USA > New Hampshire > Merrimack County > Andover > History of the town of Andover, New Hampshire, 1751-1906, Part I > Part 19
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Among the conditions pertaining to the sale and care of paupers in 1820 were the following items :
Each person will be struck off to the lowest bidder for the term of one year.
Any person bidding off a pauper shall furnish him or her with suitable meats, drinks and clothing, nursing, if sick, and every accommodation which is necessary for their support, doctors' bills excepted.
The following are from the records of the sale in 1820:
Mr. Frasure sold to Ebenezer Tilton at $1.00 per week.
Widow Hannah Rano to Henry D. Hilton at $0.56 per week. Eliza Meloon to Timothy Swett at $0.35 per week. Samuel Sleeper to Samuel Cilley at $0.90 per week. Widow H. Gove to Jonathan Martin at $0.10 per week. The York child to Joseph Sevey at $0.50 per week.
228
HISTORY OF ANDOVER.
The inventory of the elothing of Widow Hannah Rano at that time showed her in possession of 1 pair of shoes, 1 woolen gown, 2 black eambrie gowns, 1 gingham gown. 6 pairs of stockings, 5 caps. 4 handkerchiefs. 5 shifts, 4 petticoats. 2 bonnets, 3 tires, 2 pairs gloves. 2 cloaks and 1 gold necklace; also many articles of household furniture.
In 1820 there were nine paupers, but in 1821 the number had increased to twenty-two; twenty of the latter number were sold to Josiah Elkins for $500 for the year.
At an adjourned meeting held March 14. 1821 :
Voted that Capt. James Tucker. Josiah Babcock, Phineas Huntoon, Capt. Caleb Marston and Joseph Brown be a committee to draft rules and regulations for the government of the poor.
The committee made the following report, which was adopted :
In view of the great increase of pauperism the people of Andover have been satisfyed of the necessity of adopting some different mode of Support and some rules of government and discipline to be exercised towards paupers which shall serve immediately to correct the great and increasing evil. Rules calenlated to punish Sloth and indolence, correct vice and immorality. establish industry, teach economy and independ- ence, encourage virtue and morality and establish at the same time the means of support on the most just and equinomical principles so that he that will not work may not eat :-
Therefore we the undersigned, being appointed a committee by the town on this subject. humbly offer the following rules and regulations to be strictly observed not only to those who are now dependent on the Town for support and those who may hereafter throw themselves upon the Town but to all those who live in this Town of what age soever who live idly & are poor & stand in need of the relief of the Town or whose families stand in need of such relief from the Town :-
Article 1. Industry shall be taught & enjoined by the overseer on all who ean perform the most trifling Labors. Every pauper shall have their labour alloted by the overseers dayly accordin to the ability of the person. For every neglect of performing such labour the overseer shall with hold all sustenance till the delinquent performs the require- ment or satisfy the overseer of his disposition to do it.
Article 2. No pauper shall absent him or her self from the service and care of the overseer without leave. For every such offense, for disrespectful condnet towards the overseer, for wanton mischief and determined obstinacy, the offender shall be abridged in privilege and diet equal to the crime. When such measures are not affected ( ?) and the person can not thus be restrained and governed the overseer shall
229
PAUPERS.
call on the selectmen of the Town who shall direet and cause to be in- flieted punishment equal to the crime.
Article 3. No pauper shall be allowed to live on costly or Inxurious food or drink. the diet of the labouring and healthy shall be course. wholsom & substantial food. Those who are feeble & unhealthy shall be furnished with food more simple that is cheape and will answer the requirements of nature. No coffee or tea shall be allowed more than once a week excepting what is made from domestic produce. No spirituous liquors or tobacco shall be allowed unless life & health abso- Intely require it, nor a greate quantity of cider.
Article 4. No clothing shall be furnished them but that of the plain ordinary kind which decency and nature require.
Article 5. Particular attention shall be paid to the sick and the Ilecessary requirements afforded.
James Tucker - Committee
Joseph Brown
Caleb Marston Josiah Babcock
At the town meeting on March 12. 1822:
Voted to choose a committee to propose to the Town the best method to support Town paupers the present year. Chose Col. Jonathan Weare. Capt. Caleb Marston and Lieut. Daniel Huntoon.
