USA > New Hampshire > Cheshire County > Keene > History of the town of Keene, from 1732, when the township was granted by Massachusetts, to 1874, when it became a city > Part 10
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105
THE NEW HAMPSHIRE CHARTER.
Grace Certain Knowledge & mere motion for answering the Ends above said and for the Due Encouragement of Settling the Said Plantation by & with the Advice of our Trusty & wellbeloved BENNING WENTWORTH Esq our Governour & Commander in Chieff in & over our Said Prov- ince of New Hampshire in America and of our Council of our sd Province Have upon the Conditions & Reservations herein after made Given & Granted and by these Presents for us our heirs & Successors Do give & Grant unto our Loveing Subjects Inhabitants of our Said Province of New Hampshire and our Other Governments in New England And to their heirs and Assignes for ever whose names are Entered on this Grant to be Divided to & amoungst them into So many & Such Shares & Proportions as they now hold or Claim the same by Purchas Contract Vote or Agre- ment made amoungst themselves All that Tract or Parcel of Land Scituate Lying & being within our Said Province of New Hampshire Containing by admeasurement Twenty three thousend & forty Acres which Tracts is to Contain Six Miles Square & no more out of which an allowance is to be made for highways and unimprovable Land by Rocks Mountains Ponds & Rivers One thousend & forty Acres free According to a Plan thereof made & Presented by our Said Governours orders And hereunto Annexed Butted & bounded as follows- Viz-Beginning at A Beach Tree the North West Corner & Runs South Six Degrees an an half East four miles & Seventy rods to 'A Beach Tree marked Thence runs East Ten Degrees & a half South Six miles & one hundred & Eighty Rods to A heap of Stones thence runs North Seventeen degrees East Six Miles & Eighty Rods to A Tree marked being the South East Corner of Boyle thence runs West five Degrees and an half South Eight Miles & Two hundred & fifty rods to the Bounds first mentioned And that the Same be and hereby is Incorpor- ated into A Township by the name of Keene and that the Inhabitants that Do or Shall hereafter Inhabit the Said Township Are hereby Declared to be Enfranchized with and Intituled to all & every the Previledges And Immunities that Other Towns within our Said Province by Law Exer- cize & Enjoy and further that the Said Town as Soon as there Shall be fifty families Shall have the Liberty to open & keep A Market one or more Days in Each week as may be thot most Advantagious to the Inhabitants also that the first Meeting for the Choice of Town officers & other af- fairs Agreable to the Laws of our Said Province Shall be held on the first Wednesday in May next which Meeting Shall be Notifyed by M' Benjamin Bellows who is hereby Also Appointed the Moderator of the said first Meeting
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106
HISTORY OF KEENE.
which he is to Notify & Govern Agreable to the Law & Cus- tom of our Said Province And that the Annual Meeting for ever hereafter for the Choice of Such officers for the Said Town Shall be on the first Tuesday in March annually -To HAVE & TO HOLD the said Tract of Land as above Expressed together with all Previledges and Appurtenances to them or their respective heirs and assigns forever upon the follow- ing Conditions (Viz) that every Grantee his heirs & assignes Shall Plant or Cultivate five Acres of Land within the Term of five years for every fifty Acres Contained in his or their Share or Proportion of Land in the Said Township & Continue to Improve & Settle the same by Aditional Cultivations on Penalty of the forfeiture of his Grant or Share in the said Township and its reverting to his Maj- esty his heirs and Successors to be by him or them re- granted to Such of his Subjects as shall Effectually Settle & Cultivate the Same-That all white & other Pine Trees within the Said Township fit for masting 1 our Royal Navy be Carefully Preserved for that use & none to be Cutt or fell'd without his Majesties Especial Lycence for so Doing first had & obtaind upon the Penalty of the forfeiture of the right of Such Grantee his heirs or assigns to us our heirs and Successors as well as being Subject to the Pen- alty of any Act or Acts of Parliament that now are or hereafter Shall be Enacted.
