USA > New Hampshire > Merrimack County > Henniker > History of the town of Henniker, Merrimack County, New Hampshire, from the date of the Canada grant by the province of Massachusetts, in 1735, to 1880 with a genealogical register of the families of Henniker > Part 23
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. 6
1868
TREASURERS FROM 1771 10 1875.
Ebenezer Harthorn .1771
Jonas Wallace .1852
David Campbell. 1778 to 1788
Horace Gibson. 1853 to 1862
Rev. Jacob Rice. 1789 to 1790
Josiah Morse.
1863
Abel Connor. 1836-'37
William E. Cogswell, 1864 to 1875
Frederick Whitney
. 1876
Hiram M. Davis. 1839 to 1844
William O. Folsom.
1877-'78
James Straw 1845 to 1850
James Wilkins.
1879
MODERATORS OF ANNUAL MEETINGS.
1769. Ebenezer Gile.
1785. Joseph Gibson.
1770. Jonas Bowman. 1786. Jonas Bowman.
1771. Annas Campbell. 1787. Jonas Bowman.
1772. Ebenezer Gile. 1788. Jonas Bowman.
1773. Alexander Patterson. 1789. Robert Wallace.
1774. Joseph Kimball. missing. )
(Record
1790. Jonas Bowman. 1791. Joseph Gibson.
1776. Jonas Bowman.
1777. Jonas Bowman. 1778. Otis Howe. 1795. William Wallace. 1796. Jonas Bowman.
1779. Jonas Bowman.
1780. Robert Wallace. 1797. Jonas Bowman.
1781. Jonas Bowman. 1798. Jonas Bowman.
1782. Samuel Wadsworth. 1799. Samuel Wadsworth.
1783. Timothy Gibson. 1800. Jonas Bowman.
1784. Samuel Wadsworth.
1801. Samuel Wadsworth.
1775. Joseph Kimball.
1792. Jonas Bowman. 1793. Jonas Bowman. 1794. Jonas Bowman.
Jonas Wallace 1838
Horace Gibson
. 1851
David S. Carr 1875
.1867
1861
304
HISTORY OF HENNIKER.
1802. William Wallace.
1842. Jacob Straw.
1803. Robert Wallace.
1843. Jacob Straw.
1804. Jonas Bowman.
1844. Lewis Smith.
1805. Jonas Bowman.
1845. Lewis Smith.
1806. Thomas Brown.
1846. Lewis Smith.
1807. William Wallace.
1847. Imri Woods.
1808. William Wallace.
1848. John S. Craig.
1809. William Wallace.
1849. Jacob Straw.
1850. Jacob Straw.
1851. Lewis Smith.
1811. Oliver Noyes.
1812. William Wallace.
1852. Oliver Pillsbury, Jr.
1813. Joshua Darling.
1853. John S. Craig.
1854. Oliver Pillsbury, Jr.
1855. Oliver Pillsbury.
1856. Oliver Pillsbury.
1817. Joshua Darling.
1818. William Wallace. 1819. Joshua Darling.
1820. Artemas Rogers.
1821. Artemas Rogers.
1822. Artemas Rogers.
1862. D. Warren Cogswell.
1863. D. Warren Cogswell.
1864. Oliver Pillsbury.
1865. Oliver Pillsbury.
1866. Leander W. Cogswell.
1867. Leander W. Cogswell.
1868. Leander W. Cogswell.
1869. Leander W. Cogswell.
1870. James Fellows.
1871. Leander W. Cogswell.
1872 Nathan Sawyer.
1873. Hiram Rice.
1834. Moses Brown.
1835. Moses Brown.
1875. Hiram Rice.
1836. Moses Brown.
1876. Hiram Rice.
1877. Sam K. Page.
1878. Sam K. Page.
1839. Imri Woods.
1879. James Fellows.
1840. Jacob Straw.
1841. Jacob Straw.
1857. Oliver Pillsbury.
1858. Oliver Pillsbury. 1859. Oliver Pillsbury. 1860. Oliver Pillsbury. 1861. Oliver Pillsbury.
1823. Joshua Darling.
1824. Joshua Darling. 1825. Enoch Darling.
1826. Artemas Rogers.
1827. Artemas Rogers.
1828. Enoch Darling.
1829. Moses Brown.
1830. Moses Brown.
1831. Jacob Straw.
1832. Jacob Straw. 1833. Moses Brown.
1874. Hiram Rice.
1837. Moses Brown. 1838. Imri Woods.
1880. James Fellows.
1814. Joshua Darling.
1815. Joshua Darling.
1816. Joshua Darling.
1810. William Wallace.
305
COLLECTORS.
