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 34
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
A resolve passed the Legislature of New-Hampshire in June, 1814, authorizing the Directors of the State Prison to request the Rev. Dr. McFarland to attend prayer with the convicts on the Lord's day, and furnish cach occupied cell of the prison with a Bible and Hymn book.
LIST OF TOWN OFFICERS,
REPRESENTATIVES, DELEGATES AND JURORS, FROM 1805 TO 1815.
March 12, 1805.
March 11, 1806.
Moderator,
Jonathan Wilkins, Esq.
Timothy Walker, Esq.
Clerk,
John Odlin. .
John Odlin.
Jonathan Wilkins,
Ebenezer Dustin,
Selectmen,
John West, .
Enoch Coffin,
Amos Abbot, Jr.
. Edmund Leavitt.
Jeremiah Virgin,
Timothy Carter,
Constables and Collect'rs,
Richard Herbert, Jr.,
. Peter Robertson,
Eliphalet Emery.
Isaac Emery.
Abel Hutchins, .
Edmund Leavitt,
Tythingmen,
Peter Swan.
Samuel Davis.
356
HISTORY OF CONCORD.
Sealer of Leather, . . David Hall ..
. David Hall.
Sealer of Wts. and Meas., David Hall. .
. David Hall.
Asa Graham,
Abel Hutchins,
Anthony Potter,
Charles Eastman,
Joseph Knowles,
Moses Gale,
Enoch Coffin,
Timothy Chandler,
Jonathan Wilkins, .
Jonathan Johnson,
Joseph Dow,
John Garvin,
Ballard Hazeltine,
Jesse Baker,
Joseph Elliot, Jr.,
Renben Abbot, Jr.,
Moses Abbot,
Benjamin Wheeler,
Moses Swett,
John Garvin,
Isaac Dimond,
Peter C. Farnum.
Benjamin Kimball,
John West,
Richard Herbert, Jr.,
Edmund Leavitt,
Capt. Richard Ayer,
Jacob Eastman,
Daniel Kendall.
. David George.
Field-drivers,
James Willey, . Jeremiah Pecker, Paul Rolfe, Josiah Whidden.
Timothy Butters, .
. Samuel Willey,
John Stevens,
. Benjamin Paine,
Timothy Walker, Jr.,
Daniel Virgin,
Joseph Cutehins,
. John Elliot, Jr.,
James Moulton,
Samuel Dow,
Daniel Virgin, .
John Batchelder,
David Goodwin,
Benjamin Abbot, Jr.,
James Buswell,
William Garvin,
Daniel Kendall,
George Arlin,
Benjamin Simpson,
. Stephen Clase,
William Garvin,
Moses Carter, Jr.
Eben Tenney,
Abner Dimond.
Daniel Kendall,
Samuel Gains,
Sargent Rogers,
Jacob Eastman,
Samuel Gains,
Abel Baker,
Abiel Virgin,
Asa Herrick,
George W. Rogers,
John Kimball, .
Daniel Newell,
John Thompson, Chandler Lovejoy,
Abel Baker,
( Abiel Virgin.
Moody Dow.
Pound-keepers, . .
Charles Eastman.
Charles Eastman.
Representative, .
William A. Kent.
Samnel Green, Esq.
Grand Juror,
Richard H. Ayer. . Capt. Sherb'ne Wiggin.
Petit Jurors,
Capt. Richard Ayer,
. Ens. Jonathan Virgin,
Stephen Ambrose, Esq., Charles Emery,
. James Willey,
Stephen Ambrose,
John Thorndike,
Corders of Wood, .
Cullers of Staves, .
James Willey, John Thorndike. James Monlton, Sargent Rogers, Samuel Gains,
. Stephen Ambrose.
. John Thompson,
. Henry Moulton.
Daniel Newell, Richard Wood.
Surveyors of Highways,
Asa Abbot, .
Joseph Elliot, Jr.,
Israel Dimond,
Moses Hall,
Fence-viewers, .
