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 27
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HISTORY OF RINDGE.
it appeared upon the reports, until at length the jaded patience of the citizens found expression in a vote of instruction to their selectmen: "That the selectmen present the note they hold against Mr. B. to him for pay- ment, and if he neglect or refuse to pay it, they are directed to burn it before his face." The delinquent payer must have known what had been the instructions to the select- men, and possibly met them at his door with lighted torch.
In several instances, when children have been found destitute, the town has secured for them permanent homes, stipulating that they should receive board, clothing, and schooling, until they were of legal age to act for them- selves. Soon after the close of the Revolution, when the currency had an uncertain value, such a contract was made, by vote of the town, in these words : " Voted to give Lieut. Page Norcross one yoke of oxen, that shall girt six feet, young cattle, and well built, for his taking
and provided they should be delivered within three months from date the said Norcross agreed to take the same in full payment for taking and bringing up the said
At this date, the boy referred to was about three years of age. The founder of Rome, it is said, was supported for a time by a wolf; but this child could more proudly claim that he was borne through the years of his vicissitude by a pair of oxen, "young and well built."
For many years, as in other towns, the support of the poor was let at vendue to the lowest bidder. While this practice presents an air of inhumanity, it does not appear that uncomfortable homes for the needy were thus secured. Support for this unfortunate class was often provided by the town officers, without resort to this agency, and for several years subsequently all the poor were supported by one person, in accordance with a contract made with the town.
387
TURNPIKE.
The town at length purchased a farm, and took possession April 1, 1841. The farm was previously owned by David Hale, and is situated in the fourth lot, in the sixth range. Here, under the direction of a superintendent employed by the town, the poor received considerable care. In 1860, this farm was sold, and another purchased of Stephen Hale, which is situated on Hubbard Hill, and in the eleventh lot, in the first range. In 1866, the latter farm was sold, and since that date the small number of persons claiming assist- ance from the town have been boarded in private families.
Several of a class of still greater misfortune, who, not only poor in this world's goods, have also suffered the loss of reason, have been maintained, by the town, at the Asylum for the Insane, at Concord; and one mute has enjoyed instruction at the Asylum for the Deaf and Dumb, at Hart- ford, through the considerate liberality of the town.
THE RINDGE TURNPIKE was incorporated June 12, 1807, and extended from the southeast corner of the town through Rindge Centre, West Rindge, and Fitzwilliam to the centre of Troy, where it met the Branch Turnpike. Upon its completion, it diverted considerable travel from the Third Turnpike extending through Jaffrey and New Ipswich, and from the turnpike extending from Keene through Fitzwilliam, Winchendon, and Leominster, to Boston.
While the construction of this road was under consid- eration, the town, evidently regarding it as an issue of considerable importance, proposed and discussed several measures in encouragement of the enterprise. Wisely refusing to take any stock in the corporation, the town agreed to build and keep in repair a free road of three miles, which, constituting a part of the turnpike, should be located by the corporation, and extend one and one-half
388
HISTORY OF RINDGE.
miles each way from the centre of the town. The southeast section, extending nearly to Converseville, was built in the summer of 1811; and the remainder, extending to West Rindge, was completed the following year. The construc- tion of the road was committed to Col. Daniel Rand, Levi Mansfield, and Lieut. David Hale. The death of Col. Rand occurred before the completion of the road, and Ezra Thomas was selected to fill the vacancy in the committee. The construction was awarded to the lowest bidder, as appears from the record of a bill paid by the town "for rum and sugar for the vendue of the turnpike road."
The gradual construction of the railroad from Boston to Lexington, Concord, Acton, Groton, and Fitchburg, contin- ually shortened the distance traversed by the stages, and when Winchendon was reached they were removed from this road altogether. A new line of coaches, from Jaffrey, through Rindge to Winchendon, owned by J. L. Bolster, Aaron Perkins, and later by Mr. Perkins and Rodney A. Hubbard, then followed, which were continued until the opening of the Monadnock Railroad from Winchendon to Peterborough. For the past three years, the railroad, which has a station at West Rindge, and the carriages of D. S. Walker, amply meet the demand of the travel to and from the town.
POST-OFFICES. - At the time the turnpike was con- structed, post-offices were rarely established, except upon the line of stages. For this reason several towns in this vicinity were earlier favored with postal facilities. Soon after the completion of the turnpike, and the staging through Rindge which followed, a post-office was easily secured.
