History of the town of Bristol, Grafton County, New Hampshire, Volume I, Part 53

Author: Musgrove, Richard Watson, 1840-
Publication date: 1904
Publisher: Bristol, N.H., Printed by R. W. Musgrove
Number of Pages: 731

USA > New Hampshire > Grafton County > Bristol > History of the town of Bristol, Grafton County, New Hampshire, Volume I > Part 53

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

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Ebenezer Kimball

I

1783

David Emerson

I

1810

John Wadleigh

2

1784 Ephraim Webster

2

1812

A. G. Stevens

I

I786 Thomas Crawford

I 1813

John Wadleigh

I

1787

John Smith

I 1814

Jonathan Dickerson

I

1788

Nason Cass

I

1815 John Wadleigh

I

1789

Ephraim Webster

5

1816

John Huse

I

I794

Theophilus Sanborn

I

1817 William W. Sargent

3

1795 Ephraim Webster

2

Bridgewater

1788 Daniel Heath

I 1805 Benjamin Boardman 2

1789 Jonathan Carlton

2

1807 Moses Lewis

4

I791 Benjamin Boardman

3 18II Benjamin Boardman

2

1794 Daniel Morse

I 1813 Moses Lewis

I

1795 Benjamin Boardman

4 1814 Francis J. Tay

2

1799 Moses W. Sleeper

180I Benjamin Boardman

3

1817 Francis J. Tay

I

1804 Moses Kelly

2 1816 No records

I 1818 Joseph Flanders

2

I

APPENDIX

497

Bristol

1820 Capt. Joseph Flanders

1824 Robert Smith

3 1877

Benjamin F. Perkins

2

1827 Nathaniel S. Berry

2 1879

William A. Berry

2

1829 Walter Sleeper

I

188I Benjamin F. Perkins

I

1830 Robert Smith

3

1882

William A. Berry

I

1833

Nathaniel S. Berry

6

1883 1884

Benjamin F. Perkins

I

1841

Samuel C. Brown

IO

1885

Cyrus Taylor

2

1851

Oscar F. Fowler

I

1887 George A. Emerson

2

1852

Samuel P. Fernald

I

1889 Benjamin F. Perkins

2

1853 Andrew J. Wright

I

1891 Ira A. Chase

I

1854

Frederick Bartlett

I

1892

George A. Emerson

I

1855

Calvin Swett

I

For two years, Nov. elections

1856

George Tenney

3 1892 Ira A. Chase, 2 terms

1859

Samuel K. Mason

I

1896 Fred H. Ackerman, I term

1860 William A. Berry

14

1898

Ira A. Chase, 3 terms

1874

Samuel E. Holden

I

TOWN CLERKS

New Chester

I773

Joshua Tolford

I 1807 William W. Sargent

8

I774

Carr Huse

33

1815 Daniel Favor

5

Bridgewater

1788

Thomas Crawford

21 1813 John Harriman

4

1809 Ichabod C. Bartlett

2 1817 John Tolford, Jr.

