USA > New Hampshire > Cheshire County > Gilsum > History of the town of Gilsum, New Hampshire, from 1752 to 1879 > Part 22
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In 1850, population 668, males 341, females 327, over ninety 1, between eighty and ninety 6, between seventy and eighty 24, between five and ten 70, under five 77, pupils in sehools 230. There were 135 dwellings, and 144 families.
In 1860, population 678, males 334, females 344, between ninety and one hundred 1, between eighty and ninety 9, between seventy and eighty 28, between five and ten 77, under five 66. One is reported to be 100. which is a mistake. Stephen White was then in his hundredth year. There were 145 dwellings and 146 families.
In 1870, population 590, males 288, females 302, over ninety 1, between eighty and ninety 10, between seventy and eighty 28, between five and ten 50, under five 59. There were 136 dwellings and 153 families.
In an account of Manufactures in Gilsum, taken in 1832 by George W. Hammond, by request of Congress, to assist in revising the Tariff, we find the following.
Amount of business in Tannery $1,601.16 Blacksmithing .
$1,450.00
Spiral Gimblets 1,600.00 Shoes & Boots
800.00
Pegging Awls .
1,500.00 Home-made Flannel, 2,433 yds.
1,216.00
Woolen Factory, Brigham & Cole 2,000.00 Linen Cloth, 1,364 yds.
227.33
Starch, 60,000 lbs. 2,100.00 Maple Sugar, 10,070 lbs.
805.60
Wagons, 17, & Repairing .
540.00 Palm Leaf Hats, 629
157.25
The following items are from the " picture of Gilsum " in 1843 referred to on page 134.
Whole number of inhabitants 645, whole number of families 132. 10 families are under the care of widows, and 22 live in hired houses. There are 13 females in single life over 30 years of age, and only five males in the same state to match them ; 24 widows, and S widowers. There are 67 persons over 60 years of age, of whom 7 or 8 are over 80. There are 118 dwelling houses, and one family now lives in " a snug new log house in true ancient style." The Factory Village contains 22 dwelling houses containing 28 families, one Meeting House, 2 Stores, one Tavern, 3 Blacksmith's Shops, 2 Turning Shops with water power, one Tannery, one Shoe Shop, one Wheelwright Shop, one Saw-mill. The other village contains one Store, one Grist-mill and Saw-mill with Shingle-mill attached and also a Carding machine, with only 5 dwelling houses containing 6 families. There are in town 6 Justices, 2 Physicians, 6 Carpenters, 5 Blacksmiths, 1 Millwright, 2 Coopers, and " one man makes shingles by boiling the timber and cutting them while hot with a large knife in a machine." There are 3 Woolen Factories, but only one in operation - 2 establishments for making Awls - 3 Saw-mills, 2 of which have Shingle-mills attached. There are 3 merchants, and one Tavern. "Most of the inhabitants of Gilsum are in comfortable circumstances at present as to the things of this life, being generally industrious they maintain themselves, but there are now 3 or 4 persons who the town has to support at an expense for the current year of about $220." The number of voters last March was 135. No. of rateable Polls 145, besides these are 7 Widows and 3 Single women who pay taxes. There were taken in town one daily, 122 weeklies, and 13 monthlies. During 1842 there were 19 Births, 6 Marriages and 5 Deaths.
The following faets are gathered from other papers left by Dea. Hayward.
In 1794 there were 67 houses with families ; in 1800, 73 ; in 1815, 82; in 1820, 110 ; in 1862, 134 ; in 1864, 150 ; Jan. 1, 1866, 158. In 1864 there were 122 husbands with wives, 9 widowers, and 19 widows. There were 19 persons between 70 and 80, and 5 over 80. The greatest number of deaths reported in any one year was 24 in 1820, the next greatest was 19 in 1849 ; the least number was 4 in 1840.
At the present time, Dec. 31, 1879, there are 611 inhabitants, 310 males and 301 females.
