USA > New Hampshire > Hillsborough County > Hillsborough > The history of Hillsborough, New Hampshire, 1735-1921, Volume 1 > Part 39
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Hillsborough's first appearance upon the national political map was in 1833, when Franklin Pierce was elected to the 23rd Congress, his native town voting 226 to one in his favor.
In 1835 Franklin Pierce was re-elected to Congress, and in March 4, 1837, he was elected by the State Legislature to succeed John Page in the United States Senate, which office he held until he resigned in 1842.
The Presidential campaign of 1840 brought into opposition to the Democrats and Whigs a new party, the Free Soilers or Abolitionists. At this election the vote of Hillsborough showed that the town still represented the political spirit of its early leaders.
At the annual election this year the vote for Governor was John Page, Democrat, 289; Enos Stevens, Whig, 77. At the National election in November Hillsborough voted 336 for Martin Van Buren, Democrat; 96 for William H. Harrison, Whig, with two voting the Free Soil ticket.
454
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH.
In 1844 John McNiel of Hillsborough, Democrat, was chosen Presidential Elector by the largest vote of any one on the ticket.
In 1852, the campaign of Franklin Pierce, found him op- posed by Whigs and Free Soilers. Democratic Electors were chosen in the State over the divided opposition, while his native town stood loyally by her son.
THE PIERCE BARBECUE.
The Pierce campaign was an exciting one, as were all of those during the period verging upon the great Civil War. Hills- borough, the home town of the Democratic candidate for the high office, felt in duty bound to do her honored son fitting re- cognition. Accordingly there was planned and carried out with- out a discordant note what proved to be the greatest demonstra- tion, considered in respect to the number present and the enthusiasm of the crowd, ever held in the town, and possibly in the state. Some of the most noted men in the country were among the invited guests, several coming from California, which was a far-away place in those days. The orator of the day was from Georgia, while there were speakers from New York, Penn- sylvania, Maryland, Kentucky, California, not to mention New England representatives. As singular as it may seem, the nominee was not present.
A huge oven, which has been repaired through the efforts of the D. A. R. society in town, remains to-day as a reminder of that gala day, when an ox was roasted whole to help feed the crowd. The speakers' stand was under an oak tree near the River Road, and the entire side of the hill and valley where the railroad now runs was completely filled by the mob. At that time only three houses stood within the territory, two at the upper end and one at the lower end. It was estimated that twenty-five thousand people were present, which, considering that it was before the day of railroad conveniences, was truly remarkable. Very many came the day before and camped out that night.
S. Dow Wyman was President of the day, while among those active with him were Samuel H. Ayers, Esq., Levi Goodale, Edgar Hazen, Benjamin Tuttle, James Bickford, Ransom Bixby, Charles Gibson, and William Merrill.
Photograph by MANAHAN.
THE OLD OVEN-PIERCE BARBECUE.
455
THE PIERCE CAMPAIGN.
CAMPAIGN SONG. The spirit of the occasion is shown by the following extracts from a campaign song entitled- THE OLD GRANITE STATE. Come, let's put the ball in motion, Let us raise a great commotion, For the Democratic notion From the old Granite State. Oh, come forth from hill and valley,
From the mountains let us sally, Round our candidate we'll rally, From the old Granite State. We're a band of locos, we're a band of locos,
We're a band of locos, and we'll shout for Pierce and King. * * Franklin Pierce's nomination Meets the people's approbation. 'Twas the nicest calculation Of the old Virginia State. Oh, the Whigs are getting weary, For their prospects are but dreary,
There is nothing for them cheery From the old Granite State. We're a band of locos, &c. *
Franklin Pierce's elevation Will do honor to the nation, For he bears that reputation In the old Granite State. While this story we are telling, Oh, we know with rage you're swelling, But the Empire keeps propelling For the old Granite State. We're a band of locos, &c.
For the Union we're united, And to that our faith is plighted, For they've sworn to see it righted In the old Granite State. So you may as well retire, For into your rear we'll fire, Old Virginia never tires With the old Granite State. We're a band of locos, &c.
456
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH.
This was a period of political unrest, and in 1854 another spoke in the partisan wheel was added when the Knownothing or American party sprang suddenly into existence. The origin of this name so common at the time came from the fact that the new child of political aspiration was conceived and nurtured behind the closed doors of secret organization, and its members were pledged to silence and service.
