USA > New Hampshire > Cheshire County > Gilsum > History of the town of Gilsum, New Hampshire, from 1752 to 1879 > Part 7
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The product of the first month's effort was sent to the 6th N. H. Regiment, just then on the eve of departure from Keene. The following March, a still more valuable box was sent to the same Regiment at Hatteras Inlet, N. C. After this, everything was forwarded either to the Sanitary or the Christian Commission, to be distributed to the most needy.
The stores furnished by the Society consisted mainly of dried 'fruit, bedding, feeting and other artieles of clothing. The record of such articles forwarded slows their value to have been more than $150. The Society also raised over $200 in money. On Sunday, Sept. 11, 1864, the congregation contributed $26, which was sent to the Christian Commission. It is also known that individuals sent money to the Cheshire Co. Soldiers' Aid Society, in addition to what they
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GILSUM.
did at home. Those well acquainted with the circumstances, and competent to judge, estimate the contributions from these various sources, at not less than $500.
Besides many indirect expenses, the following statement gives, as nearly as can now be ascertained, the direct expenses incurred by the town of Gilsum to help put down the most infamous rebellion the world has ever seen.
Soldiers' Aid Society, etc. .
$500
One Commutation Fee
$300
Bounties by individuals
$3140
Town bounties
$13256
Total ·
$17196
Refunded by the State
$5400
Net Total
$11796
These things were done " that the government of the people, by the people, and for the people should not perish from the earth."
CHAPTER XI.
FIRES AND FIRE COMPANY.
THE first fire of which we have any record, was on the place where George Wright now lives. A log house built by Daniel Peck and then owned by John Mark, was burned with considerable furniture, Oct. 8, 1793, while the residents had gone to a " dedication " in Alstead. It was afterwards known to have been set by a prominent citizen, because Mr. Mark opposed building the river road.
The house which Samuel Whitney first built in the orchard north of C. B. Hayward's, was burned on Sunday, probably about 1798. He had just got into his new house. It was supposed to have taken fire from ashes thrown out at the time of removing.
David Dean's house on the hill southwest of John Nash's was burned about 1800.
On Monday, the latter part of May 1803, the house of Joshua Isham, where George H. Carpenter now lives, was burned. Mrs. Isham was rinsing clothes at the spring under the hill, just east of the house, so that the fire got far advanced before it was discovered. The neighbors turned out and built hini a new house, so that they moved into it before Saturday night.
The South School House, No. 3, was burned in the winter of 1815-6. The wooden mantle- tree above the large fire-place frequently caught fire, and the boys put it out with snow. Probably it was not entirely extinguished when they left Saturday night. It burned in the night, and no one knew of it, till Sunday morning. Capt. Lord Mack was teaching there, and had a trunk of books burned in the School House.
Luther Whitney's Clothing Shop on the brook south of his father's house, was burned about 1817. A new one built on the same spot was raised on Friday, much to the grief of his mother, who said it would certainly be burned. After it was moved to the village, the prophecy came true, and it was burned in February, 1822.
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FIRES AND FIRE COMPANY.
In 1822 or 1823, a hut in the northeast part of the town, beyond where George Bates lives, was torn down and burned one dark stormy night. This was done by connivance of the town authorities, who furnished a bottle of rum for the occasion. The purpose was to get rid of a disreputable family named Wolf or Dolph, who were harboring there. The family escaped to the neighbors, and what little furniture they had was carefully taken out, before the hut was burned, and covered with bark, to protect it from the rain. The family speedily left for parts unknown.
The Woolen Factory built by Luther Whitney, and then owned by David Brigham, was burned, Sunday afternoon, Dec. 5, 1830. The fire caught from ashes carelessly thrown into a cigar box.
In the summer of 1841, Luther Abbott's house was burned in the night. It was supposed to have been set, as it had been unoceupied for a considerable time. The place is still ealled " Burnt House Hill."
Dec. 2, 1841, Milan Towne's bobbin-shop, on the brook above Alpheus Chapin's, was burned, - cause unknown.
Luther W. Mark's barn was struck by lightning and burned, May 11, 1842.
Silsby's Woolen Factory was burned, Sunday morning, before day, June 14, 1846, - cause unknown. Jonathan Winch who slept there, barely escaped.
In 1850, the School House in Distriet No. 1 was burned in the night, having caught from a pail of ashes carelessly left in a closet.
Daniel Converse's barn with all its contents was burned by lightning, October 1851, about eight o'clock in the evening.
