USA > New Hampshire > Merrimack County > Boscawen > The history of Boscawen and Webster [N.H.] from 1733 to 1878 > Part 16
USA > New Hampshire > Merrimack County > Webster > The history of Boscawen and Webster [N.H.] from 1733 to 1878 > Part 16
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The women bring their foot-stones, and fill them with coals
175
CIVIL HISTORY.
1810.]
from the fires in the sitting-room, eat their fried turnovers, dough- nuts, cheese, and gingerbread, while the men in the kitchens, after eating their luncheon, fill their pipes, and enjoy the luxury of " a smoke." The news, home and foreign, is discussed, and the points of theology in the sermon taken up.
This is the period of Dr. Thomas Worcester's defection from the received theology. He is the Salisbury minister, an able preacher, who, with his brother, Noah Worcester, of Thornton, has embraced the Unitarian theology.
In Dea. Enoch Little's (senior) journal, under date of Sept. 16, 1810, is this note : " All to meeting. Mr Price whipt Mr Wor- cester." Possibly some other day-book kept in Salisbury may have had the record that Mr. Worcester "whipt " Mr. Price.
The views adopted by Mr. Worcester being repugnant to some of the members of the Salisbury church, we see Nathaniel Sawyer and his wife riding down Battle street, to attend the preaching of Rev. Mr. Price. The theologieal sermon is discussed, not only around Mr. Dodge's fireplace, but in every household.
Party spirit runs high, not only in theology, but in politics. The wars waged by Napoleon in Europe shake American society to its foundation. The course pursued by Great Britain, in searching American vessels for British seamen, produces irrita- tion. One party is ready to rush into war; the other deprecates an appeal to arms. So bitter is the partisanship, that when the Fourth of July comes around, each political party has its celebra- tion, its own orator presenting its own political views.
Under the new school law, the schools are somewhat systema- tized. A new impetus has been given to education, but the stud- ies are all primary. In the winter the houses are crowded with grown-up boys and girls, many of whom are still plodding in sim- ple reading, or bewildering their brains over "fractions." They have not attempted grammar. The boys wear shoes and buskins, or leggins. Their shirts are made of tow. Their clothes in winter are coarse cassimere, spun and woven by the women and girls, dyed in the dye-pot which stands in the chimney-corner, and the cover of which furnishes a seat for one of the small members of the family. The cloth is fulled at the fulling-mill, dressed by Dea. Isaac Pearson, cut by the tailoress, who goes from house to house for that purpose, carrying her pressing-board, goose, and big shears.
176
CIVIL HISTORY.
[1810.
The people eat plain food,-bean porridge, hasty pudding, hulled corn and milk, Indian and rye bread, hominy, potatoes, beef and pork, and sometimes make a dinner of bread and cider. In the autumn they feast on pumpkin pies, and drink hop and spruce beer.
The household furniture consists of table and chairs, and a great settle with a high back, which in the daytime is pushed to one side of the room, but which in the evening is wheeled in front of the fire. In one corner of the kitchen is the dress- er, with rows of pewter plates and platters, brightly scoured, standing on the shelves in rows, reflecting the flickering fire- light. The people eat their porridge with pewter spoons, and many families are in possession of moulds for the re-casting of the spoons when bent or broken. In the sink is a piggin and a keeler,-wooden vessels used for the dipping of water and for washing dishes. Out of doors stands the mash-tub, in which ashes are leeched for making soap. In the cellar are the pork and beef barrels.
Once a week the great iron pot is placed over the fire, sus- pended by a hook from the crane, and "a boiled dinner " is cooked,-beef, pork, and vegetables.
At night the fire is carefully covered, to preserve a bed of coals for morning. If perchance it goes out, a coal is brought from the neighbor's, between two chips; or, if the neighbor is too far away, and the family has no tinder-box with flint and steel, the gun is taken down from its hooks over the door, a pile of shavings laid, and a train of tow and powder, and the gun is flashed.
