USA > New Hampshire > Rockingham County > Chester > History of old Chester [N. H.] from 1719 to 1869 > Part 10
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" Capt. John Tolford, Archibald Dunlap, William Craw- ford, Robert Wilson, Decents against the foregoing Vote, because it Cutts of part of the Parrish alredy set of by the General Court, and further Cutts them of from a Priveledge to their own land."
The territory was incorporated by an act of the General Assembly, September 3, 1751, into a township by the name of Derryfield. It will be seen that the following bounda- ries do not correspond with the vote of the town :
" Beginning at a Pitch Pine Tree Standing upon the own line between Chester and Londonderry, marked (134), being the bound of one of the Sixty acre Lotts in said
112
HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF CHESTER.
Chester, being the South East corner of said Lott; Thence running South into the Township of Londonderry one hun- dred and sixty rods to a stake and stones ; thence run- ning West to Londonderry North & South Line; thence running upon Londonderry Line to the head line of Litch- field to a stake & stones ; thence running upon the head line of Litchfield to the Bank of merrimack river; thence run- ning up said river as the river runs Eight miles to a stake & stones Standing upon the Bank of the said river ; thence running East South East one mile and three Quarters through Land not Granted to any Town untill it comes to Chester Line ; thence running Two miles and a half and fifty Two Rods on the Same Course into the township of Chester to a Stake & Stones ; thence running South four miles & a half to the bound first mentioned."
There is a tract between Chester line and the river, ex- tending above this tract to Martin's Ferry, since annexed to Derryfield.
John McMurphy was to call the first meeting, which was done, and held at the house of John Hall, September 23, 1751. John Hall was one of the most active men in town ; was paid £251, old tenor, for time and expenses in procur- ing the charter. He was the first town clerk, and his rec- ords are a literary curiosity, as may be seen by tlie return of some roads in this work. Also
" Voted, to Rase 24 pounds, old tenor, to be" rased to paye fore Preeching for this present year."
The members of the Presbyterian parish lived from Wal- nut hill to Dea. William Leatch's and John Orr's at Massa- besic pond, a distance of nine miles. They had voted in 1747 to have Mr. Wilson preach at the "Long Meadow," a part of the time ; but there seems to have been some uneasi- ness, and an effort was made to move the meeting-house to a more central location. At the annual meeting March 12, 1751,
" Voted, Capt. John Tolford, Hugh Cromey, Thomas Crag, William Leatch & James Quenton a Comite to Ex- amin and try to find out a Convenient place to move the meeting house to."
At a meeting June 27th,
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HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF CHESTER.
" Voted, ye meeting howes is to be moved to a proper senter.
"Voted, no money to be Raised to move the meeting howes.
" Voted, the proprietors is not willing to give up their Rights of the meeting hows, Because those that has lately Come into the parish is not willing to give any more towards ye moving of said meeting house than those that Build it.
" Voted, mr. Wilson is not to preach any more at ye long meadow.
" Voted, No Comitte Chosen.
" Voted, The parish Except of the Comitte's report for the senter Between Capt. John Tolford & Wilam Leatch's for to set the meeting howes."
1752. It appears that the small pox was in town this year.
" It was voted to pay £5 5s. old tenor for taking care of Thomas Grear's family."
1753. The Congregational parish March 28, 1753,
" Voted, That the hind Seat upon Each Side of the Grate alley that goes from the South Dore to the Pulpit Shall be taken away, and that thair Shall be preveledges for Building four Pues, two upon Each Side of Said alley. Each Pue Shall be four feet and Eight Inches wide and as Long as halfe the Seat ; the Platforme for Said Pues Shall be but eight Inches high from the meeting house flore.
" Voted, Capt. abel morss, John Robie, nathan webster, Shall be a Committee to Sell to the highest Bider Belong- ing to Said Parish the Preveledges that was voted for Bulding four Pues in the old meeting house, and that the vandugh Shall be on the fust wensday in april next, at three of the clock in the afternoon, at the old meting house."
November, 1753,
" Voted, That the money that the Last (pewes) was Sold for Shall be put to the parish youse to Defray charges this present year.
" Voted, That if any Number of young persons in this parish Sufichant to fill any Seat on the Back Side of the Seats in the Galleries Shall agree to Buld them into pews, they have the Liberty to do it." 8
114
HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF CHESTER.
An attempt is made this year to divide the Presbyte- rian parish. An article was inserted in the warning for the annual town meeting to see if the town would vote to set off a parish, including nearly the same territory as the present town of Auburn, which was voted. Seventeen Presbyterians protested against it because it would ruin the parish. It did not come to a head until 1771. The Presbyterians chose William Tolford, Andrew Jack and Samuel Aiken a committee " To see Dissatisfaction of some people in the Parish." The same committee was to " Build one pair of Stairs against the fall sacrament."
