USA > New Hampshire > Merrimack County > Salisbury > The history of Salisbury, New Hampshire, from date of settlement to the present time > Part 6
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J. WENTWORTH.
WARRANT FOR A MEETING.
PROVINCE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE.
Whereas the town of Stevenstown, so called, in s'd Province is now by His Excellency's order Erected & Incorporated into a Body corporate & Politick, by the name of Salisbury & by his Excellency's Pleasure I am appointed to call the first meeting of the inhabitants of s'd Town.
These are therefore to warn & give notice to the inhabitants of s'd Salisbury to Assemble and Meet together at the house of Mr. Andrew Pettengill in s'd Salis-
62
HISTORY OF SALISBURY.
bury on the first Tuesday in April next, at ten of the clock in s'd Day, then & there when Met, to choose a Town Clerk, Constable, Selectmen & all other Town Officers, as the law directs for s'd year ensuing.
Also to see if the inhabitants will Vote to Raise the Money that hath Been Expended in Procuring the Charter of s'd Town, & to pass any other vote that Shall be thought Proper at s'd Meeting.
Given Under My Hand this 14th Day of March, Anno Dom. 176S.
JOHIN WEBSTER.
By His Excellency's Order.
FIRST MEETING.
In accordance with the foregoing call, the legal voters of the new town of Salisbury met, on Tuesday, the 7th day of April, 1768, at the house of Andrew Pettengill, who resided at what is now known as the South Road Village, on the site occupied by Thomas D. Little, and chose officers and transacted business, as recorded by the Town Clerk, as follows :
First-Capt. John Webster was chosen Moderator for s'd meeting.
2ndly, Sinkler Bean, chosen Town Clerk for the year ensuing.
3dly, Andrew Bohonnon, chosen Constable for the year ensuing.
4thly, Messrs. Stephen Call, Joseph Bean & Thomas Chase, chosen Selectmen for the ensuing year.
5thly, Sinkler Bean and Matthew Pettengill chosen Assessors for the ensuing year.
6thly, John Jemson & Abel Tandy chosen tithing men for the year ensuing.
7thly, Eliphalet Gale, Wm. Calef, Nathaniel Meloon, sen'r & Hezekiah Silleway chosen Surveyors for the year ensuing.
Sthly, John Fellows & Daniel Bean chosen fence viewers for the year ensuing. 9thly, John Jemson & Ephraim Collins chosen Howards for the year ensuing.
Iothly, Stephen Call, chosen leather sealer for the ensuing year.
IIthly, Abel Tandy and Thomas Chase, chosen Surveyors of lumber for the year ensuing.
12thly, Voted that some part of Benjamin Sanborn's Barn be used as a sufficient Pound the year ensuing.
13thly, Daniel Bean chosen Pound Keeper for the year ensuing.
14thly, Andrew Pettingill chosen Field driver, for the year ensuing.
1 5thly, Capt. John Webster, John Collins & John Fellows, chosen a Committee to examine & adjust the Selectmen's accompts, for the year ensuing.
16thly, Voted that the money be Raised by way of Rate, that hath been expen- ded in procuring the Corporation & Charter of the Town.
17thly, Voted that Four Dollars be Raised to purchase a Town Book & like- wise to pay Esq Clough for Swearing the Town Officers.
SINKLER BEAN, T. Clerk.
63
MUNICIPAL HISTORY.
USE OF THE WORD "DOLLAR."
The term dollars, used instead of pounds, undoubtedly has reference to Spanish dollars, which were in frequent use at this date and previously. The town of Boscawen, in 1762, voted to pay the minister a given number of "dollars, at six pounds per dollar." In 1767, Boscawen voted to give the minister "a right of land," which contained eighty acres, at a cost of "eighty dollars," and in 1768 that town voted "one hundred dollars towards building a meeting house." Warner also, in 1771, voted to give the minister "one hundred dollars in labor"; and other towns, at their annual meetings, made appropriations in "dol- lars" as well as in pounds.
In the preceding records several officers are named which at the present day are not recognized. A "hayward," or "how- ard," was an officer who had the care of the hedges, and who impounded cattle running at large. "Tithing men," originally appointed to collect tithes, were officers to maintain order in the time of religious service and to enforce the observance of the Sabbath. Within the memory of people now living, tithing men have executed the law in restraining travelling on the Sabbath, and in quieting disturbances occurring on the Lord's day. They were usually hard-faced and exacting men, very rigid in the performance of that duty.
