USA > New Hampshire > Sullivan County > Cornish > History of the town of Cornish, New Hampshire, with genealogical record, 1763-1910, Vol. I > Part 15
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Joseph Chapman 1795, 1797, 1798, 1799, 1804, 1805, 1806.
Moses Weld
. 1799, 1805, 1806.
Joshua Wyman
1803, 1811, 1812, 1813, 1814, 1815.
Samuel Putnam.
1806, 1817.
John Lovell Kimball
1809, 1810, 1818.
Newton Whittlesey 1810, 1812, 1813, 1814, 1815.
George Cook. 1811, 1812, 1813, 1814, 1815, 1816.
Timothy W. Hall 1816.
Jonathan Wyman 1817, 1820, 1822, 1823, 1824, 1828.
Solomon Wellman, Jr 1819, 1820, 1821, 1822, 1823, 1824.
Eleazer Jackson, Jr.
1820, 1821, 1825, 1826, 1829, 1830, 1831, 1832, 1839,
1840, 1842, 1843, 1844.
Benjamin Chapman .1821, 1822, 1823, 1825, 1826.
John Weld . 1821.
Joseph Huggins 1824, 1846.
Arunah Burnap 1825, 1826, 1841.
Seth Johnson
1827.
John L. Putnam 1827, 1829, 1830, 1833, 1836, 1839.
Sylvanus Bryant. 1833.
Benjamin Comings, Jr .. .1828, 1837, 1840, 1842.
Obed Powers
1834, 1835.
Leonard Comings
1828.
Israel Hall. 1834, 1835, 1837, 1838, 1841, 1843, 1844, 1845, 1846, 1848, 1849, 1850, 1851, 1852, 1855.
Rufus Day .1829, 1830.
William S. Deming 1836, 1840, 1842, 1845.
Simon Coburn.
1831, 1832.
William F. Comings
1831, 1832.
Amos Richardson
1833, 1834, 1835, 1839.
Stillman Jackson . 1837, 1838.
Reuben Davis.
1838.
Ebenezer Cole.
1845, 1847, 1853.
159
TOWN OFFICERS.
SELECTMEN.
YEARS OF THEIR SERVICE.
Joshua B. Wellman .
1842, 1843.
John Johnson .
1846.
James W. Bradley
1847, 1849, 1850.
John T. Freeman .
1847.
Hiram Little.
1844, 1848, 1849, 1850, 1853, 1854.
Joseph B. Comings
1836, 1848, 1855, 1856, 1857.
George W. Weld
1850, 1852, 1854.
James M. Davidson
1851, 1852, 1856, 1857, 1858, 1873, 1874, 1875.
Gilbert Hilliard.
1851.
Joshua B. Wyman.
1853, 1854.
Willard Heywood
1855, 1856.
Chester Pike.
1857, 1858, 1859.
Lemuel Martindale
1858, 1859, 1860, 1866.
George D. Kenyon.
1859, 1860, 1861.
William Balloch.
1860, 1861, 1862, 1863, 1865.
Hiram A. Day.
1861, 1862.
Norman A. Deming
1862, 1863, 1864, 1875, 1876, 1877, 1881, 1882, 1883.
Benjamin S. Fletcher
1863, 1864.
Henry Gould
1864, 1865.
Jonas Hastings
1865, 1866, 1867.
Stephen A. Tracy
1866, 1867, 1868, 1871, 1872.
Louis T. Chase.
1867, 1868, 1869.
Norman E. Hebard
1868, 1869, 1870.
Dana N. Morgan
1869.
Charles E. Jackson
1870, 1871, 1872, 1873, 1885, 1886, 1887, 1888, 1889.
·
Seth Cole
1870.
William C. Hart
1871, 1874, 1875, 1876.
Edward O. Day .
1872, 1873, 1874, 1876, 1877, 1879, 1880, 1882.
Orville B. Williams
1877, 1884.
Carlos F. Huggins
1878.
Elias S. Leavitt
1878, 1879.
Chauncey P. Jenney
. 1878, 1879, 1884.
Benjamin T. Harlow
1880, 1881, 1882.
Philander W. Smith
1880, 1881.
William Tandy
1883, 1889.
Edward T. Ayers
1883.
William E. Westgate
1884, 1885, 1886.
