USA > New Hampshire > Cheshire County > Dublin > The history of Dublin, N.H. : containing the address by Charles Mason, and the proceedings at the centennial celebration, June 17, 1852, with a register of families > Part 44
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43
4
1874. James A. Weston 27
1875. Person C. Cheney 101
Hiram R. Roberts t. 31
1876. Person C. Cheney 107
Daniel Marcy t 28
Edmund B. Tetley t William H. McFall t
5
1
Beginning with the fall of 1878, the governors were elected every second ycar, in the even years, and inaugurated in the following Jan- uary, for terms of two years. The votes in Dublin were as follows: - 1878. Natt Head. 89
Frank A. Mckean t 18
1898.
Frank W. Rollins
60
John Bedel t 65
1870. Onslow Stearns 153
1871. James A. Weston James Pike 1 94 20
1902. Nahum J. Bachelder
53
4
1873. Ezekiel A. Straw
1868. Walter Harriman 171 John G. Sinclair t 77
1869. Onslow Stearns 159
17
Edward W. Harrington + 61
1864. Joseph A. Gilmore 167
1886.
Charles H. Sawyer
71
Thomas Cogswell t.
11
488
HISTORY OF DUBLIN
From the small number of votes cast for chief magistrate during many years after a state constitution was adopted, it would appear as if little interest were felt in the election of that officer. In 1793, the whole number of voters must have exceeded two hundred; but the votes for governor were only thirty-two. The number of voters in New Hampshire is larger than the number of ratable polls; for men who are seventy years of age and upwards are legal voters, but are not required to pay a poll-tax. The number of ratable polls in Dublin, as shown by the record of invoice and taxes, was, at different intervals (less frequently in later years), for the years prefixed, as follows: -
YEARS
POLLS
YEARS
POLLS
1793
200
1820
232
1794
199
1825
224
1795
200
1827
231
1796
187
1830
235
1797
190
1835
237
1798
185
1838
232
1799
173
1840
234
1800
183
1842
235
1802
182
1845
229
1805
192
1846
231
1810
202
1869
237
1812
219
1880
119
1815
224
1890
120
1817
220
1900
135
1819
227
1910
142
1914
172
The number of ratable polls in 1869 was the same as the number in 1835. Harrisville was incorporated in 1870, and took away a large proportion of the voters. The number of ratable polls was diminished by considerably more than a hundred. Since the separation of Harrisville, however, the number of ratable polls in that portion of Dublin which was left in the old town has steadily increased, until it had risen, in 1914, to one hundred seventy-two. These voters, however, are not the descendants of the old Dublin stock of inhabitants very largely. The majority of them have come to the town in recent years, many of them as care-takers upon the estates of wealthy summer residents.
The annual town-meeting in New Hampshire comes at an unfavorable season for the attendance of aged people and persons in feeble health. The largest vote ever cast in Dublin
Sam Adams 20 1
489
POLITICAL AND MUNICIPAL HISTORY
for governor was in 1838, James Wilson, Jr., and Isaac Hill being candidates. The day was warm and pleasant, and few persons able to leave home were absent. Gen. James Wilson, Jr., was a resident of Keene, and a native of Peterborough, and was one of the most popular men in this section. Isaac Hill won the election. General Wilson told the editor of this revised history of Dublin that his defeat was caused by a trick. He was legally James Wilson, Jr., at that time (his father dying in the following winter). Opponents printed thousands of tickets upon which his name appeared as James Wilson, without the "Jr." These tickets, applying legally to his father and not to the General, gave Mr. Hill the victory.
VALUATION AND TAXES
The valuation of the personal and real estate, taken annually by the selectmen for the purpose of taxation, has varied from time to time; but, for want of necessary documents, the yearly summaries cannot be given. A plan of the east half of the town has been found, containing the selectmen's appraisal of the several lots that were considered as of any value. This plan must have been made as early as 1778. We have found another plan, dated 1798, which contains the appraisal of the whole town.
