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 24
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 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71
Thereupon the sheriff issued the following advertise- ments :
"Four Hundred Dollars Reward To Any Person or Persons that Brings Samuel King of Chesterfield to Exiter in the State of Newhampshirere Confine Him in Gaol, or Have Him the said King Before the Committee of Safety of sd State; As said Sam1 King was taken Prisoner By
267
THE NEW HAMPSHIRE GRANTS.
Vertue of a Warrant to the Subscriber Derected & Con- ducted under a Proper Guard Twenty Miles, sd King at the Town of Keen By a Number of Men Armed wh Clubs, Sword & Staves wh Captains Farebanks, Davis, Pratt, Pomeroy & Harvey of Chesterfield at their Head & Capt Carlil of Westmoreland wh a Small Partie which Parties on the Morning of the first Day of Jan. 1782 By Violance Ressque the said Samuel King Prisoner from
Robert Smith, Special Sherif."
"Mr. Ephraim Witherell-Sr if Possable Aprehend the Bodies of Isaac Grisold & Mosas Smith & them Bring Before the Committee of Safety at Exeter & you shall Have an Adequit Reward from
Robt Smith Special Jonathan Martin/ Shirivs." "A Copie"
The same parties that rescued King at Keene returned to Chesterfield that evening, Jan. 1, 1782, and after the usual refreshment at King's house, after their long, cold ride, went to the houses of those who were friendly to New Hampshire, maltreated them, and drove some families from their homes on that severe winter night. At mid- night Capt. Joseph Burt of Westmoreland, to whom some of the victims had fled, wrote to President Weare, giving an account of the behavior of the mob. He closed his letter thus :
"N. B. You will Excuse the wrighting Being Calld out of Bed in a Coald Night."
The next day, Gen. Bellows wrote from Walpole a similar account of the same mob, stating, among other things, that "Upon the return of the Mob, after proper refreshment at said Kings they sought for all those Per- sons, who were any way concerned in assisting the afore- said officer, some of which they got into their hands and have abused in a shameful and barbarous manner by Striking, Kicking, and all the indignities which such a Hellish pack can be Guilty of, obliging them to promise and engage never to appear against the new State again; and this is not all; they sware they will extirpate all the adherents to New Hampshire, threatening to Kill, Burn and Distroy the Persons and Properties of all who oppose them; " etc.
On the 8th of January, the legislature ordered that an
268
HISTORY OF KEENE.
armed force of 1,000 men, including officers, be immediately raised and sent into the western part of the state "for the defence and protection of the Inhabitants there, and to enable the civil officers to exercise their authority in that Quarter." The men were to be raised by draft, chiefly from the eastern parts of the state, to be organized in two regi- ments, and the committee of safety expected Cheshire county to furnish 100,000 pounds of beef for the commis- sary department.
On the 11th of May, Gen. Sullivan was appointed to command those forces. The situation had become very grave; but more moderate counsels prevailed, and the necessity for calling out the troops was avoided.
In December, Gov. Chittenden had written Gen. Wash- ington, stating the condition of affairs in Vermont. Gen. Washington replied on the 1st of January, saying that Vermont had only to confine herself within her own orig- inal limits, laying no claim to the territory of other states, to insure the acknowledgment of her independence, a reso- lution looking to such action having already passed con- gress. Knowledge of that communication soon reached Exeter, supported by other communications of like import from members of congress and others, and the trend of events turned towards a peaceful solution of the difficulties. Both sheriffs were set at liberty, Col. Hale by the Ver- mont government, and Dr. Page by that of New Hamp- shire.
But the determination of the authorities to settle peace- fully was not yet generally known, and a few days after his release Sheriff Hale arrested Benjamin Giles and took him to Charlestown for commitment, but Giles' friends of the other party rallied and rescued him. With a pretended Vermont deputy they arrested Hale and threatened to commit him to the jail at Bennington. Instead of that, however, they took him in a ludicrous way to Walpole and set him at liberty. From there he wrote a report of what had taken place to President Weare, and proceeded on his way to his home in Rindge.
