USA > New Hampshire > Hillsborough County > Lyndeborough > The history of the town of Lyndeborough, New Hampshire,1735-1905 > Part 37
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. Daniel Putnam of Ypsilanti, Michigan, as a boy, took part in the discussion, and was at times followed by his grandsire, Daniel Putnam, Esq., who was thirteen times elected represen- tative to the New Hampshire legislature. The latter was ac- customed to refer so deferentially and respectfully to "the gentleman last on the floor," or to the "remarks of the pre- ceding speaker," that it is pleasant and refreshing even at this day to recall the scenes.
"Of the Lyceum," Prof. Putnam has written, "I can add little, perhaps nothing, to what Mr. Cram knows. My impres- sion is that it was the first of the Lyceums organized in the town. The organization must have been a little earlier than 1840, but I have no means of fixing the exact date. I have reason to remember the Lyceum with some measure of grati- tude, as my first practice in public speaking was in the discus- sions of that society .. . . We discussed, and of course settled, a good many important questions, among these the question, " Which have the greater influence, men or women?" I do not now remember how that question was decided."
In that lyceum two papers were edited, one of which was called " The Bee," and was conducted by the boy, Daniel Putnam. Of this matter, Prof. Putnam has recently written, "I remember something of 'The Bee,' of which Mr. Cram speaks. My work in editing ' The Bee,' came about in this way, my uncle, David J. Putnam, edited a paper, the title of which I do not recall, in which he advocated certain views to which I could not then subscribe ; and ' The Bee' took the opposite side. As I think over the matter, after the experience of a good many years, I can readily believe that my writing then was very crude, but I got some facility in expression which has been of advantage to me in later years, and I sup- pose the members of the Lyceum got some enjoyment out of the matter."
That the lyceum here described in part was of some advan- tage will doubtless be conceded after testimonies such as have been cited. In entire harmony with these is a preamble of one of the constitutions adopted by a lyceum of later date at Lynde- borough Centre. It proceeds :
" We, believing that it is a duty as well as a privilege to cultivate and improve those intellectual powers which the Great Author of our being has given us - believing also, that in no way can this be better accom- plished than in a well regulated Lyceum ; do hereby associate ourselves
391
LYCEUMS
together to form a Lyceum for mutual improvement, subject to the following Constitution and By Laws."
This preamble is viewed by the writer as breathing the spirit of Rev. E. B. Claggett, whose name is subscribed to the "Constitution " together with a goodly list of others, who were honored in the town at that time. Some of our older citizens have said that in his day a very large proportion of our active, young men attained such facility and ease of expression in debate as to enable them to speak almost impromptu, with fluency and intelligence and effectiveness upon a large variety of inter- esting and practical subjects. They became, through their practice in the lyceums, well informed on many subjects, and could address an audience with great acceptance. Much of this ability is attributed to Mr. Claggett's genial, kindly, wise and effective leadership. After he became pastor of the Con- gregational Church he devoted himself earnestly and heartily to every interest of the town, religious, educational, practical. For many years he was chairman of the superintending com- mittee of schools, and it is said that he could, at sight, call every scholar in the town by name. He lent his cheerful assist- ance to every scheme which aimed to promote general welfare.
He prepared for one of the lyceums, a historical sketch of Lyndeborough, which he used as the "basis of a lecture de- livered Jan. 17, 1854," in which he refers enthusiastically to the heroism of Lyndeborough men in the great struggle for national independence. This must have strongly appealed to patriotic impulses which a few years later were severely tested on many a field of tragic, fratricidal strife.
A sample or two of Mr. Claggett's humor may not here be misplaced. After stating that the history of our ancient town embraces many facts and matters of great interest which might be expanded to the size of a neat little volume, he added: "One thing I have also noticed of this town is the fact that they have always been in the habit of getting married; and I · expect they will keep doing so. I have no knowledge of the first wedding in town, nor can I tell how they used to conduct such occasions. In connection with this subject, it may not be inappropriate to say, that Benjamin Cram, who died many years ago, used to say with much satisfaction, that his father married the handsomest girl in the whole township. On further inquiry it appeared that she was the only girl in town, and very homely at that."
392
HISTORY OF LYNDEBOROUGH
This lyceum lecture was doubtless very instructive and very highly enjoyed.