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GILSUM.
There are 9 under one year, 41 between one and five, 53 between five and ten, 109 between 10 and 20, 94 between 20 and 30, 86 between 30 and 40, 65 between 40 and 50, 65 between 50 and 60, 45 between 60 and 70, 29 between 70 and 80, 14 between 80 and 90, and one 96 years of agc. There are 31 widows, and 14 widowers ; women over 20 who were never married, 30; men in the same state, 37. There are 161 dwellings not reckoning separate tenements in the same house, 22 of which are not inhabited, and containing 176 families. Births in 1879 were 8; deaths 11.
So far as can be readily ascertained the following periodicals were taken in Gilsum for the year 1879 : -
Dailies : - Boston Journal, Boston Herald, Boston Post, one cach.
Semi-weeklies : - Boston Journal, Inter Ocean, one each.
Weeklies : - Portland Transcript, New York Atlas, New Orleans Picayune, Springfield (Vt.) Reporter, New York Sun, Republican Observer, New York Express, L'Opinion Publique, Massachusetts Plowman, Descret News, State Press, New York Ledger, Voice of Angels, Kansas Volks Freund, Family Herald & Weekly Star, Golden Censer, one each ; New York Messenger, Wochenblatt der New York Zeitung, two each ; Boston Pilot, Home Circle, Christian Union, three each ; Boston Globe, Child's Paper, Herald of Gospel Liberty, four each ; New York Times, Well Spring, Sunday School Times, five each ; Christian at Work, six ; Youth's Com- panion, Mirror and Farmer, Independent Statesman, seven each ; New England Farmer, American Cultivator, eight each ; Granite State Journal, nine ; Boston Journal, twenty-two ; People, twenty-three ; New Hampshire Sentinel, thirty-three ; Cheshire Republican, forty-nine.
Monthlies : - American Agriculturist, Atlantic, Scribner's, St. Nicholas, Potter's American Monthly, Journal of Chemistry, Granite Monthly, Life and Light, Scottish American Journal, Contributor, one each ; Scientific American, Christian World, Bible Society Record, two each ; Missionary Herald, four ; American Missionary, Household, People's Illustrated Journal, five each ; Peterson's Magazine, Home Missionary, six each; American Messenger, nine; Illus- trated Family Monthly, twelve.
Quarterlies : - Ehrich's Fashion Quarterly, two ; Smith's Bazar, five.
Total : - Three dailies, two semi-weeklies, two hundred and thirty-five weeklies, sixty-four monthlies, and seven quarterlies.
The following statistics are taken mainly from a record kept by Dea. Hayward, and continued after his death, by N. O. Hayward. The particular deaths are not on record previous to 1825. In ten years ending May 1, 1825, there were 80 deaths, including 29 over 50 years of age, 7 between 30 and 50, 16 between 10 and 30, and 28 under ten. The largest number of deaths in Gilsum in any one year, so far as known, is 24 in 1820. From 1825 to 1879, a period of 55 years, there have been 542 deaths in town, making an average death rate of a little less than ten, or about one in 60 of the population. The largest number was 19 in 1849 ; the smallest, four each in 1840, 1865, and 1873. Of these deaths, 72 were under one year of age ; 88 between one and 10; 33 between 10 and 20; 52 between 20 and 30; 46 between 30 and 40; 29 between 40 and 50; 30 between 50 and 60; 56 between 60 and 70; 80 between 70 and 80; 47 between 80 and 90; and 9 over 90, five of which were over 95, and one within a few months of 100. The average age is very nearly 39 years, probably full that, if the months were taken into account. Not many towns, it is believed, can show a record so favorable as this, either in the average age, or in the ratio of deaths to the population.
The causes of death are not given prior to 1835. The great mortality in 1820 was from a
Willard Bill
The Heltotype Printing Co. 2Il Tremont St.Boston.
