USA > New Hampshire > Merrimack County > Boscawen > The history of Boscawen and Webster [N.H.] from 1733 to 1878 > Part 52
USA > New Hampshire > Merrimack County > Webster > The history of Boscawen and Webster [N.H.] from 1733 to 1878 > Part 52
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In civil history, important events are sometimes the outcome of insignificant causes. An influence more potent than those already cited was the purchase of a fire engine, to be located at Fisherville. Some of the voters of the West end were much
40
620
OFFICIAL HISTORY.
incensed at such a disposition of the public funds. They com- plained that the vote was carried through after the majority had gone home.
The growth of Fisherville, the increase of taxable property, the feeling of property-holders at the East end that the large number of bridges across the Blackwater was a burden, were influences that had weight with residents of the East end, who believed that it would be for their interest to have the town divided.
Political and geographical considerations and party ascendency were disturbing elements. From 1824, when the population was sufficient to entitle the town to two representatives, the proper distribution of public offices among political aspirants was a disturbing element in political parties. Each section claimed its share. Sectional rivalries and personal jealousies were engen- dered.
These and other causes combined, finally resulted in a petition to the legislature from the residents, mainly at the East end, for a division, they retaining the name and the records. The peti- tion was resisted. It was felt to be a hardship by the majority at the West end to be thrust out in such a manner; to be cast off offensively ; to have a name forced upon them not of their choos- ing; to be deprived of their inheritance in the historic fame of Boscawen, which had maintained its position during the Indian troubles of the colonial period, when other frontier towns,-Hop- kinton, Warner, and Salisbury,-were abandoned; to be cut off from a town that could number among its citizens men who had written their names large on the roll of honor.
Whether the action of the petitioners was wise or unwise, whether the material interests of the community as a whole would be advanced or retarded, men did not stop to consider; passion crowded out reason ; the time had come for a division. In communities as well as in families, from the time of Abraham and Lot to the present day, separation is sometimes better than union. Possibly the citizens of the West end thought that their fellow- citizens of the East end did not emulate the example of the patriarch of the Hebrew race in bringing about the division ; and now, that time has thrown its mellowing influences over the trans- action, citizens of the East end may possibly see that a division might have been brought about with less irritation and bitterness.
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621
OFFICIAL HISTORY.
So, after one hundred years of corporate existence, Boscawen cut off one half of its territory and established the town of Web- ster.
It has been characteristic of the people, from the first set- tlement, to select good men to conduct their public affairs. Sin- gularly fortunate has been their selection of town-clerk. Of all the original proprietors, not one probably possessed higher qualifica- tions for that office than Joseph Coffin, and when the plantation became a town, the man best qualified for the office, George Jack- man, was chosen, holding it from 1760 to 1796.
Equally well qualified was Joel French, who held the office from 1807 till his death in 1810. His successor, Samuel W. Lang, who held the position from 1810 to 1817, was the equal of his predecessors. From 1817 to 1856, Hezekiah Fellows, a magis- trate who understood forms, pains-taking, methodical, a fair pen- man, kept the records. Thus, by choosing, in the main, compe- tent men for this office, the records of Boscawen have been pre- served almost intact.
In the selection of selectmen the citizens have, with but few exceptions, chosen men who were competent to transact the busi- ness, and who were animated by a sincere desire to promote the interests of the town rather than their own aggrandisement. There has been but one notable exception, which occurred at the close of the last century, when all the worst elements in the com- munity united to obtain power. The leaders, Winthrop Carter and Thomas Thorla, were able men, and, through the influence they exercised, directed the affairs of the town during 1796 and 1797. The first year, however, they were checkmated at every step by Enoch Little,-the second of the name in the town,- who was elected third selectman. In 1797, Carter, Thorla, and Daniel Shepard were elected, and managed as they pleased. Their accounts became confused, and there was a deficit which they could not explain. They were arraigned not only at the bar of public opinion, but before a committee of investigation. It was the old story : the men who had seized the ship could not manage it, and they were ignominiously thrown overboard the next year. With this exception the affairs of the town have been conducted with a fidelity that presents a pleasing contrast to the municipal man- agement of many other localities in these later years.
