USA > New Hampshire > Merrimack County > Boscawen > The history of Boscawen and Webster [N.H.] from 1733 to 1878 > Part 12
USA > New Hampshire > Merrimack County > Webster > The history of Boscawen and Webster [N.H.] from 1733 to 1878 > Part 12
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The depreciation of the Continental currency had already begun, and prices were unsettled. The state, therefore, under- took to regulate them. In accordance with an act of the council and assembly, a town-meeting was held to undertake this task of
118
CIVIL HISTORY.
[1779.
making water run up hill,-settling what never has been or can be settled.
Capt. Peter Coffin, Lieut. Winthrop Carter, Joseph Atkinson, Capt. Peter Kimball, Lieut. Moses Burbank, Mr. Robie Morrill, Lient. Moses Call, and George Jackman, Esq., were chosen a com- mittee "to regulate the price of sundry articles enumerated in sundry acts of the General Court of New Hampshire; also to state such prices as are not therein enumerated."
Although sustaining this war, the town was not unmindful of the needs of education. Upon the selectmen's accounts are the following items :
" Paid Capt Peter Coffin towards Schooling £16-8-0
Paid for Ammunition 10-0-0
toward School on High st 5-14-0
toward keeping school at the lower end (King st) 9-12-1
pd Experience Eastbrook, for preaching 21-0-0"
PREACHING AT THE WEST END.
At the annual meeting, in March, a petition was presented, by some of the citizens living west of Beaver-dam, praying that they might be permitted to have preaching at that end of the town, in proportion to the amount of their taxes. The request was granted.
SMALL-POX.
It appears that inoculation for small-pox was at this time re- garded as a hazardous experiment. The question came up in town-meeting, and, after discussion, the following vote was passed :
"Voted that Col Gerrish & his family have the liberty to be innocu- lated for the small-pox if it appear to the selectmen to be expedient & may be done with safety in the town's behalf."
March 2, 1779. Notwithstanding the taxes imposed by the war for independence, the citizens did not abate any expense in main- taining preaching.
Voted, " that the ministerial committee inform Mr. Eastabrook that it is the unanimous vote that he would supply them again as soon as his engagement is out at Londonderry."
Provision was made to supply the families of those who had enlisted in the continental service.
119
CIVIL HISTORY.
1779.]
John Flanders and Samuel Atkinson were chosen " to procure hinges, bars & lock to the meeting house, & see the same se- cured."
One hundred and twenty pounds was raised for highways, £40 for school, &30 for preaching, and £30 for the town.
It was voted to make "some consideration to the men who had enlisted in the continental service."
April 21. George Jackman was elected as delegate to the con- vention called to meet at Concord on the 10th of June, "to form a permanent place for state government. Also voted that Nich- olas Davis keep the key of the meeting house."
At this meeting the voters of Salisbury were present, and the two towns agreed not to send a representative to the General As- sembly. This action was not from any want of patriotism, but evidently it was the opinion of the people that the convention to be held in Concord was the more important assembly, and that the old government would soon be superseded by the new:
May 12. Voted to employ Rev. Experience Eastabrook three months as preacher, and to raise £100 for the support of the gos- pel.
[From the selectmen's accounts. ]
" paid Mr Eastabrook for one days preaching £9-0-0
paid Mr Ward For preaching a Day 3-12-0
paid Benj Thurston for preaching two Days 18-0-0
paid for keeping Mr Eastbrooks hors 5 weeks 2-5-0
paid Mr Abraham Cumming sixty six pound toward preaching at Boscawen 66- 0-0
paid Cutting Noyes for Sarvice as selectmen two years, keeping schoole & Going to Salisbury for a cow 27-8-0 paid Henry Gerrish for money paid Mr Potter (minister) & for Bording mr Judson's horse two-(days) 4-19-0 3-12-0"
paid Isaac Noyes for making two Coffins
SAW-MILL AT THE WEST END.
During the year a saw-mill was erected on Blackwater river, a few rods above the mill now owned by Friend L. Burbank, Esq. It was erected by Henry Gerrish. Work began May 21, and the mill was finished July 19. A large number of men were em- ployed in its construction, their united work being 39 days.
