USA > New Hampshire > Hillsborough County > Weare > The history of Weare, New Hampshire, 1735-1888 > Part 43
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The new state constitution was adopted Sept. 5, 1792, and Dec. 27th the legislature arranged the militia into companies, battalions, regi- ments, brigades and divisions. The companies in Derryfield, Goffs- town, Dunbarton and Bedford made a first battalion; and those of New Boston and Weare a second, and the whole constituted the old ninth regiment. Four years later, 1796, its officers were Stephen Dole, lieutenant-colonel commandant ; John Butterfield, major of the first battalion, and Ithamar Eaton, of Weare, major of the second battalion.
Weare was divided, under this act, by the selectmen, into three companies - the north, the south-west and the south-east.t The
* " Weare, July 7th 1778. We the Selectmen of Weare do agree to Divide the said town into two companies, beginning the west side of said town by Deering between the third and fourth ranges, then running east between the third and fourth ranges till it comes to the road that leads by John Worth to Lut. Samuel Caldwell, then running on said road or as said road runs till it comes to the fifth range, then running between the fourth and fifth ranges east till it comes within seven lots of Dunbarton line, then taking the line between the seventh and eighth lots and running south the length of three lots, then running east, as it [the town] was laid out first, and the gore till it comes to Stephen Emerson's east line, then running south to New Boston line, then running east to Goffstown line.
" Given under our hands.
EZRA PILLSBURY Selectmen for
AARON QUINBE JONATHAN MARTIN ) Weare."
t " 1793, June 11. Bounderies of the melitia line in the town of Weare are as follows the North Company Contain four Ranges from the North side of said Weare also the Remainding part of the town to be devided as follows all on the west side of the Cen- ter Road Leading from the Quaker meeting to Jesse woodbury thence as the Road Leads to New boston line by John Philbrick as it is now troad
" all the Remainder on the East Side of Said Road to belong to the South East Company Except Jacob Sargent
" Said town Divided into three Compines by us the Subscribers at weare this Eleventh day of June Anno Domini 1793
JOHN ROBIE JABEZ MORRILL JAMES CALDWELL Selectmen."
377
DANIEL BREED.
.
1808.]
north company met on little training-days, sometimes on Sugar hill, by Ithamar Eaton's,* or Nathaniel Fifield's, sometimes by the east meeting-house, and in later years on Center Square or in the high- way at Weare Center. The south-west company trained by the south meeting-house in the highway, and the south-east company at the fork of the roads at Oil Mill. There were three "live" captains, three lieutenants and three ensigns in town all the time. Every officer when he got his commission had to wet it, and the amount of grog drank on training-day was wonderful. As early as 1807 the town furnished the rum for the soldiers, paying that year William Caldwell $13.90 for the useful article, and Jonathan Atwood, Jr. $2.50 for cider. The town also furnished bread, cheese and beef to feed the hungry warriors. In 1808 Caldwell & Houghton were paid $43 for powder and rum for the militia, Jonathan Atwood $8 for wheat, cider and cheese, and Daniel Breedt $14 for beef. In 1809 the town was still more liberal and paid Capt. William Bixby $53 for powder and rum and for food in proportion.# These provisions and fluids were for the soldiers' dinners, on muster-day.
* " 1787 paid Ithamer Eaton for two drums for the towns use. .3:12 : 0 : 0 paid Ithamer Eaton for procuring sd drums ... 0 :18 :0 :0." "1795, august 14. Voted that the Selectmen be a committee to procure the town's drum that Capt. Simon Perkins has."
t DANIEL BREED, son of Zephaniah and Ruth ( Philips ) Breed, was born April 9, 1769. Zephaniah, the father, was the son of Nathan4 Breed, of Lynn, who was son of Samuel3, who was son of Allen?, who was eldest son of Allen1 Breed, who came to settle in Lynn in the year 1631, having accompanied from England the convoy of Gov. John Winthrop to Salem in 1630. He remained in Lynn but a short time, having, how- ever, received his allotment of two hundred acres of land upon which many of his descendants still reside, the locality having always been known as " Breed's End." Allen Breed returned to his possessions in Lynn after 1640, and died there March 17, 1691, at the age of 90 years.
