USA > New Hampshire > Cheshire County > Surry > History of the town of Surry, Cheshire County, New Hampshire : from date of severance from Gilsum and Westmoreland, 1769-1922, with a genealogical register and map of the town > Part 17
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4. Voted to adjourn to the house of John Norris-met accordingly.
5. Voted to adjourn to the meeting house-met accordingly. The election of further town officers then took place. Later the same day, again voted to adjourn for one hour, then to meet at this place-met accordingly.
6. Voted that the town purchase a supply of Powder, Lead and Flints.
1809: When the first settlers came here, and even until after this date, the only "good farming land" in town was on the hills and no one consid- ered the sandy plain or wet marshy meadows of any great value. A man could have purchased all the latter land he wished for $1.25 per
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acre. This explains why so many "hill farms" now abandoned are found in town.
-Tra.
1810, Sept. 3: The town paid John Chandler, or Asa Wilcox, $28.00 for build- ing the bridge by Jonathan Lock's mill on the Redding road, near the "Butler Rock."
"This certifies that Delevan Delance Jr. of Surry and Anna Blish of Gilsum have bin Published as the law directs-and their intention of Marriage has ben Publickly forbidden by Eunice Wilcox of Surry." Eli Darte T. Clerk
(Note-No date is found on this notice, but Eli Dart was town clerk between 1795 and 1811).
1811, Mar. 12: The annual town meeting for the first time opened "with prayer" by Rev. Perley Howe.
1811, Aug .: The town was involved in a law-suit with Westmoreland over the support of Widow Sarah Wilbur, a town charge.
1812, June 3: Voted to allow Major Nathan Hayward $12.55 for the care of Dinah Armstrong in her last sickness.
1812, June 3: Voted to allow a bill of $1.75 to John Thayer for making a coffin for Dinah Armstrong.
1814, Mar .: Jeremiah Robbins was appointed overseer and his dwelling a "Work-house and House of Correction" to be under the care of the selectmen. Jonas Pollard was appointed from 1815 to 1825.
1814, Oct. 1: A letter was in Keene P. O. for "Asa Wilcox, Wheal-write of Surry." -K. S.
1815: Voted to sell the maintainance of Phebe Crandall to the lowest bidder. $8.75 being the lowest bid, Jonathan Harvey engaged to maintain her as usual for the ensuing year.
1816, Mar. 16: "E. Fuller & Co. dissolved"-Elijah Fuller, William Baxter and John T. Wilcox. Fuller and Baxter will continue the business.
1816, Apr. 26: Thomas Wilson and Jonathan Webster dissolved partnership. -K. S.
1816, May 25: "Foster & Williams" of Surry give notice that they have sold their stock and trade to Josiah Knight.
1816 June 5: Voted to allow Abraham Thompson, a negro, $16.00 for main- taining "a black woman."
1817, Mar .: Voted to allow a bill of $25 for deporting the Russell Hurd family to Connecticut.
1817, Oct. 5: A very heavy earthquake shock in Cheshire Co.
1818, Mar .: Voted to pay $20.00 to assist the Cheshire Agricultural Society. 1818 (abt. Apr. 25) : Died in Alstead, Isaac Temple, aged 80. He "formerly was crier of the Court in this County."
1819, Nov. 1: Theodore Monroe gives notice to the "sportsmen" that he has 50 turkeys to be shot at.
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1820, June 3: The toll-gates on the 3d N. H. Turnpike have been thrown open to the public.
1822, Apr. 9: Two locations on which to build a town pound were proposed, one to be built of stone opposite Jonathan Harvey's tavern (No. 83) for $18.50 and the other to be of wood 22 x 32 x 7 feet for $15 to be located east of the Meetinghouse where the old schoolhouse stood. Neither pound was ever built.
1824, Feb. 12: Thaw and rain caused a great freshet on Ashuelot river and a bridge on the Surry Turnpike was washed away.
1825-1831: Rev. Perley Howe was President of Cheshire County Bible So- ciety.
1825: The navigation of Ashuelot river up as far as Keene was under con- sideration.