That before any further Division of the Said Land be made to and amoungst the grantees A Tract of Land in the most Comodious Place the Land will admit of Shall be reserved & marked out for Town Lotts one of which shall be allotted to Each Grantee of the Contents of one Acre Yeilding & Paying therefor to us our heirs & Suc- cessors for the Space of Ten years to be Computed from the Date hereof the rent of One Ear of Indian Corn only on the first day of January next Ensueing the Date hereof -And every Proprietor Settler or Inhabitant Shall Yield & Pay unto us our heirs & Successors Yearly & Every Year for ever from & after the Expiration of the Ten years from the Date hereof Namely on the first Day of Janty which will be in the Year of our Lord Christ One thous- end seven hundred & Sixty three One Shilling Proclama- tion money for every hundred Acres he so owns Settles or Possesses and so in Proportion for a Greater or Lesser Tract of the Said Land which money shall be paid by the Respective Persons abovesaid their heirs or assignes in our Council Chamber in Portsmouth or to such officer or offi- cers as Shall be appointed to receive the Same and this to
1 The mast trees were marked by the surveyor general or his deputy, and there was a fine of 100 pounds for cutting a tree thus marked.
1
107
THE NEW HAMPSHIRE CHARTER.
be in Lieu of all other rents & services whatsoever In Wittness whereof We have Caused the Seal of Our said Province to be hereunto affixed Wittness BENNING WENT- WORTH Esq our Governour & Com'ander in Chieff of our Said Province the 11th Day of April in the year of our Lord Christ 1753 & in the 26th year of our reign-
B Wentworth
By his Excellencys Com'and with Advice of Council Theodore Atkinson Sery
Entred & recorded According to the Original under the Province Seal the 11th Day of April 1753- Theodore Atkinson Secry
The Names of the Grantees of Keene- Viz-
John Adams, Jacob Bacon, Thomas Bacon,
Stephen Blake, Nathan Blake, Obediah Blake,
Elijah Blake, Sam" Brigham, Nathan Bucknam,
John Ballard's heirs, Isaac Clark, Ebenezer Daniels,
Edward Dale, Eph™ Dorman, Sam11 Ellis,
Joseph Ellis,
Gideon Ellis, Titus Belden,
Eleazer Sanger, Benja Bellows, Joseph Fisher,
Samuel Fisher, Benja Gile, Ebenezer Forces's heirs,
Jacob Gibbs, Sarah Green, Joseph Gile's heirs,
Jeremiah Hall, Benjamin Halls' heirs, Daniel Hawse,
Nathaniel Heaton, Seth Heaton, Jabez Hill,
Daniel Kingsbury, Richard Man, Henry Messenger's heirs,
John Fairbanks, Michael Medcalfjun', Ebenezer Nims,
Joseph Peabodys heirs, David Nims, Samuel Read,
Israel Houghton, Timothy Puffer, John Richardson,
Josiah Willard,
Moses Richardson, Asa Richardson
John Rogers, Willm Smeed, Samuel Smith,
Benja Twitchell, Jona Underwood, Andrew Wilder,
Joseph Whitcome, John Whiteing, Amos Foster
David Foster, Jeremiah Halljun', Jonah French,
John French, Philemon Chandler jun', His Excellency Benning Wentworth Esq one Tract of Land of the Con- tents of five hundred Acres One Sixty forth Parte of the Said Tract for the Incorporated Society for the Propaga- tion of the Gospel in foreign Parts, One Sixty forth Parte of the Said Tract for the first Settled Minister of the Gos- pel in Sd Town One Sixty forth Parte of the said Tract for A Glebe for the Church of England as by Law Estab- lished Philemon Chandler, Ebenezer Day,-
Recorded from the Back of the Charter for Keene the 11th Day of April 1753-
?? Theodore Atkinson Sery
108
HISTORY OF KEENE.
.
Beach
, Perch -
9: E. Corner of Boyley
Plan of Keene
YOURE POOT 13, LIN
East No' s" S 2100 Perch
heat of Stone
Taken from the Plan on the Back of the Charter of Keene & record the 11th April 1753 Theodore Atkinson Secry
The original charter, framed, hangs in the office of the mayor and city clerk in city hall building.