Daniel Breed was brought to Weare Center by his father, Zephaniah, in 1775, and resided on the homestead farm till 1796, when he removed " to the mountain," and with his father-in-law, John Hodgdon, was the first in town to engage in the improve- ment of sheep and the culture of wool. Mr. Breed took a lively interest in all public improvements, and with Jolin Hodgdon entered into many extensive building oper- ations, especially in the erection of the cotton factory at Hillsborough Bridge. He was by trade a master mechanic, and superintended the raising of more houses and barns in town then any other man. The Friends' meeting-houses, of which religious society he was a member, with many other buildings, still stand as evidence of the substantial manner in which he built. He speculated largely in horses and cattle, and his face and figure were long remembered on the road to Brighton.
Daniel Breed was in person thick-set and muscular, unusually powerful in body and energetic in thought, speech and action. He had the faculty of inspiring others with the same qualities.
He married (1) Molly, daughter of Nathan G. and Phebe (Hoag) Chase; who died in 1796; (2) Abigail, daughter of John Hodgdon, who soon died; (3) Mary, daughter of Moses Austin, of Rochester; she died in 1820, leaving four children, and (4) Betsey, daughter of Ebenezer Peaslee; she survived him, dying in 1884, at the age of 94 years.
Mr. Breed moved to Unity in 1821, where he died April 5, 1852, aged 83 years.
# Bills paid as taken from the selectmen's books :-
" 1807. William Caldwell, for rum for the militia .$13.90
Jonathan Atwood, Jr., cider for the militia. 2.50
Ichabod Eastman, for beef for the militia .. 9.50
William Parker, for powder for the militia. 22.63
Jonathan Atwood, Jr., for bread for the militia 4.50 "
378
HISTORY OF WEARE, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
[1808.
When all the soldiers "got pretty full" what grand times they had training! They right-wheeled and they left-wheeled and filed into platoons. The drums struck up, the fifes shrieked, their feet marked time, they forward-marched, they counter-marched, they filed right, they filed left, in single file, in double file and four abreast, in quick time, in slow time and in no time at all ;- such a grand time they had drilling on little training day !
There is a tradition that Ithamar Eaton rose to the rank of gen- eral, but we have not been able to verify it. Nathaniel Fifield was Weare's first colonel, and Nathaniel Martin was the first captain. All of these saw actual service in the wars .*
Colonel Fifield was a man of influence. When he commanded the regiment he had the muster at South Weare. It was a great day for the place. Everybody in town went, and many came from abroad ; all got up early that morning. The soldiers waked their officers be- fore two o'clock by firing a salute under their windows, so loud that it shattered the glass. Then it was " Walk in; have something to drink ; help yourself to the Indian pudding, beans and pumpkin pie." Everything was free that day, for the officers must be popu- lar. They were off for the muster-field by dawn, men on foot, on
" 1808. Jonathan Atwood, for 3}2 bu. of wheat, one barrel of cider and cheese 8.50
for the militia. Daniel Breed, for beef for the militia .. 14.00
Caldwell & Houghton, for powder and rum for the militia. 43.77 "
" 1809. Thomas Raymond, for rum for the militia. .75
Ichabod Eastman, for beef for the militia 16.00 John Barnard, for wheet for the militia. 3.50 Jonathan Atwood, for cider for the militia .. 1.17
Capt. William Bixby, for powder and rum for the militia. 53.32
Clark Bailey, for cider for the militia. 3.00
Moses Wood, for wheat for the militia .. 3.50
Houghton & Caldwell, for rum and powder for the militia .. 61.00 " Bills of a similar character, only larger, were paid till 1821, if not later.
* MILITARY OFFICERS IN WEARE IN EARLY TIMES.
COLONELS.
Nathaniel Fifield. .. 1789 | Samuel Page. .1793 | Itlamar Eaton. .1800
Obadiah Eaton ..... ... 1805 | James Caldwell 1811 Phinehas Stonc. .1818
They had all been majors and eaptains.
CAPTAINS.
