USA > New Hampshire > Cheshire County > Rindge > History of the town of Rindge, New Hampshire, from the date of the Rowley Canada or Massachusetts charter, to the present time, 1736-1874, with a genealogical register of the Rindge families > Part 26
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DR. JOHN HEARD was a native of Maine, and born about 1810. He received his degree from Dartmouth Medical College, and after practicing his profession in Acworth and Hopkinton, in this State, in Leominster and Townsend, in Massachusetts, he removed to Rindge, in 1866, and remained about six years. It is probable that Dr. Heard was deficient in neither skill nor natural ability ; but his cynical manners and current conversation repelled the respect of the community.
DR. HENRY A. WATSON was born in Worcester, Ver- mont, June 21, 1849. He commenced the study of medicine in the office of Dr. Benjamin F. Eaton, of Hartford, Ver- mont, and attended two terms of lectures at Hanover, and as many at Burlington, where he received his degree, July, 1874. Immediately after the completion of his professional studies, Dr. Watson located in this town, and has entered upon the practice of his profession under favorable auspices.
The name of Dr. William Swan is found in the early records, but he was not a physician in regular practice. It appears that he was more inclined to boast of the wonderful cures he was able to perform than were the people to test experimentally the truth of his assertions.
Dr. Samuel Steele is mentioned upon the records, but his ambition was fully gratified in the honors of a successful farrier. The absence of literature among his patients will
,
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HISTORY OF RINDGE.
account for any deficiency in the record evidence of his skill.
Dr. Elijah Norcross, a native of this town, during a residence abroad had secured the title, but the state of his health did not permit him to practice after his return to Rindge.
Several natives of this town have acquired considerable distinction in the practice of law, but the number of resident lawyers has been very small.
NOAH R. COOK, EsQ., a son of Noah Cook, a lawyer of Keene, and a brother of Josiah Parsons Cook, an eminent lawyer of Boston, came to Rindge about 1816, and remained six or seven years. He returned to Keene, and recently died in that town, at an advanced age.
BENJAMIN WARD, ESQ., a grandson of General Ward of Revolutionary fame, was born in Phillipston, Massachu- setts, January 25, 1793. He entered Harvard University, but on account of failing health he did not complete the prescribed course of study. Mr. Ward read law with an uncle, in Shrewsbury, Massachusetts, and removed to Rindge in 1822. He was a man of talent, and an accom- plished scholar. If his physical strength had been com- mensurate with his ability and attainments, he would have been foremost in his profession. He died February 19, 1828, and is remembered with much respect and esteem.
Merchants and Stores. - There were about four hundred inhabitants in town when Col. Nathan Hale first opened a store in Rindge. In 1772, the town conveyed to him about an acre of common land, lying between the two roads north of the meeting-house. It is not certain that any building was erected on the premises previous to the present store, but in connection with a record of the stores of Rindge this site is historic ground.
373
MERCHANTS AND STORES.
At an early date, Col. Hale had a store near the Dr. Whitney house, now owned by D. S. Walker, on the west side of the highway, and south of the Common. Soon after he entered the army, Jonathan Parker, Jr., purchased a house which stood near the residence of Miss Sarah Shurtleff. There was only a lane between this house and the store of Col. Hale. Mr. Parker was in trade several years, and probably occupied the building in which Col. Hale had conducted business. During the progress of the war, when every person's conduct was closely scrutinized, certain charges and proceedings against Mr. Parker called forth the following letter from Col. Enoch Hale : -
RINDGE, April 26, 1777.
Worthy Sir, -Due submission to your honor, I just inform that Jonathan Parker, Jun'r Esq. desires to know from whence any suspicion arose of his being Enimical to his Country. Being apprehended, &c., which I could not answer, as I know not who had complained. But am able to inform thus much-that he hath done and continues to do his proportion in carrying on the war, and as to his passing bad money, I have not heard any Person charge him with it, since the time of some small altered Bills that was turned upon his hands, that your Honor may Remember was brought against him; Although he has traded largely since that time, I believe more than one hundred lawful Per month. But if it shall be thought he ought to appear at any future Time for any further Examination I will be answerable for his appearance, if such bail may be admitted.
From your most obedient Humble Servant,
ENOCH HALE. Hon. MESHECH WEARE, Esq.
