USA > New Hampshire > Cheshire County > Gilsum > History of the town of Gilsum, New Hampshire, from 1752 to 1879 > Part 11
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26. HIRAM O. son of Hiram N. & Rebecca O. DAVIS died Oct. 22, 1864, A. 3 y'rs, 11 mo's, 21 d'ys. 27. SALLY M. WIFE OF Daniel Howard DIED May 19, 1872, Æ. 78 y's. 9 m's.
28. DANIEL HOWARD DIED Oct. 15. 1862, Æ. 71 ys. 9 mo.
29. ORMACINDA H WIFE OF MASON GUILLOW died June 25, 1862, Æ. 36 ys. 5 mo. 22 ds.
30. STILLMAN son of EBENEZER & MARY ANNIE JONES, DIED Mar. 22, 1851, ÆE. 6 mnos.
31. ELVIRA W. Wife of EBEN'R JONES DIED June 23, 1855, ÆE. 26.
I know that my Redeemer liveth ; Because he liveth I shall live also.
32. FATHER. JOHN LIVERMORE DIED Mar. 12, 1872, Æ. 70 ys, 8 ms.
33. MOTHER. ELECTA G. WIFE OF JOHN LIVERMORE DIED Mar. 8, 1872, Æ. 66 ys. 3 ms.
34. MARY ELIZABETH, WIFE OF J. ELLIOTT SMITH, DIED MAR. 9, 1872, Æ. 30 ys. 3 ms. 9 ds. Dear Mary, Dear Mother, we cherish fond memories of thee.
76
GILSUM.
35. IDA MARY Dau. of J. Elliott & Mary E. Smith DIED Dec. 3, 1876, ÆE. 16 ys. 3 ms.
36. FRANZ
Gone, but not forgotten.
That he doth live we know. Then let us cease to wecp, And on his promise lean In love, he sent this sleep That we might meet again. (Reverse.) SLEEP ON DARLING TILL WE MEET THEE.
FRANZ W. Infant son of G. A. & D. R. Polzer, DIED AUG. 31, 1874, ÆE. 1 yr. 7 ms. 9 ds.
37. DART. ROBERT JESSE, ONLY SON OF S. W. & ANN DART. DIED MAR. 14, 1877, JE. 2 YS. 5 MO 7 DS.
"JESUS LOVES ME."
MARIA THERESA WIFE OF JESSE DART DIED MARCH 28, 1879 ÆE. 53 YRS. 9 MOS.
38. (Granite curbstone.)
RAWSON.
39. MARSHALL H. SON OF Harvey B. & Susan MILLER. Died Aug. 25. 1869. ZE. 18 y'rs. 5 mo's. We cannot call thee back again.
40. LUCINDA W. wife of Henry H. Howard, died Aug. 22, 1865, ZE. 47 y'rs.
41. FATHER Osman McCoy DIED Oct. 25, 1875, ÆE. 64 yrs. AT REST.
42. SALOME, WIFE OF CALVIN MAY, DIED FEB. 13, 1875, ÆE. 85 yrs. 10 mos. Not separated by death.
43. CALVIN MAY DIED APR. 12, 1875, Æ. 82 yrs. 4 mos. United in life.
44. Calvin May Jr. DIED Sept. 20, 1862, Æt. 39 Yrs.
45. GEORGE H. Son of John & Nancy S. DEAN, Died July 23, 1877, ÆE. 24 ys. 9 ms.
46. Merrill H. son of John & Nancy S. DEAN, Died Apr. 21, 1867, Æ. 18 ys. 11 ms.
47. HOLLIS T. GATES DIED July 20, 1857, Æ. 23.
48. HENRY H. SON OF MARVIN & MARY GATES died Apr. 4, 1868, ZE. 26 yrs.
49. MARY HENDEE DIED June 1, 1855, Æ. 46. Blessed are the dead that die in the Lord.
50. EUNICE R. wife of JOSIAH HENDEE DIED Apr. 3, 1869, Æ. 87 ys. 8 ms.
51. JOSIAH HENDEE DIED DEC. 21, 1864, AGED 88.
52. FOSTER WHITNEY DAY FOSTER DIED MAR. 27, 1873, Æ. 31 YRS.
53. WIFE & BABY GONE HOME
(Reverse.) S. EMMA wife of SAMUEL L. KINGSBURY, DIED JUNE 14, 1874, Æ. 25 ys. 11 ms. 26 ds. ETHEL MAY, their daughter DIED APR. 25, 1874, Æ. 29 ds.
