USA > New Hampshire > Hillsborough County > Wilton > History of the town of Wilton, Hillsborough County, New Hampshire, with a genealogical register > Part 6
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* Zechariah W. ..
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HISTORY OF WILTON.
took the Testament, or learned the Catechism or a hymn ; and read in the Testament or Primer to father or mother, in the morning. For breakfast, when we had sufficient milk, we had bread and milk : when this failed, bean and corn porridge was the substitute. Some- time after the Revolutionary war, for Sunday morning tea and toast were often used. As we lived at a distance from meeting (nearly three miles) . those who walked set out pretty soon after nine o'clock. and those who rode on horseback were obliged to start soon after them ; the roads and pole bridges were very bad, and the horses always carried double, and often a child in the mother's lap, and sometimes another on the pommel of the saddle before the father. All went to meeting, except some one to keep the house and take care of the children who could not go to church or take care of themselves at home. The one that staid at home was instructed when to put the pudding, pork and vegetables into the pot for sup- per after meeting. Those who went to meeting used to put into their pockets for dinner some short-cake or doughnuts and cheese. We used to get home from meeting at four o'clock, often much later. Immediately the women set the table. and the men took care of the horses, and in the winter, of the cattle, sheep, pigs, etc. In the short days it would often be sundown before, or very soon after, we got home. The sled with oxen was often used for meeting when the snow was deep, or by those who did not keep a horse. After supper the children and younger part of the family were called together and read in the Testament and Primer, and if there was time, said their Catechism (the Assembly's) and some short hymns and prayers. Soon after this, in the summer, before my father read in the Bible and offered prayer, the cows were brought from the pasture and milked. No work was performed except what was absolutely necessary : the dishes for breakfast and supper were left unwashed till Monday. Every person in the town able to go to meeting went : if any were absent, it was noticed, and it was sup- posed that sickness was the reason. If anyone was absent three or four Sundays, the tything-man would make him a visit ; this, how- ever, was a rare case. The Sabbath was not unpleasant to me ; early habit. I suppose, rendered the restraint by no mean sirksome. I do not recall feeling gloomy, or disposed to play, or wishing Sun- day was gone or would not come. I do not think of anything more to say about Sunday, except that the meeting-house was well filled.
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" Now what more' shall I say? A word about schools. These were poor enough. We used to read, spell, write and cipher after a sort. Our teachers were not taught. The Primer, Dilworth's spel- ling book, and the Bible or Testament were the books. No arith- metic ; the ciphering was from the master's manuscript. My fa- ther became sensible that the schools were useless, and in the win- ter of 1782 hired Mr. John Abbot, who was then a sophomore in college, to teach a month or five weeks in his vacation, and invited the district to send their children gratis. This gave a new com- plexion to the school in the south district ; and for a number of years after, qualified teachers were employed abont eight weeks in the winter, usually scholars from college. Soon after the improve- ment in the south district, some of the other districts followed in the same course. To this impulse, I think, we may impute the ad- vance of Wilton before the neighboring towns in education, good morals and sound theology. I venerate my father and mother, more for their anxiety and sacrifices to give their children the best education, literary and religious, in their power, than for anything else. And it gives me, as I have no doubt it did them, and must you and all the rest of their descendants, the highest satisfaction that their desires were so well gratified, and their labors successful .. Their children, grand-children, and so on to the twentieth genera- tion will have reason to bless the memory of parents of such true worth.
" Now for something else. For breakfast in olden times were bread and milk, as soon as the cows were milked, for all the family. When milk failed, bean porridge with corn. About nine o'clock there was a " baiting" or luncheon of bread and cheese, or fried pork and potatoes. For dinner a good Indian pudding, often in it blueberries and suet ; pork and beef through the winter and spring : potatoes, turnip and cabbage, etc. At four or five o'clock p. m., in the summer some bread and cheese or the like. For supper bread and milk. When milk failed, milk porridge, hasty pudding and molasses, bread and molasses, bread and beer, etc. When there was company to entertain, chocolate for breakfast ; no coffee.
" Pewter basins or porringers and sometimes wooden bowls were used when spoons were required ; trenehers or wooden plates were used at dinner ; when a friend dined, pewter plates were used by father and mother and the friend. You probably remember the pewter platters and plates usually standing on the shelves. None
.