Mr. Parker was born in Groton, April 19, 1744. In company with his parents, he removed to Rindge previous to the incorporation of the town. He was a useful and active citizen. His penmanship was remarkable for beauty and plainness, and his signature was invariably traced in
48
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HISTORY OF RINDGE.
fair, bold characters. His name upon the " Association Test" recalls to mind that of John Hancock subscribed to the Declaration of Independence, and is perhaps equally significant of courage. But one enjoyed a national reputa- tion, while the other was only a " Village Hampden."
MOSES WHITNEY was in trade in this town during the year 1772. As will appear, he had an extensive tradc. He may have been a better salesman than collector, or his customers may have had more inclination to buy than ability to pay. In either event, he was bankrupt at the close of the year. It is probable that he soon removed, as his name is not subsequently found upon the records. His accounts were left with Nathaniel Russell, Esq., for settle- ment. A well-filled journal was left in his possession, which is carefully preserved by a grandson, Mr. Henry Russell, of this town, who properly regards it a valuable fragment of the history of the town. In these mercantile transactions of a single year, an account was kept with above one hundred residents of Rindge, twenty-five of Jaffrey, and several of Peterborough, Winchendon, and Ashburnham. These ancient accounts, besides affording much valuable information of the names of the residents of the town, are a most truthful history of the wants and customs of the times. They include a much greater variety of articles than are generally admitted in approved homilies of the economy and plain-living of our fathers. After the aristoc- racy are distinguished from their neighbors by a more fre- quent charge for West India rum, instead of the cheaper New England distillation, and all the accounts are thus reduced one-half, many articles of finery will next attract attention ; gilt buttons, sleeve buttons, gilt beads, waxed beads, glass beads, crewel, lace, taffeta, silk ferret, and satin ribbon, are named about as often as the more substantial goods sold
375
MERCHANTS AND STORES.
under the name of ticklenburg, baize, buckram, ratteen, cotton, and linen checks, shalloon, and Barcelona; while pomatum, moose-skin breeches, double-twist gimlets, striped Hollands, snuff-boxes, cat-gut horsewhips, iron hand-saws, tow-cloth, shoe-buckles, and curling-irons, form a most bewildering variety of articles of luxury and of utility. A portion of the charges contained in one account selected at random will present considerable information of the prices of that period :
I lb. chocolate, Is., 4d., 15 lbs. fish, 3. 4d., . £
s. d.
I Gal. molasses delivered to his son,
I " rum,
2
I pr. moose-skin breeches,
I
5
4
I-4 lb. powder, 6d., 1 1b. shot, 6d.,
I
0
I qt. brandy, 2s., 1-2 doz. cups and saucers, 7d.,
9
O
1 5 panes of glass, 6 by 8, at 3d.,
3
9 8
5 yds. serge at 5s. 4d.,
I 6
2 I-2 doz. buttons, 2s. 6d., hank twist, 8d., needles, Id., 3
6 pump nails,
2 I-4 lbs. log wood, 7d., I lb. red wood, 3d.,
IO
I Bu. Salt, 4s. 9d., 5 lbs. sugar, 3s.,
7
9
I Double twist Gimlet, 4d., I Iron Hand saw, 4s. 8d.,
5
0
I-4 yd. Buckram, 5d., I yd. Ticklingburg, Is. 4d.,
I 4
4
I Blew and White Tea pott,
I
I lb. butter, 6d., I 1b. beeswax, Is. 2d.,
I
0 8
I Bu. wheat, 6s., I Bu. Corn, 3s. 4d.,
9
I yd. shalloon, 2s., I yd. quality, 2d.,
2
4 2
2 yds. Ell wide Persian, at 8s. 8d., .
17
4
4
2
8 23 8
3
4
9
I pr. worsted Hose,
The store at the north end of the Common was built by Col. William Gardner, about 1790. Capt. Philip Thomas was employed as master carpenter to conduct the work.
