USA > New Hampshire > Merrimack County > Boscawen > The history of Boscawen and Webster [N.H.] from 1733 to 1878 > Part 11
USA > New Hampshire > Merrimack County > Webster > The history of Boscawen and Webster [N.H.] from 1733 to 1878 > Part 11
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It was put to vote to see whether the town would build a school- house, " & set it near Muzzey's N. E. corner & voted in the neg- ative."
This was the first movement toward the erection of a school- house. The schools were kept in private houses. Muzzey's cor- ner was at the junction of Water and Long streets.
It was put to vote to see if the town would purchase land of Mr. John Elliot, for Mr. Merrill, at one dollar per acre, and was decided in the affirmative.
This vote was subsequently reconsidered.
June 25. At this meeting, it was voted to purchase of Capt. Henry Gerrish the eighty-acre lot laid out to the right of Moses Smith, for Mr. Merrill. The price was "eighty Spanish milled dollars." The lot was on Beaver-dam brook, including a large portion of meadow.
Voted to sell the old log meeting-house at vendue.
March 3, 1772. Prior to this date, there had been no bridge across the Blackwater. Several settlers had located west of that stream, and John Flanders, Capt. Peter Coffin, and Joseph Atkin- son were chosen to select a suitable place for crossing said stream, and "to treat with the men who own the land."
The town voted not to deduct anything from Rev. Mr. Merrill's salary for those Sundays when he was absent ;- voted, also, "that
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CIVIL HISTORY.
1772.]
Mr. Moses Burbank be abated so much ministerial tax as he has paid to the Church of England since the settlement of Rev Mr Nathaniel Merrill."
Voted to raise one hundred dollars, to be worked out on the highways "at the following rates : men at two shillings, oxen at 2 shillings, cart & wheels at 6 pence, plow 2 shillings per day."
FIRST SALE OF PAUPERS.
Voted, that "Ephraim Davis and wife be clothed at the charge of the town, and they shall be put to them that will take them the cheapest."
This is the first record of the sale of the services of the indi- gent persons in town, which soon became the universal custom of all towns.
The committee on the meeting-house matters thus reported :
" This day the committee that was chosen to build a meeting house settled with the committee that was chosen to overhaul their accounts & see how they have disposed of the money & find due to the town in New Hampshire old tenor £405-12s- 6p."'
May 5. Voted to build a bridge over the Blackwater, at the place reported by the committee.
The site selected was that now used near the town-house in Webster.
THE BOSTON PORT BILL.
The contest between Parliament and the colonies on the ques- tion of taxation was becoming intensified. In revenge for the destruction of tea in Boston, the ministry had carried a bill through Parliament closing that port to all commerce. The act went into effect at noon, June 1. From that moment, all in- tercourse between Boston and the world must be across the nar- row neck of land leading to Roxbury. No ship could come or go ; no fisherman pass Castle William in a dory; no scow land hay or wood at a wharf; no market-gardener take his vegetables across Charles river into the doomed town. The act aroused sympathy everywhere. In retaliation, the people resolved to quit using goods of English manufacture. The citizens of Boscawen, in common with those of other towns, issued their manifesto declar-
106
CIVIL HISTORY.
[1772.
ing their determination not to purchase such goods. The origi- nal document is in the possession of James L. Gerrish, Esq., of Webster. It might be truthfully called the Preliminary Decla- ration of Independence.
THE DECLARATION OF THE PEOPLE.
" We the subscribers Inhabitants of the town of Boscawen having taken into serious Consideration the precarious State of the Liberties of North America and more especially the present distressed condition of our Sister Colony of the Massachusetts Bay, Embarrassed as it is by several Acts of the British Parliament tending to the entire Subversion of their natural & Charter Rights; among which is the Act for blocking up the Harbour of Boston :
" And being fully sensible of our indispensible Duty to lay hold on every Means in our Power to preserve & recover the much injured Con- stitution of our Country; & conscious at the same Time of no Alterna- tive between the Horrors of Slavery, or the Carnage & Desolation of a Civil War, but a Suspension of all Commercial Intercourse with the Is- land of Great Britain, Do, in the Presence of GOD, solemly & in good Faith, covenant & engage with each other.
