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 46
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At twenty minutes past 2, Gen. Joseph Low, mayor elect, arose from the chair of the speaker, addressed the chairman of the board of selectmen, and stated, that having been apprized of his election to the office of mayor, he appeared before his fellow- citizens to take the oath required, before entering upon the duties of his office.
The chairman of the selectmen, John C. Pillsbury, Esq., then invited Hon. Josiah Minot to administer the oath of office, which was done, after which the mayor administered the oath to the aldermen, the common council, the school committee, and the board of assessors.
The aldermen, councilmen, school committee and assessors were seated on the right and left of the speaker's desk, and the board of selectmen, chosen by the town on the 9th of March - Messrs. Pillsbury, Webster and Abbot-were at the clerk's desk, immediately in front of the mayor.
After the administration of the several oaths, Rev. Mr. Flan- ders, pastor of the Baptist church, read portions of scripture, when the Throne of Grace was addressed by the Rev. Dr. Bouton, senior ordained clergyman of the city.
These several ceremonies and services being concluded, the
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HISTORY OF CONCORD.
mayor arose and addressed the members of the city government as follows :
Gentlemen of the City Council and Gentlemen of the several Boards of the City Government here assembled :
Unacquainted as I am with the rules of legislation or with the municipal affairs of the town, it is with the sincerest distrust that I venture to enter upon the trust assigned to me by the suffrages of my fellow-citizens.
It is, indeed, a distinction that I may most highly appreciate, but a position that my habits of life and course of business but illy fit me to hold. I can, therefore, only promise that whatever of strength or ability I possess shall be devoted to a prompt, impartial and faith- ful performance of all the duties pertaining to the executive office of this corporation.
The change of government upon which we are about to enter involves duties and responsibilities that can be successfully met and performed only by the united and patient efforts of those to whom the administration of the affairs of the city have been confided. I may consider myself singularly fortunate that I am associated with so many gentlemen of tried worth and long experience in the muni- cipal affairs of the town; and I doubt not that it will be the anxious care of every member of the government of the corporation, to have the change bear as lightly upon every section and every individual, as may be consistent with the highest good and truest interests of the city, and realized only by its convenient, economical and efficient action.
I might here, perhaps, with great propriety take a retrospective view of the rise and progress of this highly favored town, from its earliest organization, in 1725, through its seasons of weakness, priva- tions and hardships, as well as its days of prosperity and distinction, down to the present period of mature strength and enviable position ; but as the labor of writing our history is now being performed by a gentleman in every way competent to the task, and the results of which, it is understood, will soon be accessible to all, I may not prop- erly detain you longer upon this subject.
By one of the provisions of the charter it becomes the duty of the mayor from time to time to communicate to the city council such information and to recommend such measures as in his judg- ment the interest of the city may seem to require; and, gentlemen, I trust that I need not assure you that it will be my anxious desire and earnest purpose, as circumstances and experience shall suggest, to discharge this duty with promptness and fidelity.
I am not aware that any considerable change or unusual outlay will be required to accomplish all the objects for which the city charter was obtained-nor do I apprehend, gentlemen, under your administration, any augmentation of burthens, or material increase of taxation, consequent upon its adoption.
Our fire department, composed as it is of our most active and
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INCORPORATED A CITY.
efficient fellow-citizens, has at all times answered the most sanguine hopes of its friends, and received the commendation and liberal sup- port of the town; and I am happy to say on this occasion that no further considerable appropriation will at present be required on ac- count of this department.
The management and improvement of our schools is an object of paramount interest, and in my estimation immensely transcends in its beneficial consequences to the children and youth of our city, and the welfare and prosperity of any community, all considerations of mere dollars and cents; and as I have so often spoken in the hearing of the town of the importance of an improved and more elevated standard of education in our primary schools, I may not on this occa- sion, with propriety, further allude to this most important subject, otherwise than to express iny fullest confidence that a liberal and enlightened poliey will always characterize your aets in connection with this great interest.
In regard to the expenditures upon our highways, respecting the construction of common sewers, the draining and grading of our streets, the substantial construction of our roads and the improve- ment of our side walks, I will only say, they are subjects that especially belong to you, gentlemen, to consider, and which you are so fully competent to decide that I will not venture upon your judg- ment any suggestion of my own.
The town farm, so valuable in itself, and which has so largely con- tributed in by-gone years to the comfort and support of the unfortu- nate and destitute, will, I doubt not, receive at your hands that provision and consideration its importance and reasonable expectation demand.
