USA > New Hampshire > Hillsborough County > Antrim > History of the town of Antrim, New Hampshire, from its earliest settlement to June 27, 1877, with a brief genealogical record of all the Antrim families > Part 25
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215
FIRST SCHOOL-HOUSE.
Reading and writing were the principal studies. A little knowl- edge of figures was imparted orally. Rules were written out on paper or birch bark, and committed to memory. Some parents, like Robert McIlvaine, constructed the elements of arithmetic into form, in writing, for their children. Some of these " home arithmetics " I have examined, and consider them of high rank for plainness, brevity, and common sense. How many parents now could write out a correct arithmetic for their children ?
The third winter teacher in town was Tobias Butler, then always called " Master Butler," - a man of fine education, and exceedingly useful in his day. He commenced as early as 1787, probably 1786, and no doubt kept the first school in the first school-house. He taught winters for a long time.
Now as to the location of the first school-house. Mr. Whiton says (page 25) the first school-house was at the upper end of South Village ; but on page 90 he says, that " until 1794, there was but one school-house, and that a log one, in town, standing a little east of Mr. Raymond's." The evidence seems to me conclusive that this last statement was the right one. Mr. Raymond, at Mr. Whiton's writing, lived east of the Dea. Jona- than Nesmith place, at the corner, the buildings now being gone. This first school-house stood on the top of the hill east of the Raymond place, on the north side of the road. It was standing within the memory of men now living. It was a capacious log house, calculated for the whole eastern half of the town. There ought to be a monument to mark the spot.
To this school-house some of the children traveled two or three miles. Some of them had no road. Children from the Center went to this school-house what little they went anywhere. The town, as such, had nothing to do with building the first school-house, and there is no record of this or any other school- house before the year 1801. It was built, no doubt, by contribu- tions of labor, the citizens turning out, giving the logs, and doing the work. No doubt it was built in the summer of 1787 ; and thus for seventeen years or more, previously, the schools were in private houses. This method, however, was not without its advantages under the circumstances, as it could rotate among the few and scattered people. . The school in the log house above named was dignified with the name of the "Town School," and probably was considered quite an attainment.
But as population increased, this house was found inconven-
216
SCHOOL-HOUSES IN SOUTH VILLAGE.
ient for the whole east half of the town, and a movement was made to divide it into two parts. The date of this division can- not now be fixed. It was not a matter of town action, or tax, but the people of the vicinity arranged it among themselves. Mr. Whiton says it was " not far from 1794." It seems to me it must have been as late as 1797. The people " over east " put up a small school-house about where the present brick house stands ; and the people " at the south " built a small framed house a little east, and probably within one hundred feet, of the spot where now Rev. Mr. Hurlin's house stands. This school- house was burned in December, 1801, as near as can be learned. The fire had gone out, and they sent a little boy, John Hop- kins, after a dish of coals. . There were some cracks in the floor, and all the waste chips and shavings left from building being under the floor and very dry, it was supposed the boy dropped some coals, from which the fire caught. At any rate, the flames were blazing up under the whole house before being noticed, and the scholars had barely time to escape. Soon after a school- house was erected on the spot now occupied by the Methodist church. When this last house was well used up, they built the " brick school-house " opposite, now changed into a dwelling- house. Subsequently, on the growth of the village, the district was divided, and two new school-houses prepared; one being now the dwelling of Henry Smith, and the other the tenement house opposite Mr. Balch's, in the south part of the village. Thus matters went on till the district was reunited, and the present new building, including Waverly Hall, erected in 1869, since which time they have had graded schools, and generally of a high order. It should be added that this district has the income of $1,000, presented for school purposes by D. H. Good- ell, Esq.
In the northwest half of the town, the first school-house was built at the Branch in 1794; and the following year the old High Range school-house was built. Previously, schools were kept in that part of the town in private houses, sometimes at the High Range, sometimes at the Branch, but all in one school together.
