USA > New Hampshire > Grafton County > Canaan > The history of Canaan, New Hampshire > Part 7
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It was a sin unpardonable to be a pauper, or unfortunately poor. Our tramps were treated with more consideration, as the following will show :
State of New Hampshire. Grafton, ss.
To Mr. John Scofield Constable for the town of Canaan for the present year. You are hereby required in the name and government of the people of said state, to warn off said Canaan, sundry persons now dwell- ing in said town, viz., Abigail Cooley and Theodate Flanders with Coffey her child. Their neglect of departing within fourteen days
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TOWN MEETINGS, 1786-1797.
will expose them to the penalty of the law. Therefore fail not and make return of your doings.
WILLIAM RICHARDSON CALEB WELCH JEHU JONES
Selectmen.
Canaan Aug 9 AD 1786.
The constable states in his return that he read this precept within the hearing of these unfortunate women, who, looking in vain for some hospitable door to open to them, wearily passed over our bounds, and were heard of no more. In the following year similar warnings were given to Francis and Mehitable Ken- niston and their seven children, to Hannah Stevens and to Sar- gent Blaisdell, a brother of Daniel and Parrott Blaisdell, a soldier who had failed to gain a residence anywhere. Also to Abigail Finch "to depart from this town that they may not become chargeable." "Those people that will make oath that they have paid their poll tax in any other town for the year 1781 shall be exempt from paying in this town for that year."
William Richardson, Major Jones and Benjamin Sawyer were appointed "to lay out a road from the old Wolfeborough road to Mr. Bradbury's land." That road has been made fourteen years, and now they call it "old." It is doubtful if it ever was traveled by any one after the governor's journey. William Bradbury had moved on to his farm which was then the north- west corner of the town, next to the old town line, in 1785, from Newburyport. He cleared it up by hand, and while doing it lived with William Richardson.
"Voted that we instruct our representative in order to in- courage the making of paper money." Jesse Johnson of Enfield was the representative of the towns of Canaan, Enfield, Dor- chester, Cardigan and Grafton, and he was instructed by the following notice :
At a legal meeting holden in Canaan on Tuesday the 8'day of August 1786 the inhabitants of sd Town unanimously voted to have paper money made.
DAVID FOGG, Town Clerk.
And Major Jones, Esquire Ayer and David Fogg were chosen a committee "to instruct our representative." The reason for this vote we learn from other sources. In January, 1777, one 5
1
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HISTORY OF CANAAN.
hundred pounds of silver or gold was equal to the same in Continental money. In February it took 104 pounds of Conti- nental money to equal one hundred pounds of silver or gold. In January, 1778, Continental money had depreciated so that it took 325 pounds to equal one hundred pounds of gold. In 1779 it took 742 pounds; in January, 1780, 2,934 pounds, and in June, 1781, one hundred pounds of silver or gold would buy 12,000 pounds of Continental money. Neither debts nor taxes could be paid, and much distress existed in every community. The great struggle for independence had terminated in the emancipation of the people from foreign jurisdiction, but the people were suffering from the lack of any system by which values could be approximated. A large debt accumulated by the war remained to be discharged. Requisitions for this pur- pose were made by Congress and by the state governments. The course of trade was not in favor of the colonists, consequently the silver and gold gradually disappeared. So large was the balance of trade against the colonies that it seemed impossible that any system of imposts could be adopted by which the coin could have been retained. Recourse was had to the usual mode of taxation on polls and estates, by which means heavy burdens were laid upon the husbandman and the laborer. Private credi- tors, who had suffered long by forbearance, were importunate for their dues, and the courts were full of suits. Various remedies were suggested by the people, who felt themselves oppressed, but that which offered quickest relief was a new emission of paper bills founded on real estate and loaned on interest. The cry for paper money was incessant and universal. It was to be the panacea for all troubles. But to all the clamors of the people there could be but one response, that it was not in the power of any legislature to pass any law that would secure paper from depreciation. A law was passed, called the "tender act," by which it was provided that executions issued for private demands might be satisfied by cattle and other enumerated articles, at an appraisal of impartial men under oath. This act was limited to two years, before the expiration of which it was revived with al- teration and continued for three years longer. The effect of this law, where attempts were made to execute it, was that the most
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TOWN MEETINGS, 1786-1797.
valuable kinds of property were either concealed or made over to third parties, and whenever the sheriff appeared he could only levy upon articles of little value. Attempts were made by the legislature to encourage the importation of money from abroad by exempting goods from port duties. But all these efforts were in vain. No encouragement could be given for the circulation of money while the tender act was in force, because every man who had money felt it was safe only in his own pocket.
