USA > New Hampshire > Merrimack County > Salisbury > The history of Salisbury, New Hampshire, from date of settlement to the present time > Part 31
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71
55 00
Abraham Fifield,
30 00
Capt. John Webster,
112 00
Richard Piermont,
37 00
*Stephen Webster,
21 00
Jeremiah Roberts,
14 00
*Ens. John Webster,
105 00
Jonathan Huntoon,
II OO
John Sweat,
12 00
Samuel Bean,
25 00
Ephraim Colby,
37 00
Capt. Benjamin Pettengill, 137 00
Dea. John Collins,
58 00
Benjamin Pettengill, Jr., 33 00
Zachariah Colby,
38 00
Jonathan Fifield,
144 00
David Hall,
20 00
Elias Elkins,
89 00
*John Fellows,
62 00
Jonathan Cram,
49 00
*Jeremiah Webster,
48 00
Moses Woodman,
45 00
Cutting Stevens,
41 00
Moses Garland,
44 00
David Pettengill,
IS oo
Edward Fifield,
35 00
Ens. Joseph Fifield,
68 00
Daniel Brottlebank,
47 00
*Shubael Greeley,
65 00
Jacob Garland,
30 00
*Nehemiah Heath,
48 00
Moses Lang,
14 00
*Job Heath,
46 00
Samuel Pillsbury,
23
Benjamin Greeley,
37 00
Benjamin Webster,
20 00
James Hazard,
10 00
Jacob Bohonon,
24 00
John Smith,
19 00
William Webster,
37 00
Benjamin Greeley, Jr.,
61 00
Ebenezer Webster,
49 00
Benjamin Sanborn,
36 00
Andrew Bohonon,
14 00
John Challis,
27 00
William Searle,
20 00
Moses Sawyer,
21 00
Charles Hilton,
10 00
Parker Carr,
45 00
John Pierson,
26 00
John Hoyt,
17 00
John Fifield,
109 00
Elder Sinkler Bean,
72 00
Samuel Scribner,
72 00
Phineas Bean,
28 00
William Newton,
79 00
Nathaniel Meloon,
68 00
Joseph French,
89 00
Joseph Meloon,
16 00
Moses Elkins,
18 00
Nathaniel Meloon, Jr.,
64 00
Jacob Cochran,
42 00
Ezra Tucker,
39 00
John C. Gale,
92 00
Ebenezer Tucker,
17 00
Lt. Joseph Severance,
30 00
Obadiah Peters Fifield,
22 00
Moses Silly,
47 00
Iddo Scribner,
26 00
Gideon Dow,
39 00
John Bean,
24 00
Daniel Lovell,
38 00
Edward Scribner, Jr.,
36 00
John Clement,
23 00
Jonathan Foster,
12 00
Peter Eastman,
12 00
Hezekiah Foster,
34 00
John Bowen,
85 00
Benaiah Bean,
40 00
Lt. Robert Smith,
123 00
Benjamin Fifield,
IO CO
Jacob True,
51 00
* Highway Tax, 1791.
374
HISTORY OF SALISBURY.
Lt. Joseph Basford,
$15 00
William Kezer,
$25 00
Benjamin Basford,
25 00
Lemuel Kezer,
37 00
John Farnham,
19 00
Samuel French, of Kingston,
9 00
Stephen Cross,
21 00
Jabez Morrill, of Andover,
5 00
Enoch Bartlett,
19 00
Moses Clough, of Andover,
4 00
Nathan Webster,
14 00
Edward Eastman,
109 00
Tristram Quimby,
14 00
Benjamin Sanborn,
109 00
Dudley Palmer,
24 00
John Call,
48 00
Abial Tandy,
38 00
Ezekiel Heath,
17 00
Richard Greenough,
7 00
Simeon Sanborn,
18 00
Rowell Colby,
10 00
John Jameson,
28 00
Robert W. Smith,
14 00
John Sanborn,
25 00
Jonathan Roberts,
23 00
Theophilus Runlett,
12 00
Elder Benjamin Huntoon,
93 00
Samuel D. Wadleigh,
28 00
Daniel Huntoon,
21 00
Joseph Bean, Jr.,
13 00
James Lovell,
38 00
Benjamin Chote,
12 00
Robert Fowler,
12 00
The individuals named below were taxed on highways for 1791 :
Joseph Harriman,
Ens. Joshua Taylor,
Jesse Stevens,
Caleb Cushing,
Samuel Allen,
Lewis Morris,
Capt. Luke Wilder,
Edward West,
John Morris,
Andrew Bowers,
Thomas Chase,
Samuel Morris,
Willard Peterson,
Bayley Chase,
Hazen Foster,
David Currier,
David Parker,
Benjamin Howard.
