History of the town of Candia, Rockingham County, N.H., from its first settlement to the present time, Part 32

Author: Moore, J. Bailey, (Jacob Bailey), 1815-1893; Browne, George Waldo, 1851-1930
Publication date: 1893
Publisher: Manchester, N.H., G. W. Browne
Number of Pages: 689


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 32


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).


Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42


1826. Aaron Brown, Sr., 82 ; Ephraim Eaton, Esq., 81 ; Samuel Murray, 92 ; Catherine, wife of Robert Patten, 94 ; Moses Sargent, Sr., 83 ; Jonathan Pillsbury, one of the first settlers in the town and a brother of David and Abijah Pillsbury, 77.


1827. Mrs. Nicholas Gordon, 87 ; Benjamin Smith, Sr., 99 ; Jeanette, wife of William Wilson, 84.


1828. Mary, wife of Col. John Carr, 89 ; Mary, wife of Capt. Benjamin Cass, 86; Deborah, daughter of Arthur Libbee, 72 ; John Prescott, 75.


1829. Moses Martin, who came from Amesbury, Mass., 86.


1830. Paul Eaton, 90; Sarah, wife of Rev. Nehemiah Ordway, 89; Abijah Pillsbury, 81.


1831. John Crawford, 76; Stephen Fairer. 2nd., 80 ; Nathan Thorn, who came from Danville, 91; Col. Thomas Wilson, 80.


1832. Elizabeth, wife of Nathan Bean, 71 ; Emma, wife of John Clay, 75 ; Sarah, wife of Jonathan Rowe, 70 ; Me. hitable, wife of John Robie, Sr., 83.


1833. Anna, wife of Nathan Brown, Sr., 73 ; Mrs. Jacob Clifford, 83 ; Abigail, wife of James Eaton, 98; Sarah, wife of J. Chase Smith, 91 ; Hannah, wife of Capt. John Sar- gent, 80.


1834. Nathan Brown, Sr., 75; Mehitable, wife of Sam- uel Bagley, 92 ; Capt. John Sargent, 88.


1835. Moses Buswell, 80; Emma, wife of Moses Bus- well, 72; Richard Bean, 80 ; Benjamin Eaton, 76; Lydia, wife of Moses Emerson, Sr., 75 ; Dr. Joseph Foster, 84.


26


402


HISTORY OF CANDIA.


1836. Deborah, wife of John Clay, 83. At Allenstown, Rev. Nehemiah Ordway, 89 ; Miss Sarah Turner, 88.


1837, Sewell Brown, Sr., 83; Ezra Burpee, 80 ; Mrs. Henry Clark, 78; Jean, wife of Joshua Moore, 76; Eliza- beth, wife of J. Chase Smith, 80.


1838. Susannah, wife of Sewell Brown, Sr., 79 ; Master Moses Fitts, 71.


1839. Benjamin Bean, 76; Moses Emerson, Sr., 84 ; Mary, wife of Dea. John Hills, 94 ; Mary, wife of Benjamin Hubbard, Sr., 86 ; Benjamin Hall, 73.


1840. Nehemiah Colby, 81 ; Mehitable, wife of James McClure, 91; Timothy H. Pearsons, from Deerfield, 83.


1841. Phebe, wife of Jonathan Smith, 89; Phineas Swain, 78; Nabby, wife of William Dolber, 77; James Sargent, 71 ; Betsey, wife of Samuel Worthen, 74.


1842. Mrs. John Clark, 87 ; Abigail, wife of John Colby; Ensign Samuel Colcord, 80 ; Mrs. Richard Dearborn, 78 ; Caleb Hall, 71 ; William Patten, son of Robert Patten, 80 ; Sarah, wife of J. Chase Smith, 92 ; J. Chase Smith, 83.


1843. Miss Patty Burpee, 82 ; Mrs. Nehemiah Colby, 71; Mrs. Thomas Johnson, 73 ; Mrs. Stephen Marden, 86 ; Sarah, wife of Moses Sargent, Sr., 89 ; Mrs. Samuel Dearborn, 88.


1844. Timothy Currier, 77 ; Moses Turner, 88.


1845. Mary, wife of Abraham Bean, 74; Sally, wife of Ensign Samuel Colcord, 70 ; John French, Sr., 75 ; Dorothy, wife of Amos Knowles, 2nd., 80 ; Hannah, wife of John Lane, Sr., 90 ; Mary, wife of Nathaniel Rowe, 70; Walter Roby, 2nd., 81.