I

18II John Pillsbury

2 1818 Nathan Fletcher

2

Bristol

1820

James Minot

5 1855 David E. Everett 4

1825 Philip Webster

4 1859 Marshall W. White

5

1829 Samuel C. Brown

4 1864 Levi D. Johnson

2

1833 Solomon Cavis

3

1866 John P. Taylor

5

1836

Sherburn S. Worthen

4 1871 Richard W. Musgrove

3

1840

William L. Chase

2 1874

Charles H. Day

I

1842

Levi Bartlett

4

1875 Allen W. Bingham

5

1846

Jacob N. Darling

3

1880

Richard W. Musgrove

3

1849

Hadley B. Fowler

2 1883 Charles H. Calley

4

1851 George M. Cavis

I

1887 Charles W. Fling

2

1852 George W. Ingalls

I

1889 Austin H. Roby

2

1853

George M. Cavis

2

I891 David M. Calley

I3

SELECTMEN

New Chester

3 1777 Thomas Crawford 3

I

Jonathan Ingalls

I

7

1778 Peter Sleeper

2

1774 Peter Sleeper

I

1780 John Smith

I

1775 Robert Forsaith

I

Robert Forsaith

I

I David Emerson

I

I 178I Thomas Crawford

3

1839

Walter Sleeper

David P. Prescott

I

2

4 1875

David P. Prescott 2

1773 Thomas Crawford Cutting Favor Carr Huse

1776 Ebenezer Ingalls Benjamin Emmons

32

498

HISTORY OF BRISTOL

1781 Carr Huse

3

180I

Edward Blodgett

2

Peter Sleeper

3

1803 Jonathan Dickerson

I

1784 Ephraim Webster

2

James Karr

2

Theophilus Sanborn

2

John Brown

2

Jacob Gurdy

2

1804

William W. Sargent

IO

3

1805 John Wadleigh Moses Sleeper

I

1788 Reuben Wells

3

1807

Moses Sleeper

2

1789 Theophilus Sanborn Timothy Sargent

2

1809

Jonathan Dickerson

3

I79I

Phineas Sargent

I

1810

Moses W. Sleeper

I

Thomas Favor

I

18II

Samuel Sleeper

3

I792 Carr Huse

2

1812

Moses Wells

I

William Murray

I

1813

John Huse

I

1793

Thomas Wells

I

1814

Caleb Sargent John Wadleigh

I

William Searle

I

Jonathan Dickerson

I

Cutting Favor

I

1815 William W. Sargent John Huse Isaac Dodge

2

Carr Huse

I

David Buswell

I

Enos Towne

I

Pitfield Sawyer

I

1797 Carr Huse

2

1817 William W. Sargent Caleb Aldrich

3

Sanborn Wells

I

I

I 798

Sethus Forbes

2

John Gale

I

1799

Ebenezer Kimball

4

1818 Samuel Sleeper

I

Jonathan Dickerson

I

Samuel Hoit

I

1800 William Searle

I

1819

Robert Smith

I

Peter Sleeper

I

Jonathan Dickerson

I

1801

William W. Sargent

2

Bridgewater

1788

Thomas Crawford

4

1803

Thomas Crawford

3

Simeon Cross Michael Moshier

I

2

Caleb Pillsbury

I

1789

Jonathan Carleton

2

1805 Ebenezer Kelly

5

1790

Jacob Gurdy

4

Daniel Brown

5

179I

Timothy Kelly

2 1810 Timothy Tilton

I

1792 Benjamin Boardman

I

John Harriman John Fellows

I

1794

Samuel Worthen

I

I

1795 Jacob Gurdy

2

Daniel Sleeper

I

1796

John Harriman

3

1813 Eliot Durgin

I

1797

William Pingree

I

1814 Benjamin Cross

T

1798

Daniel Morse

I

1815 Nathan Fletcher

I

1799

Moses Lewis

I

1817

John Harriman

3

Daniel Sleeper

5

Robert Mitchell

3

1800 Caleb Pillsbury

2

Caleb Pillsbury

2

180I

Moses Lewis

3

1819 Abraham Dolloff

I

Bristol

1820 Joseph Flanders Moses W. Sleeper John Clough

I

I

I821 Robert W. Moore 2 Walter Sleeper Jacob Gurdy 3

2

1786 Carr Huse Thomas Crawford Peter Sleeper

3

1806

James Karr

2

5

1808

John Wadleigh

2

I794 Peter Sleeper

3

I

1795

Samuel Wells

I

I

1796 Theophilus Sanborn

3

1804 Robert Craige

6

1793

Thomas Crawford Simeon Cross

2

18II Robert Craige. Benjamin Boardman Daniel Brown

6

Jonathan Jewett

I

1812

I

8

6

1816

I

2

2

I

APPENDIX

499

1823 Moses W. Sleeper Joseph Moore

2

1859 Stephen Nelson

2

7

1860 Calvin D. Cass

I

1824 John McClary

1861 John Hastings 2

I825 Jacob Gurdy

Philip S. Drake 2

Gilman Ingalls, Jr.

