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 32
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On Saturday evening, January 20, 1798, about ten o'clock, the inhabitants of this town were alarmed with the cry of fire! fire ! which broke out in the hatter's shop of Mr. David George, Jr., contiguous to the store of Messrs. P. & O. Carrigain. The anxiety of the citizens, when so much property was exposed, was amazing ; and by their assiduous exertions and regular proced- ure, together with the assistance of some ladies, they happily
* August 27. The town voted, " That the Selectmen purchase of Timothy Walker, Esq., forty and a half rods of land near Federal Bridge, at two shillings per rod ;" and " purchase of William Virgin about twenty-five rods of land, on the east side of the river, near Federal Bridge."
330
HISTORY OF CONCORD.
extinguished the destructive element, with little damage to any thing except the building. Let this, fellow-citizens, excite every one to diligence !
Query ? Would it not be a good plan for every man to keep a good ladder, and one or two proper fire-buckets always ready ? -Mirror.
" The Blazing Star Lodge," in this town, was consecrated in ample form, by the Most Worshipful Nathaniel Adams, Grand Master, on Monday, May 6, 1799.
On the 2d of October, 1802, the grist-mill of Ensign Jacob Carter was entirely consumed by fire, together with the carding machine of Mr. Thomas Vesper. The loss is estimated at about $2000. The fire is supposed to have been caused by over-heat- ing some of the gudgeons.
At this period, (1801 -3,) letters were sent to the post-office in Concord for persons residing in Canterbury, Northfield, Hen- niker, Warner, Hopkinton, Allenstown, New-London, Dunbarton, Rindge, Weare, Pembroke, Loudon, and Bow. Letters remain- ing in the post-office were advertised in 1801 for persons in Sanbornton, Sutton, Croydon, Newport, and New-Bradford.
LIST OF TOWN OFFICERS,
REPRESENTATIVES, DELEGATES AND JURORS,
FROM 1795 TO 1805.
March 3, 1795.
March 1, 1796.
Moderator,
Timothy Walker, Esq.
Judge Walker.
Clerk,
Caleb Chase. .
Jolin Odlin.
Selectmen,
Timothy Walker, Esq.,
Timothy Walker, Esq.,
John Bradley, Esq.,
Henry Martin.
Nath'l Ambrose,
Constables,
Capt. Sam'l Davis,
John Batehelder,
Tythingman,
Eben'r Eastman. Daniel Rogers. .
Capt. Samnel Davis.
Col. Peter Green.
Sealer of Leather,
John Bradley, Esq., Henry Martin. Eben'r Duston, .
Dea. David Hall.
331
TOWN OFFICERS.
Sealer of Wts. and Meas., Dea. David Hall.
Surveyors of Highways,
Jacob Eastman, Chandler Lovejoy, . Lt. Moses Eastman, Ens. Jona. Virgin, . Lt. Benja. Farnum, Daniel Abbot, Stephen Farnum, Abel Baker, .
Ens. Joseph Runnels, William Coffin, . Col. Thomas Stickney, John Colby, Jr.,
Lt. Asa Herriek, William Fifield. J
Dea. David Hall. Moses Farnum, Capt. Joseph Farnum, Oliver Hoit, Ezra Abbot, Jonathan Elliot, Jr., Isaac Dimond, Ephraim Carter,
Levi Abbot, Ebenezer Duston,
Col. Thomas Stickney,
Maj. Daniel Livermore,
Chandler Lovejoy, Ens. Jonathan Virgin, John Hoit,
Ebenezer Eastman,
Lt. Joshua Thompson, Capt. Reuben Kimball, Abiel Walker, Nov. 7.
Stephen Tuttle,
William Partridge.
Dudley Ladd,
Abiel Walker,
James Hosmore.
Pound-keeper, .
Representative, .
Maj. Daniel Livermore.
Grand Juror,
Corder of Wood,
Charles Eastman.
. Timothy Bradley,
Collectors,
Hanes Farnum, . John Batchelder, Eben'r Eastman. Henry Moulton,
. Nath'l Ambrose,
John Shute, Jr.
Cullers of Staves, .
Jonathan Runnels. March 7, 1797.
March 6, 1798.
Moderator, Clerk,
Timothy Walker, Esq.
. Timothy Walker, Esq.
Jolın Odlin. .
John Odlin.
John Odlin,
John Odlin,
Selectmen, Richard Ayer, John Eastman .. Jeremiah Virgin,
Richard Ayer,
. John Eastman.
