USA > New Hampshire > Hillsborough County > Hancock > The history of Hancock, New Hampshire, 1764-1889 > Part 18
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March 11, 1851. Vote for representative to congress: George W. Morrison, 128; Jared Perkins, 90.
For the first time in the history of the town, the report of the school committee was not only read and accepted, but also printed, and one copy was sent to each family in town.
The fourteenth article of the warrant was, "Is it expedient for the legislature to enact a law to exempt the homestead of families from attachment, and levy or sale on execution to the amount of $500?"
The vote of town on this question was, yeas, 33; nays, 33.
Fifteen changes in the constitution were submitted to the town, but only three received the assent of a majority of the voters present.
April 26th. Voted, To lower the floor agreeable to the plan presented by the committee of the Congregational society of Hancock.
Voted, To repair the town-house.
Voted, That if the house is not moved, the town pay one-third the expense of repairing and painting the house where it now stands.
Oct. 18th. Voted, To finish the room under meeting-house for a town-house, provided the town can have a good title of the same.
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HISTORY OF HANCOCK, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
The selectmen were appointed a committee to take this matter in charge. They were directed to provide blinds for the windows, also seats for the town-hall, and to lower the floor.
March 9, 1852. Abijah Hadley, Kendall Gray, and Josiah Stone were chosen a committee to sell the town-farm, and to purchase another, within one year from the first of the next April. The report of the school committee was ordered to be printed, and copies distributed, -one to each family.
" Voted, That the town has leave to set shade-trees on the com- mon." David Patten, Iram Wood, and John Brooks were chosen a committee "to see to arranging the shade-trees on the common."
Articles of agreement between the town and the First Congrega- tional society, concerning respective rights of said town and society in the meeting-house, were adopted. These articles substantially embodied the suggestions in the report of the committee appointed for that purpose and submitted Jan. 15, 1851. They were signed by William Gray, Z. W. Brooks, and Joel Gates, selectmen, on the part of the town, and Cristy Duncan, agent of the First Congre- gational society.
Nov. 2d. The town was permitted to vote on the following question : "Is it expedient that the bill entitled 'an act for the suppression of drinking houses and tippling shops' be enacted into a law?" 7 voted in favor, and 85 against, this bill.
The town voted for presidential electors. There were three parties. The first set of candidates received 134 votes; the second, 37; the third, 23. These parties were the Democratic, Whig, and Free Soil, respectively.
March 8, 1853. "Voted to have prayer by Rev. A. Bigelow."
This is the first record I have found that one of these meetings was opened by prayer.
The following is the vote for representative to congress: George W. Morrison, 128; Aaron P. Hughes, 37; John Preston, 29.
Voted, To sell the property on the town farm at auction on March 21st.
March 14, 1854. Voted, To have the selectmen purchase a copy of "Colton's Map of the United States" for each school district in town.
March 13, 1855. Vote for representative to congress : George W. Morrison, 115; Mason W. Tappan, 94.
The town balloted six times for a representative to the state leg-
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ANNALS OF THE TOWN.
islature, but as no one person received a majority of the votes cast, there was no election.
The whole amount of money expended the current year for the support of the poor was $70.38.
March 11, 1856. " Voted that the Committee of the Town Hall shall not open it on Sundays when there is a meeting in the upper room."
Nov. 4th. Presidential electors were voted for. There were two tickets in the field. On the one side 115 votes were cast, and on the other side 103 votes were cast.
March 10, 1857. Vote for representative to congress : George W. Morrison, 111; Mason W. Tappan, 90.
"The number of votes in favor of the revision of the constitution were 5, and 81 against it."
Dec. 21st. A petition was presented to the selectmen by Joshua S. Lakin and Moses Lakin, members of school district No. 6 in Han- cock, praying that they and their taxable property might be dis- annexed from said school district No. 6 in Hancock, and annexed to district No. 10 in Dublin. Probably a petition of a similar nature was presented to the selectmen of Dublin, as the selectmen of the two towns ordered that a hearing be held at the dwelling house of Joshua S. Lakin on Friday, the fifth day of the following March, and that suitable and legal notice be given to all parties concerned.
When the time arrived, Moses Lakin was not living, but the prayer of the petition was granted, and the two estates were an- nexed to district No. 10 in Dublin, for school purposes.
March 9, 1858. It was voted to recommit the report of the super. intending school committee and have further report on district No. 8.