THE SECOND MUTUAL IMPROVEMENT SOCIETY.
This, so far as appears, was the direct successor of the previous society. It was organized in January, 1839. After continuing to hold meetings about two winters, it voted to unite with " The Lyndeborough Lyceum " and adjourned Dec. I, 1840. The next record in the old book is dated Nov. 17, 1843. The question for debate, Feb. 9, 1844, was, " Would the emancipation of the slaves at the present time be injurious to the community at large ? The affirmative disputants were Jonathan H. Butler and David Stiles ; the negative were Israel Herrick, M. D., and Samuel Karr. The decision was in the negative. Before the union of these lyceums the meetings were held in the school-house of District No. 2; after the union, meetings were held at the centre.
From the forty-five names on the roll of membership of this union lyceum we select the' names of some who have recently passed away, but are well remembered ; and others who are still with us and well known. Foremost among the latter is that of Joseph A. Johnson, the secretary, then a boy of sixteen, and now "a gray-haired boy."
Wilkes H. Hadley
Israel H. Goodridge
David C. Grant Franklin Senter
Nathaniel T. McIntire Eli C. Curtis
1. . Harvey G. McIntire Kilburn S. Curtis
George D. Woodward
Daniel Whittemore
James H. Karr
William A. Jones
Lafayette Herrick
Ward Woodward
William Herrick
William Wellman
John F. Marden.
THE FRANKLIN DEBATING CLUB.
I quote from the Record Book :
"Lyndeborough, Aug. 22, 1851.
According to previous notice, the friends of the Lyceum met and trans- acted the following business :
I. Chose D. Stiles, Esq., President pro tem. ;
2. Chose W. A. Jones, Secretary pro tem. ;
3. Heard the report of the committee chosen to prepare a Constitu- tion and By Laws ;
: 4. Voted to take up the Constitution and By Laws by the article.
5. Voted to adopt the Constitution and By Laws.
393
LYCEUMS
6. Chose W. A. Jones, President.
Sylvester Hill, V. Pres.
W. H. Grant, Secretary.
O. H. Bixby, Treasurer.
7. Adjourned to meet Thursday, Aug. 28, at 7 o'clock P. M. W. A. Jones, Secretary.
The officers were to serve two weeks, except the treasurer, whose term of service was to be eleven weeks, or till his suc- cessor was chosen. In addition to the names above given, we give those of others who became members :
Harvey Perham
E. B. Claggett
W. J. Herrick
R. C. Boutwell
Lafayette Herrick
Luther Cram
Clark B. Jones
Wm. W. Curtis
Benjamin G. Herrick
D. B. Whittemore
S. N. Hartshorn
Foster Woodward
Charles H. Parker
Nathaniel Jones
Isaiah C. Parker
Moses Ordway
Daniel Woodward, Jr.
John Batchelder
John Richardson
Joseph Chamberlain
Francis Clark
John Gage
Ladies.
Martha Hill
E. J. M. Claggett
Lydia Proctor
Anna M. Claggett
Mary J. Holt
Lizzie T. Steele
Ann E. Boutwell
Orpah Gage
Francis M. Fiske
Harriette Richardson
Abby J. Boutwell
Sarah A. Plumer
Sarah D. Clark
Adaline Woodward
Frances A. Holt
Virginia Richardson
These do not include the whole, but are samples of the material which formed the lyceum. Other names as worthy as they, are possibly omitted.
This specific club seems not to have been long lived. It met weekly till Nov. 4, 1851, at which date, declamations were given by W. H. Grant, Alfred Holt, N. B. Boutwell, Charles H. Parker and C. B. Jones. The following resolution was discussed :
" Resolved that the Legislature of New Hampshire ought to enact laws making it a penal offense to traffic in intoxicating drinks as a beverage, giving the right to search suspected places, and liberty to des- troy the contraband article when used for sale .. "
Debaters. .
Affirmative. David Stiles and Charles Carkin. Negative. Daniel Woodward, Jr. and C. H. Parker.
The resolution was adopted 27 to 4, indicating the strong temperance
394
HISTORY OF LYNDEBOROUGH
sentiment of the club. "After the discussion, came the reading of the ' Literary Star,' and then a vote, to adjourn to a call of the officers."
Clark B. Jones, Secretary.
Thus ended the work of the Franklin Debating Club.