Reuben Goodwin,
Samuel Butters,
Jeremiah Virgin,
Nathaniel Ambrose,
Mellen Kimball,
Moses Farnum,
.
. William Wheeler.
Hogreeves,
Surveyors of Lumber, .
Jacob Hoit,
David George, .
David George, Jr.,
Daniel Kendall.
Joseph Walker,
357
TOWN OFFICERS.
Capt. Ayer,
Auditors,
Paul Rolfe. . March 10, 1807.
March 8, 1808.
Moderator, . Timothy Walker, Esq.
Timothy Walker, Esq.
Clerk,
John Odlin.
. John Odlin.
Ebenezer Dustin,
. Enoch Coffin,
Selectmen,
Enoch Coffin,
. Samuel Butters,
Edmund Leavitt.
Timothy Carter.
Timothy Carter,
Samuel Davis,
Constables and Collect'rs,
Joshua Abbot, Jr.,
Moses Ayer,
Eliphalet Emery.
Timothy Bradley.
Ebenezer Dustin,
Nathan Ballard, Jr.,
Tythingmen, .
Enoch Coffin,
Ephraim Carter,
Edmund Leavitt.
Levi Abbot.
Sealer of Leather,
David Hall. .
Sealer of Wts. and Meas.,
David Hall.
Timothy Chandler.
{ Abel Hutchins, .
Timothy Chandler,
Timothy Butters,
Timothy Butters,
Levi Abbot,
Daniel Kendall,
Zenas Wheeler,
Israel Dimond,
Stephen Webster, Jr.,
Ephraim Farnum, Jr.,
Abiel Walker,
Moody Dow, Thomas Abbot,
Ephraim Colby,
Enoch Hoit,
Enoch Farnum,
Enoch Brown,
Henry Martin, Jr.,
Stephen Ambrose,
Joseph Elliot, Jr.,
Nathaniel Ambrose,
Jacob Eastman,
Ebenezer Tenney,
John Lovejoy, .
John Thompson,
Abiel Eastman,
Joseph Morse,
William Hoit, .
Peter Farnum,
John Garvin,
Moses Carter,
Zebediah Farnum.
Joshua Abbot, Jr.
Joseph Walker,
Paul Rolfe,
John Thorndike,
John Thorndike,
Stephen Ambrose, .
Enoch Coffin,
John Thompson,
Isaac Dow,
Timothy Bradley, Ballard Hazeltine.
Timothy Bradley.
[ Abiel Walker,
Bowen Crehore,
Isaac Shute,
Timothy Butters,
Isaac Eastman, .
Chandler Eastman,
David Garvin,
Simeon Virgin,
Abel Baker,
James Moulton,
Joseph Colby, Jr.,
Peter Flanders,
Benjamin Emery, Jr.,
Timothy Dow,
Abel Clougli.
David Kimball.
[ George W. Rogers,
Sargent Rogers,
Sargent Rogers,
George W. Rogers,
Samuel Gains, Abiel Virgin,
James Willey,
Surveyors of Lumber, . Joseph Dow,
Abel Baker,
John Lovejoy, Abel Baker,
Daniel Newell.
Jacob Eastman, Daniel Newell. David George, Jr.,
David George,
Pound-keepers, .
Charles Eastman. James Moulton.
Representative, . Samuel Green, Esq., Samuel Green, Esq.
Grand Juror,
Capt. Sherburne Wiggin. . . Capt. Richard Ayer.
* Excused. Moses Farnum substituto.
¥
Fence-viewers, .
John Odlin,
Jonathan Perkins,
Abner Farnum, Jr.,
Hogreeves, .
Isaac Dow,*
Surveyors of Highways,
John Roach, Benjamin Emery, Capt. Emery,
Maj. Chandler.
Abiel Virgin,
Samuel Davis,
358
HISTORY OF CONCORD.
Timothy Chandler,
Petit Jurors,
Capt. Jacob Eastman, . Richard H. Ayer.
. Peter Robertson.
[ Charles Emery, John Thorndike,
. Sargent Rogers,
Corders of Wood, .
