USA > New Hampshire > Strafford County > Rochester > History of the town of Rochester, New Hampshire, from 1722 to 1890, Vol. I > Part 52
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Solomon Evans, 1866, '67.
Samuel Bickford, 1866, '67.
Stephen D. Wentworth, 1868, '60, '72.
John F. Torr, 1868, '69. Hanson Evans, 1868, '69.
John H. Osborne, 1870, '71.
Nathaniel Dorman, 1871.
Samuel F. Page, 1872, '73.
John S. Calef, 1872.
Augustine S. Parshley, 1873 to 81, '83, '84, '90.
Harrison Hale, 1874 to '76.
Charles W. Dame, 1877, '78.
John Greenfield, 1877, '78, '84, '85.
Herman W. Roberts, 1879, '80.
Daniel Lothrop, 1840, '41.
Asa Roberts, 1842, '45, '64, '65.
Benjamin Horne, 1843, '56.
Daniel Rogers, 1845.
Ezra Hayes, 1845. James Brown, 1846.
A. S. Howard, 1846.
Charles W. Evans, 1886 to '88.
George L. Hayes, 1888, '89.
Daniel F. Jenness, 1889.
John W. Tebbets, 1890.
Prior to 1878 the selectmen had charge of the check-list, with full power to regulate the same according to their own judgment under the law. Under the revised Constitution special supervisors
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of the check-list are required to be appointed representing both par- ties. These have been chosen as follows : --
Noah A. Jenness, 1878.
Henry F. Walker, 1884.
Walter S. Stanley, 1878.
Peter Cassidy, 1884.
Charles Blazo. 1878.
William Blake, 1886, '88.
George B. Roberts, 1880, '82,' 84.
Riley H. Parker, 1886, '88.
John S. Parsons. 1880, '82.
Richard Cross, 1886, '88.
William Tobin, 1880, '82.
Overseers of the poor were first chosen in 1763, after which no mention is made of such an office until 1788. The list is as fol- lows : -
Isaac Libbey, 1763. Wentworth Hayes, 1763.
Joseph Plumer, 1794, '95. Ichabod Corson, 1795.
Dr. James Howe, 1788, '90.
Ichabod Pearl, 1795.
Jacob Hanson, 1788, '91, '92.
Jonathan Hussey, 1833.
Richard Dame, 1788.
William S. Ricker, 1833, '39 to '41.
Lt. Richard Place, 1789, '91 to '95.
John Hanson, 1833.
Dea. Samuel Plumer, 1789.
Charles Dennett, 1834 to '38.
Daniel McDuffee, 1790.
John Greenfield, 1834 to '38.
Moses Horne. Jr., 1793.
Jeremiah H. Woodman, 1839 to '41.
David Wingate, 1794.
Between 1795 and 1833, and since 1841, the selectmen have performed the duties of this office. As in other towns, the support of the poor was formerly let out to the lowest bidder. A vote to that effect is recorded in 1821. In 1826 the subject of a town farm began to be agitated, and Nathaniel Upham and Jonathan Hussey were appointed to investigate the matter. Nothing how- ever was accomplished until 1831, when it was voted, 103 to 29, to buy a farm at a cost not exceeding $2,500, and $500 more for stock, furniture, etc., and Thomas McDuffee, Moses Young, and Moses Hale were appointed to make the purchase before May 17th of the same year. In 1833 J. H. Woodman, D. Barker, Jr., and J. H. Smith were appointed to draft by-laws for the regulation of the inmates of the almshouse. Their report was adopted pre- scribing for various specified misdemeanors, the penalties of solitary confinement, or short allowance of food, according to the aggra- vation of the offence. The overseer was authorized to build a cell for confinement. In 1863 $1,000 was appropriated to enlarge the almshouse. About this time the plan of supporting paupers by counties instead of towns began to be agitated, and at the March meeting in 1867 the several towns were asked to vote upon
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this question. The Rochester vote was 250 against and only 14 in favor. Nevertheless the plan prevailed, and in 1874 the select- men were instructed to sell the town farm at public auction within thirty days, reserving the pest house and the burying ground. Since that time residents needing temporary aid have been supplied at their homes, but those needing permanent help have been taken to the county farm.
