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 7
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57
Chose John Putney, Moses Connor, Cap Bowman Peter How Eben Harriman a Commity to have the care of Building the Bridge.
Voted that this Commity go about this Bridge as soon as they can and finish it this fall if possible, This Commity to call upon the Surveyors for as many men as They Need.
October 19, the same year, the town
Voted to Raise Six Thousand Pounds In addition To what is Already Raised in order To Complete the Bridge over the River.
Voated to Raise Seven Hundred and Forty Dollars for Rum that was expended in Raising the Bridge.
These sums seem almost fabulous, but they dwindle to very small ones when we remember the almost worthless- ness of the paper money. In 1775 it required 104 pounds of paper money to pay 100 pounds in silver. Money constant- ly depreciated until this month of June, 1780, when it re quired 5,700 pounds of paper money to pay for 100 pounds of silver. In 1781, one year later, it required 12,000 pounds of paper money to pay for 100 pounds in silver.
The bridge was built across the river a little westerly of the present stone bridge. An abutment of stone was built in the middle of the river; stone piers were also built at each end; upon these rested long "stringers," made of heavy pine, which was then so abundant.
82
HISTORY OF HENNIKER.
Extraordinary demands being made upon the town for more men and money, further work upon the bridge was post- poned until 1782, when the bridge was planked with plank which were sawed by Edwards at his mill, situated on the north side of the road just across the bridge, above the house of George E. Barnes. The bridge was finished with what used to be called "figures ;"-these were posts set upon each side at regular intervals, to which the railing of the bridge was bolted. The bridge was a wonder and a curios- ity, and people travelling went out of their way often to cross it, that they might say they had crossed the new bridge.
In 1789 the bridge was repaired, it having been injured by a freshet in the spring.
In 1790 the bridge was considered unsafe for travel, and the town voted to build it over, contract the job, and pay for it in grain. Rye was taken at four shillings and corn at five shillings per bushel, and Timothy Gibson, Capt. Campbell, and Moses Connor were chosen a committee to finish the bridge. It was also voted that those who did not pay in grain should pay cash.
It was again partially rebuilt and repaired in 1811. David Campbell, Abel Connor, and Phinehas Campbell were cho- sen a committee to make the necessary repairs.
In the spring of 1818, this bridge was swept away by a freshet, the middle pier knocked down, and the south abut- ment seriously damaged. At a meeting held immediately after, the town voted to " build a new Pier in the river, a new south abutment, and put on a new Bridge," which was done, the bridge being similar to the others that had been carried away. The committee to superintend the work were Samuel Eastman, Abel Baker, and Abel Connor.
With repairs at different times this bridge stood until 1835, when it was again swept away, and the present stone bridge was built.
83
VOTES PASSED DURING THE WAR.
At a meeting of the town, held in the barn of Jason Kemp, July 2, 1781,-
Voted to Raise sixty pounds in hard money to pay the Sol- gers.
Voted that Those that Chose it may Pay their rates in Grane at five and three pence per Bushel To Be Paid By the four- teenth of October.
Voted to Raise one hundred and eighty Pounds Lawful To Pay for the Beef for the army.
At a meeting held in the same place, Sept. 19, 1781,-
Voted to Raise Money To Procure the Rum to be Purchased By this Town.
Voted to Raise forty-six Dollars and an half To Purchase said Rum.
A good many votes were passed near the close of the war in regard to those who had moved into town during the war, to devise some means by which they should be required to pay a sum sufficient to make them equal with those who lived in town at its commencement. This was finally ad- justed by their paying their equal share of the expenses of the war, and assuming their share of the debt of the town.
At a legal meeting, held Jan. 21, 1782, the acceptance or rejection of the plan of government that had been formed at Concord, for the state, was voted upon.
Voted against their Being But 50 members in the house of Representatives.
Voted that every man of Lawful age Being an Inhabitant and a Free holder Shall Be a Voter in All Town Meetings.
Voted That every town of one hundred families Shall have the Liberty of Chosing their melitia offercers.
The votes given in these pages are only examples of a large number that were passed during the war. The people were sorely puzzled at times as to what course to pursue. What seemed best at one time soon proved to be the wrong thing, and out of this continual anxiety to do what was for the
84
HISTORY OF HENNIKER.
best, grew the fact that so many different votes were passed and then reconsidered. With so many calls for men, the large number that were almost continually in the service, to- gether with the almost worthlessness of the paper money, and the large amount of grain they were required to furnish, it is a wonder amounting almost to a miracle that they car- ried the town so safely through the war, and caused it to take so high a position for the patriotism and energy dis- played in those terrible scenes it was called to pass through.