1846. Mrs. Jonathan Healey, 76; Jonathan Healey, drowned, 78 ; Nathaniel Rowe, 73; Jonathan Rowe, 80.


1847. Jonathan Cass, 74; Mrs. John Crawford, 72 ; Mrs. Jeremiah Haynes, 71 ; David Quimby, 75; Ann, wife of Solomon Stevens, 85 ; Margaret, wife of Jonathan San- born, 74; Ann, wife of Benjamin Smith, 78 ; Polly, wife of Capt. Simon Ward, 74.


1848. Sarah, wife of Timothy Bagley, 99 ; Samuel Em- erson, son of Col. N. Emerson, 70; Ann, wife of Dea. An- thony Langford, 71 ; Sarah, wife of Samuel Sargent, 70; Hannah, wife of John Taylor, 88; Betsey, wife of Joseph Wiggins of Hooksett, 74.


403


HISTORY OF CANDIA.


1849. James Critchett, Sr., the clockmaker, 89 ; Mrs. William Clifford, 72 ; William Duncan, 78 ; Benjamin Edg- erly, 77 ; Benjamin Griffin, 80; Capt. Jacob Libbee, 78 ; Benjamin Smith, 2nd., 78 ; Jonathan Worthen, son of Maj. Jacob Worthen, 73.


1850. Samuel Fitts, 76; David Griffin, 92 ; William Ro- bie, 78 ; Jonathan Sargent, son of Theophilus Sargent, 78.


1851. John Buswell, 83 ; Mrs. Timothy Currier, 78 ; Jon- athan Currier, Esq., 86; Col. Henry T. Eaton, 82 ; Mrs. Joseph Hubbard, 77; Sarah, wife of Josiah Sargent, 76.


1852. Sarah, wife of Benjamin Bean, 84 ; Moses Dear- born, 74 ; Mrs. Waldron Evans, 74; Henry Eaton, Esq., 75; Richard Hoit, 72 ; Eliphalet Morse, 76 ; John Webster, who came from Auburn, 85 ; Sally, wife of Benjamin Webster of Kingston, 82.


1853. Joshua Hubbard, 79 ; Anna, wife of John Web- ster, 90 ; Joseph Wiggins of Hooksett, 84.


1854. Martha, wife of Silas Cammet, 67; Eleazer B. Cheney, 84 ; Maj. Thomas Dearborn, 80 ; Reuben Fitts, 76 ; Mary, daughter of Deacon John Hills, 88; Keziah, wife of William Robie, 79 ; Solomon Stevens, 94 ; Miss Nabby Sar- gent, 78 ; Samuel Sargent, 80.


1855. Betsey, wife of Jonathan Bean, 82 ; Mrs. Hosea Chase, 75; Mrs. Samuel Dearborn from Haverhill, Mass., 72 ; Capt. Jonathan C. French, 83 ; Hannah, wife of Capt. J. C. French, 81 ; Daniel McDuffee, Sr., 85 ; John Robin- son, 74.


1856. Mrs. Phinehas Colby, 75 ; Mrs. Simon French, 79; Theophilus Rundlett, 97 ; Judith, wife of Oliver Smith, 84 ; Sarah, wife of John Wason, 74 ; Enoch Worthen, 89.


1857. Caleb Brown, 2nd., 89 ; Mary, wife of Maj. Thom- as Dearborn, 82 ; Mehitable, wife of Peter Fifield, 77 ; John S. Gordon, 82 ; Dea. Anthony Langford, 85 ; Mrs. Jonathan. Martin, 70 ; John P. L. Rowe, 71 ; Moses, son of Capt. John Sargent, 79 ; Lucy, wife of Josiah Varnum, 73; at Man- chester, Dr. Nathaniel Wheat, 73.


1858. Sarah, wife of Caleb Brown, 2nd., 80; Mrs. Hen -. ry Clark, 75; Nathaniel Emerson, 2nd., 84; Mrs. Abeli Lovejoy, 74; Lydia, wife of Samuel Morrill, 2nd., 87; Nancy, wife of Eliphalet Morse, 76; Mary, wife of John


404


HISTORY OF CANDIA.


Robinson, 76 ; Jonathan Smith, 70; Miss Polly Smith, daughter of Biley Smith, Sr., 80 ; Margaret, wife of Dea. Sam- uel Tuck, 75.


