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 39
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INTERESTING INCIDENTS.
name of the committee and his fellow citizens generally, bade him " God speed." The President took him kindly by the hand, and in a few touching and eloquent words directed him to return his thanks to the committee and citizens, and assure them that their kind wishes were most heartily reciprocated.
Ripe Indian corn was gathered on the premises of Hon. Isaac Hill, in this town, August 7th. The corn was the small eight rowed, planted in May, seed from Montpelier, Vt.
Mr. John Estabrook, of this town, was instantly killed by the explosion of the boilers of the steamboat New-England, on the 9th of October, 1833, at Essex, near the mouth of Connecticut river. Mr. Estabrook had taken passage from New-York, ex- pecting to go to Weathersfield, Connecticut, to meet his wife and child, then on a visit to the family of Amos Pillsbury, Esq., warden of the Connecticut State Prison. By the explosion of the boilers thirteen persons were killed and many more severely injured. Mr. Estabrook was probably blown off the deck into the water, whence his body was recovered in full dress. The watch in his pocket stopped at the precise moment when the explosion took place. Mr. E. was interred at Essex, but subse- quently his remains were removed to the family burying ground in Hopkinton, N. H., which was his native place. He was in his 29th year.
Mr. Estabrook was the eldest son of an orphan family, form- erly of Hopkinton, to whom he had been, to the best of his ability, a protector and guardian. He married Miss Emeline Abbot, youngest daughter of Mr. Nathaniel Abbot, of this town, July 6, 1829, by whom he had one child, Frederick, who died January 3, 1844, aged 12 years. Mr. E. was a trader, -a young man of active and enterprising habits.
Isaac F. Williams, of Concord, raised the present year in his garden, one hundred and twenty-four bushels of the first quality potatoes, on a little less than one fourth of an acre of land.
On Sunday evening, January 12, 1834, Mr. Ephraim Pettengill was found dead, on the road north-east of Mr. Meshech Lang's, and about one fourth of a mile from his own house. An axe lay by his side, stained with blood, and the main artery of his leg, near the groin, was cut. A bottle of rum was found in his
27
418
HISTORY OF CONCORD.
pocket. He started from Mr. Ambrose's store about nine o'clock, on Saturday evening, and it is supposed fell on the edge of the axe and bled to death. An elm tree now marks the spot where he was found.
Died in this town, February 25, 1834, Mrs. Elizabeth IIa- zeltine, aged one hundred years and six months. Mrs. H. was the oldest person that ever deceased in Concord. She was the fourth child of Mr. Nathaniel Abbot, one of the original propri- etors of the town ; born July 1, 1733, old style. She married Joseph Hazeltine, and lived in the south-west part of the town, on what is now known as the " silk farm." Mrs. H. was remark- able for kindness of temper, suavity of manners, vivacity of spirit, energy, and for her tenacious memory. This she retained till the last of life. She remembered and related not only early incidents in her life, with great exactness, but things that oc- curred when she was seventy, eighty, and even ninety years old. On the day she was ninety-nine years old, a sermon was preached at her house by Rev. Mr. Bouton, from Psalms 71: 9: "Cast me not off in the time of old age; forsake me not when my strength faileth." Her hearing was then perfect, her mental faculties bright, and after meeting she held sprightly conversa- tion with many neighbors who visited her. When one hundred years old another discourse was preached at her house, which was numerously attended by persons from the main village, who had the curiosity to see a centenarian. With the exception of her eye-sight, her faculties were still good. She was able to sit up in her armed chair during the whole service, and enjoyed it greatly. After the lecture she said to her pastor -" When you preached here last year from the text in Psalms, 71: 9, I did not expect that I should live to hear another sermon ; but I am thankful that the Lord has spared me to hear the word once more. To-day I am a monument of his mercy, and a witness for his goodness and forbearance." On being introduced to children and grand-children of those whom she formerly knew, she addressed them severally with great propriety - often re- lating some little anecdote suited to the occasion. Mrs. H. was greatly esteemed and beloved by her neighbors - for whom, in sickness and trouble, she would cheerfully sacrifice her own com-
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INTERESTING INCIDENTS.
fort. In middle life she was once called on, in a cold winter night, when the snow was deep, to attend on a neighbor's wife, half a mile distant ; and, fastening on snow-shoes, she walked over the top of fences to the place.
