USA > New Hampshire > Merrimack County > Boscawen > The history of Boscawen and Webster [N.H.] from 1733 to 1878 > Part 13
USA > New Hampshire > Merrimack County > Webster > The history of Boscawen and Webster [N.H.] from 1733 to 1878 > Part 13
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GUNPOWDER.
During the war, powder was in great demand.
Many stories are current of the quality of some of the powder man- ufactured during the war. There was a scarcity of saltpetre, and stable floors were frequently taken up to obtain the earth beneath for leeching. Some of the powder manufactured was slow to ignite, and of no great explosive force when ignited. It is related that a soldier, having some of the poor powder, flashed his gun. He thought that he had forgotten to load, and had only primed it. He placed himself in position to load, when, hearing a fizzing, he discovered that the charge had taken fire and was coming up the barrel. Being quick-motioned, he took aim once more, just in season to send the bullet into the ranks of the enemy !
It is stated that on another occasion a quantity of powder in a keg took fire, and nearly half of it burnt up before it could be extinguished !
These stories, if classed among those related by Baron Munchau- sen, may at least be set down as illustrative of the humor of the times.
SCARCITY OF MONEY.
There was great distress at this time on account of the scarcity of money. Paint it in the most vivid colors, and the picture will
133
CIVIL HISTORY.
1787.]
not be overdrawn. Continental money was worthless. A hun- dred dollars would not purchase a spool of thread, or a breakfast. There was no state currency; there were no banks; there was little silver and less gold in the country. The small amount of silver in circulation was of Spanish coinage, received through trade with the West Indies. There was little direct trade with Europe, and what little had sprung up was against the United States, rather than in their favor. There was nothing to cause a flow of the precious metals to America, but, on the contrary, what little was here was gradually flowing from the country : and this while there was a rapid increase of population.
Nearly all trade was by barter. The great difficulty was the pay- ment of taxes. A weak, inchoate, inert, lifeless confederation of states had been established,-a body without a heart or head.
The New Hampshire legislature called for an expression of publie opinion in regard to the issuing of a paper currency by the state. The town, at a special meeting in November, gave its assent to the issuing of a currency equal in amount to the in- debtedness of the state, to be redeemed at the end of seven years.
REBELLIONS.
The discontent of the times broke into open rebellion in Massa- chusetts, under Gen. Shay, the leader of the movement; also in Pennsylvania, and in the sea-coast towns of New Hampshire. The disturbance in this state was quickly quelled by the firm, energetic, yet conciliatory measures of Maj. Gen. Sullivan. No breach of the peace occurred in Boscawen; but the spirit of discontent was abroad, manifest in a disregard for law and order, as will be seen further on.
POPULATION.
The increase of population in the town may be seen from the following item in the seleetmen's books :
" The Number of Soles in the Town of Boscawen of Every age Seck and Condition taken in the month of April A D 1786 are computed at 827 Soles."
The town met, March 31, to choose a representative to the
134
CIVIL HISTORY.
[1787.
General Court, but, after much debate, voted that the town would not be represented.
This was due to the prevailing discontent of the times-a dissatisfaction with the state of public affairs, the want of cur- rency, and an inability to see their way out of their troubles. The confederation and the state were supposed to be the authors of their troubles, or at least responsible, and the majority of the citi- zens desired no connection with either body.
MOVEMENT FOR A NEW COUNTY.
From the formation of Hillsborough county, the session of the court had been held at Amherst; but the towns in the northern section agitated the question of making a second shire town. A convention was called to meet at Warner, to which delegates were elected by the several towns. Boscawen united in the effort, and a petition was presented to the General Court, and an act obtained making Hopkinton a shire town.
FEDERAL CONSTITUTION.
The federal constitution, framed in 1787, was submitted to the states for adoption. There was a large number of people in the state opposed to its acceptance. Many of the citizens of Bos- cawen deemed it an objectionable instrument, and regarded its adoption as a surrender of their liberties.
At a special meeting, held January 14, the town elected Capt. Joseph Gerrish delegate to the convention called by the state. He was supposed to be in favor of the adoption of the constitution. The minority, not satisfied with the result, induced the selectmen to call a second meeting, May 23. A majority of those present elected Samuel Fowler, Esq., delegate, and instructed him to vote against the adoption of the constitution.
