USA > New Hampshire > Merrimack County > Andover > History of the town of Andover, New Hampshire, 1751-1906, Part I > Part 40
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TASKS IN SPINNING AND WEAVING.
About 1800 the ordinary stint for girls employed in spinning woolen yarn among the farmers was five skeins per day. A smart, active girl could easily spin her allotted amount in about six hours, leaving her plenty of time for rest and recreation. The usual price paid for wool spinning was fifty cents per week, including board. It is related at the eastern part of the town that Mrs. Moses Rowell once wove fifteen yards of flannel in the old-fashioned hand-loom in one day; and Miss Ruth Robie, a neighbor, spun fifteen skeins of woolen yarn in the same time.
A FEAT IN TREE FELLING.
Daniel Cilley, born in 1762 and father of Josiah Cilley of East Andover, was a noted wood-chopper. While working for Jona- than Cilley, Sr., it was reported that he felled two acres of old growth trees in one day. He notched the trees so that each should fall against one or more notched trees beyond and then set them falling like a row of bricks by felling a "driver" against the first notched tree.
PEW OWNERS IN NORTH CHURCH.
After the North Church at East Andover was repaired in 1840, the pews were sold. The following list of purchasers and
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HISTORY OF ANDOVER.
the prices paid was found on a single sheet of paper late in 1906, after the church annals were printed. Neither the date of sale nor the numbers of the pews were given.
Name.
Price.
Name.
Price.
Brown, Reuben
$40.00
Marston, Caleb
40.00
Brown, Joseph
57.00
Marston, Caleb
76.00
Brown, Joseph, Jr.
46.00
Marston, James
71.50
Cross, Caleb
62.00
Marston, James, Jr.
71.00
Durgin, Gershom
62.00
Osgood, Joseph
45.00
Durgin, Gershom
30.00
Page, Isaac
40.00
Ellis, John
47.00
Pevear, John
40.00
Emery, Willard
56.00
Rowe, J. A.
61.00
Emery, Willard
40.00
Rowe, Moses
42.00
Emery, Willard
31.00
Rowell, Moses
46.00
Fellows, John
50.00
Rowell and Osgood
40.00
Fellows, Joseph E.
40.00
Scribner, B. F.
40.00
Fellows, Joseph E.
40.00
Scribner and Rowe
30.00
Fellows, Stephen
76.00
Sleeper, Thomas
30.00
Fuller, David
40.00
Stevens and French
45.00
Graves, Jesse
40.00
Swett, Joseph
40.00
Graves, William
33.00
Tucker, Benjamin
43.00
Graves, William
67.00
Tucker, William and Fel-
Hilton, Elijah
41.00
lows
40.00
Jones, Enoch
40.00
Tucker, William, Jr.
40.00
Knowles, Ezekiel
40.00
Long, Reuel
40.00
$1,898.50
ANDOVER MEMBERS OF A BAPTIST SOCIETY IN SALISBURY.
On May 25, 1789, a meeting was held in Salisbury, in the schoolhouse near the residence of Abel Elkins, in the Centre Village, for the purpose of forming a Baptist Society. Seventy- four persons signed a "Covenant" containing, as the princi- pal idea, the following :
"We, therefore, in the view of these things, as men, amidst all the controversy of religionists and the errors of the times, would assume our natural rights in the choice of a religious sen- timent for ourselves, and do accordingly, having had the oppor- tunity to peruse, examine and determine upon several religious schemes or sentiments, presume voluntarily to choose and pre- fer what is called the strict Anti-Pedobaptists sentiments of re- ligion and do hereby make said sentiments of religion our own.
461
MISCELLANEOUS.
taking it upon candid examination, according to our best light in the Holy Scriptures, to be the most agreeable thereto."
Of the seventy-four signers of the above covenant, the follow- ing were residents of Andover :
Bartlett, Nathan
Hoyt, Reuben
Brown, Joseph, Jr.
Ladd, Edward
Cilley, Benjamin
Ladd, Joseph
Cilley, Benjamin, Jr.
Morey, William, Jr.
Cilley, Elisha
Morrill, Jabez
Connor, Simeon
Sleeper, Jedediah
Corliss, Pelatiah
Sleeper, Thomas
Haines, Josiah
Sweatt, John D.
Hobbs, John
Sweatt, Timothy
Hoyt, Abraham
At a later date the following Andover men became members of the society : Aaron Cilley, Moses Clough, Samuel Elkins and Josiah Scribner.