THE LYNDEBOROUGH LYCEUM.
In the debating club above described probably originated its longer-lived successor, "The Lyndeborough Lyceum." In both these organizations, Rev. E. B. Claggett was a prominent factor. The names of the members were those of the most active and best-known citizens of the town.
Under date of Lyndeboro', Dec. 7, 1854, we find the follow- ing record :
"According to previous notice, the friends of the Lyceum met and transacted the following business :
First. Adopted the Constitution and By Laws.
Second. Chose the following officers :
Luther Cram, President.
Charles Carkin, Vice President.
John H. Goodrich, Secretary. Henry Richardson, Treasurer. Elizabeth Claggett and (
Hannah D. Clark Editors.
J. G. Donnell, S. H. Dyer and Foster Woodward, Executive Committee."
The Constitution appears to be the penmanship of the Rev. E. B. Claggett The meetings were held in the town hall weekly, and continued through the winter to March, 1855. The names of the members are chiefly those in the preceding lists.
Those lyceums for mental improvement greatly assisted in developing quite a marked intellectual activity among the young people, and fitted them to express their ideas clearly and forci- bly upon a variety of subjects in which the public was then interested. The young people of today have enjoyed greater advantages, have had training in schools of higher grade, and a free use of both public libraries and the current literature of the time; but the debaters of fifty years ago have, even now, very few superiors in the power of using a vigorous, sententious, English speech. Their number, also, formed a very respectable proportion of the population of the town.
CHAPTER XIX.
LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS, BY J. A. WOODWARD.
THE "SCATAQUOG " HILL SILVER MINE.
The story of the " Scataquog " Silver Mine is interesting as probably the only attempt ever made in Lyndeborough to pros- pect for any of the precious metals.
In 1783, Joshua Partridge, of Medway, Mass., claimed to have discovered indications of silver in the rock composing the ledges near the top of "Scataquog" mountain, on land of Francis Epes. There is a tradition that he used a "divining rod " in his explorations, and that he had previously discovered other mines in New England.
He succeeded in interesting many of the early settlers of the town, and a corporation was formed for the purpose of buying the land and developing the mine. They blasted a deep ditch or partly ditch and partly tunnel, into the side of the mountain, and the excavation can be found at this day, though time and the action of frost has partly filled it up. The stone is of a rusty color.
The writer was once there with a man well versed in geology. He said the stone undoubtedly contained a sulphuret of some- thing, probably of iron. There was long a tradition that the owners got enough silver to make a pair of shoe buckles, but it is highly improbable. They had their labor for their pains.
Names of the proprietors of the mine, with their parts of the same. In the original deed, said Lott considered to consist of 24 shares :
Francis Epes, Esq. 2 Col. Israel Hutchinson I
Lieut. Thomas Boffee
4 Capt. Benjamin Epes I
Mr. Daniel Gould
4 Peter Clark, Esq. I
Rev. Sewell Goodridge 34 Mr. Samuel Neven I
Capt. William Barrons I Capt. John Wood I
Maj. Samuel Epes
I Andrew Fuller, Esq. 1/2
Mr. William Holt 1/2 Dr. Benj. Jones
Abraham Wellman
I En. Nathaniel Phelps I
Dea. Ephraim Putnam 1/2 Daniel Eppes, Esq. 1/2
Joseph Epes
Capt. Levi Spaulding
March 27, 1783. At a meeting of the maj. part of the foregoing pro- prietors at the house of Capt. William Barrons, Innholder in said town, to consult upon and come into the best " meathod " to obtain and dig for
396
HISTORY OF LYNDEBOROUGH
a mine which they suppose to be in a lot belonging to Francis Epes, Esq. Accordingly they agreed to give Mr. Eppes three shillings pr. acre. and Mr. Epes agreed to sell and convey said lot to the proprietors for the same. Said lot contains acres by estimation amounting to £19-10-0.
2nd. We agreed said lot should consist of 24 shares.
3rd. We agreed that Mr. Joshua Partridge of Medway should have the 32d part of the neat profit of said mine for finding the same for us. 4th. Agreed to raise one dollar on a share to purchase necessaries to begin with.
5th. Agreed to adjourn to Thursday, April 10, at Capt. Barrons.
A true coppy att. by Peter Clark, clerk of proprietors of said mine.