Voted that all the Town paupers who wish to be delivered from the Town's protection may have the privilege.
Voted that the old people shall be disposed of on the 20th March, all together or in lots as the selectmen think best.
Voted that the poor shall be disposed of in Lots but the lots shall not part man and wife.
Voted that the selectmen if they think expedient may proceed to make the attempt to take off the film off Saml Sleeper's eyes.
Sam. Sleeper was the son of Margaret Roberts and was par- tially deficient, both mentally and physically.
At the town meeting on March 13, 1827 :
Set up and struck off the paupers to Charles Hilton for $419.00. Josiah Babcock appeared as his bondsman and was accepted by the town.
Voted that the selectmen call on persons in town that are within their knowledge who are liable to become town panpers and who are spending their time and deal with them as they think proper.
At a town meeting on March 13, 1827, a committee, after citing a part of the report on March 14, 1821, as a preamble, made the following report :
230
HISTORY OF ANDOVER.
Your committee recommend that the maintenance and support (for one year) of all that may be committed to the poor house be now set up and struck off to the lowest bidder, providing the selectmen consider him a suitable person, and providing he will give sufficient bonds to maintain and support in said house during the year, agreeably to the regulations this day adopted, all such as the selectmen may commit to said honse and pay all bills of cost arising after they are there com- mitted and keep their clothes in as good repair as they now are :-
Article 1. The house in which the poor are to be kept shall be consti- tuted a workhouse.
Article 2. It shall be the duty of the selectmen to cause to be com- mitted there all such as are liable by the Law just received to be com- mitted where they shall be maintained and supported agreeably to these regulations excepting the Wd. Rowe and Margaret Roberts who the person bidding them off have a right to dispose of them other ways at his own expense.
Article 3. The person biding them off shall be the immediate over- seer and have full power to carry into effect and execute the laws of the state and of the town this day adopted respecting the government and support of such as may be committed to said work house.
Article 4. Industry shall be taught and enjoined by the overseer on all who can perform the most trifling (labor), every pauper shall have their labor attended by the overseer daily according to the ability of the person. For every neglect of performing such labor the overseer shall withold all sustenance till the delinquent performs the require- ment or satisfy the overseer of his disposition to do it.
Article 5. No pauper shall absent himself or herself from the ser- vice of the overseer without leave, for every such offense, for disre- spectful condnet towards the overseer, for wanton mischief, determined obstinacy, the ofender shall be abriged in privilege and diet equal to the crime, when such measures are not effectual and the person cannot thus be reclaimed and governed the overseer shall call on the selectmen of the Town who shall direct and cause to be inflicted punishment equal to the crime.
Article 6. It shall be the duty of the selectmen to visit the poor house when called upon by the overseer or when a complaint shall be made by any of the paupers which appears to demand their notice and decide all matters of difficulty and wrong respecting the overseer and paupers.
Article 7. No assistance shall (be) rendered to any person excepting at said poorhouse unless imperious circumstances shall ronder it abso- lutely necessary.
Article 9. It shall be the duty of the committee appointed by the town to be vigilant in the detection of all such as are spending their time and property visiting taverns or grog shops, or in any way that shall render them liable to become paupers and report them to the
231
PAUPERS.
.
selectmen and it shall be their duty to take immediate cognizance of all such reports rendered to them by the above committee.
Josiah Babcock James Tucker 7 Committee. Joseph Brown Elijah Hilton
Report accepted
Jonathan Weare
Robert Barber
by the town.
Although some portions of the above report are almost identi- cal with articles in the report of March 14, 1821, both reports are given in full in order to indicate the persistent effort of the town to find the best method of caring for the unfortunate poor within its jurisdiction.
March 11. 1828. Sold sixteen paupers to the lowest bidder.
March 20, 1828. Sold paupers' labor, including care of the people, at auction to the lowest bidder. Whole number sold, cleven; bound out three. "Set up Mehitable Tilton and struck off to Miles Cole at 2 cents per week."
At an adjourned meeting on June 1, 1829, a report of a com- mittee appointed March 10, 1829, on pauperism was read.
It was really a partial essay on pauperism and its causes, but it ended with a recommendation that the selectmen make an ar- rangement with some suitable person to receive into his house all the paupers and to constitute it a house of correction for this town.