Solomon Dean's Woolen Factory was burned March 28, 1858. Caught in the Pieker, by what means is unknown.
The Tannery belonging to George B. Rawson was burned, Feb. 16, 1860, - eause unknown. A Blacksmith's Shop back of Day's store was burned about 1861.
In 1863, the house of Perry Waldron, on the place where Jotham Bates lives, was burned. It was supposed by the family to have caught from a defect in the chimney.
Jesse Dart's Chair Factory by the Stone Bridge was burned in 1869. It was supposed to have taken from the funnel or chimney, as a fire had been built there by people who were repairing the highway, the day before.
The first action of the town in reference to protection from fires was the choice of Fire Wards, in 1834. An article to raise money for an Engine House, and to defray expenses already incurred, was dismissed. As in other towns, a jealousy has always existed between the village and the outside farming population, and as the latter are the more numerous, they can generally earry the vote against any expense that seems to be of special interest to the village. So in this matter, the farmers have a feeling that an engine and a fire company ean help them very little in case of fire, and tliat the expense ought to be borne by the village people who are more par- ticularly protected by sueh measures. In 1835, it was voted to raise $30 for the benefit of the Engine Company, and the Selectmen to appropriate the same as they deem most necessary. A part of this, $9.92, was paid to Lyman Gerould, for said company, the next Mareh. Probably the rest had been expended in building an Engine House.
In 1836, portions of the Fire Law of 1828 were adopted by vote of the town, but in 1839, it was voted 51 to 45, the yeas and nays being recorded in full on the town book, to repeal the Fire Law. Two things are specially noticeable in the record, - no resident of the Fac- tory Village voted in the affirmative, and with almost no exception the yeas were from one political party. There were three elements of opposition, tliat operated powerfully against a Fire
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GILSUM.
Company. First, the general opposition to expense, on the part of the farmning community who felt they would not be benefited by it. Second, the jealousy between the lower village and the Factory Village. Third, and probably the greatest, the military opposition, becanse members of a Fire Company were exempt from military duty. In October 1839, an effort was made, by calling a special meeting, to re-adopt the Fire Law, but every article in the warrant, except choosing a Moderator, was dismissed. No fire wards were chosen till after the fire of 1846. In 1854, an article to provide for the care of the Fire Engine was dismissed. In 1860, ten dollars was voted to repair the Fire Engine, on condition the citizens put it in good order, and provide a suitable place for the same. Nothing, however, was done. In 1871, the Selectmen were instructed to repair the old engine or purchase a new one, and $50 was raised for the purpose. The old engine was repaired, at an expense of $25.
The Fire Wards of 1836 adopted a set of Rules which are recorded on the town book. Also in 1847, after the Silsby fire, a long list of Rules and Regulations is recorded. That the Fire Wards really accomplished anything else, does not appear.
Col. Jehiel Day was the prime mover in getting a Fire Engine. In June 1833, a subscription paper was circulated for the purchase 'of " one of Hubbard's Fire Engines," " to be kept in the Factory Village." A little over $230 was collected, and the engine procured. On the following 4tlı of July, " Gilsum Fire Engine Company No. 1" was organized, with Harrison G. Howc, Captain, Jehiel Day, Second Captain, and David Brigham, Clerk. Jehiel Day, John Taylor and H. G. Howe were appointed a Committee to build an Engine House, to be " located on the brook south of Solon Eaton's house on the west side of the road, to be built 14 feet square with a cistern under the house sufficient for filling tlic Engine." The location is very near F. C. Minor's front yard. In April 1834,
Let out to the lowest bidder the finishing of the Engine House. H. G. Howe took it at $10 to have what Lumber and nails there is on hand and to Board with { inch boards and clapboard with planed clapboards Double Doors and hung with Iron hinges double floor and to be finished previous to next meeting.
That the members were not very prompt in attendance is seen from the fines collected, twenty- five cents for each absence. The first year, the fines were over six dollars, and very much the same afterwards.
The Constitution provided for a Festival at the annual meeting in January. In 1836, a receipt is on record, from Jehiel Day, of " eight dollars in full for the Festival Supper."
At the annual meeting in January 1838, the Constitution was revised and this provision omitted. At the next annual meeting, the money in the Treasury, not being needed for the usual supper, was divided, giving the members 122 cents each. In 1841, there was a re-organ- ization of the Company with another revision of the Constitution. The Engine House was removed from the spot where Mr. Minor's house now stands and set on Mill Brook at the north- east corner of the lot belonging to the Congregational Society. In April 1846, it was voted to pay C. W. Bingham $2.72 for repairing Engine House, which was probably at the time of removal. The house remained on that spot till it rotted down. In 1847, two incidents worthy of record occurred. The engine pole and wheels were carried off in the night. The wheels were afterwards found in the river below the Loveland Bridge. This trick was understood to be caused by the jealousy of the militia company.
