USA > Vermont > Essex County > Guildhall > A history of Guildhall, Vt > Part 5
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Therefore we the Subscribers, Selectmen of the town of Guildhall have laid out and established the limits and bounds of a Village in the Northerly part of said town as follows: Bounded westerly by a line acrofs the Highway parallel and even with the westerly end of Capt. New- comb Blodgett 2ds. Dwelling House; Easterly by the westerly end of Northumberland Toll Bridge ; Northerly by the hollow where the water runs acrofs the Road near the north side of the common- - -
Laid out and established by us this 10th day of April A. D. 1830.
Erastus Cutler ) Selectmen
Henry Hall ) Guildhall." of
85
HISTORY OF GUILDIIALL.
TOWN REPRESENTATIVES.
The first election for Town Representative to the Ver- mont State Legislature, according to the records, took place in September 1798, and Hezekiah May Esq., was chosen. At this meeting there were 50 votes cast for the State Officers. We give below a list of Represent- atives by years.
1798 Hezekiah May.
"99 Hezekiah May.
1800 Daniel Dana.
"01 Daniel Dana.
"02 Daniel Dana.
"03 Daniel Dana.
"04 Daniel Dana.
"05 Daniel Dana.
"06 Daniel Dana.
"07 Elijah Foote. "08 Daniel Dana.
"09 Elijah Foote. "10 Elijah Foote.
"11 Elijah Foote.
"12 Calvin Perkins.
"13 Eli!ah Foote.
' '14 David Dennison.
"15 Chester Thayer.
1816 Joseph Berry.
"17 Joseph Berry.
"18 Seth Cushman.
"19 Seth Cushman.
"20 Seth Oushman.
"21 David Hopkinson.
"22 David Hopkinson.
"23 David Hopkinson. "24 David Hopkinson.
"25 Erastus Cutler.
"26 David Hopkinson.
"27 Seth Cushman.
"28 John Dewey.
"29 David Hopkinsou. "30 John Dewey. "31 H. Hubbard.
86
HISTORY OF QUILDIIALL.
List of Town Representatives concluded.
1832 John Dewey. "33 John Dewey. "34 Henry Hall.
"35 R. W. Freeman.
"36 John Dewey. "63 W. H. Meacham. "64 W. H. Meacham. "65 Hy. R. Stevens.
"37 John Dewey. "38 John Dewey.
"39 R. W. Freeman. "40 H. Hubbard.
"41 John Dewey. "42 Allen Gould. "43 Allen Gould. "44 O. Crawford. "45 O. Crawford. "46 Stephen Ames. "47 Stephen Ames. "48 J. Benjamin. "49 Jno. P. Dennison. "50 J. Benjamin. "51 Jno. P. Dennison. "52 Pliny Rosebrook. "53 Pliny Rosebrook. "54 0. Crawford. "55 Richard Small. "56 lly. L. Watson. "57 George Hubbard. "5% W. H. Hartshorn.
1859 W. H. Hartshorn. "60 Gco. N. Dale. "61 Greenleaf Webb. "62 J. Benjamin.
"66 Chas. E. Benton. "67 Chas. E. Benton. "68 Ezra S. Freeman. "69 Ezra S. Freeman. "70 Wm. C. Washburn "71 Wm. C. Washburn "72 W. D. Rosebrook. "73 W. D. Rosebrook. "74 No election.
"75 No election. "76 P. R. Follansby. "77 P. R. Follansby . "78 W. H. Ilartshorn. "79 W. IT. Hartshorn. "80 Eldad A. . Rhodes. "81 Eldad A. Rhodes. "82 A. W. Grow. '.83 A. W. Grow. "84 No election. "85 No election.
87
HISTORY OF GUILDHALL.
POPULATION OF THE TOWN.
The official census of this town, with that of all towns in the State is taken every ten years, and we give below the census of Guildhall accordingly from the first year it was taken. It will be interesting to note the changes from time to time ; one interesting fact is that in 1810 there were nearly as many people in town as at the present time; this may very easily be accounted for in the fact that at that time Guildhall was the leading town in this section. The census as given for the year 1885, was taken by the writer in July of that year; it is of course not an official census but is we think quite eorreet.