Their collectors were in arrears, and one of the articles in the warning was, " The Collectors from John Mills to this present time are to meet at Capt. John Tolford's the Eighteenth Day of September next, to make up their ac- counts with the Comity upon their Perile."
1754. A parish meeting was called Oct. 8th, to make an addition to Mr. Flagg's salary, but the parish refused to do it. The Presbyterians voted to add forty pounds old tenor to Mr. Wilson's salary.
1755. The Congregational parish at a special meeting voted to pay the collector eighteen pence old tenor for gathering the rates (on the pound.) The Presbyterians voted to raise twenty pounds to repair their meeting- house.
This year was noted for the most violent earthquake ever known in North America. It occurred Nov. 18th at about 4 o'clock A. M., and lasted four minutes and a half. In Boston about one hundred chimneys were leveled to the roofs of the houses, and about fifteen hundred were in jured.
1756. Mr. Flagg's salary was raised to £640 old tenor, including wood. The Presbyterians voted to raise £200 to repair the meeting-house.
1757. Mr. Flagg's salary was £800, and £60 for wood. . The Presbyterians voted to raise £100 old tenor to build a pulpit.
115
HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF CHESTER.
1758. In the warning for the annual town meeting was an article "To see if the town will pay the Damage of flowing the Land Round Massabesick pond, so called, by Capt. Alexander McMurphy's mill." "Past in the neg- ative."
The Presbyterian parish " voted one hundred pounds old tenor Be Raised to Repair the long meadow meeting house."
The town was called upon for jurors, and Jonathan Blunt was chosen grand juror, and Jacob Chase petit juror, to the May term of the Superior Court. These were the first called for. Lient. Thomas Heseltine and Mr. Zephaniah French were chosen petit jurors to the Inferior Court of Common Pleas at the September term. "Insin" Enoch Colby was chosen grand juror, and Capt. Thomas Wells, petit juror, at the November term of the Superior Court. The selectmen have a charge " to making a staff for Constable Bean £1 5," old tenor.
1759. There were articles in the warning for the annual town meeting, to see if the inhabitants should be required to return an inventory to the selectmen, and whether they would doom tradesmen and shop-keepers. Passed in the negative.
The Presbyterian parish voted Mr. Wilson six hundred pounds, old tenor, salary, and voted money to repair the meeting-houses.
1760. Mr. Flagg acknowledges the receipt of £1060 in full of salary and wood the year past, and the parish voted £1200 the year ensuing.
The Presbyterian parish voted to add £50, old tenor, to Mr. Wilson's salary, and to raise £300, old tenor, for finish- ing the two meeting-houses.
They " Voted to major John Tolford six foot in length, five and a half in width, of ground in their old meeting- house on the right hand of the south Door."
" Voted, The meeting house is to Be seated with long seats."
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HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF CHESTER.
1761. Samuel Dudley, who lived in Raymond, was chosen surveyor of highways in 1760, and he built a bridge near Raymond Centre across the Lamprey river. The selectmen refused to pay him and he sued them.
In the warning for the annual meeting was an article to " To See if the Town will Chuse a Committee To Defend a Case or Cases Now Depending at Law Between Sam1 Dud- ley, Plaintiff, and this Town, Defendents, or to act and Do what may then be thought Proper and Needful."
The old selectmen, who were sued, were made agents and attorneys with power to prosecute the suit " to final judg- ment and execution." Dudley recovered.
There is also an article " To See if the Town will Vote that the North Parish Shall be Set off by the authority as set forth in a Petition to the Selectmen by messrs. Jethro Batchelder, Daniel Lane, Benjamin Smith and others." " Past in the negative."
1762. At the annual meeting March 25, 1762,
" Voted, That the following Tract of Land may be Incorporated into a Parrish, being about five miles and a Half in length, and about four miles in width. Bounding Northerly on Nottingham Line, Easterly on the old Hun- dred acre Lotts, so called, Southerly on the Long medow Parrish, so called, as that is voted alredy, and westerly on the forty acre Lotts."
The Long Meadow parish, as voted in 1753, was from Londonderry line to the northwest corner of the 43d lot, then west-northwest to Tower-Hill, and then to the corner of Derryfield.
(For the petition for Candia, see a sketch of the history in this work.)
1763. At a meeting Jan 26, 1763,
" Voted, That that part of the Town of Chester Called the North parrish, or Freetown, as much as was laid out in Parrish forme, Shall be set of as a Town or Parrish."
