USA > New Hampshire > Rockingham County > Candia > History of the town of Candia, Rockingham County, N.H., from its first settlement to the present time > Part 26
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The strange noises were distinctly heard by many of the people of Candia. One Sunday, the minister of the Freewill Baptist church at the Village was interrupted by a loud ex- plosion, which was accompanied by a violent shaking of the ground, the meeting house, and the rattling of the stove and windows.
The author of this history, during a protracted visit to Deerfield in the fall of 1845, had a most excellent oppor- tunity for realizing some of the effects of these strange phenomena. One evening in October while conversing with the late Morrill White, E. P. Prescott and others at the store of Prescott & Philbrick on the South Road, a very loud noise, resembling the report of a cannon, was heard and the store was violently shaken from top to bottom. A month later, while stopping at the residence of Mrs. Josiah Houghton, on the same street, the writer was awakened at midnight by a very loud explosion. Another soon followed, the earth trembled and the house was shaken.
The cause of these extraordinary noises has never been satisfactorily explained, thongh various theories have been suggested. It is well known that there are deposits
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HISTORY OF CANDIA.
of bog iron ore in Deerfield near the Pawtuckaway moun- tains. This iron was used to a considerable extent by the blacksmiths of Deerfield, Nottingham and Candia a hundred years ago or more. It provedl to be of a very inferior quality and its use was long ago abandoned. It has been thought by some persons, that the peculiar composition of this ore may in some way have been connected with the cause of the explosions. It is said that a short time before the noises were first heard, the Newmarket Manufacturing Company obtained control of the Pawtuckaway Pond, one of the principal sources of the Lamprey River, and raised the dam at the outlet several feet for the purpose of increasing their water power.
One of the theories which has been suggested in explana- tion of the explosions is that the raising of the pond caused the water to flow back into crevices and caverns under the mountains and adjacent lands, which, coming in contact with the sulphate of iron and other mineral substances, produced a chemical action which generated steam or cer- tain gasses followed by the explosions and rumblings.
Another theory is that the cooling of the crust of the earth produced a shrinkage and a fracture of the same ac- companied, by the consequent, extraordinary noises.
Upon the occurrence of one of the shocks a man chanced to be standing in the highway near the boundary line be- tween Candia and Deerfield, where a great granite ledge crops out for some distance east and west. He described the noise as resembling two ledges grinding furiously to- gether beneath him, and that the vibrations of the earth were so great that he could not stand still.
VISITS OF THE PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES AND LAFAY- ETTE TO NEW HAMPSHIRE.
In 1789, soon after Gen Washington had been inaugurat- ed President of the United States, he visited several of the New England States. He came to New Hampshire and was welcomed at Portsmouth by Gen. John Sullivan, then the President of the state. The citizens of Portsmouth and the surrounding towns in great numbers received the firs
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HISTORY OF CANDIA.
president with every demonstration of gratitude and satis- faction. On his return to Boston, Washington passed through Exeter, where he was received by a large number. of the people of that town and vicinity. It is said that a considerable number of the people of Candia, among whom were several soldiers of the Revolution who had served under Washington, welcomed him at Portsmouth or Exeter.
In 1817, James Monroe, the fifth president, visited the New England States. He came to New Hampshire and was received by the governor, the members of the legisla- ture and a large body of citizens.
In 1824, the illustrious General Lafayette of France, who aided in securing the independence of the American colo- nies, made an extended visit to the United States. He was received with demonstrations of great joy in many sections of the Union. In June, 1825, he visited New Hampshire upon the invitation of the legislature which was then in session. While on his way from Boston to Concord, a few days after he had laid the corner stone of Bunker Hill monument, he passed a night and part of a day at the Derby mansion in Derry, which is now the residence of Col. George W. Lane, a native of Candia.
Upon his arival at the bridge in Concord he was received with a national salute of artillery and escorted to the State House by eight military companies under the command of Gen. Bradbury Bartlett. As he passed up Main Street he was hailed with shouts and cheers from fifty thousand citizens of the state. At the State House he was met by more than two hundred heroes of the Revolution, some of whom had been his companions in arms in the great struggle for human liberty. To each of these he was introduced by Gen. Pierce, a veteran of Bunker Hill, and the father of President Pierce. In the afternoon, a sumptuous dinner, prepared by John P. Gass, was served to about eight hun- dred citizens. After the cloth was removed the following toast was offered by Gen. Pierce: "Our Guest, the Friend of Washington, and the friend of Mankind." Gen. Lafayette responded and expressed his affectionate acknowledge- ments for the kind welcome he had received.