In the meantime, all the meetings, both religious and business, were held in different houses, and in mild weather in barns and in the open air. At a meeting held Sept. 23, 1783,-
Voted To Chuse A Man To Tune the Psalm in Public Exer- cises. Chose Sam1 Mansfield.
At a meeting held April 28, 1783, a committee was chos- en, with instructions to employ a surveyor, and find the cen- tre of the town, " that decision to stand as such."
At a meeting held Oct. 28, 1783,-
Voted to clear fourteen acers on the Senter Lot on the Plane Neare the North end of said Lot.
At the same meeting it was voted to build a meeting- house, and then
Voted to Build the Meeting House 60 feet Long and 45 feet wide and Pourches at each end of it.
Chose Cap How, Cap Bowman, Moses Connor, Lt Robert Wallace, Timº Gibson, Esq. Deac. Harthorn, Lt Campbell to Consult on what Measures Best To Build the Meeting House and Make a report hereafter To the Town.
Chose Elijah Rice, Moses Connor, John Smith A Commity To procure Shingles for the Meeting House, the Shingles are not to Be more than fifteen inches Long.
Voted that the Committy Consisting of seven, have the whole Care of the Senter Lot and Procure Slitwork for the Meeting House.
85
NEW MEETING-HOUSE.
Another meeting was immediately held, at which these votes were all reconsidered, and a committee of three cho- sen to select a place upon which to build a meeting-house, who made their report at a meeting of the town held Oct. 27, 1783, as follows :
Henniker October ye 27th 1783.
We the Subscribers Being Chosen By the Town of Henniker A Commity To Examine and agree Where a Meeting house Should Be Set To Commode the sd Town of Henniker we have this Day accordingly Met & Examined all curcumstances which was in our power and we Beg Leave to reporte that it is our oppinnion that it is the Best Place To Set said Meeting House To Commode Said Town in Neare the North end of said Sen- ter Lot on the Plane where it was told us they held their Last Town meeting By Adjournment which is our sollom oppinnion. Stevens Harriman, Francis Davis, Sam1 Philbrick, Committy.
There was a difference of opinion as to the place where the new meeting-house should be placed. Some were in favor of building it near the spot occupied by the log meet- ing-house ; others were in favor of the Centre lot. To pre- vent ill feelings, the whole matter was finally left to a com- mittee of three, residents of Warner, and the above is the report of this committee.
This report, though accepted by the town as a final set- tlement of the vexed question at that time, was, at a meeting held Feb. 17, 1784, set aside, and the town voted not to con- firm it. At the same meeting,-
Voted To Build the Meeting House 50 feet long and 40 wide.
This vote was soon after reconsidered, and no farther ac- tion was taken until Jan. 9, 1786, when the town
Voted to Build a Meeting House.
The meeting then adjourned for two days, and when met,-
86
HISTORY OF HENNIKER.
Voted To Let out the Meeting House frame by the Job ready for Raiseing.
Voted to have three for a Committee to let out the Meeting House frame.
Voted to have Cap Bowman, Lt David Campbell, Joseph Gibson for this Committee.
Voted that the Committee Let out the Meeting House frame By Publick Vendue.
The frame was let, and at a meeting held Aug. 30, 1786,-
Voted To Make an addition to the Meeting House five feet in length and to allow twelve dollars for it.
Voted that the Committee Chose to Let out the Meeting house Stand in the Place Still and raise the Meeting house and Provide for raising.
Voted to add Deac. Harthorn and Moses Connor to the Com- mittee.
Voted to Provide three Barrels of Rum to raise the Meeting house with.
The house was raised in three days, men being employed by the committee for the purpose. Nothing was done save raising the frame, until March 5, 1787, when the town
Voted to Board and Shingle and underpin and Lay the floor and Make the Doors to the Meeting house this season.
At this meeting the town voted to pay the men who as- sisted in the raising of the house, and for providing for those who executed the task. Among other items paid for,-
Voted Gideon Adams 1£-4s. for Sugar.
Voted Sam Kimball 5£-15s. for Beef.
Voted Dr. Hunter 12£-5s .- I 2-4P. for 93 Gallons and quarter of Rum and three Barrels.