We give it by School Districts as well.
YEAR.
POPULATION.
1791
158.
.296. 1800
1810
.544.
1820
.529.
1830
481.
470. 1840
1850.
501.
1860
552.
1870
483.
1880
.558.
1885.
583.
BY SCHOOL DISTRICTS 1885.
District.
Population.
District.
Population.
1
147
4
167
2
91
5
79
3
52
6
47
Total 583.
88
HISTORY OF GUILDHALL.
The Town Officers for 1885 are:
Clerk, Hon. Wm. H. Hartshorn; Treasurer, Robert Chase; Selectmen, Azro Burton, Geo. A. Hubbard and Hubbard D. Webb ; Constable, Charles Keith; Superin- tendent, L. A. Grannis : Listers, W. D. Emery, John Grannis and Charles E. Hubbard ; Overseer, George S. Boyce; Agent, Frank llall.
The Post master at Guildhall is Frank Hall.
[For the sketch on the political movements of the town we refer the reader to the appendix, as all the points we wish to give on this subject were not in readiness to be printed with the rest of this chapter. ]
CHAPTER VI.
Roads and Bridges --- Northumberland Toll Bridge Co .--- Lan- caster Bridge Co .--- Guildhall water supply --- Guildhall Aque- duct Co.
The subject of roads and bridges is comparatively of little importance in comparison with other matters in this history. but it was a matter of great weight with the carly settlers whether they were obliged to follow "spot- ted lines," climbing over wind falls, etc, or go by the river and doing so travel two miles, and really advance but one toward the end of their journey. Yet it was a long time after the first settlement was made before there was a road in the town.
When the river road was first laid out is not known, but it was permanently established in May 1792, by Eben W. Judd, Benoni Cutler, David Hopkinson and Simon Howe; these men, it appears, composed a com- mittee appointed for the purpose by the Legislature.
Granby road, which has been considerably changed since it was first built, was laid out in 1788 by Nathan- iel Herrick, Abner Curtis and Eleazer Herrick.
The north road was first laid out in 1794 by the same men who laid out the Granby road. Its route is altogether changed, but some remains of the original road are plain- ly visible at the present time. North road as it now is was laid out in 1797; Sam'l. R. Hall was surveyor.
90
HISTORY OF GUILDIIALL.
We will not go into the details, or describe the other roads in town but will simply say that considering the lay of the land, and other circumstances, the roads in Guild- hall are as good, if they are not better than those of other towns in this section.
THE NORTHUMBERLAND TOLL BRIDGE CO.
The proprietors of this Company received a charter from the Legislature of N. H., which bears date of June 17, 1802; we will not give this charter in full, but some extracts from same.
"State of New Hampshire.
In the year of our Lord one thousand eight. L. S. hundred and two ... AN ACT
To incorporate certain persons for the purpose of build- ing a Bridge over Connecticut river at the Falls in North- umberland in County of Grafton-Whereas a Bridge over said River at the place above mentioned will be of public utility-And whereas Jeremiah Eames, John M. Tillotson and Nathan Cass, have petitioned the General Court for liberty to build the same and to be incorporated for that purpose-Therefore-
91
HISTORY OF GUILDIIALL.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened that the persons above named together with those their associates who are or shall be- come proprietors in said Bridge as long as they continue Proprietors thereof, shall be a corporation and body poli- tic for the purposes aforesaid under the name of "The Proprietors of the Northumberland Bridge" and by that name may sue and be sued to final judgement and execu-
tion ..... . And be it further enacted that Jeremiah Eames Esq., shall call a meeting of said proprietors by posting up an advertisement at the Widow Cargill's tavern in Northumberland to be holden at any suitable time and place after fourteen days from the first publication of said advertisement. And be it further en- acted. that the proprietors aforesaid be and hereby are permitted and allowed to erect a Bridge over said River at any place within one mile above and one mile below the centre of the Falls in Northumberland aforesaid which two miles are to be computed as the said River runs and the said proprietors are hereby impowered to purchase any lands adjoining said Bridge not exceeding three acres and to hold same in fec simple.