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but pewter spoons. The cup for beer was pewter. After which came the brown mug. If a neighbor came in for any purpose, he was asked to drink beer or cider. When women visited their neigh- bors, they went early in the afternoon, carried their work, and re- turned home before sundown to take care of milking the cows, and so forth. Their entertainment was commonly shortcake baked by the fire, and tea, except in the early part of the Revolutionary war. For the visit they often put on a clean chequered apron and hand- kerchief and short loose gown.
" In the winter several of the neighbors would meet for a social evening, and would have a supper. There were no select parties ; all were neighbors in the Scripture sense. The maid and boy in the family, the same as the children in all respects. I do not recollect ever hearing a profane word in my father's family from any of his hired men, nor at school at Wilton or Andover academy. I do not think that profane language was used by any in the town till after the Revolutionary war. Industry and economy were the order of the times. I do not remember seeing my father or mother angry : they were sometimes displeased, no doubt. My father in the win- ter used to go to Salem or Marblehead to market with shooks, hogshead staves, rye, pork, butter, etc., and procure salt. molasses, tea, rum, etc., for the year, as there were no traders in the new town. Rum was not used except in haying and harvest, and on particular occasions of hard service and exposure, such as washing sheep, burning large pieces of woodland, etc. Intoxication was very rare : I do not remember more than one man being intoxicat- ed. Rum was commonly used at raising buildings : half a gill was a good dram. After raising a building, if finished before night. the amusements were wrestling, goal, quoits, etc. Goal was the favor- ite play with boys the day after Thanksgiving, and election days. which were all the holidays I remember. Good humor and cheer- fulness always prevailed in our family. and it was generally so, I believe."
. Speaking of the mothers, the same writer as above says : " They came to houses not finished, not painted, not ceiled, as we see them now ; they had no parlor, no carpets, no curtains, no sofa : for some of these every-day conveniences they had no word in their vocabulary. But they were happy,-happiness is the property of mind. They took good care of the household. They wrought flax and wool ; the card, the spinning-wheel and the loom were the fur-
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niture of the house. All were clothed with domestic products ; articles were also made for the market. They were healthy and strong : they and their daughters were not enfeebled by luxuries and delicacies. nor with working muslins and embroidery ; tea and cake were rarely used: coffee was unknown. Their dress was plain, and adapted to the season and their business : one dress answered for the day and the week. Their living and dress pro- duced no consumption as now.
"' Our fathers and mothers were benevolent, hospitable and kind ; the stranger was received, as in the most ancient time, with a hearty welcome. In their own neighborhood and town, they were all brothers and sisters. There was an admirable equality, a home- feeling and a heart-feeling among all. Their visits were not form- al, ceremonious and heartless, but frank, cheerful and cordial. Their sympathy for the sick, unfortunate and distressed was ex- pressed by their ready assistance and kindly affectioned help. When prosperous all partook in the common joy ; when sickness or calamity befell any, all were affected, the sorrow was mutual, and aid and relief, as far as possible, were afforded. They were indeed one family-all members of one sympathizing body. "
The following reminiscences are by the late Mrs. Achsah (Saw- yer) Allan of Marion, Maine: "I received a postal from Wilton saying, if sufficient encouragement is given it is proposed to publish a history of Wilton. It would be very pleasing to me to read the history. Had I the pen of a ready writer in my advanced age. I should enjoy giving to the history early recollections of my life in that town. The little I can give in my capacity is meagre compared with able writers, and what I write may be written by others, that will give clearer views in a more concise manner, yet I will try to state some of my early recollections from a child to twenty years of age, when I left for one of the eastern counties of Maine.
" My father, Nathaniel Sawyer, a Revolutionary soldier of three years. married, came to Wilton in 1781, commeneed on the farm now owned by Henry Gray. He toiled eighteen years on his farm. Hon. Jacob Abbot traded in the town, when my father moved there. IIe kept a full supply of goods for a country town. He was a man of unblemished character, ever ready for every good work. When he left the town it was considered a great loss to the people. The name he generally went by was 'Esquire JJacob,' which I heard from my parents. He closed bis business about 1797. My father
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HISTORY OF WILTON.
began business in his stead, as a store was very much needed. He built the store which, I presume, stands close to the dwelling house of Mr. Gray, and about 1796 or 1797 he filled it. The old books which I have in my possession show that his trade was good. I see many names of persons from all the surrounding or adjoining towns who traded at his store, or rather exchanged produce for goods, such as butter, cheese, pork, beans, rye, oats, flax-seed, ashes, etc. Here is a small sample of a bill I took off, of charges, etc., dated February, 1803 :
Debtor to Nathaniel Sawyer.
