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 43
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1849.
Our representatives to the Legislature were instructed to oppose the annexation of any part of Bow to this town !
H. H. Brown, Nathaniel Rolfe, Eldad Tenney, Theodore F. Elliot and E. F. Brockway, were appointed a committee to lay out into lots the burying-ground at Fisherville. The selectmen were instructed to pay cach member of any engine or hook and ladder company in the town, twenty-five cents per hour for all labor actually performed by him at fires. Luther Roby, chief engineer of the fire department, reported that the expense of constructing reservoirs of desirable materials, and which will contain one thousand cubic feet of water, will vary, according to the kind of earth and depth of excavation, from one hundred dollars to one hundred and sixty dollars ; - and that the fire hooks which belong to the town, whenever their use has been attempted, have either broken or straightened out, and conse- quently thrown down and made a pile of the men attached to them, instead of pulling down the building to which they were attached.
The summer of 1849 was an unusually sickly season, from the prevalence of cholera morbus. In two or three cases the disease strongly resembled what was called the Asiatic cholera. Hence, on petition of Joseph Low, Nathaniel B. Baker and others, the selectmen, June 7, appointed doctors Ezra Carter, Thomas
467
MISCELLANEOUS MATTERS.
Chadbourne and Charles P. Gage, Joseph Low and Asa Fowler, Esqs., a board of health, - which board immediately adopted sanitary regulations ; examined out-buildings and places where stagnant water, decayed vegetables, or other offensive matter was accumulated, and ordered the removal of the same; also recommended to the inhabitants " the observance of strict tem- perance in regard to food and drink -limiting the diet to the most plain, simple and easily digested articles ; avoiding all crude vegetables and unripe fruit, much fresh animal food, large draughts of cold water, and, above all, ardent spirits in every form." This year the deaths in town were one hundred and fifty- eight - a larger number than ever occurred in one year before.
At the June session of the Legislature this year, an act was passed " to incorporate the City of Concord." September 22 the vote of the town was taken on the adoption of the charter. Yeas, 183; nays, 637.
1850.
To render the crossings of the highways by the several rail- roads more safe and practicable, the town voted that the Concord and Claremont railroad, the Northern, and the Boston, Concord and Montreal railroads, should be required to secure the crossing of their respective roads with the Free bridge road, by the con- struction of bridges ; and that at the intersection of the Boston, Concord and Montreal road with the highway near the easterly end of Federal bridge ; of the Northern railroad with the high- way near Horse-shoe pond ; of the Concord and Claremont road with the highway near Horse-shoe pond, near Benjamin Far- num's, and near the Mast Yard, gates should be erected and maintained ; and that at the crossing near the West Concord depot a bridge should be built.
A sum not exceeding one thousand dollars was appropriated for the purchase of a fire engine, hose, &c., for the use of engine company No. 3, to be located near Mr. J. S. Abbot's carriage manufactory ; and a sum not exceeding one hundred dollars was appropriated to purchase a new hearse and burying-cloth, to be used at the West Parish. The town paid the "Temperance Committee," for services and expenses, seventy-three dollars.
468
HISTORY OF CONCORD.
At a meeting, October 8, called " to choose delegates to rep- resent this town in a convention to revise the Constitution of this State, to be held at the Capitol, in Concord, on the first Wednes- day of November next," the following ballots were cast :
Whole number, 662
Necessary for a choice, 333
Franklin Pierce, . 441
Nathaniel G. Upham, 365
Cyrus Barton, 369
George Minot, . . 395
Nathaniel Rolfe,
382
Jonathan Eastman, 376
Moses Shute, .
381
Richard Bradley,
222
Asa Fowler, .
263
Nathan Stickney, 260
Simeon Abbot, 261
Jeremiah S. Noyes, : 272
Francis N. Fisk, .