1825: Gilsum voted to build a tomb so that bodies could be kept one year after death and not be stolen by medical students.
1826, Dec. 22: It is expected that the Ashuelot river will become navigable as far as Keene within a few years. -K. S.
1827, Mar. 13: Voted that Augustus Johnson's house be a Work house and House of Correction, and Mr. Johnson the keeper.
1827, Mar .: At the annual town meeting Surry voted in favor of dividing Cheshire county. Sullivan county was soon after formed.
1827, May 24: Hon. Samuel Hills a very highly respected citizen of Surry died quite suddenly at his home "a victim to the Thompsonian system of practice." Age 61. -K. S.
1828: "Sunday travelling for other than religious purposes" was being agi- tated through the press.
1828, Oct .: Postmaster General asks bids to carry the Mail from Keene, through Surry, Drewsville and Langdon to Charlestown once a week- 23 miles; to leave Keene each Wednesday at 4 A. M., and Charlestown on the return trip at 1 P. M. the same day. -K. S.
1830, Jan. 19: The Derry Hill schoolhouse in Walpole district No. 7 was burned, and all contents destroyed. A defective chimney was the cause.
1831, Feb. 28: Benjamin Hills of Surry gives notice that Ambrose H. Sloan, Jr., an indented apprentice boy has run away.
1831, Mar. 8: Voted to let out the maintainance of the poor to the lowest bidder; "Phebe Crandall being set up at vendue was struck off to John W. Reed at $19.00." The maintainance of Love Allen was struck off to John S. Britton at 0.00 (nothing) he being the lowest bidder."
1832: At a mass meeting of Cheshire county towns held in Keene to make ar- rangements for celebrating Washington's birthday Sylvester Smith and Samuel Robinson were chosen a committee from Surry.
1833, Nov. 13: "A very peculiar and wonderful atmospherical phenomenon took place from midnight until dawn, of falling meteors. It was ob- served in the New England states and as far south as Philadelphia. It
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HISTORY OF SURRY
resembled sparks from a blacksmith's anvil, only much larger. The lights all appeared to proceed directly from the zenith and shot out in all directions; extending as far as the eye could reach and leaving a tail behind them similar to that of a meteor. The tail of many of them, after their force was expended remained stationary a consider- able length of time.
-K. S.
1834, Apr. 7: Voted that no horses, neat stock, sheep or swine shall run at large on any highway or common in town from April 1st until Nov. 1st under a fine of 50c for each creature.
1834: The last time the town "voted to sell the keeping of the poor to the lowest bidder." From that time the poor were left in care of the se- lectmen who found a suitable home for each, or placed them on the Town Farm. Miss Phebe Crandall was a "town charge" for nearly fifty years.
1836, Apr. 20: James Hatch, blacksmith, ads. his property for sale at public auction and will sell his property in Surry including one organ, one clock, one 2nd hand chaise, etc.
1837, Aug. 10: The new Wilson Mowing Machine has recently been tested on Long Island and it will cut five acres of grass in a day.
1839, Jan. 26: A very hard storm occurred in this part of New England, and many bridges swept away.
1838, Mar. 13: Voted to purchase the William Wright farm for a Town Farm. 1842 Daniel Abbott was chosen agent of the Farm.
1839, Oct. 30: "A Vermont farmer in descending the hill near Holbrbook's in Surry had the misfortune to have his leg broken by being thrown from his wagon. Some of the harness gave away and the wagon with a load of butter upset." -K. S.
1840: Samuel Grant was living on the "Seven Barns" farm in the southeast corner of Walpole and raised 3200 bushels of the "long-john" potatoes. Bradley Britton and another man was working for Mr. Grant, and had for a day's stint the digging and putting in the cellar 150 bushels of potatoes.
1840: The U. S. Census was taken by Bethuel Farley of Marlow for the towns of Gilsum, Surry, Walpole, Alstead, Marlow, Sullivan and Stoddard.
-K. S.
1840: The key-stone arch bridge over the Ashuelot river in the north part of Keene-on West Surry road-erected.