Ralph Metcalf, one of its exponents, was elected Governor of New Hampshire, over all opposition. Hillsborough was hit- hard by this doctrine, as witness the vote for 1855:
For Governor, James Bell, Whig, had 5 votes.
For Governor, Ralph Metcalf, American, had 155 votes.
For Governor, Nathaniel B. Baker, Democrat, had 221 votes.
The following year, 1856, Metcalf failed of an election by the people, but he was seated by the State Senate. Hillsborough voted at the annual election about as she had done at the previous election, John S. Wells, Democrat, got 238 votes ; Ralph Metcalf, American, 153 votes, while the Whig candiadte, Icabod Goodwin got only four votes.
The Knownothing party was abandoned in 1856 as suddenly as it had come into existence, taking with it the Whig and Free Soil political factions, and from the re-organized principles of this trio was formed the Republican party. At the Presidential elec- tion in November this town voted for Electors, Democratic, 247; Republican, 181 votes.
The Democratic party was supported by such men as Henry D. Pierce, Edgar Hazen, John Coolidge, Charles C. Smith, Elisha Hatch, Benjamin Tuttle, Jr., and William B. Whittemore. The new party was championed by Samuel M. Baker, John C. Briggs, John G. Dickey, Joshua Marcy.
James Buchanan, Democrat, was elected President of the United States, but at the following March election William Haile, Republican, was chosen Governor of the State. This party elected its candidates for Governors regularly until 1871, when a Democrat, James A. Weston, was chosen, and he was re-elected in 1875. Hillsborough was still Democratic, John C. Campbell and Luke McClintock were elected Representatives by 228 and 22I respectively, with an opposition of 179 and 178 votes.
457
WHEN PARTISAN SPIRIT RAN HIGH.
During the trying years of the Civil War political spirit was strong, as it was in other towns. There were those who did not believe in the conflict being waged, and there was at least one meeting held when it was voted by those present condemning the action. But this course of action was checked, and there is a vote recorded upon the town records wherein it is stated that "we unanimously pledge our support to carry on the war to victory." One half of the able-bodied men in town, and some who were not obliged to do it, were in active service. The Select- men during that period, 1861 to 1865, were Cornelius Cooledge, Horace Eaton, Edgar Hazen, David B. Gould and David Starrett.
The perturbed state of the public mind at the time was very easily aroused into real or fancied grievance, as is shown by the following veracious incident :
The news of the attack of Preston S. Brooks upon Charles Sumner at his desk in the Senate chamber on the morning of May 22, 1856, following a heated discussion, was taken by a pastor at a Centre church as an appropriate text for a sermon, the minister expressing his opinion very freely. His ideas did not meet with the approval of many of the attendants of the house, all of whom. left in a body. Every one of these refused to pay further, minister's tax, until there was a change of pastors. -
Of course the speaker had his supporters, but the disturbance resulted in closing the doors of the church for some time.
In 1877 the vote for Representative stood : Frank H. Pierce, Democrat, 265; David F. Whittle, Republican, 182 votes. For second Representative, Henry J. Clark, Democrat, had 263 votes ; John Goodell, Republican, had 181 votes.
At the State and National election November 4, 1884, the first break in the Democratic ranks since the beginning of political power under Jefferson was made when William H. Manahan was elected Representative on the second ballot, which stood :
Whole number of ballots, 494.
Necessary for a choice, 248.
George F. Saltmarsh, Independent, 18.
John Q. A. French, Democrat, 227.
William H. Manahan, 249.
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HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH.
And Mr. Manahan, Republican, was declared elected by a majority of two votes. The balance of the ticket was elected Democratic.
In 1884 John B. Smith of Hillsborough was chosen Presi- dential Elector, and with his associates voted for Hon. James G. Blaine, though Cleveland and Hendricks were elected.
Two years since, however, in 1886, the leaders of the Repub- lican party organized with the purpose of winning, and aided by a disaffection in the opposing party succeeded in electing their candidates, the vote for Moderator being :
Mark M. Hadley, I vote.
Cornelius Coolidge, Dem., 225 votes.
William H. Manahan, Rep., 251 votes.
Stephen A. Brown, Republican, was elected Representative, with the balance of the ticket. The Democrats have never been able to recover their lost prestige in town.
The leaders of the Democratic party at this period were Cornelius Coolidge, Dr. John Q. A. French, Edgar Hazen, John Gibson, Jacob Whittemore, George H. Clark, Frank E. Merrill, John L. Shedd, and James Bickford. Among the foremost Re- publicans were Hon. John B. Smith, William H. Manahan, Esq., Dr. John H. Goodell and Charles Conn.