5

1863

Samuel H. Rollins

3

1826

Nathaniel S. Berry

I

James T. Sanborn

3

1827 John H. Sanborn

I

I865 John W. Sanborn

I

1828 Ebenezer Kendall

3

1866 William A. Berry

I

1830 Robert W. Moore

4

Samuel Dustin

I

William L. Chase

2

David Mason

I

1831 Gilman Ingalls, Jr.

2

1867 Daniel S. Mason John F. Cass

3

1833

John H. Sanborn

I

Calvin H. Mudgett

3

John S. Bryant

I

1870 George T. Crawford Charles N. Drake

2

John Kidder

I

1872 Jeremiah A. Haynes Robert S. Hastings

2

1836 Nathaniel S. Berry

I

1873 Ebenezer K. Pray

3

Jonathan Emmons

2

James H. Brown

2

1837 Nicholas Dolloff

2

1874 Caleb L. Clay

T

Walter Sleeper

I

1875 Solon Dolloff

2

1838 David Sanborn

2

Woodbury Sleeper

2

Joseph Moore

3

1876

Seth Cass

2

1839

Jeremiah H. Prescott

I

1877

Frederick Bartlett

I

1840 Favor Locke

I

Augustus J. Ferrin

2

Joseph Rollins

I

1878

John H. Brown

4

1841

Gilman Ingalls, Jr. Samuel C. Brown

5

1879

Richard S. Danforth

3

Walter Sleeper

I

188I Silas S. Brown

3

1842 Jeremiah H. Prescott

I

1882 Robert S. Hastings Augustus J. Ferrin

3

1844 Daniel S. Mason

3

1884

John R. Connor

2

I845 Reuben Rollins

I

Simeon H. Cross

4

1846

Gilman Ingalls, Jr.

I

1885 Fred W. Bingham

I

John M. R. Emmons

4

I886 John H. Brown

2

1847 Levi Bartlett

2

Homer Roby

2

Henry Wells

2

1888 George A. Emerson

3

1849

Gilman Ingalls, Jr.

I

Ebenezer K. Pray Charles E. Mason

2

1850 Samuel C. Brown

I

1889 Clarence A. Smith

I

Joseph Kidder

I

1890 Smith D. Fellows Herbert H. Follansbee

I

1851

Nathan Sleeper, Jr.

I

1891 Simeon H. Cross

2

H. P. Stevens

I

Green L. Tilton

I

1852 Calvin Swett

3

William A. Berry

2

Daniel B. Bartlett

2

1892 Charles P. George

I

Daniel S. Mason

I

1893 John R. Connor

3

1853 Frederick Bartlett

I

Hiram T. Heath Green L. Tilton

5

John M. R. Emmons

I 1896 William A. Berry.

2

1855 James T. Sanborn Silas S. Brown

3

1898 John A. Favor

3

1856 Thomas R. Emmons

I

Hiram T. Heath

2

1857 John M. R. Emmons

I 1900

Simeon H. Cross

I

Levi Locke

I

1901 James W. Saunders Albro Wells Frank S. Kirk

3

1858 Frederick Bartlett

I

3

Walter Hayward Joseph Kidder

2

1902 Erastus T. Hutchins

2

1859

Levi Bartlett

6

I

1834 Samuel T. W. Sleeper Nicholas Dolloff

3

2 1871 William A. Berry

2

I

1835 Walter Sleeper

I

3

Robert A. Horner

3

1843 Walter Sleeper

2

I

Calvin Swett

2

I

Samuel H. Rollins

I

4

1854 Daniel S. Mason

2

2

1897 Charles E. Davis

4

I

I

I

I

4

1832 Daniel Darling

2

2

500

HISTORY OF BRISTOL

TAX-COLLECTORS

With the exception of the years 1774 and 1775, no tax-col- lectors were elected in New Chester till 1793, the duty of col- lecting the taxes being imposed upon the constables. A com- mon practice was to have the collection of the taxes struck off in open town meeting to the lowest bidder, and if such bidder could procure satisfactory bondsmen on the spot, he was elected. One or two instances occurred where bondsmen could not be procured, and then the collector's berth was again put up at auction.

The compensation for collecting the taxes varied greatly. Previous to 1819 the largest amount paid by New Chester was four per cent .; the usual amount was about three per cent. In 1797, 1798, and 1801, a gross sum was paid, being $7, $6, and $8, respectively. In 1814, Isaac Hill gave the town one-half of one per cent. for the privilege of collecting. Previous to 1819, Bridgewater generally paid a lump sum, $11 being the highest salary paid. In 1795, Robert Craige secured the office at $6.50 ; the next year, competition brought the price down to $4.49 ; Samuel Stearns secured the office in 1797 at $4.67; the next year at $1, and the next year, to secure the berth, he gave the town seven shillings. In 1814, Isaac Hill gave the town one- half of one per cent. for the privilege of collecting.