1840, July 8: Hon. Daniel Webster after delivering an address in Stratton, Vt., during the great political campaign came to Bellows Falls where he delivered an address from the upper balcony of the Mansion House. "He spoke in his eloquent and impressive manner for about an hour and a half." The day following-Thursday, July 9,-he came to Keene via. Walpole and the west part of Surry. When the barouche reached the highland between Ashuelot and the Connecticut valley he asked the driver to stop that he might get out and view the Green Mts. of Ver-
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MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS
mont and the hills in N. H. That afternoon Mr. Webster delivered an- other stirring address in Keene.
1840, Oct. 10: Gen. James Wilson of Keene delivered an address at the old meetinghouse in Surry.
1841, Mar. 9: The town, for the first time, votes a sum for ringing the church bell; $10 was raised for that purpose and to keep the meeting house clean. For many years thereafter there was ringing of the bell each week day at noon and 9 o'clock P. M., also when church services were held.
1841: The Postmaster General advertises for bids to carry the U. S. mail from July 1, 1841 until June 30, 1843. Route No. 224, from Keene to Surry, Drewsville, Bellows Falls, Charlestown, Springfield, N. Spring- field, Perkinsville, Greenbush, Felchville Reading, S. Woodstock to Woodstock, Vt .- 58 miles. There shall be three round trips each week with a four-horse coach; to leave Keene 6 A. M. Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday and arrive at Woodstock at 6 P. M. the same day.
1842: The first lucifer matches were introduced in town. They were soon followed by the introduction of the steel writing pen.
1842, Feb. 1: About this day, Samuel Hammond died at Wardsboro, Vt .; age 94 years. He was the last man of the famous Tea Party of Boston, 1773.
1843, July 4: Keene Light Infantry marched to Surry where Rev. Abraham Jackson of Walpole delivered an address. -K. S.
1844, Jan. 5: A District Temperance Meeting was held in Surry at 10 A. M. Per order: Rev. Elihu Smith, Jonathan Robinson, Jr. Committee. 1845 or about that time, the construction of the Cheshire railroad was under consideration. It was built between Ashburnham, Mass., and Bellows Falls, Vt., via. Winchendon, Fitzwilliam, Troy, Keene and Walpole. Engineers had surveyed as far as Keene, then they proceeded up Surry valley between the river and the base of the mountain, then along on the side of the hill east of No. 135 and over the Alstead Hills to Drews- ville and the Falls. On account of the grade they abandoned this route. Next they turned their attention to that of Westmoreland, but the en- gineer met the grade again between the Ashuelot and the Connecticut valleys. Finally an engineer was recommended who could "survey a route to the moon" if they could keep him sober. He soon had a route laid out where the railroad was built.
1845, July 1: A new postal law took effect when newspapers could be sent free to all towns within 30 miles of Keene.
1845, Sept. 17: "It is expected that a tunnel will be found expedient (in building the new railroad) across the 'narrow' which makes the sum- mit (through the corner of Surry), between Keene and Walpole .- K. S.
1846, Sept .: William J. Griswold, an Englishman of Surry, was fined $200.00 and six months in jail for "beating Elijah Holbrook and holding him in duress until he signed a note of $500.00." -- K. S.
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HISTORY OF SURRY
1848, About this time, Mrs. Levi Brooks introduced the first tomatoes into Surry. They from one to 112 inch in diameter, of red variety and not especially desirable as an article of food. -Tra.
1848, Apr. 6: The railroad at the "summit" will probably be finished by next Sept. -K. S.
1848, Tuesday, May 16: The first train from Boston, via. Fitchburg and Troy, arrived in Keene. Mayor Quincy of Boston, Mayor Warren of Charlestown, Hon. Alvah Crocker of Fitchburg and many others ar- rived that morning.
1848, Aug .: A serious fight among the Irish who were working at the "sum- mit" took place; several were injured; forty of the men were arrested and lodged in Keene jail. The state militia was called out to quell the riot. -K. S.
1849, Jan. 4: Trains began running on the Cheshire railroad from Keene to Bellows Falls, Vt. -K. S.
