USA > New Hampshire > Hillsborough County > Wilton > History of the town of Wilton, Hillsborough County, New Hampshire, with a genealogical register > Part 22
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Two forces have acted upon the population, western emigration and factory immigration. One has served to drain, and the other to replenish, the population, but the former has taken away the natives, while the latter has brought in more foreigners, thus af- feeting the social and ecclesiastical condition of Wilton. In 1830 the number of inhabitants was 1041; in 1840, 1033 ; in 1850, 1161 ; in 1860, 1369; in 1870, 1974 ; in 1880, 1747, and in 1888, proba- bly 1800 or more.
In 1763 there were 56 polls, and in 1870, 392. In 1880 there were 132 farmers, 71 mechanics, 23 laborers, 28 merchants and manufacturers and 9 professional men. There were 107 persons 70 years old or more. In 1763 there were 48 oxen, 60 cows,
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HISTORY OF WILTON.
18 horses, 22 young cattle, 126 acres in tillage, 163} acres in mow- ing, 43 aeres in pasture and 41 houses. Valuation, £346 15s.
In 1850 the number of oxen was 224, cows 417, other cattle 478, horses 143, sheep 478, swine 414, value of live stock $41,283; acres of improved land 11,426, of unimproved land 2249, cash value of farms, $275,450, value of farming implements $6388 ; amount of wheat produced 636 bushels, rye 620, Indian eorn 6239, oats 2117, peas and beans 164, potatoes 12,655, barley 603, wool 1566 pounds ; value of orehard products $730, market garden $124 ; amount of butter produced 53,587 pounds, cheese 19,095, beeswax and honey 137, hops 5835; hay 2203 tons : valne of animals slaughtered $9811.
In 1860 the number of oxen was 165, cows 659, other cattle 228, horses 136, sheep 138, swine 231, value of live stock $46,923 ; acres of improved land 10,005, of' unimproved land 3652, cash value of farms $406,500, value of farming implements $10,135 ; wheat raised 1775 bushels, rye 447, Indian corn 6815, oats 2036, peas and beans 172, potatoes 11,042, barley 484, buckwheat 33, wool 464 pounds ; value of orchard produets $2969, market garden $25 ; amount of wine produced 420 gallons, butter 18,433 pounds, cheese 3650, beeswax and honey 224, hops 650; hay 2611 tons ; value of animals slaughtered $6715.
In 1870 the number of dwellings was 330, families 377; chil- dren at school 347, persons who cannot read 71, cannot write 86 ; white males 803, white females 830; foreign males 146, foreign females 156 ; those whose father was foreign born 454, mother for- eign born 449 ; persons 21 years of age, or under, 392.
The census of Wilton for 1850 was taken by James Scott of Peterborough ; for 1860, by Charles Richardson of Amherst; for 1870, by Major David E. Proctor, then of Lyndeborough, now of Wilton ; for 1880, by George L. Dascombe.
The number of marriages recorded in Wilton from 1762 to 1887 is 622. But there are some gaps in the records as kept by the town, so that the number recorded is not complete. For many years the custom was to ery out the couple in the Congregational church. Just before the congregation was dismissed in the after- noon the town clerk announced, to the great edification of the peo- ple, that such or such a couple intended marriage. The law required publication two weeks before the event. Subsequently the publica- tion was made by posting the names of the parties intending mar- riage in some publie place on a bulletin board. It appears that
Aleved Whiting
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MARRIAGES.
after March, 1862, the town clerk recorded only the intention of marriage, not the marriage itself. We give a few specimens of early records of publication of intention to marry, all belonging to the year 1764 :
Stephen Putnam of Wilton and Olive Varnum of Amlover were lawful- ly published, and there was no objections against their proceeding in mar- riage. Philip Putnam of Wilton and Abigail Jaquith of Dunstable were lawfully published, and there was no objections against their proceeding in marriage. George Coburn of Wilton and Mary Adams of Dunstable were lawfully published, and there was no objections to their proceeding in marriage. John Brown of Wilton and Eunice Russell of Reading were lawfully published, and there was no objections against their proceeding in marriage. Stephen Farnham of Wilton and Kezia Skidmore of Chelms- ford were published three publie meeting days, and there was no ob- jections to their proceeding in marriage.
Philip Putnam, Town Clerk.
CHAPTER XXVIII.
-
OLD RELICS, REMINISCENCES AND DIARIES.
