USA > New Hampshire > Hillsborough County > Hancock > The history of Hancock, New Hampshire, 1764-1889 > Part 14
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Voted, That the selectmen be continued a committee to complete the underpinning of the meeting-house.
Andrew Seaton was approbated as a suitable person to sell spirituous liquors for one year from July 13, 1793. Oct. 29th. Voted, To paint the meeting-house next spring. The ground work on the outside to be white, and the roof to be Spanish brown. William Boutell and Samuel Gordon, committee.
117
ANNALS OF THE TOWN.
Samuel Hosley licensed as a tavern-keeper for six months from Dec. 17, 1793.
" STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
" In the year of Our Lord One thousand seven hundred and Ninety four-
" AN ACT to set of Joseph Putnam from the Society Land so called and incorpo- rate him and his Estate with the Town of Hancock -
" Whereas Joseph Putnam of the Society Land so called in the County of Hills- borough hath presented a petition to the General Court setting forth that he labors under many inconveniencies by reason of his Lands lying in and being subject to be Taxed in different places, and praying that he with his Estates may be set of and In- corporated with the Town of Hancock- and no Objection being made and the prayer appearing reasonable-Therefore 1
" Be it Enacted by the senate and House of Representatives in General Court Convened that the said Joseph Putnam together with his Estate which is bounded as follows to wit. Beginning at the south west corner of said Putnams Land on the line of Hancock and running East twenty five rods to the south east corner of said Putnams Land being a Tree marked thence north about three hundred rods to the River from thence by the line of said Hancock to the first mentioned bounds be and is hereby set of to and incorporated with the said Town of Hancock and that in future the said Putnam shall be considered as belonging to said Hancock any Law usage or custom to the contrary notwithstanding.2
" STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
" In the House of Representatives Jan. 15, 1794
" The foregoing Bill having had three several readings passed to be Enacted
" Sent up for Concurrence
NATHL PEABODY speaker
" In senate the same day this Bill having been read a third time Voted that the same be enacted
ABIEL FOSTER President of the senate.
" Approved 16th Jan 1794 JOSIAH BARTLETT.
" A True Coppy NATHL PARKER Depy secy
" Coppy Attest JAMES HOSLEY Town Clerk "
March 10, 1794. Stephen Wood and John Morrison were chosen "Dogreaves."
The town voted this year "to choose our own Representative." Previous to this time it had been classed with Deering and Antrim. £100 were raised to be worked out on the roads as usual, and £60 to be worked out on the county and other extraordinary roads. " The selectmen, Capt. Cummings and Sampson Tuttle were ap- pointed a special com. to inspect the County and other extraor- dinary roads and to call upon the several surveyors in the town to work out their respective proportions at the time and places that they shall think proper."
1 The fact that Hancock would now be obliged to bear all the expense of building and keeping in repair a bridge over the river reconciled Mr. Putnam's "Society Land " friends to this loss.
" Some changes in boundaries appear to have been soon made, by consent of all parties interested. The dotted line in the Bennington corner of the town map indi- cates the bounds of this addition, approximately, when the town map of 1806 was executed. This map was drawn by a distinguished and able land surveyor, in com- pliance with an order from the state, and is undoubtedly accurate.
118
HISTORY OF HANCOCK, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
Each man was to be allowed four pence per hour for his work, and three miles' travel to be considered one hour's work. Nine hours were considered a day's work, and only "one travel" was allowed for one day. Ox work was two shillings and eight pence per day, and the price of carts and plows was left to the discretion of the committee.
May 5th. At this meeting it was voted to build a pound, which was to be near a large rock on the north side of the road, about fifteen rods from the house of Doctor Kittridge; said pound was to be of stone, ten rods square on the outside, the walls to be four feet thick at the bottom, and two feet thick at the top, and six feet high, " with a stick of timber three square, fifteen inches wide on each square," with a good gate, lock and key. The building of the pound was bid off by Jonathan Bailey for $14 2s.
It was also voted to fence the grave-yard with posts and rails, five rails to a length, to contain one acre. The fencing of the grave-yard was bid off by Nicholas Lawrence for $6.
The sixth article of the warrant was, " To see what method they will take to provide Guns for those the Town must provide for."
The eighth article was, " To see if they will give a Bounty on Black Birds and any other Creatures that destroy our grain." These articles were passed over.
May 5, 1794. Daniel Morse licensed to keep a tavern, etc., for six months.
May 28th. Samuel Gordon licensed to keep a tavern, etc., for one year.
MR. CUMMINGS' CERTIFICATE.
