USA > New Hampshire > Merrimack County > Boscawen > The history of Boscawen and Webster [N.H.] from 1733 to 1878 > Part 15
USA > New Hampshire > Merrimack County > Webster > The history of Boscawen and Webster [N.H.] from 1733 to 1878 > Part 15
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" Boscawen March 24th 1800
"Sr Mr Samuel Jackman one of the tything men of Boscawen has en- tered a complaint to me against you for travailing and Giving him a false answer on the Lord's day the twenty-third of this Instant and un- less you come Immediately and pay your fine and settle the matter you may expect to be Dealt with according to Law
"from your friend
" Mr Philip Colby.
Henry Gerrish."
161
CIVIL HISTORY.
1802.]
SEVERANCE OF THE LAST TIE BETWEEN CHURCH AND STATE.
1801. It was discovered that in a government of the people, under a constitution which protected all religions, yet recognized none, it was impossible to force men to pay taxes for minister or meeting-house. The question of annulling the contract with Mr. Wood and his dismissal was discussed, and a special town-meet- ing held in December to take some action. A committee was ap- pointed to wait on Mr. Wood, and see if he would unite with the town in calling a council.
Feb. 1. A special meeting of the town was called, to hear the report of the committee of five who had waited on Mr. Wood, and who presented a brief and courteous communication from that gentleman, as given below :
" As it appears to be the request of the town for mne to join with them to disannul the civil agreement between us, if the town shall re- quest it & shall take necessary steps for the purpose I consent up- on reasonable terms which we may probably agree upon finally to dis- solve the contract. As the contract was made by us, the town proposing & I accepting, so I see no need of an ecclesiastial council to dissolve it. We may however take advice of some gentlemen from abroad as to the terms."
The contract was therefore amicably dissolved, he being ex- empted from taxation during his relation to the church, and the town annually giving him one half of the interest of the parsonage so long as he was a minister.
On the other hand, it was stipulated that " all who might con- tribute to his support should not be taxed elsewhere for preach- ing."
The agreement was accepted-67 to 64.
From this time till 1804, the people living at the west end were without preaching, except such as was had at the expense of indi- viduals.
1802. During this year, a religious society bearing the title of the " Universal Society " was formed. The members, however, were mostly residents of other towns. It was another form of re- volt against the long received theology. Its members believed in the universal salvation of men. Two of its members-Mr. Tim- othy and Mr. Pearson Eastman-moving into Boscawen from 11
162
CIVIL HISTORY.
[1803.
Salisbury, brought with them certificates of membership, which are on record.
" Salisbury April 16, 1802 "To the Selectmen of Boscawen
" Gentlemen :
" This may certify that Mr Pearson Eastman is a member of the Universal Society formed in january last consisting of a compact of towns in this vicinity.
" A Whittemore clerk."
This was to exempt them from taxation for the support of the ministry, which question had been already settled by the volun- tary settlement of Mr. Wood as minister of the town; but the record serves to show the wide-spread disaffection with the old order of things, and also dates the formation of the first Univer- salist society in this section of the state.
VENDUING THE POOR.
Up to this period there were few people in town who could not support themselves ; but with the rapid increase of population came a corresponding increase of those who needed aid from the town. The few poor people of former days had been cared for by their friends, or by the selectmen, in a manner requiring no action in town-meeting; but in this year a new departure was made.
It was voted " to vendue off Wm. Evans to the lowest bidder, for his maintainance."
The successful bidder was Levi Bean, and the price paid was eighty-three cents per week.
This method of caring for the poor of the town continued till the purchase of the town almshouse.
1803. The remaining half of the interest on parsonage bonds was granted to the West meeting-house, to be laid out under the direction of the selectmen.
TURNPIKES.
The rapid advancement of civilization northward to northern New Hampshire and Vermont, and the increasing amount of public travel, called for better highways, and turnpike companies were incorporated throughout the state. Among others were the First,
163
CIVIL HISTORY.
1803.]
