USA > New Hampshire > Merrimack County > Boscawen > The history of Boscawen and Webster [N.H.] from 1733 to 1878 > Part 19
USA > New Hampshire > Merrimack County > Webster > The history of Boscawen and Webster [N.H.] from 1733 to 1878 > Part 19
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214
CIVIL HISTORY.
[1875.
The town, at the annual meeting, voted 40 cents to each mem- ber of the Fire Engine Co., Fisherville, for each attendance at the monthly meeting, the company consisting of 35 men.
SALE OF THE ALMSHOUSE AND POOR-FARM.
1868. Merrimack county having purchased a county farm for the maintenance of the poor, the town voted to sell its farm on Water street; and Isaac K. Gage, Francis S. French, and Bradley Atkinson were appointed a committee to dispose of the same. The sale was not consummated, however, till the following year.
CEMETERY ON THE PLAIN.
1869. At the annual meeting, Isaac K. Gage, Dr. E. K. Webster, and George Knowles were appointed a committee "to lay out and grade the cemetery on the Plain."
HIGHWAY TAX.
1870. The town voted to pay its taxes on highways in money, and to raise the sum of one fourth of one per cent. on the valua- tion, to be expended on the roads.
The sense of the town on the revision of the state constitution resulted, for the first time since its settlement, in an affirmative vote,-seventy-two in favor of revision, and twenty-three in oppo- sition.
1871-73. No business, other than that ordinarily arising at the annual meetings, was transacted during the years 1871, 1872, and 1873.
1874. The town voted $400 for the construction of a "lock- up" at Fisherville.
An article in the warrant relative to the abolishing of the sev- eral school districts, and placing their control in the hands of a town committee, was passed over.
THE TOWN HISTORY.
1875. The town voted a sum of $300 to be paid to Charles C. Coffin, for the compilation of a history of the town.
The sum of $250 was voted to the Fire Engine Co. at Fisher- ville.
215
CIVIL HISTORY.
1876.]
CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION.
1876. A special meeting of the town was called June 26, to take action in regard to the celebration of the centennial anniver- sary of American Independence.
The following resolution was adopted :
Resolved, That the town of Boscawen will celebrate the centennial Fourth of July, 1876, and that the selectmen be authorized and in- structed to appropriate out of the treasury the sum of $300 towards the proper expenses of such celebration."
The proceedings on the 4th of July were published in pamphlet, by S. G. Noyes, of Fisherville.
[From the History of the Centennial Celebration. ]
"CELEBRATION OF 4TH OF JULY, AT BOSCAWEN, 1876.
" The town, at a meeting of its legal voters, having voted to celebrate this centennial anniversary, and appropriated money for that purpose, the following officers and committee were appointed :
President-N. Butler, Esq.
Vice Presidents-Calvin Gage, Nath. R. Greeley, E. S. Harris, Ira Sweatt, Moses Morse, Abraham Hook, A. G. Kimball, Nath'l S. Web- ster, Luther Gage, Peter Coffin, Wm. P. Abbott, H. P. Gill.
Secretaries-Isaac K. Gage, Charles E. Chadwick, C. M. Rolfe.
Committee of Arrangements-Isaac K. Gage, T. O. Wilson, Charles J. Ellsworth, Charles W. Webster, John E. Rines.
Committee on Grounds-John C. Gage, Walter E. Sweatt, Asa M. Gage, Joseph Chandler.
Committee on Refreshments-Harley C. Gage, Geo. A. Morse, Charles W. Webster, L. W. Conch. David Abbott.
Committee on National Salute-IIannibal Bonney, D. E. Jones, Chas. Meagher.
Committee on Fireworks-Willie HI. Bonney, N. R. Greeley, A. G. Kimball, W. B. Hardy.
Committee on Music-Samuel G. Noyes, Henry T. Foote, T. O. Wil- son, John Taylor.
Committee on Oration-Isaac K. Gage, N. Butler, J. C. Gage, D. F. Kimball.
Marshals-T. O. Wilson, D. F. Kimball, E. G. Wood, S. R. Mann. Toast- Master-Rev. A. C. Hardy.
216
CIVIL HISTORY.
[1876.
At sunrise the bells were rung, and a national salute of thirteen guns was fired; at noon the bells were again rung, and a salute of twenty-six guns fired.
At 2 o'clock, exercises were held in the grove east of Penacook Acad- emy. as follows :
Prayer by Rev. J. E. Burr; reading of the Declaration of Indepen- dence by Rev. J. A. Freeman ; oration by Charles C. Coffin, Esq., of Boston.