" These certify that the Bearer Mr John Cumings of Hancock formerly when living in Hollis used to attend the Baptist meeting and put himself under my min- istry and assisted in my support, and altho. he has removed so far as to render it inconvenient to attend yet still assists towards my support.
" ISAIAH PARKER Pastor of the Baptist Church
" April 9, 1792. Coppy Attest JAMES HOSLEY Town Clerk."
COPY OF A DEED OF A PEW IN THE MEETING-HOUSE.
"Know all men by these presents that we James Hosley-James Duncan & Seth Hadley a Committee duly appointed by the Town of Hancock in the County of Hills- borough and state of New Hampshire, to give titles to pews in the Meeting house For and in consideration of the sum of seven pounds four shillings paid to said Town by Oliver Lawrence of Hancock aforesaid, yeoman. The Receipt whereof we in our capacity do hereby acknowledge, and do by these presents in behalf of said Town Assign and set over to him the said Oliver that pew in the Meeting house in said Han- cock on the Lower floor that was bid off at the Vendue for selling pews by David Ames and gave up to the said Oliver-and bears No 27 on the Towns Book of Records-
119
ANNALS OF THE TOWN.
"To have and to hold the said pew to him the said Oliver Lawrence his heirs and assigns to his and their only use Benefit and Behoof, against the Lawful claims and demands of all other persons as Long as the said House shall remain-In witness whereof we have hereunto set our hands and seal this sixth day of March A. D. 1794
" Signed sealed & delivered in presents of " REED PAIGE JAMES HOSLEY
MOSES MARSH JAMES DUNCAN Comtee [L S]
SETH HADLEY
"Coppy Attest -JAMES HOSLEY Town Clerk "
Aug. 25, 1794. Voted for four members of congress. Seven persons received votes. John Freeman, of Hanover, received 29 votes; Jeremiah Smith, of Peterboro', 33 votes; Nicholas Gilman, of Exeter, 30 votes; S. Sherbourn, of Portsmouth, 2 votes; Timothy Farrar, of New Ipswich, 29 votes; William Gordon, of Amherst, 11 votes, and John Prentice, of Londonderry, 1 vote.
" Voted, That if Oliver Laughton shall move into this Town within three months he shall be treated as a Resident in his present Taxes - but if not he shall be considered as a nonresident."
Oct. 13th. Two articles in the warrant related to Mr. Paige's lot of land, and an increase of his salary for the previous year, that he might be able to finish his house.
The town voted to lend Mr. Paige £30 for two years, without in- terest; also, to give him £80 salary for the future.
Sept. 26th. Elijah Washburn licensed and approved to keep a tavern for one year from date.
Dec. 8th. It appears that at the August election one member of congress failed of an election, and the voters of the state were per- mitted to choose between Abiel Foster and Pain Wingate to fill that vacancy. Mr. Foster received in Hancock 18 votes, and Mr. Wingate 8 votes.
" Voted, That the selectmen be a committee to Erect and superin- tend post guides at their discretion."
Feb. 2, 1795. Daniel Morse licensed to sell spirituous liquors for one year from date.
Feb. 16th. Andrew Seaton licensed to retail spirituous liquors and keep tavern one year from date.
April 20, 1795. "Voted, To pay those who shall now Inlist into the Continental service ten Dollars per month while in actual ser- vice- Including what shall be paid by the United States Exclusive of their ration money -
" Voted, To pay them ten Dollars each at any time when they shall be called upon to march -
120
HISTORY OF HANCOCK, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
" Voted, That they Inlist for two years and no more and hold themselves in constant readiness to march."
Feb. 19, 1796. Andrew Seaton licensed as tavern keeper for one year from date.
March 14, 1796. Andrew Seaton was appointed an agent for the town to procure of the heirs of Governor Hancock a deed of the land at this time occupied by Rev. Mr. Paige, or to get information in regard to what terms on which the land can be obtained, with full power to give and take securities. Mr. Paige and the selectmen were appointed to give Mr. Seaton instructions as to how he should proceed.
" Voted, Not to pay the orders given by the selectmen for Liquor drank at the time when we raised our men." At a subsequent meet- ing this vote was reconsidered, and it was decided that the town would pay for the liquor.
Mr. Paige, Mr. Seaton, Deacon Duncan, Edmond Davis, Samuel Gates, Lieutenant Clark, and Ninian Clark were appointed to regu- late the singing. David Stone agreed to keep the key of the meet- ing-house, open and shut the house when wanted, and sweep the lower floor six times and the gallery three times, for thirteen shil- lings. The hogs in town must have been unusually troublesome at this time, or there was a desire to give certain persons an office, as the following vote will show: "Voted, To Choose more Hogreeves." Amos Baker, Aaron Parker, Cyrus Smith, Deacon Duncan, Esquire Gordon, and Jonathan Sawyer were chosen to fill that office.
