USA > New Hampshire > Merrimack County > Concord > The history of Concord : from its first grant in 1725, to the organization of the city government in 1853, with a history of the ancient Penacooks ; the whole interspersed with numerous interesting incidents and anecdotes, down to the present period, 1885 > Part 31
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78
. David George, Esq.
Pound-keepers, .
Representative,
Maj. Wm. Dunean. Thomas Wilson,
Thomas Wilson.
Surveyors of Wood,
Jacob Eastman.
Hay-ward, .
Robert Harris.
-
Surveyors of Highways,
Daniel Rogers,
. Daniel Rogers,
Dea. D. Hall,
Hazzen Kimball,
Oliver Hoit,
John Elliott,
Chandler Lovejoy,
Lt. Phinehas Virgin,
Wm. Partridge,
Wm. Partridge.
Col. Thomas Stickney,
. Lt. Asa Herrick.
Maj. Daniel Livermore.
Constables, .
CHAPTER XI.
HISTORY OF CONCORD FROM 1795 TO 1805.
IN March, 1795, three collectors were appointed, one for each section of the town, viz. : south, west and east. Hanes Farnum agreed to collect for 32d., John Batchelder, jr., 42d., and Ebenezer Eastman, for 42d. In 1796 forty dollars were appro- priated to fence the burying ground, and to purchase a pall ; and Capt. Reuben Kimball was appointed agent to finish the Town House. The SINGING SOCIETY, formed about this time, was allowed the use of the Town House to sing in - provided " they leave the house in as good repair as it is when they go into the house." In 1797, £150 were raised to supply the school ~ the largest sum ever raised for that purpose.
RESIGNATION OF REV. MR. EVANS.
April 21, 1797, Rev. Mr. Evans in a written communication signified " his intention of resigning to the town their pulpit, and of finishing his work of the ministry in this place, on the first of July next." The resignation of Mr. Evans was accepted, and he was regularly dismissed, July 5th, by an Ecclesiastical Council, composed of the " Elders and Delegates of the neigh- boring churches, viz., Gilmanton, Sanbornton, Atkinson, Am- herst, Canterbury, Loudon and Pembroke. In their result, after recapitulating the facts in the case, the council voted, unani- mously, " that in the opinion of the council it is expedient that the pastoral relations between Mr. Evans and the church and people
320
HISTORY OF CONCORD.
in this place, should be dissolved, and accordingly it is dissolved. As no charges have been exhibited against the ministerial or Chris- tian character of Mr. Evans, we recommend him to the churches, and to the work of the ministry, wherever God in his providence may open a door, and wish him divine assistance and success."
After his dismission Rev. Mr. Evans continued to reside in town -living in the house which he owned, where the Hon. Samuel Morril now lives - until his death, March 9, 1807, in the sixtieth year of his age."
Soon after the dismission of Rev. Mr. Evans, Mr. ASA MCFARLAND, who had become favorably known to the people of Concord as a teacher of music, and who had been two years a tutor in Dartmouth College, was employed to preach as a candi- date. On the 28th of December the town voted " to give Mr. Asa MeFarland a call to settle in the ministry in this town ;" " to give him three hundred and fifty dollars salary yearly, and the use of all the improved land belonging to the parsonage right, and liberty to cut wood and timber on the out lands, as much as he may want for his own use during his carrying on the work of the ministry in this town." Jacob Abbot, Esq., Capt. Joshua Abbot, Timothy Walker, Esq., Capt. Jonathan Eastman, and John Bradley, Esq., were appointed a committee to wait on Mr. MeFarland with the votes.
The call from the church, which preceded that from the town, was unanimous : but to the latter the following persons entered their dissent to Mr. McFarland's salary, January 4, 1798, viz. : Jeremiah Wheeler, Asa Graham, Robert Ambrose, Jonathan Ambrose, Oliver Flanders, Philbrick Bradley, John Hoit, John Hoit, jr., Jacob Hoit, Chandler Lovejoy, John Lovejoy, Ebenezer Lovejoy, Samuel Goodwin, Edward Philbrick, John Dimond, Reuben Dimond, Jonathan Virgin, Moses Gale, Timothy Bradley, Stilson Eastman, Eliphalet Tucker, Joseph Eastman.
