USA > New Hampshire > Merrimack County > Salisbury > The history of Salisbury, New Hampshire, from date of settlement to the present time > Part 30
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OTHER ORGANIZATIONS.
The " Salisbury Sacred Musick Society" was incorporated in June, 1808, and had a continuous and prosperous career for nearly twenty-five years. Andrew Bowers was President ; Is- rael W. Kelley, Vice President ; Samuel I. Wells, Secretary ; and John White, Treasurer. Jeremy Webster, ( the grand- father of J. Frank Webster, of Concord,) and Abial Wardwell were for many years choristers. Wardwell was a singing master. The society had a large choir and an accompaniment of stringed and wind instruments. Their music was mostly sacred.
THE TEMPERANCE CAUSE.
Early in the history of the temperance movement, Salisbury had many citizens who were earnest in the work. Her clergy- men were among the foremost ones, and even her hotel keepers at times were consistent members of temperance or- ganizations. With rare exceptions, the town has been noted for
358
HISTORY OF SALISBURY.
its temperance principles, and has seldom suffered in its repu- tation from the sale of intoxicating liquors within its borders.
FIRE ENGINE COMPANY.
In March, 1844, a fire engine company was formed, with John C. Smith as captain. It had twenty-two members. The engine was made in the town and was capable of doing good work. At one time it ran to a fire in a barn, three-fourths of a mile away, and was the means of saving the house from destruction. The company was sustained until about six years ago.
SUNDAY SCHOOLS.
These institutions have been sustained for many years, the first of which we have an account being instituted in 1827. They have generally been maintained in connection with the churches and in several of the district school houses.
FARMERS' CLUB.
A Farmers' Club has been maintained for several years, con- sisting of about eighty members. Many meetings have been held at private houses and in public places. The papers which have been read have been of a practical and meritorious char- acter, and the discussions have created much interest. Ladies, as well as gentlemen, are eligible to membership and its usual work. The President at this date is D. C. Stevens.
PATRONS OF HUSBANDRY.
Bartlett Grange, No. 104, was formed in November, 1884, with thirty-one charter members. It numbers at this date, May 8th, 1885, forty-four members. John C. Smith is the Master and Thomas D. Little, Secretary.
to Calle.
GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC.
Pingree Post, No. 84, was organized in January, 1885, with sixteen charter members, Amos Chapman, Commander.
CHAPTER XXV.
THE TOWN HOUSE AND POUNDS.
Go cut down trees in the forests, And trim the straightest boughs Cut down trees in the forest, And build me a wooden house. And here in the pine town-house They shall choose men to rule In every needful faculty, In town, and state, and school.
The early town meetings were held at various places in the town ; first at Andrew Pettengill's tavern, then at Matthew Pettengill's. They were sometimes held at the old meeting house on Searle's Hill ; subsequently at the South Road and at the Centre Road meeting houses. The minor business meetings were held at the public houses, with which the town was well supplied.
A special meeting was held at the house of Moses C. Web- ster, June 4, 1839, " to see what the town will do in regard to building, or providing some suitable place for a Town House."
Voted, " That we build a town house and that the Select- men examine the state of the town, and locate the house where it shall accommodate the whole town."
Two days later a petition was widely circulated, and, bearing the names of eighty persons, was presented to the selectmen to call a town meeting to take further action in relation to locating the house. The signers of the petition desired that the location be at the South Road, and that it be built by a special committee chosen for that purpose. They pledged
360
HISTORY OF SALISBURY.
$200 towards meeting the expenses, provided the house be located where they should indicate.
The meeting was held at Moses C. Webster's, June 27, 1839. Col. True George was chosen moderator. It was again voted " to build a town house."
The third article in the warrant was "to see if the town will vote to locate said house at the South Road Village, by a com- mittee to be raised for that purpose, provided $200 towards building the same shall be guaranteed said committee to be paid by individuals." On this question, the vote was III in the affirmative and 121 in the negative.
On the motion to accept the report of the selectmen, 114 voted in the affirmative and 104 in the negative.
The report was as follows :
We, the subscribers, do hereby certify that we have measured and noted the distance of each voter, separately, in ten out of the eleven school districts, and have estimated the rest according to the best of our abilities, and find that the whole of the inhabitants can assemble together on the turnpike thirty-three rods southeast from Samuel C. Bartlett's store, with less travel, making it more equal for the different parts of the town than any other place on the travelled road.
CYRUS GOOKIN, Selectmen N. D. HUNTOON, of H. F. STEVENS, Salisbury.