COLLECTORS.
Taxes were collected by the constables, of whom there were generally two, until the year 1789, when Timothy Gib- son was appointed collector for the south side of the river. Eliphalet Colby was constable for the north side.
1790. Jonas Bowman.
1826. George Connor.
1791. Aaron Adams.
1827. Daniel Kirk.
1792. Jonas Alexander.
1828. Daniel Kirk.
1793. Jonas Alexander.
1829. Abel Connor.
1794. Jonas Alexander.
1830. Abel Connor.
1795. John Goodenow.
1831. Abel Conner.
1796. John Goodenow.
1832. Abel Connor.
1797. William Wallace.
1833. Abel Connor.
1798. Benjamin Hoyt.
1834. Abel Connor.
1799. John Goodenow.
1835. Abel Connor.
1800. Jonas Alexander.
1836. Abel Connor.
1801. Samuel Wilson.
1837. Wm. Cressey.
1802. Samuel Wilson.
1838. Wm. Cressey.
1803. Bela Butler.
1839. Wm. Cressey.
1804. Bela Butler.
1840. Abel Connor.
1808. John Dodge.
1844. Hiram M. Davis.
1845. Wm. K. Plumer.
1810. Jonathan Hoag.
1846. Zadoc Duston, Jr.
18II. Abel Connor.
1847. Abel Connor.
1812. Abel Connor.
1848. William P. Cressey.
1813. Wm. Cressey.
1849. James P. Baker.
1814. Abel Connor.
1850. William K. Plumer.
1815. Levi Kemp.
1851. William P. Cressey
1816. Abel Connor.
1852. Alfred Winship.
1817. Abel Connor.
1853. Abel Connor.
1818. Abel Connor.
1854. Hiram M. Davis.
1819. Abel Connor.
1855. Hiram M. Davis.
1820. Abel Connor.
1856. James P. Baker.
1821. Enoch Darling.
1857. James P. Baker.
1822. Abel Connor.
1858. James P. Baker.
1823. Wm. Cressey.
1859. Oliver C. Fisher.
1824. Joshua Colby.
1860. Oliver C. Fisher.
1825. George Connor.
1861. Oliver C. Fisher.
1805. Oliver Noyes.
1841. Thomas Kirk.
1806. Jonathan Hoag.
1842. Thomas Kirk.
1807. Jonathan Gordon.
1843. Frederick Whitney.
1809. Abel Connor.
306
HISTORY OF HENNIKER.
1862. Oliver C. Fisher.
1863. Wm. P. Cressy.
1864. Daniel F. Wyman.
1873. Jeremiah Foster.
1865. Daniel F. Wyman. 1874. Jeremiah Foster.
1866. Daniel F. Wyman.
1875. Enos T. Carter.
1867. Daniel F. Wyman.
1876. Enos T. Carter.
1868. Daniel F. Wyman. 1877. John L. Dodge.
1869. Henry A. Fellows. 1878. Charles W. Tucker.
1870. Henry A. Fellows.
1879. David S. Carr.
SELECTMEN FROM 1768 TO 1879 INCLUSIVE.
1768.
1776.
Ebenezer Gile,
William Presbury,
Jonas Bowman. 1769.
Ebenezer Gile,
Eliakim Howe,
Ebenezer Harthorn.
Joshua Heath.
1770.
Jonas Bowman, William Presbury, Ezra Tucker.
1771.
Amos Goold,
Josiah Ward.
1772.
Alexander Patterson,
William Powers, Silas Barnes.