Feb. 3. 1 1b sugar 1s; 1 mug of toddy 1s. ( 2 0
6. 1 qt new rum
0 1 5
10. 3 pt brandy ; 1 mug flip 0 2 0
13. credit to 23 bushels of ashes at 9d. 0 111
3 14. 2 gts of new rum 2s. 9d. : 1 gt. molasses 1s. = 20. 2 yds calico 6s. : 1 fur hat 1 2 6 23. 1 qt gin 2s. 6d. : 1 1b. Shells Is. 0 3 6
Credit by 27 bushels of oats at Is. Gd. per bushel. 2 bushels of beans.
" Federal money had not taken the place of pounds, shillings and pence, but came into use soon after.
" It was common to go to the store with small articles of produce to exchange for goods. It was often a little stimulant would be called for, with the mistaken idea that it would lighten the cares, and labor would be more easily borne. Very few accounts were en- tered without many charges of the vile beverage. The mug held a quart ; the half-mng, a pint. In winter flip was commonly called for, which was made from beer. Au iron called the 'hottle' was kept hanging in the fire-place to have it quickly heated to warm the beer. West India rum with loaf sugar, a toasted cracker, and nut- meg grated over it. made a drink worth the price. 'Toddy' was a mixture of rum, sugar and water, with other fixings if required. · Blackstrap' was simply run and molasses. Spirituous liquors were aneiently much used in good families. No collection of peo- ple, no parties, no benefits to a neighbor such as huskings, etc., were held but something stronger must be served than the precious ale which was drawn from the well. Who would have thought of holding a glass of pure cold water to the lips of a poor sick child or friend sick with a fever? No cooking stoves were used before 1815, in the families, but fire-places were large enough to admit a large log at the back with another not so large on the andiron in front, with a good supply of wood on the top. These made a fire that
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was a joy to all the family, and often a pine knot would be an addi- tion to make a little more light for the children to study their lessons by, for the morrow's school. Our brooms were made from the yel- low birch, stripped ; at times we had to use small hemlock twigs.
" The schools were well attended, considering the distance to walk. There was some very cold weather, which made cold hands and feet, to say little of ears and noses. Such an article as a ther- mometer was not known to us children. No doubt we had zero weather with quite a number of degrees below. Children were not provided with the warm clothing that they are blest with now-a- days, yet they were punctual at school.
" Teachers many times boarded in different families, to lengthen . the school. The summer schools passed off with little variation ; sewing was taught with reading and spelling. The lesson was learned from Perry's spelling book ; this was the guiding star from 1807 to 1812.
" The larger scholars in the winter schools required help from the teachers more than the small ones ; they had to be a grade by them- selves. The school-house that was built near the old meeting-house is nearly ninety years old. I attended school in it seventy-eight years ago. The district was large then.
" In 1816 a school-house was built on the extreme west part of Mr. Gihnan Mansur's field, on the north side of the road ; since then a new house has been built about a half a mile toward the French village. Such a thing as bringing a pail of water into a school-room would have been thought out of order. How many times the scholars had to run to the well which belonged to the house, later owned by Dr. Parkhurst ; how sweet the water would taste from the 'moss-covered bucket' that hung to the sweep. ready to drop into the well. We could rest it on the curb and slake our thirst. A dish or tumbler was not provided in those days.
" The old meeting-house on the common ! how many have wor- shipped in it. I can see them now in imagination almost eighty years ago.
" I can hear the voices of Mr. Joshua Blanchard, Dea. John Bur- ton, Mr. Jeremiah Abbot ; what alto sounds Mr. Blanchard and Mr. Abbot produced. Deacon Burton had a strong tenor voice, and the pastor, Rev. Thomas Beede, was one that could perform his part well.
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" The old meeting-house where our fathers worshipped, how sad that it was destroyed by ruthless hands ! How many times I have sat, when quite a child, looking at the golden dove, wondering she did not fly and find some other resting place than on the sounding- board.