In compliance with the terms of the charter, "Mr. Benjamin Bellows" of Walpole gave the required notice, and the first town meeting was held in the fort on Wednes- day, the second day of May. The record is as follows:
"At a Legal meeting of the Proprietors and Inhab- itants of the Town of Keen Held on Wednesday the sec- ond Day of May ADom. 1753 Assembled at the Fort in sd Town: The Following votes were Passed -
"1 Choose Ephraim Dorman Michael Metcalf and Wil- liam Smeed Selectmen, 2 Choose David Nims Town Clerk Choose David Nims Town Treasurer, Choose Ebenezer Nims Constable, Choose Gideon Ellis and Isaac Clark se- veyors of the Highway, Choose Jonah French And William Barran Hog Reifes, Leut Seth Heaton and Nathan Blake Fence Veiwers, Choose John French and Samuel Hall Field Drivers. Voted that Town Meetings shall be Warned for the Future by Posting up a Notification in the most Pub- lick Place in This Town Fouteen Days before the meeting. Benjamin Bellows \ Moderator David Nims [Town Clerk."
109
THE NEW HAMPSHIRE CHARTER.
On the same day, a meeting of the proprietors was also held in the fort. The proceedings were recorded as follows :
"Province of New Hampshire.
"at a Legal Meeting of the Proprietors of the Town- ship of Keene held on the first Wednesday of May Anno Dom. 1753 according to a warrant Set up to Notify the Proprietors of said Township of Keene by Benjn Bellows which by Order of Charter was to Notify the Same Said Meeting being Held at the Fort in Said Township on the Day above Said Benj" Bellows being Moderator.
"21y Voted on the Second article and Chose Benj" Bel- lows Proprietors Clerk for the Township of Keene.
"3"y Chose Mr William Smeed Mr Isaac Clark Mr Nathan Blake Capt Jeremiah Hall and Mr David Foster to be a Committee for to see to the Survey of the Lands that have been voted to be Laid out in Said Township which is not as yet Laid out and also to See to the Running the Bounds of what has been already Laid out and approve of the same that they may be Recorded in the New Proprietors Book -"
The vote on the 4th article provided for the calling of proprietors' meetings similar to that already in force.
"5by Voted to Benjamin Bellows one Hundred and Twenty two Spanish Milled Dollars for his Service and Expence in getting the Charter of Keene.
"Voted to M' Ephraim Dorman Eight Dollars for his Service in going to Portsmouth.
"Voted to Raise one Hundred and Twenty Two Pounds old tenor for the Use of Preaching the Present year.
"Voted that they Renew all the Bounds of all the Lotts that have been Laid out in Said Township and where any Lot has not been Laid out that the Committe Chosen Lay out with a Surveyor those Lots to those men according to the Former votes of the Proprs and that the Plans of the Same be allowed of by the Committee In order to be Recorded and that every mans Land be Re- corded according to what he now holds or Claims and that Each man be at the Cost of his Land being Surveyed and Recorded.
"6"y Chose Mr Michael Metcalf Jun" Prop" Treasurer.
"7ly Chose Mr Isaac Clark Mr Obadiah Blake Mr Ephraim Dorman assessors.
"gly Voted and Chose Mr William Smeed Collector to Collect ye Dollars that was voted-voted and Chose Mr Amos Foster Collector to Collect the money Granted for the Use of Preaching the Present year.
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110
HISTORY OF KEENE.
"gly Voted to Theodore Attkinson Esq" Three Hundred acres of Land to be Laid out in the undivided Land in Sd Township to be Laid out in good Form Said Land to be Laid out by Benja Bellows Mr William Smeed and Capt Jeremiah Hall a Committee appointed to Lay it out according to the best of their Discretion.
"Also voted to Capt Jeremiah Hall Three Hundred acres of Land to be Laid out in Said Township by a Committe for his Extraordinary Cost and Trouble in Time Past he Giving a Discharge to the Proprietors for what money was Due to him from the Proprietors, Said Land to be Laid out in that Part of Land that is added on the East of the old Line by the New Charter and that Mr Nathan Blake & Mr William Smeed and Benja Bellows be a Committe to Lay out the Same then voted to Dis- miss the meeting.