I avail myself of this opportunity to call your carly attention to the importance of providing a house of correction for the security of vagrants, truants and disorderly persons, where they may be made, in some good degree, to contribute by their labor to their own support.
It is already seen that a slight amendment must be made in the city charter, in order to the convenient arrangement and limits of one of the wards. I would therefore suggest the propriety of an carly examination of all its provisions and defects, with a view to an appli- cation to the approaching session of the Legislature for such altera- tions and improvements as its practical working has thus far shown to be desirable.
It becomes us at all times to realize and acknowledge our depend- ence upon the great Maker and Governor of the universe, for life and for all its blessings ; especially does it become us now, as we are about to enter upon new and untried duties and responsibilities, involving the dearest earthly interests of our citizens, to remember our accountability to Him in whose hands our breath is, and whose are all our ways, and at all times to look to Him for guidance and direction.
It may not, gentlemen, be inappropriate for me, in closing, to remark, that in my inexperience I must rely largely upon your kind-
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HISTORY OF CONCORD.
ness and support for a successful discharge of the duties that devolve upon me, and that I shall at all times take pleasure in the fullest cooperation with you in every measure calculated to advance the interest or promote the convenience of every section of our city and of every class of our citizens.
At the close of the address the common councilmen retired to another room, and the boards organized separately. In the board of aldermen, Messrs. Harvey and Stevens were appointed, with such as the council should join, to report rules for the city coun- cil; and Messrs. Davis and Tallant, with such as the council should join, to procure rooms for the various branches of the city government.
In the common council, Thomas Bailey, Esq., the oldest mem- ber, took the chair, and they proceeded to elect a president. On the first ballot there was no choice - George W. Brown had one, Ezra Carter six, and Cyrus Barton seven. On the second ballot Cyrus Barton was chosen, having twelve votes to two for Ezra Carter, and on taking the chair returned thanks for the honor conferred upon him.
W. H. H. Bailey was chosen clerk pro tem. of the common council. Messrs. Minot, Moore and Barton were joined to the committee to report rules.
Messrs. W. H. H. Bailey, Shute and Thomas Bailey, were joined to the committee to procure rooms.
The two boards met in city council, and alderman Stevens was elected city clerk, pro tem.
Both boards then adjourned to meet at the Court House on Saturday, April 9, at 2 o'clock, P. M.
At this adjourned meeting John F. Brown was elected city clerk, and William H. Bartlett city solicitor. Amos Hadley was elected clerk of the common council.
The city government being thus in due form fully organized, proceeded to the transaction of business, according to the provis- ions of the charter ; for which reference must be had to the original records in the office of the city clerk.
LIST OF THE PRINCIPAL TOWN OFFICERS AND REPRESENTATIVES,
FROM 1815 TO 1853, INCLUSIVE.
[See page 384-notes. ]
Year.
Moderators.
Town Clerks.
Selectmen.
Auditors.
Collectors.
Representatives.
1815.
William A. Kent.
John Odlin.
Nathaniel Ambrose, Joshua Abbot, Richard Bradley.
Pearl Kimball, S. Coffin.
Richard Ayer, George Hough.
1816.
William A. Kent.
John Odlin.
Joshua Abbot,
Richard Bradley, Samuel Runnels.
Joshua Abbot,
Richard Bradley,
Samuel Runnels. John Odlin,
Nathaniel Abbot,
Isaac Eastman, Timothy Carter.
T. W. Thompson, William A. Kent.
1819.
Charles Walker.
Francis N. Fisk.
Nathaniel Ambrose. Abiel Walker, Joseph Walker, Jeremiah Pecker. Richard Bradley, Isaac Farnum, Jeremiah Pecker. Richard Bradley, Isaac Farnum, Jeremiah Pecker. Albe Cady, Isaac Farnum, Isaac Dow.
Stephen Ambrose, Timothy Chandler, William A. Kent. Charles Walker, Stephen Ambrose, Timothy Chandler. Charles Walker, Stephen Ambrose, Joseph Walker. Charles Walker, William Low.
Samuel Coffin, James Hoit, Isaac Eastman. James Hoit,
1820.
Samuel Green.
Francis N. Fisk.
Stephen Ambrose, Nathaniel Abbot.
1821.|
Stephen Ambrose.
Francis N. Fisk.
1822.
Stephen Ambrose.
