CORNELL UNIVERSITY LIBRARY Cornell University Library F 44C52 C47 History of old Chester (N-Hjlff^^^^^^ 3 1924 028 812 951 olin The original of this book is in the Cornell University Library. There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text. http://archive.org/details/cu31924028812951 Px ,Y^^ {^yio-a^-Tt^ HiSTOEY OP ^Om Ghester, FROM 1719 TO 1869. BY BENJAMIN CHASE. AUBURN, N. H. : PUBLISHED BY THE AUTHOE. 1869. % A /,• /', ',,^!. /"■;-, i^^ ii\i| T" jl f. V i • Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1869, By Benjamin Chase, In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the District of New Hampshire. F ud 2S^ : 47 PEINIED BT JOHN u. CLAEKE, MANCHES1*K, N. H. PREFACE. In my youth I was accustomed to hear my father, and other aged people, relate the incidents of olden time, in which I was always interested, and therefore remembered. When Dr. Charles Bell's " Facts m Relation to the History of Chester " appeared in^ the seventh volume of the N. H. His. Soc. Coll., it was so small in compass, containing little or nothing respecting the Long Meadows, I thought of collecting and preserving the traditional history of that part of the town. Upon mentioning the subject to the Hon. Samuel D. Bell, he insisted that we should have a history of the whole old town, and have it published, and wished me to undertake the work. I at first declmed, but seeing that the alternative was presented of my doing it or having all the traditional part pass away and be lost, I at length consented, having the assurance of Judge Bell that he would aid me. He has done me the favor of perusing most of the work as it has been written, and has greatly aided by his advice and suggestions. Upon our comparing notes, our ideas have run nearly in the same channel. He furnished most of the mate- rials for the notice of the grantees of Chester. I greatly regret that he did not live to see the work completed. I have endeavored to ascertain and show who the early settlers were, who their ancestors were, where they came from, the iden- tical spot where they settled, who their childi-en were, and what became of them. To do this, it was necessary to examine thor- oughly the records of deeds and probate, and also to have a map of the town as laid out into lots, which is an important part of the history of the town. These locations are thus fixed for all time. IV PREFACE. I am aware that many will object to so much space being taken up with the genealogy. It was according to my own taste and that of Judge Bell, and may be an aid to descendants of Chester abroad, in tracing back their lineage'. I have suppressed many dates, and much respecting the later generation which I had, or which was easily accessible, that many will yet wish had been printed. I have attempted to show how those pioneers lived, what they did, and the energy they exerted, &c., not in a poet- ical style, being sadly deficient in imagination, but by a plain statement of facts. Where documents are copied, they are literal copies, capitals, orthography and abbreviations, and are indicated by quotation marks. I have used the orthogeaphy of names as found on the records from which I was copying. Judge Bell, when residing in Chester foi-ty-five years ago, collected the tradition of some of the old families from Col. White and others, of which collection I have availed myself. Stephen Chase, Esq., kept a diary from 1784 to his death in 1819, from which I have derived a good deal of information. I would gratefully acknowledge the courtesies extended to me by those having charge of the various public oflB.ces I have had occasion to examine. I am greatly indebted to Capt. WilHam F. Goodwin, late Librarian of N. H. His. Soc, for finding and copjdng documents in the Secretary's ofllce. While all of whom I have made inquiries have treated me courteously, and cheerfully given such information as they possessed, I can- not refrain from acknowledging my great obligations to Miss Margaret Shirley for the information given respecting the ancient families ; she and her sister having much more traditional knowl- edge than any other persons consulted. I am indebted to Henry M. Eaton, Esq., for aid in putting the names of the early settlers of Candia on the map, and also to John Brown, Esq., and the Eev. Joseph Pullonton for those of Raymond. Last, though not least, I would acknowledge my obligations to the compositors and proof-reader for their skill and patience in deciphering bad copy. I lay no claim to literary merit for the work. There are, no doubt, many errors, some merely clerical or typographical ; others, from uncertain and sometimes conflicting traditions; and prob- ably I did not always understand the idea meant to be conveyed ; PREFACE. V besides, -when I haye made statements from my own recollection I may have fallen into error. The work has greatly exceeded my expectations when I com- menced, and the labor of preparing it many times what I then anticipated ; but I have never regretted the undertaking. "What- ever may be its merits or demerits, or the labor bestowed upon it, I have derived a great amount of satisfaction in its compilation, and if the reader shall derive a quarter as much in reading it, he will be amply repaid for his money and time expended. Benjamin Chase. AUBUEN, N. H., May, 1869. TABLE OF CONTENTS, CHAPTEE I. PAGE The Proprietary History from 1719 to obtaining the Charter, May 8, 1721, 1 CHAPTER II. The First Settlement and Laying out of the Lots, .... 25 CHAPTER III. Original Grantees and their Lots, . . 42 CHAPTER IV. Settlement of the Lines, 59 CHAPTEE V. Settling Ministers — Presbyterian Controversy — Closing the Proprie- tors' Affairs, 69 CHAPTER VI. ' History of the Town of Chester from 1737 to 1773, .... 89 CHAPTER VII. History of the Town continued, from 1774 to 1800, . . . .128 c:haptee VIII. History of the Town colWilued, from 1800 to 1868, .... 164 CHAPTEE IX. History of Eoads, 191 VIU TABLE OP CONTENTS. t CHAPTEE X. History of Mills 222 CHAPTEE XI. Pauperism — Rates or Taxes — Mail and Stage Facilities, . . 252 CHAPTEE XII. Literary and Professional History, . 272 CHAPTEE XIII. Ecclesiastical, Religious and Moral History, . . . 315 CHAPTEE XIV. Military History, 365 CHAPTEE XV. How the Early Settlers Lived, or the Industrial History, . . . 409 CHAPTEE XVI. Town Officers, or Official History, 447 CHAPTEE XVII. • Genealogical and Biographical History, 462 CHAPTEE XVIII. History of Candia, 632 CHAPTEE XIX. History of Raymond, . 654 LIST AND LOCATION OF ILLUSTRATIONS. 1. The Map. 2. Portrait of the Eev. Ebenezer Flagg, opposite title page. 3. A Ground plan of the Old Meeting-house, 96 4. A View of the New Meeting-house, 122 5. A View of Long-Meadow Meeting-house, 158 6. An Inside View of the Long-Meadow Meeting-house, . . . 159 7. A View of the Congregational Church in Chester, . . . 185 8. A Portrait of Dr. Nathan Plummer, 312 9. A Portrait of Dr. James T. Brown, 314 10. A View of the Congregational Church in Auburn, . . . 346 11. A View of the Methodist Episcopal Church in Auburn, 12. Carding and Spinning Wool, Cotton or Tow, .... 417 13. Breaking and Swingling Plax, . - ' 419 14. Combing Flax and Spinning Linen, 421 15. An Old-fashioned Plow, 426 16. A Snow-shoe, 530 17. A Portrait of Samuel D. BeU, 704 18. A Portrait of B. Pike Chase, 487 19. The Kesidence of Benjamin Chase, 488 20. Portrait of Benjamin Chase, face his residence, .... 488 21. A Portrait of Stephen Chase, 489 22-23. Portrait of John Clai-k and E. C. Clark, face each other be- tween, 490,391 24. A View of the Kesidence of George P. Clark, face, ... 492 25. A Portrait of Heudrick Dearborn, 506 26. A Portrait of John Eolsom, 522 27-28. Portraits of Nathan and Sally Griein, face each other between 536,537 29. A Portrait of Natt Head, 543 30. A Portrait of Erederick Smyth, 596 31. A Portrait of Jesse J. XJnderhill, 605 32. An Old-fashioned Ax, . . . •' 606 INTRODUCTION. I think that the earliest of anything which I have seen about Chester is Oct. 23, 1717. Samuel Smith of Haverhill deeded a right in KJingstown to Samuel Ingalls of Cheshire. Clement Hughes, the first clerk, spells it " Checher." The records com- mence with "A Society for Settling the Chestnut Country," and in the charter it is called " Chester." It is useless for me to spec- ulate about the origin of the name, any further than to say that they are all nearly related in orthography and sound. The surface of Chester is very uneven, and most of it stony, — much of it not susceptible of cultivation ; but when it is culti- vated, the soil is strong and produces such crops as are adapted to a New England climate. The forests, which were heavy, were, at the lower part where the settlement commenced, composed mostly of walnut and chestnut, intermixed with oak and pine and other woods. At the Long Meadows the same, with less walnut and more hemlock. Hooksett, or Chester Woods, abound- ed more in the yellow- or pitch-pine and oak, and when bunit over, as it frequently was, the oaks came up and grew rapidly, and produced an abundance of material for hoop-poles. Candia, and perhaps Raymond, had a greater predominance of maple, beech and hemlock. There is a great tendency when the growth is cut ofi" for the hard woods to sprout from the stump, and the soft woods, especially white pine, to come up from the seeds, which makes even the roughest land valuable. Although the land is uneven, there are no large hills, but simply swells which have names : Walnut Hill, near the lower XU INTRODUCTION. comer, so caUed from that timber; Ingalls Hill, because Capt. Ingalls settled there; Eobie's Hill, because John Eobie lived and had a tan-yard near its base; and Stockman's and Severance's Hill, from people of that name who Uved on its side. The farms of Thomas Eichardson and Thomas Craige went back on to Great- Hill. At the Long Meadows is Mine HiU, in which the Devil's Den is situated. The Devil's Den is a cave on the southwesterly- side of the hill, near its base, and some thia-ty rods from the road. Peter French of Sandown gave Dr. Belknap a description of it (wMeh was published in his History in 1792, and copied into Morse's Geographies) in which he drew largely from his imagination, telling of a room fifteen or twenty feet square. I have never had the curio'sity to explore it, but It is only a mere fissure in the rock, and so large that a man can -with difficulty go in sixty feet. Eattlesnake Hill lies south of the pond and west of Londonderry turnpike. The swell between the two bays of the pond is called in the records Mount Misery. The hill lying north of the Oswego mill, mostly in Candia, is called in the records Tower Hill ; but a small circumstance, which occurred a little more than fifty years ago, gave Hazen McDuffee, who Uves there, the appellation of " the butcher," and the hill has since been called " Butcher Hill." A few years ago a Hberty- pole was raised jiud a Fourth-of-July celebration held on the swell of land near school-house No. 5, in Auburn, when it was named Bunker Hill, which name it has since borne. | There are no large streams, but an abundance of small ones. A stream has its head in Beech Hill pond in Hooksett, and pass- ing through Tower Hill pond, partly in Candia and partly in Auburn, taking the name of Oswego brook, empties into Massa- besic pond. Another branch passes through Little Massabesic pond and unites Avith Oswego brook, near the old Calfe fulling- •' mill. I The pond is said to have derived its name from the circumstance : that an Indian whose squaw's name was " Massa," being inquired of in regard to the health of his family, replied, " My massa be sick." It is a beautiful sheet of water with a hard shore and bottom, and some fine beaches of sand. The stream leadino- from the pond to Merrimack river is called the Cohas, and has a fall of INTRODUCTION. xiii about one hundred and fifty feet. Alewives, and perhaps shad, formerly passed into the pond. There are two of the sources of Exeter river which have their rise in Chester ; one rising in Three Camp Meadows, passing by the old saw-mill into Sandown, and again into Chester, and another flowing from the North pond, uniting with it and passing^ through Kaymond. Another branch rises in Candia, passing near the station and thr6ugh Eajnnond, unites with the main river near the lines of the towns. This last is called the North Bi-anch, and the locality near their junction, the Branch. The stream rising near the Congregational church in Auburn, and passing through Auburn into Londonderry, and thence into Manchester, and emptying into the Cohas, has meadows most of its length, which were called the Long Meadows, and hence the west part of the town is called the Long Meadows. The stream in Manchester is called the Little Cohas. There is a stream rising in Candia, passing the village and the island into Raymond, and through Jones pond ; and another com- ing from Deerfleld, uniting near Eaymond Centre, forming Lam- prey Eel river, which passes Freetown mill, and into Epping. Merrimack river passes a short distance into Old Chester, the line being some distance west of the river at Martin's Ferry. The Falls are called in the records " He Hoxey Falls," but were not in Chester, theline crossing below. The stream from Lakin's pond, passing Head's mill and entering the river above the falls, is called " He Hoxey brook " in the records. A small stream entering the river near Martin's Ferry is called in the records " Lousy brook." The meadow on this brook, near the old Concord road, was called Bushnell's meadow, and the I hills on the south and west were called Bushnell's hills, from I the fact that a man by that name had a camp near the meadow, where Samuel Kowell formerly lived and Josiah Clark now lives, lin Hooksett. It was a stopping place for travelers in early times, I and was called Bushnell's Camp. XIV INTRODUCTION. MONEY. There were different species of money used. Four shillings six pence sterling was equal to a Spanish milled dollar. Six shil- lings lawful was equal to a dollar. The principal part of the money in actual use was bills of credit issued by the Province, which depreciated, and its value was continually changing. The following values are extracted from Belknap's "Nevr Hamp- shire," Vol. HI., p. 125: In 1720 an ounce of silver was worth 7s. 6d. ; 1725, 16s. ; 1730, 20s.; 1725, 27s. 6d.; 1740; 28s.; 1745, 86s.; 1750, 60s.; 1755, 70s.; 1760, 120s., or one pound was equal to one shilling lawful. This was called " old tenor," and sometimes when there had been a new emission, was called "new tenor." I find by old ac- counts that from 1760 up to the issue of the Continental money by Congress, one pound " old tenor" was equal to one shilling lawful. Massachusetts also issued bills of credit, which did not depreciate so much as those of New Hampshire. One pound Massachusetts "old tenor" was equal to two shillings sixpence, lawful. May 10, 1776, Congress issued two millions of dollars, and in July three millions more, and in December three millions more, which was called " Continental money,'' and promised to pay in Spanish milled dollars, or its equivalent in gold or silver. This was assigned to the several States, and they were to redeem it; but this State (New Hampshire) had more of its own paper than it could redeem, and it was counterfeited to a great extent, and therefore depreciated. One hundred dollars in silver was equiv- alent to the following sums : January, 1777, it was at par; July, one dollar in silver was equal to S1.04; January 1, 1778, to $3.25; July, to $4.25; Jan- uary, 1779, to i?7.42; July, to $14.77; January, .1780, to $29.34; July, to $60.00; January, 1781, to $75.06; June, to $120.00. Paper money became entirely worthless, and the currency came to a specie basis. I give copies of the biHs of some of the issues of paper money, and would give fac-similies, but the expense is too great for my work. INTRODUCTION. XV The following is a sample of the Province bills of credit: " This Indented Bill of three Pounds & ten shillings Due from y* Proyince of New Hamp= in New England, to y" Possessor thereof shall be in Value equal to Money and shall be accordingly accepted by the Treasurer and Eeceivers subordinate to him. in all Publick payments & for any Stock at any time in y° Treasmy. Portsmouth the Twentyeth of May 1717. By Order of the General Assembly." The following is a copy of a nicely engraved bill. On the left of the signatures is a boat with men in it, nearing a wharf: ( N° ) ( 4039 ) Vn Shills & 6 Pence VH ShiUs & 6 Pence "We Jointlt and seveeallt promise to pay Isaac Winslow Merch' or order in Boston seven pennyw'; & half Coin'd Silver Ster", Alloy, Troy -Weight or Gold pro Rata by the 31' Decemb' 1755; Value Eec^; Boston. 7»— 61 . N.E. I'Avigt; 1740. 7»— e* Edw* Hutchinson Thomas Oxnard [ENGBAviKG.] Joshua Wiuslow Sam' Sewall (No. 220 ) 6d {Colony of the Massachusetts Bay, June IS"- 1776. 2^ HIS Bill entities the Bearer to receive SIX PENCE L. M. out of the Treasury, by the l&th of June, 1778 ; and shall he received for that Sum in all Pay- ments agreeable to an Act of the Assembly of said Colony. J. Paktridge, Com. XVI INTRODUCTION, The following is a copy of a Continental bill : — No. 476427 • In this space is a flg- \ Tire of a sun-dial, witii " Mind your Business" , beneatli'it. * * * HALF A DOLLAR. According to a Resolution of CONGEBSS, passed at Phi- ladelphia, Fe- BEUABT 17, 1776. W. CoAZE. HALF A DOLLAB. On the reverse side is a chain with thirteen links, to represent the thirteen United Colonies. " Printed by Hall & Sellers in Philadelphia, 1776." ABBREVIATIONS. In ancient writings a great many abbreviations are nsed, such as y for the, y' for that, y™ for them. For the lots I have used H. L. for Home Lot, O. H. for Old Hundreds, 2d P., 2d D., for Second Part of the Second Division, 3d D. for third Division, &c. In the Genealogy, b. is used for born, m. for married, unm. for unmarried, and d. for died. In one generation I have used Eoman numerals, and in the next figures, to denote the number of the children ; also the parent in one generation is printed in small capitals,, the next in ItaUcs, and the next in Eoman. IISTOM OF CHESTEE. CHAPTEE I. PROPRIETARY HISTORY PROM 1719 TO THE PROCURING OP THE CHARTER, MAY 8, 1722. The records of Chester commence ■with the proceedings of a meeting of " The Society for Settling the Chesnut Country, held at Said Country the fifteenth day of October, 1719." This society had probably existed some time, and held meetings and kept records. It was composed princi- pally of Hampton people, with a few Portsmouth men. At a meeting of the proprietors of Chester, held by ad- journment, at the house of Joshua Wingate of Hampton, Oct. 7th, 1729, it was " Voted, That Capt. Henry Sherburne and Dr. Edmond Topin be a Committee to Examine and Compare y^ town book, and y^ Duplicate book, & see y' they Exactly Agree, they being upon Oath to Compare 'Em. " Voted, That Dr. Edmond Toppin keep y" Duplicate book, and it be kept at Hampton from year to year, and that y" town Clerk Send attested Coppys after Every Meet- ing to him y* keeps y° Duplicate book, in order to be En- tered in said book." The records of the earlier meetings were probably en- tered in the book kept at Hampton ; but it is, probably, with other papers, lost. The Hon. S. D. Bell has made enquiries for it, but without success. 2 HISTORY OP CHESTER. There were also other parties who petitioned for a grant of this territory, or lands adjoining, and made efforts to have possession, which I will notice before following up the proceedings of the society. In Council, August 24, 1720. " The petition of John Calf & Compa. prefered to this board, praying for a township above Exeter, was read." This was by Massachusetts men, Mr. Calf being an in- habitant of Newbury. There is a deed on the Eockingham records, dated Oct. 23, 1717, from Samuel Smith of Haverhill to " Samuel In- galls of Cheshire, Blacksmith," of a right in Kingstown. If Capt. Ingalls was in Chester at all at that time, it is probable that it was to have possession for some of the parties. In Council, Oct. 26, 1720. " A message to the board by Mr. Speaker, and Lt. Col. Wear, praying that the Consideration of the petition of Mr. John Calf and Company be suspended for the present." In board, " Ordered that the Petition of Mr. John Calf and Com- pany praying for township north westward of Exeter be suspended till the land disposed of in that part of the province be laid out and bounded to prevent interfering of bounds. Richard Waldron, Cler. Con." In Council, April 19, 1721. " A petition signed by about one hun- dred persons was prefered to this board by Messrs. Ezekiel Walker, John Calf and Elisha Story, praying for liberty and Encouragement to settle a town on a certain tract of land North westward from Exeter, lying partly between Cheshire and New Portsmouth and partly above new Ports- mouth adjoining Cheshire line, containiiig the Quantity of ten miles Square, upon Such Conditions as in Said petition as is on file is contained : Wherefore it is ordered in Coun- cil that the petitioners have liberty To build and Settle PROPRIETARY HISTORY. 3 upon the said tract upon the Conditions in Said petition mentioned, provided it in no way infringe on or Interfere with any former grants or possessions or propertys. Richard Waldron, Cle. Con." Mr. Calf's former petition was probably for Cheshire, which being postponed, he with others now petitioned for Nottingham. There is a deed on the Rockingham records, dated 1721, from Mary Cottle to John Calf for Moses Lit- tle, of a right of settlement in land lying westward of Exeter, called New Boston. The New Portsmouth was probably Barrington. Barrington was granted to the tax- payers of Portsmouth, according to the amount of rates they had paid for the last four years. May 10, 1722. It is said to have been used as an out-lot to settle their poor peo- ple on. Nottingham charter is not in the Secretary's office,- prob- ably having been burnt in the office in 1736. It was, how- ever, granted in 1722, shortly after that of Chester. In the House, Aug. 26, 1720 : " Whereas our House having a pettion from Mr. Brown & Company for a town Ship, We Think Itt Infrindg on our towns, especiall on Cheshire whare We have a pettion on file for this two years. Have sent up the petition and Memorial to the upper House which Lays on file In y* Clark's office." Who Mr. Brown and his company were, or where they resided, does not appear. Stephen Dudley of Freetown (Raymond), who was of Exeter before and afterwards, obtained a deed from an Indian named Peter Penuet, and Abigail his squaw, of a tract of land at Freetown, as appears by a deed on Rocking- ham records, dated May, 1722, wherein, in consideration of affection, Dudley conveys to Francis James of Gloucester " his right in four hundred acres of land in Freetown to be taken out of that tract bought of Peter Penuet and Abigail his squaw,' by deed dated Jan. 17, 1718-19, also, in virtue of a power of attorney from John Tickers of Charlestown." The deed to Dudley is not on the records. This was prob- 4 HISTORY OP CHESTER. ably a move for color of title and possession for some oi the parties. "We now return to the proceedings of the Society and the Governor and Council in relation to them. At the aforesaid meeting Oct. 15, 1719, " 1^', Voted, That Capt. Henry Sherburne be Modera- tor. " 2«y, Voted, That Joseph Tilton be Clerk of the So- ciety. " S^'y, Voted, That Capt. Henry Sherburne be Receiver. " 4"^'y, Voted, That Joseph Tilton, Ichabod Robie, Caleb Tole, Clement Hughes, Capt. Henry Sherburne, Eph. Den- net and Jacob Stanyon, be a Committee to manage the af- fairs of the Society; And That the s'' Committee Shall have power to Call meetings of the Society as often as they Shall Think Necessary, and to act in all other matters that they Shall Think proper for the good of the whole Society. " 5™y, Voted, That Ichabod Robie, Jacob Stanyan, Ca- leb Tole & Michael Whidden be a Committee to Lay out the Lotts. " 6'"^, Voted, That all priviledges of Streams shall be Reserved for y" Use of the Society. " 7'"y, Voted, That the Number of the Society for the settling Shall not Exceed ninety persons. " S'^y, Voted, That the Committee Shall have power to admit Such as they Shall Think proper till the afore^" num- ber of ninety be Completed. " 9"^'y, Voted, That Three men Shall be kept upon the spot at the charge of the Society." At a meeting of the Society for settling the Chesnut Country, held at Hampton the 20th of December, 1719, " Voted, That in case of a warr with the Indians before the Three years Limited for the Settling of the Chesnut Country be Expired, the Same Time of Three years shall be allowed after a conclusion of a Peace with the Indians for the s'* settlement." " At the Same Time the Propri" drew their home Lotts.'' The home lots of twenty acres had been laid out since the October meeting, but the list of those who drew does not contain any names of the Massachusetts men who after- PEOPBIETARY HISTORY. 5 wards became proprietors. There are the names of eighty- nine persons who drew their home lots at this time, eleven of which are erased as having sold out, or forfeited their rights. Joseph Small died, — his wife was a daughter of Col. Thomas Packer, and her husband's right was voted to her, and her home lot exchanged for one near her father's. Thus came a woman to be a proprietor. She kept a public house in Portsmouth, and many of the committee meetings were held there. There is a deed on the Rockingham records, Book 14, page 20, in which Thomas Packer conveys to Susannah Small one " negro girl." There is recorded in another place in the Proprietors' records, those " Propriety y* did not draw for their Home Letts at the first." The list contains thirty-nine names, a large portion of whom were those taken into the Society from Massachusetts. [Council Kecords, Sep. 24, 1719, p. 388.] " Mr. Clement Hughes prefered a petition to this board directed to His Excellency the Gov"^ and council, signed by ab' 100 Persons, praying for a township above Kingstown as on file, which being read, it was resolved that the Same should be considered when His Excellency comes next into this province." At a meeting of the Proprietors of the Chesnut Country, held at Greenland the 16th day of March, 1719-20 : " V^, Col. Packer Chosen moderator. " 2'y, Joseph Tilton Chosen Clark. " S'y, The form'' Committe are Confirmed in their place w*" the Same power as formerly. " 4^^, The former Lett Layers are confirmed. " 6"', Capt. Sherburne chosen Receiver. ' " 6'y, That whereas there was a petition formerly prefered to the Governm' for the Granting the Chesnut Country for a Township to the Society, That the same be withdrawn and another prefered when there is a convenient Season. " V^, Voted, That our Annual meeting to chuse prudential men Shall be on the third Wednesday in March, yearly." 6 HISTORY OP CHESTER. At a meeting of the Committee, April 25, 1720, " Voted, That a home Lott and a Farm of five hundred acres he given to His Excellency our Govern', or htty pounds in money. -n j a " Voted, Also a home Lott and a Farme of five Hundred Acres to his Honn' our Lt. Govern''." By the Council records this company seems rather to have the preference over the others, yet it was deemed wise policy to hold out this inducement, which looks a little like bribery. But we do not know the inducements offered by the other parties. [Council Records, April 28, 1720, p. 148.] " The petition Prefered by Mr. Hughes at the Sessions in September last, signed by about 100 persons, and suspended till this Time, and also another signed by Capt. Henry Sherburne and Mr. Clem' Hughes and comp" as a Supple- ment To the aforesaid petition, prefered this day, was read at the board, praying for a Township in the waste land ad- joining Kingstown, &c. " Ordered, that the Clerk give notifications to Such per- sons as have claim upon the Said laud or have anything to object against the making a Township according to the tenor of the above petition. To appear before His Honor the Lieut. Gov' and Council, to whom the matter is referred." [Council Records, May 24, 1720, p. 154.] " The Petition of Clement Hughes and Henry Sherburne prefered last session in behalf of themselves and sundry others, praying for a township at a Place called Cheshire, read at y^ board ; also another petition from sundry persons of Exeter and H,averhill, praying to be joined with the first petitioners in the settlement of the township, was read as on file." [Proprietors' Records, May 24, 1720.] "This day the Committee (agreeable to a vote of the Society of y'' 16th of March last) prefered a Petition to the Govern' and Council for withdrawing the form' Petition and a grant of a Township in the Chesnut Country of ten miles Square, w" Lys under consideration till next Term." PROPRIETARY HISTORY. 7 [Council Eecords, August 26, 1720, p. 169.1 " The petition of Messrs. Henry Slierburne, Clement Hughes and comp*, prefered May 24, praying for a town- ship &c., is granted, and Col. Hunking, Capt. Wibard, Capt. Henry Sherburne and Capt. Tilton appointed to lay out the lands." I have made an examination at the Secretary's office for the foregoing petitions, but without success. There are pe- titions relating to Chester, bound up in a volume with other towns back to 1726, but none of these are among them. The old files are in a very confused condition, every thing mixed together, — due partly, probably, to their being removed to rebuild the State-House, — so that it would be almost an impossibility to make a thorough examination. The following (apparently genuine) is copied from Bell's " Pacts in relation to the history of Chester " in N. H. Hist. Soc. Coll., Vol. Vn, p. 403. [From the Council Records of 1719.] PETITION FOR GRANT. A petition for a township in y^ Chestnutt County, signed by about 100 hand, preferred by Mr. Hughes, Sept. 24, 1719. Minuted— Read again, Apr. 28, 1720. To his Excellency Samuel Shute, Esq., Capt. Gen" & Com- man*'' in Chief in an over His Majesty's Province of New Hampshire, &c., and the Hon"'" the Council, now sitting in Council at Pourtsmouth, in and for said Province : The humble petition of sundry of the Inhabitants of s* Province Humbly sheweth That y' Petitioners have asso- ciated themselves together to settle a certain tract of waiste land containing Eight miles square, laying in the Province of New Hampshire afores'', and adjoining on the East to Kingston and Exeter, and on the South to Haverhill, and on the West and North to y^ woods. And forasmuch as y"^ Petitioners are informed that sun- dry persons belonging to severall Towns in the Province of the Massachusetts Bay design to petition y' Excellency & Hon" to have the same lott of land granted to them for a township, 8 HISTORY OP CHESTER. Your Petitioners therefore most humbly pray that they may have the preference (having been at a vast expense of blood and treasure to maintain the same against the Enemy), and that the said tract of land may be granted a township to them, and as many more as are willing t<^^^^ tie the same, so as to make up the number of one hundred (and twenty five) persons, under such limitations for the settling of it as y' Excellency & Hon'^ will in your great wisdom see convenient for the speedy settling thereof, and y' Petitioners ever will pray as in duty bound. Sept. 24, 1719. Tho» Phipps, Jos. Pierce, Tho. Packer, Joseph Tilton, Nath" Batchelder, jr., John Cram, Philemon Blake, Jacob Stanyan, Robt. Row, Sen"", David Tilton, Reuben Sanborn, John Morrison, Sam" Blake, jr., Nath' Healey, Nath" Sanborn, Joseph Batchelder, John Sealy, Jethro Tilton, Ichabod Robie, Edward Sanborn, John Prescott, jr., Zachariah Clifford, Joseph Batchelder, jr., Sam" Blake, senr., Edward Gilman, John Searl], "William Godfree, Nehem'' Leavitt, John Morrison, Sam" Elkins, Rob' "Wade, jr., Jeremiah Sanborn, Daniel Tilton, Henry Shurburne, Benj. Gambling, Jos. Sherburne, Clement Hughes, Sam' Plaisted, Elez"' Russell, Samuel Hart, Eph" Dennett, John Preston, Benj. Sanborn, Joseph Sanborn, James Prescott, Jonathan Prescott, jr., Richard Sanborn, Richard Clifford, George Veazi, jr., •Jonathan Sanborn, Nathan Longfellow, Sam'i Sanborn, Jacob Green, Henry Dyea, Benj. Fifleld, Sherburne Tilton, Benj. Fogg, Joseph Love, Jacob Gilman, Joseph Young, Ephraim Hoit, Abraham Sanborn, Israel Blake, "William Healey, Charles Stuart, Enoch Sanborn, PROPEIETAEY HISTORY. Thomas Veazi, Joshua Prescott, John Cass, Daniel Ladd, Abner Herriman, Sam" Prescott, Nath" Bachelder, senr., John Ladd, Ohver Smith, Edward Fifield, Jolm Gilman, jr., John Knowles, Sam" Veazi, Benj. Veazi, Thomas Veazi, jr., Nicholas Norris, John Norris, Nicholas Seavy, Thomas Rollins, Joseph Lorrane, John Roberts, Moses Norris, senr., Daniel Lovering, Ebenezer Lovering, Jona" Robinson, Reuben Smith, Thomas Veazi, jr., Nath" Stevens, jr., James Leavit, Wm. Stevens, Porch*, Jona" Plummer, Jolm Smith, Benj. Tole, Caleb Tole, Abraham Drake, Sam" Smith, Thomas Garten, James Purckins, Jacob Moulton, Jonathan Nason, Elisha Smith, Jonathan Dearborn, Thomas Leavitt, James Pogg. COPY OF THE LAYING OUT OP THE FIRST GRANT. Whereas we the subscribers were Ordered and directed by the Committee appointed by His Excellency the Govern"^ and Council to Lay out a new Town adjoyning to Haver- hill, Kingston & Exeter, Pursuant to the afors'' Directions we have ru)i the following Lines, viz. : We begun at a white pine Tree marked R. W., H. S., I. T., W. B., Stand- ing on the Supposed Kingston line, where Haverhill Sup- posed Line Outts it, and run Ten miles upon a W. N. W. Line to a pitch pine Tree notcht on four Sides ; Then we be- gun again at the afors'' white pine Tree and run Three miles, along Kingston Supposed head Line to the Supposed Kingston North Corner Bounds next to Exeter ; And from thence Seven miles upon a N. b E. Line to a Hemlock Tree marked R. W., H. S., I. T. the other two Lines being run parralell to those two Lines will make a Tract of Ten miles Square, Agreable to the Petition preflfered by Capt. 10 HISTORY OP CHESTER. Henry Sherburne, Clem* Hughes & Comp'' to and Granted by His Excellency the Governour & Oouucil. Dated at Portsmouth Jans' 4th 1720-1. Tho^ Pierce, Eph™ Dennet, George Pierce, Jo= Tilton. Prov. of > N. Hamp'. \ Whereas, we the Subscribers were appointed by His Excellency the Govern' & Council a Comittee to Lay out a Tract of Land of Ten miles Square adjoyning to Haverhill & Kingston & Exeter, for a Township, and after having duly considered how the Said Tract of Land ought to be Layd out Consonant to the Petition prefered to His Excellency the Gov' and Council by Henry Sherburne, Clem' Hughes & Comp^, and that the Land may not In- fringe on any Former Grant, and having Chosen Capt. Jo' Tilton, Capt. Tho^ Pierce, m"^ Ephraim Dennet, m'' George Pierce, m' Ich* Roby & mr. Jacob Stanyan to run the Lines for y'= bounds of y' above Township, we did order and direct them the s* Capt. Tilton, &c., to run the Lines as is Ex- pressed in their return on y* other side ; & being persuaded y' y"* same will not Infringe on any former Grant, we do al- low & Confii-m y" s"^ return as far forth as it Lyes in our Power, and pray that y^ same may be allowed and Con- firmed by His Excellency the Governour & Coimcil. The corner bound of Chester, next to Londonderry, near Mr. Tenney's, down to 1801 was a beech tree, which is ex- pressly mentioned in the charter of Londonderry, June 21st, 1722. In this survey they commenced at a white pine, but if the points were not identical they were not far apart, for a range of the home lots laid out in 1719 certainly commenced near the present corner. This return runs on Kingston line three miles (probably to the corner near David Lane's) and " next to Exeter," whereas Exeter corner was finally established more than two miles farther east. The lines were all uncertain, as we shall see when we come to the settlement of the lines. This was merely a grant of the land, not the charter of a town, and whether PROPRIETARY HISTORY. 11 satisfactory or not, the bounds of the charter were essen- tially different, including much more land. The Society seem to have made great efforts, and spent time and money to secure their object. They built a possession fence around the country. The committee had a meeting June 15, 1720, and examined and allowed various accounts, includ- ing an account of " Mens days Fencing the Chesnut Country & going there to Oppose the Haverhill people." There were 484 days allowed, at an expense of £144, 18s. This could hardly have been expended since the October meet- ing. Whether the claim of the Haverhill people was merely an effort to get a grant, or a claim under the charter of Haverhill from Massachusetts, or both, I do not know. When I was surveying on the additional lot No. 31, in 1819, Mr. Peter Hall and Mr. Abraham Sargent were present, and they said that they had seen a monument near there, said to have been erected by Haverhill people. Their tradition was that the charter of Haverhill began at " Holt's Rocks " (so called), and was to run thence N. W. to Merrimac river ; that they started at the Rocks and run twenty miles ; failing of provisions and liquor they erected their monument and went home. They were probably right in regard to the monument, but wrong in regard to the explanation, as the following, which is taken from a copy in the case of French vs. Morse, before the Court of Ap- peals in the Secretary's Office, will show : " Haverhill, July j" 4*", 1674. At the Request of the Selectmen of Haverhill, the Bounds of Said Town were perfected as followeth : From Holts Rocks we run due northwest according to the Com- pass, not allowing any variation, allowing almsbury their full and just bounds, as hath been determined by the hon- oured General Court ; all the other line on the west Side of the Plantation we run from Merrimack River due North until it cutt with the first line, where we erected a great Pillar of Stones, this last line was Set out & begun to run by Ensign Noyes and Sargeant John Parker at eight miles distance from Haverhill meeting [house], upon a due 12 HISTORY OP CHESTER. west Line, which is according to the grant of the Genera Court, the Running lines on both Sides of s'^ Plantation were bounded by markt trees and heaps of stones, laia^ouT; by Jonathan Danforth, Survey'. Bilereca 12 3m., lb *i>- The Court approves of the Return, as attests Edwd. Kaw- son. Secretary." This pillar of stones was probably the one seen by Mr. Hall and Mr. Sargent. Capt. David Shaw tells me that there used to be an oak tree by the poor farm which was called " Haverhill bounds." Margaret Shirley and Mrs. Cowdery recollect the tree. By looking at the map it will be seen that the northwestern line from the corner of Chester and Derry (the road over Walnut Hill and down Jack's Hill) does not correspond with the northeastern end of the additional lots at and above the poor farm, and the question may arise, If they intended in laying out the home lots to follow Haverhill line, how came the offset? In answer, we may suppose that Haverhill line was not well defined ; that if trees were marked in 1675 many of them were down ; and that they started at the supposed intersec- tion of Haverhill and Kingston lines, and on the supposed course, and run on to near Three Camp meadow, and then offset about sixty rods to keep clear of the meadow to the road through Hall's Village. The. line of the home lots over the hill, if extended, would be about the northeast line of home lot 124, on which John Shirley settled, where. Mr. Cowdery now lives. They then found that they were about sixty rods northeast of the old Haverhill line, the oak tree and perhaps other monuments, and they run that range of lots to the line, and then continued on as far as the home lots extend. This is corroborated by the fact that, accompanying a petition of Richard Hazzen, Jr., and others, to the Council of Massachusetts in 1728, complaining of the encroach- ments of the people of Londonderry, was a plan in which the line running northwest passes over the corner of Ches- ter, and extends into Chester, so as nearly or quite to cor- respond to this monument. A reduced copy of this plan is PROPRIETARY HISTORY. 13 inserted in Chase's History of Hayerliill, page 290. And further, tlie first settlers of Londonderry obtained a deed, dated Oct. 20, 1719, from John Wlieelwright (a grandson of the original grantee of the Wheelwright claim), of " A certain tract of laind bounded as followeth, not exceeding the quantity of ten miles square : beginning at a pine tree marked, which is the southwest corner of Cheshire, and running to tlie northwest corner of the said Cheshire, and from the northwest corner running a due west line unto the River Merrimack, and down the River Merrimack, until it meets with the line of Dunstable, and there turning east- ward upon Dunstable line until it meet with the line of Dracut, and continuing eastward upon Dracut Line untill it meets with the line of Haverill, and Extending northward upon Haverill until it meets with the line of Cheshire, and then turning westward upon the said Line of Cheshire unto the pine tree first mentioned where it began." This line of Haverhill is probably the one on Hazzen's plan, but stopped at the line of Cheshire running west north- west, according to the grant of 1720, — which had prob- ably been previously surveyed, — and not up to the northwest line to the monument seen by Mr. Hall and Mr. Sargent. It would probably intersect the Londonderry line not far from the Derry road. At any rate, there was a line of Haverhill run up into Chester, and the proprietors or lot-layers, in laying out the home lots in 1719, did not intend to trespass on Haverhill, and began on what they supposed to be the intersection of Haverhill and Kingstown lines, and run north-west the course of the supposed Haverhill line ; and the gore, be- tween these lots and Londonderry line as established by the charter, was laid out into additional lots in 1726. The return says : " We the subscribers have lay* out an additional lot of fifty acres to Each home lott, beginning first at y^ south-east corner of y" town next Haverhill, Running westerly along Derry line, called the first Range." There was allowed at the same time, June 15, 1720, " For time about the Law suits, 9 days, £2 — 14s." Also of £ s. d. • 1 10 00 2 10 00 1 00 00 1 00 00 2 00 00 15 00 14 HISTORY OF CHESTER. " Money expended on the Law Suits & paid by Capt. Henry Sherburne the Receiver for the Prop'^" It would seem from the Proprietors' records that they had lawsuits, but who the parties were, and what legal authority any body had, does not appear/ There is a credit March 30, 1723: "So much recovered of Jarvis Ring, £2 12." I have examined the Court records of that period, but have found no such cases. Paid to Mr. Acmuty for pleading . to Cap' Phipps, do. Sundry times to Mr. Waldron to Mr. Jeffries .... to Jno. Pray, serving a writ . to Michael Whidden, for do In 1723, there is credit given for cash recovered of Jarvis Ring, X2 12. There is also " an account of men's Labor Since the Lotts were drawn," amounting to £47 10, giving the inference that the other was before the lots were laid out. £ a. d. To Lot-layers 24 10 00 to Committee 8 2 00 to Committee's expenses 6 00 00 Clement Hughes' charges. £ 5. a. To drawing a petition 5 00 to cash paid the Clerk of the Council . . . . 10 00 to Drawing articles for the Society to Signe ... 6 00 to do. a plat for the Society 6 00 to Copy of an Indian Deed (probably the deed to Stephen Dudley) 6 00 There is also a charge for " 4^ gallons of rum, 6 lbs. of sugar of Capt. Sherburne, w* was given y" men at work in the Country," £1 16 6. The whole amount of their ac- count current, June 15, 1720, was £247 7 6. " At a meeting of the Committee the following persons PROPRIETARY HISTORY. 15 were admitted proprietors in the Town of Checher agree- able to the Desire of the Govern*, viz : "William White, Jona. Clough, Jona. Emerson, Thos. Whiting, Jno. Paclcer, Jno. Jaquish, Jona. Kimball, "VVm. Daniels, Steph. "Webster, Step. Johnson, Thos. Silver, the Eev. Thos. Simms, Sam'. Ingalls, Eich* Haselton, James Fales, Nathan Webster, of Bradford, Jno. Littlehale, Richard Jaquish." Eph. Guile, At a meeting of the committee Nov. 20, 1720, tlie fol- lowing persons were admitted proprietors, viz. : "Capt. Henry Sloper, Jacob Gilman, James Boid, Ed. Gilman, Benning Wentworth, Thos. Smith, in the "Wm. Crosswait, Eoom of Richard Swain, Clem' Mishervey, Robert Ford, the Rev'^ Nath' Rogers, Amos Cass, Samuel; Sherburne, in y" Eben' Eastman, Room of Wm. Stivens, Luther Morgan, Jos. Young, Samuel Thompson." The first, and a part of the second list, were Massachu- setts men, and a part were Exeter men, including probably the petitioners mentioned May 24, 1720, and was a matter of compromise and put an end to the contest with Haver- hill people. " At a General Meeting of the Proprietors of the Town of Checher held at Hampton the 11th day of January, 1720-1," " Voted, Col" Packer moderator. " Voted, That each prop' that does not Settle pay ten Shillings per year diiring three years, the whole to be Divided yearly among them that Settles. "Voted, To Coll" Packer, Coll" Wiar, Caleb Tole and Sam" Ingalls the whole Priviledge of the upper Falls on the great Brook forever, to build a Sawmill or mills on, and also ten acres of land gratis on Each Side of s" falls for the 16 HISTORY OF CHESTER. s" mills conveniency, with condition that the s* mill shall be fitt to Cutt boards in a Twelve month from this time and that they shall saw at halves the Prop'^_ Loggs, So much as they shall have Occasion for, for Building. " And those prop-^Hhat Shall have Occasion to buy boards shall be supplied with So many as they shall have occasion for at the Rate of thirty shillings per thousand del at the mill. " And if the making of a pond or ponds for s* mill dam- nifie any of the prop'', the Town shall make good the 1 1 Q TV* Q erf* " Voted, that as soon as Thirty Householders are set- tled there Shall be a minister of the Gospel maintained by the whole proprietary ; and as soon as fifty families are Settled there shall be a meeting House for the Publick Worship of God built by the Whole Proprietary." This was a grant of the privilege of the " Old " (Has- elton's) sawmill. Samuel Ingalls was one of the grantees, and the Haverhill people were quieted before this. Thus early, too, was provision made for preaching, and a meeting-house. At a meeting of the Committee, Jan'' 25, 1720-1, " Voted, that whereas the number of proprietors is con- [a part of this word is torn off] and no provision made for a school master, that the next proprietor that shall Forfeit his Lett the Same Shall [be] appropriated for a School." At a meeting of the Committee, March 15, 1720-1, " The following acco*^ were rec* & allowed of. Ac* of charges about y' bridge the first time." There are the names of persons and the days worked amounting to sixty-two days. " Acco' of Charges about the Bridge the Second time," eighteen days. " The third time," twenty seven days, the whole amounting to ^134 10s. This was on the bridge between Sandown and Danville, which was always called " Cheshire Bridge." " Acco' of time Searching the Country," thirty days by five persons, £9. " Ace* of Charges in Running the Line." There were PROPRIETARY HISTORY. 