USA > New Hampshire > Hillsborough County > Mason > History of the town of Mason, N. H. from the first grant in 1749, to the year 1858 > Part 12
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HISTORY OF MASON.
problem not easily solved upon any principles that should govern the conduct of men. The more sedate and substantial men of that society were not in favor of this movement. But there are, in every community, some unprofitable persons, whose moving principle of action is, to make mischief and disturbance. It is only in scenes of confusion and tumult, that they can shine. A state of peace and quiet, is for them, a state of insignificance. Although the town had voted that, "they were willing the Baptists should have their right," still, nothing further was done. They never appeared to claim it. There is no evidence that Elder Eliot or the leading men in his society took any interest or share in these movements, or that he had any desire to disturb his old neighbors and friends in the enjoyment of their rights. They never made any claim to the use of the house, or to interfere with its occupation. The effect intended was produced. The mischief was donc. The society, which, under the laws of the state, had rightfully occupied the house, at the time it was built, and which no subsequent laws had in any manner deprived of that right, finding, from this and subsequent move- ments in the same direction, that their peace and quiet were subject to constant interruption, withdrew from the house, and built one for their own accommodation, after a fruitless effort, in accordance with a vote of the town, to secure to themselves the peaceful and undisturbed occupation of the house, in pursuance of which vote they expended a large sum of money in repairing it; and thus the connection between the Congregational denomination and the town, which had existed from the earliest period of its history, was severed, and each religious denomination was left to manage its own affairs in its own way.
March 16, 1820. "Sarah Smith's clothing was allowed to be equal to what it was when Mr. Abraham Robbins took her to keep on March 19, 1819." The articles are thus minutely described : "Gowns, 1 good silk one, 5 of calico, 1 cambric, 2 gingham, and 1 woolen; Petticoats, 2 of wool, 1 cotton, 1
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MUNICIPAL HISTORY.
1821.
linen, 1 muslin, 1 tow; one good loos coat, 1 green ditto, middling good; six good shawls, 4} yds. of woolen cloath for another, and 1 linen sheet, two good cotton sheets, two calico aprons and two pairs of shoes that are not very good." One would think this was a pretty good supply of clothing for a town panper. This individual had been maintained by the town for many years, and continued to be a town charge until she died, April 19, 1754, at the age of ninety six years.
March, 1820. An order "to pay Benjamin Weatherbec, Samuel Wardsworth, Ira Hall, Joseph Saunders, Jr., Josiah Elliot, Jr., Joseph Woods, Jr., and Elijah Knapp, their bounty for enlisting," &c., in 1814. Also, a subsequent order in favor of Asa Merriam, John Boynton, Hubbard Amsden, and Elias Elliot, Jr., drafted to go to Portsmouth in 1814.
March meeting, 1821. This was in politics the "era of good feelings," indicated by the votes for governor, which were, for Samuel Bell 16, Josiah Butler 1, David L. Morrill 9, Horace Sawtell 3, Joel Tarbell 1, John Kimball 1; D. Stewart, county treasurer, 71 ; Isaac Brooks, register, 72; for revising the constitution, yeas 0, nays 71. The people did not care a fig for the governor, but the keeping of the money and of records of deeds, were matters of consequence, and these officers got a full vote. Nor would they have the constitution meddled with. At this meeting, a vote was passed to pro- hibit all horses, neat cattle, sheep and swine from going at large in the highways, and from that time the public high- ways have ceased to be used as pastures.
This year, John Blodgett, Esq., declined a re-election to the office of town clerk. He was first elected to this office in 1799, and continued in office, with few exceptions, till the present year, having served nineteen years in all. He also served as chairman of the board of selectmen during most of the same period, and as such, was charged with the duties of town treasurer, and had the oversight of the town's expen- ditures. He was a very careful, prudent and economical manager of the affairs of the town, and deserved well of the
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HISTORY OF MASON.
community, for his labors and cares in office. A vote of thanks, for his long and faithful services as an officer of the town, was offered by the Rev. Mr. Hill, and unanimously passed. His reply is recorded as follows: "My friends, accept my grateful acknowledgments for the repeated respects you have shown me for many years. May it please the Supreme Ruler to cause his blessing to rest upon this town, that the olive branch of peace may be planted and nourished in every breast; may it become like Aaron's rod, ever budding, ever blossoming, ever bringing forth the fruits of brotherly love and Christian charity, to the latest generations." He soon after removed from the town and resided in Dunstable or Tyngsborough, in Massachusetts, to , the close of his life. He died in extreme old age, having arrived to nearly if not quite one hundred years of age.