Joseph March,
The following highway tax lists give the names of individual taxes in the South Road district for 1775 :
Joseph Marston,
Shubael Greeley,
John Webster, Jr., Capt. Matthew Pettengill, Leonard Judkins,
Moses Sawyer,
Israel Webster,
John Chellis,
Joseph Bartlett, M. D.,
Benjamin Greeley, Jr.,
Robert Barber,
Ens. Andrew Bohonon,
Reuben Greeley,
Jeremiah Webster,
Joseph Bean, Esq.,
William Eastman,
John Fellows,
William Calef,
Widow Greeley,
David Hall,
Benjamin Greeley,
Ephraim Colby,
Ebenezer Johnson, Andrew Pettengill,
Job Heath,
John Collins,
John Bayley.
Nehemiah Heath,
Capt. John Webster,
VARIOUS LOCALITIES.
Ebenezer Clifford, Isaac Fitts,
Ezekiel Fellows, John Kennedy,
Joseph Loverin, Isaac Marston.
375
TAXES, MAGISTRATES, ETC.
Highway taxpayers in the Centre Road district, west of the Blackwater, in 1789:
William Eastman, Benjamin Pettengill,
Abram Sanborn,
Enos Challis, Samuel Bean,
Ananiah Bohonon,
1
Jeremiah Roberts,
Joseph Severance,
Abram Fifield,
Peter Eastman,
Jonathan Cram,
Elijah Wadleigh,
Samuel Frazier, Nathaniel Bean,
Benjamin Wadleigh,
Benjamin Frazier,
Samuel Norris,
Richard Greeley,
Samuel Elkins,
John Farnham,
David Pettengill.
Richard Elkins, Jacob Flanders,
Highway taxpayers in South Road district, west of the Black- water river, 1790:
Joseph Lufkin,
Jonathan Foster,
John Couch,
Ens. Jonathan Young,
Joseph Meloon,
Caleb Watson,
Benaiah Bean,
Nathaniel Meloon,
Abijah Watson,
Elder Sinkler Bean,
Matthew Greeley,
Ebenezer Quimby,
Lt. Thomas Bean,
Jacob Tucker,
Lt. Isaac Blaisdell.
John Smith,
Ebenezer Tucker,
Highway taxpayers in Raccoon hill district, in 1797, with the amounts assessed :
Peter Whittemore,
$5 62
Peter Sweatt, $3 30
O. Lowell,
5 71
Winthrop Sanborn, 4 22
William Kezer,
4 46 James Randall, 17
Samuel Richardson,
SI Moses Silley,
4 40.
Robert Fowler,
90
Samuel French,
2 93
Nehemiah Lovell,
2 78
Joseph Severance,
5 CI
David Lovell,
5 07
John Taylor,
1 05
Joseph Sweatt,
3 62
Estate of N. Huntoon, 1 47
COLLECTORS.
The following list embraces the names of the tax collectors, and date of service, from the organization of the town :
1768. Andrew Bohonon, 1776. Shubael Greeley,
1769. Joseph Bean,
1777 Lieut. Andrew Pettengill,
1770. Nathaniel Maloon, 1778. Capt. Ebenezer Webster,
1771. Matthew Pettengill,
1779. John Fifield,
1772. Stephen Call,
17So. David Pettengill,
1773. Robert Smith,
1781. Elder Benjamin Huntoon,
1774. William Calef,
1782. Ens. John Webster,
1775. Ebenezer Johnson, 1783. Edward Eastman,
376
HISTORY OF SALISBURY.