Francis N. Fisk.
1823.
Stephen Ambrose.
Francis N. Fisk.
Jeremiah Peeker, Isaac Farnum, Isaac Dow.
Charles Walker, Stephen Ambrose, William Low.
James Hoit, Richard Potter, Jr.
Stephen Ambrose, Samuel Fletcher.
505
George Hough, John Odlin.
1817.
Stephen Ambrose.
John Odlin.
1818.
T. W. Thompson.
John Odlin.
Charles Walker, Stephen Ambrose, Richard Ayer. Stephen Ambrose, Charles Walker, Richard Ayer. Benja. Kimball, Jr. Stephen Ambrose, Charles Walker.
Richard Bradley, A. Farnum, Jr., Pearl Kimball. Isaae Eastman, James Hoit.
John Odlin, William A. Kent.
LIST OF OFFICERS.
Abial Walker, Nathan Ballard, Jr.
Timothy Dow, Abraham Bean. James Hoit, Timothy Bradley.
Stephen Ambrose, Nathaniel Abbot.
James Hoit, Enoch E. Bradley.
LIST OF OFFICERS -CONTINUED.
Year.
Moderators. -
Town Clerks.
Selectmen.
Auditors.
Collectors. -
Representatives.
1824.
Stephen Ambrose.
Francis N. Fisk.
Stephen Ambrose, Richard Bradley, Benjamin Parker. Abial Walker, Jeremiah Pecker, Robert Davis. Joseph Walker, Robert Davis, Jeremiah Pecker. Robert Davis, Samuel Herbert, Samuel Coffin. Samuel Herbert, Benjamin Parker, Isaac Eastman.
William A. Kent, Richard Ayer, Stephen Ambrose. Richard Bartlett, Richard Bradley, Richard Ayer. Richard Ayer, Richard Bartlett, Samuel Fletcher. Samuel Fletcher, Samnel Coffin, Stephen Ambrose.
Richard Bartlett, Stephen Ambrose, Dudley S. Palmer. Stephen Ambrose, Richard Bartlett, Dudley S. Palmer. Stephen Ambrose, Dudley S. Palmer, Samnel Morril. Stephen Ambrose, Joseph Low, Horatio Hill. John Estabrook, Isaac F. Williams, Jona. Eastman, Jr.
James Hoit, Samuel G. Potter.
Samuel Fletcher, Richard Bradley.
1825.
Stephen Ambrose.
Francis N. Fisk.
1826.
Joseph Low.
Francis N. Fisk.
Francis N. Fisk.
1828.
Joseph Low.
1829.
Joseph Low.
John West.
1830.
Joseph Low.
John West.
1831.
Richard Bradley,
John West.
1832.
Richard Bradley.
John West.
1833.
Abner P. Stinson.
Samuel Coffin.
Benjamin Parker, Isaac Eastman, Samuel Knowlton. Richard Bradley, James Moulton, Jr., Cyrus Robinson. James Moulton, Jr., Cyrus Robinson, Joseph P. Stickney. Richard Bradley, Joseph P. Stickney, Laban Page. Robert Davis, Laban Page, Thomas D. Potter.
Charles Walker, William A. Kent.
James Hoit, Abraham Bean.
Richard Bradley, Francis N. Fisk.
Francis N. Fisk, Isaac Hill.
Jeremiah Pecker, Nathan Ballard, Jr.
George Kent, Jacob B. Moore. Richard Bradley,* Samuel Herbert. Richard Bradley, Samuel Ilerbert, Robert Ambrose. Robert Ambrose, Richard Bartlett, Theodore French. Richard Bartlett, Theodore French, David George. David George, William Kent, Samuel A. Kimball. Abel Baker, Isaac Emery, Charles H. Peaslec.
HISTORY OF CONCORD.
Ezra Ballard, John Jarvis, Samnel G. Potter. Abraham Bean, Henry Fisk.
Abraham Bean.
Abraham Bean.
Abraham Bean.
506
James Hoit, John Jarvis, Hazen Virgin. Ezra Ballard, James Hoit, Abraham Bean. Moses W. Nichols, Ezra Ballard, John Jarvis.
1827.
Joseph Low.
Francis N. Fisk.
1834.| Franeis N. Fisk.
Samuel Coffin.
1835.
Franeis N. Fisk.
Samuel Coffin.
1836.
Robert Davis.
Jonathan E. Lang.