At the March meeting of 1801, the town " Voted that under direction of the selectmen, committees be appointed in each dis- trict to estimate the cost of a suitable school-house, and the amount should be at once assessed." The preceding year, an
217
SCHOOL-DISTRICTS.
article in the warrant to " see if the Town would take any Steps for the better regulating of the public Schools," was passed by without any action. It appears from the vote concerning school- houses, in 1801, that districts had been previously formed, prob- ably in the year 1800, and by the selectmen, though no record of it has come to my eye. It is inferred, that, at the meeting in 1800, the selectmen were instructed to district the town, and the record was omitted by mistake. At any rate, in 1801, or soon after, two or three humble structures went up in districts where there were none previously. The principal of these was the school-house at the Center, built in the spring of 1802. It stood on the hill, on the east side of the old common, a few rods below the meeting-house. This house was burned in 1811, in the daytime, breaking out while school was keeping, and fright- ening the children half to death. A colored boy called Manly Ransom was so frightened that he hid under a seat. He was somewhat burned, and would have been consumed had he not been missed, and found and dragged out! The next summer they built again, this time nearly half-way down the hill, on the east side of the road, near the northwest corner of Mr. Gove's field, where a pair of bars still marks the entrance. After many years this house was moved to its present locality. It was enlarged to its present dimensions in 1853.
In 1820 there were nine school-districts. In 1825 there were eleven. These did not vary greatly from the present arrange- ment. In 1843, by vote of the town, a division was made into thirteen districts, and their bounds were put on record. These were not much changed for thirty years. But some recent changes have reduced the number about to that of 1825.
Previous to any town action as to schools, there was a small school-house between Frank Robinson's and S. A. Holt's, near a dwelling-house on the flat, half-way up the hill. An article was in the warrant to lay out a road (1799) from this " Scool house " to the present Center. On the building of other school- houses in 1801-2, this was left unused, and nothing more is known of it.
The first notice of schools on the town record was the follow- ing, March 14, 1786 : " Voted to Raise fifteen pounds [about fifty dollars] for the use of a Town Scool." Subsequently the town took no action whatever concerning schools, till 1800, of which there is the least record. All that was done was by individ-
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218
TOWN SUPERVISION OF SCHOOLS.
ual and voluntary effort, so far as known. Subsequent to 1800, possibly a little before, there seems to have been an " allowance by law " which went to the schools without the vote of the town upon it. Hence in 1805 the town "Voted to Augment the School Money,"- i. e., add to the allowance by law. Also they voted that the " Whole of the School Money be Three hundred and fifty dollars," - an amount very meager as compared with present appropriations, though the population was nearly as now. In the warrant for 1806 appears for the first time that familiar article : "To see how much money the town will raise for school purposes the present year."
The first year that the town took any supervision of the schools was 1809, when this action appears : " Voted the Rev. John M. Wheton Capt Jas Hopkins and D" Arthur Nesmith be a committee the Schools of this town." Two or three times the town tried a committee of two in each district, with Mr. Whiton for the whole town, and chairman of the board. A list of the superintending school committees of the town, as also a list of the principal teachers, will be found below. It will be seen that Mr. Whiton was chairman of the board thirty-two years at least, and probably also those years marked " unknown." ·
Several high schools from time to time have been kept in town. These began at the Branch about sixty years ago. Sylvester Cochran had an " Academy " there several years, had a large number of scholars, and was counted successful. He opened the institution in the large hall then extending over John G. Flint's house. Afterwards he occupied the three-story house, having the hall for his school-room. His successors were Benjamin F. Wallace, Rev. Mr. Barber, Miss Augusta Barber, Frederick S. Little, and Dr. S. M. Dinsmore.
Occasionally, select schools have been held at the Center. Prof. James E. Vose had several terms here, with large and excellent schools, in which he did much good. Lizzie S. Tenney kept a tuition school here one or more terms, till prevented by failing health, - a teacher eminently fitted for her work, both in education and skill. More recently, some excellent select schools were kept here by Miss Abby C. Morse, of Concord.
About 1872 Prof. James E. Vose opened a select school in South Village, and continued several terms, to the benefit and satisfaction of all the people, until he was called away to a larger field of labor.
219
SUPERINTENDING SCHOOL COMMITTEES.
SUPERINTENDING SCHOOL COMMITTEES.
1809. Rev. John M. Whiton, Capt. James Hopkins, Dea. Arthur Nes- mith.
1810. Rev. John M. Whiton, Dea. Jonathan Nesmith, Dea. Arthur Nes- n ith.
1811. Rev. John M. Whiton, Dea. John Alexander, Dea. James Carr.
1812. Rev. John M. Whiton, Dea. Arthur Nesmith, Dea. Jonathan Nes- mith.
1813. Rev. John M. Whiton, Capt. James Hopkins, Samuel Christie.
1814. Rev. John M. Whiton, Dea. Arthur Nesmith, Barachias Holt.
1815. Rev. John M. Whiton, Capt. James Hopkins, James Wallace.
1816. Rev. John M. Whiton, Joseph Boyd, James Wallace.
1817. Rev. John M. Whiton, Israel Burnham, Jeremiah Stickney.
1818. Rev. John M. Whiton, Israel Burnham, Jeremiah Stickney, Capt. James Hopkins, Jacob Tuttle.
1819.