1784. Joseph French,
1832.
John L. Eaton,
1785. Jonathan Fifield,
1833.
John L. Eaton,
1786. William Newton,
1834. John L. Eaton,
1787. John Collins,
I835. John L. Eaton,
1788. Leonard Judkins,
1836. John L. Eaton,
1789. Moses Garland,
1837. John L. Eaton,
1790. Jacob True,
1838.
Benjamin Pettengill, 2d,
1791. Benjamin Greeley,
1839.
John L. Eaton,
1792.
Nathaniel Meloon,
1840.
Jesse Eaton,
1793.
Aquilla Pingrey,
1841.
Jesse Eaton,
1794. John C. Gale,
1842.
John L. Eaton,
1795.
Lieut. Joseph French,
1843.
True George,
1796. Ens. Moses Garland,
1844.
True George,
1797. Joseph Fifield, Esq.,
1845.
True George,
1798.
Aquilla Pingrey,
1846.
Moses Clement,
1799.
Phineas Bean, Esq ..
1847.
Moses Clement,
1800.
Ephraim Colby,
1848.
Gilbert Eastman,
1801.
John Smith,
1849.
Gilbert Eastman,
1802.
Benjamin Whittemore,
1850.
Jesse Eaton,
1803.
Benjamin Pettengill, 3d,
1851.
Jesse Eaton,
1804.
Aquilla Pingrey,
1852.
Jesse Eaton,
1805.
Levi Morrill,
1853.
Jesse Eaton,
1806.
Onesiphorus Page,
1854.
Moses P. Thompson,
1807. 1808.
Aquilla Pingrey,
1855.
Moses P. Thompson,
Aquilla Pingrey,
1856.
John C. Smith,
1809. Aquilla Pingrey,
1857.
John C. Smith,
1810.
Benjamin Pettengill,
1858.
Hiram Scribner,
ISII.
Benjamin Pettengill,
1859.
Joseph S. French,
1812.
Edward Quimby,
1860.
Joseph S. French,
1813. Benjamin Pettengill, 2d,
1861.
Hiram Scribner,
1814.
Samuel Greeley,
1862.
Hiram Scribner,
1815. Samuel Greeley,
1863.
Hiram Scribner,
1816.
Samuel Greeley,
1864.
Gilman Moores,
1817.
Samuel Greeley,
1865.
Moses P. Thompson,
1818.
Benjamin Pettengill, 2d,
1866.
Moses P. Thompson,
1819.
Benjamin Pettengill, 2d,
1867.
John C. Smith,
1 820.
Benjamin Pettengill, 2d,
1868.
John C. Smith,
1821.
Benjamin Pettengill, 2d.
1869.
John B. Dunlap,
1822.
Benjamin Pettengill, 2d,
1870.
John B. Dunlap,
1823.
Benjamin Pettengill, 2d,
1871. John B. Dunlap,
1824.
Benjamin Pettengill, 2d,
1872.
John B. Dunlap,
1825. 1826. Moses Greeley,
1874. John B. Dunlap,
1827. Moses Greeley,
1875. John B. Dunlap,
1828. Nathaniel Bean,
1876. John B. Dunlap,
1829. Moses Greeley,
1877. Charles C. Rogers,
1830. Joshua T. Green,
1878. Charles C. Rogers,
True George,
1879. Charles C. Rogers,
Benjamin Pettengill, 2d,
1873.
John B. Dunlap,
377
TAXES, MAGISTRATES, ETC.
1880. Charles C. Rogers,
188 3. Daniel J. Calef,
18SI. Daniel J. Calef,
ISS4. Daniel J. Calef,
1882. Daniel J. Calef.
1885. Daniel J. Calef.
JUSTICES OF THE PEACE.