MONEY RAISED AND APPROPRIATED FOR SOLDIERS AND THEIR FAMILIES. (Extracts from Town Records.)
November 2, 1861 .- Voted to raise $500 for the aid and sup- port of wives and dependent children of soldiers.
August 23, 1862 .- Voted to raise and appropriate $110 for each "three years volunteer" and $30 for each nine months volunteer, who shall enlist "from this town" before September 3, 1862.
October 18, 1862 .- "Voted to raise the sum of $5,000 by as- sessment to make up the town bounties according to the instruc- tion of the town in a former meeting."
"Voted to raise a sum of money not exceeding $3,560.00 by taxation,"-"to aid the families of volunteers."
August 29, 1863 .- "Voted that the town raise, appropriate, levy, and pay to all drafted men's, or conscript's substitutes for such conscripts, all that are or may be drafted and accepted, under the present conscript law, the sum of $300.00 each, un-
462
HISTORY OF ANDOVER.
der, and in accordance with and in the way and manner pointed out in the act passed June session, 1863, authorizing towns to raise money and appropriate the same to pay drafted men, con- scripts, or to the substitutes for such conscripts."
November 30, 1863 .- "Voted that the town raise and hire $7000.00 to fill the present quota (12) of volunteers by volunteer enlistment."
August 29, 1864 .- "Voted to raise, appropriate and borrow upon the credit of the town not exceeding $15000.00 to fill the present and any future quotas of this town by the purchase of substitutes to the extent and in the way and manner prescribed by the Statutes of this State by the advance payment of boun- ties."
FRATERNAL SOCIETIES IN ANDOVER SINCE 1875.
HIGHLAND LAKE GRANGE, NO. 88, PATRONS OF HUSBANDRY.
This society was organized at East Andover December 14, 1876, with the following charter members:
Bosworth, Henry M. Cilley, Mrs. Elizabeth C.
Campbell, Calvin
Cilley, Miss Belle
Cilley, Jonathan
Downes, Mrs. Jane
Downes, Daniel
Durgin, Mrs. Placentia
Eastman, O. E.
Eastman, Mrs. Ellen F.
Emery, E. G.
Emery, Mrs. Salina M.
Graves, John
Graves, Mrs. Ann D.
Merrill, Elvin B.
Merrill, Mrs. Deborah
Moody, Howard, Rev.
Moody, Mrs. C. A.
Stearns, Richard J.
Putney, Miss Mary A.
Tuttle, Weare D.
Stearns, Mrs. Margaret M.
Wadleigh, John B.
Tuttle, Mrs. Ellen M.
Bosworth, Mrs. Georgie F.
Wadleigh, Mrs. Viola L.
Campbell, Mrs. Alma-
OFFICERS OF THE GRANGE.
Masters.
John B. Wadleigh,
Nahum J. Bachelder, 1877 to 1879 1880 to 1883
463
MISCELLANEOUS.
George H. Haley,
1884 to 1886
Rev. John Thorpe, 1897
Frank W. Durgin,
1898 to 1899
Weare D. Tuttle, 1900
John Wadleigh,
1901
Electa C. Flanders,
1902 to 1906
Ervin J. Flanders,
1907
Secretaries.
Henry M. Bosworth, 1877 to 1881
Mary A. Putney, 1882 to 1883
1893 to 1894
Electa C. Flanders,
Lottie E. Durgin, 1895 to 1900
Grace E. Kilburn, 1901
Daisy S. Eastman,
1902
Grace E. Kilburn, 1903 to 1907
Whole number of charter members, 27
Number added by card and by initiation,
261
Loss by death, by card and by suspension, 167
Present membership,
121
BLACKWATER GRANGE, No. 152, PATRONS OF HUSBANDRY.
This society was organized at Andover Centre May 22, 1890, by Charles McDaniel, State Master, with the following charter members :
Baldwin, John E.
Downes, Daniel
Brown,. John L.
Elkins, Wendell P.
Carr, Clarence E.
Emerson, John F.
Carr, Walter S.
Fellows, J. Fred
Crosby, Dexter Gove, Jerry
Currier, C. E. Hall, Carlton
Downes, Andrew W.
Morrill, Charles H.
Moulton, Charles C.
Downes, C. L.
