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 21
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First, That the town of Surry is but a very small Incorporation and have not one Inhabitant to spare without injuring said Town, there be- ing not more than 80 Freeholders therein
Secondly, Those petitioning Inhabitants are not more than three and a half and some not more than two Miles from the Meetinghouse in said Surry.
Thirdly, In their petition they have stil'd themselves professors of Religion by the Denomination of Baptists, and to say the Truth, we are obliged to say, that not one of those petitioners belonging to Surry ever made any Profession of Religion of any Denomination that we know of, especially Baptists-and we declare that whenever any or all of them shall have made a Publick Profession of Religion of any Denomina- tion what ever contrary to our Denomination we will agreeably to the Constitution freely relinquish all Rights of Taxing such Professors to the Support of our minister.
Fourthly, We doubt in our minds whether the motive of their thus petitioning is not more to answer sinister Views, such as forming a Center to advance private property and continue small Disputes than to promote Harmony and good Order.
Lemuel Holmes John Stiles Jonat Robinson Nathan Howard
Committee.
Consent of Sundry Persons to Foregoing.
We whose names are hereunto subscribed, Inhabitants of the town of Surry, hereby give our Consent to the Remonstrance of a Committee appointed by said Town against the Petition of a Number of the Inhabi- tants thereof, with others praying to be incorporated into a Baptist So- ciety as in our minds we doubt the Sincerity of some of those Petitioners belonging to said Surry and that they do not duly consider the Conse- quence of an Incorporation.
Lemuel- Holmes Nathan Howard (Hayward) Abia Crane Philip Monro Jonathan Smith Ichabod Smith Sylvester Skinner
Daniel Smith Asa Holmes Calvin Hayward
Jno McCurdy Levi Fuller
Cushman Smith Asahel Harvey
204
HISTORY OF SURRY
Abner Skinner
John Stiles
Eldad Skinner Jonathan Skinner Obadiah Wilcox Moses Field
Thos. Harvey Cyrus Harvey Eli Dort Jonat Robinson
Asa Wilcox
In 1789 this was presented to the Town Meeting:
To the Inhabitants of Surry who are of the Meetinghouse Society in Town meeting assembled Sept. 17, 1789-
Gentlemen;
Whereas you have taxed certain of the Baptist Society in this town towards finishing the meetinghouse and the support of your worship who do not attend your meetings and are not of your persuasion but assemble together by ourselves on Lord's Days 'for the public worship of God and are engaged to support the same; for which reason we view your demand unreasonable and unconstitutional as the Civil law is ex- press that no person shall be compelled to pay towards the support of a worship with which he does not join. We therefore suppose it as un- reasonable for you to call on us to support your worship as it would be for us to call on you to pay towards the support of ours.
For which reasons we expect you will abate your demands against us, so we remain your friends as in duty bound will ever pray. Surry, Sept. 17, 1789.
John Marvin, Moderator 1
of the Baptist
John Brockway, Clerk Society.
A scrap of paper (no date) states that taxes were remitted for these persons who were Baptists,
Abel Allen Abel Allen Jr. Benjamin Merrifield
John Marvin Asa Hancock Cheever Fowler
Levi Hancock Oliver Wright Elizer Wright
Those families who were of the Baptist persuasion must have attended church in Westmoreland or neighboring towns, if at all, as there is no record of any Baptist minister ever settling in town, nor was the meeting- house ever used by that denomination, so far as can be discovered.
The Methodist Ministers.
The Methodists worshipped with the Orthodox society, and the Orthodox, in turn, quite often called a Methtodist minister to its pulpit. Between 1847 and 1856 the ministers at the Crane church were nearly all of the Methodist denomination. There has been no Methodist organization in town.
THE UNIVERSALIST SOCIETY
The date when the Universalists, or Universal Church, as it formerly was called, began holding services in town has not been discovered. Zebulon Streeter doubtless was one, if not the first, to conduct services in dwelling
205
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY
houses prior to 1790. He was a shoemaker, commonly called "a cordwainer"; became a lay preacher and appears to have held services in Surry and ad- joining towns as well as in parts of Vermont. He became well and favorably known in these parts as "Elder Streeter" and finally as "Rev. Zebulon Streeter" yet no discovered record shows he was ever ordained. About 1783 John Thomson who lived at No. 136 "left the baptist persuasion and joined the universal salvation" and Elder Streeter, "teacher" held meeting in his house. Jedediah Carpenter, Jr. was of this faith, and doubtless others be- fore 1800.