" 1 That from henceforth we will suspend all Commercial Intercourse with the said Island of Great Britain until the Parliament shall cease to enact Laws, imposing Taxes upon the Colonies, without their consent, or until the pretended Right of Taxing is dropped.
"2 That there may be less Temptation to others to continue in the said now dangerous Commerce; & in order to promote Industry Econ- omy, Arts & Manufactures among ourselves, which are of the last Im- portance to the Welfare & Well Being of a Community; we do in like Manner, solmly covenant that we will not buy, purchase or consume, or suffer any Person, by, for, or under us, to purchase, nor will we use in our Families in any Manner whatever, any Goods, Wares, or Mer- chandise which shall arrive in America from Great Britain aforesaid, from & after the last Day of August next ensuing, (except only such Articles as shall be judged absolutely necessary by the Majority of the signers hereof) and as much as in us lies, to prevent our being inter- cepted or defeated in this only peaceable Measure entered into for the recovery & Preservation of Our Rights or the Rights of our Brethren in our Sister Colony; We agree to break off all Trade & Commerce with all Persons, who preserving their private Interest to the Salvation of their now almost perishing Country, who shall continue to import Goods from Great Britain, or shall purchase of those who import after
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CIVIL HISTORY.
1772.]
the said last Day of August, until the aforesaid pretended Right of Taxing the Colonies shall be given up or dropped.
" 3 As a refusal to come into any Agreement which promises Deliver- ance of our Country from the Calamities it now feels, & which like a Torrent, are rushing upon it with increasing Violence, must, in our Opinion, evidence a Disposition enimical to, or criminally negligent of the common Safety ;- It is agreed, that all such ought to be considered, & shall be by us esteemed, as Encouragements of Contumacious Im- porters.
" Lastly, We hereby further engage, that we will use every Method in our power, to encourage & promote the Production of Manufactures among ourselves, that this Covenant & Engagement may be as little detrimental to ourselves & Fellow Countrymen as possible.
Nathaniel Gookin
Aaron Flanders
John Elliot
William Danford
Samuel Corser
John Flanders jr
Thomas Eliot
John Elliott
Joseph Jackman
Jacob Flanders
Moses Call
Nathan Corser
Ebenezer Wise
Jesse Flanders
Jedediah Danford
Benj Sweatt
John Corser
Cutting Noyes
John Bowley
Daniel Richards
Henry Gerrish
Joseph Dunlop
George Jackman
Oliver Fowler
Moses Burbank
Isaac Fitts
Sam1 Fowler
Timothy Eastman
Benja Eastman
John Couch
Peter Kimball
Thomas Corser
Isaac Pearson
John Corser
Joseph Atkinson
Jonathan Corser
John Flanders
William Mirick
Sam1 Atkinson
John Jackman
John Hale
Samuel Jackman
Isaac Noyes
James Garis [Gerald ?]
Benjamin Jackman
Edmund Chadwick
Peter Coffin
Benja Day
Moses Burbank jr
Israel Shepherd
Samuel Jackman
Hezekiah Colby
Nathaniel Atkinson
Daniel Peterson
Richard Ilsley
Benjamin Eastman
Samuel Muzzy
Daniel Shepherd
Ezekiel Flanders
John Stevens 60"
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CIVIL HISTORY.
[1773.
THE FIRST PHYSICIAN.
During the year Dr. Daniel Peterson took up his residence in Boscawen-the first resident physician in the town. He built the house now standing-the first building north of the academy, on the Plain. (See Biography.)
1773. In the selectmen's account with Constable Winthrop Carter for this year is the following :
" To an order on Capt Henry Gerrish for Sarvice on the Country affairs £4-16$- Sp "> Another item :
" An order to Ens Kimball as committee on the Country affairs 3-1-11"
This was Capt. Peter Kimball, who, with Capt. Gerrish, was chosen to meet other towns in convention, to take into considera- tion the formation of a new county. A convention of towns in Hillsborough county was held during the year, but no action taken.