The first Justice of the Peace in Salisbury was Joseph Bean, who was commissioned by Gov. Wentworth. He was a resi- dent of Kingston, and was doubtless commissioned at once on going to Stevenstown. Each town was permitted to recom- mend the person they preferred for this office. At a legal meeting held at the meeting house on the 24th of May, 1779, it was voted "to have a justice of the peace in sd town." Dr. Joseph Bartlett was chosen for the same. He was appointed, and held the office until he died. He did justice business in this and the surrounding towns.
From records at the state house, we have been able to obtain a complete list of the justices, the dates of their first and sub- sequent commissions. Most of them held their commissions through life or until their removal to other towns.
Those marked with a * were Justices of the Peace and Quo- rum, and those marked with a + were limited to county juris- diction :
Dr. Joseph Bartlett, May 24, 1779; Dec. 20, 1789; Jan. 3, 1795; Dec. 21, 1799.
Col. Ebenezer Webster, Jan. 28, 1789; * June 19, 1790; June 12, 1795; Jan. II, ISoo; June 14, 1805.
Joseph Fifield, Jan. 5, 1795; Dec. 21, 1799; Dec. 5, 1804; Sept. 19, 1809; Sept. 29, 1814.
Andrew Bowers, Jan. 5, 1795; * Dec. 21, 1799; Dec. 5, 1804; Sept. 19, 1809; Sept. 29, 1814; June 18, 1819; Aug. 4, 1828 ; Aug. 5, 1833.
Phineas Bean, Jan. 1, ISO2; Sept. 22, 1806; Sept. 23, 1811; Sept. 19, 1816; June 29, 1821.
Thomas Thompson, Dec. 1, 1796; Dec. 30, 1801. Appointed County Solicitor, Feb. 22, 1802.
John Gale, Dec. 28, 1805; Sept. 20, 1810.
Moses Eastman, Dec. 21, 1805; Sept. 20, 1810; Sept. 18, IS15; * June 20, IS20; Aug. 6, 1838; Dec. 23, 1844.
Thomas W. Thompson, *Sept. 22, 1806.
Anthony Whitmore, Sept. 22, 1806; Sept. 23, 1811 ; Sept. 19, 1816.
Edward Blodgett, June 15, 1807 ; June 15, 1812; * June 14, 1817.
Parker Noyes, Sept. 21, 1807; Dec. S, 1812; May 15, ISIS; * May 16, 1823. Samuel Greenleaf, Feb. 3, 1812.
378
HISTORY OF SALISBURY.
Samuel C. Bartlett, Jan. 25, 1815; June 20, 1820; Aug. 4, 1828; Aug. 5, 1833; Aug. 6, 1838; Aug. 8, 1843; * June 24, 1842; June 22, 1847; June 14, 1852 ; June 13, 1857; June 14, 1862.
Joshua Fifield, Jan. 25, 1815; June 20, IS20.
Samuel I. Wells, June 26, 1822; Aug. 4, 1828; * Aug. 5, 1833.
Thomas H. Pettengill, July 1, 1823; June 27, 1830; Dec. 5, 1835; * Dec. 7, 1840 ; Dec. 23, 1845; May 17, 1851 ; May 17, 1856.
John Cavender, July 1, 1823.
Jabez Smith, July 1, IS23.
William Pingrey, June 27, 1829; June 17, 1834; June 21, 1839; June 20, 1844 ; Sept. 25, 1857; tSept. 13, 1862; Jan. 3, 1868.
Benjamin Pettengill, 3d, Dec. 2, 1830; Dec. 5, 1835; Dec. 7, 1840; Dec. 23, 1845; *May 20, 1847; May 21, 1852.
John Townsend, Dec. 2, 1830; Dec. 5, 1835; * Jan. 8, 1838; Jan. 9, 1843; Dec. 7, IS47.
Israel W. Kelly, June 16, 1829; * June 24, 1834; June 21, 1839.
Matthew P. Webster, June 27, 1831; June 11, 1836; June 12, 1841; June 17, 1846. Josiah S. Bean, June 21, 1832; June 14, 1837; June 14, 1842; June 14, 1847.