Albert E. Wellman
1885, 1886, 1887.
Jacob Beal.
1887.
Charles H. Andrews
1888.
James W. Fitch
1888, 1889, 1890.
George L. Deming.
1890, 1891.
William W. Balloch
1890, 1891, 1892, 1893, 1894, 1896, 1897, 1898, 1899,
1900, 1901.
Charles H. Deming
1891, 1892, 1893, 1894.
Clayton B. Hilliard.
1892.
Edgar A. Churchill.
1893, 1894, 1895, 1896, 1901, 1902, 1904.
160
HISTORY OF CORNISH.
SELECTMEN.
YEARS OF THEIR SERVICE.
Edwin G. Kenyon 1895.
Frank C. Jackson 1895, 1896, 1897.
Levi R. Dole
1897, 1898, 1899.
Edwin O. Goward
1898, 1899, 1900.
Eben M. Johnson
1900, 1901, 1902, 1903.
Fenno B. Comings 1902, 1903.
James B. Chadbourne
1903, 1904, 1905, 1906, 1907, 1908.
Erwin W. Quimby
1904, 1905, 1906, 1907, 1908, 1909.
Robert A. Austin
1905, 1906, 1907, 1908.
Fred N. Weld
1909, 1910, 1911.
Norman C. Penniman
1909, 1910, 1911.
Charles S. Lear
1910, 1911.
YEAR. TOWN CLERKS.
1767
Daniel Putnam.
1798. Moses Weld
1768
Jonathan Chase.
1799.
. Moses Weld.
1769 Daniel Putnam.
1800. .
Samuel Putnam.
1770. Daniel Putnam.
1801. .Samuel Putnam.
1771. .
Daniel Putnam.
1802.
. Samuel Putnam.
1772. . Daniel Putnam.
1803
Samuel Putnam.
1773. . . Daniel Putnam.
1804. . Samuel Putnam.
1805. . Samuel Putnam.
1806.
.Samuel Putnam.
1776. . . William Ripley.
1777. William Ripley.
1778. William Ripley.
1779 John Morse and William
Ripley.
1780. . John Morse.
1781 . . John Morse.
1782. Thomas Chase.
1783. . . Thomas Chase.
1784. . .. Caleb Chase.
1816. Newton Whittlesey.
1785. . . . Caleb Chase.
1786.
Caleb Chase.
1818 Newton Whittlesey.
1819 ..
Newton Whittlesey.
1788. . Caleb Chase.
1820. Newton Whittlesey.
1789. . . Caleb Chase.
1821 Stephen Cole.
1790. . Moses Weld.
1822 Stephen Cole.
1823. Stephen Cole.
1824 Stephen Cole.
1825 William Whittlesey.
1826 William Whittlesey.
1795 .. Moses Weld.
1796. . Moses Weld.
1828
William Whittlesey.
1797. Moses Weld.
1809. Newton Whittlesey.
1810 Newton Whittlesey.
1811 Newton Whittlesey.
1812 Newton Whittlesey.
1813 Newton Whittlesey.
1814. Newton Whittlesey.
1815 .. Newton Whittlesey.
1817. Newton Whittlesey.
1787 .. . Caleb Chase.
1791. . . Moses Weld. 1792 .. Moses Weld.
1793. . Moses Weld.
1794. Moses Weld.
1827
William Whittlesey.
1829. William Whittlesey.
1774. . .. Daniel Putnam.
1775. . Daniel Putnam.
1807.
Samuel Putnam.
1808 Samuel Putnam.
YEAR. TOWN CLERKS
161
TOWN OFFICERS.
YEAR. TOWN CLERKS.
YEAR.
TOWN CLERKS.
1830
John S. Blanchard.
1831.
. John S. Blanchard.
1872.
Timothy A. Gleason.
1873.
. Timothy A. Gleason.
1874. Timothy A. Gleason.
1834. John T. Freeman.
1835.
John T. Freeman.
1836.
John T. Freeman.
1877.
Timothy A. Gleason.
1837.
John T. Freeman.
1838. John T. Freeman.
1839. Orlando Powers.
1880. . . Samuel M. Green.
1840 John T. Freeman.
1881. .. . Samuel M. Green.
1882. .
. . Samuel M. Green.
1842. Orlando Powers.
1883. .