Constables,
John Batchelder, Robert Bradley. Ebenezer Virgin, Jr. John Roach,
Jeremiah Virgin.
. Daniel Rogers,
Tythingmen,
Caleb Buswell,
Daniel Rogers.
. Wm. Fifield, Aug. 27.
Sealer of Leather, .
David Hall.
Sealer of Wts. and Meas., Dea. David Hali.
.
Benja. Powel,
Fence-viewers,
S William Partridge, .
Daniel Gale,
William Duncan.
Robert Eastman.
Fence-viewers, .
William Partridge, . Capt. Sam'l Davis, Lt. Moses Eastman. John Roach, Lt. Nath'l Eastman, James Johnson,
Hogreeves,
Daniel Powel, Capt. David Davis. Stephen Ambrose, . Jacob Carter, Abel Baker, . Dea. John Kimball, John Hoit, John Colby, Jr.
. Abiel Virgin,
. John Colby, Jr.,
Surveyors of Lumber,
. Jno. Blanchard,
Stephen Tuttle.
§ David George, Esq., ¿ Ebenezer Eastman. John Bradley, Esq. John Batchelder, June 25.
. James Moulton.
Capt. Samuel Davis,
. Hanes Farnum,
David Hall.
332
HISTORY OF CONCORD.
[ Jeremiah Virgin,
. John Colby,
Ens. Nath'l Eastman, .
. Timothy Chandler,
Lt. Joshua Thompson, .
. John West,
Ens. Jonathan Virgin, .
Ainos Abbot, Jr.,
Samuel Butters,
. Josiah Farnum,
Ens. Thomas Stickney,
Jonathan Elliot, Jr.,
Abiel Walker, Jabez Abbot,
. Reuben Abbot, Jr.,
Ezra Abbot, .
. Jonathan Johnson,
Henry Martin,
. Daniel Stickney,
Timothy Dow,
. Stilson Eastman,
Abel Baker, .
. Timothy Bradley,
Abner Dimond,
Jeremiah Wheeler,
Ephraim Carter,
Joshua Thompson.
Ebenezer Sanborn,
Moses Carter.
Field-drivers,
Robert Eastman.
Ebenezer Dustin,
Maj. Wm. Duncan,
David Davis,
Daniel Virgin,
. Abiel Eastman,
Capt. David Davis,
. Wm. Partridge,
Hogreeres,
Stephen Hall,
. Moody Dow,
William Eastman, .
Robert Knowlton,
Isaac Dow, .
Wm. Fifield,
Daniel Page
Asa Graham.
Maj. Daniel Livermore,
Abiel Virgin,
John Colby, Jr., Abiel Virgin,
Jacob Carter,
Surveyors of Lumber, .
Isaac Dimond,
. Enoch Brown,
Stephen Tuttle, . Enoch Brown.
Chandler Lovejoy.
Pound-keepers, .
Cls. Eastman. .
Charles Eastman.
Representative,
William A. Kent.
Jacob Abbot, Esq.
Grand Jurors,
Maj. Sam'l Livermore.
Petit Jurors,
Capt. Jona. Eastman.
. Jona. Runnels.
§ Thomas Wilson,
Corders of Wood, .
Thomas Wilson,
Jacob Abbot.
Collectors,
Jeremiah Virgin, Jolın Batchelder.
. Jeremiah Virgin.
Culler of Stares,
James Moniton. March 5, 1799.
. James Stevens. March 4, 1800.
Moderator,
Timothy Walker, Esq.
. Jacob Abbot, Esq.
Clerl:,
John Odlin. .
. John Odlin.
Timothy Walker, V
. John Odlin,
Selectmen,
John Odlin, .
Jonathan Wilkins,
Henry Martin.
Henry Martin. .
Ephraim Carter,*
John Shute, Jr.,
John Shute, Jr.,
Constables, .
Timothy Carter, Jeremiah Virgin. Henry Martin, Daniel Rogers, Isaac Dimond, . Jeremiah Wheeler.
r Joseph Cleasby, Jr., Jeremiah Virgin.
.
Ebenezer Sanborn,
Jacob Abbot, Esq.,
Tythingmen,
Maj. Timo. Chandler.
David George, .
. David George,
Isaac Dimond,
Robert Bradley,
Capt. Sam'l Davis,
,Ilanes Farnum,
Capt. Sam'l Davis,
. Chandler Lovejoy.