Second, Third, and Fourth New Hampshire, the Portsmouth, Londonderry, Chester, Grafton, and Mayhew.
The Fourth New Hampshire turnpike began at the Merrimack river, where the bridge from Fisherville crosses the Merrimack, and extended to Hanover, through Salisbury, Andover, Wilmot, Springfield, Enfield, and Lebanon. The corporation had a right to use existing roads, but must keep them in repair. No toll was charged to a townsman. The Boscawen toll-gate was located on the summit of the ridge east of the " Gulf," at Clay hill, and is still standing.
EFFORT TO MAKE BOSCAWEN THE CAPITAL OF THE STATE.
The growth of the state, and the development of the northern section, indicated that sooner or later the capital would be moved from Exeter to some more central locality. The matter was strongly agitated during the year 1802-3. Pembroke, Concord, Boscawen, and quite likely other towns, took measures toward securing it. The citizens of Boscawen took hold of the subject zealously, as the following document shows :
"We the subscribers promise to pay the sums set against our names for the purpose of erecting a house for the Legislature of New Hamp- shire to be placed on Boscawen plain in the Senter as near as the ground will admitt of between Col Joseph Gerrish and Mr Somersby Pearson, by a committee that shall hereafter be appointed to compleat the said house provided the General Court of New Hampshire shall en- gage to hold their sessions in said Boscawen in seven or ten years as witness our hand
" December the 26th 1803
" Joseph Gerrish
$100
Isaac Chandler
75
Caleb Putney
200
Dennison Bowers
100
Nath1 Green
100
Nathan Carter
150
Somersby Pearson
100
Thos Gillmore
50
Joseph H Morrill
30
Jeremiah Morrill
20
John Gill
25
Jona Hutchinson
25
164
CIVIL HISTORY.
[1803.
Simeon Danforth
5
Wm G Emerson
10
Enoch Gerrish jr
10
Joshua Morse
10
Joshua Carlton
10
Timothy Dix
50
Saml Peterson
5
James Uran
10
John S Abbott
20
William Gill
50
Benj Hills
20
Saml Garven
50
Joel French
50
Winthrop Carter
25
Humphrey Webster
25
Thos Carter
10
George Perkins
10
Charles Eastman
10
Joseph Atkinson
15
Enoch Danford
10
Henry Gerrish
50
Silas Rolfe
10
Benj Rolfe jr
20
Moses Manuel
5
Samuel Burbank
10
Samuel Uran
3
Josiah Burbank
3
John Flanders jr
4
David Burbank
2
" We, a part of the above Subscribers do hereby engage to pay the above sums annexed to our names in case the Gen1 Court should ad- journ to this place for one session only.
" Henry Gerrish
Benj Rolfe jr
Caleb Putney
John Gill
Joseph H Morrill
Nathan Carter
Jeremiah Morrill
Joshua Carter."
Benj Hills
HOTELS.
The number of hotels in Boscawen at this period is learned from the New Hampshire Register for 1803, which gives the pub- lic houses on the stage route from Concord to Haverhill.
165
CIVIL HISTORY.
1804.]
First was Chandler's-the present " Penacook House."
" Gerrish," two miles farther, kept by Col. Joseph Gerrish. The building was a large, long, two-storied edifice, afterwards occupied by Dr. Thomas Peach, and was burned.
The next was Nathan Carter's,-the house now occupied by Mr. Caleb Hall, which has been wholly remodelled by him.
Then came Bohonnon's,-probably the house now occupied by Nathaniel Webster.
At the upper end of the plain was Pearson's hotel, in the house now kept as a public house by Samuel A. Ambrose.
The route to Haverhill was up the valley of the Merrimack, and the next tavern was " Atkinson's," and beyond it Col. Henry Gerrish's, one of the oldest hotels in the town, on the site now occupied by the county buildings.
On the Fourth New Hampshire turnpike was Choate's tavern, the large two-storied house still standing.
Among the votes passed by the town in 1804 were the follow- ing :
" Voted to prosecute those persons who took away the Bridge near Joseph Gerrish's on the fourth New Hampshire turnpike road."