127
John Eastman, . 202
Ira Perley, 150
and others, scattering. This Convention assembled in Novem- ber. Hon. Franklin Pierce was chosen President of the Con- vention, which, with adjournments, continued its session till Jan- uary 3, 1851. Proposed amendments to the Constitution were agreed upon by the Convention, and ordered to be laid before the people, to adopt or reject at the annual town meetings in March, 1851. The amendments were fifteen in number, every one of which was rejected in this town by majorities of from four to six hundred,* and also rejected by a large majority throughout the State.
The Convention again assembled, April 16, and agreed upon three amendments to be sent out to the people, viz. : 1. To abol- ish the property qualification for office. 2. To abolish the religious test. 3. To empower the Legislature to originate future amend- ments of the Constitution. These were acted on at the March meeting, 1852, and the vote stood as follows : (1st.) Yeas, 304;
* See original Records, March, 1851.
MISCELLANEOUS MATTERS. 469
nays, 341; (2d.) yeas, 286; nays, 360; (3d.) yeas, 294 ; nays, 348.
At a meeting November 18, the town appropriated $1500 to pay the award of the road commissioners to the proprietors of Federal bridge, for a highway across the same, and other expen- ses connected with necessary repairs. The selectmen were au- thorized to advertise for proposals and to contract for rebuilding said bridge. The Federal bridge thus became free. In 1851 it was rebuilt in the most substantial manner, at a cost to the town of $14,830.14 .*
1851.
At the town meeting in March, Asa McFarland, Esq., intro- duced the following, which was unanimously adopted :
" Whereas the tolling of bells on funeral occasions is productive of no good, and may, in case of the illness of the living, result in evil-Therefore,
" Resolved, That the practice be discontinued here, as it has gene- rally been in other populous places."
Thus ended a custom which had been invariably observed since a bell was first used on a meeting-house in Concord. At the funeral of Mrs. Sarah, wife of Mr. Richard Herbert, May 5, the bell was tolled by his particular direction.
A committee, consisting of Joseph P. Stickney, Seth Eastman, and Ira Rowell, reported that in consequence of turning the cur- rent of Merrimack river to the east side of Sewall's island, by the Northern Railroad corporation, " from two to three acres of the most valuable interval land had been washed away" from the town farm.
Measures were taken to suppress billiard tables.
The selectmen were authorized to employ two or more suitable persons as a night watch for the main village, and one or more for the village of Fisherville. The persons employed in the main village were Horace H. Holt and Loring R. Cook, who were paid for their services $387,87.
The selectmen were instructed to license but one person to sell
* See Miscellaneous Chapter, " Free Bridges."
$
470
HISTORY OF CONCORD.
spirituous liquors and wines for medicinal, mechanical and chem- ical purposes. Mr. Joel C. Danforth was appointed.
1852.
Money was this year appropriated for the construction of new reservoirs : $100 for one near the brick school-house in district No. 10; $100 for one near the house of A. B. Currier ; $100 for one near the house of Francis N. Fisk ; $50 for one at the brook near Isaac Emery's ; $50 for one at the brook near Philip Watson's ; $200 for the enlargement of the reservoir in front of the State House, and $50 for one near the school-house in district No. 9 .*
NEW TOWN HOUSE. A committee, consisting of Josiah Mi- not, Richard Bradley, Joseph B. Walker, John Abbot and Na- thaniel B. Baker, was appointed, and " authorized in behalf of the town to make such arrangements as they think proper with the county, for the erection of a new building, on or adjoining the site of the present Town House, with a town hall, court room, and other offices in the same." The committee was also author- ized "to dispose of the old town house as they may think advis- able, and appropriate the proceeds thereof to the new building."
A committee, viz. Sylvester Dana, Asa Fowler, Jacob A. Pot-
* From a report of a committee on the Fire Department, it appears that at this time the town is provided with six good and reliable Engines, which are located as follows : No. 2 near the State Prison, at the corner of Tremont and State streets; No. 4 on the north side of Warren street, a few rods west of State street ; No. 3 at the south end of Main street, nearly opposite Abbot & Co's carriage manufactory ; No. 8 at Fisherville ; No. 6 at the West Village, and No. 7 at the East Village.