Samuel M. Green and John
1843 Elijah Boardman.
C. Boynton.
1844 John T. Freeman.
1884. .John C. Boynton.
1885.
John C. Boynton.
1886.
John C. Boynton.
1887. John C. Boynton.
1848 .John T. Freeman.
1888 . John C. Boynton.
1849. Orlando Powers.
1889. William H. Sisson.
1890.
William H. Sisson.
1851. . Orlando Powers.
1852. Orlando Powers.
1892. William H. Sisson.
1853. Orlando Powers.
1893. Paul Davidson.
1854. . . . John T. Breek.
1894. Paul Davidson.
1855. John T. Breck.
1895.
Paul Davidson.
1856 .. . John T. Breek.
1896. Paul Davidson.
1857. . John T. Breck.
1897 . Paul Davidson.
1858. . . John T. Breck.
1898. Paul Davidson.
1859. . John T. Breck.
1899
Paul Davidson.
1860. John T. Breck.
1900. Paul Davidson.
1861. John T. Breck.
1901 Paul Davidson.
1902. Paul Davidson.
1903
Paul Davidson.
1865
John T. Breck.
1905 Paul Davidson.
1866 John T. Breck.
1906. Paul Davidson.
1867 Arunah Burnap.
1907
Paul Davidson.
1908
Paul Davidson.
1909 Paul Davidson.
1910. Paul Davidson.
Gleason.
YEAR.
MODERATORS.
YEAR.
MODERATORS.
1767. Samuel Chase.
1768. . Moses Chase.
1769. Samuel Chase.
1770. .
... Samuel Chase.
1771 ..
. Samuel Chase.
1772.
Moses Chase.
12
1863.
John T. Breek.
1864.
John T. Breck.
1904 Paul Davidson.
1868 Daniel Chase.
1869. Daniel Chase.
1870 Daniel Chase and T. A.
1875. . . Timothy A. Gleason.
1876.
Timothy A. Gleason.
1878.
Samuel M. Green.
1879. .
. Orlando Powers.
1841 John T. Freeman.
1845:
John T. Freeman.
1846. John T. Freeman.
1847 John T. Freeman.
1850. Orlando Powers.
1891.
William H. Sisson.
1862. John T. Breck.
1871 . ..
. Timothy A. Gleason.
1832. John S. Blanchard.
1833. Eleazer Jackson.
162
HISTORY OF CORNISH.
YEAR. MODERATORS.
YEAR. MODERATORS.
1773. .. . Samuel Chase.
1820.
William Whittlesey.
1774. . . Samuel Chase.
1821.
Harvey Chase.
1822
William Whittlesey.
1776. . Samuel Comings.
1823. Eleazer Jackson, Jr.
1777. Moses Chase.
1824 .Eleazer Jackson, Jr.
1778. Moses Chase.
1825.
. Eleazer Jackson, Jr.
1779 Moses Chase, Esq.
1826.
Eleazer Jackson, Jr.
1780. William Ripley.
1827.
.Eleazer Jackson, Jr.
1781. Samuel Chase.
1828.
William Whittlesey.
1782. Moses Chase.
1829. Newton Whittlesey.
1783. . William Ripley.
1830. Eleazer Jackson, Jr.
1784. . William Ripley.
1831.
Eleazer Jackson, Jr.
1785 . Samuel Chase.
1832.
Eleazer Jackson, Jr.
1786. Samuel Chase.
1833.
John L. Putnam.
1788 Moses Chase.
1835. Eleazer Jackson, Jr.
1789. Jonathan Chase.
1836.
John L. Putnam.
1790 Jonathan Chase.
1791. William Ripley.
1838. Eleazer Jackson, Jr.
1792 William Ripley.
1793 Jonathan Chase.
1794. . .. Jonathan Chase.
1795. Dea. Reuben Jirauld.
1796. . William Deming.
1843. .
. Eleazer Jackson, Jr.
1844 .... Eleazer Jackson, Jr.
1845. .
. Israel Hall.
1846. ... Eleazer Jackson, Jr.
1847. . William R. Kimball.
1848. William R. Kimball.
1849. Sylvanus Bryant.
1850. Sylvanus Bryant.
1851. Sylvanus Bryant.
1852. Sylvanus Bryant.
1853. Samuel P. Thrasher.
1854. Edward D. Baker.
1855 . Ebenezer Cole.