Nathaniel Martin. .1764
George Little .. .1765
Ebenezer Hale ... .1766
James Carr ..
Jonathan Atwood. .1772
Samuel Philbrick. .1775
George Hadley. 1778
Aaron Quimby. .1778
Jacob Eaton.
Simon Perkins. .1789
Jesse Woodbury. 1797 Ezekiel Cram.
Thomas Worthilcy .1804
Joseph Alley. .1805
Samuel Eaton
.1809
Abraham Morrill
John Day.
LIEUTENANTS.
Timothy Wortliley .. 1772
Samuel Caldwell. 1774 | Ebenezer Bailey .1775
William Hutchins. .1777
Samuel Brocklebank ... 1779
Caleb Atwood. 1779
William Dustin. .. 1784
Jesse Clement. .1784
James Hogg ..
1785
Marden Emerson. .1794
Elijalı Flanders .. .1795
Jonathan Edmunds ...
.1797
Abraham Fifield. .1809
ENSIGNS.
Jacob Jewell .1764 | Jesse Johnson. 1766 | James Emerson .... . . . . . 1780
379
THE MUSTER-DAYS.
1810.]
horseback, troops of women and children, and peddlers of all kinds of wares rattling along.
At sunrise the companies were on hand. Then the fifes screamed, the drums beat, and the bugles sounded. The first corporal mustered the men, the officers were received, and the morning march com - menced. An hour later the regimental line was formed, and the colonel, the majors and other mounted officers rode on the field ; how erect they sat, how the mettlesome horses pranced, what bright uniforms and gay trappings, what rearing and plunging when the music began! Colonel Fifield rode a spirited horse; he sat him like a centaur. But all at once the drums struck up, when the colonel was not minding, the horse leaped in the air, sheering side- ways, the colonel was thrown, his hat came off, he wore a wig, the wind took it, the horse went one way, the colonel another, the wig a third, everybody was delighted, the regiment shouted, and there was fun on the muster-field of Weare.
The review, the inspection and the wet lunches occupied most of the forenoon, and then the soldiers were dismissed for dinner. What an appetite they have, what a pile they eat, and what an ocean of grog it takes to wash it down! They join the crowd and look at the peddlers hawking their wares, the showmen exhibiting their great snakes, fat lady, two-headed calves and pigs with eight feet ; at the man who chews tow, spits fire and pulls fabulous yards of ribbon out of his mouth.
They see their wives, sweethearts and children eating ginger- bread, candy and making themselves merry ; hear the explosion of fire-crackers and smell the burning powder.
After dinner comes the sham fight, muskets blazing, cannon roar- ing, and a cloud of smoke hanging over the field. They get another potion of grog as the harmless fray goes on.
The line is reformed, they march again, they are drawn up in a hollow square; the colonel in the center, thanks them for their sol- dierly appearance; the brigadier-general, if present, makes an address, and the regiment is dismissed. Each company marches away to a merry tune, "Yankee Doodle," "On the Rocky Road to Boston," " Money Musk" or the "Devil's Dream." The crowd gradually disperses, the tired soldiers go home, the liquor-sellers and victual- lers take down their booths, and the peddlers pack their wares and are off to the muster of some other regiment the next day in a neighboring town.
380
HISTORY OF WEARE, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
[1818.
Col. Phinehas Stone* commanded our ninth regiment in 1818, and he had the muster in Weare. It was on Purington's plain, where cattle fairs have since been held. Two regiments mustered there together that autumn, the ninth and' the twenty-sixth. The last was the one that mustered for so many years on Cork plain, in Deering. There was a tremendous turnout, and Mounts William and Wallingford looked down on a scene the like of which they never saw before nor since.
But the day was not all that could be desired; a rain came on, and the soldiers were early dismissed. All the old people in town remember an incident of this muster. A man by the name of Thompson, not of Weare, was there, - a stout, quarrelsome bully, full of rum. He insulted everybody and particularly the women. He was exceedingly rude to Mrs. Stephen Brown, of Deering, pull- ing her clothes up over her head. Brown, who was in the ranks doing duty as a soldier, saw it, dropped his musket and made a rush for Thompson ; they clinched, Brown was thrown, but he pulled the bully down with him, and in the mellee bit his ear off. The crowd separated them, and everybody felt that Thompson got no more than he deserved.