We give the valuation of the lots on the fifth and sixth ranges, for both years, beginning at the twelfth lot: -
RANGE 5, LOTS 12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
1778
£30
52
70
32
80
32
30
48
60
60
Minister
1798
£60
66
150
83
160
80
60
80
66
85
120
RANGE 6, LOTS 12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21 22
1778
£72
15
70
40
-
84
36
42
30
24
30
1798
£160
70
75
100
126
83
60
70
70
60
The whole amount of appraisal in 1798 was £15,261, or $50,870. The amount in each of the ranges was as follows: -
Range 1. £1203, or $4010.00
Range 6. £1949, or $6496.663/3
Range 2. 1308, or 4360.00
Range 7. 1299, or 4330.00
Range 3. 1597, or 5323.331/3
Range 8. 1586, or 5286.663/3
Range 4.
1548, or 5160.00
Range 9. 1736, or 5786.6623
Range 5.
1972, or 6573.331/3
Range 10. 1063, or 3543.331/3
In 1833, the real estate in Dublin was appraised at $201,- 692. In 1837, the summaries of the invoice, as taken by the selectmen, were as follows: -
490
HISTORY OF DUBLIN
Total amount of real estate
$244,943
Total amount of mills 3,100
Total amount of factory buildings 9,000
Total amount of stock in trade and machinery 6,015
Total amount of carriages
1,713
Horses four years old and upwards, 224, appraised at
10,375
Horses two and three years old, 85 .
2,428
Oxen four years old and upwards, 283
11,138
Cows four years old and upwards, 624
14,406
Stock two and three years old, 502 .
7,828
Sheep, 2,740, appraised at
7,154
Money at interest
37,720
Total amount of appraisal . $355,820
229 polls, at $1.50 each
$343.50
There was deposited in the Cheshire Institution for Sav- ings, April 1, 1852, the amount of $33,358, by persons belong- ing to Dublin, of which $16,538 were the deposits of females.
In 1852, an inventory of property in Dublin for 1851-52 was printed by the legislature, with that of other towns. The following items are taken from that document: -
Number and Value of Polls
1851. 246
$73,800
1852. 262
62,880
Number and Value of Horses
1851. 200
$9,399
1852. 206
10,770
Number and Value of Neat Stock
1851. 1406
$26,379
1852. 1349
28,554
Number and Value of Sheep
1851. 1973
$3,308
1852. 2191 3,940
Money at Interest, on Hand, or De-
posit
1851
$68,015
1852 71,971
Stock in Trade
1851
$9,810
1852
9,980
Value of Mills and Carding Machines
1851
$19,500
1852
26,100
Amount of Inventory
1851
$439,401
1852
454,472
Amount Exclusive of Value of Polls
Value of Carriages
1851
$300
1851
$365,601
1852
330
1852
391,592
The proportion of state taxes in every thousand dollars, which Dublin has been required to pay, has varied at the sev- eral occasions on which the apportionment was made. Since 1816, our proportion has been growing less, not because Dub- lin has decreased in wealth, but because other towns have in-
491
POLITICAL AND MUNICIPAL HISTORY
creased in larger measure. The following table shows the state valuations from 1816 to 1915: -
1816
$5.66
1840
$4.67
1820
5.11
1844
4.46
1824
5.11
1848
4.04
1832
5.09
1852
3.97
1836
5.10
1915
3.46
It may be a matter of interest for some persons to know the amount of money voted, in each year, from 1771 to 1915 for the usual purposes of taxation: --
TOWN CHARGES
WAYS SCHOOLS
1771
£3
£8
1772
6
24
£4
6
1775
6
30
6
1776
50
30
6
1777
50
30
6
1778
100
200
14
1779
400
400
100
1780
3000
1600
100
1781
2000
2000
100
1782
30
30
8
1783
50
30
8
1784
60
15
8
1785
40
30
8
1786
30
90
8
1787
60
100
50
1788
50
120
50
1789
60
100
50
1790
70
100
50
1791
70
100
45
1792
70
100
50
1793
40
100
60
1794
70
100
50
1795
120
120
60
1796
60
120
80
1797
60
$400
80
1798
90
400
$300
INCIDENTAL BUSINESS
For clearing minister lot, £6 0 0
To clear and fence public land, £24 13 6
To clear 12 acres for Joseph Farrar, £27 0 0 To purchase ammunition, £12 0 0
To repair the great bridge, £10 0 0
To purchase ammunition, £18 0 0 In addition to interest-money
Voted to Mr. Sprague, £1060 0 0
Voted that collectors should not collect the town tax in old continental money; that the town tax should be paid in rye at $3 per bushel, or in hard money, as the selectmen shall order