James Willey,
. James Willey,
Jonathan Eastman, Jr.,
Hay-ward, .
Cullers of Staves,
James Moulton, William Garvin.
Joseph Runnels, Nathan Ballard.
Auditors,
Benjamin Emery, Jonathan Wilkins. Benjamin Kimball, Jr., Nathaniel Abbot,
Stephen Ambrose.
Timothy Chandler,
. Joseph Walker,
Fire-wards, .
Sargent Rogers, Timothy Chandler, Paul Rolfe. March 14, 1809.
March 13, 1810.
Moderator, Clerk,
William A. Kent.
John Odlin. .
. John Odlin.
John Odlin, .
Nathaniel Abbot,
Selectmen,
Amos Abbot, Jr., Nathaniel Abbot. Levi Bartlett,
. Sherburne Wiggin.
Charles Emery,*
Reuben Goodwin,
. James Buswell.
Sealer of Leather, . .
Abiel Walker.
David Hall.
Sealer of Wts. and Meas., Timothy Chandler.
Timothy Chandler.
Moses Carter,
Nathaniel Bradley,
Daniel Hall,
Ezra Hutchins,
Timothy Hazeltine,
Abel Hutchins,
Eliphalet Emery,
Timothy Walker, Jr., Joseph Elliot, Jr., David Carter,
Timothy Dow, Ezra Elliot, . Moody Dow,
Laban Page,
Christopher Rowell, Jr., John Garvin,
John Garvin,
Jeremiah Pecker,
Jeremiah Pecker,
Nathaniel Ambrose,
Timothy Bradley,
Jonathan Virgin,
Moses Kimball,
Asa Kimball.
Jonathan Virgin, Daniel Virgin.
-
John Ladd, .
Josiah Rogers,
James Willey,
Porter Blanchard,
Abel Baker, .
Abiel Virgin,
Moody Dow, Peter C. Farnum, Ezra Hutchins,
. Abel Baker,
. Peter Farnum,
Abiel Virgin,
. Benjamin Swain,
John Lovejoy, George W. Rogers, John Thompson, Josiah Rogers.
George W. Rogers,
. James Willey.
Reuben Goodwin,
Field-drivers,
Charles Emery, John Colby.
* Collector.
. John Lovejoy,
Surveyors of Lumber, .
John Corliss,
Stephen Webster, Timothy Butters, Peter Robertson, Nathan Stickney, Isaac Dow, . Samuel Davis,
Benjamin Simpson,
Moses Abbot,
Surveyors of Highways,
Paul Rolfe,
Benjamin Emery,
Paul Rolfe,
Sherburne Wiggin. James Moulton,
Obadiah Kimball, Sargent Rogers.
. Charles Emery,
. Isaac Eastman.
Paul Rolfe.
William A. Kent.
Edmund Leavitt,
Constables and Collect'rs, James Buswell, John Bradley, Jr.
Isaac Farnum,
John Thompson,
359
TOWN OFFICERS.
Capt. Richard Ayer, -
Fence-viewers, .
John Colby, Peter C. Farnum,
Timothy Bradley, Abiel Walker,
Stephen Ambrose, . Richard Herbert, Jr.
Timothy Butters,
Jeremiah Chandler.
Seth Tucker,
William Shute,
Samuel Green, . -
Benjamin Powell,
Nathaniel Bradley, .
Samuel Currier,
Asaph Evans, Daniel Greenleaf,
Joshua Abbot, Jr.,
Samuel Kimball,
Samuel Butters,
David Davis,
Moses Elliot,
Hogreeves,
Isaae Emerson,
James Moulton,
James Elliot,
William Garvin,
Philbriek Bradley,
John H. Durgin.
William Hoit, Moses Kimball.
Pound-keepers, .
.
James Moulton.
. James Moulton.
Representative, .
Stephen Ambrose. .
. Stephen Ambrose.
Grand Juror,
Capt. Richard Ayer.
Petit Jurors,
Capt. Peter Robertson.