Dea. Joseph Hall, .
. John Currier, Jr.,
John Roach, Daniel Virgin.
James Moulton,
. Asa Herrick,
Surveyors of Highways,
* Excused.
TOWN OFFICERS.
Sealer of Leather, David Hall. . Sealer of Wts. and Meas., David Hall. .
David Hall. David Hall.
[ Samuel Butters,
Timothy Chandler,
Richard Herbert, Jr.,
Nathan Abbot, .
Ezra Abbot, Jr.,
Samuel Davis, .
Enoch Parker, .
Samuel Davis,
Asa Herrick,
Stephen Farnum,
Enoch Brown,
William Eastman,
Jeremiah Pecker,
Barnard Elliot,
Jonathan Ambrose,
Jeremiah Virgin,
Anthony Potter,
Jonathan Ambrose,
Asa Graham,
Mellen Kimball,
Ballard Hazeltine.
Moses Gale.
Fence-viewers,
Richard Ayer.
John Batchelder, Abiel Eastman.
Paul Rolfe, .
Field-drivers,
Charles Eastman.
John Eastman.
Abiel Virgin,
. Richard Hazeltine,
Elijah Virgin,
. Jonathan Eastman,
Moses Gale, .
Abel Baker,
Hogreeves, .
Timothy Chandler, David Davis,
William Fifield,
John Slinte, Jr.
James Moulton.
John Currier, Jr.,
John Kimball,
Surveyors of Lumber,
John Currier, Jr., John Kimball, Jacob Carter. David George, .
Abel Baker,
Pound-keepers, .
Charles Eastman.
Representative, .
Charles Eastman. Jacob Abbot, Esq.
Jacob Abbot, Esq.
Grand Juror,
Capt. Samuel Davis, Jan. 31st. ( Nathaniel Abbot, Jr.,
Petit Jurors,
{ Ephraim Carter.
Stephen Ambrose.
David George, Stephen Ambrose, John Thorndike. John West.
Ephraim Carter,*
Collectors,
John Shute, Jr., Timothy Carter, Jeremiah Virgin. James Moulton,
. Joseph Cleasby, Jr.,
. Jeremiah Virgin.
Stephen Tuttle,
Henry Moulton.
. Capt. Benja. Emery,
Auditors of Accounts, .
Jacob Abbot, Ens. Jonathan Wilkins, Charles Walker.
Capt. Richard Ayer.
Inspector of Bread,
. Benjamin Emery. March 2, 1802.
Moderator, .
Timothy Walker, Esq.
John Odlin. .
. John Odlin.
Selectmen,
Jonathan Wilkins, Jolin West,
John West,
. Stephen Ambrose.
Stephen Ambrosc. * Excused.
{ Jonathan Wilkins,
Capt. Richard Ayer,
David Davis,
Levi Abbot,
Stephen Hall, Isaac Dimond, Nathan Abbot, 3d,
Surveyors of Highways,
Daniel Stiekney,
Timothy Walker, Jr.,
Richard Herbert, Jr.,
. Moses Gile,
John Lovejoy, Ebenezer Sanborn,
Jacob Eastman,
Jacob Carter,
Chandler Lovejoy. David George,
Wood-corders,
Jacob Abbot, Jr.,
Hay-ward, .
Cullers of Stares, . Stephen Tuttle. .
Charles Walker, Esq.,
March 3, 1801.
Jonathan Wilkins. . Clerk,
. Timothy Walker,
333
§ Benjamin Powel,
334
HISTORY OF CONCORD.
Joseph Dow,
Constables, .
Eliphalet Emery, Richard Hazen Ayer,
Jeremiah Virgin,
Aaron Austin.
. Ebenezer Dustin.
Jacob Abbot,*
John Bradley,
. Nathan Ballard, Jr.
Tythingmen,
Capt. Enoch Coffin, Richard Hazeltine, Philbrick Bradley. Dea. David Hall.
Sealer of Wts. and Meas., Dea. David Hall.
( Jeremiah Story,
Capt. Richard Ayer, Richard Herbert, Jr., Benjamin Farnum,
Moody Dow,
Daniel Abbot,
Asa Graham, Ebenezer Tenney,
Jonathan Elliot, Jr., Joseph Cleasby, Jr., Joseph Runnels, Israel Dimond, .