The first constable chosen by the town was John Macfee in 1737, and it was " voted that he shall have five pounds for serving when his year is out." The principal duty of this office was the collection of taxes, and it was very difficult to get the office suit- ably filled. A fine imposed for refusal was frequently paid on the spot by one who was so unfortunate as to be elected. All suitable persons were expected to take their turn unless they could pro- cure a substitute, or offer some satisfactory excuse. In 1781 the difficulty appears to have reached a climax. Simon Torr was chosen constable, but was excused from serving "this year." Samuel Plumer was chosen, but was "voted out from serving." Elijah Varney was chosen and paid his fine, but afterwards the town " for a good reason " excused him, and refunded the fine. Samuel Sea- vey was chosen and then " voted out." Ithamar Seavey was chosen but the vote was reconsidered, and finally, the selectmen were authorized to hire a constable, which plan was usually adopted thereafter. One great reason of the difficulty of filling the office was undoubtedly the constantly changing value of the currency, which rendered the adjustment of accounts exceedingly difficult. Constables were frequently behind in their payments, and the town instructed their agents to prosecute them. In 1785 the town sued Paul Harford, a delinquent collector, and attached twenty-three and one half acres of land in the lower part of the village, also his dwelling house, and his interest in the land on which it stood. This was appraised at $75, and the land at $8 an acre (p. 129). About 1788 the collection of taxes was let out to the lowest bid- der. This custom was continued for a few years, and again re- vived in 1821, when it was struck off to Ezra M. Drown, at nine mills on a dollar. For the next four years Paul Kimball bid it off, receiving, in 1825, $20. Sometimes the selectmen received proposals for collecting taxes during the meeting, and laid them before the town at its close. In 1834 Isaac Twombly was chosen
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collector by ballot, to have $55 for collecting the whole tax, and at the same rate for what he should collect. The practice of choos- ing a collector in town meeting continued till 1845. They were appointed by the selectmen from that time until 1884, when the town returned to the old method of choice at the annual meeting. In 1885 the pay of the collector had increased to $300, and in 1887 it was $450.
In 1800 the warrant for town meeting contained the following article : -
" To see if the Town will propose or adopt some by-laws and appoint a Com- mittee of Police to regulate some disorders that are likely to happen in said town, particularly to prevent people from suffering their creatures from disturb- ing and wasting the hay and property of travelers and teamsters at and near Norway Plains."
Joseph Clark, Esq., Capt. Thomas Shannon, Jabez Dame, Capt. Samuel Storer, and Col. John McDuffee were chosen to prepare by-laws, and reported four articles. The first was to prevent horses, cattle, swine, or sheep from going at large in the village, under penalty of one dollar and fifty cents fine with costs. The second was to compel every owner of a dwelling house to keep a good and sufficient ladder on or adjacent to his house, under penalty of not more than a dollar nor less than twenty-five cents and costs. The third forbade two or more persons playing ball or quoits in the village under penalty of fifty cents and costs; and the fourth provided for obtaining the approval of these by-laws at the Court of Common Pleas. A committee of police was appointed to execute these by-laws, consisting of Capt. Samuel Storer, Joseph Clark, Levi Dearborn, and Moses L. Neal.
As the population of the town increased the need of stricter regulations began to be felt. At a special meeting, May 30, 1835, the town instructed the selectmen to appoint police officers with power to make and enforce all regulations needed for the good order of the village. The next day they appointed James Far- rington, Charles Dennett, Ivory M. Nute, John McDuffee, Jr., Jonathan H. Torr, Benjamin Barker, and Ebenezer C. Blackmar, who immediately issued and posted through the town a sheet of " police laws," forbidding almost every conceivable misdemeanor under severe penalties of fine and imprisonment. Apparently the town got more than they bargained for, as in the following March
36
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they voted " to dispense with all articles in the police laws." After a few years, however, a permanent police force was found neces- sary. March 13, 1849, $100 was appropriated "to fit up a room or rooms at the Town Hall for a bridewell or lock-up," and Edward Barnard was chosen keeper. March 12, 1851, it was
" Resolved, that the police officers be provided with suitable badges to be worn on town-meeting days, and that they be paid by the town for their services in keeping order."
December 19, 1868, it was voted to establish a police court, and to pay the justice $100 a year. S. D. Wentworth now holds the office at a salary of $300. August 28, 1869, the selectmen were instructed "to build a lock-up," and $1,000 was appropriated for that purpose. This " lock-up" was built in the rear of the Town Hall on Wentworth street, and is still in use. The first regularly paid police were appointed in 1886. At the present time (1890) the chief-of-police is N. L. Berry, with seven subordinates.