54. MY HUSBAND GONE HOME (Reverse.) EDWARD L. HAMMOND DIED June 17, 1874, Æ. 35 ys. 2 ms. 17 ds.
55. DON, SON OF Geo. & L. A. BARRETT, DIED Sept. 2. 1874. A. 1 yr. 22 ds.
At rest, thy sufferings all are o'er, Thou'rt gone to dwell on yon bright shore ; Jesus called, and to his arms hath flown Dear patient, loving, little Don.
56. SOPHRONIA, wife of Charles Crouch, died Apr. 15, 1877, Æ. 55 y's. 10 m's. 15 d's. Missed in life's actions, missed in our hearts most of all.
57. JENNIE A. DAU. OF JOHN & SARAH THOMPSON, DIED FEB. 18, 1859, Æ. 19. Thou hast gone from us dear Jennie Thy smile no more we see The music of thy voice is hushed Yet shall we think of thee.
58. MOTHER MARY E. Wife of Calvin Chandler, Died Apr. 13, 1872, ZE. 63 ys. 4 ms. 30 ds. The grave is the home of all living.
59. TEMPLE BAKER DIED Feb. 5, 1869, Æ. 34 yrs.
60. ABIGAIL B. Wife of REV. EZRA ADAMS, DIED Feb. 23, 1858, Æt. 43.
61. REV. EZRA ADAMS DIED Mar. 20, 1864, ZEt. 54.
62. FLORENCE Blessed little angel.
(Reverse.) FLORENCE M. DAU. OF I. B. & M. A. NEWMAN, DIED APR. 9, 1879, ÆE. 19 Mos. & 11 DYs.
77
CEMETERIES.
63. OUR MOTHER. ORINDA FULLER Wife of Samuel Isham, Died May 29, 1841, Æt. 38 y'rs. CALVIN M. their son Died Sept. 8, 1828 Æt. 3 y'rs.
64. FATHER SAMUEL ISHAM JR. DIED June 21, 1871, Æ. 71 ys. 1 mo. 15 ds. At rest.
65. LYMAN F. Died Sept. 22, 1868 ÆE. 21 y'rs, 2 mo's, 25 d'ys. FRANCES J. Died May 16, 1869, Æ. 16 y'rs, 1 mo. 8 d'ys. SARAH P. Died Aug. 16, 1869, ÆE. 24 y'rs, 4 mo's, 16 d'ys. Children of Samuel & Elmina Isham.
66. OUR LITTLE CHARLIE.
O ! how we miss thee darling.
(Reverse.) CHARLIE C. SON OF F. C. & E. F. MINOR, Died July 27, 1869, Æ. 4 y'rs, 8 mo's, 5 d'ys. 67. FRANCES R. WHITE WIFE OF J. F. HORTON, DIED Oct. 7, 1866, ÆE. 33 yrs. 3 mos. 15 ds.
68.
WEBSTER 1866.
69. EZRA WEBSTER DIED Nov. 22, 1864, Æ. 52 ys. 7 ms. 9 ds.
70. JAMES WELCH DIED Nov. 25, 1870, Æ. 27 ys. 10 ms. Dearest one thou art gone, but not forgotten.
71. JOSEPH W. BECKWITH, DIED June 13, 1872, Æ. 64 ys. 8 ms. Gone Home.
In 1805 the town
Voted to fence the Burying yards in this town meaning one by Wm Baxters aud the other ou Stephen Bonds Land Voted that the Burying yards be fenced with Hemlock posts not less than ten inches through and Boards Spiked on to them three posts to oue length of Boards the Boards to Be a foot wid three boards on a post. the posts to be put 2 feet in to the Ground to be boarded to the top of the posts two nails in a Board on Each post - to be four feet and a half high from the top of the Ground the boards to be Sixteen feet long or under the work to be don by the first of June 1806 - the pay to be made when the work is done there is to be a gate Eight feet wide hung with Iron hinges.
voted to Set up the fenceiug of Sd yards to those that will do them the Ceapist accordingly Struck of the yard by Wm Baxters to John Ellis at 49 Cents pr rod - and the other yard to Elisha Bond at 50 Cents pr rod.
