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 42
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" Resolved, That the signature of every individual present be solicited to the following pledge and appeal ; and that the same be printed and presented to the citizens of cach school distriet in town for the sanction of their names.
PLEDGE.
" We, the undersigned, citizens of the town of Concord, believing that intoxicating drinks of every description, used as a beverage, are not only useless, but injurious to men in health under all circumstan- ces ; and being fully persuaded that it would conduce to the best interests of said town, and tend greatly to promote the morality, happiness and prosperity of its citizens, of all classes and conditions, wholly to abolish the using and vending of such liquors within its limits, except for medicinal and mechanical purposes, hereby pledge to the accomplishment of so desirable an object our best exertions."
This pledge and the appeal which accompanied it was signed by one thousand seven hundred and sixteen inhabitants of the town, male and female .*
Joseph Gerrish, a young man from Boscawen, aged about 25, supposed to be insane, drowned himself in the Merrimack river, near the Free bridge, early on Monday morning, June 19th. His body was found a week after, floating in the river about half a mile below the bridge, soon after the firing of a cannon on the bank near the river, for the purpose of raising it.
Col. Franklin Pierce delivered a most eloquent and powerful address upon the subject of temperance, Thursday evening, June 22d, at the old North church. He held his audience in breath- less attention for one hour and a half.
On July 20th the Meredith stage, with sixteen passengers, returning from the White Mountains, was upset on the east side of the Merrimack river, descending from the plain to the interval which leads to the Free bridge. No bones were broken or lives lost, but some of the passengers were bruised and injured.
The price of butter in Concord (August 3d,) is only nine cents a pound.
Mr. Ebenezer Eastman, of this town, while at work on the
* See .N. II. Patriot, May 18, 1843.
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INTERESTING INCIDENTS.
bridge over the Merrimack river at Hooksett, making repairs, on Saturday, August 5th, fell from the bridge and was precipitated upon the rocks below, about thirty feet. He received a cut on the head, and one wrist and one ancle were broken.
Mr. Eastman relates that in 1839 he went out west, and while in Brown county, Ill., in the month of May, he went with a party of two others to hunt deer. They came in sight of a pack of wolves, four in number, which had infested that section for some time. One of the wolves was shot and killed; the others retreated to their den in the hollow of a large oak wind-fall. At first the party attempted to shut the wolves in, but one not liking the idea of " durance vile," rushed to the mouth of the hole. The party seized him, tied his legs, and laid him down by his dead companion. Then the question was how they should dispose of the remaining two. One of the party proposed to get an axe and cut them out ; but Eastman said a better way was to crawl in and shoot them, as old Putnam did. " Well," they said, " you may do it, we won't." Whereupon, loading his gun heavy with buck shot, he crawled into the hollow log till he saw the glare of the wolves' eyes. Discharging his gun it kicked him back, and the confined report nearly stunned him. Recovering, however, he reloaded, crawled in, and gave the wolves another shot. Both were killed, and dragged out of the hole by means of a hook fastened to a long pole. After this exploit, they called Eastman " the little smart yankee."
Jeremiah Pecker, Esq., died in this town August 12th, aged 71. Mr. Pecker was a thrifty farmer, and frequently held responsible offices in town. He was a man of quick wit, of much mechanical ingenuity, facetious in conversation, and a respected and useful citizen.
A severe gale was experienced in this town on the afternoon of Tuesday, August 16th, accompanied with torrents of rain. One of the fine elms in the State House yard was completely destroyed. The main branches were split off and the body of the tree, which was about twenty inches in diameter at the butt, was broken off about twenty feet from the ground.
In the year 1843 thirty-seven new dwelling-houses, making fifty-one tenements, were built in the main village of Concord, besides one large church and various stores, shops and offices.
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HISTORY OF CONCORD.
E. B. Little, Esq., of New-York city, made a donation of five hundred dollars to the Episcopal society in this town, for the purchase of an organ for the church.