Rochester being a county town built a Court House in 1797 where Wallace's currying shop now is, near the railroad crossing. The lower story was used by the county courts till the division of the county in 1840. The second story was the Town Hall. The expense of building was met by selling the fourth division school lot and a part of the meeting-house lot. This Town Hall was first used March 26, 1798, prior to which the town meetings had always been held in the meeting-house. In 1802 the town voted to paint the Court House "near the color of Capt. Samuel Storer's house," which had been recently built and painted cream color, and was probably admired as the finest house in the village. In 1825 the Court House was repaired by the town at an expense of $200. In 1836 the town voted $100 for the same purpose, pro- vided the citizens would raise a like amount by subscription. After the county had ceased to use it, in 1844, it was voted to repair it for a Town Hall. It was burned in the night, October 6, 1849, having been set on fire, it is supposed, out of revenge, by some scamp who had been confined in the "lock-up " there. For the next two years the annual town meetings were held in the freight-house of the Great Falls & Conway Railroad. The town voted $1,200 for a town house including a lot, and appointed John McDuffee, Louis McDuffee, and Eben J. Mathes for building
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committee. They found that a suitable building could not be put up for less than that sum, besides the lot, and March 12, 1851, it was voted to raise $250 to purchase the Silas Wentworth lot, pro- vided the citizens would contribute the balance required. The hall was built during that summer, and the first meeting was held there in September, 1851. In 1852 an appropriation was asked for seating it, but the article was dismissed, and the same question was negatived every year till March, 1855, when $300 was appro- priated for seating and lighting. The subject of a new Town Hall was broached as early as 1872, and has been discussed, with the appointment of various committees of inquiry, from time to time ever since. At the March meeting in 1888 the selectmen were authorized to hire a sum not exceeding $50,000 for buying a lot and building a Town Hall, and a committee was appointed to report in May. By the crafty management of the opponents of the scheme, the location recommended by the committee was rejected, and the whole enterprise was defeated, and the old hall of 1851 is still in use.
An indication of the growing village interests is seen in pro- visions for protection from fire. When the first fire engine was bought cannot now be ascertained, but we find a vote March 9, 1813, not to pay any money for an engine. At the same time it was voted to abate the taxes of James Waldron, James Witherell, and David Barker, who had had buildings burnt. September, 1822, it was voted to abate the taxes of David and William Barker " by reason of their recent losses by fire." In June, 1836, " the Roch- ester fire engine company was enlarged and incorporated." This shows that it had been previously organized, probably for some years. Firewards are first mentioned in 1838, when eleven were appointed : - George Barker, Charles Dennett, John Greenfield, A. S. Howard, Noah Tebbets, James McDuffee, John McDuffee, Jr., N. V. Whitehouse, J. H. Henderson, Paul Kimball, and Rich- mond Henderson. At the annual meeting in March, 1845, $400 was appropriated, and a committee appointed to buy a fire engine, provided the citizens would subscribe the same amount. A month later the town adopted a recent act of the Legislature relating to the appointment of fire engineers. S. M. Mathes was elected chief engineer, and John McDuffee, N. D. Wetmore, Jabez Dame, Jr.,
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Watson Hayes, and James Bodge assistants. March 12, 1850, $400 was appropriated for a fire engine at Gonic, and $300 for making reservoirs at the village. A month after the burning of Dodge's Hotel (p. 487), $500 was voted for a fire engine " to take the place of the old one now in use of the Ancient and Honorable Engine Company," also $500 for additional hose, and $150 for two reservoirs at Gonic. In 1853 the town was asked to abate the poll-tax of fire- men, but refused. In 1853, $50 was voted to build an engine house at Gonic, and in 1855, $45 to buy a sled for each engine company, and two years later $50 for a reservoir. March 9, 1858, the pay of firemen was "increased " to $3 a year. Through the efforts of Judge Kimball a subscription was raised to buy trumpets for the several companies, except the Invincibles, a boys' company, which had already received one. These were presented, at a parade of the whole fire department, October 1, 1859, and the presentation speech was made in the Academy yard, by Edward Sawyer. March 12, 1861, $400 was appropriated to buy an engine, on condition that what more might be needed for the purpose should be raised by subscription. Two years later, $500 was voted to buy hose to be divided among the several companies, and in 1867 $1,000 was appropriated "to lay iron pipe from force-pump of Norway Plains Company to the Square." By several votes at various meetings from 1861 to 1868, appropriations were made to build engine houses for the several companies as follows: - $900 for Cocheco Company, $900 for Torrent Company No. 2, $1,000 for Tiger Company, and $1,500 for Torrent Company No. 5 at East Rochester. In 1870 it was voted to pay firemen five dollars a year. In 1872, $3,000 was voted for a hook and ladder and hose house. In 1877 it was voted to reduce the fire companies to forty men each. In 1880, $300 was voted for a fire-alarm bell. The next year $500 was voted to buy an engine for the use of Tiger Company No. 5. There are now, in 1890, three engine companies of forty men each, one at each village ; Pioneer Hose Company and Resolute Hook and Ladder Company, with twenty men each; Cocheco Hose Company and Norway Plains Company, with ten men each. Fifty-three hydrants are maintained at an annual cost of fifty dollars each. Firemen are now paid ten dollars a year.