It was afterwards " voted to Give John Ellis liberty to get Black ash posts instid of Hemlock." These fences lasted about ten years, as we find the Selectmen instructed to repair them in 1816. In 1819 " Voted to fence the burying Yards with Stone wall " the Selectmen " to See to the making of sª wall." These walls are still standing.
The first recorded purchase of undertaker's implements is in 1825, when it was " Voted that the town procure two palls and two satchels and cords." In 1836, the town " Voted that the Select Men furnish a Grave Cloth, with a bag to keep it in." In 1839, " Voted to procure a Hersc and build a Herse house located at discretion of the Select Men." They placed it a few rods below the Stone Bridge, on the Surry road, where it now stands. An effort was made to buy a new Hearse as early as 1851, but it was not accomplished till 1870, when the Hearse now in use was purchased.
In 1867 the Selectmen were instructed to appoint some one to toll the bell and keep a record of deaths, also to go with the Hearse at Funerals, and keep it clean and in repair. Capt. Chand- ler held the appointment for about ten years, since which George H. McCoy has been chosen. Practically, his duties pertain only to the management of the Hearse.
TOMBS.
At a meeting called for that special purpose, in April, 1825, " Voted to have the town build a tomb in the center burying yard." Jonathan Pease, Luther Whitney, Aaron Day, and True Webster Jr. were the committee " to draw the plan and see the work well done," and sixty dollars was raised for the purpose. The building was struck off to Josiah Hendee, for $39.90.
About 1830, Samuel Isham Jr. and Nathan Ellis Jr. built a tomb at the Bond cemetery.
78
GILSUM.
Within a few years the town has bought ont their heirs, so that both tombs are now the property of the town.
The special anxiety to have a tomh, fifty years ago, was not mainly the convenience in winter, but rather the fear of " body snatchers," which prevailed at that time, not without cause. Medical Colleges then largely depended for " subjects " upon bodies surreptitiously obtained. A student could pay his full fees by furnishing a body, and no questions were asked. It was thought that bodies locked in the tomb were safer from these maranders, than in the grave. That this fear was no idle imagination is well known. Probably no grave-yard in the country was secure from these depredators. In the case of David Smith, watchers were stationed to guard the grave by night, and some of them still living testify that parties came from different directions, and drove hastily away on finding themselves discovered: The trouble of watching became so burdensome, that the body was taken up and buried under the wood-pile in the widow's door-yard, a log being left in the grave. A few months after, when the body was returned, it was found that the log had been turned over by the grave-robbers.
The Sextons appointed by the town have been as follows, so far as recorded : -
Berzeleel Mack, 1798, 1802,-25. Jonathan Pease, 1798, 1802. 48. Marvin Gates, 1838 to 41.
Otis G. Hammond, 1837 to 40,-2 to Samuel D. Bill, 1856,-7.
Joel Wilson, 1806,-19,-20.
Elisha Bond, 1806,-11 to 13,-16 to 24. Asa B. Nash, 1838,-43.
Silas Woods, 1811,-2.
Cyrus Bliss, 1841.
Samuel Bill Jr., 1815,-7.
Ephraim Howe, 1842.
Franklin B. Gates, 1866-7.
David Smith, 1816,-8,-21 to 23,-5. True Webster Jr., 1824,-6 to 30.
Otis Ammidon, 1844.
Calvin Chandler, 1867.
David Ware, 1826 to 39.
Benjamin Cory, 1844,-54,-6,-7,-9, Temple Baker, 1868. -61 to 73. Jolin Guillow, 1845 to 7.