Asa Herrick,
Jacob Eastman,
Ezra Abbot, Jr.,
Abiel Eastman,
Samuel Davis,
Philbriek Bradley,
Aquilla Ferrin,
John Hoit, Jr.
Samuel Bradley.
Paul Rolfe,
Fence-viewers,
Abiel Eastman, . Samuel Davis, . Zenas Wheeler.
Richard Ayer.
Field-drivers,
Benjamin Gale, David Davis,
. Jeremiah Pecker,
William Tay,
. Eliphalet Emery,
. Jolın Roach,
Hogreeves, ·
Joseph Swan,
. Calvin How,
Simon Virgin, . James Moulton,
. Richard Elliot,
Abel Baker,
. Israel Dimond.
Jacob Hoit, Moses Gile.
. Samuel Gains,
Jacob Eastman,
Samuel Davis,
Moody Dow,
Jacob Eastman,
Surveyors of Lumber,
John Shute, Jr.,
Chandler Lovejoy,
Abel Baker, .
John Kimball,
John Kimball,
Abel Baker,
Jacob Hoit. Benjamin Hanniford,
Abiel Virgin.
Pound-keepers, .
Charles Eastman.
Charles Eastman, . David George, Jr.
Representative, . William Austin Kent .. Richard Il. Ayer,
. John Bradley, Esq.
Grand Jurors, .
Capt. Samuel Davis, Paul Rolfe.
Jonathan Wilkins,
Petit Jurors,
Samuel Davis. . John George, Jr.,
. Isaac Emery.
. David George, Jr.,
. John Thorndike,
Edmund Leavitt.
John West.
.
Joseph Dow,
. Jesse R. Tuttle, t
Jeremiah Virgin.
David Hall. David Hall.
Eliphalet Emery,
Abel Hutchins, Samuel Butters, Jr.,
Edmund Leavitt,
Nathaniel Ambrose,
Surveyors of Highways,
Moses Farnum, Abel Baker,
James Johnson,
§ Reuben Goodwin,
Joseph Giles.
Timothy Chandler, | Dyer Abbot, Murray Bradley,
. William A. Kent,
. David Hutchins,
John Currier, Jr.,
. Sherburne Wiggin.
John Shute, Jr.,
Corders of Wood, Edmund Leavitt, John Thorndike. Hay-ward, . John West. Eliphalet Emery, Collectors, Richard H. Ayer, Aaron Austin.
* Excused. + Excused, and in his place, Ebenezer Duston.
Sealer of Leather, .
335
TOWN OFFICERS.
. Henry Moulton.
Cullers of Staves, .
James Moulton, Nathan Ballard, John Silver.
Capt. Richard Ayer, . John Roach,
Auditors,
Col. Timothy Walker,
. Richard Ayer,
Maj. Timothy Chandler.
. Col. Timo. Chandler.
Inspector of Bread, Timothy Chandler. .
March 1, 1803. March 6, 1804.
Moderator, .
Jonathan Wilkins, Esq.
. Jonathan Wilkins.
Clerk,
John Odlin. .
John Odlin.
Jona. Wilkins,
Jona. Wilkins,
Selectmen,
John West, .
John West,
Stephen Ambrose.
. Amos Abbot, Jr.
Constables and Colleet'rs,
Richard Ilerbert, Jr., Sherburne Wiggin, . Jeremiah Virgin,
John Hoit.
Stephen Ambrose,
. Benja. Kimball,
Tythingmen,
Jolin West. .
Levi Abbot.
Sealer of Leather,
David Hall. .
. David Hall.
Sealer of Wts. and Meas., David Hall. .
. David Hall.
( Eliphalet Emery,
Isaac Shute,
Abel Hutchins, .
Abel Hutchins,
Paul Rolfe, .
John West,
James Corlis,
Isaac Dow,
Israel Dimond, .
Timothy Dow,
Richard Flanders,
Ephraim Carter,
Enoch Farnum,
Reuben Dimond,
Samuel Runnels,
Israel Dimond,
Jedediah Hoit,
. Levi Abbot,
Amos Abbot, Jr., Phinehas Virgin, Jr.,
. Reuben Goodwin, Jonathan Virgin,
. Josepli Potter,
Asa Kimball, Jr.
. Daniel Kendall.
Paul Rolfe,
Fence-viewers, .
. Peter Farnum,
. Jona. Eastman.
. Jere'h Pecker,
. Moody Dow,
Charles Emery, .