" Many times I sat with cold hands and feet, wishing the long sermons would end. The foot-stove would be passed from one to another, to keep the feet comfortable ; yet the pews were very well filled, very few staid from church in those days. A warmer meet- ing-house was not conceived of then. The town was mostly settled by farmers. Every family manufactured their own cloth :. they · could raise the wool, and the female part of the family could card, spin and weave it. It was very hard work for the shoulders to draw the wool through the cards, and not unfrequently there would be parties among the young people to help each other in breaking wool, which was considered half carded, when they had finished their aft- ernoon work.
" Then Uncle Nathan Martin would find his way to the house. Though blind he could fiddle. Very few in those days but could trip ' the light fantastic toe' if accompanied by Uncle Nathan's violin.
" Every day's wear was of home mannfacture. Such articles of comfort as undershirts, drawers, and even lined pants I never heard mentioned before 1812. The first carding machine near Wilton was in New Ipswich, not earlier than 1808. Wool was carried there to be carded. Flax was raised by the majority of farmers. Summer clothing was mostly made from flax and cotton.
" Anciently I never heard of any dissension of religious opinions until 1808. The first minister of the town asked his dismission. Why, I never heard, but I always heard him spoken of as a truly good man. He never wasted words; whatever he said he meant. He was once conversing with a friend about the cost of a liberal ed- ucation. Said he, ' Hlad I known that my son, whom I have edu- cated, would have chosen a legal profession, I never should have expended so much for him.' His friend made answer to him, . It is possible for lawyers to be Christians.' . I believe it. ' said he, ' but it is very rare.'
" His death was very sudden. Soon after he had retired one night something unusual appeared in his breathing. His wife spoke
IF
-
HELIOTYPE PRINTING CO
SUNNY DALE COTTAGE. RESIDENCE OF NEWELL D. FOSTER.
BOSTON, MASS.
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to him, he made no answer ; she went for a light, and when she re- turned life had departed. Ile was the first person buried in the South cemetery.
Rev. Abel Fisk was the next minister. I think he was very much beloved by the people and they felt his loss. Rev. Thomas Beede was the next ordained minister. Some of the people were so pleased that they expressed themselves as having their loss more than made up to them. Mr. Beede was a gentleman who could win the youth by his teachings in school, and out of school, his kindness in various ways, his judicious advice in little difficulties, his readi- ness to render assistance to the needy, which if it could not always be in deeds was always in words of encouragement which had the effect to do good. How many have been blest in their education by his efforts. not only for minor schools, but many for their col- legiate course. The few advantages with which I was blessed I owe to Mr. and Mrs. Beede. He was my first teacher and my last. in school.
" Mrs. Beede was a lady with whom one could not get acquaint- ed without loving her as a friend. In everything good she was ever active : in disappointments or crosses she ever gave advice charita- bly. In 1811 Mr. Beede invited all the children who would like to learn to sing to meet at the school-house near the meeting-house. and he woukl instruct them. At the day appointed there was a great turnout. The school was quite a success. there were some most excellent voices. It did not take long to learn the rules for vocal music in those days : the rising and falling of the notes were soon accomplished. The first tune practised was . Little Marlbor- ough,' the second was . Plymouth.' When we could call the notes to those tunes, we imagined ourselves quite singers. with the praise of our instructor. Very few of that school are left to remember it now. In the ministry of Mr. Fisk they had what is termed congre- gational singing. They sang from David's Psalms. The Deacon would read a line. commence the tune, all the people would follow him, then another line. and they would finish the psalm in that way. At last the younger singers wished to improve, and a Mr. Herrick was hired to teach. Hle had three sessions a day, the tunes were lively and they had a great interest in them. After a while they had a desire for instrumental music with the singing. This was most bitterly opposed by a number of men advanced in years. They would leave the church every time singing commenced. Their
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HISTORY OF WILTON.
prejudice was so strong against it they would not stop to hear it. One said he did not wish to hear the devil's fiddle (bass-viol) played on at any place. He could not bear to hear it in church. Another did not like the devil's baboon (bassoon). At last one of these men joined the Baptist church in Mason ; it was some years before the Baptist church was organized in Wilton.
" There was one veteran who was very much prejudiced against a certain minister who exchanged with Mr. Beede. The okl gentle- man did not mind him when he seated himself in the body seats. He started for the door, as soon as he found who was to preach. As he passed to the door, a man said to him. . Stay and hear the rest.' He replied, ' The de'il a bit of it. I have heard enough of it already.' "
CHAPTER VIII.
