USA > New Hampshire > Rockingham County > Hampton Falls > History of the town of Hampton Falls, New Hampshire : from the time of the first settlement within its borders, 1640 until 1900 > Part 46
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Flour was not sold in barrels much before 1810, and was not much used by a majority of families until many years later. Bread was made from home grown wheat and from rye and Indian meal, which were ground by the local miller. These were in favor because they did not call for any outlay of money. At first the flour was made from wheat raised in western New York, and was called Genesee. It was put up in barrels which had flat hoops. Ohio flour was put up in barrels which were a little smaller and had round hoops. As the country grew and became more populous the wheat supply was grown further west, and we had "St. Louis," and that which came from Minneapolis. Roller process and Haxall are names which have come into use within a few years. The flour which is sold at the present time is, as a rule, of much better quality than that of the earlier days. It was regarded as a wonderful thing when it was said that a barrel of flour could come from Wisconsin to Boston without change of cars.
In the olden time the use of spirituous liquors was very general by all classes of people. Those who abstained were the rare excep- tion. Occasions where people assembled in numbers were not con-
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HISTORY OF HAMPTON FALLS.
sidered complete unless it was dispensed with a liberal hand. At weddings, funerals, ordinations, raisings, etc., a good supply of that which cheered, and if taken in sufficient quantities would inebriate, was always expected. When the minister called upon the families of his congregation he would have felt slighted if something had not been set out to welcome him, of which he was a willing partaker, and not a few instances are upon record where the world looked brighter and life more worth living after he had called upon his parishioners and partaken of their hospitality. Cider was made and put in the cellars in large quantities, and was a common bever- age. In any old bill for supplies items for liquors formed a large part. Early in the century a few clergymen, of whom Dr. Lyman Beecher was one, in different parts of New England, became con- vineed that the free use of intoxicating liquors was a great evil, and of immense damage to the community. These men organized tem- perance societies on the total abstinence plan. In 1840 the Wash- ingtonian movement swept over the eastern states. It required the signing of a pledge to abstain from the use of all spirituous liquors, including cider and wine. In this town a very large number joined in the movement and signed the pledge. This included a majority of the influential men, which created a strong public sentiment. A great improvement was apparent. Drunkenness was despised, and moderate drinking was looked upon with disfavor. The places where liquors had previously been sold in this town were closed. This was made an easy matter as the stages ceased to run about this time and public houses were no longer needed. Cider mills were disposed of, and natural apple trees either grafted or cut down. The most of those who signed the pledge remained steadfast, and the town had a reputation for good order and sobriety second to none other in the state.
Many years ago there were old men clothed in tatters and rags who traveled about calling at the houses and begging for food. They were men of large appetites, and would eat all that was set before them in every house. They were very fond of cider and could dispose of large quantities when they could get it. These men were called old stragglers. They slept in barns and out-houses, and were very disagreeable persons to have about. They were the terror of women and children, although generally harmless, being often de- mented or mildly insane. They were sometimes paupers who were turned out in summer to shift for themselves and thus save expense to the towns which were chargeable for their support. Later these
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OLD-TIME CUSTOMS.
persons were confined in the county institutions and not allowed to wander over the country, much to the satisfaction of the dwellers in the rural towns. They were older men than the modern tramp and more deserving of charity. There were a few old women who went about in this way, but they were not as numerous as the men. One colored woman, named Lucy Perose, came to this town fre- quently. She was afterward found dead in the road in Kensington. There have been but few of the class known as stragglers for the past fifty years.