Once, when "Mother Hoit " undertook to flash some powder, she inadvertently held the horn in her hand, which disappeared up the chimney, giving rise to an expression in common use many years after,-" As quick as Mother Hoit's powder-horn !"
In one corner of the fireplace stands the Dutch oven, with coals beneath, and upon its rimmed cover. If a fire-cake is desired, the dough is spread upon a tin, and placed in front of the "fore- stick,"-for " bakers " and " tin kitchens " have not yet made their appearance.
In the evening the fire is fed by pitch knots, which fill the room with light. In spring, summer, and fall, when a fire is not needed, the only light is a tallow candle.
177
CIVIL HISTORY.
1809.]
The women go about the house in their petticoats while doing their work, but " dress themselves up " in the afternoon to receive the visits of neighbors and friends, who are invited into the " front room." The word " parlor " has not come into use. Car- pets, except here and there one of home manufacture, are un- known. In summer, green pine boughs adorn the fireplace, and fill the room with fragrant odors. The floor is strewn with clean white sand, gathered from the shores of Great or Long pond, and swept into curved lines, scrolls, and whorls, by a broom.
Of books and papers, there is the Bible, and in religious households, a volume, perhaps, of Dr. Smith's Sermons. The almanac hangs above the fireplace, and it is consulted daily " to see what the weather says,"-whether the moon is right to kill hogs, so that the pork will swell in the pot instead of shrinking,- whether the signs are right for the cutting of alders. The moon, according to the almanac, rules the weather, and if the weather, a great many other things.
Of papers, there is the Concord Gazette, published by George Hough, which comes once a week to give the latest news from Europe, with a piece of poetry, original or selected, in one corner. General intelligence is advancing, and a love for literature has been awakened. There are those in town who read Milton's Par- adise Lost, who have read and re-read the Spectator, and all the other volumes in the Social Library. Select schools are taught by students from Dart- mouth college, on Lit- tle hill and on the Plain, at which young gentlemen and ladies can take up gram- mar, philosophy, alge- bra, and composition. Such the general out- lines of society.
There is life on King street, which is HAY SCALES-SEE PAGE 178. thronged with teams from the towns farther north,-from Han- over, Haverhill, Montpelier, and all the northern section of New
12
178
CIVIL HISTORY.
[1811.
Hampshire and Vermont. The traders do a large business in barter, taking farm produce of every kind.
By Capt. Benjamin Oak's stable stand the hay-scales, a pon- derous contrivance of levers and pulleys and winches, by which the load is lifted and weighed.
Droves of cattle and sheep, on their way to Brighton market, fill the air with clouds of dust.
The stage has made its appearance, taking the place of the post-rider. Society everywhere is on the move, feeling the vigor of life.
THE COLD FRIDAY.
1810. Friday, the 19th of January, was one of the coldest days ever experienced in New England. The wind blew a hurricane, unroofing buildings and destroying orchards. No deaths occurred from freezing, in Boscawen, but in other localities men and cattle exposed were frozen to death.
Application was made by some of the citizens of Salisbury and Boscawen for a road from Corser hill to Sweatt's mill. The town opposed it. The court's aid was invoked by those desiring the highway. The town appointed Ezekiel Webster, who had become a citizen, as their agent, instructing him "to make all the farce he can by himself & evidence at the court." The court, however, thought that the highway was needed, and it was laid out the following year.
At the annual meeting, the school committee under the new law made their first report. (See Educational History.) The Stirrup-iron bridge was rebuilt during the year.
The first annual meeting of the New Hampshire General Asso- ciation of Congregational Ministers was held at the East meeting- house. (See Ecclesiastical History.) It was an important meeting in many respects, and was followed by a great religious awaken- ing.
THE TOWN'S POOR.
1811. That the town intended to care well for its poor is manifest from the conditions under which "the keeping" of Susanna Danforth's children were sold.
[From the Records.]
" Whoever bids off either of the children are to furnish them with
179
CIVIL HISTORY.