622
OFFICIAL HISTORY.
The men who have been selected to represent the towns have been citizens of high character. Col. Henry Gerrish, George Jack- man, Capt. Joseph Gerrish, Maj. Enoch Gerrish, and Capt. Ben- jamin Little, were the representatives of the last century. These five men represented the town from 1760 to 1801.
During the first quarter of the present century, such men as Timothy Dix, Caleb Knight, Ezekiel Webster, Joseph Little, Jeremiah Gerrish, Maj. Enoch Gerrish, and Col. Isaac Chandler, acted as legislators. Their successors in the next quarter were such men as Hezekiah Fellows, Col. John Farmer, Capt. Joseph Ames, John Greenough, Moses Fellows, Thomas Coffin, William H. Gage, Benjamin Kimball, Nathan Plummer, Abraham Bur- bank, Richard Gage, Simeon B. Little, Joseph Morrill, Rev. Ebenezer Price, Elbridge F. Greenough, Abiel R. Chandler, Nathan Pearson, Jr., Thomas Gerrish, Luke Corser, Caleb Smith, and Calvin Gage.
Of these, all but three are numbered among the dead,-their life-work over,-and the historian may freely speak of them. They were men who honored the town, who sought its welfare, who allowed no private interest or personal ambition to interfere with their public duties as legislators. This may be said with equal truth of those who since 1850 have represented the towns. The official record is a roll of honor.
TOWN OFFICERS.
M., moderator; C., clerk ; S., selectmen; Del., delegate; Rep., representatives.
1760.
1762.
M. Joseph Coffin. M. Joseph Eastman.
C. George Jackman .* S.
S. John Fowler, John Webster,
George Jackman, John Flanders, Joseph Hoit.
Joseph Eastman.
1761.
1763.
M. John Webster.
M. John Fowler.
S. John Webster,
S. Joseph Hoit,
Enos Bishop, Ephraim Plummer,
George Jackman.
Thomas Foss.
* From 1760 to 1796 he was reelected.
623
OFFICIAL HISTORY.
1764.
M. S. George Jackman, Jesse Flanders, Oliver Fowler.
M. S.
Moses Morse. Winthrop Carter, Moses Call, Moses Morse.
1765.
1772.
M. S.
Capt. Henry Gerrish. George Jackman, Dea. Jesse Flanders, Samuel Muzzy.
1773.
M. S.
IIenry Gerrish. Ebenezer Hidden, Samuel Gerrish, George Jackman.
1774.
M. Peter Coffin.
S. Samuel Muzzy, Peter Kimball, Jesse Flanders. Del. State Convention, Henry Gerrish.
1775.
M. Stephen Webster.
S. Moses Call, Enoch Gerrish, George Jackman. Del. State Con., Henry Gerrish.
1769.
M. Moses Morse.
S. Capt. Henry Gerrish, Moses Morse, George Jackman.
1776.
M. Robie Morrill. S. George Jackman, Cutting Noyes, John Eliot.
1777.
1770. M. Rev. Robie Morrill. M. Henry Gerrish.
S. Moses Morse, Henry Gerrish,
Peter Kimball.
1771.
John Fowler.
John Fowler.
M. S. George Jackman, John Fowler, Jesse Flanders.
1766.
M. Joseph Eastman.
S. Moses Burbank, Moses Call, Henry Gerrish.
- 1767.
M. Jesse Flanders.
S. Henry Gerrish, George Jackman, Jesse Flanders.
1768.
John Fowler.
M. S. Henry Gerrish, Peter Kimball, Oliver Fowler.
S. George Jackman, John Eliot, Cutting Noyes.
624
OFFICIAL HISTORY.
1778.
M. Henry Gerrish.
S. George Jackman, Lieut. Enoch Gerrish, Cutting Noyes,
Del. George Jackman.
1784.
M. S.
Peter Kimball. Enoch Gerrish, Peter Kimball, George Jackman.
1779.
M. Henry Gerrish.
S. George Jackman,
Enoch Gerrish,
Samuel Muzzy.