Village growth and the rapidly increasing population have made the subject of water-supply a question of no small importance.
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In 1877 the selectmen were instructed to survey for the introduc- tion of water into the village. The records show nothing further until 1880, when a committee was appointed "to consider the sub- ject of supplying the village with water." At the next March meeting $100 was appropriated "to be used by the selectmen in sinking an artesian well as an experiment for obtaining a supply of water," but nothing came of it. The " Rochester Aqueduct and Water Company" was chartered in July, 1877, but did not begin work until 1885, and the water was turned on December 1st of the same year. The present officers of the company are Frank Jones of Portsmouth, president; C. B. Gafney, vice-president; and Albert Wallace, treasurer. In 1885 the town voted that the stock of this company be exempt from taxation for five years from March 1, 1886.
At the annual town meeting in 1890, it was voted : -
" That the Selectmen be instructed to hire on notes of the town from time to time so much money as may be necessary for the purpose of supplying Roch- ester village with an adequate supply of fresh water, agreeably to the provision of Chap. 242 of the Laws of New Hampshire, enacted at the June session of 1881, not to exceed two hundred thousand dollars, and that Elias F. Smith, Ezra Pray, James Farrington, John W. Tebbetts, and Albert W. Hayes be a Committee to construct suitable water-works with full power to purchase the present water-works if deemed advisable, take deeds and make contracts in the name of the town, and for said purpose to do and perform all things neces- sary, agreeably to the provision of said chapter; also that they shall extend said water-works to or construct separate water-works for the villages of East Rochester and Gonic as soon as they can obtain the necessary legislation."
The beginnings of things as shown by the first appointments to various offices form a valuable record from which can be seen the gradual growth of the town by its increasing wants, or a more developed sense of those wants.
The first tithing-man was John Allen, chosen in 1737 (p. 141). The first pound-keeper was Berjamin Fors, in 1737, the town voting to build a pound near his house. In 1786 a pound was built near the meeting-house on Haven's Hill, and as late as 1841 a new one was built not far from the meeting-house on the com- mon (p. 141). The first field-drivers were Ebenezer Brewster, William Jenness, and Joseph Tebbets, in 1739. The first " hog- reeve " was Thomas Drew in 1747. From 1807 to 1826 one of the most frequent subjects of debate at town meetings was the question of "excusing swine from wearing a yoke," "such as
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go peaceably on the common." Special meetings were held to consider this subject, which seems to have occasioned no little excitement. Until 1823, however, the excuse was always granted. In that year it was voted " not to excuse the inhabitants from yoking their swine," thus reversing the former practice, besides improving the phraseology. For a few years longer the subject continued to be discussed, but the town could never again be brought to consent that swine should run at large.
The first surveyors of highways were John Layton, Solomon Clarke, and Eleazer Ham, chosen in 1737.
The first auditors, then called "commissioners," were John Jenness, Samuel Twombly, and John Allen, in 1737.
The first committee to hire a school teacher was chosen in 1750, and the first superintending committee in 1809 (pp. 157, 161).
In 1755 Samuel Twombly was chosen "culler of staves," and Ebenezer Place " culler of shingles." No such officers were after- wards chosen, except a " surveyor of staves " in 1790.
William " Mefee " and Ichabod Corson were chosen "informers of who kills deer," in 1759, and this office was continued for sev- eral years.
The first parish wardens were Paul Libbey and Richard Place, appointed by the town in 1770.
In the same year the first "fence viewers" were chosen : - Daniel Wingate, Lieut. Stephen Berry, George Willan, Capt. Jonathan Ham, and Samuel Laighton.
The first surveyors of lumber were Morris Ellis, Ens. John Burgess, and Silas Dame, in 1785.
Capt. John Brewster, Jonathan Dame, and Aaron Wingate were chosen " lot layers " in 1786.
In 1795 Joshua Lane was chosen first sealer of weights and measures, and Caleb Jackson sealer of leather.
The first surveyors of brick were Joshua Knight, Ichabod Cor- son, Jr., Joshua Hartford, and Howard Henderson, in 1798.
The first money raised by the town was £150, March 9, 1738. The first vote to hire money was January 21, 1745, when a com- mittee was appointed to hire £22 to settle an execution against the town, and to pay for mending the meeting-house windows. In March, 1890, the town debt was $52,602.73, and the amount raised by taxation was $68,491.89.
