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 6
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Eliakim How James Wallace Josiah Ward
Prop-r's Com-tee
This seems to be the road running south-east from the road near Jonathan Gordon's, and known as the "Butter road," thence upon the hill, as the road is now travelled, among the Chases, and out into Weare. The road may have been straightened in some places, but it remains sub- stantially the same as when laid out.
Some pieces of roads were laid out during 1768; but on February 24, 1769, a road was laid out as follows :
We the Subscribers Being Lawfuly Impowered to Lay out
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FIRST ROADS LAID OUT.
highways we Began at Cornelius Beans Hous and Laying out a highway two Rhods wide to the North Side of the Spoted trees then Easterly to the house of Ezra Tucker about twenty feet to the South of Said hous then about North East on the North Side of Spoted trees then to the South side of Charles Whitcoms hous then runing Easterly to Ebenezer Hathorns on the North Side of Spoted trees then south of Hathorns hous about thirty feet then easterly on the North side of Spoted trees to Anas Camels barn about twenty feet to the North side and then as it is now trod in and about to the Saw Mill that is now owned by Jonathan Temple eight Rhods South of the Mill then Straight to the East Lin of Said Loot then South upon the Line to the river then acros the river and down the river as the Land will alow of for a highway two Rhods wide to the east end of Eas- mans bridg into the Road that Leads to Hopkintown.
Eben Gile William Presby Selectmen.
This completed a road through the town from east to west upon the north side of the river.
At a meeting held January 7, 1771, the town voted "to fling up the road from good brook * so called through near Anes Camels land to Dec Ebenezer Harthorn's house."
* Good brook is the brook near Putney Wiggin's.
CHAPTER V.
FIRST TOWN-MEETING AFTER INCORPORATION-FIRST ANNUAL MEETING-FIRST SAW-MILL IN OPERATION- FIRST MEETING-HOUSE-FIRST MEETING IN IT-BURN- ING OF THE MEETING-HOUSE-POUND-CALLING TOWN- MEETINGS.
A FTER obtaining the act of incorporation from Gov. Wentworth, Mr. How came home and immediately called a town-meeting, which meeting was held Nov. 25, 1768, fifteen days after the charter was given, at the house of Silas Barnes, who lived where Ezra Eastman now lives. The following is the record of the meeting:
This day met and held a legal meeting at the dwelling house of Silas Barnes in said town aforesaid.
Ist Chose Mr Ebenezer Gile moderator for this meeting.
2ª Chose Silas Barnes Town Clerk.
3ª Thomas Stone constable.
4th Chose Ebenezer Gile, William Presbury, Jonas Bowman, Selectmen.
5th Chose Jacob Whitcomb, Ebenezer Harthorn, Tything men.
6th Chose Noah Gile, Adonijah Tyler, Ezekiel Smith, Will- iam Powers, Highway Surveyors.
7th Chose Amos Gould, Ezra Tucker fence viewers.
8th Chose Jepthah Tyler, Josiah Ward, Hog-reefs.
9th Chose Eliakim How, Thomas Howlet, Adonijah Tyler, committee men to call the Selectmen to account.
IOth Chose William Eastman Sealer of Weights and Meas- ures, also Sealer of leather.
I Ith. It was also Voted by the inhabitants of this town, that they accepted Mr. Jacob Rice to be their Gospel minister in this town, that they vote to give him thirty pounds Settlement,
69
FIRST ANNUAL MEETING.
and thirty pounds Salary yearly for the first four years ; and then thirty-five pounds for four years more, and then forty pounds yearly till there is seventy families in town, and then to be fifty pounds yearly till there is ninety families in town, then we will give him sixty pounds yearly till there is a hundred and ten families in town, then we will give him sixty-six pounds, thirteen shillings and four pence yearly when six shillings and eight pence per ounce, and to the full of the sum proposed ac- cording as silver, what it is at present; also that the town al- lowed him two Sabbaths the first year after his ordination, to be absent from this town, and then one Sabbath yearly afterwards to be absent from his people during his ministry. Also, that Mr. Jacob Rice began his year to preach with this town Octo- ber 24th A. D. 1768, and while he is absent in the winter sea- son, his wages is to cease till he comes again. This meeting is adjourned till Friday the 16th of December 1768.