Del. George Jackman, Henry Gerrish.
1780.
M. Peter Kimball.
S. George Jackman,
Stephen Webster,
Cutting Noyes.
Rep. Henry Gerrish.
1781.
M. Henry Gerrish.
S. George Jackman,
Cutting Noyes, Capt. Peter Kimball.
1782.
M. Peter Coffin.
S. George Jackman, Joseph Jackman, David Corser.
1785.
M. Ebenezer Hidden.
S. Lient. Enoch Gerrish, Benjamin Sweatt, George Jackman.
Rep. George Jackman.
1786.
M. S. Samuel Fowler. George Jackman, Benjamin Sweatt, Lieut. Benjamin Jackman.
Rep. George Jackman.
1787.
M. Henry Gerrish.
S. Joseph Gerrish, Peter Kimball, Benjamin Little.
1788.
M. Henry Gerrish.
S. Joseph Gerrish, Cutting Noyes, Peter Kimball.
Rep. George Jackman,
Del. to Convention, Henry Gerrish.
1783.
M. Ebenezer Hidden.
S. George Jackman, Isaac Pearson, David Corser.
1789.
M. Peter Coffin.
S. Joseph Gerrish, Peter Kimball, Benjamin Little.
625
OFFICIAL HISTORY.
1790.
1796.
M. Josepb Gerrish.
S. Joseph Gerrish, Peter Kimball, Benjamin Little.
Rep. Henry Gerrish.
Enoch Little.
Rep.
Benjamin Little.
1791.
1797.
M. Enoch Gerrish.
M. Thomas Thorla.
S. Joseph Gerrish,
C. Tristram Noyes.
George Jackman,
Samuel Ames,
S. Winthrop Carter, Thomas Thorla,
Daniel Shepard.
Rep. Enoch Gerrish.
1792.
M. Enoch Gerrish.
S. Benjamin Little,
Enoch Gerrish,
Lieut. John Chandler.
Rep. Enoch Gerrish.
1793.
M. Henry Gerrish.
S. Joseph Gerrish, Benjamin Little, George Jackman.
Rep. Enoch Gerrish.
1794.
M. Henry Gerrish.
S. Joseph Gerrish,
Benjamin Little, George Jackman.
Rep. Enoch Gerrish.
1795.
M. Joseph Gerrish.
S. Joseph Gerrish, Enoch Little, George Jackman.
Rep. Benjamin Little.
1798.
M. Enoch Gerrish.
C. George Jackman,
S. Enoch Gerrish, Timothy Dix, Jr., Joseph Little.
Enoch Gerrish.
Rep. 1799. M. Maj. Enoch Gerrish.
C. George Jackman.
S. Enoch Gerrish,
Timothy Dix, Jr., Joseph Little.
Rep. Maj. Joseph Gerrish.
1800.
M. Thomas Thorla.
C. Samnel Choate.
S. Benjamin Jackman, "
Joseph Couch, Caleb Knight.
Rep. Enoch Gerrish.
1801. M. Nathaniel Green.
C. Samuel Choate.
S. Benjamin Jackman,
Joseph Couch, Caleb Knight.
Rep. Timothy Dix, Jr.
David Corser, Nathaniel Green. Rep. Henry Gerrish. Del. to revise State Constitution, Nathaniel Green.
M. Thomas Thorla.
C. Tristram Noyes.
S. Winthrop Carter, Thomas Thorla,
626
OFFICIAL HISTORY.
1802.
1808.
M. Nathaniel Green.
M. Joseph Gerrish.
C. Phinehas Bailey. C. Joel French.
S. Joseph Couch, S. Capt. Somersby Pearson,
Nathaniel Green, Samuel Muzzy.
Timothy Dix, Jr.
Rep. Enoch Gerrish.
Rep. 1803.
M. Enoch Gerrish.
C. Joseph Couch.
S. Nathaniel Green,
Nathan Davis, Benjamin Jackman.
Peletiah Peasley.
Rep.
Timothy Dix, Jr.
Rep. Enoch Gerrish.