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HISTORY OF CANDIA.
John Lane, Esq., who was a member of the House of Representatives from Candia at the time greatly entertained many of the people of the town by his account of the re- ception of Lafayette, including minute details of his person- al appearance, his manner of expressing himself in broken English, and what the hero said when he was personally introduced to him.
In June, 1833, President Jackson, accompanied by Vice President Van Buren, Gen. Cass, the secretary of war, Levi Woodburry, the secretary of the navy, and other members of his cabinet, visited New Hampshire and was welcomed by the Governor and members of the Legislature. It was a great day in Concord and a vast multitude of people assembled to greet the distinguished warrior and states- man.
A very large number of the people of Candia were present upon the occasion.
In June, 1846, James K. Polk, who was elected President in 1844 visited New England. He came to Concord on the invitation of the New Hampshire legislature. He was re- ceived at the State House by the Governor and Council, and the members of the senate and House of Representa- tives. In reply to an address of welcome he made an able and interesting speech. Hon. Abraham Emerson of Candia, who was then a senator from Dist. No. 2, was a member of a joint special committee of both branches of the legis- lature which met Mr. Polk in Boston and officially extend- ed to him the invitation of those bodies to visit New Hampshire.
It may be mentioned that the only time that Abraham Lincoln ever visited New Hampshire was in the spring of 1860, just before the annual state election. He made three addresses in the state, the last of which was delivered at a great Republican meeting in Manchester. Hon. Frederick Smyth, who presided at the meeting, introduced Mr. Lincoln as the next president of the United States. In about six months afterwards Mr. Lincoln was elected to the presidential chair, though it was generally believed that Mr. Seward would be the Republican candidate.
President Grant visited Manchester, Concord and other
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sections of the state in August, 1869, and was greeted by great throngs of people, including large numbers of soldiers who had served under him. Many of the people of Candia, including various soldiers who had served under him in the geat war of the rebellion, visited Manchester and in the heartiest manner greeted the great commander on the occasion.
President Hayes, who succeeded Gen. Grant as presi- dent, visited Concord, Manchester and Nashua in the sum- mer' of 1879. At Manchester he was escorted to Smyth's Hall, where he was welcomed by a large number of the citizens of that city. The President made an interesting address and was followed by Wm. M. Evarts, the secretary of state, and other members of his cabinet.
President Harrison visited Portsmouth, Manchester and Concord in July, 1889. In all those places he was escorted by processions of troops and welcomed by crowds of people. At Concord he was escorted to the State House, where he was presented to the members of the Legislature. In reply to a speech of welcome by the governor, the president made a respond. Many Candia people were present on the occasion.
HAILS.
The town has always been well provided with places for · public gatherings. The hall which was first built in the town was probably that which Master Moses Fitts erected over his store about ninety years ago.
When Moore & Sargent traded at the Corner they built a hall over their store which is now occupied by the Masonic fraternity.
Peter Eaton erected a hall over his store near the Congregational meeting house.
Moore & Taylor had a convenient hall over their store at the Village in the east end of the block, and near the grist mill.
W. J. Dudly, a few years ago, constructed a hall over his
1 store. This hall is now partially occupied by the Odd Fellows and other associations.
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HISTORY OF CANDIA.
About fifteen years ago, George W. Robinson, who then owned the tavern at the Depot Village, built a hall in the second story of the L. part of the building.
In 1881, John T. Moore of Manchester erected the building called Moore's Opera House, situated on the southwest corner of the road leading to High Street and that which leads to the Village and Deerfield. A part of the building was occupied by the military company in Candia, called the Patten Guards, for two or three years, after which the organization was disbanded.
The Vestry of the Methodist Society at the Corner was for several years used occasionally for exhibitions.
PAUPERISM.
By an act passed by the provincial legislature of New Hampshire forty years before Candia was settled, it was provided, that, if any person came to sojourn in any town in the province and be there received and entertained for the space of three months, and not having been warned by the constable to leave the place, and the names of such persons, with the time of their abode there, and when such warning was given, returned to the quarter session; such person shall be reported an inhabitant of such town, and the town shall be liable to maintain such persons. It was also enacted that any person so warned out, and neglect- ing for fourteen days to remove, may, by warrant from a justice of the peace, be sent, from constable to constable into the town where he properly belongs, or had his last residence.