17 twelve men five days each ; seven hands four days each, and one man three days, — £38 16s. " Acco' of Charges Looking and cutting the way,* and keeping possession, &c." There were twelve men five days each ; fifteen men four days each ; seven men six days each ; amounting to £48 12s. The committee had a bill for settling, from three to ten days each, £16 6s., besides collecting the assessments, &c. Joseph Tilton charges " six days attending the Gov' & Council." " Acco' of Time laying out y° Haverhill mens lots," — four men six days each, £9 12s. " Account of Charges Eepairing the possession fence," — seven men two days each, two men four days each, £6 12s. " Ace' of time to Give Evidence at Court," — two men two days each, £1. " Ace' of time to find if any Trespas* upon the Society," — four men three days each, £3 12s. " Account of what allowed the Committee appointed by the Governor to Layout y^ Town," — four men one pound each, £4. Clement Hughes^ charges. To Attendance on the Govn' 2 days To do. on Courts 3 days .... To P* Dan' Levit for two horses that run away from people left in the Country to keep pos- session To drawing 2 new mapps and many other items. * There was probably no kind of a road tUs side of Kingston Plain, and when they first came to the Chestnut country they must have come through the wilderness on horse-back, If not on foot, and therefore kept south of Exeter river, and come up on to Walnut Hill. But they afterwards looked out and cut a way over Beech Plain, and built some kind of a bridge across Exeter river, to come through the north part of Sandown, At the June Term of the Court of Sessions, 1736, the grand jurymen from London- derry represented that there wa« no highway from Kingstown to Chester, An order of notice was served on the selectmen of Kingstown, who appeared in 1737, and prayed for time. 2 £0 12 18 7 10 £10 00 18 HISTORY OF CHESTER. Capt. Henry Sherburne charges. To a book 9s. 6d. ; pair of marking irons 3s. 6d. . 13 To a mapp 10 To So much paid Mrs. Small for expenses w*^ y' Lt. Gov. &c 1 00 and other items. The general price of labor and time is 6 shillings per day. The whole amount is stated March 30, 1723. The Dr. side is £583 4s. 7d. The Credit : 125 proprietors 60s. each . £375 00 For forfeitures .... 6 16 Recovered of Jarvis Ring' 2 12 Balance due from the Proprietoi-s 198 16 7 £583 04 7 The account current is stated again for 1724 and 1725. The Dr. side, including the above balance, £541 16s. 9d. The Credit side consists of: 126 Propri" 60s each 2 payment . . £315 126 do 3 payment 20s. ... 126 126 do 4 "do 10s. ... 63 One for the first omitted .... 3 507 Balance £34 i6» g* I give these items of the accounts to show something of what these men did and paid to start the settlement of Chester. " At a Publick meeting of the Proprietors, held at Capt. Wingate's at Hampton, March 1(5, 1720-1 : " Voted, mr. Eph"" Dennet moderator. " Voted, Clem' Hughes CP. "Voted, Capt. Tho= Pierce, Clem' Hughes, Eph. Den- net, Capt. Jo' Tilton, Caleb Tole, Ich. Roby and Jacob Stanyan be a Committee to manage the affairs of the So- ciety for y" Year Ensuing. " Voted, Capt. Jo^ Tilton Receiver. ^ " Voted Cap'. Tilton, Caleb Tole, Ich. Roby, Geo. Pierce and Jacob Stanyan Lett Layers. "Voted, That y^ Lott layers lay out a Second Division ot 100 acres each Lott, and Such Highways as thev see meet. ^ PBOPRIETABY HISTORY. 19 "Voted, That Cap' Wingit, Deacon Shaw, & mr. In- galls be a Committee to audit the Committee's acco*^. " Voted, That Each proprietor pay thirty Shillings by the first day of May next to discharge y= Society's debts. " Voted, That the four persons to whom the Stream is granted Shall give each a bond of Fifty pouads to the Com- mitte to perform the Conditions of s** Grant ; and if any of them Refuse to do it, the Committee is Impowered to admit others. " Voted, That y" Haverhill people that are proprietors make their way to the Chesnut Country passable for Carts, at their Charges, and that mr. Ingalls be Surveyor. " Voted, That the bridge on the Road from Kingston to the Chesnut Country be made passable for Carts, and that Jo^ Sanborn, Jun"^ be Surveyor." " At a meeting of the Committee Sep. 29, 1721, the fol- lowing persons were admitted Proprietors, viz.. Coll" Peter Wear, Capt. Ricli" Kent, Capt. Josh. Wingate, Tho' Dean, Sam' Shaw, John Calf." " Voted, That the proprietors of the upper Falls on the great Brook have the priviledge of the Lower falls also, for their Further Incouragement to build a mill according to a vote of the Society at a publick meeting held Jany. 11, 1720 ; And in consideration of w'=* additional Priviledge they are to build a Grist mill as Soon as the Town will need it." This grant was where Haselton's grist-mill and pail- factory are. " At a meeting of the Committee Jany. 2, 1721-2, " Voted, Sam' Welsh, and Jacob Moulton have forfeited their Right in the Town of Checher, they not having paid their Charges." " At a meeting of the Committee Jan'' 22^ 1721-2, " Present, Thos. Pierce, Bph'^ Dennet, Clem' Hughes and Caleb Tole. " Sundry of the Proprietors having complained to the Com- mittee That it was Detrimental to the Town That the sec- ond Division was not Laid, nor the first yet perfected, and having also Desired That a meeting of the Prop" might be warned to consult the Affairs of the Town : — 20 HISTORY OP CHESTER. " Voted, That Notifications be Sett up accordingly- " Voted, Tiiat His Excellency's Farm of 500 acres oe Laid out as near the Center as may be without Discommoa- ing the home Letts." " THE NOTIFICATION, VIZ : These are to Notifie all Concerned That a Gen» meeting of the Proprief^ of the Town of Ohecher is appointed to be held at the House of mr. Nicholas Ferryman in Exeter on Monday the Fifth day of Feb'^ next, at ten of the clock in y^ morning, to Choose lot layers to Lay out the becond Division, the lot Layers chosen at the Igist meeting having neglected to do it, and Further to Consult and do what may be Thought Needful for the Town Service. Jan^ 22*, 1721-2. Tho^ Pierce, Eph' Dennet, Rich'' Webard, ) j . -pe Clement Hughes, Tho^ Packer, ["^'^st.P. Caleb Tole." " At a Publick meeting of the Proprie*^ of the Town of Checher held at Exeter, Feb. 5, 1721-2, " Voted, Coll" Tho^ Packer Moderator. " Voted, That the Second Division be two hundred acres instead of 100 before voted. " Voted, Sam' Ingalls, Clem* Hughes, and Caleb Tole Lott layers, to Lay out the same. " Voted, That the Lott layers go on the same as Soone as possibly they can, and as soon as they have accomplished it and make a Return thereof to the Committee, That the Committee Notifie the Prop'^ to meet to draw their Lotts ; And whereas there is a former vote that there should be a meeting annually on the Third Wednesday of March, and it not being probable that the Said lotts can be laid out before that time. That the meeting be Defered till the first Monday in may next Except the Committee See Cause to call the meeting Sooner." Province Seal. PROPEIETAEY HISTORY. 21 THE BOTAL CHARTER. George by the Grace of God of Great Britain, Prance and Ireland, King, Defend"" of the Faith, &c. : To all People to whom these p'^sents Shall come, Greeting. Know y^ That we of our Especial Knowledge and meer motion, for the due encouragement of Settling a new plan- tation, by and with the advice of our Council, have given and granted and by these p'^sents as farr as in us lies do give and Grant, in Equall Shares unto Sundry of our beloved Subjects, whose names are Entred in a Schedule hereunto annexed. That Inhabit or Shall Inhabit within the said Grant within our Province of New Hamp', all That Tract of Land within the following bounds : (Viz) to begin at Exeter Southerly Corner bounds and from thence run upon a West and by North point two miles along Kingston north- erly Line to Kingston North Corner bounds, then upon a South point three miles along Kingston head Line to Kings- ton South Corner bounds, then upon a West North West point Ten miles into the country. Then to begin again at the aforesaid Exeter Southwardly Corner bounds and run seven miles upon Exeter head Line upon a North East point half a point more Northerly, Then fourteen miles into the Country upon a west North west point to the rivei- Merrimack, and from thence upon a Straight Line to the End of the afores* Ten Mile line ; and That the same be a Town Corporated by the name of Chester to the persons afores*, for ever To have and to hold the said Land, to the Grantees and their Heirs and assigns forever, and to Such associates as they Shall admit upon the Following Conditions : 1. That Every proprietor build a Dwelling House within Three years and Settle a Familley Therein, breack up Three acres of Ground and plant or Sow y" same within four years, and pay his proportion of the Town Charge when, and so often as Occasion shall require the same. 2. That a meeting House be built for the Public worship of God within the said Term of four years. 3. That upon default of any particular Proprietor in Com- plying with the Conditions of this Charter upon his part. Such Delinquent proprietor Shall forfeit his Share to the other Proprietors," which Shall be Disposed according to y'' major vote of the Said Comoners at a Legall meeting. 22 HISTORY OF CHESTER. 4«"y. That a Proprietor's Share be reserved for a Parson- age ; another for the first minister of the Gospell, another for the Benefit of a School. Provided nevertheless that the Peace with tlie Indians Continue during the aforesaid Term of Three years ; but if it should so happen Tliat a warr with the Indians Should commence before the Expiration of the afores* Term of Three years, the aforesaid Term of three years Shall be allowed to the Proprietors after the Expiration of the warr for the performance of the aforesaid Conditions, Render- ing and paying therefor to us, our Heirs and Successors, or Such other officer or officers as shall be appointed to receive the same. The annual quit rent of acknowledg- em' of one pound of Good merch"'' Hemp in the said Town on the Twentieth of December yearly forever ; re- serving also unto us, our Heirs and Successors, all mast Trees growing on said Land — according to acts of Parlia- ment in that behalf made and provided, and for the bet- ter order, Rule and Government of the said Town we do by these p''sents Grant for us, our Heirs and Successors, unto the said men & Inhabitants, or those that shall Inhabit the Said Town, That yearly & every year upon the last Tliurs- day in march forever, they shall meet to Elect and Chuse by the major part of them Constables, Selectmen and all other Town officers, according to the Laws and usage of our afores'' Province, for the year ensuing, with Such Power, priviledges and authority as other Town officers within our aforesaid Province have and Enjoy. In Wittness whereof we have Caused the seal of our Said Province to be hereunto annexed. Wittness, Sam" Shute, Esq'', our Governour & Command' in Chief of our Said Province, at our Town of Portsmouth the 8* day of may in the Eighth year of our reign, annoq. Domini 1722. By His Excellency's Comand w'" advice of the Council. Sam" Shuto* R. Waldron, Cler. Con. A SCHEDULE OP THE PROPRIETORS' NAMES, OF THE TOWN OP CHESTER. Cap' Henry Sherburne, Jethro Tilton, Benj" Gambling Esq', Amos Cass, Tho» Phipps Esq--, James Perkins, Cap' Josh" Pierce, Susan" Small, PROPRIETARY HISTORY. 23 Coll« Peter Wear, Eev'i Nath" Rogers, Clem' Hughes, Cap' Tho» Pierce, Cap' Jos Sherburne, Cap' Arcli'i Macpheadris, Eph"" Dennet, Benning Weiitworth, Cap' Eben' Wentworth, Cap' Rich* Kent, George Pierce, Eleaz'' Russell, Ichabod Roby, Rev* Tho» Simms, Sam" Shackford, Jn" Shackford, Will" White, Sam" Ingalls, Mich" Whidden, Will"" Rymes, Will" Godfry, Eben'' Dearbon, John Cram, John Prescut, Jun', Abram Browne, John Prescut, Sen', Joseph Bachelder, John Packer, John Silly, Tho= Levit, Sam" Page, Natli" Sanborn, James Prescut, Nath" Bachelder, Sen'', David Tilton, Jon°- Emerson, Elijah Smith, Sam" Smith, Jon" Dearborn, Abram Drake, Cap' Joshua Winget, Sam" Blacke, Jos Sanburne, Ruben Sanburne, George Brownell, Will™ Hally, Zach» Cliiford, Enoch Sanborn, Josiah Bachelder, Sam" Prescot, Nath" Bachelder, Jun', Benoni Fogg, Rich* Clifford, James Fogg, Eben"^ Easman, Eben' Loverell, Rob' Row, Philip To!€, Edw'i Sanborn, Henry Works, Jery Sanborn, Caleb Tole, Jon^ Plummer, Benj" Tole, Benj' Smith, Cap' Jon" Sanburn, Moses Blacke, Jacob Basford, Jacob Garland, Sen', Jon" Brown, Philemon Blake, Stephen Sweat, Ju" Sanburn, Sam" Marston, Jun', Nath" Drake, Henry Sloper, Tho" Smith, Will" Crosswait, James Boid, Joseph Young, Clem' Mesharvy, Luther Morgan, Rich* Hasleton, Jacob Gilman, Sam" Sherburne, Ed"'* Gilman, The Dean, Sam" Shaw, John Calf, Jon" Clough, 24 HISTORY OP CHESTEB. Benj" Sanburne, Eob' Ford, Maj-- Jn" Gillman, Jn" Jaquish, Sam" Thompson, Will" Daniel, Stephen "Webster, Steph" Johnson, Edward Emerson, Nath" Webster, The" Silver, Rich'^ Jaquish, Tho» Whiting, James Fales, Jn° Littlehale, Jn" Cutt & one prop' Eph" Guile, Benj" Ackerman, i share. Jon» Kimball, Province N. Hamp% May 10*^, 1722. His Excellency the Govern"^ and the Hon"^ Lieut. Govern'' and Council Entered associate with the within persons, (viz) — His Excellency a Farm of five Hundred acres and a home Lott. The Lieu* Govern"^ the same. Sam" Penballow, Esq', a proprietor's Share, Mark Hunking, Esq', ditto, George Jaffrey, Esq', ditto. Shad* Walton, Esq', ditto, Eich* Wibird, Esq', ditto, Tho^ Packer, Esq', ditto, Tho' Westbrook, Esq', ditto. A True Copy of Chester Charter and the Schedule annexed to it. Compared P"^ Rich* Waldron, Cler. Con. CHAPTER II. THE FIRST SETTLEMENT AND LAYING OUT OF THE LOTS. THE FIRST SETTLEMENT. The grantees of Londonderry were actual settlers ; but the grantees of Chester were not residents, and very few of them ever did reside in Chester. Most of them were residents of Portsmouth and Hampton, but several dwelt in Haverhill, Bradford, Newbury and other places. Among them were merchants, farmers, mechanics and clergymen. However patriotic and desirous to develop the resources of the country they may have been, the idea of making money by the enterprise entered largely into their plans. As has been seen, they spent a great deal of time and money. Many grew tired and refused to pay more, and forfeited their rights, both before and after the charter, and others took their places. At nearly every meeting, while the af- fairs of the town were managed by the Proprietors, there was a vote passed and a committee chosen to enforce pay- ment of the assessments due. The " Rights " were thrown on the market like railroad shares of the present day, and in order to show something of their value, I insert a few of the sales, with the consideration named in the deeds : John Calfe sold his right, in 1725, for fifty pounds. Ephraim Dennet deeded H. L. 143, in consideration of settlement, building a house and breaking up three acres of land. John Karr sold H. L. 13 and half of the right of Henry Sherburne, to Alexander Craige, 1725, for thirty-four pounds current money. 26 HISTORY OP CHESTER. Edraond Tappan sold to Joseph Dearborn half of Nath. Drake's right, hi 1727, for sixty pounds money. Thomas Symmes sold to Richard Haselton his father's right, for one hundred pounds bills of credit. Richard Kent sold to John Tyler his right, in 1727, for one hundred pounds good money. John Wentworth sold to Moses Hale his home lot, ex- tending from the meeting-house to Shackford's Corner, for thirty pounds, in 1730. Moses Hale to Ebenezer Flagg, two home lots and a house, for two hundred pounds, in 1736. Lovewell's war (as it was called) with the Indians com- menced about the time the charter of Chester was ob- tained, which no doubt retarded the settlement. There does not seem to have been any great accession to the pop- ulation before 1727 and 1728. The settlement at London- derry was commenced in 1719, by the Scotch Irish, as they were called (Scotch people who had emigrated to the Xorth of Ireland). Others came over, and some stopped awhile in the older towns, — Alexander Craige in Chebacco,the Wil- sons in Stratham, Tolford in Bradford, &c. Others came to Londonderry first, and then came to Chester. Here were two races, and a considerable prejudice existed be- tween them, though I think not nearly as much as is rep- resented by the writer of the Xew Hampshire Churches. They were of two denominations, but both united in the settlement of Rev. Mr. Hale, though after he left the Pres- byterians settled a minister of their own, and refused to pay taxes for the support of Mr. Flagg, which would, no doubt, produce ill feeling. Then they liad different modes of living. The Irish ate potatoes and the English did not ; the Irish churned their milk and drank buttermilk and the English did not ; the Irish put barley into their poi^liquor and made barley broth, the English put in beans and had bean porridge. It is true that intermarriages were con- sidered improper. As late as 1762, when Benjamin Melvia married Mehitable Bradley, it was considered an improper connection. But, after all, I have seen no evidence to PROPRIETARY HISTORY. 27 show that they as neighbors, did not live quietly and peaceably together, or that there was any difference made in the election of ofiScers. The question, when the settlement commenced and who were the first settlers, is difficult to answer. We have seen that Samuel Ingalls is said, in a deed, to have been of "Cheshire" in October, 1717. He was a Haverhill man, and would, naturally, belong to the Haverhill people, whom the Society were opposing. Mr. Ingalls is said in a deed to be of Haverhill in 1719. In March, 1721-2, Samuel In- galls, of Winfleld, otherwise Cheshire, conveys to the Rev. Mr. Phillips the right of Stephen Webster, reserving the home lot No. 64, which " he lives on," so that he had made a permanent settlement previous to that, and was probably the first settler. There is a list of the proprie- tors who were allowed " Settlery for y** first year," contain- ing twenty-four names, but I think only two of them were actual settlers — Samuel Ingalls and Thomas Smith — and Smith might not then have resided in town. The proprie- tors had voted, January 11, 1721, " That each Prop'' that does not settle shall pay ten Shillings per year during three years, the whole to be Divided yearly among those that set- tles." The proprietors would build a house and break up a piece of ground, and would be entitled to the money. This settlement money, amounting to twelve pounds, is charged by the receiver or treasurer as having been paid to Samuel Ingalls in 1723. There is another list, " For y'^ 2* & Third year," of eighteen, all but Ingalls and Smith non- residents. But this account has no date. The town officers were chosen and all business done by the proprietors, so that it is somewhat difficult to determine which of the offi- cers were residents and which were not, in some cases. Ichabod Robie was a proprietor and held several offices, which would indicate a residence ; but probably he never lived in town. The following is a list of those who were allowed ten shillings for settlement in 1723, " For the first year," with the numbers of tlieir lots and the name of later owners ; they erected a log house -and cleared a piece of land : 28 HISTOBY OF CHESTER. Clement Meshervey, No. 31 ; Bpliraim Elliot bought of Bzekiel Worthen of Kensington, 1747. Amos Cass, No. 100 ; sold to John Calf, 1724 ; and after- wards owned by John Stockman, and by Benjamin Sever- ance in 1751. George Pierce, No. 121 ; sold to Dea. Ebenezer Dearborn of Hampton, Oct. 3, 1729. Col. Wear, No. 124 ; Sampson Underbill, 1730, and John Shirley, 1731. Col. Packer, No. 30 ; Eobert Eunnels previous to 1733 ; Ben. Brown, W. M. Eichardson, have owned since. Capt. Thos. Pierce, No. 131; Ebenezer Dearborn, Jr., 1731. John Sanborn, No. 120 ; John Smith, and he deeded it to his sons Paul and Sylvanus in 1751. Zach. Clifford, No. 53 ; Anthony Towle ; now Samuel Kendal. Thomas Smith, No. 109 ; James Basford, Moses Hills, Jacob Hills ; now Calvin Hills. Thomas Smith lived on No. 150. Benjamin Smith received settlement money on 111. Caleb Towle on 55 ; Francis Towle, his son, lived on it. Jona. Kimball, 63 ; Samuel Ingalls. Samuel Ingalls, 70 ; Dea. William Tolford lived on it. Ephraim Gile, 61 ; Thomas Wells ; now Wm. Tenney. Eobert Ford, 149. William White, 74; Thomas Haseltine ; now Z. Shirley. Thomas Dean, 19. James Perkins, 59 ; Henry Hall lived on it. I now insert the names of some of the early settlers, and when their names are found on any record, to make it nearly certain that they resided in Chester : Samuel Ingalls is named in a deed, March, 1722, though said to be of Haverhill. Thomas Smith received settlement money, 1723, was a committee to run Londonderry line in December, 1722, and was constable, 1724. John Tolford, of Bradford, bought of John Packer, H. L. 66, on which he settled May 25, 1724 ; was constable 1730. PROPRIETARY HISTORY. 29 James Whiting was lot-layer in 1725, Lad a child born in in Haverhill in 1724, and one born in Chester in 1726, and was constable in 1726. John Karr of Chester sold to Alexander Craige of Che- bacco H. L. 113, in 1725, and divided lots with Caleb Towle in 1727. Jonathan Goodhue had deeds in 1727. William Powel, constable in 1727. Jacob Sargent, surveyor of highways, 1727. Bldad Ingalls, town clerk and treasurer, 1728. He sold to Thomas Wells, 1729. William Healey settled on his H. L. in 1728 ; child born in Chester, 1729. William Wilson was in Stratham, 1727 ; was fence-viewer in 1728. James Wilson was in Stratham in 1727 ; had a deed in 1728, was tythingman in 1729. Robert Wilson of Stratham had a deed of Geo. Jaffrey in 1725 ; was in Chester in 1729. John Smith is mentioned in the return of Gov. Went- worth's farm of 200 acres in 1728. He was the first set- tler at the Long" Meadows, on- Brownel's additional lot No. 61. Ephraim Haseltine, lot-layer, 1728 ; constable, 1729. Nathan Webster, selectman, 1729. Benaniah Colby, fence-viewer, 1729. Isaac Foss of Greenland, deed, 1729 ; surveyor in 1731. Sylvaaus Smith, committee to prosecute trespassers, 1729. Thomas Glen, deed, 1729, fence-viewer, 1730. Benjamin Sanborn gave to his son-in-law, Enoch Colby, half his right with the house in 1728. He was assessor in 1730 ; child born Jan., 1730. Thomas Wells of Amesbury, deed, 1729 ; surveyor, 1731 . Titus Wells, fence-viewer, and child born, 1730. Ebenezer Dearborn of Hampton, deed, 1729 ; selectman, 1730. Israel Huss, field-driver, 1780. Page Bachelder, deed, 1730. 30 HISTORY OP CHESTER. James Basford, deed, 1730. Lemuel Clifford of Chester, tanner, deed, 1730. John Shirley, deed, 1730 ; surveyor, 1738. Jonathan Blunt had a sawmill, 1730 ; constable, 1731. John Boid, highway across his lot, 1730. John Aiken, highway and mill grant, 1730. William Crawford, deed, 1730 ; tythingman, 1734. Samuel Emerson, selectman, 1731. Sampson Underhill sold his farm in Salisbury, April 1, 1730, probably came to Chester in 1730. John Ambrose, deed, 1731. Henry Ambrose, deed, 1731 ; field-driver, 1733. Nathl. Ambrose, road across his land, 1733. Robert Graham, deed of No. 128 in 1733. Who were the early surveyors in laying out the lots is uncertain. Clement Hughes charges for " drawing a plat for the society," " To drawing a Second plat," " To draw- ing two new Mapps." He might have been a practical surveyor. Ichabod Robie was a lot-layer to lay out the north divis- ion, and was voted fifteen shillings per day while the others had but ten shillings. In his account in 1723, he has credit for seventeen days lot-laying, and five days running the line, which may indicate that he was a surveyor. Samuel Emerson, Esq., was probably surveyor in laying out the 2* P. 2'' D., and all subsequent divisions, and it was said that his memory was so tenacious that he was seldom at a loss to find any bound or tell where it stood if lost. Their surveys were inaccurate. There is no certainty that they ever surveyed the side lines of the lots, but probably run through on one side of the range-ways and marked bounds on both sides. The manner of measuring may be inferred from the complaint against the Londonderry com- mittee, that they would not allow eleven chains for ten. On the old plans of the Old Hundreds (Raymond) the lines next to Chester and Candia are both straight ; where- as both are really very crooked. The same is true of the PROPRIETARY HISTORY. 31 third division. There were probably rough plans made of all the divisions at the time, which accompanied the pro- prietors' records. At a Proprietors' meeting, Jan. 6, 1747, it was " Voted, That the Proprietors Shall Pay for Kiting a Return and Drawing a Plan of the fourth Division Letts." Hon. S. D. Bell says, in the index which he prepared for the two volumes of the Proprietors' Records, that the plan there inserted, of the home and additional lots, was made from a copy which he made from the original plan in the first volume. I recollect the plan perfectly well in 1819 and 1820. That plan is now lost ; but it was far from being accurate. The corner of the additional No. 101, lying on Sandown line, is, according to that plan, the corner of Sandown ; whereas the record of the lot says that it is about thirty- two rods west of it, and it is thirty-one rods and a half. The range-way (the road passing Benaiah Spofiford's), on the plan, is four lots of about thirty rods each above the corner of Sandown ; whereas it is actually but one lot. In that plan three home lots, Nos. 41, 42 and 106, have a corner cut off by Sandown line ; whereas, according to the record, and as a matter of fact, the additional lot No. 131, at the north end, is thirty-two rods wide between the home lots and Sandown line. The additional lot No. 132, accord- ing to the plan, is some forty rods from the home lots, but the records bound it on the home lot. And Three Camp Meadow is not correctly represented on the plan. I have seen several plans of the Old Hundreds (and have one in my possession), apparently ancient copies, and similar, drawn on a scale of eighty rods to an inch. I think there are some old copies of the third division. When I was first acquainted with the records in 1819 and 1820, 1 think there were vestiges of plans of some of the other divisions. This was earlier than Judge Bell's copies. But I copied from the plans of Stephen Chase, Esq., the same that Judge Bell copied from into the Index ; and as he commenced surveying about 1785, I supposed 32 HISTORY OP CHESTER. that he might have originally copied from the old plans, though the plans I then copied from were comparatively recent, made, I think, in 1810, by his son Stephen Chase, Jr. Esquire Chase made a plan of all the lots in town much earlier than that, which I think is yet extant. An act was passed December 30, 1803, requiring the sev- eral towns in the State to cause surveys to be made and plans to be sent to the Secretary's office for a State map. The map was contracted for by Philip Carrigain, and was called " Carrigain's map." Stephen Chase, Esq., made the survey and plan of Chester, Joseph Shepard, Esq., of Raymond, Richard Emerson, Esq., of Candia, and David Patten, Esq., of Derryfield. There are great discrepancies in their measures and some in the bearings of their lines. Patten makes the line of Derryfield, from No. 134 across the pond, 80 rods longer than Chase does. Shepard makes Raymond line 62 rods shorter than Chase. Shepard's plan had been returned and a letter was endorsed on the back, saying that he at first drew partly from other men's sur- veys, but he had now surveyed for himself and he knew that he was correct. In making a preliminary plan for the map I followed Shepard, as he was so positive ; and Ray- mond was too short, and crowded the lots out of place, so I am confident that Chase was nearer right than Shepard. Massabesic Pond agrees, essentially, with a more recent survey. In making the plan, the outlines were drawn as near as I could from these surveys. I then made an examination of Candia lines, in respect to the lines of the lots, and made extensive examinations and some surveys in respect to roads, etc., and have availed myself of my own surveys and those of Stephen Chase, Esq., to make corrections, but mathematical accuracy is not claimed. It has been a very perplexing job to construct the map, for many times when an alteration was made to correct one place it in- jured one or two more. It is, after all, what the lawyers would call a " chalk," but it gives a good general idea of the situation of the lot's, of the roads and the early settlers. PEOPEIETAEY HISTORY. 33 THE LAYING OUT OP THE LOTS. We haye seen that the Home Lots, of twenty acres each, •were laid out in the fall of 1719, before, so far as I have seen, that they had obtained any grant of the land. They laid out small lots, so as to live compact and be safer from the Indians. The settlement seems to have commenced at Walnut Hill and Hall's Village, and the first burying- ground was near " Three Camp meadow." But it seems that they had an idea that the " town," the " centre," was to be at its present location, and it was laid out on rather a magnificent scale, for in laying the lots they reserved a ten- rod way northwest and southwest one mile, and northeast half a mile to Shackford's, and southeast as far as the lots extended, to near where G. W. Everett now lives. In laying out the road from Sandown by Asa Wilson's, July 5, 1731, the selectmen allowed " Every one of these men to take up six Eods of the ten Eod Highway that Lyeth at the southend of their home Letts." The lots were laid out in squares, and reserves left lor roads, many of them traveled a long time before there was any formal, legal laying out. What induced them to make the offsets in their squares of lots and reserves is incomprehensible to me. The idea of Haverhill line running northwest gave that direction to the lots. The home lots, when laid out in 1719, were not recorded in the book, if any record was kept. There was afterwards a committee chosen to renew the bounds of the several lots when called upon by the owners. Only a portion of them were re-surveyed, and those returns were made by the committee on separate sheets of paper, and were not recorded until December 1, 1794, when Capt. John Emerson and Stephen Chase, Esq., were chosen a committee " to record; in regular order, in the Proprietors' book all the Home lots they can find on old records, and other matters that appear to concern the Proprietors." They did it, and most of the home lots are dated about 1740. 3 34 HISTORY OP CHESTER. At a meeting of the proprietors held March 16, 1720-21, " Voted, That y" Lott layers lay out a Second Division of 100 acres each Lott, and such Highways as they bee meet." These lots were never laid out. At a meeting of the proprietors of the town of " Checher," held February 5, 1721-2, " Voted, That the Second Division be two hundred acres instead of 100 before voted." This was not laid out at that time. THE ADDITIONAL LOTS OP FIPTT ACRES. At a general meeting of the proprietors of Chester, held the 28th day of March, 1723 (the first under the charter), " Voted, That the Comons be laid out in fifty Acre lotts for an Addition to the home lots ; and what is wanting to accomodate all the home lotts, to have as many of the 200 acre lotts divided into 50 acre lotts as will Compleat it." These additional lots were laid out nearly all around the home lots, extending from Sandown and Derry to near the Long meadow, and it was voted that " The Proprietors draw for their addition on the same Quarter of their home lott Lyes." They were laid out in 1724. THE OLD HUNDREDS OR NORTH DIVISION. This division includes the town of Raymond. " At a meeting of y'' prop''^ of the town of Chester, held at the house of Sam^ Ingalls, 10th of June, 1728, "Voted, That there Shall be a Division of Land Lay" out, Containing 100 acres to Each originall prop' which is halfe y'^ Second Division which was formerly Voted to be 200 acres. It is to be understood that this Division of land Shall be laid out in parish order, viz, beginning on Exeter head line where Nottingham line Divides between them & PROPRIETARY HISTORY. 35 US, & SO Extending five Miles upon Each line or so farr as to Make up Every full prop"^ 100 acres to his Share." " Voted, m"^ Ichabod Eoby m' Nath. Heley to be a Committee m' Jacob Oilman V to lay out m' Eben"^ Derbern I y= 100 acre lotts." m' Ephraim Heselton J " Nov. 2V\ 1728. The wages of the committee set,— Ichabod Robie 15 Shillings, the rest 10 Shillings per day." The report of the committee was accepted Nov. 19, 1729. Before these lots, called the Old Hundreds or North Division, were laid out, there was a mill built at Freetown, and a road made from there to Exeter line. Some of the lots were bounded on the mill pond, others on the " Easterly side of y' highway y' leads to the afores" mill pond." There was one tract of about forty acres where the mill stood, and another of about sixty acres between the 66th and mill pond, not lotted. There were a gi-eat many votes passed, and committees raised, about these tracts, and some- thing was sold to James Wilson and Robert Wilson, and the residue was finally sold at auction, Sept. 6, 1774, to Capt. John Underbill for eleven dollars ; he to have no claim on the proprietors if he did not recover any thing. The lots appear more regular on the old plans than they lay in reality. The lots in the twelfth range, the one bordering on Chester, were not bounded at the south end, and were supposed by the early purchasers to extend south to the reserve where the road now is, and they settled there. The proprietors called them to account, and in 1773, the owners employed Nathan Lane to survey these lots, who decided that the lots extended only to where Raymond line now is, forty-three rods north of the road. In June, 1773, the proprietors chose a committee to prosecute the owners of these lots unless they would settle, and the first of October, 1773, they voted to John Lane the land against Nos. 126 and 128 for twenty-four shillings ; to Joshua Hall, against No. 129 for twelve shillings ; to John Lane, Jr., 86 HISTORY OF CHESTER. against No. 130 for twelve shillings ; to Abigail Smith, against No. 127 for twelve shillings ; to the owners of 123 > 125, 127, 131 and 132, twelve shillings each. THE MEADOWS. OhesJiire abounded in beavers that built dams across the various streams, which, by flowing killed the growth, if there was any before there were beavers ; and when the hunters killed the beavers, the dams went down and the land came into grass, which was of great use to the early settlers. Beaver ponds and beaver dams are frequently mentioned in the records. At a meeting of the proprietors held Feb. 5, 1721-2, " Voted, That the Lott Layers survey the principal mead- ows and Reserve them out of the Second Division for the Publick use untill the Prop'^ See Cause to Divide 'em." April, 1727, it was " Voted, That The Inhabitants, and those That are com- ing to Settle, divide y' Cutting of y= meadows in Equal Proportion among Themselves for y^ Year Ensuing ; and that none Cutt any before the Last day of July on the penalty of 20s. to be paid by each person for Every day y* he or they shall offend, to be paid to the Selectmen for y« use of the Poor of the Town." March, 28, 1728, it was " Voted, That there shall be a Division of Meadow to Every Right according as it will hold out in quantity & quality, according to y" goodness or badness of y^ Meadow, to make every man's share as Equal as can be." The meadows were in all parts of the town from Three (^amp meadow to the White Hall mill and Derryfield. The most prominent one commenced just below the Con- gregational church in Auburn, and united with the north branch just back of the burying-ground, and extended to Londonderry line, and was the " Long Meadow" ; hence that part of the town was called until recently the " Long Meadows." PROPRIETARY HISTORY. • 37 SECOND PART OP THE SECOND DIVISION. At an adjourned meeting held December 11, 1735, it was " Voted, That there shall be a Division of Land of one hundred acres Laid out to Each full Proprietor's Share for Quantity and Quality, beginning at Kingston Line and so filling up the Vaquency between the additional Lotts and the north division Hundred acre Lotts, so Extending Round the additional Lotts, which is one half, and to Oompleat the second division formerly voted to be two hundred acres. " Voted, Cap' Sam" Ligalls, Insin Jacob Sergent, Eph- raim Haseltine, Sam' Emerson, and James Campbell, be the Committee to Lay out the same." This division was laid out in 1736, and fills the space between the additions and Old Hundreds, and extends into Candia and Auburn to the neck of the pond. THE THIRD DIVISION. At a meeting held Jan. 17, 1738-9, " It was put to vote whether to Lay out another division or divisions of Land. Past in the negative." At an adjournment of this meeting May 16, 1739, " Voted, That the Vote Relating to Laying out another Division or Divisions of Land, that was Passed in the neg- ative, shall be Reconsidered." And it was " Voted, That there shall be a third division of Land Laid out for Each full Proprietor's Share, Containing Eighty acres ; bounding the same Easterly on the old Hundred acres Called the north division. Northerly on Nottingham Line, and Southerly on the Second part of the second divis- ion, so Extending Westerly to Compleat the same ; the Com- mittee having Power if they meet with mean Land to give reasonable allowance, and if they meet with Exceeding mean land to leave it imdivided. " Voted, That Lt. Ebenezer Dearborn, Insin Jacob Sar- gent and Mr. James Campbell to be the Committee to Lay out the s'' third Division of Land. " Voted, That Sam' Emerson be Sirvaior to assist to Lay out the s" third Division of Land ; but if by Sickness or 38 • HISTORY OF CHESTER. otherwise he be disabled, the Committee to Provide sum other Sirvaior as to them shall appear needful; and tor Bach Lott shall be Paid fourteen Shillings before the Lotts be drawn, by the Proprietors Respectively." This division lies in Candia and the lots are more regular on the old plans than they are in reality, though it is pre- sumed the committee did not meet with any exceedingly mean, or even mean land. What was the inducement to lay out the upper end of the first range at such an angle, I cannot explain. The upper lot, instead of N. 29° E., is with the present variation of compass, N. 68° B. This division lay entirely in Candia. THE FOURTH DIVISION. At a meeting March 27, 1745, " Voted, That Capt. John Tolford, Lieut. Thomas Wella & Capt. Sam' Ingalls be a Committee to lay out another Division Containing 60 Acres to each full Proprietor's share ; considering the Quality, If it don't exceed 120 acres to a Lott. " Voted, That the Afores* Committee for Laying out each Lott shall have three shillings Lawful money to be paid to them by the Proprietors. " Voted, That the afores* Committee shall lay out the afores* Division of land & make return to the Proprietors by the first day of Decemb' next." The return is dated 1746. The Fourth Division lay partly in Auburn, but mostly in Manchester and Hooksett. FIFTH DIVISION. At a meeting held December 28, 1749, " Voted, That the Remainder of the Common Lands in this town Shall be Divided and Laid out and Called the fifth Division. " Voted, That Messrs. William Crafford, Anthony Towl and John Tolford shall be the Committee to lay out the fifth Division of Lands agreeable to the foregoing Vote, and PROPRIETARY HISTORY. 39 to Lay it out for Quantity and Quality as near as they Can, So that Every Proprietor may have their equal Proportion as near as may be, and as soon as may be." The return is dated 1752. The Fifth Division lay between the Fourth Division and AUenstown line in Hooksett. SIXTH DIVISION. The vote for laying out the Sixth Division was passed Nov. 9, 1772. The lots were called ten acres each. The committee were John Tolford, John Underhill and William Crafford, who made their return June 7, 1774. This Divis- ion was made up of tracts of undivided land, and of super- mimerary lots in the other divisions in all parts of the town. THE GOVERNOR AND LIEUT. GOVERNOR'S FARMS. It has been seen that the committee for managing tlie prudential affairs of the proprietors of the Chestnut Country, April 25, 1720, voted a home lot and a farm of five hundred acres to the Governor and the same to tlie Lieut. Governor. This was also a condition of the Charter. Gov. Shute's home lot lay on the southeast side of the Derry road, southwest from the meeting-house. His farm was bounded on the southwest by Pennacook path, sixty- four rods, extending from the farm of Jacob Chase south- east by east, and extending back nearly two miles. To whom it was originally sold I have not learned. There is recorded in the Rockingham Records, Book 21, page 443, an indenture dated 1735, in wliich Samuel Shute, of the Parish of St. James, Westminster, England, gives to his nepliew, John Yeomans, of the same place, all his lands in Chester, Nottingham, Rochester, Bow, Barnstead and else- where. It is made in two parts and certified by the Lord Mayor of London, and the great seal affixed. A power of attorney was made by Yeomans to William Shirley, Richard Waldron, John Boydel, Samuel Ingalls, Ephraim Haselton, Samuel Emerson, Hugh Montgomery 40 HISTORY OF CHESTER. and John Morrison, to enter and take possession in his name. Dated April 21, 1736 ; July 1, 1736, proved in the Inferior Court of Boston ; June 18, 1736, John McMur- phy, John Calf, John Boydel, Samuel Ingalls and Bphraim Haselton entered and took formal possession. Yeomans brought an action of ejectment against Eliz- abeth Underbill (Sampson's widow), in September, 1738, who appeared and entered a disclaimer. Gov. Wentworth's home lot lay from the meeting-house to Shackford's Corner, and was sold by him to Rev. Moses Hale, May, 1730. Mr. Hale sold to Rev. Ebenezer Plagg two home lots, September 22, 1736. The corner was about eight rods north of the meeting-house. Jabez French bought five rods of the ten-rod way, and James Varnum five rods against his lot. Gov. Wentworth's farm was laid out in 1728 in three tracts. Two hundred and fifty acres, nearly the square on the southwest side of the road southeast of the Congrega- tional church in Auburn, sold to Andrew and Alexander Craig ; two hundred acres in the south part of Auburn set- tled by Nathaniel Linn ; fifty acres sold to John Moore on Sandown line. There were a great many tracts laid out as amendments of lots and compensation for highways. Many tracts were sold to pay debts. One hundred and fifty acres lying on Oswego brook, from Clark's mill to the Oswego mill, ex- tending back northeast, were sold to the Rev. Moses Hale, to pay arrears of his salary. Land was sold to the Coch- rans to pay arrears for building the meeting-house, and a gratuity for their loss in building it. A large tract was sold Robert Boyes, Esq., on which is the Head tavern in Hooksett. Joseph Brown, Samuel Gault, a Knox and Andrew Octterson settled at the upper end of the town on land not lotted, and claimed by the proprietors, and long lawsuits were carried on, commenced in 17'±9, some of which were carried before the Governor and Council as a court of ap- peal, but were finally settled by the individuals purchasing PROPRIETARY HISTORY. 41 and quieting their titles. June 19, 1753 it was " Voted, that an agreement be made with Messrs. Gallt, Knox, Brown and their associates that the proprietors have Sued, of the northwest part of the town, they paying the Pro- prietors of Chester Sixty pounds old tenor in part pay of our Charges, and Sink their own charges and pay twenty Shillings per acre for their Land they are Sued for, that they have Deeds of, according as what they were laid out for in Quality by them." They probably settled under title from Suncook, which was granted by the General As- sembly of Massachusetts, as Tyngstown, was granted. The deeds were dated 1754. The proprietors kept during nearly the whole time of their corporate existence equiva- lent to a standing committee to prosecute trespassers, and held hardly a meeting without passing a strong vote on the subject. When the Rev. Mr. Flagg was settled the pro- prietors gave him, by way of settlement, two hundred acres, lots No. 20 and 21 in the second part of the second division. The Presbyterians dissented, and in return a large tract was given to Rev. John Wilson : " That piece of Common Land about the west meadows, bounding southerly on Londonderry line and Easterly and Northerly on Cochran's land and on Governor Wentworth's farm of two hundred acres, northerly on the Highway by the side of the 39'" lott and westerly on the 88'" and 92'* hundred acre lotts, which Land was set apart for the use of those who dissented against giving away Land. At their, the dissenters request, it is voted and given to the Rev. mr. John Wilson their minister." CHAPTEE III. THE ORIGINAL GRANTEES AND THEIR LOTS. The grantees of Londonderry were actual settlers, who ■were on the ground before they procured their charter. The grantees of Chester, on the other hand, were non-resi- dents, very few of whom ever resided in Chester. They may be chiefly placed in three classes : First, the original association for settling the " Chesnut Country," formed at Hampton or Hampton Falls, which included, from the first, some Portsmouth gentlemen like Clement Hughes, Col. Packer, etc., biit was naainly composed of residents of Hampton and Hampton Palls, and a few from Exeter and Kingston. A second class consisted of people belonging to Haverhill, Bradford and other towns in that vicinity. Some of them were proprietors or purchasers in Haverhill, and laid some claim to the Chesnut Country, or wished to procure a grant of it, and tried to Obtain possession, and were admitted proprietors by desire of the government. A third class were the Governor and Council and their friends, and others in and about Portsmouth. Many of these secured their places in the list of grantees as a mat- ter of personal favor, or by such means as were suspected to have influence, in those days no less than our own. We cannot always be certain that individuals are arranged in their proper classes, though in most cases there is little doubt. Then, some not belonging to either class, and some who were not petitioners, and some were petitioners who were not grantees. The first class had some men known to our day as prominent men, men in public stations ; but PROPRIETARY HISTORY. 