1804.
1810.
M. Joseph Gerrish.
C. Samuel W. Lang.
S. Benjamin Jackman,
Isaac Chandler,
Joseph Little.
Thomas Coffin.
Rep. Ezekiel Webster.
1811.
M. Col. Joseph Gerrish.
C. Caleb Putney.
S. Benjamin Jackman,
S. Thomas Coffin,
Benjamin Little,
Joel French.
Rep. Ezekiel Webster.
1806.
1812.
M. Isaac Chandler.
C. Samuel W. Lang.
S. Joseph Little,
Daniel Pillsbury, .
Joseph Ames,
Capt. Moses Gerrish.
Rep. Benjamin Little.
Rep. Ezekiel Webster.
1807.
1813.
M. Joseph Gerrish.
M. Ezekiel Webster.
C. Joel French.
C. Samuel W. Lang.
S. Daniel Pillsbury,
S. Capt. Moses Gerrish,
Joseph Ames,
Nathan Chandler.
Rep. Benjamin Little. Rep. Ezekiel Webster.
1809.
M. Joseph Gerrish.
C. Joel French.
S. Stephen Gerrish,
Joseph H. Morrill,
S. Stephen Gerrish, Joseph Little,
Rep. 1805.
Timothy Dix, Jr.
M. Col. Joseph Gerrish.
C. Samuel W. Lang.
Joseph Little, Maj. Isaac Chandler. Caleb Knight.
Rep.
M. Joseph Gerrish.
C. Samuel Choate.
S. Nathan Chandler,
Joseph H. Morrill.
Joseph Little, Capt. Somersby Pearson.
Ezekiel Morse,
Stephen Gerrish.
M. Nathaniel Green.
C. Joseph Couch.
627
OFFICIAL HISTORY.
1814.
M. Ezekiel Webster.
C.
S.
Samuel W. Lang.
S. Nehemiah Cogswell, Samuel Little, Isaac Gerrish.
Rep.
Isaac Chandler.
Rep. 1815. Ezekiel Webster.
C. Samuel W. Lang.
S. Samuel Little, Moses Gerrish, Isaac Pearson.
Rep. Ezekiel Webster.
1822.
M. Ezekiel Webster.
S. Samuel Little,
Moses Gerrish,
Isaac Pearson.
Rep. Ezekiel Webster.
Rep. 1817. Enoch Little.
M. C. Hezekiah Fellows .*
S. Maj. Moses Gerrish, Daniel Pillsbury, Nehemiah Cogswell.
Jeremiah Gerrish.
M.
S. Col. Moses Gerrish, Nehemiah Cogswell, Samuel B. Gerrish. Rep. Jeremiah Gerrish.
1819.
M. Ezekiel Webster.
S. Nehemiah Cogswell, Joseph Couch, Daniel Pillsbury. · Rep. Isaac Chandler.
1824.
M. Ezekiel Webster.
S. John Farmer,
Nehemiah Cogswell,
Moses Fellows.
Rep.
Ezekiel Webster, Hezekiah Fellows.
1825.
M. Ezekiel Webster.
S. John Farmer,
Moses Fellows,
William H. Gage.
Rep. Ezekiel Webster,
Hezekiah Fellows.
* From this date to 1854 he was reelected.
1821.
M. Ezekiel Webster.
M.
S. Isaac Gerrish, Jesse Little, Joseph H. Morrill. Joseph Little.
Rep. 1816. Ezekiel Webster.
M. C. Samuel W. Lang.
S. Maj. Moses Gerrish, Daniel Pillsbury, Nathan Chandler. Joseph Little.
1823. M. Ezekiel Webster.
S. Col. Moses Gerrish, John Farmer, Thomas Gerrish.
Rep. Ezekiel Webster.
Rep. 1818. Ezekiel Webster.
Capt. Moses Gerrish, Joseph Ames, Isaac Gerrish. Ezekiel Webster.
1820.
M. Ezekiel Webster.
628
OFFICIAL HISTORY.
1826.
1832.