I773.
Alexander Patterson, Aaron Adams,
Lieut. Jonas Bowman, Elijah Rice, James Joslyn.
1774.
Joseph Kimball, Esq., Aaron Adams, David Campbell. 1775. Joseph Kimball, Aaron Adams, David Campbell.
Timothy Gibson, Lieut. Jonas Bowman,
Samuel Wadsworth. 1777. Lieut. Jonas Bowman, Samuel Wadsworth,
1778.
Abel Gibson, Lieut. Goold,
Otis How.
I779.
Lieut. Robert Wallace, Lieut. David Campbell, Thomas Townsend. 1780.
Lieut. Robert Wallace,
Lieut. David Campbell, Lieut. Amos Goold.
1781.
Lieut. Robert Wallace, Thomas Townsend, Peter How.
1782.
David Clough, Samuel Wadsworth, Peter How, John Goodenow, Steven Adams.
1783.
Lieut. Robert Wallace, James Joslyn, Samuel Dunlap.
.
1871. Harris W. Campbell.
1872. Jeremiah Foster.
307
SELECTMEN.
1784.
Robert Wallace, James Joslyn, Samuel Dunlap. 1785.
Lieut. Robert Wallace, James Joslyn, David Campbell.
1786.
Capt. Aaron Adams,
Capt. Bowman, Capt. Campbell. 1787.
Capt. Bowman,
Lieut. Francis Bowman,
Capt. Joseph Gibson. 1788.
Robert Wallace, Ephraim Goss, Timothy Gibson.
1789.
Robert Wallace, David Clough, John Smith.
1790.
Robert Wallace, Joseph Gibson, David Campbell.
1791.
Robert Wallace,
Joseph Gibson, Daniel Whitman.
I792.
David Clough, Jonas Bowman, Francis Bowman.
I793.
Jonas Bowman, Francis Bowman, John Goodenow. 1794. Jonas Bowman, Daniel Whitman, Moses Adams.
1795.
David Clough, John Goodenow, Samuel Wadsworth. 1796.
David Clough, Moses Adams, Joseph Gibson.
1797. Joseph Gibson, Moses Adams, Noah Rice.
1798.
John Goodenow, William Wallace, Moses Adams.
1799. Samuel Wadsworth, Joseph Gibson, Thaddeus Gibson.
1800.
Moses Adams, Noah Rice, Jasper Temple. 1801.
Moses Barns, Noah Rice, Benjamin Gould. 1802.
William Wallace, James Wallace, Samuel Willson.
1803.
Noah Rice, James Wallace, Samuel Willson. 1804.
Noah Rice, Jasper Temple, Oliver Noyes. 1805.
Jonas Bowman, Joshua Darling, Thomas Tucker.
308
HISTORY OF HENNIKER.
1806.
Joshua Darling, Noah Rice, James Wallace. 1807.
Samuel Willson, Thomas Tucker,
Charles Rice. 1808.
Joshua Darling, Thomas Tucker,
John Sawyer. 1809.
William Wallace, John Sawyer, Samuel Bartlett.
1810.
William Wallace, John Sawyer, Samuel Bartlett.
18II.
William Wallace, John Sawyer,
Nathaniel Noyes. 1812.
William Wallace, John Sawyer, John C. Proctor. 1813.
Joshua Darling, William L. Woods, Moses Brown.
1814.
Oliver Noyes, William L. Woods, Moses Brown. 1815.
Oliver Noyes, William L. Woods, Moses Brown. 1816.
Moses Brown, Lewis Gibson, Isaac Rice.
1817.
Lewis Gibson, Isaac Rice, Benjamin Hoyt. 1818.
Lewis Gibson, Isaac Rice, John Sawyer.
1819.
Lewis Gibson, Moses Brown, Isaac Rice.
1820.
Robert M. Wallace, Jacob Rice, George Adams.
1821.
Robert M. Wallace, Jacob Rice, Lewis Gibson.
1822.
Jacob Rice, Lewis Gibson, Moses Brown.
1823.
Jacob Rice, Moses Brown, Enoch Darling. 1824.