43 the mass of them and the second class were the substantial yeomanry of their towns — the farmers and mechanics. Their motives were probably various ; some went them- selves as settlers, others settled their sons there, and still others soon sold out their rights, either to make money or to get rid of paying bills without any immediate profit. The third class were induced to take an interest in the grant chiefly from an expectation of realizing a profit from the sale of their lands. But probably their lots fell in such locations as, in many cases, to disappoint their expectations. We will now give some facts obtained in regard to them : Joseph Batchelder, Josiah Batchelder, Nathaniel Batchelder, Nathaniel Batchelder, Jr. They were de- scendants of Nathaniel, son of the Rev. Stephen Batchel- der, the first minister of Hampton. Both were early settlers of Hampton and ancestors of a numerous race widely scattered. Nathaniel Batchelder was one of the as- sessors of Hampton Palls in 1719-20, and Nathaniel Batch- elder, Sen., probably the same man, was selectman in 1722-3. Jacob Basford. (See " Early Settlers.") Moses Blake, Philemon Blake, Samuel Blake. They were all tax-payers in Hampton Palls in 1727, and were descendants of Jasper Blake of Hampton, who died 1673. Philemon and Samuel were petitioners, but Moses was not. Abraham Bbown and Jonathan Brown. They were descendants of John Brown, an early settler of Hampton, whose descendants are numerous and widely scattered. They were tax-payers in Hampton Palls in 1727. Numer- ous persons of the name of Brown, and probably of the same origin, are found in ancient Chester. Amos Cass was a tax-payer in Hampton Palls in 1727. He was a descendant of John Cass, an early settler of Hampton, who was selectman in 1653, '7, '8, and in 1672 and '5 to his death in June, 1775. In 1727 five of the name, Amos, Ebenezer, Jonathan (ancestors of the Oandia fami- lies), Samuel and Joseph, Jr. (ancestor of Gen. Lewis Cass), paid taxes in Hampton Palls. 44 HISTOET OF CHESTER. EiCHAED Clifford and Zachart Clifford. They were tax-payers in Kingston in 1727, and Richard in Exeter the same year. Zachariah Clifford's home lot was No. 53. The north end was sold to Lemuel Emerson by Samuel Clifford of Chester, tanner, in 1734. Peter Clifford had children recorded in Chester from 1739 to 1750. Several Cliffords, probably descendants, were early settlers in the northeast part of Candia. Rev. Theophilus Cotton was minister of Hampton Falls, son of the Rev. John Cotton of Plymouth, grandson of tbe Rev. John Cotton of Boston, nephew of the Rev. Seaborn Cotton of Hampton ; born 1682, graduated at Harvard in 1701, ordained 1712, and died August 12, 1726. John Cram was selectman of Hampton Falls in 1722, tax-payer in 1727 ; a descendant of old John Cram of Exeter, afterwards of Hampton. Three descendants each had a son John of a suitable age to be a grantee of Chester, Ebenezer Dearborn and Jonathan Dearborn. (See " Early Settlers.") Thomas Dean. His name appears in a deed as of Exeter. Abraham Drake and Nathaniel Drake were sons of Robert Drake, an early settler of Hampton. Abraham was ancestor of the eminent antiquarian, S. G. Drake of Boston, Benoni Fogg, James Fogg. Benoni was a tax-payer in Hampton Falls in 1727, and James Fogg in Hampton in 1732. They were descendants of Samuel Fogg of Hamp- ton, 1650, who died in 1672, leaving sons, Samuel, Daniel and James. Jacob Garland was on the tax-list in Hampton Falls in 1727, and at Hampton in 1732 ; was taxed for a saw and grist-mill. He was a descendant of John Garland who went to Hampton previous to 1658. William Godfrey was a tax-payer in Hampton in 1732; a descendant of Dea. William Godfrey who was of Hamp- ton in 1651 and died there 1671. William Healey was of Hampton Falls, and moved to Chester. (See " Early Settlers.") Nathl. Healey, brother of William, and great grand- PROPEIETAET HISTORY. 45 father of the Hon. S. D. Bell's wife, though not a grantee, ■was one of the society, and early became a proprietor and ■was one of the lot-layers of the North Division. He -was of Hampton Palls, -where his descendants still reside. Thomas Leavitt -was a tax-payer in Hampton Falls in 1727 a descendant of Thomas Leavitt -who signed the Exeter combination in 1639, and removed to Hampton before 1644. He left several sons, among -whom -was Thomas, but the grantee ■was probably a grandson. Samuel Maeston, Thomas Marston, -were tax-payers in Hampton in 1732. Thomas and William Marston -were early settlers in Hampton, having had lands assigned them before June, 1640. Both -were selectmen several years. Thomas -was representative in 1677. Samuel Page -was probably of Hampton, -where the name is on the tax-list of 1732. James Perkins. His name not found, though Perkins is a common name in Hampton, Hampton Falls and Exeter. Abraham Perkins -was an early settler in Hampton, having land assigned to him before 1740, and -was one of the selectmen in 1650, and five other years. Jambs Prescott, John Prescott, John Prbscott, Jr., Saml. Prescott. James, John and Samuel -were tax-payers in Hampton Falls in 1727, and James was selectman of Hampton in 1718. They were descendants of James Pres- cott of Hampton, spoken of as early as 1669. James mar- ried Mary, daughter of Joseph Sanborn, 1717. James and John were sons of the first James, John, Jr., son of John, and Samuel, son of the second James. ICHABOD RoBiE was of Hampton Falls. (See "Early Settlers.") Robert Rowb and Robeet Rowe, Jr., were tax-payers in Hampton Palls in 1727. Thomas Rowe was of Hampton in 1678, and Richard Rowe, who had a son Thomas, was of Dover in 1650. Benjamin Sanborn, Enoch Sanborn, Edward Sanborn, Jerry Sanborn, John Sanborn, Jonathan Sanborn, Joseph Sanborn, Nathaniel Sanborn, Reuben Sanborn. The Rev. 46 HISTORY OF CHESTER. Stephen Batchelder had a son-in-law Sanborn, supposed to be John, who died in England leaving two sons, John and William, born about 1620 and 1622, who came over with Mr. Batchelder, and moved with him to Hampton and there settled. They had large families and are the ances- tors of all the Sanborn s in the country, so far as is known. The oldest, called Lt. John, had eleven children, and died Oct. 20, 1692 ; and the second called Esq. William, had six children;— died Sept. 18, 1692. Of the Chester grantees, Enoch, son of John, Jr., and grandson of Lt. John, was taxed in Hampton Palls in 1727. Edward, son of Joseph and grandson of Lt. John, mar- ried Dorothy Roby. Jeremiah, son of Nathaniel and grandson of Lt. John, born 1701. Nathaniel was probably father of Jeremiah and son of Lt. John ; married Rebecca Prescott in 1691, who died at Hampton Falls, Nov. 9, 1723 ; was a tax-payer in Hampton in 1732. John, son of Richard, grandson of Lt. John, tax-payer in Hampton in 1732. Reuben, son of Joseph and grandson of Lt. John, mar- ried Sarah, daughter of Benjamin Sanborn, 1714. He was a tax-payer in Hampton Falls in 1727. Benjamin, son of Lt. John, tax-payer in Hampton Falls in 1727. Jonathan, son of Jonathan and grandson of Lt. John, married Theodate Sanborn. He was a tax-payer in Hamp- ton in 1782. He is mentioned in a deed as being of Kings- ton, and a tax-payer there in 1727. The wives of several other grantees were Sanborns, Abigail, sister to Reuben and Edward, married Ebenezer Dearborn, who settled in Chester. Sarah, daughter of Benjamin, married Reuben Sanborn. Abigail, daughter of Nathaniel, married Luther Morgan, Mary, daughter of Benjamin, married William Healey, settled in Chester. Abial, daughter of Benjamin, married Enoch Colby of PEOPEIETAEY HISTORY. 47 Theodate, daughter of Benjamin, married Jona. Sanborn. Mary, daughter of Joseph, sister of Keuben, married Saml. Prescott. Hannah, daughter of Josiah, married Jacob Garland. Besides these, three others were petitioners, who were not grantees, Abraham, Eichard and Samuel, sons of Joseph, Nathaniel, and Jonathan. Dea. Samuel Shaw was of Hampton Falls ; taxed there in 1727 ; a descendant of Eoger Shaw, an early settler of Hampton. He was selectman of Hampton Falls in 1712, '17 and '19. John Silly was of Hampton Falls ; a tax-payer in 1727 ; son of Thomas Silly, who came to Hampton about 169-, and married Ann, daughter of John Stanyan and Mary Brad- bury. They had two sons, John, born June 7, 1699, and Joseph, of Nottingham, born Oct. 4, 1691, father of Gen. Joseph Cilley. John Silly is named in the will of John Stanyan, son of Anthony, of Exeter, as his grandson. Benjamin Smith, Elisha Smith, Samuel Smith, Thomas Smith. Elisha Smith is on the list of tax-payers of 1732. Lt. Thomas Smith is said to have come from Hampton to Chester, though born in Ireland. (See " Early Settlers.") Among several families of Smiths in Hampton, the names of the other grantees are not found. Benjamin, Samuel and Thomas Smith were cut off from Haverhill by the settlement of the province line in 1741. Thomas and Benjamin were paid settlement money in Chester, and were probabably Haverhill Peak men. Jacob Stanyan was of Hampton. Anthony Stanyan of Exeter had a son John, who married Mary, daughter of Thomas Bradbury of Salisbury, who in his will, 1718, names his son " Jacob, born 26, 4th m., 1667," who was uncle to John Silly above. He is, however, mentioned in a deed as of Kingston. Stephen Sweat, probably of Hampton, son of Benjamin Sweat and Theodate Hussey, born Aug. 3, 1689. This Benjamin was son of Capt. Benjamin Sweat, who married 48 HISTORY OP CHESTER. Hester Weare, sister of Councillor Weare, and removed ■with him to Hampton Falls in 1662. Capt. Sweat was killed by the Indians at Scarborough, Me., June 29, 167T. Capt. Joseph Tilton, David Tilton, Jethro Tilton, Sherburn Tilton. They were all of Hampton Palls, de- scendants of William Tilton, of Lynn, whose widow mar- ried Roger Shaw, and moved to Hampton. Capt. Tilton was first town clerk of Hampton Falls, and in 1721 was moderator, town clerk and selectman. Sherburn was his son, born in 1699, and David was probably his brother. Jethro's marriage and childi-en are recorded in Hampton Falls. Benjamin Towle, Caleb Towlb, Philip Towlb, were of Hampton. Benjamin and Caleb were in the tax-list of 1732. They were descendants of Philip Towle, and early settlers of Hampton, in 1670, or earlier. (See " Early Set- tlers.") CoL. Peter Weare was of Hampton Falls, son of Coun- cillor Nathl.; himself Councillor in 1698, and Judge of the Superior Court from 1726 to 1730. He was one of the grantees of the old saw-mill privilege in 1721. He sold his right to Sampson Underbill in 1780. No descendants of his name remain. Capt. Joshua Wingate was of Hampton, taxed in 1732, among other things, for his trade. He was selectman in 1709 and 1722. He was son of John Wingate, of Dover, 1660, and had a brother John of that town. He was the father of Hon. Paine Wingate, of Stratham. Thomas Dean was probably of Exeter. His name is on the tax-list for 1727, but is mentioned as of Dover in a deed. Jacob Oilman, Major John Gilman, Edward Gilman. Jacob Gilman was a tax-payer in Kingston, and one of the selectmen in 1727. Major John Gilman and Edward were tax-payers in Exeter 1727. Major John Gilman was son of Hon. John Gilman, born Jan. 10, 1676. Edward was a grandson of Edward, a brother of John, who was lost at sea on a voyage to England for mill-gear, in 1653. hi PEOPKIETARY HISTORY. 49 a division of laud in Exeter, in 1725, thirty, out of two hundred forty-nine persons, were Gilmans. Maj. Jolinhad 250 acres, Edward 140, Edward, Jr., 50, but no Jacob. Ebenezer Lovereign was of Hampton in 1730, and of North Hampton in 1742, and deeded land in Chester. Samuel Welch, whose share was transferred to the Rev. Theophilus Cotton, was a tax-payer in Kingston in 1727. The following were admitted proprietors at the desire of the Goyeraor : — William White was a descendant of a William White first of Ipswich, then of Newbury, and one of the first settlers of Haverhill. William the grantee was a clothier ; married Sarah Phillips, and had a son Samuel. Both were large land-holders in Chester. Samuel had a daughter Sarah, who married David Howe, and Rebecca married James Duncan, two leading merchants of Haverhill. The Chester lands descended to Mrs. Duncan, and were called the " Duncan lots." The last was sold to Hon. Richard H. Ayer and Hon. Richard Bradley, about 1832. Jonathan Emerson was of Haverhill, and was cut off by the province line ; he was the father of Samuel Emerson, Esq., of Chester. (See " Early Settlers.") Dea. Edward Emerson was of Newbury, so named in deeds. John Packer was of Haverhill, so mentioned in deeds, and was a " cordwainer " in 1726. He was left in Haver- hill on running the line. Jonathan Kimball. There was a Jonathan Kimball who lived in that part of Haverhill which fell to New Hampshire, but I think the grantee lived in Bradford. Benjamin Kimball, of Bradford, sold half his father's (Jonathan) right to Samuel Ingalls. Stephen Webster, Nathan Webster. (See " Early Set- tlers.") Thomas Silver was of Haverhill in 1709. John and Thomas, and others, had leave to build seats in the gallery in 1708. Samuel Ingalls. (See " Early Settlers.") 4 50 HISTORY OP CHESTER. James Pales, of Dedham, sold land in Chester in 1728. John Littlehale was probably of Dracut. His son John, of Dracut, sold his additional lot to McPerson in 1733. Ephbaim Guile or Gile, was of Haverhill, named re- peatedly in Haverhill records. He helped cut out the first way to " Cheshire." Jonathan Clough was mentioned in connection with dividing lands in Haverhill in 1720. Thomas Whiting was probably of Haverhill. David and John were left in Haverhill in 1741. James was probably a son ; was in Chelmsford in 1719, in Haverhill in 1724, and in Chester in 1726. He settled on the home lot of Thomas,. No. 62, next west of where William Tenny now lives. John Jaquish was of Bradford, and sold land in Chester in 1731 ; also sold land to Eichard Jaques, of Haverhill, in 1728. Richard Jaquish was probably of Newbury. Sebastian Ralle was killed in 1724 by Lieut. Jaques of Newbury, at Norridgewock. William Daniels was of Salisbury and sold his home lot to Nathan Webster in 1728. Stephen Johnson was of Haverhill, where were seven Johnsons who fell to New Hampshire in the settlement of the line in 1741, among them Stephen and Stephen, Jr. Ret. Thomas Simmes was minister of Bradford, son of a former minister. Rev. Zacariah Simmes of that place. He had a son Thomas who sold his father's right to Richard Haselton in 1728. Richard Haselton was of Bradford. (See " Early Set- tlers.") Nathan Webster of Bradford, Stephen Webster. (See " Early Settlers.") The following grantees were Massachusetts men but not admitted by request of the Governor : — Ebenezer Eastman was of Haverhill. He and his wife Sarah, " taverner," sold his home lot to Ebenezer Dearborn in 1729. He was active in the first settlement of Peuna- PBOPEIBTAEY HISTORY. 51 cook and it is said the he was first settler there, that his was the first ox-team that went from Haverhill, and that he set out for Pennacook with a barrel of molasses. (See " His- tory of Roads.") Robert Ford was of that part of Haverhill which fell to New Hampshire in 1741. Capt. Richard Kent was of Newbury, and sold his right to John Tyler of Boxford, in 1727. ("See Early Settlers.") George Brownal is described in a deed to John Smith as of " Boston, Schoolmaster," in 1735. John Calpe was of Newbury. (See " Early Settlers.") Portsmouth Grantees, including the Governor and Coun- cil, and their friends. Akerman and Cutts, were of Portsmouth. Benjamin Akerman and Richard Cutts were on the tax-list for 1732. William Crosswait was of Portsmouth, and was taxed there in 1732. Ephraim Dennett, Esq., of Portsmouth, taxed in 1732 ; son of John Dennet, who was freeman in 1672 ; appointed June, 1731, Justice of the Court of Common Pleas, con- tinued till 1741 ; appointed Councillor by mandamus in . 1732, and held the office one year. Benjamin Gambling, Esq., of Portsmouth, taxed there in 1739 ; son of Robert Gambling of Roxbury ; born October 20, 1681 ; graduated at Harvard in 1702 ; preferred to spell his name Gambling. He was much in public office : Clerk of the Court, Register and Judge of Probate, Sheriff, Judge of the Superior Court and Councillor. Col. Mark Hunkins of Portsmouth, taxed there, 1732 ; was a Councillor from 1710 to 1731, and Judge of the Superior Court from 1712 to 1729. His daughter, Sarah, was the wife of Lieut.-Gov. John Wentworth, mother of Benning Wentworth and grandmother of Gov. John Went- worth. Clement Hughes was a merchant of Portsmouth ; taxed in 1732 ; Clerk of .the Court of Common Pleas in 1717, and of the Superior Court in 1717 and 1718. He was clerk of the society for settling the " Chesnut Country," 52 HISTORY OF CHESTER. and of the proprietors from 1719 to 1727. He wrote a beautiful hand. George Jafpret, Esq., of Portsmouth; taxed there 1732 ; soDr of Hon. George Jeffrey of New Castle ; born in 1683 ; graduated at Harvard in 1700 ; Councillor from 1716 to his death in 1749 ; Treasurer in 1726 ; Judge of the Superior Court from 1717 to 1726 ; Chief Justice from 1726 to 1730. Archibald McPhedris, Esq., Portsmouth; taxed there in 1732 ; was a native of Scotland and an opulent mer- chant. He married Sarah Wentworth, one of sixteen children of Gov. John Wentworth. After his death she married George Jaffrey. He was Councillor from 1722 to his death, about 1729. Clement Messerye was of Portsmouth, but was not taxed in 1732. A Clement Messerve, perhaps the father of the grantee, was taxed in 1673 ; took the oath of allegiance in 1685 ; had a seat in the meeting-house in 1693. Thomas Packer was of Portsmouth ; born in London ; bred a surgeon ; was at Salem ; removed to Portsmouth ; was eminent as a physician and surgeon ; Lieut.-Col. in the militia ; Judge of the Court of Common Pleas from 1686 to 1698, 1692 to 1695, and 1698 and 1699 ; Council- lor from 1719 to his death in 1728. George Pierce, Capt. Joshua Pierce and Thomas Pierce were all probably of Portsmouth. George and Thomas are on the tax-list of 1732 ; Joshua is not. Samuel Penh allow, Esq., of Portsmouth ; born in Corn- wall, England ; came to Portsmouth ; married Mary Cutt, daughter of President Cutt, who inherited a large estate; was a successful merchant ; was elected a Representative in 1699 and 1702 ; Speaker in 1702 ; Recorder from 1702 to 1705, 1719 to 1722; Councillor from 1702 to 1726; Judge of the Superior Court from 1714 to 1716; Chief Justice from 1717 to his death in 1726, at the age of 61. He wrote a history of the Indian wars. Nathaniel Rogers was of Portsmouth; son of Eev, Nathaniel Rogers; bom 1700; graduated at Harvard in PEOPRIETAUY HISTORY. 53 1717 ; physician, Representative and Speaker ; died Novem- ber 29, 1745. First wife was Olive Plaistcd ; second, widow Eymes, daugliter of Henry Sherburne. Eleazer Russel of Portsmouth ; married Margaret Wal- dron. He was taxed in 1732 ; was Postmaster and Sheriff in 1733, '4, '5, '8 and '41. His son, of the same name, born in 1720, was naval officer and acting collector at Ports- mouth several years. William Rymes was perhaps of Portsmouth, but of Do- ver according to some deeds. John Shackpoed and Samuel Shackford were of Ports- mouth. (« See Early Settlers.") Capt. Henry Sherburne, Joseph Sherburne and Samuel Sherburne were of Portsmouth ; descendants of Henry Sherburne, who came to Portsmouth about 1632, married Rebecca, only daughter of Ambrose Gibbins, and whose will was set aside in favor of his younger children. He was Commissioner for small causes seven years ; Clerk of Writs in 1649 ; Selectman eleven years ; in 1659 and 1660 Deputy to the General Court. He died in 1680. Capt. Henry Sherburne is on the tax-list in 1732. Samuel and Samuel, Jr., Capt. Joseph and Capt. Joseph, Jr., and five others, were also on the tax-list of Portsmouth in 1732. Susannah Small. Joseph Small died. His wife, Susannah, was a daughter of Thomas Packer and took her husband's right. She kept a tavern in Portsmouth, and several of the early meetings of the society and committee were held at her house. Henry Sloper was of Portsmouth. Richard Sloper of Dover married Mary, daughter of Capt. Henry Sherburne, 1658, and had a son Henry. Samuel Thompson was probably of Newington. " Mr. Samuel Thompson " is on the tax-list of Newington in 1727. Col. Shadrach Walton was of New Castle, son of Geo. Walton, of Exeter in 1639. He was at the taking of Port Royal in 1711 ; was of the Council in 1716, and presided in that body in 1731 and 1736 ; Judge of the Common Pleas 1695 to 1697, and from 1716 to 1737, and Chief Justice 54 HISTORY OP CHESTER. from 1729 to 1737; died October, 1741, aged eighty- three. Benning Wentworth, Ebenezer Wentworth, Thomas Wentwoeth, were of Portsmouth ; descendants of Elder William Wentworth of Dover. Lieut.-Gov. John Went- worth had fourteen children : 1st, Benning, the Governor ; 2d, John, Judge of Probate of Portsmouth ; 3d, Hunking ; 4th, William ; 5th, Samuel, father of Mrs. Gov. John ; 6th, Mark Hunking, father of Gov. John ; 7th, Daniel ; 8th, Ebenezer; 9th, George; 10th, Hannah, married Samuel Plaisted and Theodore Atkinson ; 11th, Sarah, married Mc- Phedris ; 12th, Mary ; 13th, Elizabeth ; 14th, Rebecca, mar- ried Thomas Packer. Benning and Ebenezer were taxed in Portsmouth in 1732. Benning was Councillor from 1732 to 1741, when he became Governor and remained in office till May, 1767. How Thomas is related does not appear. Col. Thomas Westbrook is on the Portsmouth tax-list in 1732. In 1721 he commenced an expedition against Norridgewock, but Ralle escaped. He was of the Council from 1706 to 1782, and died 1736. Michael Whiddbn was of Portsmouth, and taxed there in 1732, with Michael, Jr., and John. He was a builder. Richard Wibird was of Portsmouth, came there about 1700, from England ; was successful and became wealthy. In 1727 he paid the largest tax in Portsmouth. He was Councillor in 1716 to 1732. He had three sons, Richard, Jr., a councillor, Thomas and John, and a daughter who married Hunking Wentworth. He was sheriff in 1732, '34, '35 and '36. Henry Works. Nothing found in regard to him. Joseph Young was on the Exeter tax-list for 1727, and in a deed of 1738, as being of Kingston. TABLE Containing the Names of the OBiGiNAii Grantees of Chesteb, in Aipha- EETICAL OBDEB, WITH THE NUillBEB OF THEIE LOTS. NAMES. H. L. ADD. 0. H. 2p2d. 3dD. 4tllD. 5th D. 117 97 124 93 .101 123 19 59 18 85 80 40 25 94 151 46 129 69 19 73 33 21 51 46 37 11 72 117 1 104 122 104 9 82 14 38 121 47 39 16 68 37 lit 113 77 97 77 63 133 119 38 139 26 56 96 99 37 105 137 41 87 133 89 BO 115 23 113 83 104 100 130 73 69 71 57 48 79 42 110 107 73 118 24 16 123 24 43 12 109 67 70 100 87 10 44 34 32 58 110 100 20 75 85 93 118 53 20 15 95 94 116 76 77 6 128 56 49 119 41 46 94 50 68 119 127 121 141 41 113 100 99 B6 67 32 72 116 22 67 90 57 10 31 108 7 113 17 129 71 130 75 110 75 21 26 19 48 106 46 82 83 17 80 47 136 66 22 52 109 17 26 64 36 39 84 114 143 95 86 86 95 87 65 132 77 53 16 105 85 29 138 76 78 99 25 59 10 122 36 62 33 71 69 115 129 75 24 126 46 12 87 73 127 81 42 63 110 123 Philemon Blake James Boyd Abraham Brown George Brownell Nathaniel Bachelder. Sen. . Jonathan Brown Moses Blake Samuel Blake Josiah Batchelder Nathaniel Batchelder, Jun Joseph Batchelder -. . Jacob Basford John Calfe Amos Cass Richard ClifEbrd Zaehariah Cltfiford Jonathan Clough EeT. Theophilus Cotton. . . John Cram "William Crosswait Gntts & Akerman William Daniels Thomas Dean Jonathan Dearborn Ebenezer Dearborn ISphraim Dennet Abraham. Drake Nathaniel Drake Bbenezer Bastman Edward Emerson Jonathan Emerson 56 HISTORY OF CHESTER. TABLE — continued. H. L. ADD. O. H. 2p2d. SdD. 4th D. 5t]iD.6thD, James Failes •Key. Bbenezer Flagg James Fogg Benoni Fogg Kobert Ford Benjamin Gambling, Esq... Jacob Garland Jacob Gilmaai Major John GUman Edward Gilman William Godfrey Ephraim Guile Eichard Haseltine William Healey Kev. Moses Hale Clement Hughes Col. Mark Hunking Samuel Ingalls George Jaifrey, Esq John Jaquish Eichard Jaquish Stephen Johnson Capt. Eichard Kent Jonathan Kimball Thomas Leavitt John Littlehale Ebenezer Loverell Samuel Marston Capt. Archibald McPhedris. Clement Messervy Luther Morgan Col. Thomas Packer Samuel Page John Packer 76 24 36 149 22 23 106 201 44 18 61 75 7 M 28 20 70 147 78 72 69 5 63 4 79 54 52 125 31 126 30 104 66 33 40 35 125 69 42 45 132 15 74 96 55 55 10 131 17 7 11 43 1 93 8 53 91 27 71 21 62 114 19 131 44 9 83 3 28 35 30 33 19 110 80 29 102 74 40 36 135 100 6 63 16 123 17 2 99 73 114 140 52 91 20 1 21 J 61 102 77 1 34 87 17 43 49 106 55 112 130 108 59 6 121 90 116 82 3 105 50 19 127 79 91 14 74 B2 13 50 27 129 41 62 116 5 124 130 37 102 61 12 110 53 72 35 68 43 44 113 115 15 86 20 117 79 104 128 100 126 64 120 95 76 23 97 18 99 15 92 36 31 4 100 10 39 9 34 61 89 61 125 129 40 16 13 37 130 128 108 25 101 82 60 127 47 97 86 23 110 45 126 73 71 83 130 15 128 11 122 4 103 124 12 39 56 18 2 53 116 84 132 I 51 35 127 56 15 103 57 94 49 105 9 18 77 27 8 91 100 16 37 6 46 78 23 123 110 30 80 55 61 112 124 92 121 123 Voted to him by way of settlement. PEOPEIETAET HISTORY. TABLE — continued. 57 H. L. ADD. 0. H. 2P.2d 3d D. 4tll D. 5tll D. 6thp. Parsonage lots Samuel Fenhallow, Esq.. ■ James Perkins Thomas Phipps, Esq Capt. Joshua Pierce Capt. Thomas Pierce George Pierce Jonathan Plummet John Prescutt John Prescutt, Jr James Prescutt Samuel Prescutt Ichabod Koby Eev. Nathaniel Eogers . . . Eohert Eow Eleazer Russell Capt. 'William Eymes Joseph Sanborn Nathaniel Sanborn Benjamin Sanborn Eeuben Sanborn John Sanborn Enoch Sanborn Edward Sanborn Capt. Jonathan Sanborn. Jerry Sanborn School lots John Shackford Samuel Shackford Capt. Henry Sherburne . Samuel Sherburne Capt. Joseph Sherburne. Daa. Samuel Shaw John Silly Eev. Thomas Simms Thomas Silver 128 f>6 25 57 131 121 103 105 146 33 26 116 142 2 127 135 40 3 115 11 120 49 8 112 29 148 51 13 11 13T 60 35 68 67 50 126 16 57 44 HI 120 128 65 64 119 88 117 32 80 106 118 122 25 112 68 124 58 79 29 107 90 57 133 95 21 5 39 79 25 126 130 96 82 111 45 38 58 92 31 117 54 127 27 120 48 59 89 55 119 49 109 56 37 1 105 22 78 122 84 101 123 18 10 15 58 51 70 31 81 65 40 133 54 103 38 72 2 117 107 28 48 128 67 47 8 63 45 76 96 115 29 25 90 93 70 80 96 53 84 88 31 122 121 17 54 2 4 28 59 8 55 89 66 120 103 106 33 3 91 9T 74 21 30 69 107 1 26 38 38 54 88 122 11 121 19 65 42 126 29 75 124 107 78 134 28 27 47 55 7 30 49 94 77 45 64 70 118 60 80 50 106 91 20 117 32 92 119 78 104 134 42 108 113 21 90 126 136 7 36 34 28 72 91 3 96 22 1 40 31 137 43 75 62 44 46 105 85 6 120 112 58 HISTORY OP CHESTER, TABLE — concluded. KAMES. Susannali Small Thomas Smith Benjamin Smith Blisha Smith Samuel Smith Capt. Henry Sloper Jacob Stanlan Stephen Sweat Capt. Joseph Tilton David Til ton Jethro Tilton Samuel Thompson Philip Towle Benjamin Towle Caleb Towle Col. Shadrack Walton Col. Peter Weare Nathan Webster Stephen Webster Capt. Ebenezer Wentworth Benning Wentworth John Wentworth, Esq Michael Whidden Thomas Whiting William White Capt. Richard Wibird Capt. Joshua Wingate Col. Thomas Westbrook Henry Works Joseph Youn g 134 109 HI 45 39 145 136 16 15 160 113 34 41 102 85 47 124 65 64 9 133 B 101 62 74 48 58 143 12 43 61 109 30 102 108 129 67 49 60 56 101 99 23 116 54 14 12 70 78 Farm 84 6 13 123 2 69 103 28 76 18 132 51 103 97 66 26 7 134 72 65 42 60 12 112 11 13 61 68 32 of 41 34 138 14 84 115 118 121 124 9 53. 125 6 114 62 60 24 132 120 119 64 57 85 23 111 89 27 83 109 250) 200 f 60 ) 30 118 94 32 129 4 92 11 . 6th D. 6th D. 73 7 114 81 51 36 6 108 78 45 65 98 14 10 18 111 76 60 123 92 29 icres 125 24 127 32 58 42 23 48 113 74 35 112 33 1 46 111 62 22 44 116 105 131 8 102 58 2 71 41 26 103 63 66 101 14 57 13 106 50 52 135 38 5 24 64 49 102 107 131 69 74 77 36 132 27 81 8 61 30 32 20 75 47 33 125 102 108 19 85 117 97 45 71 79 1 4 58 14 40 101 24 61 7 115 CHAPTER IV. SETTLEMENT OF THE LINES. At a meeting of the proprietors held at Kingston, Dec. 31, 1723, " Voted, That a Committee be Chosen to Join with the Londonderry Committee to run the Line between Chester and Londonderry. "Voted, That Sam" Penhallow, Esq', George Jaffrey, Esq', and Capt. Henry Sherburne be the Committee." At a meeting March 31, 1726, it was " Voted, That the Selectmen be a Committee to Apply to the Gov' & Council for a Committee to run the line be- tween Exeter & Chester, and that they forward the Com- mittee that are Appointed to run y^ line between Chester & Londonderry to make their return as Soone as possible." At a meeting on the 31 of Oct., 1726, " Voted, That Caleb Towl & Sam' Ingalls be a Commit- tee w'" the Selectmen to see that the line between Chester & Nottingham be run'd according to Charter, and also the head line of Chester." These lines were run soon after, as appears by the accounts. Ichabod Roby charges for four days between Exeter and Chester, five and a half days next Nottingham. I have not been able to find any return of the running oi these last lines, but there was a tradition which I had from my father, many years since, that they ran out their four- teen miles, and not finding the river, stopped and tool? legal advice, and were directed to run to their monumenl regardless of the measure ; that they ran to and across the river, and then made the head line curve half a mile, HISTORY OP CHESTER. e head line is crooked ; but the most probable hypothesis liat they started at the three pines at Londonderry, and k a course too far west and so made a curve, and per- 3S came out the west side of the river. This line comes the river just below Martin's Perry and crosses the er. The road to the Ferry laid out in 1766 came to river "where Lousy brook enters the river," then ;an at the west bank and ran about northwest to the 3 of the town. it a town meeting, March 13, 1794, ' Voted, Stephen Chase, Arthur Livermore, & Will* lite, Esqrs., be the Committee (with full Power in behalf the Town of Chester) to settle with Derrifield and Goffs- m, and petition the General Court in Order to make the fer the Jurisdiction line from allenstown down to Derri- d." There was probably an Act passed to that effect, but I TQ not seen it. The fourteen-mile line, according to the surveys for Car- ain's map taken about 1805, was Raymond against Not- gham, three miles two hundred and fourteen rods; linst Deerfield, two hundred and eighty-eight rods ; adia, six miles two hundred and twelve rods ; Chester, V Hooksett, against Allenstown, five miles one hundred i sixty rods ; making sixteen miles two hundred and rty-four rods to the river. EXETER LINE. )ct. 15, 1726. Clement Hughes, Robert Smith and John iborn, selectmen, preferred a petition to the Governor i Council, showing that Capt. Tobias Langdon, Capt. nothy Gerrish and John Smith had been appointed to I the head line of Exeter, and did it under the direc- a of the selectmen of Exeter, and made a return to them tead of to the Court. They pray for a committee " to I the two miles that Exeter is to run a W. b. N. point )ve Dover, and then upon a straight line to a beech tree PROPEIETAET HISTORY. 61 on Kingston side line, appointed and marked in 1718 by the grand committee cliosen by the General Assembly to fix the bounds of each town ; which straight line is the dividing line between Chester and Exeter." Dec. 16, 1726. Clement Hughes, for himself and in be- half of the rest of the selectmen of the town of Chester, petitioned the Lieut.-Governor and Council, showing : " That the Prop= of y" Town of Chester in the year 1722 Obtained a Charter which bounded the said Town on Exeter head bound, which bounds were made certain in the year 1718 by a Grand Committe chosen for that pur- pose by j^ Gen^ Assembly in y^ year 1715, as appears by the return of said Committe in the Secretary's office ; but the Clerk that drew up the return of said Committee made a mistake therein, Saying that Exeter Should run ten miles upon a W. b. N. Line from the North tree, whereas the Committee's Intent and former settlement was from the South tree, as can be made to appear by Living Evi- dence, &c., Sundry of y^ Gentlemen that were of j" Com- mittee being now alive ; and the Selectmen of Exeter taking advantage of s* mistake would tend to the ruin of the Town of Chester. " Yo"^ petition"^ therefore humbly prays that the said Mis- take may be rectified, and that no room may be left for Future Contention between jthe afore^*^ Towns. And your Petitioner as in duty bound shall ever pray. " Dec. 16, 1726. Clement Hughes." " In Council, Dec' 15, 1726. " The Selectmen of Chester appearing to Prosecute their Petition for a Committe to run the head line of Exeter which is the Dividing line between the s* Towns, and the Selectmen of Exeter also appearing, and both parties being fully heard, It is Or"^ that the Prayer of the Petition be Granted ; that Nath' Weare, Esq., Deacon John Cate & Dan' Lunt be a Committe, or tlie Maj' of them, to run and settle y^ s'^ Dividing line, and That they begin at the red oak tree marked for Dover west northerly bounds, and run from thence upon a West & by North point of the Compass two miles for Exeter bound on that side, and from thence upon a straight line to the beach tree marked for Exeter west northerly bounds, according to the grand committee's 62 HISTORY OF CHESTER. return in y^ year 1718, and that they measure from the said Beach tree along Exeter side line, being E. & b. S., to a Commonly Called Exeter South tree, which is the bound next Hampton ; and they make report to this board of their doings therein sometime between this time and the Tenth of Jan^ next, and that the Charge be paid by the two Towns jointly. R. Waldron, Clr. Con." THE committee's RETURN. Pursuant to an order of the hon"''' the Lieut Governor & Council of his Majest' Prov= of New Hamp'^ bearing date Dec 15'", 1726, Wee, The Subscribers, have been at the Red Oake Tree Marked for Dover West Northerly bounds, & Run from Thence upon a West & by north Point of the Compass two miles, making allowance for Windfalls & Un- eveness of Ground, and there markt a Young Red oak Tree for Exeter Bounds on that Side ; & from thence Run South twenty-nine Degrees and Thirty Minuts West, Bight miles and ninety Rods, without allowance to the Beach Tree Marked for Exeter West Northerly Bounds. Jany 9, 1726-7. John Gate, Daniel Lunt. LONDONDEEEY LINE. January 6, 1725-6. Henry Sherburne, Thomas Packer, Samuel Ingalls and John Sanborn, in behalf of the pro- prietors of Chester, petitioned Gov. Wentworth and Coun- cil, showing : " That two years since they Chose a Committe to Join with a Committe of Londonderry to run the Lines be- tween the two Towns, which the said Committee accord- ingly began, and made some Progress in it, but did not Compleat them by reason that the Committee of London- derry would not Consent to allow the usual allowance (of Eleven Chains for ten) for windfalls, &c., in y* woods in the measure in the W. N. W. side Line, and would allow only bare measure, which was unreasonable, and never Practiced before ; the reason being so Exact is because the Proprietors of Londonderry have artfully contrived to have it in their Charter to Ingross to themselves the fishing PROPRIETARY HISTORY. 63 place at Amoskeag, by taking into their Town a small gore of Land at the Head of Chester, untill it takes tlie said fishing place, they having measured it beforehand for that purpose. Their Ingrossing to themselves y° fishing place will not, only be greatly prejudicial to Chester but also to the other new towns." They pray for a committee. Day of hearing the 25th in- stant and order of notice. The prayer granted and James Stevens appointed surveyor, Benj. Barker and Jno. Call- ton chainmen, and Capt. John Gilman and Edward Hall to keep tally and see that proper allowance is made. THE committee's RETURN. Province of New Hampshire : Pursuant to an order from y" Hon*'" Jo" Wentworth, Esq', Lieut. Govern'' and y'' Hon*'' Council for the province afibrs*, passed in Council Jn"^ 25, 1725-6, Ordered, that M'' James Stephens should be Surveyor to Run y" Course of y"* Dividing lines Between y'' towns of Londonderry & Ches- ter, and M'^ Benj^ Barker and John Callton to Carry y° Chain to Measure y'' s'' lines, and that Capt. John Gillman and M'^ Edward Hall to go one w** y° One Chainman &' y" other w*'' y' other Chain Man to give just allowance as they thought fitt. The forementioned Committe y" 18'* of this Instant Oct*'', and began a Beetch tree on Kingstown head line and Run W. N. W. Course and Measured y" Same, and gave a just Allowance according to y° best of our Skill & Judg- ment, Untill we Made up ten Miles to three pitch pine trees standing on a plain & Marked, and then turned on a North Cource three miles an half to a great Rock in a little hol- low w'* a heap of Stones upon it and Marked trees beside it. all y° affors" lines by Marked trees, the aforesaid Com- mittee being upon oath. Ja' Stephens, Surveyor. ?\°j'^^,^'?'''l Chainmen. John Callton, John Gillman, ) Overseers Edw* Hall, \ ^^erseers. Province of New Hampshire, Portsm'*, Mar. 23, 1726-7. Entered & Recorded this above written Instrument in y° province Records, Book 15, page 254 and 155. P' M. Hunking, Record'. 64 HISTORY OF CHBSTBE. KINGSTOWN LINE. The charter of Kingstown is dated Aug. 6, 1694. Be- gins " 7 miles westward of tlie Meeting house in Hampton, thence a due course W. B. N. ten miles into the country ; for its breadth is 4 miles Northerly from said head point of the west line from s'^ Meeting house, and southerly to within three miles of the Northermost side of Merrimack River." This had been run by the grand committee as far as Island Pond, though crooked against Chester, or at least not in a line to the beech tree, the corner between Chester and Londonderry. The charter of Londonderry on a con- tinuation of this line lay " due south." May 16, 1728, David Cargil preferred a petition in behalf of the proprietors of Londonderry, asking for a committee to settle the line between Londonderry and Kingstown. He represents that Kingstown charter says " southerly," and they claimed S. by W., and that Londonderry charter says south and that there is no discrepancy, the meaning being south. The committee repaired to the north bound of Kingstown and found the old line to run south between eight and nine degrees west. The line in 1805 ran south three and a half degrees west. Hence the controversy. At a meeting October 6, 1741, " Voted, That mr. John Macmurphy, Eobert Boyes, Esq', and Insin Jacob Sargent Shall be a Committee to See how Large Kingstown Grant is, and to see what Land yet re- mains to be Laid out between Said Kingstown head Line and the Land already Laid out in this town." At a meeting June 27, 1745, "Voted, messrs. Capt. John Tolford, John Robie, John Moore and Enoch Colby Shall be a Committe to treat with Kmgstown Committe that are Chosen to Settle the Lines between Said towns of Kingstown and Chester, and to Se1> tie with them upon the following Conditions : if they will Settle with us (viz.) agreeable to their Charter and our Charter as they bound one upon the other, and to make Return of their doings to the Proprietors at their next meeting." PROPEIETAKY HISTORY. 65 At a meeting, of the proprietors of Chester, Dec. 4, 1745, " Put to vote whether to Settle the bounds with Kings- town agreeable to their Desire, passed in the negative. " Voted, That Robert Boyes, Esq% mr. Nathan Webster and Lieut. Thomas Wells Shall be a Committee to take Care and get a Sirvaior to Run our town Line Bounding upon Kingstown, and from the Corner of Nottingham to the River and the head Line of the town, agreeable to our Charter ; and to get Chainmen to measure where it is need- fiill ; and to do what is needfuU to be Don in that affair, at the Proprietors' Charge, and make return to the Proprietors at the adjournment of this meeting." , At the adjournment March 4, 1745 [1746] , "Voted, That Robert Boyes, Samuel Emerson, Bsqrs., and Capt. John Tolford, Shall be a Committe to Petition the Governor and Council for a Committe to be appointed by them to Run and Settle the Line between Kingstown and Chester agreeable to our Charter." The petition of Samuel Emerson and Robert Boyes, dated Jan. 24, 1746, to the Governor and Council, in the Secretary's office, shows, " That the petitioners, the tenth day of May, 1722, obtained a Charter from this Hon. board, with a great many valuable Priviledges, &c., with a grant . of land set forth in said Charter by metes and bounds ; but part of said lines or bounds have never been run by order of this Hon. board, especially between your petitioners and ?^ingstown, whereby your petitioners hath been laid under considerable difficulty which yet subsists. May it therefore please your Excellency and this Hon. board to appoint a surveyor and chainmen to run and mark out said line according to the metes and bounds in said Charter," &c. The petition seems not to have been granted. There seem to be discrepancies in the dates. The peti- tion for a meeting is dated Nov. 15, 1745 ; the warrant Nov. 16, 1745 ; the adjournment March 4, 1745 ; but if the adjournment was 1746, then the petition is dated before the choice of the committee. .6 66 HISTORY OP CHESTER. The next we find is at a meeting of the proprietors of Chester, June 20, 1759, " Voted, That major John Tolford, mr. John Robie and Capt. Anthony Towl shall be a Committee to Treat with the Proprietors of Kingstown and make a Settlement of the iines Between the s* Towns of Chester and Kingstown with them, agreeable to our Charter and theirs, if they will ; and if they Refuse to Do that, then they have Power and are hereby authorized to Petition the Governor and Council for a Committe to Establish and Settle the Said Lines, In behalf of the Proprietors of Chester." At a meeting of the proprietors of Chester, March 11, 1760, " Voted, That Major John Tolford, Mr. John Robie, and Capt. Anthony Towl, all Proprietors of Chester aforesaid, they or either of them be, and hereby are, agents and attor- nes for the Proprietors aforesaid, for them and in their name to agree with the Proprietors of Kingstown and make a final settlement of the Lines between said towns of Chester and Kingstown, or in order thereunto, if necessary and advisable, to Prosecute and defend in the Law any Petition, action or actions, Real, Personal or mixt, wherein the Said Proprietors are or may be Interested or Concerned, in any Court or Courts, to final Judgment and Execution, with full power to Substitute one or more attorney or attor- nies under them, and to transact and Do to all Intents and purposes as the said Proprietors might do if Personally Present. " Voted, That the Charge that our Said agents and attor- nies shall be at in Prosecuting and Defending the aforesaid Petitions, action or actions. Shall be Raised and Repaid them by the Proprietors of Chester aforesaid ; and also for their time and trouble their-in." It seems that Kingstown Proprietors take their turn to petition, for we find that John Tolford for the proprietors of Chester, April 2S, 1771, made answer to a petition of Benja. Stephens and Elisha Sweat, agents for the propri- etors of Kingstown, preferred to the General Assembly April 2, 1761, in which he says, " And the respondents beg leave to say that the petitioners suggest that the respon- dents have lately raised a dispute concerning the bounds PHOPEIETART HISTORY. 67 between Kingstown and Chester, and would remove the west line of Kingstown further eastward. Now, the respon- dents say that the said dispute has been of long standing, and that they, the respondents, now are, and always have been ready to run the line between Kingstown and Chester agreeable to the bounds of Chester Charter, and that they do not desire one foot of land more than is contained within the bounds of Chester Charter ; and that they would further observe that were it not for Chester Charter, the respondents apprehend that the westerly bounds of Kings- town would be nearly a mile and three quarters more to the eastward than where the respondents claim, and that they have often desired the Proprietors of Kingstown to run the lines between them agreeable to Chester Charter, and have no objection to the bounds between the said two towns to be properly run and settled, agreeable to the Charter of Chester, by persons unpredjudiced and that understand the compass and running of lines." The line was run, as appears by the petition of Isaac Bias- del, Joseph Linn and Jabez Hoit, and was as it now stands and ran as the north road to Sandown runs, twenty rods, or at right angles seventeen rods, east of the crooked line claimed by Kingstown. But this did not end the contro- versy ; but at a meeting of the proprietors November 9, 1772, John Tolford and Samuel Emerson were made agents with similar powers to those given in 1760. June 10, 1783, Isaac Blasdel, Joseph Linn and Jabez Hoit, selectmen of Chester, preferred a petition to the General Assembly, showing that they had been called upon to return a true inventory of all lots or tracts of land in Chester to the Secretary's office, which they had done, but find that seventy-two acres of the land have been inven- toried in Sandown ; that the lines between the towns were never, so far as they knew, perambulated according to law, though the selectmen of Kingstown and also the selectmen of Sandown had often been requested to do it. Though the selectmen of Sandown, in November, 1782, consented to perambulate the line between said towns, which was sur- 38 HISTORY OF CHESTER. 