1856
William R. Kimball.
1857
Sylvanus Bryant.
1811. Ithamar Chase.
1812. .. . Thomas Chase.
1813. Harvey Chase.
1814. . . Ithamar Chase.
1815 .. . .. Harvey Chase.
1816. Caleb Chase.
1817. Harvey Chase.
1818. Caleb Chase.
1865.
Chester Pike.
1866. ... Chester Pike.
· 1798. Capt. Caleb Chase.
1799. . Capt. Caleb Chase.
1800. William Deming.
1801. Ithamar Chase.
1802 Ithamar Chase.
1803. Ithamar Chase.
1804. . Ithamar Chase.
1805. Ithamar Chase.
1806. Ithamar Chase.
1807 Ithamar Chase.
1808. . Ithamar Chase.
1809. Ithamar Chase.
1810. . Ithamar Chase.
1858.
Bradley Burr.
1859 .. Bradley Burr.
1860. William Balloeh.
1861. William Balloeh.
1862. William Balloeh.
1863. Chester Pike.
1864. Chester Pike.
1819. . Harvey Chase.
1837. Newton Whittlesey.
1839
Eleazer Jackson, Jr.
1840
Eleazer Jackson, Jr.
1841 Harvey Chase.
1842. . Harvey Chase.
1797. Capt. Caleb Chase.
1787. Samuel Chase.
1834. Sylvanus Bryant.
1775. . . Samuel Chase.
163
TOWN OFFICERS.
YEAR. MODERATORS.
YEAR. MODERATORS.
1867. . Chester Pike.
1885. ... Chester Pike.
1868. . Chester Pike.
1886. . .. Chester Pike.
1869. . Chester Pike.
1887. . .. Chester Pike.
1870 .. Chester Pike.
1888. ... Chester Pike.
1871 .. Chester Pike.
1889 .. . William Balloch.
1872. Chester Pike.
1890. . .. George L. Deming.
1873. .. Chester Pike.
1891 ..
. George L. Deming.
1874. . . Chester Pike.
1892-94. . Chester Pike.1
1875. . Chester Pike.
1894-96. . Chester Pike.1
1876. Chester Pike.
1896-98 .. Chester Pike.1
1877. Chester Pike.
1898-00. . George E. Fairbanks.1
1878. Lemuel Martindale.
1900-02. . George E. Fairbanks.1
1879. Chester Pike.
1902-04. . George E. Fairbanks.1
1880. Chester Pike.
1904-06. . George E. Fairbanks.1
1881. . .. Chester Pike.
1906-08. . George L. Deming.1
1882 .:.. Chester Pike.
1908-10. . George L. Deming.1
1883 .. . Chester Pike.
1884. .. . Chester Pike.
1910-12. . William W. Balloch.1
While a province under the dominion of Great Britain the colonists could assert no self-governing rights, hence no repre- sentatives were chosen until after the Declaration of Independ- ence. Even after this event the records show no representa- tion to the General Court of New Hampshire until 1782. There had, however, been a Provincial Congress organized at Exeter, July 21, 1774. This held several sessions, and on December 21, 1775, it assumed the prerogatives of a legislature and adopted a temporary constitution. Under this, from 1776 to 1783, inclu- sive, the members of the legislature were elected for the term of one year, and convened on the third Wednesday of December following. The town of Cornish did not choose to be represented there until 1782. On this and the following year, she chose and sent her representatives.
In 1782 Cornish was classed with Plainfield and Grantham, and sent one representative. In 1783-84 she was classed with Grantham alone and sent two representatives each of these years. Under the state constitution, which became operative in June, 1784, the legislature was elected on the second Tuesday of March for the term of one year, and convened on the first Wednesday in June. Cornish had chosen her representatives on the March preceding, and these were there.
1 Elected for two years.
164
HISTORY OF CORNISH.
For reasons not now known, the representative for 1785 was recalled. Cornish remained classified with Grantham until and including the session of 1787. After this, to the present time, she has been represented by but one person. From 1784 to 1878, inclusive, the legislature was elected on the second Tuesday in March of each year and convened on the June following.