The selectmen of this year seem to have entertained and acted upon the notion, that when a town takes a pauper to maintain, they take him cum onere, with all his liabilities, and become liable therefor, in the same manner as a husband is liable for the debts of his wife contracted before marriage. April 11, 1826, is recorded an "Order to pay Aaron Warren, Esq., $3,71, in full, for a note and account he had against Elijah Morse, the town's Poor." Also, May 11, an "Order to pay Amos Herrick $5,93, in full, for a note and account he had against Elijah Morse in favor of Arrington Gibson, given to said Gibson previous to said Morse throwing himself upon the town."
July 10, 1826. A meeting was called "To see if the town will let the Baptists have the use of the meeting house a pro- portion of the time, according to their polls and estates, or to see what other measures the town will take to satisfy the Baptists with regard to their claims on said house." The town "Voted, To pass over the article."
At the annual meeting, March, 1832, the town voted to purchase a farm, on which to support the poor, and chose a committee for that purpose, consisting of Timothy Wheeler,
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MUNICIPAL HISTORY.
1832.
Jonathan Bachelder, Jr., Elisha Barrett, James Taft and John Stevens. This committee was authorized to purchase stock, farming utensils, &c., and to employ a person to take the charge thereof. The committee purchased the farm formerly owned by Zaccheus Barrett, and then owned by his son, Capt. James Barrett, being lot No. 6, range 5, on the plan. See page 32. By the report of the committee appointed to settle with the selectmen and treasurer, dated March 10, 1832, it appears that the cost of the poor farm, including, probably, repairs of and additions to the buildings, was $2500, and that of the stock, utensils, furniture, and improvements, was $863. This farm has been used for the purposes intended to the present time, and has furnished a comfortable home for many of the aged and destitute, who had outlived their friends and means of support, as well as for many others, dependent, from various causes, on public charity.
April 18, 1830. A meeting was called, "To see if the town will vote that each religious denomination in said town, may occupy the public meeting house in said town, their dne proportion of Sabbaths and other times, in proportion to their polls and estates." The vote was in the negative.
May 31, 1830. A meeting was called, "To sec if the town will raise a sum of money to repair the meeting house." At this meeting, the town voted to give the use of the house to the Congregational church and society, for twenty years, pro- vided they would keep it in good repair, and let the town have the use of it for a town house, and let those who have private property in said house, have it to worship in when the Congregational church and society are not using it. The selectmen were a committee to carry the vote into effect, and to take a sufficient bond, &c. That church and society repaired the house, and occupied it for some time, but it is believed that, owing to some disagreement about the terms of the bond, none was given.
At the annual meeting, March, 1832, the town voted to pass over the article to raise the salary of the Rev. Mr. Hill ;
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HISTORY OF MASON.
but at a meeting called for that purpose, March 31, the salary was voted. A meeting was called, April 21, "To see if the town would dismiss the Rev. Eben". Hill from being minis- ter of said town. The vote was in the negative."
December 19th, 1835. " Voted, To comply with the request of the Rev. Ebenezer Hill, to dissolve the civil contract between him and the town of Mason, as minister of said town, and it is on our part dissolved, after paying his salary, to the month of March next. Voted, The thanks of the town be given to the Rev. Ebenezer Hill, for his ministerial labors, for the space of forty five years." Upon the record is entered the consent of Mr. Hill to this arrangement, as follows : " Whereas, the town of Mason, agreably to my request, have by their vote in legal town meeting, consented on their part, that the civil contract existing between the town and me as their minister, should be dissolved, as in said vote is expressed, which contract was formed in the year 1790, I hereby express my consent on my part, that said contract be dissolved in accordance with the vote just passed; and I do accordingly relinquish all claim for salary, from the town, after the first of March next. Mason, December 19th, 1835."