The meetings have been held in private houses, the old meetinghouse and in Carpenter's Hall (the village hotel, No. 55), although, but few, if any services have been held for over 40 years.
Mar. 13, 1818 the Universalist Society of Surry was formed. The follow- ing record is from the town books:
"COVENANT OF THE UNIVERSAL CHURCH, OR SOCIETY IN SURRY, ACCEPTED, MARCH 13, 1818.
We whose names are under written, being properly notified, met at · the house of Capt. Samuel Allen in Surry for the purpose of forming a Religious Society in the belief of the Doctrin of Universal Salvation of all men from sin by Jesus Christ the Mediator and under a deep sense of the Universal Love of God to all men through a Redeemer-
Proceeded as follows :-
1st Chose Mr. Augustus Johnson, Moderator.
2d Chose Samuel Allen, Clerk.
3d Agreed to form ourselves into a Religious Society in the belief of the Doctrin of the Restorationers.
4th Agreed to assemble ourselves togather for the public worship of God.
5th To observe the orders and ordinances of the Gospel as light shall make them manifest.
6th Agreed that if any of our Society walk disorderly we will deal with them according to the sentiments of Scripture.
7th Agreed that if any one of our Society should be oppressed or ob- liged to defend him self by Law on account of Religious Senti- ments, we will each one assist him according to our best abilities.
8th Agreed to receive any person or persons into our Society who shall sustain a fair character.
Voted To accept of this Covenant for this Society.
Voted To have a Subscription paper to subscribe to hire preaching.
Voted To have Mr. (Augustus) Johnson have a subscription paper and lay out said money.
Voted To have Lieut. Asa Willcox, Jr. as a Committee to treat with the other Committees, or join with them in hiring preaching.
206
HISTORY OF SURRY
Voted To have our proceedings recorded on the Town Book. A true Copy Signed as follows, Attest- James Allen William Baxter
Asahel Harvey. T. Clerk. Samuel Allen James Ingals
Surry May 27, 1818.
Joshua Redding
Stephen Richardson
Augustus Johnson
Daniel Day."
Abijah Wetherbee
UNIVERSALIST SOCIETY
The following is a partial list of those who have ministered in town. If there were ever any members of the church, no records have been found.
1841, Jan. Mr. Randolph commenced preaching half of the time in town.
Nov. Mr. Luther J. Fletcher moved into town and preached occasionally.
Dec. 6, Mr. L. J. Fletcher commenced teaching the district school.
1842, Jan. Mr. Randolph returned and began preaching a fourth of the time.
Feb. Mr. Fletcher began preaching half of the time for one year.
Mar. 2, Mr. Fletcher opened a singing school in the village schoolhouse.
" Sept. 5, Mr. Fletcher began a Select School consisting of about forty scholars which continued eleven weeks.
Dec. 25, Mr. Randolph and Fletcher officiated at the Christmas exercises.
1843, Jan. Mr. Fletcher opened a singing school in village school- house in which some Orthodox united.
" Mar. Mr. Fletcher closed a ten week district school.
", The Cheshire County Quarterly Conference met in Surry at which time Mr. Fletcher was ordained as pastor of the Universalist Society.
" Rev. Mr. Fletcher began preaching 3/4 of the time for one year.
Sept. Rev. Luther J. Fletcher moved his family to Swanzey Center where he became the first principal of Mt. Caesar Seminary.
1846, Apr.
Mr. Joseph Hemphill of Acworth commenced preaching in the old meetinghouse 1/4 of the time for a year. Subsequently he was ordained and preached in Uni- versalist churches at Ludlow, Saxtons River, Vt .; Swanzey, and Orange, Mass.
1848, Aug. Mr. Scott began preaching in the old meetinghouse 1/4 of the time for nine months.
