USA > New Hampshire > Hillsborough County > Wilton > History of the town of Wilton, Hillsborough County, New Hampshire, with a genealogical register > Part 5
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It is desirable to be perfectly accurate in all matters of history, whether it be that of a nation or a town, but where anthorities, like those above, are in conflict. the only course is to state both sides, and leave the reader to decide which has the preponderance.
CHAPTER VI.
TOWN INSTITUTIONS.
It has been said that American Liberty was born in the cabin of the Mayflower in 1620. when the Pilgrims made a covenant with one another, and signed it. as the instrument of their civil and religious polity. But its earliest effective institutions were the town church, supported by the taxes of all the people, and the town meeting, to which all freemen were admitted, and which regulated all municipal affairs. Thus more than a century before a thought was entertained of a free and independent nation, separated from the parent country, the citizens of the Colonies were virtually put to school in the knowledge and practice of public and official duties in state and church, and were trained to administer the affairs of the nation in peace and war.
De Tocqueville, in his " Democracy in America," the best work by a foreigner ever written upon our institutions, says : " In New England political life had its origin in the townships, and it may be said that each of them originally formed an independent nation.
" In the American township power has been distributed with ad- mirable skill for the purpose of interesting the greatest possible . number of persons in the common weal.
" They possess two advantages, which strongly excite the interest of mankind, namely : independence and anthority.
" It is incontestably true that the tastes and habits of republican government in the United States were first created in the townships and the provincial assemblies."
A good illustration of this public spirit and interest in the common weal, which was strengthened and cherished by the township system, is found in the records of the town, dated July 15 and September 8, 1774, in which the inhabitants enter into a covenant of non- importation and non-consumption of British goods. This instrument
46
HISTORY OF WILTON.
is given in full subsequently in the chapter on the " Revolutionary War." It seemed a trifling thing for this little community of farmer people. perched on the granite hills of a sparsely inhabited state, thus to fling defiance in the face of a great nation and its king, but it had its serious meaning and weight. The act showed a determination to repel unjust laws by sacrifices of comfort and peace, and to vindicate the cause of freedom at whatever cost. It also showed sympathy and made common cause with the sister colonies, who, suffering from the Stamp Act and taxation withont representation, and other invasions of the rights of British freemen, needed the support of brethren. That same spirit, acquiring force as it proceeded, sent " the embattled farmers " to Bunker Hill and Bennington, and finally, after a war of eight years with one of the greatest powers of the old world, won the independence of the new.
TOWN MEETINGS.
These were usually held annually, the second Tuesday of March. A public notice was posted by the selectmen, informing the people when, where, and for the transaction of what business the meeting was called, and summoning the legal voters to assemble and dis- charge their legal duties as freemen. The assembly in early times was held in the church, but at the present day the meetings are held in a Town House, or hall, built for the purpose. A presiding officer called a Moderator was chosen, and prayer was offered by the minister of the church. A Town Clerk was elected to record the proceedings. A Board of Selectmen, usually consisting of three men, was chosen to administer the affairs of the town, relating to schools, roads, the poor, taxes, etc. A representative was chosen to the General Court, or State Legislature, also a town treasurer, town collector, superintending school committee, tithing men, con- stables. etc. Reports were read by the officers of the preceding year in relation to roads, schools, taxes, bridges, and all matters pertaining to the welfare of the town. Thus the town clock was wound up to run another year. It was really a democratic republic in miniature. All power sprang from the people, and was referred directly back to the people, as the legitimate source of all human authority. In these political schools the people were nurtured and strengthened for the days to come. the " times that tried men's souls." And the permanence and success of the republican system of government depend to a considerable degree upon the extension
47
TOWN MEETINGS.
and efficiency of the public town meeting. This is the nest egg of the political system of America.
One who long filled important offices in town. and who has been a careful observer. remarks : " I am unable to perceive where we have, in our political organizations, any that are purely demo- cratic, except in the towns and wards. All our other organizations, city, country, state, etc., are representative. and I think only in New England is the pure town organization still retained."
TOWN DEBTS AND TOWN TAXES.