For a series of years the vote had been "to raise one half the valuation for a highway tax."1
It was voted " to have the report of the committee to settle with the selectmen printed in detail, one copy for each voter."
The subject of revising the constitution again came up; 3 voted in favor, and 66 against.
Jan. 29, 1859. At this date is recorded by the selectmen a cer- tificate that had been given to James Cudihee May 8, 1858, certify- ing that he had been duly admitted a citizen of the United States. Said certificate was signed by Edward S. Cutter, clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for Hillsboro' county. This, as far as I have
1 The "reduced valuation," $50 on $100.
11
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HISTORY OF HANCOCK, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
been able to discover, is the first instance of the naturalization of an alien in this town, or at least that a record was made of such naturalization.
March 8th. Vote for representative to congress: Mason W. Tappan had 112 votes, John H. George had 124 votes. 226 votes were cast at this election, and party lines were sharply drawn. The vote for state and county officers was 111 to 124, with no " scratch- ing." For moderator, Kendall Gray received 113 votes, and Joseph Davis 123 votes. For representative to the legislature, Joel Gates received 1 vote, John Collins 112, and Joseph Knight 121.
March 9th. "Voted to have the report of the Committee that settle with the selectmen and Town Treasurer, and the report of the Superintending School Committee both printed."
" Voted that the Town Clerk get them printed, one for each voter in town, one week before Town meeting, 1860."
" The homestead farms of George Cragin, Nelson Washburn, Benjamin Clement and Jackson Clement of Peterboro' were disannexed from Dis. No. 7, in Peterboro', and annexed to Dis. No. 7, in Hancock, for school purposes.
ICHABOD GOODWIN, Gov." " June 28, 1859.
March 13, 1860. A proposition had been made to form a new county, to consist of the city of Manchester and the towns of Bed- ford, Goffstown, Weare, New Boston, Auburn, Candia, Chester, Londonderry, Derry, Salem, and Windham. The question, "Is it expedient to form said county ?" was presented to the town; 24 voted in favor, and 168 against, the proposition.
Presidential electors were voted for. There were two tickets in the field. On the one side 122 votes were cast, on the other side 112 votes were cast.
March 12, 1861. On the question, " Is it expedient that a conven- tion be called to revise the constitution?" 8 voted in favor, and 64 against.
Vote for representative to congress: Samuel D. Bell, 129; Ed- ward H. Rollins, 99; David Cross, 1.
" Voted that all monies, Books, Charts, Periodicals made as dona- tions to the Town Library be accepted by the Town and be applied by the Library Committee for the benefit of the Library."
The report of the librarian was read and accepted.
March 13, 1862. A petition having been presented to the select- men of Antrim and the selectmen of Hancock, by Robert Rice, James D. Matthews, Sherburn Barker, John Flint, Christopher P.
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ANNALS OF THE TOWN.
Parkherst, Charles M. Flint, Isaac F. Walker, Nathaniel H. Tyrrel, Warren D. Hatch, and Ezra Tyrrel, members of school districts No. 4 in Hancock, and No. 8 in Antrim, that said petitioners be allowed to form a new school district, situated partly in Hancock and partly in Antrim, - said petition being duly heard, and due notice being given to parties concerned, - it was decided to grant the petition, and a new district was formed that was called No. 9 in Hancock, and No. 15 in Antrim ; the bounds whereof were set.
Aug. 12th. An act had been passed by the legislature "re- specting the Trial Terms and the County Offices of Hillsboro' county, provided for the division of the County Offices and records and their removal to Manchester and Nashua &c." This act was presented to the town for approval. The vote was unanimous in the negative, 139 voting.
"Voted that the town pay those who volunteer to fill up the first Quota for the war one hundred dollars each when mustered into the U. S. Service."
Aug. 28th. "Voted to pay a bounty of one hundred dollars to each of the volunteers necessary to make out our quota of three hundred thousand men for three years, or during the war, when mustered into the U. S. service."
A bounty of $100 was also voted to those who might be disposed to volunteer for nine months, when mustered into the United States service.
The selectmen were authorized to pay the families of volunteers the amount of money appropriated by law.
Sept. 13th. The selectmen were directed to borrow money on the credit of the town to pay the families of volunteers, if it could be done lawfully; if not, they were to call another meeting.
March 10, 1863. We copy the following votes: "Is it expedient to alter the Constitution? Nays, 137 ; yeas, 2." " Is it expedient to build a New Jail in the County of Hillsboro'? Nays, 155; yeas, 1." "Voted to have the selectmen meet with the Committee of the Congregational society and make all necessary repairs on the belfry of the town House."