Since that day while other leaders have come to the front in both parties, the town has remained steadfastly Republican.
In 1892 the name of Hillsborough again appeared pro- minently upon the political map, when one of her citizens, Hon. John B. Smith, was placed in nomination for the office of Governor.
During this campaign the town inaugurated and carried a second political demonstration that rivaled the first in the days of Pierce and Democracy. Some of the ablest speakers in the state and country were present, and the town was thronged with the visitors who had gathered to voice their support of her favorite son.
Mr. Smith won out handsomely in the state, and was eminently successful through his administration. The election took place November 8, 1892, and the vote in Hillsborough stood :
459
GENERAL NOTES.
For Governor :
Whole number of tickets given in
641
John B. Smith had
372
Luther F. Mckinney had
258
Edgar L. Carr had
IO
William O. Noyes had For Senator :
I
Whole number of tickets cast 621
George C. Preston of Henniker had 359
Jay C. Browne of Henniker and Hillsborough 250
Charles W. Coolidge 12
For Representatives :
Stillman H. Baker, Republican, had
346
Harvey Jones, Democrat, had 265
Marcellus H. Felt, Republican, had 332
Jacob B. Whittemore, Democrat, had
274
Since the election when the change in political power in the town was effected, Hillsborough has remained steadfastly Repub- lican, with one exception when Isaac Wilkins, Democrat, was chosen. Much of the oldtime partisan feeling, however, has passed with the rolling years, and the number of independent votes is on the increase.
GENERAL NOTES.
The warrant for the first town meeting in Hillsborough, called November 19, 1772, was headed "Provence of New Hamp- shire, County of Hillborough, To Samuel Bradford the 3d Col- lector of the town of Hillborough Greeting." The warrant for the election of town officers and conduct of business called March 8, 1773, was addressed to the Constable, and following meetings were warned by the constables.
The annual meeting called in March, 1776, was headed "Colony of New Hampshire, Hillsborough SS." February I, 1777, the warrant was headed "State of New Hampshire, County of Hillsborough, ss," which has been the style ever since.
New Hampshire was called a Province in the legal papers until after the battle of Lexington, April 19, 1775, when it was designated as a Colony. It retained this title until September IO, 1776, when it was distinguished as the State of New Hampshire.
460
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH.
DATES OF HOLDING ELECTIONS.
Originally the date of holding the annual elections in Hills- borough was on the last Thursday in March, but on October 20, 1785, the town petitioned to the General Court to change the day of election to the first Monday in the month, and the request was granted. The reason claimed was that it was a busier season at the former time. The following year, the meeting was called the first Monday in March, which came that year on the 6th inst. This date did not suit all, and another change was made in 1788, when the second Tuesday in March was selected, and this day has been in effect ever since.
The election of national officials has always been the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November, and those for the state officers were changed under the revised constitution in 1878 from the second Tuesday in March to the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November.
The elections for state officials were held annually until 1879, when they were changed to biennial, as they are at the present time.
The Provincial legislature or General Court convened at Portsmouth and Exeter until the close of 1775. What were known as sessions of the House of Representatives for the Colony were held at Exeter, until September 20, of that year. This body designated as the State Legislature convened from time to time at Exeter, with occasional sessions at Portsmouth, until March 13, 1782, when the first session was held at Concord. This city became its permanent meeting place June 3, 1807, and the first Wednesday in June the date for the regular sessions. The re- vision in the Constitution in 1878, made the elections biennial to take effect in 1879. The date of opening the Legislature was changed from the first Wednesday in June to the first Wednes- day in January following the election in November in 1892.
-
Photograph by MANAHAN.
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH, HILLSBOROUGH CENTRE.
BARNES' HOUSE, OLDEST HOUSE IN TOWN-CENTRE.
CHAPTER XXVII.
THE HAMLETS OF HILLSBOROUGH.
The Centre-Its Characteristics and Memoriams-Families-The Far- rar Neighborhood-A Deserted Hamlet-Concord End-Lower Vil- lage-Upper Village-Bridge Village-Sulphur Hill-Growth and Activity-Colonial Settlers-Contoocook River-First Mill Built on the Contoocook-Village Destined to Become Important Business Corner of Town-A Vision of this Vicinity-Natural and Historical Interest-Residences and Stores of that Time-Merchants and Customers-A Butter Story-"One Good Turn Deserves Another" -Dams Across the River on the South-"Infant Earthquake"-An Abundance of Fish-Two "Fish" Stories-A Walk up the Hill From the South End of the Bridge-Other Rambles Around the Village -Saw and Grist Mill-First Framed House Built in Antrim, 1769 -Business Situation To-day.