Near the close of the oration (indications of a shower appearing) the audience repaired to Academy Hall. After the oration, sentiments were proposed by Rev. A. C. Hardy, Toast-Master, and responded to as follows :
' The Past, Present, and Future of our Government,' by N. Butler, Esq.
' The Day we Celebrate,' by E. G. Wood, Esq.
' The Mother Country,' by Rev. J. A. Freeman.
' The Old Folks at Home.' by Col. D. F. Kimball.
' Boscawen's Son, the town of Webster,' by J. C. Pearson, Esq.
' The Orator of the Day,' by C. C. Coffin, Esq.
The exercises were interspersed with singing, accompanied by an or- gan and cornet. under the direction of S. G. Noyes.
During the latter part of the afternoon and early evening, sixty-one guns were fired, making one hundred in all, and bells were rung at sun- set.
At dark a large concourse of people assembled at Penacook Square, to witness the grand display of fireworks that had been procured for the occasion. The display was very fine, considering the dampness of the atmosphere, which affected their burning very much. Unfortunate- ly, before they were all burned, the rain dispersed the crowd.
Notwithstanding the interruption by the rain during the oration, and of the fireworks in the evening, all who participated in the celebration enjoyed the exercises, and will long remember the Centennial of 1876."
[1860.
WEBSTER.
HE act passed by the legislature of 1860, incorporating the section west of Beaver-dam as a separate town, was approved by the governor July 4th, and became a law.
ACT OF INCORPORATION.
"AN ACT TO DIVIDE THE TOWN OF BOSCAWEN AND CONSTITUTE THE TOWN OF WEBSTER.
"Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened :
" SECTION 1. That all that part of the town of Boscawen lying west- erly of the following described line, to wit,-beginning at the centre of Beaver-dam brook, so-called, on the northerly boundary line of said town, and running thence southerly along the centre of said brook to Couch pond, so-called; thence in a straight line across said pond to the brook connecting the same with Great pond, so-called ; thence along the centre of said last mentioned brook to said Great pond ; thence in a straight line across said Great pond to the brook running there- from at the southerly end thereof; thence along the centre of said brook until it strikes the southerly side of the highway near Burbank's mills, so-called, leading from Ephraim Plumer's to Dodge's mills, so-called ; thence easterly along the southerly side of said highway, to a point in a line with the westerly side line of the fifth range of the forty-five acre lots in the fourth division, as originally laid out ; thence southerly to and along said westerly side line of said fifth range, and in continua- tion of the same direction, to the southerly boundary line of said Bos- cawen, be, and the same hereby is, severed from said town, and made a body politic and corporate, by the name of Webster.
"SEC. 2. All real and personal property, including all debts, claims, and demands of any kind, now owned by and due to the town of Bos-
218
CIVIL HISTORY.
[1860.
cawen ; all school and other funds belonging to said town ; and the proportion of the literary fund, which until a new apportionment of state taxes shall be payable to said towns, shall be divided between them in the proportion of five dollars to Boscawen and three dollars and fifty cents to Webster ; and if said towns cannot agree upon the division of any such property, George W. Nesmith of Franklin, Asa P. Cate of Northfield, and John Abbott of Concord, upon request of either town, may make division of the same, or assign the same, or any part thereof, to either of said towns, and may order the town to which such property may be assigned to pay over such sums of money to the other town as in their opinion is equitable, according to the foregoing propositions, and may fix the time of payment.
"SEC. 3. All taxes assessed since March last upon the polls and estate of persons residing in said Webster as hereby constituted, all non-resi- dent taxes assessed since March last in said town, shall be collected by the collector to whom the same has been committed for that purpose, and, after deducting therefrom the state and county taxes, shall be by him paid over to said town of Webster in the same manner in which he is directed to pay the same to the town of Boscawen before the divi- sion thereof ; and the treasurer of Webster, when duly chosen and qualified, shall have the same power to issue an extent against such col- lector, for any neglect to comply with the provisions of this act, that he would have if such collector had been chosen by said town of Webster.
" SEC. 4. All debts and liabilities heretofore incurred by said town of Boscawen, and all municipal expenses of said town since the first day of March last shall be paid by the aforesaid towns in the same proportion as hereinbefore prescribed for the division of property.
"SEC. 5. All paupers now supported by, and in the actual receipt of assistance from said Boscawen, shall be supported by the towns of Bos- cawen and Webster each contributing in the same proportion as herein- before mentioned for the division of property, until such time as either of said towns shall call for a division of said paupers; and if said towus do not agree upon a division, the aforesaid Nesmith, Cate, and Abbott shall, upon the request of either of said towns, determine and assign to each of them its proportion of said paupers, upon the same basis, as near as practicable, as that prescribed for a division of the town prop- erty, and determine which of said paupers shall be supported by each of said towns.