120
CIVIL HISTORY.
[1779.
PAPER RAGS.
The war had made paper very scarce. The home manufacture of paper was begun ; but rags were needed. The town, at its an- nual meeting, voted,-
" That Dea Isaac Pearson & Capt Samuel Atkinson be collectors of Rags for the Paper Mill."
Neither by record nor tradition can we learn the location of the paper-mill. Probably it was in some other town.
Col. Henry Gerrish and Capt. Peter Kimball were appointed to procure men for the service of the United States.
Owing to the depreciation of the currency, the town voted that five dollars should be paid for a day's work on the highway.
July 7. At a town-meeting, held this date, the selectmen and Capt. Peter Kimball were appointed to hire four "Continental men, & five Rhode Island men upon the most reasonable terms they can," and further to supply men from time to time as they should be called for.
Sept. S. The plan of government prepared by the convention at Concord was presented to the citizens, thirty-five of whom were present. It was read, article by article, and rejected,-fif- teen voting for and twenty against its acceptance.
Nov. 3. At this meeting the town once more attempted to make water run up hill, by choosing a committee to regulate prices.
A convention of town committees was held at Concord ;- but laws of trade are superior to committees, and people bought and sold irrespective of tariffs.
ITEMS OF EXPENSE.
"paid Daniel Flanders Nathan Carter & Joseph hoit in part for going in the Sarvice two months 49-16-0
paid John Elliot for money paid Mr Henery for keeping school 1-10-0
paid John Elliot for Sarvice as selectman and Bording a school mistress 7- 8-0"
This is the first mention of a school-mistress on the town rec- ords.
" Paid Mr Hutchins for preaching 66-6-0
paid William Mirrick for Boarding school master 3-0-0"
121
CIVIL HISTORY.
1779.]
RETURNS OF THE INVENTORY.
" Number of Polls 18 years old & upward
189
Number of male slaves
0
Female słaves
0
Number of acres of Orchard Land
73
Number of acres of arable tillage land
205
Number of acres of mowing land
601
Number of acres of Pasture land
358
Number of Horses & Mears
57
Number of colts 2 years old
11
Colts one year old
13
Oxen
82
Cows
77
Cattle 3 years old
68
66 1 "
107
yearly reve [revenue] of mills repairs deducted
£70
Sum total of the value of all Building & real estate improved owned by the Inhabitants £4789
unimproved real estate not owned by the Inhabitants
£ 2200
Sum total of value of stock in Trade £200
Sum total of money in hand or at interest not in the publie fund
£225"
CHARGE TO LIEUT. WINTHROP CARTER, CONSTABLE.
" To a Continental & State Rate
£1575-7-6
To a County & Town Rate 144-0-0
To a minister Rate 121-07-1
To a Continental Rate ad
2971- 1-8
To a Non Resident proprietors Rate
451-15-0
To a War Rate
670-17-7
£5934-9-4"
2
82
[1780.
CHAPTER VIII.
CLOSE OF THE WAR.
HE theatre of war was in the Southern states, and the militia, while being always ready for service, was not called upon for active duties. The citizens, however, were compelled to manifest their patriotism in a most unwelcome way,-the payment of heavy taxes in a currency depreciated to such an extent that one hundred dollars would barely suffice to buy a pair of shoes, or pay for an ordinary meal. The rates charged to constable David Corser were,-
" To a Continental Rate £14058-2-6
To a Rate on the Non Residents 740-0-0 2045-18-9
To a Town Rate
To a School Rate 1525-9-0
To a County Rate 131-16-0
.
To a Ministerial Rate
1024-15-0
To a tax on the Improved land of the Non Resident Proprietors 65-15-0
£19592-6-5
To a Beef & War Rate
14910-04-00
£34502-10-6"
The disbursements were largely on account of the war.
ITEMS. " To Mr Hutchinson for preaching 92-8-0 clothing for Jonathan Uran for the Sarvice 99-9-0 paid Wm Jackman for Beef 189-3-0
66 for Sarvice 259-13-0
for going into Sarvice 269-3-6
47-11-0
same same
30-18-0
123
CIVIL HISTORY.