1812.]
suitable & sufficient meats, drinks, clothing, give them an opportunity to go to school when there is one kept in the district where they may live & return them to the selectmen on the second Tuesday of March 1813, with as good cloaths as were received. All doctors bills to be paid by the town under the direction of the selectmen. "
As the children, with the exception of the eldest, were too young to be of service, the amount paid represents the price of board at that period :
" Thomas 8 years old to Capt Silas Call at 17 cts per week
" Mary 6, to Geo T Flanders at 36 cts.
" Patty to Sam B Gerrish at 40 cts.
" Laura 2, to Leonard Senter 47 cts."
BASHAN MINING COMPANY.
In 1812, Col. John Farmer, Abraham Burbank, Moses Gerrish, William Danforth, Moses Tyler, of Hopkinton, Little Burbank, Moses Little, and other citizens, formed an association known as the Bashan Mining Co. It was thought that lead and silver would be found on land owned by William Danforth. Ex- travagant stories were current in regard to lead mines known to the Indians. It was currently reported that the Indians knew a place where they could cut out the lead with their knives, and thus obtain bullets. If the citizens had known aught of mineral- ogy, they would have rejected such fictions at once, for lead never exists, in its native state, in such a form.
The first meeting of the association was at the house of Abra- ham Burbank, Oct. 27, 1812. Moses Gerrish was chosen modera- tor, and John Farmer clerk.
At the second meeting it was
" Voted that John Holmes shall have a share in said inine, providing that he will show the company where the real substance of Lead is, & not without.
" Voted that application be made to Israel Diamond of Goffstown for the discovery of the mine if Holmes should fail.
" Voted that application be made to Doctor Withs [Withem ] of Ply- mouth if Holmes & Diamond should fail."
These gentlemen-Holmes, Diamond, and Withem-were sup- posed to be able to locate a mine by the use of witch-hazel rods, which, when carried in the hand, would point to the precious metal.
180
CIVIL HISTORY.
[1813.
Which of these located the mine is not known, but operations began near William Danforth's house. A hole thirty or forty feet deep was dug, but no silver or lead was found, and the mine was soon 'abandoned.
SHEEP.
Attention was given to sheep husbandry. Dea. Enoch Little procured some French Merinos, and was the first to introduce fine wooled sheep.
1813. The town voted " to give the soldiers in Boscawen [mi- litia ] in lieu of meats and drinks thirty-four cents to be delivered to the captains to be distributed to each soldier."
BURIAL-GROUND.
" Voted that Mr Benjn Stickney, Lt James Giddings & Capt Heze- kiah Fellows be a committee to lay out the westwardly burying ground."
This is the burial-ground around the Webster town-house. Up to this period, the burial-place at the west end was on the east side of the road leading from Mutton road south to Pleasant street. The spot is now overgrown with large trees. Some of the graves are still to be seen.
"SHEEP FEVER."
The body politic is subject, like the human system, to epidem- ics. The first epidemic seizing the farmers of Boscawen was the "sheep fever" of 1813. The war with England had stopped the im- portation of all foreign fabrics. There was a great demand for woollen goods, and a consequent enhancement in the price of wool and the value of sheep. Everybody went into sheep hus- bandry.
Of the progress of the "fever," we quote from the day-book of Dea. Enoch Little, Sr .:
" October 1813. A speculation begins about this time in sheep. Sold 15 ewe lambs at $5.50. Sold cloth at Salem to the amount of 90 dol- lars.
" November. The sheep speculation continues.
" December. Sold a } blood ewe for 12 dollars.
" An extraordinary speculation."
181
CIVIL HISTORY.
1814.]
The sudden closing of the war in 1815, and the rapid increase of flocks, brought about a reaction ; and the fall in prices was as sud- den and great as the rise had been, bringing disaster to those who had involved themselves in debt.
SWINE.
" Voted that swine shall not go at large on town street [King] begin- ning at Mill bridge, by widow Mary Pearson's house & running to the town line by Col Isaac Chandlers, from the 1st day of April to the last day of October, under no less penalty than one dollar for each offence to be recovered by any person who will sue for the same."