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CELEBRATIONS.
fatal fever, then called typhus. The large number of deaths in 1849 was owing to the prevalence of scarlet fever among the children, seven of whom died of that discasc. During these 45 years, 443 deaths are reported, and the cause is mentioned of 360. Among the more prominent causes are the following : - 15 or 20 can be traced directly to intemperance, and many more indirectly ; heart diseases 11; cancer 13; apoplexy 15; accident 16; scarlet fever 22; bowel complaints 24; fevers 29 ; old age 45 ; lung diseases 114.
CHAPTER XXV.
CELEBRATIONS.
"Sound the fife and beat the drum, Independence day has come ! Bring the banjo and the fiddle, To-day we dance ter-diddle-diddle. Jotham, git the great, big bottle, Your teeth can pull the corn-cob stopple."
THESE ancient rhymes are doubtless a picture of the hilarious celebrations many of our grandfathers were wont to observe on the Fourth of July. Music, dancing, and drinking, with firing of cannon, and patriotic speeches, were probably rarely omitted on the return of that " glorious" anniversary. Only a few celebrations, however, have been sufficiently prominent to be remembered now. It is known that the first minister, Rev. Elisha Fish, delivered a Fourth of July Oration, but the year cannot now be ascertained. It was probably before 1800. There was also a celebration of the beginning of the Century in 1801, at which time he delivered a Pocm. It is much to be regretted that neither of these manuscripts has been preserved.
In 1823, just after the cannon had been taken from Kcene, it was thought best to make the Fourth of July an occasion to be remembered. The Meeting House with Smith's Tavern oppo- site, was of course the place of gathering. The cannon was brought out and four kegs of powder of 25 lbs. each, were burned. The Oration was in the Meeting House, but the festivities subsequent werc on the Common, booths of boughs having been built there, under whose shade the women and children found shelter from the sun. Capt. Solomon Mack was Marshal, and Willard Bill, then just arrived at manhood, was the Orator. The following extracts and synopsis will give a general idea of the oration. It begins as follows : -
" Assembled together at this time for the celebration of the birthday of our national Independence, it is with the greatest satisfaction that we hail the auspicious moment for the now happy and flourishing state of the nation, that we are free from intestine commotions and outward foes, that we are in the midst of peace and plenty, that our liberties remain unmolested, unimpaired by time, and that we have a pleasing prospect of their future contin- uance. It is on no ordinary occasion that we have met. Worthy to be remembered by every American and grate- ful to his memory must be the commencement of his liberties and deliverance from the tyrannical grasp of a foreign power."
The value of such a celebration in its tendency to foster the love of Liberty, was next spoken of ; after which the Declaration was read. Then followed a cursory review of the prominent events of the Revolution, and a com- parison with the celebrated heroic actions of past history. "More true bravery cannot be found in the history of any country than was displayed by the undisciplined militia engaged in the different attacks . in the Revolutionary War."" Attention is next called to the present state of the country, contrasted with what it would have been if the result of the war had been reversed. "Ten millions of freemen can attest to the present
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GILSUM.
prosperity of our country, for there has been no time since the first settlement that a greater portion of happiness has been enjoyed than is enjoyed at the present time. Although no human mind can look through the veil of futurity with certainty, yet we may infer from present appearances that Freedom's banner will in time be unfurled through all the habitable parts of the globe."
Other countries are then contrasted with our own and gratitude expressed to God for the superior blessings we enjoy. The oration eloses as follows: " But in all our happiness let our fervent ejaculations ascend to Heaven that in all our prosperity we may be kept from those vices frequently attendant ou prosperity, particularly that we may not pollute the sacred name of Liberty by the frenzy of licentious passions, but inay our present glorious Constitu- tion while it protects our freedom from the unhallowed ravages of Tyranny, remain an unshaken bulwark against the destructive fury of faction.