AN OPPRESSIVE GOVERNMENT.
(1770.) No local act of importance is on record for this year, but there is beginning to appear a state of unrest throughout New England, in which the Province of New Hampshire and the new town of Salisbury had their share of anxiety. The "home government " was yearly becoming more exacting. She was determined to raise a revenue from her American colonies. The Stamp Act had been passed, and at length repealed. The Act imposing a tax on tea had also been passed, but proved no less odious than the Stamp Act. Soldiers had been stationed in Boston by the crown, and this year, on the 5th of March, occurred the event known as the Boston Massacre.
64
HISTORY OF SALISBURY.
(1772.) At the annual meeting in March, the town voted "forty dollars to support preaching," and in December follow- ing it was voted "to give Mr. Searle fifty pounds, to be paid in labor, in clearing up the parsonage land and putting it in a con- dition for cultivation the next year."
AN ECONOMICAL MEASURE.
(1773.) The town voted "to choose a committee to send down to Amherst in order for them to proceed in some method or other to prevent the unreasonable charges that are likely to come against the county on account of Kelly and Thomas break- ing gaol." Josoph Bean, Ebenezer Webster, and Edward East- man were chosen for that purpose.
CHOICE OF JURORS.
On the Ist of September, Ebenezer Webster was chosen grand juror from Salisbury, and Andrew Pettengill petit juror. It was voted "to give the petit juror twelve shillings lawful money for his services." This was the first time the town had been called upon to furnish jurors. The clerks of the courts directed the sheriff to return to the court a certain number of men worth fifty pounds in personal estate, and from them the jury were selected, at a town meeting called for that purpose. The jurors' pay in the Superior Court was at first six shillings and sixpence per day. The grand jury received for each indict- ment thirteen shillings; the petit jury received an equal sum for each case tried, and each member of the grand jury received in addition two shillings for each day's attendance. A law passed in 1771 provided, "that the pay for the jurors at the Superior Court shall be forty shillings, new tenor, in each action they shall try, two thirteenths thereof shall be to and for the foreman." Jurors were chosen, not drawn by lot. There was a good reason for adopting this plan. It indicated great confi- dence in the popular voice, and the custom was a safe one. Only sensible, competent and honest men were selected for this grave and responsible duty in those days.
65
MUNICIPAL HISTORY.
A NEW COUNTY PROPOSED.
During this year a meeting was held by parties from several towns in the northern sections of Hillsborough and Rockingham counties, to devise measures for the organization of a new county, but no effective action was recommended.
OBNOXIOUS MEASURES.
This year, 1773, was noted in our national history for the "Indian Tea Party," which was held in Boston on the evening of the 16th of December, when three hundred and forty chests of tea were thrown into the harbor.
(1774.) Incensed by the action of the colonists, Parliament this year passed the famous Port Bill, closing the port of Bos- ton, thereby strengthening the determination of the American people to resist oppression.
HAWKERS AND PEDDLERS RESTRAINED.
(1775.) On the 13th of February, a committee consisting of Benjamin Sanborn, Leonard Judkins, Capt. Ebenezer Webster, Joseph Fifield and Sinkler Bean were chosen to arrest hawkers, peddlers and petty chapmen, and deal with them according to law. This was done by authority of a colonial law which was enacted in the year 1771, providing that no hawker, peddler, or other trading person going from town to town, shall be per- mitted to sell or offer for sale any goods, wares or merchandise, under a penalty of twenty pounds.
THE CONFLICT COMMENCED.
The first great national event of the year was the attack of the British regulars on the minute-men, at Lexington, on the 19th of April. On the first of May the citizens of Salisbury had learned the movements of the British army, and anticipat- ing sudden calls to meet the enemy, they voted "to raise fifteen pounds, lawful money, in order to purchase ammunition for a town stock to be kept in Salisbury." Voted, "To choose a Committee of Inspection in s'd town." Capt. Ebenezer Web- 5
66
HISTORY OF SALISBURY.
ster, Joseph Bartlett, Joseph Bean, Esq., Capt. Matthew Petten- gill and Stephen Call were chosen for said committee.