" Voted Capt John Chandler, Col Joseph Gerrish, Daniel Carter John Flanders, Benjamin Little Esq be a committee to examine the road between Col Joseph Gerrish's & John Chandlers & say when it is as good as it was before the turnpike came on it."
" Voted to give Saml Corser fifty dollars to make the hill near Col Joseph Gerrish's as good as it was before the turnpike came on it."
From the above votes, it may be inferred that the turnpike company did not keep the highway in very good repair.
CANTERBURY BRIDGE.
1804. In 1804 the Canterbury toll-bridge was constructed. The event was the occasion of much rejoicing. There was a gathering at the meeting-house on the plain ; addresses by Rev. Mr. Wood, and Rev. William Patrick, minister of Canterbury ; a procession from the meeting-house, across the bridge, to the residence of Enoch Gerrish (now Mr. Chandler's), on the Can- terbury side ; a dinner, and speeches, with liquors in abundant supply.
166
CIVIL HISTORY.
[1805.
RATES OF TOLL FOR CANTERBURY BRIDGE-1805.
" Foot Passenger 1 Cents 61
Horse and Rider
Horse & Chaise Chair Or Sulkey 123
Sleigh With One horse 64
Sleigh With Two horse
10
Coach Chariot Phaeton Or Other 4 Wheel Carriages
20
Curricle
12}
Cart Or Other Carriage of Burthen With Two Beasts 123
Additional Beasts Each
Horses Neat Cattle do 2
Sheep & Swine Each
To Each Team 1 Person To pass As A Driver Free Each Waggon, and horse 9 "
The town permitted the sale of space for four pews on the floor of the West meeting-house, and the money was expended on the edifice.
Although the town had refused to have any part in the con- struction of the East meeting-house, and had no claim whatever to its use, the society generously threw open its doors, and gave the town the privilege of holding its meetings in the edifice, nor was there any opposition to the use of the. building from those who had manifested hostility to the old order of things.
WESTERLY RELIGIOUS SOCIETY.
As it was decided that the town would take no action towards settling a minister at the west end, the citizens west of Beaver- dam, and some east of it, united in the formation of the Westerly Religious Society (which see). Seventy-one citizens joined in the association. Rev. Ebenezer Price (see Biog.), having preached to their acceptance a few Sabbaths, was called to be their minis- ter, and a church was formed, under the title of " The Second Con- gregational Church in Boscawen."
BRIDGE ACROSS THE CONTOOCOOK.
For several years the question of rebuilding the bridge across the Contoocook had been before the town, but had been postponed
167
CIVIL HISTORY.
1807.]
until the existing structure was deemed no longer safe. An effort was made to secure the rebuilding in another place, which in- volved the question of boundary between the towns of Boscawen and Concord.
Committees from the two towns were appointed to take the question into consideration. The Concord committee consisted of Jonathan Wilkins, John Bradley, and Ebenezer Dustin; the Boscawen committee, of Enoch Gerrish, John Chandler, and Nathaniel Green. They reported " that the old spot where the Bridge now stands shall be the place where a new Bridge shall be built & further report that the towns of Concord & Boscawen petition the General Court that the centre of the River Contoo- cook from the mouth be considered the line between said towns until it reaches the present line crossing said river between said towns."
The report was accepted by the town of Boscawen.
1806. Among the items on the selectmen's books is the follow- ing :
" Paid Daniel Webster for repairing the School House 2,87 "
The schoolhouse was the " Gulf," Mr. Webster being a resident of that district,-a boarder in the family of Joel French, in the house now occupied by James Gill.
1807. From the selectmen's books :
" Paid Daniel Webster for paying School master 2,00."
In town-meeting :
" Voted that Daniel Webster & Lt Benjamin Jackman be a commit- tee to ascertain the damage on account of the road going on Timothy Dix' land near Esqr Jackman's barn."
This barn was located on Queen street, west of the present resi- dence of Prof. John Jackman.