At the meeting in September, we find the following record, -" paid A. W. Kingsbury four Dollars for damage done his house." At this time the excitement between the militia and the fire company was at its height, and it was proposed to go to the lower village and " wet down ". the militia Captain. Daniel Smith then held the office, and lived where Willard Bill now does.
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FIRES AND FIRE COMPANY.
One of the company took a large dinner bell which he kept ringing along the way. Having finished their work by showering the Captain's house, they returned. Two members of the company, A. W. Kingsbury, and A. J. Howard, had gone home, and the others thought for a joke they would serve them, as they had Captain Smith. It was now dark, and they very quietly brought the Engine near Mr. Kingsbury's house and suddenly let the water with full force upon the windows where he was sitting. Much to their surprise, the power was sufficient to break the glass, and scattered the fragments mingled with water through the rooms and over the furniture. The family was much frightened by the sudden and unexpected shock. Very wisely for them- selves, the company settled on the spot, as above recorded. This mishap prevented their visiting Mr. Howard, as they had intended.
The only fire recorded on the company book is that of June 14. 1846, as follows: " Engine Co. met at the Burning of Silsby factory." For the rest, they pursued the even tenor of their way, having two Oyster Suppers, one in 1848, and one in 1849, till the closing record July 6, 1850, " Voted to adjourn to the first Saturday in September at 6 o'clock P. M." The military law requiring annual training having been repealed, there was not interest enough to keep up the organization. The Engine is still in running order, though of an old style, and very hard to work. The village is evidently in very poor condition to encounter a fire. The Captains and Clerks of the Engine Co. were as follows : -
CAPTAINS.
CLERKS. David Brigham.
1842, Solon W. Eaton,
Hartley Thurston.
1834, Joseph Upton,
1843, Lyman Gerould,
1835, Loring Loveland,
Israel B. Loveland.
1844, Hartley Thurston,
Milan Towne. George W. Newman.
1836, Lyman Gerould,
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1845-6, Roswell W. Silsby, Milan Towne. 1847, Nahum O. Hayward,
1838, Enoch B. Mayo,
1848, Kendall Nichols,
N. O. Hayward.
1839, Ezra Webster,
Abijah W. Kingsbury.
1849, R. W. Silsby,
Silvanus Hayward.
1840, Ezra Webster,
David Brigham.
1850, N. O. Hayward,
Amos Weeks.
1841, Lyman Gerould,
Hartley Thurston.
CAPTAINS.
CLERKS.
1833, Harrison G. Howe,
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1837, Asa Cole,
George W. Newman.
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In 1877, the town voted to pay one half the expense of a new Fire Engine, provided the other half could be raised by subscription. The same vote was renewed in 1878, but nothing lias yet come of it.
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GILSUM.
CHAPTER XII. PAUPERS AND LAWSUITS.
" The poor ye have always with you."
THE first record that relates to the poor, is May 13, 1790, -
Voted to Alow Sam1 Whitney One pound Four Shilling For His Service in Warning Folks out of Town. This was in most cases a mere form, for the purpose of preventing their gaining a legal residence, but with no desire that the warning should be obeyed. The ceremony seems to have been applied to almost every settler, as all were poor, and if allowed to gain a residence with increasing families, such as they had in those days, were very liable, in case of sickness or misfortune, to require public assistance. The early records being lost, no list of those warned out has been preserved. Though this practice has long ceased, other devices to accomplish the same result have been employed whenever occasion offered. In 1810, five dollars was votcd to one man to move his family away, and in 1822, twenty dollars was voted to assist another to remove from town. Others have been more privately assisted out of town, for the same purpose. At the present, taxes are regularly abated to prevent any one from gaining a residence.
In 1797, three children of one family were disposed of to different citizens to keep " untell we Could have a trial with Swanzey." The price for keeping a small child at this time, was from 3 shillings to 3/6 per week. The oldest of the three mentioned was kept for " one Shill one Penny per week." At a special meeting in 1800, -
Voted to put out Phidelle Dolphs Child at the Lowist Bidder at Vandew Sd Child was struck of to Timothy Dart to keep till the Last Monday of august Next at three Shillings pr week.