Beginning with the session of 1879, the members of the leg- islature were elected on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November for the term of two years, and convened bien- nially on the first Wednesday in June following, until and includ- ing the session of 1889. Since, and including the session of 1891, the legislature has convened biennially on the first Wednes- day in January, the members having been elected on the previous November. Thus the elections occur on the even years, and the sessions are convened on the odd years.
The town has been represented by the following men:
YEAR.
REPRESENTATIVES.
YEAR. REPRESENTATIVES.
1782 Abel Stevens.
1802 Ithamar Chase.
1783 Moses Chase.1
1803
Ithamar Chase.
William Ripley.1
1804. Ithamar Chase.
1784. Moses Chase.
I805. Ithamar Chase.
William Ripley.1
1806 James Ripley.
1785
Rep. recalled.1
1807 Ithamar Chase.
1786. Dudley Chase.1
1808 Ithamar Chase.
1787. Moses Chase. 1
1809
James Ripley.
1788 Gen. Jonathan Chase.
1810 James Ripley.2
1789 James Wellman.
1811.
Capt. Daniel Chase .?
1790.
James Wellman.
1812. Capt. Daniel Chase. 2
1791 James Wellman.
1813. Caleb Chase, 2d.3
1792 James Wellman.
1814. Caleb Chase, 2d.3
1793 James Wellman.
1815 Caleb Chase, 2d.3
1794. Capt. Daniel Chase.
1816. Newton Whittlesey.3
1795 Capt. Daniel Chase.
1817. Newton Whittlesey.3
1796 Capt. Daniel Chase.
1818. Newton Whittlesey.3
1797 Ithamar Chase.
1819 Newton Whittlesey.3
1798.
Ithamar Chase.
1820 Eleazer Jackson, Jr.3
1799 Ithamar Chase.
1821 Eleazer Jackson, Jr.3
1800 Ithamar Chase.
1822 Eleazer Jackson, Jr. 3
1801 Ithamar Chase.
1823. Eleazer Jackson, Jr. 3
1 Classed with towns.
2 Elected March; convened December.
3 Elected in March for one year, until and including 1878; convened in June for one year, until and including 1878.
165
TOWN OFFICERS.
YEAR. REPRESENTATIVES.
YEAR. REPRESENTATIVES.
1824
Eleazer Jackson, Jr.1
1865
Joshua B. Wellman.
1825. Eleazer Jackson, Jr.1
1866.
Seth Johnson.
1826. Benjamin Chapman.1
1867
Seth Johnson.
1827. John L. Putnam.1
1868
Joseph B. Comings.
1828. Benjamin Chapman.1
1829.
Benjamin Chapman.1
1830.
John L. Putnam.1
1831.
John L. Putnam.1
1872
Sylvanus W. Bryant.
1832. John L. Putnam.1
1873
George D. Kenyon.
1833. John L. Putnam.1
1874.
George D. Kenyon.
1836.
Could not elect, did not send.
1877.
Charles E. Jackson.
1837
William S. Deming.1
1878.
No election in March.
183S .: William S. Deming.1
Philander W. Smith elected
1839. Reuben Davis.1
in November.
1840 Henry Breck.
1879 .. . Session. 3
1880. . Dr. Geo. W. Hunt.2
1881.
Session.3
1843.
1882.
Hiram A. Day .?
1844. Orlando Powers.
1SS3.
Session.3
1845
1884 William Tandy.2
1846. Benjamin Chapman.
1885.
Session. 3
1847. Amos Richardson.
1886. Chester Pike.2
1848. Ebenezer Cole.
1887 Session.3
1849 Ebenezer Cole.
188S. Albert E. Wellman. ?
1850 Ebenezer Cole.
1889. Session. 3
1890 William H. Sisson.2
1891. Session. 4
1853. Joseph Wood.
1892.
Edward O. Day.2
1854. Elijah Boardman.
1893
Session. +
1855. Elijah Boardman.
1894 William E. Westgate.2
1895 Session. 4
1896 William W. Balloch.2
1897 Session. 4
1859 Alvin Comings.
1898 Frank C. Jackson.2
1860 Arunah Burnap.
1899. Session. 4
1861 Arunah Burnap.
1900. Josiah Davis.2
1862 Chester Pike.
1901. Session. 4
1863. Chester Pike.
1902. Winston Churchill.2
1864. Joshua B. Wellman.
1903.