1852, May Mr. Britton began preaching 1/4 of time for four months.
1860, Apr. Mr. Jackson began preaching 1/4 of time for one year.
207
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY
1861, Spring, Mr. Jackson commenced preaching half of time for six months.
1866, June 24, Mr. Paine of Westmoreland-preached semi-weekly for an indefinite time.
", Sept. 2, Mr. Fisher preached for Mr. Paine.
Sept. 16, Mr. Osgood preached. Sept. 30, Mr. Perkins preached.
1867, Feb. Mr. Paine preached in the Town Hall-Old meeting house.
" June 23, Mr. Lewis preached. Aug. 4, Mr. Davis preached. Aug. 18, Mr. Hayward preached. Aug. 25, Mr. Hayward preach-
ed.
", Sept. 1, Mr. S. S. Fletcher preached. Sept. 15, Mr. S. S. Fletcher preached.
1868, Aug. 2, Mr. Davis preached. Aug. 16, Mr. Hamilton in Town Hall.
SPIRITUALISTS
So far as known this sect has never been active in town and not over half a dozen have adhered to the faith. July 11, 1858, Mr. or Mrs. Hervey Bur- dett, a medium, of Marlow, spoke in Carpenter's hall. Holland Stevens is said to have been a believer in "departed spirits." No other religious body or sect has held services in town so far as can be discovered.
Until 1819 Religion was supported by law, and this is the
SALARY Tax for 1803.
Allen. Abel
$2.54
Crane. Abia
$.70
Samuel
3.09
Joshua
3.78
Phineas
2.17
Capen. Abijah
2.35
Abel Jr.
1.72
Crandel. Samuel
.50
David
2.52
Dart. Eliphalet
2.15
",
Samuel Admr.
.61
"
Noah
.50
,1 Nathaniel
1.02
Baxter. Simon
7.71
Dwinnel. Berthol
1.15
Britton. Luther
.58
Estabrook. Nathan
3.02
Bridges. Peter
.25
Field. Moses D.
1.24
Benton. Abijah
.50
" Moses
4.37
Britton. James
.74
" Isaac
.62
Carpenter. Amasa
2.49
Fowler. Cheever
5.74
"
Benja.
2.20
Fuller. Levi
4.03
"
Ezra
1.95
Griffin. Asa
.99
Benja. Jr.
2.81
Hartwell. William
.33
Aaron
2.74
Hills. Samuel
2.50
Jedediah
1.43
Holmes. Lemuel
1.02
Charles
2.24
Asa
4.08
Jonathan
.62
Hendee. Josiah
3.33
Clark. Paul
1.46
Hazelton. Moses
1.98
Coolidge. William
1.14
Haskin. Calvin
2.94
Eli
1.90
208
HISTORY OF SURRY
Hayward. Daniel
$1.92
Rice. Samuel
$.74
Calvin
5.57
Smith. Ichabod
.74
Alexander
.80
Cushman
3.87
Nathan
4.96
Jonathan
2.47
Hercules
2.68
"
Daniel
2.08
Harvey. Thomas
5.68
Benjamin
1.53
Asahel
1.81
Skinner. Abner
6.25
Jonathan
3.00
" Jonathan
.50
Cyrus
1.02
Eldad
1.80
Hancock. Asa
Asa Jr.
.74
Streeter. Daniel
1.56
Houghton. Abijah
1.49
Stone. Calvin
.50
· Ingraham. Jeremiah
.86
Sawyer. Samuel
2.43
Ingals. Joseph
1.04
Stiles. John
3.31
Isham. Daniel
1.24
Wilcox, Asa
5.02
"
Widow
2,16
Asa Jr.
.56
Joy. Micha
3.30
Gaylord
2.82
Mack. Reuel
2.84
Obadiah
1.56
Marvin. John
2.35
Wetherbee. Abijah
1.73
Monroe. Abel
.50
Wright. Elizer
1.61
"
Isaac
4.65
" Moses
1.60
"
Philip
4.07
"
Oliver
1.32
Wheeler. Abraham
1.60
Ritter. William
1.25
Hayward. Aaron
.74
Merriam. Richard
.74
Norris. John
1.18
"
Elijah
.56
Perkins. William
2.60
Redding. John
2.43
Robinson. Jonathan
6.67
Reed. David
1.86
Nathan Estabrook
Selectmen.