It appears that the check-list was not in use at the annual meetings prior to 1814. At the meeting the previous year, the selectmen were directed " to make an alphabetical list of the legal voters some time before the next annual March meeting, & that the following mode of voting be adopted : The voters shall bring in their votes for state & county officers on the same piece of paper designating the office against the persons name voted for, & as each person votes his name shall be called, by the moderator & checked on the list of voters by the town clerk."
WASHINGTON BENEVOLENT SOCIETY.
At the beginning of the war with England there was a strong opposition to its prosecution, by the federal party, which was the dominant party in the town. But the opposition gradually weak- ened. Although a "Washington Benevolent society " had been formed in the town as in other sections of the country,-a politi- cal rather than a benevolent organization,-the opposition gradu- ally weakened, and the town passed the following votes :
THE WAR WITH GREAT BRITAIN.
" Voted that the town will give each soldier detached for the defence of the Port & harbor of Portsmouth five dollars, if the Legislature at their next session do not make some provision for them."
" Voted that the selectmen pay Lt Thomas Towne his account for the expenses of the 1st detachment of soldiers in marching to Portsmouth unless the Legislature make provision at their next session.
" Voted that the last draft of soldiers be made equal with the first for their expenses marching to Portsmouth."
182
CIVIL HISTORY.
[1815.
1815. The year was marked by another great religious awaken- ing, which began at the east end and extended over the town. " Three-days " meetings were held in the East meeting-house. Frequent meetings were held in school-houses and at private resi- dences, and almost the entire community was led to a higher moral and spiritual life.
BOSCAWEN MORAL SOCIETY.
The war of 1812 left its mark on society. Through the suc- ceeding years there was a deterioration of morals. Soldiers re- turning from camp brought with them the vices of camp life. Profanity was common, and there was a growing disregard for the Sabbath. To correct the evil, "moral societies " were formed in many of the towns. One was organized in Boscawen, April 12, 1815. The particular object of the society was set forth in the second article :
" The object of this Society shall be the suppression of immorality of every description, particularly Sabbath breaking, intemperance, profan- ity & falsehood."
The duties of the members are set forth in the ninth article :
" It shall be the duty of all the members to exert their influence to suppress immorality of every description, particularly Sabbath break- ing, intemperance, profaneness, & falsehood; to endeavor to reclaim the immoral by friendly admonition; to aid & support Tithingmen & all civil officers in the faithful execution of the laws, & finally to encourage the rising generation in a constant attendance on public worship & in the habits of sobriety, morality & industry."
The Sabbath act was enforced by tithing-men and selectmen, as witness the following receipt :
" Boscawen Dec 18, 1817.
" Received of Benjamin Little Esq four Dollars it being for fines for the breach of the Sabbath act against Hezekiah Fellows, Benjamin Pettengill 3d & Amos Couch received by us.
" $4,00
Moses Gerrish select-
Daniel Pillsbury S
men "
The law, however, was gradually becoming a dead letter.
" State of New Hampshire
" Hillsborough SS
"To Ezekiel Webster one of the justices of the Peace within & for
183
CIVIL HISTORY.
1816.]
said county complains Samuel Chadwick Tything man of Boscawen in said county on Oath against Salstonstall Sawyer & Joseph Calef for that the said Sawyer & Calef at said Boscawen on the eighteenth day of February instant, commonly called the Lord's day, did travel with their sleighs on said day in said Boscawen against the power of the Statute in such case made and provided & against the peace & dignity of the state.
" Whereof he prays process may issue against them and that they may be dealt with as the law directs.
" Samuel Chadwick." " Hillsborough SS
" Feb 19, 1816 Personally appearing Samuel Chadwick aforesaid & made oath to the truth of the foregoing complaint.
" Ezekiel Webster " Jus Peace."