1820.
" Votd Rev. John M. Wheton, Dr. Israel Burnam, Esqr Jacob Tuttle, and Samuel Steel Town Committy to Examin Schools." Rev. John M. Whiton, chairman; District No. 1, Isaac Baldwin, George Duncan ; District No. 2, Robert Gregg, Amos Parmen- ter; District No. 3, James Steele, James Wallace ; District No. 4, Thomas McCoy, Andrew Cochran; District No. 5, David McCluer, Robert Carr; District No. 6, Solomon Hopkins, Rich- ard McAllister; District No. 7, Thomas Jameson, Isaac Smith; District No. 8, Samuel Vose, John Worthley; District No. 9, Samuel Fletcher, Alexander Witherspoon.
1821. Rev. John M. Whiton, Jeremiah Stickney, Israel Burnham.
1822. Rev. John M. Whiton, Jeremiah Stickney, Israel Burnham.
1823. Rev. John M. Whiton, Jeremiah Stickney, Israel Burnham.
1824. Rev. John M. Whiton, Israel Burnham, William Carr, Jr.
1825. Rev. John M. Whiton, Robert Reed, Jeremiah Stickney, Thomas McCoy.
1826.
Rev. John M. Whiton, chairman; District No. 1, Israel Burnham, Luke , Woodbury; District No. 2, Amos Parmenter, Robert Gregg ; District No. 3, William Gregg, James Wallace ; District No. 4, Thomas McCoy, William Carr; District No. 5, Thomas Dunlap, Silas Dinsmore; District No. 6, Robert H. Cleaves, Solomon Hopkins; District No. 7, Jacob Whittemore, Dimon Dodge; District No. 8, William Pritchard, John Vose; District No. 9, Samuel Fletcher, Isaac Brown; District No. 10, John Symonds, Gilman Swain; District No. 11, Dea. Josiah Duncan, Giles Newton.
1827. Rev. John M. Whiton, chairman; with same assistants as in 1826. Rev. John M. Whiton, Mark Woodbury, Israel Burnham, Jere- miah Stickney, Bartlett Wallace.
1828.
1829. " Voted School Districts choose their Committees."
1830. Benjamin F. Wallace, John Vose, Silas Dinsmore.
1831. Luke Woodbury, John Vose, William Carr, Jr.
1832. Rev. John M. Whiton, Luke Woodbury, B. F. Wallace.
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SUPERINTENDING SCHOOL COMMITTEES.
1833. Rev. John M. Whiton, Rev. Joseph Davis, E. L. Vose.
1834. Rev. John M. Whiton, Rev. Joseph Davis, Bartlett Wallace, James Hopkins, Jr., Silas Dinsmore.
1835.
Rev. John Whiton, Rev. Joseph Davis, Bartlett Wallace, James Hopkins, Jr., Silas Dinsmore.
1836. Rev. John M. Whiton, Rev. Joseph Davis, Bartlett Wallace, James Hopkins, Jr., Silas Dinsmore.
Rev. John M. Whiton, Rev. Joseph Davis, B. F. Wallace.
1837. 1838. Rev. John M. Whiton, Rev. Joseph Davis, James M. Stickney.
1839. Rev. John M. Whiton, B. F. Wallace, Rev. Joseph Davis. Unknown.
1840.
1841.
Unknown.
1842. Rev. John M. Whiton, B. F. Wallace, Rev, Joseph Davis.
4
1843. Rev. John M. Whiton, B. F. Wallace, Rev. Joseph Davis. 1844. Unknown.
1845. Unknown.
1846.
Unknown.
1847. Rev. John M. Whiton, Charles McKeen, Clark Hopkins.
1848. Clark Hopkins.
1849. Rev. John M. Whiton, Clark Hopkins, George H. Hubbard.
1850. Daniel W. Hazelton, George H. Hubbard.
1851. E. L. Vose, Solomon J. Buckminster, Frederick S. Little.
1852. E. L. Vose.
Rev. John H. Bates, E. L. Vose.