Most of the above named individuals afterwards became not only the supporters of Rev. Mr. McFarland, by paying their annual tax for his salary, but also were personal friends, and some of them members of his church.
* See Result of Council, Town Records, 1797, p. 229, and Biographical Notice of Rev. Mr. Evans.
321
ORDINATION OF DR. MCFARLAND.
Mr. McFarland gave an affirmative answer to the call, and was ordained March 7, 1798 .* A committee of five was appointed to superintend the services, viz. : Capt. Richard Ayer, James Walker, Jonathan Eastman, Jacob Carter and John Batchelder -" with power to make provision for the Council and Delegates that may attend - at the expense of the town."
The ordination of Mr. McFarland was an occasion of great interest. Tradition assures us that people came together from neighboring towns, at the distance of twenty miles and more ; that near and around the meeting-house were stands, for the sale of refreshments, and among other necessary articles, spirituous liquors. The procession of the ordaining council, from the town- house to the meeting-house, was attended by a band of music ; and, to crown the solemnity of the occasion, there was a splendid ball in the evening, at Stickney's celebrated tavern !t
Just before the settlement of Mr. McFarland the town voted, " that those persons who drive sleighs on Sunday be desired to keep on the east side of the street." At this period there were no side-walks, and travelling on foot was especially inconvenient in the winter.
It was Dr. McFarland's custom, during the greater part of his
* To the Church and People of Concord.
BRETHREN - As I have received your invitation to settle among you as your minister, it is expedient that I should make known to you the result of my deliberations on that important subject. You are sensible that this is a subject of magnitude, both as it respects you, and as it respects myself. It is a subject which involves the interest of religion, so far as the influence of this transaction shall extend. It is, then, a subject which requires a seber and prayerful deliberation. It would be unnecessary for me to relate to you the anxiety with which my mind has labored, in view of my own inability, and the weight of that object which your invitation involves : and it has been my prayer to God, that he would direct me to those things which will be for the interest of religion. After deliberating respecting the importance of the object, and my own duty, I have thought fit to comply with your invitation, and do therefore comply with it - Praying that God would crown these, our determinations, with his blessing-that he would make me an instrument to promote your spiritual happiness -that he would build us up in faith and love, and finally present us faultless before his throne with exceeding joy, to whom be glory forever, Amen.
ASA MCFARLAND.
Concord, January 27, 1798.
The Churches invited to form the ordaining Council were " that at Dartmouth College, Sanbornton, Gilmanton, London, Canterbury, Chichester, Pembroke, Atkinson, Chester and Hopkinton." The clergymen who officiated were Rev. Stephen Peabody, of Atkinson ; Rev. John Smith, of Dartmouth College, who preached the sermon ; Rev. Joseph Woodman, of San- bornton ; Rev. Zaccheus Colby, of Pembroke ; Rev. Frederick Parker, of Canterbury ; Rev. Jedediah Tucker, of Loudon, and Rev. Josiah Carpenter, of Chichester.
t The " sign " at Stickney's tavern was an Indian, said to represent "King Philip." It was presented to the N. H. Ilistorical Society, by the late Mr. John Stickney, and may be seen at the society's room in Concord
21
322
HISTORY OF CONCORD.
ministry, the first sleighing each year, to give notice of the rule here introduced, from the pulpit, in these words : " Persons who drive sleighs will please keep to the right, and let those who are afoot have the middle of the road." It is related of Capt. Rich- ard Ayer, who was a powerful and fearless man, six feet or more, that being annoyed by loaded sleighs, from other towns, which would not turn out for people going to meeting, he armed himself with a heavy staff, or club, and followed in the steps of a number of women walking in the middle of the road to meeting. They were met by a loaded sleigh with two horses, and compelled to turn out into the snow. When the horses came up to Capt. Ayer he lifted his club and told the driver to turn out. Not heeding the warning, Capt. Ayer struck one of the horses on his forelegs and brought him down on his knees. "There," said he, " turn out when you meet people on their way to meeting, or I will knock you down." The custom thus became established of giv- ing foot-travelers the middle of the road, and for many years they enjoyed the privilege unmolested.
THE " OXFORD WAR."