June 20th. "Voted, 1 To give one half of the front gallery in the center to be appropriated to the use of singers as long as they will make use of it for that purpose. 2 to alter the seates in the center of said gallery for the forementioned use."
The work was entrusted to Seth Hadley, Oliver Lawrence, and Andrew Seaton. James Hosley, Jonathan Sawyer, and Timothy Moors were appointed to get the burying-yard cleared.
A number of tax-payers had sent in a request to be freed from paying towards the minister's salary ; but the article was passed over, as was also an article that looked towards raising money to pro- cure for the minister a lot of land.
Aug. 22d. Voted again for four members of congress. Jere- miah Smith, William Gordon, and Jonathan Freeman each had 33 votes; Abiel Foster had 32 votes, and John Bellows had 1 vote.
121
ANNALS OF THE TOWN.
Jonathan Freeman was not elected, and at the election on the 7th of November, the town was permitted to vote for Jonathan Free- man or Peleg Sprague. The records are incomplete, so we can not give the result. John Taylor Gilman, Oliver Peabody, Robert Moors, Timothy Farrar, Benjamin Bellows, and John Calf were voted for as presidential electors; number of votes not given.
Rev. Mr. Paige was chosen to go to the heirs of Governor Hancock, in behalf of the town, in the room of Mr. Seaton. The town was to pay his cash expenses, and he was to report next March meeting.
Nov. 21st. Mr. Williams asks for help of the town. The select- men were instructed to go to his house and inquire into his circum- stances, and do what they might think right till the next March meeting.
Lieut. Joseph Simonds was licensed to retail "N. E. rum" for one year from Jan. 19, 1797, and as tavern-keeper for one year from March 15, 1797.
March 13, 1797. Andrew Seaton, Jonathan Sawyer, Samuel Gates, Stephen Poor, Oliver Lawrence, Captain Brooks, and James Duncan were appointed to purchase a piece of common land for- merly owned by Phineas Ames, at their discretion, for the town's use.
April 27th. Lieutenant Parker was directed to fence the burying- yard as he had agreed, and to have it done by the last of September next. The selectmen were directed to take a deed for the town of the frame and land owned by Mr. Williams, and lease it to him during his and his wife's lifetime. Salmon Wood, John Foster, and Lieutenant Dodge were appointed a committee to cause this frame to be made convenient for the family of Mr. Williams, at the cost of the town.
Mr. Williams was at this time about seventy-four years old. He was one of the early settlers, and was much respected ; but he had brought up a large family. Most of his children were then living at their old home in Shirley, Mass. He had a small farm and a house partly finished. He simply desired the town to take what he had and take care of him. The whole transaction shows a good spirit on the part of himself and the town. Other men had been relieved from their taxes, from time to time, and children had been cared for at the town's expense, so Mr. Williams was not really the first man who had been helped.
June 1, 1797. Samuel Gordon licensed, etc., for one year from date.
122
HISTORY OF HANCOCK, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
But few newspapers were in circulation at this time. The Vil- lage Messenger, published in Amherst, had a limited circulation in town, and E. D. Boylston, Esq., has kindly sent us " items " of news and advertisements that appeared from time to time in that paper and its successor, the Amherst Cabinet. Sept. 12, 1797, Samuel Gordon and Andrew Seaton had the following advertisement in that paper: "Stop thief ! store broken open," with a description of articles taken, and "printers of the state desired to insert it in their useful papers."
April 24th, Betty Whitcomb advertised as guardian for John, James, and Sarah Whitcomb, all under five years of age, children of her late husband, John Whitcomb, of Hancock.
Sept. 4th, Eunice Davis advertised as executor of the will of her late husband, James Davis.
It appears that it was a custom that obtained at that time, to make record of advertisements of lost or found property in the town- book. We give one from this same Mrs. Davis, not only as a specimen of the custom of the time, but also as a remarkable instance of the intelligence of animals and their love for their homes. Holden is at least forty miles from Hancock.
" ADVERTISEMENT
" Broke in to the Inclosure of the subscriber the 20 of April instant a midling sized mare bearing upon a Chestnut colour with a blaze in her face her two near feet and legs white a natural pacer said mare was formerly owned by Lieut James Davis of Hancock Deceased, and was put from him to Elnathan Davis of Holden any person to whome said mare may belong may have her by proving property and paying charges,- Said mare is now on my farm
" Hancock the 3ª of May 1797
EUNICE DAVIS.