H. C. Weymouth, 1896
Elvin B. Merrill, 1887 to 1888
Weare D. Tuttle,
1889 to 1890
F. H. Flanders, 1891 to 1892
Frank W. Durgin, 1893
George H. Haley, 1894 to 1895
Ellen M. Tuttle, 1891 to 1892 Nellie M. Pevare,
1884 to 1885
F. H. Flanders, 1886
Electa C. Flanders, 1887 to 1890
464
HISTORY OF ANDOVER.
Palmer, Leonard
Perkins, E. C.
Scribner, George H.
Hall, Mrs. Medora M. Morrill, Mrs. Emma A. Moulton, Mrs. Emma S.
Stone, George W.
Weeks, W. H.
Palmer, Mrs. Sophia E.
Whitcomb, Joseph A.
Perkins, Mrs. Hortense E.
White, Jacob F.
Scribner, Mrs. Nellie L.
Woodbury, Nathan
Smith, Mrs. Susan D. Smith, Mrs. Helen J.
Woodbury, William F.
Baldwin, Mrs. Lydia A.
Stone, Mrs. Stella M.
Brown, Mrs. Cora N.
Weeks, Mrs. Olive A.
Carr, Mrs. Maria E.
White, Mrs. Ellen M.
Crosby, Mrs. Clara M.
White, Miss Lizzie
Downes, Mrs. Viola M.
White, Mrs. Lorette M.
Downes, Mrs. Belle
Woodbury, Mrs. Mary E.
Downes, Mrs. Jane
Woodbury, Mrs. Evelyn D.
Emerson, Mrs. Susie E.
OFFICERS OF THE GRANGE.
Masters.
George W. Stone, 1890 to 1891 Stella M. Thompson.
Everand C. Perkins,
1900 to 1901
1892 to 1893 Everand C. Perkins, 1902
William Morrill, 1894 to 1895
Fred E. Emerson, 1903
Almond H. Smith,
Everand C. Perkins, 1904
1896 to 1897
John F. Emerson, 1905
Nathan Woodbury, Myrton E. Thompson, 1906
1898 to 1899
Leroy E. Tucker, 1907
Secretaries.
Nathan Woodbury,
Nathan Woodbury, 1900
1890 to 1894
Ellen E. Quimby, 1901
Everand C. Perkins, Solomon Dodge, Jr.,
1895 to 1899 1902 to 1907
Whole number of charter members, 51
Number added by card and by initiation, 115
Fellows, Mrs. Lilla J. Gove, Mrs. Edith E.
Smith, Harvey
MISCELLANEOUS. 465
Number lost by death, by card and by suspension, 114
Present membership,
52
ORDER OF UNITED AMERICAN MECHANICS.
JOHN M. SHIRLEY COUNCIL, No. 18.
Instituted February 27, 1900, with thirty-three charter mem- bers. Membership in 1907, forty-eight.
List of those who have been officers in the organization :
Councilors.
Vivian S. Quimby
S. W. Heath
M. F. Thompson
J. A. Rivers,
E. C. Perkins
S. E. Sawtell
M. E. Thompson
H. J. Smith
C. E. Smith
S. C. Baldwin
C. E. Parks
F. C. Smith
J. R. Morrison
Recording Secretaries.
J. H. Merrill.
W. C. Baker
F. E. Emerson
H. L. Currier
L. J. Quimby
Financial Secretaries.
C. M. Wiggin
J. H. Buswell
A. B. Currier
C. E. Currier
M. F. Thompson
Treasurers.
E. C. Perkins E. C. Perkins
L. J. Quimby
NARCISSA Y. THOMPSON COUNCIL, NO. 8, DAUGHTERS OF LIBERTY.
This organization was instituted January 28, 1901, with twenty-five charter members. The council was dissolved April 3, 1907. Number of members at time of dissolution, nineteen.
30
466
HISTORY OF ANDOVER.
PRINCIPAL OFFICERS OF THE COUNCIL.
Councilors.
A. Grace Emerson
Emma A. Emerson
Kate M. Scribner
Walter C. Rowe
Julia B. Quimby
Helen A. Currier
Kate M. Scribner
Myrton E. Thompson
Recording Secretaries.
Crissie M. Goodwin
Louis J. Quimby
Ethel S. Cody
Myrton E. Thompson
Ethel S. Cody
Kate M. Scribner
Ethel S. Cody
Ethel S. Cody
Ethel S. Cody
Ethel S. Cody
Treasurers.
Willis H. Rollins
Fred E. Emerson
Fred E. Emerson
Fred E. Emerson
Fred E. Emerson
Fred E. Emerson
Fred E. Emerson
Fred E. Emerson
ANECDOTES.