1859. Moses Bricket, 79 ; Sally, wife of Moses Bricket, 79 ; Mr. Clifford, from Allenstown, 80; Jane, wife of Moses Colby, 85 ; Hannah, wife of Henry Eaton, Esq., 78; Lydia wife of Josiah French, 76 ; Mrs. Nehemiah Lovejoy, 79 ; Dea. Josiah Shannon, 75.


1860. Mrs. David Griffin, 80 ; Miss Eliza Hills, daughter of Dea. John Hills, 79; Joshua Lane, 70 ; Ann, wife of Daniel McDuffee, Sr., 86 ; Hannah, wife of Noah Rollins, 76 ; Sarah, wife of Deacon Josiah Shannon, 86; Deacon Samuel Tuck, 74.


1861. Mrs. Eleazer Clark, from Chester, 77 ; Hannah, wife of Moses S. Magoon, 84 ; Thomas Robinson, 79.


1862. John Dolber, 82; at Manchester, Mrs. Nathan Fitts, 78 ; Peter Hall, 82; Mrs. Joshua Hubbard, 85 ; John Murray, 85 ; Moses C. Magoon, 82 ; John Prescott, 79.


1863. William Brown, 73 ; Polly, wife of William Brown, 72 ; Mrs. John Clay, 72; Mrs. Richard Hoit, 76; Nancy, wife of Benjamin Hall, 2nd., 72.


1864. Theophilus Currier, 92, 7 m. ; James Critchett, 2nd.,. 75 ; Hosea Chase, 82 ; Capt. Jesse Eaton, 77; Han- nah, wife of Moses French, 2nd., 85 ; Thomas }Lang, 73 ; Mrs. Thomas Lang, 72 ; Anna, wife of Jonathan Sargent, 92.


1865. John Dearborn, 82 ; Abraham Fitts, 2nd., 84 ; Su- sannah, wife of Abraham Fitts, 87 ; Abigail Gordon, 87 ; Parker Hills, 80 ; Miss Sarah Lane, 71 ; Moses Shannon, 77.


1866. Mr. Bunker, 80; Moses French, 2nd., 90; Obed Hall, 79; Mrs. Caleb Hall, 88 ; Sargent Hall, 82 ; Nabby, wife of John Lane, 81 ; Elizabeth, wife of John Murray, 84 ; James Prescott, 77 ; Moses Rowe, 72


1867. Mehitable, wife of John Prescott, 93 ; Moses Critchett, 74; Sarah, wife of Capt. Jesse Eaton, 82 ; Samuel McDuffee, 73 ; John Robie, the saddler, 85 ; Amos Thorn, 81 ; Judith, wife of Theopilus Currier, 90.


1868. Jonathan Currier, son of Theophilus Currier, 72, 7 m. ; Dea. Joseph Dudley, 78; Mary Dudley, sister of Dea. Joseph Dudley, 79; Abel Lovejoy, 89 ; Mehitable, wife of


405


HISTORY OF CANDIA.


Willis Patten, 72 ; Polly, daughter of Sewell Brown, 84.


1869. Miss Sarah Buswell, sister of Mrs. Ira Rowe, 75; Abiel, wife of Aaron Brown, 2nd., 70; True Foster, 74 ; Mrs. R. Hunt, mother of Mrs. S. A. Davis, 71; Clarisa Healey, 75; Hazen McDuffee, 77 ; Miss Mary Pillsbury, 89 At Manchester, Olive, wife of Samuel Moores, 87, 10 m. ; Mrs. Robert Moore, 78 ; Biley Smith, 2nd., 81 ; Han- nah, wife of Andrew Seavy, 88; Capt. Gilman Richardson, 71, Mrs. Sarah Towle, 76; Betsey, wife of Jonathan Wor- then, 93.


1870. Hannah, wife of Peter Eaton, 82; Mrs. Joseph Martin, 90; Anna, wife of Joseph Taylor, 76.


1871. Maj. Simon French, 75; John Hobbs, 78; Sarah, wife of Nehemiah Hardy, of Hooksett, 74 ; Nehemiah Mor- rison, 76; Joseph Martin, 92; Abraham Bean, 2nd., 73.