1780.]
paid for a pair of Stockings for Jonathan Uran 18-0-0 paid for a shirt for Jonathan Uran 22-10-0 319-18-0"
paid Capt Peter Coffin for beef
Thomas Coffin, though but four years old at the time, remem- bered the transaction. The rate was levied in Continental money, but was paid in coin. He remembered the clinking of the Spanish milled dollars on the hearth, to ascertain their genuineness. "paid Joseph Couch for boarding Mr Noyes & horse 72-0-0"
Mr. Noyes probably was a minister, the last employed before the engagement of Rev. Samuel Wood. How long he preached is not known. From another entry, in 1783, " paid Mr Thomas Noyes for preaching 4-10-0," it may be inferred that he was an occasional preacher, supplying the pulpit from time to time.
" Paid John Flanders casting lead into Balls 26-5-0
Paid Daniel Clark for a pair of shoes for Uran 30-0-0
paid Joseph Hoit for going into sarvice 259-0-0
paid Simeon Carr 259- 0-0
paid Jonathan Atkinson for keeping schoole 288- 0-0
paid Winthrop Carter for a hat for John Uran 24-0-0
paid for clothing John Uran for Sarvice 140- 0-0
90-0-0
paid Jonathan Uran for going into Sarvice paid Jonathan Uran for going to be mustered
69-0-0"
It is to be hoped that Jonathan Uran was a valiant soldier, for it cost a great deal of money, to say nothing of the selectmen's running here and there, to get him into the "Sarvice."
" paid Joseph Lunt for two pairs of Shoes for Jonathan
Uran 72-0-0
paid Enoch Little for his son's sarvice in the army paid Cutting Noyes for cloth for Jonathan Uran paid Joseph Little going into Sarvice 189-0-0
461-0-0
33-15-0
for Sarvice
210-0-0
paid Moses Morse for cloth for Jonathan Uran REV. SAMUEL WOOD.
65-14-0"
During the year, Mr. Samuel Wood, of Lebanon, a graduate of Dartmouth, and a young theologue, was employed to preach. The town had been without a settled minister during the whole period of the war. Mr. Wood being an acceptable preacher, a movement was made towards his settlement; but no result was reached till the ensuing year.
124
CIVIL HISTORY.
[1781.
The depreciation of the continental currency was so great, that . a day's work on the highway was reckoned at £6, or $20. The selectmen had been accustomed to charge $2 a year for their ser- vices, but the town voted $100 instead, and two bushels of pease ! The pease were, probably, quite as valuable as the money.
1781. The selectmen were directed to assess a tax that would supply preaching for eight months, and the committee were di- rected to employ Mr. Wood at least four Sundays.
Lieut. Enoch Gerrish was chosen town agent for procuring beef for the continental army.
The first record of the several school-districts gives the division of the school money :
SCHOOL-DISTRICTS.
" Proportion of school money to Each District for the year 1781
The lower end school [King st] £8-3-5
River Road School [Fish st] 3-16-10
Water st School 5- 0- 4
Over the Pond South Dist [Putney] 4- 7-11
Over the Pond North District [White Plain] 3-9-9
Atkinson District 3-1-9"
The districts on Corser hill, Little hill, and Battle street are wanting.
TOWN RATES.
The taxes charged to Constable George Jackman, collector, show that they were levied partly in the new emission of conti- mental money, and partly in hard money.
CALL TO REV. MR. WOOD.
July 31. A special meeting was held, at the request of the church, to ascertain the sentiments of the town in regard to set- tling Mr. Wood, and adjourned to August 13, when it was voted- 66 to 16-to extend an invitation to Mr. Wood, with a salary of £50 for the first two years,-the money to be valued at 6s. 6d. per ounce,-to be paid in coin, or its equivalent in current money. After two years the salary was to increase £5 per annum until it reached £70, which from that time on was to be his salary.
125
CIVIL HISTORY.
1781.]
The town also voted £90 for his expenses of settlement, with the use of the parsonage.
A protest was signed by twenty voters, and entered upon the records, "against the proceedings of this & former meetings in proceeding to settle Mr. Wood in the Presbyterian way as a town."
THEOLOGY.