The two delegates made their appearance at the convention, and Capt. Gerrish was deemed to be duly elected, and was admit- ted to his seat. He expressed, undoubtedly, the sentiments of a majority of the citizens, in voting for the adoption of the consti- tution.
135
CIVIL HISTORY.
1789.]
ELECTION UNDER THE CONSTITUTION.
Dec. 15. The first election was held under the federal consti- tution, when very little interest was manifested. At the March meeting, 115 votes were cast for governor, but at this meeting the highest vote for electors was 36.
March 3, 1789. Voted, " that Mr E Chadwick & Mr Samuel Muzzy, two former Constables, have the liberty to collect their taxes now due in neat stock provided they pay in the same be- tween the first day of May & the first day of June."
SALE OF SCHOOL LANDS.
The town voted to dispose of a portion of its school lands, and keep the fund intact for educational purposes. Money was very scarce. The federal government had issued no coin. Nearly all transactions were by barter. It was accordingly voted, that "Stock equal to six feet oxen at twelve pounds the york, ($60), wheat at five shillings per bushel, rye at four shillings & Indian corn at three shillings be taken in payment."
The lots sold as follows :
" House lot $124.
Interval lot
210.
80 Acre lot
453.
$787."
Two other lots-one of 100 acres and one of 45 acres-were re- served. The amount was placed on interest, loaned to the town, and has so remained to the present time, the interest being an- nually appropriated to the support of schools.
The school-district on Little hill and two districts west of Long pond were established during the year.
The road from Long street south to Dwight corner, known as Pleasant street, and thence to Bashan and Hopkinton, and the road from High to Fish street, familiarly known as the "cat- hole," were opened as public highways.
[1790.
CHAPTER IX.
UNDER THE CONSTITUTION.
HE adoption of the federal constitution, the reorganization of the state government, brought order out of chaos. Then began a period of advancement. Emigration set in. There was a rapid increase in population, and progress in domestic as well as political affairs. In a very short time the meeting-house accom- modation was not sufficient. A portion of the floor was occupied by "seats " common to all; but there being a demand for more pews, the town voted to sell space sufficient for the completion of four pews.
There was dignity in sitting in a pew. The men of the period estimated rank, condition, station, titles, and honor at their full value. The minister, of all men in town, was entitled to respect. The deacons and elders occupied the seats immediately in front of the pulpit, and were treated with much respect. The town jus- tice was honored in his office, and was always addressed as " Esquire." Colonels, captains, lieutenants, and ensigns were hon- ored in their military titles. The community was undergoing a change; it had reverenced the king, but now the community itself was king. It had pushed monarchy from the throne, and enthroned itself : it had assumed the prerogatives of govern- ment, and was beginning to feel its power. A few years later democracy was rampant, but at this time law and order. and an adherence to old time customs, were characteristic of the citizens of the town. Men who were able to own a pew in the meeting- house were not disposed to occupy the common seats. Hence the sale. The pews were bid off by
Nathaniel Green, Esq., $66
Joseph Lunt, 41
137
CIVIL HISTORY.
1791.]
Simeon Atkinson, $40
Enoch Gerrish, 36
1791. For some canse the town elected five selectmen, the first and only time in its history.
The committee for finishing the meeting-house were instructed "to extend the length of the front gallery & that there be two pews-one on each end-finished at the charge of the town near by six feet square & that the remainder be finished for a singers pew."
" Voted that the selectmen be directed to remove Thomas Greenfield & family provided that it be according to law."
What Thomas Greenfield and family had done does not appear ; but the probabilities are that they stood in need of the town's aid, and may not have been warned to leave. From the vote, it would seem that the question before the town was one of law, rather than of ethics or of sentiment.
The people at the West end had made several efforts to obtain a meeting-house in that section, but not having succeeded, agitated the question of dividing the town, and prepared a petition to the General Court for that purpose.
PETITION FOR A NEW TOWN.