The work upon the building was pushed forward with due diligence, and the first meeting held in it was on Nov. 14, 1787, for the purpose of choosing a grand and a petit jury. There were as yet no pews in the building, but meetings of various kinds soon began to be held in it, seats being im- provised by placing rough boards upon blocks of wood.
87
NEW MEETING-HOUSE.
At a meeting of the town, held in the new meeting-house March 31, 1788, the town
Voted to sell the Pew ground in the meeting house to finish it.
A committee was chosen to mark off the pews, and make a report in the May following. This committee made a re- port May 26, 1788, and the town voted that the alley at each end of the meeting-house should be three feet wide, and to lay the floor upon which to build the pews, and that they should be sold in June following. The terms for the sale of the pews were, one quarter in three months, and the other three quarters in three months each.
The town also chose a committee to clear some land above the meeting-house, for as yet it was a forest from the river up to the old burial-ground on the Connor hill. The committee were instructed to clear a piece from the meet- ing-house up to the burying-ground ; also to clear a piece east of the meeting-house. The purchasers had the privi- lege of paying one quarter of the value of their pews in neat stock at cash prices.
At the same meeting all of these votes were reconsidered, and the town voted to see the pews built. They also voted to give Rev. Mr. Rice a pew for himself and his heirs, but it was not transferable. The town also voted that the num- ber of the pew, the price paid for the same, and the name of the purchaser, should be recorded in the town records. No such record can be found. They sold for good prices, for in 1798 Timothy Gibson sold the "right hand Pew at the front door" to Benjamin Jacobs for sixty dollars.
At the annual meeting in March, 1801, Jonas Bowman, Thomas Brown, and Phinehas Campbell were chosen a com- mittee "to see that the Meeting House was underpined with hewn Stone, handsomely and decently," and liberty was giv- en persons who wished to build sheds near the meeting- house under the direction of the selectmen.
88
HISTORY OF HENNIKER.
This house was erected in the most fashionable and ap- proved style of those early days. It was built high-posted, with a gallery running around both ends and one side, the first step of which was finished with " bench seats," which, after a while, were occupied by the singers. The second step was finished with pews like the ground floor of the building. The pews above and below were square, with the seats on hinges, so that the same might be turned up dur- ing prayer, when the whole congregation remained stand- ing. An aisle led around the body of the house inside of the first tier of pews ; another aisle passed through the cen- tre of the house. A porch was at each end, provided with doors for admission, and the stairways leading to the gal- leries commenced in them. The pulpit was placed midway the building, on the north side.
In front of the pulpit, and as the ascent to it began, were the "deacons' seats," elevated like the pews. In this narrow slip usually sat the two venerable deacons. Back of the dea- cons' seats, and some twelve inches higher, were the "ruling elders' seats," being larger than the deacons' seats, and nearly square. These were usually occupied by the "ruling elders " of the society. They were immediately in front of and adjoining the pulpit, over which hung the " sounding- board," made in imitation of a bell, though cased up entire- ly. This was made of thin boards, and was suspended by a rod passing through a beam overhead, fastened by an iron nut. It was thought to be of great use in assisting the speaker beneath it in being heard plainer-an opinion not very generally concurred in. Its greatest purpose seemed to be to serve as an object upon which to rivet the eyes of the younger portion of the congregation, upon the Sabbath, who expected every moment to see it come tumbling down upon the head of the devoted preacher beneath it.
The pews were finished with little wooden pins, turned quite neatly, and enclosed in an upper and lower board. The stillness of the service was often broken by the creak-
89
MEETING-HOUSE.
ing of these pins, as the little folks, weary with sitting so still, turned them round and round.
The hour-glass was used upon the preacher's desk for many years in this house, and very often it ran down,-was turned up, and nearly ran down again,-before the discourse was ended. Around the pulpit, and near the top, innumer- able little blocks, one inch in length, were glued to the main work ; similar blocks, but larger, were, in the same manner, fastened around the galleries, for finish. At the end of the gallery, on each side, and on the first step, a little square pew was finished, in which the colored people usually sat during worship. This house was occupied, more or less, upon the Sabbath, for nearly half a century.
Ephraim Goss and Jacob Patterson drew the logs "by the job," from which to hew the frame and saw the lumber. The latter was sawed at a mill which was occupied and owned by Daniel Kimball, and stood near the present site of Mr. Gutterson's mill. Mr. Goss laid all the plastering of the house. The iron "scroll-work " over the sounding- board was made by David Clough, who was a blacksmith, and a prominent man of the town.