1872. Jonathan Emerson, 72 ; Mrs. Noah Haynes, 72 ; Jesse Smith, 78; Jonathan Sargent, son of Samuel Sargent, 71 ; Charles Smith who came from Hopkinton, 79 ; Eliza, wife of John Sargent the trader, 73.


1873. Sally, wife of Dea. Samuel Dudley, 79; Polly, wife of John Dolber, 78; Joseph Bean, 82.


1874. Mary, wife of Nathaniel Emerson, 2nd., 96 ; Rev. Silas Green, 74 ; John Hobbs, 74 ; Miss Anna Harris, 74; Polly, wife of John Hobbs, 74 ; Ira Rowe, 71 ; Aaron Rowe, 74 ; Lydia, wife of Jesse Smith, 78 ; Sally, wife of James Smith, 80 ; Sally, wife of Enoch Baker, 79 ; Miss Nabby Lib- bee, 71; Lydia, wife of Joshua Lane, 76; Col. Jeremiah Lane, 77.


1875. Mrs. William S. Brown, 77 ; at Manchester, Capt. Peter Eaton, 87 ; James K, Kemp, 77; David Norton, 83 ; Daniel W. Robinson, 72; Mary, wife of Samuel Roberts, 77.


1876. Jonathan Burpee, 84 ; Mrs. Jonathan Brown, 84 ; Mary, wife of Lt. Thomas Critchett, 87 ; Dea. Richard Cur- rier, 84 ; Moses Emerson, 2nd., 90; Mrs. Jonathan Hall, 74 ; Mrs. Howe, 76 ; Herbert Moore, 71 ; Silden Moore, 71; Robert Moore, 92 ; Betsey, wife of Henry Thresher.


1877. Mrs. Sarah Buckman, 70; Miss Sally Brown, 92 ; Mrs. Samuel Buswell, 89; Nehemiah Brown, son of Sewell Brown, 72; Mrs. Michael Burns, 80; Stephen Connor, 74 ;


406


HISTORY OF CANDIA.


Stephen Colcord, 79; Ephraim Davis, 70 ; Susan Sherburne daughter of Moses Emerson, Sr., 85 ; Rufus Hall, 70; Sarah, wife of Moses Rowe, 80.


1878. Jonathan Brown, son of Nathan Brown, Sr., 86; John Clay, 2nd., 78; Luke Hall, a Portuguese, 80; Sarah, wife of Silden Moore, 77 ; Hannah, wife of Aaron Page, 87 ; Benjamin Sawyer, 71.


1879. Michael Burns, 79; Mehitable, wite of Samuel Col- cord, 82; Abigail, daughter of Nehemiah Colby, 84; Lyd- ia, wife of Ephraim Davis, 79; Dolly, wife of Col. C. M. French, 79; Mrs. Moses Gould, 78; Rev. Samuel Kent, 79 ; Sarah, wife of Edmund Langley, 77; Frances, wife of Dr. Isaiah Lane, 77 ; John Moore, Esq., 87; Joey Colby, wife of Mr. Prescott, 84.


1880. Mrs. Jonathan Brown, mother Mrs. Isaiah Lang ; Mrs. Gordon Bean, 72 ; Asbury Buswell, 78: William Dona- van, 75; Mrs. Joseph C. Langford, 71 ; Mary, wife of Dea. Ezekiel Lane, 80; Jesse R. Towle, 78; Joseph Wescott, transient, 80; William Donovan, 75; Josiah Clifford, 75 ; Benjamin Cass, 76.


1881. Mrs. Jacob Mead, 77 ; Mrs. Young, 75 ; John Ro- bie, son of Walter Robie, 2nd., 85; Henry Thresher, 88; Aaron Brown, 2nd., 88; Dea. Ezekiel Lane, 89; Mrs. Ju- dith Dearborn, 89 ; Miss Nancy Hall, 83; J. Wesley Love- joy, 70; Mrs. Joseph Fitts, 82 ; Mrs. Abraham Emerson, 79; Rev. James Adams, 74 ; Col. Coffin M. French, 82; Moses Johnson, 84 ; Mrs. David Gile 78.


1882. Samuel Buswell, 88; Mrs. Joshua Fitts, 81 ; Mrs. Jonathan Martin, 75; Nathan Carr, 78; Abigail, wife of John, son of Reuben Fitts, 84 ; Miss Sally Hall, 76 ; Barney Donnelly, 76; C. Sargent French, 84.