" SEC. 6. In all assessments of state and county taxes until the legis- lature shall otherwise order, Boscawen, after this division thereof, shall pay four dollars and twenty-two cents, and Webster two dollars and ninety-six cents ; and the state and county treasurers shall issue their respective warrants accordingly.
219
CIVIL HISTORY.
1862.]
: "SEC. 7. Simeon B. Little, Jeremiah S. Webber, and Joseph L. Couch, or any two of them, may eall the first meeting of said town of Webster, by posting up a warrant for that purpose as the law directs ; at which meeting either of said persons may preside until a moderator be chosen ; and at such meeting all necessary town officers may be chosen.
"SEC. 8. This act shall take effect from and after its passage.
"Approved July 4, 1860."
FIRST TOWN-MEETING.
The first town-meeting was held Aug. 11. Simeon B. Little was chosen moderator and David E. Burbank town-clerk. The highest number of votes cast was 204.
Nov. 6, 1860. At the meeting for choice of electors for Presi- dent and Vice-President of the United States, measures were taken to form a settlement with the town of Boscawen.
Voted That the selectmen be authorized to settle the division of prop- erty, and all other matters contemplated by the act of the legislature constituting this town, with the town of Boscawen; provided, that said town of Boscawen shall make propositions for that purpose in their judgment equitable and just, in which case they be anthorized to make conveyance of real or other estate, as may be necessary for a final dis- position of the matter. In default of such equitable proposition let the settlement be made as provided in said aet as the final resort."
March 12, 1861.
"Voted, To adopt the same method to repair highways as formerly in the town of Boscawen reserving one fourth of the tax for winter use."
"Voted, Not to revise the constitution."
Twelve hundred dollars was raised for town expenses.
"Voted, To refer the organization of the school districts affected by the late division to the selectmen."
Jan. 15, 1862. The citizens of Webster manifested their pat- riotism in common with the citizens of surrounding towns, by vot- ing, at a meeting held Jan. 15, to support the families of those soldiers who had enlisted; and the selectmen were authorized to hire money for that purpose.
March 11. At the annual meeting, the town raised $1,200 for current expenses.
220
CIVIL HISTORY.
[1863.
"Voted, To raise seventy-five cents on a dollar of the reduced valua- tion for the repair of highways the present year, one half of which shall be reserved for winter use."
A code of by-laws was adopted, prohibiting cattle and sheep from running at large.
PATRIOTISM.
Although there were many citizens in the town who felt that the war was unnecessary, and might have been avoided, and who were opposed to the acts of the administration, yet they acqui- esced in what was done to suppress the rebellion. A few only allowed their political prejudices to carry them far enough to oppose inducements for enlistment.
Aug. 7. A meeting was held to see what action the town would take to encourage enlistments.
"Voted, That the town pay one hundred dollars to each recruit who is an inhabitant of this town, who will enlist before the eighteenth of the present month for the term of three years, not to exceed the quota re- quired of this town, to be paid when mustered into the service."
Yeas, 50; nays, 13.
"Voted, That the selectmen be authorized to hire a sum not exceed- ing three thousand dollars, to meet the expense of paying the above bounty to volunteers."
Another town-meeting was called Sept. 3.
"Voted, That the town pay to volunteers for nine months in the army of the United States, one hundred dollars cach, upon their being mus- tered into the service of the United States, and the selectmen are em- powered to hire money sufficient to pay the same."
1863. At a town-meeting held 7th Jan.,-
"Voted, That the selectmen be instructed to pay the families of all volunteers who have left a wife, four dollars per month, and, on the claimant making a statement of her property and means of living, un- der oath if required, more, if, in their judgment, the circumstances of their families require it ; and all as [who] claim as other relatives shall make a written statement, under oath, if required, of their property and means of living. and the selectmen shall decide whether they are entitled un- der the law under which they claim."
"Voted, That the selectmen be authorized to hire such sum of money
221
CIVIL HISTORY.
1863.]
as may be necessary for the support of families of volunteers, not to ex- ceed five thousand dollars."
"Voted, That the selectmen procure men to fill the town's quota on the best terms they can, and pay from any money belonging to the town not otherwise appropriated."
Mar. 10. Twenty-five hundred dollars was voted for current expenses.
Sept. 7. In town-meeting,-
"Resolved, That the town of Webster pay to its drafted men, and all those that may be drafted, or their substitutes, the sum of three hun- dred dollars, in accordance with an act of the legislature passed June session, 1863, and approved July 10, 1863."