Died at the Eagle coffee-house, in this town, Saturday evening, September 30th, of consumption, Charles Walker, Esq., aged 45. Mr. W. was the eldest son of the late Charles Walker, Esq., of Concord. He graduated at Cambridge in 1819, was a tutor in Transylvania University, in Kentucky, with President Holley, two years ; studied law with Thomas Addis Emmett, of New-York city, where he went into successful practice and con- tinued until 1835. On account of ill health he visited the West Indies, but afterwards resided at Key West, in Florida, where he received the appointment of District Attorney of the United States. Subsequently he went to Porto Rico, and pur- chased a plantation, which he cultivated till the spring of 1843, when he returned to the place of his birth-to die! Mr. Walker possessed many admirable qualities, and was greatly esteemed and beloved by all who knew him. He brought a pony from the West Indies, for his use in riding, which, a short time before his death he gave to Mr. James Prescott, in remembrance of boyhood attachments, when Prescott lived in the family of Mr. W.'s father. The gift was made on condition that Prescott should use the pony well, and when too old for service should kindly kill him. This beautiful and tractable animal is yet alive, (1855,) and has had the honor of bearing on his back hundreds of ladies and gentlemen of Concord.
Mr. Walker's monument stands in the range of others of the Walker family, in the north-east section of the old burying-ground.
On the 18th of September, Charles Ferrin, son of Mr. Philip Ferrin, in drawing a charge from a loaded gun, struck the butt of the gun against a beam, with his hand over the muzzle, when the contents of the musket were discharged, badly shattering his hand.
October 23d there was a considerable fall of snow in Concord and vicinity.
On the 3d and 4th of November the printers, binders and booksellers of Concord, formed into two companies, and went out on a shooting match. On the evening of the 4th the game was
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INTERESTING INCIDENTS.
brought in and counted, and a supper had at Moore's tavern, north end of Main street. Members of the companies were as follows :
(1.) L. B. Morrill, Captain ; Perkins Kimball, Frank Eastman, N. B. Baker, F. Allison, H. H. Carroll, E. Mansur, S. S. Dow, Noah Little, E. Shattuck, George O. Odlin, William P. Foster, Josiah H. Nelson, Charles W. Walker, George F. Kent, John M. West, Joseph A. Pearson, John C. Stowell, Benjamin C. Lowell. (2.) John C. Wilson, Captain ; True Osgood, John M. Hill, George G. Estabrook, Jolm D. Carswell, Oscar Knox, George H. H. Silsby, Harriman Couch, Ezra F. Pike, Charles Williams, Ira R. Philbrick, B. F. Watson, N. J. McClure, Samuel C. Hunt, Jr., Frank S. West, Samuel Dobie, Henry Anderson, E. D. Carpenter, Jacob H. Ela.
After supper the companies chose N. B. Baker president ; True Osgood, Frank S. West, vice-presidents ; John M. Hill secretary, and N. J. McClure toast-master.
The whole amount of game brought in was 7.772. Captain Morrill's side, 3.939. Capt. Wilson's side, 3.833. Difference in favor of Capt. M., 106.
On Capt. Morrill's side, Frank Eastman and Perkins Kimball brought in a count of five hundred each. On Capt. Wilson's side, Ira R. Philbrick brought in a count of six hundred and ninety-two, and True Osgood a count of five hundred.
On the 23d of November a frightened horse, running with the fore-wheels of a wagon, took the side walk below the Phenix hotel, and ran over a little daughter of Ira Perley, Esq., about two years old. By some means the child was thrown from the walk about ten feet, into the street, but received no material injury.
At a meeting of the citizens of Concord, at the town hall, August 9th, without distinction of party, Jonathan Eastman, Esq., was chosen chairman, and A. C. Blodgett and John Whipple sec -- retaries. The proposition was made and unanimously adopted to invite the celebrated Col. Richard M. Johnson, of Kentucky, then about to take a tour in New-England, to visit Concord. This invitation was accepted, and Col. Johnson made his visit to this place on Friday, October 25th. Leaving Boston in the morning by cars, he reached the crossing, near the south line of
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HISTORY OF CONCORD.
Concord, about half past ten o'clock in the forenoon, where he was met by Col. Franklin Pierce and Judge Upham, of the com- mittee of invitation. Mounting a beautiful white steed, he rode, escorted by a cavalcade of citizens, as far as the Rumford place, where he was received by the committee of arrangements, and welcomed to the hospitalities of the capital by Ira Perley, Esq. Thence a procession of citizens and soldiers, led by Gen. Charles H. Peaslee, chief marshal, Col. Johnson still mounted on his white horse, marched, amid the firing of cannon and ringing of bells, through Main street, down State street to Pleasant street, and thence to the American house, where lodgings were provided for the distinguished guest. The streets through which the pro- cession moved were lined with people, who saluted him with shouts. The windows and balconies of the houses were thronged by ladies, who testified their interest in the scene by the waving of handkerchiefs and by smiling faces.