Imri Woods, John Sawyer, Lewis Gibson. 1825.
Enoch Darling, Jacob Rice, Imri Woods.
1826.
Robert M. Wallace, Moses Brown, Artemas Rogers. 1827. Robert M. Wallace, Israel Adams, Micah Howe, Jr.
309
SELECTMEN.
1828.
Isaac Rice, Thomas Tucker, John Campbell. 1829.
Thomas Tucker, John Campbell, Parrott Marsh.
1830.
Isaac Rice, John Campbell, Parrott Marsh.
1831.
Isaac Rice, Parrott Marsh, Zebulon Foster, Jr. 1832.
Moses Brown, Isaac Rice,
Zebulon Foster, Jr. 1833.
Moses Brown, Thomas Tucker, John Campbell. 1834.
Parrott Marsh, Charles Barker, William K. Howe.
1835.
Parrott Marsh, Charles Barker, William K. Howe.
1836.
Parrott Marsh, Charles Barker, William K. Howe. 1837.
Jacob Rice, John Campbell, Robert Wallace. 1838.
Robert Wallace, John Campbell, Zebulon Foster, Jr.
1839.
Imri Woods, William Cressy, John S. Craig. 1840.
Robert Wallace, John S. Craig, James McCalley.
1841.
John S. Craig, Zebulon Foster, Jr., David Tucker.
1842.
Zebulon Foster, Jr., David Tucker, John C. Folsom.
1843.
David Tucker, John O. Folsom, John S. Craig. 1844.
John O. Folsom, Harris Campbell, Moody Tucker.
1845.
Harris Campbell, Moody Tucker, William Howe. 1846.
Jeremiah Foster, Parrott Marsh, Titus V. Wadsworth. 1847.
Titus V. Wadsworth, John O. Folsom, Frederick Whitney.
1848. Titus V. Wadsworth, Harris Campbell, William H. Sawyer. 1849. Frederick Whitney, Zebulon Foster, Jr., Oliver Pillsbury, Jr.
310
HISTORY OF HENNIKER.
1850.
Oliver Pillsbury, Jr., Lyman Harriman,
George W. Cogswell. 1851.
Harris Campbell, John L. Colby, Squire M. Patten. 1852.
Lyman Harriman, Carlton S. Dodge,
Harrison A. Rice. 1853.
Robert Wallace, Squire M. Patten,
Eri Colby. 1854.
Jeremiah Foster, Oliver Pillsbury, Jr., Eri Colby. 1855.
Jeremiah Foster, Oliver Pillsbury, Jr,
Eri Colby. 1856.
Jeremiah Foster, Eri Colby, Joseph B. Colby. 1857. Oliver Pillsbury, Joseph B. Colby, Zebulon Foster. 1858.
Oliver Pillsbury, Alexander W. Connor, Cyrus Goss. 1859.
Jeremiah Foster, Cyrus Goss, Alonzo Patterson.
1860.
Cyrus Goss, Alonzo Patterson, Kendall Whitcomb,
1861.
Alonzo Patterson, Kendall Whitcomb, Eri Colby.
1862.
Eri Colby, Jeremiah Foster, Nathan Sawyer. 1863.
Nathan Sawyer, Harris Campbell, William O. Folsom. 1864.
Nathan Sawyer, Moses F. Pillsbury,
Jeremiah Foster. 1865.
Nathan Sawyer, George W. Rice, James B. Brown. 1866.
Nathan Sawyer, George W. Rice,
Robert C. Hale.
1867.
George W. Rice, Robert C. Hale, Cyrus Goss.
1868.
Eri Colby, Daniel M. Buxton, Harrison Morrill. 1869.
George W. Rice, Nathan Sawyer, Harrison Morrill. 1870.
Nathan Sawyer, Robert D. Rice, Daniel M. Buxton. 1871.
Robert D. Rice, Squire M. Patten, Lewis Colby.
PRESIDENTIAL VOTE.
1876.
Hiram Rice, Heman R. Patterson, John Chase.
1877.