The following beautiful sketch of her character was written by the late Miss Mary Clark, and addressed to a friend :
" We proceeded together to visit the venerable matron of ninety- seven, now probably near the close of a long and exemplary life. We found her sitting upright in her easy chair, somewhat more com- fortable than she was the day previous. The dimness of her eye- sight prevented her from recognizing us, but as we were successively introduced by her grand-daughter, her withered hand was extended to us with the same cordial expression of kindly feelings she was wont to manifest. The same entire trust and confidence in her heavenly Father, the same perfect resignation to his will, the same happy serenity of mind, the same desire to arrive at the end of her pilgrimage, yet the same willingness to wait God's time, are still ap- parent in her; and I might add, the same benevolent regard for her friends and neighbors, and the whole human family, which has char- acterized her life and conversation. She converses with much pro- priety, and seems to retain her mental faculties wonderfully, consid- ering her advanced age and the sorrows of her life. There was always something peculiarly pleasant in visiting her. Her humility of mind; her calm, unobtrusive piety ; the sweetness of her disposi- tion ; the affability and dignity of her manners, and her intelligent conversation, rendered her society highly interesting. Her's is the evening of a well spent life ; an evening without clouds, over which the bright assemblage of her Christian virtues sheds a delightful radiance. And how has she attained this excellence of character ? Has it not been by continned perseverance in the way of well doing ? Doubtless she has had her conflicts with temptation, her sorrows for sin ; she has felt her own weakness, she has lamented her own frailty ; but she has been led to the Rock that was higher than she,- she has trusted in the arm that was stronger than hers, -she has believed in Him who is the way, the truth and the life, -she has followed him, and he has owned and blessed her, and will undoubtedly save her with an everlasting salvation. And why may not we do likewise ? What hinders us from walking by the same rule, from minding the same thing ? The same aids are proffered to us, the same Almighty Power remains to hold us up, that we may be safe from sin and temptation ; we also may die the death of this right- eous woman, and have our last end be like hers, if we will be careful to live as she has lived, by faith in the Son of God. What though we are weak ? He is mighty. What though we are tempted ? He can deliver. He can be touched with a feeling of our infirmities, for he was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the Throne of Grace, that we may obtain
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HISTORY OF CONCORD.
mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. Let us lay aside every weight and the sin which doth easily beset us, and let us run with patience the raee that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who, for the joy that was set before him, endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God."
" ' True, 'tis a strait and thorny road, And mortal spirits tire and faint, But they forget the mighty God Who feeds the strength of every saint.'"
An Irish emigrant, in a dying state, was found in the barn of Samuel Simpson, of this town, on the 9th of July, and shortly afterwards expired. He was apparently about thirty-five years of age. It was supposed that the cause of his death was the fatigue of travelling on a day of such extreme heat, and his having drank too freely of cold water. He was respectably interred in the common burying-ground, by the town authorities of Concord.
Died in this town, May 26, of pulmonary consumption, Miss Lydia C. Farnum, daughter of Mr. Ephraim Farnum, aged twenty-seven. She was distinguished for a bright and active mind, a highly finished education, uncommon aptness to teach, personal beauty, and, above all, for christian excellence. Her death was peaceful and happy.
An unsuccessful attempt was made on the night of July 4 to rob the Concord Bank. The outer door was entered, but the robbers were unsuccessful in forcing the vault.
CONCORD PRICES CURRENT OF FURS, BY I. C. BRADLEY.
Red Fox, prime,
$0,75 to $1,12
X Fox, 66
2,00 " 2,50
Silver,
66
6,00 " 10,00
Sable, 66
25 " 1,06
Mink,
10 « 45
Fisher,
66
75 “
1,50
Otter, 66
5,00 «
7,00
House Cat,
6 " 17
Bear, 66
3,00 « 4,00
Cubs,
66
75 " 1,00
Raceoon,
6 " 25
At Concord, the 4th of July was celebrated by two political parties-both branches of the Legislature joining in the fes- tivities, according to political predilections. Processions were
421
INTERESTING INCIDENTS.
formed of the friends of the Administration at the State House, and of the Whigs at the Court House. The first proceeded to the Brick meeting-house, where Mr. Theophilus Fisk, a minister of the denomination of Universalists, delivered an oration. The latter proceeded to the North Meeting-house, where Leonard Wilcox, Esq., of Orford, delivered an address. Each party had its dinner, toasts and speeches.
MECHANICS' BANK.