In May of this year the town chose Joseph Bean to go to Exeter, to consult and act on public affairs, but in June refused to send a delegate to Amherst for the same purpose.
A SINGULAR VOTE.
(1776.) At the annual meeting, March 12, it was voted "to take away Widow Sanders." But why she was to be "taken away," no explanation is given. It was customary "to warn out of town " any persons who were liable to become "town charges." It may be she was one of that class, who refused to go ; or it may be she was a legal resident of some other town, and was not able to return to her home without aid. But it does not appear that she was "taken away." It was only voted that she be taken, so far as the record shows.
The town voted to pay the expenses of those men, who the year before " went to Cambridge, on express." It appears that several men, on hearing of the determination of the British to make an attack, hastened at once to aid the people at Cam- bridge, and the town manifested its approbation of the act by providing for their payment.
At the same meeting it was voted "to Destroy all the town papers save such as the committee see fit to enter in the Select- men's Book."
The war was progressing with terrible destruction of life and treasure, with a dread uncertainty as to its final results. In case of failure, the leading men might all die on the gallows. Whatever had been said or done against the authority of Eng- land would be produced in condemnation of the authors of such words and deeds. The records of towns might be searched for testimony in behalf of the crown. The residents of Salisbury were brave men, and had spoken bold words against their legal rulers. They were as prudent as they were daring ; and in the exercise of their prudence they decided to destroy all written evidence of their disloyalty to the king.
CHAPTER VII.
MUNICIPAL HISTORY -CONTINUED.
" The land lies open and warm in the sun, Anvils clamor and mill wheels run ; Flocks on the hillside, herds on the plain, The wilderness gladdened with fruit and grain."
TOWN VOTES.
We record on these pages the important votes of the town relative to furnishing men and supplies for the army, but the heroic part which the people sustained in the Indian wars, the Revolution, the contests for the maintainance of national rights, and for the integrity of the Union, will be fully given in chap- ters especially devoted to those subjects.
TOWN OFFICERS IN THE ARMY.
(1776.) It seems that Salisbury in early times did not limit her service in her country's cause to the passing of votes and the recording of resolutions, nor to the hiring of substitutes and encouraging her young men and humbler citizens to go into the ranks of war. But the strong men were ready to go-the men of influence and official position-as appears from the records. A meeting was held October 17, 1776, called to choose a selectman and an assessor, "to serve in the place of those that are absent." The selectman was Capt. Ebenezer Webster, and the assessor was Moses Garland, who had gone to the war.
THE ASSOCIATION TEST.
The Continental Congress passed and sent out the following resolution, to all sections of the country, in order to ascertain
68
HISTORY OF SALISBURY.
the respective strength of the friends and enemies of the patriot cause :
IN CONGRESS, March 16th, 1776.
" Resolved, That it is recommended to the several Assemblies, Conventions, and Councils or Committees of Safety of the United Colonies, immediately to cause all Persons to be DISARMED within their Respective Colonies who are NOTORIOUSLY disaffected to the cause of America, or who have not associated, and refused to asso- ciate to defend by arms the united Colonies against the Hostile Attempts of the British Fleets and Armies."
Extracts from the Minutes.
CHARLES THOMPSON, Sec'y.
This was submitted to the Committee of Safety of New Hamp- shire, of which Hon. Meshech Weare was the efficient head. He forwarded a copy to the chairman of the selectmen in every town, and one of the board circulated it for signatures. In Salisbury it was entrusted to the hands of Captain Ebenezer Webster.
COLONY OF NEW HAMPSHIRE, IN COMMITTEE OF SAFETY, April 12, 1776.
In order to carry the underwritten Resolve of the Hon'ble Continental Congress into Execution, you are requested to desire all Males above twenty-one years of age, ( Lunaticks, Idiots, and Negroes excepted ) to sign to the Declaration on this Paper ; and when so done to make Return thereof, together with the name or names of all who shall refuse to sign the same, to the General Assembly, or Committee of Safety of this Colony.
M. WEARE, Chairman.
ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION.