. James Willey,
David George, .
George Hough,
George Hough, .
John West, Jr.,
Corders of Wood, .
Isaae Dow, .
John George,
Isaac Eastman, . Josiah Rogers. James Moulton,
Edmund Leavitt.
Culler of Staves,
James Willey,
Joseph Runnels,
Joseph Runnels.
Richard Wood.
Capt. Edmund Leavitt,
Capt. Richard Ayer,
Auditors of Accounts, Joseph Walker,
Capt. Benja. Emery,
Richard Ayer.
Jeremiah Pecker.
Timothy Chandler,
Josiah Rogers,
Abel Hutchins, .
Abiel Walker,
Fire-wards,
Stephen Ambrose,
Paul Rolfe,
Paul Rolfe. .
Stephen Ambrose,
Abiel Walker.
George W. Rogers. March 9, 1812.
Moderator,
Richard Ayer.
. William A. Kent.
Clerk,
John Odlin.
John Odlin.
Selectmen
Edmund Leavitt,
. Amos Abbot, Jr.,
Abiel Walker.
Constables, . Josiah Rogers,
Nathaniel Ambrose.
Collector, Nathan Stiekney.
Constables and Collect'rs,
Moses Flanders, Moses Ferrin, Richard Bradley, Edmund Leavitt. Thomas Abbot,
Tythingmen, Thomas W. Thompson,
Arthur Rogers. .
. Moses Abbot, Jr.
Sealer of Wts. and Meas., Timothy Chandler. Nathaniel G. Bradley,
. Timothy Chandler.
Field-drivers, . Timothy Bradley, Jr.,
Benjamin Kimball.
John Hoit,
John Bradley, Jr., Chandler Eastman, Jonathan Goodwin,
Joseph Walker,
Joseph Walker,
Jonathan Wilkins,
James Willey, .
Francis N. Fisk,
James Moulton,
Timothy Chandler,
March 12-13, 1811.
Nathaniel Abbot,
, Nathaniel Abbot,
Abiel Walker. Nathan Stickney,
360
HISTORY OF CONCORD.
[ Moses Carter,
Jonathan Wilkins, .
Moses Hall,
James Ayer,
Samuel Herbert,
Ezra Hutchins, Timothy Butters, Abel Hutchins,
James Corliss, . William Shute,
Ezra Hutchins,
Abner Farnum, Jr.,
Joseph Dow,
Timothy Carter,
Samuel Davis,
Joseph Hoit,
Ephraim Colby,
Abel Baker,
Samuel Runnels,
Samuel Davis, .
Marshall Baker,
Isaac Farnum, .
Charles Eastman, Mellen Kimball,
Timothy Bradley,
Nathaniel Ambrose, Hazen Virgin,
Joseph Potter, .
Benjamin Kimball,
John Garvin,
Benjamin Kimball,
[ Richard Bradley.
Fence-viewers,
Peter C. Farnum,
John Thorndike,
. Jacob Eastman,
John Ballard.
Samuel Willey,
Thomas Wilson, Jr.,
James Moulton,
Keyes Powell,
William Tay,
Orlando Brown,
Hogreeves, .
Keyes Powell,
. James Moulton, Jonathan Abbot, Jr.,
Ezra Hoit,
Timothy Bradley.
( Samuel Butters, Jr., George W. Rogers, Abiel Virgin, Nathaniel Bradley,
Moses Ferrin,
Surveyors of Lumber,
James Willey, George W. Rogers, .Josiah Rogers, Edmund Leavitt, Isaac Dow.
Joseph Runnels,
Abel Baker, Jr., Hazen Virgin, Stephen Webster, John Thompson.
James Moulton,
Pound-keepers, .
James Moulton.
. Joseph Walker.
Representatives,
Thomas W. Thompson.
. Tho's W. Thompson.
Grand Juror,
.
Benjamin Kimball, Jr.
Edmund Leavitt.
Petit Jurors,
Richard Ayer,*
Joshua Abbot, Jr.,
John Eastman.