. Nathan Abbot, 4th,
Daniel Virgin, Isaac Dow, .
. John Batchelder,
James Moulton, Jere'h Wheeler, . Moody Dow,
. Isaac Dimond,
. Reuben Goodwin.
Daniel Kendall.
Samuel Gains,
Samuel Gains, Abel Virgin,
George Rogers,
Abel Baker,
Jacob Eastman,
Asa Graham,
Moody Dow,
Samuel Bradley.
Pound-keepers, .
David George, Jr.,
David George, Jr.,
Representative, .
Charles Eastman. William A. Kent.
Charles Eastman.
Wm. A. Kent.
* Excused. Richard H. Ayer in place of.
Surveyors of Highways,
Isaac Farnum, .
. Christopher Rowell,Jr.,
. Pearl Kimball,
Jona. Ambrose, . Jacob Hoit, .
Samuel Butters, Richard Ayer, Nath'l Ambrose, Jacob Emmons, Eben'r Duston, .
. Sherburne Wiggin,
Hogreeves, .
Surveyors of Lumber,
Abiel Virgin, Abel Baker, . . { John Kimball, Benja. Powell, John Hoit, Jr., [ Jacob Eastman.
David Elliot,
Zenas Wheeler, .
Timothy Bradley,*
Timothy Carter,
336
HISTORY OF CONCORD.
Grand Jurors, .
Eben'r Duston, Jan. 8.
Eben. Duston, Jan. 20. John Colby,
Petit Jurors,
Isaac Dimond.
. John Eastman.
John Stevens,
. Charles Emery,
James Willey,
. James Willey,
Corders of Wood, .
David George, Jr.,
Edmund Leavitt,
Hay-ward, .
Edmund Leavitt. - Nath'l Abott, Jr. James Moulton,
. Sherburne Wiggin.
James Moulton,
Cullers of Staves, . Nathan Ballard,
Samuel Butters.
Timothy Walker, Esq.,
. Richard Ayer,
. Timothy Walker,
Auditors of Accounts, . Eben'r Duston, . John Batchelder. James Moulton.
. Benja. Emery.
Inspector of Iloops,
Nath'l Eastman,
. John Stevens.
. Richard Wood,
. Joseph Runnels.
CHAPTER XII.
FROM 1805 TO 1815.
By authority of the Legislature, PHILIP CARRIGAIN, Esq., of Concord, was at this time engaged in preparing a new map of the State. To aid in the work, surveys were ordered by towns. The survey of this town " was sold at public vendue," and bid off by Capt. Edmund Leavitt, for one hundred dollars. Capt. Leavitt lived on the east side of the river, possessed a good knowledge of surveying, and executed a handsome map of the town, copies of which are in the hands of Jonathan Eastman, Esq., and William Prescott, M. D.
John Bradley, Jonathan Wilkins and Ebenezer Dustin were appointed a committee, March 27th, to meet the committee of Boscawen in building and supporting a bridge across Contoocook river. The bridge was formerly considerably lower down the river than where it is now located. The committee reported in favor of supporting "one half of the bridge across Contoocook river at the old place ;" which report the town accepted, and voted to raise two hundred and fifty dollars to carry the same into effect. Subsequently the bridge became a source of litiga- tion between the towns .*
CONCORD BANK.
By an act of the Legislature, June 18, 1806, "Timothy Walker, Caleb Stark, John Bradley, John Mills, Robert Harris, Ebenezer Peasley, Richard Ayer, William Whittle, William A. Kent, * See Document No. 2, for Chap. VIII.
22
338
HISTORY OF CONCORD.
Joshua Darling, Thomas W. Thompson, Aquila Davis, John Chandler, Barucli Chase, Joseph Towne and Joseph Clough, and their associates," were incorporated " by the name of the Presi- dent, Directors and Company of the Concord Bank ; for a period of twenty years, with a capital of not less than $50,000 nor more than $200,000, in specie."