Col. Josiah Wilder removed to this town in 1794, and soon commenced trade in the new building. Five or six years later, his brother, Samuel L. Wilder, formerly his clerk, became a partner in the business. Col. Wilder died in 1812, and in 1820 Mr. Wilder formed a partnership with
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HISTORY OF RINDGE.
his son, Hon. Marshall P. Wilder. The latter removed to Boston, 1825, and soon after Mr. Wilder retired from the business, and was succeeded by Stephen B. Sherwin, Esq., and Josiah Wilder. The firm of Sherwin & Wilder was dissolved, by the death of the latter, in 1853, and Mr. Sherwin continued in trade until his death, in 1861. During this period, the proprietors had a large country trade, which extended considerably into the surrounding towns. For nearly seventy years there were no sudden changes in the firm. The building is one of the landmarks in the town, around which the aged and middle-aged often linger. The proprietors were men of influence, and enjoyed, in an eminent degree, the confidence and esteem of the entire community. Here were found some of the habitual frequenters of public resort; here, in stormy weather and on winter evenings, were assembled the farmers and other citizens from all portions of the town; here were dis- cussed, in a masterly manner, the weather, the crops, and other topics of current conversation, while often the intelli- gence of the proprietors joining in the conversation would lead to more profitable trains of thought, or perhaps a pleasing story, aptly told by Mr. Sherwin, would provoke a laugh, and brighten their dreams after they had sought their several homes. Could some of the former visitors at this store return again to earth, the first object of their search would be a seat on the old "settle " by the fire-place. This famous seat, with its high back, was found more recently near the stove, but its former occupants were gone, and the memory of the many scenes of hilarity, to which it had been a silent witness, was buried with them. If the old store can be imagined as a substance of life and reason, it cer- tainly was Federal and Whig in politics, and its influence can be read in unmistakable lines, even to the present time.
Samuel L. Wilder
377
MERCHANTS AND STORES.
COL. JOSIAH WILDER came to Rindge when about twenty-four years of age. He at once won the esteem of his townsmen, and, despite his age, secured no ordinary influence in the community. In military affairs he took a lively interest, and early rose to the command of the regi- ment. He served the town as clerk for seven years, and the plainness of the penmanship, and the perspicuity of the record, will long make known his faithful service. Col. Wilder represented the town in the Legislature nine years previous to, and including, 1810. In 1811, he was a member of the State Senate. Having retired from active business and removed to the farm, now of Abraham J. Converse, on account of feeble health, the same cause led him to decline a reelection to the Senate. He died in the midst of an honorable career, April 27, 1812. In the discussions of public measures in the town-meetings, or in the halls of legislation, and in less public conference with his fellow- men, his well balanced mind and matured opinions were as conspicuous as the sincerity in which all his thoughts and opinions found expression. Few men, dying at the age of forty-two, have become more thoroughly identified in town history.
SAMUEL L. WILDER, EsQ., at the age of sixteen years, removed to Rindge, where, as a merchant and farmer, he resided through a prolonged and useful life, enjoying the esteem and confidence of his townsmen in an eminent degree. He succeeded his brother as Town Clerk, and transcribed the records of the town, for seventeen years, in fair characters and well chosen language. He was the Representative from this town in the Legislature thirteen years, and a Justice of the Peace from 1816 until his death, a period of forty-seven years. Few are met in the town's history to whose judgment and counsels more deference has
378
HISTORY OF RINDGE.
been paid. While yet a young man, he enjoyed the friend- ship and confidence of Dr. Payson, and his name at all times has been associated with good men and good works. For many years he was a consistent member of the Congre- gational Church, and was one of the original members of the society. Many of the provisions of the Constitution of this society were proposed by him, with reasons which led to their adoption. The memory of his counsels, and the great interest he continued at all times to feel for the prosperity of this organization, will continue to brighten its annals. Mr. Wilder is remembered by the present genera- tion with a prompt acknowledgment of his unbending and unfailing adherence to the line of Christian duty. He died April 7, 1863.
JOSIAH WILDER, son of Samuel L. Wilder, Esq., entered the store at an early age. He was attentive to business, seeking neither public honors nor the praises of men. His strict integrity and painstaking kindness deservedly won the favorable opinion of his numerous acquaintances. He died April 27, 1853, being the same month of the year and the same day of the month as the date of the death of his uncle, Col. Josiah Wilder.
STEPHEN B. SHERWIN, ESQ., was born in the north part of the town. While yet a young man, he removed to the centre of the town, and became associated with Mr. Wilder in trade. Affable and urbane in manner, he won an early popularity which during his life did not forsake him. Of a generous nature, free from all assumption of superiority, he was continually surrounded by many unfailing friends. He was a member of the School Committee for several years, Town Clerk for a longer period, and member of the Legis- lature for the years 1844, 1845, and 1846. In 1856, he represented the American party of the State, in a National
-
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MERCHANTS AND STORES.
Convention, held in Philadelphia. Mr. Sherwin was ex- tremely fond of music, and his efficient leadership of the choir will be long and pleasantly remembered. As men- tioned in another chapter, he died very suddenly, December 14, 1861.