" State of New Hampshire
" Hillsborough SS
"To the sheriff of the county of Hillsborough or to either of his depu- ties or to either constable of Boscawen in said county greeting:
" Forasmuch as the foregoing complaint has been made to me you are hereby commanded forthwith to apprehend the bodies of the said Sawyer & Calef & then have them before me or any other jus- tice of the Peace within & for said county that they may be dealt with as touching the foregoing complaint as to law & justice shall apper- tain.
" Given under my hand & seal this 19th day of February 1816
" Ezekiel Webster Jus Peace."
" Hillsborough SS
" Feb 19, 1816
" In obedience to this precept I have taken the bodies of the within named Calef and Sawyer and now have them before Joseph Gerrish Esq to be dealt with as the Law directs.
" Joseph Atkinson
" Constable."
" Received of the within named Calef & Sawyer their fines & com. "Joseph Atkinson
" Constable."
SUNDAY-SCHOOLS.
During the year the first Sunday-schools were established in Boscawen. It is probable that individuals gathered some classes in the school-districts for recitations of the catechism prior to this
184
CIVIL HISTORY.
[1816.
date, but the beginning of the system dates from this year. (See Ecclesiastical Hist.)
IRON AXLES.
Up to 1816 no iron axles for wagons or carriages had been seen in the town. In the spring, Mr. Joseph Ames and Mr. Nathan Plummer, having taken a raft of lumber to Medford, pur- chased the running part of an old stage-coach in Boston, and a pair of horses, loaded the team with salt, and brought into town the first iron axles in use.
AN UNPRODUCTIVE YEAR.
There seems to have been a period, from 1808 to 1816, marked by unusual climatic conditions. Mr. Price speaks of it as a period of " uncommon seasons and dearths." The year 1816 was preemi- nently a season of climatic changes and of low temperature. Rev. Mr. Price says :
" The whole face of nature appeared shrouded in gloom. The lamps of heaven kept their orbits, but their light was cheerless. The bosom of the earth in a midsummer day was covered with a wintry mantle; and man and beast and bird sickened at the prospect. Autumn returns, alas! not to fill the arm with the generous sheaf, but the eye with the tear of disappointment! On the 6th of June the day of general election the snow fell several inches deep, followed by a cold & frosty night; & on the following day snow fell & frost continued. Also July 9th a deep & deadly frost, which killed or palsied most vegetables. The little corn which had the appearance of maturity, was destitute of its natural taste or substance; & yet the providence of God was bountiful in sup- plying the article of bread from the crops of rye, which were uncom- monly good."
From the day-book of Dea. Enoch Little, Sr., we have the fol- lowing concise but expressive summary of the year :
" Dec 31, 1816
" General observations on the year past. January was cold till the latter part, then the snow went off & left the ground bare till the 18th of February with very cold weather. Snowed again & there was a spell of sledding. The spring was very cold & backward-hay very scarce & a great deal of corn given to cattle which made bread scarce.
"May. Generally cold, but we planted as early as common but corn was slow in coming up.
185
CIVIL HISTORY.
1817.]
"June. Very cold. The 6th, 7th & 8th it snowed. The ground was covered on the hight [the height of land between the Merrimack and Connecticut] & in the north part of the state it was a foot deep.
"June 10. A frost killed corn on frosty land. Very hot day. "July 9. Frost killed both corn & taters on pine land. Very dry.
" July 17. A fast on account of the drouth. Our hay is very short, perhaps ยง a crop-no corn silked yet & little hope of a crop.
"August. Very dry. Grain very good indeed. The woods & fences all on fire.
"Sept 25 & 26. Cold & dry & frosty.
"Sept. 27. Killed almost all the corn in New England, & not half of it was fit to roast.
"Oct. No corn of consequence. From 4 acres I shall not get 8 bushels of corn fit to eat though I planted my warmest land.
"Nov. On frosty land the orchards were barren, but on warm land there was a moderate crop of apples. Cattle to hay early on account of short feed.
"Dec. Generally cold. Sledding the 10th. Sheep all to barn. The prospects as to fodder are alarming."