* PHINEHAS JONES STONE, eldest son of Hannah (Jones) and Col. Phinehas Stone, was born in Weare, N. H., May 23, 1810, where he lived until November, 1824, when he removed with the family to Charlestown, Mass., which has ever since been his adopted home. He commenced business in the West India goods trade in 1834, and by untiring industry and perseverance laid the foundation of his success in after life. He retired from this occupation in 1851.
He was selectman of Charlestown in 1839 and 1840; member of the house of repre- sentatives in 1840, 1856, 1862 and 1863, and was inspector of the Massachusetts state prison three years, from 1856 to 1859. It was during this time that Deputy Warden Walker and Warden Tenny were murdered, and Mr. Stone took charge of the prison for six weeks, pending the appointment of new officials by the governor, displaying great executive ability, giving courage to the officers under him and by keeping in order the prisoners, excited and almost demoralized as they were by this double act of blood. "Will there be services in the chapel this morning," he was anxiously asked after the murder of Warden Tenny. "Most certainly," he replied, and providing arms and ammunition for each officer, gave orders for their immediate use in case of any indications of a revolt.
He was mayor of Charlestown in 1862, 1863 and 1864; was instrumental in raising and forming several companies for the defence of the country during the Rebellion, who did active service in the army of the North. During his administration was com- pleted the introduction of water from Mystic pond, yielding an ample supply for the inhabitants, not only of Charlestown, but several other surrounding towns.
He was United States assessor, sixth Massachusetts district, from 1867 to 1873, when the office was abolished by act of Congress.
He was one of the original movers for the act of incorporation authorizing the im- provement of about one hundred acres of flats, lying between the north and south channels of the Mystic river, upon which to-day there is a taxable property of more than $1,000,000, and which eventually will increase to many millions, as it is the ter- minus of the Northern railroads to the deep water of Boston harbor.
He was elected in 1854, at the organization of the Charlestown Five-Cent savings bank, its president, a position he holds at the present time. This bank is a highly successful institution, with a deposit, to-day, of upwards of $3,500,000.
A man of commanding presence, loyal to his country in the hour of its peril, of sterling integrity of character, upright and honorable in all his dealings with his brother man, sympathetic with distress, his hand open to relieve suffering without ostentation or publicity, he is an honor, both to his native state and the one of his adoption.
3
381
COMMISSIONED OFFICERS OF THE MILITIA.
1819.]
Benjamin B. Currier and fourteen others were licensed to sell spirituous liquors for two days at this muster.
Weare's companies generally mustered at Goffstown, and the old "Goffstown musters" were noted all over the state. Immense crowds attended them; peddlers, victuallers, rum-sellers, gamblers, swarmed there. There were terrible fights, detachments of soldiers had to charge on the gamblers to drive them away, and once a man was killed.
In Goffstown the muster was sometimes held west of the village, by the cemetery, and often at the fair ground, near the Taggart place.
In 1819 the militia law required all persons between the ages of eighteen and forty-five to be enrolled, and each company to parade on the first Tuesday of May, and upon two other days besides that of the muster. This law was soon modified so there were but two " little training days," spring and fall, each year.
Weare had a cavalry company in 1828, Dow's troop. It had scarlet uniforms, glittering brass trappings, good horses, well capari- soned, and made a fine appearance. It is told that one piously in- clined individual wanted to join the Quakers, but was rejected, and being indignant said "he'd be hanged if he would n't belong to some independent organization," and he at once joined this troop.
The town also had a rifle company handsomely uniformed, a light infantry company that made a creditable appearance, and all the time at least one un-uniformed company, which was politely called the " slam-bang," alias the "string bean," otherwise the "flood-wood company."
The records of the officers who commanded have only been pre- served by the state since 1819, and we can give but a portion of the names .*
* REGIMENTAL OFFICERS.
COLONELS.
Edmond Johnson ....... 1833 | Jason Philbrick .. . 1843 | Albe Morrill. .1849
MAJORS.