In proceeding to organize for the transaction of business under their charter, special difficulties were encountered, growing chiefly, it is said, out of questions of location and management. Already there was a " north end " and a " south end " interest. In the former was Hon. Timothy Walker, and in the latter Col. William A. Kent, with whom, respectively, others took sides, according to their own ideas of interest. The result, however, was, two banks went into operation under the same charter, one called " The Upper Bank," and the other "The Lower Bank," each claiming exclusively to be the " Concord Bank." Of the Upper Bank, Timothy Walker was first president and Samuel Sparhawk, from Portsmouth, cashier. Of the Lower Bank, Joseph Towne, of Hopkinton, was president, and William A. Kent cashier. For several years a disagreeable competition existed between them. On the part of the upper bank a run was made upon the lower, for the payment in specie of their bills. By the lower bank, or by persons interested therein, suits were commenced against the other for issuing bills contrary to law ; and hence a litigation as to which was the lawful Concord Bank, was continued for a considerable time. In 1808 one Nehemiah Jones commenced a suit against Timothy Walker, containing more than a hundred counts, which embraced all the questions at issue .* In these suits the late Jeremiah Mason was employed as Jones's counsel. Tradition says that, after a while, Mason, per- ceiving the difficulties of the subject, and disposed to adjust the matter between the parties, signified to his client " that as he had got into gentlemen's company he must expect to pay a gentle- man's price." Soon after, the rival banks came to an agreement, at least so far as to cease from vexing one another ; both obtained credit with the public, and continued to do business under one charter till the expiration of twenty years -then the upper bank
* See printed volume, entitled " Pleadings, Jones v. Walker," in N. II. Ilist. Soc. Library.
339
ESTABLISHMENT OF SCHOOL DISTRICTS.
obtained a new charter, and took the name of Merrimack County Bank. A new brick building was erected for its use, in 1826, on the house-lot owned by the corporation, where the bank has continued to flourish until the present time.
The lower bank obtained a modification and extension of its charter, in 1826; and continued to do business till 1840, when it failed, to the great loss of the stockholders and the det- riment of the public.
1807.
Agreeably to a law of the State, passed in 1805, the town appointed a committee, April 8, 1807, consisting " of one from each school district where orders have been drawn for school money annually," together with the selectmen, "to district the town into school districts." The committee consisted of Elipha- let Emery, Richard Ayer, Paul Rolfe, John Garvin, Levi Abbot, Asa Herrick, Nathan Ballard, jr., Moses Abbot, Samuel Davis, William Eastman, Abel Baker, Nathaniel Rolfe, Stephen Farnum, John Eastman, Nathaniel Ambrose, Jonathan Virgin and Asa Kimball. The selectmen were Ebenezer Dustin, Enoch Coffin and Edmund Leavitt. The residence and number of members of this committee show that schools were at this time kept in at least sixteen places in town; and that the law of the State authorizing towns to lay out districts, only legalized what had already substantially been done. The local school districts, though not exactly defined and bounded, preceded the passage of the law. The committee above appointed chose Ebenezer Dus- tin, chairman, and John Odlin, clerk, and in May following laid out the town into sixteen school districts, as follows,* viz : District No. 1. At Horse Hill, so called ;
"
2. The Borough, so called ;
66
3. West Village of Concord ;
66 4. West Parish, where Capt. Samuel Knowlton lives ;
5. West of Long Pond ; "
6. At Little Pond, where Nathan Ballard lives ;
7. On Hopkinton road, three miles from Main street ;
8. At Millville, so called ;
9. South end of Main street ;
* For the bounds of these districts, see Town Records, 1807, pp. 310-316.
340
HISTORY OF CONCORD.
District No. 10. Middle of Main street ;
" 11. North end of Main street ;
" 12. In the East Village, south part ;
" 13. On the Mountain, so called ;
66 " 14. At Snaptown, so called, north-east part of the town ;
" 15. On Loudon road, where Hon. Jacob A. Potter lives ;
" 16. At Garvin's Falls, so called.
The districts formed at subsequent periods are :
No. 17. By dividing district No. 8, on the line between Concord and Hopkinton.
" 18. By dividing district No. 9.
19. By dividing district No. 12.
20. By dividing district No. 2, now in Fisherville.
21. By dividing district No. 13.
22. On the Dark Plain, so called, towards Chichester.
" 23. Near the line between Concord and Bow, beyond Mr. James Hall's. '
In thus districting the town, the selectmen " determined that the lands owned by persons residing without the limits of Concord shall be taxed in the several school districts, for school purposes."
In March, 1808, thirty dollars were ordered to be raised " to build, of wood, a pound ; to be located near the meeting-house." This pound was at first located a few rods north of the meeting- house ; - afterwards it was removed to Pond Hill, where it remained till about 1826.
The selectmen were authorised to purchase powder and ball, and other articles that the law requires, for a town stock.