(John George, Asaph Evans, George Hough, Isaac Dow,
Corders of Wood, .
William Austin, Stephen Ambrose. Charles Emery, James Willey, Isaac Dow, . Josiah Rogers,. Edmund Leavitt.
.
Cullers of Staves, . .
James Moulton, Joseph Runnells, James Willey. * Excused.
Stephen Ambrose, Abel Houghton. Samuel Butters, Joseph Runnells, James Moulton, George W. Rogers, Stephen Chase.
Surveyors of Highways,
-
Jeremiah Peeker, William Stickney. Asaph Evans, Benjamin Damon, David Davis,
Benjamin Kimball, Jr.,
Moses Ferrin,
. Bela Carter,
John Ballard, Jeremiah Chandler, Samuel E. Scales, . Timothy Bradley, Oliver Hoit.
S Joseph Walker,
. Stephen Ambrose,
Stephen Ambrose,
William Garvin, Orlando Brown. Timothy Carter, Daniel Fisk,
Charles Eastman,
Jonathan Virgin,
Samuel Trumble, Henry Rolfe,
TOWN OFFICERS.
361
Auditors,
William A. Kent, Sherburne Wiggin, Charles Emery.
Enoch Coffin,
Charles Walker,
Fire-wards,
Benjamin Kimball, Jr.,
Stephen Ambrose,
Isaac Dow,
[Ezra Hutchins.
Tho's W. Thompson. Josiah Rogers, George W. Rogers, Seth Tueker, Abiel Walker, Peter Robertson, Asaph Evans, Benjamin Kimball, Jr., Chandler Eastman. Jeremiah Peeker,
Isaac Dow, Orlando Brown, Ezra Hutchins, Daniel Clark.
March 9- 10, 1813.
March 8, 1814.
Moderator,
William Anstin Kent. .
Thos. W. Thompson.
Clerk,
John Odlin. .
. John Odlin.
Selectmen,
John Odlin, .
. Nathaniel Ambrose,
Amos Abbot.
. Nathan Stickney.
Timothy Bradley,
Constables, .
Isaae Eastman, .
Bela Carter,
Orlando Brown,
Joshua Abbot, Jr.,
Benjamin Abbot, 3d. O. Brown,
T. Bradley,
Collectors,
J. Eastman,.
B. Emery,
B. Abbot, 3d.
B. Carter.
Tythingmen,
Thomas Abbot.
George W. Rogers.
Sealer of Wts. and Meas., Timothy Chandler.
Timothy Chandler.
{ William Abbot, James Hall,
Josiah Rogers,
Ezra Hutchins, . Nathan Abbot, 3d, Henry Rolfe,
Ezra Hutchins,
Enoch Brown,
Jere'h Peeker,
Abel Hutchins, .
Reuben Goodwin,
Orlando Brown,
Hosea Virgin,
Enoeh Hoit,
Abiel Eastman,
Nathaniel Abbot,
Moody Dow,
Nathan Abbot,
Christopher Rowell,
Jonathan Elliot,
Ebenezer Fisk, .
. Joseph Knowles,
Isaac Emerson, .
. Samuel Abbot,
John Garvin,
. Benjamin Kimball.
Charles Eastman,
. John Thompson,
Anthony Potter,
Samuel Davis,
Nathaniel Ambrose,
Joseph Runnells,
Jacob Hoit,
James Hoit,
Samuel Kimball,
. Isaac Farnum.
( Benjamin Kimball.
Ephraim Carter,
Fenee-viewers, .
John Thorndike, Benjamin Emery, Jr., Moses Ferrin.
John Thorndike, Chandler Eastman,
Samuel Bradley,
Abiel Walker.
Pound-keepers,
Joseph Walker, James Moulton,
Abiel Walker,
Charles Eastman
----
James Corliss,
Nathan Ballard, Jr.,
. Isaac Shute,
Benjamin Wheeler,
Richard Trow,
Benjamin Kimball, Timothy Dow,
Moses Harriman,
Surveyors of Highways,
Nathaniel Abbot,
Nathaniel Abbot,
Josiah Rogers, . Richard Bradley,
Benjamin Emery,
Orlando Brown.