Moved, "That the above report be amended by striking out the place designated by the selectmen and substituting 'the Centre Road Common.'" The amendment was carried.
It was voted that the selectmen be authorized, as a com- mittee, to locate the town house on the Centre Road common, according to the vote just passed ; that they be authorized to build the same before the second Tuesday in March next.
The house was built according to direction and was first used at the spring election of 1840. It is a one-story building, about 30x36 feet. The land on which it is located was owned by Abel Elkins, who, for a mere nominal consideration, gave the land south of the highway and north of the fence for the location of the house and the common where the church stands. This was done prior to the building of the Baptist church.
361
THE TOWN HOUSE AND POUNDS.
It order to secure proper accommodations, the town bought small parcels of Thomas H. Pettengill, Reuben Fifield, Suel Fifield, Polly Cate, Moses C. Webster, John Fifield, I. N. Saw- yer, Lydia Batchelder, and Polly Pettengill, they being heirs- at-law and assignees of the original proprietor of the common, for the consideration of one dollar each. The deeds of these parties, acknowledged before Samuel C. Bartlett, Justice of the Peace, convey so much of the common, on said Centre road, near the Baptist meeting house in said Salisbury, as may be sufficient to set a town house on, the same to be located thereon by the selectmen of said town, reserving the privilege of passing to, from, and around the same when necessary. The deed bore date of July 12, 1839.
The foundation and underpinning of the building were laid by Moses C. Webster. Horatio N. Harvey, of Fisherville, by contract, erected the house. The town books of expenses for the year 1839 have this item : "December 27. Paid Horatio N. Harvey's bill, $1,025.97."
The house still remains in good condition, and is used for various public meetings besides those pertaining to town affairs.
POUNDS.
The first pound established in the town was in a portion of Benjamin Sanborn's barn, at the Lower Village, and Daniel Bean was the first pound-keeper.
In 1787, the selectmen were instructed by the legal voters to build a pound, "in the same manner as the highway tax is worked out," and that year a pound was built near Ebenezer Eastman's. This was in the east section of the town, near Eastman's or Pemigewasset Falls.
In 1794, it was "voted to build a sufficient pound on the hill near Ensign Moses Garland's; that said pound be built with good and sufficient posts and rails."
"Voted, That it be 32 feet square."
" Voted, That the selectmen be a committee to build said pound."
362
HISTORY OF SALISBURY.
Ensign Moses Garland was the first pound-keeper in his sec- tion of the town. He was succeeded by his son, who was followed by Levi Morrill.
Early in this century the pound went to decay, and a stone pound, still used, was erected in 1819. The site was purchased of Moses Garland for $200.
CHAPTER XXVI.
THE ALMSHOUSE.
"Speak gently, kindly to the poor, Let no harsh term be heard; They have enough they must endure Without one unkind word."
For many years after the settlement of the town, Salisbury was not burdened to maintain paupers. The settlers were men in the vigor of life, and were able "to keep the wolf from the door." In case of sickness, or accident, or loss of property, individual assistance was usually promptly rendered. It was in accordance with custom and law for the officers to "warn " away such persons as came into their towns without having some occupation or the means of self support, and thus by anticipation save the expense which their own inability to obtain a living might occasion. Salisbury seldom, if ever, exer- cised this right. But she had no paupers for a half century after the settlement of some parts of her territory. When it became necessary to grant assistance beyond that requisite to meet temporary or occasional wants, special provision was made by the selectmen or by vote of the town. The usual course was to board the poor with those reliable citizens, who, in addition to the labor which they could perform, would take them for the smallest amount of money. This was generally determined at the annual town meeting by. a "vendue." The successful bidder, on his part, was to take the paupers from
364
HISTORY OF SALISBURY.
their homes or previous places of residence, "furnish them with the necessary meat and drink, washing and lodging, rum and tobacco," while the town would provide clothing and such other aid as was especially stipulated.
This was the practice in Salisbury, with possibly an occas- ional exception, up to the year 1831.
In 1812, at the annual meeting, it was voted "that the town procure a suitable house for the poor of said town, and that all the poor, who are chargeable to the town, be supported in said house the present season."
It does not appear from any record or report that such a house was provided, nor that any bills were paid for the sup- port of the poor therein. But the next year it was voted "that the selectmen shall vendue the poor of the town to the lowest bidder."
Voted "to choose a committee to draft Bye Laws and Reg- ulations to govern the poor of the town." Chose Major Jabez Smith, Capt. Joel Eastman, Moses Eastman, Andrew Bowers, Richard Fletcher, and Parker Noyes, Esquires.