In regard to a supply of water, your committee find that there are now in the town four- teen public reservoirs, located as follows : At the south end of Main street, opposite Abbot & Co's carriage manufactory, is a reservoir whose capacity is about 1000 cubic feet ; opposite the Thompsonian building is another, whose capacity is about 1000 cubic feet; near the South Church is another, whose capacity is about 400 cubic feet ; in front of the State House are three others, whose aggregate capacity is about 2300 cubic feet; at the intersection of Centre and Main streets is another, whose capacity is about 600 cubic feet ; opposite the Merrimack County Bank is another, whose capacity is about 600 cubic feet, but which is always fully supplied with water; opposite the house of John II. George is another, whose capacity is about 800 cubic feet ; on State street, near the house of Sewel Hloit, is another, which is supplied by a brook, and is unfailing ; on South street, near the house of N. B. Baker, is another, whose capacity is about 1000 cubic feet. Besides these there are others of various capacities, not strictly public reservoirs, located in different parts of the Centre Vil- lage-there being three near Warren street, between Main and Green streets ; one in the rear of Call's block ; one at the intersection of State and Washington streets ; one at the in- tersection of Main and Franklin streets, and various others, of small capacity, which it may be unnecessary here to enumerate.
471
MISCELLANEOUS MATTERS.
ter, Moses Shute and Abel Baker, appointed last year, on the establishment and perpetual maintenance of a public library for the use of all the inhabitants of the town," made a report, and proposed a plan, which was accepted, and resolutions in favor of it adopted. The plan, however, failed of being carried into exe- cution .*
At a town meeting, August 14, Joseph B. Walker, John H. George and Stephen C. Badger, were appointed a committee, " with full power to build a bridewell for the use of the town."
The selectmen were authorized and instructed " to take imme- diate measures for building a bridge across Merrimack river at Sewall's falls." The bridge was completed the next year as a free bridge.
1853.
The annual meeting in March, of this year, was the last ever held in the capacity of a town. On the question of the accept- ance of a city charter, which had three times before been reject- ed, the vote stood : yeas, 828; nays, 559. The usual town officers were elected, who continued in office until the organization of the city government.
From the report of the committee having the town funds in charge, it appeared that at this time the
Parsonage fund amounted to $4.296,76
School fund .
8.188,58
Surplus Revenue fund (in 1852,) 7.985,30
This latter fund had been borrowed by the town : but as the fund itself was considered the property of the town, and entirely at its disposal, the committee having it in charge, March 13, 1852, were " directed to cancel the certificates of this fund :"- the effect of which was to extinguish not only the debt due from the town, but the fund itself.
The last important business transacted by the town, at this meeting, was passing the following votes :
' Voted, That the committee appointed at the last annual town meeting, viz. : Josiah Minot, Nathaniel B. Baker, Richard Bradley, Joseph B. Walker and John Abbot, be authorized, in addition to the powers and authority given by the vote passed at said meeting, which
* See Town Records, 1852.
472
HISTORY OF CONCORD.
are hereby renewed and confirmed, to purchase for the use of the town all the premises in said town lying between Main street, on the east ; Court street, on the north; Summer street, on the west; and the south line of the Dearborn lot, so called, as it now runs, extended in a straight line westerly to Summer street, on the south - or such parts thereof as they think proper; and that the selectmen be au- thorized from time to time, in behalf and on the credit of the town, to borrow such sums of money as may be necessary for that purpose, or for any of the purposes mentioned in the vote aforesaid; and that the same be placed at the disposal of said committee."
" Voted, That a committee of three be appointed, with full powers to procure the publication of such portions of the original propri- etors' and town records as they may deem expedient, either in con- nection with the proposed history of the town by the Rev. Dr. Bouton, or otherwise, at their discretion ; and that a sum not ex- ceeding three hundred dollars be appropriated therefor.