Theological lines at this period were sharply drawn, in regard to the doctrine of the atonement and original sin. Especially was this the case in Newbury, from whence most of the original proprietors came. Dr. Murray, of that town, was an exponent of what was called the " limited atonement," or an atonement for the elect, while Dr. Samuel Spring was a leader of the "new view," as it was called-that Christ died for all. The majority of the citizens of Boscawen had accepted the "new view," while there was still a respectable minority who believed in the "lim- ited atonement."
Out of this controversy came new names. The new view men were called "Four-cornered " or "Square men," and the others "Three-cornered men." The "four-cornered men " arrogated to themselves more comprehensive views, and a fuller and more per- fect system of doctrine, than were held by their "three-cornered " brothers.
CROWSFOOT AND THEOLOGY.
It was about this time that the yellow crowsfoot, or butter- cup, made its appearance in the fields and pastures. It is nar- rated that a "three-cornered " man, while mowing the crowsfoot with the intention of exterminating it as a noxious weed, said,- "So am I determined to do what I can to exterminate the heresy of the general atonement !"
Those who protested against the settlement of Mr. Wood were the " three-cornered " men. Although the opposition was so pro- nounced, Mr. Wood was settled, the ordination being on the 17th of October, 1782.
From the first settlement of the town "the gospel" was the first care of the inhabitants. No matter how difficult to obtain the necessaries of life, to clear the forests, to obtain their daily
126
CIVIL HISTORY.
[1782.
bread, to protect themselves from the Indians, or to secure their liberties, the gospel must be preached. It is the one distinguish- ing feature of the proprietors' and the town records. Without doubt, the prosperity, stability, and high character of the town, for one hundred and forty years, are due to this devotion to principle.
Rev. Mr. Wood, by his urbanity and prudence, won universal esteem, silenced all opposition, and remained the pastor of the church till his death, which occurred in 1834.
LORDS PROPRIETORS.
The lands of the proprietors who had not paid their taxes were sold July 11th. Though so large a proportion of the tax had been levied in the new emission of continental money, the depreciation was so great that the taxes yielded very little revenue; and at a town-meeting, held September 10th, the selectmen were directed to levy the tax anew, in silver.
Boscawen at this time was classed with Salisbury as a repre- sentative district ; but the two towns could not agree upon a candi- date, and remained unrepresented.
1782. Though Cornwallis had surrendered, peace had not been declared. The town still stood ready to meet any demand that might come, for men or supplies. At the annual meeting, in March, Lieut. Enoch Gerrish was again chosen to provide men, beef, and clothing for the army, if needed.
The meeting-house had been erected thirteen years, but the galleries were still unfinished. The calls for money during the war had been so frequent and urgent, that no effort had been made towards completing the edifice. At a special meeting, held in May, the town voted to sell the gallery pews, and apply the proceeds towards finishing the house.
PROPRIETORS' MEETING.
For a period of ten years there had been no meeting of the pro- prietors. Many of the proprietors, or their heirs, deemed it ad- visable to sell the lands held in common and undivided; and a meeting was held, October 2d, to take the matter into considera- tion.
It was voted to sell the remaining estates at public auction. As
127
CIVIL HISTORY.
1782.]
a token of their desire to aid in every public enterprise, they made a donation of 400 feet of glass for the glazing of the windows in the gallery of the meeting-house, and Col. Henry Gerrish was ap- pointed to procure the same.
CLAY HILL.
At an adjourned meeting, held November 12th, the proprietors specifically reserved two acres of land at Clay hill, to be for the common use of all the proprietors,-thus securing forever to the inhabitants of the town an interest in the excellent deposit of clay at that locality.
FROM THE SELECTMEN'S ACCOUNTS.
Feb. 28.
" paid for rum for the army 13-11 -- 4
paid to Simeon Atkinson for Banestors & Iling [for the Meeting House] 7- 0
paid Mehetable Hidden for keeping schoole 16-0"
Although a female teacher was employed as early as 1779, the name of Mehitable Hidden is the first of her sex on record.