HOEING FOR PREACHING.
Joe Page worked for "Elder" Badcock hoeing corn to pay his "minister tax." According to the parson's notion, the work was not well done and Joe was rebuked.
"Not hoed well," replied Joe, "not hoed well. Humph ! I guess it's as good as the preachin.' "
BLAKE'S BULLETIN.
"Sam" Blake lived on the Benjamin Tucker place. When a certain woman fell down the cellar stairs, "Sam" posted the following announcement on the door of the old North Church :
Willis H. Rollins
Willis H. Rollins
Willis H. Rollins
Fred E. Emerson
Winifred E. Thompson
Walter C. Rowe
Emma A. Emerson
Walter C. Rowe
Myrton E. Thompson
Myrton E. Thompson
467
MISCELLANEOUS.
"Mollie Blaisdell desires prayers For falling down the cellar stairs. She broke no bones, but bruised her meat And, thanks to God, she's living yet."
A NEW REMEDY.
While at supper with his family, in the house now owned by George F. Woodward in the Swett neighborhood, Mr. John Hobbs was startled by loud knocks and shouts at his door. Be- fore he could reach the door he was accosted by an ancient maiden neighbor, exclaiming, "O Mr. Harbs, Mr. Harbs, our Biah's fell down suller and wants a little honey to put on't."
TIT FOR TAT.
One of the early residents on Andover Plain had some corn planted near his barn. One of his hens persisted in pulling the corn as soon as the young shoots appeared. Thinking to check the mischief, he killed the hen. This so enraged his wife that she went out and pulled up all the corn in sight.
"NAMING THE BUILDING."
It was an early custom, when the frame of a building of more than ordinary importance was raised, to "name" or "toast" it. This was done after the ridge-pole, the last piece of timber, was put in place, by a man standing on the ridge-pole and breaking a bottle of rum (probably without spilling much rum), after- wards repeating some lines, generally complimentary to the owner's enterprise and character. Sometimes the occasion was seized to emphasize a local grudge or to point a joke.
About 1820 Jonathan Roberts erected a grist-mill on the inlet of Elbow Pond, just above the sawmill afterwards owned by Samuel Morrill. When the frame of Roberts' mill was raised, it was "named" by Samuel Keniston in the following lines :
"Here's a fine frame put up for a mill By the owner's industry, and the neighbors' good will.
He grinds for his meal, and mows for his grass ;
Here's hoping he'll get the toll all away from old Cass."
468
HISTORY OF ANDOVER.
The "Old Cass" referred to was the miller at the East An- dover Village.
When the frame for the large blacksmith shop of Col. Jona- than Weare was raised on Taunton Hill, the following lines were repeated by Samuel Keniston, who seems to have been in de- mand for such occasions :
"Here's a fine frame raised upon a hill; The owner is rich, and growing richer still,
He makes very good shoes, ploughshares and axes,
And steals enough out of his hoes to pay all his taxes."
When Keniston came down from the frame Colonel Weare took him by the collar, saying, "Sam, you dog, what did you tell that lie for ?
"Oh," said Keniston, "I was obliged to for the rhyme. I knew it was a lie when I said that you made very good shoes, ploughshares and axes."
Dr. Silas Merrill built the house now occupied by William L. Bennett on Taunton Hill. When the frame was raised, in 1818, a bottle of rum was broken on the ridge-pole and from the same elevation the following lines were delivered :
"Here is a fine frame raised on Taunton Hill, The owner is rich and growing richer still ;
May health come upon us like showers of grace,
And the owner get rich by the sweat of his face."
The good will in the above sentiment has been the heritage of all the doctors who have since occupied the house.
DRINKS ON TOWN-MEETING DAY.
From the establishment of the first stores in town down to at least 1830, most, if not all, traders in this and adjoining towns sold all kinds of spirituous liquors, but New England rum was the favorite drink. Early in the nineteenth century all stores were licensed to sell liquors in any quantities. Special licenses were issued to accommodate the thirsty voters on "town meeting day." The following are specimens of such licenses. It should be noted that the barnyard of Benjamin Cass was near the vot- ing place. In March, 1821, the selectmen licensed Joseph Tilton
469
MISCELLANEOUS.
"to sell and retail spirituous liquors by small quantities in Mr. Benjamin Cass' shed by his barn."