The report was accepted.
The selectmen constituted the house of Daniel Rowe on Boston Hill the required house of correction and appointed the said Rowe the superintending and governing officer of said house.
They also established the following regulations :
(1) The governing officer of said house of correction shall furnish all persons sentenced to the house of correction and placed under his care with suitable meats and drinks in health and sickness.
(2) The said officer shall furnish suitable and proper employment to said persons when in health for the number of hours in each day usually devoted to-labour by industrious persons.
(3) The said officer shall require all persons committed to his charge as aforesaid to perform their daily prescribed tasks ; and if said persons refuse or neglect to obey said officer or to perform the proper task of labour, he may use all lawful means to enforce his commands or re- quirements always beginning with admonitions and persuations.
(4) And the same officer shall use all reasonable exertions to redeem such persons from all immoral and idle habits.
282
HISTORY OF ANDOVER.
(5) Note: No part of the foregoing instrument is to be construed in any manner repugnant to the laws of this state.
Mesheck Weare - Selectmen of
James Proctor
William Graves j
Andover
The above system and regulations were in use but a short time.
In the latter part of 1829 pauperism and vagrancy had so increased that many people thought it wise for the town to own a farm where paupers and other dependants couldl be supported and governed on its own premises.
At the annual meeting on March 9. 1830:
Voted that the town purchase a farm to support the poor upon.
Voted that the Committee on pauperism be authorized to select said farm and direct the selectmen to close the bargain.
Voted that the committee and selectmen be not allowed a sum that will exceed the fund of the parsonage money, which is 1607 dollars, to purchase said farm to support the poor upon.
Voted that the selectmen and committee make use of the parsonage fund, or a part of it, to purchase said farm to support the poor upon and that the town be holden to the several religious societies for the interest of the same.
Voted that the selectmen select an overseer for the poor house.
The following are the condensed rules and regulations for the conduct of the poor farm, which were prepared by Joseph C. Thompson, Samuel Brown and Josiah Babcock. the committee on pauperism :
(1) The selectmen will appoint the overseer or warden.
(2) The selectmen will collect all the poor at the poor farm.
(3) The warden will instruct the inmates at the farm according to the best of his judgment.
(4) The warden will inflict punishment when necessary. Solitary confinement may continue not longer than forty eight hours.
(5) The warden will keep a careful record of all transactions and report expenses ete. at the annual town meeting.
(6) It is the duty of all the inmates to obey immediately and will- ingly all orders and directions of the warden.
(7) No assistance will be given any person except at the poor house. unless imperious circumstances shall render it absolutely necessary.
" (8) The selectmen shall take all legal measures to commit to the poor house and house of correction all rogues, vagabonds, lewd, idle, disorderly persons, beggars, runaways, stubborn servants or children, common drunkards and pilferers, such as neglect their calling or ein-
233
TRAMPS.
ployment, misspend what they earn and do not support themselves and families.
(9) The selectmen shall render such aid and assistance to the warden in governing the inmates as is necessary.
(10) One or more of the selectmen shall visit the establishment at least once in six months, examine the warden's books and have power to grant such immunities and rewards for the deserving as they see fit.
(11) The warden may command the assistance of any or all the inmates in inflicting punishment to any other inmate.
To refuse prompt assistance makes the person as liable to punishment as the first offender.
In 1830 the farm of Samuel Fuller was purchased by the town for $1,500, and thereafter used as an almshouse or poor farm, under the same rules and regulations practically as given above. Several propositions were made in subsequent town meetings to increase the original farm by the purchase of adjacent land, but the records are not very definite.
After the poor farm was occupied the following record is found :
Set up the doctoring of all the paupers in the Almshouse and struck off to Doctor Woodman for twenty five dollars and fifty cents.
All the town poor were cared for on this farm. now owned by George E. Eastman, until it was sold in December, 1868, and the inmates transferred to the county farm at North Boscawen. Since that date the poor, dependent on this town, have been maintained generally at the county farm, though oeeasional and temporary aid has been furnished people at their homes.
TRAMPS.