Capt. Moses Todd was the first postmaster. The office was established and his appointment made April 26, 1815.
389
POST-OFFICE.
The post-office was in the hotel which stood upon the site of the Beaman house, now of Asia Jones. Capt. Todd was succeeded by Noah R. Cook, Esq., April 13, 1819. Mr. Cook, at this time, was engaged in the practice of law, and boarded with Capt. Joel Raymond. He carried the mail in his pockets, and whenever an inquiring citizen found him he also found the post-office, and received his mail. This arrangement possessed some conveniences, and if his pockets were numbered, and a particular one assigned to each citizen, after the manner of the boxes for the delivery of the mail at the present time, it can be presumed that this method of distribution was received with great satis- faction.
September 4, 1821, Marshall P. Wilder was appointed successor of Mr. Cook, and the post-office had a fixed location in the Wilder store. When Col. Wilder removed to Boston, he was succeeded by his father, Samuel L. Wilder, Esq., whose appointment was dated April 12, 1825. Mr. Wilder soon after retired from business, and Stephen B. Sherwin was appointed April 3, 1828.
The disciples of Andrew Jackson, proclaiming that "to the victor belong the spoils," subsequently effected the removal of the office from its Whig quarters, and Dr. Isaiah Whitney was appointed April 15, 1830, and distrib- uted the mails from his residence until his death, after which his daughter conducted the office nearly a year; but no successor was named until October 16, 1840, when Thomas Whitney received the appointment, and removed the post-office into the hotel.
The succeeding postmasters, date of appointment, and location of the post-office, have been as follows: Charles E. Plummer, May 22, 1843, hotel. Dr. E. Darwin Abell, March 24, 1849, Dr. Whitney house. Dr. D. Wayland
50
390
HISTORY OF RINDGE.
Jones, August 23, 1852, Dr. Whitney house. Willard G. Jones, November 4, 1854, his residence. Levi Howe, April 13, 1861, Dr. Whitney house. Samuel W. Fletcher, March 18, 1869. Mr. Fletcher, the present incumbent, removed the office to the store in the hotel building, occupied at the time by Fletcher & Emory. The firm removed their business and the office to the Wilder store, in 1872.
The Blakeville post-office was established, and William A. Hale appointed postmaster, December 6, 1861. Ambrose Butler succeeded him, February 27, 1866, and Calvin Allen, March 28, 1871. The name was changed to West Rindge, December 11, 1871. Henry W. Fletcher, the present incumbent, was appointed December 19, 1872.
The East Rindge post-office was established, and Miss Cornelia L. Converse, the present incumbent, was appointed postmaster, December 19, 1872.
THE WAR OF 1812 .- After the peace of 1783, the United States and Great Britain each incessantly com- plained that the other had violated the stipulations contained in the treaty. The complaints, and the excite- ment produced in the public mind, were rife during the closing years of the past century, until quieted for a time by the ratification of the Jay Treaty. In 1794, the prospect of war assembled the citizens of this town in legal meeting, and called forth the following vote: "Voted to give those soldiers who shall enlist nine dollars per month with what Congress has offered, if they shall be called into actual service, and to pay them five dollars thereof, to each man when they march." The war for the time being averted, none were called into service, but the causes of complaint were continued, and only removed by the war which subse- quently followed. The declaration of war was received with little enthusiasm by the people of New England, and
391
WAR OF 1812.
the sentiment prevalent in the town of Rindge, strongly Federal in politics, proved no exception, as appears from the record of a town-meeting, held September 8, 1812 :-
After some introductory observations by different people, on the state of our public concerns, extracts from the speech of Mr. Gorman, delivered in the Senate of the United States, on the motion to postpone the consideration of the bill declaring war against Great Britain, was read before the town. It was then requested by Thomas Jewett, Esqr. [Dr. Jewett], that the presi- dent's message to Congress, June 1, 1812, might be read, which was complied with, and after being read, considered, and discussed, it was motioned to see who would justify the government in declaring the present war, and who would not; when the moderator requested those in favor of the procedure to take their places west of the broad aisle, and those against it on the east side, when it appeared that there were three in favor and the whole of the remainder of the inhabitants of the town present against the measure of declaring war, except five or six in the broad aisle. Voted to choose three delegates to meet with others who are or may be appointed to assemble in some convenient place in this county, to consult upon the state of our public concerns for the preservation of order and the restoration of peace. Chose Rev. Dr. Payson, Edward Jewett, Esqr., and Samuel L. Wilder, for their delegates.