November, 1840. Nathaniel Shattuck, Esq., was chosen a committee to " examine, and report whether any society or individuals were responsible to keep the town house in repair ; and if none, to proceed to repair the house, and chose Nathaniel Shattuck, Josiah Russell and Samuel Smith a com- mittee for that purpose." This was the old meeting house.
April, 1843. "Voted, to instruct the Selectmen to repair the town house, in a proper manner, and also to look after those who have in any way injured the house, and prosecute if they think proper and necessary."
Annual meeting, 1848. Article 14th. "To see if the town will sell or repair the meeting house, or do anything in rela- tion to the same. Voted, to choose a committee of five, to dispose of the old meeting house. Chose Jonathan Russell, Jona. Bachelder, Oliver H. Pratt, Willis Johnson, Charles
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1848.
Scripture and Orlando W. Badger. Voted, To instruct the committee to proceed legally in disposing of the house. Voted, That the selectmen call a town meeting to hear a report of said committee, when said committee is ready to make their report."
The old meeting house, being no longer occupied for public worship by any society, was fast falling into decay. It was exposed to depredations, the windows were broken, the doors were often found open, exposing the building to the effects of storms. The location was unsuitable and inconvenient for town meetings to be held there, and therefore it was con- cluded to dispose of the old house, and build a town house.
May 23d, 1848. A meeting was called, to hear the report of the committee, to see if the town would build a town house, to fix its location, and to raise money to build, or pur- chase a town house. At the meeting, Voted, "To accept the report of the committee. Voted, To build a town house. Voted, To locate it at the centre of Mason. Voted, To raise $1000 to build the house. Voted, To appropriate the balance of the sale of the old meeting house, for the building of the town house. Voted, That the expense is not to exceed $1200. Chose Jonathan Bachelder, Charles Scripture, Willis Johnson, Asher Peabody and Samuel Smith, Jr., a com- mittee for building the town house." The town house was so far completed, that a town meeting was held in it, November 7th, 1848.
The frame of the old meeting house, was used and worked up into the frame of the saw and grist mill, built by Mason mill company, near the centre of the town.
Thus the town is left without a minister, or'a meeting house ; and such is the change in the habits, views and feelings, that, as a town, they will probably dispense with these once useful institutions, for all time. There is to be no more a servant of religion, in whom all feel a common interest; no more a place where all can assemble on days of public worship, and meet as townsmen, on common ground; but the
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HISTORY OF MASON.
meeting houses are matters of private interest, and although they are in numbers much multiplied, it may well be doubted, whether there is in the town, more genuine piety and venera- tion for religion, than in those days, when all assembled in one place, and listened to the teachings of the town's minister.
1856. This year will be remembered in the annals of the town, for the very liberal donation to the town, of the sum of ten thousand dollars, made by the Hon. John Boynton of Templeton, Mass., to be invested in stock or other good secu- rities, and the interest to be applied, forever, for the benefit of the common schools in the town. This gentleman is a native of Mason. His father, the late Jeremiah Boynton, became a resident of the town as early as 1789, and contin- ucd to be an inhabitant till his deccase, October 27, 1839. He was a farmer, a worthy, industrious man, a good citizen, and much respected and estecmed. The liberal donor of this fund, was his eldest son. Having retired from active business with an ample fortune, acquired by industry, ccon- omy, and a successful management of his affairs, he has not forgotten the place of his nativity ; nor has he left it for the hand of an executor to carry into effect his generous design ; but while in full health, and vigor of body and mind, has himself seen to the execution of his purpose, and to securing, in a proper form, the efficiency and permanency of the aid thereby given to the great cause of the education, for all coming time, of the children of this, his native town.