1850: It was an old tradition that the lightning never struck in Surry val- ley. However, from the numerous visits of the "firey fluid" since that time we "question" tradition. -Tra.
1855, June 22: The "Ketchum" mowing machine, manufactured in Worcester, Mass., was being introduced into Cheshire Co. George Crehore pur- chased about that time the first machine in town.
1855: About this time a very old and large hemlock was cut on the meadow south-east of the village, and not far from the barn now standing. It was over four feet in diameter, the top was a dead stub 125 feet above the ground and probably 15 feet short of its original height. -Tra.
1857, Oct. 25: William Slade, a Revolutionary soldier, died in Alstead, aged 100 years, eleven months. Stephen Slade, also a soldier, died a few months later in same town, aged 97 years.
1860, Mar. 13: George W. Holbrook in making up the warrant for the annual town meeting, by an error, called the meeting at "9 P. M." instead of at "9 A. M." Several of the voters assembled according to the calling, then voted to adjourn until the day following. This was wittily called, "The mid-night Town Meeting."
1861, During this fall patriotic meetings were held in the town hall and soon after some of the young men enlisted in the Civil war.
1861, Mar. 13: Voted to leave the renting of the Town Farm to the select- men. Joshua D. Blake paid $70.00 for its use in 1866. Lewis Newton $66.50 in 1867, and in 1868 the town received $80.75 rent, for all except the house and garden which was reserved for "Billy Wright."
1862, Aug. 27: Hailstorm in Surry. Two inches of ice fall. In Sept. of that year Charles W. Reed shot a wild duck, and two pigeons.
1864: Dogs were taxed in town. 21 taxed that year; 23 in 1865; 19 in 1866; 15 in 1867, and 19, 1868-69. They are still taxed (1922).
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MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS
1869, Nov. 9: Voted to raise $1200.00 to repair roads and bridges, caused by the freshet.
1875, Prior to this time, the celebrated "Jim Fiske" passed through Surry once at least, with his famous four-in-hand team, and John L. Sullivan, the pugilist, visited Surry hotel during the height of his career and "drank to the health of the town." This was about 1883-4. - Tra. 1878, Supervisors of the check-list were elected to serve two years each.
1881, July 28: The Granite State Gold and Silver Mining Co. sunk a shaft to the depth of 65 feet. A small quantity of ore has been smelted which contained lead, copper, silver and gold which yielded $33.00 per ton. Feb. 8, 1882 the shaft was down 80 feet. -K. S.
1881, Mar. 8: Art., to see what action the town will take, "To prepare and publish the early history of the town." No action was taken. Again, Mar. 1882 '83 and 1884, similar articles were in the annual town war- rant, but nothing was accomplished. -T. R.
1884, Mar. 11: Voted to purchase a road scraper. -T. R.
1893, Nov. 18: Lewis F. Blake while digging for a water pipe at No. 35, found an old Spanish coin, dated 1781. And some years later an orig- inal "George Washington button" was found in the village.
1900, Mar. 9: Sidney J. Wilder hauled a red-oak log from his farm into Keene which was 4 feet, 4 inches in dia. and eleven feet long; from the rings it appeared to be 120 years old.
1921, Sept. 1: While Frank E. Ellis, son and family were on an auto trip to Montreal, Lake Champlain and Lake George, he took a 25 mile sea- plane trip over the latter Lake. So far as known he was the first native and lifelong citizen to enjoy an air voyage.
CHAPTER X.
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY
OLD CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
Early Church History-The First Ordained Minister-The First Meeting House-Church Records-Rev. Perley Howe's Ministry.
The first thought of the pioneer, after providing a shelter for his family, was to provide a church and school. Scarcely seven months after Surry be- came a town, at a meeting held Oct. 4, 1769, it was voted
"to build a house to hold all public meetings in, and also to keep school in; to build it 22 ft. long, 18 ft. wide, and to place it on the east side of the road opposite the burying yard bars."
This building probably stood 2 or 3 or 4 rods north of where Mrs. Hattie R. Emmons' house now stands (1919).