In the threatened war with France, during the administration of President John Adams, the people of Concord had another opportunity to evince their patriotism. In the warrant for a town meeting, December 28, 1797, was an article to see " what measures the town will take to raise their quota of the eighty thousand men required by Congress." On this article, Voted, "That the men that enlist shall have ten dollars, with what the Congress give ; and if called into service to have one month's pay in advance." Also it was Voted, " That the selectmen give those persons that enlist a handsome treat at the expense of the town !"
According to tradition, a few only from Concord entered the service. A company, however, was formed, composed of men from this and neighboring towns, of which Nathaniel Green, of Boscawen, was Captain ; Moses Sweat, of Concord, 1st Lieuten- ant ; Israel W. Kelly,* of Salisbury, 2d Lieutenant ; and Ben- jamin Gale, of Concord, Commissary.
This company had their rendezvous a short time at " Mother
* llon. Israel W. Kelly is now a resident in East Concord.
323
THE OXFORD WAR.
Osgood's " tavern. They were to march for Orford, in Massa- chusetts, and there await orders for further service. Hence, it was called the " Oxford War." Previous to marching, it was found that a pair of saddle-bags, containing valuable jewelry, belonging to a traveler, had been stolen from Mr. Gale's tavern ; and that Dr. Thorndike's apothecary shop had been broken open, and ten dollars stolen from that. When the soldiers were paraded, ready to march, Mr. commissary Gale said to Captain Green : " I have reason to believe that some of the soldiers have stolen goods, and request that they may be searched." All laid down their sacks, and the stolen property was found in possession of a soldier from Salisbury. Thus detected, the fellow fell on his knees, with hat in hand, made a humble confession to the Captain, to Dr. Thorndike, Mr. Gale, and to all the soldiers ; and humbly begged for mercy! On this, he was permitted to go without punishment .*
Besides this company, however, a company of minute-men was organized, composed of some of the most respectable men of the place. A paper in the hand writing of Judge Walker, super- scribed, " A List of Continental Soldiers," contains the following names : John Bradley, Reuben Kimball, William Duncan, Timo- thy Bradley, Nathaniel Eastman, Joshua Thompson, Philbrook Bradley, Hazen Kimball, Moses Sweat, Jonathan Eastman, Tim- othy Chandler, Samuel Davis, Thomas Stickney, jr., Daniel Livermore, Chandler Lovejoy, John Weeks, Timothy Carter, Robert Bradley, Abiel Walker, Elijah Russell, John West, John Souther, Richard Ayer, Jacob Carter, Ephraim Carter, Amos Abbott, jr., Richard H. Osgood, Stilson Eastman, Dudley Ladd, Timothy Walker, Thomas Stickney, Joseph Hall, Joshua Abbot, Asa Parker, Timothy Abbott, Samuel Bradley, John Roach, Phinehas Kimball, Ephraim Colby, Asa Herrick.
SCHOOL DISTRICTS IN 1800.
In the warrant for a town-meeting, March 4th, this year, were articles " to see if the town will choose a committee to district the town into school-districts ;" "if the town will raise money to
* Related by Mr. Gale.
324
HISTORY OF CONCORD.
build school-houses in said districts ;" and " will authorize the committee to appraise school-houses already built which may answer for district-houses, and allow each person, being a propri- etor, his dividend of the money, according to the shares he owns in said house." Also, " to see if the town will choose a number of persons to pursue thieves that may hereafter steal any property from any of the inhabitants of the town, and their expense to be at the town cost." This article does not appear to have been acted on, but the Selectmen were appointed a committee to dis- trict the town into school-districts, together "with one man from each district where there is a school-house." Jacob Carter, Isaac Dimond, Samuel Davis, Timothy Dow, Enoch Brown, and Joseph Potter, were added .*
A BELL.
March 31st, Voted, "To accept of a bell if one can be obtained by subscription, and cause the same to be rung at such times as the town may think proper." Also, " That the selectmen repair the town-house, at the expense of the town, not to exceed ten dollars." This was done in order to " make conveniences or accommodations for the General Court in their next session, which is to be held in this town." About this time a clock, con- structed by the late Maj. Timothy Chandler, was put up on the south side of the Town Hall, the old face of which remaineth to this day.
ENLARGING THE MEETING-HOUSE.