Moses Greeley, June 21, 1832; * June 30, 1837; June 14, 1842; June 14, 1847; June 14, 1852; June 3, 1857; June 14, 1862.
Ithamer Watson, July 1, 1834; June 22, 1849; June 21, 1854.
Stephen Pingrey, June 27, 1835; June 13, 1840; June 13, 1845; * July 6, 1846; June 27, 1851 ; June 24, 1856; July 15, 1861 ; July 15, 1866.
Valentine Little, June 26, 1837, June 13, 1840; June 14, 1847 ; June 14, 1852.
Nathaniel Bean, Dec. 14, 1840; Dec. 23, 1845; Nov. 1, 1850; Nov. 2, 1855; Nov. 24, 1860.
True George, June 26, 1841 ; June 30, 1846; June 27. 1851.
Nathaniel D. Huntoon, June 26, 1841 ; June 14, 1847.
Albert G. Allen, Dec. 21, 1841.
Cyrus Gookin, Dec. 21, 1841 ; Dec. 7, 1847 ; Dec. 3, 1852; Sept. 26, 1857; Sept. 13, 1862; Sept. 13, 1867.
Nathan Smith, June 29, 1843; June 19, 1848; June 18, 1853.
Francis F. Greenleaf, June 20, 1844.
Daniel Chase, Dec. 7, 1840.
Ebenezer Johnson, July 6, 1846; June 27, 1851; June 24, 1856; June 15, 1861 ; July 2, 1866.
Benjamin F. Gale, July 6, 1846; June 27, 1851 ; June 24, 1856.
Abraham H. Robinson, Sept. 23, 1846; Aug. 4, 1851; * July 1, 1853; June 30, 1857 ; t June 14, 1862, Concord.
John Bean, July 3, 1847; June 14, 1852; June 13, 1857; June 14, 1862.
Jonathan P. Webster, July 3, 1847; June 14, 1852; June 13, 1857. -
David C. Gookin, Nov. 1, 1850.
Porter B. Watson, June 27, 1851 ; June 24, 1856; June 15, 1861.
Jonathan H. Clement, June 27, 1851 ; June 24, 1856; June 15, 1861.
Gilbert Eastman, July 4, 1851 ; June 24, 1856; June 15, 1861.
Moses Fellows, June 14, 1852; June 13, 1857; June 14, 1862.
Arthur L. Graves, Sept. IS, 1852; * July 13, 1855; 1May 14, 1858; April 11, 1863; April 11, 1868; April 11, 1873.
379
TAXES, MAGISTRATES, ETC.
Elbridge F. Greenough, Dec. 3, 1852; Sept. 25, 1857.
Moses I'. Thompson, July 1, 1853 ; June 18, 1858; Sept. 29, 1863; * June 13, 1868 ; July 2, 1873; tJune 28, 1878.
James Fellows, July 15, 1854; * March 30, 1855.
Nathaniel Sawyer, March 30, 1855; Dec. 31, 1859; Dec. 31, 1864; June 16, 1870; tJan. 6, 1876.
Garland Calef, July 13, 1855.
John C. Smith, July 11, 1856; June 15, 1861; June 15, 1866; June 15, 1871; +March 18, 1875; Feb. 11, 18So.
Jonathan W. Fifield, July 11, 1856.
Moses J. Stevens, June 17, 1859; June 9, 1864 ; July 2, 1869; June 12, 1874; tJune 10, 1879.
Joseph P. Stevens, Sept. 23, 1859; Sept. 22, 1864.
Thomas D. Little, May 18, 1860; May 16, 1865; April 28, 1870; March 18, 1875; t June 9, 18So.
Nathan Tucker, Jr., Nov. 24, 1860; Oct. 31, 1865; Oct. 1, 1870; Sept. 20, 1875.
John M. Hayes, Nov. 26, 1861 ; tNov. 9, 1866.
Augustus C. Pettengill, Jan. 3, 1863; Jan. 3, 1868.