" Copy attest JAMES HOSLEY Town Clerk "
We also give some specimens of records made of legal marks of cattle and sheep : -
" Collins Whittemore marks his sheep with a swallow's tail cut out of the off Ear"
" Aaron Parkers sheep mark is a half penny upon the upper side of the near Ear"-
" Richard Heath marks his Cattle and sheep with a half Crop on the under side of the off Ear and a slit on the end of the near Ear"-
" David Wood marks his sheep With a hole Puncht Through Each ear and his Cattle a hole through Their off ear"-
Jan. 25, 1798. Andrew Seaton approved as a tavern-keeper for one year from date.
March 12, 1798. James Hosley, Samuel Gates, Reed Paige, Moses Dennis, Joseph Baker, James Duncan, Jonathan Sawyer,
123
ANNALS OF THE TOWN.
John Clark, Elijah Washburn, Lemuel Lakin, Andrew Seaton, Enos Knight, Joseph Symonds, Oliver Lawrence, and Josiah Stone were appointed to take into consideration the Stamp Act, so called, "and make report by way of instructions to our Representative."
" Voted, To have Ninian lead our singing on the Sabbath."
This formidable committee to instruct our representative con- cerning the Stamp Act, attended to their duties, and made the following report, which was accepted ; and a vote was passed, that it be published in the Village Messenger :-
" TO CAPT WILLIAM BROOKS Sir As you are chosen to represent the inhabitants of the Town of Hancock at the General Court in the state of New Hamshire: We, therefore hereby instruct you to lay before that honorable Body the following - and that you as opportunity may present use your influence with said Court to petition the Congress of the United States to repeal the stamp act so called.
" We do not object to the above named act, because we are unwilling to support Government, for we hereby declare our willingness: but we wish it may be sup- ported in such a way that the people may pay in proportion to what they possess, nor do we object to paying a duty on foreign imported articles- especially on the luxuries of life
" But we feel objections to the stamp act for the following reasons.
" 1 Because we view it as an infringment upon our natural and civil Rights as there will be many articles which we can not purchase upon credit without paying for that Right.
" 2 Because we fear it will have an unhapy and corrupting influence upon the morals of the people, by opening a door for and offering temptations to fraudlent conduct.
" 3 We feel disagreable at the sight of a law which prohibits a man who is called a free citizen of the United States from purchasing a horse or a yoak of Oxen upon a years credit and securing the pay to the creditor, without his having a duty to pay for that privilege : when the rich who more generally have money on hand can pur- chase without paying any duty.
" 4 Because large notes with which the rich more generally transact business do not pay so much upon the dollar, as smaller notes in which the poor more generally deal - a note of twenty dollars will pay one half cent on the dollar : but a note of one thousand dollars will not pay one thirteenth part of a cent on the dollar .-
" 5 Because the rich have it in their power to make speedy payment and can diminish three fifths of the duty so far as it concerns them
" 6 Because if we understand the 2 section of said act, stock holden of the several Banks have it in their power, by paying one percentum on the annual dividend, to avoid paying in proportion to what must be paid on other notes.
" 7 Because many of the country people in order to obtain stamped paper, will be subject to a considerable loss of time, even if a stamp master be appointed in every Town, and if a stampmaster be not appointed in every Town, then they will probably be obliged to purchase at an advanced price or be obliged to ride or send many miles to obtain said stamped paper.
" 8 In addition to the above we fear it will strike the minds of the people so dis- agreeably as to disaffect them towards the Government.
" We think a sufficiency of objections have been offered, although we feel there are others of some importance.
" And with these instructions and for the reasons here mentioned we Join our prayers to the honorable General Court, that they will in some way, as their wisdom shall direct make use of their power to obtain a repeal of said act."
124
HISTORY OF HANCOCK, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
April 17, 1798. From the first there had been manifested on the part of several individuals a disinclination to assist in the support of Rev. Mr. Paige. This uneasiness increased, rather than dimin- ished. At the town-meeting called at this date the second article was "to see if the Town will refer the action brought against them by John Brooks to such men as may be mutually agreed to on both sides - or settle with him or any others who have refused to pay Mr. Paiges sallery, in any way that they can agree on - that may be thought best when met."
At the meeting of the town a committee was appointed to consult with Mr. Brooks and report the names of five men to refer the law- suit to. "The committee reported, not agreed." "The town then voted to have the case go on."
May 24th. The second article in the warrant was, "To see if the Town will exempt those who profess to belong to a Baptist society in this Town from paying towards Mr. Paiges sallery this present year or a longer term if they shall think best."