Squire M. Patten, Alden P. Farrar, Enos Carter.
1874. Freeman E. Colby,
James Wilkins,
Asa P. Wiggin. 1875.
Heman R. Patterson.
Hiram Rice,
1879. Jonathan W. Dodge,
Robert D. Rice,
Henry W. Blaisdell.
Albert C. Clark, John Gage.
VOTES FOR PRESIDENTIAL ELECTORS.
The first vote was cast December 15, 1788.
Washington. 19 Opposition . IO
I792.
Washington. 16 Opposition 3
Adams
I795. II Opposition 5
I799.
Jefferson.
21 No opposition.
1804.
Jefferson.
86 Pinckney.
53
Madison
1808. 125 Pinckney.
69
Madison
1816.
Monroe
.167
King
90
1820.
Monroe
47 No opposition.
1824.
Adams 60 No opposition.
3II
1872. Harrison Morrill, Freeman E. Colby, James Wilkins. 1873. Harrison Morrill, Freeman E. Colby,
James Wilkins.
1878.
Squire M. Patten, Enos Carter,
1812. . 161 De Witt Clinton . 103
312
HISTORY OF HENNIKER.
1828.
Jackson.
.212 Adams. I37
1832.
Jackson
218
Opposition
72
1836.
Van Buren 162 Opposition
12
1840.
Van Buren
.268
Harrison
131
Scattering.
3
1844.
Polk.
206 Clay
37
Liberty ticket. 48
1848.
Cass
233
Taylor . 16
Van Buren (Free Soil) 72
1852.
Pierce.
213
Scott
24
Liberty 70
1856.
Fremont
. 209 Buchanan . 190
1860.
Lincoln.
204
Douglas.
. . 130
Breckenridge II
1864.
Lincoln.
. 187 Mcclellan 159
I868.
Grant
190 Seymour . 163
1872.
Greeley.
178 Grant. .169
1876.
Hayes
182 Tilden .194
GOVERNOR VOTE.
Meshech Weare received the vote of this town for pres- ident of the state until 1784, when the chief magistrate was styled governor. There is no record of the number of votes cast for either Mr. Weare for president, or for Josiah Bart- lett, who was governor from 1784 until 1793, except for the
313
GOVERNOR VOTE.
last-named year. But few votes were cast for either as chief magistrate, little interest being felt in the matter, parties not having then assumed much prominence.
I793.
1801.
Josiah Bartlett .. 85
I794.
John Langdon. 19
John T. Gilman
33
John T. Gilman 18
47
1802.
1795.
John T. Gilman 50
1796.
Timothy Walker 37
John T. Gilman 27
I54
1803.
John Langdon. 104
John T. Gilman II
1797.
John T. Gilman I2
Simeon Alcott. 12
1804.
John Langdon. . 129
John T. Gilman
78
207
1805.
John Langdon. 149
John T. Gilman 73
Scattering.
I
62
1799.
John T. Gilman. 23
Timothy Farrar. 17
Timothy Farrar 37
Scattering 6
1800. 55
Timothy Walker 87
John Langdon. 84
John T. Gilman
20
Timothy Farrar 15
Scattering I
100
2I
III
Timothy Walker. 25
Daniel Rendy 14
62
John Langdon. 86
John T. Gilman 66
Scattering. 2
Scattering I
65
115
Scattering 8
1798. 32
Timothy Walker. 41
Simeon Alcott. 12
Timothy Farrar 5
John T. Gilman. 4
1806. 223
John Langdon. I33
Simeon Alcott. 15
Scattering 4
1807. 176
314
HISTORY OF HENNIKER.
1808.
John Langdon. 89
Scattering. 5
James Sheafe I26
94
1809.
1817.
William Plumer 171
James Sheafe 97
Scattering 3
198
1810.
271
1818.
William Plumer. 188
John Mason.
84
272
1819
Samuel Bell I37
William Hale 68
Scattering
4
253
1812.
William Plumer. 151
John T. Gilman 72
Scattering I
224
1813.
William Plumer. 185
John T. Gilman
. 107
292
1814.