Silas Barnes Town Clerk.
Jonas Bowman, his desent against the vote for settling Mr. Jacob Rice, in said Town.
William Eastman, his desent against the vote for settling Mr. Jacob Rice in said Town.
Thomas Stone, his desent against the vote for Settling Mr. Jacob Rice in said Town : this meeting is adjourned till friday the 16th of December next at 10 °clock before noon on sd day at the house of Silas Barnes-Town Clerk.
The town met according to adjournment, Dec. 16, 1768, at ten o'clock in the forenoon, at the dwelling-house of Silas Barnes, and
Voted Silas Barnes, Ebenezer Harthorn and Ebenezer Gile, for a Committee to agree and appoint with Mr. Jacob Rice a day for his solemn ordination in this town
13th And also Voted by the Inhabitants of this town at this meeting, that they will pay by a rate laid upon the Poles and other ratable estates of the Inhabitants of this Town the money which is due to Mr. Jacob Rice, for preaching the summer and fall past in this Town,-that money which was offered by sub- scription by a number of the inhabitants of this town, and Notes given for the same, which notes are to be given up to them again which gave them.
14th Also, Mr Eliakim How has offered to give the town the board of Mr. Jacob Rice the summer and fall past when he was preaching with us, if they will exchuse him from paying the ministers rates, and it was voted, and also it was voted to pay Mr. How twelve pounds, eleven shillings and eight pence,
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HISTORY OF HENNIKER.
lawful money for the Incorporation together with his charges in getting the same.
This meeting is desolved by the moderator.
Silas Barnes, Town Clerk.
The original record of this meeting is lost.
FIRST SAW-MILL.
By the terms of the grant, one lot was to be given to the party or parties that built and operated the first saw-mill in town. The old records of the town contain the following :
Henniker, January ye 5th 1769.
We the subscribers Selectmen for the town of Henniker, In the Province of New Hampshire, Cartifie, that Jona Temple of Marlboro, in the County of Middlesex, has finished and com- pleted a Good Saw Mill in said Henniker it being the first Saw Mill in said town : these are theirefore to Signify our approba- tion of Said Mill, and to Entitle said Temple to the right of land given by Grant. We accordingly order the Town Clark to Record this in the Town Book of Records as witness our Hands.
Ebenezer Gile Selectmen of
Jonas Bowman, William Presbury Henniker.
This saw-mill was situated on the brook easterly from the present residence of Mr. Asa P. Wiggin. This is estab- lished from the fact that a road had been laid out upon the north side of the river, running past Annas Campbell's, thence on down across the plain, and across the brook just below Mr. Temple's saw-mill.
FIRST ANNUAL TOWN-MEETING.
The proceedings of the first annual meeting are given en- tire.
Henniker March ye 6 1769.
this Day met at the house of Silas Barns at two o'clock In the after Noon and held Annual meeting and Mr Ebenezer Gile was chosen the moderator to Regulate Said meeting.
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FIRST ANNUAL TOWN-MEETING.
2. Amos Goold was Chosen town Clark.
3. Jonas Bowman was Chosen Constable.
4. Ebenezer Gile Eliakim How are the Selectmen. Ebenezer Harthorn
5. Ezra Tucker,
francis Withenton
Silas Barns Jepthoh tyler
are Sevairs of Highways.
thomas Howlet
6. Ezekiel Smith Josioh Ward are Sevairs of fence.
Adonijah tyler
7. thomas Howlet
William Presbury are tidening men.
8. Chose William Eastman Sealer of Leather.
9. Chose Silas Barns sealer of weights and measures.
IO. Chose Samuel Powel Hog Riefs.