Another item :
"paid Wells Burbank for bording School Dame 1-1 -- 0"
Mr. Wells Burbank lived on Water street, on land formerly owned by Thomas Coffin-now by G. W. Fisher-and the chil- dren of that district had therefore the benefit of Miss Hidden's instruction.
In February, the selectmen settled with Rev. Mr. Wood for his services before his ordination.
[From the Records.]
" Feb 28 1782.
" This Day reckoned and settled with the selectmen of the Town of Boscawen and Received an order on Benjamin Jackman constable for the sum of Nine Pound three shillings & ten pence Lawful money which is in Full for all the Time I have supplied the Desk in Boscawen before the Day of my ordination
Samuel Wood
George Jackman Cutting Noyes selectmen "
128
CIVIL HISTORY.
[1783.
STATE AND NATIONAL GOVERNMENT.
1783. The plan of state government, sent to the towns for adoption, was presented at the annual meeting, in March, and re- jected.
Rev. Samuel Wood, Col. Henry Gerrish, and Samuel Fowler were chosen delegates to the state convention, to set forth the objections of the town.
At a meeting, held August 18th, the eighth article of the confed- eration between the states was approved by the town, as recom- mended by the General Court.
SECOND BRIDGE OVER THE BLACKWATER.
At a special meeting, held September 29th, the town voted to build the upper bridge over the Blackwater, near Dea. Eliphalet Kilborn's residence.
The selectmen's books show the amounts of the school fund ap- portioned to the several districts :
" Lower End Schol [King st]
16-4-6
River Rode Schol
5- 2-5
High st Schol
6- 2- 8
Water st Schol
12-17- 9
South District over Beaver Dam
10-14-10
North District over Beaver Dam
3-18-5"
TOWN CENSUS.
The selectmen's books also give the first town census :
"Number of Inhabitants, buildings & Land in Boscawen as taken Oct 1783.
" White Inhabitants
756
Black ditto
1
Dwelling houses
98
Barns & other Buildings
101
Acres of Land 25,820
"Taken April 1783
" No of Polls from eighteen to seventy-five years of age 151
0
No of negroes
15
Acres of Orcharding
Arable & Tillage Land 196
129
CIVIL HISTORY.
1784.]
Mowing Land
652
Pasture Land
612
No of Horses & mares
75
Oxen
134
Cows
221
Horses & cattle three years old
78
Horses & cattle two years old
114
Horses & cattle one year old
105
yearly rent of mills
£50
value of all Building & Real Estate & improved land
£4463
value of Real Estate not owned by Inhabitants
£2595
value of stock in trade
£50
value of money in hand or at Interest Not in the publick Funds 0 "
The town had been settled fifty years, and though it contained 758 inhabitants, yet the whole amount of tillage, pasturage, mow- ing, and orcharding was only 1,475 acres, out of 25,820 com- prised in the town limits. Thus slowly had civilization made its way in the dense forest that at the outset covered all the terri- tory.
MEETING-HOUSE AT THE WEST END.
The people living west of Beaver-dam brook, being so far from meeting, agitated the question of the erection of a house of wor- ship at the West end, and a committee was chosen to select a site. 1784. The town during the war took care of the families of the soldiers in the service. In the selectmen's accounts are the items of clothing, provisions, and other articles furnished the fam- ily of Joshua Danford. It is interesting, because it sets forth the depreciation of the currency, and the peculiar hardship to the soldiers in taking their pay in a worthless currency.
" Feb 16 1674.
" To one bushel of wheat Delivered you 0-6-0
To answering your order by John Jarrold 4 bush corn
12- 0
To one bushel Corn by your wife
3$_0
To one bushel & a half of Corn
4- 6
To Corn by Capt Coffin 15- 0
To 592 Continental Dollars 75 for one
2-7-3
To 546 Continental Dollars at 100 for one
1-13- 0
To a ton of hay & a bushel of potatoes
2-2-0
1-2-6
To 30 lbs salt pork at 9 pence 9
130
CIVIL HISTORY.
[1784.