One hundred years ago the dwellers in the rural towns were much more social and neighborly than at the present time. Then news- papers were few and magazines very rare. The weekly paper pub- lished at the county seat was generally the only one seen and read, many families not even reading that, the local paper not being as newsy and interesting as those of the present time. In the absence of reading matter and other means of amusement the neighbors called upon one another, often spending the evenings at each other's houses, where the weather, crops, and local news were discussed before the blazing fire. Checkers and other games were played, and sometimes the young people had a dance in the kitchen. Nuts, apples, and cider were passed around and added much to the pleas- ure of the occasion. Afternoon visits and tea parties were of fre- quent occurrence, the women taking their knitting-work or sewing along with them. The social condition of the country towns was. better than in these times when people stay at home and read the: newspapers and periodicals and see less of their neighbors in a friendly way. People are much more intelligent but less cordial than in the early days.
After a snowstorm, when the roads were filled with snow so as to make traveling by single team difficult or impossible, the roads were broken. All the oxen in the neighborhood were yoked up together with the steers which were untrained, as they could here do some good and become accustomed to the yoke. The team was hitched to a sled and a big log fastened under the forward end. Some of the men drove the oxen, while a good number of men and boys rode upon the sled to weight it. By going once or twice and returning over the road a good path was made, better than could be made in any other way, as the feet of so many cattle trod the snow and made it quite solid. Shovels were not used much except in drifts and deep snow. There were generally oxen enough in every highway district to make a good team. The work was done voluntarily and
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no charge made for the service, nearly every one being ready to bear their part of the burden. Only a few were unwilling to aid in the work. When oxen became scarce and many districts had not a single pair, other methods were resorted to, and the work was paid for. There was no shirking under this system, as all the property in the towns was assessed to pay the expense.
Men wore their hair longer than at the present. Hair cutting was almost always done by some member of the family. The round cut, or pumpkin shell, was the general style of hair cut. Those who employed a barber were the rare exception, and barbers not having nearly as much business were much fewer in number than now. Since it has become the almost universal practice to employ pro- fessional hair entters the personal appearance of men has been much improved. The face was clean shaven, which was done once a week, almost always on Sunday morning before going to church. The day of the week could be told with considerable accuracy by the length of some men's beards. Some who cared more for their per- sonal appearance would shave .twice a week, and a few rare excep- tions were said to shave daily. Beards were not much worn before 1845. Before that time a person with a long beard was sometimes scen, but they were often men whose minds were unbalanced or who were insane. Side whiskers were the first to come in fashion. The full beard came later. There was a great deal of prejudice against wearing beards at first. The mustache without other beard. now so common, is a more recent fashion. There is not as much beard worn as at one time a few years ago.
The title of Mr. was not a universal one as applied to all men at the present time. Where this title appears upon the early records it is intended to convey an idea of superiority in rank over those not so designated, and was often used before a man's name when he was prominent in the church.
For many years after the adpotion of the federal constitution, the office of justice of the quorum was one of honor and much sought for. It conferred nearly as much distinction as now attends a jus- tice of the supreme court. There was generally but one in the smaller towns. By the terms of his commission a justice of the quorum had jurisdiction over all the larger and more important cases which could be tried before a justice of the peace, and all such cases were to be tried before him. In recent years this office has lost much of its importance, and is not regarded as being of much value.
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OLD-TIME CUSTOMS.
During the century now about to close there has been a great change in the style and manner of procuring men's clothing. Then clothing stores where ready-made clothing could be bought were unknown. Most of the clothing was made from wool which was grown upon the farms. The cloth was ent and made up at home. A style of coat quite commonly worn was made some like a modern dress coat, and was called a straight-bodied coat. A frock coat was considered more genteel. Round jackets were much worn and were often made of green baize. Later, a longer one, called a monkey jacket, and made of Rob Roy plaid, was in style. Mrs. Sarah Per- kins of Seabrook worked as a tailoress in many families in this town fifty and more years ago. She cut and made garments of all kinds. Sometimes when cloth had been bought for a best suit it was taken to a merchant tailor to be cut, and then made up by the local tailor- ess. Clothing cost more in those days than at present, when it is better fitted and of more style. The crowd is now much better dressed than formerly. Felt hats came into style soon after 1850. Hats made of felt, upon which an ostrich feather was worn, were called "Kossuth" hats, as a similar hat had been worn by the gen- eral during his visit to this country in 1851. Since then the various styles of hats worn have been made of felt. Before felt hats were introduced the tall silk hat was worn by old and young. Whenever there was any considerable gathering of men a great variety of hats could be seen, from the new and shiny through all the stages of wear to those in the last stages of dissolution. Tarpaulin hats, made for wet weather wear, were worn by some men during the entire year. This kind of hat appears to be unknown at the present time. The general appearance of headgear at the present time is a great im- provement over that of fifty years ago.