The material used serially in this chapter might well have been embodied in the respective parts of the preceding pages, and yet each hamlet of a town has an interest peculiar in itself, in harmony with the others but differing in material things. So here we will speak of each section of the town as if it were an in- dividual and having a personal figure. Who can say it is other- wise?
THE CENTRE.
Though the first rude dwelling in town was not built here, it seems very fitting to begin with this hamlet, the hub as it were of the early settlements, the roads winding over the hills to the respective quarters radiating from thence like the spokes of a mighty wheel.
Hither at least one day of the week came the good folks from far and near to join in divine worship in the only meeting house within a considerable circuit.
Situated a little southeast of the exact centre of the town upon a summit that overlooks a wide expanse of country typical of New England scenery, a landscape of hills and valleys, dotted
461
462
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH.
here and there with deep mirrors of water and rivers and rivulets winding down from the highlands like bands of silver on the ground work of green Meeting House Hill, as it was once de- nominated, commanded one of the best panoramas the country affords. Fifty years ago it was an enterprising little hamlet of ten substantial dwellings occupied by as many or more families of the good old stock that had founded a town. Here lived at that period the families of Barnes, Lyon, Gilbert, Sturtevant, Robbins, Gammell, Miller, Parker, Nelson and other leading families.
At the north end of the village, within the shade of venerable elms and fronted by a green lawn in the summer, stands as a monument of the days of promise and prosperity the stately dwelling of the first minister of the town, the Rev. Jonathan Barnes, who did so much for the uplift of the place.
In no section of the town is the memory awakened with keener contrast than here, where the early pioneers were attracted and where so much of earnest endeavor was consummated in the lives of those who rest to-day amid the scenes they loved, un- disturbed by the wonderful changes that have been wrought on the anvil of time, peace to their ashes, for their rest is well- earned.
Within a few years the sons and daughters of the town who have gone away to mingle in the commercial strife of cities have come to find a relief from the ceaseless turmoil during a summer vacation here. Strangers, too, have been lured hither by its varied attractions, so the summer days pass merrily away as they did in other years. In this respect at least the little old hamlet will take on new life and keep the lamp of progress burning.
THE FARRAR NEIGHBORHOOD.
Behind the hills of the northeastern corner of the town, erstwhile honored by the presence of some of the foremost fam- ilies in town, the Carters, Holdens, Kimballs, Ellinwoods, Clements, Farrars, and Griffins making seventeen homesteads- some say twenty-lies in silence to-day, a one-time lively and promising school district of forty pupils, a deserted hamlet peopled only with the imagination, the Farrar Neighborhood. Even
463
CONCORD END.
Nature is not to blame for this desertion, until only a small portion of this fertile land is left even for grazing. The slogan "westward the star of empire makes its way," has changed to "millward the people wend their way," while the industries of the manufacturing village calls in no uncertain tone. On this side of the summit overlooking this beautiful valley, and a fairer pastoral scene never met the gaze of an Ettrick shepherd, live two families, descendants of the first comers, Nathan Farrar and James O. Murdough, while a new comer, George Dorr, lives on the old Ellinwood place.
CONCORD END.
Soon after the battle of Lexington, Massachusetts, several families from the adjoining town of Concord secured land in Hillsborough from what was known as the Boardman tract, this land having been conveyed by John Hill to certain of his creditors. It consisted largely of a valley to the east of the Centre and became early known, for reasons that are obvious, as "Con- cord End."
The early comers here were Thaddeus Monroe, who lived where Noah Murdough now resides ; Oliver Wheeler, John Hart- well, whose farms are now deserted; Simon Hartwell, who cleared the homestead where James M. Ray now lives ; Daniel and Eben Flint, both places now owned by Thomas Devoy, who lives upon the former homestead; William Simons, the land now owned by James M. Ray.
Thaddeus Monroe and the Hartwell brothers were known as the redemptioners, men whom the British government had seized and bound out until certain sums of money had been paid for their freedom. The seizure of such men by the government was usually for service in the army or navy, generally the latter.