This includes the Old Hundreds or North Division.
March 31,
" Voted, That it be Left with the Selectmen to Inquire
117
HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF CHESTER.
into and See how much is justly Due the North Parrish, so Called, for their proportion of the school money Raised in this Town for three years past ; and if they have not had their share, they Deliver the same to them, Provided they Lay out the same for schooling among themselves; and also all the other parts of the Town that have not had their proportion of the schooling, nor money as above men- tioned, shall be Considered and have their proportion on the same Condition.
" Voted, That a work house be Built or Provided by the Selectmen To Putt and keep those Persons in that Idle, Pooer, Disorderly and Lasey, and will not work; and to provide a master to Take Care of all such Persons as shall be Committed to said house, that they may be Kept to work and be Proceeded with as the Law Directs."
Probably this was never carried into execution.
1764. It was " voted that James Fullerton's Rates be given him for the year past. The Congregational parish also abated their tax against him. He lived in Raymond. " It was on account of his house being burnt."
John Robie, Nathan Webster and Andrew Jack were chosen a committee to settle about highways in Raymond and make return. They made return March 6, 1766.
" This day agreed upon by us the Subscribers, being Chosen by the Town of Chester and Parrish of Raymond as Committees to settle the Debates about the Highways and all things that was Debatebell from the Beginning of the world to this Day : viz., that Raymond is to have all the Reserves that is left in that Parrish for Highways to convert them to that use, and to Pay all Demands made and to be made for Highways in Said Parrish ; and Like- wise that the Parrish of Raymond is to Have their pro- portion of money that was in Bank when they were Incorporated as a Parrish. as Witness our hands. The line between Chester and Raymond is Excepted.
" John Cram, Ezekel Lane, John Robie, Nathan Webster,
Committee for Chester and Raymond."
"Voted, That the Parrish of Candia shall have the Priviledge to Dispose of all the Common Land left for
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HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF CHESTER.
highways within the said Parrish as they see Cause as fully as the Town authority to do, on Condition that the Said Parrish shall Pay all the Demands for the Highways already Laid out in Said Parrish, and Lay out and Support all for the future ; and that the selectmen of Chester take Security of the selectmen of Candia for their Performing the above mentioned."
1765. " Voted, That the Parrish of Candia shall Have their proportion of the money that was in Bank when they were Incorporated by the Court act Into a Parrish."
There were votes passed by the Congregational parish respecting seating the meeting-house, and the singers sit- ting together, for which, see the Ecclesiastical History.
The Presbyterians voted to fence their graveyard.
1766. The town voted that the parish of Candia should have their proportion of the money that was in bank when incorporated.
Standard weights and measures were obtained this year at a cost of £6.
Mr. Flagg's salary, wood and all, was £60 lawful money. Samuel and Daniel Martin's taxes abated. They lived at Martin's Ferry.
Appended to the warning for the Presbyterian parish meeting was, " The Parish is desired to Consider what they will do In Regard to some Person to take Care to sweap the meeting-house and shut the Doors for time to come." Mr. Wilson's salary was to continue to be £800, old tenor, or £40 lawful money. Mr. Wilson was to preach at the Long Meadows, as formerly.
" Voted, that william White, Junior, John Moors, James mills, Robert mills, Thomas White, James Gra- ham, mark Karr, Hugh Shirlce, James Grims at the long meadow, John mac farland, moses mac farland, Daniel witherspoon, Alexander witherspoon, Joshua moors, Jon- athan moors, David wilson, Joseph Dunlap, James Dunlap, Charles moors, Robert fursyth, John wilson, william Shir- ley, John frain, is to have Liberty to Build Saits or Pews In the Gallery Beginning at the north Corner, & from thence all along the west Eend next the wall, Clear a Cross to the south west Corner, from thence along the south side next
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HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF CHESTER.
the wall as far as the Post that goes up from the south East Corner of major Tolford's Pew."
1767. There is nothing of note on the records this year.
1768. In the warning for the annual meeting of the Congregational parish was an article " to See if the parish will Grant moses marshal and the other Petitioners thair Request in this article (viz.), to See if the parish will vote that the meeting house Doors Shall be opened to any ortho- dox minister to Preach in the Pulpit when Providentially passing throw the town, and Desired by a number of Peo- pel to preach, or when Sent for by a number of Persons to Preach when it Does not Interfere upon ye Revª mr. Flagg's Stated Exercise." Passed in the negative.