The cry for paper money was like a raging fever. In every town there was a party in favor of it, and against all laws which obliged men to pay their debts. This same party also clamored against courts and lawyers. The abolition of the courts was demanded, as being sinecures, whereby clerks, judges and law- yers enriched themselves at the expense of the people.
To still the alarm and collect the real sense of the people on the subject of paper money, the assembly formed the plan for the emission of fifty thousand pounds, to be let at four per cent., on landed security ; to be a tender in payment of state taxes and for the fees and salaries of public officers. This plan was imme- diately printed and sent to the several towns, and the people were desired to give their opinion for and against it and make return at the next session of the assembly.
The excitement upon the subject was kept up by inter- ested parties, who spread false reports in regard to the acts of the government. When the assembly again met at Exeter they were surrounded by a body of two hundred armed men, who in a threatening manner, demanded an issue of paper money, an equal distribution of property and a release from debts. Sen- tries were placed at the doors and the whole legislature was held prisoner, the mob threatening death to any person who should attempt to escape before their demands were granted. They continued their riotous demonstrations through the day, when they withdrew and spent the night upon a hill a mile away. The next morning they were attacked by the militia and dispersed, some forty being made prisoners, who were subse- quently discharged upon making humiliating submissions. The dignity of the government being vindicated, its lenity became conspicuous. The plan adopted by the assembly for the issue
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HISTORY OF CANAAN.
of paper money was not sustained in the returns made by a majority of the towns and all the questions touching upon it were determined in the negative. And in Canaan it was "Voted that the handbill respecting paper be not adopted."
It was found by many patriots that the American Revolution would not produce that sum of political happiness, which its warmest advocates had formerly predicted. The efforts of the factions in several of the states had produced alarming results. But the powers of government being exerted with vigor, the spirit of anarchy was suppressed and the hopes of good men grew strong. Major Jones was appointed collector "to collect what remains due on a tax bill for the year 1779 in certificates agreeable to the scale of depreciation at the time it was due to the treasury."
In 1787, twenty pounds was raised to defray town charges, and ten shillings on the pound for highways. "Voted to sell the necessary wood for Mr. Walters' support at Vendue to the lowest bidder," and a committee was appointed to let out his place as long as they shall think proper. Joseph Walters was an invalid soldier and needed daily care. He was poor also, but owning land and being an old resident, he could not be warned off the town. Mr. Baldwin was voted thirty pounds in labor and produce this year and his estate was exempt from taxation, as it had been last year. The votes for a president on the thirteenth day of March, 1787: John Langdon, 23; John Sullivan, 9. Joshua Harris was appointed the first coroner in town, this year, by the president and council, and this office he held for ten years. Oliver Smith held the office one year, in 1798.
In 1788, Mr. Walters' care is bid off to Richard Otis for nine pounds. "Mr. Otis is to support the fire, that is wood conven- ient be found at the door cut suitable for the fire, and when necessary the fire be made, and also two cows shall be well pas- tured on the place in case there is feed enough grows, and that they be provided for in winter, or so long as it is necessary that this should be fed with hay, and fed therewith when it shall be needful, to be kept on the place while they give milk." The town was to pay the bill in wheat or other grain at the rate of five shillings per bushel. Mr. Otis was to have all the feed over
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TOWN MEETINGS, 1786-1797.
and above what was needed to keep the cows. But Mr. Walters was to have the privilege of keeping two hogs, the town to inclose a small spot to pasture them. John Currier's name appears for the first time as surveyor of highways, Samuel Noyes as a select- man, and Thaddeus Lathrop as a fence-viewer. The votes for president this year were: John Sullivan, 1; John Langdon, 21; Josiah Bartlett, 7. And here appear the first votes for senator : Jonathan Freeman, 4; Colonel Payne, 18; and Bezaleel Wood- ward, 7.