David Bill, 1831 to 37,-41.
Nathan Ellis Jr., 1832 to 37,-43 to 8, Cyrus R. Bliss, 1850.
-50,-53,-4,-6,-9.
David Sumner, 1850.
Asa Nash, 1836,-7,-9, 40,-2,-8,-51.
Martin L. Goddard, 1851,-3,-4. Charles Nash, 1853.
James Rawson, 1857,-61 to 66,-8,-9, -72. George W. Bancroft, 1859,-61 to 64. Addison Gates, 1865.
Daniel W. Bill, 1869,-70,-2 to 75. Charles W. Rawson, 1870,-1,-3 to 5, -9. Albert R. Cory, 1871.
Joel Nash, 1874,-5,-9.
79
GENERAL FINANCES.
CHAPTER XV.
GENERAL FINANCES. " The Almighty Dollar."
PRIOR to 1821, no money appears to have been raised exeept for speeified objeets, such as preaching, sehools, and highways, but at the annual meeting in that year, it was " Voted to raise one hundred and seventy-five dollars to defray Town expenses." When, after spending a large amount in " fighting " the " new road " from Keene to Marlow, the town was at last obliged to build it, instead of raising the money by tax, the poor poliey of borrowing was adopted. Then, instead of paying it up as fast as possible, there appeared a great reluetanee to tax themselves for that purpose. Artieles inserted in the warrant, to raise money for the debt, were repeatedly dismissed. Worse than this, when the Surplus Revenue was received from the United States in 1839, it was first voted to use it to pay for the " New Road," but the next day, that vote was reseinded, and the money divided equally among the tax-payers. After about ten years, however, there was an effort gradually to reduce the debt. In another ten years, the war eame on, and the debts were largely inereased. The great expense attendant upon building and re-building the Stone Bridge, eame in at the same period. At the elose of the war in 1865, the net indebt- edness of the town was reported as $19,518.30. This, however, ineluded the $5400, afterwards refunded by the State, (page 46,) so that the real debt was a little over Fourteen Thousand Dollars. By a wise persistenee in high taxes, for the next deeade, in 1876 the town found itself free from debt, for the first time in nearly forty years. It is to be hoped that the experience of that " forty years wandering in the wilderness " of debt, will be sufficient to establish in Gilsum, for all time to come, the wholesome motto, " Pay as you go."
Amounts raised for general town charges and the payment of debts : -
1821, $175.
1833, $440.
1846, $600. Debt. 1861, $1700 .*
1822, $250.
1834, $375.
1847, $250 and $250.
1862-3, $800.
1823, $225.
1835, $325.
1848, $400.
1864 to 7, $2500.
1824, $360.
1836-7, $350.
1849, $300.
186S, $1950.
1825, $300.
1838, $500.
1850, $500.
1869 to 71, $2500.
1826, $100.
1839, $800.
1851, $500 and $200.
1872, $2200.
1827, $150.
1840, $500.
1852, $500 and $100.
1873 to 5, $2000.
1828, $75.
1841, $900.
1853, $500 and $113.
1876, $1000.
1829, $175.
1842, $600.
1854, $500 and $200.
1877, $100 and $200.f
1830, $150.
1843, $400.
1855, $500 and $100.
1878, $150.
1831. $300.
1844, $450.
Debt.
1856-7, $600 and $200.
1879, $0.50.
1832, $350.
1845, $250 and $150.
1858-60, $600 and $300.
The smallest sum raised any year before the present was $75 in 1828, and the largest $2500 for seven years while paying the debt. The average for the fifty-nine years on record is $867.
The following table gives the tax on each dollar of the grand levy, for each year, so far as we have the records. This ineludes all money taxes, both State and County, but not the highway tax.
1805, $1.00. 1817, $1.22.
1823, $1.22.
1829, $1.07.
1835, $0.99. 1841, $1.62.
1806, $1.40₺. 1818, $1.00.
1824, $1.41.
1830, $0.89.
1836, $0.81.
1842, $1.284.