On the 11th of February, 1782, Gov. Chittenden laid the letter of Gen. Washington before the Vermont legislature,
.
269
THE NEW HAMPSHIRE GRANTS.
then in session at Bennington. It was considered in com- mittee of the whole, which reported that the resolution of congress, guaranteeing to the states of New York and New Hampshire certain limits, had determined the bound- aries of Vermont. That report was accepted and adopted by the house; and on motion of Mr. Ezra Stiles, of Keene, it was then resolved "that this House do judge the Articles of Union (between the New Hampshire towns and Vermont) completely dissolved."
Thus ended a long controversy concerning the New Hampshire Grants-a controversy into which Keene was unavoidably drawn, and in which she bore no inconspic- uous part-and the towns on the east side of the Connec- ticut returned to their allegiance to New Hampshire. But for a long time the fires of that feud smouldered, and the passions it had roused rankled in the breasts of the active men in both parties. Some cases growing out of it had been entered in the courts and still remained to be adjudicated.
"In September, when the Inferior Court acting under the authority of New Hampshire assembled at Keene, a mob, headed by Capt. Samuel Davis of Chesterfield, and composed of persons favorable to a union with Vermont, assembled for the purpose of preventing the court from transacting business. As disturbances were expected, a large number of the opposite party came into the village. At the opening of the court, Davis, followed by his party, entered the courthouse, went up to the clerk, laid his hand upon the docket, and declared it should not be opened. At this moment, a Mr. Fairbanks of Swanzey addressed the court, praying them to adjourn for an hour, that the people present might assemble on the common, and the strength of both parties be ascertained. The court adjourned; the two parties paraded separately, Davis at the head of one, and Fairbanks of the other. The former being much the smaller, their courage failed, and the court proceeded in their business without further molestation.
"Davis and several others were arrested, by a warrant from the court, and gave bonds to appear at the next term of the Superior Court, and to keep the peace. He then went out and addressed his followers, advising them to be cool and orderly, as the most likely mode of obtain- ing their object. When the Superior Court assembled, an attempt was also made to prevent it from proceeding to
270
HISTORY OF KEENE.
business, which entirely failed. Davis and two others were indicted, 'for that they, with others, committed an assault upon the Justices of the Inferior Court and their clerk, and compelled them to desist from executing the lawful busi- ness thereof.' They pleaded guilty, and threw themselves upon the mercy of the court, who, 'having taken matters into consideration, forgave them, and ordered them to be discharged.' At the same term, Robert Wier was indicted, for that he, at said time, at Keene, to encourage the riot- ers, did openly and publicly, with a loud voice, in the English language, speak the following words, viz :- 'Col. Ashley (meaning the first Justice of said Inferior Court) is for arbitrary power, and arbitrary power he shall have; damn the Court and their authority.' He also pleaded guilty, was forgiven and discharged."
(Annals, page 64.)
It was the custom at that time for the judges and officers of the higher courts to travel from one shire town to another on horseback, carrying their documents in their capacious saddlebags. Gen. John Sullivan was then attor- ney general of the state. In October of this year, 1782, as the judges, accompanied by Sullivan, approached Keene to hold a term of the superior court, at which were to be tried some of the cases referred to above, they were informed that the town was full of people determined to compel them to adjourn without trying any cases. The cavalcade halted in a small wood for consultation. Sulli- van had his servant with him, carrying his portmanteau, which contained his major general's uniform. He put it on, mounted his powerful grey horse and conducted the court into town. Some of the inhabitants who were loyal to New Hampshire came out on horseback to meet them, and he ordered them to form in double file in rear of the court. Arthur Livermore, then a youth of sixteen, acted as his volunteer aid.