A copper coin, of the size of the old copper cent, was found many years ago by Mr. Abiel Flint in his field on the farm now owned by Mr. Charles HI. White. It bears on one side an endless chain of thirteen rings, on which were probably the abbreviated names of the thirteen original states, but only a few of the letters are legible. Within the chain of rings are other letters, too indis- tinct for the words to be discovered, and still another ring enclos- ing the words, "We are one." in letters little worn. The other side has a representation of the rising sun, the date, 1787, the word, "Fugio," and, at the bottom, the words, " Mind Your Busi- ness ;" in the centre are some emblems .*
Mr. Flint has also three currency bills, each three inches long and two and one-half inches wide, which have come down from his grandfather, Ebenezer Flint. Two of them were issued under a resolution of the Continental Congress, passed at Philadelphia, February 17, 1776. On one side of each is a chain of thirteen rings, on which are the abbreviated names of the thirteen original states. Under the chain are the words : " Philadelphia. Printed by Hall and Sellers, 1776." Over the chain is printed the denomina- tion of the bill : in one, " Two Thirds of a Dollar ;" in the other, " One Sixth of a Dollar." On the opposite side of each bill is a · square enclosing a circle with the words, "Mind Your Business." The third bill was issued by the state of Massachusetts, and "en- titles the Bearer to Four Shillings and Sixpence, L. M. out of the Treasury of this State." On each side of the bill is a pillar, and at the top is the date, 1776, with a picture of the venerable codfish of the state.
* A copper cent, similar to the one described, was coined in 17×7, bearing on one side a sun dial with the sun above it.
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REMINISCENCES.
BATTLE OF THE REVOLUTION.
The only battle of the Revolutionary war fought in Wilton oc- curred in this wise : A report sprung up that a deserter had come to town and was concealed in the house of friends. The zealous patriots were aroused. They assembled from far and near, and, surrounding the suspected domicile, demanded that the traitor to his country's cause should be produced forthwith. But the family resented this rude assault on their " castle," and, deserter or no deserter, they did not propose to give him up at such an unceremoni- ous call. The leader, advancing into the house, met with a fiery re- ception ; for the indignant grandam seized the kitchen shovel, in those days no mean weapon, and, filling it with red-hot coals from the fire-place, prepare to sprinkle them over the good deacon's head. But he interposed in season to prevent this baptism of fire with " My good woman ! please don't do anything rash." This ended the first, last and only battle in Wilton in that war. But whether there was really any deserter or not, is not known to this day.
RECOLLECTIONS OF THE OLD FRENCH MILL. BY MR. EPHRAIM BROWN.
"These recollections are gathered from my own observation and from descriptions given by members of the French family. I was much about the mills in my boyhood, and the French place was a familiar playground. At that time, while fishing in the river di- rectly east of the old dwelling-house of the original French family, I observed timbers in the bed of the river, apparently placed there by design, and traces of timbers on the banks, showing that a dam had been erected there, which was afterwards overflowed by the dam built lower down by Mr. Killum's. Fifty years later Burleigh French told me that before his father, Deacon Burleigh French, came to Wilton in company with his father, James French, a dam and mill had been built there by a Mr. Barker, or Baker. In some freshet these were swept away. Subsequently a dam was built higher up the stream against the Hesselton place, the north end of which stands there to this day, and a canal was dug down the stream to the site of the old saw and grain mills, recently burned. These mills were owned by James French and his son, Deacon Bur- leigh French.
" I heard from the lips of the daughter of James French, a sister of Burleigh French, the story of the raising of the second dam of
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HISTORY OF WILTON.
the old French mill, opposite the house of Mr. Joel Hesselton on the Souhegan River. In those days such structures were built of heavy timbers, which were prepared and placed in a horizontal po- sition ; then many men were required to raise them to their proper place. Saturday night came before all things were ready for the raising, and with it came also clouds and signs portending a storm of rain. If the water rose in this rapid and ragged river, not only would the erection of the dam be delayed, but there was great dan- ger that the frame, now laid in position in the bed of the stream, would be washed away and lost. Sunday morning the heavens were still more threatening.
" Whatever may have been the scruples of Mr. James French regarding the keeping of the Lord's Day in general, and whatever may have been the opinion and practice of his workmen and of his neighbors, it was deemed expedient to lay these scruples aside, and to proceed at once to raise the frame, that it might not be lost. The neighborhood, yea, the whole town, had an interest in that dam. Mills in old colonial times, one hundred or two hundred years ago, were deemed to be of great public benefit, and to be worthy of especial legislation in their favor. It is not strange, then, that to raise that dam on that Sunday was decided to be a work of neces- sity and mercy, both to save the property of Mr. French, and to supply a needy public with a place to grind its corn and saw its lumber. I have little doubt the intent had been to raise the dam on a week day, and to invite much help, perhaps the whole town, as was the custom on similar occasions. But to call in so many on the Sabbath day would not be in keeping with the second com- mandment. Upon consultation, it was decided to have only so many men as seemed needful to do the work; and to forbear to draw off from the service of the sanctuary, any whose help seemed not to be absolutely necessary.