In consequence of the above Resolution of the Hon. Continental Congress, and to show our determination, in joining our American Brethren in defending our Lives, Liberties and Properties of the Inhabitants of the United Colonies :
WE, THE SUBSCRIBERS, DO HEREBY SOLEMNLY ENGAGE, AND PROMISE, THAT WE WILL, TO THE UTMOST OF OUR POWER, AND AT THE RISQUE OF OUR LIVES AND FORTUNES, WITH ARMS, OPPOSE THE HOSTILE PROCEEDINGS OF THE BRITISH FLEETS AND ARMIES AGAINST THE UNITED AMERICAN COLONIES.
SIGNATURES.
Ebenezer Johnson,
Samuel Scribner,
John Collins,
Reuben Greele, [ Greeley ] William Suton, Benj'a Bean, John Jemson, v
Job Heath,
Phineas Bean,
69
MUNICIPAL HISTORY.
John Sanborn,
Moses Elkins,
Jacob True, Rev. Jonathan Searle, Andrew Pettengill,
John Gale, Ebenezer Webster, William Calef,
Robert Smith,
Leonard Judkins,
Jonathan Fifield,
Edward Eastman,
Jonathan Cram,
William Webster,
John Fifield,
William Searle,
Abel Tandy,
Jeremiah Webster,
Edward Fifield,
Moses Garland,
Ephraim Heath,
Ezra Tucker,
Eben Tucker,
Nathaniel Meloon,
Hezekiah Foster,
Nathaniel Meloon, Jr. Obediah Peters Fifield,
Iddo Scribner,
John Bean, Edward Scribner,
Edward Scribner, Jr.
John Scribner,
Joseph Marston,
Moses Sawyer,
John Challis,
Benjamin Greele, [y ]
John Fellows,
Ephraim Colby,
John Webster, Jr.
Daniel Huntoon,
Andrew Bohonan,
Annaniah Bohonan,
Andrew Bohonan, Jr.
Moses Selley,
Gideon Dow,
Nathan Colby, Jacob Bohonan.
John Bowen,
Benj. Sañborn,
Joseph Basford,
Daniel Scamell,
John Webster,
Israel Webster,
Robert Barber,
Nathaniel Marston,
Matthew Pettengill,
Ebenezer Clifford,
Reuben Hoyt,
Joseph Fifield,
Abel Elkins,
Abraham Fifield,
Richard Purmont.
Daniel Warran,
Cutting Stevens,
This may certify to the General Assembly or Committy of Safety of the Colony of New Hampshire, That we, the subscribers have offered the within Declaration to the Inhabitants of the Town of Salisbury and they sign freely.
Sinkler Bean, I excepted. JONATHAN FIFIELD, § for Salisbury.
Nathaniel Meloon, Jr., was the third selectman. Every male adult, then in town, except two, subscribed to the test, and it does not appear that those two were unfriendly to the cause of the colonies, for they were often trusted with town business, and aided in supplying the demands of the army. It is reported that one was a Quaker, and the other a Justice of the Peace under the royal authority.
RESIDENT TAXPAYERS.
Following are the names of the legal taxpayers in the town, as taken the previous year :
John Ash, William Ash,
Joseph Bartlett, Peter Bowen,
Samuel Eaton,
Edward Evans,
Shubael Greele, [y ] David Pettengill,
Benj'm Huntoon,
Joseph Bartlett, Jacob Garland,
John Row, William Eastman,
Benj. Scribner,
Joseph French,
Stephen Call,
EBENEZER WEBSTER, } Selectmen
Joseph Bean, §
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HISTORY OF SALISBURY.
Joseph Bean,
Annaniah Bohonan,
Edward Eastman,
Sinkler Bean,
Thomas Challis,
Benjamin Eastman,
John Bayley,
John Challis,
John Fellows,
William Bayley,
Ephraim Colby,
Jonathan Fellows,
Daniel Brottlebank,
Nicholas Colby,
Jonathan Fifield,
George Bayley,
Ebenezer Clifford,
Winthrop Fifield,
Robert Barber,
Trueworthy Chase,
Joseph Fifield,
Andrew Bohonan,
John Collins,
Abraham Fifield,
Jacob Bohonan,
Stephen Cross,
Jonathan Foster,
Benjamin Baker,
Jonathan Cram,
Ezekiel Fellows,
Jeremiah Bowen,
Enoch Chase,
Isaac Fitts,
John Bowen,
Simeon Chote,
Joseph Fitts,
John Bean,
William Chase,
Joseph French,
Beniah Bean,
William Calef,
Moses Fellows,
Phineas Bean,
William Eastman,
John C. Gale,
Daniel Gillman,
Benjamin Hayward,
Jacob Morrill,
Benjamin Greeley,
Joseph B. Hoyt,
Joseph Marston,
Moses Garland,
Ephraim Heath,
Nathaniel Marston,
Benjamin Greeley, Jr.