Joseph Dow, June 13, 1863.
Amos P. Stevens, June 14, 1862.
Joseph C. Clifford, July 7, 1864.
Charles C. Rogers, June 15, 1866; June 15, 1871; * June 13, 1876.
Caleb E. Smith, Jan. 3, 1868.
William Dunlap, Sept. 10, 1868; Aug. 22, 1873; Oct. 15, 1879.
Charles E. Foot, May 13, 1869.
B. F. Scribner, June 16, 1870.
D. R. Everett, Jan. 1, 1870; tSept, 13, 1872.
E. B. Emerson, July 10, 1874; tOct. 20, 1874 ; Oct. 21, 1879.
Jonathan Arey, March 18, 1875; Feb. 11, 188o.
Daniel J. Calef, May 12, 1875; June 9, 1880.
Isaac S. Blaisdell, April 10, 1877.
Sylvester W. Green, April 10, 1877.
Thomas H. Whittaker, June 4, 1878.
CENSUS OF STEVENSTOWN IN 1767.
Unmarried men, from 16 to 60, IS Male slaves, I
Married men, from 16 to 60, 36
Female slaves, O
Boys, from 16 years and under,
55 Widows, 2
Men Ge years and above,
O
Females unmarried, 62
Total, 210
Females married,
36
The census of 1767 having been found imperfect, the Provin- cial Congress, held at Exeter, August 26th, 1775, issued an order to the several towns and places in the province for taking
380
HISTORY OF SALISBURY.
a new census, and also for taking an account of the number of firearms, the quantity of powder, etc., in each town. Agreea- bly to this requisition, the town authorities made the following return :
COLONY OF NEW HAMPSHIRE, } HILLSBOROUGH, SS.
SALISBURY, October ye 3rd, 1775.
To the Gentlemen of the Committee of Safety for said Colony, pursuant to a Letter to us Directed from the President of the Provincial Congress, we have taken an Exact number of the inhabitants of this town including Every Soul in said town and is as follows viz
Males under 16 years of age, 142
Males from 16 years of age to 60, not in the army,
92
All males above 50 years of age, 15
Persons gone in the army,
6
All females,
242
*Negroes and slaves for life,
I
498
Firearms fit for use 47 - arms wanted 45. The above is a true account taken by us.
JOHN COLLINS, ¿ Selectmen for LEONARD JUDKINS, § Salisbury.
November 19th, 1775, the above gentlemen went before Joseph Bean, Jus. Peace, and made oath to the above statement.
POPULATION OF SALISBURY AT DIFFERENT PERIODS.
Population, 1786, 1045 Population, 1820, 2016 Population, 1860, 1191
1790, 1372
1830, I 379
1870, 897
1800, 1767
1840, 1329
1880, 795
1810, 1819
1850, 1228
1782. Number of polls from 18 years of age and upward, 162
Female slaves, I
1783. Number of polls from 18 years of age to 75, 171
Female slaves, I
* One slave belonged to Benjamin Sanborn, and served in the Revolution, but did not return.
CHAPTER XXIX.
AGRICULTURE OF THE TOWN.
"Heaven speed the plow! Fair Nature's shuttle true ! The farmer is her weaver, and the field Her web and woof! Long ages but renew Proofs of her power, while rots the weaver's shield."
When Major Stevens and his co-workers commenced the settlement of a township on the banks of the Merrimack, and beneath the shadow of Kearsarge, there was immediately be- fore them but one industry that gave hope of success. The forests must be felled ; shelter, though rude and scant, must be provided ; and the lands, rough and obdurate, must be prepared for the production of immediate harvests. The sturdy pion- eers had been inured to toil and hardship, and they were ready to meet them in the new location they had chosen.