In November, 1814, Samuel L. Wilder, Esq., was selected to represent the town in a convention assembled at Walpole for the choice of a delegate to the famous Hartford Con- vention, which met, December 15, 1814; and the sentiment of the citizens of this town is further disclosed in the fact that with the exception of Ezekiel Jewett, whose service is mentioned elsewhere, there were no voluntary enlist- ments into the service.
392
HISTORY OF RINDGE.
In 1814, a requisition was made by the Governor of New Hampshire for nine men for the defence of Ports- mouth. A draft was made, and the following receipt, found upon the records, preserves the date of their departure :
RINDGE, September 13, 1814.
Received of the selectmen of Rindge sixteen dollars in advance pay for eight men under my command who are going with me to Portsmouth, to-morrow.
LEONARD WELLINGTON.
A few days later, another requisition was made by the Governor, and nine other soldiers were joined in the blood- less defence of Portsmouth. These men marched under the command of Sergeant Allen, who gave a receipt similar to the one of Lieut. Wellington, dated September 28, 1814. The men, and the duration of their service, were as follows : -
Lieutenant Leonard Wellington, 52 days.
Lawson Walker, 90
John Richards, 90 66
Leonard Colburn, 90
Stephen H. Fletcher, 48 66
John Fenno, 43 66
Amos Fenno, 90 66
Solomon Sawtell, 2d, 50 Harding Derby, 50
66
Sergeant Salmon Allen, 60
66
Harry Greene, 40
66
Aaron Keyes, 40
60
Nathan Johnson, Jr., 60 66
Ephraim Whitcomb, 60
Substitute for Joel Raymond, 2d.
Charles Hodskins, 40 66
John Rhode, 40
66
Calvin Hale, 40
66
Luther Goodridge, 8
Lived with Dr. Jewett; was from Carlisle, Mass.
393
CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION.
CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION. - The action of the town in its corporate capacity, in regard to the celebration of the one hundredth anniversary of its incorporation, was plain and direct, but the records preserve for future years only a faint indication of the manner in which the event was commemorated. At the annual town-meeting, in March of that year, it was unanimously voted that the completion of a century in the town's history be appropriately observed, and a committee, consisting of Ezra S. Stearns, Jason B. Perry, Zebulon Converse, George A. Whitney, Willard G. Jones, and James B. Robbins, were chosen, to make
arrangements for the celebration. At a subsequent meet- ing, the sum of three hundred dollars was voted, and placed at the disposal of the committee. During the spring and summer, the committee held frequent sessions, in maturing measures which should lead to an appropriate and successful commemoration of the day. The town was incorporated February 11. The season of the year rendered it impracticable to observe the precise day on which the record of one hundred years was made complete. Wednes- day, September 16, was selected as the day on which the exercises should occur. Hon. Marshall P. Wilder, of Boston, was invited to deliver the address. The invitation was reluctantly declined by Mr. Wilder, on account of other engagements, very much to the disappointment of all natives of Rindge, and of many others interested in the history of the town. The invitation was then cordially extended to Hon. Amasa Norcross, of Fitchburg, Massachu- setts, which was accepted, and Samuel Burnham, of Boston, was invited to read a poem.
A circular letter of invitation was prepared by the committee, and sent far and wide to the absent sons and daughters of Rindge. A capacious tent was procured at
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HISTORY OF RINDGE.
Boston, and erected on the Common in front of the residence of the late Deacon Breed. Ample preparations were made for the collation which was to be served under the canvas, and a speaker's stand was erected on the declivity south of the meeting-house. These and many other minor prepara- tions being made, the dawn of the morning of the sixteenth of September was awaited not without anxiety lest some measure had been overlooked which might add interest to the ceremonies of the day.