Robert Davis, Laban Page, Thomas D. Potter. Robert Davis, Moses Shute, Jacob Hoit. Robert Davis, Moses Slute, Jacob Hoit.
Isaac F. Williams, Jona. Eastman, Jr., Moses Shute. Henry Sweetser, Jacob A. Potter, David Davis, Jr. Samuel Coffin, John Putney, Abial Rolfe.
Samuel Coffin, Laban Pagc, Stephen Ambrose.
1838.
Joseph Low.
Robert E. Pecker.
Samuel Coffin, Hazen Virgin, Ezra Ballard.
William Kent, Luther Roby, Ebenezer S. Towle.
1839.
Joseph Low.
Robert E. Pecker.
Samuel Coffin, Hazen Virgin, Ezra Ballard.
John Putney, Luther Roby, Benjamin Grover.
1840.
Ezra Carter.
Jacob C. Carter.
1841. Josiah Stevens.
Jacob C. Carter.
Enoch H. Dow, William Pecker, Nathan Stickney. John McDaniel, William Pecker, Jeremiah Fowler.
John Whipple, Nath'l Il. Osgood, Jacob A. Potter. John Whipple, Nath'l H. Osgood, Jacob A Potter.
1842. Richard Bradley.
Jacob C. Carter.
Nathan Stickney, Ira Rowell, Thomas Potter.
Samuel Coffin, Jolin Whipple, John L. Eastman.
Charles H. Peaslee, Jeremiah Pecker, Joseph P. Stiekney Charles H. Peaslee, Jeremiah Pecker, Isaac Emery. Charles H. Peaslee, Ezra Carter, William Dow, Ebenezer Eastman. Ezra Carter, Ebenezer Eastman, William Dow, Luther Roby. Joseph Low, George Kent,
Cyrus Robinson, Abiel Rolfe. Abiel Rolfe, Cyrus Robinson, William Kent, Ira Perley. Moses Shute, Abiel C. Carter, Jacob Hoit. Joseph Robinson, Moses Shute, Abial C. Carter, Jacob Hoit. No choice.
LIST OF OFFICERS.
* Chosen November 3d, " to represent the town until the first Wednesday in June next." + By contract with the selectmen, Mr. Bean was collector from year to year until 1853, except two years, 1838 and 1839, when George Virgin collected in the east district, and Charles Smart and James Woolson in the south and west. Three persons were appointed "assessors of taxes " this year, viz : Samuel A. Kimball, John Eastman, and Jeremiah Fowler.
507
Abraham Bean.t
1837. Isaae IIill.
Jonathan E. Lang.
Robert Davis, Jonathan Eastman, Enoch H. Dow.
LIST OF OFFICERS - CONTINUED.
Ycars.
Moderators.
Town Clerks.
Selectmen.
Auditors. -
Representatives.
1843.
Joseph Low.
-
John P. Johnson.
Nathan Stickney, Ira Rowell, Thomas Potter. Nathan Stickney, Jeremiah Fowler, Jeremiah S. Noyes. Nathan Stickney, Jeremiah S. Noyes, Jeremiah Fowler.
John Whipple. Samuel Coffin, Seth Eastman, John Whipple.
1846.
Nathaniel B. Baker.
Jolın P. Johnson.
1847.
Asa Fowler.
George H. H. Silsby.
Josiah Stevens, Nathan Stickney, Joseph Eastman, Jr. Nathan Stickney, Joseph Eastman, Jr., John Whipple.
Samuel Coffin, Seth Eastman, John Whipple. Samuel Coffin, Mitchel Gilmore, Jr., Charles Smart.
1848.
Asa Fowler.
George II. II. Silsby.
Nathan Stickney, John Whipple, Reuben Goodwin, Jr.
Samuel Coffin, Mitchel Gilmore, Jr., Charles Smart.
1849.
Nathaniel B. Baker.
George H. H. Silsby.
Nathan Stickney, R. Goodwin, Jr., John Abbot.
Samuel Coffin,
No choice.
1844.
Ezra Carter.
John P. Johnson.
1845.
Ezra Carter.
John P. Johnson.
John Whipple, John L. Eastman. Samnel Coffin, George Minot,
No choice .*
Jacob Carter, Nathaniel Rolfe, Jeremiah S. Noyes, Asa Fowler, William Page. Jacob Carter, Laban Page.
HISTORY OF CONCORD.