At this meeting, March 11, it was "Voted to build a Meeting House." On May 9, a meeting was called to see about the build- ing of the meeting house, and a committee was appointed to report on June 10, at which time the people got into a con- troversy as to the size of the house, the spot upon which to build it, its shape and other matters, got badly out of humor and went home. They said no more about a meeting house for several years. On December 15, "in obedience to an act of the State of New Hampshire," the legal voters met at Capt. Robert Barber's and voted for representatives to the first Congress and for the five electors for the first president of the United States. The votes for representative were : General Sullivan, 11; General Peabody, 10; General Bellows, 12; Judge Livermore, 18; Judge Calf, 5. For the electors : Jonathan Freeman, Esq., 19; Colonel Toppin, 19; Col. P. Long, 19; General Dow, 19; Maj. Daniel Tilton, 9; General Badger, 10. The "Selectmen are to provide things for the support of the Widow Birt and her family, that they are under necessity for." Her husband, "Ben Rob," had served in many campaigns, and had come home wounded and broken in health, and was now dead.
Maj. Samuel Jones was appointed treasurer without any other bonds than his own for the present year. The selectman are as loath to account as our tax collectors were before the passage of the law that compelled them to close their books every year. And "Mr. John Harris, Ensign Daniel Blaisdell and Capt. Joshua Harris were chosen to settle with the select- men for the years 1787-1788. Also to settle with former Select- men which have not already settled, and act discretionary in the matter."
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HISTORY OF CANAAN.
Jesse Johnson of East Enfield was appointed delegate to the convention in 1788 to ratify the Federal Constitution. He repre- sented the towns of Canaan, Enfield, Dorchester, Orange, Han- over and Grafton.
In 1789, Jehu Jones warns Eliphalet Norris and Lydia Norris and four children, also Francis Kenniston, who does not seem to have paid much attention to the first warning; Ichabod Honey, Betty Honey and Ebenezer Honey to "depart out of this town" for fear they might become town charges.
At the annual meeting there are twenty-eight votes cast for president of the assembly. "Voted not to raise any money for schooling this year." Times are bad, money scarce and hard to get, wages low. Other things must be had, so we will let the school-master wait awhile and study at home by the blazing back-log. But we will vote to pay the county tax of 1783 of thirteen pounds, which we repudiated, and twenty pounds to defray town charges.
Some of these good men worried lest the selectmen had been or might be led into temptation, and become thievish, so they voted "the selectmen for 1785 be put upon oath respecting the towns money from the year 1781 to 1786," but they neglected to tell us how hard they swore or what they swore about.
The poor they always had with them, and they needed care. Wood for the poor was vendued by the cord to the lowest bidder. Ezekiel Gardner bid off one cord to draw to the Widow Birt and cut it fit for the fire for six shillings. Capt. Robert Barber bid off one cord for six. Parrott Blaisdell bid off one cord for seven and six pence, the latter to be drawn to Lieut. Thomas Miner's for Mr. Walters. In 1790, Mr. Walter, whose serious illness had been a severe trial upon the sympathy and good nature of the people, was finally disposed of. An agreement was made with Thomas Miner, that he should receive a deed of all Mr. Walter's interests in Canaan, and take him and support him during his natural life, both in sickness and health. And the selectmen conveyed to Mr. Miner and took bonds for Mr. Walter's support. And David Dustin was to take "Widow Birts son Will that lives with her for ten pounds." "Uncle David," as he was called in after years, was a friendly
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TOWN MEETINGS, 1786-1797.
man, kind-hearted, and the widow's son had a good home while in his house. So, also, it was voted "to let Jehu Jones have the order of the town upon the Treasurer for twenty pounds or upward and excuse him from collecting the hard money bill committed to him, he engaging to collect a bill in certificates in room of it, which bill shall be made out to him hereafter by the selectmen." And "that Jehu Jones pay back to those persons who have paid him their tax on the hard money bill that the Town excused him from collecting." Thirty pounds was raised for the support of Elder Baldwin, "excepting those who are conscience bound that they can not support ministers that way." Wheat at five shillings a bushel was made a legal tender for town taxes. And the selectmen were instructed "to provide a measure for a standard to try half bushels with."
Richard Otis warns William Hukins, Samuel Folsom, his wife Anne, and five children, Joshua Cushen, Deborah and Soloman Cushen, Sarah Walter and Sarah Fox, to leave town, because they are poor. The first jurors' meeting was held on March 30, 1790, and Thomas Miner was chosen the first grand juror from this town and Ezekiel Wells the first petit juror.