With the morning came humid clouds and abundant tokens of rain. Despite these appearances, a large number of people composed of residents of the town, and many others from abroad, were assembled upon the Common at an early hour. A procession was formed under the direction of George A. Whitney, Esq., marshal of the day, which, after making the circuit of the village, was halted in front of the speaker's platform. Near the residence of William A. Sherwin, a floral arch, bearing appropriate devices, was warmly greeted by the moving throng. One feature of the procession sadly reminded the spectator of one of the great events of the century, in which the deeds of the sons of Rindge are read in the glowing record of unfailing patriotism. At the head of the procession, under command of Captain E. H. Converse, marched with measured step the veterans of the recent war, "all that was left of them." This little band, many of them bearing scars and other evidences of wounds received in battle, at once painfully proclaimed the carnage of war and the heroism of those sons of Rindge who proudly had helped make up the history of the expiring century.
At the speaker's stand there was reading of the Script- ure, "Lord, thou hast been our dwelling-place through all generations," and prayer by Rev. Dr. A. W. Burnham,
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395
CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION.
followed by an address of welcome to all the returning sons and daughters of the town, and to other guests, by Ezra S. Stearns, the president of the day. A sudden fall of rain now drove the assembly into the audience-room of the Congregational Church, which was soon densely packed, many failing to gain admission. The exercises of the day were quickly resumed. Hon. Amasa Norcross delivered an oration of great merit. In all respects it was adapted to the occasion, and gave unqualified satisfaction to all present. The entire address was characterized by clear statement of historic facts, not unrelieved by both humor and pathos. After the oration, a bountiful collation was served in the tent. When the trencher-knife had been laid aside, the Centennial Poem was delivered by Samuel Burnham. It was an ingenious and worthy production, abounding in humorous description of ancient manners and customs, and with tender reminiscences of the dead, closing with joyful hopes for the future happiness of mankind. Its pleasantries were enjoyed by all, and in the more serious passages none failed to recognize the kind heart and tender sensibilities of the gifted author. Following the poem were sentiments and addresses from persons, including Rev. Dr. Burnham, Hon. Amasa Norcross, Rev. Samuel Lee, of New Ipswich ; Henry Payson, Esq., of Portland, son of Rev. Dr. Edward Payson; Thomas Hale, Esq., editor of the New Hampshire Sentinel; Dr. George B. Jewett, of Fitchburg ; Rev. C. M. Dinsmore, of Keene; Rev. L. Dickerman, of Weymouth ; Hon. E. S. Whittemore, of Sandwich, Massachusetts ; Hon. George M. Buttrick, of Barre, Massachusetts; Hiram N. Stearns, of Boston, and others. During the afternoon, interspersed between the responses to the sentiments, the president of the day read letters of congratulation from Hon. Marshall P. Wilder; Hon. A. H. Bullock, whose
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HISTORY OF RINDGE.
mother was a native of Rindge; Rev. William C. Richards, of Newton, Massachusetts; Rev. J. W. Guernsey, formerly pastor of the Methodist Church in this town; Edwin S. Adams, Esq., of Brooklyn; Dr. Thomas E. Barker, of Bangor, Maine, and others. The planting of a century elm, with appropriate ceremonies, closed the exercises of the afternoon. The tree then planted, not surviving, has been replaced by another of the same size, which measured, Jan- uary 1, 1875, two feet from the ground, thirteen inches in circumference.
In the evening the Town Hall was filled to its utmost capacity, and the hours agreeably devoted to speeches, music, and the renewal of the friendships of former periods.
The exercises of the day and evening were enlivened by the Fitchburg Cornet Band, which was secured through the liberality of Rodney Wallace, Esq., of Fitchburg. About noon the clouds broke away, and the sun shone out in prophetic splendor of the new century whose tablets were to be traced with the records and experiences of the unknown years. The brightness of the afternoon made ample amends for the clouds and the rain of the morning. Thus ended the day, amid many congratulations on the success of the entire proceedings. Such occasions have an outer and an inner experience. All externally came to participate in the ceremonies of the day. Yet many, after a long absence, returned to renew vows of love for the scenes of their childhood happiness, and the glowing dreams of their youth ; some with tender hands to remove the accumu- lating dust and moss from the tomb of their fathers; others to trace near the graves of their kindred a portion of mother earth, where they hoped to slumber when life's warfare should be ended. No one reviews the scenes of childhood and youth without deep emotion, which finds no expression
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397
LIBRARIES,- MECHANICS' HALL.
in words; and, recalling the buoyant happiness of other years, all are surprised at the chastened sadness-a sadness whose growth has marked the number of the fleeting years -reigning in their hearts.