To procure a bell for the meeting-house, it was determined " to sell the ground of two of the front seats on the floor of the meeting- house," which should be made into pews, and the money arising from said sale to be appropriated towards purchasing a bell, when a sufficient sum in addition shall be subscribed for the purpose. The ground for the pews was sold at " public vendue," at the house of William Stickney, March 27th, and bid off as follows :
1. To Peter Robertson, $86.00
2. " Daniel Greenleaf, 86.25
3. " Bowen Crehore, . 68.00
4. " George Hough, . . 67.25
$307.50
341
THE OLD NORTH CHURCH.
October 19th, the selectmen, by request, laid out for a road that part of State street, extending from Pleasant to School street, three rods in width; the land being given for the pur- pose by Benjamin Gale, George Hough, Thomas G. Stevens, Josiah Rogers and William A. Kent.
1810.
THE MEETING-HOUSE.
The meeting- house, which, as mentioned in the preceding chap- ter, was enlarged in 1802, received this year the ad- dition of a bell- with the sound of which the people appeared to be so much pleased that they provided for ringing it three times a day. At the meeting in March it was vot- ed, " that the bell be rung at seven o'clock in the morning, twelve at noon, and nine at night, except Sundays, - and the selectmen di- rect the time on Sundays ;" " that the ringing of the bell and the care of the meeting-house be set up to the lowest bidder, and that the person bidding off the same give bonds to the selectmen for the faithful performance of the same ;" " that twenty-five dollars be
342
HISTORY OF CONCORD.
raised for ringing the bell, and paid to Sherburn Wiggin-it being bid off by him agreeable to the above vote."
SWINE.
Heretofore swine had had a lawless range in Concord: but this year they were not only to be "yoked and rung," but con- fined. Hence, Voted, "That for every swine found running at large at any season, in the Main street, between John Bradley's, Esq., and John Colby's, the owner be liable to the same penalty, and to be recovered in the same way, as for swine going at large unyoked and unrung in the season that the law requires them to be yoked and rung."
By request of William A. Kent, Samuel Green, Simeon G. Hall, Benjamin Gale, George Hough, Joshua Abbot, jr., and William Stickney, the selectmen, in September of this year, laid out that part of State street, from the corner where the house of the late James Buswell stands, to what is now called School street, to meet the portion of the street laid out the year previ- ous. As a compensation for the land taken for this road, they awarded to the owners of the land as follows : "to James Bus- well, six dollars ; to Joshua Abbot, jr., fifty cents ; to William Stick- ney, twenty-five cents ; to Simeon G. Hall, twenty-five cents ; to Timothy Abbot, thirty dollars ; to William A. Kent, twenty-five cents ; to Ebenezer Dustin, twenty-five cents ; to Richard Ayer, twenty-five cents ; to Abel Hutchins, twenty-five cents ; to George Connell, ten dollars ; and to Peter Robertson, twenty-five cents.
At the same time the selectmen laid out that part of what is now Washington street -two rods wide - from State to Main street.
Benjamin Emery, jr., bid off " the ringing of the bell, taking care of and sweeping the meeting house," at thirty-nine dollars.
1812.
The liberty of the swine was still further abridged. March 9th, Voted, " That no swine be allowed to run at large on the road from Concord bridge to Boscawen bridge, under a penalty to the owner of twenty-five cents for each offence."
STATE PRISON.
Before State street was made, the building of the State
343
ESTABLISHMENT OF A FIRE DEPARTMENT.
Prison was commenced. The land, consisting of about two acres, was given by the late Mr. Joshua Abbot. The location was thought to be quite out of the way of business and of population. The superintendant in the building was Stuart J. Park, Esq., who afterwards built the State House. The prison was built entirely of granite, quarried from Rattlesnake Hill. The part which now forms the south wing, originally constructed, was seventy feet in length, thirty-six wide, and walls three feet in thickness : in this the prisoners were confined. There were in all thirty-six cells, the dimensions of which were eight feet by nine, with the excep- tion of six in the upper story, for the accommodation of the sick, &c., which were ten feet by seventeen. The yard was enclosed by a faced wall of granite, fourteen feet high, surrounded by a range of pickets ten feet in length. The first cost of the build- ing to the State, with the appurtenances, was about thirty-seven thousand dollars. It was completed in 1812. The first person committed to the prison was John Drew, of Meredith, Strafford county. He was committed for horse-stealing, November 24, 1812, for five years! The prison has since been greatly en- larged and improved.
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