7eyed and marked by Walter Bryant, Jr., Esq., in Decem- 3er, 1761, by agreement of the proprietors of Kingstown md the proprietors of Chester, agreeably to a resolve of the General Assembly in May, 1761, and the agreement of the proprietors and Esq. Bryant's return, yet the selectmen of Sandown refused to sign any return to be recorded. They pray the General Assembly to consider the difficulty, when Chester claims a straight line and Sandown a curve or rather a crooked one. [An abstract.] Day of hearing, the second day of the next session. The proprietors of Chester June 7, 1785, " Voted to James Waddel, Samuel Wilson, Timothy Wells, Sargent Wells and Benjamin Wells, the land they have respectively in their possession laying west of Bryant's line," which was the end of the controversy. TYNGSTOWN LINE. At a meeting held June 9, 1741, " Put to vote whether to take any notice of the Propos- als made by the Committees meet to Confer upon the town- ships of Chester and Tyngstown Infringing upon Each other; past in the Negative." This was at first thought to be a clerical error and to mean Kingstown. But such is not the fact. There was a long controversy between Massachusetts and New Hamp- shire about the line between them, and Massachusetts had granted towns up the Merrimack. Among others there was a company of volunteers went on snow-shoes, in the winter of 1703, to Winnepissiokee, against the Indians, commanded by Capt. William Tyhg of Dunstable. A pe- tition was presented to the General Court of Massachusetts December 13, 1734, by Ephraim Hildreth and John Shep ley, in behalf of themselves and other soldiers, for a grani of knd lying on the east side of Merrimack river, between Suncook and Litchfield. The grant was made on certain conditions and was " Tyngstown." Major Hildreth settled there and built the first mill on the Cohas at Harvey's PROPRIETARY HISTORY. 69 They had a meeting-house near the old corner of Chester, — the three pines. The McClentos were probably within the bounds of Tyngstown. It was from these settlers, un- der a Massachusetts grant, that the proposition came to settle the line, which Chester so summarily rejected. (See Potter's Manchester, pp. 190-212.) The settlement of the Province line in 1741 ended the Tyngstowh claim. CHAPTER V. SETTLING MINISTERS, PRESBYTERIAN CONTROVERSY, AND CLOS- ING THE PROPRIETORS' AFFAIRS. 1723. The first meeting of the proprietors, under the charter, was held the 28th day of March, 1723. Thf names of the officers are given in the list of town officers It was " Voted, That forty shillings be paid by each pro- prietor by the 15*^ of June next, besides the Ten shilP w'=^ is given to those that have settled." Forty acres of land were granted to Thomas Brown, but for what consideratior does not appear.' It was laid out on Londonderry line. A home lot was granted to Clement Hughes in consideratior of his serving the town as surveyor the year past. 1724. The annual meeting for 1724 was held at the house of Samuel Ingalls, in Chester, and adjourned to the house of Joshua Wingate, in Hampton, the second Tues day in June. Votes were passed about drawing their addi tional lots and paying arrearages, on penalty of expulsion Also, admitting Rev. Theo. Cotton in the room of Samue "Welsh, and Thomas Smith and William Couch ii^ theroon of Jacob Stanyan. This year is memorable on account o: the. capture of Lieut. Thomas Smith and John Karr by th( Indians, the only hostile incursion in Chester. An accoun of it is given in a biographical notice of Lieut. Smith, or a subsequent page. HISTORY OF CHESTER. 1725. The annual meeting for 1725 was held at the ouse of Mrs. Susannah Small, in Portsmouth, the 25th of larch. Adjourned to the house of Thomas Webster, of Jxeter, the 24th of May. " Voted, To those that live at Chester the Sum of twenty ounds to hire two Souldiers to guard them four months ext ensuing." In Bamuel Ingalls' account is a credit, " By the hire of wo soldiers as per vote, ^20." There was also a vote assed forbidding proprietors cutting or carrying away any mber on penalty of forty shillings, and a committee hosen to prosecute offenders. 1726. A similar vote was passed March, 1726, and re- eated again at an adjournment in June, and a committee liosen to prosecute and another committee "to present lis vote to y" next Court of Quarter Sessions for their al- jwance." The account current for 1726, including the former bal- nce of £34 16s. 9d., is £92 4s. lOd. ; Cr., 126 proprietors th payment, 10s. each, £63. Balance due, £29 4s. lOd. 1727. The annual meeting was held the second Thurs- ay of April, 1727. " Voted, That y= Surveyors hire men to repair the ways, " wages not to Exceed 4s per day nor the sum of £10. " Voted, That each Proprietor pay Ten Shillings to y° lelectmen to defray the Town Charges By y"^ Second "hursday in May next." The Account Currant for y^ year 1727 . To y^ ballanoe of last years acct To Sami lugalls, 49i days work on y= ways, is. To do. for laying out land as pr acct To James Whiting for his assistance per do. To Clem' Hughes for sundry payments per do To Robert Smith as Selectman, 3i d' a 6s. To John Sanborn as ditto, 24 d" To Selectmen, expences p* per Clement Hughes to Mr. Ludd and Mr. Ingalls Dr. £29 4 10 9 18 00 17 2 09 3 16 00 28 7 6 1 1 15 00 11 10 £90 16 PEOPRIBTARY HISTORY. 71 Tit 8upra. Ce. By rate on 126 Prop'' at 10s pr £63 Ballance due from the Prop™ 27 16 1 £90 16 1 This is the last account contained in tlie records. Up to this time, and in 1728, and probably longer, the money was raised by a tax on the proprietors' shares, resident and non-resident. So far, a large portion of the officers have been non-resident proprietors, but in 1728 there is a change, — all the town officers are residents. The annual meeting was held at Chester, March 28th. Eldad Ingalls was chosen town clerk, and Capt. Henry Sherburn, Capt. Joseph Sherburn and Thomas Packer were chosen to " make up accompts w*'' Chester's Old Town Clerk, M' Clement Hughes, and to Eeceive y° town Book and Deliver it to Eldad Ingalls y" present town Clerk." " A vote was past at y" Ann^ Meeting in Marcli that all y'' propr^ of Chester should pay ten Shillings apiece at y' adjournment of the ann' meeting, which will be y^ second Tuesday of June next, concerning y* hiring a Minis'^ for this Year." Eldad Ingalls was chosen town treasurer, and the con- stable was to gather the rates, and deliver it to the treas- urer. There was a vote passed at the adjournment, that if any settler settling on lands laid out should be molested bj non-proprietors, the expense of trying the title should be paid by the proprietors. There was a meeting held, Nov. 12, 1728, at the house of Samuel Ingalls. It was " Voted, that y° Stating y' plan for y" Meeting house should be left in consideration till next March Meeting." But the meeting was adjourned to Hampton, on the lasl Tuesday in December, and there " Voted, That y^ place called y" Center where four prin- cipal Roads meet, being near y'' Minis'^ lott, be y^ place foi Setting up the meeting house." i HISTORY OF CHESTER. 1729. The Annual Meeting was held at the house of imuel Ingalls, and after choosing officers, adjourned until me 10, and a new meeting called at the same time and fice, " To make Choice or give a call unto M' John Tuck ' Hampton to settle w*^ us in y^ work of y^ Ministry, and i see what encouragement we shall give him for his main- linance with us." At the meeting it was " Voted, That Mr. John Tuck of Hampton is Chosen to !ttle w*" y* Inhabitants of Chester in work of y® Min- try. " Voted, That 120 pounds be Raised for y* support of y' ospel Ministry (amonge us) by y* Inhabitants and prop" 3Cording to their settlement for five years ensuing, and len be Raised as the law directs. " Voted in y* affirmative. " Voted, Samuel Ingalls, Dr. Edmond Toppin and "Wil- )n, are chosen a Committee to wait on Mr. John Tuck to ivite him to y" work of y^ Ministry in Chester." Meeting adjourned to the third Tuesday of September, t Capt. Joshua Wingate's at Hampton. MR. tuck's answer. Hampton, Oc"- 7*^, 1729. To y= prop" of y^' town of Chester this day met at Capt. Vingates in Hampton. reiitlemen, Whereas you, w«> y'= freeholders of y^ town of Chester, »id somtime ago Invite me to j" work of y= Ministry in 'hester; now these are to Signifie, that for Weighty reasons I Dechne settling there. I wish you a happy set- lement in God's good time. This from Your Hum"'" serv* Jo° Tucke. At the adjournment, Sept. 16th, adjourned again to Oct. th. " Voted, That Mr. John Tuck be paid thirty shillings ler Sabbath for fourteen Sabbaths last past. " Voted, That there shall a Committe be chosen to look PEOPRIETAET HISTOET. 73 out and get a minis'^ to preach at Chester in order to his Settlement there. " Voted, That Sam" Ingalls & Jacob Sargent be a Com- mitte chosen to look out for a suitable orthodox good man y' shall be aproved by y" Neighboring Minis'^. " Voted, That there shall be a meeting house built ac- cording to these Dimensions: Imp"^, fifty foot in length, and thirty-five foot wide & twenty foot post, and finish it com- pletely, both inside & outside, to y^ turning of y° key, and set upon y' place appointed and before voted. " Voted, That a Committee be chosen to agree w'" y° Carpenter or Carpenters to build a Meeting house accord- ing to y° Dimentions before mentioned, and that Dr. Edmond Toppin, & Sam' Ingalls & Nathaniel Heally, be y" Committee to agree w*'' y^ Carpenters in y" behalf of y° prop™ of Chester. " Voted, That there shall be Raised forty shillings in Money on Every full prop"^ share in Chester to be paid unto ye town treasurer (Jacob Sargent is chosen), at y" next prop''^ meeting towards y" building of a meeting house in Chester to be drawn out by the Committee as there shall be Occasion ; viz., Dr. Edmond Toppin and Sam" Ingalls & Nathaniel Haley, a Committe. " Voted, That there shall be Raised twenty Shillings in money on Every full propr^ lott in Chester for y* paying the town Debts, to be paid unto y" Constable for y^ town's use at y" next prop" Meeting in Chester." In regard to the location of the meeting-house, it sat on the ten-rod way. James Varnum bought of the town five rods in width of the ten-rod way, where Mr. Batchelder lives, so that the north side would be not far from where the north side of the street is now. When the Rev. Mr. Hale sold to the Rev. Mr. Flagg, the corner was described to be about eight rods northerly of the meet- ing-house. Jabez French bought five rods of the ten-rod way ; so the corner of the church is now probably near where the corner of the lot was, and eight rods from there would nearly correspond with the tradition that the house stood where the liberty-pole now stands. At a meeting Nov. 19, 1729, " Voted, That Capt. Thomas Pierce be a Collector for 74 HISTORY OP CHESTER. Portsmouth, and Dr. Edmond Toppin for Hampton, Jon- athan Emerson for Haverhill & Bradford, Mr. Will"" Blunt for Andover, Mr. John Calf for Newberry ; and the Above named to Collect and gather j" Rates off those that are propr^ in Chester and lives in the aboves* precincts." 1730. At a meeting held January 15, 1729-30, " Yoted, That y" Rev. Mr. Moses Hale is chosen to settle w"^ us in y^ work of y" Ministry in Chester. " Voted, That there shall be 120 pounds in Current money or bills of Credit be Raised for y" Support of y" gos- pel miiiistf^y amonge us, to be paid by the inhabitants & prop''^ of y^ town of Chester, to y^ Rev*. Mr. Moses Hale, out of y^ town treasury annually as long as he Shall Cojitinue to be our minis*"' ; & Said money to be Raised by y** prop"^ & Inhabitants acording to their interests for five years Ensu- ing, & then to be Raised as the law Directs ; and y' s* money be paid annually, according to y* Same Value that it pas- seth for at this present year. " Voted, That Lieut. Thomas Smith, M' Ebenezer Dear- bon, Nath° Webster, Will"" Willson & Sam" Ingalls, be a Committe to treat w"' the Rev. Mr. Moses Hale, & to ac- quaint him w*'' what y'^ town hath done, & to Invite him into the work of y" Minis''' among us in Chester, and to Receive his answer and to make Return thereof to the town." At the annual meeting March 26, 1730, "Voted, That y° Proprietors of Chester pay two hundred and twenty pounds to defray y° Charges for y* year en- sewing. " Voted, That y* Rev* Mr. Moses Hale have twenty shil- lings apiece of each full propriator's share, which amounts to one hundred and twenty seven pounds, to be payed j" pres- ent year insewing in Money or labor. " Voted, That the meeting-house be set on the plan it hath bene formerly agree,d on and voted for, agreeable to the vote in 1728 entered in the town Book in page 104. " Voted, That Mr. Will-" White, Nathan Webster, Eben- ezer Derbon, a committe to agree with a carpender or carpenders to build a meeting house acording to the de- menshins formerly agreed on and entered in y" town book. " Voted, A gristmill priviledge to John Aiken." (See History of John Aiken's Mill.) At an adjournment June 9th, PROPRIETARY HISTORY. 75 " Voted, That Doct. Eodgers, Mr. Hughes, Rich" Ward, Benj. Russ, be allowed there accounts lu suppressing the Ryiot in 1726, five days a man at 6s. per day. " Voted, Whereas there was formerly a vote past that the meeting house should be bulte 35 fete in width, that s* meeting house shall be bulte thirty eyght fete in width, and that the comite chosen last meting, Namely, Mr. William White, Nath" Webster, Ebez'^ Derben, be fully impowered to agree with any , Parson or Parsons to build s* meeting house ; and whatever Covenent or agreement they in there capasity shall make, the propriators will Ratify and Con- firme." At a meeting July 15, 1730, there was a committee chosen "to deliver the minister's lot to Rev. Mr. Moses Hale as soon as he becomes qualified to receive the same," with a proviso that should he be at any expense on it and not be settled, it should be repaid. There was another committee to provide a parsonage. 1731. At the annual meeting held at the meeting-house March 25, 1731, adjourned to May 12, they chose a com- mittee to sell all delinquents' shares. There was an act passed by the General Assembly April 29, 1731, the preamble of which says, " Whereas the towns of Chester, Nottingham and Rochester labour under incon- veniences in carrying on y® publick affairs, especially sup- orting the gospel ministry," enacting that lands of non- residents may be assessed and taken on execution if the taxes be not paid ; to continue in force three years. " Voted to Rais money for finishing the meetin hous, £230 ; and for ordaining the minister the present year, £30 ; and for the minister's salary this year, £120." There is a memorandum as follows : The money raised in the town of Cliecher in the year 1729, by Samuel Ingalls, Nathan Webster and Wil- liam Wilson, their present Selectmen, and Commit- ted to Constable Haseltine to Colec and gather . 878 00 00 S* Constable Heseltine has paid 219 00 00 Eemains in s* Gonstabel's hands unpaid . . .159 00 00 76 HISTORY OP CHESTEE. The mouey Eaised in the.town of Chester in the year 1730, by Cap' Samuel Ingalls, Ebenezer Dearbon and Nathan Webster, the Present Selectmen and Committee to Constabel John Tolford to Collect and gather is 282 00 00 which S* selectmen have not Counted for. Given under our hands a Comite to Call s* selectmen. Ichabod Kobie, ? ^^^j^^^ Moses Leavit, ^ march the 24*, 1730-1. There is an advertisement calling a meeting July 21, 1731 : " 1. That the Committee that Stand Ingaged to the Car- pendors for Building the meeting hous want their money and must have it this meeting, or Else they are Liabel to be Sued. " 2. To Lett y" know that the Lands of several that have Leatly been put to sale to pay their Charges, and they that do not pay theirs at this meeting may Expect the same." At the meeting, " 2. Many things proposed but nothing acted." The meeting-house was built, probably by contract, by Thomas Cochran and Peter Cochran of Londonderry, and was so far finished that the annual meeting in March of tliis year was held in it ; but it seems that it was not paid for until 1737, when forty-six acres of land were sold to Thomas Cochran to pay what was due to him and Peter Cochran for building the meeting-house. At the same meeting June 7, 1737, " Voted, That Thomas Cochran and Peter Cochran have some gratuity to make up their loss, agreeable to their Peti- tion, and that the Same be to the Value of fifty pounds." This was laid 'out in 1743 on the west side of Massabesic pond. At a meeting held September, 1731, "Voted, That the Eeverend Mr. Brown of Haverhill, Rev. Mr. Phillips, and the Reverend mr. Barnard of And- over, be a comitty to take for gathering and Setling a Church in Chester and ordaining the Reverend Mr. Hail. PROPRIETARY HISTORY. 77 " Voted, that Insign Jacob Sargejit, mr. Ebenezer Dear- born, Enoch Colby, Captin Samuel Ingalls, Samuel Emer- son, be a Commity to take Care for provishan of the ordina- tion." The ordination is said to have been October 20. 1732. There was a provision in the charter that every proprietor should " build a dwelling house within three years and settle a family therein, and break up three acres of ground, and plant and sow the same within four years, and pay his proportion of the town charge when and sc often ^s occasion, shall require." At a meeting August 2d there was a committee chosen to enquire and report on this subject. August 23, " Voted, that there shall be a Comite Chosen, and fuUj Impowered to here and .Determine the pleas of those pro- prietors that are brought in Delinquent in their settlements by the Comitee, Lt. Ebenezer Dearborn, Ins. Jacob Sargent & Capt. Samuel Ingalls, and to allow or disallow of theii pleas for Settlement as they shall see Just Reason, and tc grant them sutabel time to 'perform their settlements, pro- vided they speedily pay their arrears, and that Comite make report of their proceedings to the proprietors of Chester ai their next meeting. " Voted, Moses Leavite, Esq., Deacon William White and Samuel Ingalls be the Comite." 1738. At an adjournment of the annual meeting Ma^ 28, 1733, " Voted, to Eais 127 pounds to be paid this year towards the meeting hous and to Defray other necessary towr Charges." At a meeting September 25, 1733, " Voted that Doct. Nathaniel Rogers of Portsmouth is Chosen & fully Impowered to Prefer a. Petition to th( General Court at their next session to get them to make ai act in behalf of the Proprietors that are Settled in the town of Chester pursuant to the first article in the Warn ing." That is, in regard to delinquents not settling in town " Voted, Lt. Ebenezer Dearborn, mr. Nathan Webstei 78 HISTORY OF CHESTER. & Capt. Samuel Ingalls, to agree with and liier a minister to Preach with us a Quarter of the year." *Mr. Hale's health failed and he became deranged in mind, so that he performed very little ministerial duty in Chester. 1734. At the annual meeting March 28, 1734, " Voted, that there shall be a Counsell Called to Dissolve the pastoral Relation Between Mr. Hale and the Church in Chester." At a meeting held June 27, 1734, " Yoted, that there shall be men chosen to wait on the ministers at their next associate meeting to urge a Counsel for the Dissolving the pastoral Relation between mr. Hale and the Church in Chester." At a meeting held August 15, 1734, " Voted, that the first Wednesday in September next be held as a day of fasting and Prayer for advise for another minister. " Voted, that there shall be 5 men Chosen to receive the advise of the ministers at the fast. " Voted, that Capt. Samuel Ingalls, Lt. Bbenezer Dear- born, Lt. Thomas Smith, Mr. John Calfe, John Sherala and John Aken be the men. " Voted, that Lt. Smith and Mr. John Calfe wait on the Rev* Mr. Thompson of Londonderry to acquaint him when the fast will be. " Voted, that mr. nathan Webster wait on the other min- isters to acquaint them when the fast will be." At an adjournment September 1, 1734, " Voted, that the Result or Determination of the Councell be Excepted by the proprietors. " Voted, that after three sabbath Days from this time, that then the pulpit Shall be Supplied three months at the publick Charge of the proprietors." The Presbyteriani, who were the Scotch Irish settlers, had previous to this hired the Rev. John Wilson, and ten of them protested against paying for tlie support of another minister. HISTORY OP CHESTER. 79 THE PROCEEDINGS OP THE COUNCIL. At an Ecclesiastical Council held at Salisbury, August 13, 1734, consisting of the Elders and messengers of the Churches following, viz. : Churches. Elders. Messengers. Salisbury 1«' chh, mr. Caleb Gushing, mr. Justes Bradbuiy. Salisbury 2'' chh, mr. Joseph Persons, Deac" Jabez True. Exeter, mr. John Odlin, Deac" Joseph French. Hampton Falls, Mr. Joseph Whipple, Dea. oniseferos Page. Bradford, Mr. Jos Persons, jun' Dea. Jona. 'Woodman. Newbury, m'^ John Lowel, Dea. Edw'd Emerson. Kingston, mr. Ward Clark, Dea. moses Elkins. Amesbury, 2'' chh, mr. Pain Winget, Dea. Joseph Bartlet. Being Regularly assembled by virtue of letters sent from the chh. in Chester to the aforesaid Churches to here, advise and direct the said Chh. of Chester what may be most proper for then! to do under their present difficult circum- stances, by Reason of the Revr* mr. moses Hale the Pastor being wholly Disabled from Serving them in the work of the ministry, and having made due inquiry into the Case and circumstances of the said minister and people, we find that the said mr. Hale, Having done Lettel or no service among them, and being by the Providence of God brought under greate disorder of body and distraction of mind, and for a time bereaved of his reason and understanding, and thereby Rendered uncapabell of Discharging the work of the ministry among them, and so Remaining without any present appearance or prospect of being restored to his ministry-, and therefore we Judge and determine that it is the wisdom and Duty of tlie chh. and people of Chester to proceed in Regular steps to Call and Settle a gospel minis- ter among them, that so they may no Longer be Destitute of the word and ordinances of Christ ; and would also ad- vise and direct the said chh. and people of Chester that be- sides allowing the said mr. Hale the town Right which accrued to him upon settlement and what also was then given him to Incourage his settlement, they should not for- get their obligations to be Redy to Contribute to his sup- port and Relief according to their power and ability. So 80 HISTORY OP CHESTER. Commending them to the God of grace and peace we sub- scribe your Brethren in Christ. Caleb Cushing, moderator. John Odlin, Scribe. In the name and behalf of the Council. 1735. The annual meeting held March 28, adjourned to May 14, 1735. " The matter, after it was fairly set forth Relating to mr- Hale's circumstances, It was put to vote whether nir. Hale had given satisfaction that he was Qualified for taking the full Charge of the ministry and whether the people Could Receive him as such, it past in the negative. " Voted, that the proposals made by mr. Hale, Feb' 6*, 1734, Shall be a Direction to us ; and forasmuch as by Vote of the town mr. Hale appears not to have given satisfaction to the ^people, we with mr. Hale do apply to the Elders and messengers of the Churches therein mentioned, who are Desired to Consider and Determine all matters Relating to mr. Hale and us as in their wisdom they Shall Judge Right. " Voted, that the Elders and messengers ■ meet at the hous of Deacon Dearborns in Chester the first Wednesday in June next at one o'Clock in the afternoon." This council probably dismissed Mr. Hale. At another adjournment held June lO"', 1735, " Voted that the town of Chester apply to the Neighbor- ing towns for help in our Difficulties by a brief for paying mr. Hale's arrears." John Calfe, Capt. Samuel Ingalls and Lieut. Bbenezer Dearborn were chosen for that purpose. " Voted that Lieut. Ebenezer Dearborn, mr. Nathan Webster be Chosen and Impowered to take Care and pro- vide a gospel minister to suply the pulpit, and also for a further Suply in order for settlement when occasion shall be." Sixteen of the Presbyterians entered their protest against " hireing, calling or settling any other minister in this town than what we now have." At the request of a major part of the church a meeting was called and held November 6, 1735. PROPEIETABY HISTORY. 81 " Voted the Rev* mr. Timothy White Chall be the min- ister of the town of Chester." A salary of £120 was YOted, and a committee, consisting of Deacon Bbenezer Dearborn and Messrs. Nathan Web- ster and John Calfe, chosen to treat with Mr. White and receive his answer. At an adjournment held November 27, 1735, "Voted, that whereas there was 120 Pounds Voted for Mr. White's Salery per annum, so long as he should Con- tinue the minister of the town, it is Intended by it that the^ money Shall be accounted at the same Value that pa- per money was when the agreement was made with mr. Hale." The money to pay the minister and all other purposes had been voted and raised by the " Proprietors," by the "Proprietors and inhabitants," and now "the Freeholders and inhabitants " are warned to meet. The proprietors of the common and undivided land held separate meetings distinct from the town after this time ; but the money to support the minister was raised from the whole town. In building the meeting-house and supporting Mr. Hale, the Presbyterians were active; but they now have their own minister, and claim that a proviso in a certain statute legally exempts them from paying a minister tax, and at the meeting of Nov. 6th they enter another protest, signed by thirty-one men. At a meeting, held June 23, 1736 , " Voted, That the Rev* Mr. Ebenezer Plagg shall be the minister of the town of Chester. " Voted, that there shall be one Hundred and twenty Pounds Paid to the Rev* M"^ Ebenezer Flagg, as silver at twenty shilings an ounce, per anum. During his ministry in Chester." The following protest of the same tenor, and more numerously signed than those before mentioned, was en- tered : We the Presbeterian Congregation and Propriators, In- habitants and Freeholders of Chester afforsaid, do Enter 6 82 HISTORY OF CHESTER. this our Protest and Desent against hiring, calling, or set- tling, any other ministers or minister in this town other than the Rev" M"^ John Wilson our Pastor, and also we pro- test against paying any charges or charge or salary that shdlU arise from or by such hiring, calling or settling any other minister then we have as afforsaid, or giveing or setling any Lands for that or any other uess. given under our hands the day and year above, and farther we Insist upon the Benefit of the Province Law witli Eespect to the suport of the ministry, and also we declare this meeting Ilegall. James "Wilson, Robert Grimes, Elexeandr Crage, "William Wilson, John Carswell, "William Carswell, John Sherala, Thomas Smith, Robert "Wilson, Robert Gillcreast, William "Wilson, Andrew Crage, Joseph Neill, John moore, Charls moore, Robert mills, John aiken, John Dickey, Paul mcferson, John mills, Patrick melven, Hugh "Wilson, archebald Ganigham, James Campbell, John Wadell, James "Wilson, James Quanton, James "Whiting, John Bold, James Croset, William Craford, William "White, Thomas Glen, Robert Grames, James Parson, Robert Boyes, Joseph Steel, John Steel, Thomas megee, James "Wilson, Thomas Colwell, John macmurphy, John mills, John Tolford, Thomas Horner, John Ramsejr, William Patterson, "William Tolford, Samuel Brown. Rev. Ebenezer Flagg was ordained Sept., 1736. The selectmen continued to rate the Presbyterians and some rates were collected, and the Presbyterians presented the following petition to the General Assembly : PROPRIETARY HISTORY. 83 To his Excellency Jonathan Belcher, Esq. Gov' and Com- ' mander in chief in and over His Majesty's Province of New Hamp% the Hon"^ His Majesty's Council, & House of Representatives for the Province aforesaid. The Petition#of sundry of the Inhabitants of Chester in the Province of New Hampshire, Humbly Showeth : That your Petitioners, though at present Inhabitants of Chester afor^*, formei-ly belonged, most of them, to the Kingdom of Scotland & Ireland, where they were educated in the principles of Kirk of Scotland, for which they have a great Veneration : That while Mr. Moses Hale was the Minister of the Town, your Petitioners paid taxes towards his Support, tho' they went many of them to Londonderry to meeting, & most if not all of them constantly to receive the sacraments, not then being in a Condition to settle a minister of the Presbyterian order ; After Mr. Hale's mis- fortunes had necessitated him to lay aside the work of the Ministry, the Town being Destitute of a Gospel Minister, your Petitioners proceeded to call & ordain a Minister of that Denomination among them, tho' Scarce able to pay the charge, that they might worship God & enjoy the ordinances of the Gospel in a way (which they apprehend) more agreeable to Script^ & the primitive pattern, at least more agreeable to their consciences than they could among the Congregation- alists : That during the time that y* Town was Destitute of a minister of the Congregational order, your Petition" often invited the Brethren of that Denomination to join with them, if not longer at least till they were better pro- vided for, & that such Conformity should be no Expense to them, for that your Petition" would support their own Min- ister themselves ; But they refused to accept the orffer : That about two years after Mr. Hale had left Chester those of the Inhabitants who Differ in Sentiments from your Petition", in conjunction with the non-resident Propriet", proceeded to call and settle in the town a Congregational Minister who is still there : That your Petition", appre- hending that those who had called & settled such a min- ister would be for supporting him by a tax on all the In- habitants, representing to them in their Public meeting & to the Selectmen of the Town that it was highly unreason- able and unkind, all things and circumstances- considered, to oblige your Petition*^ to pay towards the support of a minister they did not call, nor hear when settled, &c., & prayed they might be Exempted, & the rather because they conceived themselves to be such Persons as were Intended 84 HISTORY OP CHESTER. aud Exempted by the Proviso in the Law of the Province, Entitled an Act for maintenance & Supply of ministry within this Province. But all would not prevail ; the Selectmen of said Town rated all the inhabitants without Exception of any sect, & have Distrained ^ Imprisoned some of your Petitioners for such Rates. Your Petition" therefore pray the aid of this Court as the Dernier Resort of the Distressed, that you would be pleased in your Great Wisdom and Goodness to explain the Proviso in the afores* act & say whether your Petition" are Exempted thereby -from being taxed to the Settling & Support of the said minister. Aud if your Excellency & the Hon"" the other Branches of this Court shall not think the law already made excuses your Petition"^ from the aforesaid charge, that you would be pleased to Commiserate the case of your Petition™ (being as it now Stands they must either act against their own Judgment, or dearly purchase the Liberty of the Contrary) and make a special act whereby they may be Discharged & Exonerated from any part of the Burthen of Settling & supporting any minister except their own, & from paying the afores* Rates already made ; and that such may have their money allowed them from whom the Same has been distrained by virtue of the afore** Rates. And yo'' Petition" in duty bound shall ever pray. his his Alexander + Crage, ■William + Poul, [Powel] mart. mark. James Campbell, Joseph Mil, [Neal] Andrew Crage, William Carswell, William Whit, Robert Kilcrist, Franciss Cooks, John Dickey, Robert Mills, Thomas Colwell, "William Colwell, Hugh "Willson, James Wilson, David Crage, John Carswell, William Graham, Samuel Brown, Thomas Glen, John Waddel, James Whit, Robert Graham, John Akan, John Boid, Thomas Smith, John Karr, John Smith, Robert Wilson, James Whiting, James Quenton, Samuel Ingalls, Paul McFerson, WilUam Crafford, James McFerson, Robert Dayer, "WiUiam McFerson, "William Patterson, Samuel McFerson, William Willson, PROPRIETARY HISTORY. 85 Robert Knopks, John Telford, Eobert Grimes, John Mills, Junr., hU John -|- Pouel, John Mills, Senr., mark. James Crossett, John Shei-ala, Robert Campbell, Charles Moore, James Willson, John Waddall, James Willson, Junr., John Boid, Jiin." The petition was received in Council March 23, 1736-7, and sent to the House, who voted an order of notice, which was served on the selectmen of Chester by John Sherala. It was postponed to the next session, when the parties were heard. The House voted to dismiss the petition ; the Council non-concurred, being of the opinion that the peti- tioners are within the saving clause of the act of this prov- ince, " Entitled an act for the Maintenance and supply 'of the ministry within this Province," in which the House concurred Oct. 19, 1737, and Gov. Belcher assented Oct. 20. So the Presbyterians had the decision in their favor. The act referred to was passed 1714, and provided that the freeholders of the respective towns in this province in town meeting might choose a minister, and agree upon a salary, and he should be considered the settled minister of the town ; and the selectmen shall make rates and assess- ments upon the inhabitants of the town, for the payment of his salary, &c .; " Provided always that this act do not at all interfere with her Majesty's grace and favor in allowing her subjects liberty of conscience ; nor shall any person under pretence of being of a different persuasion be excused from paying towards the support of the settled minister or minis- ters of such town aforesaid ; but only such as are conscien- tiously so, and constantly attend thepublic worship of God on" the Lord's day according to their own persuasion; and they only shall be excused from paying towards the support of the ministry of the town." The following is the reply of John Calfe, John Tolford, Ephraim Haselton and Enoch Colby, selectmen of Chester, to the Presbyterian petition : — 86 HISTORY OF CHESTER. " That after the Rev. Bbr. Plagg was Settled in s* Town a considerable No. of persons petitioned the Gen. Court for an explanation of the law of Liberty, Supposing they, being Presbyterians, were exonerated from paying Mr. Flagg, which was explained in their favor. Since which time they have proceeded in a cordial manner, and have endeavored to take the best method the circumstances will admit of to Raise money for the Respective ministries as follows : at a Town Meeting warned for that purpose they voted separate for Mr. Plagg's salary, and the Presbyterians voted a Salary for the Rev. Mr. Jnoi Wilson their minister, and the select- men Signed the Respective Warrants to y* Constabel or Collectors to collect the same. " If this method were not agreeable to the G. C. they pray for particular directions. " It was ordered Aug. 6, 1740, that the two congregations act separate." The tradition is that John Tolford and James Campbell were imprisoned for their minister rate, and that they sued for false imprisonment and recovered. That somebody was imprisoned is made nearly certain by the words, " some of your petitioners have been distrained and imprisoned," in the Presbyterian petition. But I have examined the court records pretty thoroughly, . and cannot find any lawsuits there. There was a petition, dated Aug. 20, 1735, preferred to the selectmen, representing that " Whereas it often hap- pens that Business of Importance Requires Consideration Relating to the Common or undivided Land in Chester which Cannot be so well accommodated at a general town meeting as by the Respective Proprietors of said Lands dis- tinct." The petition is signed by seventy-three individuals with their respective interests attached to their names in rights and quarters of rights. They represent sixty-seven rights and three quarters. Of these seventy-three, so far as I can tell, thirty-eight were residents and thirty-five were non-residents. They asked to have a meeting called, which was done by John Calfe and Samuel Emerson, selectmen of Chester, and held at the meeting-house Oct. 16, 1735. I have already given, under the heads of Settling the Lines PROPRIETARY HISTORY, 87 and Laying out of the Lots, what they did on those sub- jects ; I shall now follow them to the close of their corpo- rate existence, before taking up the town of Chester. Mr. John Oalfe was chosen moderator, and Samuel Emerson proprietors' clerk. Esq. Emerson held the office until his death. The last record that he made was the first Monday of September, 1793. On the second day of June, 1794, his son, John Emerson, was chosen clerk, and held the office until his death. When he was superseded as town clerk in 1817 by Lemuel W. Blake, he claimed to be proprietors' clerk and held the books during his life, when they went into the town clerk's office. The Proprietors' Records are contained in two volumes, and have often been called into court in the settlement of controversies about land. These volumes were nearly out of their binding, and otherwise injured by continual exam- ination, and in 1853 were in court in Hillsborough county, and the Hon. S. D. Bell took them into his possession, car- ried them to a binder, and at his own expense had them put into substantial binding, and otherwise repaired. He also, with great labor, prepared a copious and valuable index, which greatly facilitates the examination of the rec- ords, and prevents their wear. The town of Chester, and everybody who shall ever have occasion to examine these records, should hold Judge Bell in grateful remembrance, — and nobody more so than the writer. At the aforesaid meeting it was " Voted, that the Proprietors' Clerk be impowered to warn meetings for the Present at the Request of twenty or more of the Proprietors of the undivided land in Chester, they Setting forth the occasion of the same, and the time when and where ; and for the warning of such meeting it shall be accounted sufficient warning to have Notifications posted up, one at Chester, one at Portsmouth, one at Hampton, one at Newbury, and one at Haverhill, at sum Publick Place, fourteen days before said meeting ; and the present Petitioners for every meeting shall be at the Charge of setting up the Notifications for the said meeting." Some of the home lots fell short of measure, and Capt. 88 HISTOET OP CHESTER. Samuel Ingalls, Samuel Emerson and Ephraim Haseltine were chosen a committee to examine them and report. John Calfe owned two home lots and a half, and the lot-layers had laid out eighty acres between the ponds at Massabesic, which the proprietors refused to accept ; but at an adjournment they reconsidered and accepted, and also " Voted, that Mr. John Calfe have Liberty to build a fulling mill at massabesick brook between the two Ponds, agreeable to his own Proposals." What these proposals were does not appear, but he built a fulling mill there, opposite Nathan Griffin's barn. (See History of the Calfe and Blanchard Mills.) It was also " Voted, That for settlement of the Rev. Mr. Timothy White, or the Next Lawfully Settled minister, their shall be given two Hundred acres of Land in the Next division, or two Hundred and fifty pounds of Land fairly apprised." Mr. White not being settled, it was given to Mr. Plagg ; lots No. 20 and 21, second part of the second division. At a meeting held Maj;- 16, 1739, " Voted, That Mr. John Macmurphy, his heirs and Suc- cessors, have Liberty to set up and Erect a grist mill at massabesick River below the Create Pond in two years, not hendring Iron Works or saw mill if the town shall see it needful to have them or either of them built," &c. (See History of the McMurphy or Webster Mill, on a subsequent page.) The proprietors held many meetings for the transaction of their business, which consisted in laying out the differ- ent divisions and making amendments, and about their lawsuits, and selling land to pay expenses. A vote was passed the first Tues'day of November, 1785, choosing Dea. Jonathan Hall, Capt. John Underhill, and Robert Wilson, Esq., a committee " to sell all the common land in this town that Lays scatring about in sundry places, to any Person or Persons as the Committee shall Judge Best." HISTORY OP THE TOWN OP CHESTER. 89 November 14, 1794, Stephen Chase, who had been chosen in the place of Robert Wilson, deceased, and Samuel Underbill in the place of John Underbill, advertised all the undivided land belonging to the proprietors at auction, which was sold to Stephen Chase, Esq., for onf pound seventeen shillings. March 16, 1795, they adjusted their accounts, and had a balance of £2 17 8, which was divided between William White, Stephen Chase, John S. Dearborn, Samuel Wilson and Thomas Shirley, representing one right each, and John Emerson, representing eight and a half rights. Thus ended the affairs of the Proprietors of Chester. CHAPTEE VI. HISTORY OP THE TOWN OP CHESTER FROM 1737 TO 1773. 1737. At an adjournment of the annual meeting April 7, 1737, " Voted, That their shall be a sufficient Pound built with Loggs thirty foot square. Six foot Highj with two posts, a good gate, and a Lock and Key, and set on the Left hand of the way a Little to the southward of John Boid's, and Completely finished by the first Day of July next. " Voted, That their Shall be five Pounds Raised to pay for building a Pound agreeable to the foregoing Vote. " Voted, That Capt. Ingalls Shall build a pound for five Pounds and finish, the same as hath been before men- tioned." There had been a vote passed in 1735 to build a pound, and Jonathan Blunt in 1733 was chosen pound-keeper, but probably without any pound. John Boid lived between where John Haselton and Edwin Haselton now live. The first road laid out in town was through John Boid's lot toward the meeting-house. In 1748 the road was laid out from there, " Beginning at the 90 HISTORY OP THE TOWN OF CHESTER. bridge by the Pound where the Highway is laid out across James Boid's home Lett originally," and extending south- erly to Ephraim Haselton's. This fixes the location of the pound. " Voted, That their shall be fiveteen Pound Eaised to Purches a town Stock of ammunition for the town's use." 1738. The Presbyterian parish records commence this year. " Jun. y" 19, 1738, at a meeting held at Liftenant Thomas Smith's of mr. wilson's Congregation, Capt. Samuel Ingalls chosen moderator ; James Quenton Chosen Clerk. "1. Voted,, Ther meeting hous is to be seet on mr. Wil- son's lot over against mr. wilam Powel's hous. "2. Voted, That s* meeting hous shall Builded 38 foot long & 33 foot wide with a 20 foot post. "3. Voted, Capt. Samuel Ingalls & John Tolford & wil- liam wilson. Lift, thomas smith & John Kar shall be y* Comitee to oversee the building of s* meeting hous." William Powel lived on lot No. 14, at the southwest end, and the meeting-house stood southwest across the way on No. 119, which Mr. Wilson purchased in 1735. Sept. 18, 1744, " Voted, John Moor, John Tolford & Andrew Craig a Comity to take a deed from y° Rev. mr. John wilson of the land wher y" meeting hous stands, or half an acre in all, for a burying place of y" s'* Congregation." The town this year voted to raise five pounds to add to the town's stock of ammunition. 1739. At an adjourned town meeting held April 4, "Voted, to Pais Sixty Pounds to pay for the Supplies in the ministry we have had in time past, and for mending the glass of the meeting house, and for other necessary uses. " Voted, that two hundred and forty Pounds be Raised on the Presbyterian inhabitants towards building a meeting house for the Rev'^ mr. John Wilson." At the Presbyterian parish meeting Jan. 3, 1739, "1. voted, that Capt. samuel Ingalls, mr. James Camp- bell & John Aiken, Chosen a [committee] to sess mr. wil- HISTORY OF THE TOWN OP CHESTER. 91 son's Celery for this present year ; likewise to sess y" money for building the meeting hous, for the first hundred pound. " 2. voted, y' John Moor & John Shirlee & John Smith & Robert mils & Andrew Crage, Chosen for a Comite to Chus a workman with the undertakers of the work of s'^ meeting hous ; & likewise to give security to y'^ undertakers for y" money for Building s" hous, providing y" Congregation Give security to them for s* money ; & likewise to take secu- rity of the undertakers for their performance." 1740. In the warning for the annual town meeting March 27, 1740, is an article (6) " To take Eifectual means and methods to prevent the killing of fish as they Come into massabesick Pond, any more than what is for family support," &c. There is no action on it recorded. At an adjournment of the meeting April 8th, it is re- corded, " Whereas at the Settling of the Rev* mr. Ebenezer Flagg in the work of the ministry at Chester a number of Inhabitants Entered their desents, alledging that they were of a different Persuasion, — Presbyterians according to the Kirk of Scotland, — and supposed the Law freed them from Paying ; they applyed themselves to the general Court where the Law was explained in their favour, the Rev'' mr. John Wilson being their minister, and they have Paid mr. Wilson distinct from the Rest of the towne, separate from mr. Plagg's herers. But now it happens that the fifth article inserted in the warning for the Present meeting is to Settle a Sallary upon the Rev'* mr. John Wilson ; the moderator not thinking this meeting Proper for that affair, they insist- ing to Have Sumthing done upon it, the Rest of the town being first withdrawn from mr. wilson's Herers the moder- ator addrest himself to them in the following manner : If it be your minds that the Rev'* mr. John Wilson, minister of the Presbyterians,, shall have one Hundred Pounds money for his sallery for the year Ensuing, to be Paid by the presbyterians his herers, manifest it by holding up your hands ; they that are of a Contrary mind, manifest it by the same Signe. " Passed in the affirmative by mr. Wilson's Hearers." 92 HISTORY OF THE TOWN OP CHESTER. The following act was passed by the General Assembly Aug. 7, 1740, constituting two parishes, which quieted the controversy : hj _ . J, ) Anno Regni Regis Georgii Secundi, mag- g Province ot t ^^ Britainje, Francise et Hiberniae, d NewHampsh^ j p^^j^^^ q^^j.