This name will be recognized as the one known generally as " Dilly Wolf," who lived in what is now Sullivan, on the " Baker Lot," now Daniel Smith's pasture. The next year, the child referred to was " bound out " to Moses Farnsworth. In the writings, he is called "Henry Page as his mother hath named him." Mr. Farnsworth was to have fifty dollars for taking him. Many other children have been bound out by the town on similar terms, the town giving from fifty to seventy-five dollars, and the other party agreeing to give the child proper care and com- mon schooling, and "two suits of apparel " at the age of eighteen, if a girl, or at twenty-one, if a boy.
In the early part of the century, the records show that sometimes the poor were individually provided for in different familics, apparently by a kind of " boarding round" system. In 1801, the Selectmen were authorized to divide the town into three districts for the support of one poor family. In 1802, was the first setting up the poor to the lowest bidder. The poor then con- sisted of four persons, one being an infant, and were bid off by Iddo Kilburn for $105. This vote was reconsidered, and Mr. Kilburn received five dollars to " release his bargain." After this, in 1813, and subsequently, the support of individuals was often provided for by setting up to the lowest bidder. In 1830, the Selectmen were directed to receive proposals for the support of the poor, and for several years after, a similar vote was passed. In most cases, a choice was to be made between the five lowest bidders.
In the Council Records at Concord is found the following.
June 14, 1804. The Governor was advised to draw a warrant on Treas. for $75.64 in favor of the Town of Gilsum for support of State pauper.
No name is given, nor is it known who the pauper was.
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PAUPERS AND LAWSUITS.
Only two Overseers of the Poor apart from the Selectmen have been chosen by the town; Amherst Hayward in 1842, and Nahum O. Hayward in 1851. Expenses for the poor have generally been provided for under the general head of Town charges, but in some eases a specific sum has been raised for the purpose. In 1802, -
Voted to raise $26 for the support of Rubin Barron one year; also, to Allow Elisha Bond two Shilling for Cloth for A petty coat for Rubin Barron.
This " Rubin Barron " was afterwards known as John Barnes.
In 1818, it was -
Voted to raise $75 for the maintenance of the Town's poor and for repairing burying yard fences.
In 1820, there was raised $175 " for the support of the Town's poor." These are the only ree- ords of money raised directly for the support of the poor.
In 1848, an effort was made to buy a Town Farm, but the article was dismissed. In 1850, -
Voted that Allen Butler and I. B. Loveland be a Committee with the Select Men to buy a Farm to keep the Poor on, also to furnish the same with Stock and Farming Tools.
Accordingly the Farm now owned by George C. Hubbard was bought for $1500, and Hartley Thurston was put in charge of the same. For some reason, the town was not satisfied with the movement, and an effort was made that same year, at a special meeting in October, to sell the Farm, but no action was taken. At the next annual meeting, 1851, it was voted to sell the Town Farm. There was so much opposition, that the Selectinen deemed it best to call another meeting March 29, when the vote was re-affirmed and they were instructed to sell the Farm "and all property belong to the Farm at Public Auction one week from to-day." The Farm was accord- ingly sold back to the widow Thompson for the same price paid her the year before.
Whether from their own experience or other causes, the town was at first, opposed to the plan of a County Farm. When the question of buying a County Farm was raised in 1860, this town went against it by a vote of 17 to 59. This opposition has been gradually diminishing, till probably now a majority are in favor of it. In 1868, an article proposing to instruct the Select- men and Representative to oppose any further appropriations for the County Farm, and to use their influence to sell the same, was dismissed. Since the purchase of a County Farm, and the change in the law, by which a large portion of the poor become a County instead of a Town charge, there has been very little town action relative to the poor. The Selectmen and County Commissioners manage the whole matter.
LAWSUITS.
From time to time, the town has been engaged in lawsuits, almost entirely in regard to the maintenance of Paupers, and damages from defeetive highways. The records are very meagre in these matters, generally giving only the faet of a suit by appointing an agent or instructing the Selectmen to defend or earry it on. The result in any case eannot be determined from the town books, except that sometimes it may be inferred from some subsequent action. In 1789, it was -
Voted that if the Committee (which consisted of Zadok Hurd, Daniel Wright, and David Fuller,) Gets Evidence the Esqr Newcomb thinks propper to Carry the Case with Sulivan the Select Men Shall Make anote to rais the Money to Carry on the Same.
This was concerning the support of "Rubin Barron " and his mother. Gilsum was beaten and had to pay the bills.