"Voted, That the selectmen be authorized to hire such sum of money as may be necessary to pay the bounties of its drafted men, or their substitutes, not to exceed the sum of five thousand dollars."
Nov. 13.
"Voted, That the selectmen be instructed to fill the town's quota ou the best terms they can."
"Voted, That the selectmen be authorized to hire a sum of money not to exceed five thousand dollars."
1864. Mar. 8. The town voted $1,500 for current expenses.
"Voted, That a bounty of three hundred dollars be paid to its veteran volunteers, who have or may reenlist to the credit of the town, and authorize the selectmen to raise money for the same."
June 10. A special town-meeting was called to take measures to promote enlistments.
"Voted, That the selectmen be instructed to procure nine volunteers, to be credited to the town of Webster, and that they proceed forthwith with the business."
"Voted, That the selectmen be authorized to hire a sum of money not to exceed ten thousand dollars."
Town-meeting was held Sth Nov., for choosing five electors of President and Vice-President of U. S. A.
On the question, " Is it expedient that a commission be called to revise the constitution ?" the vote was,-yeas, 100; nays, 55. Of the foregoing votes for the proposition, ninety-five had the following qualification annexed :
222
CIVIL HISTORY.
[1867.
" The convention to be limited in its action to making provision for allowing qualified voters in the military and naval service of the coun- try to exercise the right to vote while absent from the state."
Dec. 14.
"Voted, That the town will furnish a substitute for each enrolled man who has or may furnish the selectmen the sum of two hundred dollars. The number to be limited to a sufficient number to fill the quota of the town under a future call for 500,000 men, and that the selectmen be authorized to hire a sum of money sufficient for the purpose."
The town not only filled its quota, but at the close of the war had thirteen soldiers standing to its credit.
1865. March 14.
"Voted, To raise thirty-five hundred dollars to defray town charges for the ensuing year."
COUNTY ALMS-HOUSE.
The town voted that it was expedient for the county to pur- chase a farm and buildings for a county alms-house. The farm first occupied by Col. Henry Gerrish, on Fish street, was sub- sequently purchased for that purpose. The town of Webster therefore never has established an alms-house.
Fifteen dollars was voted to the "Teachers' Institute," or rather to the conventions held by the teachers of the common schools, from time to time, by the teachers in the county.
March 13, 1866. At the annual meeting fifteen ballotings were had for representative without an election, and the town therefore was unrepresented during the year.
Two per cent. on the valuation was voted for current expenses, the highest tax ever assessed.
The selectmen were instructed to use all necessary means to secure the payment of a claim against the state for bounties ad- vanced in 1864.
March 12, 1867. The tax levy for 1866 having proved more than sufficient for current expenses, a levy of only one and one fourth per cent. of the valuation was needed for the year. Not- withstanding the heavy burdens entailed by the war, the citizens manifested their determination to allow no deterioration of their
223
CIVIL HISTORY.
1872.]
educational institutions by voting to raise one hundred and fifty dollars in addition to the amount required by law.
March 10, 1868. Voted to raise one and one half per cent. on the polls and ratable estates to defray current expenses.
TAXATION OF UNITED STATES BONDS.
Should the bonds of the United States be taxed ? The ques- tion greatly agitated the public. The loan of the United States, authorizing the issue of bonds, exempted them from taxation, and every man who had money for investment became a bond- holder. In consequence, a large amount of capital escaped tax- ation. The exemption was felt to be a hardship on the poor, and a benefit to the rich.
The following question was presented to the town :
" To see if the town will petition Congress to levy a tax on all the bonds of the United States, not exceeding one per cent. semi-annually, and make the same a lien on the coupons and interest of said bonds, and set the same apart as a sinking fund, to be applied in the purchase of the debt of the United States in such manner as Congress may direct."
The proposition was rejected. Yeas, 31; nays, 38.
March 9, 1869. Four thousand five hundred dollars was voted for current expenses. It was voted to fund the debt of the town, and the selectmen were authorized to issue bonds to that. end.
November 9. A meeting was held to take action upon the question of establishing a state police. Voted in the negative. Yeas, 8; nays, 45.
March 14, 1870. Five thousand dollars was raised for current expenses.
BURIAL-PLACE.
1871. Voted to lay out a burying-place on the lot of land now occupied by William Clough and others.
March 12, 1872. Four thousand dollars was raised for cur- rent expense.
.
224
CIVIL HISTORY. .
[1876.
EXEMPTION OF MILLS FROM TAXATION.