This year the town sold the Lock lot "for the purpose of dis- charging a debt the town owes in state notes and certificates. Which were hired for the town's use in the year 1789." The census of the town, taken in 1790, gives the number of inhabi- tants as 483, an increase in four years of 230.
In 1791, no money was raised for town charges, but the usual rate was voted for highways. Thirty-seven votes were cast for Josiah Bartlett for president. David Dustin was town clerk.
In 1792, nine pounds was raised for town charges and wheat could be taken in settlement. Deacon Welch is exempted from paying "pole tax for his son Dan that was taken away by death." Widow Worth was cleared of all taxes due Mr. Gilman, he being the constable and collector. "Voted if Grafton will agree to the same we will for the Futer meet at Mr. Clifford's for the choice of representative." On the 7th of May a special meeting was called to act upon the amendments to the constitution of the state. Sixty affirmative and thirteen negative votes were re- ceived. Deacon Welch "is permited to erect a number of small
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HISTORY OF CANAAN.
buildings on the highway opesit to his house and barn not to extend more than twenty feet from Jehu Jones line for the term of Twenty years." On August 27 was held the presidential election and the following electors received the following votes : Daniel Rindge, 25; Gen. Joshua Colby, 23; Jonathan Freeman, 34; Judge Thomas Cogswell, 36; Capt. Daniel Warner, 27; Gen. Benjamin Bellows, 32.
In the warning for October 10 there is this article: "3rd. To see if the Town will agree to have the enockalation of the small pox set up under propper Restrictions :" At the meeting they voted "not to have the Small Pox set up by enockelation."
About 1785, an institution for sanitary purposes was estab- lished under the shadow of Cardigan Mountain. It was called "The Pest House," a name suggestive of contagion, disease, death. It was a place of refuge for persons afflicted with small- pox, where they could receive the best treatment which the lim- ited knowledge of the disease could suggest. It has been said that the house was once the residence of Col. Elisha Paine, a proprietor and one of the first settlers in Cardigan, and in his day a prominent and troublesome man, both socially and politi- cally. This is a mistake. Colonel Paine built his house over an ancient cellar hole nearer the center of the town. Some time in the eighties smallpox appeared in this state. The people were terrified at its ravages and in many places fled at its approach, and left the hapless victims to care for themselves. Benevolent and thoughtful men began wearying themselves with projects for the treatment of the scourge, and how a cordon could be drawn about it, so as to confine it within narrow limits, and the residents in exposed localities feel safe to return to their usual labors. The idea of establishing a pest house was brought out at an assembly of gentlemen who had met to confer upon the demoralized condition of the people and if possible provide a remedy. The suggestion was adopted at once and a committee appointed to select the location for the house. Some of these gentlemen were familiar with the topography of Cardigan region. Its dense mountain loneliness had not yet attracted settlements. And a pest house filled with smallpox patients would be a signal to all who might wish to lay down their
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TOWN MEETINGS, 1786-1797.
burdens here to seek some other asylum. A cellar was dug and wells were sunk and a house 36 x 30, two stories high, was erected, together with convenient out-buildings. And to this lonely asylum of wretchedness, the unfortunate victims of that terrible disease wended their sad way, from various parts of the state, in order that they might receive the needed care and kindly treatment which was denied them at home.
It is reported that at one time some thirty students at Dart- mouth College were sent there and some of the professors also repaired thither. Among these exiles were some who afterwards were distinguished in their various callings. Thomas G. Fessen- den was a well-known agricultural journalist; Parker Noyes became a distinguished lawyer; Philander Chase became a. bishop, and was founder of several western colleges; Seth Cur- rier, brother of John, of Canaan, a merchant. They were of the class of '96. These young men were detained at the pest house six weeks, long, dreary, heart-breaking weeks of sickening dis- gust to all of them, during which time they were not permitted intercourse with friends outside. Some of the patients died, and were quietly buried on the grounds, a short distance from the house, but no stones ever marked the resting place. Nathan Briggs, a farmer of the vicinity, was a patient for six weeks, and was constantly reminded of the sickening danger by the strong antiseptic remedies used to purify the air. The old man used to tell of the homesickness and feeling of loneliness which seized upon the young persons confined there, and seemed to be almost as bad as the disease they were forced to face day by day. It was in 1796 that Doctor Jenner made his first experiment of transferring the pus from the pustule of a milkmaid, who had caught the cow-pox from the cows, to a healthy child. The result was published and the practice spread throughout the civilized world. But it was not accepted everywhere. Two years after Doctor Jenner's experiment, the practice had not been adopted in the pest house under the shadow of old Cardigan.