",
John
4.61
Samuel
1.96
Samuel Jr.
.74
Sum Total
$235.68
Salary Tax for 1803
Surry, August 2d.
Samuel Hills
1.94
Levi
5.00
· Jesse
2.61
3.12
"
Sylvester
Merrifield. Benjamin
2.01
McCurdy. James
4.63
"
CHAPTER XI
EDUCATIONAL, SOCIAL HISTORY, PROFESSIONAL, SCHOOLS, FRATERNITY.
So far as known, not until after the incorporation of the town in 1769, was there any provision made for the education of the young who resided in this valley. The early settlers who came here were people of intelligence from Massachusetts and Connecticut, who personally attended to the education of their children, until the public schools were established. The town, however, at an early date recognized the necessity of the public school for the education of the children, for at a special town meeting held Oct. 4, 1769-in less than seven months after receiving the charter-the following business was trans- acted :
"2nd Voted; To Buld a House Sufficient to hold all public meetings in, and for a Scoole House.
3rd Voted; To Buld Sd House on the East Side of the highway against the Buring yard Bars.
4th Chose John Marvin, Joshua Dart and Peter Hayward a Committe to take the Care of the Building Sd House and provide metreals for the Same.
5th Voted; five pence upon the pound to Defray the Charges of Sd House.
6th Voted; to Buld Sd House 22 feet Long and 18 feet wide. Obadiah Willcox. Town Clark." It is supposed the first school house within the present town limits, was built in 1770; the location as given, would place the new building three or four rods north of Mrs. H. R. Emmons' dwelling house. The subsequent records are somewhat obscure and it is not absolutely known that the above votes were at that time fulfilled, from the following that took place at a special town meeting, Dec. 13, 1770; thus:
"1st Voted; to releas the vote formerly granted to buld a house to meet in. 2nd Voted; to buld a meeting House 45 feet in Length and 35 feet in breadth and 20 feet posts."
It is quite possible the vote "to releas the vote formerly granted" did not apply to the "Scoole House," but to the house in which to "hold all public meetings," in which case we may assume the new school house was already built. The 2nd Art. in this meeting was the first action taken by the town regarding the building of the present Town Hall.
During 1771 and '72 no action was taken in town meeting for the support of a school; if there was one it must have been in the village and probably supported by private subscription.
The new meeting house (present Town Hall) had been erected, boarded, shingled and the floors laid at this time; the expenses had been met accord-
14
210
HISTORY OF SURRY
ing to previous votes, by taxation. There were three or four of the Baptist faith in town at that time who demurred at paying the "church taxe."
So intense was the feeling that a special town meeting was held at the new meeting house, Jan. 21, 1773 when it was voted "that wee will refund back" to Job Gleason the sum of £1-18-8 which he had already paid.
It was further voted this sum, "to be improved toward Supporting a School in Sd Town this year."
From what appear in the Town Records; Job Gleason "of the Baptist per- swation," an early settler of Surry not only rebelled against paying his por- tion to build a meeting house; a house "to' hold all public meetings," includ- ing those of the Town, but proposed that this sum of £1-18-8 be used towards supporting a school in the town. So far as the Records appear, to him belongs the honor of appropriating the first sum of money in town for the support of schools.
No further action regarding schools appears to have taken place until the Annual town meeting, Mar. 25, 1777, when it was:
"Voted to Divide the town into three Districts for Scholing; the Lore Destrict to com up as far as Jonathan Smith, Jr. (the present M. D. Carpenter place) ; the midel to Extend as far North as Joshua Fuller's (present H. W. Harvey) Place," and the third probably extended northward to Alstead line. It was also voted, "Each District to Rase there own money for Scholing."
During this period the country was engaged in the conflict for freedom; money was scarce and somewhat inflated; the matter of appropriating money came up in several town meeting's yet nothing was raised until the Annual town meeting, Mar. 30, 1779 when it was:
Voted to raise "100 pounds for schooling for the year insuing" and chose Jonathan Smith, Jr. to collect for the South District; Nathaniel Darte for the Middle and Zebulon Streeter for the North District.