To build schoolhouses, £150 0 0 Voted to sink £30 of the outstanding taxes that are in poor people's hands
Voted to lay out £40 on the great road
Voted £45 for two schoolhouses
Voted to divide school-money into eight parts, according to number of schoolhouses
Voted to let Mrs. Puffer live in town-house, with two of her children
1773
6
20
1774
6
30
HIGH-
YEARS
492
HISTORY OF DUBLIN
TOWN
HIGH-
YEARS
CHARGES
WAYS
SCHOOLS
1799
$300
$510
$300
1800
480
400
200
1801
200
410
200
1802
250
500
300
1803
400
845
300
1804
300
800
300
1805
600
1000
450
1806
800
800
450
1807
1000
800
450
1808
400
600
450
1809
700
800
450
1810
600
800
450
1811
700
800
450
1812
300
800
450
1813
300
800
450
1814
600
800
450
1815
700
800
450
1816
800
800
450
1817
900
800
450
1818
2000
800
450
1819
500
800
450
1820
1000
800
1821
2000
800
459.90
1822
1300
800
1823
1300
800
1824
1200
1000
1825
800
800
1826
400
800
900
1827
900
1200
700
1828
900
1200
1000
1829
900
1000
900
1830
1150
800
900
1831
1200
1100
900
1832
1300
800
900
1833
2000
800
680
1834
2000
800
680
1835
1500
800
680
1836
1600
900
680
1837
2000
900
800
INCIDENTAL BUSINESS To assist Benjamin Wiley to move from town, $25
Voted to fence the burial-field Voted to provide a hearse
Voted to accept of a company of grenadiers Voted a stand of colors to the grenadier com- pany
Voted to exempt Rev. E. Sprague's property from taxation
To procure preaching, $200 To procure preaching, $300 What the law required
Interest of school-funds appropriated Interest of school-funds appropriated Interest of school-funds appropriated Interest of school-funds appropriated
One-half of school-money equally among dis- tricts; one-half do. according to number of scholars in each district
Voted for a singing-school, $50
Voted for improving the common (it was never applied), $25
From literary fund for schools, $200 For schools, voted proceeds of school-funds, and no more
For schools, voted proceeds of school-funds, and no more
For schools, voted proceeds of school-funds. and no more
Voted to raise in addition to proceeds of school- funds, $200
Voted to raise in addition to proceeds of school- funds, $200
Clifford Sowing
493
POLITICAL AND MUNICIPAL HISTORY
TOWN CHARGES
HIGH-
SCHOOLS
1838 $1500
$800
$800
1839
2000
900
900
1840
2000
800
900
1841
2500
1000
900
1842
2500
900
900
1843
2000
900
900
1844
2000
900
800
1845
800
900
900
1846
900
900
900
1847
1200
1200
900
1848
1100
1200
900
1849
1400
1200
1000
1850
1500
1200
1000
1851
2300
1200
1000
Literary fund to be added
Voted to purchase ten copies of Worcester's large Dictionary, and to place a copy in each school-room, for the use of teacher and pupils
1852
2300
1200
1000
1853
2000
1200
1000
1854
2000
1200
1000
Literary fund to be added
Including literary fund. From this time, the amount raised for town charges, other than highways and schools, in each year, is not specified, as a general rule
Voted to adopt the following resolution:
"Resolved: That the town pay the expense incurred by Dr. Leonard in securing the copy-right of the History of Dublin, includ- ing the book to be deposited in the office of the clerk of the District Court, in the Library of Congress, and the Smithsonian Institu- tion, and that Dr. Leonard be requested to retain the copy of right he has secured, in his own hands, for his own benefit, or to make any other disposition of it he may think advisable"
Including literary fund
The "Charcoal Road" was laid out
The town voted to sell the old Town House on the common. It was sold to Daniel Fiske
1861
1200
1200
1862
1000
1200
1863
1000
1200
1864
1500
1200
1865
10,000
1500
1400
1866
1000
1400
1856
1200
1200
1857
1000
1200
1858
2000
1200
1200
1859
1200
1200
1860
1200
1200
Literary fund included, $42.15 Literary fund included, $46.96
Literary fund to be added, $45.34
Literary fund to be added
Literary fund to be added
Literary fund to be added, $60.82
1855
1200
1200
INCIDENTAL BUSINESS
YEARS
WAYS
494
HISTORY OF DUBLIN
HIGH- WAYS
SCHOOLS
1867
1300
1400
1868
1000
1400
1869
1200
1500
1870
1400
1500
1871
850
850
1872
700
850
1873
700
850
1874
700
850
1875
700
850
1876
700
850
1877
700
850
1878
700
850
1879
700