December 31, 1800, Capt. Richard Ayer and others of- fered to make an addition to the meeting-house, according to a plan exhibited before the town by a committee of which Jacob Abbot, Esq., was chairman, being a semi-circle, projecting thirty feet in front of the house, and divided into seven angles, " and that the owners of the pews in front of the house below have their choice to remain where they are, or go back to the wall the
* A vote was taken on revising the Constitution of the State. For a revision one hundred and six ; against it, one.
Voted, " That the selectmen vendue the fencing of the burying-ground on the east side of the river, and charge the expense to the town that said fence may be bid off at."
325
LOCATION OF A BURYING-PLACE.
same distance from the front door; and that the present wall pews be placed on a level with the other body pews : - that the own- ers of wall pews in the front of the gallery have as good wall pews in the front of the addition." Capt. Ayer and others gave bonds for the faithful execution of the work, which was completed the following year. At the annual meeting, March 1, 1803, a committee, appointed to inspect the building and finishing the addition to the meeting-house, reported that " it appears to us that the materials made use of for each and every part was suitable and of good quality, and that the work is done in a handsome and workmanlike manner." Whereupon, Voted, "That the meeting-house be accepted, and the undertakers have their bond given up to them by the committee." This addition made the meeting-house the most spacious and commodious in the State. It would seat eight hundred persons on the floor and about four hundred in the gallery. For many years the congregation that worshipped in it on the Sabbath averaged about seven hun- dred. One hundred dollars were added to Mr. McFarland's salary .*
About this time a petition was presented to annex a part of Bow to Concord : whereupon, March 22, 1803, Voted, "That the town will oppose the prayer of the petition of the selectmen of Bow, to set off a part of said Bow to this town, -now in the General Court."
In March, 1804, the town voted, " to purchase one acre of land of David Carter for a burying-ground, (near Horse-hill bridge,) and fence the same for that purpose." Agrecably to a law of the State, the annual town-meeting was fixed on the second Tues- day in March. The selectmen were directed " to straiten the road from the meeting-house to Boscawen line." The old road to Boscawen was exceedingly crooked. The late Mr. Richard Herbert said -" the old road passed up through the valley, south of Mr. Francis N. Fisk's new house ; between the elm tree and corner of Mr. Coffin's house ; run up by Esq. Bradley's, then north to Woods' brook. At West-Parish village it run up by Mr. Levi Hutchins's; thence north-east by where Mr. Alfred
* " Jeremiah Story dissents to this addition "
326
HISTORY OF CONCORD.
Abbot lives ; turning again it run through the woods to the Bor- ough, so called, thence to what is now Fisherville - crossing a bridge which stood some distance below where the bridge now is." Some parts of the old road are still visible .*
MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS AND ANECDOTES RELATIVE TO THE PERIOD FROM 1795 TO 1805.
CONCORD BRIDGE.
In January, 1795, in answer to a petition, the Legislature of New-Hampshire granted to Peter Green and others the exclu- sive right to build and support a bridge over Merrimack river, between Butters's ferry, so called, and Concord south line, and prescribed the rates of toll they should take to reimburse them for the money expended in building and supporting said bridge .;
Pursuant to the provisions of the charter, a meeting was called and held at Mr. Samuel Butters's inn, on the 23d of February, 1795 ; at which meeting Samuel Green was chosen clerk, who, at an adjourned meeting, held on the 9th day of March, next following, resigned, and Paul Rolfe was chosen. Capt. Reuben Kimball, Maj. Enoch Gerrish and Capt. David Kimball were chosen directors or overseers.
* See Town Rec. 1804-5, pp. 287-294.
t See original records and papers of the Proprietors of Concord Bridge, in the hands of Samuel Coffin, Esq.
# The stock was divided into one hundred shares, and was subscribed for by the following persons :
SHARES.
SHARES.
SHARES.
Peter Green, . 1 Frederick Foster, 1 John Colby, Jr., .
1
Wm. Partridge, .
David Kimball, Reuben Kimball,
I
Ebenezer Duston,
Daniel Knox,
Jona. Proctor, 1
.
Wni. A. Kent,
Asa Robinson, 1 Brown & Sweetser, Chester,
George Hough, 1 Daniel Appleton,
Hlazen Kimball, for Ilenry West, Ilaverhill, Mass., 3 John Chandler, Jr., 1 Moses Gale,
Richard Ayer,
1 Isaac Chandler, .
2
Edmund Kimball, Jr.,
Samuel Green,
1 Wm. Manly, .
2 Andrew Peabody, .
Isaac Dimond, .