When New Hampshire became a state, the above law re- mained in force, and, for many years, poor people, who came to Candia, were warned to depart without delay. The first warning of this kind of which there is any record, was in 1783. In the selectmen's account for that year, Zachariah Clifford was paid seven shillings and three pence for performing that duty. The following is a copy of the form of the warrant;
State of New Hampshire, Rockingham s. s. To Zach- ariah Clifford, constable for the town of Candia. Greeting:
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HISTORY OF CANDIA.
Sir :- You are hereby required in the name of the state forthwith to warn Jeremiah Blank, his wife and children, to depart out of the town of Candia, that they may be no future cost to said town.
Hereof fail not, and make return of this warrant with your doings thereon to the clerk of the court of said county within sixty days of the date. Given under our hands this, twentieth day of February, 1783.
SAMUEL BUSWELL, EPHRAIM EATON, JOHN HILLS.
Selectmen of Candia.
For many years the selectmen of the town provided homes for those who were unable to support themselves in such families as were willing to care for them. At length, it became customary io set up the expense of support- ing poor families or single individvals at auction to the lowest bidder, and sometimes the entire body of paupers were sold in this way to a single citizen. At the annual town meeting in 1824 it was voted that the services and keeping of the paupers, twenty-four in number as per list of the selectmen, should be let at auction for the term of one year from the 20th of March, instant: That they should be well used and kent, as well clothed as they now are; and, that one or more of the selectmen should visit them as often as once in each month; the purchaser to pay all bills incurred on their account, whether in health or sick- ness or death, for the above time. They were struck off
for $131.50. In case there were paupers in good health, including women and children of a suitable age, they were expected to perform a reasonable amount of work for the contractors who had them in charge.
The practice of selling the support of the poor at auction to the lowest bidder, was a great disgrace to the town. Any person with half an eye could see that in case they were struck off at a very low price, the successful bidder was sorely tempted to put them on the poorest and mostscan- ty fare even to make himself whole; and worse than that, if he succeeded in making any profit by the transaction. How the man who, in 1824, bid off the support of twenty- four poor people and bound himself to feed, clothe them,
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1
and pay all their bills in case of sickness or death could fairly and honorably fulfil his obligations even in those times is a conundrum that cannot be easily explained. That system of disposing of the poor was fortunately abandoned more than fifty years ago and there have been no more auctions of that kind since that time. It may be said that, while in some cases the poor were subjected to unkind treatment, as a general rule they were well cared for.
In 1850, the town voted to purchase a farm and buildings, and keep the poor together at one place. Soon afterwards, the selectmen purchased the large farm owned by Otis Colcord and situated on the Colcord Road in the northeast part of the town. Mr. Colcord sold the farm, tools and stock for the sum of 3, 500. In 1851, the town took pos- session, and Hiram Mathews was appointed the first super- intendent. The poor were well supported there and the system gave good satisfaction to the people. For some years one of the buildings was used as a house of correc- tion for persons who had committed minor offenses against the laws, and the superintendant of the farm had charge of the institution. There were several superintendents of the farm in the course of years, among whom were David Lovejoy and Elbridge Young.
In 1849, the town voted to sell the farm and return to the old system of supporting the poor. The large farm was di- vided into lots and sold to various persons. J. Wesley Lovejoy bought the buildings and a considerable number of acres of land. The property was sold for nearly the total amount of its cost.
About the year 1860, a county almshouse was established at Brentwood and all paupers in the County who had not obtained a settlement in the several towns were supported there. Since that time the laws have been altered from time to time so that all persons who have not paid a poll tax for seven successive years or a tax on real or personal estate, were regarded as county paupers. When it becomes apparent to the selectmen of a town that a citizen who has but little or no property is liable to become a town charge, they take care to leave his name off the inventory and the
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list of taxpayers once in seven years. In this way the poor man loses his settlement, and the town is protected from any liability to support him.
By an act passed by the legislature about three years ago, the towns are required to support all soldiers who served in the War of the Rebellion who are unable to sup- port themselves, and by this law such poor persons cannot be regarded or treated as paupers. There are probably about a dozen or more such persons in the town.
LIST OF TAX PAYERS IN 1830.
Anderson-Samuel, Daniel, William, Thomas.
·Bean-Abraham, Abraham, jr., Benjamin, Moses, John, John, jr., Phinehas, Jonathan, Gordon, Joseph, David, Samuel, Dudley; Burpee-Nathaniel, Jonathan; Buswell- John, Samuel, Asbury; Burleigh-James, William; Butler- Joseph H., Charles; Bunker-William; Brown-David, Caleb, Caleb, jr., William, Stephen, Nathan, Nathan. jr., Aaron, David, jr., James, Nehemiah, Nathaniel; Batchelder -Thomas; Barker-Levi; Burbank-Enoch.