In Bristol, the custom of selling the office at auction con- tinued for some years. The highest compensation was that paid Walter Sleeper, in 1821 - three and one-half per cent. ; the low- est was that paid Stephen Nelson - one-half of one per cent. In later years the tax-collector has been sometimes elected in town meeting, but oftener appointed by the selectmen. The compensation paid during the last twenty-five years has been from $90 to $250 per year.

New Chester

I774 Robert Forsaith

I 1807 Moses Stevens

I

I775 Jeremiah Quimby

I I808 Peter Sleeper

I

I793 Nason Cass

I 1809 David T. Murray

I

I794 William Murray

I 18IO Isaac Hill

I

1795 Phineas Sargent

2 18II A. G. Stevens

I

1797 Peter Wells

I I812

Daniel Hoyt

2

1798 Nason Cass

I

1814 Isaac Hill

I

1799 Thomas Favor

I

1815 Luther K. Madison

I

1800 Peter Sleeper

I I816 David T. Murray

I

180I John Searle

2

1817 Moses Wells

I

1803 Thomas Favor

I I818 Moses Currier

I

1804 Phineas Sargent

3

1819 Phineas Sargent

I

Bridgewater

1793

Simon Harris

I

I794 Robert Craige

3

APPENDIX

50I

I797 Samuel Stearns

1800 Simon Harris

2

1814 Stephen Eastman

2

IS02 John Cleveland

1803 Nathan Pillsbury

I

1817

John Clough

2

1804 John Cleveland

5

1819 Joseph Huckins

I

1809 Dudley Hilton

4

Bristol

1820

Walter Sleeper

3 185]

Reuben Rollins

1823 Gilman Ingalls, Jr.

2

1853

Levi Locke

1825 Daniel Sanborn

I 1854 Calvin P. Fellows

I826 Nathan Sleeper

I 1855 Abbott Lovejoy

1827

Abbott Lovejoy

I

1856 John W. Sanborn

J

1828

Daniel Sanborn

2 1857 James T. Sanborn

3

1830

John Paige

I

I860

Samuel K. Mason

I

183I

Aaron Emmons

2

I861

J. Martin Sleeper

2

1833

Daniel Darling

I I863

Kiah Wells

2

1834

Benjamin Emmons

I

1865

Levi Locke

I

1835

John S. Bryant

I

1866 Calvin Cass

I

1836

Michael Hoyt

I 1867

John P. Taylor

I

1837

Benjamin Emmons

I

1868

Seth Cass

6

1838

John S. Bryant

I

1874

Woodbury Sleeper

I

1839

Abbott Lovejoy

T

1875

Seth Cass

3

1840

Daniel S. Mason

I

1878

William A. Beckford

I

184I

Jeremiah H. Prescott

2

1879 Kenson E. Dearborn

I

1843

Stephen Nelson

I

1880 Milo Fellows

4

1844

Abbott Lovejoy

I

1884

Charles S. Flanders

2

1845

Gilman Ingalls, Jr.

I

I886

Milo Fellows

8

1846 Abbott Lovejoy

I

1894 David M. Calley *

I

1847 Walter Sleeper

I

1895 Charles Boardman

I

1848

Samuel H. Rollins

I

1896

Milo Fellows

5

1849

Joseph S. Chase

2

1901

Charles Boardman

2

TREASURERS

New Chester

There are no records showing that a treasurer was elected in New Chester till 1779, when Jonathan Merrill was elected. Between this date and 1810, Carr Huse was elected fourteen times, and may have served during all these years. In 1810, it was voted not to elect. In 1813, Samuel Underhill was elected ; in 1815, Daniel Favor, and in 1818, Ebenezer Kimball.

Bridgewater

1788-98 None.

I805 Robert Craige I

I799 Thomas Crawford

I 1806 Ichabod C. Bartlett I

1800 None.

1807 Robert Craige

3

I80I Thomas Crawford

3

18IO William Pingree I

I804 Moses Lewis

I 18II Enoch Melvin 2

* Milo Fellows elected and resigned on account of illness.