The expenses of the town for the church, schools, roads, bridges, public improvements, the poor, etc., were met by taxes levied on all property, real and personal, collected by an officer appointed for the purpose, and paid over to the treasurer. to be disbursed by orders signed by the selectmen. I'nfortunately in many states since the formation of the government the township system has fallen into disuse, and so there has been in some respects a perceptible decline in municipal liberty and spirit, which augurs ill for the future of the country. Reports of public affairs are now printed, not read before the assembly of the people and submitted to their judgment. There is no discussion in the presence of the legal voters of the interests of the public. And the caucuses " cut and dry " the measures to be adopted and select the men to be chosen to office, while the town meetings only ratify what has been determined on elsewhere. The restoration of the town meeting to its primitive place and power, and its extension to all the states of the Union, would be a most beneficial agency in the progress of America. All hail the town meeting !
TOWN OFFICERS.
The following are the principal town officers from the date of the charter of the town in 1765 to 1775, when. the records having been burned, the list is not available :
1765-Moderator : James Brown. Town Clerk : John Burton, Jr. Selectmen : Ephraim Butterfield, John Dale, John Bur- ton, Jr. Treasurer : Abiel Abbot. 1766-Moderator: Ephraim Butterfield. Town Clerk : John Burton, Jr. Selectmen : Ephraim Butterfield, Nathan Ballard, *Philip Putnam, Abner Stiles, Abiel Abbot. Treasurer : Jonathan Cram.
* Philip Putnam refused to serve as selectman, and Amos Holt was chosen in his place.
48
HISTORY OF WILTON.
1767-Moderator : James Brown. Town Clerk : John Burton. Jr. Selectmen : Abiel Abbot, Abner Stiles, Philip Putnam, Joseph Butterfield. Treasurer : Jonathan Cram.
1768-Moderator : Ephraim Butterfield. Town Clerk : John Bur- ton. Jr. Selectmen : James Dascomb, Joseph Butterfield, Abiel Abbot, Philip Putnam, James Maxwell. Treasurer : Jonathan Cram.
1769-Moderator : James Brown. Town Clerk : John Burton, Jr. Selectmen : John Burton, Jr., James Dascomb, Jacob Abbot. Treasurer : Jonathan Cram.
1770-Moderator: Richard Taylor. Town Clerk : John Burton,
Jr. Selectmen : Jonathan Burton, Joseph Butterfield, Joseph Holt.
1771-Moderator : Richard Taylor, Town Clerk : John Burton. Jr. Selectmen : Richard Taylor, Abiel Abbot. John Burton, Jr.
1772-Moderator : Richard Taylor. Town Clerk : John Burton. Jr. Selectmen : Jacob Abbot, Abner Stiles, Jonathan Martin.
1773-Moderator : Jonathan Burton. Town Clerk : John Burton. Jr. Selectmen : William Abbot. Jonathan Burton, Joseph Butterfield.
1774-Moderator : Joseph Holt. Town Clerk : John Burton, Jr. Selectmen : Joseph Holt, William Abbot, JJacob Adams. 1775-Moderator: Joseph Holt. Town Clerk : Jacob Abbot. Seleetmen : Abiel Abbot, Philip Putnam, Nathan Ballard.
PETITION FOR TOWN REPRESENTATION.
To the Honorable Council & House of Representatives in General Court Assembled-
The Petition of the Freeholders & other Inhabitants of the Towns of Lyndeborough & Wilton. Humbly Sheweth That Wilton. Lyndborough. the one Mile Ship & Duxbury School Farm. by the Convention of this State, in the 1775. were annexed to make one representation, - That sensible of the Importance of the General Cause. in which we are engaged. we have hitherto, patienly Submited to the Disadvantages of an In- adequate Representation, rather than Interupt the Honorable Court by Petitioning for a Redress- But hoping you may have a leisure Moment, that you may improve in attending to our situation - We beg leave to lay before your Honors the following facts - That in Wilton, there are 154 Rateable Polls. In Lyndsborough 180, and in the one Mile Slip and Duxbury School Farm 19. all which make 353 - That from the North west
TT
.
HELIOTYPE PRINTING CO.
BOSTON MASS.
RESIDENCE BUILT BY REV. JONATHAN LIVERMORE
49
TOWN REPRESENTATION.
part of Lyndsborough, to the South side of the one Mile Slip, (following the most Publiek Road). is about 19 Miles, and that to every 1000€, Paid by this State the aforesd Places Pay 17€ .. 3 .. 11 . 3, - And that when the Representative is Chosen in one of the Towns. it is Impossible for the other Town to Vote with propriety in the Choice, Being ignorant of the abilities of the Inhabitants of sd Town -add to this, their Ignorance of the Proceedings of the Geneal Court, and consequently of their Political duty. Therefore your Petitioners Humbly Supplicate your Honors to grant to Lyndsborough and Wilton. the Priviledge of a Seperate Representation - And your Petitioners as in Duty Bound shall ever pray. Dated at Wilton Octobr 5th 1780
Jacob Abbot
Eben' Rockwood
William Abbot Jr for Wilton
David Badger Committee
Levi Spalding
William Barron ) for Lyndsborough
SELECTMEN OF THE TOWN OF WILTON SINCE ITS INCORPORATION IN 1762.