Cammet-John; Cass-Jonathan, Samuel, Moses, Icha- bod, Francis; Colby-Nehemiah, Phinehas, Thomas, Ben- jamin P .; Carr-Joseph, Nathan; Clark-William, Gilman; Currier-Timothy, Jonathan; Clay-John, John, jr .; Critch- ett-James, James, jr., Thomas; Colcord-Samuel, Stephen; Cheney-Elihn B .; Chase-Hosea.
Duncan-William; Dolber-John, John, jr., Daniel; Dear- born-Moses, Winthrop S. Samuel, Leonard; Dudley- Samuel, Stephen; Dolloff-Caleb; Dustin-Robie; Durgin- Zebulon.
Eaton-Henry True, Henry, Henry S., Jonathan, Edwin, True, Dearborn; Emerson-Moses, Moses, jr., Nathaniel, Jonathan, Abraham, John, Thomas; Evans-Edor W., Waldren G., Lane, John.
French-Jonathan C., Josiah, John, Moses, Simon, Coffin M. Charles, Asa, True, Lowoll B., Joseph D .; Fitts- Reuben, Daniel, Joseph, Frederick, Abraham, Abraham, jr., John, Joshua, John L., Josiah; Fifield-John C., Peter,
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HISTORY OF CANDIA.
William, Sumner, John, French; Flanders-Timsthy; Fos- ter-True.
Griffin-David, Jefferson; Gordon-John S., Charles; Gule-Stephen.
Hall-Jonathan, Caleb, Benjamin, Sargent, Obededom, Moses, Rufus, John C .; Hubbard-Joshua, Benjamin, Elias; Hobbs-John; Hills-Parker; Healey-Jonathan, Simon; Hoitt-Richard; Huntoon-Elisha, Asa, Hook, Josiah; Haines-Noah; Heath-Joseph; Hailford-Moses; James-Moses, John Y.
Knowles-Eleazer.
Lane, John, Joshua, Ezekiel, Isaiah; Libbee-Jacob, Benjamin, David; Langford-Anthony, Joseph C .; Lang- David, Benjamin; Lewis-Thomas; Lovejoy-Abel.
Moore-Andrew, John, Gilden, Robert, John 3d; Martin -Joseph, Mases, Jonathan; Morrill-Parker, Samuel; Mar- tin; Mc. Duffie- David, Samuel, Archibald, Daniel; Mead -Jacob; Mathews-Thomas, Thomas D., Whittier P .; Mc. Mullen-John; Morrell-Jacob S .; Morse-Caleb.
Norton-David.
Orr-Henry S.
Pillsburs -- Benjamin, Jonathan, Caleb, John Moses; Page -John; Patten-William, Moses, Francis, Willis; Palmer- Joseph; Prescott-Edward; Pray-Mark; Parker-Freeman. Quimby-Timothy.
Robie-Walter, William, John, John, jr., Asa, Levi; Rowe-Jonathan, Nathaniel, Nathaniel, Jr., John P. L., Moses, Aaron, Ira, John; Richardson-Gilman, Joseph, David; Robinson-John; Reed-Moses, Abel; Reynolds- Owen.
Sargent-Moses, James, Thomas W., Jonathan, John, Josiah, Rufus; Shannon-Josiah; Stevens-Solomon; Smith -- J. Chase, Benjamin, Bailey, Jesse, Stephen, Jesse. Charles, John, True, Henry; Sanborn-Stephen, Tappan; Skelton-Artemas; Seavey-Daniel, John, Rowell; Stone- George W.
Thorn-Nathan, Amos; Turner-Moses, Moses, jr., Josiah, William; Thresher-Henry, Towle-Jesse; Towns- Mark.
Underhill-Moses.
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HISTORY OF CANDIA.
Varnum-Moses.
Wheeler-Abraham; Wheat-Nathaniel; Wason -- John; Wilson-Samuel; Worthen-Lewis, Enoch, John; Whittier -- Josiah; Woodman-Samuel; Wendell --- William.
THE POUND.
The custom of impounding cattle or other stock when they became mischievous or ran astray existed in England for centuries, and was practiced by the early settlers of New England. The law required towns to provide suitable enclosures, called pounds, for keeping such stock until they were restored to their owners. About the year 1780, it was voted to build a pound of timber. A committee, consisting of Abraham Fitts, John Carr and John Clay, was chosen to carry the vote into effect. The pound was located near the southeast corner of Col. John Carr's lot, and near- ly opposite to the present Congregational meeting· house. It was about twerty feet square and the walls were built of large logs, smoothly hewn upon two opposite sides, and laid one above the other to a height of seven feet.