In the selectmen's account are other items which, in the absence of other records, show the progress made by the town :
" Gave John Hale an order for making the buring cloth 1-2" This is the first mention of a funeral pall.
"Gave an order to Joseph Couch for boarding a School Master in the year 1772 5$-0"
As Joseph Couch had taken up his residence on the farm now oc- cupied by Miss Nancy Couch, it is clear that the school was held in what is now the town of Webster. Without doubt, it was the first school kept west of Beaver-dam brook. The number of fam- ilies west of that boundary probably did not exceed ten. The school was held either in Mr. Couch's house, or in the house of John Corser, now occupied by Mr. Tilton, or in the house of Sam- uel Corser, now occupied by Mrs. Simeon B. Little. It is not cer- tain, however, that the last named was erected as early as 1772.
TOWN CORN.
In the selectmen's account is an item in relation to the "town corn."
109
CIVIL HISTORY.
1773.]
"Paid to Winthrop Carter for shelling 22 bushels and a peck of the town corn and sorting and carrying up garrit
46- 1r-1f"
How the town happened to be carrying on agriculture in its corporate capacity, is wholly a matter of conjecture. The town had no farm. Not till 1820 did it set up an almshouse. There is nothing in the records relative to the matter. The supposition is, that some person indebted to the town made payment in corn.
THE FIRST SCHOOL-HOUSE.
" Voted that the selectmen have liberty to move the middle school from the place stated & that they place it in such place as they shall find best to accommodate the Inhabitants in said district according to Interest."
No school-house had been erected, but a site had been se- lected by the town for a building. It was to be the "middle school." There were two other districts,-the one on King street, and one west of Beaver-dam. The people on Water street were the first to petition for a house. For several years their requests had been in the warrant for town-meeting. They felt that the time had come when the schools should be taught elsewhere than in a private house, and had succeeded in getting a vote for the erection of a school building. The site selected was at the junc- tion of Long and Water streets. The building subsequently erected was the first school-house built. For several years after this, the schools in other districts were taught in private houses.
REMOVAL OF REV. MR. MERRILL.
Rev. Mr. Merrill, who was settled in 1768, was removed about the first of April. "Respecting his removal," says Rev. Mr. Price, "no correct information can be had from the written rec- ord, as the records of the town furnish none, and the church rec- ord was then misplaced, or lost, and has never to this day been found."
Mr. Price further states that Mr. Merrill had joined the Graf- ton Presbytery, and that, through his influence, the church had in part changed from the Congregational to the Presbyterian polity. This new connection was the cause of his being fre- quently absent to supply vacant pulpits, which produced discon-
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CIVIL HISTORY.
[1774.
tent in the church and congregation. "The discontent was increased by some supposed, if not real, aberrations observed in his conduct, and proved a fatal bar to his usefulness." This Mr. M. discovered, and applied to the Presbytery for removal. No action was taken by the church or the town.
Nov. 1. At a meeting of the town, Joseph Atkinson, George Jackman, and Samuel Muzzey were appointed to provide " some suitable person of the Congregational order to preach the gospel as soon as may be."
This brings us to the close of the year 1774, a period of forty years since the first settlers reared their cabins on King street. During this time they had fought the Indians, maintained their ground while other towns were deserted, and had moved steadily on in the path of civilization, felling the forests, cultivating the soil, maintaining from the beginning a minister, establishing schools, and passing from poverty to comparative comfort in worldly goods. On all questions touching their rights and liber- ties they were intensely patriotic, and never for one instant stop- ped to inquire what would best promote their material interests, but, in regard to the Stamp act, the duties on tea, the Boston Port bill, and kindred matters, stood unflinchingly for the rights of man. It was an intelligent, thrifty, religious, law and order abiding community, standing in the foremost rank of agricultural towns, ready to share in every trial and hardship necessary to maintain their liberties.
ThomasGerrish
1774.]
CHAPTER VII.
BEGINNING OF THE REVOLUTION.