Edmund Worth, Laban Page, Asa Fowler, Cyrus Robinson, Joel C. Danforth, Simeon Abbot. Simeon Abbot, Edmund Worth, Joel C. Danforth, Asa Fowler, Cyrus Robinson, Chase Ilill. Luther Roby, Perley Cleaves, Cyrus Hill, Charles H. Norton, William Page.
Mitchel Gilmore, Jr., Stephen Brown, Nathan'l B. Baker.
508
1850.
Nathaniel B. Baker.
John P. Johnson.
Joseph Robinson, Moses H. Farnum, Isaae Virgin, John C. Pillsbury, Atkinson Webster.
Paul Wentworth, Stephen C. Badger, Jonathan E. Lang, Lewis Downing, Samuel Coffin.
1851.
Nathaniel B. Baker.
Wm. D. Robinson.
1852.
Nathaniel B. Baker.
Jolın P. Johnson.
Nathan Stickney, John C. Pillsbury, John Abbot. John C. Pillsbury, Benjamin Grover, Moses H. Farnum.
Samuel Coffin, Jonathan E. Lang, Calvin Ainsworth. Samuel Coffin, Henry H. Brown, Joseph Robinson.
1853.
Nathaniel B. Baker.
Jolın P. Johnson.
John C. Pillsbury, Atkinson Webster, David Abbot, 2d.
Samuel Coffin, Mitchel Gilmore, Jr., H. H. Brown.
Perley Cleaves, Cyrus Hill, Charles H. Norton, John L. Tallant, George F. Sanborn, Nathaniel B. Baker, Ebenezer Symmes. Nathaniel B. Baker.
Nathaniel White, Shadrach Seavey, Benjamin F. Gale, Nathan Chandler, Joseph Eastman, Caleb Parker. Jeremiah S. Noyes, John H. George, John Sawyer, William H. Page. James Frye, James Moore, Henry P. Rolfe, Benjamin F. Dow.
LIST OF OFFICERS.
* There being no representatives chosen, Franklin Pierce, Richard Bradley and William Low, were appointed a committee " to be heard before the Legislature, in behalf of the town," on the subject of a " new proportion of public taxes."
509
CHAPTER XVII.
-
ANCIENT MATTERS.
RELATIVE to the entire period of our history which has been gone over, are various matters which could not be conveniently classed under any general head, nor placed in chronological order, but which are of sufficient importance to require a sepa- rate chapter.
ANCIENT GRAVE-STONES IN THE OLD BURYING-GROUND.
The late David George, who died in 1838, aged 71, lived nearly all his life close by the ancient grave-yard; often visited it, and inspected the grave-stones. He said he could remember when there were only six grave-stones in the yard with inscrip- tions on them, and these were probably put up prior to 1790. They are thick, clumsy stones, not prepared either with taste or skill ; the letters are ill shaped and not deep enough.
1. At the grave of James Osgood, who died April 6, 1757, aged 50.
2. At the grave of Jeremiah, son of Thomas and Anna Stick- ney, who died December, 1763, in the 3d year of his age.
3. At that of Mary, daughter of Thomas and Anna Stickney, who died December 5, 1763, aged 8 years.
4. At that of Jeremiah Stickney, who died April 11, 1763, in the 61st year of his age. By the side of these a large granite monument has recently been erected.
511
MISCELLANEOUS MATTERS.
5. At that of Ezra Carter, Esq., [Doctor,] who died Septem- ber 17, 1757, in the 48th year of his age.
6. At that of Jeremiah Hall, who died October 8, 1770, in the 24th year of his age.
There are also several misshapen stones without inscriptions, and a few on which there were probably inscriptions, now illegible.
Mr. George also was accustomed to point out other stones, erected since 1790, to the memory of persons who died many years before, viz. :
1. At the grave of Dolly Hutchins, wife of Col. Gordon Hutchins. She died December 17, 1777, aged 41 years.
2. At that of Sarah Walker, wife of Rev. Timothy Walker, who died in 1778, in the 77th year of her age.
3. At that of Rev. Timothy Walker, who died in 1782, aged 78 years. These were not erected till many years after.
4. At that of Mary Wilson, wife of Mr. Thomas Wilson. She died 1773, aged 31 years.
5. At that of Mary, the second wife of Mr. Thomas Wilson. She died in 1796, aged 44.
6. At that of Dea. Joseph Hall, (senior,) who died April 8, 1784, in the 77th year of his age.
7. At that of Deborah Hall, wife of Dea. Joseph Hall. She died October 5, 1801, aged 96.
8. At that of Dea. Joseph Hall, (junior,) who died June 10, 1807, in the 70th year of his age.
9. At that of Lot Colby, who died April 2, 1790, in the 73d year of his age.
All the nine foregoing stones are slate slabs, and they form what may be called the second era of grave-stones : - the first being of granite, or other coarse stone. Ornamental cuts on some, represent human or angelic heads, with wings ; on others, an urn overhung with cypress.