" Committee - Nathaniel B. Baker, Jonathan Eastman and Joseph B. Walker."
" Voted, That the selectmen be instructed forthwith to organize the city government."
" Voted, That this meeting be dissolved.
JOHN P. JOHNSON, Town Clerk."
MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS AND ANECDOTES RELATIVE TO THIS PERIOD.
[1845.] A fire broke out in the store of Mr. Albert Herbert, on the corner north of the Merrimack house, Main street, on Saturday evening, May 10th, at half past nine o'clock. By the prompt exertions of the firemen the fire was kept from spreading. The house of Capt. Samuel Herbert, on one side; the Merri- mack tavern and the house of Mr. Richard Herbert, on the other, being in imminent peril, were cleared of furniture, &c., as was also, in part, the house of Rev. Mr. Bouton. The store of Mr. Herbert was totally consumed, together with a consider- able quantity of goods. Loss estimated at about $2.500 - insur- ance, $1.800.
A highly interesting, able and exciting political debate took place at a public meeting held in the old North church, on
473
INTERESTING INCIDENTS.
Thursday, June 5th, between Hon. John P. Hale and the Hon. Franklin Pierce. Mr. Hale represented the cause of the Anti- Slavery party and Mr. Pierce that of the Democracy. As usual, the friends of each claimed the victory. A sketch of the debate may be found in the newspapers of that week.
The New-Hampshire Anti-Slavery Society met in the old Town Hall on Wednesday, June 4th. The whole day was spent in dis- cussing the question whether a secretary should be appointed and the meeting regularly organized by the choice of officers. N. P. Rogers, of this town, and others, spoke against organization, and in favor of allowing every member perfect liberty. Stephen S. Foster, of Canterbury, was in favor of organization. The meet- ing was split on this rock !
Mr. John G. Gould, of Concord, was drowned on Sunday, June 15th, in the Merrimack river, aged 28. He was bathing at the foot of Turkey falls, near the railroad crossing, in com- pany with two others. He swam a few rods to a small island in the river, and on returning was drowned.
Mr. Benjamin Hoit, living near Horse Hill bridge, killed a rattle-snake, in the month of June, which was five feet long and nine inches in circumference. Forty-nine eggs were taken from it. It had twelve rattles, and consequently was supposed to be fifteen years old.
One day last week an eagle, which measured six feet from the tip of one wing to the tip of the other, was shot by a boy only thirteen years old, by the name of Goodrich, in the west part of the town .*
George W. Currier, aged 29, and Alva C. Currier, aged 22, brothers, were drowned in Little Turkey pond on Wednesday evening, July 2d, about six o'clock. Their bodies were found on Thursday morning, about six rods from the shore, in about nine feet of water. They fell from a boat in which they were at- tempting to cross the pond.
Died in this town, September 5th, at the house of his son-in- law, Lewis Downing, Esq., Mr. Jonathan Wheelock, a Revolu- tionary soldier and pensioner, aged 85 years. He was born at Lancaster, or Lempster, Mass., and entered the army of the
* N. H. Patriot, July 10, 1845.
474
HISTORY OF CONCORD.
Revolution when he was 16 years old, as a musician. He was at the battle of Bunker Hill, at the capture of Burgoyne, and served through the whole war - occupying the station of drum- major at its close. Not ten minutes before his death he had signed the papers necessary for the receipt of his pension, sitting up in a chair.
Twelve thousand eight hundred letters were mailed from the post-office in Concord during the quarter ending October 1st. The receipts for the quarter ending June 30th were $827,164, and for the quarter ending September 30th, $742,43.