April 10, 1783. Proprietors met according to adjournment.
Ist. Chose Capt. William Barron, moderator.
2nd. Chose Peter Clark, clerk and treasurer for the proprietors of ye mine untill the next annual meeting.
3d. Agreed to chuse a Committee to consist of 5 to form a covenent and bond for the - to enter into and rules of proceedure to the above mine.
Rev. Sewell Goodridge Peter Clark Lt. Thomas Boffee . Francis Epes Esq. · Daniel Gould
Committee
4th. Agreed to have an annual meeting. on the first Wednesday in October, always to be held in the Town of Lyndeboro.
5th. Agreed that the above committe shall settle all accounts in and with said proprietors until the first Wednesday in October next.
6th. Mr. Daniel Gould agreed with the proprietors and promised to give up one of his shares to the workmen if said workmen were inclined to have it, if not, to remain to Mr. Gould.
7th. Agreed to raise two dollars more to a share in addition to the one dollar first raised to furnish supplys for said mine.
8th. Agreed to have a meeting on Wednesday ye 25th day of June next at the House of Mr. Daniel Gould. Agreed to adjourn to Tuesday next to meet at the mine.
A true copy of the proceedings. Peter Clark, Propr Clerk.
At this meeting of the proprietors at the mine it is recorded that they "began to open the mine."
May 2, 1783. The Proprietors meet at Capt. William Barrons. Cliose Moderator. Agreed with Lieut. Thomas Boffee to find a good bed and beding and procure the washing Necessary for the same for two shillings per month. Chose Lieut. Thomas Boffee, Inspector and overseer of the work at the mine according to the first article in the Covenant.
Voted to allow 5/ pr. day for what Labours has been done by the day until this time. Labor that has been done by the day is as follows, viz. : Days
Days
Rev. Sewell Goodridge
4 Peter Clark 4
Lieut. Thomas Boffee
6 William Holt 512
Capt. Barron
6 1/2 Dea. Ephraim Putnam 5/2
Dr. Jones
2 1/2 Francis Epps 4
Mr. Daniel Gould
4 12 Nathanel Phelps 4
Andrew Fuller Esq.
312 Abraham Wellman 5
LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS
397
At a meeting, June 25, 1783, it was voted to release Rev. Mr. Sewell Goodridge from serving on the committee according to his desire, with a grateful acknowledgement of his good services and chose Capt. Wil- liam Barron as one of the committee in the " sted " of Mr. Goodridge.
July 9, 1783. Proprietors met according to adjournment. Voted to receive and examine the " Several and Respective Accounts " Respecting the Mine and find accounts stand as follows with those persons whose names are here inserted, likewise find the Expense and cost Exclusive of the Rum Molasses Powder and iron, Coffee, and Shugar, provided by Col. Hutchinson to amount to {2-14-0 to each share, total amounting to £64-16-0.
.
The amount of money "sunk " by the proprietors is as follows :
£ S d
4 s d
Rev. Sewell Goodridge 2 I4 0 Lieut Thomas Boffee IO 16 0
Capt. William Barron 2 14 0 Wm Lack 8
2 O
7 Peter Clark 2 I4 O Andrew Fuller Esq. I O
Dr. Benj. Jones I 7 0 Francis Epes Esq. I3 10 0
Dea. Ephraim Putnam I
7
O Mr. Daniel Gould 9 9 0
Abraham Wellman 2 14 O William Holt
I 7 0
En. Nathaniel Phelps 2 I4 O
The others lost their time and labor.
LYNDEBOROUGH MUTUAL FIRE INSURANCE CO.