In some towns the selectmen were chosen by "pricking." A num- ber of names were written upon a sheet of paper. This was passed around and each man pricked a hole against the names of his choice. The one having the most pin holes was chosen first selectman, the next highest the second, and the next the third.
When a couple had concluded to marry they made known their intention to the town clerk, who posted a notice of their intended marriage in some one or more of the churches. This was called "being published." By law this notice must be published three Sabbaths before the ceremony was performed, so that any one who knew of any reason why such marriage should not take place might appear and make objection. In this town the publication was made
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HISTORY OF HAMPTON FALLS.
in the meeting-house where the town clerk attended meeting. There were those of uncertain age whose curiosity caused them to keep a close watch for notices of this kind, and who were sorry when the practice was done away with, which was about fifty years ago.
Within a few years the use of coal has nearly superseded that of wood in most country homes for cooking and heating. It is less work to keep a coal fire, and with the higher price of labor, those who have woodlots find it cheaper to buy the coal than to fit and prepare their own wood. It was the custom during the winter months to cut and move home a year's supply. It was cut sled length and unloaded in a large pile near the house. When the snow was going away it was cut, split, and fitted for use, which took two or three weeks and sometimes more. It was either neatly piled or thrown into large high heaps where the air could circulate through to dry it. In June, when it was partially dried, it was often housed. When treated in this way it had great heating qualities, and was always ready for use. The wood pile did not, as a rule, present a neat and tidy appearance, and was often an eyesore about what would otherwise be well-kept premises. Those who had their wood cut up before the town meeting in March were supposed to be candidates for representative.
Formerly, every one kept a fence against the highway to keep animals which were allowed to run at large from entering and com- mitting depredations upon private property. Horses, cattle, geese, and sometimes hogs were allowed in the roads. The presence of these animals was troublesome, and often resulted in much vexation and bad feeling toward the owners. This town early passed by-laws to restrain this practice, which never seems to have been popular with our people. The evil was lessened to some extent, but was not wholly done away until people refused to fence against the road and depended upon the law to protect them from trespass by ani- mals. This proved an effectual remedy, and now by common con- sent animals are not allowed to run at large.
The methods of securing the hay crop have undergone great changes within the memory of persons now living. During that period much heavy labor has been transferred from men to horses, to the great advantage and comfort of the former. Then the grass was cut with hand scythes. The men rose in the morning, often before sunrise, and mowed in the cool of the day while the dew was on, as the grass cut easier when wet. About 9 A. M., or a little later, unless there were old men or boys to do the work, all turned to and
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OLD-TIME CUSTOMS.