Tyrants, turn from the impious work of blood in which your hands are imbued and tremble at the desperation of your revolting subjects. Repent in sackcloth and ashes. For behold, ye, who have been exalted up to heaven shall ere long be cast down to hell. The final period of your crimes is rapidly approaching when the Spaniard, the Greek, and the Jew shall no longer be oppressed, nor feel the iron bondage of despotic sway. The grand polit- ical millennium is at hand, when Tyranny shall be buried in ruins, when all nations shall be united in one mighty Republic, when the four angels that stand on the four corners of the earth shall with one accord lift up their voices to heaven proclaiming peace on earth and good-will to men."
At another celebration, not long after, it is remembered that Dr. Jonathan E. Davis gave the oration.
About 1830, there was a Sabbath School Celebration at the Old Meeting House.
In 1832 or 1833, Day's Hall (now Chandler's) was dedicated witli a Celebration of Independ- ence. Dea. Brigham read the Declaration.
In 1834, there was a semi-military celebration, Sullivan Company joining the parade with Gilsum. Charles Cummings gave an oration on the Common near the Meeting House, the frame of which had just been raised.
July 4, 1835, there was a Temperance Celebration, with an oration by " a sou of Squire Hatch of Alstead."
In 1838, the Anti-slavery Society, which had just been organized, celebrated the day with an address from Rev. Moses Grosvenor of Marlboro'.
In 1843, there was a Sabbath School Temperance Celebration of Independence in the village. A stand was built near the old Hay Scales, tables of food were provided, the scats and tables being shaded with green boughs. A procession largely composed of children marched up and down Main Street, music being furnished by Amherst Hayward with his bass-viol, assisted by Charles W. Bingham with a violin. A Temperance oration was delivered by William P. Wheeler, Esq., of Keenc.
In 1844, a " rum celebration " was attempted, but proved " a fizzle." (Page 93.)
The Nation's Centennial was celebrated on the Sunday after July 4, 1876, by religious ser- vices in the Meeting House. (Page 116.)
In 1878, after bell-ringing and cannon during the day, Independence evening was observed by a torchlight procession in masquerade. The Captain of the Company was Uriah Bates. After parading the streets, they entertained the crowd with songs and a brief patriotic oration. The singing was by Timothy O'Leary and George Dcets, disguised as " Aunt Deborah and Aunt Dinah." The orator was C. W. Bingham, Esq., in antique costume, represented as " Elder Hardy."
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CASUALTIES.
CHAPTER XXVI.
CASUALTIES.
BRIDGES, dams, and mills have been frequently destroyed by floods. (Chap. 13.) The mill by the Stone Bridge was washed away when William Baxter owned it, and Samuel Whitney rebuilt it. The same mill was nearly all swept away when Dca. Pease owned it, about 1810. Aaron Loveland's mill was carried away by a freshet in 1825, and. the citizens helped him build. Oct. 4, 1869, occurred a very extensive flood doing great damage in many places. Charles W. Bingham's house was washed away that night. He had just built, and had moved in most of his household goods, but not his family. He was sleeping there himself, and barely escaped through the chamber window to the bank. Furniture, books, and provisions were scattered and largely destroyed. The neighbors helped him liberally in his time of need.
In June, 1787 or 1788, Abraham Griffin was chopping with his son Nathan, when a tree fell on him, injuring him so that he died in about a fortnight. Jonathan Adams took one of his boys to bring up, and changed his name from Lot to Erastus. About 1790, as Mr. Adams was chopping off the butt of a large tree, that had been blown over by the wind, the boy came up behind the root, which falling back, killed him instantly.
June 29, 1798, Jonathan Raymond, while at a chopping bce on the old Downing place in Marlow, was instantly killed by the fall of a tree.
Sept. 1, 1813, Thomas Redding, Jr., was returning home from "training." Coming to the bridge by Pease's mill, he apparently steadied himself by the side railing. About half way across, the top board was missing, and when he reached that place he pitched over and was drowned.