HE citizens of Boscawen manifested their patriotism at the beginning of the year in electing Henry Gerrish as delegate to the provincial congress, which was held at Exeter, January 25. He was clothed with full powers.
The attack of the British at Lexington was on April 19. The news reached Boscawen on the 20th ; and on the 21st, sixteen men were on the march under Capt. Henry Gerrish. They were,-
Henry Gerrish, Capt.,
Samuel Jackman,
Silas Call, Lieut.,
David Flanders,
Winthrop Carter, Sergt.,
Charles Greenfield,
Samuel Fowler, Esq.,
Peter Roswell Stevens,
Edmund Chadwick,
Israel Shepard,
John Flanders,
Isaac Davis,
John Stevens,
Edward Gerald,
Nathaniel Burbank,
Nathaniel Atkinson. 16
We may think of them as assembling at Fowler's tavern, at the lower end of King street, with their guns and powder-horns, and possibly, here and there, a citizen carried a knapsack. They fill their canteens with rum at Mr. Fowler's bar, and take a part- ing drink with their neighbors. We see them crossing "Town- house brook," and hear the tramp of their marching as they pass over Contoocook bridge.
The news must have reached town on the morning of the twen- tieth. Capt. Peter Coffin saddled his horse, and started for Exeter, where we find him on the twenty-first, in consultation with sixty-eight other delegates-" to consult what measures shall be thought most expedient to take in this alarming crisis."
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CIVIL HISTORY.
[1774.
THE INHABITANTS.
The number of inhabitants in the state at this time, and at other periods, may be estimated from the returns made at a later date (1792) by Joseph Pearson, secretary of state, who searched the provincial records for that purpose. The ratable polls were, --
1742-5,172 1767-11,964 1753-6,392 1773-13,853
Reckoning five persons to a family, the inhabitants at the differ- ent periods would be,-
1742-25,960 1753-31,960
1767-59,820
The population of the state at the breaking out of the Revolu- tion, may be estimated, therefore, at about 75,000.
TOWN-MEETING.
At a meeting of the town, the following votes were passed :
"Voted to buy one barrel of Gunpowder, one hundred weight of lead and one hundred flints.
" Voted that Capt Stephen Gerrish buy the stores at as reasonable price as may be, for the use of the town.
"Voted to adhere strictly to advice of the Continental Congress."
A committee was appointed "to see if the aforesaid laws [of congress ] be obeyed."
COMMITTEE OF SAFETY.
The committee of safety consisted of Benjamin Jackman, Joseph Atkinson, Ebenezer Hidden, John Elliot, Capt. Henry Gerrish, Lieut. Moses Call, George Jackman, and Ensign Peter Kimball.
March 14. A committee was appointed to procure a preacher, and was instructed to apply to Mr. Levi Frisby.
Twenty-five pounds was voted for school purposes; and it was also voted to employ Mr. Morrill (Mr. Robie Morrill) as teacher. Twenty pounds was voted for preaching.
113
CIVIL HISTORY.
1776.]
TOWN-MEETINGS.
May 10. The committee on preaching had not been able to hire Mr. Frisby, and Mr. Samuel Ela was engaged.
Voted, that " that part of the town lying above the pond [Great pond] so called have their part of preaching among them in pro- portion to the tax they pay."
Capt. Henry Gerrish was again elected to attend the provincial congress at Exeter, to serve for six months.
Sept. 21. "It was put to vote whether Mr. Samuel Ela has behaved as a Christian & Gospel preacher to their satisfaction & it was unanimously voted in the affirmative."
Notwithstanding this endorsement, it was thonght best to in- quire more particularly into Mr. Ela's history ; and at a subse- quent meeting, held September 25, Peter Kimball was appointed agent " to go to the place of Mr. Ela's former residence, & make enquiry into the character of Mr. Samuel Ela & make report to the town."
A committee was appointed " to enquire of sundry persons who at present do not join with said town in their publiek affairs & know the cause of their not attending & lay the same before the town in order that the same may be removed."
This had reference to a few individuals who had not joined in the patriotic movement.