James Brown. 1762. 63
John Dale, 1762, 64. 65
3
John Cram, 1762
1
Ebenezer Perry. 1763 .
1
Jacob Putnam. 1763
1
Ephraim Butterfield. 1764-66
3
John Burton, Jr .. 1764, 65. 67, 69, 71
5
Nathan Ballard. 1766. 75
1
Abiel Abbot. 1766-68. 71. 75. 82. 83. 92-95
Philip Putnam, 1767. 68, 75
B
Joseph Butterfiekl. 1767, 68. 70. 73
3
Abner Stiles, 1766. 67. 72
3
James Maxwell, 1768
1
In the years 1766, 67, 68 there were five seleetmen elected. 10
Jacob Abbot, 1769, 72
Jonathan Burton. 1770, 73. 77. 79, 82. 83. 86-90. 93-95
14
Joseph Holt, 1770, 74, 77 3
Richard Taylor, 1771, 76
Jonathan Martin, 1772, 80
William Abbot, Jr., 1773. 74. 78, 80, 84-90 11
Jacob Adams, 1774. 76
Simon Keyes. 1776 1
John Dale, Jr., 1777. 84, 85 3
Samuel Grecle, 1778 1
Years of Service : 2
Amos Holt. 1766
James Dascomb, 1768, 69, 81 .
50
HISTORY OF WILTON.
SELECTMEN OF THE TOWN OF WILTON .- CONTINUED.
Years of Service:
Joshua Blanchard, 1778 .
1
Moses Putnam. 1779. 91-93 .
Archalaus Batchelder, 1779
1
Richard Whitney, 1780
1
Jeremiah Abbot, 1781
1
Abraham Burton. 1781-83. 94. 95
Joseph Abbot, Jr .. 1784. 85
12 91
Samuel Lovejoy, 1786 .
1
Daniel Lovejoy, 1787
1
Samuel Greele, Jr., 1788, 89, 90 . 3
Jonathan Livermore, 1791
Barachias Abbot. 1791. 92
Abiel Wilson. 1796-1812, 15
Joseph Holt. Jr., 1796-1808, 15
10 3
Isaac Spalding, 1809
Richard T. Buss, 1809 .
Lewis Smith, 1810. 11. 13. 14. 27
Ephraim Peabody. 1810-15
Ezra Abbot, 1812. 16. 17 .
Jonathan Burton. Jr .. 1813. 14. 16-24. 25. 26. 28. 32. 39
15
John Mack, 1816-22
John Stevens, 1818-23
6
Oliver Whiting. 1823-26. 28
1
Jonathan Parkhurst. 1824. 26, 27. 29, 33. 34, 42-18, 51-54
14
Amos Holt, Jr .. 1825 .
1
Timothy Abbot, 1827
1 3
Joel Abbot. 1829-31 .
3
Oliver Perham, 1829-31
3
Daniel Batchelder, 1830-36
1
Oliver Barrett, 1833-38, 43-46. 56
11
Joseph B. Howard. 1835-37
3
Moses Lovejoy. Jr .. 1837-39. 40. 43-46
Asa Stiles, Jr .. 1838. 39
9
Jabez Goldsmith. 1841
1
Hermon Pettengill, 1841. 42
David Cram, 1847-50
Mark N. Spalding, 1848 .
1
Samuel Shelden, 1849, 50 2
Isaac Abbot, 1851 1
1 2 18 14
Eliphalet Putnam, 1796-1805 .
William Pettengill, 1806-1808
1 1 5 6 3
Asa Stiles, 1823
Abram Whittemore, 1828. 40. 41
Timothy Gray, 1832
Sewall Putnamn. 1840. 42-45. 47. 49. 50. 55
SELECTMEN OF THE TOWN.
SELECTMEN OF THE TOWN OF WILTON .- CONTINUED.
Years of Service :
Harris Abbot. 1851
William Lane, 1852 .
1
Joseph Wilson. 1852-54
3
Samuel N. Center, 1853, 71. 72
3
Theron Russell, 1854, 55
2
Ilervey Putnam, 1855
1
Moses Clark, 1856
1
Pierce Gage, 1856 .