" When the time for action came, the men were placed, each in his station and at his post of duty. At the word of command the ponderous beams moved heavily and slowly from the ground. Every man exerted his utmost strength. Slowly and heavily the massive timbers were carried up to the breast of the men. Here they ceased to move higher. Again and again did these noble men struggle and strain, but no effort could carry them higher. Neither could they let them back. To do so was to be crushed. Here, then, was a dilemma. They were in a trap. There could be no
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REMINISCENCES.
relief except in reenforcement. But the people were in the Centre of the town, worshipping in the house of God. To call upon these seemed to be the only alternative. No man could be spared as a messenger to summon others. No woman could go there in time. At a given signal every man with his utmost voice shouted, 'Help ! Help ! Come ! Again they shouted, 'Help! Help! Come!' and again, 'Help ! ! Help ! ! Come ! ! Come ! ! '
"Ilow these united voices rolled along the valleys, over the hill- tops and penetrated to the ears of that worshipping assembly ! That call of life or death was instantly understood. The congrega- tion rushed from the house, and in less time than I have taken to relate it, men were running down the hill-sides or urging their nim- ble steeds over the interval road, dashing to the rescue. Springing under the massive timbers, they soon raised the great beams to their places and the victory was won.
" To the men holding up the timbers the passage from the church to their rescue seemed indeed long. The distance is nearly one mile and a half. Fifteen minutes would be a very quick run for the fleetest man or for a good horse. To sustain the failing strength of the sinking men under the heavy beams, the daugliter of James French mixed strong drink, walked into the bed of the river, held the stimulating beverage to pale and parched lips, and thus enabled the men to hold out until help arrived.
"I will relate another incident connected with this spot. When the former dam was washed away, the rushing waters made an ex- cavation in the earth below its base some ten or twelve feet deep. This remained filled with water. A valuable implement fell from the hands of one of the workmen into this pit. Phineas Lovejoy, brother of David and Moses Lovejoy, plunged in to recover it. In this he failed. He lost his ability to swim ; he lost his presence of mind, and it was seen that he was drowning. It was at this in- stant that Deacon Burleigh French plunged in to resene him. But the pit was so deep, its sides were so steep, its cobble-stone floor and walls were so slippery, and his friend so exhausted and heavy, that both men were in great danger of drowning, for Mr. French was unable to swim out and retain his hold on Lovejoy. Realizing the desperate nature of his situation, Mr. French, an expert swim- mer and an athletic man, while at the bottom of the pit threw Love- joy over his shoulder, struggled up its precipitous outlet, and crept upon dry land, both men, from exhaustion, unable to stand."
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HISTORY OF WILTON.
YOUTHFUL PATRIOTISM.
It is related, as showing the spirit of the times, that a young man came to the muster master, Major Abiel Abbot, to be enrolled for the army in the Revolutionary war but was found not so tall as the law required. He insisted on being measured again, and it being with the same result, in his passionate disappointment he burst into tears. He was, however, finally enrolled, on the ground that zeal and courage were of more value in a soldier than an inch more or less in height.
MEMORANDA OF QUARTERMASTER ISAAC FRYE.
The following extracts are made, as specimens of Revolutionary records, kept by Isaae Frye, afterwards Major, a native of Wilton ; and are taken from a dilapidated manuscript, preserved by his de- scendants as a precious heirloom of the times which tried men's souls :
May, 1775. Rec'd thirty mess pots of the commissary at Cambridge for the use of Col. Sargent's Regiment. Rec'd eighteen pails for the use of Col. Sargent's Regiment.
May 29, 1775. Ree'd 1600 rounds of cartridges for the use of Col. Sar- gent's Regiment, and 220 flints.
June 14, 1775. Rec'd twenty-seven kettels for the use of Col. Reed's Regiment, and nineteen bails for kettels.
June 14, 1775. Account of wood rec'd for the use of Col. Reed's Reg- iment at Charlestown neck. Rec'd orders for thirteen cords and two feet of wood of Isaac Hall. D. P. commissary at Medford. to take said wood at Cheever's wharf in Charlestown.
June 16. Rec'd one load of John Lambert, 6 feet.
June 21, 1775. Rec'd one hundred and sixty-two canteens for Col. Reed's Regiment.
June 28, 1775. Ree'd eleven tents of Mr. Emerson, commissary for New Hampshire, for the use of Col. Reed's Regiment.
AMMUNITION ACCOUNT.