M. Ezekiel Webster.
M. John Farmer.
S. Moses Fellows,
S. Moses Fellows, William H. Gage,
Wyatt Boyden.
Rep. Moses Fellows.
1827.
1833.
M. John Farmer.
S.
Moses Fellows,
S. Moses Fellows,
William H. Gage,
Wyatt Boyden.
Rep. William II. Gage.
1828.
1834.
M. John Farmer.
S. Wyatt Boyden,
Abraham Burbank,
Hale Atkinson.
Rep.
John Farmer, Benjamin Kimball.
1829.
M. Ezekiel Webster.
S. Moses Fellows,
Simeon B. Little,
Thomas Gerrish.
Rep. John Farmer, John Greenough.
1830.
M. John Farmer.
M.
Moses Fellows,
S. Simeon Little,
Moses Fellows,
John C. Cogswell.
Rep. Nathan Plummer,
William II. Gage.
1837.
M Moses Fellows.
S. Simeon B. Little,
Moses Fellows,
John C. Cogswell.
Rep.
Moses Fellows, Thomas Coffin.
Rep. Nathan Plummer, Abraham Burbank.
S.
Moses Fellows,
Reuben Johnson,
Simeon B. Little.
Rep.
Ezekiel Webster, John Farmer.
1835.
M. John Farmer.
S. Abraham Burbank,
Hale Atkinson,
Moses Fellows.
Rep. John Farmer, Moses Fellows.
1836.
S. Moses Fellows.
Simeon B. Little,
Thomas Gerrish.
Rep. John Greenongh, Moses Fellows, 1831.
M. John Farmer,
S. Moses Fellows,
Simeon B. Little, Thomas Gerrish.
Rep.
William H. Gage, Joseph Couch, Jr. Hezekiah Fellows, Joseph Ames.
M. John Farmer.
William H. Gage, Joseph Couch, Jr. Ezekiel Webster, John Farmer.
Rep.
M. Ezekiel Webster.
629
OFFICIAL HISTORY.
1838.
M. Moses Fellows.
S. Simeon B. Little, Jeremiah Noyes, William M. Kimball. Abraham Burbank, Richard Gage.
Rep.
Rep.
Simeon B. Little. Caleb Smith, Samuel M. Durgin, Friend L. Burbank. Nathan Pearson, Jr., Abiel R. Chandler.
1845.
M. S. Moody A. Pillsbury, Caleb Smith, Thomas Elliot, Eliphalet Kilburn.
Rep. Thomas Gerrish, Luke Corser.
1846.
M. Simeon B. Little.
S.
Caleb Smith,
Samuel M. Durgin, Friend L. Burbank.
Rep. Thomas Gerrish, Luke Corser.
1841.
M. S.
Simeon B. Little.
M. Simeon B. Little.
S.
Hale Atkinson,
Samuel M. Durgin, Calvin Gage.
Rep. Abraham Burbank, Caleb Smith.
1848.
M. S.
Caleb Smith.
Eliphalet Kilburn, Abiel R. Chandler,
Friend L. Burbank.
Rep.
Abraham Burbank, Caleb Smith.
1849.
Simeon B. Little.
M. S. Hale Atkinson,
Abiel R. Chandler, Albert Danforth.
Rep. Calvin Gage.
M.
S.
Abiel R. Chandler, Nathan Pearson, Wyatt Boyden. Rep. Rev. Ebenezer Price, Elbridge F. Greenough. 1843.
M. Simeon B. Little.
Rep.
S. Benjamin F. Kimball, Thomas Elliot, William H. Gage. Abiel R. Chandler, Nathan Pearson, Jr.
1844.
M. S.
1839.
M. Simeon B. Little. S. William M. Kimball, Moses Fellows, Thomas Little. Rep. Richard Gage, Simeon B. Little.
1840.
M. S.
Simeon B. Little.
Thomas Little,
Rep.
Wyatt Boyden, Abiel R. Chandler. Simeon B. Little, Joseph Morrill.
1847.
Wyatt Boyden, Abiel Chandler, Nathan Pearson. Joseph Morrill, Rev. Ebenezer Price. 1842. Simeon B. Little.