1
Lewis Howard, 1857-59
3
William Emerson, 1857. 58. 73
Nathan Flint, 1857
1
Hermon Abbot, 1858-62. 71
6
George Buss, 1859, 60 .
Calvin B. Dascomb. 1860
1
Harvey A. Whiting. 1861-65
5
Jacob Putnam, 1861, 63, 64
3
John D. Wilson, 1862, 76
2
Samuel French. 1863. 64 . Samuel Barrett. 1865. 66
2
Charles Hesselton. 1865-68, 70. 73 .
6
Artemas Putnam, 1866. 67
David A. Gregg, 1867, 68
2
David Gregg. 1869 .
1
George F. Holt. 1869
1
Joshua Rideont. 1870
1
Daniel Cragin, 1870-72, 74. 75
5 1
George S. Fowler, 1873-75 .
3 6
George H. Keyes. 1876, 78-81
5
George B. Preble, 1877. 82
John B. Hickey. 1877-79
3 2
Calvin H. Lewis, 1880-82
3
Charles E. Barrett, 1882, 83
2
Lewis W. Perham, 1883, 84, 87
3
William H. Barnes, 1883, 84
2
George A. Rideout, 1884-86
3
George I. Doe. 1885-87
3
Stephen II. Dunbar, 1886
1
George M. Hartshorn, 1887
1
STATE SENATORS FROM WILTON :
Timothy Abbot. 1846,
Joseph Newell. 1865, '66,
Daniel Batchelder, 1849, '50. Charles II. Burns, 1873, 78.
1
51
William D. Stearns, 1874-79 .
John A. McGregor. 1880, 81
Isaac K. Davis, 1868. 69
Levi A. Pierce. 1872
52
HISTORY OF WILTON.
REPRESENTATIVES IN THE PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.
Jacob Abbot and Jonathan Martin were representatives in the Provincial Congress in 1774.
REPRESENTATIVES IN THE GENERAN COURT.
In 1776 Wilton, Lyndeborough, Mile Slip and Duxbury School Farm were classed together for representation. The petition for separate representation is dated October 5, 1780. During the six years they were classed together they were represented by JJacob Abbot in 1775 ; in 1776 and 1777 by Francis Epps : December 27. 1777, Abiel Abbot was elected, December 16, 1778, Captain Nathaniel Batchelder was elected ; December 15, 1779, Abiel Abbot was elected ; June 13, 1781, William Abbot. JJr., was elected. From that time until 1801 William Abbot, Jr .. Abiel Abbot, and Philip Putnam were the representatives, but of what particular years we have no records to show. Philip Putnam was elected in 1801, '02, '03, '04, '05: Abiel Wilson 1806-1811, inclusive ; Ephraim Peabody, 1815, '16. Mr. Peabody died on July 5, 1816, and Abiel Wilson was elected to serve at the November session, and was re-elected in 1817, 1818 and 1819: John Stevens, 1820-1823 : Samuel Abbot. 1824, '25, '27 and '28: Jonathan Burton, 1826 and 1829: Joel Abbot, 1830, '31, 32 and '38: Daniel Batchelder. 1835. '36 and '37: Abram Whittemore, 1833, 34, '39. '10 and '11 ; Oliver Barrett, 1842, '43 and '50; Timothy Abbot, 1844; David Cram, 1845, '46 and '47 : Abiel Abbot, 1849 : Jonathan Parkhurst, 1850 and '51; William Lane, 1852; 1853, voted not to send : Elbridge F. Perkins, 1854 ; Warren Keyes, 1855 ; Benjamin Baker, 1856 and '57; George L. Dascombe, 1858 and '59; Timothy Parkhurst, 1860 and '62; William Barrett, 1861 ; Samuel Barrett, 1863 and '64 ; Harvey A. Whiting, 1865 and '66 ; Jacob Putnam and George O. Whiting, 1867 and '68; Joel Hesselton and Francis Green, 1869 and '70; Emery P. Thayer and Levi A. Pierce, 1871 and '72 ; Oliver Clark and James L. Hardy, 1873 : Oliver Clark and David A. Gregg, 1874; David A. Gregg and Daniel Cragin, 1875 : Daniel Cragin and George S. Neville. 1876: David Gregg and David Whiting, 1877.