Soon after, Col. Johnson was conducted to the hall of the House of Representatives, where he was introduced to the people assembled by Ira Perley, Esq., in a highly appropriate address, to which the Colonel responded. Col. Johnson wore a red vest, the same he had on in the battle of the Thames, at the time he killed the Indian chief, Tecumseh, and which was pierced by eleven bullet shots.
At three o'clock in the afternoon Col. Johnson, with a large company, sat down to dinner in the hall of the Eagle hotel. At the dinner Franklin Pierce presided, assisted by Ira Perley, Joseph Robinson, Thomas P. Treadwell, Joseph Low, Abel Baker and Moses Shute. Speeches were made by the president and others. A beautiful song, written by Mrs. Susan A. Barnes, of Hooksett, was sung by Mr. George Wood with admirable effect. Mr. William Low proposed the question to Col. John- son-"Did you or did you not, in your opinion, kill Tecumseh ?" Col. Johnson then minutely related the circumstances of the battle, and closed by saying, "In my own opinion I did kill Tecumseh !"
In the evening was a public levee at the Eagle hotel, where great numbers had the pleasure of a personal introduction. On Saturday morning Col. Johnson rode about the town, and at noon left by stage for Newport.
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INTERESTING INCIDENTS.
On Thursday, November 30th, Anthony Potter, son of Samuel G. Potter, living in the eastern part of Concord, was drowned in Turtle pond while skating. A companion by the name of Par- ker, rushing to his aid, also fell in, when a third, seeing them, went to their rescue, who also fell in. A dog with them raised a pitiful howling, which attracted the attention of some men near by. By their exertions the two last were saved, but Potter sunk. His body was recovered the next day in about sixteen feet of water. One boot was pulled off. He was about 20 years of age.
At a temperance meeting, December 30th, a committee was appointed to prosecute all persons who continue to sell intox- icating liquors in town.
[1844.] The new road from Concord, east village, to the Shaker village, running west of Oak hill, was opened for public travel early in 1844.
On Friday morning, January 26th, between twelve and one o'clock, one of the watchmen of the State prison, in going his rounds, discovered a fire breaking out in the blacksmithis' shop in the prison yard. A fire alarm was given, and by the active exertions of the citizens the fire was extinguished, but with a loss to the State estimated at about $1000, and to Messrs. Greeley & Eayres, contractors of the blacksmiths' shop, at a larger sum. The night was intensely cold, and it was with great difficulty that the engines could be worked.
Early on Saturday morning, February 5th, a fire broke out in the third story of the stone factory, at Fisherville. There being no fire-engine at Fisherville, Mr. Leonard Morrison, on horseback, riding at full speed, gave the alarm to No. 6 engine company, at West Concord, and to the fire companies in Concord main village. Great progress was made by the fire before the arrival of the engines, but it was checked and extinguished; with a heavy loss, however, in machinery and materials. The upper part of the factory was nearly destroyed. There were in operation in the factory one hundred and eighteen looms, and four thousand three hundred and eight spindles - employing about one hundred ope- ratives.
A coroner's inquest was held on Tuesday, April 2d, on the
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body of Mr. Ephraim Upham, who was found dead near the rail- road track, about half a mile below the bridge over the railroad, at the south end of the town. He had been missing since the night of the 20th of March. He was 67 years of age. It ap- peared in evidence that Mr. Upham was at the house of Joseph Whitcher, in the evening of the 29th, in a state of intoxication, and, attempting to walk home on the rail track, it is probable he fell and perished in the cold.
APRIL 18. The weather for the past ten days has been as warm and balmy as in June. Last Sunday was almost a hot day. Vegetation is very forward.
JULY 4. Mr. Carter, who lives near the stream that connects Great Turkey pond with Little Turkey, has fitted up five boats for the accommodation of those who visit the ponds for a boat- ride or for fishing.
There was a temperance celebration in Concord on the 4th, which was numerously attended. A collation was prepared in the State House yard, which was partaken of, as is estimated, by over two thousand persons.
The members of the Universalist society in Concord had a fishing party at Turkey pond July 23d. On their return they drove through the streets of the village, forming a large pro- cession of carriages. First was a four horse carriage, with the Concord band, playing some most excellent and enlivening music ; then a carry-all, containing their pastor and family, and others ; then three stage-coaches, crowded full and covered on the top with ladies and gentlemen ; then several two horse carriages, followed by twenty-six buggies, chaise and wagons.
Died in this town, very suddenly, of disease of the heart, August 23, Mrs. Anna, wife of Mr. Joseph Potter, aged 70. Mr. Potter rose early in the morning, went to his barn, and was absent about fifteen minutes. On his return his wife was a corpse.