In 1770, Dec. 13, a town meeting was held at the house of Joshua Darte, and, among other things it was voted
"to build a MEETING HOUSE 45 ft. in length, 35 in breadth with 20 ft. posts; to raise the house, cover it and lay the under floors; and glaze -as much as half a box of glass would do; to pay one half in good specie at money price, and labor when called for by the committee. Voted to set the house by the upper burying place as near the bars as the land will permit; to raise 120 pounds to defray charges of building, and Thomas Harvey, Peter Hayward and Jonathan Smith should be the committee to build said house."
Mar. 26, 1771, it was voted "to make some additions to the meeting house now in building, viz. that it be built with 22 ft. posts, be 36 ft. wide if the timbers will admit, and that it be built 461/2 ft. in length; that the windows be so big as 24 squares of 7 x 9 glass will make them; that the committee shall board the house with boards edge to edge with square edged boards, and clapboard the house, and board and shingle the roof."
The first mention of a minister appears in the Warrant for above Town meeting of Mar. 26, 1771 "to see if the town will agree to make any provision for the support of the ministers that come to preach amongst us this current year."
By midsummer of the next year the building had progressed so far that a town meeting was held in it (probably the first gathering of any kind), and, at this time-July 13, 1772-it was voted to dismiss the meeting house com- mittee, to accept the new meeting house, and to raise 30 pounds more to fin- ish it "lawful money to be paid Dec. 25, 1773 in money or the following specie, rye, wheat, flax, oats, pork, beef or indian corn-all to be good and market- able and to be paid at the market price on or before Dec. 25, 1773."
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The next March it was voted "to draw the pews and seats as the plan re- ceived and finish them within three years or forfeit them to the town, and that he who will not draw now according to his rate shall forfeit to the next high- est rate."
The church building although far from being complete was now ready for use, and June 7, 1773 it was voted "to raise ten pounds lawful money to hire preaching on probation."
Oct. 4, 1733 voted "not to hire the Rev. Mr. Treadway on the terms the committee related, and that the money already voted to hire preach- ing on probation should be laid out to pay for the entertaining of min- isters but not on probation."
Dec. 13, 1773 voted "to lengthen out the payment of 21 pounds of the meeting' house rate one year."
Mar. 29, 1774 voted "not to raise any money for the meeting house this year."
Sept. 1774 voted "to send for the Rev. Mr. George Gilmore to preach this year."
Oct. 20, 1774 voted "that the Quoristers have the liberty to sing such tunes on the Sabath as they shall think proper."
Jan. 19, 1775 voted "to settle the Rev. Mr. Gilmore amongst us, to give him 50 pounds settlement, also to give him for salary 30 pounds a year till it comes to 50 pounds a year; salary to be paid one quarter in money yearly and 34 as follows; Indian corn at 2 shillings & six pence the bushel, wheat at 4 shillings and six pence, rye 3 shillings and four pence the bushel, flax at half a pence the pound, beef at 2 pence the pound, pork at 3 pence half penny a pound. Thomas Darte Obadiah Wilcox and Joshua voted a committee to treat with the Rev. Mr. Gilmore."
At a March meeting in 1775 it was voted "not to do anything to the meeting house this summer," but it was later voted in same meeting "to cover the meeting house this summer, and raise 30 pounds to do it." But this vote was revoked at a special meeting in May, and nothing was done on the building that year.
July 15 1776 voted "to raise 5 pounds to hire preaching with this sum- mer."
Dec. 29, 1777 voted "not to raise any money for preaching this winter." July 19, 1778 voted "to hire a candidate to preach with us on proba- tion" also voted "to reconsider above vote."
May 8, 1779 voted "to hire the Rev. David Goodall to preach with us on probation; to give him for the time he should be on probation at the rate of 60 pounds a year, he boarding himself, to be paid as follows; wheat at 6 shillings a bu., rye at 4 shillings, Indian corn 3 shillings, pork 4 pence 1/2 pence a pound, beef at 3 pence, flax 8 pence, wool at 2 shillings a pound, oats 2 shillings a bu., peas 6 shillings a bu., beans at 6 shillings a bu."