Rep.
630
OFFICIAL HISTORY.
1850.
1855.
M. Simeon B. Little. M. Simeon B. Little.
S. Hale Atkinson, C. Franklin P. Atkinson.
Abner Sargent, S. Francis S. French, Simeon B. Little. Moses Whittier, Ira Sweatt.
Rep.
Calvin Gage, Paul Pearson.
Rep. Albert Runnels, Abner B. Winn.
1851.
1856.
M. Simeon B. Little.
S. Simeon B. Little,
Dan S. Balch,
David A. Gerrish.
Rep. Paul Pearson, Abiel Gerrish.
Ira Sweatt.
Rep. Albert Runnels, Abner B. Winn.
1852.
1857.
M. Simeon B. Little.
M.
Enoch Gerrish.
S. Simeon B. Little,
C.
George W. Stevens.
S. Abner Sargent,
Hale Atkinson,
Rep. Abiel Gerrish, Friend L. Burbank.
Rep.
Francis S. French, William M. Sweatt.
1853.
1858.
M. Simeon B. Little.
S. Simeon B. Little,
C.
David E. Burbank.
David A. Gerrish.
S. Moses Whittier, Enoch Gerrish,
Hale Atkinson.
David A. Gerrish.
Rep. Friend L. Burbank, John C. Gage.
Rep.
Francis S. French,
William M. Sweatt.
1854.
1859.
M. Enoch Gerrish.
C. David L. Burbank.
S. Enoch Gerrish,
Moses Gill,
Jeremiah S. Webber.
Rep.
Moses Whittier, Thaddeus O. Wilson.
MI. Simeon B. Little.
S. Abner Sargent,
Caleb Smith, Hale Atkinson.
Rep. John C. Gage, Enoch Little.
M. Simeon B. Little.
C. Franklin P. Atkinson.
S. Francis S. French, Moses Whittier,
David A. Gerrish, Hale Atkinson.
Caleb Smith.
M. Enoch Gerrish.
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631
OFFICIAL HISTORY.
1860.
1865.
M. Enoch Gerrish.
M. Franklin C. Morrill.
C. David E. Burbank. C. Calvin M. Chadwick.
S.
Enoch Gerrish,
S.
Nehemiah Butler,
George Knowles,
Samuel Choate.
Rep.
Jeremiah S. Webber,
Almon Harris.
Moses Whittier,
Thaddeus O. Wilson.
Rep. David A. Gerrish.
1861.
M. Isaac K. Gage.
C. Isaiah H. Arey.
S.
Almon Harris,
Francis S. French,
Hale Atkinson.
James II. Gill.
Rep. David A. Gerrish.
1862.
1867.
M.
Isaac K. Gage.
C. Charles Smith.
S. Enoch G. Wood, Healey Morse,
James H. Gill.
Rep. Franklin C. Morrill.
1863.
1868.
M. Franklin C. Morrill.
C. Charles E. Chadwick.
S. Nehemiah Butler, Ezra S. Harris,
Bradley Atkinson.
Rep. Franklin C. Morrill.
1864.
M. Franklin C. Morrill.
C. Isaiah H. Arey.
S. Nehemiah Butler, George Knowles, Samuel Choate.
Rep. Almon Harris.
1869.
M. Franklin C. Morrill.
C. Charles E. Chadwick.
S. Ezra S. Harris, Luther Gage, Bradley Atkinson.
Rep. Nehemiah Butler.
M. Jonathan Tenney.
C. Isaiah H. Arey.
S. Nehemiah Butler, Peter Coffin,
George Knowles.
Rep. Almon Harris.
1866.
M. Franklin C. Morrill.
C. Charles Smith.
S. Enoch G. Wood, Healey Morse,
M. Nathan B. Greene.
C. Isaiah H. Arey.
S. Almon Harris, Francis S. French,
Peter Coffin.
Rep. Luther Gage.
Rep. Luther Gagc.
632
OFFICIAL HISTORY.
1870.
1874.