The courthouse was surrounded by a crowd of men, some of them armed. They gave way as the court entered, but were sullen, and determined not to allow the transac- tion of business. The judges took their seats, the court was opened in due form, and the crowd rushed in and filled the house.
Sullivan was a man of fine personal appearance, digni- fied and commanding, and he stood by the clerk's desk,
271
THE NEW HAMPSHIRE GRANTS.
calmly but resolutely surveying the crowd, recognizing here and there an officer or soldier who had fought under him and returning their salutes. Then, with the greatest composure, he took off his cocked hat and laid it on the table, unbuckled his sword and laid it beside the hat. There was a stir in the crowd and he quickly buckled on his sword and half drew the blade. Then he deliberately replaced it on the table. He then addressed the assembly, rebuking them for attempting to interfere with the pro- ceedings of the court. A cry arose: "The petition! The petition !" and a committee stepped forward with a huge roll. Sullivan told them that if they had anything to offer the court he would lay it before them. He took the peti- tion, looked it over and presented it to the court, recom- mending it to their honors' careful consideration, and it was read by the clerk. He then directed the crowd to withdraw. Some hesitancy on their part drew forth a stern command, which was reluctantly obeyed. The next morning, the court opened with the house full of people. Sullivan, now in citizen's dress, in a graceful and dignified speech, told them that the court, finding they could not go through the heavy civil docket in the time allowed for this county, would continue all cases in which either party was not ready for trial. This announcement satisfied them, and they withdrew with shouts of "Hurrah for Gen. Sullivan."
In effect the mob thus carried their point-that of postponing the transaction of business-and doubtless the presence of the attorney general prevented violence and preserved the dignity of the court. Young Livermore said afterwards: "I thought if I could only look and talk like that man I should want nothing higher or better in this world." 1
1 From T. C. Amory's Life of Gen. Sullivan. The story as told by Daniel Webster was taken from the Life of Governor Plumer, Mcclintock's History of New Hampshire, page 409.
.
-
.
CHAPTER XI. TOWN AFFAIRS. 1784-1800.
Under the temporary state constitution for carrying on the war, 1776 to 1784, Meshech Weare had been elected president each year, and at the annual election under the new constitution in 1784, he was chosen "Pres- ident" of New Hampshire; but Keene cast sixty-two votes out of sixty-five for John Langdon.
. The town "voted to Let out the Brickyard to the highest Bidder;" and to "build a Bridge over the East Branch on the Road Leading from Joseph Willsons to malborough provided that the owners of the Land Liv- ing on said Road will be at the charge of and make the Road good from the End of Beach Hill to said Branch by raising a Dam or Casway on said Road so as to make it passable in high water so as to confine the water to the channel so that the Road be not Damaged thereby." This was the bridge which the selectmen had petitioned for a lottery to build, six years before.
In a vote at this meeting to redistrict the schools, mention is made of "East Beach Hill;" "West Beach Hill" (Daniel's hill, or West mountain); of "Jesse Clark's mill brook" (Black brook, and White brook conducted into it) supplying the mill lately owned by Joseph Wilson at West Keene; "Adin Holbrook's mill brook" ("White Brook." Ebenezer Robbins succeeded Holbrook in 1795); of John Conoly as living on the Colony homestead, West Keene, and John Swan near him; and "voted also that all the families in the Northeast part of the Town living East of Ferry Brook so called (northeast of the farm since owned by James Wright) be a seperate school District."
"The treaty of peace with Great Britain having secured to the tories the privilege of returning to this country, to collect their debts and settle their affairs, Elijah Williams, Esq., came to Keene, for that purpose, in the beginning
.
.
·
TOWN AFFAIRS.
273
of this year. His appearance here so exasperated the zealous whigs, that they seized him and carried him before Thomas Baker, Esq., a Justice of the Peace. What were the charges against him. or whether any charges were exhibited, has not been ascertained. The Justice, perhaps with a view to protect him from outrage, ordered him to recognize for his appearance at the Court of Sessions, to be held at Charlestown, in April, and committed him to the custody of the sheriff. With this, the populace were not satisfied, and they discovered an intention of assault- ing and beating him; but he was surrounded and guarded to his lodgings by the old and the young men who hap- pened to be present.