Jacob Whitcom
II. Chose thomas Stone Sevair of Lumber.
12. Chose William Eastman field Drivers.
William Powers
13. Chose thomas Howlet ) are a Commte to reckon with the
Silas Barns Selectmen the past year and the Josioh Ward year ensewing.
14 then Voted to Raise ten Dolars to Defray town charges and twenty Dolars for a school
15 then Voted to raise one Hundred Dolars to Be Laid out In mending of Highways at two shilings Lawful Money Pr Day and the work is to Be done Betwean the first of April and the first of October.
16 then Voated that the ordination of Mr. Jacob Rice Shall Be the seventh Day of June next.
17 the town excepted of what the Committee Did Agree upon Consarning the Seteling of Mr. Jacob Rice.
18 then Voated that the Voat Consarning the Seteling of Mr. Jacob Rice shall not be Reconsidered.
19 Voated that the Rates shall be made this year By the Last years In voice : this meeting Is A Journed till the tenth Day of this month at one of the clock In the afternoon at the house of Eliakim How.
march ye 10, 1769, then met at the house of Eliakim How upon the A Journment of a Meeting.
I Chose Silas Barnes Pound Keeper.
2 Voated that Noah Johnson should Be cleared of Paying any Rates.
72
HISTORY OF HENNIKER.
3 voated that Moses huse should Be Cleared of Paying the Minister Rate the Past year.
this Meeting Is Dissolved By the Moderator.
Amos Goold, town Clark.
Hear Is one Voat that Is misPlaised that was Pased In our Annual Meeting on the Sixth of March In the year 1769.
It was voated that the Main Road through the town from Hopkintown to HillsBorough Should Be fore Rods Wide, and that all the other Roads Should Be two Rods wide and the Re- turns of Roads that the Select Men Brought In are all excepted. Amos Goold town Clark.
FIRST MEETING-HOUSE.
Province of Number Six October ye 22 1766.
New Hampshire
We the under Subscribers being apointed a Comm-tee by the Prop-rs of said Number Six to fix some Convenient Place on the Senter Loot in said town to Build a Meeting hous on and for a buring Place and Comons for a training field &c. And the Place We have agried upon is at a hemlock tree Mark- ed Where the Laid out highway Coms into said Lott thence Runing North twintey four Rhods, to a Stake marked, thence West twintey Rhods, to a Stake thence South twintey four Rhods to a Stake thence East twintey Rhods to the Bounds first Mentioned.
Eliakim How, Josiah Ward James Wallace Thomas Wallace 7 Prop-rs Com-tee 1
This committee was appointed at a meeting of the pro- prietors, of which there is no record. The first two upon the committee were residents of this town, the others of Londonderry.
The spot selected for the situation of the meeting-house was at the end of the road leading down Craney hill, and near where Hiram Green's barn now stands.
The following is an extract from the town records :
Henniker March 26th 1770. A town Meeting held at the house of Adonijah tyler in said town
73
FIRST MEETING-HOUSE.
Ily Jonas Bowman was Chose Moderator to Regulate said Meeting.
2ly Voted to build a Meeting house.
3ly Voted to build said house on the Clisby lot so called on the north side of the highway on the east side of said lot near the pot ash.
4ly Voted that said house shall be thirty feet long and twenty feet wide.
5ly Voted twenty dolars to build said house.
6ly Ebenezer gile, thomas stone and William presbury is a Commete to see the work done of said house.
zly Voted that the men should have two shillings and six- pence per day and find themselves, lawful money that work on said house.
S'y Voted that the burying place shall be upon the Senter lots
gly Voted Josiar Ward, Ezra tucker, Silas Barns is a Com- mete to lok out the spot of ground to bury the Ded in.
Ioly Voted that Josiar Ward should Dig the graves this year. this meeting is Dissolved this twenty six day of March.
A true copy of the meeting Drawn by me.
William Presbury town Clark.