In February, 1793, the matter came up again and it was again voted "not to have the Small Pox by enockalation set up in sª town." So much excitement prevailed that a special meeting was called in March "to see if the town will have the Small Pox
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HISTORY OF CANAAN.
come into sd Town by way of enockalation under proper re- strictions." And it was voted "not to have the Small pox come into sd Town by way of enockalation" under any proper or improper restrictions. Again, after two years, an effort was made to induce the town "to adopt the practice of inoculation for small pox," but the doubts in regard to the success or utility of the practice were so strong among the intelligent voters of that age that it was voted "to pass the article." It was about this time that the pest house was gradually cleared of its patients, either by death or successful treatment. And the buildings were left for the winds and storms to howl among their decaying timbers until they rotted away and became a part of the soil upon which they stood. And the only knowledge we possess of this institu- tion is the unwritten legends that come down from those sad days.
The purveyor of the house was Daniel Blaisdell of Canaan, who lived on the farm once Prescott Clark's .. He contracted to furnish vegetables and wholesome provisions to its inmates at reasonable prices. In order that he might approach the house without danger of contracting the disease, he arranged by build- ing roads so that he could always approach the house to the windward. Then driving his cart and oxen as near to the house as prudent, he would stop and call loudly to announce his arrival. Then, unloading, he would depart as he came, having little inter- course with the inmates. It is further reported that he was a faithful purveyor, and that his provisions were fresh, wholesome and abundant.
The physician in charge was Doctor Tiffany from Connecticut, a skillful, self-reliant man. He had brought with him as an assistant, a young man named Storrs. One day, in the absence of the doctor, Mr. Storrs decided to vaccinate himself in his own way. He did so by injecting the virus between his eyes. On the doctor's return the young man reported to him what he had done. The doctor examined him with anxiety, for some moments, and then very quietly said : "If you, my young friend, have any communications to make to your friends, it will be wise for you to do so without delay. You have committed a fatal error, and I know of no remedy that can save you from death." The young man died.
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TOWN MEETINGS, 1786-1797.
On October 10, 1792, the town voted "that the selectmen settle with Mr. Joslin with Regard to Mr. Treadway's taxes dis- cretionary." Mr. Treadway had left town and did not pay his taxes.
In 1793, the collectorship of the taxes was set up at public vendue for the first time "to the lowest bidder and him to be the collector providing he gits bonds to the Satisfaction of the town." "That the man that bids of the collectorship shall not be holden unless he hes the Constables both likewise." These two offices continued to be held by one person for many years afterwards. It was voted "that John Burdick procure a stand- ard of weights and measures." And here is the first vote for governor : Josiah Bartlett, 35 votes; John Langdon, 7 votes.
Here is a curious vote. Some one had been "up against it"; somebody's feelings or otherwise had been hurt, and even to this day some people go to the legislature and enact laws out of spite against some one whose property has offended them. "Voted that if any mans Ram is found in his neighbors inclosures from the tenth day of September to the middle of November, the owner of such stray Ram shall pay One Dollar or forfeit his Ram which he pleases."
Jacob Hovey's wife and child are still paupers, their care to be paid for in "Grane."
There are two burying grounds at this time and it is voted to fence them "with Boards and Posts." Lieut. William Richard- son, Mr. Jon. Carlton, Lieut. R. Whittier, committee for the "North Burying Yard"; John Burdick, Jehu Jones and Lieut. Thomas Miner for the "South Deestrict."
In 1794, the population of the town was, by the New Hamp- shire Register, 483. John Harris is paid by the town "for going after Jacob Hovey." Jacob may have deserted his wife and left her a town charge. He is brought back and his family no more appear as town charges. Hovey lived on the north side of the Wolfeborough Road, afterwards Luther Kinney's farm. The collectorship is bid off to Dudley Gilman for one half-pence on the pound.
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