From the report of the library committee we take the following: " Whole number of books in the library 530. The library has been open for the delivery of books 104 times. Whole number taken out, 2896. Average number per day 272. Number of different individuals taking out books 303."
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HISTORY OF HANCOCK, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
Dec. 51, 1863. This meeting was called " to see if the town will vote to adopt any measures to procure substitutes for the ten volun- teers called for as the quota of this town under the late call of the President of the United States for 300,000 men, and make an appro- priation of money for the same." The selectmen were authorized to hire the said substitutes, and also to borrow a sum of money not exceeding $7000 for the above purpose.
March 8, 1864. " Voted to accept of the avails of the Levee amounting to $97.85, in the hands of the Librarian for enlarging the Library."
July 4th. " Voted the selectmen be authorized to pay Dear- born Moody three hundred dollars bounty money."
Aug. 11th. The selectmen were authorized to hire substitutes to fill the quota of the town for the recent call for 500,000 volunteers; also to pay $100 to each volunteer who had not received any bounty from the town.
Aug. 27th. "Voted to adopt the provisions of an act approved Aug. 19, 1864, for the purpose of procuring men to fill the quota of the town under the calling of the President for 500,000 men."
The selectmen were authorized to pay each citizen of the town, who would volunteer to fill the quota for the above call, $500, if they would enlist for three years, and a proportional sum for a less time. Any enrolled man who would procure a substitute was to receive $300 for a term of three years ; and each man who might be drafted was to receive the sum of $200, for himself or for a substi- tute. By a subsequent vote, any citizen who would volunteer for one year was to receive $500.
Nov. 8th. Voted for presidential electors. The vote stood 116 to 103.
" Voted the records be moved from Amherst to Nashua ; yeas, 70; nays, 6.
Voted on the revision of the constitution ; yeas, 59; nays, 54.
"Voted that the selectmen pay Dearborn Moody the highest bounty that could be paid at the time he re-enlisted, not exceeding three hundred dollars."
Dec. 6th. A meeting of the town was called to see if the sum of $300 each should be paid to citizens of the town who would vol- unteer to fill the quota of Hancock under the call of Dec. 19th for 300,000 men. The meeting adjourned, when met, for ten days, and the adjourned meeting adjourned without date.
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ANNALS OF THE TOWN.
Another meeting was called for the same purpose Feb. 14, 1865, when the selectmen were authorized to fill the quota of the town. They were authorized to borrow not exceeding $3000 for the pur- pose, and those who might be drafted were to receive the highest bounty the law would allow, when they were mustered into the United States service.
March 14, 1865. Vote for member of congress : Lewis W. Clark, 112; Edward H. Rollins, 89.
March 31st. Voted, To have the selectmen pay all the money the law will allow to those who have volunteered, or paid commutation money, or put in substitutes.
Voted, To raise $6000 to pay the debts and defray town charges.
There was an article in the warrant relative to the celebration of the one hundredth anniversary of the settlement of the town. Said article was passed over.
"Voted to reconsider the vote relative to paying money to those who had volunteered, etc.
" Voted to pay one hundred dollars to the first volunteers who have not received any bounty, and have been honorably discharged, and refund the money paid by all those that have been drafted and paid commutation money, or put in substitutes since the war com- menced."
May 20th. It appears that there was some doubt in regard to the legality of the vote passed March 31st in regard to bounties, etc., and the same subject was to come up before this meeting. A letter from Judge G. Y. Sawyer was read on the legality of raising money to pay soldiers, after which the meeting adjourned.
Nov. 28th. The selectmen were directed to pay the proportional part for the town of the repairs on the meeting-house.
" Voted to pass the fifth article." This article was as follows: "To see what action the town will take in relation to allowing the Sem- inary to remain where it now stands."
Sept. 15, 1866. Voted, To give the Congregational society the privilege of extending the hot-air pipes from the furnace-room through the partitions into the town-hall, and thence into the church.
Voted, That the town be at the expense of cutting one door from each of the furnace-rooms into the town-hall.
March 12, 1867. For representative to congress Aaron F. Stevens had 129 votes, and Edward W. Harrington had 122 votes.
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HISTORY OF HANCOCK, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
March 13th. On the question, " Is it expedient to abolish pauper settlements in towns, and throw the entire support of paupers upon counties?" there were 21 votes in the affirmative, and 118 votes in the negative.