1853. 1854. E. L. Vose.
1855. William W. Lovejoy.
1856. Levi W. Wilkins.
1857. Levi W. Wilkins.
1858. Levi W. Wilkins, D. H. Goodell.
1859. J. H. Bates.
1860. J. H. Bates.
1861. J. H. Bates.
1862. J. H. Bates.
1863. James E. Vose.
1864. James E. Vose.
1865. James E. Vose, J. H. Bates.
1866. James E. Vose.
1867. James E. Vose, D. H. Goodell.
1868. Dr. Morris Christie.
1869. Henry D. Chapin.
1870. Henry D. Chapin, Dr. J. R. Kimball.
1871. Dr. J. R. Kimball.
1872. Henry D. Chapin.
1873. Dr. J. R. Kimball, Mark True.
1874. Mark True, Abbott F. True.
1875. Clark B. Cochrane.
1876. Abbott F. True.
1877. Abbott F. True.
1878. Dr. I. G. Anthoine.
1879. Dr. I. G. Anthoine.
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221
SCHOOL-TEACHERS.
NAMES OF PRINCIPAL SCHOOL-TEACHERS BORN OR LIVING IN ANTRIM, SO FAR AS KNOWN.
George Bemaine.
Alice Steele.
Tobias Butler.
Frances M. Steele.
John Hopkins.
Georgianna Steele.
Thomas McCoy.
William Carr.
Thomas Dunlap.
Lucy Tenney.
, John Nichols.
Bartlett Wallace.
Daniel M. Christie.
Hiram Wallace.
George W. Nesmith.
Frederick S. Little.
Mary Nesmith.
John F. Tenney.
James Hopkins, Jr.
Mark True.
Mary Nichols.
Millie Abbott. Lucy Tuttle.
Mary Dinsmore.
Margaret Dinsmore.
Morris Christie.
Margaret Nesmith.
Lizzie S. Tenney.
John Duncan.
Mary F. Sawyer.
Mary Woodbury.
Emily Tuttle.
Benjamin F. Wallace.
Laura Shattuck.
Mary Duncan.
Myra McIlvaine.
Clark Hopkins.
Alma Shattuck.
Seneca Cummings.
Nancy Gould.
Sylvester Cochran.
Samuel G. Newton.
Ann· Cochran.
Lucretia Robinson.
James M. McCoy.
Clarissa Cochran.
Fanny Baldwin.
Dr. George Wilkins.
Fanny (Burnham) Baldwin.
Harriet Boyd.
Joanna Fletcher. Rachel Fletcher.
James A. Gregg.
Augusta McIlvaine.
Henry D. Chapin.
Almeda McIlvaine.
Edward L. Vose.
Kate I. Preston.
John Vose.
Jennie M. Nesmith.
Samuel Vose.
Fannie H. Nesmith.
Cyrus Baldwin.
Nellie Clement.
Estimate R. E. Baldwin.
Addie Gould.
Harriet Baldwin.
Mary E. Whiteley.
Fannie Burnham.
Nellie Whiteley.
Sarah Brown.
Jennie M. Ferry.
Harriet Brown.
John D. Hutchinson.
James E. Vose.
Sadie M. Holman.
Elisabeth Whiton.
Helen Whiton.
Nellie Jackson. Loisa E. Allds.
Mary Steele.
Elisabeth Steele.
Ann. Steele.
Amorette Hopkins. Alice Gould. George Hastings.
222
LIBRARIES.
CHAPTER VIII.
-VARIOUS SOCIETIES IN ANTRIM.
THE first association in town except the church and the mil- itary was the " Social Library Association," incorporated Nov. 27, 1800. It was started before there was any minister settled in town, and was in active operation long before it was incorpo- rated. Its previous existence is attested by the following vote, Nov. 3, 1800: " To excuse those who have incurred fines this year on account of the sickness." The first records are lost. The first recorded meeting known was that of Nov. 3, 1800, at which Capt. James Hopkins was moderator, and Dea. Arthur Nesmith, clerk. Books were rare and hard to be obtained, and what books they did get were of the solid kind, well selected, useful, and decidedly unlike the trash that preponderates in our modern libraries. This library was a great thing in its day. It was the custom of all the leading families to go the round of EVERY BOOK. Theology and history and philosophy, - all were read and thought over ; and consequently, though they had few books, they had much information. The charter was granted to " James Aiken, John Duncan, Thomas Nichols, and their asso- ciates." About one hundred and twenty names appear on the record as "proprietors," and names were constantly added. The last record is of a meeting Jan. 2, 1826. . Tristram Sawyer was chosen moderator; William Gregg, clerk; and William Pratt, librarian. This excellent library is still in existence, though not with its former fullness and value.