Reuben Hoyt,
Nathaniel Meloon, Jr.
Shubael Greeley,
Leonard Judkins, -
Matthew Pettengill,
Reuben Greeley,
Caleb Judkins,
Andrew Pettengill,
Jacob Garland,
Ebenezer Johnson,
Benjamin Pettengill,
David Greeley,
James Johnson,
Richard Purmont,
Nathaniel Greeley,
John Jemson,
David Pettengill,
Matthew Greely,
Samuel Loverin,
Dudley Palmer,
Nehemiah Heath,
Joseph Loverin,
Samuel Pillsbury,
Job Heathı,
Philip Lufkin,
Iddo Scribner,
David Hall,
Nathaniel Lovel,
John Sanborn,
Nathaniel Huntoon,
William Kezar,
Edward Scribner,
Benjamin Huntoon,
Samuel Kezar,
Daniel Stevens,
Joshua Snow,
Cutting Stevens,
Ebenezer Webster,
Benjamin Sanborn,
Moses Sawyer,
Jeremiah Webster,
Samuel Sanders,
Samuel Rowe,
Moses Woodman,
John Smith,
Elisha Sanborn,
Joseph Webster,
Robert Smith,
Ezra Tucker,
John Webster, Jr.
Jonathan Searle,
Ebenezer Tucker,
William Webster,
Benjamin Scribner,
Jacob True,
Israel Webster.
William Searle,
Abel Tandy,
Peter Severance,
John Webster,
FURNISHING SOLDIERS FOR THE ARMY.
(1777.) March 3Ist, a town warrant was issued for a meet- ing of the legal voters, at the meeting house, on four days' notice, "to see what encouragement the town will vote to give to ten able bodied men to serve in the Continental army as sol- diers during the war with Great Britain, or for three years."
71
MUNICIPAL HISTORY.
The first bridge was this year built over the Blackwater, on the centre rangeway.
It was also voted to choose a committee to see "what each man must have that doth go into the Continental service for three years in behalf of sd town." Capt. John Webster, Capt. Matthew Pettengill and Lieut. Robert Smith were chosen as the committee. The selectmen and assessors were authorized to "estimate what each man hath done in the service of the war." It was voted to give "ten men seventy dollars each who should go to the war for three years."
On the 22d of May, it was voted "to choose five men to reg- ulate the prices of sundry articles." Chose Capt. John Web- ster, Capt. Ebenezer Webster, Nathaniel Meloon, Jr., Capt. Matthew Pettengill, and Jonathan Cram as the committee. There is no record of the acts of the committee appointed for this purpose; but it is worthy of notice that during this year there was a general demand for a restriction in prices. In accordance with public sentiment the General Assembly passed an Act regulating values of products, when used as a substitute for money, in exchange for commodities, or in the payment of debts. The prices were as follows :
S.
d.
5.
d.
Beans
6
0
Pease
S
O
Butter
O
IO
Potatoes
2
O
Corn.
3
6
Pork
O
5
Cheese
O
6
Rum, W I
6
S
Coffee
I
4
Rum, N E
3
Cotton
3
S
Kye
4
6
Coarse Linen
4
O
Salt .
IO
O
Farm Labor
3
1
Sole Leather
1
6
Flannel
3
Sugar
O
S
Flax.
I
Stockings
6
O
Hides
O
3
Tow Cloth.
3
Iron ..
O
Wheat.
7
G
. Molasses
3
4
Wool
ca
O
Oats ..
Voted, "That all the men of this town that have done any- thing in the war since the 17th of April, Anno Domini 1775, shall be allowed therefor according to the discretion of the committee chosen for that purpose."
72
HISTORY OF SALISBURY.
Voted "Fifteen Dollars to Capt. Ebenezer Webster, and John Bowen for money they paid to Reuben Hoitt, on account of the town." The town would not allow private persons to pay boun- ties which were offered by town authority.