1883. Freeman Parker, 85; Mrs. Robie, wife of John Robie the saddler, 90; Mrs. Levi Barker, 79 ; John Ewer, 77; Mrs. Biley Smith, 92 ; Cyrus Prescott, 73 ; Hezekiah Bean, 74 ; Daniel Hartford, 83.


1884. Widow Crawford, 83; Mrs. Joshua C. Hall, 70; True French, 84; Mrs. Samuel Colcord, 88; Mrs. Daniel Batchelder, formerly of Deerfield, 75; Mrs. Shaw, 84 ; Mrs. Benjamin Hubbard, 81 ; Lydia Bethune, 84.


1885. Jonathan Brown, son of Nathan Brown, Sr., 86 ;


407


HISTORY OF CANDIA.


Mrs. Nesmith, mother of Mrs. Alexander Gilchrist, 89 ; Gamaliel Drew, 85; Sargent Currier, 80; Miss Sally Nor- ton, 87 ; Mrs. Parker Hill, 87 ; Mrs. Jesse Towle, 75; Mrs. William Knowlton, 73, Lydia Dolber, 72; Josiah Richard- son 72 ; Sally Dudley, 90; Sarah Martin, 87.


1886. Dolly B. Rollins, 93 ; Hannah Turner, 82 ; Capt. John Smith, 86; Mrs. Mary B. Robinson 88 ; Phinehas Healy, 87 ; Thomas M. Batchelder, 83; Sally West, 83; Henry M. Eaton, 79; Christopher Boyce, 74; George Schroggins, 78; Jeremiah Crowley, 80; Capt. True Smith, 84; Mrs. Jefferson Healey, 88; Mrs. George W. Robinson, 72 ; Mrs. Nehemiah Brown, 73 ; Mrs. Daniel B. Robinson, 76; Mrs. Nathaniel West, 83.


1887. Samuel G. W. Patten, 73; John Penney, 74 ; Mrs. Hazen McDuffee, 86; Joseph C. Langford, 86 ; Nathan Cate, 70; Jonathan Martin, 83 ; Jefferson Healy, 82 ; Daniel Mc- Duffee, 87; Mary, wife of John Moore, Esq., 90; William Cushing, 70 ; Archibald Mc Duffee,85 ; George W. Robinson, 73; Dea. Gordon Bean, 79 ; Charles S. Bickford, 70.


1888. Jason Godfrey, 73 ; Benjamin P. Colby, 86; Ben- jamin Hubbard, 87 ; Charles S. Emerson, 76 ; Mrs. Moses Varnum, 79; Mrs. Joseph Pease, 87 Mrs. David Brickett, 70; Mrs. Moses Hall, 78.


1889. Mrs. True French, 86; Mrs. Charles S. Bickford, 81 ; Mrs. Frederick Fitts, 87; James Burnham, 71 ; John Brown, 77; Dea. Francis Patten, 89; John C. Dearborn, 73. At Manchester, Josiah Sargent, 87.


1890. Mary F. Hoyt, 75; Jefferson Griffin, 85; Benjamin Taylor, 71 ; Mrs. William S. Healy, 72 ; Sarah Eaton, daugh- ter of Col. H. T. Eaton, 85 ; Mrs. Moses Underhill, 76.


1891. Mrs. Edward Toomy, 74; Abraham Sanborn, 70; Cornelius Regan, 97; Mary, wife of Jeremiah Bean, 95 ; Abraham Emerson, 91 ; Mrs. Drinkwater, mother of the wife of Dr. Foster, 75; Mrs. Horatio Rowe, 83; Charles H. Parks, 80; Benjamin Dearborn, 80.


1892. At Raymond, Joseph Richardson, 84.


The above account of deaths, which, doubtless contain some mistakes, was copied from the town books, the records of Rev. Mr. Reade and those kept by private parties.


408


HISTORY OF CANDIA.


SNAKES.


Rattlesnakes were frequently found in the southern and western sections of the town a hundred years ago ; but in recent years, this species of snake has been rarely seen. One was killed in 1890, by Joseph Hubbard, in his pasture on the west side of Hall's mountain, and one or two have been recently seen near the old Anderson tavern on the Turnpike. About one hundred years ago, Jonathan Rowe, who then kept a store on the Candia North Road, while riding upon horseback in Allenstown, a short distance west of the residence of Col. Wilson in Candia, came upon a. monstrous rattlesnake which was lying in the road. He dismounted, killed the reptile and found that it had twenty-three rattles.