Appropriations for 1867: For schools, $800; for the expenditures of the current year, besides the amount raised for schools and for highways and bridges, $1000; for highways and bridges, one-half of one per cent of the real valuation.
It was voted that the report of the superintending school com- mittee be printed and circulated, and also the report of the treas- urer, overseers, and selectmen.
It was also voted that the report of the treasurer, overseers, and selectmen for the year closing March 10, 1868, be printed and circu- lated as soon as may be in March, 1868.
March 10, 1868. Voted on the question, "To see if the town will petition congress to lay a tax on all the bonds of the United States not exceeding one per cent semi-annually, and make the same a lien on the coupons and interest of said bonds, and set the same apart as a 'sinking fund' to be applied in the purchase of the debts of the United States, in such manner as Congress may direct"; yeas, 55; nays, 2.
Nov. 3d. In the vote for presidential electors for the first time the Democratic candidates were in the minority. The vote was 113 on the one side and 102 on the other.
On the question, "Is it expedient that a convention be called to revise the Constitution ?" the vote was, yeas, 32; nays, 84.
" Voted that the Selectmen cause the school and financial reports of the town for the current year to be printed."
March 9, 1869. Vote for representative to congress : Aaron F. Stevens had 118 votes, Edward W. Harrington had 111 votes.
Voted in the affirmative on the following resolution : " Resolved, That it is the sense of this meeting that the Legislature be requested to form the County of Monadnock, and that the town of Hancock be included therein, provided the town of Peterboro' will furnish accommodations for the courts of said county free of cost to said county."
Voted, That the town appropriate the stipulated proportion of money to pay for the shingling or new covering and painting of the outside of the meeting-house and town-hall.
Nov. 9, 1869. On the question, "Are you in favor of the act en-
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ANNALS OF THE TOWN.
titled ' An act to establish a State police in certain cases' ?" the vote was, yeas, 18; nays, 92.
On the resolution " To give three per cent of the valuation of the town to that railroad company which shall build a railroad within one-half mile of Hancock meeting-house, with suitable depots," the vote was, in favor, 59; against, 44.
March 8, 1870. $900 were raised for schools, one-half of the reduced valuation was raised for the repairs of highways and bridges, and $300 in addition to what might be received from other sources were raised to defray town charges.
On several questions that came up the votes were as follows: "Is it expedient that a convention be called to revise the constitution ?" yeas, 9; nays, 79. "Is it expedient to establish the county of Am- oskeag?" yeas, 2; nays, 96. "Is it expedient to establish the county of Monadnock ?" yeas, 24; nays, 67.
The money that was raised by a levee to enlarge the town library was accepted, but the report of the school committee was simply "put on file," after being accepted and adopted.
March 14, 1871. Vote for representative to congress: Samuel N. Bell had 111 votes, Aaron F. Stevens had 111 votes.
$1 was raised for the support of paupers and other necessary town charges, in addition to what might be received from other sources and what might be on hand.
It was voted to print the school report this year. $1050 were raised for the support of schools.
The customary one-half of the reduced valuation was raised for highways and bridges, and fifteen cents per hour allowed for the labor of a man or a yoke of oxen.
" Voted, To instruct the selectmen to run the line of the town common according to the original plan."
March 13, 1872. No money was raised this year for town charges, etc.
Voted, To accept of a town clock, and allow the committee to place the same in the tower of the church; the town pledging itself to keep the same in running order.1
1 This was made by the firm of E. Howard & Co., Boston. The price of the clock was $475, and the expense of preparing the belfry and making dials, etc., was enough in addition to bring the total expense of the clock, when in running order, up to about $650. The funds necessary for procuring it were raised by levees and sub- scriptions. Among the largest donors we will name the following natives of the town: R. S. Lakin, Darwin Fogg and C. R. Gassett, of Boston; Hon. A. N. Clark, of Beverly, Mass., and Dr. Jacob A. Wood, of New York city. It has proved an ex- celient time-keeper, and is a desirable acquisition for the town,
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HISTORY OF HANCOCK, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
Voted, " To accept and adopt the several reports as printed without reading."
Voted, "That the selectmen cause the several reports to be printed for the current year, and distributed before the next an- nual meeting."
At this date the assets of the town, over and above debts, amounted to $1003.99.