[ Josiah Rogers, . Timothy Chandler, George W. Rogers,
362
HISTORY OF CONCORD.
Timothy Butters,
.
James Willey,
Moses Hall,
. Isaac Hill,
Levi Abbot, Moses Shute,
James Buswell,
Daniel Coolidge,
. Charles Eastman,
Benjamin Emery,
. Chandler Lovejoy,
Francis N. Fisk,
Asa Graham,
John Flanders, .
. Thomas Potter,
Abel Baker,
Timothy Abbot, Jr.,
Reuben Johnson,
Joseph Runnells,
Jonathan Runnells,
Jedediah Hoit,
Benjamin Elliot,
· Robert Knowlton,
Benjamin Kimball, 3d,
. Richard Trow,
James Moulton,
. Isaac Colby,
Robert Adams, Isaac Virgin,
Hazen Virgin, Eben'r Lovejoy, Dudley Ladd.
Abiel Virgin,
Josiah Rogers, .
Nathaniel G. Bradley,
George W. Rogers,
Joseph Dow,
Chandler Eastman,
Moses Bullen,
Moses Ferrin,
Stephen Webster,
Abiel Virgin,
Robert Davis, Jr.,
Surveyors of Lumber, . 3
Stephen Webster, Samuel Davis, .
John Lovejoy,
Abel Baker, Jr.,
Benjamin Swain,
Samuel Butters, Benjamin Swain,
Abel Baker,
( John Lovejoy. .
Bowen Crehore.
Thos. W. Thompson,
Representatives,
.
Thomas W. Thompson.
Richard Ayer.
Enoch Coffin,
Abiel Walker,
William Low.
Nathaniel Abbot,
B. Hazeltine,
Petit Jurors,
F. N. Fisk,
Asaph Evans.
Daniel Cooledge,
George W. Rogers,
Isaac Dow,
John George,
Stephen Ambrose,
Edmund Leavitt,
{ Asaph Evans.
Joseph Runnells,
Stephen Chase,
Samuel Butters,
Samuel Bradley,
. Moses Ferrin.
William A. Kent.
Stephen Ambrose,
Timothy Chandler.
Abiel Walker,
George W. Rogers,
Josiah Rogers,
James Hall,
. Isaac Dow,
Nathan Stickney,
Fire-wards, .
. Jeremiah Pecker,
. Timothy Chandler,
Isaac Shute,
Orlando Brown,
. Stephen Ambrose,
Pearl Kimball.
Corders of Wood, . .
James Willey, John George, Stephen Ambrose, O. Brown, Samuel Bradley, Abel Houghton. James Moulton, Stephen Chase, Samuel Butters,
Cullers of Staves, .
- Joshua Abbot, Jr, Joseph Runnells. Timothy Chandler, John Thorndike, Seth Tucker.
Auditors, ! .
Josiah Rogers, . James Willey, . Timothy Chandler, Seth Tucker, George W. Rogers, Benjamin Kimball, Jr., Abiel Walker,
Orlando Brown, Isaac Dow, . Stephen Ambrose, Jeremiah Pecker, Ezra Hutchins.
Nathan Abbot, 3d,
Moses Ferrin,
Grand Jurors, .
S Stephen Ambrose,
Bowen Crehore.
Hogreeves, .
CHAPTER XIII.
HISTORY OF CONCORD FROM 1815 TO 1825.
AT the annual meeting in March, 1815, the town voted " That the intermission be one hour through the year, except Commun- ion day, and on those days one hour and a half."