About 1818, a "Juvenile Library" was started. This was before the day of Sunday-school libraries. But the young people had the idea that they must have a lighter, easier style of read- ing. Mr. Whiton went into this to help manage it and keep it pure, thinking he could do more good inside than outside. This library flourished grandly for some years. It was kept at Chris- tie's tavern. But subsequently many of the proprietors died or moved away ; and hence those remaining voted to sell, and disband. Perhaps this was brought about by the rise of the Sunday-school library. At any rate, at the close of a town meeting, about 1830, the books were sold at auction in the hall of the Christie tavern, and the whole lot were sold for more than the first cost !
223
WATER COMPANY.
In February, 1866, " The Antrim Library Association " was establislied in Southı Village. Ten persons associated together, paying down ten dollars each. These original members own the library. The public have the use of it by paying one dollar and fifty cents per year, each, and this money goes to enlarge the library. It embraces several hundred volumes. Mrs. John R. Hills has been the librarian. Harold Kelsea is treasurer. The names of the original members were Mrs. Mark B. Wood- bury, Morris Christie, Artemas Brown, Eben Bass, James W. Perkins, N. W. C. Jameson, Mark True, J. W. Foster, J. E. Vose, Reed P. Whittemore.
There was an association called the " Madan Society," for musical purposes, organized so long ago that its existence is for- gotten by the oldest people. Traces of this society I first found in old advertisements in the " Cabinet." It was formed of the singers and musical people in Antrim, Hancock, and Greenfield, had regular meetings, and made quite a sensation in its day. They probably held meetings in rotation from town to town. Very little positive information of this society can now be · gained. It seems to have lived many years, and deserved well. There was never any organized musical society in Antrim save the above, except the choir of the old church. This was held to be of great importance, and occasionally the town made some small appropriation for music within its borders. Dea. Arthur Nesmith led the old choir nearly thirty years. He was elected chorister at the annual March meeting, 1794, and was annually elected by the town to that office till his removal West. " His courteous, amiable manners made him acceptable to the choir and to the congregation." I may add that his successors have been John Taylor, David McCauley, William Gregg, Charles Gates, Giles Newton, Joel Wilkins, Solomon J. Buckminster, Frederick S. Little, Sylvester Little, and Frank Swett.
WATER COMPANY.
" The Clinton and South Village Water Company " was formed in February, 1847, for the improvement and control of the water-power on the stream. This company own the outlet of Gregg's pond, and large tracts of land subject to flowage. They have greatly enlarged the reservoir of water, probably doubling its value. Ezra Hyde was a leading spirit in this undertaking. All, or nearly all, the owners of privileges on the
224
ODD FELLOWS.
stream belong to this company. Its first meeting was March 6, 1847, at which Imla Wright was chosen secretary and treasurer, and Ezra Hyde, Jonathan White, and Daniel Story, directors. The annual meeting is in January. The present officers are as follows : Secretary and treasurer, Charles B. Dodge; directors, D. H. Goodell, William H. Hildreth, John G. Abbott.
ODD-FELLOWSHIP IN ANTRIM.
Members of this order residing in Antrim desiring a lodge in town, presented a petition to the Right Worthy Grand Lodge of New Hampshire on the tenth day of January, A. D. 1876. The members of the order petitioning for a charter were I. G. Anthoine, Frank F. Roach, Alfred A. Miller, Charles W. Cool- idge, Chester A. Holt, Charles B. Dodge, John A. Bryer, and William H. Hill.
On the first day of February, A. D. 1876, a dispensation being granted, Right Worthy Grand Master George A. Cummings, accompanied by other grand officers, instituted Waverley Lodge No. 59, Independent Order of Odd Fellows. At nine o'clock, the Odd Fellows, to the number of about two hundred, pro- ceeded to the hall of Mrs. Mary E. Woodbury, the use of which had been kindly granted for the occasion, and there partook of a bountiful collation which had been prepared by the Antrim brethren and their ladies.