THOMAS INGALLS, EsQ., was engaged in trade, for a few years, in the building adjacent to the dwelling-house of Miss Milly Walker, subsequently for a short time in partnership with Joel Raymond and with Eliphalet Sawtell, and for many years at the "Ingalls Store," where the sign-board bearing only the word "Store " announced at once the business carried on within, and the simplicity of the taste of the occupant.
Mr. Ingalls was a man of implicit integrity, and earnestly forwarded all laudable public measures with untiring effort and the weight of his character. Few, indeed, have pos- sessed, and more promptly exercised, a keener perception of right and wrong, or were readier to commend the one and condemn the other. His services were often solicited by his townsmen. He was a member of the first board of school committee chosen in this town, and subsequently served several years in this capacity, and also in the board of selectmen. In 1832 and 1833, he represented the town in the Legislature. For twenty-six years he was chosen to transcribe the public records, and was the Town Clerk at the time of his death. The penmanship of Mr. Ingalls was plain and graceful, and the clearness of statement, accuracy, and method displayed on the numerous pages of the reg- isters by him transcribed, were the result of an habitual sincerity and conscientiousness in the discharge of any trust confided in him. For many years he was a Justice of the Peace, and none in this vicinity was more frequently called . upon to act in this capacity.
380
HISTORY OF RINDGE.
Mr. Ingalls possessed more talent and refinement than many, the lines of whose lives have been turned in wider circles. Of a dignified yet courteous manner, he belonged to a class denominated "gentlemen of the old school," unhappily few of whom remain. He was extremely fond of reading. The number of books selected was not numerous, but these he read attentively and understandingly. Among his friends he united modesty and affection with truc self- respect and personal independence. In his home life he laid aside the cares of the outside world, and with genuine tenderness and sympathy became the life and entertain- ment of the home circle. He was sensitively appreciative of the beautiful, and found delight in many things unseen by others. To him there was a constant joy and beauty in summer, and contentment and instruction in winter. He heard a captivating melody in the first bird-notes of spring, and saw an unwonted whiteness in the premonitory snow- flakes of autumn.
Mr. Ingalls died December 27, 1863, and the frequent expressions of regret manifested by his townsmen continue to bear honorable testimony of his character and his usefulness.
DEACON JOSEPH B. BREED was in trade for many years, in a store connected with his dwelling, on the west side of the Common. He died September 23, 1864. The business was continued, for a short time, by his son, George H. Breed, after which the store was closed. Without osten- tation or display, Deacon Breed conducted his business in a manner which secured the confidence of his customers. He was prominent in the church, and foremost in many good works; lived on intimate terms with his pastor, and had contention with none.
ARAD ADAMS was in trade a short time, about thirty years ago, in a building that stood on the site of the
Thomas Ingalls.
381
MERCHANTS AND STORES.
residence of Willard G. Jones. After the lapse of a few years in the business in this town, he built a small store, which has been removed, near the residence of Daniel H. Sargent. In 1855, Mr. Adams closed out and removed to Jaffrey, where a good degree of prosperity has attended him.
LEVI HOWE, EsQ., opened a store in the Dr. Whitney house, about seventeen years ago, and continued in trade about ten years. Mr. Howe had formerly been a successful farmer, and, in connection with others, was engaged in the manufacture of pails, in the west part of the town. He was a Justice of the Peace, and one of the selectmen for many years, and represented the town in the Legislature, 1842, 1843, 1848, and 1849. In the settlement of many estates, and as guardian of the fatherless, he justly secured and maintained the confidence of those whose affairs were entrusted to his keeping. The counsels and advice of few men have been more frequently sought by his neighbors, and as a townsman his services were of the highest value. He died, very suddenly, August 8, 1869.
EMERSON HALE, for a few years previous to 1808, had a store on the south side of the highway, and west of the residence of J. A. Stearns. The remainder of his life was devoted to farming.
TALMON JENNINGS, about forty years ago, had a small store, and a limited stock of goods, near the residence of Asa and Charles E. Stickney. The building remains, but Mr. Jennings has been dead many years.
Capt. Joel Raymond, Eliphalet and Jabez Sawtell, have been in trade in a store in the south part of the hotel buildings. It has recently been remodeled, and is now occupied by Col. George W. Stearns and C. F. Platts. A. M. Lacy, and Josiah Stratton, at the Wilder store, Ambrose Butler, in West Rindge, and several persons in a
49
382
HISTORY OF RINDGE.
small store in East Rindge, have each been engaged in trade, for a short period of time, within the past ten years.