Christopher Cross ...... 1824 | James Cram .. .1843 | Ezra Clement. .1849
QUARTERMASTERS.
Humphrey Eaton. 1835 | Mark Colburn. . 1843 | Squires L.Gove(paymr) 1849
ADJUTANTS.
James Bailey. . 1822 | Elbridge A. Bailey. .1843 SURGEONS.
Ziba Adams. 1821 | James Peterson .. .1838 | Luther C. Bean. .1849 CHAPLAINS.
Hezekiah D. Buzzell. 1821 | William Hooper .1846
382
HISTORY OF WEARE, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
[1819.
As the years went, by and the generations that fought in the wars passed away, the raw -militia got somewhat unpopular, and their trainings were a burlesque. Four days previous to the drill the soldiers were " warned " to appear on parade. They met at noon. They came in their work-day clothes, old hats on, some barefoot, some shod, some with good muskets and bayonets, others with old Queen's arms, fowling pieces, and wooden bayonets tied on. For canteens, they had tin pails, for a cartridge box, a wooden dish with quartz chips in it, and for a knapsack, an old meal-bag well worn.
The orderly-sergeant called the roll, formed the company and de- livered it to the captain. His first order was "Dress to the right," " form a line," but it was impossible to get a straight one, and it is said the men had to be backed up against a barn or the meeting- house to make it straight. All the evolutions were just as awk- ward, the men often going in a direction contrary to that ordered, the whole thing being. a farce, and the men full of mirth and hi- larity. The officers generally treated, and the men went home at night, very poor soldiers, but feeling first-rate, all except a few who
CAPTAINS.
Christopher Cross, 11th Co.
.1818 | Thomas Cram. .1819
Moses Hoyt, 11th Co.
.1826
Cleaveland Cross, 11th Co. 1824
Perry Richards, 11th Co 1828
John Hoyt, 11th Co .. 1827
Moses Johnson, 2d Co ..
.1834
Isaiah Emerson, 11tli Co. 1834
Ephraim Philbrick, artillery .1837
Cyrillus Paige, Rifle Co. 1835
Amos Chase, 2d Co. .1837
Albe Morrill, Rifle Co .. 1841
James Cram, Rifle Co. .1838
Sebastian S. Clark, 2d Co. 1844
Ezra Clement, Rifle Co.
.1845
Israel Straw, 2d Co ...
1845
Seth N. Colby, 2d Co .. 1847
Enos Hoyt, Rifle Co ... 1849
Squires L. Felch, 2d Co. 1849
Joseph Sargent, Rifle Co
.1851
Jonathan F. Vitty, 2d Co.
1852
LIEUTENANTS.
Obadiah Colby, 11th Co. 1819
Simon P. Colby, Light Infantry. 1819
William Favor, 11th Co
1826
Moody Marshall, 11th Co. 1824
Moses Johnson, 2d Co.
.1834
Moses Mudgett, Rifle Co. 1828
Abraham Dow, Rifle Co
.1834
Edmund Eastman, 11th Co 1834
Caleb P. Woodbury, 2d Co. .1837
Amos Chase, 2d Co .. .1835
Nehemiah Emerson, Rifle Co 1835
Jonathan Paige, Rifle Co 1838
William B. Simons, 1 2d Co. .1838
David G. Chase, 2d Co .. .1844
Richard Currier, Rifle Co .. 1845
O. F. Jewell, 2d Co .. 1846
Green Boynton, Rifle Co.
1851
George S. Mudgett, 2d Co. 1846
ENSIGNS.
Ebenezer Bailey, Light Infantry. .1819
Samuel B. Philbrick, 14th Co. 1819
Moses E. George, 11th Co. .1826
Moses Paige, 11th Co ...
1834
Amos Chase, 2d Co. .1834
Caleb P. Woodbury, 2d Co. 1835
Sumner Huse, 2d Co. .1837
John W. Chase, Rifle Co. .1838
Jesse Johnson, 2d Co .. 1839
Ira Simons, Rifle Co .. .1842
William Stevens, Rifle Co.