1769. Up to this time the province had not been divided into counties, but the records were kept and all the courts were held at Portsmouth. There was quite an exciting discussion on the subject, in which the old contest between the prerogatives of the crown and the rights of the people came up. August 21, 1767, the House resolved to divide the province into four counties, and establish courts. The Council said two counties were enough, and that it was the prerogative of the King's Governor to establish courts. Each house proposed lines of division which the other nega- tived. The King was appealed to, and he gave leave to have the House pass a bill subject to his revision, and recommended five counties, which was finally agreed to. Then there was a contest about the places of holding the courts, Portsmouth claiming all in this county, and Exeter claiming a part ; and there was a dispute in Hillsborough county between Amherst and Merrimack. There was a petition with seventy-six signatures, sent from Chester just before the passage of the bill, praying to be annexed to Hillsborough county, which the House was inclined to grant, but the Council rejected. There was a like petition from Londonderry, and some other towns. Finally April 27, 1769, a bill passed, though the counties were not organized until 1771.
120
HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF CHESTER.
1770. At the annual town meeting,
" Voted, that the upper part of the Town Next to Pem- brook Have the Liberty to build a Pound where it shall best suit the Inhabitants, Provided they Do it upon their own Cost and Charge, and from time to time support and maintain the Same Without any Cost or Charge to the said Town."
The following is a copy of a warrant to a surveyor of highways :
To M' James Wilson Servayer of the Highways for the town of Chester :
We order you to repair and Keep in good repair the High- ways (viz.), From Dr. John ordways Barn Down the old rode to Sandown line, and that rode by James waddels to Sandown. line ; and that rode between Jethro Colbys and Hugh wil- sons land, round by widow longs to widow worthens, and that rode by Timothy Wells to the main rode, with the Hands that live in said rodes.
by order of us,
John Robee, Selectmen of Chester.
Chester Apr. 16, 1770.
And" Jacke, Nath. Webster,
All the men in town were rated to pay one or the other of the ministers. This year Samuel Martin, Daniel Mar- tin, John Martin, Caleb Dolton, and Daniel Foster, all of whom lived near Martin's Ferry, had their parish rates given in, on account of living so far from the meeting- house.
1771. At the September term of the Superior Court, 1771, Andrew Jack, Nathan Webster, and John Robie, selectmen of Chester, were indicted for not having a gram- mar school, Chester having more than one hundred fami- lies. March term, 1772, Jack and Webster were fined £10, and costs £7 12.
This year the corn was nearly large enough to weed, and was cut down by frost, the first day of June.
1772. At the annual town meeting, March 11th,
" Voted, That for the Repair of Highways the present year, their shall Be Raised Seventy five pounds Lawful money.
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HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF CHESTER.
" Voted, that the wages of Labour on the Highways shall be two shillings per day."
The Congregational parish at their annual meeting, March 28th,
" Voted to Buld a new meeting house by the parish within two years from the Date of this meeting.
" Voted to Build a meeting house sixty feet long and forty-five feet wide, and a suitable height, and that it be built by the pews, so far as they shall go.
" Voted, that there shall be a Committee to Sell Said pews within a convenient time, Sold for Bords, Shingle, timber, Labour, or any article that is wanting for Said meeting house, at cash price."
John Webster, Esq., Jabez French, Saml. Emerson, Esq., Saml. Robie, and Jabez Hoyt, were chosen to sell the pews and build the house.
At a meeting, October 16th,
" Voted, to build a steple and porch to the New meeting house, agreeable to the Plan.
" Voted, to Set the New meeting house upon the Land that the Revd mr. Flagg gave for that youse."
The house was built on land which Mr. Flagg bought of Gov. Wentworth - his home lot. The deed is recorded, Lib. 124, fol. 120, dated Oct. 15, 1772, and conveys twenty-four square rods of land. The house faced the southwest, the posts twenty-eight feet, I think, the steeple at the northwest end some fifteen feet above the roof, and and a spire, with a weather-vane in the form of a gilt rooster, being more than one hundred feet high. The windows were forty panes, seven-by-nine glass.
It was heavily timbered, and of first-rate materials, and the work done in a thorough and workmanlike manner. Over the pulpit was a sounding-board. In front of the pulpit was a pew called the elders' seat, and in front of that the deacons' pew, the occupants facing the congrega- tion. On eaeli side of the broad alley from the deacons' pew, about half the width of the house, were seats some fifteen feet long, made of plank, which were common or free seats. The remainder was built into pews about six
·
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CONGREGATIONAL MEETING-HOUSE, BUILT IN 1773. RECONSTRUCTED LN 1839.