June 13, 1775. Rec'd one hundred fifty wait of powder and three hun- dred wait of ball, six hundred and thirty thints for Col. Reed's Regimeut.
Jume 14, 1775. Rec'd 2096 rounds of cartridges for the use of Col. Reed's Regiment, 582 flints.
Charlestown, June 14. Delivered half a pint of powder to a man for 65 men in Capt. Mann's company. Delivered 20 balls to a man for 64 men in Capt. Ezra Town's Co. Total, 1280.
TIIE WINTER HILL DIARY OF JONATHAN BURTON.
The following passages are taken from a diary kept by Jonathan Burton of Wilton, then sergeant in Captain Taylor's company of
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BURTON'S WINTER HILL DIARY.
militia, while in camp at Winter Hill, near Boston, in the winter of 1775-76 :*
Head Quarters, December 10th 1775.
Four Companeys of the New Hampshire Militia are to march to Roxbury to reënforce that Division. The Captains will receive General Ward's orders what Regiment they are attached to: the rest of the New Hamp- shire Militia are to joyn the Brigade on Winter Hill and Prospect Hill in Cambridge. Together with the Company of Militia from Massachusetts which are ordered to joyn Prescott, Greaton and Nixon's Regiments are to be appointed for the new Established Regiments as the Major and Brigade Generals shall think fit for the most equal Distribution. The Captains of the several Militia Companies from the Massachusetts and New Hampshire Governments are to make exact records of their Com- panies and return them signed without delay to the Adjutant General.
Head Quarters, December 13th 1775.
The Major Generals are to order the Militia Companies to be joyned to the Different Brigades and Regiments in their respective Divisions, in such a manner as to supply the Difficency of the Connecticut Troops and to prevent Confusion and Disorder in case we should be called to action and make report thereof as soon as it is done. As these companies have an Inclination to joyn Particular Regiments, the General has no Objection to it in every instance where it can be done consistent with the good of the service, and the allotment to the Different Ineampments. The Adjutant of every Regiment to which any of those companies are joyned are to acquaint them with all General and Brigade Orders that they may not unknowingly Disobey them. The Colonels of the several Regiments upon the New Establishment may respectively apply to the Commissary of Ordnance Stores for 75 Stand of Armes, Lately taken in the London Storeship. These arms the colonels will be Careful to Put into the hands of the Soldiers most approved for their care and Bravery and Such only as are Inlisted for the next Campaign. An exact list of their Names to be returned to their Respective Colonels. The Carbines in said Ship are not to be delivered without Special Order.
Sergeant Ebenezer Fogg of Captain MeFarlings and Colonel Nixons tryed by a General Court Martial for absenting himself from the Camp without Leave of absence, &e., &e. Said Fogg upon examination and evidence heard adjudged Guilty of the Principle Part of the accusation. and sentenced to receive Ten lashes on his Naked back at the Head of Said Regiment and not Permitted to do the Duty of a Sergeant During this Campaign. The General approves the sentence and orders it to take place tomorrow at 9 o'clock at the Head of Said Regiment.
* We have been obliged to give only extracts from this diary and from the other old- time documents on account of want of room.
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HISTORY OF WILTON.
Head Quarters, December 14th 1775. Parole, Domingo; Countersign, France.
It is expected that the Armourers on Winter Hill work for any Person in the Brigade without any of them Pretending to Confine their work to Particular Regiments. The Officers of the Several Regiments and Com- manders of Particular Companies are Desired Particularly to visit the Barraks in which their men are Lodged, and Give the best advice they can for making their Men as Comfortable as Possable, and make report of those they find in too Uncomfortable a Situation to Endure the In- clemency of the Weather, that Some method may be taken to make Mon more comfortable. The General takes this opertunity of returning his most sincere and herty thanks to the Gentlemen Officers and Soldiers, who have with so much speed and alacrity come to joyn the Army and Prevent our Enemy taking the advantage of the Dastardly Conduct of those Troops who Basely Desarted the Lines; and as the time of those Troops which are Inlisted will be soon Expired he flatters himself that the same Spirit which Brought them in so seasonably to our assistance will Induce both officers and Soldiers to exert themselves in Influencing a Sufficient Number of Good men to Inlist for filling up the Standing Con- tinental Army which is to take Place at their Departure, And he sincerely hopes that their zeal in this respect will, if possible, Equal that which they have already Discovered so much to their own and their Country's Honour. The General Strictly Enjoyns those persons, who may Inlist out of the New Companies into the Continental Army, Not to Leave the Companies to which they now Belong Untill the fifteenth Day of January Next, on Penalty of being treated as Deserters.