The year following, 300 pounds was raised for schooling. This seems an exhorbitant sum for the town to raise for this purpose, but it must be remem- bered this was "Continental money" which had now so depreciated that it took thirty dollars of it to buy one dollar's worth of commodities, and its value was still waning. The following were chosen to collect the school tax for the year ensuing: South District-Joseph Whitney. Middle-Abel Allen. North-Moses Dickinson Field. South-west-Roger Conant. This is the first instance on record of a school in the south-west part of the town; doubtless those living just over the line in Westmoreland and Walpole seeing the advantage this school afforded desired to send their children here also, as a special town meeting was held April 17, 1780, a committee chosen, and voted to "except the Committee's report to join with those from Westmore- land and Walpole who wished to join."
The years from 1780 to 1784 were in all probability the most difficult in the whole history of this town, and the schools received little or no attention. The crops had not been abundant, and provisions were scarce in New Hamp- shire; the war had been raging for several years; men were still being called to serve in the Continental army and were being paid in one, two and three year old heifers; financially, the country was nearly bankrupt; the Vermont
211
EDUCATIONAL HISTORY
controversy; the settling and dismissing of their first minister; a project to move the meeting-house to a place "that will accomodate the whole," and the building of roads and a bridge, all tended to create a period of "hard times."
Being confronted with all this, we can readily understand why at the an- nual town meeting, March, 1784, it was voted: "not to raise any money for schooling for the present." However, the next year it was voted to raise £15 for schooling. It was also voted to divide the town into two school districts. The inhabitants were to use a portion of the school-money for "Schooling in their own Huses"-this is the first time the dwelling-house-school has ap- peared in the town records.
The North School District held a meeting April 11, 1785, at the house of Thomas Smith's (the present Perkins place) when it was voted to build a new school-house, "on the Great Road and near the road that runs West to Mr. Jedediah Carpenter's," the said school house is to be 16 feet x 20 feet and to be raised "by the first Day of July next." Lieut. Moses D. Field, Obadiah Wilcox and Zebulon Streeter were the building committee.
It is supposed this building was built according to the vote, and therefore was the second school-house in town.
During the next few years three or four schools were supported, collectors were usually chosen and money appropriated.
April 8, 1790, it was voted to divide the town into four School Districts and a committee of five was chosen for that purpose, viz. Thomas Smith, Joshua Cheever Fowler, Zebulon Streeter, Benjamin Carpenter and Samuel Smith. At an adjourned meeting April 22nd, it was voted to accept the report of the school committee. The Districts were divided as follows: North District shall extend to Walpole line on the West; Alstead line on the North; Gilsum line East, and as far South as to include the inhabitants North of the 8th. Mile Stone.
Middle District shall extend North to the above Mile Stone; East to Gil- sum line; South to include the farm that Dr. Philip Monro purchased of Rev. David Darling; West to Ridge Hill, so called, then north on said line to the South line of Thomas Harvey's line then East on said line to the North Dis- trict.
South District shall extend North to the Middle District; East to Gilsum town line; South to Keene line; West to Ridge Hill.
South-West District shall extend South to Keene line; West to Westmore- land and Walpole town lines; North to include Thomas Harvey's; East to Divisions made, "Apr. 13, 1790." Ridge Hill.
At the same town meeting it was voted to choose three committee men from each District, as follows :
North: Lieut. Simon Baxter, Moses D. Field and Lemuel Holmes, Esq.
Middle : Capt. Samuel Smith, Lieut. Nathan Hayward and Jonathan Rob- inson.
South : Benjamin Carpenter, Lieut. John M'Curdy and William Barron. South-West: Joshua Cheever Fowler, Asa Hancock and Thomas Harvey.
At the Annual Town Meeting, Mar. 5, 1792 it was voted: that each school district shall build a school-house, and each shall be at the cost of their own buildings. Voted: that a committee of three in each district shall build the school-house and lay out money for the same, thus:
North District, Lemuel Holmes, Lieut. Moses D. Field and Samuel Hills.