^^^ H An act of inable the Two Congregations in the Town of H Chester in the Province of New Hampshire to raise t* money to pay their Respective Ministers' Salary, &c. Whereas the Inhabitants of the Town of Chester in the Province of New Hanp"" have represented to this Court that they labour under great dificulties with Respect to raising their Ministers' Salary and collecting the same, and have petitioned the Court for Relief : Be it therefore enacted by His Excellency the Govern', Council and Representatives convened in General Assem- bly, and by the authority of the Same, That Bach Congrega- tion in Said Town be and hereby is authoriz* and impow- ered to Act Separate and Distinct from each other as to Parrish affairs, and that Each Respective Congregation be and hereby is authorized and Impowered to Raise Money to pay their Respective Ministers' Salary, for the de- fraying the charges of Building and Repairing their Respec- tive Meeting houses and other Parrish charges, and to chuse Wardens in each Congregation to assess the Persons and estates of Each Congregation as shall be rais'* by them Respectively for the ends & purposes afores"" ; And to Chuse Collectors to Collect the Same, which collectors Sliall have the Same power and Authority as Constables in this Prov- ince by Law have to gather or Collect Rates ; and that Such Wardens Chosen as aforesaid be and hereby are authorized and Impowr'^ to give a warrant to Such Collectors as fully and Amply to all intents and purposes as Selectmen are authorised and impower* to do. And that John Calfe, Ephraim Hazeltine and Enoch Colby be and hereby are authorised and impower* to call the first meeting for y'= Congregationall Parish, And Capt. Sam" Ingalls, John Tolford and John Carr to call the first meeting for the Presbeterian Pan-ish, and the said Congre- gations shall have power to Chuse all officers necessary to manage & Transact Parrish affairs, as other Parishes have or ought by Law to have within this Province. HISTOET OP THE TOWN OP CHESTER. 93 Aug. 7"^, Read three times in the House of Repre- 1740. sentatives and Passed to be enacted. Andrew Wiggins, Speaker. Eadem Read three times at the Council Board, and Die. Voted a concurrence. Richard Waldron, Sec. Same day I assent to y" foregoing Bill. J. Belcher. Coppy Ex. Theodore Atkinson, Sec'. The Congregational records commence with a copy of the act. A warning to call the first meeting, dated August 27th, 1740, the meeting to be held, on the second Wednesday in September, is signed by John Calfe, Enoch Colby and Ephraim Hazeltine. John Calfe was chosen moderator, and adjourned to the 17th. At the adjourned meeting, John Calfe was chosen clerk ; Benj. Hills, James Var- num and Eliphaz Sanborn, wardens, and Paul Smith, col- lector. At a parish meeting, November 7, 1840, a committee was chosen to repair the meeting-house (but not to glaze it) , and to sweep the meeting-house and buy a burying- cloth. 1741. At the annual town meeting, the last Thursday in March, " John Tolford and James Varnumwere chosen In- voice men, to take the Invoice of the heads & estates of the Whole town." They took and returned to the Secretary's office an inventory of the town. Chester had not hitherto paid any province tax, but a new proportion was now made, and Chester was required to pay. This inventory is, given under the head of " Rates or Taxes." At the annual meeting of the Congregational parish, March 25, 1741, it was " Voted, that the " Rev'* Mr. Flag's Salary shall be raised one third part on the poll if there be no law to the con- trary." Cattle above one year old, and horses above two years old, were to be rated, "if there be no law to the contrary." 94 HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF CHESTER. A committee was chosen to " underpin the meeting- house, mend j" glass, Doors, and Seats, - LU n 16 WOMENS SEATS 10 II is 14' IS EAST DOOR 12 WOMESS STAIRS . GEOUiro PLAN OF THE OLD MEETIKB-HODSE AS SEATED IN 1754, WHEN THE GKOUND OH THE " SECOND TIEB," OF PEWS WAS SOLD. A. Minister's pew. B. Deacons' seat. 1. James Varuum. 2. Francis Towle. 3. Jacob Sargent. 4. Wintlirop Sargent. 5. Henry Hall. 6. Abraham Bachelder. 7. John Calfe. 8. Ben. Hills. 9. Sylvanus Smith. 10. John Bobie. 11. Sam. Bobie. 12. Peter Dearborn. 13. Anthony Towle. 14. Jonathan Blunt. 15. Lt. Eben Dearborn. 16. Samuel Emerson. 17. Dea. Eben Dearborn. THE SECOND TIER, SOLD 1764. 1. Nathan Webster. 2. Sylvanus Smith. 3. Jona. Moulton. 4. Sylvanus Smith. HISTORY OP THE TOWN OP CHESTER. 97 1744. In 1741 an inventory of the heads and ratable estates had been taken and sent to the Secretary's office, and a new proportion of taxes made, in which Chester is called upon to pay rates to the province, and with our ideas of taxation and representation we might infer that Chester should be represented as a matter of right, biit such were not the ideas then. There was a continual con- test between the prerogative of the crown and the rights of the people. The crown called, assemblies as a mere favor or grace. The Governor, as the representative of the crown, claimed the right to send writs of election for rep- resentatives to such towns as he chose, which, almost as a matter of course, would be to such as he supposed would favor the prerogatives of the crown. A writ was sent to Chester and a meeting called to be held January 21, 1744, " To make Choyce of a man to Eepresent the said town in General assembly." Mr. Benjamin Hills was chosen. Mr. Hills appeared at Portsmouth the 24th, and I copy from the printed journal the proceedings in the case at full length : A JOURNAL Of the House of Representatives, at a General Assembly of His Majesty's Province of New-Hampshire in New Eng- land ; Begun and held at Portsmouth, in said Province, on Thursday the 24*" Day of January, Anno Domini 1744. At Twelve of the Clock in the Forenoon were present in the Court House the Representatives of Portsmouth, Hampton, New Castle, Rye, Exeter, New Market, Green- land, Stretham and Newington, in all 14 Members ; Be- sides Five Gentlemen who said they came to represent some Places that never sent any Representatives to this Court before. After One o'cl'='^, all the above members withdrew, hearing nothing from His Excellency the Gov- ernour or Council. At three of the Clock met again, and were present at the same Place all the above Representa- tives, and also the Representatives of the Towns of Dover, Durham and Kingston, 19 in number. All these Members waited till Five, and then the Secre- tary came and told them that his Excellency the Govern- 7 98 HISTORY OF THE TOWN OP CHESTER. our sent him to tell them that he had adjourned the Gen- , eral Court till To-morrow, Eleven o'clock ; That the Sheriff had but just returned the Precept, and the Council were adjourned. Upon which it was tho' proper to send Na- thaniel Rogers, Esq., and Major Ebenezer Stevens, to inform his Excellency how many Members had been waiting, and how long; Who returned, and informed that his Excellency told them that the Sheriff had but just returned the Pre- cept, and that he did send the Secretary to adjourn the General Court till To-morrow, Eleven o'Clock. Friday, January 25*''. Met at Eleven o'clock, all but the Representative of Durham. Mr. Secretary Atkinson came to the House and said, That his Excellency sent him to see if the House were together ; And immediately after the Hon. Theodore Atkinson, Richard Wibird and Samuel Smith, Esqs., came down from the Council Board, and acquainted the House that they were appointed by his Excellency the Governour to administer to the Members present the Oaths appointed instead of the Oaths of Supremacy and Allegiance, and see them subscribe the Declaration: Which being done, they withdrew. And besides the above-mentioned Members, the Oaths were administered to Col. Benjamin Rolfe, of Rum- ford ; Mr. Henry Saunders, of Methuen and Dracut Dis- trict ; Mr. Joseph Jewell, of South-Hampton ; Mr. Benjar min Hills, of Chester ; Capt. Nicholas White, of Haverhill District ; — Places that never were entitled by the House or General Court to send a Representative to sit in the Gen- eral Assembly of this Province. Soon after the adminis- tration of the Oaths, &c., the Secretary came down and > told the House that his Excellency required the House to choose a Speaker, and present him. Upon which one of the Members observed that there were several Persons present more than used to be in, former Assemblies, viz : Col. Benjamin Rolfe, Mr. Henry Saunders, Mr. Joseph Jewell, Mr. Benjamin Hills, and Capt. Nicholas White, from the above-mentioned Places ; Who being asked how they came there, answered. That the Places from whence they came were required by the high Sheriff's Writ to choose and send Representatives to attend and serve in this Court ; and that agreeable thereto, they were chosen and sent. Whereupon a Motion was made, and unani- mously agreed, to send Col. Peter Oilman and Nathaniel Rogers, Esq., to his Excellency the Governour, with the following written Message, Viz. : HISTORY OP -THE TOWN OP CHESTER. 99 May it please your Excellency : — The House having received a verbal Message from your Ex- cellency, by Mr. Secretary Atkinson, requiring them to choose a Speaker; And observing that five Gentlemen, viz., Col. Benja- min Rolfe, Capt. Nicholas White, Mr. Joseph Jewell, Mr. Benja- min Hills and Mr.' Henry Saunders, appear among them as Members of the House, who, upon Enquiry, are found to come from Rumford, liaverhil District, South Hampton, Chester, and Methuen and Dracut District, — Places which have no Power, by any Law or Usage of this Province, that we know of, to send any Person to represent them at this Court, — therefore pray, that (be- fore they proceed to the Choice of a Speaker) your Excellency would be pleased to inform them by what Means those Places are authorized to send Members to this Court. Mr. Secretary Atkinson came down and said that he was directed by his Excellency to acquaint the Members (in answer to their Message) That the Members Enquired after were called here by the King's Writ, which was issued by the Advice of the Council. And soon after Mr. Secre- tary Atkinson came and told the House that his Excellency had adjourned the General Court till four of the Clock in the Afternoon.- The House met according to Adjournment, and present as before. While they were preparing another written Message to send to his Excellency, Mr. Secretary and Mr. Solley came and told the House that his Excellency re- quired them immediately to choose a Speaker. But be- fore they had Time to choose a Speaker, or send the Message which was preparing, Mr. Secretary came and adjourn* the House till To-morrow, ten, of the Clock. Saturday, ten o'Clock, Jan. 26*^, 1744. Met according to Adjournment, and after some Debate the Question was put. Whether the five Gentlemen, viz., Col. Rolfe, &c., from Rumford, &c., should have a Voice in the choice of a Speaker. It pass* in the Negative by a great Majority, only two Members (viz., Greenland and Newington) voting in the Affirmative, and two others not being clear did not vote at all. Then the House proceeded to take a list of the Members' Names, which are as fol- lows: Portsmouth — Nathaniel Rogers, Esq., Eleazer Russell, Esq., Mr. Henry Sherburne, Jun. Dover — Thomas Millet, Esq., Capt. John Winget, Thomas Wallingsford, Esq. Hampton Falls — Samuel Palmer, Esq., Mr. Joseph Phillbrook, Mr. Meshech Weare. 100 HISTORY OP THE TOWN -OP CHESTER. Exeter — Col. Peter Gilman, Mr. Zebnlon Gideons. New Castle — William Frost, Esq. Kingston — Maj. Ebenezer Stevens. Stratliam — Moses Leavitt, Esq. Newington — George Walton, Esq. ' Rye — Mr. Jonathan Lock. Greenland — Clement March, Esq. Durham — Capt. Jonathan Thompson. Newmarket — Capt. Israel Gillman. The House proceeded to bring in their Votes for a Speaker, which being examin* it appear* that the Hon. Nathaniel Rogers, Esq., was chosen Speaker of the House by a Majority of Votes, and was accordingly conducted to the Chair. Then the House proceeded to make choice of a Clerk, and Mr. Henry Sherburne was chosen, Nemine Contradicente, to be Clerk of this House, till another should be chosen and sworn in his Room. And the Oath proper to said Office was administered to him by Ebenezer Stevens, Esq. Voted, That Major Ebenezer Stevens, Col. Peter Gill- man, Capt. John Wingett, and Mr. Henry Sherburne, jun., be a Committee to wait on his Excellency, and inform him that the House had made choice of Nathanael Rogers, Esq., to be their Speaker, which Message they delivered ; And , Mr. Secretary Atkinson and Richard Wibird, Esq., came down and told the House that his Excellency sent them to enquire Whether all the Members that were qualified voted in the Choice of a Speaker. Upon which Voted, That William Frost, Esq., and Mr. Henry Sher- burne, jun., go up with the following Message to his Excel- lency, viz. : May it please your Excellency : — In answer to your Excellency's Message by Mr. Secretaryand Mr. Wibird, all the Members which represent the Towns and Parishes which heretofore used to send Eepresentatives to sit in the General Assembly of this Province voted in the choice of a Speaker, and none other. Mr. Secretary and Mr. Wibird soon came down with the following Message : Before his Excellency can approve or disapprove of the choice of a Speaker, he desires to know why those members were ex- cluded from a Vote in the Choice of a Speaker. HISTORY OP THE TOWN OP CHESTER. 101 The House immediately sent up Mr. Sherburne and Mr. Gideons, with the following verbal Answer : If your Excellency means, in your Message by Mr. Secretary and Mr. Wibii'd, the Persons which told the House they came from Eumford, Haverhill District, Methuen aud Dracut District, South Hampton and Chester, the Reason why they were excluded in the choice of a Speaker was because the House do not know any Law or Usage of this Province by which those Places are entitled to the Privilege of sending Members to represent them in this Court. Mr. Secretary Atkinson came down with the following Message from his Excellency : His Excellency sent me to acquaint the House that the Membei-s were called in by the King's Writ, agreeable to former Practice ; That his Excellency knows of no other way ; That if the House knew of any other Precedent of their being called in any other way, his Excellency desired they would acquaint him, that the public business may not be hindered. Upon which the following Message was immediately voted, and sent up by Mr. Sherburne and Mr. Wingett. May it please, your Excellency: — The House in the short Time they had to search, find upon their Records, in the Year 1714, a Vote, entitleing the Town of Kingston to send a Member to sit in this Court. In the Year 1726, a Vote, that a Precept should go to the Town of New-Castle requiring them to choose a Representative for Eye. In the Year 1732, '8, a Petition from the Parish of Greenland, praying the Privilege of having a Representative, which was granted. By all which it appears to the House, that no Town or Parish (not be- fore priviledged) ought to have a Writ sent them to choose a Rep- resentative, without a Vote of this House, or Act of the General Assembly. Voted, That Capt. Israel Gillman, Mr. Meshech Weare and Mr. Jonathan Lock be a Committee to go to Mr. James Jaifery, the late Clerk of the House of Representatives, and demand of him all the Books, Records and Files that belong to this House, and bring them directly to this House. Mr. Secretary Atkinson came down and told the House that his Excellency had adjourned the General Court to Monday next twelve of the Clock ; That his Excellency will furnish himself with Precedents, and desires the House will do the same. Monday, Jan. 28*^ 1744. Some of the Members being present, Richard Wibird, Esq., came to the House, and, by Order of the Governor, adjourn' d the General Court to four of the Clock in the Afternoon. 102" HISTOKT OP THE TOWN OF CHESTER. Four o'clock. Met according to adjournment ; And Richard Wibird, Esq., came into the House, and said 'Twas his Excellency's Order that the General Court should be adjourned 'till To-Morrow half an Hour past Ten. Tuesday, Jan. 29«', 1744. Met according to Adjournment. Present, all but Mr. Stevens. And sent up Mr. Weare and Mr. Gideons to inform his Excellency that there was a House. Mr. Wibird came down and told the House That his Excellency desired to know if there was any Law of the Province supporting the setting aside any Members, called ,in by the King's Write, from voting in the Choice of a Speaker. The House immediately sent up the following Message by Clement March, Esq., and William Frost, Esq. : May it please your Excellency: — On your Excellency's desiring us to produce some Precedents of the Right's being in the House or General Court, to grant the Privilege to any Towns or Parishes of sending Representatives to sit in the General Assembly, we Informed your Excellency that we found in the Records of the House, that in the year 1714 a Vote was passed in the House, entitleing the Town of Kingston to the Privilege of sending a Member to sit in this Court ; In the Year 1726, a Vote that a Precept should go to the Town of New-Castle, to choose a Representative for Rye; In the Year 1732, a Petition from the Parish of Greenland, praying the Privilege of having a Representative, wMch was granted. Since which, on further Ex- amination, we find, that in the Year 1725 a Vote was passed and concurr'd above, desiring his Honour the Governour to send a - Precept to Londonderry, requiring them to send a Person duly qualified to represent them in this Covirt. •And for further Instances of the Power's being in the General Assembly, we would refer your Excellency to several Acts in the Secretary's Office, by which New-Market and Durham were en- titled to the Privilege of sending Members to sit in the General Assembly; and also to the Acts by which Brentwood, Eppiug, &o., were incorporated into Parishes, which plainly infer the Right to be in the General Court. And therefore, that such as are called in from Places that are not privileged by the General Court, ought not to vote in this House in the Choice of a Speaker. But the House ought to ex- clude them as much as if they came fi-om another Province. Soon after this Mr. Wibird and Col. Downing came to the House and read the following Message from his Excel- lency, and carried the Paper they read it out of away again, viz.: In the present Situation of Affairs in Respect to the War, his Excellency thinks it for His Majesty's immediate Sei-vice not to HISTORY OF THE TOWN OP CHESTER. 103 enter further into the Dispute with. the Members called by the King's Writ, and qualified as the King commands, touching the rejecting the Votes of several Members in the choice of a Speaker, which he esteems invading the Prerogative of the Crown, and therefore submits it till his Majesty's Pleasure shall be known thereon. His Excellency therefore, that no further Delay in the Publick Affairs may happen, approves of the choice of Nathanael Rogers, Esq., for their Speaker, and Commands the Attendance of the House of Representatives in the Council Chamber. The territory which was claimed by Haverhill and Ames- bury, which was north of the province line, as run and settled in 1741, was called the " Haverhill district," and included Hampstead, Atkinson, Plaistow and Newton. That taken from Methuen and Dracut was called the " Me- thuen and Dracut district," and included Salem and Pel- ham. Eumford was old Pennacook, modern Concord and Bow. The Governor Mid the case before the King and received the following instructions : BY THE LORDS JUSTICES. Gower, P. S. Additional instruction to Benning Went- Bedford, worth, Esq., his majesty's governor and Montagu, commander in chief, in and over the prov- Pembroke. ince of New-Hampshire, in New England in America, or to the commander in chief of the said province for the time being. [Seal] Given at Whitehall, the 30th day -of June, 1748, in the 22d year of his maj- esty's reign. Whereas it hath been represented to his majesty, That you, having in his majesty's name, and by virtue of your commission, issued a writ to the sheriff of the province under your governnient, commanding him to make out precepts, directed to the selectmen of certain towns, par- ishes and districts therein mentioned, for the election of fit persons qualifie/i in law to represent them in the general assembly, appointed to be held at Portsmouth, within the said province, on the 24th day of January, 1744-5 ; by which writ the towns of South Hampton and Chester, and the districts of Haverhill, and of Methuen and Dracut, and the district of Rumford, were impowered to choose repre- 104 HISTORY OF THE TOWN OP CHESTER. sentatives as aforesaid; the said general assembly did refuse to admit the persons duly elected to represent the said towns and districts to sit and vote in the choice of speaker : And whereas the right' of sending representa- tives to the said assembly was founded originally on the commissions and instructions given by the crown to the respective governors of the province of New-Hampshire, and his majesty may therefore lawfully extend the priv- ilege of sending representatives to such new towns as his majesty shall judge worthy thereof : It is therefore his majesty's will and pleasure, and you are hereby directed and required to dissolve the assembly of the province under your government as soon as conven- • iently may be, and When another is called, to issue his majesty's writ to the sheriff of the said province, command- ing him to make out precepts directed to the selectmen of the towns of South-Hq,mpton and Chester, the districts of Haverhill and of Methuen and Dracut, and the district of Rumford, requiring them to cause the freeholders of the said towns and districts to assemble to elect fit persons to represent the said towns and districts in general assembly, in manner following, viz. : One for the town of South- Hampton, one for the town of Chester, one for the district of Haverhill, one for the district of Methuen and Dracut, and one for the district of Rumford : -AND it is his maj- esty's further will and pleasure, that you do support the rights of such representative, when chose ; and that you do likewise signify his majesty's pleasure herein to the mem- bers of the said general assembly. [Douglass' Summary, Vol. 2, p. 35.] 1745. The town was tliis year divided into school dis- tricts. (See History of Schools and School-houses.) " Voted, that the town's stock of ammunition shall be Kept and taken Care of by Messrs. Jonathan Blunt, John Robie and William Tolford as a Committe." 1746. At the annual town meeting March 27, " Put to Vote whether to "Petition for an assembly man ; Past in the Negative." " Put to Vote whether to set off a parish in that part of the town Called Harrytown ; past in the negative." The ungranted land between Chester and the river above Londonderry was called Harrytown. HISTOBY OF THE TOWN OF CHESTER. 105 Eev. Mr. Plagg receipts for £240 pounds, old tenor, in full for his salary. 1747. At the annual town meeting, March 26, " Voted, that the whole of this meeting shall be Carryed on by hand Yote." The Congregationalists voted Mr. Elagg twenty-five pounds, old tenor, to purchase firewood, giving every person the privilege of paying his part in wood at twenty-five shillings a cord, if delivered in season. The Presbyterians voted one hundred and forty pounds to Mr. Wilson ; " also To build a Session house 18 feet in length, 16 feet in width and 7 feet post," and chose John Moor and John Aiken a committee "to see what way will be most proper to build it." " Voted y* the people at the long meadows is not to have any sermon up ther till furder orders." By an act passed in 1701 a penalty was inflicted for pro- fane swearing, of sitting in the stocks not exceeding two hours, and for a second offence not exceeding three hours ; for drunkenness to sit in the stocks three hours. Theft might in some cases be punished by whipping, not exceeding twenty stripes. The stocks and whipping were legal pen- alties, by an act passed in 1791, and in force in 1815. So the stocks and whipping-post were a part of the police of the town, and would naturally be erected near the meeting- house. In the selectmen's account for 1747 is, " Paid unto William Turner, for making the stocks, .£3 00 0." The guide-post at the Centre has, within my recollection, had staples and rings in it as a whipping-post. 1748. A leaf is lost from the town records, containing the warrant and a part of the^ proceedings of the annual meeting. " Relating to the third artikell In the warning of Said meeting, Put to Vote whether to Set of [off] a Parish at the Southwest Corner of the town, agreeable to Petition, or not ; past In the " [not said how, but probably in the neg- ative] . 106 HISTORY OF THE TOWN OP CHESTER. They voted not to petition for the privilege to send a representative. "Voted, That Capt. Jolm Tolford and Capt. Thomas Wells be Impowered to Prefer a Petition to the Governor and Council, In order to Stop and Save any men from be- ing Sent out of town Into the Service ; and further, when their may be a Convenient opportunity Regularly to Pro- ceed, to have a Suitable number of men Put and kept in the Service In our own town." There seems to have been more fear of the Indians this year than in any other. There were several garrisons kept in town. The house now occupied by Benjamin Hills still has the port-holes through the boarding. Lieut. Thomas . Smith's, Maj. Tolford's, Abel Morse's and others, tradition says, were used for that purpose. Mr. John Butterfield said thp,t they used to go from there (the Lane district) to town to garrison. The old Gault house in Hooksett was a garrison. There was a man killed by the Indians near Head's mill in Hooksett this year. The three following petitions to the captains of Chester were from different parts of the town, and accompanied the petition of Messrs. Tolford and "Wells to the General As- sembly : To the honorable Captins of Chester, Greeting : — "Whereas there is a Considerable number of families scattered in the wilderness in the out skirts of Chester, some lives four miles and a half, some three and a half; "We are so scattered that we think we are very unfit to live as we dund, nevertheless we would be willing to imatat something of the spirit of the people of zebulan an napt- lem who joperded there lives on the high place of the field; and whereas we have a velue for our loss liberties, we Earn- estly beg that your honours 'would look upon us in' our Dis- tress, and help with some suldiars, a sertain number ; we are not willing to arm, yourselfs Knowing our surcum- stances and how it is with us. believes you will help us this way now, then we with prudence could arm, and in so doing your poor fellows will ever pray, if no help HISTOET OP THE TOWN OF CHESTER. 107 comes we must leve our houses and horns and go lik scat- tered sheep. James Basford, Jonas Clay, David McChier, John Clay, Joshua Prescott, ' David McClure, Jabez French, Jacob Basford. To the honorable Capts. of Chester, greeting : — Whereas we y° subscribers live remote from the town, and for some years past have been obliged to leave our places for want of a sufficient number of men to Keep a garrison, which has been greatly to our damage, and we being desirous to live here if we can have three or four men to help surport a garrison. We remain yours to serve. Thomas Oarly, Philip Grifen, Zachariah Butterfield, AUet Bery, [Berry] Stephen Webster, Joshua Hall. Alerson [Aaron] Butterfield, To the Captins of Chester : — we the subscribers earnestly Request your aid and as- sistance in petitidning the General Court for some help, yourselfs knowing how we are Scattered and how far a Distance from the Meeting House, some 7, some 8, some 9 miles from it. Gentlemen, we are your humble servants, William Allet, William McClinto, Walter McFarlan, Nathneal Boyd, William Gimel, [Gambel,] Micheal McClinto. To his Excellency Benning Wentworth, Esq., Captain General, Governor and Commander in Chief in and over the Province of New Hampshire ; the Honorable his Majesty's Council and House of Representatives in General assembly convened, the Tenth day of May, 1748: The petition of John Tolford and Thomas Wells of Chester, in the Province of New Hampshire, in behalf of the inhabitants of s^ Chester, most humbly shews, that the s'' town of Chester exposed to the Indian Enemy, and find- ing of the Dwelling houses in s'' Town so exposed that un- less there be more men to defend them than the Town itself can afford they will unavoidably be obliged to leave them and their lands also ; that thereby the Enemy will 108 HISTORY OP THE TOWN OP CHESTER. gain an advantage and the Frontier be bro't nearer the Center ; That Sundry Persons who live in tlie out Skirts of said Town have prey'd for help, as by their respective Petitions hereunto annexed and herewith presented may more fully appear. Wherefore your Petitioners most hum-, bly pray Your Excellency and Honors to allow such a num- ber of men for the Defence and protection of s'^ Town as in your great wisdom shall be tho't reasonable. John Tolford, Tho^ Wells. In Council May 11, 1748, read and sent Down to the Hon"'^ House. The" Atkinson, Secretary. It does not appear that any soldiers were granted. The Presbyterians " Voted, two hundred pounds old tenor of yearly Celery to y" Revt. mr. John wilson as long as he Dispenses y^ Duty of a presbyterian minister amongst us." The money used was bills of credit issued by the province, and it depreciated in value, hence there is in both parishes a continual fixing of the minister's salary. June 29, they " Voted, that y" Long meadow people shall have their proportionable share of the Gospel according to their pay- ment. " Voted, y* the preaching is to Be held at andrew Crags howes. [Andrew Craig lived at what was the Presbyte- rian parsonage, where John Ray now lives.] " Voted that their meting howes is to be Builded at f Crotch of the Road between andrew mcfarlands & peney Cooke Road on peney Cooke Road. [Where the Congrega- tional house now stands ; but it was built where the Rev. Mr. Holmes' house stands, the opposite side of the main road.] "Ther was a vot tried if the parish would refund the money y' the long meadow pepole laid out to Build this meeting howes, But y' vote did not Cary. " Lift. Thomas Craig, John Shirk, wilam Gilcrist, Each of them Enters their protests against mr. wilsons preach- ing up at the long meadow, likewise against settling two hundred pounds Celery to the rever' mr. John wilson ; likewise adem dickey Enters his protest against mr. wil- sons going up to the long meadow to preach ther." HISTORY OF THE TOWN OP CHESTER. 109 The Presbyterians who then lived at the Long Meadow had helped build the Presbyterian meeting-house, and had thus far gone there to meeting ; but now that they were to have preaching a part of the time, and were about to build a new meeting-house, they wanted their money refunded. " The Little Meeting House," as it was called, was prob- ably built by subscription, as there is no mention of build- ing it on the records. The first that there is any intimation that there is one is in a warning for a meeting, February, 1754, at their "first meeting house." 1749. A town meeting was called, to be liolden January 2d, " in obedience to a precept Directed to us by the Sheriff of Said Province, to elect and choose one man to represent this town in General Assembly." Capt. Abel Morse was chosen. The House had not ordered the writ issued, but the Governor, as before. " Capt. John Tolford and Matthew Porsaith Desents against the Elegallness of this meeting." But Mr. Morse was promptly at his post, for in the House, January 4, a " Message from His Excellency to enquire whether all the members that were retiu'ned had taken the oath, particu- larly Abel Morse, of Chester." The Governor disapproved of the choice of a Speaker, and the question arose whether Mr. Morse should vote. Jan. 17th, the Governor directs that the members from the new towns have a vote. Mr. Morse had his seat. Chester had been taxed some five years, and not repre- sented. ■ At the annual meeting, March 30, " Voted, that the Selectmen, or major part of them, shall be a Committee to Sell off from all the ten Rod High- ways at any time, near the old meeting house, as they sball think fit and Proper, without Infringing any nearer Said house than the fences now stand and are already made, nor to make Said Highway Less than five Rods wide ; and so purches a Burying place from mr. Jonathan Blunt for Said town, and to build a Pound." 110 HISTOET OF THE TOWN OP CHESTER. There had been several attempts to exchange land with Mr. Blunt, but without success. But now they sell the laud and purchase a burying-place. At the annual meeting, March, 1751, " Voted, that messrs. Jonathan Blunt, John Robie, and Capt. Abel morss. Shall ■ be a Committee to fence the Burying place with Bords as they Shall Judg Suitable and Hansom." Mr. Plagg acknowledges the receipt of three hundred fifty-five pounds, old tenor, in full of salary and wood. John Mills, Archibald Dunlap and William Kilchrist, former collectors of the Presbyterian parish, were in ar- rears, and a committee was chosen to look them up, and " proceed according to law." " Voted, that the present wardens is to rais as much money as they see needful to defray law charges." John McMurphy lived in Londonderry, but was a pro- prietor in Chester, and a large landholder. He signed the Presbyterian petition in 1737, as being aggrieved in being taxed for the support of Mr. Plagg. The Presbyterians taxed him for the support of Mr. Wilson. Mr. McMurphy complained to the Court of Sessions by petition, saying that he lived in Londonderry, and ought not to be taxed in Chester. Entered September term, 1746. An order of notice was served on the selectmen of Chester, who not being parties, the Presbyterian parish was notified. The case was heard, September, 1748, and a verdict given for the parish. The complainant appealed, and the judgment in the court below was reversed, and there- fore Mr. McMurphy was released from taxation. 1750. In the warning for the annual town meeting, March 29, is an article, " To see if the town will appoint, Chuse and Impower a Committee to Sue, Receive and Pie- cover of the Last year's Selectmen the town Booke Called the Selectmen's Booke ; and also what money they have which belongs to said town of Chester : To prosecute theqj HISTORY OP THE TOWN OF CHESTER. Ill to final Judgment and Execution." Put to vote, and passed in the negative. The book is lost. The Congregationalists voted Mr. Flagg twenty cords of wood yearly during the whole of his ministry, or money equivalent. 1751. In the warning for the annual town meeting, March 28th, is an article, " To see if the town will vote that a Certain parcel of Land' Laying at the south west corner of the town. Containing four miles and a half in length and about two miles and three Quarters in wedth, beginning at the South East corner of the 134"^ Lott in the fourth Division, and Running north four miles and a half to the north East corner of the 71°' Lott in Said Division, then went north west to the head Line of the town, — may be adjoined to a part of Londonderry and the Lands about ,ammoskeag not Incorporated into a parrish, or otherwise as the town shall then think and Judge Best." " Relating to the Second artikell in the warning, " Voted, that the Land may be Set off as a parrish upon the following Conditions (viz.) : Tiiat any Person that has any Land fall within Said Tract never pay any Taxes for the same until they make Settlement upon the Same ; and that this Vote shall be of none Effect unless they obtain a Grant of the Governor and Council to be Incorporated into a Parrish, taking in Land not Incorporated into a township by amoskeeg and part of Londonderry, as is Set forth in a plan presented in meeting this day. " Capt. John Tolford, Archibald Dunlap, William Craw- ford, Robert Wilson, Decents against the foregoing Vote, because it Cutts of part of the Parrish alredy set of by the General Court, and further Cutts them of from a Priveledge to their own land." The territory was incorporated by an act of the General Assembly, September 3, 1751, into a township by the name of Derryfield. It will be seen that the following bounda- ries do not correspond with the vote of the town : "Beginning at a Pitch Pine Tree Standing upon the ow n line between Chester and Londonderry, marked (134), being the bound of one of the Sixty acre Lotts in said 112 HISTORY OF THE TOWN OP CHESTER. Chester, being the South East corner of said Lott ; Thence running South into the Township of Londonderry one hun- dred and gixty rods to a stake and stones ; thence run- ning West to Londonderry North & South Line ; thence running upon Londonderry Line to the head line of Litch- field to a stake & stones ; thence running upon the head line of Litchfield to the Bank of merrimack river ; thence run- ning up said river as the river runs Bight miles to a stake & stones Standing upon the Bank of the said river ; thence running East South East one mile and three Quarters through Land not Granted to any Town untill it comes to Chester Line ; thence running Two miles and a half and fifty Two Rods on the Same Course into the township of Chester to a Stake & Stones ; thence running South four miles & a half to the bound first mentioned." • There is a tract between Chester line and the river, ex- tending above this tract to Martin's Ferry, since annexed to Derryfield. John McMurphy was to call the first meeting, which was done, and held at the house of John Hall, September 23, 1751. John Hall w;as one of the most active men in town; was paid £251, old tenor, for time and expenses in procur- ing the charter. He was the first town clerk, and his rec- ords are a literary curiosity, as may be seen by the return of some roads in tliis work. Also " Voted, to Ease 24 pounds, old tenor, to be rased to paye fore Preeching for this present year." The members of the Presbyterian parish lived from "Wal- nut hill to Dea. William Leatch's and John Orr's at Massa- besic pond, a distance of nine miles. They had voted in 1747 to have Mr. Wilson preach at the "Long Meadow," a part of the time ; but there seems to have been some uneasi- ness, and an effort was made to move the meeting-lijouse to a more central location. At the annual meeting March 12, 1751, " Voted, Capt. John Tolford, Hugh Cromey, Thomas Crag, William Leatch & James Quenton a Comite to Bx- aminand try to find out a Convenient place to move the meeting house to." At a meeting June 27th, HISTORY OP THE TOWN OP CHESTER. 113 " Voted, y° meeting howes is to be moved to a proper senter. "Voted, no money to be Raised to move the meeting howes. " Voted, the proprietors is not willing to give -up their Rights of the meeting hows, Because those that has lately- Come into the parish is not willing to give any more towards y° moving of said meeting house than those that Build it. " Voted, mr. Wilson is not to preach any more at y'^ long meadow. " Voted, No Comitte Chosen. " Voted, The parish Except of the Comitte's report for the senter Between Capt. John Tolford & Wilam Leatch's for to set the meeting howes." 1752. It appears that the small pox was in town this year. " It was voted to pay £b 5s. old tenor for taking care of Thomas Grear's family." 1753. The Congregational parish March 28, 1753, "Voted, That the hind Seat upon Each Side of the Grate alley that goes from the South Dore to the Pulpit Shall be taken away, and that thair Shall be preveledges for Building four Pues, two upon Each Side of Said alley. Each Pue Shall be four feet and Eight Inches wide and as Long as halfe the Seat ; the Platforine for Said Pues Shall be but eight Inches high from the meeting house flore. " Voted, Capt. abel morss, John Robie, nathan webster, Shall be a Committee to Sell to the highest Eider Belong- ing to Said Parish the Preveledges that was voted for Bulding four Pues in the old meeting' house, and that the, vandugh Shall be on the fust wensday in april next, at three of the clock in the afternoon, at the old meting -house." November, 1753, "Voted, That the money that theJLast (pewes) was Sold for Shall be put to the parish youse to Defray charges this present year. " Voted, That if any Number of young persons in this parish Sufichant to fill any Seat on the Back Side of the Seats in the Galleries Shall agree to Buld them into pews, they have the Liberty to do it." 114 HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF CHESTER. An attempt is made this year to divide the Presbyte- rian parish. An article was inserted in tlie warning for the annual town meeting to see if the town would vote to set off a parish, including nearly the same territory as the present town of Auburn, which was voted. Seventeen Presbyterians protested against it because it would ruin the parish. It did not come to a head until 1771. The Presbyterians chose William Tolford, Andrew Jack and Samuel Aiken a committee " To see Dissatisfaction of some people in the Parish." The same committee was to " Build one pair of Stairs against the fall sacrament." Their collectors were in arrears, and one of the articles in the warning was, " The Collectors from John Mills to this present time are to meet at Capt. John Tolford's the Eighteenth Day of September next, to make up their ac- counts with the Comity upon their Perile." 1764. A parish meeting was called Oct. 8th, to make an addition to Mr. Flagg's salary, but the parish refused to do it. The Presbyterians voted to add forty pounds old tenor to Mr. Wilson's salary. 1755. The Congregational parish at a special meeting voted to pay the collector eighteen pence old tenor for gathering the rates (on the pound.) The Presbyterians voted to raise twenty pounds to repair their meeting- house. This year was noted for the most violent earthquake ever known in North America. It occurred Nov. 18th at about 4 o'clock A. M., and lasted four minutes and a half. In Boston about one hundred chimneys were leveled to the roofs of the houses, and about fifteen hundred were in jured. 1756. Mr. Magg's salary was raised to £640 old tenor, including wood. The Presbyterians voted to raise £200 to repair the meeting-house. 1757. Mr. Flagg's salary was £800, and £60 for wood. The Presbyterians voted to raise £100 old tenor to build a pulpit. HISTORY OF THE TOWN OP CHESTER. 115 1758. In the warning for the annual town meeting was an article " To see if the town will pay the Damage of flowing the Land Round Massabesick pond, so called, by ■Capt. Alexander McMurphy's mill." "Past in the neg- ative." The Presbyterian parish " voted one hundred pounds old tenor Be Raised to Repair the long meadow meeting house." The town was called upon for jurors, and Jonathan Blunt was chosen grand juror, and Jacob Chase petit juror, to the May term of the Superior Court. These were the first called for. Lieut. Thomas Heseltine and Mr. Zephaniah French were chosen petit jurors to the Inferior Court of Common Pleas at the September term. " Insin" Enoch Colby was chosen grand juror, and Capt. Thomas Wells, petit juror, at the November .term of the Superior Court. The selectmen have a charge " to making a staff for Constable Bean £1 5," old tenor. 1759. There were articles in the warning for the annual town meeting, to see if the inhabitants should be required to return an inventory to the selectmen, and whether they would doom tradesmen and shop-keepers. Passed in the negative. The Presbyterian parish voted Mr. Wilson six hundred pounds, old tenor, salary, and voted money to repair the meeting-houses. 1760. Mr. Plagg acknowledges the receipt of ^£1060 in full of salary and wood the year past, and the parish voted £1200 the year ensuing. The Presbyterian parish voted to add £50, old tenor, to Mr. Wilson's salary, and to raise £300, old tenor, for finish- ing the two meeting-houses. They " Voted to major John Tolford six foot in length, five and a half in width, of ground in their old meeting- house on the right hand of the south Door." " Voted, The meeting house is to Be seated with long seats." 116 HISTOaY OP THE tOWS OP CHESTER. 1761. Samuel Dudley, who lived in Eaymond, was chosen surveyor of highways in 1760, and he built a bridge near Raymond Centre across the Lamprey river. The selectmen refused to pay him and he sued them. In the warning for the annual meeting was an article to 'f To See if the Town will Chuse a Committee To Defend a Case or Cases Now Depending at Law Between Sam' Dud- ley, Plaintiff, and this Town, Defendents, or to act and Do what may then be thought Proper and Needful.'*^ The old selectmen, who were siied, were made agents and attorneys with power to prosecute the suit " to final judg- ment and execution." Dudley recovered. There is also an article " To See if the Town will Vote that the North Parish Shall be Set off by the authority as set forth in a Petition to the Selectmen by messrs. Jethro Batchelder, Daniel Lane, Benjamin Smith and others." " Past in the negative." 1762. At the annual meeting March 25, 1762, " Voted, That the following Tract of Land may be Incorporated into a Parrish, being about five miles and a Half in length, and about four miles in width. Bounding Northerly on Nottingham Line, Easterly on the old Hun- dred acre Lotts, so called. Southerly on the Long medow Parrish, so called, as that is voted alredy, and westerly on the forty acre Lotts." The Long Meadow parish, as voted in 1753, was from Londonderry line to the northwest corner of the 43d lot, then west-northwest to Tower-Hill, and then to the corner of Derryfield. (For the petition for Candia, see a sketch of the history in this work.) 1763. At a meeting Jan 26, 1763, " Voted, That that part of the Town of Chester Called the North parrish, or Freetown, as much as was laid out in Parrish forme. Shall be set of as a Town or Parrish." This includes the Old Hundreds or North I)ivision. March 31, " Voted, That it be Left with the Selectmen to Inquire HISTORY OP THE TOWN OF CHESTER. 117 into and See how much is justly Due the North Parrish, so Called, for their proportion of the school money Eaised in this Town for three years past ; and if they have not had their share, they Deliver the same to them, Provided they Lay out the same for schooling among themselves ; and also all the other parts of the Town that have not had their proportion of the schooling, nor money as above men- tioned, shall be Considered and have their proportion on the same Condition. . " Voted, That a work house be Built or Provided by the Selectmen To Putt and keep those Persons in that Idle, Pooer, Disorderly and Lasey, and will not work ; and to provide a master to Take Care of all such Persons as shall be Committed to said house, that they may be Kept to work and be Proceeded with as the Law Directs." Probably this was never carried into execution. 