In 1878 the Constitution was amended, and the election of State and County officers was made biennial. At the election in Novem- ber, 1878, after balloting three times, voted to indefinitely postpone
53
GENERAL COURT REPRESENTATIVES.
the article. George H. Blood and David E. Proctor were elected in 1880 ; James L. Hardy, 1882 ; William D. Stearns, 1884 ; Josiah Freeman. 1886.
VOTES FOR GOVERNOR, COMMENCING 1852.
1852-Noalı Martin, 119 : Thomas E. Sawyer, 70 ; John Atwood, 73. 1853-Noah Martin, 131; James Bell, 67 : John H. White, 68.
1854-Nathaniel B. Baker, 126: James Bell, 66; Jared Perkins, 78 : Scattering. 1.
1855-Ralph Metcalf, 156; Nathaniel B. Baker, 121; Scatter- ing. 14.
1856-Ralph Metcalf, 152: John S. Wells, 157: Scattering 1.
1857-William Haile. 171: John S. Wells, 153 : Seattering 1.
1858-William Haile, 170: Asa P. Cate, 158.
1859-Ichabod Goodwin. 175: Asa P. Cate, 166.
1860-Ichabod Goodwin, 182: Asa P. Cate, 172.
1861-Nathaniel S. Berry, 167 : George Stark, 165.
1862-Nathaniel S. Berry, 165 : George Stark, 157.
1863-Joseph A. Gilmore, 111: Ira A. Eastman, 161: Walter Harriman, 20.
1864-JJoseph A. Gilmore, 175 : Edward W. Harrington, 177.
1865-Frederick Smyth, 168: Edward W. Harrington, 173.
1866-Frederick Smyth, 171 ; John G. Sinclair, 189.
1867-Walter Harriman, 171 : John G. Sinclair, 202.
1868-Walter Harriman, 196: John G. Sinclair, 253.
1869-Onslow Stearns, 202 : John Bedell, 235.
1870-Onslow Stearns. 199 ; John Bedell, 200: Scattering, 2.
1871-James Pike. 196: JJames A. Weston. 249, elected by the Legislature.
1872-Ezekiel A. Straw, 204:, James A. Weston, 247: Scat- tering, 2.
1873-Ezekiel A. Straw, 196: James A. Weston, 239; Scat- tering, 5.
1874-James A. Weston, 222; Luther McCutchins, 200; Scatter- ing. 4.
1875-Person C. Cheney. 192: Hiram R. Roberts, 256; Scatter- ing, 3.
1876-Person C. Cheney, 201 : Daniel Marcy, 245.
1877-Benjamin F. Prescott, 197: Daniel Marcy, 229.
1878-Benjamin F. Prescott, 184 : Frank A. MeKean, 247.
54
HISTORY OF WILTON.
1880-Charles H. Bell. 204 ; Frank Jones, 240.
1882-Samuel W. Hale, 147 ; Martin V. B. Edgerly, 214.
1884-Moody Currier, 171 : John M. Hill, 253; L. D. Mason, 4. 1886-Charles H. Sawyer, 143: Thomas Cogswell, 245; JJoseph Wentworth, 1.
After the Constitution was amended, a law was passed that con- stituted a Board of Supervisors for making and supervising the check list. They are chosen at the November election.
SUPERVISORS OF ELECTIONS.
1878-David Gregg, Joshua F. Frye, George W. Boynton.
1880-Joshua F. Frye, Michael P. Stanton, George W. Boynton. 1882-James Sheldon, JJohn B. Hickey, JJacob Putnam.
1884-John B. Hickey. Artemas O. Barker, Sumner Blanchard.
CHAPTER VII.
MANNERS AND CUSTOMS.
A whole world of habits and usages, once in active exercise in New England rural life has passed away almost entirely, never to return. Increased population, centering in larger villages and cities, labor-saving machinery, increase of manufactures, the di- vision of labor, change of occupations, rail-road, telegraphic and telephonic intercourse, the influx of foreigners with different habits, and the emigration of the native-born Yankee to the west and south, have disintegrated and swept away the manners and customs of fifty or a hundred years ago. The pioneer days and habits are gone. Society has grown less neighborly, but more philanthropic. Asso- ciation has taken the place of individualism. Man has lost some- thing which mankind has gained. The huskings, quiltings, wood- haulings, chopping-bees, sleigh-rides, hunting-matches, afternoon tea-parties, raisings, house-warmings,-all have passed into history. Instead, we have picnics, Sunday school and otherwise, sea-side, mountain, and rail-road excursions, camping out for pleasure where once it was extreme necessity, country weeks, granges, lodges, summer boarding, the European or Pacific coast trip, church sup- pers and sociables, fairs and expositions to the end of the chapter. Men and women live less in private and more in public. Every- thing is interviewed, reported and published. The fierce light that once beat upon thrones and palaces now beats upon the cottage and the cabin. All the world is knowing what every body is saying, doing, and planning.