" To the Honerable Senate & House of Representative's of the State of New Hampshire in General Court Assembled :
" The subscribers Inhabitants of the westerly half of the town of Boscawen in said state, Humbly beg leave to show that the easterly half of said Town was first settled & that the meeting House built to accom- modate that part of the Town only, giving the westerly part which was then thinly inhabited encouragement for a parish when their numbers were sufficient, but as it is not agreeable to the laws of the state, your petitioners are exposed to great inconvenience & hardship in attending public worship, Town Meetings & especially in the winter season-it being more than five miles from the Meeting House to the Centre of the westerly half of said Town & that from the combination of Ponds, Hills & Swamps &c which lie between the easterly & westerly half will ever render it inconvenient to remain in one District & in our present situation we have no redress without the aid of this court.
" Your petitioners therefore pray that the westerly half of said Town may be set off from the easterly half & incorporated into a seperate Town by the name of Bristol with the same privileges as other Towns
138
CIVIL HISTORY. [1791.
in this state or otherways relieved as your Honors in your wisdom shall see meet & your petitioners as in Duty bound shall ever pray.
"Boscawen June 1, 1791.
" John Thorla,
Sam1 Jackman 3ª
Thos. Thorla,
Benj Fisk
Caleb Knight
John Gerald
Benja. Stickney
Sam1 Googin
Jeremiah Gerrish
Stephen Corser
Moses Coffin,
George Stone
James Corser
Benja. Sweatt
Friend Little
Enoch Easman
Benja. Little
Timothy Easman
Joseph Little
Thos Easmall
Enoch Little Jr
James Colby
Jesse Little
Moses Calf
Nath1 Barnard
Eliphalet Little
Tristam Barnard
Benja Couch
Philip Barnard
Joseph Little
Thomas Barnard
Sam1 Morss
John Asten
Eliphalet Kilburn
Nathan Stevens
James Little
Samuel Roby
Simeon Corser
Samuel Beverly
Nath1 Kilburn
William Corser
John Corser
Thomas Corser
Dan1 Colby
Samuel Jackman
Jona Corser
John Jackman
Jedidiah Kilburn
Moses Jackman
Jedidiah Danford
Samuel Atkinson
Nicholas Severance
Joseph Hills
James Trussell
Joseph Cass
William Danford
Ben. Cass
Benja Asten
Joseph Gerrish
Moses Gerrish
Eldad Austin
Noah Little
Asa Day
Jona Knight
Benjamin Day
Samuel Corser
Simeon Jackman
Benja Severance
Edward Gerald
David Burbank, 71"
David Carter
In the year 1777, there probably were not more than ten legal voters west of Beaver-dam. In thirteen years the number had in- creased to seventy-one-so rapid was the advancement. The cir-
139
CIVIL HISTORY.
1791.]
culation of the petition, the unanimity with which it was signed, alarmed the citizens of the east section, who did not wish to see the town divided. A town-meeting was called, which was held April 26, and James Flanders, Ebenezer Webster, and Luke Wilder were appointed a committee to select a site for a new meeting-house. These are the names of non-residents. Eben- ezer Webster was Judge Webster of Salisbury, father of Daniel and Ezekiel.
It was voted that the frame be raised, and the pews sold during the year.
At a meeting held Sept. 17th, it was voted "that the bigness of the frame be the same as that built by the town in the easterly part thereof."
In the Webster town-house, as it was before the east and west porches were removed, we have the counterpart of the build- ing which once stood near the burial-place in Boscawen. The committee reported at a meeting held Oct. 17th. It is not known what locality had been selected by them, but their report was rejected, and the following vote passed :
THE SITE OF THE MEETING-HOUSE.
[From the records.]
"it was put to vote if said Town would Accept the Place to Set the New Meeting House on which is Now under Consideration on the East Side of Blackwater or as near the corner of Mr. Cogswills land in a New Place of Stubble Ground, voted in the affirmative.
" Voted that a meeting house Frame be built at The Charge of the town."
Mr. Samuel Jackman contracted to furnish the frame for $94. So satisfactorily was the contract fulfilled, that the town voted him $16.68 additional.
RAISING THE MEETING-HOUSE.