William Plumer. 203
John T. Gilman. 26
1822. 328
Samuel Bell.
113
Scattering.
7
120
1823.
Samuel Dinsmoor. 146
Levi Woodbury.
82
Scattering
I
229
1820. 209
Samuel Bell. 161
Richard H. Ayer 127
Scattering
20
308
1821.
Richard H. Ayer 156
Samuel Bell.
. 142
Scattering
30
1815. 329
William Plumer. 172
John T. Gilman II3
Scattering.
I
286
310
John Langdon ..
118
Jeremiah Smith. 80
John Langdon. 152
Jeremiah Smith 88
240
18II.
John Langdon. 168
Jeremiah Smith 84
Scattering
I
1816.
William Plumer. 184
315
GOVERNOR VOTE.
David L. Morrill 1824.
1832.
. 194 Samuel Dinsmoor 198
Levi Woodbury 36 Ichabod Bartlett 49
Scattering 13
243
1825.
David L. Morrill. .222
Scattering
I
223
1826.
Benjamin Pierce. 158
David L. Morrill 62
226
1835.
Wm. Badger.
219
Scattering.
26
1827.
Benj. Pierce 144
Scattering.
7
151
1828.
Benj. Pierce .221
John Bell. 130
Scattering
I
Isaac Hill.
162
Abel Connor
18
Scattering
4
184
1838.
Isaac Hill.
242
James Wilson
116
358
1839.
John Page.
243
James Wilson
113
356
1840.
John Page.
219
Enos Stevens.
90
309
303
1836.
Isaac Hill
186
Scattering.
I
352
1829.
Benj. Pierce. 214
John Bell III
Scattering
I
1830. 326
Matthew Harvey. 203
Timothy Upham 85
Scattering
I
1831. 28g
Samuel Dinsmoor 213
Ichabod Bartlett 89
Scattering
I
247
1833.
Samuel Dinsmoor
.212
1834.
Wm. Badger.
224
Scattering.
2
Scattering
5
225
245
187
1837.
316
HISTORY OF HENNIKER.
1841.
John Page. .250
Enos Stevens 98
Scattering . 9
1842. 357
Henry Hubbard 235
Enos Stevens. 40
Daniel S. Hoit. 37
John H. White
34
346
1843.
Henry Hubbard,. 177
Daniel S. Hoit 71
John H. White 29
Anthony Colby
17
294
1844.
John H. Steele. 190
Daniel S. Hoit 75
Scattering
39
304
1845.
John H. Steele. 173
Daniel S. Hoit. 50
Anthony Colby 28
Scattering.
4
255
1846.
Jared W. Williams 219
Nathaniel S. Berry 87
Anthony Colby. 38
Scattering
3
1847. 347
Jared W. Williams 226
Nathaniel S. Berry 72
Anthony Colby
52
-
350
1848.
Jared W. Williams. 254
Nathaniel S. Berry. 134
388
1849
Samuel Dinsmoor 236
Nathaniel S. Berry. 73
Levi Chamberlain 39
348
1850.
Samuel Dinsmoor 235
Nathaniel S. Berry 81
Levi Chamberlain
30
346
1851.
Samuel Dinsmoor
195
John Atwood.
148
Thomas E. Sawyer 21
364
1852
Noah Martin
206
John Atwood.
IOI
Thomas E. Sawyer
42
Scattering
2
351
1853.
Noah Martin.
.220
James Bell
34
John S. White
89
1854. 343
Nathaniel B. Baker
215
Jared Perkins
94
James Bell.
26
1855. 335
Nathaniel B. Baker. 181
Ralph Metcalf
163
Asa Fowler
33
317
GOVERNOR VOTE.
James Bell 3
380
1856.
Ralph Metcalf.
I96
John S. Wells 188
Asa Fowler
3
Scattering
I
388
1857.
William Haile. 21I
John S. Wells 178
Scattering
I
390
1858.
Wm. Haile
217
Asa P. Cate
.J97
414
1859.
Ichabod Goodwin .218
Asa P. Cate
.202
420
1860.