Head Quarters, Jany 1st 1776. Parole, Congress; Countersign, America.
This Day Giving Commencement to the New Army which in Every Point is Continental, the General Flatters Himself that a Laudable Spirit of Immulation will now take place, and Prevade the whole of it; without such a Spirit few Officers have ever arrived to any Degree of Reputation, Nor did any Army ever become formidable. His Exceleney hopes that the Importance of the Greate Cause we are engaged in will be Deeply Im- pressed upon every Man's mind, and wishes it to be Considered that an Army without order, Regularity and Disipline is no Better than a Com- misoned Mobb. Let us, therefore, when everything Dear and Valable to freemen is at Stake, when our Unnatural Parent is threatning us with Destruction from Every Quarter, Endeavour by all the Skill and Disipline in our Power to acquire that Knowledge and Conduct that is Necessary in War. Our Men are brave and good men, who, with Pleasure it is ob- served, are adieted to fewer Vices than are commonly found in Armies. But it is Subordination and Disipline, the Life and Soule of an Army. which under Providence is to make us formidable to our Enemies, Hon- orable in ourselves, and Respected in the World. And herein is to be Shown the Goodness of the officers. In vain it is for a General to Issue orders, if orders are not attended too. Equally vain it is for a few
WILLIAM A. BURTON.
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BURTON'S WINTER HILL DIARY.
officers to Exert themselves, if the Same Spirit does not animate the whole. It is therefore expected that each Brigadier will be attentive to the Dis- ipline of his Brigade, to the Exercise and Conduct served in it, Calling the Colonels and field officers of the Regiments to a Severe account for Neglect or Disobedience of orders. The same attention to be Paid by Fiehl officers to the Respective Companies of their Regiments, by the Captains to their Subalterns, and so on, that the Plea of Ignorance, which is no cause for the Negleet of orders (but Rather an agravation), may not be offered.
Camp on Winter Hill, Jan. 14, 1776.
The General sincerely thanks those worthy Patriotic Soldiers Who at his Request have agreed to Tarry 15 Days Longer than the Time they first engaged. For this Demonstration of Zeal in their Country's Cause must Reflect the most lasting Honour upon them, and convince the world they are ready to Sacrifice their ease and comfort of themselves and families, to the Good of their Country. While others acting on Different Princi- ples, and actuated by different motives would entail Slavery upon them- selves and Posterity, rather than Submit to the least Inconvenience in their Private affairs. The General assures the Latter, that while he endeavors to Reward the former with Honour and Credit they so Justly Deserve, he will do all in his Power to fix on the Latter, Disgrace and Infamy, which their Conduct so Justly Merits. The Militia Captains are Desired to make out an exact list of all those Soldiers who are Determined to Quit the Service on the 16th Instant, and Present the same with Certifi- cate of their having returned the Arms and ammunition they have re- ceived from the army, early on Tuesday morning to John Sullivan, Brig- adier General.
Camp on Winter Hill, Jan. 17, Rigermental order.
John Roakes of Captain Spaulding's Company and Colonel Reed's Reg- iment, tried at a late Court Martial for getting Drunk when on Guard, Whereof Captain Oliver was President. The Prisoner confessing himself Guilty of a breach of the 22nd article of the Rules and Regulations of the Continental army. Therefore adjudged the said John Roakes to re- ceive Twenty lashes on his Naked Back, but on account of his appearing very humble and Penitant, recommended that some Part of the Punish- ment be mitigated. Therefore ordered that the said John Roakes receive Ten stripes only. The Colonel approves the Sentance of the Court and orders that the said John Roakes receive Ten Lashes on his Naked back at eleven o'clock this forenoon. The Adjutant of the Regiment to see it executed.
Israel Gihnan, Lieut. Col.
Head Quarters, January 23, 1776. Parole, Fairfax; Countersign, Mount Vernon.
Timothy Downing, tried by a General Court Marshal, found guilty, sentenced to Receive 39 Lashes on his bare back, with a cat of Nine tails.
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HISTORY OF WILTON.
It appearing to the Court that as the Prisoner is worthless and Incorrigi- ble, they order him to be Drummed out of the Army. The Court of En- quirey to Set on Thursday Next, at General Green's on Prospeet Hill, to examine into a complaint exhibited against Colonel Starkes of the fifth Regiment of foot, by Samuel Hubbard Esq. Paymaster of the New Hampshire forces. All evidence and Persons Concerned to attend ye Court. The Court to consist of Brig. Gen. Green, President Col. Nixon, Col. Hiteheoek, Col. Webb and Col. Varnum. Judge Advocate to attend, the court will set Precisely at ten o'clock.
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