The first meeting of the grantees of the Mechanics' Bank was held at the Eagle coffee-house, on Tuesday, August 12, 1834, Joseph M. Harper in the chair, and the following board of di- rectors was chosen :
Nathaniel G. Upham, Peter Renton, Horatio Hill, Joseph M. Harper, Nathaniel Curtis, Abner B. Kelly, Arlond Carroll.
At a subsequent meeting of the directors, Hon. Nathaniel G. Upham was chosen president, and George Minot cashier.
A public dinner was given in Concord, by the Whigs of New- Hampshire, on the 30th of September, to the Hon. SAMUEL BELL, of Chester, Senator in Congress. A splendid pavilion was erected for the occasion, on the common in School street, and about six hundred persons sat down to the dinner. The speakers were Hon. Daniel Webster, John Holmes, of Maine, Ichabod Bartlett, and Senator Bell. Col. Amos A. Brewster, of Hanover, presided at the table; grace was invoked by Rev. Moses G. Thomas, of Concord, and the toasts were read by George Kent, Esq.
September 8, 1834, Abraham Prescott, a young man charged with the murder of Mrs. Sally Cochran, both of Pembroke, was tried before the Court of Common Pleas, held (on account of the large concourse of people) in the old North Meeting-House in Concord. He was found guilty, but allowed a new trial. The second trial took place at the same place, September 8, 1835, and on Saturday, the 12th, at nine, A. M., the jury came into court with a verdict of guilty. Sentence of death was pronounced by Judge Upham on Monday, September 14, and the time of his execution fixed on the 23d of December, between the hours of ten and twelve o'clock. A reprieve was granted by
422
HISTORY OF CONCORD.
Gov. William Badger till the 6th of January, 1836, when Pres- cott was executed, by hanging, at Hopkinton, in the presence of a large concourse of people.
Died in this town, October 30th, Mrs. Anna Willey, at the advanced age of one hundred years, wanting a few days. Through life she enjoyed uniform health, and, until within a few years of her decease, contributed of her own handiwork in the family of her son, Dea. James Willey, with whom she resided. Her age was ninety-nine years, eleven months and six days.
The new prison, or north wing of the State Prison, was com- pleted this year. It is composed of granite, one hundred and twenty-seven feet long and thirty-seven feet wide. The walls are from twenty to twenty-four inches thick and twenty-five feet high. The whole cost was $17.533,75.
CHAPTER XV.
HISTORY OF CONCORD FROM 1835 TO 1845.
The first part of the period of our history from 1835 to 1845, is distinguished for nothing so much as the remarkable spirit of speculation, amounting almost to a mania, which extensively prc- vailed. It was awakened about the beginning of the year 1835, in relation to lands in the State of Maine, and soon extended to real estate in all the principal cities and villages of New-England. Visionary schemes were projected, airy hopes raised, and extrav- agant sums paid for land, with the expectation of amassing thereby a large fortune. Lots in Concord, valued at from forty to sixty dollars per acre, suddenly rose to twice and five times that sum ; purchases were made - generally on credit - and many lots changed owners. Associations were formed of gentle- men who had by their industry laid up a few hundred or thousand dollars, and the whole placed at stake in a speculating race for wealth. In 1837 the crisis was reached, the bubble burst, and a large part of all who had enlisted in the enterprise found their money gone, without an equivalent. The loss to persons in Con- cord, principally by speculation in castern lands, was estimated at from seventy-five to one hundred thousand dollars. The con- sequence was, a pecuniary embarrassment which lasted long afterwards, and from which some never recovered.
In the mean time the common affairs of the town proceeded in their usual order. As a means of security in case of fires, the selectmen were authorized, in 1835, to purchase two fire engines of a large size, for the use of Main street, and to locate those then on Main street, one at the East and one at the West village.
424
HISTORY OF CONCORD.
On recommendation of the selectmen, school district No. 12 was divided and a new district formed on the Dark Plain, (No. 22,) " consisting of the inhabitants living on the turnpike from Philip Stevens's to Pembroke line, from the turnpike to London line, and from the turnpike to Pembroke line, on the Sheep road, so called." A school-house was subsequently built at the angle of the turnpike and Loudon road.
The superintending school committee reported this year the whole number of scholars 1049, in the winter schools, kept by male teachers. Of that number, besides reading and spelling, there were writers, 425 ; mental arithmetic, 239; written arith- metic, 223; grammar, 175; geography, 228; history, 40; philosophy, 25; chemistry, 7; astronomy, 7; Watts on the mind, 5 ; algebra and geometry, 9.
SMALL POX.