March 5, 1776. Robie Morrill, Peter Coffin, and Moses Bur- bank were appointed " a committee of inspection agreeable to the recommendation of the Continental Congress."
That the town was prompt in settling with those who had vol- unteered to go to Cambridge, will be seen from the following vote :
" That those men that went on the alarm in April last & all others who have demands against the town bring in their accounts as soon as may be."
SCHOOL-DISTRICTS.
Prior to this date there had been no regularly defined school- districts in town. The money that had been raised annually was in addition to that arising from the school fund ; but now, in the midst of war, the citizens took a forward step in education, and 8
114
CIVIL HISTORY.
[1776.
voted to divide the town into school-districts, each district having its school in proportion to its valuation.
THE ASSOCIATION TEST.
The continental congress sent out the following resolutions :
" In Congress March 16, 1776
"Resolved : That it be recommended to the Several Assemblies, Con- ventions, and Councils or Committees of Safety of the United Col- onies, immediately to cause all Persons to be disarmed within their Respective Colonies, who are notoriously disaffected to the cause of America, or who have not associated and refuse to associate, to defend by Arms the United Colonies, against the Hostile attempts of the Brit- ish Fleets & Armies.
" Charles Thomson secy."
This was submitted to the committee of safety for New Hamp- shire :
" Colony of New Hampshire
" In Committee of Safety
April 12th 1776
"In order to carry the Resolve of the Hon.'ble Continental Congress into execution, you are requested to desire all Males above Twenty one years of age ( Lunatics, Idiots, & Negroes excepted) to sign to the Declaration on this Paper; and when so done to make Return thereof, together with the Name or Names of all who shall refuse to sign the same, to the General Assembly or Committee of Safety of this Colony. " M Weare Chairman."
The paper submitted for signature is known as the " Articles of Association."
ARTICLES.
" In consequence of the above Resolution of the Hon Continental Congress, and to show our determination in joining our American Brethren in defending our Lives, Liberties and Properties of the Inhab- itants of the United Colonies :
"We the subscribers, do hereby solemnly engage, and promise, that we will, to the utmost of our Power, at the Risque of our Lives and Fortunes, with Arms, oppose the Hostile Proceedings of the British Fleets and Ar- mies against the United Colonies."
This was the people's Declaration of Independence, agreed to be- fore the signing of that document issued by the continental con- gress, July 4. They put their names boldly to the paper, thereby declaring themselves rebels.
115
CIVIL HISTORY.
1776.]
Every citizen of Boscawen, with one exception, signed it. From this document, we have the name of every male adult in town in the spring of 1776, not including those who were doing military service.
" Joseph Hoit.
Moses Call.
Samuel Corser. Stephen Gerrishı.
Moses Morse. Jesse Flanders. Moses Burbank.
Samuel Burbank.
Moses Jackman.
Enoch Gerrish.
John Flanders.
John Morrill.
Daniel Noyes.
Silas Call.
Daniel Clark.
Joseph Gerrish.
Benja Day.
Mich1 Sargent.
Nathan Corser.
Thomas Bedel.
Joseph Atkinson. Robie Morrill.
William Welch.
Moses Burbank, jr.
Moses Call.
Thomas Gardner.
David Burbank.
Samuel Atkinson.
Simeon Atkinson.
Jeremiah Hidden.
Timothy Eastman.
Caleb Merrill.
Joseph Pearson.
Daniel Peterson.
Joseph Flanders.
Benjamin Couch.
Friend Little.
Jacob Flanders.
John Corser.
John Knowlton.
Edmund Chadwick.
Eben Hidden.
Moses Morse, jun.
Henry Gerrish.
Moses Manuel.
Daniel Shepard. Isaac Pearson.
Daniel Richards.
Winthrop Carter.
David Corser.
Samnel Davis. Benja Rolfe.
Asa Corser.
Ezekiel Flanders.
Edward Garies [Gerald?].
John Elliot, jr.
John Manuel.
Thomas Elliot.
Bitfield Plumer.
John Muzay. John Jackman.
Nathaniel Gookin.