Ichabod Goodwin 206
Asa P. Cate
178
384
1861.
Nathaniel S. Berry 193
George Stark.
I57
Scattering
2
352
1862.
Nathaniel S. Berry 188
George Stark.
I47
Paul J. Wheeler
18
353
1863.
Ira A. Eastman. I66
Joseph A. Gilmore
108
Walter Harriman
39
Mason W. Tappan
23
Scattering.
I
1864. 337
Joseph A. Gilmore. 195
Edward W. Harrington.
158
Scattering.
2
1865. 355
Frederick Smyth.
191
Edward W. Harrington
.133
324
I866.
Frederick Smyth
183
John G. Sinclair
146
1867. 329
Walter Harriman
I71
John G. Sinclair.
156
1868. 327
Walter Harriman
196
John G. Sinclair.
172
368
1869.
Onslow Stearns
170
John Bedel
153
323
1870.
Onslow Stearns
I7I
John Bedel.
I26
Samuel Flint.
31
328
318
HISTORY OF HENNIKER.
1871.
1875.
James Pike. I60
James A. Weston 1 58
Person C. Cheney. 187
Nathaniel White
I
326
1872.
1876.
Ezekiel A. Straw 179
Daniel Marcy.
198
James A. Weston 169
Lemuel P. Cooper 5
386
1877.
Daniel Marcy .200
Benj. F. Prescott 194
James A. Weston 158
Samuel K. Mason 17
394
1878.
Frank A. Mckean.
205
Benj. F. Prescott. 181
1874.
Luther McCutchins 179
386
1879.
Frank Mckean 178
Natt Head.
177
362
Warren G. Brown 5
360
353
1873.
Ezekiel A. Straw 172
Scattering.
I
343
James A. Weston. 179
John Blackmer 4
Hiram Roberts. 201
Lemuel P. Cooper. 8
389
Person C. Cheney 188
CHAPTER XVIII.
MUSIC-TEMPERANCE-SUNDAY-SCHOOLS-BRASS BANDS -DEAF MUTES-MASONIC-GRANGERS-ODD FELLOWS -WARNINGS OUT OF TOWN-FIRST BAPTISMAL-ROADS LAID OUT-FIRST BLACKSMITH SHOP-COLORED PEO- PLE.
AMUEL MANSFIELD appears as the first director of singing in church in this town. He resided upon what is known as the Patty Eastman place, in the easterly part of the town, and came to this place shortly after its in- corporation. Mr. Mansfield was chosen several times by the town " to tune the psalm." He usually occupied a seat close to Mr. Rice, in the log meeting-house, so as to face the congregation when singing. When the frame meeting- house was erected, he was allowed to sit in the minister's pew. Soon being allowed to select two or three male sing- ers to assist him, they occupied the elders' seats, immediate- ly in the rear of the deacons'. This was the first beginning of a choir in church.
There were but few hymn -books in the congregation. Because of this, the hymn was read throughout by the cler- gyman, and then read to the congregation by one of the deacons (hence the term "deaconing the hymn"), one line at a time, which was then sung until the whole hymn was disposed of. In this way two or three hymn-books answered for the whole congregation. The singing was purely con- gregational, everybody that could make a sound joining in it, without much regard to tune or time, on the part of many.
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HISTORY OF HENNIKER.
The selection of tunes to be sung was confined to a few old ones, St. Martins, York, Windham, Mears, and St. Ann's being the principal ones sung, leaving but little choice be- tween the bold major sentiment of the hymn and its pathetic minor. These tunes were the only ones in use until nearly the close of the last century, when music of a different na- ture was introduced, through the use of the "Village Har- mony." Then a few of the best singers were selected, and promoted into the singing-seats. Many of these pieces were quite difficult to execute, and were called "fugues." They soon became very popular, and the whole congregation be- came familiar with them. These pieces are seldom heard in these days, and are only known as "old fugue tunes." They consisted of one part leading off with one line, and other parts with different lines, repeating a part or the whole of them, making a confused noise, until all finally came upon the last line or two together. The hymn was rounded out with a chorus that was inspiring and devotional.