We are not able to ascertain what action the committee or the town took, as there is no record. It is evident that the old course was pursued with regard to the few paupers in the town, until 1831, when it was voted "to choose a committee to inform themselves concerning the support of the poor on a farm, and how they can purchase a farm, farming utensils and , stock, and consider all expenses attending the same, and re- port at some future time." Chose Matthew P. Webster, Dr. Peter Bartlett, Thomas H. Pettengill, Esq., Benjamin Petten- gill, 2d, Thomas Chase and Isaac Sawyer.
April 12th, 1831, the committee reported in writing as follows :
Your Committee are of the opinion that the measures heretofore pursued by the town to support their poor have proved expensive and have had an immoral tendency. From the best estimate they have been able to make the expenses for the last 30 years to the town, for the support of paupers, have not been less than Eighteen Thousand dollars. * * * The Committee are of the opinion that the cheapest and best method of supporting the poor is upon a farm, and this Com-
365
THE ALMSHOUSE.
mittee have come to this result by enquiries made of other towns who have estab- lishments of their own. Your Committee therefore recommend that the town immediately purchase and put in operation such an establishment for the future support of the poor, and that said poor-house be used not only as an asylum for the poor but for a house of Correction for the Idle and dissolute. They also recom- mend that a portion of the town funds be appropriated to purchase said farm, stock and tools, that a committee be chosen to purchase the same, and that the Selectmen for the present year be authorized to take a Deed in their names for and in behalf of the town of such farm and buildings as the said Committee may bargain for, and also that said Selectmen be authorized to employ a proper person to take charge of said poor-house and to carry on said farm the present year, and that said Selectmen be the overseers of said poor-house and farm, and render an account of the doings and of the expenditures about said house and farm, also for the support of the poor at the next annual meeting.
( SIGNED BY THE COMMITTEE.)
Voted, "That so much of the report of the committee as relates to the purchase of a farm be accepted."
Voted, " That the Selectmen are instructed to purchase a farm for the use of the town, at any time within the year, leav- ing it to their discretion to embrace the first opportunity which will in their opinion promote the best interest of the town."
Resolved, "That the selectmen be authorized to take and appropriate the school fund and Literary funds of said town to purchase said farm, stock and tools, and that the town be accountable for the annual interest of said funds in the same manner said interest is now appropriated."
The resolution was adopted.
Voted, "That the Selectmen be instructed to appropriate so much of the Parsonage fund as shall be found wanting to carry into effect the aforesaid establishment for supporting the poor, after making use of the school fund and literary fund as afore- said."
Voted, "That the house which the Selectmen shall purchase for the use of the town be used as a house of correction for Idle and disorderly persons."
Voted, "That Thomas H. Pettengill and Samuel I. Wells, Esquires, be a Committee to draft rules and regulations for the order, Government and discipline of the poor house in con- templation."
366
HISTORY OF SALISBURY.
April 18, 1831, agreeably to the instructions, the select- men purchased the farm containing about one hundred and fifty acres, of Daniel Kent, paying $1,850. The stock and tools cost $672.20. Enoch Fifield and wife were employed to take charge of the house and farm. In the year 1830, it had cost the town $395.60 to support its poor. In the year 1832, the expenses dropped to $191.61, and for the year ending March I, 1836, the expenses were $ 389.08.
This system of supporting the poor was continued for more than thirty years.
March 13, 1866, the town voted "to sell the Pauper farm and the personal property connected therewith, and that the Selectmen be authorized to sell the same when in their judg- ment it shall be for the interest of the town, said sale to be made within one year."
The lumber, wood, and some personal property were sold at auction. The real estate was purchased by Roland R. Kelley, and is now owned and occupied by - Cook. The whole prop- erty sold for nearly as much as the original cost. The proceeds of the sale were used in the liquidation of the town debt.
Since the sale of the farm, some of the poor requiring assist- ance have been taken to the county farm, according to statute provision. The few persons remaining who require assistance have been supported by friends at low rates, and the town has granted satisfactory remuneration.
CHAPTER XXVII.
THE CEMETERIES.
"I count the old familiar names, O'ergrown with moss and lichen gray, Where tangled briar and creeping vine Across the trembling tablets stray."
Formerly the dead were buried about the church where they worshipped or in some retired place on the home lot ; but as times changed this was gradually done away with. As there is almost nothing else so deeply interesting to the living as the disposal of the remains of those whom they have loved and lost, so there is perhaps nothing so indicative of the condition and character of a people as the method in which they bury their dead.