These were the votes that were taken preparatory to build- ing the meeting-house. The work was soon commenced. The walls were put up, but the roof was not put on till later in the season. The house was occupied for worship before the roof was put on. There is no record that the house was ever publicly dedicated. The population of the town was quite small-estimated at 175 persons in all-at this time. They were a good deal scattered, and comparatively poor ; and the log meeting-house was as dear to them as are the more elegant churches of to-day to the congregations who worship therein.
And now let us go back and attend worship with those old settlers the first day the meeting-house was occupied. It was a beautiful Sabbath in June. Not a sound was heard save the gentle rustle of the leaves in the tree-tops. The air was soft and balmy. The occupants of the farm-houses were astir with the early dawn ; and, after the necessary du- ties had been performed and preparations completed, a start
6
74
HISTORY OF HENNIKER.
was made for the new meeting-house, which was to be oc- cupied for the first time upon that day.
Nearly all were obliged to go on foot, for up to this time there were very few horses in town. The Harthorns, the Whitcombs, the Childses, the Gosses, and the Wadsworths came down and crossed the river at Dea. Harthorn's ferry, thence on down through the woods, by spotted trees, to the meeting-house. The Pattersons, the Smiths, and the Camp- bells came down through the woods where now stands the village, crossed the river at the lower ford, near the present site of Gutterson's mill, thence up through the woods to the meeting-house. From the south-west part of the town came down the Huses, the Howletts, the Presburys, and the With- ingtons. From the south-east part came the Howes, the Bowmans, the Goulds, the Stones, the Giles, and the Tylers. From the north-east part came the Connors, the Peterses, the Dustons, and the Morrisons, who went down and cross- ed the river at the ford in the east part of the town. The population at this time was about 175, and fully two thirds are present to-day at the first meeting in the log meeting- house. With reverence they enter the house, which, although rough in its interior as well as its exterior, is to them a temple for the indwelling of the Most High.
Mr. Rice, in a fervent and impressive prayer, thanked God for what had been accomplished ; that at last a place had been established in which his people could meet for wor- ship. He recounted the toils and the trials of the undertak- ing, craving a continuance of his blessing upon their future labors.
The hymn was then read, and Samuel Mansfield, who was chosen by the town to tune the psalm, announced the tune to be sung, the whole congregation joining in the singing as the lines were "deaconed off" by Dea. Harthorn. There were no choirs then : all sang that could.
Mr. Rice then delivered a very appropriate and eloquent discourse, indoctrinating the minds of his hearers with
75
POUND.
those grand old Puritanic principles, out of which grew the reverence for the Sabbath and religious things, and which united the hearts of all to do and dare for the right.
After an hour's intermission, during which friendly greet- ings were exchanged, like exercises were held in the after- noon, at the conclusion of which all repaired to their homes, the day having been a pleasant one to them all. No ele- gant marble cloistered church ever contained a more happy and devoted congregation than assembled in that rough log meeting-house, upon that beautiful Sabbath day, with no covering above their heads save the vault of heaven. No purer incense ever ascended than was the worship of that devout assembly upon that day.
This meeting-house was occupied for all religious meet- ings, and for all meetings of the town, until 1780, when, on or about the 19th of May, the evening of the "dark day," it was burned to the ground, having been fired, as is sup- posed, by an incendiary, as no fire had ever been in the house save a little that had been carried in in little foot-stoves, which were then in use by those who could afford them.
At the annual meeting held in the meeting-house March 4, 1771, the town
Voted that they would allow all the freeholders in town to act in meeting.
Voted not to raise any money for scholling :
put to voat to see what the town would alow the Selectmen for the year past for thare Searvis, and Nothing was votted.
At the annual meeting held March 2, 1772, the town
Voted to let the Hogs run at large this year.
April 13, 1772, the town
Voted to Bulde a Pound on Silas Barns Clisby lot so Called on the nole Before the meeting house there to stand that Pound is to be Bult thirty Feete Long and wide, and seven Feete high, to be bult by the middle of May next, the town let it out to Si-
76
HISTORY OF HENNIKER.
las Barns to Buld & agreed to give Him one pound Nineteen Shillings for Bulding of it.