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HISTORY OF SURRY
Apr. 17, 1780 there was an article in the town warrant "to see if the town will agree to move the meeting house to sum Convenient place that will accomodate the whole" and a time "when they will move said house." No action was taken in regard to this.
July 10, 1780 voted at a special town meeting "to hire Rev. David Darl- ing to preach with us on probation."
Nov. 14 1780 voted "to give the Rev. David Darling a call to settle with us in the work of the gospel ministry at a salary of 100 pounds a year; to be paid partly in the usual produce; to give him 50 pounds the first year and rise 40 shillings a year until it comes to 60 pounds a year to be paid in above mentioned produce or money equivelant; that the ordination of Mr. Darling be on Thursday, the 18th day of Jan. next."
THE FIRST ORDAINED MINISTER
The following is a portion of Rev. David Darling's letter of acceptance to the church in Surry. The first part of the letter with date is missing, but it was written probably sometime in Nov. 1780.
"I have taken it into consideration and Viewing it as the Hand of Providence in my coming amongst you and of his Divine Goodness in uniting your hearts together in Love for the Blessed Gospel.
I think myself obliged and bound by duty to accept of your Generous Invitation on the proposals you made in your request; although I think myself insufficient alone to perform such a great and Labourous work which is incumbent on a Minister of Christ, yet I hope and trust that you will act like Rational Creatures and not Expect any more from me than from one Imperfect man. So I hope that I shall be inabled by the Divine assistance and your prayers for me to answer your Expecta- tions in some measure: I hope that I shall be inabled to Devote the whole of my time to God and to your Service; that I shall spend these Few Days which I have to Live in this world in studying those things which will be agreeable to God's will . and to your edification.
I hope that I shall be made a happy instrument to the people in Do- ing much Good; that I shall be Directed by God into such measures of Grace that I can bring to you such things from His holy word which which will be attended with His blessing to build us up together in Love and harmony.
I do promise and covenant my self to this Church and People to be your minister of the Gospel of Christ and shall by the assistance of God endeavor to Discharge Every Duty incombant upon me as a Minister of the Gospel as far as God shall give me grace and understanding.
Thus I answer your request and subscribe my self,
Your humble Servant and watchman,
David Darling"
Jan. 18, 1781 Rev. David Darling was installed.
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ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY
Apr. 8, 1782 voted "Rev. David Darling 52 pounds as salary the pres- ent year." The next year his salary was voted with 8 for and 5 against it.
Nov. 26, 1783 voted "to accept of the allegations the church had drawn up against Mr. Darling and to choose a committee of the town to join with the church committee in offering the allegations to Mr. Darling; voted to send Capt. Lemuel Holmes to Wrentham to take depositions of Mr. Sylvanus Hayward and wife concerning Mr. Darling's marry- ing them."
The details of the Charges which caused the discharge of the first ordained minister are not fully known. The church records say they were not worthy of being preserved on record for the instruction and edification of future generations.
Some action of the Rev. David Darling in regard to the marriage of Syl- vanus Hayward and Olive Metcalf on April 11, 1783 caused trouble.
At a town meeting held Jan. 1, 1784, it was voted to meet on Sundays for public worship; that the town pay Mr. Darling his due up to date; also voted that the town treat Mr. Darling with tenderness and avoid everything that might distress him in his worldly circumstances.
His labors as pastor probably ceased on that date.
A graduate of Yale in 1779, this was his first charge. He was but a youth, and the position of pastor to this people was difficult. There is no reason to believe that it was anything more than an error of good judgment or the over zealousness of youth that brought about his leaving the church in Surry and the ministry.
He moved a few years later to Keene and settled on a farm where he built a house and reared a large family; this house is still standing and was re- cently owned and occupied by the late George D. Gillis who married a grand- daughter of Mr. Darling. Mr. Darling also owned land in Surry; he and his family frequently came to this village and both he and his first wife and several of their children are buried in the South cemetery.
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