1807, $0.57. 1819, $1.27.
1825, $1.44.
1831, $1.26.
1837, $0.84.
1843, $1.05.
1808, $0.91. 1820, $1.33.
1826, $0.90.
1832, $1.34.
1838, $0.98. 1844, $1.18.
1809, $0.69. 1821. $1.18.
1827, $1.19.
1833, $1.15.
1839, $1.30. 1845, $1.05.
1816, $1.23. 1822, $1.67. 1828, $1.08.
1834, $0.99.
1840, $1.12. 1846, $1.30.
* Including Stone Bridge.
¡ For Repair of Town House.
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GILSUM.
1847, $1 20.
1853, $1.39. 1859, $1.85.
1865, $4.55.
1870, $4.75.
1875, $3.80.
1848, $2.16. 1854, $1.68.
1860, $1.06.
1866, $4.25.
1871, $4.10. 1876, $2.90.
1849, $1.08. 1855, $1.30. 1861, $2.75.
1867, $3.90.
1872, $3.50. 1877, $2.46.
1850, $1.30.
1856, $1.55.
1862, $1.78.
1868, $3.90.
1873, $4.65. 1878, $2.10.
1851, $1.50.
1857, $1.75.
1863, $2.24.
1869, $4.40.
1874, $3.70.
1879, $1.80.
1852, $1.64}. 1858, $1.80.
1864, $4.20.
The lowest tax recorded is $0.57 in 1807. The lowest in the last sixty-four years is $0.81 in 1836 ; and the highest is $4.75 in 1870. The average for sixty-four years is very nearly $1.94.
Financially, Gilsum at the present time, is in a sound, healthy condition, able to take hold manfully and energetically, of all enterprises for the public good, such as schools, libraries, and highways. " There is that scattereth and yet increaseth : there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty."
CHAPTER XVI.
TOWN OFFICERS.
Ir has been observed that the Charter not only made a grant of land, but incorporated a Town. It is probable that the Proprietors did not organize as a town for two or three years after the Charter was given, as they certainly transacted business in those years, which properly belonged to the town. The loss of the records leaves us very much in the dark, as it is only by accident that we can pick up here and there the name of some town officers prior to 1789. The first Town Meeting of which we have any knowledge was held Aug. 26, 1766, at Jonathan Smith's. "Joseph Sponsor" was Moderator, and Obadiah Willcox, Clerk. From that time to 1789, no name of Moderator has been found. Moderators at the annual meetings since 1789, have been as follows : -
Justus Hurd, 1789,-93. Obadiah Pease, 1817.
Otis G. Hammond, 1843,
Jonathan Adams, 1790. Josiah Hammond, 1818 to 21 and 23. masa May, 1845,-6,-58.
Aaron Hammond, 1791.
John Hammond, 1822,-5,-6,-9.
Berzeleel Lord Mack, 1824.
Daniel W. Bill, 1847,-65,-6,-7,-70,-1. Francis A. Howard, 1848.
Calvin May, Jr., 1849,-50,-1,-5.
Zadok Hurd, 1795,-8,-9, 1801. Samuel Whitney, 1796, 1800,-6,-15. Silvanus Hayward, 1803. David Adams, 1804.
Willard Bill, 1831. Charles H. Cummings, Jr., 1833,-4. George W. Hammond, 1835.
Aaron H. Livermore, 1853.
Charles F. Kingsbury, 1854,-6,-7. Aaron D. Hammond, 1859 to 61, 1868,-9,-72 to 79.
David Blish, 1805,-7,-8,-12,-3,-4,-6. Robert Lane Hurd, 1809,-10,-1.
Allen Butler, 1836. Samuel Woodward, Jr., 1838,-9.
In 1809, immediately after choice of Moderator is the following record : -
2 - Voted to adjourn to Smiths Hall [the tavern.]
3 - Voted to adjourn back to the meeting.
Evidently the new Moderator " treated." Probably this case was not an exception, save in the fact of its being put on record. Moderators have never received pay for their services.