Benjn Bellows moder Benj" Bellows Proprs Clerk."
"The inhabitants immediately directed their attention to the concerns of religion. As a place for public worship, they erected a building, on a green plat near the house of Aaron Appleton.1 It was built of slabs, the earth serving as a floor. And, with the inhabitants of Swanzey, they made a joint arrangement for the settlement of a pastor." (Annals, page 31.)
A second town meeting was held at the fort on the 13th of June :
"1. Choose Ephraim Dorman Moderator.
"2 made Choice of the Rev'd Mr. Carpenter for Our Minister-
"3 For Incouragement or Settlement, voted to give the Rev'd Mr. Carpenter the Sum of Fifty Pounds Silver money at Six shillings and Eaight Pence pr Ounce. - Or Equiva- lent in Our own Province Bills. 41y Voted that the Town Yearly Find Mr. Carpenter Twent Cord of Fire wood. "5ly Choose Capt Jeremiah Hall Michael Metcalf and William Smeed For a Committe to Lay the Proposal made by the Town before the Rev'd Mr. Carpenter.
Ephraim Dorman \ Moderator David Nims "Town Clerk " "Keen June 13th 1753.
At this time the inhabitants of Keene expected to sup- port a minister without assistance, but the churches of Keene and Swanzey agreed to unite and each bear half the expense.
1 Where the Roman Catholic church now stands.
111
THE NEW HAMPSHIRE CHARTER.
It appears from the records of the church in Swanzey, where Mr. Carpenter resided, that the two churches not only "covenanted together to hire preaching in connection" but that the members of each "met at the school house" in that town on the 21st of August, 1753, and "agreed to become one church." The members from Keene present at that meeting were Jeremiah Hall, David Foster, William Smeed, Nathan Blake, Joseph Ellis, Ebenezer Nims and Ebenezer Day.
The following was copied from Mr. Carpenter's own handwriting :
"The towns of Swanzey and Keene in New Hampshire (formerly stiled Lower and Upper Ashuelot) having mutually and unanimously agreed to be one Religious Society and to Worship together for the space of three years, the Towns being at Equal Expense In the support of the Gospel During the Term. * * * * The Chh also having Signed the Covenant Consequent on said agreement and become one Church The Pastoral Care of these Chh's & Towns was solemnly Committed to me on Oct. 4th 1753. *
Ezra Carpenter."
But each town had its own meetinghouse. Mr. Car- penter was permitted to choose his place of residence and he chose Swanzey.1 At the expiration of the three years the connection was continued yearly for four years more.
At the installation of Mr. Carpenter over the two churches "there were present by their elders etc., the First Church in Hingham, the Third Church in Plymouth, the Church in Kingston in the County of Plymouth, the First Church in Lancaster, the Church in Nichewong, the Church in Poquoiag (Athol), the Church in Deerfield, the Church in Sunderland, and the Church in Northfield." (Swanzey Church Records.)
, "Feb. 29, 1754,
"It was voted that the Three Deacons should be dropt, viz. Deacon Foster, Deacon Brown and Deacon Hammond and a New choice made at ye same time Mr. David Foster & Mr. Jonathan Hammond were chosen again into Sd office. It was moreover Voted that the Sacrament of ye Lords Supper be Celebrated the first Lords
1 For description of that residence see personal sketch of Rev. Ezra Car- penter.
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HISTORY OF KEENE.
Days in March, June, September and December if provision can be made & nothing Intervene to hinder it-This Method to Continue till we may see Reason to alter it."
And it was also agreed that "Six Shillings old Tenor Massachusetts Money be paid by each Communicant to support the Communon Table." (Swanzey Church Records.)
Another meeting of the proprietors, held at 10 o'clock in the forenoon on the 19th of December, 1753, chose Ben- jamin Bellows moderator, and David Foster clerk.