The next year the annual, periodic thirst was recognized in the following document :
"This may certify that we, the subscribers, the Selectmen of Andover, do hereby approbate Jacob M. Brown and Jonah Goodwill to sell, and mix and sell, all kinds of spirituous liquors within the limits of Mr. Benjamin Cass' cow yard and at no other place, for the term of one month.
"JACOB EASTMAN "JOHN SIMONDS Selectmen of Andover.
"SAMUEL BROWN
"ANDOVER, March 7, 1822."
BLAKE'S MASONIC HALL.
Hezekiah Blake erected the first Masonic hall in Andover. It was connected with his dwelling-house, was well finished and or- namented with Masonic emblems. About that time Mr. Blake, who was somewhat eccentric, purchased of the Lord Timothy Dexter estate in Massachusetts a number of life-sized busts, rep- resenting such historical characters as Washington, Bonaparte, etc., and placed one on each post of the fence that enclosed his front yard and the entrance to the hall.
On the first of January, after the hall was completed, Mr. Blake gave a New Year's party and ball to his friends in town and to some guests from adjoining towns. Dr. Jacob Bailey Moore was asked to make some remarks, and at the close of a brief speech he recited the following impromptu lines :
"We've gathered in Masonic Hall To welcome and shake hands with all; To give our friends right hearty cheer, To hail another happy year.
This hall adorned, red, blue and white, These hearts all beating with delight, A hundred brilliant, sparkling eyes, All tell how much these joys we prize.
-
470
HISTORY OF ANDOVER.
Our aged friends have come along To join the young and happy throng; See every age and class advance, Ready to join the merry dance.
So let sweet music stir the air, And banish every gloomy care. A time there is to dance and play ; That time should be on New Year's Day."
A BIT OF ROMANCE.
About 1810 there lived in the state of New York a young couple, who had been married about a year, and had a young daughter. The age of the father was about twenty; of the mother, about sixteen years. The young husband left home and joined the army. The mother and child were received by her friends, who were so. incensed by the conduct of the young soldier that they prevented any communication between hus- band and wife until it was reported that death had given the soldier his long furlough.
In the meantime a rumor had reached the husband that his wife was dead and his daughter was well cared for by her mother's friends. Within a few years both father and mother married again. After many years they were widowed again and were growing old. As a result of a long investigation the father learned that his daughter was alive and was the wife of a botanic physician living at East Andover. He started on his long journey to find his daughter, and a short time before reaching his destination he was aecosted by an elderly woman in the next seat, who inquired if the next station was East Andover, and she was told that it was. As the train stopped, the elderly people alighted and walked along the village street together, un- til the woman inquired of a villager where Doctor Durkee lived, saying to her fellow traveler, who was standing by, about to make the same inquiry: "Mrs. Durkee is my daughter."
He exclaimed : "Who are you ? Tell me, for God's sake !"
Explanations ; tableau; and a happy procession to the doctor's house.
On Thanksgiving Day, 1853, Rev. Oliver Butler re-married
471
MISCELLANEOUS.
the long separated husband and wife; and it is supposed that they "lived happy," if not long, "ever afterwards."
A CHARACTERISTIC DUN.
A ladies' society connected with a church in the village at "Centre Road" in Salisbury had an account against one of the villagers, which he did not pay. The society sent the bill for collection to John M. Shirley, attorney in Andover. Mr. Shirley sent the delinquent the following note :
"Mr. -
"DEAR SIR: A small account is left at my office for collection. The cause of Christ languishes because of the coldness of your faith and backsliding from the tenets of grace. The cause of the great Nazarene must be maintained at all hazards. Please walk up and settle."
A SEARCH FOR A WIFE.
Mark Bachelder, son of Reuben of Hampton Falls, mounted his horse and started out to search for a wife. His first visit was paid to the daughter of Samuel Rano, an early settler in An- dover. Finding her in the barnyard, milking her father's cows, he rode up to the fence and promptly made known the object of his visit. Startled by the abrupt proposal of marriage under such circumstances, she hesitated, and was not inclined to give, then and there, a favorable answer, when Mark, tightening the bridle reins as if to ride off, called out impetuously : "Come now, off or on, what do you say ?" Nabby's exact reply is un- known, but it is likely that Mark received some encouragement, for not long after, in 1788, the maid became Bachelder's wife and in due time the mother of twelve children.
PENALTY FOR NON-PAYMENT.
Conditions of a "vendue" of land owned by non-residents for unpaid taxes in 1806.