(1778.) During the year the vote formerly passed, to hire ten men for the Continental service, was rescinded. It was voted "to make an average in said town," but it does not appear what constituted "an average." Very likely it was the design of the voters to equalize the expenses of furnishing soldiers for the war.
It was also voted that "each month, what each man hath done in the service of war shall be allowed alike;" "that each man that hath done service for the town, that are now inhabitants in s'd town, shall be allowed 30 Dollars per month." Jonathan Fifield and Joseph Bartlett were chosen "to assist with the Selectmen as a committee to examine what has been done in the service of war."
It was voted that when men are required for the service, "the company be called together, the proposals that the State offers be heard, and if men decline enlisting for those proposals," then Benjamin Huntoon and Edward Eastman with the selectmen be a committee to assist the officers in procuring the men for the town. The citizens of Salisbury, with rare exceptions, were ready to furnish men for the service and to provide liberally for their pay.
This year Ebenezer Webster and Matthew Pettengill were chosen delegates to a convention at Concord, for forming a State Constitution.
In the September following, Voted, "To re-consider the vote that was passed, to give Thirty Dollars per month, upon this supposition that the Committee that Shall be Hereafter Chosen, with the Selectmen, make an Inventory of each man's Estate & Estimate what Each man has done in this Present war, & Esti- mate The currency upon the Produce of the Country, that Those men that have not Done according to their Interest, be Called upon by a tax or Draft till they have Done Equal to Those that have already Done Service in the war, according to interest."
73
MUNICIPAL HISTORY.
Capt. Ebenezer Webster and Capt. John Webster were chosen to assist the selectmen, as a committee.
(1779.) May 24, Voted, "To Choose a Committee in order for them to make up of the proposed methods to procure the Proprietors' Book of Records of Said Town, for the Use of this town; and for Said Committee to Proceed to accomplish said Business, as soon as may be."
"Chose Jonathan Fifield, Edward Eastman and Dr. Joseph Bartlett."
Voted, "To recommend the appointment of Joseph Bartlett as Justice of the Peace."
July 12. A meeting was called to proceed upon some proper method "to raise four Continental soldiers during the war, or for a year or so, yearly, during the war. Likewise two soldiers to serve six months at Rhode Island, agreeably to orders from Col. Stickney and Capt. Ebenezer Webster."
"Capt. Matthew Pettengill and Capt. Ebenezer Webster were chosen a committee to assist the Selectmen in procuring the above men."
July 28. The people were called on to give their votes, for or against, "the Declaration of Rights and Plan of Government, formed by the Convention of Delegates of said State, chosen for that purpose, which met at Concord." Each article was read, and discussed separately, and the whole were rejected by a vote of forty-five to none !
Sept. 13. "Capt. John Webster was chosen a delegate to go to Concord and meet other delegates to establish prices on commodities."
DEPRECIATION IN THE CURRENCY.
(1780.) This year the town appropriated six thousand dollars for repairing and building highways, and twelve dollars were allowed for a day's work! This was double the sum raised the preceding year, and the price of labor was fifty per cent more in dollars, but owing to the depreciation in money it was probably of about the same real value.
74
HISTORY OF SALISBURY.
It was voted to increase the minister's salary "Ten Double," also to build four school houses.
March 15. The legislature on this day proposed an Act assigning upon the people of the State, for public use, two millions and one hundred and sixty thousand pounds. The proportion of Salisbury was 17,820 pounds, one-third to be paid by June Ist, one-sixth by August Ist, one-third afterwards.
MORE MEN.
June 29. A meeting was called to raise five men to join the Continental army for six months, the town choosing Capt. Ebenezer Webster, Lt. Robert Smith, Lt. William Calef, Ens. Joseph Fifield, Capt. Benjamin Pettengill, Dr. Joseph Bartlett, and Capt. Matthew Pettengill, as a committee to hire the men.
July 10. Voted, "To choose six persons as a Committee to join the former Committee for the purpose of making an aver- age," "of what each man hath done during the last war," and chose Capt. Matthew Pettengill, Elder Benjamin Hunton, Ens. Joseph Fifield, Lt. Robert Smith, John Collins Gale, and Capt. Benjamin Pettengill.
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