spread the swaths. Then the hay which had been cut and cocked the day previous was opened out and spread. Before noon this was turned with a fork. After dinner the hay was loaded upon the carts and taken to the barn to be unloaded and packed away when there was an opportunity to do so. The grass which was cut in the morning was then raked with a hand rake and put in cock. The sun often set before the day's work was completed. The scythes used were often made by the village blacksmith. Some were more skill- ful than others in shaping and tempering. It was supposed that the more they were hammered the better would be the cutting qual- ity. Later, when the trip hammer was used. it was thought they were not so well tempered as those done by hand. The scythes in use at the present time are much better finished than the handmade ones and are more satisfactory in every way. The scythe snaths were made from trees which had a natural bend, and were not sim- ilar in shape nor as easy to use as those of the present time. The pitchforks were made of iron with large blunt tines which bent easily. The fork was usually loose in the handle and required a great deal of strength to work. The light steel fork, such as is now in use, was not known before 1840. They sold at a high price when first introduced. Forked sticks. called spreading sticks, were used to spread swaths before forks became cheap and plenty. The horse- rake was first introduced about 1825, but did not come into general use until some years later. The revolving wooden rake was the first to come. A boy usually rode upon the horse's back to drive, and a man walked behind to operate the rake. Sometimes the man with long reins would manage both horse and rake, but it was hard work. This rake did good work. It did not gather dust in the hay or injure the stubble, and the later rakes have not improved much in this respect. A steel spring tooth rake without wheels came into use abont 1845. It gathered a great deal of dust and rub- bish among the hay, and for this reason its use was soon abandoned. The Independent wheel rake. made of wood, was introduced in 1849, and was somewhat extensively used for a few years, until it was superseded by the spring-tooth wheel rakes which are now in uni- versal use. The Independent rake did very good work. but was hard on both man and horse. The spring-tooth rakes have been greatly improved since their first introduction, and brought so near perfection as to leave little to be desired. The light loafer, or drag rake, for getting scatterings was used about 1850, although a few of a heavy, clumsy make were in use before. Now nearly every one
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uses a horse-rake to gather the scatterings. The first mowing- machine was used in this town in 1854, but they were not perfected enough to come into general use until during the war of the Rebel- lion, when men had become scarce and labor-saving machinery had to be used. The mowing-machines used at first were imperfect in construction and did not do nearly as satisfactory work as those of the present time, which do good work and are of much easier draft. The horse hayfork, for unloading hay in the barn, was first used soon after 1860, but was not very generally used until twenty years later. The hay carrier and track, to be used in connection with the horse fork so as to deposit the hay in the mow where wanted by horse power, came about 1890. These dispensed with much hard labor in unloading, which was considered the most disagreeable and labo- rious work connected with haymaking. The hay tedder was in use as early as 1865, but was not generally used until 1880. Its use expedited the work of making hay and saved much labor. The hay loader was first used during the sixties, but never came into very general use. Where conditions are favorable it is fully as valuable as a labor saver as any of the modern improvements.
To properly understand something of the nature of the currency in use in the earlier times before the adoption of federal money, some definition of the terms used may not be out of place.
"Old tenor" was the name of paper issued by Massachusetts in 1737 and by Rhode Island in 1740. Each note bore the declaration that its value was equal to gold and silver coin. "New tenor" was an issue made by Massachusetts in 1741 by authority of an enact- ment. Some issues by the same state between 1737 and 1741 were. called "Middle tenor." All of these issues became badly depre- ciated in a short time.
"Sterling" was English money of acknowledged worth, and was gold and silver coin of a standard weight and fineness, which was in every case worth its face value.
"Lawful money" was money which was by law a legal tender for debts and dues.
"Proclamation money" was similar in character to bills of credit.
"Continental money" was issued by congress during the Revo- lutionary War, and soon became worthless. Hence the expression, "Not worth a continental."
"Bills of credit" was paper issued by authority of the state to cir- culate as money. This is now prohibited by the constitution of the United States, which makes only gold and silver coin a legal tender.
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OLD-TIME CUSTOMS.
From the time of our national independence until the beginning of the war of the Rebellion, prices were more generally spoken of and quoted in English currency than in our own. Some of the terms and values then in use may be of interest at the present time. Fourpence ha'penny was 64 cents; ninepence was 123 cents; there were silver coins which represented each. There was some sharp practice in the use of fractions. Many exacted an extra half cent. Thrifty people saved these coins and often passed four of the former and two of the latter for twenty-five eents, often gaining a eent by
THE PILLORY.
this. When these coins had been worn smooth by long usage, and the inscription gone, they had a deep cross marked on them, when they were passed for five and ten cents respectively. When this was done the party who lost the difference was not well pleased. A shilling was 163 cents, generally 17 cents were exacted; two shillings were 333 cents; two and threepenee, 373 cents; three and ninepence, 622 cents; four and sixpence, 75 cents; five shillings, 833 cents; five and threepence, 873 cents; seven and sixpence, $1.25;
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nine shillings, $1.50; ten and sixpence, $1.75; fifteen shillings, $2.50; sixteen and sixpence, $2.75. These terms, once in common use, arc seldom heard at the present time.