As seen above, Obadiah Willcox of Surry was the first Town Clerk, and from all the writing's of that day, now extant, he was evidently much better qualified for that office than any other of the actual settlers. He doubtless held the office till the setting off of Surry, in 1769. Who filled this office for the succeeding 20 years cannot now be told, save as in one instance found in
Daniel Wright, 1792. Jeliiel Holdridge, 1794,-7, 1802.
Aaron Day, 1827,-8.
Luther Abbot, 1830,-2,-7,-40,-1,-2,-4. David S. Ware, 1852.
A. D. Hammar
The Heliotype Printing Co. 211 Tremont St Boston.
Daniel MBill
The Heliotype Printing Co. 2Il Tremont St Boston ..
81
TOWN OFFICERS.
State documents. In 1787, Timothy Dewey was Town Clerk. Since 1789, Town Clerks have been : -
Zadok Hurd, 1789. David Brigham, 1834,-5.
Robert Lane Hurd, 1790,-1, 1801 to Israel B. Loveland, 1836 to 44, 1846 5, 1811,-2. to 58. Allen Butler, 1845.
George Henry McCoy, 1867 to 70,-72 to 77.
Josiah Hammond, 1806 to 10, 1815, Martin L. Goddard, elected 1856, John Gould, 1871.
-6,-24 to 31.
but left town.
John A. Smith, 1878.
Elisha S. Fish, 1813.
Hervey E. Rawson, 1859,-65,-6. Ezra Webster, 1860 to 64, died in office.
Benjamin H. Horton, 1879.
Luther Abbot, 1832,-3.
Town Treasurers since 1789 have been : -
Aaron Hammond, 1789,-90.
Willard Bill, 1832. Aaron Day, 1833,-4,-5.
Asa Cole, 1851,-2,-5. N. O. Hayward, 1853.
David Blish, 1791 to 94.
Ebenezer Bill, 1795,-6,-7, 1802,-3.
Calvin May, 1840,-5, acted also in Davis H. Wilson, 1854,-6,-9,-60.
Zadok Hurd, 1798 to 1801.
1836,-7,-8.
George B. Rawson, 1857. Calvin Chandler, 1864,-5,-8,-9.
John Hammond, 1804 to 10.
Obadiah Pease, 1811 to 19.
Ebenezer Bill, Jr., 1820,-1,-2,-41.
David Ware, 1846.
Samuel Isham, Jr., 1847.
L. W. F. Mark, 1866. Aaron D. Hammond, 1867,-72 to 76, 1879.
Israel B. Loveland, 1829,-39. Allen Butler, 1830,-1,-50.
Josiah Hendee, 1848.
William Mark, elected 1850, but did not serve.
John S. Collins, 1871. Allen Hayward, 1877,-8.
In 1836-8, the town voted to dispense with the office of Treasurer, but Calvin May acted by appointment of the Selectmen. The first salary paid the Treasurer was three dollars, in 1809. Since then it has risen to 15 dollars at the present time.
At a town meeting for Boyle in March, 1762, the Proprietors chose for Selectmen, John Sterling, Josiah Kilburn, and Joseph Spencer ; and in September following, Joseph " Spensor,", Joseph Mack, and Seth Haize. (Page 18.) The following list prior to 1789, has been made up from State documents : -
Ebenezer Dewey, [Sen.] 1773. Ebenezer Dewey Jr., 1776-7. Pelatiah Pease, 1773,-5,-6. Samuel Church, 1773,-5. Stephen Griswold, 1775. Jonathan Bliss, 1777. John Griggs, 1779. Elisha Pendell, 1779. Ebenezer Church, 1779. Thomas Darte, 1781,-3,-5. Justus Hurd, 1781-2. Jonathan Adams, 1781-2,-4,-6,-8,-91. Theodoer Presson, 1782. Aaron Hammond, 1783,-5,-91,-5. Timothy Dimock, 1784,-6. Ebenezer Bill, [Sen.] 1784,-6,-9,-92, -6,-7,-9, 1804,-8. David Blish, 1787,-92,-6,-7,-9, 1801, -4,-7,-8,-9 .- 13,-4.