92
HISTORY OF GUILDHALL.
.... . And be it further enacted, that the exclusive Right of Building & maintaining a bridge across said River Connecticut any where within the limits of one mile above & one mile below said Falls as the River runs, as aforesaid be & the same is hereby fully granted to said petitioners & such as are or may be associated with them & become proprietors, their heirs and assigns. . . State of New Hampshire
In the House of Representatives June 5th 1802. The foregoing Bill having had three several readings passed to be enacted, John Pientire, Speaker.
In the Senate the same day this bill having been read a third time was enacted. Amos Shepard, President.
Approved June 17, 1802.
J. I. GILMAN, Governor."
The original subscribers were :
Noah Sabins 4
Thomas Peverly 1
Seth Cushman
2
William Amy 1
Jonon. Smith
Elijah Foot 1
Isaac Smith 2
Wm. Hewes 1
Elijah Foot, for John
Artimus Wilder, JJr. 1
Willard, if built next
Asa W. Burnap 1
summer 2
Jacob Rich 1
Jeremiah Eames 2
Moody Rich 1
John M. Tillotson 4
Rich Stevens 1
Ephraim Perkins 1 John Rich 1
Francis Willson 2
Simeon Sidney 1
Stephen Willson
Jesse Ingh 1
Joseph Peverly 1
Total 38
93
HISTORY OF GUILDHALL.
Advertisement for the first meeting.
"Northumberland 1 July 27th., 1803. Whereas by an act of the Legislature of the State of New Hampshire, passed June 17, 1802, granting the privilege of building a bridge over the Connecticut river in Northumberland in the Co. of Grafton and State aforesaid. To Jeremiah Eames & his Associates. Therefore, agreeable to said Act this is to notify & warn the Proprietors & owners of said Grant to meet at the dwelling house of Mrs. Betsey Cargill in said Northumberland on Wednesday the 24 day of Aug. next at 2 o'clock P. M. to act on the following articles, viz : 1st. To chose a moderator to govern said meeting. 2d. To chose a Proprietors Clerk.
3d. To adopt some method to call meetings in future.
4th. To act on all matters touching said Grant which the Proprietors may think fit.
JEREMIAH EAMES."
First meeting.
"At a Regular meeting of the Proprietors of Northumber- land Toll Bridge, held agreeable to advertisement at the dwelling house of Mrs. Betsey Cargill in Northumberland agreeable to act of the Legislature of N. H., passed June 17, 1802, this 24th day of August 1803. 1 Voted to appoint Jeremiah Eames Esq. moderator of this meeting.
2d. To appoint John M. Tillotson, Clerk of said Proprietory .- State of New Hampshire, Grafton fs. 24th. August 1803. Then personally appeared John M.
94
HISTORY OF GUILDHALL.
Tillotson & made solemn oath faithfully to discharge the duties of a clerk for said proprietory, according to the best of his abilities .- Jeremiah Eames, Jus. Ps.
3d. Voted that by the application in writing of one tenth part of the proprietors of said Bridge, made to the clerk of the proprietory, he shall & hereby is authorized & im- powered to call a meeting of the proprietors of said Bridge by posting up two advertisements, one in Northumberland & the other in Guildhall at the nearest publie houses to said Bridge at least fourteen days prior to the day of meeting. 4th. That this meeting be adjourned to Fri- day the 9th. day of September next at 3 o'clock P. M. then to meet at the dwelling house of Mr. Jonathan Smith in Guildhall. Jeremiah Eames, Moderator.
Attest John M. Tillotson, Propr. Clerk."
We find that at a meeting held in 1807, it was "voted that people actually going to attend religious meetings on the sabbath day, lectures and funerals on week days, Clergymen and likewise, school masters and scholars ac- tually going from home to school or from school home and persons actually going to attend singing schools or singing meetings, are allowed to pass the Bridge Toll free."
The first Toll House was built in 1806, where it now stands and the sum of $245. was paid for its construction.