Died in this town, September 7th, Capt. David Neal, aged 36. His funeral took place on Sunday, from the Universalist meeting- house. Capt. Neal was buried with military honors, being a member of the Concord light infantry at the time of his death, and formerly commander of the company. A very large proces- sion followed him to the grave.
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INTERESTING INCIDENTS.
On the 24th of September a daughter of John Arlin, aged 15, was burned to death.
The drought in this region is extreme. Almost every thing is turned to dust. For three weeks, from September 1st to Sep- tember 22d, we did not have one drop of rain.
A house belonging to James C. Whittemore, at the north end of Main street, was burned on Thursday, September 26th. One of the chimneys was burned out early in the morning, and it being observed that there were defects in it, by smoke issuing, it was watched till about eleven o'clock in the forenoon, when all danger seemed to be at an end ; but in a little more than an hour after- ward the house was discovered to be on fire - the fire having been communicated from a defect in the chimney to the flooring of the garret. The engines were upon the ground in good sea- son, and had there been a sufficient supply of water the fire might have been extinguished in fifteen minutes ; but in a long drought that had prevailed the wells near by gave out in a few mo- ments. A line of people was then formed to Horse-shoe pond, for the passage of water. The fire was then too far advanced to be checked by the inadequate quantity of water thus supplied, and the house was completely consumed. It was occupied by four tenants- Rev. Sylvester Dana, Justin L. Robinson, Joshua Ingalls and Mrs. Anna True. Mr. Dana lost four or five hundred volumes of theological works, and many articles of bedding and clothing. Mr. Robinson's family suffered severely. The loss of the others was not so great. The house was insured in the Merrimack County Insurance Company for $1000.
Died in this town, October 2d, Hon. Hall Burgin, aged 74. He formerly resided in Allenstown, owning the extensive farm now owned by George W. Ela, Esq. He was a man of great influence in Allenstown, had held the office of Judge of the Court of Common Pleas, and was once a member of the State Senate. Removing with his family to this town, about 1835, he built the elegant brick dwelling-house now owned by Joseph A. Gilmore. Toward the latter part of his life his property became embar- rassed. He was highly respected as a citizen.
A shocking casualty occurred in Concord on Friday evening, November 8th, while the democratic party were celebrating the
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HISTORY OF CONCORD.
triumph of the New-York election of Polk and Dallas, candi- dates for president and vice-president of the United States. Mr. John L. Haynes, one of the officers of the Columbian Artillery, had his left arm almost entirely blown off, his right arm dread- fully shattered, and his face shockingly burnt, in the act of ramming down a cartridge. The discharge took place in conse- quence of the vent not being stopped, in the excitement and hurry of the firing. His left arm was amputated by Dr. Haynes, of Concord.
The number of deaths in town in 1844 was one hundred and thirteen, which is a larger number than ever occurred in a year before. Of these, fifty were children under ten years of age, who died mostly of the bowel, or summer complaint, as it is called, which extensively prevailed this season. Among the number deceased was Mr. Samuel Jackman, formerly of Bos- cawen, a revolutionary soldier and pensioner. He lived in the easterly part of the town, near Lovejoy's mills, and at the time of his death, August 20th, was the oldest person in town, being 96 years of age. He was a man of uncommon physical vigor, with the exception of his eye-sight. He retained his physical and mental powers, in a good degree, to the last.
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CHAPTER XVI.
HISTORY OF CONCORD FROM 1845 TO 1853; OR, TO THE OR- GANIZATION OF THE CITY GOVERNMENT.
AT a special meeting of the town, September 23, 1845, new rules and regulations were adopted for the organization of the fire department. Four hundred and twenty dollars were appro- priated for the purchase of three hundred and fifty feet of hose for engine No. 2; three hundred feet of hose for engine No. 4, and twenty-five feet for engine No. 5. Reservoirs were ordered to be constructed ; one between the South Church and Hoyt's tavern, at the south end of Main street; one opposite the State House and west of Green street, and one or more at such other place as the board of engineers of the fire department shall determine.
At the organization of the fire department, according to the new regulations, September 24, Luther Roby was chosen chief engineer, and Arthur Fletcher, George H. H. Silsby, Caleb Par- ker, Daniel A. Hill, John Haines, John Abbet, Lowell Eastman, Harvey Rice, Benjamin Grover, James Moore, Shadrach Seavey, William Pecker, H. H. Brown, Moses Shute, Benjamin F. Duneklee, Lewis Downing, Benjamin F. Dow, and Stephen Brown, were chosen assistant engineers.