THE RINDGE LIBRARY was collected sixty or more years ago. The number of volumes was not large, but comprised works of acknowledged merit. After they had become familiar to the patrons, the books were sold at auction, and the Rindge Circulating Library was established mainly by the persons who had been members of the former association. Subsequently the books were divided among the owners of the shares, and are frequently met with upon the shelves of the aged citizens. The Social Library of School District No. 3, now No. 8, was collected about thirty years ago. After a few years, the organization became extinct, and nearly all the volumes were lost beyond recovery. The East Rindge Library Association was organ- ized 1871, and is in a prosperous condition, owning about five hundred volumes, and constantly increasing the number by the purchase of new books.
THE MECHANICS' HALL, at East Rindge, has been built the past season (1874). A capacious and well finished audience-room in the second story affords ample accommoda- tions for lectures and social gatherings. The lower story has been finished for a store, the post-office, and the library. It was built by Joel Wellington, at an expense of $2,500, and by him sold to an association of proprietors. The erection of such a building reflects much credit upon the enterprise of the village of East Rindge. Mr. Wellington, in addition to the management of an extensive business, which adds to the material interests of the town, has recently erected five or six dwelling-houses, and in many
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HISTORY OF RINDGE.
ways contributed to the prosperity of the village in which he resides.
POPULATION. - The enumeration of inhabitants in 1767 and 1775 was authorized by the province of New Hamp- shire. Another enumeration was made in 1783, but no return from Rindge has been discovered. Since the adop- tion of the Federal Constitution, a census has been made for each decade. The population of the town of Rindge, at these dates, appears below : -
1767, .
298
1820, . 1298
1775, .
542
1830, . 1269
1783, .
no return
1840, .
1161
1790, .
1143
1850, .
1274
1800, .
1196
1860, . 1230
1810,
1226
1870, 1107
MORTUARY RECORD. - Although the thickly gathered monuments and the crowded mounds in the cemetery con- tinually proclaim that the graves of the dead are more numerous than the present population of the town, the statistics furnish abundant proof that the pure air of the locality and perfect drainage of the township, in an unusual degree, have been conducive to health and longevity. With an average population of between twelve hundred and thir- teen hundred, the number of deaths for the past sixty-three years has been twelve hundred and six, or an annual rate of nineteen and one-half. As appears from a record here- after given, the number of persons dying in this town since January 1, 1812, eighty or more years of age, has been one hundred and eighty-two; above eighty-five years of age, one hundred and seventeen; above ninety, thirty-one ; and above ninety-five, seven. In this number are included a few who were residents of Rindge, and had been such for many years, but died while visiting or making a temporary abode with
399
MORTUARY RECORD.
their children or friends in some of the surrounding towns. The number of deaths of aged persons previous to 1812 cannot be given with accuracy.
Epidemic diseases have rarely prevailed, and seasons of an unusual amount of sickness have been of rare occurrence. The most memorable era was during the prevalence of a malarial fever which caused much alarm, and was accompa- nied with considerable fatality. In the autumn of 1811, Jeremiah Norcross, Jr., returned to his home from the labor of a season, and soon fell a victim to this disease. His father, who was one of the early settlers of the town, died of the disease a few days later, and Isaac Gibson, Thomas Rugg, and Samuel Steele, in that neighborhood. Emerson Hubbard, eight years of age; Elisha Jones, eleven years of age; Lieut. Joseph Mulliken and his wife; Capt. Asa Sherwin, who had been an invalid for several years ; Nathaniel Russell, Esq., whose name frequently occurs in the earlier chapters, and several others, died within a very short time. This disease, generally known as the spotted fever, accompanying the cold summers of 1811 and 1812, prevailed throughout a large area, and proved very much more fatal in many places than in this town.
Since the settlement of the town, there has been found a number who "set their lives at a pin's fee," and fell at their own hands. Perhaps in every instance, certainly in nearly all, the taint of insanity has been manifested in the families in which self-destruction has occurred. There was a time when the suicide was denied Christian burial, and his memory was a reproach to his kindred. Whether the instinct of self-preservation can be overcome except in insanity, is at present receiving a more attentive considera- tion. The first suicide in this town occurred in 1816, within the latter half of the town's history. The whole number
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HISTORY OF RINDGE.
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