1764. It was " voted that James Fullerton's Eates be given him for the year past. The Congregational parish also abated their tax against him. He lived in Raymond. " It was on account of his house being burnt." John Robie, Nathan Webster and Andrew Jack were chosen a committee to settle about highways in Raymond and make return. They made return March 6, 1766. " This day agreed upon by us the Subscribers, being Chosen by the Town of Chester and Parrish of Raymond as Committees to settle the Debates about the Highways and all things that was Debatebell from the Beginning of the world to this Day : viz., that Raymond is to have all the Reserves that is left in that Parrish for Highways to convert them to that use, and to Pay all Demands made and to be made for Higliways in Said Parrish ; and Like- wise that the Parrish of Raymond is to Have their pro- portion of ' money that was in Bank when they were Incorporated as a Parrish. as Witness oiir hands. The line between Chester and Raymond is Excepted. ' " John Cram, ^ Ezekel Lane, I Committee for Chester John Robie, [ and Raymond." Nathan Webster, J "Voted, That the Parrish of Candia shall have the Priviledge to Dispose of all the Common Land left for 118 HISTORY OP THE TOWN OP CHESTER. highways within the said Parrish as they see Cause as fully as the Town authority to do, on Condition that the Said Parrish shall Pay all the Demands for the Highways already Laid out in Said Parrish, and Lay out and Support all for the future ; and that the selectmen of Chester take Security of the selectmen of Candia for their Performing the above mentioned." 1765. " Yoted, That the Parrish of Candia shall Have their proportion of the money that was in Bank when they were Incorporated by the Court act Into a Parrish." There were votes passed by the Congregational parish respecting seating the meeting-house, and the singers sit- ting together, for which, see the Ecclesiastical History. The Presbyterians voted to fence their graveyard. 1766. The town voted that the parish of Candia should have their proportion of the money that was in bank when incorporated. Standard weights and measures were obtained this year at a cost of ^66. Mr. Plagg's salary, wood and all, was £60 lawful money. Samuel aud Daniel Martin's taxes abated. They lived at Martin's Ferry. Appended to the warning for the Presbyterian parish meeting was, " The Parish is desired to Consider what they will do In Regard to some Person to take Care to sweap the meeting-house and shut the Doors for time to come." Mr. Wilson's salary was to continue to be £800, old tenor, or £40 lawful money. Mr. Wilson was to preach at the Long Meadows, as formerly. "Voted, that wiUiam White, Junior, John Moors, James mills, Robert mills, Thomas White, James Gra- ham, mark Karr, Hugh Shirlee, James Grims at the long meadow, John mac farland, moses mac farland, Daniel witherspoon, Alexander witherspoon, Joshua moors, Jon- athan moors, David wilson, Joseph Dunlap, James Dunlap, Charles moors, Robert fursyth, John wilson, william Shir- ley, John frain, is to have Liberty to Build Salts or Pews In the Gallery Beginning at the north Corner, & from thence all along the west Eeud next the wall. Clear a Cross to the soutli west Corner, from thence along the south side next HISTORY OF THE TOWN OP CHESTER. 119 the -wall as far as the Post that goes' up from the south East Corner of major Tolford's Pew." 1767. There is nothing of note on the records this year. 1768. In the warning for the annual meeting of the Congregational parish was an article " to See if the parish will Grant moses marshal and the other Petitioners thair Eequest in this article (viz.), to See if the parish will vote that the meeting house Doors Shall be opened to any ortho- dox minister to Preach in the Pulpit when Providentially passing throw the town, and Desired by a number of Peo- pel to preach, or when Sent for by a number of Persons to Preach when it Does not Interfere upon y* Rev* mr. Plagg's Stated Exercise." Passed in the negative. 1769. Up to this time the province had not been divided into counties, but the records were kept and all the courts were held at Portsmouth. There was quite an exciting discussion on the subject, in which the old contest between the prerogatives of the crown and the rights of the people came up. August 21, 1767, the House resolved to divide the province into four counties, and establish courts. The Council said two counties were enough, and that it was the prerogative of the King's Governor to establish courts. Each house proposed lines of division which the other nega- tived. The King was appealed to, and he gave leave to have the House pass a bill subject to his revision, and recommended five counties, which was finally agreed to. Then there was a contest about the places of holding the courts, Portsmouth claiming all in this county, and Exeter claiming a part ; and there was a dispute in Hillsborough county between Amherst and Merrimack. There was a petition with seventy-six signatures, sent from Chester just before the passage of the bill, praying to be annexed to Hillsborough county, which the House was inclined to grant, but the Council rejected. There was a like petition from Londonderry, and some other towns. Finally April 27, 1769, a bill passed, though the counties were not organized until 1771. 120 HISTORY OF THE TOWN OP CHESTER. 1770. At the annual town meeting, " Voted, that the upper part of the Town Next to Pem- brook Have the Liberty to build a Pound where it shall best suit the Inhabitants, Provided they Do it upon their own Cost and Charge, and from time to time support and maintain the Same Without any Cost or Charge to the said Town." The following is a copy of a warrant to a surveyor of highways : To M' James Wilson^ Servayer of the Highways for the town of Chester : We order you to repair and Keep in good repair the High- ways (viz.). Prom Dr. John ordwaysBarn Down the old rode to Sandown line, and that rode by James waddels to Sandown line ; and that rode between Jethro Colbys and Hugh wil- ■ sons land, round by widow longs to widow worthens, aud that rode by Timothy Wells to the main rode, with the Hands that live in said rodes. by order of us, John Robee, J Selectmen And^ Jacke, V of Chester Apr. 16, 1770. Nath. Webster, ) Chester. All the men in town were rated to pay one or the other of the ministers. This year Samuel Martin, Daniel Mar- tin, John Martin, Caleb Dolton, and Daniel Poster, all of whom lived near Martin's Eerry, had their parish rates given in, on account of living so far from the meeting- house. 1771. At the September term of the Superior Court, 1771, Andrew Jack, Nathan Webster, and John Eobie, selectmen of Chester, were indicted for not having a gram- mar school, Chester having more than one hundred fami- lies. March term, 1772, Jack and Webster were fined £10, and costs £1 12. This year the corn was nearly large enough to weed, and was cut down by frost, the first day of June. 1772. At the annual town meeting, March 11'", " Voted, That for the Repair of Highways the present year, their shall Be Raised Seventy five pounds Lawful money. HISTOKT OP THE TOWN OP CHESTER. 121 " Voted, that the wages of Labour oiithe Highways shall be two shillings per day." The Congregational parish at their annual meeting, March 28"*, _" Voted to Buld a new meeting house by the parish within two years from the Date of this meeting. " Voted to Build a meeting house sixty feet long and forty-five feet wide, and a suitable height, and that it be built by the pews, so far as they shall go. " Voted, that there shall be a Committee to Sell Said pews within a convenient time. Sold for Bords, Shingle, timber. Labour, or any article that is wanting for Said meeting house, at cash price." John Webster, Esq., Jabez French, Saml. Emerson, Esq., Saml. Robie, and Jabez Hoyt, were chosen to sell the pewa and build the house. • At a meeting, October 16th, " Voted, to build a steple and porch to the New meeting house, agreeable to the Plan. "Voted, to Set the New meeting house upon the Land that the Rev* mr. Plagg gave for that youse." The house was built on land .which Mr. Plagg bought of Gov. Wentworth — his home lot. The deed is recorded, Lib. 124, fol. 120, dated Oct. 15, 1772, and conveys twenty-four square rods of land. Thes house faced the southwest, the posts twenty-eight feet, I think, the steeple at the northwest end some fifteen feet above the roof, and and a spire, with a weather-vane in the form of a gilt rooster, being more than one hundred feet high. The windows were forty panes, seven-by-nine glass. It was heavily timbered, and of first-rate materials, and the work done in a thorough and workmanlike manner. Over the pulpit was a sounding-board. In front of the pulpit was a pew called the elders' seat, and in front of that the deacons' pew, the occupants facing the congrega- tion. On each side of the broad alley from the deacons' pew, about half the width of the house, were seats some fifteen ^eet long, made of plank, which were common or free seats. The remainder was built into pews about six HISTORY OP THE TOWN OP CHESTER. 123 feet square, and as high as a man's shoulders while sitting on the seat. The pews were panel-work, with a row of turned balusters about eight inches long near the top. Three sides of the pews were seated, so that the congrega- tion faced, sat sideways and back to the minister. The seats turned up for convenience of standing during prayers. At the close of the prayer there was quite a re- freshing clatter by the falling of these seats. Nobody at that day thought of sitting during prayers, excepting some very infirm old woman, and she would arise before the amen was pronounced. In the gallery there was a tier of pews all around the walls of the house on three sides, and one pew in the front of the gallery at each end on the back side of the house. There was one pew at each end of the southwest side of the door, for a negro pew, which was not ornamented by balusters. The remainder of the gallery was seated with long common seats. The northwest end was for the men, the southeast end was for the women. There were on the ground floor forty-four pews, which sold for £607 15s. The highest was bought by Col. John Webster for ,£30 ; the next by Abner Hills, for £25 16s. Col. Webster bought four pews. In the gallery were t,venty-two pews, which sold for £100 14s. The house was a noble structure, and did* credit to the parish, the committee and the workmen. At a parish meeting, March 30, 1774, " Voted to ■ accept of the Committee's accompt that was to build the New Meeting house. " Voted, that the Rev* Mr. Eben' Flagg shall preach in the New meeting house for the futeur. " Voted, that the Rev'^ mr. Eben' Flagg shall preach in the New Meeting house the Next Sabbath Day." A petition was preferred to ^;he General Court by John Patten and others, showing, " That the Subscribers Being in Number the greatest Part of a District or Parish Commonly Called the Long Mead- ows, and that by a Vote of the Town at there Anuel Meet- 124 HISTORY OP THE TOWN OP CHESTER. ing in. the Month of March, A. D. 1753, Voted of for a Parish By Certain Limited Bounds More Clearly Set forth in Said Vote, the Coppy of Which Being Ready to Be Pro- duced, Humbly Prayeth that Your Excellency & Honors would be Pleased to Confirm & Establish Said Vote & Bounds, and Grant Unto us all Parish Priviledges, with full Power to Hier a Gospel Minister to Preach Unto us, or to Settle & Ordain one over us for the Better Conveniency of our attending the Public Worship of God ; and your Peti- tioners as in Duty Bound will Ever Pray. John Patteny Nath' Linn, Robert Craig, John Orr, Samuel Dinsmer, "Wells Chase, Barnaid Brioket, Stephen Dearborn, Nathaniel Wood, Joseph Calfe, Samuel Blunt, Mansfield McDofiy, Daniel "Withar^poon, Anthony Stickney, Robert Witharspoon, David White, William Letch, Moses Underhill, Sam" Aiken, Rob' Calf, Hugh Crombie, Thomas Sharley, James Sharley, Samuel Sharley, Wm. Brown, Junior, Joseph Linne, Caleb Hall, Moody Chase, Moses Hills, David Witharspoon, Peter Aiken, James Witherspoon, Thomas Fowler, Thomas Fowler, Junior, Hugh Mc afiee, Nath' Presby, his James -|- Horn, mark. Benja. Pierce, Sam Pierce, Robert McKinley, Stephen Morel, William McMaster, Robert Gilcrest, Joseph Dearborn, Moses McFarland, William Grimes, John Grimes, Adam Willson, James Grimes." " In Council Dec. 19, 1771. The foregoing Petition was read and ordered to be sent down to the Hon"'^ Assembly. Geo. King, Dep. Sec." HISTORY OF THE TOWN OP CHESTER. 125 There was an order of notice upon this petition. Objec- tions were made as follows': It is answered by Andrew Jack, Henry Moore & Eob- ert Wilson, in behalf of the Presbyterian Parish, That the Petitioners joined with the rest of s* Parish in the Choice of Rev. John Wilson for their minister, & voted him a certain yearly salary ; and have been, and still are, satisfied with his life and Doctrines, but for other Reasons desire to be set off as a distinct Parish, altho they are convinced that it is their duty to perform their contract with Said minister, and did at a legal meeting held in Chester, mutually agree with the rest of s* Parishioners in the lower End of the Parish to have one half the Preaching for nine months yearly, from the last day of March to the first day of De- cember, during the time the said minister was able to preach, and the remainder of his Preaching should be to the People of the lower end of said Parish ; and that the said Petitioners pay the sum of twenty pounds lawful money Yearly during the ministry of said John Wilson, and collect their part of the money themselves ; and the Parishioners at the lower End of said Parish Then agreed with the Petitioners to pay s* Minister Twenty five pounds like money Yearly during said Term, and collect the same themselves. Now, we in behalf of the lower End of said Parish have no objection to the prayer of said Petition being granted, so far as respects their being set off as a distinct parish, provided they continue to fulfil their agreement before mentioned by paying s* ininister duly, the said sum by them agreed to pay him. But inasmuch as the lower end of the Parish is utterly incapable of maintaining a minister themselves, they pray ,that the said Petitioners may not be freed from paying the sum aforesaid agreeable to their before ment* contract. May 21, 1772. Jan. 7, 1773, another petition was preferred by twenty- nine of the former petitioners in which they repeat the prat/er of their former petition, March 11, 1773, a counter petition, of which the fol- lowing is an abstract, was preferred, showing that they had formerly signed a petition, and that at a late public meet- ing of the inhabitants of that part of the town voted almost 126 HISTOBT OP THE TOWN OF CHESTER. unanimously that tlie former petition should lie dormant ; that it would not relieve them' of their present troubles ; that, instead of having the gospel preached twice a month, they should not have it at all ; that the former petition wag clandestinely propagated among the inhabitants by design- ing men. Therefore, they supplicate that the General Coyrt will view the former petition as propagated by a few persons to gratify thfeir own humor, &c. Signed by James Sharlay, Sam' Bhmt, John mcfarland, "William Craig, James Litch, John Craig, MansfiEld mcaffe, Thomas Sharley, John Crafoi-d, Jermia Coner, Moses Uuderhill, David Dinsmore, John On-, Arthur Dinsmore, William Vance, Eobert Dinsmore, Matthew Templeton, Thos. mcmaster, Robert Craig, Thos. McMaster, Jr. Kobei-t McKinly, "Wm. McMaster, Stephen Merril, David Dickey, Stephen Derben, Aaron Rollings, Moody Chase, William Gilchrist, Nathaniel wood, William Miller, Joseph Derben, James Miller, Moses Hills, Michael Gordon, David Underbill, Andrew McFarland, David Cunningham, James McFarland. In the House of Representatives May 13, 1773, this peti- tion was heard, considered and dismissed. The following are the proceedings of the Presbyterian parish in regard to the division of the parish. In a warn- ing for a meeting of the Presbyterian parish, April 16, 1772, was an article " To Se if the Parish Will Chuse a Committe, one part From the Lower End of the Parish, and another part Prom the Uper End, to Endeavor to Settle that the Parish May be one as formerly. That If this Oomitte Dos not agree, to Se if the Perish Will Chuse a Committe To Opose the Petition latly caried into the Gen- eral Cort, and to Act and Doe What They May think Beat HISTORY OP THE TOWN OP CHESTER. 127 " Voted, That thair Should be five men Chose as a Com- mitte to settle the Parish. " Mathew Porsaith, Thomas McMaster, Eobert Wilson, Henry Moor, Joseph Lin, Committe For the > Prisbetairen Parish." " MEMMBRANDOM " Agread Upon By the Subscribers Chosen as A Com- mitte for the Prisbetairen Perish in Chester, Part from the Lower End of the Town and part from the Long meadows, So Caled ; Viz., that the Long meadows part, So Caled, is to have the one half of the JPreaching for Nine Months from the First of March to the First of December, During the time that the Reverand John Wilson is Abel to Preach, and the Remainder to the Lower End of the town ; and that the Long Medows Party is to pay the Stime of twenty pound Lawful! Money Yearly, During the Reverand John Wilson's Minisstrey, and Colect That part of the Money themselves, and the Lower End of the town to Pay twenty five pound and Colect thair own Money themselves. " Chester, Aprile the 20*'', 1772. "N. B. Each Party Bound in Bonds to Perform the above a Greemint, or aply to the Generil Cort to Estabelish The agreement acording to the above Themselves. " Matliew Forsaith, ^ Committee Thomas McMaster, For the Robert Wilson, > Prisbetairen Henery Moor, Parish." Joseph Lin, J 1773. The town " Voted that their shall be a sufficient Pomid Built, and that the pound be set on the south side of the Highway Near Dustin's shop." Col. Moses Dustin, afterwards of Candia, was a blacksmith ; probably his shop was somewhere to the south of the meeting-house. " Voted, That the Pound shall be at Least Thirty feet in Length, and Twenty four feet in width, and Seven feet High ; the Sils and posts to be white oake, Hued Six by Eight, or Eight by Six ; the Rails to be Chesnut, Hued four by five ; and the plates of yellow pine, Hued 6 by 8 ; Braced at Each Corner from the sills to the Plates, and a good gate to it." 128 HISTORY OP THE TOWN OP CHESTER. It was voted that the town should pay juiymen one shil- ling and sixpence per day, while attending the several courts. The town voted to raise one hundred and five pounds to repair highways. There was an article in the warning " To see if the Town will Raise any thing by vote on Houses, as their is no Law for it without a vote of the town to tax them." Passed in the negative. Dec. 27, Thomas "Wells, having in some way interfered in some difi&culty between John Tolford, son of Dea. Wil- liam, and Betty Waddel, Tolford shot and killed him. March term, 1774, he was tried, plead insanity, and acquit- ted. He was so insane afterwards that he was kept in a cage about forty years. CHAPTER VII. PROM 1774 TO 1800. In a warning for a meeting, to be held July 19, 1774, was this article : "To Chuse and Impower one or more persons in our behalf to meet at Exeter the Twenty-first Day of this Instant July, at ten of the Clock in the fore- noon, To Joyn in the Choyes of Delegates for the Generell Congress, to be holden at Philadelphia the first Day of September next, to Devise and consider what measures will be most advisable to be taken in order to Effect the Desired End for the Establishment of our rights and Libertes upon a Just and Soiled foundation ; and for the restoring of union and harmony Between the mother Country and the Colanies ; and to Contribute our proportion of the Ex- pence of Sending ; that the Same may be Raised by Sub- scriptions or other wise, and if Convenient Sent by the person of our Town appoynted to Goe to Exeter. Our proportion is five pound Eighteen Shillings Lawfull HISTOKT OF THE TOWN ,0F CHESTER. 129 "Voted, John "Webster, Esq., moderator for said meet- ing. " Voted, That their Shall be Two men Chosen to meet at Exeter Tuesday next for the Ends mentioned in the warning of said meeting. " Voted, That John Webster, Esq', and Cap* Robert Wil- son Shall be the men. " Voted, that their Shall be Raised by a Rate upon the Inhabitents, as the. Law Directs, the Sum of five pound Eighteen Shillings LawfuU money to Defray the Charge of the Deligates as mentioned in the warning." 1775. In a warning for a meeting to be held January 23, 1775, were the following articles : " To See who the Town Will Chuse for Deputies in their Behalf to meet at Exeter on Wednesday, the 25"" Day of this Instant January, for the Choyes of Delegates to Rep- resent this Province at Such Intended Congress as is above mentioned ; and also to Impower Such Deputies when so meet to Chose a Committee of their Body to proportion the Sum Each Town ought to Pay- Toward Sending Such Delegates. " To See if the Town will Vote to Pay the money that was our proportion to Pay for the Charge of Sending Dele- gates to the Continential Congress held at Pheledelfia Last September, 1774. " To see if the town Will appoynt a Committee to See that the agreement of the american Continential Congress be Strictly adheared to and faithfully Executed." " Voted, John Webster, E3q. , moderator for Said meet- ing. " Voted, That there Shall be sum men Sent as Deputies to meet at Exeter the 25"' Day of this Instant January, To Chuse Delegates in order to Represent this province at the Intended Congress to be held at Phelidelfia the Tenth Day of may next, agreeable to the warning of Said meeting. " Voted, That John Webster, Bsq% Capt, Rob' Wilson, Cap* Sam" Robie, Deacon Forsaith, major French and Robert Calfe Shall be the men. " Voted, That the above Deputies, when meet, have power to Chuse a Committee out of their Body to propor- tion Each Town's part or portion what they ought to pay. " Voted, That what money was our proportion to Pay for Sending Delegates To the Congress held Last Septem- 9 130 HISTORY OP THE TOWN OF CHESTEB. ber, at Phelidelfia, Shall be Raised of the Town with the other Taxes. " Voted, That a Committee be chosen to see that the agreement of the american Contenentell Congress Shall be Strictly adheard to and faithfully Executed. " Voted, That Cap' Dearborn, Amos Emerson, "William White, Jacob Chase, John Patten, Simon Bailey, Pearsoii Eichardson, Jethro Colby, Doctor ordway, Josiah Bradley, Robert Calfe, Lent. Hoit, John Hesseltine, Cap' "Wilson, Capt. Robie, Deacon Porsaith, Stephen merrill, John San. Dearbon, Abner Hills, Sam" Brown, "William Sherley, John Lane, Jun'., Jacob Hills, Thomas Sherley, Isaac Towl." This was called a committee of inspection or safety. ' March 30th, 1775, " Voted, That the Town Pay our proportion of the charge of Sending Delegates to the Continential Congress, to be held at Phelidelfia Next May, if Nescecry. " Voted, That one Hundred and fifty pound L money be Raised for the Repare of Highways the present year, at the same Wages as Last year." " At a meeting of the Committee of Inspection held at Chester, at the house of John Webster, Esq% the 16*^ Day of march, 1775 : They have Requested to Know the minds of the People of this Town whether they will Consider any thing at our Town meeting (Viz.), What Incouragement they will Give Voluntears that "Will hold themselves in Rediness upon the Shortest notice to goe against our Ene- mies that Shall Presume to Invade us ; and upon the Com- mitee's Request this meeting is called. " Voted, John Webster, Esq', moderator for Said meet- ing. "Voted, that this meeting Shall be adjourned TiU Thursday, the W Day of April Next." " At a meeting of the freeholders of Town of Chester, held at the new meeting-house in Chester, the IS"* Day of April, 1775, by adjournment from the 30"^ Day of march Last past. Now opened by the moderator, John Webster, Esq. : " Voted, to Give Incouragement to a Number of men that will hold them Selves in Rediness if called for to Goe .against any Enemy that Shall Presume to Invade us or our HISTORY OP THE TOWN OP CHESTER. 131 " Voted, To Raise fifty Good EEfectiye able Bodyed men ' into the Town's Servise, that Will Hold them Selves in Redyness if called for by the Town to Goe against any Enemy that Shall Come to Invade us or our Property. " Voted, to Give Six Spanish milld Dollers or Equele their unto pr month to fifty Good Effective men Each, and find them their Provision as Long as they are in the Town's Servise ; They finding their own Guns. "Voted, That the Select men Shall Inlist the before mentioned fifty men and Say when they Shall march. " Voted, that their Shall be a muster master to View these men. " Voted, that Cap* Sam" Robie Shall^be muster master. "Voted, That if any of these fifty men Shall Loose their Guns in an Ingagement the Town Shall Pay for them. " Voted, that the Select men Shall prise these fifty men's Guns before they march. " Voted, that these fifty men have the Liberty to Chuse their officers in this Town. " Voted, that this meeting be adjourned till monday, the first Day of May next." May 1% 1775, " Whereas their was a Vote pased at the Last meeting that there Should be fifty Effective able Bodyed men In- listed into the Town's Servise to be in Redyness upon the Shortest warning to Goe against our Enemies which may Invade us, Which Number appears to be full Large ; upon which it is Voted that Instead of the Said fifty men their Shall be thirty men Inlisted, which men shall have the Same Incouragement Paid them that the minnet men have in the Massachusets Bay. " Voted, That if the above Thirty men Shall Inlist and fit themselves they shall have a Reasonable allowance for their Extreordinary charge. May 15, 1775, " Voted, To Chuse Two men to attend the Provential asociation or Congress to be held at Exeter the 17*" Day of may Instant. " Voted, That M' Stephen morss and Capt. Robert Will- son Shall be the men, and that they have full Power, as set forth in the warning of Said meeting." In a warning for a meeting, to be held Deceniber 11, 1775, is the following article : — 132 HISTORY OP THE TOWN OF CHESTER. " To Elect Two Persons having a Reall Estate of the Value Two Hundred pound Lawfull money in this CoUoney To Represent Them in Generall Congress to be held at Exeter on the Twenty first Day of December Next at three of the Clock in the afternoon ; And to Impower such Rep- resentatives, for the term of one year from their first meet- ing, To Transact Such Business and Persue Such mesures as they shall or may Judge Nescecry for the Publick Good ; and, in Case there Should be a Recomendation from the Continential Congress that the Colony asume Government .in any Perticuler forme which will Require a house of Rep- resentetives, that They Resolve them Selves into Such a house as the Contin^ntel Congress Shall Recomend ; and it is Resolved that no person be allowed a Seat in Congress who Shall by him Self, or any other Person for him. Before said Choyce, Treat with Liquer any EUectors with an ap- parent view of Gaining Their Votes, or afterwards on that account." Stephen Morse and Capt. Robert Wilson were chosen. At a meeting, June 8, " Voted, that the Select men Drop the Graer [grammar] School for the present. " Voted, that the Town Will Secuere the Select men from any Cost, Charg or Damiage They may be Put too for not Providing a Grammer School for the present as the Law Directs. Jacob Chase Decents against the foregoing Vote." They reconsidered a vote for a highway tax, and directed the surveyors to repair the highways, as formerly. The Presbyterians "voted that Mr. Wilson should preach nine months day about, and three months down here." The battle of Lexington was on the 19th of April, and when the report of it came to Chester, many of the men went to the headquarters of the army at Cambridge, and while they were absent reports spread in different places that the British, or "Redcoats," as they were called, were somewhere in the neighborhood, killing all before them. I will relate the circumstances of the alarm at what is now called Bunker Hill, in Auburn, as I have heard my grandparents and father relate them. There were five families within half a mile, and in four of them the men were gone to Cambridge. Beginning at the north, was HISTOEY OP THE TOWN OP CHESTER. 133 Capt. (afterwards Colonel) Stephen Dearborn. His family consisted of his wife, his son Kichard, aged eleven, and two other lads. One of the lads, Thomas Wells, brought the word that the British were at Sandown, killing all the people. They turned the cows and calves together, and started to the next neighbor, Caleb Hall's. Here were Mrs. Hall and five children, the oldest eleven years, and the youngest eight months old. They started on to Moody Chase's. He had gone to visit his brother Jacob's wife, who was sick. His wife had three children. Next came "Wells Chase (my grandfather). My grandmother, with her son B. Pike, fell into the mournful procession. Next came Nathaniel Woods. His wife had three children, the oldest perhaps four years old, and the youngest two weeks. They marched on towards Chester, directly towards the enemy. Somewhere on the road they met Moody Chase returning home, who contradicted the report, and they re- turned homeward, and kept garrison that night at the two Chases'. The wife of Joseph Calef, who lived on the main road near the corner, buried her pewter ware, to, prevent the Redcoats from running it into bullets to kill her with. Hezekiah Underlain had a quantity of silver money, which he put into a stocking, and put it into the well. William Graham's family heard the report of muskets all night, but it proved in the morning to be a horse stamping on a plank floor. I have heard it said there was much such an alarm at the *^ Branch ; " and at Newbury the British had landed on Plumb Island. These were times that tried women's souls. Mrs. Healey, the mother of Hon. S. D. Bell's wife, said there was such an alarm at Hampton Palls, where she lived, and that she was old enough to remember it. 1776. At a meeting, held march 28, 1776, it was " Voted, That Those men that went Down at the Battel at Concord, be Paid for what time they' Stayed after the others came away, which was about Eight Days, at the Rate the other Proventals wages are." 134 HISTORY OF THE TOWN CHESTER. July 9, 1776, " Voted, That all those Thirty men that have or shall Inlist into the Servis of this present Expedition to Rein- force the armey under Generell Sullivan, Shall be paid by the town as a bounty, over and above what the Colony promis* to' pay as a Bounty, the sum of Thirteen DoUers and Two thirds of a Doller each ; and all those Persons that have or Shall Inlist into the present Servise, and have Don their proportionable part Towards Supporting the present warr for Said Colony before, they making that ap- pear to the Select men or a Committee that Shall be chosen by the town, that then their part of this tax Shall be Repaid Back to them again. " Voted, Capt. Henry moore, Nathan morss, Capt. John Underbill, Shall be a Committee to Joyn with the Select men to see that Justice be Don with Regard to the fore- going Vote." November 25, 1776, . " Voted, that the Charge of the present warr, So far as it Concerns us. Shall be paid by the Inhabitants in equal proportion as the other Town Charges are Paid." " Sept. 27, 1776, Nicholas Gilman, Treasurer and Receiver General, Requires' of the town of Chester 66 pounds Law- full money for the Currant year, and 26 for the charge of the late Congress and assembly, making 82 pounds." The Congregational parish " Voted, To Give those Soldiers their Pole Rate to the parish, the province Gave." ASSOCIATION TEST. Colony of New-Hampshire. In Committee of Safety. April 12th, 1776. In order to cary 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 hereof, together with the Name or Names of all who shall refuse to sign the same, to the General As- sembly, or Committee of Safety of this Colony. M. Weare, Chairman. HISTORY OP THE TOWN OP CHESTER. 135 In Congress, March 14*, 1776. Resolved, That it be recommended to the several As- semblies, Oouventions 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 refuse to associate to defend by Arms the United Colonies against any Hostile Attempts of the British Fleets and Armies. (Copy.) Extract from the Minutes. Charles Thompson,' Secr'y. In Consequence of the above Resolution of the Hon. Continental Congress, and to shew our Determination in joining our American Brethren in defending the Lives, Liberties and Property of the inhabitants of the United Colonies : We, the Subscribers, do hereby solemnly engage and promise, that we will, to the utmost in our Power, 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 : ' John Crawford, ■William Lock, Samuel Blunt, William Tolford, Daniel Grreenough, Robert McKinley, Matthew Forsaith, Jr., Edward Kobie, Edward Bobie, Archibald MaKafee, John Webster, ^Nathan Morse, Sam^ Emerson, Henry Moore, Stephen Morse, Joseph Linn, Daniel Webster, Moses Hills, Stephen Dearborn, Jonathan Hall, Adam Willson, Stephen Lufkin, Eobt. Calfe, James Eankin, Anth^' Somb. Stickney, Edinund Stickney, David Wetherspoon, Peter Aiken, John Grimes, Matthew Templeton, William Underbill, Joseph Dearborn, David Crage, John Underbill, James Pearce, William White, Nathan Fitts, James Dunlap, Nathan Webster, Junior, John Hasseltine, Peter Dearborn, Peter Hasseltine, Nathaniel Blasdall, Ebeneze'r Basford, Benjamin True, Sam" Hasseltine, 136 HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF CHESTEB. Jasjel Hamman, Ebenezer Townsend, Nathaniel Glidden, Wilks West, Caleb Hall, Wells Chase, Moody Chase, Stephen Merril, Alex Weatherspoon, Robert Cralge, James Aiken, Bracket Towl, Anthony Towl, Benjamin Melvin, Parker Carr, Ezekiel Morse, David Currier, Robert Kowe, John Dearborn, Jethro Colby, William McMaster, Benj" Hills, Samuel Hills, Ezekiel Worthen, John Shackford, Jur., Aaron Townsend, Theod"- Shackford, Daniel Richardson, Moses Richardson, Isaac' Forse, Isaac Forse, Jr., Jonathan Forsaith, Thomas Wason, Rob' Wilson, Will"" Wilson, James Wason, Charles Moore, Samuel Moore, David Puller, Benjamin Hoyt, John Hoyt, Joseph McCleDan, Stephen Marden, John Pain, Joseph Knowles, Simon Bayley, Moses Underhill, Junior, Stephen Hills, Richard Haseltine, Jonathan Darbon, David Foss, Isaac -Blasdel, Josiah Hall, Pearson Richardson, Samuel Kinsmand, Sam' Wilson, John Knowles, John Knowles, Jun% Nathan Knowles, Joshua Prescott, Joseph Long, James Wilson, Nathan Webster, James Waddell, Amos Merril, Josiah Bradley, Francis Towle, Jacob Hills, Thomas Haseltine, Benjamin Haseltine, Jabez Hoit, Benjamin Fuller, Samuel Jones, John Tolford, Hugh Tolford, John Robie, Gideon Rowell, John Conlby, Samuel Rowel, Samuel Forster, Henry Hall, Peter Hall, Sam' Jacks, Simon Berry, Thomas John Willson, James Shirlee, Hugh Shirley, William Shirlee, Sam' Robie, HISTOEY OP THE TOWN OP CHESTER. 137 Amos Pain, Nathan Norton, Samuel Brown, "William Brown, "William Gilchrist, Abraham Sargent, "Wintnip Sargent, John Karr, "William Mills, Robert Grahams, John Grimes, John Mills, Nath' Sweetser, , Samuel McFerson, Robert Dickey, Parker Morse, Josiah Morse, Edmund Sleeper, Joseph Morse, Joseph Blanchard, Abner Hills, Jabez French, Isaac Hills, James Bandall, John Lain, Daniel Dolbeer, John Butterfleld, John Lane, Jr., Jonathan Norton, Joseph Norton, Jonathan Berry, Joseph Smith, John Sevi, Ellet Berry, Benja. Hills, David Eichardson, Bradbury Carr, Joseph Carr, Charles Moore, Junor, Beirj. Currier, John Quimby, Eobert Gordon, James Eichardson, Ebenezer Dearborn, John Gross, Mark Carr, Thomas Fowler, junr., James Wetherspoon, Daniel "Wethef spoon, Mansfield McAfee, Samuel Aiken, Eobert Patten, Samuel Crombey, William Miller, Hugh Miller, Thomas McMaster, "William Gilchrist, David Dickey, Eobert Dinsmore, Benjamin Pierce, Samuel Pierce, Barnard Bricket, Joseph Hills, David Underhill, Jonathan Emery, Hezekiah Underhill, Jonathan Underhill, Isaac Tovrle, John Orr, John Burley, Joseph Hall, Joseph Clark, Edward Presson, Cornelius Morgan, Samuel "Worthen, Edmund Elliot, Paul Healey, Moses Underhill, Jacob Perley, James Hidden, Samuel Davis, William Brown, Francis Carr, Timothy Carr. 138 HISTORY OP THE TOWN OF CHESTER. The following persons signed the Association Tegt in Candia. It was not returned to the Secretary's office, but was found among the papers of Nathaniel Emerson, Esq.: "William Baker, Thomas Dearborn, James Eaton, Ezekiel Knowles, Nath' Maxfield, Thomas Emery, John Clay, Jonathan Pillsbnry, Nathaniel Emerson, Walter Robie, Moses Baker, . Benjamin Batchelder, Samuel Dearborn, Enoch Rowel, Samuel Moores, Abr'm Fitts, Nicholas Smith, Enoch Colby, Nehemiah Brown, Samuel "Worthen, Sewell Brown, Stephen Palmer, Jr., John Prescott, Richard Clough, Obededom Hall, Benjamin Fellows, Biley Smith, Jonathan Smith, Joseph Palmer, Benjamin Hubbard, .Elijah True, Samuel Brown, Jonathan Brown, Aaron Brown, Jethro Hill, Shei'burne Eowe, Joseph Fifleld, Stephen Fifield, Theophilus Clough, Jonathan Hills, Samuel Morrill, Zebulon Winslow, Jesse Eaton, John Lane, John Sargent, Thomas Patten, Henry Clark, Zachariah Clifford, Benjamin Cass, John Colby, William Turner, Robert Smart, David Bean, Obadiah Smith, James Miller, Benjamin Rowell, Nath' Burpee, Jeremiah Burpee, Nicholas French, Isaiah Rowe, Stephen Palmer, John Sargent, Ephraim Eaton, Robert Wilson, James Varnum, Samuel Buswell, John Clark, Daniel Hall, John Hills, William Eaton, Obadiah Hall, Moses Sargent, Thomas Anderson,- Ebenezer Eaton, Robert Wason, Paul Eaton, David Hill, Samuel Tovrle, John Robie, Simon French, Benaiah Colby, Daniel Dolber, HISTORY OP THE TOWN OP CHESTER. 139 .AYilliam Hills, John Moor, John Cammet, Hugh Meclellan, Elias Camnaet, Jonathan King, Samuel Clough, Joshua Moore, David Jewett, Stephen Clark, John Carr, John Clifford, James Prescott, Jonathan Cammet, Jonathan Bagby, i Jacob Bagley. Amos Knowles, . At a meeting lield April 14th, 1777, "Voted, That a Oommittee of five men be chosen to agree with and hier if they can as soon as posibell so many Good men as Shall appear to be our proportion of men Demanded to Serve in the Continental Servis. "'Voted, Capt. John Underbill, Jacob Chase, Esq'', Henry moore, Esq', Capt. Stephen Dearborn and Capt. Sam" Robie to be the Committee. " Voted, That whatsoever man or men the aforesaid Com- mittee Shall agree with and Hier into the aforesaid Servis as bur proportion of men. Whatsoever Said Committe Sliall agree to pay them, the Select men Shall Hier money and pay as agreed upon by said Committee, and Shall Raise Said money by a tax upon the Inhabitants as the Other Town taxes are Raised : Alowing to those persons that have Don part of their proportion Toward Suporting the warr Sence the commencement of the Same ; also allowing to those men that Have alredy Inlisted into the Continentel servise for the three years the Same Bounty and Encouragement as as these shall have ther is to be hired. Saving and Stoping out what they have alredy Received from perticuler men." May 26th, 1777, " Voted, that the Select men Raise the whole of the money this year they have hired to pay those men that the Committee hired into the Continental Servise, agreeable to the vote of the Town." Dec. 2d, 1777, " Voted, That the Report of the Committee that was Chosen to allow the Soldiers an Equality p"^ month up to the three years men, for their Servise Done in the present war, be Excepted as they have Given it in." The committee agreed to allow the following : 140 HISTOET OP THE TOWN OF CHESTER. Those that went to Cambrige in the year 1776, £ s. d. 8 months, 6 per month. Those that went to Cambrige of the militare, 6 per month. Those that went to Portsmouth, . . . 6 per month. Those that went to Cambrige, and to New York after Leaving Cambrige, . . . 10 per month. Those that went to Cambrige and York, and then to Canade Twelve months after Leav- ing Cambrige 15 per month. Those that went to Ticontroge 5 months, . 10 per month. Those that went from Portsmouth to Tye, after Leaving Portsmouth, . . . . 10 per month. Those that went to York with Lent. Sam" Hes- - seltine and Lieut. Ezekiel "Worthin, . 6 per month. Sam" Eobie, "| Jacob Chase, I rin™m:(.tpfi William White, f Committee. Nathan Fitts, J 1778. At the annual meeting March 27, " Voted, that there Shall be Raised this year for the Re- pairing of the Highways, £90 : : 0. " Voted, That their Shall be Seven men Chosen for a Committee of Safety in this Town. " Voted, that Lent. Sam" Hesseltine, Deacon Mathew Forsaith, Henry moore, Esq', Capt. Sam" Robie, Jethro Colby, Isaac Blasdell, and Nathan morss, Shall be the men." At a meeting held Feb. 5th, 1778, " Voted, Relating to the Thirteen artikels of confederar tion proposed to be Entred into by the thirteen united States of america, they were all Carefully Read and Con- sidered, and then Put to Vote and Voted that they be Excepted and approved of. " Voted, That our Representatives be Desired and Di- rected to propose that the assembly and Councell may forme a plan or System of Government for this State, and Send it through the state into the Severell Towns and par- ishes, in order for their Perusal, Consideration, and excep- tance." May 12th, 1778, " Voted, that their Shall be one person Chosen to Convene and meet in Convention at Concord, in this State of New- hampshire, on the tenth Day of June Next, for the Sole HISTOEY OF THE TOWN OP CHESTER. 141 purpose of forming and Laying a permanent plan or Sys- tem Governments for the future Happines and well being of the Good people of this state. "Voted, That Sam" Emerson, Esq', shall be the per- son." March 26, " Voted that the Widow mary Emerson be allowed and paid by the Town -for her Husband, who Died on His way coming home out of the wars, as the other Solders ware allowed and paid by the Town." Nov. 30th, 1778, " Voted, That Leut. Sam" Hesseltine and Robert Wilsop, Esqs., Shall Represent the Town in the assembly to be held at Exeter on the Third Wednesday in December Next at three o'clock in the afternoon. With full Power for one year from their first meeting to Transact such Buisness and Persue Such mesurs as they Shall Judge Nescecry for the Publick Good." Col. Moses Dustin, who had had the small-pox, was home from the army, and employed the wife of Elijah Pillsbury to wash his clothes. She went to a brook back in the •pasture, and Joseph Norton's wife happened to pass, and took the small-pox, and the whole family, including two Palmer girls, had it. Mr. Norton had then three children. Mrs. Norton and one of the Palmer girls died, and Mr. Norton lost one eye. Dr. Page's family also had the disease, and they purchased Merchant Blasdel's shop, and moved it into the south woods, on to the parsonage lot, and removed the family there. Two of Dr, Page's children died. At a town meeting Nov. 80th, 1777, " Voted, to pay for the shop that the Select men Re- moved (that belonged to Nathanel Blasdel), for Doctor Page's famely to have the Small pox in, .and that it be left with the Select men to agree with said Blasdel how much to give for it, and Settle that matter with him. " Voted to give mary Palmer her cost when she had the Small pox. Being foreteen pound, Eleven shillings, nine pence, two farthings." They voted against giving Mr. Norton anything for his expense. 142 HISTOET OP THE TOWN OP CHESTER. There was a meeting of the Presbyterian parish, Dec. 8. In consequence of the high price of the necessaries of life, they voted to add pounds to the Rev. John Wil- son's salary. " Voted, that the Town will send one man to Joyninthe Convention, to be held at Concord the 22d Day of Septemb' Instant, in order to Eegulate the price of things. " Voted, that Jacob Chase, Esq', to be the man." Oct. 18, 1779, " first Put to Vote whether to except and approve of the prices set by the Convention at Concord, and past in the affermetive. " Voted, that messrs. Jabez Hoit, Capt. Underbill, Isaac Blasdel, Deacon Porsaith, Anthony Stickney, "William Lock, Ephraim Pitts, Simon Bayley, and Kobt' Wilson, Esq', Shall be the Committee." November 29th, 1779, " first Put to Vote to see if the Town will Except of the Report of the Comittee appoynted to Regulate prices for the Inhabitants of this Town, In this Town, and Voted that it be Excepted. " Voted, that a Committee be Chosen to See that the foregoing prices be observed ; and Voted that Jacob Chase, Esq', Deacon Porsaith and anthony stickney Shall be the Comittee. " Voted, That any Person in this Town that Shall not comply with the prices Set by the Committee, but Shall Sell for more than the artikells are Set at, They Shall for- fit and pay the Value of the Thing so Sold To the Com- mittee ; and on their Refusal to Pay that Sum, Tlioy Shall be advertised in the publick Prints as Innimecal to their Countrey. " Voted, that the Comittee Shall Get the proceedings of this meeting printed in the Publick prints, at the Cost of the town." An act of the General Assembly for regulating prices, passed January 18th, 1777, has the following preamble : " Wliereas the exorbitant Prices of the Necessary and convenient Articles of Life, and also of Labour, within this State, at this Time of Distress (unless speedily and effec- tually remedied) will be attended with the most fatal and pernicious consequences." HISTORY OP THE TOWN OP CHESTER. The act fijes among others the following prices : 143 8. d. 8. d. Wheat, 7 6 Sugar, 8 Eye, 4 6 Molasses, 3 4 Corn, 3 6 Salt, 10 Oats, a Coffee, 1 4 Peas, 8 Cotton, 3 8 Beans, 6 Flax, 1 Potatoes, in fall, 1 4 Wool, 2 Potatoes at any season, 2 Stockings pr. pair, 6 Cheese, 6 Flannel pr, • yd., 3 Butter, 10 Tow Cloth ? 2 3 Pork, fr'm 100 to 140 lbs, .,0 4i Coarse Linens, 4 Pork, fr'm 140 to 200 lbs. ,0 5 Cotton, or Cotton and linen, 3 8 Raw Hides, 3 Good ]Sr. E . bar iron. 40 Sole Leather, 1 6 Farming labor in summer. 