Session.+
1 Elected in March for one year, until and including 1878; convened in June for one year, until and including 1878.
2 Elected in November.
Convened biennially in June.
4 Convened biennially in January.
1869 Joseph B. Comings.
1870
James M. Davidson.
1871.
James M. Davidson.
1834 Sylvanus Bryant.1
1875. Stephen A. Tracy.
1835. Sylvanus Bryant.1
1876.
Stephen A. Tracy.
1841 Henry Breck.
1842. Reuben Davis.
1851. Ebenezer Cole.
1852. Joseph Wood.
1856 Israel Hall.
1857 Israel Hall.
1858 Alvin Comings.
166
HISTORY OF CORNISH.
YEAR. REPRESENTATIVES.
YEAR. REPRESENTATIVES.
1904 ..
. Winston Churchill.1
1908. Erwin W. Quimby.1
1905 .. .Session.2
1909.
Session.2
1906. . . Herbert Deming.1
1910.
Fenno B. Comings.1
1907. . . Session.2
1911.
. Session.2
1 Elected in November.
2 Convened biennially in January.
CHAPTER XI.
SOCIETIES.
Grand Army of the Republic.
THIS society was organized during the winter of 1865-66 at Springfield, Ill. The first post was established in Decatur, Ill., in 1866. Its ritual is secret. All soldiers and sailors of the United States army and navy who served in the Civil War between April 12, 1861, and April 9, 1865, are eligible for membership, pro- vided they have had an honorable discharge from said service.
Its object and purpose is fraternal association and fellowship, as well as the perpetuation of the memories of that fearful struggle by those who were engaged in it, and also to exercise a kind guardianship and care of the widows and orphans of their deceased comrades. The movement became immensely popular and nearly all the veterans of the North joined it. Its membership increased, so that in 1893 it numbered 407,781. Posts were established in most of the towns in the North wherever there was a sufficient number of the veterans to warrant it. The veterans of Cornish and Plainfield established the "William H. Bryant" Post No. 63, which holds its meetings alternately at each place. It was organized June 21, 1887, and was named in honor of William H. Bryant, adjutant of the Fourteenth New Hampshire Regiment of volunteers, who died in the service.
Their principal public exercises, aside from the burial of deceased comrades, are associated with the beautiful and impressive ceremonies of "Memorial Day," on May 30 of each year, when they meet to decorate the graves of their former comrades with national emblems and flowers. Forty years have so deci- mated their numbers that but a handful now remain. These are still faithful to the memory of their heroic dead. Of the great majority who have passed on it may be said:
"On fame's eternal camping ground Their silent tents are spread, While glory guards with solemn round The bivouac of the dead."
168
HISTORY OF CORNISH.
Soldiers' Aid Society.
Among the noblest and most humane institutions ever founded were those of the Sanitary and Christian Commission, organized during the War of the Rebellion. The horrors of war, in all their detail, had been precipitated upon our nation. This national crisis demanded the immediate presence of troops in large num- bers to preserve the life of the nation. These were hurried for- ward to the theater of strife wholly unprepared to meet the fearful conditions that were sure to be their portion. The government at this period had made no provision for the amelioration of the condition of her soldiery beyond their blankets, uniform and rations. The new recruits from homes of comfort and plenty were forced to endure hardships that soon told upon their physical as well as their moral constitutions. Siekness became prevalent in camp. Sanitary laws were few and poorly administered and suffering increased. To these conditions were added the victims - of strife on the battlefield. These could not receive the kindly attention they needed, for aside from the surgeon's services, there were none to minister to them as they needed.
The government at first seemed blind to these conditions owing, perhaps, to its anxiety to swell the number of its defenders. When this state of things became known, a wail of sympathy arose from the entire North. This soon took forms of organiza- tion called the Sanitary Commission and the Christian Commis- sion; the one having special reference to the health and physical welfare of the soldiers, and the other providing as well for their moral and religious needs.
Hand in hand these two agencies of love and mercy followed the fortunes of our soldiery throughout the entire war. The women of the North, without exception, espoused the cause of their fathers, husbands and brothers, and were first and foremost in all plans and labors to relieve their necessities and mitigate their sufferings. Nearly every village and hamlet of the North had its organization, and meetings were often held to raise funds and prepare articles for the comfort of their dear ones in the army. Beside the preparation of bandages and scraping of lint, the ladies prepared articles for sale and at times held fairs or festivals when these articles were sold, oftentimes realizing considerable sums to aid them in their benevolent work.