Silvanus Hayward, 1795,-8, 1803. John Hammond, 1798, 1802,-5,-10, -1,-6,-9,-20 to "23,-6,-7,-9. William Mark, 1802,-5,-7,-9,-12. Jonathan Pease, 1803,-6,-13 to '16, -8,-22,-3,-5.
Dudley Smith, 1803,-11,-2,-5.
Luther Whitney, 1817,-21,-2,-3,-5,-6. Jonathan Davis, 1817. Aaron Day, 1818,-20,-5,-7-8,-44.
Josiah Hammond, 1818,-9,-20,-4. Solomon Mack, 1824,-9.
Israel B. Loveland, 1824,-6,-8,-30,-3. Willard Bill, 1827,-9,-31,-71,-2,-4. David Bill, 1828,-30,-1,-2,-4,-5,-6,-47. Calvin Mack, 1830. David Brigham, 1831,-6.
David Ware, 1832,-41,-3,-51. Allen Butler, 1832,-3. Ebenezer Isham, 1833. William Kingsbury, 1834,-5,-8,-9,-45,-9.George B. Rawson, 1858,-9.
Calvin May, 1834 to '38,-42,-9. Luther Abbot, 1837,-41. Eliphalet K. Webster, 1837,-9,-40. Samuel Woodward, Jr., 1838,-41,-2, -3,-50,-2. Eseck T. Wilson, 1839,-40,-5. Samuel Isham, Jr., 1840,-2,-6,-8,-54, -60,-1.
Amherst Hayward, 1843. Otis G. Hammond, 1844. Stephen Foster, Jr., 1844. John Livermore, 1845,-6,-9,-53,-4.
Luther W. Mark, 1846. True Webster, Jr., 1847,-8. Amasa May, 1847,-8. N. O. Hayward, 1850,-2,-5,-8. Daniel W. Bill, 1850,-1,-6,-7,-9 to '70, -2,-3. Aaron H. Livermore, 1851. Daniel Smith, 1852.
Asa Cole, 1853. David S. Ware, 1853. George W. Newman, 1854. Martin L. Goddard, 1855.
Calvin May, Jr., 1855.
Joseph M. Chapin, 1856. John Hammond, 1856,-7. William Banks, 1857,-8.
Zadoc Hurd, 1787,-9,-90,-3,-9, 1801.
Samuel Whitney, 1788. Eleazer Wilcox, 1788. David Adams, 1789,-90,-4. Jehiel Holdridge, 1790, 1801. Robert Lane Hurd, 1791,-3,-5, 1800, -5,-7,-11,-2. Samuel Bill, Jr., 1793,-8, 1800,-2,-6, -10,-6,-7,-9,-21. James Ballard, 1794.
William L. Kingsbury, 1859,-60,-2. John C. Guillow, 1861,-3,-4. Darius Porter, 1862,-3,-8. Aaron D. Hammond, 1864 to '67,-73, -5 to '78. Allen Hayward, Jr., 1865,-7,-8,-9.
Francis A. Howard, 1866,-71. John J. Isham, 1869,-70.
#1792-4-6-7,1800-4-6-8-9-10-13-14+15
6
Calvin Chandler, appointed by Select- men, 1864.
David Blish, 1792 to 1800.
Obadiah Pease, 1814,-7 to 23.
David Bill, 1842. Ezra Webster, 1843,-4,-58,-61 to 64.
Amherst Hayward, 1823 to 28,-49.
.82
GILSUM.
William L. Isham, 1870,-1. Josiah Guillow, 1874.
George II. Carpenter, 1872,-4,-6,-7. George C. Hubbard, 1875. Thomas T. Clark, 1873. George D. Hayward, 1875,-6.
Lucius R. Guillow, 1877,-8,-9. Elmer D. Banks, 1878,-9. Oscar J. Wilson, 1879.
It appears from old Deeds conveying Land sold for taxes, that Levi Bliss was Collector in 1781-2. In 1793, is the following record : -
Voted to Release Capt Holdridge from paying the Extent that Come a gainst the town on his Colection of taxes twenty tow pounds uppon Condition of his procuring a Note against Col Bruer of twenty tow pounds.