3 4 "West India Rum, 6 8 Mechanics to be in proper- N. England Rum, 3 10 tion, according to usage An additional act was passed April 8th, 1777, raising- the price of some articles in Portsmouth — rye, 5s., corn, 4s. — and towns were to choose a committee to regulate prices in proportion as such goods have heretofore borne, com- pared to Portsmouth. The line between Chester and Raymond was settled this year. The Rev. Mr. Wilson died Feb. 1st of this year. At the annual meeting, March 9th, Deacon Adam Wil- son, Anthony Stickney and Maj. John Tolford were chosen a committee to hire preaching, and make provision for the ministers they shall hire. They voted to raise one hun- dred and twenty pounds. At a meeting, August 9th, they voted to raise four hun- dred dollars more. They had no settled minister until Mr. Colby was settled in 1803, but depended upon temporary and stated supplies. They got up a subscription and had a meeting Dec. 7, and chose a new committee to expend the money. At a meeting held Jan. 26, 1779, " Voted, That those persons that are gon into the Con- tinentel Servis for three years or Longer for this town, theyr famelyes Shall be Supplied with Such Nesicaries of 144 HISTORY OP THE TOWN OP CHESTER. Life as they Need, agreeable to the Resolve.of .the Generell assembly." April 5, 1779, "Voted, That their Shall be a Cominittee of Safety chosen in this Town. "Voted, That mathew Forsaith, Joseph Lynn, Capt. Benjamin Currier, Lt. John San. Dearbon, Lt. Jabez Hoit, to be the Comitte for that purpose." April 19, "Voted, That the Town will advance and Raise the Bounties to Hier the Solders for the Town's proportion as Demanded or Required by the Committee of Safety for the continent and State. " Voted, That their Shall be a Committe of three men Chosen to Inlist Twelve men as Soldiers to Serve in the Contineiitel Servise During the war. " Voted, That Robert Wilson, Bsq.,Insin William Litch and Capt. John Underbill to be the men. " Voted, That the Select men Shall Hier money to Pay the Bounty allowed to the above Solders when Inlisted, and the muster master Shall muster them and Request the money to Pay said Bounties." July 5, " Voted, That Jacob Chase and William White, Esq., Shall be added to the former Committe in order to pro- cuer and make up our proportion of the Contentell Battel- ion according to the order of the Committe of Safety in April Last ; and that the Committe be Impowered to pro- cure and Get the men upon the Best Terms they can, and what they are obliged to Give more then the Continent and State have allowed as a bounty, the Town Shall Repay them. " Voted, That the above mentioned Committe (viz.), Rob- ert Wilson, Esq., Cap' John Underhill, William Litch, Jacob Chase and William White, Esq', Shall procure and get five or six men for Solders to Goe to Road Island for six months upon the best terms they Can for the Town. " Voted, Tliat the above Committe Shall Call upon the Select men for what money they Shall Hier as Solders as aforesaid ; and the Select men Shall Ingage to pay those men they Shall Hier or Raise, and pay the Same to them or their order." August 11, " Voted, That we are willing to Joyn with Portsmouth, HISTORY OP THE TOWN OP CHESTER. 145 Exeter and other towns in this State for Redusing the prices of the Nesecerys of Life as> Recomended by them to us. " Voted, That the town Except and approve of what the Commite and Select men Did withe Regard to Hiering two men as solders to Gbe to Portsmouth." September 6, " Voted, That Capt. Stephen Dearbon, Capt. David With- erspoon, Capt. Benj* Currier, Shall be a Committe to Pro- cure our proportion of what men is Sent for to Goe to Portsmouth as Solders upon as Reasonable terms as they can be Got. " It was put to Vote Whether to Except and approve of the Plan or forme of Government as now Read in said meeting formed by the Convention at Concord: and 52 Voted to Receive and approve of it, and five voted against it. 1780. At a meeting held June 20, 1780, it was " Voted, That a Committe be Chosen to Procure our pro- portion of men for this town to fill up the Battalion in the Continential army, till the Last Day of December next, being Eleven men. " Voted, That Capt. Stephen Dearbon, Capt. David Wetherspoon, Capt. 'Benj" Currier, Leut. Jabez Hoit and major William White to be the Committe to Procure s* men. " Voted, That the above Committe be Instructed and Desired to Procure the above Number of men to Serve as aforesaid at as Reasonable a Rate as they can ; and what sum Soever the Said Committe Shall Ingage to Pay any man so Hiered, the Selectmen Shall furnish the Committe with money or Specie soficient to pay them ; and Raise the Same of the town by way of assessment." At a meeting held July 5, 1780, ' " Voted, That those Twenty men that is Required to make up our proportion of men Shall be Hired. " Voted, To Chuse a Committe to Hire said men. " Voted, That Capt. John Underhill, Jacob Chase, Esq', and maj' William White be that Committe. " Voted, That the Said Committe Shall Call upon the Select men, and they Shall Give theyr Securety to those men that they Shall Hier for what they shall agree with them for, and Pay them." 10 146 HISTORY OP THE TOWN OF CHESTEK. At an adjourned meeting held July 10, 1780, " Voted, That what men the Committe Have Eaised, he Excepted on the Terms the committe agreed with them for (Viz.), that they have 30 Ikishels of Indian Oorne p'" month, and 250 Dollers for three months, and in proportion for a Longer or a Shorter time. " Voted, That the Selectmen Proceed as they have Be- gun in Respect to Beef untill they have Compleated the Sum the Court Have Called on the Town for (Viz.), that they Ingage money Equal to Corn at three Shillings p' Bushell for what they Purches." At a n;eeting in November, " Voted, That the Selectmen Shall make a Corn Rate on the Inhabitants, to Pay the Solders what Corn they have Ingaged to them." The Presbyterians voted to raise one thousand dollars to hire preaching, and to pay the ministers fifty dollars per day. The winter of 1780 was remarkable for its severity. CofSn's history of Newbury and Chase's history of Haver- hill both say that for " forty days, thirty-one of which were in March, there was no perceptible thaw on the southerly side of any house." It is my impression that it was in January instead of March that it did not thaw. David Allen, Esq., of Salem, N. H., related to me, about forty years ago, the circumstances as they occurred there. He or his father owned a grist-mill, and the people wanted a patli to get to it. It would snow one day and blow the next. They broke with oxen until the snow was so deep and the oxen so cross, that they gave it up and tried a sin- gle track, so that they could go to mill on horseback ; but they had to give that up also, and carry their grists on their backs, traveling on snow-shoes. The same year is also memorable for the " dark day," the 19th of May. The sun was seen at its rising, but was soon obscured by clouds and smoke, and it was so dark in the middle of the day that the fowls went to roost and candles were needed. It continued dark through the day and first part of the night. HISTORY OP THE TOWN OP CHESTER. 147 1781. At a meeting held Jan. 29, 1781, ' " Yoted, That a Committe Shall be chosen to Procure our proportion of Solders for three years, or During the present warr. " Voted, That the above Committe Consists of five men. " Voted, Capt. underbill, Leut. Jabez Hoit, Rob' Wilson, Esq., Capt. Stephen Dearbon and John Graham to be the Committe to Procure the Said men. " Voted, That the above Committe be Desired to Procure their above proportion of men upon as Reasonable terms as they can for the Benefit of the Town ; and that the Select- men Hier money and pay what they Shall Ingage them ; and as soon as Reasonable Raise ye money of tlie town according to Law, by way of assessment, as other town Charges are Raised." At a meeting held March 5, 1781, " Voted, That the Selectmen procuer in the best manner they can, and Deliver agreeable to the Court order, one third of the Beef called for by Congress for the year 1781, by the Last Day of march Instant (Vz.), 9206 pounds. " Voted, To add four men as Committe men to joyn the Committe chosen to Inlist Ooutiiientell Solders. "Voted, Joseph Lynn, Callab Hall, Cap' Benj'* Currier and Cap' Henry moore, for the Said Committe." At a meeting held July 5, " Voted, To Raise our proportion of Beef for the armey. " Voted, To make a Beef Tax. " Voted, That the selectmen Shall Divide the Town into classes in order to Procure the above said Beef. " Voted, That the Selectmen be Impowered to Set a value upon Beef, that any Delinquent class Should have provided, or any Individual belonging to any Class ; and make assessments on them Soficient to purches Said Beef, and that one half of s*^ beef be paid within three weeks, and the other half in Septembr next. "Voted, That Leut.' John San. Dearbon and pearson Richardson be added to the Committe for Procuring our cota of the Contentel Solders." At a meeting July 30, " Voted, That in order to Procure the three months m,en now Required, the Selectmen Shall Divide the Town into Classes according to their Poles and Estates, and make as many Classes as there is three months men Required 148 HISTORY OP THE TOWN OP CHESTER. out of this Town ; and that Every Class be obliged to pro- cure one man for that Service ; and if any Class, person,, or persons in Said Class Shall Refuse or Neglect to pay his ' proportion towards Hiering or paying said man, the Select- men Shall assess him Duble his proportion for the Hier of said man ; and he or they Shall be obliged to pay it." At a meeting Nov. 1, " Voted, That Jethro Colby Shall be a Collector to Colect and Gather what Corn is yet Due to the Town, and that the present Selectmen Shall Give the Said Colector a warrant to Colect Said Corn, or the Value thereof in money, as the Said Selectmen Shall Judge Right and just." Capt. John Underbill and Robert Wilson, Esq., were chosen representatives to the General Assenjbly " To trans- act such Business, and Pursue such mesurs as they may Judge Necessary for the Publick Good, and Particularly to vote in the Choyce of Delegates for the Continental Con- gress." Mr. Flagg acknowledges the receipt of eight thousand continental dollars in full of his salary the year past. The Presbyterians voted to raise four thousand dollars this year. 1782. January 8, 1782, " It was Put to Vote to See if the Town Will Except of the plan of Government as it now Stands, and it was past universally in the Negative ; 149 Voters being present. " Voted, That Leut. Jabez Hoit Shall carry these Votes past with Regard to the plan of Government, with the Commite's proposed alterations and amendments, to Con- . cord, and Deliver them to the president of the Convention to be held there the foarth Wednesday of Januar^ Instant. " Voted, That six more persons be added to the former Committe to make any further Remarks or amendments on the plan of Government that they may Think Nesecery, and make return at the adjournment. " Voted, Leut. Sam" Hesseltine, Joseph Linn, Joseph Blanchard, Capt. Benja. Currier, Sam" Emerson, Esq., and the Reve* mr. Flagg be the men. " Voted, That Jethro Colby be Cleared from Colecting the Corn that Remains Not Colected." January 14, " Voted, That a Committe be chosen to Take the minds BISTORT OP THE TOWN OF CHESTER. 149 of Such Inhabitants of the Town as have not Voted in the meetings Respecting the Plan of Government. " Voted, That the Committee Consist of five persons. " Voted, That L* William Lock, Theodor Shackford, Joseph Blanchard, Joseph Linn and Richard Hesseltine be the members of the Committee. " Voted, That Hezekiah Underbill and Sam" Crumble be Colectors to Colect the Remainder of the Corn tax which was Due for the year 1780." April 9, " In order to procure our Quota of men to fill up the Contentinetel army it is Voted, that the Select men class the Town into Seventeen classes Bquel as they can accord- ing to poles and Estate ; and that Bach Class Shall Procuer one man Each Class ; and Further Voted, that if any class, or any Perticular person in Said Class, Shall Refuse or vin- reasonably Neglect to pay his proportionable part of the charge Toward IJiering and paying Said man as afforesaid, the Select men Shall assess Such Class, or Such Perticuler inan in Said Class, Duble his proportion for Such Neglect. Said money Shall be paid by the 20"" Day of may next. " Voted, That the Select men Shall pay for the Rum that will not be Received by the State as Soon as possable, and make the Best of the Rum the Town has now at Haverhill." The following was found among the papers of Col. Ste- phen Dearborn : To Oapt. Stephen Dearborn and Mr. Rohert Howe : — Agreeably to an act of the General Court and a vote of the town, the following persons who are named, with the amount of their ratable estate, are to procure one able- bodied, effective man for the continental service three years, or during the war, to be ready to be mustered in, on or before the 10th day of May next, or pay the fine agree- able to law and vote of the town. You are desired to notify each one in this list to meet and prescribe such method as they shall think proper in order to procure ^aid men. Jabez Hoit, ^ \ Selectmen Stephen Morse, > of Joseph Blanchard, ) Chester. Chester, April 29, 1782. £ 8. a. £ s. d. 1 9 1 Barnard Bricket 2 1 4 3 6 10 John Clark 1 7 10 00 Abraham Morse 12 9 3 Capt. S. Dearborn 2 14 2 17 7 Caleb Hall 1 12 1 2 10 11 Jonathan Emery 1 14 4 12 00 Samuel "White 16 6 2 18 8 Anthony Stickney 3 2 14 5 Moody Chase 1 18 9 16 Wells Chase 2 2 8 1 16 2, Jeremiah Underbill 1 17 2 1 13 6 Nathaniel Wood 1 14 2 150 HISTOBT OP THE TOWN OP CHESTER. David Richardson Joseph Carr Ezekiel H. Kelly Wid. Ann Carr Lieut. John Lane Jonathan Norton Simeon Norton Joseph Norton Jonathan Berry Jeremiah Griflla Robert Rowe Samuel Murray May 23, 1782, " Voted, To Send Two men to the Convention. " Voted, That Jacob Chase, Esq', and major William White Shall be members of the Convention to be held at Concord the first Tuesday of June Next, by adjournment, i to frame a permanent Sistem of Government for the State of Newhamp." December 23, " It was put to Vote to see if the Town will Except of the Report of the Committe appoynted by the Town to Revise the plan of Government ; and it was Voted that said Report be Received and sent to the Convention at Concord, as their Reasons and objections why they will not Receive Said plan as it now Staiids, by the N° of 78 yeas and not one Nay." Jacob Hills refused to serve as constable, and paid his fine. Two others were chosen, and it was voted that they should have nothing for their service. They had the rates to collect. The money last year was the old continental, at about its lowest point. This year it must have been upon a specie basis. Capt. Pierson Richardson agreed to deliver twenty cords of wood to Mr. Flagg for f28. The Presbyterians voted to raise fl50. 1783. At a meeting held May 15, "Voted, that Lent. Jabez Hoit Shall Represent the Town as a member at the Convention to be held at Con- HISTORY OF THE TOWN OP CHESTER. 151 cord on the first Tuesday of June Next, for the purpose of framing a perineneut Plan of Government for the State of New Hampshire, in the place of Jacob Chase, Esq', who is Dismissed at his own Request." May 26, " Put to Vote whether to Except of the plan of Govern- ment as it Now Stands, past in the Negetive by 127 ; one for it. Then it was put to Vote to See if they Will Except of it withe the proposed amendments ; And it Was Voted to Except of it when the proposed amendments were made to it." August 28, " Voted that the Last Peace published by the Last Con- vention held at Concord, Called the Alternetive, Be Ex- cepted by the Town : 65 Votes for it ; Two against it." There was " a great frost " August 10. « 1784. Two important events transpired this year : Peace had been made with Great Britain, the independence of the United States being acknowledged and the army dis- banded ; and a constitution of State governments formed. The chief executive was a president, and Meshech Weare, of Hampton Falls, was nearly unanimously elected. The Council was to consist of a certain number from each county, and Rockingham was to have five. The votes in Chester were nearly unanimous. Chester was entitled to one representative, and Capt. John Under- bill was elected. Two hundred dollars were voted for schools. A committee of five was chosen to sell all the wood and timber on the school and parsonage lots. The Congregational parish " Voted to take up the two Hind Seats Each Side the Broad alley in order to Build four pews for the purpose of procuring a Bell." They chose a committee to build the pews, sell them at auction, and purchase a bell. The pews were built and sold and bell bought. See 1788. May 28, in a drunken row at the raising of Hatter Underhill's barn, Sam. Blunt struck Matthew Templeton with a stone in the forehead, and broke in the skull. Dr. Kittredge was sent for, who removed the fractured bone 152 HISTORY OF THE TOWN OP CHESTER. and replaced it with a piece of silver ; it healed and he lived more than forty years afterwards. 1785. The Congregational parish, March 30, " Put to Voate to See if the parrish would take up the Short Seats at the Eight and Left hand of the Galery Doors in the meeting house and build two pews whear s* Seats now air, and Sell the pews at Vandue and Let the money Be Laid out as the parrish shall think best, and past in the Affarmative. " Voated to Leave it to the wardens to Sell the ground for the pews or to Build the pews and then Sell them at Vandue to the Highest Bidder, as they think Best. ' " Voted, that the money which the pews Shall Fetch Shall be Laid out toards OoUoring the meeting house." The Presbyterian parish chose a committee to settle with all wardens, collectors and committee-men who had the parish money, and to pursue it to final judgment and exe- cution. " Voted to raise thirty pounds to hire preaching, and chose Dea. Forsaith, Thomas McMaster and John Grimes to supply the pulpit." In a warning for a meeting April 19, is an Article " to See What Method the parish Will take Relating a petision By a number of parsons Belonging to Said parish, about Removing the Meeting house to a Senter to aComedate the Parish," &c. John Crawford, John Grimes, Capt. Henry Moor, Benjamin Melvin, Col. William White, Capt. David Wetherspoon and Robert Grimes were chosen a committee to fix a place. They reported " to set the Meet- ing hous in at about Esqr. Chase's Brook." " the parish not Satisfied." " Adjourned and continued the committee." At the adjournment the committee reported " to set the meeting hous on Cap* John Underhill's land on the South Side of the Rode, as Near his old hous as we Can Conve- niently Set it as the Ground Will allow;" and it was " Voted that the Meeting house shall Set their." This year was remarkable for the quantity of snow, the hardness and lateness of going ofi". James Graham at the HISTORY OF THE TOWN OP CHESTER. 153 Long Meadow died April 14. Jolin Waddel, of Derry, came witli horse and sleigh to the funeral across, over all fences in his way. It came on warm, the snow went off, and plowing was done the 25th. October 12, a daughter of Moses McFarland had her arm torn off in a cider mill. 1786. The currency before the war had been bills of credit issued by the Colony, depreciated and called old tenor. During the war Congress had issued what was called Con- tinental money in large quantities, which had been largely counterfeited and had depreciated, it is said, to one hun- dred and twenty to one, and had been by universal consent laid aside. There was little gold and silver and little for- eign commerce, and we can hardly conceive the difficulties they experienced. There was a wide-spread dissatisfaction. As a specimen of the pecuniary condition of this time : My father, B. P. Chase, in November, 1785, purchased a tract of land of the proprietors, and to raise the money to pay for it, he made hogshead hoops shaved fit to set, and carted them to Newburyport and sold them for ten dollars per thousand ; took his pay in New England rum, carted that to Chester, and sold it to the traders for the same he paid in Newburyport. Staves were sold six score to the hundred, and I think hoops were. About September 20th a company of men, that may be called a mob, assembled at Exeter and demanded of the General Court to issue paper money. The Court put them off, and meanwhile called in the militia and dispersed them. A man by the name of Eaton, of SandoWn, and one by the name of Morse, of Londonderry, were im- prisoned. In the warning for a town meeting, November 14, were articles : " To see if the Town will accept the plan the Gen- eral Court have sent to the Several towns and places of this State for Emiting a paper Currency as it now stands," " To see if the Town will Vote to have Sum alterations made than what is set forth in Said plan." Both articles were voted in the negative. 154 HISTORY OF THE TOWN OP CHESTER. This year was remarkable for the number of wolves. Stephen Chase says in his diary : " February 6, Hunting wolves ; started seven ; plentier than for fifteen years. Feb. 14, Shot a wolf. March 8, Mr. Brown killed a wolf." William Graham, Esq., told of his mother taking him to the door to hear the wolves howl, and that they came around the barn in the night after the sheep, but the barn happened to be shut up. Col. Thomas Wilson, who lived on the mountain in the upper part of Candia, related to me that one day in the spring his cattle were in the woods to browse. He heard a roaring among them, and ran to them, and a wolf had a young creature by the flank. He went up, put his hands on the creature's back and drew his foot back to kick the wolf, but the wolf let go his hold, gave a snarl and ran away. March 28, the Presbyterian parish voted to build a meet- ing-house on the plan appointed by the committee. They chose Mr. Morse, Hugh Tolford, Thomas McMaster, Col. White, Samuel Sherley, Anthony Stickney, William Bell, John Grimes and Peter Aiken a committee, " To Consider the Bigness of the house and draw a draft of the Pues, and make Return as soon as may be." April 24, " The Comitys plan of the house and Pues is Excepted. V*, that this former Comity is empowered to sell the Pues." 1787. Samuel Emerson, who had been town clerk since 1734, was chosen again this year, and John Emerson, his son, was chosen assistant clerk, and the hand-writing of the records changes. 1788. At a town meeting held January 1, Joseph Blanchard was chosen a " Delegate to set in a Convention that is to Be Holden at Exeter Court House on the second Wednesday of Febu'' next, for the Purpose of taking into Consideration the Purposed Constitution made by the Fed- eral Convention the 17^'' of Sepf, 1787, for the approba- tion or Disapprobation of the same when meet." HISTORY OP THE TOWN OP CHESTER. 155 The first meeting to choose representatives to congress and electors of president and vice-president, under the Federal constitution, was held December 15. The com- mittee had purchased a bell weighing about six hundred pounds. It was said to have been a first-rate one, having been heard at McParland's tavern, a mile and a half this side of Haverhill, being more than fourteen miles as the road is traveled. It was raised the 12"* day of June. A parish meeting was held June 26, at which it was " put to Vote to see if the parish would Except of the Bell as it hang, free of all Costs Except what the pews sold for ; past in the aSirmative." They voted to be at the cost of ring- ing it Sunday, and other public days, and that others might ring it at their own expense at eight, twelve and nine o'clock on other days. 1789. The town voted to vendue the poor of the town to the lowest bidder. 1791. The town voted to sell all of their school lots. Joseph Blanchard, Esq., " was chosen to set in Convention to be holden at Concord, the first Wednesday of Sept. next,, for the purpose of Revising the Constitution." February 17, 1791, an act was passed to give Jacob Green, Enoch Noyes, William Duncan and Daniel Liver- more, their heirs and assigns, the exclusive right to build a bridge across Merrimack river, at any place one mile above or one mile below Isle Hooksett Palls, to be held as tenants in common and not as joint tenants. 1792. There was an article in the warning of the an- nual meeting, " To see if the town will Vote to Give their Consent that the General Court should annex the North- westerly part of this town to Pembrook," &c. Jethro Colby, Jabez Hoit and John Porter were chosen a commit- tee " at the expence of the petitioners, to Join with Pem- brook Committee and see if it is expedient, &c., and report." There was no report. The committee to sell the school lots made a return that 156 HISTORY OF THE TOWN OP CHESTER. the whole amount of all the lots was ,£139 8s. 3d. Richard Dearborn purchased No. 67, 2 P., 2 D. May 7th a meeting was held for accepting or rejecting the amendments proposed to the Constitution. The amend- ments were taken up separately, and almost unanimously adopted. Mr. Magg had become infirm,-and unable to perform his ministerial duties, and two committees were sent to enter into arrangements with him. A vote was tried whether the parish would give him three-quarters of his salary dur- ing his life, but it did not pass. May 30, 1793, voted to give Mr. Flagg thirty pounds and twelve cords of wood yearly during his life, he relinquish- ing his pastoral charge. October 2, began to take toll at McGregore's bridge, the first bridge across Merrimack river. October 27, Isaac Hill's negro had the small-pox. 1793. The revised (our present) constitution was rati- fied and in force. The senators were chosen by districts, the councilors by counties. • Joseph Blanchard, Stephen Chase and Stephen Dear- born were empowered to sell all the parsonage lots in Chester, reserving the proceeds of the hundred-acre lot to the Long Meadows, should they be incorporated into a parish before 1801. There was an attempt this year to unite the two parishes. The Congregational parish chose Stephen Chase, Esq., Capt. Benj. Currier, Capt. Simon Towle, Capt. Locke, and Josiah Flagg, Esq., a committee to try to agree with the other parish relating to settling a minister. In the warning for a meeting of the Presby- terian parish, March 12, 1793, was an article " To see if the parish will choose a committee to Joyn a committee of the Congregational Parish to confer and report the pro- priety of settling two ministers in said town to be paid by the town at large, or otherwise to make proposals of con- ditions for both Parishes to join together as one, and lay the same before said Parish at some future meeting." HISTORY OP THE TOWN OP CHESTER. 157 Ensign Sherley, Esq. White, Samuel Sherley, Esq. Blanch- ard, and William Bell, were chosen a committee. There is nothing more on the Congregational-rScords about it. The Presbyterians voted not to accept of the report, whatever it might have been. At a meeting of the Congregational parish. May 30, it was voted to give Mr. Nathan Bradstreet a call ; to give him £15 yearly during Mr. Flagg's life, and a parsonage worth fifty-four dollars per annum, and after Mr. Flagg's decease, a salary of £90 as long as he should perform the work of the ministry. Jethro Colby, Jacob Hill, Amos Merril, Stephen Merril and David Hall entered their dissent against the vote. The parsonage was afterwards, at Mr. Bradstreet's request, exchanged for the money. The last Wednesday in October was appointed for the ordination. Esquire Flagg was to entertain the ministers free of cost, Edmond Webster was to provide for the delegates, and a room for the council. At a meeting of the Presbyterian parish. May 6, " Voted, that the old Meeting house Shall be taken Down and Set on the Ground that Capt. Underbill Purposes to them, Near Joseph Calph's. " Voted, that Will" Bell, William Wilson, John Grimes, Hugh Tolfordj and Joseph Lins, is empowered To take down these old meeting houses, and Build a New one, or Cause it to be Done." The first Presbyterian meeting-house, built about 1739, and the " Little meeting-house," which stood where the Rev. Mr. Holmes' house stands, were taken down, and the materials, as far as could be, were wrought into the Long Meadow meeting-house, which stood where the burying- ground is, on No. 73, 2 P. 2D. The new house was raised July 4th, and the pews were sold July 11th, 1793. Dedi- cated January 1st, 1794. The Chester Social Library first opened June 9, 1793. It was incorporated in 1797. -,(1!*^''^^ iinliMJilUlllilllUti''.li>Ui, HISTORY OF THE TOWN OP CHESTER. 159 1794. The account of the committee to sell the parson- age lots was rendered. They sold for £249 8s. 9d. Ex- penses, £5 7s. 6d. ; remains, £244 Is. 3d. There was an article " to see if any encouragement should be given to raise our quota of 80,000 men that had been called for." Dismissed. The Presbyterian parish chose William Mills, John Grimes, William Shirley, Joseph Blanchard, David Currier, James Wason and Benjamin Melvin, ruling elders. Joseph Blanchard, William Wilson and John Grimes accepted, and were ordained by the Rev. David Annan. IKSIDE View of Lokq-headow Meetiitg-house. This year was remarkable for' the forwardness of the season, and for the " great frost " the night of the 17th and morning of the 18th of May. Richard Melvin, Esq., recollects that when Esquire Blanchard moved his wife home, April 23d, the apple-trees were in blossom. The rye was headed and the flax up, but the apples and all were 160 HISTORY OP THE TOWN OP CHESTKE. killed by the frost. It is said that the canker worms, which had been very troublesome for years before, were greatly checked by the frost. 1795. The two parishes chose committees to make rules iu regard to taxing, and changing from one parish to the other, which were adopted ; but the document is too long to be copied. The Congregationalists refused to divide the parsonage money. They voted to take up seats, and have a singing pew built. November 19th, the Presbyte- rian parish voted to hire the Rev. David Annan two-thirds of the time for four years, and pay him two hundred dol- lars each year. The Committee engaged Mr. Annan a house to live in, and they entered into a strong written obligation, which, howeVer, Mr, Annan proving intem- perate, was dissolved October 7, 1799. This is the first intimation we have in the records of those who had. been employed to preach. Money had been voted, collectors chosen, and committees to supply the pulpit, and nothing further. 1796. May 18th, David Carr's wife was buried — the first in Long-Meadow burying-ground. November 7, the town voted to divide the proceeds of the sale of the parsonage lots equally between the two parishes. It was done March 28tli, 1797, each parish receiving £572 9s. There remained in the hands of the treasurer six hun- dred dollars, the proceeds of the sale of the school lots. Nov. 14, Rev. Mr. Flagg died. 1797. There was an attempt to build a new pound, or remove the old one, which stood near Ebenezer Townsend's barn. It was voted that it should remain there ten years, and to sell Mr. Townsend the land incumbered by his buildings. June 14, 1786, there was a meeting-house raised in Ray- mond, at what was considered the centre of the town, near where David Page lived. October 18, 1797, it was moved to the present centre. It is the present town-house. HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF CHESTER. 161 1798. Got. Gilman in two or three years reviewed all the militia in the State. October 5th of this year, he re- viewed the Seventeenth Regiment. The muster was on Benjamin Brown's (now Woodbury Martin's) field. Col. Stephen Dearborn commanded, and he killed an ox and gave a lunch of beef and bread to the regiment. It was said that the whole expense cost him one hundred dollars. They were late in forming the line and the Governor kept them and performed the firing after dark. There was a Col. Hubbard who made powder at King's Falls in Exeiier, of which it was said that a cask of it caught fire, and more than half of it burned up before they could blow it out. Something of the kind was used on this occasion, and a stream of fire could be seen two yards from the muzzle of the gun when they fired, 1799. There was another attempt to have the upper end of the town annexed to Pembroke, and a hearing was to be had in June. There was an article in the warning of the annual meeting respecting it. It passed in the negative. Josiah Flagg died April 25. The bell was broken while tolling for his funeral. There was a parish meeting called May 29, on the subject. It was voted to have a bell to weigh eight hundred pounds. Benjamin Brown, Isaac Hills and Edmund Webster were chosen a committee to procure it. They were to take the old bell and a subscrip- tion of |27 that had been raised, and draw on the parish treasurer for the balance. Aug. 14, the bell was raised. The committee rendered their account Oct. 9, 1799. They paid Aaron Holbrook for casting and new metal, £23 12s. ; paid for more metal in Boston, <£12 15s. lOd. ; other bills, so that it cost besides the old bell, £47 6s. 4d, when it was hung. December 14, Gen. Washington died. 1800. " On Monday the tenth day of February, Anno Domini 1800, a number of the inhabitants of the town of Chester met at the lower meeting-house in said town, to determine on some suitable mode of paying respect to the memory of Gen. George Washington. After choosing 11 162 HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF CHESTER. Joseph Blanchard, Esq., moderator of the meeting, and Amos Kent, Esq., clerk, the following resolves were unan- imously passed : " 1"'- That it be recommended to as many of the Inhab- itants of Chester as convenient, to meet at or near the House of Mr. Benjamin Brown in said Chester on Saturday, the 22'* of this Ins*. Feb''., to pay a Tribute of Respect to the virtues of the late Deceased General George Wash- ington. 2*. That the Inhabitants when met form in Procession ai^d march to the meeting-house, and that the Rev*- M'. Bradstreet be Requested to officiate on the occasion. 3". That the front of the gallery and Pulpit be mantled with Black. 4*^- That Cap'. Abraham Towle with his company of light Infantry, be requested to attend on the occasion as a Mil- itary Escort. 6"" That messrs. Benjamin Brown, Benj* True, Ju', Ozias Silsby, Joseph Blanchard and Amos Kent, Esq™, be a committee to carry the foregoing Resolves into effect, and to make such other arrangements as they shall think suit- able on the occasion. " The committee above named having met, unanimously agreed to recommend to the inhabitants of Chester, and of other towns who should think proper to attend on the occa- sion, to meet at the house of Mr. Benjamin Brown at ten of the clock in the forenoon of February 22, — each having a black crape on the lower part of the left arm. The com- mittee also recommend to the -keepers of shops and to the different mechanics, to shut sheir shops on the 22d of Feb- ruai-y, and to the different classes of citizens to abstain from labor on that day. On tlie morning of the 22d of Febru- ary, a large concourse of people from Chester and the neighboring towns met as requested at the house of Mr. Benjamin Brown. At half-past eleven o'clock a procession was formed in the following order : " 1"*. Music — Drum muffled and fifes trimmed with black. 1^. Cap'. Towle's company of Light Infantry, with arms reversed, as a military escort. 3*. Committee of arrangements. 4"^. Selectmen and town clerk. 5'". Chaplain and orator. 6"". Civil magistrates. 7*^. Field officers. HISTORY OF THE TOWN OP CHESTER. 163 ' » 8"". Capt. and subalterns of the Infantry, and troop in their uniform with their side arms trimmed with black. G*". Deacons, elders and wardens of churches. lO**. Musicians. 11*. Professional characters. 12"'. Private citizens. " The procession marched a slow march toward the meet- ing-house, the bell tolling, and the military escort moving with their arms reversed. On arriving at the meeting- house the military opened to the right and left, and rested on their arms until the procession had marched through. The solemnities were opened by a funeral anthem. A judi- cious prayer followed, a discourse, pertinent and well adapted to the occasion, delivered by the Rev. Mr. Brad- street, and several pieces of music suited to the occasion were performed to general acceptance by the singers. After the services were over, the procession returned in the same order as they came, a quick march to the place where they first formed, when the militia opened to the right and left, the procession walked through and: each one retired to his home. " A solemn and decent deportment appeared in every class of citizens upon this occasion ; the countenance of every one bespoke the most sincere and unaffected sorrow for the loss of a man who had rendered such signal and eminent service to his country." At the annual meeting, Benjamin Brown, Simon Towle and Stephen Chase were chosen a committee to consider the petition of Nathl. Head and others, praying to be annexed to Pembroke. They reported that they had been on the ground and heard the parties ; that nearly one-half the residents of the territory were opposed to the measure ; and that it would be a greater burden on Chester to main- tain the road through Chester woods, and recommended that an agent be chosen to oppose it. Simon Towle, the representative, was chosen agent. There was also a committee chosen, consisting of Joseph Blanchard, William White, Benjamin Brown, Amos Kent and Daniel French, to make report on the expediency of the revision of the Constitution. Joseph Blanchard, in behalf of the committee, made a report in favor of the measure. 164 HISTORY OP THE TOWN OP CHESTEK. I give some of his statistics and calculations that they may be compared with present expenditures. The Legislature then held two sessions. Travel of 168 members to Concord . . . • $1500 II days' attendance ^*^^ Travel to Exeter '^^^^ 28 days' attendance ^^*0 They were in favor of reducing the members to as few as one hundred and twenty, and alter the time of sitting so as to have one session of twenty-five days only, and foot up: Travel, about ^^200 Pay of members ^000 Making a saving of This is but a specimen. The committee went through the whole expenditures of the State, and made so good a ease that there were ninety-six votes in favor of a revision and none against it. But the Constitution, after sixty- seven years' further experience, remains unchanged. CHAPTEE VIII, PROM 1801 TO 1868. 1801. The Presbyterians from the lower part of the town owned pews and attended meeting at the Long Meadows, more or less. Quite a number of families of Eng- lish descent, as a matter of convenience, joined the Presby- terian parish, and they considered their meeting-house too amall ; and at a parish meeting. May 7th, the parish voted " to cut the meeting-house asunder and put in 15 feet." Joseph Blanchard, Esq., Mr. James Wason, and Mr. Paul Adams, were chosen a committee to build the addition and sell the pews. The house was cut in the middle, moved HISTOEY OP THE TOWN OP CHESTER. 165 Stpart, and fifteen feet put in, October 1st. It created some difficulty, because it remoYcd people's pews further from the pulpit. James McFarland left the meeting, and went to Candia. 1802. The Presbyterian meeting-house was not finished, and the committee was instructed to finish it all but painting. 1803. The Presbyterian parish voted " to have the sing- ing carried on in the singing pew all of the time." They probably had had congregational singing a part of the time. At a parish meeting, May 30th, the parish voted to give the Rev. Zaccheus Colby a call to settle, and voted three hundred dollars as an annual salary. Mr. Colby made a long communication, giving his views respecting baptizing the children of parents who had been baptized, but were not in full communion with the church, which was called the half-way covenant. (See Ecclesiastical and Religious History.) Mr. Colby had been the ordained minister at Pembroke, and was re-installed October 13th. May 8th, there was a fall of six inches of snow. The peach trees were in blossom, and- the grain and flax were up. Benaiah Spofford says that he went from Hawk to Haverhill in a sleigh the 9th day, but came home on bare ground. The bell was broken, and there were a number of indi- viduals who were taxed in two places, and a parish meet- ing was called December 5th. Josiah Hall, Joseph Hall, and Benjamin Hall, were taxed by the Presbyterian parish, and probably attended meeting there. The Congregational parish voted to relinquish Benjamin Hall's tax, and not the others. William Murray's and John Murray's taxes were relinquished, they procuring receipts that they had paid in Candia. " Voted, to sell the old bell, and purchase a new one." Henry Sweetser, Josiah Bradley, and Benjamin Brown, were chosen a committee " to transact said Business." 166 HISTORY OP THE TOWN OP CHESTER. 1804. At the annual town meeting, Henry Sweetser was chosen an agent to petition the General Court to have the line altered, and established in the following manner : " to begin at the S. W. corner of s* Chester, being a pitch pine No. 134 ; then on the east side of said lot No. 134, in the 4"" Division of the fang of the pond, so called ; then di- viding the waters so as to leave Great Island in Derryfield and Deerneck in Chester, to the south west bounds of lot No. 41, in said 4*'' Division ; and on Northerly between it and No. 42, to the N. B. corner of s* 42 ; then about "W. N. W., on the middle of the reserve between the 8* & 9* ranges, until it comes to No. 102 ; thence to run N. 10 "W. to the original head line of Chester ; then on the said head line to the river." The alteration was not made: The General Court passed an act December 30, 1803, requiring the several towns in the State to make surveys of their respective towns, and make plans and send to the Secretary's office, for the purpose of making a State map. At a meeting August 27, Stephen Chase, Joseph Blanchard and William White were chosen a committee to make the survey. The town lines, the principal roads, including two turnpikes, Massabesic pond and Exeter river, were sur- veyed, and a plan made by Esquire Chase, aided by his son Stephen Chase, Jr., which is now in the Secretary's office. The expense was: Joseph Blanchard, twelve days, |18; William White, eleven days, 114.67; Stephen Chase, thirty-six days, $47. The General Court made a contract with Philip Carri- gain to get up the map, which after long delays was pub- lished, and a copy sent to each town. It was called " Carrigain's Map." At the same meeting it was voted " That the selectmen be Impowered to build a stone pound on the main. Road leading to Pembrook, on the N. E. corner of David Under- hill's Land, he giving the same for s* use." The pound cost $46.45. The committee to procure a bell sent the old one to a Mr. Holbrook, of Brookfield, Mass., to be recast. His bill HISTORY OP THE TOWN OF CHESTER. 167 was $236.95 ; the whole expense, $298.05. The bell was raised August 20th. At the same time a town clock was purchased of Mr. Holbrook by subscription, at a cost, I think, of one hundred dollars. The parish paid the ex- pense of putting up^ dial, &c., $22.14. The clock proved a bad bargain, as it never went well, and a great deal of money was expended on it to little purpose. John Emery and Stephen Heath shot a bear, and about the same time Capt. James Orr caught one in a trap, — the last killed in Chester. A little later B. P. Chase saw one. The late Judge Bell states that as late as 1810, as Col. Israel W. Kelley was riding on the river road in Goffstown, about a mile above the falls, he saw two girls very much frightened, who said they had seen a bear ; when, looking up the bank in the direction they pointed out, he saw the bear. He walked his horse and guarded them to the next house. Probably this was the last in this region. 1805. Chester turnpike was built this year, and the bridge across the pond for the Londonderry turnpike. The Presbyterian parish gave liberty to some individuals to build horse-sheds on the parish land. Hitherto the horses, some of them coming six miles, stood entirely ex- posed to the weather. The singers had liberty to extend the singing pew. There was a very unfortunate occurrence this year. December 12th, in the evening, several men who were at work on the Straits bridge started ostensibly to go to Peter Severance's to procure his cattle the next day. One by the name of Barnes arrived there long enough before the rest to have Mrs. Severance get up, dress herself, and draw a mug of cider for him, and he went to the door and threw it open against her two or three times. By this time, the rest of the party having arrived, Mr. Severance, suspecting that some violence was intended, fired his gun, the charge passing Barnes, who still stood in the door, and killed Ben- jamin Whittier, of Boscawen. At the February term, 1806, he was convicted of manslaughter, sentenced to twelve months' imprisonment, and pay costs. 68 HISTORY OF THE TOWN OP CHESTER. 1806. The town voted to pay a bounty of twelve cents for killing crows. The question of having a work-house came up and was dismissed. There was an act passed Dec. 28, 1805, authorizing towns to divide the towns into school districts. The town was divided into twenty districts-, rather indefinitely bounded. June 16, sun totally eclipsed four minutes and a half. 1807. There had been an act passed for furnishing sol- diers with rations muster day. The bill this year amounted to $63.25. Great Britain and Prance were carrying on a most san- guine war, and were not at all disposed to respect the rights of neutrals, and American commerce suffered se- verely. The Americans enjoyed, notwithstanding all of their losses, a lucrative carrying trade, but the government, to protect their rights or to prevent further wrongs, laid an embargo on all foreign commerce. This entirely par- alyzed all business in the sea-ports. As an illustration of its effects, Edward and Stark Ray had bought the Oswego mill, with some two hundred acres of land, covered with a heavy growth of pine timber ; at this time they drew their lumber to Martin's Ferry, rafted it to Newburyport, and sold it for eight dollars per thousand, and the market was limited at that price. 1808. At a town meeting held Sept. 26, a committee, consisting of John Bell, John Folsom, Benjamin Brown, Henry Sweetser, Nathaniel Head, Joseph Blanchard, Wil- liam Moore, Benjamin Eaton, John Wason, John Wilson, Amos Kent and Bbenezer Townsend, was chosen to consider the propriety of preparing a respectful petition to the Pres- ident of the United States, praying him to suspend the operation of the laws laying an embargo on the ships and vessels of the United States so far as relates to Spain, Portugal and their respective colonies. The committee made a very long report that it would not be expedient, but useless, inasmuch as respectful petitions from a great num- HISTORY OF THE TOWN OP CHESTER. 