The raising of a meeting-house was a great event, and peo- ple came from the surrounding towns to aid in the work. They came early in the morning, with pike-poles and pitch-forks and iron bars,-pike-poles and pitch-forks to lift with when the " broad- side " should be well up in the air, and iron bars to hold against the foot of the posts to slide them into the mortises of the sills. On
140
CIVIL HISTORY.
[1791.
such an occasion there was plenty of rum. The first thing to be done was to take a drink, to give strength for the labor of the day. Then came the bringing together of the timbers. The sills were already laid and levelled. First the posts, then the girts and levers, and lastly the plates.
It had been framed by the " scribe " rule-each piece being fitted to its place. The "square " rule was then unknown to country carpenters. The broadside was then pinned together. Then came the drinking of more rum, and the marshaling of the crowd,- the cool-headed men hold of the iron bars, the strong and experi- enced men in places of responsibility. When all were ready, the master workman, standing in rear where he could see all that was going on, commanded silence. We hear him say,-
" Are you ready all ? "
" Aye ! aye !"
" Take hold all !"
The men bend, and place their shoulders beneath the posts. A swarm take hold of the plate, another hold of the girts. The men at the iron bars spit on their hands :
" Now, then !"
The frame rises.
" Heave away, my hearties !"
It is up to their shoulders.
"Now she rises !"
Those by the plates seize their pike-poles and pitch-forks.
At each corner and in the middle are "shores," with a crowd of men and boys lifting on each.
" Heigh O ! my hearties !"
They lift with all their might, and grow red in the face. The pike-poles bend, the handles of the pitch-forks are ready to snap. "Steady there !"
Now comes the tug of war at the foot of the posts. The iron- bar men are bracing with all their might.
" Heave-ho!" from the master.
"Now she goes !" from the men.
Higher, still higher, up to the perpendicular. The tenons slide into the mortises in the sills, the " shore" men hold back on the poles, and the first broadside of the house of God stands in its ap- pointed place. The inen wipe their brows, and take another drink
Town House, Webster.
C.A.WALKER, BOSTON.
141
CIVIL HISTORY.
1791.]
of rum. There is a congratulatory dram all around, in prepara- tion for the opposite broadside. That, too, rises. Then come the connecting girts and plates, and then the lifting of the beams for the galleries, and the high beams, the putting up of sleepers, planks and boards, rafters and purlins, and, last of all, the ridge- pole. When the last is in its place, a crowd of men sit astride it, take full drams from the bottles of rum passed up to them, and then dash the bottles to the ground. This last is the dedicatory dramı.
Such the scene on that day.
So complete were the arrangements, so excellent the workman- ship of Samuel Jackman, so numerous the men, so early at work in the morning were they, that the first broadside was up before nine o'clock, the last dram drank before noon, and the raising was over.
Thomas Coffin, a boy of fourteen at the time, remembers the occasion as one of the great events of his boyhood.
The amount of rum drank at the raising is seen from the se- lectmen's book :
" Paid for rum to raise the New Meeting House £3-17-2" -nearly $20.
FESTIVITIES.
In the evening, after the frame of the meeting-house was raised, the young men repaired to the house now owned by Henry L. Dodge, where the girls, who had been lookers-on at the raising, were assembled. The town had provided a generous supply of food and liquors, and all hands after supper joined in a grand dance, which was kept up till past midnight.
The pews were set up, and sold, and the proceeds applied to fin- ishing the house.
" No 1 Benjamin Sweatt $28
2 Eliphalet Kilburn
29
3 Samuel Jackman 22
4 Ezekiel Flanders
16
5 Henry Gerrish
29
6 John Jarrold
38
7 Samuel Morse
35
S Joseph Gerrish
31
142
CIVIL HISTORY.
[1791.
19 Friend Little
$21
10 Benjamin Stickney
35
11 Thomas Thorla 44
12 Joseph Cass
61
13 David Corser
48
14 Caleb Knight
45
15 Benja Little 34
16 Nathan Kilborn
21
17 Dr Cutting Noyes
34
18 Silas Call
35
19 John Corser
36
20 Benjamin Conch
33}
21 Jonathan Thurston
24₺
22 Samuel Morse
35
23 Moses Coffin
40
24 Minister
25 David Burbank
43
26 John Flanders
34
27 Jeremiah Gerrish 33
38
29 Nicholas Severance
52
30 Moses Calef
43
31 Joseph Atkinson
343
32 Daniel Pillsbury
343
33 Enos Flanders
37
34 Enoch Little 52
Gallery.