7
CHAPTER VII.
SHAKERS-COURT-HOUSE-FIRST ELECTION FOR PRESI- DENT-VOTE UPON AMENDMENTS-FIRST INVENTORY RECORDED-MAP OF THE TOWN-POUNDS-POST GUIDES -FIRE AT PORTSMOUTH-THIEVING-SALE OF LAND FOR TAXES-NEW COUNTY-VOTES OF THE TOWN-ED- UCATION OF THOMAS BROWN, DEAF MUTE-TOWN'S POOR-INTOXICATING LIQUORS.
N the summer of 1784 a few persons came into town who called themselves "Shakers." They camped in the south-east part of the town, with a view, it was said, of purchasing a large tract of land, if possible, on Noyes hill, upon which to establish one or more "families," as they styled their numbers living together. They were described as innocent, honest people; but their manner of living in families together, and their mode of worship, were so entire- ly different from anything the early settlers had seen or heard of, that they were closely watched. Land was refused them upon which to settle, and, finally, a determination was manifested to drive them from the town. At a meeting, held Sept. 21, 1784, the town
Voted To Due something relative To those People Called Shakering Quakers.
Voted to Chosse a Commity to take care of the Shakering Quakers.
Chose Cap How, James Wallace, Elisha Barnes, John Good- enow, Sam1 Kimball for the Commity.
Voted that any person not being Town Resident Shall have no Residence in this Town of the Denomination of Shakering Quakers.
91
FIRST ELECTION FOR PRESIDENT.
Voted that we will not have any Dealings with the Shakering Quakers Living in this town.
Voted that they shall not strool about the Town without giv- ing an account to the Commity if Called on Tue.
These people left town soon after this meeting was held, and nevermore returned. Perhaps the town lost a valu- able acquisition to its population, for this class of people, wherever they have settled, have maintained the reputation of being an honest, industrious, and thrifty people. They contemplated the purchase of the entire land on Noyes hill.
COURT-HOUSE.
In 1791, Hillsborough county, in which this town was classed, was divided into two " half-shires." Amherst had, as yet, been the county seat. The people residing in the north part of the county were desirous of having a shire town in this part of the county, and the people of this town had an eye to the location of the new court-house in this town. In 1792 a county committee was chosen to decide upon the shire town for the north part of the county. This town chose, as a committee to confer with the county com- mittee, Timothy Gibson, Jonas Bowman, and William Wal- lace. These three were all able men, and enjoyed the confidence of the town to its fullest extent. They met the committee, together with committees from other towns. The eastern part of the county desired Concord for the lo- cation ; the western part, Henniker. As a compromise be- tween the two, Hopkinton was selected, and the business was done there for a large number of years. This town, at that time, contained some of the ablest men in the county, and many of them were known throughout the state as among its most reliable and intelligent citizens.
FIRST ELECTION FOR PRESIDENT.
At a meeting held Dec. 15, 1788, the town voted for the first time for electors of president and vice-president, and
92
HISTORY OF HENNIKER.
for members of congress. There were 131 votes for the electors, of which the electors favorable to the election of George Washington received 19 votes ; all others, 10.
VOTE UPON AMENDMENTS.
May 7, 1792, a meeting was held to vote upon the amend- ments to the state constitution, which had been recommend- ed by a state convention held at Concord the winter pre- vious, of which Judge Robert Wallace was the delegate from this town.
Seventy-two amendments were proposed. But little in- terest was manifested in the matter, the highest vote cast being only twenty-one, and the smallest two. Forty of the amendments were accepted, twenty-five rejected, and the remainder a tie vote.
FIRST INVENTORY RECORDED.
In 1800 the first record of the inventory was made upon the town records. The taxes this year amounted to $1,369.32. Capt. Aaron Adams paid the highest tax, his being $39.97 ; Major Robert Wallace the next highest, $17.72. There were 251 taxable persons in town. At this time, pounds, shillings, and pence were done away with, and dollars and cents made their appearance.
MAP OF THE TOWN.
At the annual meeting in 1805, the town, in compliance with an act of the legislature of the year previous, author- izing the different towns of the state to have a survey and an accurate map made of each town,-
Voted to allow William Wallace Esq, ten dollars as a full compensation for taking an accurate survey of the town of Hen- niker, and making out a map of the same, said map to be fur- nished seasonably, so that the selectmen may forward the same to the Secretary of State agreeably to the provisions of the Act.