In this historic section of the town live to-day Mark Mur- dough, Noah Murdough, Clifford Murdough, James M. Ray, Fred Hearty, Thomas Devoy, all descendants of old families except the two last named.
BIBLE HILL.
The first settlers to be located in this section of the town, then known as West Hill, were Alexander Turner and James
464
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH.
Maxfield. This was in the days of Old Number Seven. When the Second Settlement was undertaken the lot of the pioneer, Daniel McMurphy, lay in this vicinity. Hither came others of this period, Capt. Samuel Bradford, who opened the first tavern in town, and Dea. Joseph Symonds, the pioneer of religious activity in the new township. From the fact that here was to be found a copy of the Good Book, the locality was named Bible Hill. This district is said to be the birthplace of the church which was finally established at the Centre.
In the dark and tangled forest, Where Passaconnaway's feet had trod, Stalwart men and loyal women Met of old to worship God.
From a single battered volume Sought the Heavenly Father's will, And they called the place of meeting, Reverently, "Bible Hill."
Homely was the garb that covered Many a fair and graceful form; Homely dwellings often sheltered Hardy dwellers from the storm.
While the prowling wolf was howling, And the panther's cry was shrill, Hymns and praises were ascending To the throne from Bible Hill.
ALBERT GREENWOOD.
It was for a period the most noted section in the town, and was considered to have included in the territory the half-dozen farms on the road from West Deering running north and south over a beautiful ridge of land a little over a mile west-north-west of Bridge Village.
LOWER VILLAGE.
Situated two and one-half miles northwest of Bridge Village and about the same distance from The Centre due southwest, is the pretty little hamlet known as Lower Village at one time bid- ding fair to be the leading industrial section of the town. This
Photograph by MANAHAN.
PRESIDENT PIERCE MANSION.
465
LOWER VILLAGE.
designation was given it to distinguish it from the hamlet two miles above on the same road and called "The Upper Village."
Lower Village stands on a gentle swell of land on both sides of the old turnpike, and in good old stage coach days was a lively place. There were then two taverns in flourishing condi- tion, one store, an academy, a lawyer's office, post-office and about twenty occupied dwellings.
At the northern extremity of the village, and commanding a fine view of the street, was the magnificent residence of Gov- ernor Benjamin Pierce, one of the town's most active, able and respected citizens, and the home of his illustrious son, President Franklin Pierce. This elegant piece of property after the death of Governor Pierce became the homestead of General John Mc- Niel, his son-in-law, and passed from him into the possession of Judge Chandler E. Potter, who married a daughter of General McNiel. Judge Andrews, Charles Wilkins and Mrs. Katie Curtis have been more recent occupants.
In August, 1917, Mr. Frank P. Carpenter of Manchester, with associate members of a committee chosen for that purpose, purchased the estate and proposes to have the mansion restored to its original appearance and presented to the State of New Hampshire as a Pierce memorial.
On the opposite side of the road and a few rods below stands the residence of President Franklin Pierce after his marriage. This is a plain, commodious house of two stories, and is to-day occupied by Kirk Pierce, Esq., a nephew of the President, and his two daughters. The house contains many rare documents, pictures and relics of the original owner. Near by the dwelling is a small building which was the law office of President Pierce and which was occupied by his nephews Frank and Kirk Pierce, until the death of the former. To-day the latter has an office in the Post Office building at Bridge Village.
A branch of the Hillsborough River affords good water privileges for this village, and when men began to turn somewhat from clearing the forest and tilling the virgin soil, they were attracted hither by the water power running to waste along this section of the river. Saw mills and grist mills were needed first, to be followed by other industries. Among these were numbered carriage and furniture manufacturies, a foundry and
466
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH.
a tannery, all of which are described in the chapter on local in- dustries.
SULPHUR HILL .*
This is another neighborhood or district, which at one period contained several of the noted and active families in town. The road leading to this settlement leaves Lower Village just east of the Cook place and winds over the hills into an unsettled country, as it is to-day, though the numerous cellar holes the old way leads past speak in eloquent, if silent, language of a day when this was different. This was a farming district, and after a short drive over the hills the road diverges and the left hand branch leads towards North Antrim. A few rods on this road, a little removed from the old highway, is the site of the old Governor Pierce homestead, where he settled when he came to town at the close of the Revolutionary War, the home he literally hewed out of the wilderness. This was really the birthplace of his son, President Franklin Pierce.
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