The first Bridge was built in 1806, by Maj. William Hews; Mr. Win. Amy was master workman, "voted that the proprietors return to Maj. Wm. Hews as undertaker, and Wm. Amy Esq. as master workman of said Bridge, their unfeigned thanks for their punctuality and nice work- manship in the above undertaking." This bridge stood for 20 years, when it was taken down and the second Bridge erected in 1826, which stood until 1 542.
95
HISTORY OF GUILDIIALL.
These were trestle bridges, and were not covered. The 3d. bridge, built in 1842 by a Mr. Paddleford, was a covered bridge with one pier and one trestle; it was a good bridge and would have undoubtedly been very use- ful for a number of years, but in December 1854, a terrible wind storm visited this place, completely carrying away the bridge; we shall give more fully the particulars of this storm in a following chapter. In 1855 the 4th., and present bridge was built, under the direction of Mr. Chas. Richardson, and is a very good structure. In 1879 and 1880 an expense of $1200. was incurred in rebuilding the abutinents, and in 1883 general repairs were made to the extent of $1500.
There are 38 shares, par value $100. per share.
The Officers of the Company are :
President, Wm. H. Poole. [ W. IT. Poole,
Clerk and Treas. C. E. Benton. Directors { Robert Chase, Collector, Seth Meecham. ( Frank Hall.
THE LANCASTER BRIDGE CO.
The charter for this bridge was. granted to "Richard C. Everett, Levi Willard, Titus O. Brown, Jonathan Crane, Stephen Willson, Jonas Baker, Artimus Wilder, Jr., and such others as may join them . . .. are permitted and allowed to erect and maintain a bridge over Connecti- cut River at a place called Waits Bow in Lancaster in the County of Grafton or at any place between the mouth of Israels River and the upper line of said Lancaster."
96
HISTORY OF GUILDIIALL.
The charter bears date of June 21, 180-1. The first meeting was held Aug. 20, 1804 ; Richard C. Everett Esq. was chosen Chairman, and Thos. Carlisle, Clerk.
The shares were taken at this meeting as follows :
Thos. Carlisle &c 2
David Bundy 1
Isaac Bunday
2
Wm. Huves 1
Richard C. Everett 3
Artumas Wilder, Jr. 12 Elisha Bunday 1
Wm. Lovjoy 1
Levi Willard 2
Daniel Dana 1
Stephen Wilson
2
Urial Rosebrook 1
J. Cram 1
Lemuel Holmes 1
Daniel Perkins 2
Asa Holmes 1
Jonas Baker
1
Samuel Howe 1
Titus O. Brown
1
Timothy Faulkner 1
Humphry Cram 1
Bowman Chaddock 1
"Voted that Richard C. Everett, Win. Huves, Levi Willard, Isaac Bunday & Wm. Lovjoy be a Committee to report a correct plan of a Bridge & the exact place where it ought to be erected." The present location was adopted, and the first bridge erected in 1805, which was rebuilt about 1823. The present bridge is a covered bridge with two piers; although it is a very old bridge, yet it is in a fairly good condition.
The Officers of the Corporation are: Richard P. Kent, Chairman. Henry Heywood, Clerk and Treasurer. John H. Hopkinson, James A. Smith and Henry O. Kent, Directors.
97
HISTORY GUILDHALL.
THE GUILDHALL AQUEDUCT COMPANY.
Originally the people of the village had to content themselves with wells from which to obtain their water, but frequently some drew it from different places in barrels. This was a very inconvenient way, and the larger the village grew, the more the necessity pressed itself upon the people to have some different method of obtaining their water. It was about the year 1841, that Allen Gould and John S. Nelson laid the first aqueduct; their plans were to lay logs from the spring near the Maidstone line to the village, but when it was completed they found it would not work; owing to the fact that the spring itself was at about the same altitude as the village. They did not give up, however, although they had been to a heavy expense, and the same year laid logs from a spring upon the hill opposite the village, in N. H. Upon its com- pletion they found it worked to great satisfaction. This successful aqueduct was laid across the bridge, and when the cold weather came, it froze up, and it was found necessary to devise some plan to surmount this obstacle, and the next spring they laid a pipe across the river let- ting it rest upon the bottom of the stream. About 1850, Mr. Geo. Hubbard and Mr. Wm. Heywood got possession of the property and managed it up to 1857, at which time Mr. Nathaniel Shaw became owner and run it up to Sep. 1872, when Mr. Frank Hall and Mr. E. G. Richardson bought it and relaid the logs.