As above quoted from the Annals, the proprietors had provided a temporary building for worship and other public uses, and this meeting was held "at the meeting house (so called) in said Town." It was sometimes called the " Public meeting place." The committee formerly chosen to take care of the blacksmith's tools were instructed to look them up and deliver them to a committee consisting of Ebenezer Clark, William Smeed and Michael Metcalf.
On the same day at 2 o'clock in the afternoon a town meeting was held at the same place, Ephraim Dorman, moderator. That meeting "Voted to Build a meeting House Forty Five Feet Long and Thirty Five Feet wide and Twenty Two Feet Between Joints,"-and "adjourned to Wednesday the Second Day of January Next att one of the Clock in the afternoon and To meet at the Public meeting Place."
Apparently there were doubts about the legality of that meeting, for on the same day the selectmen, in writing, directed the constable-Ebenezer Nims-to "Warn the Freeholders and Inhabitance of the Town of Keene Quali- fied to vote in Town Meetings, To meet at the meeting House in sd . Keen on Wednesday the Second Day of Janu- ary Next at Three o'clock in the afternoon."
That meeting was warned and held as directed, and Capt. Jeremiah Hall was chosen moderator. But the records say it immediately "adjourned to Two of the Clock 1 in the afternoon and Then to meet at the House of Michael Metcalf." It then "Voted to The Rev'd Mr. Carpenter for a Sallary for this prest [present] year Twenty Six Pounds Silver Money at six shillings and Eaight Pence
1 Apparently adjourning backwards one hour, and leaving the meetinghouse to the other meeting which had adjourned to meet there at one o'clock the same afternoon.
113
THE NEW HAMPSHIRE CHARTER.
pr oz. or equivalent in our own Province Bills." The records of this meeting are signed :
"Jeremiah Hall) moderator David Nims Town Clerk."
The other town meeting, adjourned from the 19th of December to one o'clock of the same afternoon as the above -Jan. 2, 1754-at the "Public meeting Place"- Ephraim Dorman moderator, David Nims town clerk-"Voted to set the meeting House in the Croch of the Roads1 so called, one of the Roads Leading up the River and the other Leading over the River to ash Swamp so called-
"Voted that one Hundred Pounds in Bills of New Tenour of this Province be Raised on the Pools and Rateable Estates of this Town and Paid into the Treasury To De- fray the Charges that shall arise in the Building sd House. "Voted Michael Metcalf Ebenezer Clark Nathan Blake Isaac Clark and Dea. David Foster be a Committee to manage the affair in Building the House."
"Ephraim Dorman \ Moderator David Nims "Town Clerk." "Keen Jan 2ª 1754."
A meeting on the 28th of the same month, at the same place-Michael Metcalf, moderator-reconsidered the vote locating the meetinghouse, "upon Consideration of the Un- fittness of the Ground to set a meeting House and the Ex- posedness to Fire and to the Enemy in Case of a war," and "Voted that the meeting House be set upon the Road that goeth From the Town Street to the Mills on the Highest Ground Between the Causeway by William Smeeds and the Bridge by the Clay Pitts Near Eleazer Sangers Land Lying on sd Road."
"The mills here mentioned must have been the mills on Beaver Brook, and the road Washington-street. At this time, probably, there was no road where the East end of West-street now is. Mr. Guild states, from his own recol- lection, that the South side of the meeting-house was about on a line with the North line of West-street, as it now runs."
(Annals, page 32.)
William Smeed lived on the east side of Main street next south of the present track of the railroad, and the "causeway" was in the line of the street a little north of
1 Near where Hon. C. J. Woodward now lives.
114
HISTORY OF KEENE.
that track. The "bridge" was a little northwest of our present city hall. This "highest ground" was on a line with West and Roxbury streets as they now run, and the meetinghouse was built about where the soldiers' monu- ment now stands.
The first annual town meeting was held at the " Public meeting Place" on Tuesday, the 5th of March, 1754, as required by the charter.
Michael Metcalf was chosen moderator; David Nims, town clerk; Dea. David Foster, Ephraim Dorman, Michael Metcalf, David Nims and Nathan Blake, selectmen; and Benjamin Twitchell and William Smeed, surveyors of high- ways. William Smeed and Gideon Ellis were added to the committee to build the meetinghouse.