"The animosity of the whigs, aggravated probably by the arts of those who were indebted to him, was, however, so great, that they determined he should not thus escape their vengeance. On the day before that appointed for the sitting of the court, a party concealed themselves in the pines near Fisher Brook, intending, when he passed with the sheriff, to get him into their power. The sheriff passed without him, relying upon the promise he had made to appear at court the next day. This circumstance excited their suspicions; they came immediately into the street, seized Williams at his lodgings, and, placing him in the midst of them, repaired to a tavern in Ash Swamp. When he arrived there, two bundles of black-beech rods were produced, from which it appeared that a plan had been concerted to compel him to run the gauntlet, with the view, probably, of inducing him, by such harsh treatment, again to leave the country. But by this time, a large number of considerate citizens had assembled and arrived at the tavern. A proposition was made, that the whole subject should be referred to a committee. A committee was appointed; their report was too favorable to Williams, to suit the majority, and was rejected. Another committee was appointed, who reported that he should leave the town the next day, and leave the State the next week. This report was agreed to; but the minority, still dissatis- fied, privately sent out messengers, to collect more of their friends. This being communicated to those who were dis- posed to protect Williams, they advised him to retire immediately. An attempt was made to prevent him from mounting a horse, which had been offered him by a friend. A conflict ensued, in which the horse was overthrown, and several persons were knocked down with clubs. He at length, however, mounted, with the assistance of his friends, and rode through the crowd, which continued to oppose_him.
274
HISTORY OF KEENE.
The next day, he repaired to Charlestown, and pre- sented himself to the court, which, thereupon, passed the following order: 'that Elijah Williams, Esq., now in the keeping of Isaac Griswold, by virtue of a mittimus from Thomas Baker, Esq., continue in the custody of the said Isaac, until he shall have transacted the business upon which he came into this part of the country, and then be permitted to leave this State, upon his good behavior, without further molestation.' After settling his affairs, Williams repaired to Nova Scotia. Shortly after, in consequence of ill health, he returned to Deerfield, his native town, died, and was buried by the side of his ancestors."
(Annals, pages 66, 67.)
In May, 1784, the town voted to repair the meeting- house, and chose a committee for that purpose; but on the 23d of November, at a legal meeting petitioned for for that purpose, it "voted to build a New meeting house provided the Town can agree upon ways and means to Defraying the charge of Building and the form and Dimensions of said house." "Leut. Hall Dea. Kingsbury Maj" Howlett Col. Ellis Benja Archer Capt. Stiles David Nims Jun™ Leut. (Reuben) Partridge and Tho" Baker Esq"" were chosen a committee to take the whole matter under con- sideration and report at the next meeting. The meeting then adjourned for four weeks, and at the adjournment, on the 21st of December, the committee reported: "That the Town build a New meeting House Seventy feet in Length and Fifty feet in Breadth with a Belfry and Steple at one End and a porch at the other agreable to the plan there- with to be exhibited." "That said house stand partly on the spot where the Old Meeting house now stands extend- ing some further north and west." "That the new house above intended be set up as early as may be in the spring of the year A. D. 1786 and finished with all convenient dis- patch." "That the Town chuse a Committee of seven judi- cious men to bargain for and receive materials for said Building, also to procure and agree with skilful persons to undertake and accomplish the labour of erecting and com- pleting the building of said house under the direction of the Town." "That the sum of three hundred pounds be
.
275.