800
1880
800
800
1881
700
800
1882
700
800
1883
700
800
1884
700
800
1885
700
800
1886
1000
1425
INCIDENTAL BUSINESS
Voted to instruct the selectmen to sell the "Town Farm," if they think it advisable
Raised and appropriated $1000 for a "Soldiers' Monument"; appointed as a committee to at- tend to it: Thomas Fisk, Hervey Learned, and Malachi Richardson
The town, at this meeting, refused to comply witlı a request to vote a gratuity to the Manchester & Keene R.R. (the original name of the railroad extending from Keene to Greenfield, to connect with a road already built)
Voted to procure a new hearse. An agreement was effected between the towns of Dublin and Harris- ville, with respect to the division of school dis- tricts, and other municipal matters
The diminution in appropriations was due to the separation of Harrisville from Dublin, taking a large proportion of the inhabitant ' and valuation
The Jacob Gleason fund left to the town. The town came into possession of it in 1874
Voted to establish a high school every autumn
Appropriated $115 for a high school
Appropriated $130 for a high school
Appropriated $130 for a high school
Additional land for the cemetery purchased of Mrs. H. L. Wait
Appropriated $120 for a high school Voted "to observe Memorial Day" Appropriated $120 for a high school Selectmen authorized to sell the "old common" Appropriated $110 for a high school Voted to build a Town House
Appropriated $120 for a high school
Osgood road laid out. Road at Reservoir changed Appropriated $120 for a high school Voted to sell the "old common" Established rules and regulations for the preserva- tion of the new Town House Appropriated $100 for a high school Voted to establish a Town Public Library Mrs. Monroe gave the town a piano Old road back of cemetery was reopened Appropriated $100 for a high school The town became one school-district First road-scraper ("machine") purchased
Road reopened up Snow Hill, and continued to house of R. Pumpelly Wheelwright road laid out.
YEARS
495
POLITICAL AND MUNICIPAL HISTORY
HIGH- WAYS
SCHOOLS
1887
1000
800
1888
1400
1050
1889
1400
925
1890
1600
1000
1891
1800
1300
1892
2000
1300
1893
3500
1400
1894
2500
1100
1895
2200
1300
1896
2200
1200
1897
2200
1200
1898
2400
1200
1899
2500
1200
Dublin Electric Co. corporation formed, February 11, 1899
Electric lights installed in Town House, in 1899 Twenty-four electric street lights installed
Amount of taxable property, in 1900, was appraised at $666,262
Tax levied for all purposes, $7728.63
On August 21, 1901, Mrs. Eliza C. Farnham pre- sented to the town the fine library building, con- structed of stone, together with a deed of the land. It was voted to accept it, at a special town-meeting, called for the purpose on the date named
The Dublin Lake Club corporation was formed, September 26, 1901
1902
2500
1600
1903
2500
1700
1904
2500
1920
1905
2600
2385
1906
2600
2400
1907
2600
2400
1908
2600
2385
INCIDENTAL BUSINESS
No. 4 schoolhouse built, which accounts for in- creased school appropriation of 1886
Episcopal road laid out and built
The Dublin Juvenile and Social Library was united with the Town Public Library
Taxes for all purposes, in 1890, $4054.91
For permanent improvement on the highways, an appropriation of $1500 was made
1900
2500
1200
1901
2900
1350
The town voted to build a house to store town tools New map of the town made by Samuel Wadsworth, a civil engineer, of Keene
Voted to reproduce the old town history, and con- tinue it to the present time, with Josiah L. Seward, D.D., as historian
Chose Milton D. Mason, Henry D. Learned, War- ren L. Fiske, Henry D. Allison, and Charles F. Appleton as town history committee
Voted that the town accept the "town clock, ten- dered by the Dublin Improvement Society"
The "judgment," handed down from the Superior Court, on the lay-out of the new Dublin and Harrisville road, with adjustment of the propor- tion of costs by the towns, was read, at the bien- nial town-meeting, November 6, 1906
Voted to install a fire-proof vault in the Town House
YEARS
496
HISTORY OF DUBLIN
YEARS
SCHOOLS