98
HISTORY OF GUILDHALL.
June 1st. 1874, Mr. Charles E. Benton bought out half interest and Mess. Hall and Benton managed it until Sep. 1st. 1883, at which time the Guildhall Aqueduct Co. was formed by J. B. Parker, Geo. Hubbard, Robt. Chase, Mrs. S. A. Hall, H. E. Hubbard, P. R. Follansby, A. W. Grow, R. K. Poole, O. D. Crawford, David Kent, C. E. Benton, A. D. Benjamin, W. H. Hartshorn, Dr. N. S. Boyce and the M. E. Church ; they organized under the following act of Legislature :- It is hereby enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Vermont.
SEC. 1. Such persons as shall hereafter become stock- holders are hereby constituted a body corporate by the name of the Guildhall Aqueduct Co., with powers incident to corporations and may hold real and personal estate not exceeding $10000. in value for the purpose of constructing and maintaining an aqueduct for the purpose of supplying the inhabitants of the village of Guildhall with water for domestic and other purposes.
SEC. 2. Said corporation may at any annual or other meeting legally notified make, alter aud repeal such by- laws, rules and regulations as may be thought necessary, not repugnant to the laws of this State.
SEC. 3. The capital stock of said Co., shall consist of 100 shares at $100. each which stock may be increased by said corporation to an amount sufficient to carry into effect the object of this act, and said corporation may provide for the sale and mode of transfer thereof as said corporation may from time to time deem expedient, and may levy & col- lect assessments on such shares according to law, & fix the rates on the same at pleasure, and shall have the power to sue for und collect said water-rents when necessary.
99
HISTORY OF GUILDHALL.
SEC. 4. Said corporation may dig or open any street, common or highway, for the purpose of constructing, laying down or repairing such aqueduct, as may be found desirable; provided, the same may be done in such a man- ner as not to injure or disfigure said street, common or highway; and in all cases when said corporation shall lay or repair satil aqueduct in any enclosed field, they shall pay all damages done to crops thereon, and leave the sur- face of said lands, as near as may be, in as good condition as before laying or repairing said aqueduct.
SEC. 5. The said corporation may enter upon and use any enclosure or land through which it may be necessary for siid aque.In-t to pass, on the most practical route from where its water may be taken, for the purpose of placing reservoirs and pipes as may be necessary for constructing, completing and repairing said aqueduct, and may agree with the owner or owners thereof for the use of the same; but in case of disagreement, or if any owner thereof be a minor, insane, or out of the state, or otherwise incapacita- ted to sell an I convey, said corporation, or the owner or owners, or persons interested in lands so entered upon may apply to the judges of the county court for the county of Essex, by petition, who shall appoint forthwith three dis- interested persons to view the premises and assess the damages sustained by the owners or occupants of said land by the construction of said aqueduct, and said committee shall appraise said damages on oath, and report the same to the county court for the county aforosaid, at its first session thereafter, and if their report shall be accepted by said court, the court shall render judgement thereon, and may issue an execution therefor with costs.
100
HISTORY GUILDHALL.
SEC. 6. Any person who shall maliciously disturb or in- jure said aqueduct, or any works or enclosures connected with the same shall be liable to be proscented by informa- tion, complaint, or indietment, and on conviction thereof shall be fined not less than $5. nor more than $20. and costs of prosecution, and shall also be liable to said corpo- ration for all damages.
SEC. 7. This act shall be subject to the provisions of chapter eighty six of the general statutes, entitled of pri- vate corporations, and may be altered amended or repealed as the public good may require.
SEC. 8 This act shall take effect from its passage.
Approved, Nov. 23, 1874.
CHAPTER VII.