The object of his bounty is the common schools, to which he was indebted for all the means of education by himself enjoyed in early life; and to which our common country is more deeply indebted for its intelligence and for the preser- vation of its liberties and free government, than to all other means of education, or institutions of learning. His purpose to make this endowment, he made known to some of his friends, inhabitants of the town, in the summer of 1856. Desirous, on the one hand, to make the provisions of the
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1856.
endowment such, that its benefits should be sacredly secured to its object, the education of every child in town, and at the same time to place it under such provisions and safe- guards, that it should never become a source of contention or party strife, after consultation with a committee of the citizens, he submitted, for the consideration of the town, a proposition to make the endowment under certain restric- tions and limitations, which, with the action of the town, appears in the following extract from the records of the doings of a town meeting, called for that purpose :
At a legal town meeting, holden September 17th, 1856, "Article 2d, it was Voted, To receive of John Boynton, Esq., of Templeton, Mass., the sum of ten thousand dollars in money, or in securities for the payment of money, upon the following conditions, viz: That the same shall forever be kept upon interest, and shall forever be known as 'The Boynton Common School Fund,' and that the interest or income thereof shall annually forever be applied by said town of Mason, to the support of district or public schools in said town, in proportion to the number of scholars in such districts or schools, between the ages of five and fifteen years. And whenever the said town shall fail so to apply the interest or income of said money annually, in addition to the sum that shall be required to be raised by law by said town, for the support of district or public schools, the said town shall repay the same sum of ten thousand dollars to the said John Boynton, his executors, administrators, or assigns.
"Voted, To choose a committee of three to receive the said sum of ten thousand dollars in money or securities for the payment of money, of said John Boynton, Esq., and also to authorize said committee, for and in behalf of said town, to execute an agreement, that the said town of Mason shall repay the said sum of ten thousand dollars, to the said Boynton, his executors, administrators, or assigns, whenever the town of Mason shall fail to apply the interest or income
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HISTORY OF MASON.
of said sum of ten thousand dollars, in addition to the sum that shall be required by law to be raised by said town, for the support of district or public schools in said town of Mason, and to divide the said income or interest annually between the several districts or public schools in said town, in proportion to the number of scholars belonging to said districts or public schools, between the ages of five and fifteen years.
"Voted, That the aforesaid committee consist of Doctor Thomas H. Marshall, Jonathan Russell, 2d, and Charles Scripture.
"Voted, To choose a committee to petition the legislature, for an act to authorize the town of Mason, to choose five trustees, who shall, under the direction of the town, have the care of the Boynton Common School Fund, and to see that the same is safely invested, and upon interest.
" Chose Dr. Thomas H. Marshall, Jonathan Russell, 2d, and Charles Scripture for that committee."
On application to the legislature, an act was passed, of which the following is a copy :
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE.
AN ACT authorizing the town of Mason to elect trustees of the Boynton Common School Fund.
Whereas, John Boynton, Esquire, of Templeton, in the State of Massachusetts, has given to the town of Mason, the sum of ten thousand dollars, in trust, the income of which is to be appropriated for the maintenance of common schools in said town of Mason; and, whereas, by the provisions of the grant, the said grant is to be under the control of five trustees, to be elected by said town of Mason ; therefore,
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in Gen- eral Court convened :
Section 1. That said town of Mason shall, on the second Tuesday of March, A. D. 1858, choose, by ballot and by a major vote, five trus- tees, to be called Trustees of the Boynton Common School Fund, one of whom shall hold the office for one year, another for two years, another for three years, another for four years, and the other for five years, and till some other person is chosen and qualified instead of each; the term of office of each to be determined by lot at their first meeting, and a record thereof made in the office of the town clerk
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MUNICIPAL HISTORY. 149
of said town. One such trustee shall be chosen annually, at the annual meeting of said town, after said second Tuesday of March, A. D. 1858, by ballot, and by a major vote, to fill the vacancy which will annually occur by the expiration of the term of office of one of the incumbents.
Section 2. The said trustees shall have the entire control and management of the Boynton Common School Fund, and shall invest the same in a safe and prudent manner, and shall annually pay to the treasurer of said town of Mason, in the month of January, the income of said fund, to be divided among the several districts or common schools in said town, in proportion to the number of schol- ars, between the ages of five and fifteen years, in said districts or schools.
Section 3. The trustees shall, at each annual meeting of said town, make a report of the state of the fund, and the income of the same ; and the town may require of them bonds for the faithful dis- charge of the duties of the office.