The professional tramp of 100 or even 50 years ago differed materially from the modern specimen of that class. The earlier denizen of the highway was seldom vicious. A lack of mental. physical and perhaps moral stamina, mingled with a strong dislike for continuous labor, was likely to separate some people from the positive life of an ordinary New England home. Add to these characteristics a genial and humorous manner and behold your man ready to east his lot among, the quiet, congenial lives scattered among the farms along the early roads of this section of the state. He sang ballads, told stories and laughed at his own and other men's erude jokes; in fact, he was a certain type of king's jester turned loose into the green paths of a new country.
234
HISTORY OF ANDOVER.
The modern road runner, however, is another creature en- tirely. He is generally a lazy, surly, vicious vagabond, whose range of impudence, brutality and crime is limited only by oppor- tunity and the lowest form of courage. Instead of modestly begging he impudently demands. with never a smile or a song for the favors received.
The earlier man of the road travelled the same route for a series of years, and his periodic return could be easily pre- dicted by his good-natured patrons. James or "Jim" Robinson tramped his route through this town for many years. Sally Keniston jogged along through the town for many summers, beg- ging food and cider. One early May morning she was found by the roadside too weak to carry her load of cider. and ever after she was called "the Mayflower."
For about twenty years a man named Jaquith. generally called "Jaquish, " strolled through the town annually. picking up a precarious living by various simple devices and entertainments. At first he was accompanied by a heifer and a pig, but later. owing to some unusual exposure. he had one foot frozen, render- ing it almost useless, after which, with that foot wrapped in a mass of rags he tramped his route alone and generally with the aid of erntehes. The heifer and pig were trained to perform certain simple tricks, while he was ready to furnish what he con- sidered moral and religious entertainment to any group of inter- ested listeners. Some of his prices were as follows :
For jumping his heifer over a pole, 5 cents.
For jumping his pig over a lower pole. 2 cents.
For praying he charged 5 eents.
For preaching a sermon, 15 eents.
'In form and logieal presentation the prayer and sermon were not inferior to many heard in country churches. Exposure and lack of proper nourishment finally sapped a weak. but not vicious life, wedded to the dust, flowers and freedom of the roadside. and about 1845 there came a springtime when the painfully plodding figure was missed along his accustomed way.
Many less noted followers of the road came and went, but left no sign and no resentment. Each visit of the modern tramp. however, only adds another grain to the weight of that sentiment that sooner or later will enforee the deeree that unless a man work he shall not eat.
TOWN OFFICERS.
TOWN OFFICERS AFTER THE INCORPORATION OF ANDOVER IN 1779.
YEAR.
MODERATOR.
TOWN CLERK.
REPRESENTATIVE.
1779 1780 1781
Samuel Blake.
Jonathan Weare.
Peter Weare
Jonathan Weare.
Joseph Chandler.
Jonathan Weare.
1782
Samuel Blake
Jonathan Weare
Peter Weare
Jonathan Weare.
William Emery
Jonathan Weare.
Nathan Rowe.
Jonathan Weare.
Nathan Rowe.
Jonathan Weare.
Nathan Rowe.
Jonathan Weare.
1788
Nathan Rowe.
Jonathan Weare.
Capt. Peter Weare .*
Samuel Blake
Jonathan Weare.
Nathan Rowe.
Jonathan Weare.
Nathan Rowe.
Jonathan Weare.
Nathan Rowe.
Jonathan Weare.
Nathan Rowe
.
Silas Barnard ..
Nathan Rowe.
Jonathan Weare
William Blake ..
Jonathan Weare.
William Blake.
Jacob B. Moore.
Nathan Rowe.
Jacob B. Moore ..
William Blake
Jonathan Weare
William Blake ..
Jonathan Weare.
Joseph Philbrick.
Nathan Rowe.
Jacob B. Moore.
Joseph Philbrick
Jacob B. Moore.
William Blake.
Jacob B. Moore.
William Blake ..
Jacob B. Moore.
Joseph Philbrick
Jacob B. Moore ..
Jonathan Weare
John Weare.
William Blake
John Weare.
William Blake. .
John Weare.
Jonathan Weare.
William Blake.
John Weare ..
Jonathan Weare.
William Blake ..
John Weare.
Jonathan Weare.
William Blake ..
John Weare.
James Tucker.
William Blake
Willard Emery
James Tucker.