32a

3 1813 John Fellows, Jr. I

I I816 Abraham Dolloff

I

2 NINH I I

502

HISTORY OF BRISTOL

.

1813 John Fellows

3 1818 Benjamin Boardman

1816 No records.

1819 Simon Harris

I

Bristol

1820

Ichabod C. Bartlett

I 1855

Levi Locke

2

182I John Clough

I 1857

Calvin D. Cass

3

I822

Ichabod C. Bartlett

II 1860

James M. Bishop

IO

1833 Solomon Cavis

3 1870

William L. Chase

5

1836 Sherburn S. Worthing

4

1875

Ebenezer K. Pray

I

1840

Solomon S. Sleeper

3

1876

Charles Boardman

2

1843

Samuel H. Stevens

I

1878

George A. Emerson

I

1844

Oscar F. Fowler

I

1879

Lucius W. Hammond

2

1845

Abbott Lovejoy

I

1881 Lucian A. Ballou

I

1846

Levi Bartlett

I

1882 William George

2

1847

Abbott Lovejoy

3

1884 Ira A. Chase

I

1850 Solomon Cavis

4

1885

Charles Boardman

2

1854

Jacob S. Eaton

I

1887

Charles H. Dickinson

17

CONSTABLES

Until the year 1793, with the exception of 1774 and 1775, constables collected all the taxes assessed in New Chester. For some years, commencing with 1794, one of the duties of the con- stable was to take the warrant for town meetings from the hands of the selectmen and call the meeting over his signature. He also served writs, warned people out of town with papers placed in his hands by the selectmen, and performed other duties now performed by the police. For the first ten years, one constable was sufficient for the whole town of New Chester ; but, in 1783, two were elected, one for the lower part of the town and the other for the upper part. Peter Sleeper was the first constable, · being elected in 1773. After the incorporation of Bridgewater, one was elected in each town till 1811, when New Chester elected three and Bridgewater two. Bristol elected one or two constables each year till 1861 ; since then, none. On the list of constables are such honored names as Samuel Worthen, Col. Thomas Crawford, John Smith, Robert Smith, Nathaniel S. Berry, Sherburn S. Merrill, and Napoleon B. Bryant.

SURVEYORS OF HIGHWAYS

The duties of the highway surveyors were to keep the roads and bridges in repair. The collection of the highway tax was committed to them, and when this tax was not paid in labor it was collected in money, and the money expended on the higli- ways. Gradually the selectmen of Bristol assumed the care of the highways and no highway surveyors were elected in Bristol after 1869. Bristol had thirteen highway districts in 1820, and

I

1817 Ichabod C. Bartlett

I

503

APPENDIX

twenty in 1860. The total number of different men elected in town meeting to this office in New Chester and Bridgewater previous to the incorporation of Bristol, and in Bristol previous to 1870, was 636. In New Chester, Peter Peaslee served twelve years, Waite Stevens and Phineas Sargent, each ten ; in Bridge- water, John Fellows served twelve years, Abraham Dolloff and Jacob Peaslee, each ten; in Bristol, William Mudgett served eighteen years, John H. Sanborn, twelve; Timothy Chandler and John Hastings, each eleven.

SURVEYORS OF WOOD, BARK, AND LUMBER

It was formerly the custom to have wood, bark, and lumber, bought or sold, measured by a sworn surveyor. In New Ches- ter, previous to 1820, this duty was performed by officers elected under the designation of surveyors of wood and lumber. Carr Huse filled this office twenty-four years, and John Smith twenty- one years before the incorporation of Bristol. Bridgewater, dur- ing the same years, elected surveyors of wood and lumber, and later, corders of wood, and surveyors of lumber.

In Bristol surveyors of lumber and corders of wood were two distinct offices. The latter was soon changed to surveyors of wood and bark. About 1855, both offices were merged into one and designated surveyors of wood and lumber, or surveyors of wood, bark, and lumber. These officers were elected each year till 1874. There was no limit to the number elected. Nominations were made from the floor and a nominee never failed of an election. There was no compensation except from the individuals employing the surveyor, and rarely then for measuring small quantities. During the time these officers were elected, 205 different persons filled the office in Bristol and some served many years in succession. Robert Smith served twenty- nine years ; Daniel S. Mason, twenty ; and Jesse F. Kendall, twelve. It gradually became the custom for parties interested to agree on the amount bought or sold without the intervention of a sworn surveyor, and there were no elections to this office after 1874.