1 Wilder & Bowers,
Israel Evans, 5
William Stickney, 1 Luther Fisk, 1 William Duncan,
1 Ebenezer Peaslee, 1 Nath'l Ilead,
I
Richard Bartlett,
3 |Daniel Livermore; .
1 | Ebenezer Eastman, 1
2 Samuel Fowler,
327
FEDERAL BRIDGE.
The bridge was originally built with a double track ; the piers and abutments were of wood ; the estimated cost was $10.000, but the actual cost was over $13.000. It was completed and opened for travel October 29, 1795. The occasion seems to have been one of great interest. A procession was formed, which marched across the bridge in the following order :
1. The building committee.
2. The treasurer and clerk.
3. The Rev. Israel Evans, with Mr. Wood and Mr. Parker, ministers of Boscawen and Canterbury.
4. The proprietors.
5. The workmen, with the master-workmen, [a Mr. Poor,] at their head.
6. The spectators in regular order.
Capt. David Davis was invited by the directors to assist Maj. William Duncan with music, and a guard of four men, and to dine with the proprietors. The dinner was at William Stickney's tavern. " After spending the day in conviviality and mirth, by passing the bridge," &c., the services closed. So saith the rec- ords.
FEDERAL BRIDGE.
On the 28th of December, 1795, an act was passed by the Legislature, incorporating Timothy Walker, Benjamin Emery, William Partridge, Jonathan Eastman, Joshua Thompson, and others, their associates, " for the purpose of building a bridge over the river Merrimack, at or near a place called Tucker's Ferry, in Concord." The corporation was known by the name of " Proprietors of Federal Bridge." They were required by the charter to complete the bridge in three years, and to pay the
NAMES OF SHARE-HOLDERS IN CONCORD BRIDGE, CONTINUED.
John Odlin,
I| Leavitt Clough,
1 | Timothy Walker, . 1
Asa Foster,
2 Paul Rolfe,
2 Simeon G. Ilall, 1
Nath'l Rolfe, Jr.,
1
Thomas Stickney and son Thomas, .
1
Joseph Hall,
1
Nath'I Green,
Benja. Gale, John Batchelder, .
]
Timothy Bradley,
1
Joseph Clough,
1
2 Ar. Livermore, of Chester,
2
Charles Walker,
]
Timothy Dix, Jr., Samuel Gerrish,
.
1 James Duncan, Jr.,
Peterson & Stickney, .
1 Bailey Bartlett, .
1 By Ebenezer Duston.
Thomas Thompson,
3 Moses Gale, Jr.,
1 Cotton B. Brooks, 2
Levi & Abel Hutchins, .
1
Nath'l Thurston,
1 |Sam'I White, Esq., Haver-
Henry Gerrish, 1 Timothy Chandler,
1 hill, Mass., 1
Somersby Person, .
1 |Enoch Gerrish, .
1 |John True, of Hampstead, 1
1
Joseph Gerrish,
1
Moses Swett, .
2 Samuel White, Esq., lla- 1 verhill, Mass., 3
328
HISTORY OF CONCORD.
owner or proprietor of Tucker's Ferry the sum of four hundred and fifty dollars for the right. These conditions were complied with .* The first meeting of the proprietors was held at the house of Ebenezer Eastman, inn-holder, in Concord, January 18, 1796, at which Capt. Benjamin Emery was chosen moderator, and Stephen Ambrose clerk .¡
The rates of toll established at first by law, for passing over Federal Bridge were as follows : "For each foot passenger, one cent ; for each horse and rider, three cents ; for each horse and chaise, chair, sulky, or other riding carriage, drawn by one horse only, ten cents ; for each riding sleigh, drawn by one horse, four cents ; for cach riding sleigh, drawn by more than one horse, six cents ; for each coach, chariot, phaeton, or other four-wheeled carriage for passengers, drawn by more than one horse, twenty cents ; for each curricle, twelve cents ; for each cart or other carriage of burthen, drawn by two beasts, ten cents, and three cents for every additional beast ; for each horse or neat creature,
* Eliphalet Tucker conveyed his right and title to " Tucker's Ferry,"' to the Proprietors of Federal Bridge, July 18, 1798, in consideration of $450. See Proprietors' Records and Deed in Register's office, vol. 25, p. 397.
t The stock in the bridge was divided into one hundred shares, which were numbered and owned as follows :
Ne.