Robert Barber
James Tucker.
Jonathan Weare, Jr
Robert Barber
Jonathan Weare, Jr.
James Tucker.
James Tucker.
Robert Barber.
Jonathan Weare, Jr.
James Tucker.
Robert Barber.
James Tucker.
James Tucker.
Robert Barber.
(No representative.)
Caleb Marston.
Robert Barber.
Samuel Graves.
James Tucker.
Samuel Brown.
(No representative.)
James Tucker.
Samuel Brown ..
Robert Barber.
James Tucker ..
Samuel Brown.
Samuel Brown.
Jonathan Weare
Samuel Brown.
Samuel Brown.
Jonathan Weare.
Samuel Brown.
Samuel Brown.
Jonathan Weare
Jesse Graves
Robert Barber.
Jonathan Weare
Jesse Graves
(No representative.) Samuel Brown.
Joseph C. Thompson Joseph C. Thompson.
Jesse Graves ..
Joseph C. Thompson.
Samuel Butterfield.
Jesse Graves
James Tucker.
Samuel Butterfield.
Jesse Graves.
James Tucker.
Samuel Butterfield . Joseph C. Thompson Samuel Butterfield.
Nehemiah D. Sleeper
Jesse Graves.
(No representative.)
Joseph C. Thompson
Thomas R. White.
Joseph Swett.
Samuel Brown .. Joseph Swett . ..
Thomas R. White.
Joseph Swett.
Thomas J. Cilley
Edwin Moody
Royal F. Eastman.
* Representing Andover, New London and the Gore.
t Representing Andover, New London and Sutton.
1789 1790 1791 1792 1793 1794 1795 1796 1797 1798 1799 1800 1801 1802 1803 1804 1805 1806 1807 1808 1809 1810 1811 1812 1813 1814 1815 1816 1817 1818 1819 1820 1821 1822 1823 1824 1825 1826 1827 1828 1829 1830 1831 1832 1833 1834 1835 1836 1837
Matthew Harvey.t Joseph Philbrick. Joseph Philbrick. Joseph Philbrick. Joseph Philbrick.
Joseph Philbrick. Joseph Philbrick. Joseph Philbrick.
Jonathan Weare. Joseph Philbrick. Jonathan Weare. Jacob B. Moore.
William Blake
Robert Barber.
James Tucker.
Caleb Marston.
Samuel Brown.
Robert Barber.
Jesse Graves
Jesse Graves ..
Jesse Graves.
Nehemiah D. Sleeper. Thomas R. White.
Joseph Swett.
1783 1784 1785 1786 1787
236
HISTORY OF ANDOVER.
TOWN OFFICERS .- Concluded.
YEAR.
MODERATOR.
TOWN CLERK.
REPRESENTATIVE.
1838
Joseph C. Thompson.
Samuel Swett.
Royal F. Eastman.
1839
Joseph C. Thompson.
Samuel Swett.
Joseph C. Thompson.
1840
Joseph Swett .
Jacob C. Hanson
Benjamin F. Scribner.
1841
Joseph Swett.
Jacob C. Hanson
Benjamin F. Scribner.
1842
Samuel Morrill
Simon Graves
Enoch F. Sceva.
1843
Joseph C. Thompson
Simon Graves
Enoch F. Sceva.
1844
Joseph C. Thompson
Simon Graves
Joseph A. Rowe.
1845
Joseph C. Thompson
William B. Emery
Joseph A. Rowe.
1846
Joseph C. Thompson.
William B. Emery
Samuel Butterfield.
1847
Joseph Swett
Henry A. Weymouth.
John Fellows.
1848
James Proctor.
Henry A. Weymouth.
John Fellows.
1849
Joseph A. Rowe
Ephraim G. Graves.
1850
John Fellows
Ephraim G. Graves.
Samuel Morrill.
1851
Joseph C. Thompson
Henry A. Weymouth.
Ephraim G. Graves.
1852 1853 1854 1855 1856 1857
E. G. Graves
Jacob F. Kenerson.
Caleb T. Marston.
1858
E. G. Graves
Clark Durgin.
Watson Dickerson.
1859
E. G. Graves .
Clark Durgin.
John M. Shirley.
1860 1861 1862
Stephen R. Swett.