1909
$2750
$2385
1910
3360
2385
INCIDENTAL BUSINESS
A fire-proof vault was installed in the basement of the Town House, in 1909
The taxable property in Dublin was appraised at $976,441
Taxes levied for all purposes, in 1910, amounted to $16,110.12. The rate was $1.65 on $100
1911
4100
2385
1912
4100
2400
1913
1500
2672.50 The amount of $5200 was raised, in 1913, for state road construction, in addition to the normal ap- propriation
Taxes, in 1913, for purposes other than highway and schools, amounted to $11,285, approximately The appropriation for highways does not include $5000, raised, in addition to the amount stated, for state-road construction
1914
6500
2722.50
1915
6800
4000
In 1915, the amount raised by statute for school uses was $4000
The amount of $5000 was raised for state-road con- struction, in addition to the highway appropria- tion given
A fine state highway, known as the "South-side Boulevard," is being constructed from the Con- necticut River to Portsmouth. Between the Connecticut and Keene, the route is very circui- tous. From Keene, the route is through Marl- borough, Dublin, and Peterborough; thence along the old stage road, over the ridge of Pack Monad- nock, and to Wilton, Milford, and Nashua; thence to Portsmouth. The road will be finely con- structed, and a great help to the towns through which it leads, although they have been heavily taxed for its construction, in addition to the sum appropriated and expended by the state. This road is being constructed as these pages go to the press, and will not be wholly completed for two or three years, or perhaps more.
The taxes, in 1915, for all purposes, other than schools and highways, amounted approximately to $16,594
In the amounts raised in 1778, and in the following three years, we perceive the effect of the depreciation of the cur- rency in which the appropriations were at that time reckoned. In after years, the sums are put down in lawful money, till dollars and cents became the usual reckoning. The old tenor currency was used in the early days of the town, of which one hundred pounds were equal to £13 6s. 8d., or forty-five shillings equal to one dollar.
HIGH- WAYS
497
POLITICAL AND MUNICIPAL HISTORY
The making of new roads has been a chief source of expense to the town of Dublin. The first roads were made, in most instances, on the lines of lots; and, of course, many expensive alterations have been required in subsequent years. Seldom has there been a town-meeting since the date of incorporation, when roads were not a topic of discussion, and frequently . sharp contests have arisen between the advocates and op- ponents of new roads. A full, or even a partial, history of roads in Dublin would require more time and labor than we are able to bestow; and many persons would say, probably, that the value was far below the cost.
SURPLUS REVENUE
At a town-meeting, November 1, 1836, it was "voted that the legally qualified voters of Dublin highly approve of the act of Congress of the last session for distributing the surplus revenue among the several states, and that our representative, Captain Richard Strong, be instructed to use his influence in the state legislature to procure the acceptance by the legisla- ture of the amount which will rightfully belong to this state." At the next session of the legislature, an act was passed pro- viding for the disposition of said revenue; and Richard Strong was chosen in 1847 the agent of Dublin to receive the same, and "loan it to persons in town in sums not exceeding eight hundred dollars, nor less than one hundred dollars, to any one person."
This surplus revenue was principally derived from the sale of public lands, although the tariff, at the time the distribu- tion bill passed Congress, was more than sufficient for govern- ment expenses. The unprecedented sale of public lands in the West was due, in part, to a steadily increasing stream of emi- gration from the Eastern States to the West, and, in part, to a feverish speculation that usually follows the placing of desir- able property upon the market.