.1846
Otis G. Cilley, 2d Co .. 1847
Moody Huse, Rifle Co
1851
Aleck Buckland, 2d Co 1852
1 WILLIAM B. SIMONS, son of Joseph and Dolly (Breed) Simons, was born in Weare, March 3, 1819. He was educated in the common schools and was a successful farmer at Weare Center. He had a military taste and was appointed first sergeant of the second company, ninth regiment, April 5, 1838, and first lieutenant of the same company, Aug. 23, 1839.
He married Leicetta Woodbury in 1841 : issue, Sabrina J., born Oct. 8, 1843; Ann J., born April 28, 1845; Jason P., born May 18, 1847, and Joseph B., born Oct. 8, 1849.
He died Sept. 30, 1879; she Jan. 12, 1885.
383
PAUPERS AND THE POOR FARM. . "
1772.]
had been the butts of the numerous joke- dondied about. Such trainings set the people against the militia system.
But as a general thing the uniformed companies took delight in drilling, and there was often a great rivalry between those of the various towns to see who should be the most proficient. The best company had the right of the line at muster, and only a " crack " company could carry the regimental colors.
About 1850 peace societies were formed and wars became very unpopular. Ministers thundered against them from the pulpit, and statesmen like Charles Sumner delivered long orations against their horrors and barbarism. Strange! but these very angels of peace, a few years later, raised their voices the loudest for war and blood- shed.
The result of all this opposition to war was that the New Hamp- shire legislature abolished the militia system July 5, 1851, and since that time no militia company has trained in Weare.
CHAPTER XLVI.
PAUPERS AND THE POOR FARM.
THE first pauper of Weare was a young child, no father maybe, cast on the town. The selectmen knew just what to do. A town- meeting was called Sept. 7, 1772, to meet, at the house of John Jew- ell, Oct. 9th, first, to choose a moderator, and second, "to set the child up at the lowest bidder to be kept till next Mch. meeting." The citizens met promptly at the time and place, " Zechriah John- son bid of Said Child, to keep for one shilling and sixpence the week."
" Daniel Thomas Walker,"* was Weare's second pauper. He was a great wonder and mystery to the town clerk, John Robie ; that official delighted to write his name out in full, and the words
* " 1779. Paid for taking care of Daniel thomas Walker .. 13:10:0:0
Paid Simon Purkins for boarding Daniel thomas Walker. 18: 0:0:0"
" 1780. Paid for boarding Daniel thomas Walker. 164 : 14 : 0 :0"
" 1780. Set Daniel thomas Walker up to Vendue at the Lowest Bidder for the space of two months. Said Walker was bid of by Esq. Samuel Page for thirty six dollars a week."
384
HISTORY OF WEARE, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
[1780.
" Daniel Thomas Walker " appear again and again, on the town- books. In the warrant for the annual town-meeting for 1780, the eleventh article was "to consider the case of Daniel Thomas Walker, and act upon it as they shall think proper when meet." At the meeting, "It was put to Vote to Vendue Daniel thomas Walker to the lowes Bidder," also, "to Set Said Walker up to Ven- due." Zepheniah Breed bid off the taking care of him "for the space of three months, for five pounds two Shillings pr. week."
This pauper was an important personage. In 1782 the town " voted to allow Lemuel Page four shillings for mending Daniel thomas Walkers shoes," and Zebulon Flanders four shillings for a pair of stockings for said Walker.
Martha Kimball is immortalized as the third person the town had to support. She was the feeble-minded child of John Kimball, who lived north of Mount William on the road from Weare Center to Barnard hill. She was set up at vendue Aug. 7, 1786, and struck off to "Mark flood " to be kept till the first day of March next for eleven pence a week.
There were three foolish people in three houses in a row on this road to Barnard hill. A traveler from Deering, journeying to the eastward, called at the first and enquired his way. The imbecile only gave him a vacant stare. At the next house he found poor idiotic Martha, and when he asked her he got only gibberish in reply, not a word of which he could understand. At the third house he found the other fool, and in answer to his question he heard only an idiotic giggle. Out of patience, he ejaculated that they raised nothing but fools in this neigborhood and whipping up his horse rode on.
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