James Garies [Gerald ?].
John Stevens. Samuel Ames.
Enos Flanders. Jedediah Danford.
Thomas Corser.
Jesse Flanders, jr.
Jonathan Atkinson.
William Danford, Jr.
Samuel Jackman.
John Corser.
David Carter.
Samuel Clifford.
Simeon Jackman.
116
CIVIL HISTORY. [1777.
Peter Kimball.
Joseph Bean.
John Hale.
John Fowler.
Robert Elliot.
John Ilsley.
James French.
Peter Coffin.
Sam1 Danford.
Oliver Fowler.
Benjamin Jackman.
John Bowley.
Joseph Muzzy.
Jolın Bowley, jr.
Samuel Muzzy.
John Corser, Jun.
Isaac Noyes.
George Jackman.
Peter Roswell Stevens.
Samuel Agaton.
William Danford.
Jolın Uran.
Nicholas Elliot.
George Jackman, jun.
Capt. Stephen Gerrish.
Cutting Noyes.
Nathaniel Atkinson.
John Elliot.
Enoch Little.
Joseph Eastman. Total, 108.
Nathan Davis.
" To the honorable Council and House of Representatives for the Colony of New Hampshire, or Committee of Safety. This may cer- tify that the within Declaration have Been offered to the Inhabitants of Boscawen and unanimously signed excepting one (viz) Aaron Flanders Refused to sign the same.
" George Jackman Cutting Noyes Selectmen John Elliot
" June 3 1776."
It is probable that Mr. Flanders's refusal to sign was not from any hostility to the cause of liberty, nor from fear of conse- quences, but from his temperament as an individual. He was a person who found pleasure in being on the side opposite the ma- jority, no matter what the question. It is not known that his fellow-citizens abated their confidence in his loyalty from his re- fusal to sign this declaration of independence.
The names given are from the original document in the secre- tary of state's office. It is difficult to make out some of the signa- tures. The name given in the provincial papers as " Garies " is undoubtedly Gerald, as no such name appears in contemporaneous records, and as it is known that Mr. Edward and Mr. James Ger- ald were residents of the town at the time.
March 4. At the annual meeting, £35 was voted for schools, £35 for preaching, £20 for the town, and &40 for the highways.
March 28. Among the citizens of the county, who were sup-
117
CIVIL HISTORY.
1778.]
posed to be tories, were Peter Green, Esq., a lawyer residing at Concord, also Jacob Green, a deputy sheriff ; and the patriots of Boscawen concluded to make known their sentiments in regard to the gentlemen in the following manner :
Voted, " that we will break off all connections with Peter Green Esq, in regard to employing him as an attorney at law."
Voted, " that we will not employ nor have any connection with Jacob Green as Deputy Sheriff."
On the next day, March 29, the citizens deliberated on the state of the country, and passed the following patriotic votes :
" That Capt Stephen Gerrish, Capt Peter Kimball, Samuel Fowler Esq, Lieut Benj Jackman, Mr John Flanders, & George Jackman Esq, be a committee to propose a plan and lay before the Town for procur- ing the men to go into the service of the United States of America agree- ably to Order of Court."
Voted, " that the war for time past & for future be maintained by a tax on the Inhabitants in the same manner as the Law directs for Prov- ince Tax, allowing a man no more for four months service on his credit in the Southern army than for three months in the Northern army and so in proportion."
Voted, "to give fifty dollars as a bounty or hire from this Town to each man who shall engage to go into the service of this Town for three years."
Voted, " that the selectmen provide the money to pay the men who shall enlist."
April 25. The citizens again assembled to take measures to push on the war :
Voted, "to carry on the war by a tax in equal proportion, on the in- habitants according to interest in the same manner as for their town tax."
A committee was appointed, consisting of George Jackman, Capt. Peter Kimball, John Elliot, Lieut. Enoch Gerrish, Mr. John Flanders, Samuel Muzzy, Capt. Samuel Atkinson, and Isaac Pearson, " to enquire into the state of service already done in the war, & make a just & equitable estimate of each Term that has been done & make report."
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