SELECT SCHOOL.
A young ladies' school, not for the study of the languages, science, history, mathematics, and geography, but for instruction in needlework, was advertised in the Concord Gazette.
" YOUNG LADIE'S SCHOOL.
" A school for the instruction of young Ladies in needle work, draw- ing & embroidery, will be opened in Boscawen on the 11th day of May
168
CIVIL HISTORY.
[1809.
next. A preceptress having the proper qualifications, who will pay particular attention to the morals & manners of her scholars, is pro- vided to take charge of the school.
" Terms of tuition three dollars per quarter-board from one dollar to one dollar and twenty-five cents per week.
" T Dix jun " for the proprietors. " Boscawen 10th April 1807."
1808. Education throughout the state was at a low ebb. The school laws were very imperfect. In many towns, little had been done to advance the interests of education.
A commendable public spirit had already been awakened upon the subject in Boscawen, through the influence of the two minis- ters-Rev. Mr. Wood and Rev. Mr. Price-and other citizens, ever ready to advance the interests of the town. Though far in advance of many other towns, the citizens generally hailed with satisfaction the school law, passed by the legislature for the better regulation of schools, and especially the establishing of a superin- tending committee.
DISTURBANCE IN TOWN-MEETING.
1809. The bitterness against religion which had manifested it- self in bygone years, did not wholly die out with the separation of church and state. There were still some disaffected persons who determined to have no prayers in town-meeting.
Mr. John Flanders, though he owned a pew in the West meet- ing-house, was decided in his opposition to a continuance of the custom. At the annual town-meeting in 1809, while Rev. Mr. Price was offering prayer, Mr. Flanders proceeded to renail the hinges upon his pew door in the gallery, having carried hammer and nails for that purpose. The ringing blows of the hammer disturbed the proceedings, and the moderator, Col. Joseph Gerrish, calling upon several citizens to serve as constables, the disturber of order soon found himself being dragged down the stairs, which so changed his opinions that, upon the next day, Mr. Flanders made the following acknowledgment to the town, which was placed upon the records :
" March 15, 1809
" I hereby acknowledge that my conduct yesterday in disturbing the
169
CIVIL HISTORY.
1809.]
meeting in the time of prayer is highly unbecoming, & for which I am sincerely sorry & will never again disturb the harmony of any future meeting in the like manner on the like occasion.
" John Flanders."
The town had been insulted; its dignity was assailed ; and the town-clerk was directed to notify certain persons, who had aided and abetted Mr. Flanders, that reparation must be made.
" This is to give notice to those persons who aided & assisted Lt Flanders at the time he made his disturbance at our last annual meet- ing that unless they come forward & give satisfaction to the Town at the above meeting they will be dealt with agreeably to the vote of the town.
" Joel French Town clerk." The following vote was passed :
" Voted that Geo T Flanders & others before the sitting of the next court shall give to the selectmen in writing an acknowledgement which shall be satisfactory to them for their misconduct in the last meeting, or otherwise the selectmen to commence a prosecution against them accordeing to vote of said town.".
The offenders, finding that they stood alone-that there was a universal condemnation of their conduct-came before the town, and asked the pardon of their fellow-citizens, which was freely given.
" Voted to forgive Thomas Eastman, Thomas Carter & Jonathan Eastman for aiding & assisting Lt J Flanders in his making a dis- turbance in the last town meeting."
It was the last open outbreak against order; and from that time to the present there has been no attempt to disturb the pub- lic peace. So strong now was publie sentiment for the mainte- nanee of order, that many of those who had been disorderly found it for their advantage to leave the town.
NEW SCHOOL LAW.
A committee was appointed in accordance with the provi- sions of the new school law, to establish anew the school districts. At a meeting, held September 10, the town acted upon the report of the committee, ordering several new school-houses to be built at- the town's expense.
170
CIVIL HISTORY.
[1809.