SEALERS OF LEATHER

The duties of the sealers of leather were to measure or weigh leather bought or sold. New Chester first elected this officer in 1784, afterwards only occasionally ; and Bridgewater first in 1808, but neither town filled the office each year. Bris- tol elected this officer only a few times. The first to fill this office in New Chester was Timothy Sargent. Sherburn San- born, John Smith, and Theophilus Sanborn served previous to 1800. In Bridgewater, Timothy Tilton, Jerahmeel Bowers, Daniel Sleeper, John Harriman, and Ichabod C. Bartlett served

504

HISTORY OF BRISTOL

previous to 1820. Those who served in Bristol were Theophilus Sanborn, James Chase, Nathaniel S. Berry, Jonathan Merrill, John H. Sanborn, and William L. Chase.

SEALERS OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES

The duty of sealers of weights and measures was and is to test the accuracy of all weights and measures in town used in buying and selling. Although the law still requires this test to be made once a year, it is seldom done, and this officer is never elected in town meeting. In former years the office was not filled every year. Previous to 1820, New Chester elected this officer only fifteen times, and Bridgewater only about half the time. Bristol filled this office nearly every year till 1874, but not since then. Samuel Page filled the office for ten years from 1853. The selectmen have on one or two occasions since 1874 appointed a man to fill this office.

CULLERS OF STAVES

It was the duty of cullers of staves to inspect staves bought or sold in town. This office was first filled in New Chester in 1819, when Edward Shaw and Richard Dearborn were elected. Bristol elected two or more each year till 1857. From 1857 till 1874 the office was filled spasmodically. Rufus Eaton was elected ten times, Samuel Muzzey twice, and Oscar F. Morse and Joseph S. Chase, each once. Since 1874 none have been elected.

FENCE VIEWERS

The duties of fence viewers'seem to have been to decide 011 the sufficiency of any fence when this was questioned by inter- ested parties, and to decide who should build and keep in repair division fences when parties interested requested them to act. Since 1873, this officer has not been elected, and has been appointed by the selectmen a few times, only, to act in particular cases.

HOG-REEVES

The duties of hog-reeves were to protect the fields from the depredations of swine running at large Hog-reeves were allowed a shilling for taking up and putting a yoke on one of these animals or putting a ring in its nose to prevent its root- ing. The yoke was to be "as long above the neck as the depth of the neck and one-half as long below." The ring was to be of strong, flexible wire inserted in the nose to project one inch above it. At the first town meeting in Bristol, the young men recently married or about to be married were elected to this

505 .

APPENDIX

office and that custom continued till 1857, since which time none have been elected.

HAYWARDS OR FIELD-DRIVERS

In some towns the haywards or field-drivers were the same as hog-reeves, but in New Chester and Bristol it was a distinct office. Their duty appears to have been to protect the fields from the depredations of other animals than swine. Cattle, horses, and sheep running at large were taken up by them and impounded. The fee for taking up a sheep was three pence, for neat cattle and horses, one shilling. New Chester first elected this officer in 1793. Bristol elected this officer fourteen times previous to 1835, when the town voted not to elect, and only once afterwards (1837) was there an election of field-drivers.

POUND-KEEPERS

The pound-keepers had charge of the pounds of the town, and took care of the cattle taken up by the field-drivers. They were entitled to a small fee before releasing the animals so detained. Joseph Sanborn was keeper of the pound between "Cutting Favor's house and his grist-mill" from 1795 till 1811. In 1811, New Chester built a pound of stone "within one hun- dred rods of the meeting house." Of this pound John Wad- leigh was keeper in 1813 and 1814, and Samuel Favor from 1815 to 1819.

Bridgewater first erected pounds in 1794, when one was built at John Peaslee's and one at John Kidder's. John Peas- lee was keeper of the first for eleven years and John Fellows of the second for ten years. Bristol elected no pound-keepers after 1832.