COLONIAL DOINGS-THE CHARTER-A PROVINCIAL TAX-WARRANT-EX- TRACTS FROM TOWN RECORDS.
The charter of the Town of Wilton was renewed Jan. 2, 1765. and was a copy of the charter dated June 25, 1762 (heretofore given under the head of " Proprietary History "), as far as to and in- cluding the words, "and transact such affairs as in the said laws are declared." The remainder of the charter is as follows :
The annual meeting in said town, shall be held for the choice of said officers and the purposes aforesaid on the second Monday in March au- mally.
In testimony whereof we have caused the seal of our said Province to be hereunto affixed. Witness Benning Wentworth Esq. our Govenor and Commander in Chief of our said Province the second day of Jannary in the fifth year of our Reign, and in the year of our Lord Christ one thou- sand seven hundred sixty-five.
By his Excelleneys Command with advice of Council
B. Wentworth. T. Atkinson Jun. Clerk. Province of New Hampshire.
May 24th. 1765. Recorded in the Book of Charters Page 279 & 280.
PROVINCIAL TAX WARRANT.
The following seems to be the first provincial tax warrant to be found in the town records :
1, Province of \ To the Selectmen of Wilton in the Province of New Hampshire. \ New Hampshire for the current year. 1765.
Pursnent to acts of the general Assembly of said Province, for the as- sessing. levying and collecting the taxes granted to his most Excellent Majesty within said Province and for the Apportioning and Payment thereof into the Treasury of said Province :
You are therefore in his Majesty's name herby required to assess the Polls & Estates within said Wilton liable by law to be taxed. the particu-
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HISTORY OF WILTON.
lar sums in Bills of Credit of said Province & in Proclamation money as herein prescribed & pay the same into the Treasury of said Province or cause the same to be paid by the twenty fifth day of December next ensu- ing the date hereof. namely the sum of seven Pounds ten Shillings in New tenor bills of Credit of said Province. You shall direct the Constable or Collector of said Wilton who shall have said sums or any part thereof to collect to receive of the Inhabitants of said Wilton. if said Inhabitants see fit, their respective assessments of said sum. in said Bills of Credit ac- cording to their several Denominations, or in coined Silver at Six Shil- lings & eight pence pr ounce. Troy weight of Sterling Alloy or in coind Goll at four Pounds Eighteen Shillings pr. ounce or in the following commodities being merchantable and of the produce or manufacture of said Province. viz: Bar Iron at five Pounds pr hundred Weight, Hemp at three Shillings pr Pound, Indian corn at ten Shillings pr. Bushel, Rye at ten Shillings pr Bushel. Peas at one pound pr Bushel. Winter wheat at one Pound tive Shillings pr Bushel. Barley at ten Shillings pr Bushel. Pork at one Shilling pr pound. Beef at nine pence pr pound. Flax at three Shillings pr pound. Bees wax at five Shillings pr pound. Bay berry wax at three Shillings six pence pr pound, Winter and Spring Cod Fish at four Pounds pr Quintal. Pitch at three Pounds ten Shillings pr Barrel. Tar at two Pounds pr Barrel. Turpentine at four Pounds pr. Barrel. well tanned Sole leather at four Shillings pr Pound. Tallow at two Shillings pr Pound. White pine Joyst at four Pounds pr thousand feet, White pine boards at five Pounds pr. thousand feet. White Oak two inch Plank at twenty five Pounds pr thousand feet.
And you shall also assess the Polls and Estates aforesaid the sum of thir- teen Pounds two Shillings and nine peuce in New tenor bills of Credit of said Province and pay or cause the same to be paid in said Treasury by the twentyfifth day of December aforesaid.
You shall also assess the Polls and Estates aforesaid the sum of three Pound seven Shillings and six pence Proclamation Money and pay or cause the same to be paid into the Treasury of said Province by the twen- ty fifth day of December aforesaid.
You are also hereby required that some time before the twentytifth day of December aforesaid. to send the Treasurer of said Province the name or names of the Constable or Constables, Collector or Collectors, who have the said tax or any part thereof committed to him or them to collect. the sum each was to collect. the date of the warrant given him for that purpose and the time he was ordered to pay the same into the Treasury. Dated at Portsmouth in said Province the twentyfourth day of July in the fifth year of the Reign of his Majesty George the third. over Great Britian, France & Ireland King & Annoque Dom. 1765.
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