The black snake, though ordinarily harmless, has always been the terror of women and children who were picking berries in the fields and pastures, and sometimes even of men. When a person comes suddenly and unexpectedly upon a great snake of this sort, the sentiment of fear invol- untarily produces a shudder or shock, followed by a very violent beating of the heart which is far from being agreea- ble. There are two varieties of black snakes, one is that which is very common in the town, and another which is long and comparatively slender, and which, when moving rapidly, carries its head a foot or more above the ground. This species is a very swift runner and is sometimes called a. racer. It has a cream colored ring from an eighth of an inch to half an inch wide, passing around its neck just be- hind its head. This sort of snake is comparatively scarce- and some people of the town have never seen one; while- many other well known citizens, still living in various sec- tions of the town, have seen and sometimes killed them. Among the latter, George F. Patten, Charles Fifield and Stephen Brown may be mentioned. Black snakes often ascend trees in search of young birds by winding their bodies spirally around their trunks, and many persons in the town have shot and killed them while they were in the


HISTORY OF CANDIA.


act of destroying an entire nest full of young fledglings, at a point high up among the branches.


Several years ago, it was currently reported that Eaton Pillsbury, a young son of Benjamin Pillsbury, while driving some cows from his father's pasture, situated on the west side of the road leading from the Corner to the Village and near the residence of the late William Patten, was attacked by a very large black snake and that the reptile coiled itself tightly around his body. It was said that the boy scream- ed for help, but before assistance arrived, he had succeed- ed in cutting the snake in twain with his jackknife. Mrs. Lewis Buswell, who then lived and still lives near the place where young Pillsbury was attacked, states that many per- sons who were in a position to know all about the circum- stances of the case assured her that the above story was true in every respect.


She also states that several years ago, she saw a large ring necked black snake in the act of slowly crossing the Burpee road a few steps distant from her residence.


The black snake belongs to the constrictor species of serpents which by contracting the muscles of its body when coiled around its prey is able to crush and kill it almost instantly. George S. Brown, who resides on South Road, while mowing a few years ago, seized a large black snake by the tail when the reptile instantly coiled the fore part of its body around the calf of one of his legs, holding the limb in its folds with almost the pressure of a vise. He relieved himself with much difficulty and killed the snake. His leg became swollen and very painful and remained in that con- dition several days.


In the spring of the year the snakes which have hyber- nated together in large numbers in holes, ledges, old wells and cellars, come forth in a semi-torpid state and are easily killed. Sometimes fifty snakes are killed under these cir- cumstances.


By far the greatest number of black snakes are less than five feet long, while a few have been seen which were thought to be nine or ten feet long. Enormously large snakes have been seen in various localities in this town, among which were Hall's mountain, East Candia and the cross road ex-


410


HISTORY OF CANDIA.


tending from High Street to South Deerfield may be men- tioned.


Forty-five years ago a black snake eight and a half feet long which was killed in Hooksett was brought to Man- chester and placed in a glass jar filled with alcohol and water. A label, upon which was stated the dimensions of the serpent and said to have been written by the late judge S. D. Bell, was placed on the jar. The jar stood several years in an upper room of Smyth's Block which was leased to the New Hampshire Agricultural Society.


William Norton who resides on the Deacon Merrill place near Hall's mountain found in a pasture the forward part of the cast off skin of a snake which was about eight and a half feet long. It was estimated that the part of the skin which was lacking was a foot and a half long if the snake was of proper proportions. If such had been the case the reptile must have been about ten feet long. It is said that Rev. Mr. Stinchfield, who was pastor of the Methodist Society about thirty-five years ago, was attacked by an extremely large black snake while he was at work near his residence at the north end of the Village. The snake managed to es- cape without injury. George Weeks, who resides about three-fourths of a mile below the Corner, states that in 1890' he killed a black snake about nine feet long in a pasture which formerly belonged to Charles S. Emerson. Charles Pettengill in corroboration of the claim that there are enor- mosly large snakes in New Hampshire, states that he saw a black snake which was killed near the railroad station in Londonderry about twenty years ago which measured eight and a half feet in length.


There are two kinds of adders in the town, one of which is the common speckled house adder and the other the wa- ter adder. The latter are found in ponds or in the deep and sluggish waters of the streams. The former are perfectly harmless. The bite of the latter has been sometimes re- garded as poisonous. Several persons however, who have lived in town have been bitten by this kind of snake with- out suffering any injury.