NO. NO.
1. Timothy Walker. 26. Benja. Kimball, jr. 51. Richard Ayer.
2. John West. 27. Charles Walker. 52. Do.
3. Jacob Carter. 28. Ebenezer Sanborn. 53. Do.
78. John Odlin.
4. William Partridge. 29. Jacob Eastman. 54. Do.
5. Do. 30. Nathaniel Marsh. 55. Do.
6. Benjamin Emery. 31. Reuben Kimball. 56. Do.
7. Do.
32. Philbrick Bradley. 57. Do.
82. Nathaniel Eastman.
8. Do.
33. Abiel Eastman. 58. Do.
83. Benjamin Emery.
9. Do.
34. Simeon Eastman.
59. Abiel Walker.
84. David Wait.
10. Jona. Eastman.
35. Aaron Austin.
60. Ebenezer Dustin.
85. Ezra Carter.
11. Do.
61. Henry West.
86. Moses Eastman.
12. Do.
87. Timothy Bradley.
13. Joshua Thompson. 38. Do.
88. Jeremiah Chandler.
14. Do.
39. Millen Kimball.
64. Benj. Kimball, jr.
89. Jacob Abbot. 90. Do.
15. Philip Carrigain.
40. Samuel Adams.
65. Pearl Kimball.
16. William Manley.
41. John Bradley.
66. Moses Farnum.
91. Timothy Chandler.
92. Timothy Walker, jr.
18. Obed ITall.
42. Do. 67. Dudley Kimball. 43. John Kimball. 68. Charles Sargent.
93. Do.
19. Robert Bradley.
44. Robert Davis. 45. Jeremiah Clough. 70. Do.
69. Enoch Coffin.
94. Benja. Kimball, jr. 95. Do.
20. Asa Kimball.
21. John Eastman.
46. Phinehas Kimball. 71. Isaac Chandler. 47. Stephen Ambrose. 72. Do.
97. Enoch Wood.
22. Eben'r Eastman. 23. Do. [lain.
48. Thomas Curry.
73. William Virgin, jr. 98. Jeremiah Pecker.
24. Moses Chamber-
49. Richard Ayer.
74. Jona. Blanchard.
99. Richard Herbert, jr.
25. Robert Eastman. 50. Do.
75. Philip & Obadiah 100. Thomas Moor. [Carrigain.
NO.
76. Philip and Obadiah
77. Do. [Carrigain
79. Do.
80. Jacob Emmons.
81. Do.
36. Nath'l Ambrose. 37. William Duncan. 62. Jacob Carter. 63. Do.
17. William A. Kent.
96. Thomas Proctor
329
MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS AND ANECDOTES.
exclusive of those rode on or in carriages, two cents ; for sheep and swine, one half cent each ; and to cach team one person shall be allowed as a driver to pass free of toll." But, by a vote of the proprietors, August 1, 1798, all persons going to or re- turning from public worship, on Sundays, between the hours of nine o'clock in the morning, and five in the afternoon, were allowed to pass the bridge free from paying toll .*
This bridge was first built above its present location, crossing the river nearly opposite the house of Mr. George W. Moulton, where formerly was the toll-house.
On the 9th of August, 1796, Noah Richardson and a negro man named Pomp Chandler, were drowned near Concord Bridge, as they were attempting to cross the river in a canoe, to their labor.
In the first week of July, 1797, there were severe thunder storms, accompanied with hail, which did much damage to corn, grass, &c., and broke some glass in windows in this town and Canterbury. " The wind whirled furiously many a tree," and " the lightning set Mr. Partridge's barn on fire, which was imme- diately extinguished."
December 7, 1798, an act was passed by the Legislature, in- corporating Timothy Walker, John Bradley, Jonathan Eastman and their associates, by the name of " The Proprietors of Concord Library," authorizing them to raise money by subscription, do- nations, &c., and to hold property for the benefit of the library, to the amount of one thousand dollars. A library of valuable books was collected, which was sustained and proved highly use- ful, for about twenty-five years.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.