The first meeting of the superintending school committee, un- der the new law, was held May 11, at the house of Rev. Mr. Wood. It was composed of Mr. Wood, Mr. Price, and the select- men,-Stephen Gerrish, Joseph H. Morrill, and Peletiah Peaslee. The districts were reestablished, viz. :
No. 1. King street. No. S. Bashan.
2. Water street-north.
9. Long pond.
3. Corser hill.
10. Atkinson and Clay hill.
4. High street.
11. Pleasant street.
5. Fish street.
12. Sweat road.
6. Little hill.
13. South Water street.
7. White plain.
14. Union and Concord.
MILITARY SPIRIT.
The prospect of a war with France in 1789, and the news of Napoleon's victories, produced a military spirit which manifested itself in the formation of volunteer military uniformed companies. The first uniformed company in the 21st regiment was the car- alry, or " troop " as it was then called. ( See Mil. Hist.) This was made up of soldiers from all the towns comprised in the regiment. Diligent inquiry has not enabled us to ascertain the date of the formation of the artillery, the first uniformed company in the town, but it probably was in 1808 or 1809. It was in exist- ence in 1809, as we learn from the selectmen's accounts for that year. The soldiers were victualled on muster days by the town.
ITEMS FROM THE SELECTMEN'S BOOKS.
" Paid Benjamin Kimball victualing artillery 3,50
Paid John Plummer for victualing troop 2,38
Paid Samuel W Long for rum & powder 41,72
Paid Samuel Chadwick for vietualling Capt Ames' Company 2,52
Paid Moses Manuel for keeping Old Beedle 10,67
Paid Enoch Call for his swearing off his money ,61 "
WHIPPING-POSTS.
Whipping was one of the punishments prescribed by law for minor offences. The public whipping-post stood near Gilmore's tavern (the house now occupied by Nathaniel Webster), a few rods north of the same. The only instance of a public whipping of an offender occurred in 1809.
171
CIVIL HISTORY.
1809.]
Mr. Somersby Pearson, owner of the grist-mill on Mill brook, complained to Joseph Gerrish, justice of the peace, against Jacob Richardson, " that he hath reason to suspect & does suspect that the said Jacob of said Boscawen on the 24 Inst (Feb) & at divers other times before had entered his grist mill in said Boscawen & took & conveyed away from the same divers quantities of meal with intent to steal the same."
A warrant was issued to Thomas Gerrish, constable, who ar- rested the said Jacob.
" The Defendant being arraigned pleaded not guilty. Thereupon it is considered by me the said Justic that the said Defendant is guilty & that he receive on his naked back eight stripes with a cat of nine tails to morrow morning at eight o clock & the Defendant be committed till sentence be performed.
" Joseph Gerrish "Jus Peace."
The sentence was executed the next morning, the culprit being tied to a small tree that stood near the meeting-house, south of the residence of Mr. S. A. Ambrose.
That the citizens of Boscawen were kindly disposed toward all in misfortune is manifest from the following votes, passed in 1809 :
" Voted that George T Flanders' Poll tax be abated for the year he was lame by breaking his leg."
" Voted to give Abraham Adams his taxes for two years past in con- sequence of sickness."
[1810.
CHAPTER XI.
PROGRESS.
EARLY a quarter of a century had passed since the adop- tion of the federal constitution. What progress had been made in civilization ? To what plane had society ad- vanced ?
People no longer lived in log cabins. Possibly here and there one might have been found; but those rude habitations had given place to framed structures,-large, square, two-storied houses, with great chimneys, wide fireplaces, and huge ovens. The til- lage and pasture lands have increased with the population. In June, the woodman's axe is heard through the day, felling trees ; in August, before the fall rains set in, the torch is applied to the felled forest growth, and dense clouds of smoke darken the sky. Then comes the clearing,-the work on the burnt ground, the gathering up of half burned brands, the rolling together of logs, the harrowing in of winter rye, the farmer and his boys covered with soot. The ashes are gathered up, and sold at the "potash." Then comes the harvest.