TOWN AFFAIRS.
immediately assessed on the Inhabitants of the Town to be paid in labour and materials for the building, & that the Town be class'd into ten different classes, & that each class procure its proportion for said Building in labour, timber, boards, shingles, clapbords, and stones for underpinning : said materials to be delivered at the spot to the committee appointed to receive them, & that those persons who do not chuse thus to pay it in twelve months after said assess- ment pay their proportion to their respective constables in money." "That the town impower their last mentioned committee to make sale of the old meeting house to the best advantage and the pews in the new meeting house to be sold at public auction to the highest bidder on the first tuesday of Feby next taking security of the several pur- chasers, one quarter part made payable in one year from the sale in glass, lime, nails, oil, paint, iron or cash; the remainder on the first day of September 1786, in money or such pay as will answer to pay the workmen; and that none be allowed to bid but such persons as belong to the Town; said pews to be sold by a Committee to be appointed by the Town for that purpose."
The town voted to accept the report "and to proced in the manner & form and the ways & means pointed out by said committe for Building a New meeting house in said town."
"Chose & appointed Lieut Hall, Abijah Wilder, Thomas Baker Esq., Majr Davis Howlet, Dea. Daniel Kingsbury, Benja Archer and Lieut. Partridge the committee men- tioned "- the building committee of seven. The same com- mittee was also empowered to sell the old house, and the pews in the new one, as the report recommended.
The same meeting chose "Col Ellis Thos Baker Esq Leut Benja Hall Capt Stiles and Benjamin Balch" a committee "to Look out and provide a proper Spot of Land Where the County Goal may Stand and Report to the Town as soon as may be at this meeting." After an hour's adjournment the committee's report was accepted, which was, "to purchase one acre of Land, one half in the corner of Lieut. Hall's Field and the other half in the corner
.
276
HISTORY OF KEENE.
of Capt. Richardson's Field, both adjoining the Road and is at or near the place where the Pown (pound) now stands" (near the junction of the present Mechanic and Washington streets). A wooden jail was built there the following season, with its whipping-post in the yard, to which culprits condemned by the court to receive a certain number of lashes were tied, and the lashes laid on. The post was removed early in the next century.
The meeting adjourned to the first Tuesday in Febru- ary, 1785, when it assembled at the meetinghouse, but immediately adjourned "to the house (tavern) of Mr. Ralston," where the pews in the house to be erected were sold at auction.
The record of the sale is given below :
"PEWS ON THE FLOOR OF THE HOUSE.
No. 3
No.
S.
Daniel Newcomb, Esq.
15.
18
48. 11
Abijah Wilder,
20. 18 10 John P. Blake and
Daniel Newcomb, Esq.
17. 18
Andrew Slyfield
Benjamin Hall,
18. 18 10 ; David Nims, Jr.
8. 10 10
James Wright,
62. 17
William Woods,
11. 11 10
Thomas Baker, Jr.
19. 16 10; Benjamin Archer,
51. 10
Nathan Blake, Jr.
61.
16 10
Benjamin Hall,
49. 10
Abel Blake,
57. 15 10! Eli Metcalf,
12. 10 10
Isaac Billings,
15 10 ; Benjamin Balch,
50. 10
Josiah Richardson,
46. 34.
16
Isaac Griswold,
44. 10
Aaron Emes,
16.
15
Daniel Newcomb, Esq.
1. 10 10
Col. Timothy Ellis,
63.
15 10 | Ebenezer Day,
55.
Thomas Baker, Esq.
14. 15
Thaddeus Metcalf,
18.
Benjamin Hall, Esq.
47. 14
Ephraim Wright,
42. 10 10
Aaron Willson,
24. 14
David Wilson,
22. 10 10
Israel Houghton and!
25. 14
[ Joshua Durant, Eri Richardson,
23.
10
Alpheus Nims,
9. 14
John Dickson,
10
Davis Howlet,
21. 14
Samuel Bassett,
10
Isaac Blake and
27.
14
Asahel Blake,
32. 10
Royal Blake,
60. 14
Jesse Clark,
52. 10
Thomas Field,
26.
15
Hananiah Hall and) Samuel Osgood,
54.