93
POST GUIDES.
Mr. Wallace obligated himself to furnish the map by the time specified, or himself pay any fine that the town might be subjected to, in consequence of any failure upon his part in executing the business. He made an accurate survey, and completed the map, which is now in the secretary of state's office at Concord.
By this survey, the town was found to be 2,152 rods in length upon its east and west lines, and 2,013 rods upon its north and south lines ; or seven sixteenths of a mile longer from north to south than from east to west. The whole number of acres of land and water is 26,4962.
POUNDS.
The first pound, or enclosure in which to put estrays, was built near the log meeting-house, and was used a large num- ber of years. Attempts had been made to build one near the old burial-ground, on the Connor hill, and near where is now the south end of the stone bridge. The town, at a meeting held in the fall of 1808, voted to build a new pound, of stone. A committee of three was chosen to locate and build the same. The spot selected was near the present residence of H. A. Rice. There the pound was built during that season, and it has been in use ever since.
POST GUIDES.
At this same meeting the selectmen were authorized " to erect as many Post Guides as they may think proper." This was the first commencement of placing "guide-boards " or "finger-marks" at the corners where two or more roads met. They were built under an act of the legislature, re- questing the towns to do the same. "Post-guides " were placed in different parts of the town, and have ever since been used, more or less, of different patterns and descriptions. One was placed on the Connor hill at the intersection of the roads, upon the post of which "Intentions of Marriage"
94
HISTORY OF HENNIKER.
were posted for years, under a requirement of the law for so doing. It was required to remain upon the post for the space of three weeks, and a fine was imposed for disturbing the same.
FIRE AT PORTSMOUTH.
Near the close of the year 1813, a terrible conflagration occurred at Portsmouth, this state, destroying over four hundred buildings. So intense was the fire that it was said the reflection of the light from the clouds was visible as far as the westerly side of this state, and even into Vermont. It was plainly visible from this town. Large contributions were sent to the sufferers from all quarters. This town, with its accustomed generosity, contributed very liberally, through its leading citizens and many others. The follow- ing letter will best express the action of the people of this town :
Portsmouth Feby 21st 1814.
The Committee appointed to receive & distribute donations, have received of the Hon. Joshua Darling, Two hundred and Sixty one dollars, sixty eight cents, for the relief of the sufferers by the late fire in this town.
For this highly liberal act of truly Christian benevolence, we present, in behalf of the distressed, our grateful thanks and ac- knowledgements to the generous donors with our assurances that in the distribution thereof, it shall be our endeavor to pro- mote the charitable purpose for which it was bestowed.
John Goddard, In behalf of the Committee.
THIEVING.
A meeting was called Sept. 29, 1815, to see what method the town would take to put a stop to thieving, which had become so prevalent as to seriously injure the good name of the town, and to cause a good deal of anxiety upon the part of the better portion of the people. At this meeting the following resolutions were adopted :
Resolved, that the Inhabitants of the town of Henniker have witnessed with extreme regret, The precarious, Wicked and
95
NEW COUNTY.
highly Criminal offense of horse stealing, which to the great in- jury of many of its citizens, has lately increased to an alarming degree.
Resolved, that the Town most pointedly disapproves of such flagitious, and criminal practices. That they will use their in- dividual, and associate exertions for the purpose of detecting and punishing such offences as the law directs.
The determination of the people, as expressed in these resolutions, deterred criminals from any further depreda- tions, and the town soon settled into its former quiet.
SALE OF LAND FOR TAXES.
More or less land had been sold for taxes every year. We give an instance of the manner in which it was done. In 1817, Abel Connor was collector of taxes, who discharged his duty not only that year, but all others, very promptly. He gave notice that upon such a day, unless payment should be made, "he would sell at the store of Mr. Asa Kimball, on the fourth day of June next, at ten o'clock in the fore- noon, Moses Emerson's Land (Non Resident) in Lot No. 4, Range 12, consisting of fifty acres, upon which were levied, State Tax 22 cts; County Tax II cts; Town Tax 69 cts ; Highway Tax 1.04 cts." The auction was held at the time and place aforesaid, and the property offered for sale and sold. The taxes amounted to $2.48, and the costs to $8.87. To make this transaction valid, it was necessary to prove that the requisite notice had been given according to the law. The following certificate was the proof :
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.