A description of some of the early methods of punishment may prove interesting. The pillory was a common punishment in Great Britain for forestallers, users of false weights and measures, common scolds, political offenses, perjury, forgery, sedition, etc. The pillory was set up in a public place, and those pilloried were exposed to the derision of passers-by. Its use was abolished in 1837. It does not appear to have been used in this country.
IN THE STOCKS.
Stocks were for the punishment of petty offenses, and were re- tained in rural communities in England until a recent date. The stocks were in existence in this town, and were located back of the meeting-house built in 1768, as was the whipping post. There is no record that either was ever used. Joshua Vickery had an un- pleasant experience in the stocks, which is mentioned elsewhere. Tradition says that a negro, who was caught stealing around the stage house at the hill, was sentenced to be whipped, which was done by Nathan Moulton, who was constable. No one who knew Captain Moulton would doubt but the lashes were well laid on.
Bilboes were long bars of iron haveing movable shackles secured in place by a lock, in which the feet of prisoners were confined. This was a common method of punishment on shipboard. Edward
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Gove, in his letter from Portsmouth jail which appears elsewhere. said he was in the bilboes.
Many years ago large numbers of cattle were raised and fattened in this and the adjoining towns which found sale at Brighton and Danvers. These cattle were known in the market as "Hampton steers," and were considered to be the best cattle which came to the market, and for this reason commanded the highest price, con- tracts often being made which called for a certain number of
LYING BY THE HEELS IN THE BILBOES.
Hampton steers. The large amount of Indian corn formerly raised in the Hamptons may have had something to do with the excel- lence and good quality of the beef. In addition to the cattle which were raised here, large numbers were purchased in the fall from the droves which came from the north and east, which were driven through the town in large numbers every fall. Sometimes several hundred were driven through here in a single day. The cattle pur- chased were fed through the winter upon the hay and grain pro- duced upon the farm, and in addition to this considerable grain was sometimes bought. The cattle thus fed were sold in spring fer beef, often at a good profit, besides making a large amount of good manure to keep up the fertility of the farm. Fifty years ago the feeding of cattle for beef was one of the leading features of our farming.
SCHOOLS.
IN 1647, when New Hampshire was a British province, a law in relation to public schools was enacted, of which the following is a part :
It is ordered that every township in the jurisdiction, after the Lord has increased them to the number of fifty householders, shall then forthwith appoint one within their town to teach all children as shall resort to him to read and write, whose wages shall be paid either by the parents or masters of such children, or by the inhabitants in gen- eral by way of supply, as the major part of those that ordered the pru- dentials of the town shall appoint, provided those that send their chil- dren be not oppressed by paying much more than they can have them taught for in other towns.
And it is further ordered that when any town shall increase to the number of one hundred families or householders they shall set up a grammar school, the master thereof being able to instruct youth so far as they be fitted for the University [which meant Harvard College], provided that if any town neglect the performance thereof above one year then every such town shall pay £5 to the next school till they shall perform this order.
In 1719 an act was passed which provided that-
Every town within this province having the number of fifty house- holders or upwards, shall be constantly provided with a schoolmaster to teach children and youth to read and write, and when any town or towns shall have the number of one hundred families or householders there shall be a grammar school set up and kept in every such town, and by some discreet person of good conversation, well instructed in the tongues, who shall be procured to be the master thereof, and every such schoolmaster to be suitably encouraged and paid by the inhabi- tants.
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