1817.
" Jan. 4. A little rain-warm the cattle & sheep get some fodder by grazing. A great deal of bare ground.
"- 8. Snowy. Warm at night.
"- 18. Thunder, lightning & rain last night. Snowy forenoon, windy & drifty afternoon.
" - 19. Sabbath, cold windy & drifty. No meeting in afternoon.
" - 22. Did not dare stay in the woods for fear of freezing my feet.
" - 23. Moderating.
- 24. Snowed six inches last night & three to day.
1 _ 27. Cold & windy. Hay very scarce.
" _ 28. Coldest day.
4 - 30. Very cold. Began to give my sheep oil meal.
" Feb. 4. Frozen ears are common.
" 5. Cellars freeze hard.
" 6. A little warmer.
" 13. A cold winter.
"March 30. Sabbath. Pleasant. Good sleighing. People travel the river yet.
"April 4. Our sink has not thawed ont this winter yet.
"April 7. Cleared my sink of ice which has not been clear this win-
ter.
"- 8. My sheep depend wholly on the barn. Some bare ground.
186
CIVIL HISTORY. [1817.
Sickly with typhus fever. Hay scarce & dear from $20 to $10 per ton. Corn $2 rye from $1,50 to $2. Oats 1. Wheat $2,50 to $3,00 cheese 12g butter 25, pork 18.
"Feb 11. Cold & drifty.
" 13 Drifted some.
" 14 Very cold & windy.
" 15 Shocking cold & windy last night. Cold morning.
" 17 Moderate & cloudy.
" 24 Drifting snow storm.
" 25 Drifting.
" 27 Two heavy snow storms this week.
" 28 Cloudy & warm.
"Mar 1 A great snow storm last night. Snowy to day.
" _ 2 Sabbath. Roads drifted full. No horse or sleigh to meeting from this district.
" 6. Warm.
" 7 Windy & thawy
" 12 Cold & drifty.
" 13 Cold.
" 16 Pleasant.
"Mar 19. Cold & drifty, bitter day.
" _ 20 Very cold & drifty.
4 - 21 Windy.
"_22 Warm
24 Snow
25 Warm
26 Snowy.
" _ 27 Cold, windy, drifty
" - 28. Snow 3 feet deep & weather cold, hay scarce and dear $30 per ton. Wheat $2,67 per bush, corn & rye $2,00 pork & beef, butter & cheese high & people poor. A windy, drifty, blustering day.
"April 9. Good sleding.
" 16. Sheep out all day-half fodder. " 17 Pigeons fly by millions The snow banks go by wholesale- warm.
" 18 Pigeons flew thick.
" 19 Froze hard. Snowed.
" 21 Ploughed with mittens
" 22 Froze hard. Sheep to barn night & morning-to grass day time.
" 24. Snowed. Ground white
" 25 Snow two inches deep.
" 30 Sowed wheat
187
CIVIL HISTORY.
1819.]
"May 7 Plowed for planting. A few snow banks yet. My wheat sown last Wednesday (1 week) is up.
" 10 The earth at length is clad in richest green
Yet banks of snow are on the mountains seen.
" 12 Trees green.
" 13 Very cold.
" 14 Planted corn."
The town instructed the selectmen "to take special care that the law respecting idle persons be carried into execution," and also appointed a committee " to see what has become of the money taken in fines for a breach of the Sabbath."
1818. Four pews had been sold in the West meeting-house, or, rather, ground for four, and Daniel Pillsbury, Moses Coffin, and Moses Fellows were chosen to collect the money, and expend it in repairing the house.
REV. MR. PRICE'S HISTORY.
1819. At the annual meeting the town appointed Rev. Eben- ezer Price, Rev. Samnel Wood, and Dea. Enoch Little a commit- tee to collate the facts in regard to the settlement and progress of the town. The result was, the publication in 1823 of a pamphlet of 116 pages, prepared by Mr. Price, entitled " A Chronological History of Boscawen." (See Preface.)
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