The meadows and intervales were deprived of their spontan- eous growth ; woodlands fell beneath the blows of the axe ; fire consumed the fallen trees and prepared the stubborn earth for the spade and the plow, adding fertility to a soil already capable of producing all the vegetable growth required for the sustenance of man and beast. Annually, wider areas of hill- side and plain were opened to the sun, and richer harvests were gathered. The cultivation of the earth, and the feeding of flocks and herds constituted the one great interest. The whole population was able to practice the art of husbandry. Even the minister and the schoolmaster understood the culture of the soil as well as the culture of the mind. Mechanics withdrew from the farm, as demands on their special skill and
382
HISTORY OF SALISBURY.
labor increased. The sound of the saw and hammer followed the work of the axe, and agriculture kept pace with the growth of the mechanic arts. Salisbury has ever been strictly an agri- cultural town, and many of its citizens have accumulated wealth from the skilful cultivation of the soil. Though the chief markets were distant, the beef and pork, the wool and mutton, the butter and cheese, and the surplus grains, were often sold at their doors, and few were the farms that did not produce sufficient to clothe and feed the occupants, and have a surplus to make improvements in lands and buildings.
The farmers have, with rare exceptions, been the substantial citizens of the town, holding a full proportion of official posi- tions, and contributing liberally to sustain the institutions of education and religion.
The leading harvests have been grass and corn, and the smaller grains. Apples have been abundant, and have a repu- tation for excellent qualities. Cider, until recently, has been as common in the farm house as milk or corn. The orchards are still a source of much profit. Pears are grown in many gardens, though not in large quantities. It is said the first pear tree in the town came from seed planted by Benjamin Greeley. It is certain that Rev. Mr. Searle grew excellent pears in his garden. A specimen was long years ago painted by one of the parson's daughters, which is now in the posses- sion of her son, Hon. Henry P. Rolfe.
Flax was once grown in the town, and among the relics of the past are still found, in barn or garret, the implements for breaking, swingling, carding and spinning flax. The old style loom and spinning wheel are now seldom brought to view, ex- cept at antiquarian exhibits, as remembrances of the past.
The farming in the town has been, until very recently, car- ried on with old style implements, and with little scientific knowledge. But now we may place the successful farmer of Salisbury among the progressive tillers of the soil. Farm ma- chinery is widely used, and the ancient implements have given place to those of greater utility. If the harvests are lighter than in earlier days, they are more easily produced, and little
383
AGRICULTURE OF THE TOWN.
besides the want of ready markets, the high cost of labor, and the departure of his sons from home, brings discouragement to the farmer's home.
AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS.
The following record give the annual average products for many years :
Acres of improved land,
17,637
Number of horses,
172
Number of cattle,
1,034
*Number of sheep,
3,830
Number of swine,
206
Estimated value of live stock,
$88,573
Bushels of wheat grown,
1,149
Bushels of rye grown,
254
Bushels of corn grown,
8, 167
Bushels of oats grown,
2,166
Bushels of barley grown,
500
Bushels of peas and beans grown,
373
Bushels of potatoes grown,
17,266
Value of orchard products,
$12,042
Pounds of wool,
16,215
Pounds of butter,
31,585
Pounds of cheese,
12,335
Pounds of hops, (long ago,)
3,629
Pounds of maple sugar,
3,515
Pounds of poultry,
6,131
Pounds of honey,
705
Tons of hay,
2,500
Dozens of eggs,
12,548
Quarts of milk, ( used,) .
55,000
Value of forest products sold,
$6,867
Value of slaughtered animals,
SIS,239
Estimated value of farm products,
$129,914
MERRIMACK COUNTY AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.
Soon after the formation of Merrimack county, in IS23, sev- eral gentlemen in the central towns met and resolved to organ- ize a county society. Early in the ensuing year, a society was instituted, and a charter granted, at the June session of the legislature :
* Formerly 8,000. now but few hundreds.
384
HISTORY OF SALISBURY.