David Smith was killed, March 20, 1825, by the fall of timber, at the raising of "the plas- tered house," a little south of Vessel Rock. When the house was taken down, about fifty years after, spots of blood were found on the frame.
Oct. 10, 1827, Thomas T. Chapin was drowned at the dam where Cuthbert and Minor's Factory now is. There was a great freshet and he was trying to prevent the breaking away of the dam. His brother Justus caught hold of him, but the current was so powerful that both would have been swept away, had not others held him on the bank.
A child of Zenas D. Metcalf, named George Everett, was drowned in one of Taylor's tan- vats, Oct. 18, 1832.
Feb. 21, 1835, an infant child of Esek T. Greene was accidentally smothered while riding to a neighbor's in a cold day.
Oct. 5, 1835, Harriet E., a child of Enoch B. Mayo, was killed by the falling of a cart that was set up on end in the yard where she was playing.
John Thompson was killed Dec. 6, 1840, by some injury received while putting up his cattle in the evening. He came into the house, and sitting down, dicd almost instantly.
Stephen Foster, 3d, while returning from Surry late in the evening, Nov. 12, 1844, was killed by the upsetting of his wagon just where the road turns towards the house now occupied by Daniel Wright.
Aaron Hammond Nash, while bathing in the pond at Charles Nasli's mill, was drowned June 3, 1849.
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GILSUM.
Ap. 23, 1851, while James Bolster was returning from Stoddard, he was thrown from his wagon, near Luther Abbot's, and died there two days after.
Phedrus Parker of Sullivan, while bathing in Silsby's pond, was drowned, May 23, 1852.
Oct. 21, 1856, Asa Nash went to the woods with his son to cut some wood. His son found the tree was about to fall, and called to his father to be out of the way. Somewhat startled and confused by the call, he jumped right under the tree. He lived only a few minutes.
July 20, 1857, while hastily running to the house, where they were haying in Walpole, Hollis and Franklin, sons of Marvin Gates, were struck down with lightning, and Hollis was instantly killed.
Dec. 3, 1857, Allen Nash was found dead by the road-side, where he had apparently fallen in a fit.
While returning from Keene, March 5, 1860, Truman Bill was thrown from his wagon and instantly killed, near the head of Beaver Falls.
Dec. 3, 1861, Philip R. Howard was choked to death with a piece of tough beef.
About the first of February, 1869, Temple Baker had his leg broken by a kiek from a cow, and died in a few days.
Charles C., son of Francis C. Minor, was drowned in the flume near Cuthbert and Minor's mill, July 27, 1869.
Ap. 26, 1870, George Augustus Griggs, one of Mr. Burnap's teamsters, while driving a load up Bingham hill, was killed instantly by a blow on his head from a contrary horse. The spot is marked by the letter G cut in the rock on the east side of the road.
James Welsh was thrown from his horse near the "dug-way" on Sullivan Street, Nov. 24, 1870, and died the next day.
Dec. 21, 1875, a Frenchman named Cote was thrown from his sled, near Mr. Gunn's, and died two days after.
While examining a loaded pistol, July 23, 1877, George H. Dean was shot through the head, and lived only a few hours.
Charles E. Crouch in attempting to cross the dam near Newman's mill fell into the water below, and was drowned, Oct. 22, 1878.
Mrs. Matilda Nash was killed June 16, 1829, by Daniel H. Corey. He was certainly insanc. In his boyhood he was naturally strange. His grandmother and sister were both insane, so that his affection was doubtless hereditary. This natural tendency, increased by the frequent use of strong drink, rendered him dangerous. He had wild notions about gold and silver on his farm, and dug a mine in which he worked for a long time. He was also afraid of witches, and thought his black cat was a witch. Every old woman he saw, he would call a witch. His wife and children had become more than usually alarmed and went to Daniel Nash's. Old Mrs. Nash thought perhaps she might quict him, and took her granddaughter and a bundle of flax making it appear she was going to hatchel it. Corey was lying down when she came, and called out, " Go along off, you old witch." He then got up and took his gun. They started for home, and the girl got away, but he caught Mrs. Nash close by the town line, and struck her over the head with his gun several times, striking so hard that the barrel came out of the stock, and killing her almost instantly. When asked about it, he said he hadn't done anything but kill " an old witch." He was tried for murder, the jury disagreeing, and while lodged in Keene jail, made his escape by the assistance of friends, and, as was always believed, the connivance of the authorities. He went to New York, where his family afterwards joined him.