This surplus revenue was distributed among the states, ac- cording to the proportion of their representation in Congress. In many states, as in New Hampshire, the amount received was divided among the towns, according to a principle adopted, based upon population. The towns, on receiving their shares, used the money in different forms. Some used it in building highways, some in maintaining schools, some in erecting pub- lic buildings, and some, as Dublin, in loaning it to individuals, at least in part.
498
HISTORY OF DUBLIN
PAUPERISM
The care of the town's poor, whether supported by the lowest bidder, or placed by the selectmen in such families as were willing to take them for a reasonable compensation, was ever a source of perplexity, and sometimes of dissatisfaction. The selectmen, in New Hampshire, are overseers of the poor ex officio, when no person is specially chosen for the purpose. It is their duty to see that paupers are duly provided for; and, if they deem it expedient, they can remove the poor from one place to another. This was the case when paupers were disposed of by "vending them," as is described in the Address (Chapter I.). But it was difficult to find a suitable place for a whole family; and occasionally a family, when furnished with a habitation, could do much toward their own support. The town, therefore, in 1786, erected a house on lot 10, range 4, and granted to Jabez Puffer and his family the privilege of occupying it. It was called, not the almshouse, but the town- house. It was occupied during many years by John Paine and family. He removed to the state of Maine in 1822, and the land was sold in that year.
At the annual meeting, 1837, the town "voted to take measures to purchase a farm on which to support the town- paupers." For purchasing said farm, Moses Corey, Richard Strong, and Samuel Derby were chosen a committee; and they bought the farm of Joshua Flint, situated on lot 4, range 10. In 1838, "Jonathan K. Smith was chosen overseer of the poor, with power to stock the farm and procure help to carry it on." In 1839, the town "voted that the agent appointed to receive and take charge of the surplus revenue, deposited with this town, be instructed to take so much of said money as will pay for the 'Poor Farm,' and appropriate it for that purpose." The buildings on the farm were repaired, some additions were made, and, by a vote of the town, the alms- house was, in accordance with a law of the state, established as a house of correction; and a portion of it was prepared and appropriated for such a purpose. The town erected a new house upon the farm, about 1858.
Eventually, this method of caring for the poor was super- seded by the county system. During the sixties, the state passed a law authorizing the counties to purchase farms and erect buildings, to be used for the care of the poor; the inten- tion being that all the paupers in each county should be
499
POLITICAL AND MUNICIPAL HISTORY
maintained upon a common farm. Cheshire County purchased a fine farm in Westmoreland, known as the Sabin farm, situ- ated on the Connecticut River. In 1868, the paupers were all finally removed to this farm. A house of correction was estab- lished in connection with the institution; also provision was made for the care of the insane poor. A building has also been provided for the care of such persons as have the means of paying for their living, but whom no one will consent to board. There are certain persons who can pay for their com- forts, but, for particular reasons, there is no family that will be permanently bothered with them. It was for such persons that the last-named provision was made. There were many who opposed this county system of caring for the poor. It seemed unkind to take aged or dependent persons away from their birthplaces, or the localities in which were all of their friends and associations. Another objection lay in the fact that many persons of good old New England stock, who had unfortunately become dependent, were, under this new ar- rangement, thrown into the company of persons, largely of foreign birth, who were less refined and more or less undesir- able as associates. The dominant reason for resorting to the county system was the economic one. It was presumed to be the cheapest way of caring for the poor. It is a little heartless to use such reasoning in such a case. It is undoubtedly true that the method adopted was more economical, but there are circumstances under which the most economical method might not be consistent with justice and the moral sense. Legality and economy are not always coincident with exact justice and a decent consideration of the feelings of those who are most interested.
POST-OFFICES AND MAIL STAGES
A post-office was established in Dublin in 1813 or 1814, and Cyrus Chamberlain was appointed postmaster. He held the office till 1835, when he removed from town. The route was from Brattleborough, Vt., to Portsmouth, N. H., through Keene, Peterborough, Amherst, and Exeter, a distance of ninety-five miles. The mail was carried each way, once a week, in a one-horse wagon. It was carried many years by Mr. Gibbs and his son Asa Gibbs. The former was killed, by falling with his wagon from a bridge in the village of Peter- borough. Asa Heald succeeded Mr. Chamberlain as post- master, and remained in office till 1849, when Ebenezer Green-
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