In early' times, when the fences were imperfect and weak, stray animals were very frequently impounded. Some farmers were slack, and took but little pains to keep their fences in good order, and, as a consequence, their cattle and sheep could easily jump over into the highway, or into the neighbors' fields, and do great damage to their growing crops. Some very forbearing and good-natured farmers would endure such outrages without making much complaint; but when they were too often repeated, it was no wonder that they lost their temper and drove the offend- ing animals to the pound where they were placed under lock and key. The owners of the animals could not obtain posession of them until they had paid all damages and the costs, which were taxed by a justice of the peace.
In the course of twenty years, the old pound became dilapidated, and the town voted to build a new one of stone upon the same spot. The old pound was according- ly taken down, and the materials were sold for one dollar, and a new pound with heavy stone walls was erected in its
JOHN T. MOORE.
Sketch, page 501.
- The top of the walls were covered with plato - Col. John Carr was the Resi Soeper OF The pound It was smoceeded by bre som Insight For Marian Car . and yurtous other -cpgom
them forky renia agot the pound was very selfi'm iced ed and it was soon after Iemand Previous to That ume. the law was altered so that any person . es mijul be used as a place - nomming damals running af
.
The provincial o gielabhe odf & . PLumpshiec, 50erd! SAArs before Candia wars mesviralob pomnes an auf ly which venons guilty of pro on swearing dru. 2 10 Them to eit for the Bloody every hour of full viny paraly
more generally contreg th the State Theon, sony wf- Tuol & Concord 10 7817.
·
all your intending frugt wu- middle lo e non
No hebl the office idrown ch rl
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HISTORY OF CANDIA.
place. The top of the walls were covered with plates of timber. £ Col. John Carr was the first keeper of the pound. He was succeeded by his son, Joseph Carr, Nathan Carr, and various other citizens.
About forty years ago, the pound was very seldom need- ed, and it was soon after demolished. Previous to that time, the law was altered so that any person's enclosure might be used as a place for confining animals running at leisure.
THE WHIPPING POST.
The provincial legislature of New Hampshire, several years before Candia was incorporated, passed an act by which persons guilty of profane swearing, drunkenness and other minor offenses were punished by compelling them to sit in the stocks several hours in full view of the passers by. Stealing was punished by publicly whipping the thief, not exceeding twenty lashes. The law, requiring these penalties, was in force as late as 1815. In the old town of Chester, the whipping post and stocks were set up near the meeting-house. Sometimes a guide post was used for a whipping post. There is no record that either stocks or whipping posts were ever set up in Candia, but offenders were, nevertheless, publicly whipped. Persons still living in the town can remember that a man by the name of Getchell was whipped by Constable Moses Dearborn, near Duncan's store, seventy years ago. By an act passed soon af- ter that time, the custom of whipping offenders was abolished, and thie es and other offenders against the laws were generally confined in the State Prison, which was built at Concord in 1812.
WEDDINGS.
Previous to 1820, the public announcement that a young man and a young woman were intending marriage was made by the town clerk at the close of the services on Sun- day. John Lane, senior, who held the office of town clerk
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HISTORY OF CANDIA.
several years, was in the habit of arising in his pew, which was situated in the body of the house, near the east porch, and reading aloud the names of parties who were be- trothed to each other. This manner of publicly proclaiming an intention of marriage was sometimes called crying. When Peter Eaton was chosen town clerk, such announce- ments were made in a written statement to that effect, posted on one of the pillars which supported the gallery on the west side of the broad aisle, about midway between the front door and the pulpit. Mr. Eaton was a man of wit and fond of a good joke, and, in case he was called upon to publish intentions of marriage where. one or both parties interested had some peculiar characteristics, he sometimes appended to the notice, a short humorous com- ment upon their proposed change of condition. Upon an- nouncing that a bachelor, who had lived on this planet more than fifty years, was about to wed an old maid of about the same age, he added a brief reference to the wide contrast between the loneliness and miseries incidental to celibacy and the joys of matrimony. He was town clerk twelve years, and, in 1831, he declined to be candidate for re-election. Just before the annual town meeting of that year, he posted his last notice of an intended marriage, written, as usual, in his bold and beautiful style of penman- ship .. At the bottom of the paper the following lines ap- peared :
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