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CASUALTIES.
Alarming accidents not resulting in death have been frequent. A few are here given.
About 1796, Amherst Hayward, then a boy of eight years, while at play where his father had been digging sand from the bank just east of C. W. Bingham's house, was suddenly buried by the falling in of the bank. The screams of the other children brought his father to the spot, barely in season to save his life.
About 1820, Luke Hemenway, while bathing with others in the pond by the " Pease Mill," struck his head against a rock in diving, and would have drowned but for the energetic assist- ance of Justin Pease.
About 1836, John U. Weeks accidentally " turned his ankle." The sprain not being properly cared for, he was obliged to have his leg amputated.
One Fourth of July, David Brigham got into his water-wheel to repair it. It soon began to turn, and he had to step from one float to another, and kept going faster. He finally obtained help, and was taken out much frightened and exhausted.
Dec. 8, 1837, C. B. Hayward, while riding from Keenc to Swanzey, was thrown from the Stone Bridge, about a mile below Keene Street, and taken up senseless. It was three days before he was able to be brought home.
Sept. 21, 1838, occurred one of those numerous accidents from carelessness with fire-arms supposed to be unloaded. A High School was at that time kept by Mr. Aslı in what is now Chandler's Hall. At noon-time thic girls were laughing and talking on the stairs and in the front entry. One of thicir number thinking to scare them, shipped into the next room where a gun stood in the corner. Having no suspicion it could be loaded, she procured a percussion cap, and putting the muzzle of the gun into the entry through the partially opened door, suddenly snapped it. It proved to be loaded, and two of the girls were seriously wounded with shot in side and shoulder. None of the actors in thiis almost tragedy are now living.
At the muster of Sept. 16, 1842, in Keene, Jesse Dart had his left hand badly injured by the explosion of his musket. He had, as he supposed, discharged his gun with the rest of the com- pany. But unnoticed by him it had failed each time, till lie got six cartridges in it together. Sanford Guillow had his leg injured by the same explosion.
In January, 1843, James Bolster, while returning from Marlow in the evening, upset his wagon and was very badly gashed in the face. So much blood flowed from it, that it extended " about a yard like a small stream or brook." He was supposed to have lain senseless for con- siderable time. By the assistance of Mr. Andrew Towne's family, he was enabled to reach home in safety.
Oct. 18, 1843, James Davis was thrown from his horse and taken up for dead, but recovered, having a shoulder and several ribs broken.
March 22, 1844, Benjamin Hosmer Horton, then about six years of age, while playing near the door of his grandfather, Stephen Day's house, was kicked on the head by a horse. He was taken up for dead, but came to in about thirce hours. The only permanent injury was a partial loss of hearing.
In 1845, Sylvester Nash had his leg cut off, on account of fever sores brought on by going into the water too frequently.
In 1851, Adelaide M. Townsend fell into the flume near Cuthbert and Minor's mill, and was barely brought to in several hours. She fell into the water again after the family went to Har- risville, but was rescued immediately.
In 1856, Israel B. Loveland lost a leg in consequence of an injury done to the knce, some years before.
.
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GILSUM.
Jesse Dart had one hand mostly destroyed by a circular saw, in March, 1857.
Elizabeth M. Howard lost one foot from an injury received at play in 1857.
March 31, 1872, Lawrence Brennan, a boy of about thirteen years, had his left arm crushed and torn off under a belt in Collins's Factory.
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