At about the time of the commencement of the Civil War it was thought by many that the rates of fire insurance companies on farm property were too high, and that these companies were taking altogether too much money out of the town. In 1862 the following named men organized the Lyndeborough Mutual Fire Insurance Company, the same being incorporated June 2. 1862. Joel H. Tarbell Nathan Richardson
Jonathan Stephenson
Ebenezer Fiske
John F. Holt
Peter Clark
David C. Grant
Henry Clark
David Holt
Joseph Haggett
John Hartshorn
Rufus Chamberlain
Harvey Perham
Josiah Wheeler
John C. Goodrich
Martin Whitney
Nathaniel T. McIntire
William A. Jones
John Richardson
Nelson Kidder
Jotham Hildreth Rodney C. Boutwell
Levi Tyler
Isaac L. Dunklee
Artemas Woodward
Edwin N. Patch
Micah Hartshorn
Albert Cram Asa Hill Eli C. Curtis
Burnham Russell Samuel Jones
Oliver Bixby
Of these thirty-three original incorporators but five are living at the date of this writing, 1904. John Richardson was the first
398
HISTORY OF LYNDEBOROUGH
president, William A. Jones the first secretary, and Peter Clark the first treasurer. Mr. Richardson served as president until 1865, Jonathan Stephenson from 1865 to 1870, Joel H. Tarbell, from 1870 to 1891, and Nathaniel T. McIntire from 1891 until the present time. Dr. Jones (W. A.) was secretary until 1865, Samuel Jones from 1865 to 1868. At his death John Richardson was appointed for the rest of the year 1868. Samuel N. Hart- shorn, 1869 and 1870. John H. Goodrich was chosen in 1871, and has held the office to date (1904). Peter Clark was treas_ urer from 1862 until his death in 1879, Benj. J. Clark in 1880 and 1881, Daniel B. Whittemore from 1882 to 1893, Jacob A. Woodward from 1893 to 1896, and Charles L. Perham from 1896 to date.
The amount of the policies issued is over one hundred thous- and dollars, and the company has succeeded from the date of its organization in making the cost of fire insurance in Lyndebor- ough much less than formerly.
The losses paid since its incorporation are as follows : -
Nathan Richardson, barn struck by lightning but not burned, $18.00.
Sumner French, house burned March 11, 1871, $550.00.
Leonard G. Brown, barn struck by lightning 1873, $25.00.
Martin Whitney, house damaged by fire 1876, $24.50.
Azro D. Cram, buildings burned Oct. 6, 1881, $535.00.
Oliver Watkins, damage by fire in 1881, $5.00.
Andy Holt, house damaged by fire Oct. 15, 1887, $63.00.
Frank B. Tay, buildings struck by lightning and burned July 31, 1890, $1000.00.
George H. Butler, barn struck by lightning and burned Aug. 13, 1895, $900.00.
Alice Morse, barn struck by lightning and burned July 25, 1900, $225.00.
GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC.
At South Lyndeborough Sept. 22, 1868, was organized Post Harvey Holt, No. 15, Department of New Hampshire, Grand Army of the Republic, by Maj. Samuel F. Murry, with twelve charter members.
This organization of the soldiers of the War of the Rebellion has for its objects fraternity among its members, the keeping in remembrance the dead, who gave their lives that the Union might live, the decorating of their graves on Memorial Day, and mutual help and cheer among surviving comrades.
With the help of a small sum of money from the town, this Post has appropriately observed Memorial Day ever since its or-
399
LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS
ganization, and with this Order as leader, no town has more sin- cerely than Lyndeborough paid its just tribute, each returning 30th of May, to the soldier boys who lost their lives on the bat- tlefield and by wounds and disease.
This Order, also, has been instrumental in having markers placed at the graves of the soldiers of the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812, and these graves are not forgotten in the services of decoration day.
It is the custom to have an oration and other appropriate ex- ercises at the hall and a procession to the south cemetery and the soldiers' monument, where other and fitting exercises are held. Besides, delegations visit the other yards of the town.
The townspeople very generally observe the day and attend these ceremonies.
This Post was named in honor of Harvey Holt, a Lyndebor- ough boy killed at the battle of Bull Run, and one of the first to lose his life for the cause.
C. Henry Holt
Joseph Blanchard John C. Carkin
Charles F. Tarbell
John H. Goodrich
Everett A. Cram
George T. Jones
William W. Wood
Fred A. Nourse
Moses C. Fuller
Andy Holt MEMBERSHIP.
Ward N. Cheever
*Abbott, Willis H.
Draper, David S.
Macomber, S. R.
Atwood, Samuel H. Brown, George E.
*Emerson, Charles A.
Ordway, John C.
*Farnsworth, Irving S. Putnam, George A.
* Burton, John
Ford, Alfred T.
Pinkham, Charles B.
Frye, Charles H.
Proctor, David E.
Gordon, Clark S.
Gray, Moses.
Putnam, Byron Richardson, Fred A. Ruffle, George Raymond, George B.