It was "voted to Exempt the following Gentlemen from paying a Minister Tax for the present year (viz) John Foster- Amos Tin- ney-John Brooks-Solomon Hobart-Nehemiah Pierce - Daniel Tinney - & Capt. John Bradford."
" Voted, Not Exempt Seth Davis and Nathan Brooks from paying the Ministers Tax for the present year."
A call had been made for the town to furnish soldiers. It was "Voted, That the pay of each soldier who Inlists into the service of the U. S. be made up twelve Dollars per month what Congress offers & and that they have five Dollars advanced in case they march."
" Voted, To give each soldier who Inlists half a pint of Rum or Brandy."
" Voted, That the soldiers hold themselves in readiness for the term of one year and no longer, to march at a moments warning."
" Voted, Not to make any addition to our Common at present."
INVENTORY OF 1798.
" No.
159 Poles from eighteen to seventy years of age
141 Acres of Arable or Tillage land
391 Acres of Mowing land
980 Acres of Pasture land
2 Stallions that have been wintered three winters
93 other Horse and Mares that have been wintered five winters.
21 Horses and Mares that have been wintered four winters.
26 Horses and Mares wintered three winters
125
ANNALS OF THE TOWN.
27 Horses and Mares wintered two winters
152 Oxen wintered five winters
286 Cows wintered five winters
130 All neat stock wintered but four winters
159 All neat stock wintered but three winters
249 All neat stock wintered but two winters.
" Dollars
72 Yearly Rent or Income of Mills
1708 Sum total of the Value of all Buildings owned by Residents or Nonresidents
375 Sum total of the Value of all stock in trade
800 Sum total of money at interest
15173 Sum total of the value of all unimproved lands owned by Residents or Non residents.
" The above Inventory taken the first of April 1798 " by us SAMUEL GATES Selectmen
JOHN BOWERS of
NOAH WHEELER Hancock
" Sworn to before-JAMES HOSLEY Just peace
" Copy Attest JAMES HOSLEY Town Clerk "
June 26, 1798. Samuel Gordon and Andrew Seaton licensed as tavern-keepers, etc.
March 12th. Joseph Simonds licensed to keep tavern, etc., for one year.
Aug. 11th. Elijah Washburn licensed to keep a tavern for one year.
Aug. 27th. Election of representatives to congress. Abiel Fos- ter received 37 votes; Peleg Sprague, 13; William Gordon, 21; Jona- than Freeman, 32 ; Jacob Abbott, 30, and Benjamin Bellows, 30.
A committee was appointed "to apply to Mr. Philips, of Green- field, for to draw off his Pond in order for fraiming and raising the County Bridge."
The selectmen were instructed to settle the cost of the lawsuit brought against the town by John Brooks "the best way they can."
" Voted, To abate what John Foster is behind on the minister's Tax in Collector Lakin's lists."
" Voted, To clear Nathan Brooks and Seth Davis from paying a Tax for the support of our Minister this year."
March 11, 1799. " Voted, To raise four hundred Dollars to repair Highways this year."
Three shillings, or fifty cents, were to be allowed for a day's work on the highways till the last of September; after that two shillings, or thirty-three cents, were allowed.
" Voted, To raise three hundred Dollars including what is laid on by the State for the support of schooling this year."
126
HISTORY OF HANCOCK, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
June 8th. Joseph Symonds licensed as a tavern-keeper for one year.
June 17th. Samuel Gordon and Andrew Seaton licensed to sell spirituous liquors, as tavern-keepers, for one year.
June 17th. "Voted, To make steps to the meeting house doors the four porch doors to be done with plank and the front door with stone."
At an adjourned meeting the selectmen were instructed to make the steps as they might think best.
The bridge near Joseph Putnam's was to be rebuilt. We here give an account of the way it was done, though it might more appropriately belong to another chapter. The report of the com- mittee to whom the matter had been entrusted was as follows : -
" 1st Said Bridge is to be built with stone Butmans begining at the east side of the River and at the edge of the planking and running forty feet into the water width sixteen feet, height ten feet at the further extremity, at the shore as high as it now is - West butman running from the shore forty five feet into the water bredth and height as above - said stone work to be sufficiently covered with gravel,-
" 2ª the string pieces are to be sixteen inches diamiter at the top and six in num- ber if needed, to be put on and fitted for planking -
" 3d Said bridge is to be compleated by the last of Sept. next to be done with dis- patch and to the acceptance of the Comtee.
"4th to receive pay when the work is compleated June 24, 1799."
Joseph Putnam agreed to build the "east butman " for $48; John Clark agreed to build the " west butman " for $52, and Abijah Hadley, for "procuring and putting on the string pieces," was to receive $15.50.
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