The town also adopted a law of the State, passed at the June session, declaring " that any bowling-alley, situate within twenty- five rods of any dwelling-house, store, shop, school-house, or place of public worship, shall be deemed to be a public nuisance ;"
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and the selectmen were instructed to adopt the proper legal measures necessary to abate such nuisances as then existed in the town. At this time there were four or five bowling-saloons in the compact part of the village, in which some young men spent a portion of their time every day, to the grief of parents and friends, the injury of their morals, and waste of money.
1846.
Asa Fowler, Esq., was appointed one of a committee to take charge of the town funds, in place of Samuel Coffin, resigned. Two hundred dollars were appropriated to purchase of Lewis Downing engine No. 3, together with the house, hose, and other fixtures belonging to the same. This engine was purchased by Mr. Downing in 1833, for two hundred and twenty-five dollars, for the protection of his large carriage manufactory establish- ment, then situated at the south end of Main street, on the spot now owned and occupied by Mr. J. Stephens Abbot & Son.
A law of the State was adopted by the town, authorizing "any two or more contiguous school districts in any town to form a union, for the purpose of maintaining a high school, for the instruction of the older and more advanced scholars." An attempt made to unite the three adjacent school districts in the main village proved unsuccessful.
The superintending school committee reported that " some of the higher branches, Ilistory, Philosophy, Astronomy, Physiol- ogy and Algebra, had received the attention of the more ad- vanced scholars in district schools."
1847.
The auditors reported that " the whole expenditure for the support of the poor the past year, including the interest on farm and overseer's salary, over and above what has been received for that purpose, amounts to $374,49." The average number of paupers, twenty-two and two thirds, and the "income has been sufficient to support them."
The committee having in charge the various funds of the town were authorized to sell and convey, in the name of the town, the
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APPROPRIATIONS FOR VARIOUS OBJECTS.
real estate formerly owned by Hall Burgin, Esq. This property was mortgaged to the town for money borrowed of the surplus revenue fund. In pursuance of the above authority the Burgin house and land -including the widow's dower, which the town had purchased - was sold to Mr. Caleb Pratt, late of Hartford, Conn., for $4500. Mr. Pratt died suddenly at his house, Sep- tember 26th, aged fifty-seven, of disease of the heart.
A sum not exceeding four hundred dollars was appropriated for a new burying-ground in the East village, and for fencing the same. Land for this purpose was bought of the estate of the . late Jeremiah Pecker, Jr., and a new burying-ground laid out on the south side of the cross road running east of the meeting- house, to the Loudon road.
The selectmen were " directed forthwith to remove all nui- sances called bowling-saloons ;" and "to cause the blacksmith shop, stone shop, and all other incumbrances now on the highway and common near the old North Church, to be removed." The blacksmith shop stood near the corner of the lot where the new house of Francis N. Fisk now stands.
1848.
At the annual meeting this year, a sum not exceeding three hundred dollars was appropriated, for enlarging and fencing the burying-ground at Millville, on the Hopkinton road. Permission was given to fence the common about the Biblical Institute, or old North Church, and incipient measures taken towards erect- ing a new Town-house. These measures were fully carried out after the town became a city. One hundred dollars were appro- priated for the support of a Teachers' Institute in and for the County of Merrimack ; a sum not exceeding five hundred dollars to purchase land and fence the same, for a burying-ground at Fisherville. The selectmen were instructed to grant no licenses during the year, permitting the exhibition of circuses ; and upon the question, " Is it expedient that a law be enacted by the General Court, prohibiting the sale of wines, or other spirituous liquors, except for chemical, medicinal or mechanical purposes ?" affirmative, one hundred and eighty-six; negative, none.
30
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HISTORY OF CONCORD.
The superintending school committee reported one thousand five hundred and thirty scholars in winter schools, and one thou- sand four hundred and thirty-two in summer schools, of whom one thousand three hundred and twenty-four were under fourteen years of age.
At a special meeting, May 6th, resolutions introduced by Col. Dudley S. Palmer were adopted, requiring the selectmen to ap- point a committee of five, whose duty it should be " to enforce the provisions of the license law against the unlawful sale of intoxicating drinks ;" and also " a committee to prosecute every instance of a bowling-alley being used unlawfully ;"-the ex- penses of such committees to be defrayed by the town, not exceeding five hundred dollars.
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