The first interment within the limits of Salisbury was at the Lower Village and was that of the remains of four soldiers who died as early as 1754, at the old Salisbury fort. It is supposed that the wife of Philip Call was buried here. But the oldest record of a death is found on a native, rough stone, nearly · buried in the ground. The inscription appears to be "Aaron Settle Collins, April 5, 1764." He resided on the east side of the river (Canterbury) in what is now Northfield. This yard contains a large number of unmarked graves. Many of our first settlers located in this vicinity, and, without doubt, were buried here. Here is the resting place of some of the ances- tors of Daniel Webster, although it is said that Ebenezer
368
HISTORY OF SALISBURY.
Webster's first two children were buried near the log cabin, or by his first wife, on Searle's Hill. Here are the graves of the departed children of Thomas W. Thompson, and a slab bears the following inscription, which assures us of the kindness of one of Salisbury's most eminent men :
IN MEMORY OF SILVIA MARCY KIMBALL A FAITHFULL BLACK SERVANT IN THE FAMILY OF THOMAS W. THOMPSON. SHE D. DEC. 28, 1800, IN THE 14TH YEAR OF HER AGE.
The second graveyard in age, named for the donor of the land, is situated near Union meeting house in the west part of the town. Sinkler Bean gave the land, provided the people would clear it up, fence it, and give him the space in the yard south of the gate, which is used by the Bean family. The Maloons are buried at the right hand, just as one enters the gate from the east. They are buried near the eastern wall. No stone marks the resting place of this, the second family in town.
On the completion of the first church, land east and south of the building was used as a burying-ground for many years. and was known as Searle's Hill graveyard. On the removal of the church to the South Road, and the opening of other grounds, this became one of the things of the past. The stones were removed, the ground plowed, and hardly a vestige of the burial place remains.
The land for the cemetery at the South Road was given by Capt. John Webster, and was originally about one-half of an acre. An addition was made on the north in 1879. The old- est stone is erected to the memory of Nathaniel Huntoon, who died October 19, 1784. Capt. John Webster's stone bears this inscription :
" Let me not forgotten lie,
Lest you forget that you must die."
369
THE CEMETERIES.
Four ministers, several of the deacons of the Congregational. church, the Bartletts, the Websters, the Beans, the Calefs, and many former residents of the South Road, are buried in this ground.
The Centre Road, or Baptist cemetery, was laid out at the time of the building of the church, in 1791. Previous to that time, the people in this neighborhood buried their dead in the field east of F. W. Fifield's house. The land was given by Abel Elkins. The oldest stone is that of Rhoda, wife of Reuben True, and daughter of Gov. Josiah Bartlett, 1794. Here are buried the Sawyers, Fifields, Pettengills, Websters and Adamses. The ground is now much neglected and over- grown with weeds.
The cemetery connected with the Congregational church, in what is now Franklin, was given by Ebenezer Eastman. Many bodies were formerly interred here, but they have been taken up and removed to the cemetery on the east side of the river. The first body buried here was a child of Joseph Chapman, who worked for Eli Bootman. This child was drowned, and buried June 18, 1815.
The Stevens burying-ground came from the farm of Daniel Stevens, who, for the consideration of $1.00, sold the land to his surrounding neighbors. The oldest stone is that of Ann, wife of John Challis, Jr., who died May 6, 1807.
The Watson yard is situated in the Watson district, near the Warner line.
The Calef yard is situated on the Bog road. The land was given by John Calef, son of William, and grandson of the first William. Like other yards, it was fenced by the families who buried in it. The first person buried there was John Taylor, who died May 1, 1826.
The Pingree yard was given by William Pingree, Sr., with the proviso that he was to have the north front lot and his son Stephen the south front lot. It was fenced by the neighbors, and, in ISSo, an addition on the south was made by John Hun- toon, since deceased. The yard is pleasantly situated, well fenced, and the grounds kept in good condition. In 1826, a
24
370
HISTORY OF SALISBURY.
.grave was robbed in this yard, and after that a watchhouse was erected in the enclosure. The first person buried was Mrs. Nancy Dunlap, who died in July, 1819.
For Shaw's Corner yard the land was probably given by Col. John C. Gale. This is one of the old graveyards. The Rev. Mr. Searle was buried there, as the cemetery on the hill had been abandoned at the time of his death. It is said that the first person buried here was Hannah, a daughter of Dudley Palmer, who died February 22, 1784.