The lodge was organized with eighteen members. Its present membership is forty-one, consisting of I. G. Anthoine, Chester A. Holt, Frank F. Roach, Charles B. Dodge, Alfred A. Miller, John A. Bryer, Charles W. Coolidge, William H. Hill, John B. Perkins, Gilman H. Cleaves, Charles H. Kimball, George W. Shaw, Will E. Downs, Bartlett L. Brooks, William A. Hildreth, Frank B. Gould, Henry J. Beasom, George C. Wilson, Willard Manning, Samuel S. Sawyer, John C. Butterfield, Horace L. Fisher, Fred Hunt, Charles O. Harris, George P. Hildreth, Martin Swett, Levi H. Brooks, Francis M. Sharpless, John M. Duncan, Sumner N. Ball, Anson Swett, Melvin O. Hunt, Clarence E. Sawyer, Richard D. Weston, Fred I. Burnham, Fred C. Farring- ton, Fred H. Kimball, James L. Whitney, Charles W. Farmer, Frank G. Dodge, John R. Putney, Charles W. Kelsea. Edward A. Carter withdrew, by card, April 12, 1879.
There has been but one death in the lodge, Frank P. Loveren, who died at Deering, Oct. 18, 1878, and was buried under the order.
225
KNIGHTS OF HONOR, AND MASONS.
. The following members have passed the principal chairs ; viz . I. G. Anthoine, Frank F. Roach, Alfred A. Miller, Charles B. Dodge, William A. Hildreth, Chester A. Holt, John A. Bryer.
The present officers consist of Charles H. Kimball, N. G .; William H. Hill, V. G .; Charles B. Dodge, Sec. ; G. H. Cleaves, Treas. ; Fred I. Burnham, Ward. ; William A. Hildreth, Con. ; R. D. Weston, O. G. ; Fred H. Kimball, I. G. ; F. F. Roach, R. S. N. G .; H. J. Beasom, L. S. N. G .; A. A. Miller, R. S. V. G .; S. N. Ball, L. S. V. G. ; J. C. Butterfield, R. S. S. ; B. L. Brooks, L. S. S .; Frank G. Dodge, Chap.
KNIGHTS OF HONOR.
" The Contoocook Lodge of Knights of Honor, Antrim, N. H," was instituted Sept. 4, 1876.
The charter members were Charles B. Caldwell, William H. Hill, John H. Smith, E. W. Esty, Rev. E. M. Shaw, H. P. Kim- ball, A. B. Lawrence, S. R. Robinson, A. F. True, W. S. Eaton, A. L. Smith.
This worthy society has its headquarters, as do the others, at South Village, and is in a very flourishing condition.
MASONS.
The lodge of "Free and Accepted Masons" in Antrim is called the Vesper Lodge. It was organized May 1, 1878, with a membership of thirty, and is now working under very prosper- oús conditions.
The present list of officers is as follows : Joseph N. Kelsea, W. M. ; John F. Dodge, S. W .; William H. Hill, J. W. ; Ben- jamin F. Upton, T .; E. C. Paige, S .; Charles D. Sawyer, S. D .; Albert B. Lawrence, J. D. ; George F. Corey, S. S. ; Charles H. Griffin, J. S. ; John C. Kimball, Chaplain ; C. H. Champney, Marshal ; H. J. Beasom, Tyler.
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226
EARLY ROADS.
CHAPTER IX.
ROADS AND BRIDGES.
IT will probably be of use to some to have here the dates of construction of the several roads in town, as it would take long to find the same from the confused records. Nothing that the present generation would think it safe to ride over, existed in Antrim before the present century. There were no wagons and few carts. Traffic was chiefly on horseback. The first roads were made " passable for horses," and then gradually improved in the course of years. The first path cleared through the town was on the line of the first road named below, and all those laid out in 1777 had been used as paths before ; there being no legal road till formally made such by vote of the town after incorpo- ration. Hence the first roads laid out by the town were said to be "Recorded." It will be seen that the use the settlers made of roads would not require a bridge over every little water- course ; so that for a long time there were only two bridges in town. Building roads, therefore, was not then a matter of much expenditure. It has been said elsewhere that the " great bridge," where now we locate the Baldwin bridge, was built in 1776, a year before there was any legal road. This was the only bridge except some frail foot-bridges. All the other streams, including the Branch river, were forded by teams.
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