Nathan Woodbury, Jr ..
John Proctor.
Samuel Morrill
Nathan Woodbury, Jr ..
John Proctor.
1863
Samuel Morrill
Nathan Woodbury, Jr ..
Samuel Swett.
1864 1865 1866 1867 1868
H. A. Weymouth
John W. Keniston ..
Aaron Cilley.
H. A. Weymouth
John W. Keniston ..
George W. Thompson.
John W. Keniston ..
George W. Thompson.
1869 1870 1871 1872 1873 1874
John F. Emery
George H. Morrill
John P. Carr.
1875
John F. Emery
George H. Morrill
Ziba Severance.
1876
John F. Emery .
George H. Morrill
¿ Clark Durgin.
( Clark Durgin.
1877
H. A. Weymouth
George H. Morrill
/ Gerry Morgan.
1878 1879 1880
H. A. Weymouth
George H. Morrill
Clarence E. Carr.
William E. Melendy.
. .
H. A. Weymouth
Robert C. Carr.
H. A. Weymouth
George W. Stone.
. .
H. A. Weymouth
George H. Scribner.
George H. Scribner.
Walter S. Carr.
H. A. Weymouth
George H. Scribner.
Charles W. Stone.
H. A. Weymouth.
George H. Scribner
Daniel Downes.
H. A. Weymouth
George H. Scribner.
Harrison M. Busiel.
H. A. Weymouth
George H. Scribner.
Barron Shirley.
H. A. Weymouth.
George H. Scribner .. . . . George H. Scribner .. . ..
Henry A. Weymouth.
. . H. A. Wey mouth
Vivian S. Quimby Weare D. Tuttle. George H. Scribner. .. Wilton P. Graves.
1904
H. A. Weymouth H. A. Weymouth ..
George H. Scribner. . .. John R. Eastman.
Dudley F. Langley.
Joseph A. Rowe.
Jacob F. Kenerson
Dudley F. Langley.
Joseph A. Rowe
Jacob F. Kenerson ..
Caleb T. Marston.
John M. Shirley
Clark Durgin.
John M. Shirley.
Samuel Swett.
Samuel Morrill.
Nathan Woodbury, Jr ..
Aaron Cilley.
John F. Emery
John W. Keniston.
Henry A. Weymouth.
John F. Emery
John W. Keniston.
Henry A. Weymouth.
John F. Emery.
John W. Keniston ..
John F. Emery.
John F. Emery
John W. Keniston.
John F. Emery.
John F. Emery
George H. Morrill
John P. Carr.
( Ziba Severance.
Gerry Morgan.
H. A. Weymouth
George H. Morrill
¿ Clarence E. Carr.
H. A. Weymouth
Henry M. Bosworth .. . . Henry M. Bosworth.
Henry M. Bosworth.
Henry M. Bosworth.
Henry M. Bosworth. . . Nathan Woodbury. Nathan Woodbury
George W. Stone.
H. A. Weymouth.
George H. Scribner.
George H. Scribner.
George H. Scribner.
George H. Scribner.
George H. Scribner
1889 1890 1891 1892 1893 1894 1895 1896 1897 1898 1899 1900 1902
Joseph A. Rowe.
Henry A. Weymouth.
Ephraim G. Graves.
E. G. Graves
Clark Durgin
Watson Dickerson.
Samuel Morrill
Nathan Woodbury, Jr ..
Samuel Butterfield.
Samuel Morrill.
Samuel Morrill.
Henry A. Weymouth ..
1881 1882 1883 1884 1885 1886 1887 1888
H. A. Weymouth
237
TOWN OFFICERS.
SELECTMEN.
From an early period the local business of the towns within the jurisdiction of the Province of Massachusetts Bay was transacted generally in open town meeting or in the General Court of the province.
One part of the process of simplifying the town government was the selection by popular vote in each town of not more than seven men to order the usual business affairs of the town. In 1642 these men were called "seven men," then "chosen men." "chosen townsmen," "selected townsmen." "townsmen select." and as early as 1648 they were called "seleetmen." The use of this title spread throughout Massachusetts and New Hampshire as fast as towns were organized. It was first used in the New Breton records on January 30, 1778. Before that date officers charged with some of the duties of seleetmen were known as assessors.
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