A meeting was held 18 May, to see if the town would adopt an act of the legislature exempting mills from taxation.
The following resolution was passed by yea and nay vote. Yeas, 33; nays, 1.
"Resolved, That the town of Webster will exempt from taxation, for five years, any sum of money between eight and twenty thousand dol- lars, the capital to be invested in mills and machinery, material or stock, for the manufacture of fabrics of cotton or wool, or any other material ; and further, that the town will exempt, for a term of ten years, any sums of money between twenty and one hundred thousand dollars. Provided, that such exemption shall apply only when such sums of money shall have been expended in mills and machinery, material or stock."
1873. Mar. 11. Five thousand dollars was voted for current expenses and interest, and for the reduction of the debt. The town thus resolutely set its face for the extinguishment of its indebtedness.
1874. Mar. 10. Four thousand five hundred dollars was voted for expenses and interest ; and the selectmen were authorized, in case that amount was not sufficient, to sell " so many of the state bonds at par and interest as will meet the deficit."
1875. Mar. 9. Voted to raise $2,000 for current expenses.
" Voted, That the selectmen be anthorized to make such exchange of its municipal war loan bonds for the unmatured bonds of the town, as they think will be for the best interest of the town."
1876. Mar. 14. Voted to raise $2,500 for current expenses.
HISTORY OF THE TOWN.
The 9th article of the warrant was as follows :
" To see what sum of money, if any, the town will raise towards pub- lishing a history of Boscawen, including that of Webster, up to 1860, by C. C. Coffin."
"Voted, to pass over article 9 in the warrant."
The town voted for a revision of the constitution. Ayes, 52; nays, 33.
225
CIVIL HISTORY.
:1877.]
On the 16th of August, the 99th anniversary of the battle of Bennington was celebrated in the Congregational meeting-house, by exercises appropriate to the occasion.
Sherman Little, Esq., was president of the day. An oration was delivered by Charles C. Coffin, of Boston, followed by ad- dresses by Rev. Arthur Little, of Fondulac, Wis., Rev. E. Buxton, and others, with music by a select quartette, and an original song by Maj. Alfred Little.
Nov. 7. The state having voted a convention for the revision of the constitution, the town elected as its delegate Rev. Edward Buxton.
THE HISTORY AGAIN.
The 4th article in the warrant was " to see if the town will vote to raise a sum of money to assist C. C. Coffin in publishing a his- tory of the town of Boscawen;" and the town again voted to pass over the article, thus declaring that in its corporate capacity it would do nothing towards preserving its historical documents.
1877. Mar. 13. The sum of two thousand dollars was raised for current expenses.
The following resolution was passed,-yeas, 36; nays, 32 :
"Resolved, That the act of the town passed 18th May, 1877, exempt- ing certain property belonging to the Blackwater Mill Co., so-called, be rescinded."
This closes the municipal records of the town of Webster. From the incorporation of the town, in 1860, through a period of seven- teen years, little but routine business has been transacted at the meetings of the town.
15
[1758.
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY.
THE FIRST CHURCH.
NE of the conditions of the grant to the proprietors of Contoo- cook was, that one eighty-fourth part of the land should be set aside for a parsonage, and one additional eighty-fourth for the minister; and that a "learned and Orthodox minister" should be settled within the space of four years. We have seen in the civil history how, above all other things, the proprietors cared for the religious interests of the town. They were Congregationalists. They believed that the church polity, which had its origin with John Robinson, William Brewster, and the men of Scrooby and Austerfield, in old England, which made every body of believers a church, with power to regulate their own affairs independently of bishop, priest, or pope, by a majority vote, was the polity most conformable to that established by Christ and the apostles. It was the polity of the churches of Massachusetts. The church was the state. The town was under obligation to support the preaching of the gospel. Any breach of that obligation,-any refusal to provide for the support of the minister,-would have been a forfeiture of the charter. The minister had a claim upon the town for his salary, and could invoke the aid of the law in case of any delinquency on the part of the town. The first meet- ing-house in the state was erected at Dover, 1633; but so slow was the advancement of civilization, that in 1670 there were only three settled ministers in the state-at Dover, Hampton, and Exeter. In 1700, there were but five churches.
CA WALKER BOST AU
Congregational Meeting-House, Boscawen.
227
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY.
1758.]
MINISTERS' OATHS.
At that time ministers were required to take the oath of alle- giance to his Majesty George II, and to swear that "from their hearts they abhorred, detested, abjured as impions and heretical, that damnable doctrine, that princes, excommunicated or deprived by the Pope, or any authority of the see of Rome, may be deposed or murdered by their subjects or any whatsoever."
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