The fifth article in the warrant was "To se if they will Reconsider the vote pas'd at Our Last meeting Relat- ing to the Place of the setting the meeting House." Voted to dismiss the article.
The next meeting of the proprietors was opened "at the House Commonly used for a Meeting House" on the 24th of December in the same year-Michael Metcalf, moderator, and David Foster, proprietors' clerk-and adjourned to the house of Joseph Ellis.
"Upon the fourth Article Voted that those that have Lands in the Township of Keene make out their title to their Lands at or before the first Day of October which will be in the year of our Lord 1755 Unto a Comtee Chosen for that Purpose.
"Upon the Fifth article Chose Mr David Nims, Lieut Ephraim Dorman, Capt Michael Metcalf, Lieut Seth Heaton, Sergeant Eben' Nims a Comtee to See that Prop" title to Lands in this Township be Lawful and good and upon their making out a good Title to give them Liberty to have the Same Recorded in the Prop" Book of Records."
The 6th article, "to See if the Proprs will Dispose of Some of their Lands to Defray the Charge of the meeting House in sd Township," was dismissed.
Among the earliest roads opened in town was the one . now named Beaver street, laid out by the selectmen in 1754. It had been used as a highway previous to that time.
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CHAPTER IV. THE LAST FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR. 1754-1760.
The treaty of Aix la Chapelle had brought a suspen- sion of hostilities between England and France, but not permanent peace. None of the questions at issue had been settled; both nations were eagerly grasping more territory in America; their interests and their claims continued to clash, and war broke out again in 1754. Since 1749, with occasional exceptions, the returning pioneers and others who had joined them had been left in peaceful possession of their property, and the little settlements in New Hamp- shire had increased in population, others had been added to them, and all had taken on an air of thrift and pros- perity. But now the savages again threatened the frontier. Foreseeing the impending storm, the legislature took up the militia laws of the province, amended them to suit the times, and made them more stringent and effective. The old laws of 1718 and 1719 provided that "All male per- sons from 16 to 60 years of age, except Negroes and In- dians, should perform military service," and lists of all persons within the precincts of a company or troop were to be taken by the clerk of such company four times a year; that all should attend duty when listed; and heavy fines were imposed for neglect or refusal. The towns were required to "provide a stock of powder, bullets, flints and arms for their poor and renew the same from time to time;" and all the details of military service and discipline were provided for. Under the new laws, company officers were required to call out their troops or companies at least four times a year for military exercise, under a penalty of five pounds for each day's neglect. Every foot soldier fail- ing to perform his military duty was fined ten shillings for each day's neglect, and every trooper twenty shillings; and for all fines an officer could issue his warrant and make
116
HISTORY OF KEENE.
distress-attach the delinquent's property and sell at auc- tion on four days' notice.
Massachusetts offered bounties of fifty pounds for every male Indian over twelve years of age delivered at Boston, or forty pounds for every scalp of such Indian; twenty-five pounds for every female prisoner of any age and for males under twelve, and twenty pounds for every scalp of such female or boy. An act was also passed by the legislature of that province, giving to companies of "not less than thirty men scouting not less than thirty days a bounty of £220 to be paid out of the public treasury for every cap- tive delivered as aforesaid, and £200 for every scalp."
Rangers were considered the best protection for the settlements, and companies were soon formed, the most noted being those of Captain-afterwards Major-Robert Rogers, with Captains John and William Stark, all of New Hampshire. They afterwards joined the expeditions against Crown Point and Ticonderoga and did excellent service there and all through the war. They served as scouts and guides for the army, and distinguished themselves in many bloody encounters. In the last years of the war they were "the most terrible band of partizan warriors in America."1 "Inured to savage warfare they gained a con- tinental reputation," and "no colony sent better troops into the field." 2
There was a military company in Keene at that time, with a full complement of officers, but no roll of its mem- bers has been found. It was attached to the regiment of Col. Joseph Blanchard of Dunstable (Nashua) of which Josiah Willard of this town was lieutenant colonel, the same who had command of a company here in 1748.
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