It happened at one time, in the singing upon a public occasion, that the choir, under the direction of Col. Imri Woods, were called upon to execute some of their most dif- ficult music. Dr. Nathan Sanborn was a prominent singer in the choir. He started off with "Our daughters, fair as pol." The other parts came in with their lines; but the good doctor continued to repeat his portion until everybody wondered how he was coming out of it, and the hearers were much relieved when he ended by singing, "Our daugh- ters, fair as polished stones."
The pitch-pipe was the only instrument upon which the key could be sounded, until the close of the last century, when violins and bass-viols were introduced into the church ; but these were not very extensively used until after the building of the Congregational church near Mr. Rice's, at the beginning of the present century. We can learn of no very serious opposition to their introduction. Many of the older portion of our people well remember how the service
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MUSIC.
was disturbed by the tuning of the instruments, that they might be in readiness for the singing at the close of the sermon.
And now " Master" John Connor appeared upon the stage, and sacred music took a step forward. Mr. Connor was the great teacher of the art of singing in this vicinity. His services were in great demand, far and near. He had a great faculty for teaching music; and although his scholars used at times to call him "cross and fretful," he had but few if any equals. He was a great lover of music, and to his last days was a sharp critic of all musical performances to which it was his pleasure to listen. The exercises of no public occasion were complete without Mr. Connor and his choir and his instrumental players. Several of the young ladies of this town became proficient in the art of singing under his direction, and were always sure of a large audi- ence when it was known they were to sing on any public occasion. Mr. Connor was then in his best mood; and as their sweet notes were rendered, his face would light up with an approving smile, and he seemed lost in wonder and admiration at the truly wonderful singing of "my girls," as he used to call them.
This town became famous for its singers, and for its play- ers upon stringed, and afterwards wind, instruments. It is a certain fact, that but few towns in this state furnished any better musicians than did this; and in one particular in- stance the town can most certainly claim to have produced one of the finest and most cultivated masters of the violin to be found in our country.
Singing-schools now became quite common, and new singing-books were used in keeping with "Watts's Hymn- Book," which was then in general use in all the churches. In the winter of 1823-'24 a very large singing-school was taught in Bartlett's hall, by Dea. Ezra Barrett, a famous singing-master, who at that time resided in Warner. The younger portion of the community attended during the after-
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HISTORY OF HENNIKER.
noon, joined in the evening by the older singers. The school was very large and enthusiastic. For instrumental music during this singing-school, Micah Howe played the lead- ing violin, Carlos H. Gould and John Hardy played clarinets, Uri Smith and Merrill Gates played upon flutes, and David Connor, Imri Woods, Samuel Morrison, and William Fos- ter, bass-viols. A public performance was given at the close of the school. The whole school met at the hall dur- ing the afternoon, formed a procession, and, escorted by the stringed instrumental music, proceeded to the Congrega- tional church, where Rev. Mr. Sawyer gave a very interest- ing address upon music, after which the school gave their concert. Some of Mr. Barrett's scholars from Warner and Peterborough were present. Several very difficult pieces were performed, among which were,-"Strike the Cymbals," " Hailstone Chorus," "Chorus Anthem," "Thanksgiving Hymn," and "Dying Christian." The singing-book used was the Bridgewater Collection. The concert was of a high order, and a complete success. At its close the entire school marched back to the hall, where, after the "good- bys" had been said, the school was closed. Mr. Barrett taught the next winter with equal success.
Col. Imri Woods was very successful as a teacher of mu- sic, and as a leader of a choir.
Col. Daniel C. Gould was for many years leader of the choir of the Congregational church, which church was fur- nished with an organ soon after it was built. Dr. Nathan Sanborn and Washington C. Cogswell were its principal players. This was sold in 1871, and a new one, costing over $1,000, was placed in the church, which has been pre- sided over mostly by Miss Carrie E. Morse, who, as an ama- teur organist, gives excellent satisfaction. The choir at this church was, for a large number of years, under direction of Frederick Whitney, who exhibited a good deal of the taste for music for which he was noted in his younger days.
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