To two pair shoes & one pair Mogersons
To Rum, Sugar, Molasses & Salt by Lunt To one pair shoes To pasturing a cow To 4g bushels of rye
1- 0- 6 0-17 -- 7
6-0
0-9-0
1-7-0
Boscawen Fb 13 1784
Reckoned & settled all accounts with Joshua Danford From the time of His first Entering into Conti- mental Sarvice up to the First Day of January A D 1774 allowing him at the Rate of Sixty Dollars a year as a hire or Bounty and Deducting one hun- dred dollars in part of the above amount for amount exhibited to the state for alowance by the order & find due him 6-18-7
" Joshua Danford."
GENERAL WARNING OUT.
During the year the selectmen gave a general "warning out" to persons not born in the town,-not, perhaps, that the individ- uals were likely to become paupers, but as a precautionary meas- ure. It was among the possibilities that well-to-do citizens might become poor, and in such case a warning out would relieve the town from responsibility. It was the ethics of the time. Among the number thus notified to leave were Schoolmaster Fisk and fam- ily, and others, who, through life, were substantial citizens. The duty was performed by Constable Edmund Chadwick.
ROAD TO DARTMOUTH COLLEGE.
Settlements were pushing northward, especially up the Con- necticut valley. The rich meadows and uplands of Haverhill and Newbury and other localities were exceedingly attractive, and there was a public demand for an improved road from the Merri- mack to the upper Connecticut. The people of the upper towns petitioned the legislature for a public road. The petition was presented in 1784, and an act passed appointing Timothy Walker of Concord, Ebenezer Smith of Meredith, and Henry Gerrish of Boscawen, a committee to lay out the same " four roads wide, be- ginning at the River Road or highway (so called) in the town of Boscawen in the most convenient place & from thence to proceed in the most direct course the situation of the land will admit of to
131
CIVIL HISTORY.
1786.]
Connecticut river at or near Dartmouth College, having respect to public & private interests."
On the copy of the act sent to Col. Henry Gerrish are the notes,-
" 1785 May 24 set out. Returned 30th d- 7 Days. Adjourned to Sept 12th 1785 to meet at Col H Gerrish's.
" Oct 26th 1785. Made a Return of said Road which [was] received & was accepted by the General Court."
The road left the river in the hollow at the north end of King street, and ascended the hill, crossing the present highway, and descending the steep hill to Cold brook; then winding up the ravine past the brick-kilns, crossing the road leading to Bashan, striking across the plain to Woodbury hill ; thence up the pres- ent travelled road to Merrill corner; thence to High street. So far as the town of Boscawen was concerned, few changes were made in the then existing roads.
The highway was called the "College " road, and after the fourth New Hampshire turnpike was constructed, was known as the " College old road."
In the selectmen's account for the year is an item in regard to Blackwater upper bridge :
" paid Silas Call for Rum to Raise Blackwater Bridge 78- 0."
Whether it was the raising of a bridge, a barn, a dwelling, or a meeting-house, whether a wedding or a funeral, whether the citi- zens were at home or abroad, nothing was done without the stim- ulus of ardent spirit.
" OVERHAULING " A COMMITTEE.
March 7, 1786. The citizens of Boscawen were watchful of their interests. At this meeting, Capt. Peter Coffin, Samuel Fowler, and Ebenezer Hidden were appointed "to overhaul and settle with a former committee that was chosen to sell the Gal- lery pews in the Meeting house & see how they have proceeded in the matter."
A committee was also appointed "to overhaul the selectmen's books."
Maj. Enoch Gerrish and David Carr were appointed "to assist the surveyor in building a bridge across Clay Hill."
132
CIVIL HISTORY.
[1786.
This bridge was intended to avoid the steep descent and ascent through the gulf. It stood a few feet west of the present bridge.
MANUFACTURES.
Through the war the citizens had been compelled to manufacture all articles of wearing apparel. Carding and fulling mills were established in every town. Men acquainted with the dressing of cloth were in demand. Some time during the war, Isaac Pearson, of Newbury, began the dressing of cloth in the "hollow," and rap- idly accumulated a fortune.
Hatters were also a necessity. Wheelrights, joiners, cabinet- makers, were to be found in every town. Wagons were not at this time in use, but carts were needed everywhere. Saddlers and harness-makers, and mechanics in general, were able to thrive by their industry. Skilled labor commanded remunerative prices.
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