On the 23d of September a violent gale swept over this town, and indeed over the greater part of New-England, which did immense damage to buildings, fences, and especially to wood-lands. Hence at a meeting January 1, 1816, Richard Bradley, one of the selectmen, was appointed " agent in behalf of the town, to dispose of the wood and timber blown down on the eighty acre lot belonging to the parsonage, and that the net proceeds of the sale be given to the Rev. Asa McFarland." Mr. Bradley was also appointed agent to sell the wood and timber at the Rocky Pond, so called, that is now blown down on the land belonging to the town, and all the wood and timber blown down on any other lands owned by the town. Abiel Walker was appointed " assist- ant agent " for the same purpose.
1816.
This year the building of the State House was begun. A spirited competition arose between the North and South End, as to where the house should be located. The North End inhabit- ants were in favor of the location where the old town-house stands, or further west, on land owned by the late William Stick- ney. At the annual meeting, March 12th, it was voted, " That
364
HISTORY OF CONCORD.
the town-house may be removed, if the Legislature should want to make use of the land for a State House, on which said house stands."
The conditions on which the State House might be located in Concord, as proposed by the Legislature, were, "That said town of Concord, or inhabitants of said town, shall convey to the State of New-Hampshire a suitable piece of ground on which to erect said State House, to the acceptance of his Excellency the Gov- ernor and Honorable Council aforesaid - shall level and well prepare said piece of ground, to the acceptance of the committee to superintend the building aforesaid - shall also give all the stone necessary to be used in the erection of said building, and shall convey or have conveyed said stone, under the direction of said committee, to the place or plot of ground upon which said State House shall be erected ; which condition shall be perform- ed free of any charge or expense to the State."
The inhabitants of the South End were in favor of the loca- tion at or near where the State House now stands. Especially interested and active in securing their object were the late Col. William A. Kent, Gov. Isaac Hill, and William Low. In exam- ining the two locations it appears that a committee of the Legis- lature had reported favorably of that on Stickney's land, but the decision of the question was left with the Governor and Council. In order to fulfil the conditions, subscriptions were started at both the North and South End ; the latter soon amounted to about four thousand dollars ; and tradition says, that in the mean time the most urgent and favorable considerations were presented to Governor William Plumer by those in the South End interest. The Governor had formerly boarded at the North End, with Fran- cis N. Fisk, Esq., but this year he boarded with Mr. Hill, and both personal and political considerations were brought to bear on the question. The arguments for and against the respective locations in dispute were : That Stickney's land was dry, elevated and airy ; a building erected thercon could be seen far and wide; it was near the Town House, where the Legislature had been accustomed to meet, and had been recommended by a committee of that body. The other location was said to be more central, and less difficult of access : to which it was objected that it was
365
ERECTION OF THE STATE HOUSE.
low and wet, and contemptuously it was called a "frog-pond," out of which a member facetiously remarked, " that the frogs would peep up, and with their croakings interrupt the debates of the House !"-That the expense of laying a foundation in such a spot would swell the cost far beyond the estimate ; and, in fact, that the people at the South End had no just claim whatever to put in, in opposition to the location on Stickney's land. Tra- dition further says, that the Governor and Council were as much divided in their opinions on the subject as the people of the respective sections. Two of the Council, Gen. Benjamin Pierce and Samuel Quarles, boarded with the late John George, and were decidedly in favor of the Stickney location - indeed, a majority of the Council were in favor of the latter spot. A day was fixed on to decide the question ;- but, it happened, that just at that juncture one member of the Council, who was in favor of the north end location, was called away on special business, and before his return the Governor called the Council together, and decided the question in favor of the South End. Thus saith tradition.
The lot on which the State House is erected, containing about two acres, formerly belonged to the estate of Peter Green, Esq. On the north-east part of it stood the house of Capt. Peter Rob- ertson, which house was sold to Mr. William Kent, and moved to Pleasant street, where it still stands. The entire lot was pur- chased and presented to the State, agrecably to the conditions specified.
Mr. Stuart J. Park* was chief architect, assisted by Mr. Levi Brigham.f Messrs. Albe Cady, William Low and Jeremiah Pecker, of Concord, were the superintending building committee.