TITHINGMEN

Tithingmen were petty officers of the town whose duty it was to maintain order and proper decorum at church during divine worship, to enter complaints against disorderly persons or places in the community, and to prevent unnecessary travel- ing on the sabbath. This officer was first elected in New Ches- ter in 1776, when Nason Cass was chosen. The office was not again filled till 1784, when four - Nason Cass, Jonathan Craw- ford, Abner Fellows, and Jonathan Merrill - were elected. The office was evidently unpopular at an early day and those elected sometimes refused to take the oath. Between 1784 and 1819 in New Chester, the office was vacant seventeen years by the town neglecting to elect or those elected refusing to serve. John Hastings and John Somes were the first who refused, in 1798. The next year, Noah Whitcomb and William Searle were

· 506

HISTORY OF BRISTOL

elected but they refused, and later there was increasing diffi- culty in filling the office. In Bridgewater the same difficulty existed. Bristol succeeded in electing men to this office till 1833, when it was voted to postpone the election of tithingmen. This vote was repeated in 1834 and no effort was made to elect tithingmen after that date.

DEER-KEEPERS AND FISH-WARDENS

The deer-keeper was an officer elected for the protection of deer. Thomas Locke and Chase Fuller filled this office in 1779, and Cutting Favor and Ephraim Webster in 1790. After this date this office seems to have been merged into that of fish-war- den, who was elected for the preservation of salmon in the Pemigewasset river. New Chester elected this officer till 1818, and Bridgewater till 1811, but not later. During the last twen- ty-five years the law has required the election or appointment of fish and game-wardens, whose duty has been to prosecute per- sons guilty of violating the fish and game laws.

COMMITTEE TO LAY OUT HIGHWAYS

In the early years of the town, committees were elected for the purpose of laying out highways. New Chester elected such a committee five times before 1800. In years when this com- mittee was not elected the selectmen acted, and later the laying out of highways was considered as a part of the regular duties of the selectmen.

ASSESSORS

The assessors were officers elected for the special purpose of assessing the valuation of the town. New Chester elected a board of assessors but three times before 1800. Ephraim Web- ster was at the head of this board each year. Peter Sleeper served two years, and John Smith one.

TOLLERS OF THE BELL

From 1854 till 1869, one or more persons were elected annually as bell-tollers. Calvin Golding served the first year ; Andrew J. Smith and Samuel Berry were elected in 1856, and the latter served each year till 1868, when he was succeeded by Calvin Cass, who served one year. After this there was 110 election to this office. The fee for this service was twenty-five cents for each time the bell was tolled.

SEXTONS

Commencing with 1824, sextons, or grave-diggers, were

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APPENDIX

elected as officers of the town. Abel Danforth and Gilman Ingalls were elected that year. Mr. Danforth continued to serve seventeen years and Mr. Ingalls twelve. Timothy Chan- dler served twenty-one years in the Locke neighborhood ; Ed- mond W. Cheney served nine years at North Bristol, and Leander Badger served as sexton of the North Main street cemetery ten years, till 1854, when that cemetery ceased to be used. On the opening of the new Pleasant street cemetery, Ezekiel N. Worthen was elected sexton and served nine years, and George A. Robie served six years, till 1869, since which date there has been no election of sextons.

POLICE

Since the election of constables was discontinued the select- men have generally appointed one or more police officers, and on one or two occasions since the adoption of the secret method of voting, police officers have been elected. No complete records of those filling this office exist, but among them have been John W. Wells, who served several years, George S. Knox, David P. Prescott, Charles R. Keezer, Stephen P. Kirk, Charles S. Flanders, Francis W. Calley, Green L. Tilton, John H. Thurs- ton, Frank W. Bingham, Eben Seaver, Henry A. Welch, Jerome G. Wells, Frank S. Kirk, Wesley H. Dicey, Charles W. San- born, Herbert Braley, Elwood S. Lougee, John R. Connor, Edward S. Gilman, Charles C. Martin. Of these Mr. Thurs- ton probably served the largest number of years.

BOARD OF HEALTH

The health officers of the town have been appointed by the selectmen, but, till recent years, the records show but few appointments. When there were no health officers the select- men have acted when occasion required. Clarence A. Smith has filled this office for over twenty years. Others who have served in this capacity in recent years are Dr. James M. Bishop, Hon. Ira A. Chase, Dr. Channing Bishop, David M. Calley, and Charles W. Fling, Esq.

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