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The first public provision for lighting the streets was at the March meeting in 1878, when the selectmen were instructed to pro- cure and run fifty street lamps to be placed in the three villages in proportion to their valuation, at a cost not exceeding $2,000 (p.472).
The first mention of using a check-list is March 13, 1827. The following record of the number of names on the check-list at differ- ent periods shows the gradual increase in the number of voters: - 1827, 491; 1828, 522; 1831, 495; 1834, 488; 1838, 525; 1843, 569; 1864, 917; 1867, 1,056; 1868, 1,030; 1872, 1,198; 1876, 1,240; 1880, 1,683; 1884, 2,032; 1890, about 2,400.
As a town Rochester has been conservative in action, and not easily moved to adopt changes. The disposition of her voters seems to have been to "let well enough alone." This is evident from some of the preceding as well as following votes. September 13, 1779, when the plan for a state government was first proposed, Rochester gave only one vote in its favor. When the sense of the people has been taken from time to time on the expediency of re- vising the State Constitution, Rochester has most of the time voted against it. The Constitutional Convention of 1850 proposed fifteen amendments, all of which were rejected in Rochester by a large majority. Of the amendments proposed by the convention of 1876, all but one were adopted. The seven amendments of 1889 were all adopted in Rochester by strong majorities.
In 1836 the question of dividing Strafford county was presented in March, and again in November, and had a large majority in the negative. In March, 1838, the vote on dividing into three counties was 22 in favor and 149 against; but on dividing into two it stood 142 for and 41 against. In March, 1839, another vote was called for, which resulted in 165 yeas and 45 nays.
Sundry other noticeable votes have been as follows: - November 7, 1836, on the expediency of building an asylum for the insane, 92 yeas and 14 nays.
March 13, 1836, it was voted 120 to 1 that it is inexpedient to authorize the recording of deeds by the town clerk.
November 4, 1854, a vote on abolishing capital punishment stood 38 in favor to 184 against.
March 14, 1848, on the expediency of a prohibitory law there were 150 yeas to 74 nays.
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March 11, 1851, on the expediency of the Homestead Exemption law, yeas 110 and nays 54.
At this time there were over a thousand voters, and it is notice- able in all these votes that a very small proportion of the people took interest enough to vote at all.
The following votes were passed March, 1854: -
" Voted to request our Representatives to Congress to oppose any bill for organizing any Territories allowing Slavery therein, where it is now excluded by compact. Voted to instruct our Representatives to the Legislature to vote for no person as United States Senator, unless he is pledged to vote against the extension of Slavery into territory now free."
Rochester has been liberal in offering inducements to manufac- turers to locate here. At a town meeting May 4, 1872,
" Voted to exempt from taxation any establishment proposed to be erected and put in operation in said town within ten years, for the term of five years, for the manufacture of cotton, wool, wood, iron, shoes and boots, and any other material, provided the capital invested shall exceed one thousand dollars."
Subsequently more specific votes have been passed from time to time, exempting particular firms, under certain conditions, usually for a period of ten years.
CHAPTER XVII.
UNCLASSIFIED MISCELLANIES.
"On that shore with fowler's tact Coolly bagging fact on fact, Naught amiss to thee can float, Tale or song or anecdote ; Village gossip centuries old, Scandals by our grandams told."
WHEN the farmer having cut and piled his yearly stock of wood has gone to his plowing and planting, his thrifty wife may be seen every sunny day gathering her basket of chips, which she values almost more than the armfuls of solid sticks with which he has filled her kitchen box. So in writing a town history, some chips and knots will be scattered along the path, which, though disjointed and incoherent, are yet too valuable not to be gathered up.
The Queen Anne cannon procured by Mr. Main (p. 28) seems worthy a brief notice. After thirty years' possession, in 1776 the gun was demanded back by Col. Evans acting in the name of the Committee of Safety. The selectmen refused to give it up, as seen by the following letter : -
" To the Honorable Meshach Weare Esq., President of the General Assembly now sitting.
Sir : We received an order from the Committee of Safety for the Colony of New Hampshire, in which we were desired to deliver to Col. Stephen Evans a four pound cannon which is in this town to be returned to Piscataqua Harbor, &c. Col. Evans applied for said cannon in April last, but without an order. We told the colonel we looked upon the cannon to be the town's property, and that it might be of service in alarming the country, &c., but still we told him we were wil- ling it should be carried where your Honors should think it would answer the best end, in case he would give a receipt and promise the value thereof equal to what hath been given for other cannon bought for the use of the colony, on which the Col. told us he was in no capacity to receive it on that condition, and so left it.
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