But before the memory of the olden times wholly perishes, it is well to record the picture of what has already gathered somewhat of the hoar of antiquity. The age of Puritanism is no more. The nineteenth century, even, is almost closed. New leaves are turning and new pages opening in life's great book. The institution of
56
HISTORY OF WILTON.
slavery is not the only one that has perished in America. Other institutions and long-time customs, the growth of centuries, have yielded to modern innovation and are numbered with the past. Ilium fuit.
In this chapter the recollections of Mrs. Allan and Dr. Abbot portray to the life the Puritan age of New England. But many things have escaped their recall.
The custom of boarding round was still in vogue when I* kept the district school two winters, in my dear old native town of Wilton. By this means the term of instruction was lengthened, and the fam- ilies of the district, by their hospitality, gained a better acquaint- ance with the teacher. In the evening the scholars could be aided by the master in their lessons. The best the house afforded was set before the school master, and it was well if he did not contract dyspepsia by the pies and cakes and rich viands that were urged upon his not reluctant appetite. But the custom of boarding round is now no more, unless in some of the remote districts.
In the early days when population was sparse, and the neighbors few and far between, it was a necessity to reinforce the individual strength by gathering numbers together on occasion and doing the work of weeks and months in a single day. When, therefore. the big heap of corn on the barn floor was to be husked, what so natural as to turn the drudgery into a festival, call in the neighbors, make a feast, have a good time, and do in one bright evening, with young and old, and in brisk activity, and scarcely feeling the fatigue, what would have otherwise dragged its slow length along for days and days in solitary and uncheered task-work? So, too, with getting up the year's wood-pile, many teams and many hands made quick work of the formidable job, and then a bountiful supper, a hearty expression of gratitude by the host, and a merry dispersion home- wards, relieved the monotony of hum-drum existence and eased the hard tasks of manual labor.
Especially was this the case with the more important events of raising a house, barn, or church. The summons went forth far and wide. Even neighboring towns sent their volunteers. The coun- try side was astir with expectation. On the eventful day people flocked in, in wagons, and on horse-back, men, women and children from every converging road and forest path to the scene of interest. Old friends met and renewed their acquaintance, young lads and
A. A. L.
C
thing
57
MANNERS AND CUSTOMS.
. lassies modestly looked at one another for the first time, and made the measurement silently of character and worth. The business in hand went rapidly forward. The master workman and his men soon raised the timbers to their places and "brought forth the head- stone thereof with shoutings."* The mighty roofs of the olden time, the huge beams, the king posts, the heavy sills and spars, re- quired altogether different management from the umbrella-like frames of modern fashion. The first-growth timber was solid and gigantic, and the buildings were made to stand for generations. It demanded the co-operation of a large number of men to raise a house, barn, or church.
And in doors, as well as out, the same custom of union in work, and of converting toil into festivity was adopted by the Puritan daughters. The sewing-bee and the quilting-party were fashiona- ble. Every household at some time assembled the neighbors, and devoted the afternoon to these useful works, and called in their hus- bands and brothers to a social tea and a merry evening. Many of the ancient houses have heirlooms of the past in the quilts, counter- panes, and homespun carpets wrought in these industrious merry- makings.
So simple, yet so graphic, a picture of the New England manners and customs of the earlier times is given by one of the honored sons of Wilton, Dr. Abiel Abbot, that we quote it entire. It is con- tained in the appendix to the Wilton Centennial Address :
"I will say a word about Sunday of olden times. On Saturday evening the work of the week was finished. My father, after wash- ing and putting on a skillet of water, would get his razor and soap, · sit down by the fire and take off his beard ; after which he would take his Bible, or sometimes some other book. My mother after washing the potatoes, etc., and preparing for Sunday food, used to make hasty-pudding for supper, which was eaten in milk, or, if that was wanting, with butter and molasses. The little children were put to bed ; early in the evening my father read a chapter in the Bible and offered a prayer, soon after which, the younger part of the family and the hired help went to bed ; indeed the family went to rest every night soon after supper, especially in the summer. Saturday night, and Sunday, and Sunday night a perfect stillness- no play going on, no laughing. Those of us who were old enough
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