No
1 Edmund Chadwick
$30
2 Jonathan Thurston 11
3 Benjamin Knowlton 163
22
5 Peter Kimball
17}
6 Joshua Jackman
11
7 Benjamin Cass
14
8 David Call
22
9 Edmund Chadwick
21
10 James Corser
21
11 David Corser
21
12 Benjamin Austin
20
13 John Jarrold
30}
14 Benja Choate
14
28 Benja Jackman
4 Enoch Gerrish & John Flanders
1792.]
CIVIL HISTORY.
143
15 Samuel Jackman 3ª
$12
16 John Jerrold 133
17 Friend Little
18
18 John Manuel
18
19 Nathaniel Thurston
14
20 Daniel Shepard
11
21 John Jarrold
303
22 Moses Call
24
23 David Carter
21"
POST ROUTES.
The legislature, at its session this year, established four post routes through the state.
" The first begining at Concord thence to proceed through Weare, New Boston, Amherst, Wilton, Temple, Peterborough, Dublin, Marl- borough, Keen, Westmoreland, Walpole, Alstead, Acworth, Charles- town, Claremont, Newport, Lempster, Washington, Hillsborough, Hen- niker, Hopkinton to Concord.
" The second from Concord to Boscawen, Salisbury, Andover, New Chester, Plymouth, Haverhill, Piermont, Orford, Lyme, Hanover, Leb- anon, Enfield, Canaan, Grafton, Alexandria, Salisbury to Concord."
The other two connected the towns in the eastern part of the state with Concord and Portsmouth. Each post-rider was required to perform his route weekly, extraordinary circum- stances excepted. The riders on the first and second routes were paid twelve pounds each. They were required to reverse their alternate trips. The postage on single letters was fixed at six pence for forty miles, and four pence for any distance less than forty. Once a week, therefore, the citizens of Boscawen could send a letter to other sections of the state on the route of the rider ; but if directed to a town on one of the other routes, from six to twelve days would be the time required.
1792. The town, at its annual meeting in March, voted to sell the parsonage lands, and put the money at interest. The sales amounted to $918. The money was loaned to the town, and the interest devoted to the support of a minister.
The constitution of New Hampshire having been revised, it was submitted to the town at a special meeting, held August 27, and adopted by the citizens.
144
CIVIL HISTORY.
[1792.
LIBERALITY OF REV. MR. WOOD.
Rev. Mr. Wood, having the advancement of the town in view, es- pecially in the matter of education, generously proffered the town the interest from the parsonage fund, amounting to $44, to be applied to the schools. The town returned a cordial vote of thanks.
Mr. Wood's efforts to promote the advancement of the com- munity were also directed to the foundation of a library. He was seconded in his efforts by several gentlemen. The subscription paper is as below :
THE FIRST LIBRARY.
" We the subscribers hereby promise to pay the sums respectfully set against our names To Henry Gerrish Esqr for the purpose of pur- chasing a Library (for the use of said subscribers) in three months from this date as witness our hands.
" August the Sth 1791.
" Nathaniel Green 12 s
John Chandler
12 4
Enoch Gerrish
124
Joseph Gerrish
12 4
Joseph Atkinson Jr
12.44
Jeremiah Gerrish
12 "
Joseph Lunt
12 4
George Jackman
12 "
Samuel Fowler 124
Isaac Chandler 1264
Joseph Clough 12 4
Theodore Atkinson
124
Saml Gerrish
124
David Peterson Jr
12 4
Paul Clark
124
David Corser
12 4
Moses Coffin
12 4
It will be interesting to know what class of literature was se- lected by the men of the time; and the catalogue, as published twenty years later, we give in full, for it was this library which Daniel Webster devoured while studying with Rev. Mr. Wood.