At present, the Wilder store and a store in the depot at West Rindge are occupied by Samuel W. Fletcher and Warren W. Emory, under the name of Fletcher & Emory, who have been successful traders for the past six years. The merchants of to-day and of the future can find worthy examples of character and of integrity in the lives of their predecessors.
CHAPTER XVIII.
MISCELLANEOUS.
Tithing-Men. - Pauperism. - Turnpikes. - Post-Offices. - Railroad. -- War of 1812. - Centennial Celebration. - Libraries. - Mechanics' Hall. - Population. - Mortuary Record. - Longevity. - Representa- tives to the General Court. - Town Officers. - Justices of the Peace. - Measurement of Trees.
TITHING-MEN were first chosen by the proprietors in 1766, the year after the meeting-house was completed. After the incorporation of the town, such officers were annually chosen until 1835, - a much longer period than in other towns. The office was regarded as one of distin- guished honor, and only men of sedate manners and unimpeachable characters were chosen. In addition to their duty as meeting-house police, they were expected to summarily stop all needless travel upon the highways on the Sabbath; and in the discharge of their duty they were sustained by the greater portion of the community. Stocks for the confinement of unruly youth on the Lord's day were never erected in this town. The question was once pro- posed, and the advocates of the measure were patiently heard, after which the town placidly voted that the gentle- men in favor of their erection have the privilege of building stocks, provided they will complete the same at their own
1
384
HISTORY OF RINDGE.
expense. This provision brought the enterprise to sudden grief; it was setting too high price upon principle, and the records contain no further reference to the subject.
In 1814, several meetings were held in the vicinity, and a combination formed by several towns for a more vigorous enforcement of the laws regulating the observance of the Sabbath. As a result of these proceedings, twelve tithing- men were chosen the following year, and many travelers and teamsters were stopped upon the road and detained until Monday morning. A reaction soon followed, and the next year only two were chosen, one of whom resided in the cxtreme southwest corner of the town, and the other as far to the northeast. The choice of these men, whose resi- dences were so far removed from the main lines of travel, was not accidental, and, as was intended, the newly elected officers, giving the statutes a liberal construction, molested very few of the persons who had been keenly watched by their predecessors.
It may have been that the roguish youth in the congre- gation fully occupied the attention of the tithing-men ; or, possibly, the office was so intimately associated with dignity that no minor duties were imposed upon them. In either event, a special police was chosen to keep the dogs from following their masters into the meeting-house. The measure was duly considered, in 1797, when the town chose Levi Mansfield, Edward Jewett, Esq., Capt. Solomon Cutler, Col. Daniel Rand, Lieut. Nathaniel Thomas, Josiah Wilder, William Sherwin, and William Carlton, to keep the meeting-house clear of dogs on the Sabbath. This was an able committee, composed of the best men in town; and unless there is a hidden humor in the record, which is not improbable, the dogs in those days must have been either unusually ferocious or numerous. These proceedings also
4
385
PAUPERISM.
suggest the prevailing views of a future state, since our fathers here discredited the Indian, -
"Who thinks, admitted to that equal sky, His faithful dog shall bear him company."
PAUPERISM in this town has never been of great mag- nitude. In another chapter reference was made to the preventive measure of warning out. Notwithstanding this precaution, in the course of events, there were persons who legally claimed and received assistance from the town; and the humanity of the citizens has been prompt in response to such demands upon the public treasury.
A practice existed about the commencement of the present century which will attract attention. Whenever an aged or infirm person became hopelessly involved in debt, and in need of public assistance, at the request of such persons, the town, by its selectmen, would assume posses- sion of their property, pay the debts, and give the families a public support as long as their circumstances required. In some instances "the man of debts," after going through this form of bankruptcy, would take the oars in his hands again, and secure a comfortable home for himself and family during the remainder of his life.
At this date a person was required to petition in writing for assistance or support before expense was incurred by the town. A number of such written requests, preserved among the town files, is a sad story of poverty, discourage- ments, and infirmities.
An incident not wholly disconnected with this subject occurred about seventy years ago. For several years, in the annual financial reports made to the town, there constantly appeared among the assets a note against Mr. B. for $3.33. The selectmen were instructed to collect the note, but still
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