169
SOCIETIES.
Cornish was wide awake on the subject and was well organized with a large band of faithful, sympathetic and efficient workers. They sent a good many packages to the "boys in blue" whose hearts were cheered thereby; and none watched with deeper interest the fortunes of the war than did the good women of Cor- nish. Just previous to the close of the war they held one of their festivals for the benefit of the soldiers. The event was successful and a goodly sum was raised. As the boys soon "came marching home" this money was not needed and so was never sent them. A portion of it was afterwards expended for a chandelier for the Baptist Church, and the balance of it, with other money remain- ing in their treasury, amounting in all to $176.80, was devoted to the purchase of the soldiers' monument in 1889. (See Soldiers' Monument.)
"Cornish Colonization Society."
Early woven into the fabric of our national life was the insti- tution of slavery. It began with the importation of a cargo of slaves into Virginia in 1619, and it was gradually introduced into the other colonies. It seemed to flourish at its best in the south- ern colonies or states and soon became an important factor in the society of those states.
Meantime a sentiment unfavorable to it began to develop in the colonies, especially in the North. The Revolution, as a move- ment for liberty, declaring all men free and equal, joined with this humanitarian spirit, helped to increase the anti-slavery sentiment. The northern states soon abolished slavery, or pro- vided for its gradual extinction. Abolition societies were formed, but these accomplished but little more then to intensify the senti- ment already aroused.
In 1816, an organization entitled the National Colonization Society was formed at Princeton, N. J., and immediately reorganized at Washington, D. C., its principal object being to encourage the emancipation of slaves and to obtain for them a place outside of the United States to which they might emi- grate. Branches of the society were soon established in almost every state. About 1830 the agitation against slavery took on a more ardent phase, and henceforth for thirty years, slavery was the most absorbing of political themes.
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170
HISTORY OF CORNISH.
On February 7, 1840, a branch of the Colonization Society was organized in Cornish, and the following preamble was adopted:
"The deplorable condition of the African race, whether bond or free, calls for the sympathy of the philanthropist, and the prayers of the Christian. To these we rejoice to learn has been added a portion of active benevolence. To this charity we de- sire to lend our feeble aid, and to promote and encourage the object, we hereby associate ourselves together under the name of Cornish Colonization Society, and adopt as the basis of our operation the following.
"Constitution."
This constitution consists of seven articles, drawn up much after the common form and somewhat lengthy:
Article 1st explains more definitely the object of the society and as being auxiliary to the National or American Society, and that funds by them collected should be paid over to the State Society, which was also auxiliary to the National.
Article 2d tells who are eligible and how to join the society. Article 3d prescribes the officers and their duties.
Article 4th relates to the meetings of the society.
Article 5th relates to funds and manner of raising them.
Article 6th relates to specific duties of the treasurer.
Article 7th relates to alterations and amendments.
The above preamble, together with the constitution, was adopted on the last-mentioned date, and was signed by the follow- ing individuals:
James Ripley
James R. Wellman
J. L. Putnam Joshua Wyman
Alvah Spaulding
John Hall
Eleazer Jackson
Harvey Chase
Amos Richardson Harvey Smith
H. H. Comings
Israel Hall
Reuben Davis Ebenezer Cole
Nathan S. Luther
George D. Kenyon
Edwin Leslie Sophia Richardson
John Johnson
This organization was evidently effected at the home of Dea. Amos Richardson, as the foregoing record was found among his
171
SOCIETIES.
papers. We have been unable to find further records of the doings of this branch of the society, or when it ceased to exist. It was evidently begotten in the spirit of true philanthropy and perhaps accomplished its humble part in the praiseworthy work of its mission.
Temperance.
"Oh, that men should put an enemy in Their mouth to steal away their brains! that we Should with joy, pleasure, revel and applause Transform ourselves to beasts."-Shakespeare.
During the first half century after the town was settled the use of ardent spirits was well-nigh universal. Every family kept it on hand the entire year as a beverage or as a treat for occa- sional guests. It was especially indispensable in the field during the haying and harvesting seasons. Marriages, and even funerals, were occasions that called forth liberal potations of the stimulating draught.
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