The Rogers' family, consisting of three girls and one boy,* of ages varying from 11 to 17 years, gave a concert at the Uni- tarian church on Wednesday evening of last week. The house was full, and all were highly satisfied with the performances of this interesting family.}
About the 1st of November Mr. Thomas D. Potter, of Con- cord, fell from a chestnut tree a distance of thirty-four feet, bruising him, but not fracturing a limb. Twenty-four years ago the same individual fell from the same tree, and the same dis- tance, breaking an arm, thumb, &c.
On the 26th of November a drove of five hundred and twenty- five turkeys passed through our streets - a pleasing sight for the day before Thanksgiving.
Samuel Carr, of this town, took a dose of laudanum on Fri- day, October 31st, designedly, it is supposed. The application of the stomach-pump relieved him of this, but he died on the next day in a fever, superinduced by the poison.
Mr. George Battes, recently resident in this town, while eating his breakfast on Monday morning, November 17th, dropped from his chair and died instantly. It is supposed he was strangled with meat. He was formerly of Lebanon, about 35 years old, and was a man of intemperate habits.
A blacksmith's shop, at the north end of Main street, caught fire on Saturday forenoon, December 13th, and the roof was nearly destroyed before the fire could be extinguished. It was occupied by Mr. Justin L. Robinson.
Capt. Benjamin Parker, of this town, slaughtered a hog last
* Children of Nathaniel P. Rogers, editor of the Herald of Freedom. \ N. H. Patriot, Oct. 23.
475
INTERESTING INCIDENTS.
week, which weighed six hundred and thirty-nine and a half pounds .*
In the month of December a party of four men went from this town to the neighborhood of the White mountains, to hunt for deer. They made their head quarters at Littleton, and were successful in getting ten fine deer in a few days.
[1846.] On Saturday morning, January 3d, about half past six o'clock, the two story wooden building on Main street, owned and occupied by Messrs. Morrill, Silsby & Co., printers, stereo- typers, binders and booksellers, was discovered to be on fire in the press-room of the second story. By the promptness of a few individuals, and the exertions of our firemen, it was extin- guished in the course of an hour, with but comparatively little damage. The fire was communicated from a stove - in which a boy had a few moments previously kindled a fire, and then left the room - to a quantity of printed sheets which had been hung up to dry on the preceding evening.
At a little past twelve o'clock at night, January 7th, a fire broke out in the spacious frame buildings at the dépôt of the Concord Railroad Company, occupied by Messrs. Gilmore & Clapp for an extensive wholesale grocery establishment, and by the railroad company as a car house.
The building contained an immense amount of West India goods and groceries, comprising a large quantity of flour, lime, oil, plaster, pork, fish, iron, &c., besides four valuable passenger cars and three baggage cars, belonging to the railroad, nearly all of which were destroyed, or so much injured as to be almost a total loss. By the well directed efforts of our firemen on that part of the building in which Messrs. Gilmore & Clapp's safe - containing all their books - was situated, the latter was drawn out but slightly heated, and with the contents uninjured. The building was entirely consumed.
NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY.
At a meeting held at the office of Gen. Charles H. Peaslee, on Saturday, February 14th, for the purpose of considering the expedieney of forming a natural history society in Concord, Dr.
* N. H. Patriot.
476
HISTORY OF CONCORD.
William Prescott was chosen chairman and Nathaniel B. Baker secretary. After some remarks from the chairman, from Rev. Mr. Bouton, Hon. Franklin Pierce, Hon. Nathaniel G. Upham, Paul Wentworth, Esq., H. H. Carroll, Esq., and others, on motion of Stephen C. Badger, Esq., it was unanimously voted that it was expedient to form a natural history society in Concord.
February 28th the following persons were chosen officers of said Society : William Prescott, president ; N. G. Upham, Paul Wentworth, vice presidents; N. B. Baker, recording secretary ; Asa Fowler, corresponding secretary ; I. F. Williams, treasurer ; John H. George, librarian and cabinet keeper ; Joseph Low, Charles P. Gage, Richard Bradley, Abiel Chandler, managers.