In 1790, it was " Voted to stop the Lawsuit between David Bill and Daniel Newcomb By paying twenty Shilling For that purpose."
This was probably the same case.
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GILSUM.
In 1794, " Chose Saml Whitney, Capt. Kilborn Agents to Defend the town Against David Adams Demands that he Clames Against the town."
What this claim was, is not now known, but it was probably in connection with " minister taxes."
In 1797, a " Lawsute " with Swanzey was carried on " Concerning the widdo Davis Children." The result is not apparent.
In 1802, the town raised $100, and chose Jchiel Holdridge, David Blish, and Zadok Hurd to carry on " a law suit with Major Bill Concerning his minister tax." This is more fully explaincd in the Church History. (Chap. 20.) The town lost the case.
In 1804, R. L. Hurd and Samuel Whitney were chosen to defend the town against any claim of Sullivan " respecting Phidilla Dolph and her children." The probability is, Sullivan had to support them in the end.
In 1815, Samuel Whitney was appointed " to defend the cause brought against the town by the rev Clark Brown." This was for damages sustained on account of defective roads.
In 1824, Josiah Hammond was chosen agent to get the cost of supporting one Danicl Strat- ton on the County.
The town having persistently refused to build a bridge across the river between Mr. Randall's and Mr. Taylor's, in 1828 a suit was brought for the neglect. Luther Whitney and Dudley Smithi were chosen to defend the town. Their efforts proved successful, and the bridge was not built.
In 1838, a pauper case against Keene, defended by Samuel Woodward, Jr., was successful in obliging Keene to support Abiah Ellis.
In 1840, Wm. Kingsbury conducted a pauper case against Surry. In 1844, Samuel Wood- ward managed another against Marlboro'. The results do not appear.
In 1845, the town was indicted for the bad condition of the new County Road, it being " rocky, rutty, broken, uneven, narrow, ruinous and in great decay in want of due reparation thereof." The town repaired it the next year, at an expense of $500.
In 1847, it was voted to borrow $230 " to defray expenses of Benton lawsuit and repairing new road near Philander Nash's." This suit was for injury on highway, and the town was com- pelled to pay damages.
In 1851, Samuel Woodward was chosen agent for the town in various road suits. No particu- lars are on record.
In 1854, Asa Cole was chosen " agent to defend suits now pending against the town." These were probably road suits also.
In 1857, D. W. Bill was agent in a pauper case against Sullivan, but was unsuccessful.
In 1859, Stephen Day, Jr., was chosen agent to defend the town against suit of George W. Tubbs, and was instrueted to leave it out to three disinterested men. This was for injury from bad roads. Mr. Tubbs received about $100.
In 1860, the Selectmen were instructed " to see about suit of Kingsley Sawtell of Rich- mond." This was for injuries received on the highway, and was settled by paying him twenty dollars.
In 1874, D. W. Bill was agent to attend to the case of Nelson, Rice & Co., in relation to tax- ing hides. In this case the town was successful, and the tax was paid.
The experience of the town in lawsuits certainly tends to confirm the Scriptural advice, " Agree with thine adversary quickly, while thou art in the way with him."
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53
ROADS AND BRIDGES.
CHAPTER XIII.
ROADS AND BRIDGES.
" In the days of Shamgar the son of Anath, in the days of Jael, the highways were unoccupied, and the travelers walked through by-ways."
IN early times, all travel was on foot or horseback, and the roads were mostly " bridle paths," sometimes to be followed only by " marked trees." Their location was fixed by the settlers' houses, running as nearly as possible in a direct line from house to house. These " old paths " determined the laying out of the first roads. The destruction of the early records leaves us without knowledge of the origin of most of the old roads. The first were laid by the Proprie- tors in 1764-5-6, after which they were laid by the Selectmen. It is to be noticed, in tracing these old roads, that they 'were often built or traveled with great variations from the record. Roads were often laid out that were not " worked," and were never more than " bridle paths."
The first road on record was laid out by Woolston Brockway, Joseph Mack, and Jonathan Smith, Proprietors' Committee, " Apriel ye 16th & 17th, 1764." As appears by the description, this was the principal road running from Keene to Alstead through what is now Surry, and was laid six rods wide. The Proprietors laid another road, June 1, 1765, nearer the river, running on the river bank part of the way, but as there is another record in November of the next year, of a road running nearly in the same place, it may be inferred the first one was not built. This road was to be two rods wide. The first road laid out in what is now Gilsum, was recorded as . follows : -
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