From the settlement of the town until 1773, all town- meetings were warned by a constable after the following manner :
By Varty of a Warrant Directed to me from the Selectmen of this town, I warn and notifie all the free holders and the In- habitence of this town to meet at the house of Silas Barns, in the town aforesaid on Monday the Eight Day of January next at one of the Clock on the afternoon then and their to act upon the articles.
Jonas Bowman Constable.
The return upon the warrant was as follows :
Henniker December ye 23 1769.
By Varty of a warrant, I have warned all the free holders and the other Inhabitence to meet at time and place for me Jonas Bowman Constable.
After this time the selectmen generally warned the meet- ings direct, as is now the manner of doing.
All orders for moneys to be paid in behalf of the town were paid by the constable instead of through the treasurer, as now.
CHAPTER VI.
SOME VOTES DURING THE REVOLUTION-FIRST BRIDGE ACROSS THE RIVER-BUILDING A NEW MEETING-HOUSE.
A T a meeting legally warned to meet "May ye IIth, 1775," Article 2 was
To see if the town will choose a Depaty or Depaties to go to Exeter the 17th Day of this instant, May, to meet the Provintial Congress to Consult measures to Restore and Improve our Rights of the American Colony.
Chose Timothy Gibson to attend on the Provintial Congress at Exeter ye 17 Instant.
At a legal meeting held Tuesday, May 23, 1775,-
Chose Lieut Jonas Bowman to go to Amherst to Joyn the County Congress.
At a meeting held March 21, 1776,-
Voted, that we recomend Timothy Gibson to the Gineral As- sembly for a Justis of the Peace.
Mr. Gibson was the first justice of the peace in the town. Rev. James Scales was a justice, and executed all the busi- ness coming before him in the town.
At a meeting held March 3, 1777,-
Voted to pay the men that went to Cambridge on the alarram in April 1775, the saim wages and Rations that other Solgers have.
At a meeting held April 1, 1777,-
Voted to assess the Town to Raise money to hire Nine abel Bodied men for the Continental service.
78
HISTORY OF HENNIKER.
Voted to allow those that have Done anything in the Ameri- can Sirvice for the Time they have Bin in the Sirvice.
Voted to chose a Committee to Procure Nine Men the Com- mittee consisted of Capt Jonas Bowman, Lieut Wadsworth, Lieut Campbell, Capt Ward, Capt How, Lieut Lewis, Lieut Tucker, Phinehas Ward Elijah Rice.
Voted to give fifty Dolars and No More to each Man that shall Enlist for three years.
This meeting then adjourned until April 7, 1777, when it was
Voted to Trye further to ingege the men for three years.
Voted to reconsider the Vote that the Committee shall not give No more than fifty Dolars.
Voted that the Committee be Diricted to Hire the men if Posabel they may be had and lay it Before the Town for ex- ceptance.
Voted that all above sixteen years old shall Be subject to Pay Rates to Raise the money to Hire the 3 year men for the Conti- nental service.
Voted to dismiss the Committee that was chosen to hire men for the Continental army.
Voted to chose a Committee of five to Hire the men and also the money to pay the Consideration that the Town gave to in- coridge the men to enlist.
Voted that Capt Bowman, Lieut Goold, Lieut Wadsworth, Lieut Lewis Ensign Elijah Rice Be a Committee to Hire the Nine men for the Continental service and to hire the money in Behalf of the Town if wanted.
Two meetings were afterwards held to see if the town would reconsider the votes that had been passed, which they steadily refused to do, and at a meeting held May 8, 1777, the committee appointed to procure the men made the following report :
We the subscribers, Being Chosen a Committee to Procure Nine abel Bodied men for the Continental sirvice Have to the utmost of our power used Every method Practical to procure said men, and that 3 of sd men Have Ingaged and Paid By Privat Persons in this Town uppon this Return we do Here By say that we Cannot Serve the Town any Longer in this Capac- city.
Henniker May ye 8th 1777
Jonas Bowman Saml Wadsworth Joseph Lewis Elijah Rice.