ANCIENT BURIALS.
The ancient mode of carrying coffins to the burying-ground was to select twelve men as bearers, who carried them on a bier from every part of the town - sometimes the distance of six, seven and eight miles. In this way it is remembered that the body of
512
HISTORY OF CONCORD.
Mrs. Rachel, first wife of Daniel Abbot, was carried from the west side of Long pond to the old burying-ground by the meet- ing-house.
There is a tradition* that on the death of a man on the east side of the Merrimack river, opposite the Rolfes, his neigh- bors were afraid his body would be attached for debt -as the law then allowed. To avoid this, the body was concealed in the cellar for a few days ; then, on the advice of Dea. George Abbot, a litter-bier was constructed, to be carried by men on horseback ; a grave was dug at sundown on Sabbath evening, and soon after the company started with the body from a Mr. Blanchard's house, ferried it across the river, and taking it on the litter proceeded as fast as they could to the old burying-ground. By some delay, however, they did not reach the spot till near sunrise, when they found the grave was too short. Just then, discovering an officer riding on horseback up Main street, they pitched the coffin end foremost into the grave, which they immediately began to fill up. The officer, supposing the body to be buried, turned about and went away. Afterwards they dug the grave longer, placed the coffin in, and buried it in a proper manner.
Lieut. John Webster, who was a famous mast-master, in his latter years was involved in debt. He died in a small house sit- uated in the lot back of Mr. Ezra Ballard's, at Little pond. His body was at first concealed in a potato hole, which was covered over with straw, and logs laid on it. At the time of the funeral the bearers rode on horseback, with drawn swords, which, the sheriff perceiving, he dare not molest them.t
MARBLE MONUMENTS.
The first marble monument erected in the old burying-ground, probably, stands at the grave of Rev. Israel Evans, who died in 1807, aged 60.
Another, supposed to be the second, stands at the grave of Col. Gordon Hutchins, who died in 1815, aged 85.
BURYING-GROUND AT MILLVILLE.
The land for the burying-ground at Millville was given by Mr. Warren Bradley. The first person buried there is said to have
* The tradition is uncertain whether a Mr. Blanchard or Webster.
t Tradition by Mr. Timothy Walker.
513
ANCIENT MATTERS.
been Mrs. Sally, first wife of Mr. John Dimond, about 1797. Mr. Ezekiel Dimond was the second. He selected the spot for his own grave, and was buried in February, 1800.
In the burying-ground at Horse-hill, the first person buried was Miss Rebecca, daughter of Mr. Oliver Hoit, in 1819, aged 28.
ANCIENT VEHICLES FOR RIDING.
The following notices of ancient vehicles are derived from con- versations at different times with aged inhabitants of the town, as within their memory, or known by tradition .*
The Rev. Timothy Walker rode in a chair, as it was called. It seems to have had no top or covering, and was wide enough to carry two persons.
The first chaise owned in Concord belonged to Col. Benjamin Rolfe ; was purchased probably between 1767 and 1770. It had a standing canvass top, and probably cost about fifty dollars. Dea. Joseph Hall, the elder, about the same time purchased a chaise like Col. Rolfe's.
Col. Peter Green, at the death of his father-in-law, Col. Bulk- ley, of Groton, Massachusetts, had a chaise, belonging to his estate, which he brought to Concord and used. This was be- tween 1770 and 1775.
Benjamin Thompson (Count Rumford) who married the widow of Col. Rolfe, 1772, bought a curricle, which was much the most expensive carriage at that time known in these parts. Thompson sometimes rode in this with two horses, and sometimes with one.
Robert Harris had a chaise when he came to Concord, and always afterwards. He had also a coachee, or Philadelphia wagon, in 1793 or 1794, which probably cost about $300.
William Duncan and Edward St. Loe Livermore married daughters of Mr. Duncan. Each of them had a chaise.
Dea. David Hall owned a chaise, probably previous to the year 1790, but he did not keep it many years.
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