During the months of August and September, 1835, four cases of small pox occurred in town. The patients were removed to a retired situation, about two miles from the main village (to a house on the Bog road.) One case only proved fatal, viz., Abiel E. Thompson, aged 38, died September 20th. But in consequence of the general alarm produced by this disease in the community, the town, in 1836, adopted a law of the State, passed June 27, 1835, for the prevention of the small pox, and appointed Dr. Ezra Carter agent for vaccinating all the inhabit- ants of the town.
The selectmen were authorized to demand the highest sum of showmen in all cases, and to withhold licenses for the sale of ardent spirits.
By order of the town, land was purchased of Gen. Robert Davis for a burying ground in the West Parish, north of the meeting-house, at a cost of $190.83. The first person buried therein was Mr. Orlando Brown, taverner in the West village, who deceased December 12th, aged 54.
RAILROAD STOCK.
At a special town meeting, October 10, 1836, William A. Kent, Robert Davis and Joseph Low, having charge of the par- sonage and school funds, were authorized to invest the same in
425
THE SURPLUS REVENUE.
two hundred shares* of the Concord Railroad. The same com- mittee were "empowered and directed, for and in behalf of the town, to subscribe for five hundred shares of Concord Railroad stock, and to borrow a sum not exceeding $30,000 at not more than six per cent. interest, redeemable after the year 1845." The same committee were appointed to make application to the Legislature, at its ensuing session in November, " to empower the town of Concord to procure a loan of $30,000, or any less sum, to be invested by the town in the stock of the Concord Railroad."
At a town meeting, held November 7th, on the question, " Is it expedient for the State to grant an appropriation to build an Insane Hospital ?" there were five hundred and fifty-three yeas, and sixteen nays.
1837.
SURPLUS REVENUE.
At a special meeting, January 30, 1837, " Voted, That the town will receive from the Treasurer of the State the portion allotted to it of the public money of the United States, deposited with this State, agreeably to the aet providing for the disposition of the public money, passed January 13, 1837." Isaac Hill was at the same time appointed agent in behalf of the town, to receive from time to time the town's portion of the aforesaid money, as it should become due ; to receipt for the same, and " to pledge the faith of the town for the safe keeping and their payment of the same when demanded by the State treasurer."
" Toted, That the act of the Legislature of New-Hampshire, passed January 14, 1837, authorizing the town of Concord to hire money to be vested in the Concord Railroad stock, be accepted by the town."
At the same meeting the vote of the town, authorizing William A. Kent, Robert Davis and Joseph Low, to subscribe for shares in the aforesaid stock, and to borrow $30,000 on the credit of the town, was renewed ; and they were directed to borrow from the agent of the surplus revenue " the portion allotted to the
* One hundred and ten shares were purchased with the parsonage fund, and ninety for the school fund.
426
HISTORY OF CONCORD.
town " as it became due, "for the payment of assessments on said railroad shares." The agent was authorized to loan the money to the committee, and to take a certificate from them that they had received the same for investment in the aforesaid stock.
At the annual meeting in March the above committee reported that they had received from the agent of the town the first instal- ment of the surplus revenue, amounting to $4,287. From this had been paid, in part of an assessment on six hundred shares in Concord Railroad stock, $900, and the remainder, $3,927, loaned for the benefit of the town at legal interest, on a note signed by Joseph Low, George Hutchins, George Kent, Amos Wood, Asaph Evans, Samuel Fetcher, N. G. Upham and Samuel Evans. The next year the committee reported three instalments paid to the town, amounting to $14,481.
Stringent regulations were adopted for security against fires ; no horses, cattle, sheep or swine were permitted to go at large within the limits of the town. The selectmen were instructed to " cause the hay scales, standing in the highway at the corner of Main and Pleasant streets, to be forthwith removed ;" to pub- lish the warrant for the next annual town meeting in two public newspapers of the town ; and to purchase a hearse and pall for the new burying ground at the West Village, and build a house for the same.
1838-9.
On the question, " Is it expedient to revise the Constitution ?" there were seven yeas, and two hundred and seventy nays.
Abiel Walker, Richard Bradley and Isaac Dow, a committee to sell lands on the town farm, reported that they " had sold and conveyed to Daniel Farnum the water power, with about two and a half acres of land and a right of way to the same, for $550."
A part of the literary fund was this year appropriated to " em- ploy a teacher to instruct in penmanship in the several school districts in town."