79
VOTES DURING THE REVOLUTION.
May 9, 1777, a meeting was held at which it was
Voted to Have 3 for a Committee to Hire the men and raise the money for the three years men on the town Cost.
Voted That Timº Gibson, David Campbell, and Ezra Tucker Be a Committee to Raise the men and money on the Towns Cost.
Voted to Have 5 for a Committee to alow those men that Have Don anything in the American Service.
Voted Nathaniel Joslin, Ebenezer Harriman, also Hon. Jo- seph Patterson and Abel Gibson Be a Committee to alow the men that Have Don anything in the American Service and Bring it Before the Town for Exceptance.
Voted to Impower the Committee Chosen to Raise the 3 year men to Hire more men if Required for the Service this Summer and Charge it to the town.
June 16, 1777,-
Voted to accept the Report of the Committee that was Chos- en to alow the men that Have done anything in the service and Bring it Before the Town.
Voted that the Committee shall give Sartificates Acording to their Reporte for such services as they shall make appeir Just who shall receive them in order to Git order from the Se- lectmen on the Constable.
The following is the report of the above committee :
Henniker June 7, 1777.
It is the opinion of us the subscribers, a committee to enquire into the service of the several Persons Belonging to sd Town of Henniker that have served in the service of the United States since April ye 19th 1775, Be Allowed as followeth, viz :
Those that served in the Campaign at runter Hill [Bunker hill] in the 17th do 1775 18s. each Par month.
Those at Portsmouth, 12s. each Par month.
those that Served at New York on Ticonderoga 18s. each Par month.
Nathaniel Joslin, Ebenezer Harriman, Otes How, Abel Gibson.
At a meeting held March ye 2ª 1778 Capt Jonas Bowman was chosen Clark of ye market.
Capt Aaron Adams was chosen Constable and he paid his fine.
80
HISTORY OF HENNIKER.
Then Chose Lieut Ezra Tucker and said Tucker hired James Joslin to serve for him and the Town accepted him.
At a legal meeting held April 13, 1778,-
Chose Timothy Gibson to sit in Convention at Concord the thirteenth of June next for the purpose of forming and laying a form of government for the future happiness and well being of the People of this State.
February 3, 1778, a meeting was held, at which it was
Voated to reconsider the voates passed on the first day of April 1777 and all other votes passed at Different times since on that artical.
Voated to leave the Melitia affairs to the Selectmen and Committee of Safety to examine into the services Don by the Inhabitence of said Town in the Continental and State Service, and Call upon such as are behind till all are maid equal with each other in services.
The "dark day" occurred May 19, 1780. In this town the darkness was intense, and the people were much alarmed at the terrible calamity that seemed impending. The darkness of the night following was made all the more appalling by the burning of the log meeting-house between the hours of ten and twelve, the flames from which illumined the heav- ens in a weird and strange manner.
FIRST BRIDGE ACROSS THE RIVER.
At a legal meeting held at the house of Timothy Gibson, June 26, 1780,-
Voated to Build a Bridge over the river in the Senter or the Nearest Convenient Place.
Voated that a Commity be raised to Refix the place whare the Bridge Shall Be Built when the Senter is found.
Voated that this Commity apply to A workman, and the Commity and the workman shall determine the Place where the Bridge shall Be Built.
Chose Moses Conner, Robert Wallace, John Putney, Otis How, Daniel Rice a Commity.
81
FIRST BRIDGE ACROSS THE RIVER.
This committee examined the banks of the river from Dea. Harthorn's ferry down to the lower ford, and at a legal meeting, held Sept. 5, 1780, they reported three places -one at Dea. Harthorn's ferry, one at the Centre, and one at the lower ford; the town, after discussing the matter fully,-
Voated that of these places the Commity think the Middle Place is the most convenient, But Providing that cannot Be made Passable The Lower Place to be the Place for the Bridge.
Voted to raise Three Thousand Pounds for Building This Bridge.
Voted to allow Forty Dollars pr Day.
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