212
HISTORY OF SURRY
Middle District, Capt. Samuel Smith, Jonathan Robinson and Lieut. Nathan Hayward.
The Records do not reveal the "building Committee" in the other districts in town. There is no doubt, a school house was standing in each district in 1792, or '93, at the latest .* At a special town meeting May 23, 1792 it was voted: to raise 33 pounds, ten shillings to pay for building the new school house in Middle District, and voted: to raise 24 pounds, 17 shillings to build the new school house in South District.
The approximate location of the four buildings are known and numbered upon the town map. All were provided with a large fire-place to heat the building in cold weather.
They were known as, * The North; Middle; South and South-west Dis- tricts until 1822 when it was voted to re-divide the districts as well as change the same to No. 1, No. 2, No. 3 and No. 4 in the same order as given above. With the four schools established the inhabitants were not wholly satisfied with conditions; those living in the extreme east part of Westmoreland-in 1795-"were far better accomodated by sending to the adjoining Surry school- ward." In 1797 Capt. Thomas Harvey, and in 1800 John Stiles were placed in the Middle district, having previously been connected with the South-west, and in 1801 Dr. Philip Monroe was set back from the South, to the Middle; a petition that year by Capt. Harvey and others to be set off to Walpole school was not granted.
Oct. 11, 1800, it was voted to build and repair the several school-houses in town.
In 1804 J. Cheever Fowler and Benjamin Smith who had been in the West were returned to the South-west district, and in 1820 Royal Watkins, Stephen Stimson and Benjamin Carpenter were set off from the South, to the South- west district.
Several of the inhabitants joined a school district in Walpole in 1801 which was continued several years and was known as "The North-west" district, and in 1803 a new district was formed in the neighborhood near Capt. Thomas Harvey's which was maintained a few years, and was known as the "West district."
After the year 1809 a School Inspecting Committee was chosen annually to visit and inspect the several schools in town. The first to serve on this com- mittee in Surry were, Rev. Perley Howe, Jonathan Robinson, Esq., and Samuel Hills. It was voted in town meeting in 1814, that the School Committee shall not hire teachers to keep school Saturday afternoons, and in 1822, that no teachers shall be employed in town unless approved by the Inspecting Com- mittee.
As late as 1850 or '60 there were but two school terms each year; the sum- mer school for small scholars and the winter in which both old and young at- tended. All the schools kept school every-other-Saturday during the term, with but very few "holidays," and "teachers-visiting-day" had never been heard of or considered.
The school tax for 1793 was £27-s9-d11; in 1795 was $100.46; 1800, $129.86; 1805, $160.25; 1815, $184.22; 1825, $228.41; 1835, $190.23; 1850, $222.19;
* While they were standing, in 1793 it is known not all were entirely finished until a few years later.
¡At present the schools are known as, North End; Village and West Hill.
213
EDUCATIONAL HISTORY
1865, $314.00, divided as follows: Dist. No. 1, $89.09; Dist. No. 2, $129.16; Dist. No. 3, $62.39; Dist. No. 4, $33.36; Tax for 1875, $483.00.
The subject of re-dividing the several school districts came up in town meeting in 1831 when a committee was chosen but no very radical departure from earlier divisions was made. In 1851 there was a plan on foot to divide district No. 1 and No. 2 into three districts but nothing was done.
As previously stated, a School Inspecting Committee of three, or more, were chosen annually to "Visit and Inspect" the several schools in town. The following served on this committee between 1810 and 1830: Rev. Perley Howe, Major Nathan Hayward, Capt. Charles Bond, Samuel Hills, Esq., Capt. Simon Baxter, Col. William Bond, Asahel Harvey, David Shaw, Esq., Elijah Fuller, Sylvester Smith, Ichabod Crane, Eli Dort, Dr. John Wakefield, Jonas Pollard, Jonathan E. Davis and Royal Watkins.
The Inspecting Committee were required to make an Annual Report to the town, but only two of those Reports have been found, which covered the years 1819-20 & '21. For the year 1819 the report was as follows:
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