Whatever else this vote may mean, it plainly implies that Capt. Holdridge was Colleetor at some time previous. The same year, Thomas Dart was chosen "Constabel and Colector of taxes," for which he was paid $3.00. These two offiees were for a long time held by the same person. The office of Constable was evidently regarded desirable in a peeuniary point of view. For some years the two offices were put up together to the lowest bidder. In 1798, they were struck off to Jesse Dart for Eleven Shillings. For three years previous to 1809, these offices were held by William Baxter, apparently without pay. In 1809, " the collcetor birth " (evidently including the office of constable,) was put up to the highest bidder, and William Baxter paid the town $3.00 for the office. The same eourse was pursued with one exeeption, for six years after. Sinee 1815, the Collector has been either ehosen by the town, or, more usually, appointed by the Seleetmen. Praetieally, however, the office has been given to the lowest bidder, if a suitable person. In 1817, Aaron Day having been ehosen Colleetor, it was voted to give him "the eonstable's birth " for his serviees. The office of eonstable seems to have separated from that of eolleetor about this time, and to have been still given to the highest bidder, as in 1825 we find Jonathan Pease paid $1.05 for " the privilege of being Constable." In later years the pay for collecting gradually increased till it reached $50 in war time. At the present, it is about $25.
The following list, before 1789, is made from old deeds and State documents. The first three are not absolutely eertain : -
Ebenezer Kilburn ? 1775.
Ebenezer Bill, 1790. Jesse Dart, 1791,-8.
Lemuel Bingham, 1813,-5. Samuel Isham, Jr., 1847.
Obadiah Wilcox ? 1776.
Shubael Hurd ? 1777.
David Fuller, 1792.
Aaron Day, 1817.
George W. Newman, 1852, -3,-69,-79. Calvin Chandler, 1856,-7. Jesse Dart, 1858,-9,-62,-3,
James Rowe, 1780. Levi Bliss, 1781,-2. avid Bond, 1783. ohn Dimmock, 1784.
Benjamin Ware, 1797, 1801. David Ware, 1830,-4,-5,-41. Robert L. Hurd, 1803.
David Bill, 1785.
Samuel Mark, 1804.
Jonathan Heaton, 1786.
Jonathan Pease, 1805,-22, Jehiel Day, 1836.
Not Found, 1837,-8.
A. D. Hammond, 1865,-6,-7. William Banks, 1868. Hervey E. Rawson, 1870.
Roger Darte, 1788. -8,-9,-10,-2.
Samuel Whitney, 1789. Thomas Redding, Jr., 1811.
Under date, Sept. 21, 1803, in an aeeount of " A rate made For the Town of Gilsom " is an item of $44.00 " to purchace Weights and measures." At the next annual meeting, it was " Voted that the Scal in the weights and measures be Ge -" In 1805, it was " Voted to allow Sam1. Bill twenty two Shilling for proeureing necessaries for the weights and mesures."
The following list of those holding the office of Sealer shows a number of vacancies. Prob ably in such cases the old offieer aeted without formal appointment.
Roger Dart, 1789 to 92. Dudley Smith, 1807 to 1815. George Hammond, 1857. Theron Hayward, 1873.
Robert Lane Hurd, 1794.
Aaron Day, 1816 to 43,-45 James L. Wilson, 1859. John A. Smith, 1877.
to 52. Joseph M. Chapin, 1861 to Benjamin H. Horton, 1878,
Samuel Bill, Jr., 1798, 1804. Aaron Hammond, 1802. Stephen Griswold, 1805. Solomon Woods, 1806.
Ezra Webster, 1844,-53,-4. Amherst Hayward, 1855. Calvin Chandler, 1856,-8, -60.
67,-71,-2,-4,-6. -9.
George N. Hayward, 1868
to 70,-5.
N. O. Hayward, 1848,-9,
Dudley Smith, 1814,-6,-20, -31,-2,-43,-4,-6,-50,-1. -54,-5.
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