The last public cemetery laid out, and by far the best located, is known as "Oak Hill Cemetery," situated on the road north from the Centre Road to Raccoon hill. It embraces two acres ·of land and was purchased of Benjamin Pettengill, in Novem- .ber, 1868, by the following named gentlemen :
Daniel F. Searle, Stephen Morse,
Sanborn Shaw, Oliver N. Tucker,
Frederick C. Shaw,
Hale P. Shaw,
Sylvester W. Green,
Frederick S. Fifield,
Augustus C. Pettengill,
Moses C. Webster,
Warren W. Sleeper,
John Shaw,
Moses P. Thompson, Benjamin F. Shaw, Eliphalet A. Shaw, Stephen B. Coombs, George Shaw,
Daniel Miller.
CHAPTER XXVIII.
TAX COLLECTORS AND MAGISTRATES.
" Why tribute? Why should we pay tribute ? If Cæsar can hide the sun from us with a blanket, Or put the moon in his pocket, We'll pay him tribute for light ; Else, sir, no more tribute."
CONTINENTAL AND PROVINCIAL ASSESSMENTS.
The provincial or State tax for several years was as follows, as per receipts in the possession of Mr. Nesmith :
In 1769, the first tax after the incorporation of the town was twelve pounds, three shillings ; 1771, ten pounds, two shillings ; 1774, four pounds, sixteen shillings; 1777, two hundred and sixty-eight pounds, six shillings and sixpence.
We find also the following record of money raised :
September 28, 1775, the Colonial Congress raised four thous- and pounds, l. m., Salisbury's portion being £19, 45.
March 22, 1779, a tax was ordered for the continental army, of two hundred and fifty thousand pounds, Salisbury's propor- tion being £1006, 5s. Also one hundred thousand pounds for the State, of which Salisbury's proportion was £670, Is. 3d.
June, 1779, the General Court raised four hundred and fifty thousand pounds for the army, Salisbury's proportion of £3018, 15s., to be paid in continental bills.
March 15, 1780, the General Court raised two millions one hundred and sixty thousand pounds, l. m., of which Salisbury's proportion was £17,820.
In 1783 the State tax was fifty-five thousand pounds, Salis- bury's proportion being £453, 15s.
372
HISTORY OF SALISBURY.
INVENTORY FOOTINGS, 1782.
No. of acres of orchard land, .. . .
13
Harvest cattle, 3 years old. 155
Tillage
202
2 years old. I34
Mowing
1033
66 I year old. 88
Pasturage
1277
No. of horses and mares
71
Oxen
167
Money on hand and at interest. . . £100
Cows
291
INVENTORY FOR 1783.
The Selectmen say no changes have been made in value for four years, except correction of errors and transfers of property which had changed hands :
No. of acres of orchard land. . 171/2 No. of Cows. 292
Tillage
297
Horses and cattle 3 years old .... 121
Mowing
I201
2 years old .... 166
Pasturage.
I 502
I year old .. .
204
No. of horses and mares
93
Oxen .
184
Yearly rent of mills, deducting re- pairs. £ 38
Total of all real estate not enumerated before and owned by inhabitants, Total value of all real estate not owned by the inhabitants, 2510
£7411
Total of money in hand or at interest, 170
The ratable estate in 1792 was,
465 6s. 8d.
1809
$2013 49
1823
2173 99
1838
2757 07
66
I873
7984 25
HIGHWAY TAX, 1780.
The highway tax on the whole town, for the year 1780, with the amount against each person, is given in dollars only. It will be observed that these taxes are very high, but it was dur- ing the revolutionary war, and the dollars were worth only about a third of a silver dollar :
Edward Evans,
$38 00
Ebenezer Johnson,
$58 00
George Bayley,
13 00
Simeon Chote, 12 00
John Bayley,
58 00
Joseph Bartlett, 24 00
Robert Barber,
70 00
Lt. William Calef,
103 00
Ezekiel Roberts,
12 00
Israel Webster,
57 00
Peter Severance,
107 00
*Ens. Andrew Bohonon, 53 00
Yearly rent of mills, repairs de- ducted.
£ 30
373
TAXES, MAGISTRATES, ETC.
*Esq. Joseph Bean,
$189 00
Joseph Mason,
$20 00
*Leonard Judkins,
50 00
Edward Scribner,
28 00
Capt. Matthew Pettengill,
112 00
Samuel Loverin,
20 00
Benjamin Baker,
10 00
Daniel Stevens,
28 00
Nicholas Colby,
12 00
William Eastman,
24 00
Reuben Hoit,
15 00
Ananiah Bohonon,
27 00
Willard Peterson,
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