" A catalogue of books in the Boscawen Social Library, alphabetically arranged under the following heads, Theological, Historical, and Miscellaneous. By a vote of the Proprietors, Oct. 7, 1811. Concord: Printed by George Hough. 1811.
145
CIVIL HISTORY.
1792.]
BOSCAWEN SOCIAL LIBRARY.
THEOLOGICAL.
" Adams' View of Religions American Preacher, 4 vols. Baxter's Call to the Unconverted Bethkol
Benevolence and Misery reconciled
Boston's Fourfold State
Communicant's Companion
Edwards against Chauncy
on Redemption on Religious Affections
Evidences of the Christian Religion
Flavel's Husbandry Spiritualized Navigation ditto
Fuller's Letters
Gospel Sonnets
Hervey's Meditations
Henry on Prayer
Hopkins' System, 2 vols.
Holy War, (Bunyan's)
Knox's Essays, 2 vols.
Law's Serious Call
Lowth on Isaiah
Mendham Evidences
Mason on Self-Knowledge
Neckar on Religion
Newton on the Prophecies, 2 vols.
Owen on Sin Pilgrim's Progress, (Bunyan's) Prayer Book
Remarks on Clapp
Rise and Progress (Doddridge's)
Rutherford's Letters
Sherlock on Deatlı
Smith on the Prophecies
Sermons, collected
Blair's, 2 vols.
Davies', 2 vols.
Edwards'
Morse's
Parsons', 2 vols.
10
146
CIVIL HISTORY. [1792.
Sermons, Saurin's
Whitefield's
Fordyce's, to Young Men to Young women
Strong's Village, 3 vols.
Spaulding's Lectures
Token for Mourners
Watts' Glory of Christ
Worcester on Future Punishment
West's Moral Agency
Wilberforce's View of Religion
Young's Night Thoughts.
-65.
HISTORICAL.
Adams' Modern Voyages
Beauties of History, 2 vols.
Belknap's New-Hampshire, 3 vols.
Carver's Universal Traveller
Carver's Travels in North America
Conquest of Canaan
Cook's Voyages, 4 vols.
Gordon's American War, 3 vols.
Guthrie's Geography
History of England Josephus, 6 vols.
Irwin's Travels Life of Christ
- Brainard
- Edwards
Life of Franklin Col. Gardner
- Joseph
Washington, 5 vols.
. Baron Trenck
Modern Antichrist
Morse's Geography, 2 vols.
New England Farmer Proofs of a Conspiracy
Ramsay's Amer. Revolution, 2 vols.
Rollin's Ancient History, 10 vols.
Residence in France Robertson's America, 4 vols.
1792.]
CIVIL HISTORY.
147
Universal History, 4 Vols. Woll's History of the Martyrs, 2 vols.
-66.
MISCELLANEOUS.
Arabian Night's Entertainment, 3 vols.
Beccaria on Crimes
Blair's Morals
Cato's Letters
Controversial Letters
Clerk's Magazine
Cowper's Poems
Cowper's Task
Coquette
Death of Abel
Dictionary of Arts & Sciences, 4 vols.
Domestic Medicine (Buchan's)
Don Quixot, 4 vols.
Economy of Human Life
Emma Corbett, 2 vols.
Esop's Fables
Family Instructor
Female American
Ferguson's Astronomy
Fool of Quality, 5 vols.
Foresters
Goldsmith's Essays
Gospel Tragedy
Laws of New Hampshire
Letters on Courtship
Lyric Poems
Moral Repository
Moral and Religious ditto
Murray's Reader
Paradise Lost (Milton's) Regained
Pilgrim Good-Intent
Polite Preceptor
Pope's Works, 6 vols.
Religious Tradesman Romance of the Forest
Salem Witchcraft Seneca's Morals
148
CIVIL HISTORY.
[1794.
Spectator, 8 vols. Thompson's Seasons Vicar of wakefield Watts on the Mind Logic Young Gentleman's Instructor -72
The whole number of volumes 203 The present number of Proprietors 71 The Society was founded February 7, 1792. And was incorporated November 30, 1797."
1793. The following taverners were liscensed to sell spirituous liquors during the year, showing that the public were accommo- dated with at least four hotels :
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