July 3, 1872. This meeting was called, that the town might have the privilege of accepting a legacy left to it by Ebenezer Hubbard, of Concord, Mass. Mr. Hubbard was born in Hancock, and in his will he bequeathed to the town $1000 to be held in trust, the interest thereof to be used annually for the benefit of the poor of said town, in such sums and for such persons as the selectmen, overseers of the poor, and other officers having the matter in charge might deem
best He also bequeathed $1000 to the town to be held in trust, the interest thereof to be used annually for the support and benefit of a public library for the general use of the inhabitants of said town. In addition to these bequests there was another bequest made con- ditionally. If not accepted on certain conditions by the town of Concord, Mass., then $1000 was to be given to the town of Hancock, to be divided equally between the above objects and subject to the same conditions. It was voted to accept the above legacy accord- ing to the terms of Mr. Hubbard's will. As the third thousand dollars was never received, it is probable that the town of Concord complied with the conditions and received the money.1
Nov. 5th. In the vote for presidential electors there were 102 votes cast for electors that supported Horace Greeley, 99 votes for electors who supported General Grant, and 2 votes for electors who supported Charles O'Conor.
March 12, 1873. For member of congress: J. M. Fletcher had 5 votes, Austin F. Pike had 97 votes, and Samuel N. Bell had 114 votes. $1200 were raised for the support of schools.
The committee chosen to consider the matter of enlarging the cemetery, or purchasing land for a new one, reported in favor of purchasing land on the west side of the cemetery for the purpose of enlarging it. Said committee also recommended that a sum not exceeding $400 be appropriated for that purpose. The report of the committee was accepted and adopted.
1 They did so.
---
-
EBENEZER HUBBARD.
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ANNALS OF THE TOWN.
It was also voted that the selectmen build a receiving tomb for the use of the town.
Assets of the town, over and above debts, $4793.37.
C. A. Whittaker and twenty-two other legal voters presented a request to the selectmen to call a meeting of the inhabitants of the town for the purpose of establishing a high-school district.
This meeting was called March 20th, at which time the town voted to organize a high-school district in the town, for the purpose of supporting a high school, to be under the direction of a special committee, consisting of one person chosen from each school district in the town ; said school to be free to all actual residents of the town who might comply with the requirements in regard to qualifications, -all other persons to pay the customary tuition.
April 15th. At a meeting called at this date for the purpose, the vote passed at the annual meeting, in so far as it related to raising more money than is required by law to be raised for common schools, was rescinded, and $400 were raised to be appropriated for the support of the high school.
May 20th. A request was made at this date by Mark N. Spald- ing and twelve others, that the selectmen call a town-meeting, to see if the town would vote a gratuity of not exceeding five per cent of the valuation of the town to the Winsor & Forest Line railroad corporation, provided said corporation should build a rail- road through or near the village. This request was not granted.1
Nov. 11th. It was voted to invest the Hubbard legacy in New Hampshire state and town bonds.
March 11, 1874. Assets of the town over and above debts, $7049.47. The selectmen were instructed to try and purchase a piece of land suitable, in their opinion, for a public cemetery. They were also instructed to take counsel and investigate the right of title in regard to the common, and take action thereon.
March 18th. A petition, signed by Lewis W. Alcock and sixty- three others, was presented to the selectmen, representing that there was a necessity for the establishing of a new public cemetery in town, and recommending a lot of land, owned by David Hills, for that purpose ; said lot being the land subsequently appropriated for the purpose designated.
The 26th of May was appointed as the time for a hearing from
1 A meeting was called, but less than two-thirds of those voting were in favor of a gratuity.
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HISTORY OF HANCOCK, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
all the parties concerned on the subject. After due deliberation of the evidence offered on the part of those interested, and a per- sonal examination of the spot proposed, the selectmen were con- vinced that the prayer of the petitioners should be granted, and proceeded to lay out the new cemetery, which, by a vote of the town, received the name of "Norway Plain cemetery."
The following is a description of the boundaries of the cemetery as found in the records: "Beginning at a stake and stones on the shore of the pond at low-water mark, at the north-west corner of David Patten's land; thence south three and one-half degrees, west by said Patten's land thirty-nine rods and seventeen links, to a stake and stones near a large stone in the wall marked with the letter H; thence north eighty-six and one-half degrees, west thirty- three rods and six links, by land of Joseph Davis and David Hills, to a stake and stones on the shore of the pond at low-water mark; thence by the shore of the pond at low-water mark to the bound first mentioned; containing four acres and eighty-four rods; four acres and forty-four and seven-tenths rods being land owned by David Hills; the remainder being land owned by Joseph Davis."
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