The number of members was 145. Of these, Allenstown furnished 1; Andover, 3; Boscawen, 13; Bradford, 2; Canter- bury, 12; Chichester, 1; Concord, 31 ; Dunbarton, I ; Epsom, 2; Henniker, 13; Hooksett, I ; Hopkinton, 17; New London, I ; Northfield, 3 ; Pembroke, 2 ; Pittsfield, 1 ; Warner, 6. Sal- isbury had 36 members, the largest from any town. The names of the Salisbury men are as follows :
Ebenezer Eastman,
Lyman Hawley,
Trueworthy Gilman,
Israel W. Kelly,
Parker Noyes,
Benjamin Pettengill, 3d,
Nathaniel Webster,
David Pettengill,
Andews Bowers,
Moses Eastman,
Leonard W. Noyes,
Samuel C. Bartlett,
Jabez Smith,
Joshua Fifield,
William Haddock,
Benjamin Pettengill,
Thomas H. Pettengill,
Moses Clement,
Benjamin Calef,
Jonathan P. Webster,
J. L. Eaton,
Josiah Greene,
Benjamin Pettengill,
Peter Bartlett,
M. P. Webster,
James Garland,
Ebenezer Blanchard,
Samuel I. Wells,
Thomas Beal,
Charles Ayer,
Joel Eastman,
Christopher Page,
Jeremy Webster,
John Cavender,
Kendall O. Peabody,
John Townsend.
The society held its first fair at Salisbury South Road, on the 19th day of October, 1823. It was at this fair that Eze- kiel Webster first introduced what was afterwards familiarly known at the time as "the Webster breed of hogs."
There were entered for premiums II farms, 50 head of cat- tle, II horses and colts, 52 sheep and 7 swine, two of the latter, a boar and a sow, bearing the aristocratic names of " Count " and "Countess Rumford."
The record says, "A procession was formed and moved to the meeting house, under the direction of the marshals of the day, where the throne of grace was addressed by the Rev. Mr. Cross, and an address delivered by Dr. Ebenezer Lerned, pres- ident of the society." There were awarded in premiums, $202, of which same the "Count " and "Countess Rumford " each obtained $4.00 ; for exhibitors of farms, $70.00; cattle, $47.00 ; sheep, $14.00 ; horses, $6.00 ; domestic manufactures, $57.00, including seven pieces of fulled cloth, five pieces of carpeting, two of flannel, and two of linen cloth. No fruit, or field or garden crops were entered.
385
AGRICULTURE OF THE TOWN.
Ezekiel Webster was its second president, and delivered the second annual address. His manuscript copy has been pre- served in the New Hampshire Historical Society's collections. It was printed in the New Hampshire Agricultural Society's transactions for 1856, page 471.
This society in no instance failed to hold its annual meetings, for thirty years, till the state fair divided the allegiance of the people of the county, and lessened the interest in the county organization. It still owns extensive grounds, and ample ac- commodations for a county, state, or New England fair, on the plains, on the east side of the Merrimack river, in Concord. Its fiftieth anniversary was celebrated at the court house, in Con- cord, on the 15th of January, 1874. An interesting historical address was given by Joseph B. Walker, Esq., which was fol- lowed by a public dinner, a poem by Mrs. Abba Gould Wool- son, and an ode of rare merit by George Kent, Esq. Parker Noyes, Benjamin Pettengill, Ebenezer Eastman, and Joshua Fifield, prominent citizens of Salisbury, were officially con- nected with the formation of the society.
THE WEBSTER PLOW.
The pages of our history will show that many of the emin- ent citizens of the town have been among the most earnest patrons of husbandry. They have kept the best stock, culti- vated excellent farms, and given their personal influence and most generous efforts to improve the occupation of the farmer. Especially may we say this of Mr. Webster, who always mani- fested a strong attachment to the soil of his native town. He was fond of cattle, and introduced animals of great merit into the town. He advocated improved implements and by the aid of a farm workman made the noted "Webster Plow," now in the museum of the Agricultural College. Its length was 13 feet ; beam, 9 feet, 1 inch ; handles, 6 feet, 4 inches ; distance between handles, 2 feet, 10 inches; width of moldboard, 20 inches; width of span, 16 inches. This implement was in- cluded in the New Hampshire collection exhibit, at Philadel- phia, in 1876.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.