOBIE LAKE PARK.
THE OLD OBADIAH DUSTON HOUSE. (M 556)
241
MILITARY HISTORY.
Corporal Jnº Moore Bayley Ditto Seth Pattee
Abner Woodman
Warren Wheeler
Fifer David Merrill
Joseph Hastings
Privates-
James Corliss
Nathan Webster
George Amy
Timothy Swan
Daniel Ladd
Abner Wheeler
Simon Johnson
Robert Bradford
John Lancaster
Asa Morse Ward Clark Young
Emerson Corliss
The company served one month and ten days, when they were mustered out. They received "pay for the time necessary to travel at regular wages," besides traveling expenses. The com- pany was at Battenkill on October 12. Here Ens. Richard Kim- ball and Private Simon Johnson were allowed to return home, with an allowance of ten days to travel the two hundred miles. That is, their discharges were dated forward ten days and they were paid accordingly.
Meantime there was a new recruiting at Salem to supply in Colonel Bartlett's militia regiment and for Colonel Drake's regi- ment. The men were mustered in October 2, 1777, and paid in advance for one month :
Daniel Messer
David Bussell
Daniel Peaslee Merrill
William Pattee
Lieut Benj Hall
John Gage
Abijah Wheeler
Wm Clough
Isaac Clough
Eben" Duston
Josiah Thissel
Caleb Marvel (Marble)
Eben" Woodbury
James Webster
James Hastings Junr.
Jonath" Gorden
Thos. Clark Bailey
This is the record as given in the State Papers. From com- parison with another record, however, it appears that this must be the company of Capt. Jesse Page, which was raised as part of Colonel Drake's regiment (commanded at the time by Colonel Bartlett), for the reinforcement of the Northern Continental Army. If this is so, some of the men enlisted some time before
17
242
HISTORY OF SALEM.
being mustered, perhaps early in September. They served about three months.
At about this time the finances of the town were somewhat low, causing a decrease in money paid to soldiers. On November 11, 1777, it was voted "no consideration to the commissioned of- ficers, or to men who had enlisted under officers out of the state; or to any except the one year men who had been in the Canada campaign, and these should have five dollars."
The men who went on the Canada expedition were :
Hugh Campbell
Jacob Hardy
David Nevins
Josiah Hardy
Nat'l Gorril
William Smith Jr.
Sam'l Templeton
Solomon Smith
William Gordon
Margaret Smith
Thoms McGlauthlon
William Thom
Richard Hennesy
John Moorland
William Smith James Moorland
Besides these sixteen names there is a list of men entitled to bounty in 1778, but we have no record of their enlistment at this time. They were undoubtedly all in the Canada party, since it is certain that most of them were:
Wm Duty
Jonathan Emerson
Luke Woodberry
Emerson Corlis
Wm Bradford
Israel Rowell
Elisha Woodbury
Ebenezer Woodbury
Mark Duty
James Woodberry
Isaac Clough
Joseph Hall
Lemuel Rowell
John Woodman
Andrew Gage
"Ordered Ens" Richard Kimball constable to pay Amos Dow Thirty pounds twelve shillings for money lent the town to hire soldiers. Dec. 4, 1779." This bit of record is self-explanatory. There are a number of others very much like this in the book of that period. Money was borrowed also from Richard Kimball, Simon Johnson, Joseph Merrill, Richard Dow and others.
July 26, 1779, five men were paid forty pounds each for one year of service: Jonathan Stevens, Jr., Nathaniel Kelly, Wil-
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