Messrs. E. & G. G. Hook, of Boston, have recently erected, in the First Baptist meeting-house in this town, a splendid organ from their manufactory, a subscription of $1.500 being raised for the purpose.
About two months since a new organ was erected in the new North Congregational church, which cost $1.150 .*
A child of Mr. John Shields, an Irishman, was run over by a team heavily loaded with timber, on Monday afternoon, April 20th, and was instantly killed. The wheels passed directly over its head, crushing it in a most shocking manner.
The damages paid by the Northern railroad for land taken for the track of the road, &c., on the east side of Main street, as appraised by the State Railroad Commissioners, were as follows :
Damages.
Rods - length.
Area.
Per sq. rod.
Abel Hutchins,t
$1000
12
64 .
. $15,46
Isaac Hill, .
400
6.
. 324
. 12,31
Joseph Low, t
480
6
33}
. 14.40
Benjamin Grover,
601
13
. 64
9,39
Mechanics' Bank,
139
3
93
14,26
W. B. Safford,
400
3 .
78
. 51,61
Mary Ann Stickney,
1000
27
1833
5,43
Luther Farley,
350
6.
. 26₺
. 13,23
Samuel Butterfield,
551
12
604
9.14
Sarah Hall,t
251
6.
. 344
. 7,32
* N. H. Patriot. t The names above marked, cultivated their ground for gardens.
477
INTERESTING INCIDENTS.
Damages. Rods - length.
Area.
Per sq. rod.
Woodbridge Odlin,
301
8
38 .
7,92
John Whipple,
148
4 .
. 20g .
6,83
George W. Ela,
400
17
833
4,72
Nancy West, .
250
26.
100
2,50
Samuel Morril,*
50
13
21}
2,33
D. L. Morril,*
10
2 .
22
3,61
E. S. Chadwick,*
11
3
3 .
3,66
Nathaniel Bouton
25
8 .
71 3,42
Richard Herbert,*
400
11
57
7,00
Samuel Herbert,*
200
4 .
18
. 11,11
James Woolson and wife,
250
5
25
10,00
Asa Fowler,
252
5.
223 . 10,90
William Prescott, .
233
4
21
11,10
Lucy A. Jordan, 2d,
175
2.
10g
. 16,66
Charles H. Stearns,
165
2
10₺
16,56
Pecker & Lang, .
. 354 .
10
54
6,51
P. Lang and Smart,
500
18
93
5,45
Joseph B. Walker, t
508
18.
. 68₺
On Tuesday morning, May 5th, about half past one o'clock, a fire broke out in one of two barns, owned by Messrs. Joseph and William Low, situated a few rods south of the lower depot of the Concord railroad, just west of the track. Both barns were totally destroyed, together with about twelve tons of cotton waste and paper-rags, belonging to Peabody & Daniell, of Frank- lin. A buggy-chaise, belonging to Gen. Low, and a small quan- tity of hay, were also consumed. The fire arose from spontaneous combustion of the cotton waste.
The ancient dwelling-house, long owned by Dr. Peter Green, opposite the Court House, on the east side of Main street, and occupied by Irish families, with a small barn and shed in the rear, was nearly consumed by fire on Thursday afternoon, June 18th.
Died in this town, in the evening of Tuesday, August 4th, Henry Harrison Carroll, Esq., aged 33 years; editor and pro- prietor of the N. H. Patriot and State Gazette. His disorder
* The names above marked cultivated their ground for gardens.
t Mr. Walker's land includes Horse-shoe pond. Other lands of his were purchased at private sale.
478
HISTORY OF CONCORD.
was congestion of the brain, of which the partial loss of sight for the last three months had been but too sure a precurser, - end- ing in twenty-three distinct fits of convulsion. Mr. Carroll graduated at Dartmouth College in 1836. As a political writer, for his age, " he was capable of wielding as strong a pen as any other editor in the State."
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