"1st. The whole Lot or piece of land as advertised in my list to be set up and struck off to him who will pay the taxes and cost for the least number of Acres.
"2ª. The pay to be made in current money in ten minutes,
472
HISTORY OF ANDOVER.
or the person who bids it off to pay a Pint of Spirits and the land to be set up again.
"3ª. If two persons bid so near together as to cause dispute the land to be set up again at the former bid.
"Deeds given according to law.
" (Signed) SAMUEL KIMBALL, JR."
The above conditions were advertised by collectors as late as January 7, 1812.
HUNTERS' TALES.
As the number of sheep in town increased, the number of bears seemed to increase in greater proportion, until their rav- ages among the flocks became a serious matter. These animals were frequently seen about the houses and barns of the farmers and manifested but little fear of the people.
A bear came to the house of Mr. True on Tueker Mountain, and, standing on its hind legs at the kitchen window, eoolly watched the women of the family at their work for a few min- utes, and then sauntered off to look for a better prospect for his dinner.
Mr. True lost many sheep; and in one year, about 1834, Me- sheck Weare lost twenty sheep by bears. The flocks of most of the farmers in the northern section of the town suffered from these depredations. Mr. True was noted as a bear-hunter and many of these animals were killed by individual hunters; but as these creatures lived among the roeks and ravines of the long range of Ragged Mountain, whence they deseended to raid the flocks of the farmers, it seemed desirable to organize an effort to kill as many as possible and frighten the rest away.
In 1833 an organized hunt was arranged and an attempt was made to approach the mountain on all sides by as many men as could be indueed to join in the battue. The number of men was altogether too small to cover the ground. Many bears were seen but only one was killed. In 1834 another hunt was organized, with results similar to those of the preceding year. One cub was killed and William Morey killed a bear weighing 355 pounds. This animal was dressed and a few days afterwards served to the hunters and their friends at a grand dinner at the tavern
473
MISCELLANEOUS.
at West Andover. During this final hunt, so much noise was made by shouting and the firing of guns that the surviving ani- mals, of which several were seen, were probably frightened away, for no serious damage has been done by bears since that period.
MOREY AND THE CATAMOUNT.
When John Morey and a companion were hunting foxes around the northern base of Kearsarge Mountain, they were astonished to see their dogs running towards them at full speed, closely followed by a large animal, evidently bent on making a meal of fox-hound. His companion fled and Morey was afraid to shoot lest he might kill one of his dogs. The animal was soon upon him. With one hand he grasped the creature's throat and with the other hand he seized a hind leg. The fight, which at first seemed unequal and in favor of the beast, was to a finish. The grip on the animal's throat was not relaxed and Morey strove to prevent fatal wounds from the free hind foot. At the end of the struggle the animal was dead and the hunter was exhausted, his clothes in rags and his body covered with blood. On partially recovering his strength, he swung the catamount by the hind legs over his shoulder and started for home, the nose of the dead beast touching the ground as his captor trudged slowly and painfully on.
THE BEAR NEAR BRADLEY POND.
While clearing his farm on Beech Hill, about 1793, Ephraim Eastman found fresh traces of a bear among some blackberry bushes in a "windfall," at the foot of a precipitous ledge, sit- uated just north of the road now leading from the Eastman farm- house to the Fitzgerald farm. The next morning he set a "log trap," or "deadfall," using for bait the offal from a pig, which Jedediah Sleeper, with whom he boarded, had killed the previous day. When he quit work for the day he went around to his trap and found a large bear that had been caught and killed by the fall of the heavy log. He lifted the log from the bear's neck, put him on his shoulder and started for Mr. Sleeper's. On reaching the top of the hill, where Henry M. Thompson now lives, he dropped the bear in order to rest. After his excitement
474
IIISTORY OF ANDOVER.
had somewhat abated and he was ready to resume his way, he found, to his amazement, that he could not lift the bear to his shoulder again. Hearing the sound of chopping at the house of Mr. Sleeper, who lived near the present house of Orrin Stet- son, Mr. Eastman shouted for assistance. Mr. Sleeper came. They tied the bear's legs together, slung him on a pole, which they put on their shoulders, and proudly carried the body of Bruin home.
BEAR AT EAST ANDOVER.
Early in the history of the town Edward Ladd treed a bear and shot it in a big pine that stood in the corner of what is now the garden of Weare D. Tuttle, in the village of East Andover.
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