=
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HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF CHESTER.
feet square, and as high as a man's shoulders while sitting on the seat. The pews were panel-work, with a row of turned balusters about eight inches long near the top. Three sides of the pews were seated, so that the congrega- tion faced, sat sideways and back to the minister. The seats turned up for convenience of standing during prayers. At the close of the prayer there was quite a re- freshing clatter by the falling of these seats. Nobody at that day thought of sitting during prayers, excepting some very infirm old woman, and she would arise before the amen was pronounced. In the gallery there was a tier of pews all around the walls of the house on three sides, and one pew in the front of the gallery at each end on the back side of the house. There was one pew at each end of the southwest side of the door, for a negro pew, which was not ornamented by balusters. The remainder of the gallery was seated with long common seats. The northwest end was for the men, the southeast end was for the women.
There were on the ground floor forty-four pews, which sold for £607 15s. The highest was bought by Col. John Webster for £30; the next by Abner Hills, for £25 16s. Col. Webster bought four pews. In the gallery were trenty-two pews, which sold for £100 14s.
The house was a noble structure, and did credit to the parish, the committee and the workmen.
At a parish meeting, March 30, 1774,
" Voted to accept of the Committee's accompt that was to build the New Meeting house.
" Voted, that the Rerd Mr. Eben" Flagg shall preach in the New meeting house for the futeur.
" Voted, that the Revd mr. Eben" Flagg shall preach in the New Meeting house the Next Sabbath Day."
A petition was preferred to the General Court by John Patten and others, showing,
" That the Subscribers Being in Number the greatest Part of a District or Parish Commonly Called the Long Mead- ows, and that by a Vote of the Town at there Anuel Meet-
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HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF CHESTER.
ing in the Month of March, A. D. 1753, Voted of for a Parish By Certain Limited Bounds More Clearly Set forth in Said Vote, the Coppy of Which Being Ready to Be Pro- duced, Humbly Prayeth that Your Excellency & Honors would be Pleased to Confirm & Establish Said Vote & Bounds, and Grant Unto us all Parish Priviledges, with full Power to Hier a Gospel Minister 'to Preach Unto us, or to Settle & Ordain one over us for the Better Conveniency of our attending the Public Worship of God ; and your l'eti- tioners as in Duty Bound will Ever Pray.
John Patten,
Joseph Linne,
Nath1 Linn,
Caleb Hall,
Robert Craig,
Moody Chase,
John Orr,
Moses Ilills,
Samuel Dinsmer,
David Witharspoon,
Wells Chase,
Peter Aiken,
Barnaid Bricket,
James Witherspoon,
Stephen Dearborn,
Thomas Fowler,
Nathaniel Wood,
Thomas Fowler, Junior,
Joseph Calfe,
Hugh Me affee,
Samuel Blunt,
Nath1 Presby,
his
Mansfield McDoffy,
James + Horn,
Daniel Witharspoon,
Anthony Stickney,
Sam Pierce,
Robert Witharspoon,
Robert Mckinley,
David White,
Stephen Morel,
William Letch,
William McMaster,
Moses Underhill,
Robert Gilcrest,
Sam" Aiken,
Joseph Dearborn,
Robt Calf,
Moses McFarland,
Hugh Crombie,
William Grimes,
Thomas Sharley,
John Grimes,
James Sharley,
Adam Willson,
Samuel Sharley,
James Grimes."
Wm. Brown, Junior,
mark. Benja. Pierce,
"In Council Dec. 19, 1771. The foregoing Petition was read and ordered to be sent down to the Honble Assembly.
Geo. King, Dep. Sec."
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HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF CHESTER.
There was an order of notice upon this petition. Objec- tions were made as follows :
It is answered by Andrew Jack, Henry Moore & Rob- ert Wilson, in behalf of the Presbyterian Parish, That the Petitioners joined with the rest of sª Parish in the Choice of Rev. John Wilson for their minister, & voted him a certain yearly salary ; and have been, and still are, satisfied with his life and Doctrines, but for other Reasons desire to be set off as a distinct Parish, altho they are convinced that it is their duty to perform their contract with Said minister, and did at a legal meeting held in Chester, mutually agree with the rest of sd Parishioners in the lower End of the Parish to have one half the Preaching for nine months yearly, from the last day of March to the first day of De- cember, during the time the said minister was able to preach, and the remainder of his Preaching should be to the People of the lower end of said Parish; and that the said Petitioners pay the sum of twenty pounds lawful money Yearly during the ministry of said John Wilson, and collect their part of the money themselves; and the Parishioners at the lower End of said Parish Then agreed with the Petitioners to pay sª Minister Twenty five pounds like money Yearly during said Term, and collect the same themselves.
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