At a special meeting, June 15, 1839, it was voted, " That the income,-after it shall have been accepted by the trustees of the Asylum for the Insane,-aceruing from the surplus revenue of the United States, now received by the town of Concord, be ap-
427
INSANE HOSPITAL - CONCORD RAILROAD.
propriated to the use of the Insane Hosptial for the term of twenty years, provided said hospital shall be located within the limits of this town." Robert Davis, William A. Kent and Joseph Low, were appointed a committee to secure said sum to the trustees of the hospital.
A great interest was felt by the citizens generally, and espe- cially of the main village, in the location of the Hospital for the Insane. At a meeting, June 15, a committee of the town was appointed to show the State Committee of Location " the several sites in town proposed for the location and erection of the insti- tution." This committee consisted of William A. Kent, Richard Bradley, Jonathan Eastman, Theodore T. Abbot, Cyrus Barton, Ezra Carter, Lewis Downing, Joseph Eastman, jr., Timothy Chandler and Abraham Bean. The sites which were examined were, Mr. Jacob Hoyt's place, on the Mountain, so called ; John Glover's, on the Pembroke road, south-east of Concord bridge ; Josiah Stevens's, near the Bradley monument ; the Em- ery lot, owned by E. S. Towle, including upland and interval, at the place called 'Paradise ;' also, a lot owned by Francis N. Fisk, on the west side of the road, opposite the Emery lot ; and the lot owned by Benjamin Gale and Elisha Morrill, which was finally selected as the location. The chief competition of those interested in locating the hospital was between the Emery place and the Gale lot.
The sum actually appropriated next year from the surplus revenue for the Asylum for the Insane was $9.500 -leaving available for other purposes, $6.293,18 .*
The interest in the Concord Railroad had by this time risen to such a pitch that William A. Kent, Robert Davis and Joseph Low, as committee, were empowered and directed, in behalf of the town, to subscribe for two thousand shares of the Concord Railroad stock, and to borrow a sum not exceeding $100.000, redeemable after the year 1850, " the interest on said loan to be paid from the income of the road," or otherwise, as found expe- dient !
This amount of stock was not taken, and as the enthusiasm for the railroad cooled down, the town, having paid an assessment of
* See Auditors' Report, 1841.
428
HISTORY OF CONCORD.
$900 on six hundred shares already subscribed for, finally, in 1841, transferred " all their right and title to said six hundred shares to the Trustees of the Concord Literary Institution, to relieve them of their debts and liabilities ;" at the same time deciding to " carry on two hundred shares of said stock ;" but subsequent- ly the committee having in charge the town funds were instructed to sell one hundred shares of this stock, leaving one hundred shares only, which also were finally disposed of by the commit- tec .*
1840.
In 1840 the town voted, "That so much of the interest of the surplus revenue fund as shall be necessary for the purpose, shall be appropriated to pay the poll tax of the town !"
Five hundred dollars were appropriated to be laid out on Dimond's hill, for repair and improvement of the road ; one hun- dred and fifty dollars to build an engine house, and a sum not to exceed five thousand dollars, from the surplus revenue, "to pay the debts of the town." The whole amount of the surplus rev- enue in March, 1840, including principal and interest which had accrued, was $16.886,84.
CONCORD BANK FAILURE.
About this time (June, 1840,) the failure of the Concord bank occurred, in consequence of which a portion of the Par- sonage fund, that is, thirteen shares of the bank stock, amounting to $1.326,25, and a portion of the School fund, (ten shares,) equal to $1.020,25, was rendered worthless.
1842.
At the annual town meeting, 1842, Josiah Stevens, Jr., Joseph Low, Robert Davis, Luther Roby and William Restieaux, were appointed a committee " to purchase so much land as may be necessary for a cemetery or burying ground, in connection with the one near the old North Church," to fence and ornament the same, and five hundred dollars were appropriated for that purpose.
Robert Davis and Joseph Low, the committee who had for * See Town Records, 1841-2.
429
APPROPRIATIONS FOR A CEMETERY.
several years had in charge the town funds, resigned ; and Samuel Coffin, Francis N. Fisk and Seth Eastman were appointed in their place.
The average number of paupers at the town farm the past year was only sixteen, and the expense for each pauper eighteen dollars and seventy-nine cents.
In consequence of disturbances which had occurred for several years on the fourth of July, (especially in the evening,) by the assembling of numerous unknown individuals, endangering the property and in some cases the lives of the citizens, the several constables and fire-wards of the town were appointed " to keep the peace, and to assist in quelling any and all disturbances in and about Concord main village, on said fourth of July and at other times."
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