10
Asa Dunbar, Esq.
35.
14
Josiah Willard,
6. 10
John Swan,
13 10 !Josiah Willard,
41. 10
Luther Emes,
13 10: John Stiles,
4. 10 10
Jotham Metcalf,
28. 13 10 Joseph Brown,
39. 10
Daniel Kingsbury,
56.
13 10 ; Bartholomew Dwinell)
5. 10
Reuben Partridge,
31.
12 10 and John Stiles,
John Houghton,
30.
12
Daniel Wilson,
38. 10
Cornelius Sturtevant,
45.
12 ! Dan Guild, 2. 10
Elijah Dunbar,
10. 12
Simeon Clark,
37. 12 10
Abraham Wheeler, Jun.
3. 11 10 Josiah Willard,
40. 10
64. 10
Elisha Briggs,
43. 7.
Joseph Blake,
David Foster,
53. 10
Alexander Ralston,
33. 59. 36.
14
s. Eliphalet Briggs,
29. 10
:
277
TOWN AFFAIRS.
PEWS IN THE GALLERY.
No. 3
s.
No.
£ s.
Thomas Baker, Jr.
13. 9 10 Daniel Kingsbury,
19.
6 05
Stephen Chase,
16. 8 10 Eliphalet Briggs,
21.
6
Benjamin Kemp,
10. 9 10 Elisha Briggs,
7. 5 10
Ebenezer Robbins,
S
17. 7 10
Millet Ellis,
22.
4 10
Elisha Briggs,
15. 7 10 Daniel Newcomb, Esq.
18.
7
Eliakim Nims,
11. 7 10 Elisha Briggs,
25.
4 05
Daniel Newcomb, Esq.
8.
7 Abijah Wilder,
24.
9
Elisha Briggs,
12. 6 10 Reuben Partridge,
5.
4 05
Benjamin Willis, Jr. 20. 6 15 Thomas Field,
4. 4 10
Isaac Billings,
6. 6 15 Alexander M'Daniels, 2. 4 05
Elisha Briggs,
14. 6 15 | Eliphalet Briggs,
3.
4 05
Asa Ware and \
23.
6 10
Timothy Balch,
1.
5
Jonas Osgood,
The pews on the floor, (63,) sold for 789 pounds ; those in the gallery, (25,) for 60 pounds; the whole num- ber for 849 pounds,-about $3,000."
(Annals, page 69.)
That meeting was kept alive by adjournments, and on the 21st of June, it "voted to set the new meeting house on the Spot where the Committee have laid the foundation any former vote to the contrary notwithstanding." That spot was a short distance north of the site of the old meet- inghouse-which had been designated by the town at the meeting in November-adjourned to December 21, as the place for the new one, "extending some further north and west."
"When erected its length was East and West, and it fronted the South, its North side being 70 feet South of its present South end. In 1828, it was moved to where it now stands, on the North side of the common, its front being changed."
(Annals, page 70.)
At the annual election, John Langdon was chosen presi- dent of the state for the first time, Keene giving him sixty out of sixty-eight votes.
In August, the governor and council appointed Thomas Baker of Keene a special justice of the court of common pleas for Cheshire county, and Luther Eames of Keene, coroner.
Dr. Jacob Pease was one of the physicians in town at this time, and his young wife, Experience, twenty-one years old, daughter of Ichabod Fisher, died on the 4th of July, after the birth of a daughter in June.
A town meeting in January, 1786, Chose Capt. Jeremiah
.
.
Timothy Balch and)
Nathaniel French, 9.
5
278
HISTORY OF KEENE.
Stiles, Lieut. Benj. Hall, Capt. John Houghton, Col. Timo- thy Ellis and Maj. Davis Howlett, a committee to take an account of all the "Services Done by the Town During the Late War that the Same may be sent to the committe on claims in Said State." Many claims of the town against the state had already been adjusted, but no record relat- ing to this final claim has been found.
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.