*Hutchinson, Merrill
Raymond, John P.
Ryerson, William N.
Herrick, Benj. G. Holt, Jason
Smith, Jacob Sullivan, John
*Hardy, James L.
*Hutchinson, Isaac N. *Sheldon, John R.
Hutchinson, Charles L. Steele, William P. Howard, John F.
Hanover, U. A. Hart, Parker Hall, Henry K.
*Woods, Charles T.
*Way, Lucius A.
Winn, George E.
*Dascomb, James K. Dickey, David G.
Lowe, Isaac
Marshall, Andrew J. *Wilton.
Spalding, Merrill T. Thrasher, F. E. Woodward, George T.
*Dunklee, George W.
James, Leonard T. Key, Joseph H.
*Carter, Charles T. Cummings, Sam1 S. *Clark, Aaron A. Cram, George M. Cram, Azro D. Conant, Albert S. Curtis, Randall B.
*Gage, John Gould, Benj.
*Blanchard, George Bailey, Charles H. Bailey, William A. Buck, Sewell M. *Bridges, G. W. Boutwell, Abram Batten, Richard Conant, Charles W. Cram, Orren N.
CHARTER MEMBERS.
400
HISTORY OF LYNDEBOROUGH
OFFICERS.
1868 Commander C. Henry Holt
Adjutant Charles F. Tarbell
1869
Andy Holt
George A. Putnam
1869 (July)
George T. Jones
David E. Proctor
1870
David E. Proctor
John H. Goodrich
1871
C. Henry Holt
66 Charles F. Tarbell
1872
C. Henry Holt
John C. Carkin
1873
C. Henry Holt
John C. Carkin
1874
C. Henry Holt
John C. Carkin
1875
C. Henry Holt
John C. Carkin
I876
C. S. Gordon
John C. Carkin
1877
C. S. Gordon
John C. Carkin
1878
Azro D. Cram
John C. Carkin
1879
Sewell M. Buck
John C. Carkin
1880
Sewell M. Buck
George E. Brown
I88I
66
A. S. Conant
George E. Brown
I882
A. S. Conant
George E. Brown
1883
John C. Carkin
George E. Brown
1884
John C. Carkin
Andy Holt
1886
Gaylord B. Smith
A. S. Conant
1887
66
Byron Putnam
Azro D. Cram
I888
George E. Winn.
Azro D. Cram
1889
Jason Holt
Azro D. Cram
1890
A. S. Conant
Andrew J. Marshall
1891
C. H. Holt
"
Azro D. Cram
1892
Jason Holt
Azro D. Cram
1893
Andy Holt
Azro D. Cram
1894
Charles H. Frye
Azro D. Cram
1895
66
John C. Miller
Azro D. Cram
1896
David G. Dickey
Azro D. Cram
1897
Frank B. Tay
Azro D. Cram
1898
George Murch
" Azro D. Cram
1899
Andy Holt
Azro D. Cram
1900
Benj. G. Herrick
Azro D. Cram
190I
Jason Holt
Azro D. Cram
1902
Azro D. Cram
1903
George M. Cram
Azro D. Cram
1904
George M. Cram
Azro D. Cram
1885
George M. Cram
Andy Holt
CHAPTER XX.
PINNACLE GRANGE, BY J. A. WOODWARD.
The primary objects of the Order of Patrons of Husbandry, better known as the Grange, were to obtain relief from the un- just freight tariffs of the railroads of the country, to do away as much as possible with the services of the army of middle-men who handled the agricultural products of the land, to thus bring the producer and the consumer nearer together, and to promote fraternity and co-operation among its members. Its later aims are the result of development along other lines.
The National Grange was organized at Georgetown, D. C., in January, 1873. The order obtained some foothold in New Hampshire in the summer of that year, the first subordinate grange being organized at Exeter, August, 1873, with the late John D. Lyman as master.
The New Hampshire State Grange was organized Dec. 23, 1873, there being then seventeen granges in the state. At this meeting of the State Grange C. C. Shaw of Milford was ap- pointed general deputy to promote the interests of the order in his jurisdiction ; and he held that office by re-appointment until 1879.
The order soon became an influential factor in the interests of the farmers of the state and nation, and in no section more so than in New Hampshire, where nearly every community soon had a branch.
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