Schools --- Old Block House used as first School House --- Leasing of school lands --- School districts --- Number Scholars 1885 --- Essex County Grammar School.
From an carly period of the settlement considerable attention was given to the instruction of the children, fin schools supported a few months in each year by subserip- tion or taxation ; the first school of which we can learn, was in the year 1788, or 1789, kept in the Block House, (of which we have already spoken, ) by a Mr. Bradley, who was afterwards known as "old Master Bradley."
When the town became so far settled as to render it expedient, it was divided into two districts, and schools supported in each of these districts by taxation; one district comprised the village and northern portion of the settlement, and the other district the southern portion.
Abont the year 1799, a third district was formed of the west, or hill settlement, and the town made arrange- ments for leasing 150 acres of the school lands, valued at $2. per acre; rented (@6 per cent. to be paid annually, and this arrangement continues to the present day.
The town is now divided into 5 districts, and one union district, taking in the portion of the town known as the North Road, and the westerly portion of the town of Maidstone.
102 HISTORY OF GUILDHALL.
No. 1. Is in the south easterly corner of the town, and extends from the Lunenburg line to, and including the Plina Rosebrook farm.
No. 2. Known as the "middle district," takes in all that portion of the town on the river, extending to, and including the place owned by Geo. Willard.
No. 3. Easterly side of Guildhall hill.
No. 4. Village district.
No. 5. South westerly side of Guildhall hill.
No. 6. Union district which has already been described.
The full number of weeks as required by law is, and has been complied with, in all these districts, and the people of the town have always shown a commendable interest in educational matters.
The school houses are in good condition, and well adapted to the wants of the various districts, and are a credit to the town.
We give below the number of scholars in the various districts, ono term 1885. In the case of No. 6. we give Guildhall scholars only.
District No. 1.
22 Scholars.
2. 19 "
. 6 3. 10
4. 38
16
5.
18
6. 7 ،،
Total 114.
HISTORY OF QUILDIIALL. 103
ESSEX COUNTY GRAMMAR SCHOOL.
By the terms of the charters of several towns in Essex County, reservations of land were made for the use of a County Grammar School.
November >th. 1805, the Essex County Grammar School was incorporated and located in Guildhall. The first Academy Building was erected at the south part of the town in 1806, on the very spot where now stands the house in which the writer was born. Mr. J hn Cushman was the first preceptor and a Mr Leland the second.
The people of the town of "Concord' became greatly opposed to helping support an Academy so far away from their town, and at the October session of the State Legislature in the year 1823, they were successful in procuring a division of the County school lands, by which that town, (Concord) was to have the benefit of rents aceruing from so much of said lands as were situ- ated in their town, and these were the only lands from which any funds had at that time been derived.
During how many years of the intervening time the Academy had been in actual operation we are unable to ascertain, but between the years 1820 and 1830, it was at least a portion of the time sustained under the instruction of Rev. John Fitch and others.
-
104
HISTORY OF GUILDIIALL.
While a term of school was in operation, the first Academy Building was destroyed by fire, and the school was temporarily removed to the village. The next year a second building was erected upon the same location as the first, but this too, was burned, after which schools appear to have been discontinued until 1839, when they were re- vived and have been kept in operation most of the time since. After the Academy Buildings had been twice de- stroyed by fire, the location was permanently changed to the village. The number of terms in each year vary from one to two, and the number of pupils at different times from 20 to 100.
Of late years, since the Grand Trunk Railway has by its passing through the County, made the land in the vi- cinity of its route become of value, some County lands lying in Brighton and towns adjoining have yielded a small income ; but not enough to render it unnecessary to depend chiefly upon tuition for supporting the schools.
The income from Public Land Rents is $64. per year at the present time.
CHAPTER VIII.
Changes and occurrences in the Atmosphere --- Black Friday 1780-Great Snow Storms of 1804, 1807, 1815, 1861 and 1862-Cold Year-Dark Year-Warm Year-The Gale of 1854-That remarkable phenomenon, the Yellow lay 1881- Calamities --- Freshets --- "Northern Army" --- Steamer "Marion" Disaster.
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