* STUART J. PARK. The parents of Mr. Park were natives of Scotland, and came to this country in 1767. Ilis father was a stone mason, and the first here who practiced splitting stone with a wedge. Mr. Park possessed unusual mechanical genius. Ile was the overseer or contractor of the following structures: overseer in the work of building a jail in Portland, 1798; overseer of jail at Northampton, Mass., 1801 ; contractor State Prison at Charlestown, 1803; overseer upon prison at Windsor, 1808; contractor State Prison in Concord, 1810 ; Middlesex Locks and Canal, 1813; overseer State House in Concord, 1816, overseer jail at Dover, 1818; overseer Boston Mill Dam, 1820 ; overseer Dry Dock, Charlestown, 1825; over- seer Lowell Railroad, 1835. Since that time he has resided upon his farm in Groton, Mass., one of the best in Massachusetts, and is eighty-two years of age. He visited Concord in March, 1854, and was then enjoying fine health and a green old age. Ile is still living.
+ Mr. Brigham was from Boston. Ile married Ann, daughter of Capt. Richard Ayer.
366
HISTORY OF CONCORD.
Convicts of the State prison were employed to hammer the stone. On Tuesday, September 24, 1816, the corner stone was laid. The building was completed and the Legislature first convened in it, in June, 1819.
The expense of building the house, including the fences and the furniture of the house, amounted to nearly eighty-two thou- sand dollars .*
At a meeting November 4, 1816, it was voted, that in future the ballot for Representatives be brought in on the same ticket for State and County officers.
1818.
At the annual meeting in March the selectmen were author- ized to purchase two hearses ; one hundred dollars were raised for purchasing a fire engine and other necessary apparatus there- for, and a quantity of hose to the amount of forty dollars. The selectmen were also authorized "to sell any part of Timothy Abbot's land, or the whole, as they may think best, and pay his debts."+
SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
Heretofore Dr. McFarland, ex officio, had performed the ser- vice of visiting and inspecting the schools of the town, examin- ing teachers, &c .; but this year, March 11th, for the first time, a committee was appointed to visit the schools, viz. : Thomas W. Thompson, Dr. McFarland, Capt. Richard Ayer, William A. Kent, George Hough, Abiel Rolfe, Stephen Ambrose, Thomas Chadbourne, Moses Long, Richard Bradley, Samuel A. Kimball, and Samuel Fletcher.
It was also voted, " That the committee in each school district make out a list of all the children in their respective districts,
* For description of the State House see Miscellaneous Chapter.
t Timothy Abbot was a son of Edward Abbot, 2d. His land lay north of Centre street and extended back to Sand Hill. On account of irregular habits he was placed under guardi- anship. Ilis property was conveyed to the town, which became obliged to support him. He died in 1820, leaving a [second] wife, Lydia. By virtue of her interest in her husband's estate, she received support from the town in her old age. She boarded for several years at Mr. Jacob Hoyt's ; then at Simon Virgin's. In her latter years she fell and broke her thigh, and hence became very infirm and helpless. Finally she was boarded at Mr. Ebenezer East- man's, in the East Village, where she died, May 25, 1853, aged eighty-five.
367
RESTRICTIONS ON INTEMPERANCE.
from the age of four years to twenty-one, and return the same to the selectmen in the month of April in each year, under oath if required."
TEMPERANCE.
Voted, " That it shall be the duty of the selectmen to prosc- cute all persons in the town of Concord who shall, within knowl- edge or from satisfactory information, retail spirit contrary to law, except on public days."
The selectmen were also directed to prosecute any person or persons who had trespassed or who shall hereafter trespass on any of the lands belonging to the town ; and "to confer with the directors of Federal and of Concord bridges with respect to the compensation they will require, to permit the inhabitants on the east side of the river to pass and repass to attend public worship ; and likewise to attend town-meetings by the year." The imme- diate occasion of this vote was a vote passed by the directors of Federal bridge, September 2, 1817, requiring " all persons cross- ing Federal bridge, going to or returning from public worship on Sabbath days, (excepting foot-passengers,) to pay toll," which vote was reconsidered September 24, 1817.
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.