Section 4. In case of the death or resignation of either of the trustees, or in case either of them, by sickness or otherwise, be dis- qualified for the duties of the office, they may, at the annual or at a special meeting called for that purpose, elect another person for the unexpired term.
Approved, June 26, 1857.
20
CHAPTER IV.
CONTROVERSIES WITH THE REV. JONATHAN SEARLE.
No document, record, or entry, has been found, which shows at what time the troubles and misunderstandings between the Rev. Jonathan Searle and his church and people, were first manifested; nor are the grounds of the controversy and difficulties anywhere clearly set forth. They are to be gathered rather by inference, than from any satisfactory or positive statement. The records of the church, during the time of the controversy, are exceedingly meagre, and contain very little information upon the subject. The town records, however, contain entries which give some insight into the matter. Probably there is no document or living memory remaining, which can throw any light upon such parts of the transactions as are not, by the entries in the town records, sufficiently set forth to be understood. It will be recollected that the salary voted to him on his settlement, was £60 lawful, a year, to be increased at the end of ten years to £66 13s. 4d. He was ordained, October 14, 1772. A town meeting was called, January 5, 1779. Among other articles was one for inquiring "into the conduct of the Rev. Jonathan Searle, in his not giving receipts in full for the money he hath received for his yearly salary, &e., and for increase of his salary." The record proceeds as follows : "Mr. Searle being present, Voted, That the moderator ask him whether he would discharge the town of his salary, if said town would pay him up the nominal sum from the first settlement, &c., and trust the town's generosity for an addition to said salary ;
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1778.
the question being asked by the moderator, his answer was in the affirmative. The moderator called on the constables to make a settlement with Mr. Searle; the said constables readily complied with the terms; the moderator at the same time wrote a receipt and read it to Mr. Searle, and asked him whether he would sign such a one. His answer was that he would, or any one that the town should require. The town then proceeded to get the money that was his due as salary from the first of his settlement in said town, until the 14th day of October, 1778, and pay it to him. Said money being offered to Mr. Searle by the selectmen, requiring him to sign said receipt, he utterly refused to sign said receipt, or a similar one. For which reason, the town voted to assess the last year's salary, and order it into the treasurer's hands, there to remain until it should be ordered otherwise. By said town, Voted, That Lt. Samuel Brown take the money and make a lawful tender to Mr. Searle, of the whole of his salary that yet remains unpaid from the first of his settlement in said town, until the 14th day of October, 1778, and require him to sign such a receipt as was approved by said town." Then adjourned to the 8th instant. At the adjournment, "Voted, To choose a committee to desire the Rev. Jonathan Searle to attend the meeting by adjournment, in order for him to make some proposals to the town, on what terms he would settle with the town, and if he refused to come, for him to send in writing, by said committee, on what terms he would settle." Dea. Amos Dakin and Lts. Samuel and Isaac Brown, were the committee. The town, after transacting some other business, adjourned to the 12th of January. At the adjournment, "After hearing the Rev. Jonathan Searle's letter directed to the moderator read, Voted, That it was not an acceptable answer, according to the town's request. Voted, To choose a committee to reason with Searle and make a report to the town." The committee were Joseph Barrett, Joseph Merriam, Dea. N. Hall, William Eliot and David Blodgett. Adjourned to the 20th instant. At the
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adjournment, "Voted, Not to make any addition to the Rev. Jonathan Scarle's salary, for the time being." The authority of the committee was continued, and they were directed to report at the next meeting. Adjourned to February 9. It was at the adjournment, "Voted, That the Rev. Jonathan Searle's conduct hath been dissatisfactory to the town, with regard to what hath been acted on his part, relative to his falling from his first agreement, as well as at other meet- ings held after adjournment." "Voted, That the town call upon the Church of Christ in this place to desire the Rev. Jonathan Searle to join in a mutual council, and have all matters of aggrievance subsisting between Mr. Searle and this people brought before said council for their wise deter- mination. Voted, That the town and church are connected together in paying the cost of said council. Capt. Joseph Barrett, Dea. Nathan Hall, and Mr. Edmund Tarbell, each entered their dissent against the proceedings of this meeting, so far as what is comprehended in the second vote of said meeting."
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