" Oft did the harvest to their sickle yield, Their furrow oft the stubborn glebe has broke; How jocund did they drive their teams afield! How bowed the woods beneath their sturdy stroke."
With the gathering of the corn come the huskings ; an invita- tion to all the neighbors,-men and women, boys and girls : all are invited. The huskings are in the evening, and when the corn is finished, then comes the supper,-hasty pudding, baked beans, apple and pumpkin pie ; mugs of cider, egg-nog, flip, and
Breaking and Swingling.
173
CIVIL HISTORY.
1810.]
rum. In other localities, a husking not unfrequently winds up with a dance; but the people of Boscawen are staid and sober, and not much given to amusement.
With winter comes the threshing of grain, and the sound of the flail is heard from morning till night. In the evening the farmer brings his corn from the garret, seats himself astride the bread- trough, and shells it by rasping the ears against the sharp edge of a pod-auger, or the handle of the frying-pan.
Later in the winter, in February and March, he breaks and swingles the flax. The flax-breaker-the instrument by which the woody part of the plant is broken into "shives "-is a rude machine, composed of a series of wooden knives placed in the " break- er," which is lifted with one hand, and a handful of flax stalks placed beneath it, and crushed by repeated bumpings of the machine. The stalks thus crushed are "swingled " by a double-edged wooden sword. This process separates the "shives " from the fibre. The next process is " hatchelling," or the drawing of the fibres through a "hatchel," and lastly through a "comb." Twenty pounds of swingled flax is accounted a day's work.
With the opening of spring comes the plowing. The plow is still the same heavy, clumsy wooden and iron affair, made by the carpenter and blacksmith. Tristram Noyes is the plow-maker of Boscawen, residing on the turnpike. The mould-board is a curved piece of white oak, with bits of old saw-plate and ox-shoes nailed upon it. Sixteen oxen are required to draw it, with one man to ride the beam and keep it in the ground, and another with a " breaking up" hoe to dig up the " baulks" in the furrow. Three teamsters, one plowman,
174
CIVIL HISTORY.
[1810.
and two assistants, make up the complement of men. The plow is from twelve to fourteen feet in length. In a small field, such a team reaches almost the length of the furrow.
The farmer uses a wooden shovel, shod with iron. His pitch- fork, made by the neighboring blacksmith, is of iron, clumsy, heavy, requiring his utmost strength to thrust it into the hay, and quite as much to withdraw it. His scythe is made from a bar of Russia iron, edged with steel. The handle of the pitch-fork, and his scythe-snath, are of his own manufacture, and so are his ox-yokes and bows. His cart-wheels are tired with strips of iron, nailed upon the felloes.
Wagons are just beginning to make their appearance. The bodies rest upon the axle. They are wholly destitute of springs. Leather thorough-braces are of a later date. The roads are rough ; the stones have not been removed; and the noise made by the wagons in rattling over them is called " home-spun thunder !"
The citizens are obliged to take circuitous routes in getting from one section of the town to another. The people of Bashan, wishing to reach the Plain, must go from Dingit corner to the lower end of Water street. Mr. Moses Gerrish, and other resi- dents of Bashan who attend the West meeting, must go by the way of Dingit corner and Pleasant street to " Mutton road," and over Corser hill. Mr. Gerrish must eat his Sunday morning breakfast by candle-light, in the winter, and start soon after sunrise to reach the meeting-house in season for service ; and the stars will be twinkling when he arrives home at night. Yet sickness alone keeps him from meeting.
Although meeting-going is not universal, there are great con- gregations. The day for Sunday-schools has not yet arrived, and the mornings are spent in discussing the news. People come on horseback, the women riding on pillions behind their husbands, husband and wife each with a child in their arms, and perhaps a third child hanging on by the crupper. They dismount at a horse- block. In the winter, at noon, the people at the East end throng the kitchens and sitting-rooms of Dea. Isaac Pearson (S. A. Ambrose's house) and Joel French (James Gill's house). At the West end, they find bright fires blazing in the house of Paul Dodge, and at Samuel Morse's (William Pearson's).
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