M. Thaddeus O. Wilson. M. David F. Kimball.
C. Charles E Chadwick. C. Charles E. Chadwick.
S. Nehemiah Butler, S. Nehemiah Butler,
Hamilton P. Gill,
Joseph G. Eastman.
Rep. Nehemiah Butler.
Rep. Marcus K. Howser.
1871.
1875.
M. Thaddeus O. Wilson.
C. John Seavey.
S. Calvin Gage, S. Nehemiah Butler,
John E. Rines,
Enoch G. Wood.
Austin G. Kimball.
Rep. Enoch G. Wood.
Rep. Marcus K. Howser.
1872.
1876.
M. David F. Kimball.
M. Calvin Gage.
C. Charles E. Chadwick. C. George A. Morse.
S. David F. Kimball, Marcus K. Howser,
S. John C. Gage,
Enoch G. Wood,
Samuel B. Chadwick.
Caleb C. Hall.
Rep.
Daniel Y. Bickford.
Rep. Nathaniel S. Webster.
1873.
1877.
M. David F. Kimball. M. Thaddeus O. Wilson.
C. Charles E. Chadwick. C. Charles E. Chadwick.
S. David F. Kimball, S. John C. Gage,
Marcus K. Howser,
Caleb C. Hall,
Samuel B. Chadwick.
Luther Gage.
Rep. Daniel Y. Bickford. Rep. Nathaniel S. Webster.
1878.
M. David F. Kimball. C. Charles E. Chadwick. S. Luther Gage, Charles W. Hardy, Marcus K. Howser.
Rep. Peter Coffin.
Marcus K. Howser,
Samuel B. Chadwick.
M. David F. Kimball.
C. Charles E. Chadwick.
Joseph G. Eastman,
633
OFFICIAL HISTORY.
TOWN OFFICERS OF WEBSTER.
The act incorporating the town of Webster was passed at the June session of the legislature, 1860, Jeremiah S. Webber and Joseph L. Couch being empowered to call the first town-meeting, which was held August, 1860.
1860.
1865.
M. Simeon B. Little.
M. Simeon B. Little.
C. David E. Burbank. C. Atherton Sweatt.
S. John C. Pearson,
S. Nathan Pearson, Jeremiah S. Webber, Albert Runnels.
Hiram G. Stone, Henry H. Gerrish.
Rep. George Little.
1861.
M. Simeon B. Little.
C. David E. Burbank.
C.
Atherton Sweatt.
S. Jeremiah S. Webber, Albert Runnels,
George Little.
Henry H. Gerrish, Sherman Little. No Rep.
Rep. Albert Runnels.
1862.
1867.
M. Simeon B. Little.
M. Joseph L. Couch.
C. David E. Burbank.
C. Atherton Sweatt.
S.
George Little,
S. John Colby, John Sanborn,
William D. Call, David A. Macurdy. *
D. C. Hubbard.
Rep. William D. Call.
1863.
1868.
M. Simeon B. Little.
M. David A. Macurdy.
C. Atherton Sweatt.
C. Atherton Sweatt.
S. George Little,
S. Sherman Little,
William D. Call,
William W. Austin,
Atherton Sweatt.
Rep.
John C. Pearson. Jeremiah S. Webber.
Rep.
William D. Call.
1864.
1869. M. David A. Macurdy.
C. Atherton Sweatt.
C. Atherton Sweatt.
S. William D. Call,
S. Sherman Little,
John C. Pearson,
William W. Austin,
Hiram G. Stone.
Atherton Sweatt.
Rep. George Little.
Rep.
David A. Macurdy.
1866. M. Simeon B. Little.
Hiram G. Stone,
S.
M. Simeon B. Little.
* After many ballots for representative without choice, the town voted not to send.
634
OFFICIAL HISTORY.
1870.
1874.
M. David A. Macurdy. M. Sherman Little.
C. Atherton Sweatt. C. Atherton Sweatt.
S. Charles E. Kimball, Joseph L. Couch, Atherton Sweatt.
S.
William W. Burbank,
Charles C. Kimball,
George Little.
Rep. Albee C. Sweatt.
1871.