Snakes are hatched from eggs in the spring in large num- bers - sometimes as many as fifty or more in one brood.


411


HISTORY OF CANDIA.


When the mother, accompanied by her offspring becomes suddenly alarmed, she sometimes opens her mouth and the young snakes run into her body for protection. George F. Patten in 1890 killed a large stripped snake, the body of which contained forty-five young ones.


TRAMPS.


Many years ago the children in various parts of the town were often much frightened by meeting upon the road tramps or "old stragglers" as they were called. These tramps, who were generally clothed in rags from head to foot, were very dirty and offensive. Peter Varnum, or old " Pete Varnum" as he was called, before he became old, was stout and healthy ; but he would never do any work if he could in any way avoid it. He wandered through Can- dia, Raymond and other towns in the vicinity, sleeping in barns and begging his food from door to door. As he be- longed to Raymond, he was a town charge there and the chance for boarding him was sold to the lowest bidder at auction. He sometimes stayed with the successful bidder a few days, but when he was called upon to do some labor he started off on his travels around the country. He final- ly died from exposure at the age of 79 years in 1860.


A vagrant by the name of Rundlett, who belonged in Deerfield, made frequent excursions to Candia sixty-five years ago. He also begged for food and slept in barns. He was more repulsive in his looks and actions than Var- num and boys were often much freightened upon meeting him in the barn as he was descending from the scaffold.


Forty years ago, Italian tramps came to the town once in a while begging for money to assist their starving wives and children left behind them in that country. They presented a greasy paper upon which a statement was made to the effect that the bearers were worthy people whose dwellings and fields had been overwhelmed in consequence of a great eruption from the crater of Mount Vesuvius. Of course they were knaves and vagabonds and their pitiful stories were probably prepared in New York or some other


1.


412


HISTORY OF CANDIA.


city for the purpose of working upon the sympathies of the credulous and unsophisticated people in the country.


At one time the people of the town were greatly annoyed by able bodied tramps who were too lazy to work and had made begging a regular profession. A few years ago the legislature passed a law by which this sort of begging was made a state's prison offence and this nuisance was abated. In cases of absolute necessity, the selectmen have always afforded temporary relief to persons passing through the town.


PARENOLOGY.


About the year 1818, Dr. Francis Gall of Vienna in Aus- tria claimed that he had discovered a new system of mental and moral philosophy. He taught the doctrine that the brain is the organ of the mind and that each special intel- lectual faculty, each particular moral sentiment and each one of theanimal feelings or emotions has its seat in a speci- fic portion of the brain as its organ. He claimed that the organs of the intellectual faculties are located in the frontal portion of the brain, the moral in the upper, or coronal re- gion, the domestic or social feelings, in the back, or poste- rior region and that the selfish or aggressive feelings are located in the base of the brain. He also claimed that the original strength of each faculty or emotion is in proportion to the size of its organ, other things being equal ; and that the brain is of the exact shape or form as that of the skull in which it is enclosed. Under these circumstances it was contended that the intellectual abilities and disposition of a person can be determined by a careful exterior exami- nation of every portion of the skull. Soon after Dr. Gall had announced his discovery, he became associated with Dr. John G. Spurzheim of Germany, and both visited the chief cities in Europe for the purpose of lecturing upon this new system and subjecting it to the severest tests. They made many converts among the most learned people in France, Germany and Great Britain. Among the most


413


HISTORY OF CANDIA.


learned scientists and philosophers who embraced the sys- tem in the latter country was Dr. George Combe of Edin- burg who afterward published a very valuable treatise, en- titled : "The Constitution of Man" in which he attempted to show that there is the same difference in the original strength of the moral endowments of the people in all na- tions of the world that there is in their intellectual and phys- ical powers-some being naturally kind, unselfish spiritu- ally minded ånd forgiving to their enemies and willing to suffer to promote the welfare and happiness of their fellow men of every race and creed, while others are low and de- graded. In view of these considerations he taught the doctrine that there were the best of reasons why the most debased and most desperately criminal should be regarded with pity instead of hatred, inasmuch as they are the chil- dren of an infinite Father who loves them even as fathers and mothers love their offspring, whatever may have been their failings, and desert them not even at the foot of the gallows.




Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.