M. David S. Corser.
C. Atherton Sweatt.
S. Charles E. Kimball, P. F. S. Clark, C. Sweatt.
Hiram G. Stone,
James L. Gerrish.
Rep.
John C. Pearson.
Rep. Sherman Little.
1872.
1876.
M. David S. Corser.
M. Sherman Little.
C. Atherton Sweatt.
C. Atherton Sweatt.
S. Albe C. Sweatt,
S. Charles C. Kimball,
P. F. S. Clark,
James L. Gerrish,
William W. Burbank.
James M. Snyder.
Rep.
John C. Pearson.
Rep. Sherman Little.
1873.
1877.
M. Sherman Little. M. Sherman Little.
C. Atherton Sweatt. C. Atherton Sweatt.
S. Atherton Sweatt, S. James L. Gerrish, James M. Snyder,
P. F. S. Clark,
William W. Burbank.
William W. Austin.
Rep.
Albee C. Sweatt. Rep. Charles C. Kimball.
1878.
M. Sherman Little. C. Atherton Sweatt.
S. James M. Snyder, William W. Austin,
Moody A. Pillsbury.
Rep. Charles C. Kimball.
1875.
M. Sherman Little.
C. Atherton Sweatt.
S. Charles C. Kimball,
et. So Gerrish
635
POPULATION-ELEVATIONS.
POPULATION.
The first census of the town was that of 1767 [p. 99], 285 inhabitants. In 1783, when the first census after the Revolution was taken, the number was 756 [p. 128]. The first census of the general government was in 1790. The returns are as follows :
1767,
285
1830,
2093
1783,
756
1840,
1965
1790,
1108
1850,
2063
1800,
1414
1860,
1458*
1810,
1829
1870,
1637
1820,
2116
WEBSTER.
1860,
817
1870,
689
ELEVATIONS.
The "Geology of New Hampshire," by Prof. C. H. Hitchcock, vol. 1, contains a chapter on altitudes in the state, that have been obtained accurately by the various railroad surveys,-others less accurately by barometrical measurements made by the Geological Survey, and by the trigonometrical measurements of the United States Coast Survey. The measurements are above tide-water, and those along the Northern Railroad are made on the top of the rail at the various localities. They are given in feet and hun- dredths of feet :
Feet.
Fisherville bridge, leading to Duston island,
267.89
Boscawen depot,
273.89
North Boscawen depot,
290.01
The altitudes along the Blackwater were obtained by surveys made in 1845, and again in 1871 :
Feet.
Mast Yard (in Concord),
374.57
Dingit corner,
479.90
Blackwater river, near mill above Dingit corner,
442.96
Bank of river on level land near residence of Orlando Fitts,
508.80
Bank of river above Blackwater mills, 555.00
North line of Webster,
568.72
* Town divided .
41
636
HEALTH.
The United States Coast Survey, by trigonometrical measure- ments made from the station on Kearsarge mountain, gives two measurements in Webster :
Feet.
Blackwater mills, 555.00 786.00
Corser hill meeting-house,
The highest land in Webster is the hill west of the residence of Capt. William D. George, which probably has an elevation of be- tween 900 and 1,000 feet. Mount Washington is plainly seen from that point in a clear atmosphere. The White Mountains may also be seen from the residence of Peter M. Chadwick, in Boscawen, and probably from other localities.
As the Merrimack forms the eastern and the Contoocook skirts the southern boundaries, the lowest elevation is at the junction of the two streams, 267.89 feet above tide-water. Nearly all the ter- ritory-all except the intervale of the Merrimack-has an elevation exceeding 300 feet ; while Clark's hill, Upper High street, North Water street, Cook's hill, Little hill, and Sanborn's hill, have ele- vations approaching 1,000 feet.
HEALTH.
A territory like that comprised in the seven miles square grant- ed to the proprietors of Contoocook, diversified by hills and vales, with a primitive geological formation, with an altitude varying from 300 to 1,000 feet above the sea, with pure water flowing from innumerable springs and everywhere obtainable, never will be subject to malarial disease, or epidemic of any kind, if proper attention be given to hygienic laws.
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