169 bei- of large and populous towns had been presented to the Piesident, praying to have the embargo suspended so far as relates to the countries against which we have no cause of complaint, and where we could have exchanged oiir provis- ions and lumber for articles of the first importance, 1750, thence north 29° east to the northeast end of lot 122, old hundred, then west- northwest to Lane's. Dec. 9, 1761. At the request of Josiah Fogg, Robert 208 HISTORY OF CHESTER. Page, Elislia Tele, Jedediah Brown, and Jonathan Brown, from the old Freetown road, across lots 31, 13, 12, 11, 10, 9 and 8, old hundred, to the road laid out April, 1757, near the old burying-ground. April 30, 1762. A road was laid out the northwest side of additional lots Nos. 40 and 39. Began nfearly opposite the Jacob Chase place, then southwest the length of those two lots, then southeast to the road from4;he Fitts place to Morse's. If this was ever built there is none there now. Nov. 27, 1762. From Enoch Rowell's (Candia Corner), passing between Emerson's house and barn, passing to the west of Samuel Tole and Jonathan Tole, down by French's to Jacob Griffin's, to near the Methodist church in Chester. Nov. 27, 1762. From the new or Dearborn saw-mill, iu Auburn, crossing Nos. 57, 58', 59, 60, 61 and 62, on to the reserve, then north 29° east, so far as No. 113, 2d P., 2d D., to the " clay pits," so called, in Candia. The last part of this road on the reserve was sold by Candia in 17^7. March 24, 1763. From Lane's in Chester to Lane's in Raymond. March 24, 1763. North Pond road from Nathan Morse's, across the Governor's farm, and on to Southwick's. Altered Feb. 2, 1767. Nov. 25, 1763. From William Preston's, near Rufus Phillips' in Chester, to the Fowler place (now Savage's in Auburn), to the road laid out March 1, 1756. Afterwards, May, 1768, changed to its present location above Charles Chase's, between 45 and 46 additional. The 4)ath from what is now called " Bunker Hill," in Au- burn, to the pond and Calfe's mill, left the present road near the school-house, and crossed the farm of the writer, near the lower end of the field, sixty rods from the present road, where David White first settled, and on in that direc- tion until it came to the base of the Mine hill, then along near the base of the hill to the present road, near where Mr. Haynes lives. Wells Chase drew boards for his house over this path in 1771. Sept. 1764. From Massabesic Pond, by William Craig's, HISTORY OF ROADS. 209 (the Moses Hall place) by "Williani Adams' (S. Kimball's), and on the reserve at the end of David "White's lot (B. Chase's), on to the road by Lieut. Basford's (it came out at the north of H. Dockham's) ; afterwards altered across the lot to the school -house. Sept. 2, 1766. Prom the old main road in Hooksett, at the March place, to the river " where Lousy brook empties into the river " (at Martin's Ferry) ; then beginning at the west bank of the river and running northwest to the line of the town. June 27, 1767. From Charles Moore's, now Daniel San- born's, east end of No. 5, 2d P., 2d D., northeast to Whittier's land. No. 30, old hundreds, then northwest to the highway by Joseph True's. March 3, 1768. From the end of the highway by David Foss's additional lot No. 107, on the reserve, northeast to the road to the Branch. June 10, 1-768. A road from near I. M. M. Elliott's, .on Chester street, southwest eighty rods. This road led down to additional No. 39, where Jacob Wells formerly lived, and Joseph Colby then lived. Discontinued. Jan. 5, 1769. From southwest of Prescott's (now "Wil- liam True's), northwest on the reserve to the road from the meeting-house to Lane's. March 3, 1769. From the old Berry place, at the end of the road, laid out April 17, 1744, to where Simon Haselton now lives,*south of the Methodist church. Aug. 22, 1769. Prom Sandown line, up by the "Waddel place, and to the road by Jacob Hill's. April 6, 1771, The northwest corner of additional lot No. 2, and running southeast to a beech tree, being the southeast bounds of the town, also the present main road to Derry line. April 26, 1771. Across additional lot 101, from the Manley Lane place (now Davis) to Sandown line. Dec. 29, 1772. From the southwest corner of No. 100, 2d P., 2d D., (on the Folsom place) southeast, crossing the 14 210 HISTORY OF CHESTER. Derryfield road, and on by Brown and Pierce's mill to the road to Derry from Auburn, at N. Presby's. (Probably no part of it is traveled now.) ; Sept. 14, 1773. From Robert Calfe's (now Nathan Griffin's) over Campbell's bridge, to Candia line, towards Anderson's. March 28, 1774. Prom Hugh McDuffee's mill, at the Long Meadows, west-northwest on the reserve, to the Derry- field road near Mrs. Shannon's. There is no road there now. March 30, 1774. Prom the southeast corner of Abner Hill's land, northwest on the reserve, between the additions and5d P., 2d D., " to the highway by William Rendall's and Daniel Dolbear's" (to the road to Lane's). " Feb. 21, 1775. Prom the house where " William Gross now lives [James Hooke's] to Raymond line." March 26, 1776. At Candia line at the northeast of lot 34, 2d P., 2d D., by Griffin's (now John B. Rand's) to the road from Simon Haselton's to Lane's. Discontinued. Sept. 14, 1784. Beginning at Candia road, northeast corner of additional lot No. 74, thence w^st-northwest to tlie northwest corner of No. 77. This was to go to No. 39, 2d P., 2d D., where Griffin had/ormerZy and Eliphalet Poor then lived. Dec. 15, 1788. Prom near Clark's saw-mill in Auburn, towards the John Crawford place, towards Candia.- It was altered. May 16, 1805. Dec. 9, 1791. At the request of Nathaniel Emerson and twenty-nine others of Candia, a- private way was laid out, beginning on Candia line, on lot No. 108, 5th D., crossing lots No. 103, 102, 115, 116, 117, 118, 119 and 120, to Al- lenstown line. It was laid out for the purpose of going to Suncook to mill, and to Concord. , April 4, 1792. Beginning between John Graham's and the " Little meeting-house," where the Rev. James Holmes now lives, northeast to James Wason's, now Stephen Kim- ball's ; between 69 and 70 2d P., 2d D. Oct. 12, 1792. Beginning near David Patten's, where E. HISTORY OF ROADS. 211 A. Heath lately lived, on No. 102, 2d P., 2d D., across 104 and 105, to the pond, and across the " straits " (the pond) and through " Deer Neck " to Derryfield line. In 1794 the Legislature passed an act laying out a road from Hale's bridge, in Walpole, to Chester, a distance o sixty miles, in order to take the travel to Portsmouth. It passed Amoskeag bridge, and over Bald hill, and terminated at a pine tree on Deer Neck, where, or near where, the above road ended. I think the road was cut out so as to be sometimes traveled, but was never made either in Chester or Derryfield. There was a bridge built across the strait of the pond, the remains of which were there until about 1810. Oct. 15, 1792. The present road from McKinley's in Auburn, ever Kattlesnake hill by the " Pang" of the pond to Derryfield line, near the Island-Pond House. This is instead of a' highway laid out March 16, 1748. Dec. 9, 1801. From James "Wason's (now Stephen Kimball's) in Auburn, northerly over the hill to the north- east corner of the parsonage lot; thence west-northwest across two lots to the " Kent place." Dec. 8, 1801. Prom near Hugh Crombie's in Auburn, to near the Oswego mill. Jan. 12, 1803. Prom near Joseph Carr's (George W. Clark's, in Chester), west-northwest, crossing Chester turn- pike, to Cyrus D. Wood's in Auburn. It is nearly on the rangeway between the additional lots. April 4, 1804. From the main road near Otterson's, to the mills at Hooksett. May 16, 1805. Prom the end of the road laid out Dec. 15, 1788, from Clark's mill by Crawford's to Candia line towards Anderson's. Nov. 23, 1805. Prom Chester turnpike, near where Alfred Sanborn now lives, southwest by Coleman's, to meet the rog,d laid out Dec. 9, 1801. Dec. 6, 1805. Prom the main road near Nathaniel Mar- tin's in Hooksett, to Thomas Wicom's. Dec. 1805. Prom the Murray saw-mill yard, to the turn- pike at Hook's mill in Auburn. Altered March 10, 1810. 212 HISTORY OP CHESTER. Dec. 26, 1805. The " White Hall " road, a continuation of Candia High street, crossing Chester turnpike at Rowe's corner, bj "White Hall" mill (then Wheeler's), Daniel t)avis's, Martin's school-house to Martin's Ferry. It was indicted Sept., 1815, and discontinued to evade the indict- ment Sept., 1816, and laid out again as a private way Oct. 13, 1820. A very large share of the country trade was at Newbiiry- port, and a large portion of it passed through Chester, which was a great thoroughfare from the upper part of the State to Newburyport, Haverhill, and to a considerable extent to Boston. The transportation was all with teams, especially horse teams, in the winter. More hay and less grain were fed then than now. I have heard Bea. E. H. Kelly say that frequently he had drawn home a load of hay and fed it out baiting horses without ever unloading it into his stable. Perhaps this current might have been checked by the construction of the Middlesex canal, but it continued to a much later day. The road through Chester woods was bad, — few people living on it to repair it, and the town had . nearly every year to appropriate money to repair it, over and above the highway tax. The road was very hilly, and various plans were devised as a remedy. One was to take the travel down the North Pond road, and save going on the street, and also save Robie's or Stockman's hill. Hence the petition of Joseph Blanchard and others, for a road from Long's Corner to the two-mile stone. Also the peti- tion of Gideon George and others, to go from Joseph Rob- inson's to Nathan Webster's, keeping the south side of Robie's hill. The travel could then go through the south part of Sandown, Hampstead Peak, and over the Rocks bridge. Another plan was to go down the old road to the brook ; then near Benjamin Hills', and keep east of Ingalls hill, — when one might go out on to the Haverhill rjoad by Mr. Tenney's, or on to the Sandown road. Still another route, petitioned for by Mr. David Poor, was to leave the main road near Capt. Emerson's, and by Hall's Village, keeping west of Ingalls hill to Ordway's Corner in Hampstead. HISTORY OF BOADS. 213 This route, according to Stephen Chase, Esq.'s, survey, would be in Chester five hundred and eighty-five rods ; and the vrhole length, twelve hundred and fifty-five rods. The old road, thirteen hundred and thirteen rods, making a sav- ing of fifty-eight rods. The road was opposed by London- derry and Chester, and was not laid out. The road was widened and straightened from Blake's tan-yard to Benja- min Hill's, Feb. 20, 1807. At the August term of the Court of Common Pleas, 1807, Benjamin Pitts and sixteen others presented a peti- tion for a road, from the end of the road running southwest from said Pitts's dwelling-house to the southwest side of Moses Sanborn's land. The petition was not granted. The great move, however, was the building the turnpikes. Chester turnpike was designed in order to have a better road, and shorten the distance from Pembroke to Chester. The turnpike was fourteen miles and two hundred and forty rods long, and shortened the distance two miles and twenty-eight rods. It was said that a Pembroke man, in his enthusiasm, said that when the turnpike was completed it would be all down hill from Pembroke to Chester. A bystander inquired how it would be the other way. He replied, " About the same." But it was a very hilly road both ways. There was, however, a large amount of travel over it, and Anderson's tavern was widely celebrated as a stopping place. In the end it proved a dead loss to the pro- prietors. It was, however, on the whole a public benefit. It opened a road to a section that otherwise would not have had any, and gave a great stimulus to building roads. Before the building of the turnpikes it was not practiced to elevate the centre, and have gutters on the sides to carry off the water. They merely cleared the traveled road of the worst obstructions — stumps and stones, — and caus- wayed the wet places with logs. If the side of a hill became gullied, they carted in small stones, and covered them so that it soon became a rather uneven pavement. In consequence of this mode the roads were laid out narrow. A petition was presented to the Legislature, at its June session, 1802, showing 214 HISTORY OP CHESTER. " That the distance from Concord Bridge to Chester East Meeting house may from actual survey be shortened three miles ; that the road leading from s* Bridge to said meeting house is much used in traveling, and in the trans- portation, of Country produce carried from the westerly part of this state and from the state of Vermont to market. Perhaps no one road in the state of the same distance •would be more useful to the Publick than this, provided it were as good as it might be made. But we despair of ever seeing such a road made in the way that has been heretofore Practiced. Ten or twelve miles' distance of said Road is through land scarcely habitable, and those who settle on such land cannot reasonably be Expected to do much in the repair of highways. " When Persons belonging to Vermont or the upper Part of this state arrive at Chester, they have generally an oppor- tunity of knowing what place will afford the best market for the articles they have to Dispose of, and they can from s* Place, without any material inconvenience, go to Exeter, Portsmouth, Haverhill, Newbury Port, Salem or Boston. This advantage over any other Road has heretofore induced People to travel through Chester on their way to the sea- port towns, notwithstanding the extreme badness of the Roads. " Your Petitioners are of opinion that a Turnpike road may be made, and supported for such a reasonable toll as will greatly relieve the Publick from the inconveniences of the road they have been so long subject to. " Your Petitioners therefore humbly pray that they, with such others as may hereafter become proprietors with them, be corporated into a Body Politic & corporate, for the purpose of making a Turnpike road from Concord Bridge to Chester east meeting house, under such regula- tions and restrictions as you may think reasonable ; and as in Duty bound will ever pray. " Chester, June 9*, 1802. " Joseph Blanchard, John Bell, , John Wingate, Pearson Richardson, Benj" Brown, Eben' Townsend, Thos. Sargeant, Joseph Robinson, Amos Kent, Simon Towle, Isaac Hill, Daniel French, Benj" Kitterage, Ozias Silsby, Stephen Hill, Nath' Head, John Emerson, " Henry Sweetser." Ezekiel Blake, HISTOBY OF E0AD8. 215 There was a day of hearing appointed, and an order of notice, but the prayer was not then granted. June 19, 1804, Henry Sweetser, Asa Robinson, John Bell and Amos Kent, and their associates, were incorporated into Chester Turnpike Corporation, and were authorized to make a road from Chester street to Chester line, in the direction of Pembroke street, and to erect gates and take tolls. They were not to take tolls of persons going to meetings, funerals, to mill, or ordinary business in town, nor of soldiers going to attend military duty. The State might in forty years repay expenses and nine per cent, interest, and the road»be the property of the State. The stock was divided into three hundred shares, of which were taken in Chester, by Brown & Sweetser, eight ; John Bell, ten ; Amos Kent, ten ; Thomas Sargent, three ; Simon Towle, four ; Ben. Brown, two ; James Wason, Jr., three ; John Wingate, four ; Isaac Hills, four ; E. Hills, two ; Dr. B. Kittridge, four ; Asa Prescott, two ; Samuel Shackford, three ; Daniel French, two ; Jacob Elliot, two ; John Emerson, two ; David Hall, 3d, Ebenezer Townsend, B. P. Chase, John Melvin, John Polsom, Joseph Robinson, Benjamin Currier and Jethro Sleeper, one share each.- The shai-es were assessed ninety dollars each, making twenty-seven thousand dollars. December 5th, 1804, the grant was extended to Pem- broke street. Damages were assessed to known land- owners to the amount of $895.80 ; to unknown, one dollar' per acre. The road was built by contract. Jonathan Richardson- contracted from the lower end to one hundred and sixty rods beyond, the spruce swamp, the path to be twenty-six feet wide, the center to be thirty inches above the gutters ; the causeways to be twenty-two feet wide, and covered with gravel eighteen inches deep ; the bridges to have seven string-pieces, beveled so that the plank touch not over one inch ; the planks to be four inches thick. The hills were to be reduced so that the ascent should not be more than eighteen inches in a rod. Richardson was to be paid $3.75 per rod. 216 HISTORY OF CHESTER. Simon A. Heath of Epsom, contracted for a mile and a quarter from Pembroke street, excepting Suncook bridge, at $2. 12j per rod ; and also for a piece beginning at an angle on the easterly side of Lakin's hill, to the south side of the stream below Hall's mill, including the bridge, for $4.50 per rod. Stephen and Daniel J. Mack contracted to biiild from the brook at Hall's mill to Jona. Richardson's job, for $3.72 per rod. John Melvin and Abraham Sargent con- tracted to build over Lakin's hill, for $3,000, if the road measured a mile and three-quarters, or in that proportion. Asa Robinson contracted to build the bridge over Suncook river, for $1,000. Samuel Cochran, Asa Robinson and David Kimball contracted to build a tavern house at the upper gate for $1,990, and to build a stable for $460. James Sargent to build a barn for $265. Abner Blasdel contracted to build the lower toll-house for $225, exclusive of the chimney. Simon French was paid $187 for the lot at the upper gate. They hired ten acres of it cleared. By an account rendered to the Superior Court, from Jan. 1806, to Jan. 1812. they had received for tolls and rents, $6,487.67. Prom 1808 to 1815, they made dividends amounting to $18.55 to each share. An act passed the Legislature, July 4, 1838, repealing the Chester Turnpike Corporation, which made a public highway of it. I have uot been able to find the records of the London- derry Turnpike Corporation, but it was laid out in 1805, from Butters Corner in Concord, leading towards Boston, John Polsom and John Melvin, of Chester, contracted to build fifteen miles from Hooksett bridge for $1,050 per mile, and $1,000 for straits bridge across the pond. The road was built in 1806 and was the great thoroughfare from the country to Boston. Head's and Folsom's taverns in Chester, and Redfield's, afterwards Melvin's, in Derry, were thronged with guests. But afterwards, before' the rail- road was built, the travel went down the west side of the river ; and much of the way now, on either Chester or Lon- donderry turnpike, there is seldom even a solitary traveler. HISTORY OP EOADS. 217 A public highway was laid out over the Londonderry turnpike in 1839. Feb. 20, 1806. Across the Blanchard mill-pond instead of going up to the Calfe place (Nathan Griffin's). June 17, 1807. The selectmen laid oiit a road from - Long's Corner to the Sandown road, near the second mile- stone. Discontinued by vote of the town, July 27, 1807. At the January term of the Court of Common Pleas, 1808, Joseph Blanchard, and forty-seven others, petitioned to have it laid out. The Court laid it out, and in the Jan- uary term execution was issued for 165.38. The plea for the road was, that the travel to Newbury- port would turn off the main road and go down the North Pond road, to avoid the hills. To evade building it, and another petitioned for by Gid- eon George and fifty-five others, January term, 1807, pray- ing for a road from Joseph Eobinson's to Nathan "Webster's to go to the southwest of Robie's hill, it was voted Sept. 7, 1807, " lo raise half a day on the poll and estate accord- ingly, and have it laid out under the direction of Stephen Chase, Esq., on Robie's hill." George's petition was not granted. Oct. 9, 1807. From Candia line by Benjamin Eaton's to the Murray saw-mill. March 8, 1819. Prom near where James Underbill for? merly lived in Auburn, 106, 2d P., 2d D., by the Kent place, to near the bridge, across the Blanchard mill-pond. Sept. 12, 1822. From near John Wilson, Esq. (now James Towle), by James Wason's to Richard Basford's, additional Nos. 102 to 110. Sept. 12, 1822. From the bridge below " Oswego mill" to Candia line, towards McDuffee's. From 1830 to 1836. There were various roads widened and straightened which it is not necessary to detail. There was a stage run from Dover to Lowell through Chester, which went with the mail to the office of Daniel French, Esq., and Orcutt's tavern. A shorter route to pa.ss a mile southeast of the meeting-house was planned by Derry people. 218 HISTORY OP CHESTER. Dec. 2, 1834. A petition was filed by Henry Willey and others, with the clerk of the Court of Common Pleas, set ting forth that there was a large amount of travel from Dover to Lowell, and asking to have the old road widened and straightened, and a new road made from Eppiug Cor- ner to Col. Mark Pisk's in Derry. Thomas D. Merril of Epsom, Jacob Preese of Deerfield and Jeremiah Wilson of Gilmanton were appointed a committee. In Chester they laid out a road from near John Lock's, by Long's Corner and Hall's Village to Derry line. The damages assessed were |1,722, and the cost of making estimated at $1,722. Pebruary term, 1836. Chester petitioned for another committee, and Titus Brown of Prancestown, Stephen Webster of Haverhill, and Josiah Bellows of Walpole, were appointed. The committee reported against making this piece of new road on condition of the selectmen laying out the following, which was laid out Aug. 15, 1837. August 15, 1836. The road from the Worthen saw-mill, by Shackford's mill to the old road near the bridge (which was built), thence diagonally across the farms to the old Melvin place on the street, thence across the farms to Dr. Eufus Kittredge's, on the Derry road (which was discon- tinued by vote of the town, Aug. 28, 1838) ; also from the school-house No. 2, southeast nineteen rods, thence to Derry line. Whole damage awarded $2,0-i3 00 Shackford road 293 08 Towards Derry 613 46 The discontinued part was not paid for. Sept. 2, 1836. Laid out from near Webster's, to connect with the above. Oct. 2, 1837. The road from Poplin line to Daniel San- born's was widened and straightened ; from Daniel San- born's to near the river, a new road ; thence widening and straightening to Hale True's ; thence a new road to Joseph True's land ; thence widening and straightening to Benja- min Prench's. HISTORY OP ROADS. 219 June 2, 1836. A new road from John Prescott's to the "Worthen saw-mill laid out. Sept. 1, 1836. A petition of John Polsom and others for a road on Londonderry turnpike was presented. February term, 1837. A viewing committee was sent out. The proprietors of the turnpike objected, unless they could have some pay. The road cost $67^48, but they did not expect that. The committee reported in favor of laying it out. Ambrose Cosset of Claremont, Horace Chase of Hopkinton and Jacob Preese of Deerfield were ap- pointed a committee, who laid it out and awarded |2,000 damage, of which Chester was to pary $279, which was refunded by the county, return February term, 1839. By an act of the General Court passed July 4, 1838, the charter of the Chester Turnpike Corporation was repealed, making it a free road. In 1838, the road from near Candia line, passing below the Oswego mill and to Manchester Centre, was laid out by a court's committee. Chester made no opposition, but the selectmen attended to advise as to its location. It was built in 1839. In the town account for 1838, there is a charge of $137 for the selectmen's services and expenses about the Amos- keag road. There is also a charge of $405 for compen- sation for highways, all but $35 of which was paid for the Poplin road. In the account for 1839 are the following charges : Eoad Committee's services and expenses . . . $430 97 Compensation for the new Eaymond road . . . 1,145 70 Making the Poplin road 227 29 Piece of new road by Jeremiah Eay's, .... 60 00 The Amoskeag road 2,732 83 Paid in one year for new roads Add paid in 1838 as above $4,586 79 542 00 $6,128 79 February term, 1838. Petition of John Moore and others for a road from John Locke's to Adams' saw-mill, in Derry, to go into Sandown. The committee reported against it. 220 HISTORY OP CHESTER. Oct. 14, 1840, the road from near the Dearborn saw-mill, in Auburn, easterly across Chester turnpike to the Candia road, near Seavey's, was laid out. In 1840, upon the petition of John Clark and others, a road was laid out from below the Blanchard mills across Candia road, over Bald hill to Manchester. July 16, 1841, the selectmen were instructed to build it imme- diately. They purchased a team and hired help and commenced, but a town-meeting was called at the request of the opponents of the road and counter instructions given. A part of the petitioners for the road turned against it and had to pay the petitioners' expenses of the contest, and be taxed to the town to pay for the opposition. It was built, however, to the Candia road, and one hundred and thirty-seven dollars for land damages paid and six hun- dred and thirty-eight dollars for building it. Beyond the Candia road it was discontinued. Oct. 28, 1840. A road was laid out from near Retiben Senter's (the old Crosett or William Brown place), to the road to Derry, south of No. 4 school-house in Auburn, across 86 and 87, 2d P., 2d D. 1843. A road was laid out from near Joseph Smith's house westerly to the Borough road, laid out October, 1840. December 4, 1843. The road from near Amos Morse's or Dinsmore sawmill to the Derry road, was laid out. Nov. 2, 1844. A road from the road to Candia, south of the Methodist church, southeast to the old Berry place, in- stead of one over the hills laid out March 3, 1769, was laid out. 1846. The road commissioners, on the petition of John Moore and others, laid out a road from near Hale True's (the old John Moore place) to near the Methodist church in Sandown. This was to lead towards Lawi-ence. 1846. Jona. B. Sanborn and others preferred a petition to the commissioners for a road from Daniel Sanborn's (the' Lt. William Moore place), in Chester, to the Methodist church ill Sandown. Not granted. June, 1846. The petition of Stephen Dearborn and others, HISTOET OP EOADS. 221 for a road from Auburn Village to Lovereign's Corner in Raymond. Final action September, 1847 ; laid out. Au- burn built from the Village to the Murray road and paid landholders $691, and for building the road 11784.30. The ■whole damages were for Auburn, |973 ; Chester, |323, and expenses, 1438.83. February term, 1748. Raymond petitioned for a discon- tinuance. August, 1848. Chester petitioned for a discontinuance. February, 1850. Auburn petitioned for a discontinuance of that part not built, all of which was granted ; afterwards laid out and built, Chester, 1864 ; Auburn, 1868. September 3, 1847. A new road laid out from Osgood True's to the old road from the Locke place, and the old road widened and straiglitened to Hale True's, towards Lawrence or Haverhill. Oct. 16,1847. A rqad was laid out from near Ebenezer Mardeu's, southwest to the road from Chester to the Branch. Oct. 23, 1848. An addition to the above to near Wal- ter Basford's shop. July 15, 1853. A road was laid out from near Frederic Wason's (the old David McClure and John Knowles place) , southeast to Wason's. In 1847 a road was laid out from Londonderry turn- pike passing the steam saw-mill to the Senter road. la 1849 a road was laid out from Londonderry turnpike southeast to Londonderry line towards Wilson's Crossing. In 1853 a road was laid out from the corner near school- house No. 2 in Auburn, southwest to meet the road laid out in 1847. In 1864 the county commissioners laid out in Chester the road laid out upon the petition of Stephen Dearborn and others and discontinued, and in 1867 the selectmen of Auburn laid out the part of the same in Auburn. The Mammoth road, leading from Hooksett to Lowell, was laid out after a long contest in 1831, which passes a long distance in Old Chester, in Hooksett and Manchester, which cost the town of Hooksett between three and four thousand dollars. 222 HISTORY OP CHESTER. A road was laid out in 1840 from the Factory Village across the farms to the old Suncook road near Matthew Gault's. When the Londonderry turnpike was laid out as a free road in 1836, Hooksett bridge was reserved by the corporation, which the town of Hooksett purchased in 1853 for 11,640, which was burned with the railroad bridge Sept. 30, 1857, and a new one built at a cost of f 6,000, which was carried off by a freshet and ice, March 20, 1859, and a new one built by the town at an expense- of about f 8,000. CHAPTER X. HISTORY OP MILLS. Before giving a history of the building of mills I propose to give a description of the early mills, and of the modem improvements. The early saw-mills were built with flutter or undershot water-wheels, with heavy rims, and at least three feet and a half high, and about four feet wide, with a wrought-iron crank, from sixteen to eighteen inches long. The water was brought on in a tangent of about forty-five degrees. The gate hoisted perpendicularly. The saw-frame ran in rabbets in the fender posts, secured by wooden knees called " hook pins." The pitman, to connect the crank to the saw-frame, was all of wood. The saws were of iron, so that when the breast was worn hollow they would heat the saw and strike the back on an anvil, and straighten it. The saw was strained by a key or wedge. The carriage ran on pieces of plank, called " nogs," about two feet apart, set perpendicularly in timbers, the corners cut out to receive the carriage. Only one carriage side was cogged. Reel dogs were used at both ends, so that the dogs were drawn every run. To feed, a roller went across the mill, in front of the saw, resting on wooden bearings on the plates, and HISTORY OF MILLS. 223 a head hanging down, from which there was a pole some ten feet long, with a pawl or hand on the end, to work the rag-wheel. They had no apparatus for raising the hand, but always had to be there, to take it up and lay it on a pin. They had no negro-, or gig-wheel, but ran the carriage back with their feet ; and to have it go back easier, would have the mill incline a foot and a half, or two feet, in the length. I have seen all of this in operation in my day. About 1808 there came along a millwright by the name of Oliver Hawkins, who introduced wider and lower wheels, with the floats fastened to arms. He used short cranks, and had the water brought on nearly perpendicular, and after striking the wheel, the water was brought round in a curve. The gate was drawn horizontally on the bottom of the flume. He introduced cogging both carriage sides,, and running upon a continued track in the centre of each side. Some mills were built by Joseph Wilson, of Hudson, with the rolling gate, and other improvements, perhaps earlier than Hawkins'. The first change of water-wheel from the flutter, was the spiral vent, invented by Clark' Wilson, of Swanzy, in 1830. It was a reacting wheel, with iron buckets and wooden rim. The first balance wheel I ever saw in a saw-mill, was at Osgood's, at Meitliuen, Mass., in 1827. It was a heavy wooden wheel, five feet in diameter, with a cast-iron seg- ment, for counter-balance. It was put in by James Butter- field. It waded so heavily in the water that it did no good. In 1838 the Bxgter manufacturing company built two saw-mills, and sent to Hallowell for their irons, and had iron balance-wheels. The first slides for saw-frames, so far as I know, were in the Locks and Canal Co.'s mill at Lowell, in 1832, V slides on the saw-frame running in grooves in the posts. It was nearly impossible to keep them tight on the frame, and there were other difficulties. The next was V slides on the posts and grooves in the saw-frame. The Exeter mills, be- fore spoken of, had square slides on the inside of the posts, and composition boxes on the saw-frame. In 1839, larger 224 HISTORY OP CHESTER. square slides on the inside of the posts, with wooden bear- ings on the frame, were introduced. About 1845, round slides in front of the posts, and soon after the present form of square ones in front of the posts were introduced. So far as I am aware the first belted saw-mill was built for Ralph Bricket, of Hampstead, in 1836, in connection with a shingle-mill, to split the stuff. It had no counter- balance, and was not substantial enough to do great busi- ness. The first iron segments on the carriage running on an iron track, so far as I know, were in a mill built by the Amesbury Flannel Manufacturing Co. at the Tewksbury mills. The track was round on the top. This was in 1839. The first steam saw-mill in this region was built by Webster & Page, at South Kingston. The clapboards and shingles were all riven. The earli- est clapboard machine was introduced a little previous to 1820, and the log hung upon centres, and passed over the saw, and was so adjusted as to saw the requisite depth for the width of the clapboard. It was self-setting, and had sappers attached to the saw to straighten the edges. The shingle machine was a later invention. The first of either of these machines in Chester was by John Clarke, in 1833. The early grist-mills were driven by undershot water- wheels, about fifteen feet high and four feet wide, the water brought on at an angle of about twenty-five degrees. The gears used were wooden — face or crown gears. The runner was hung on a stiff horn, sometimes a tripod, so that the spindle had to be exactly perpendicular to the face of both bed, stone and runner. The tub-wheel was in- vented by a' Mr. Hitchcock, the first part of the century. It was at first a small and deep wheel, with the runner attached to the top gudgeon. They soon, however, made larger wheels, usually six to eight feet in diameter, fifteen inches deep, and geared. These wheels were mostly used from 1810 to 1835, for grain mills. The spiral vent, and other reacting wheels, and then centre-discharge, and various combinations of direct and reaction wheels, super- seded them. In the early mills, wrought-iron gudgeons or HISTORY OP MILLS. 225 Bearings were used. The earliest cast-iron wing-gudgeon saw was put into N. Clark's mill, Sandown, by Joseph Wilson, in 1812, though they were probably used earlier. Tlie cap or flange-gudgeon was invented by Butler Wilson, a son of the above, at a later date. As the cloth was of home manufacture, fulling- or cloth- ing-inills were common. The fulling-mill or stock was driven by an undershot wheel about ten feet high, with two wooden ovals or cams set opposite to each other on the shaft, to force the feet or mallets alternately against the «loth, and they fell back by their own gravity. When the ovals were too flat, or the motion too quick, the mallet would not fall back as fast as the cam, and they would meet with a heavy concussion. Cranks, with smaller wheels, were introduced about 1810. The raising the nap on cloth was done by a small card, by hand. Mr. Haynes got up a machine for raising the nap on cotton and linen cloth, called " fustian." It con- sisted of a main cylinder on wooden bearings, two or two and a half feet in diameter, covered with teasels, and the cloth passing over rollers above and below. Instead of getting motion by attaching it to his water-wheel, he had a rope attached to the shaft of the machine, and passing over a sheave at the beams of his mill, with a heavy weight at the other end of the rope. This was wound up until the weight was raised to the beam, and then the machine would run until the weight had run down ; then it must be wound up again. The shearing of fulled cloth was done with hand shears. The blades of these were about seven inches wide, and about thirty inches long. The cloth was laid across a cushion about as wide as the length of the blades of the shears. The bottom blade lay flat upon it, and weighted down with fifty or sixty pounds of lead ; the other blade connected by a large bow or spring, and standing at an angle of about forty-five degrees. A strap was attached to the bottom blade, and to a wooden handle or lever made to bear against the top blade, by means of which the shears 15 226 HISTORY OP CHESTER. were sprung. In shearing, the shears were sprung with one hand, and, weighing in all nearly one hundred pounds, moved evenly across the cloth, and then lifted and moved back again. It required a great deal of skill, and was very laborious work. These shears were exclusively used until 1812 to 1814, when Hovey's vibrating shears were introduced, in which by turning a crank the shears were sprung, and the cloth-beams moved, also a brush to raise the nap. About the year 1825, spiral blades were in- troduced. The dyeing of fulled cloth for every-day wear was mostly with butternut, or oilnut, bark ; for handsome, black or London brown, dyed with camwood darkened, and much later indigo blue was introduced. There was, for men's summer wear, a cotton and linen cloth made, called fustian, which was dyed with fustic, darkened, and a nap raised and the cloth pressed. At a general meeting of the proprietors of " Ghecher," held at Hampton the 11th day of January, 1720-1, " Voted, To Coll" Packer, Coll" Wiar, Caleb Towle, and Sam" Ingalls, the whole Priviledge upon the upper Falls of the great Brook forever, to build a Saw mill or mills on, and also ten acres of Land Gratis, on Each Side s* falls for the s* mills Conveniency, with Condition That the s* mills shall be fitt to Cutt boards in a Twelvemonth from this Time ; and that they Shall Saw at halves the Proprs. Loggs, So much as they Shall have occasion for Builduig. And those props, that Shall have Occasion to buy boards shall be Supplyed with So many as they Shall have occa- sion for, at the Rate of thirty shillings per Thousand at the mill. And if the making a pond or ponds for s* mill damnifies any of the proprs., the society shall make good the damages." , At a meeting at Hampton, March 16, 1720-1, " Voted, That the four persons to whom the Stream is granted, Shall give each a bond of Pifty pounds to the Comittee, to perform the Conditions of s* Grant, and if any of them Eefuse to do it, the Comittee is Impowered to admitt others." At a meeting of the committee, September 29, 1721, HISTORY OP MILLS. 227 " Voted, That the proprietors of the upper Palls on the great Brook have the priviledge of the Lower falls also, for their Further Icouragen', to build a mill according to a vote of the Society, at a publick meeting held Jan. 11*'', 1720-1, and in consideration of which Additional Privilege they are to build a Grist mill as Soon as the Town will need it." James Basford at one time owned most of the mill. In 1731 he sold Bbenezer Dearborn one-fourth of the " old sawmill." In 1732 he sold to William Wilson one-eighth of the " old sawmill." In 1734 he had some difficulty with the proprietors about the mill, and they voted to have a reference. In 1735 Ebenezer Dearborn deeded to his sons Bbenezer, Jr., Benjamin, Thomas and Michael, one-fourth of the " old sawmill." In 1743, in consideration of £22 bills of credit, Ebene- zer Dearborn, Ebenezer Dearborn, Jr., Thomas Dearborn and Michael Dearborn convey to Thomas Wells four-sixths of the " old sawmill." We know little more about the mill or its owners until about 1780, when Hugli Tolford, Jacob Wells, Capt. Clough, Moses Haselton, John Haselton and Benjamin Haselton rebuilt it. It was rebuilt once after that, and again in 1848, and is now owned by Edwin Haselton and Parker Morse. Jonathan Blunt had a saw-mill previous to 1730. He owned home lot No. 12, and it was probably on that, near the Blake tan-yard. aikbn's grist-mill. At a meeting, March 7, 1730, it was " Voted, that there be encouragement given for building a Grist mill on the middle falls of the Grate Brook, that is to John Aiken's, and fourteen or fifteen acres of land to the Eastward of s*" falls, as convenient as can be had of com- mon land, provided s^ Aiken build a sufficient Grist mill by this time twelvemonth, and keep s* mill in good Repair from time to time, and at all times hereafter." 228 HISTORY OP CHESTER. Mr. Aiken built the mill on his lot, No. 145. This was probably the first grist-mill in town. William Graham, who married Mr. Aiken's daughter Margaret, purchased the mill and land adjoining in 1745. In 1750, Graham purchased at the Long Meadows, and Mr. Aiken died, and gave by will his three home lots to his sons John and James. As the mill was on one of those lots, it had probably been re-deeded. John Aiken, Jr., lived where John Haselton now lives, and I think owned the mill. It was on that lot. haselton's grist-mill. The privilege of the " Lower falls on the Great brook" was granted to the proprietors of the upper falls, Sept. 29, 1721, but they probably never availed themselves of the grant. May 5, 1746, it is recorded, " William Crafford having built a grist-mill upon the Great brook in Cliester at the Lower falls so called, the fifth day of May, 1746, doth Eecord his son Robert miller of said Grist mill." Henry Lunt owned the mill in 1753, died in 1761. Samuel Cur- rier owned it in 1770. In 1779 Samuel Currier, of Hampstead, conveyed to Richard Haselton thirty acres of land with the grist-mill, the land bounded on Crawford's and Mark Carr's. In 1780 he bought a pair of millstones of Francis Chase, of New- town, for one hundred and fifty pounds ; so he probably re- built at that time. The mill was once carried off by a freshet; Peter Haselton thinks about 1793. It was once burnt. It descended to Thomas Haselton, then to his son Amos Haselton. He put in a machine for sawing clap- boards from the logs in 1839. In 1853 the mill was en- tirely rebuilt, using the timber of the old Long Meadow meeting-house. • Machinery for making pails was put in in 1857 ; planer and box machine in 1858. Water being short a steam engine was put in in 1860 ; a second pail- lathe in 1862. In 1866 about thirty-two thousand pails were HISTORY OP MILLS. 229 made, and fish-kits to the value of six thousand four hundred dollars, and about one hundred and fifteen thousand feet of boards made into boxes. garb's, morse's, now couch's mills. Previous to 1741 John Karr had built a saw-mill and grist-mill where Couch's mills now are, for in his inventory for that year there are two mills set down to him. In 1743 thei'e was an effort to have a new road to Lon- donderry to go by " Karr's mills." In the return of the road, March 21, 1754, it " Began at a stake near the Bridge Between Capt. Morse's saw-mill and grist-mill." In Capt. Morse's will, proved May 25, 1763, he gave his sons, Josiah and Oliver, the mills in equal shares. Oliver had the homestead farm, and died in 1770. The dam was carried away by a freshet, and at the time Josiah got wet, took cold, and died in 1794, and the mills went down. Oliver Morse's widow married Taylor Little and had a daughter Hannah, who married Isaac Dinsmore, who bought the place and rebuilt the saw-mill about 1806 and again about 1830. It was some time owned by Henry Abbot, who in 1834 put in a shingle-mill, the second in town. He sold to Col. Couch, who put in a run of stones below the road with tlie shingle-mill. THE MCDUPPEB MILLS, — NEAR SCHOOL-HOUSE NO. 4, IN AUBURN. In the inventory of 1741, James Campbell (who lived at the Pearly Chase place at Walnut hill) is set down as having a mill, and Daniel McDuffee (who lived at the Daniel Kimball place in Derry) had also a mill. The re- turn of the bridle road from where Gilman Morse now lives, through the south woods, March 25, 1740, ended at Campbell's saw-mill. This had been the road to the Long Meadows. In the return of the road, March 5, 1747, it runs by the west end of Hugh McDuffee's corn- mill. Hugh McDuffee owned the corn-mill during his life, and Archibald and Mansfield McDuffee the saw-mill. 230 HISTORY OF CHESTER. James McDuffee is taxed in 1801 for two mills, which is the last tax on them. They soon went down. John Mc- Duffee, son of Hugh, fell through the place for turning the runner and broke his neck. The saw-mill stood just above the present road leading to Derry, the corn-mill several rods below. NOTT'S, CRAIGE'S, CROSETT'S and brown's mill, — AT THE AUBURN STEAM-MILL. It is uncertain when or by whom the first mill was built. There were two men by the name of Nutt who lived at the Pierce and Brown place and might have had a share in it. The first title which I have seen is Thomas Shirley sold to James Wilson one quarter of a saw-mill, commonly called " Nutt's mill standing on Cohas brook," in 1750, and An- drew Craige, Jr., sells to Andrew Craige one-half of lot No. 93, 2d P., 2d D. (on which the mill stood), and oue- fourth of the saw-mill, in 1764. Andrew Craige bought one hundred and sixty acres, a part of No. 87 and one-half of No. 93 (a part of the Nutt place), and sold to James and Benjamin Crosett. They sold half the land and one- half the saw-mill to Robert Pulton. James and Benjamin Crosett sold to Benjamin and Samuel- Pierce and William Brown two hundred and seventy-four acres in 1771, and it is understood that they had the mill, but it eventually went down. The mill stood on the Long Meadow brook some seventy or eighty rods above the steam-mill. In 1802 Lt. William Brown and his son John built a new mill down the stream near the steam-mill. It was afterwards owned by Stephen H. Reid, Alanson Tucker, Esq. (who new geared it in 1836), and John B. Adams. In 1846 a company was formed, consisting of John B. Adams, John C. Pillsbury, George H. Taylor and Nathan- iel Brown, who built a steam saw-mill, including circular saws for various purposes, at an expense of about five thousand dollars. In 1855 it was sold to the Land and Water Power Com- HISTORY OF MILLS. 231 pany of Manchester, and since owned by "William Vincent and Robert Thompson, and is now, 1868, out of use. shackford's corn-mill. When the first mill was built is uncertain. In 1776 John Shackford conveyed to John Shackford, Jr., mil- ler, one-half of his home farm ; so the mill was built previous to that time. John, Jr., died in 1779, and his son Samuel inherited it and held it during his life-time. The gears were rebuilt in 1836 and 1837, and a run of stones added. Samuel's son, Jonathan, sold to James Locke. THE WORTHEN SAW-MILL. Josiah Porsaith says that his grandfather, Dea. Matthew Foftaith, purchased the privilege of Dolly Worthen, and built the first mill. She was the widow of David Worthen, who died November 19, 1766, and she married Jacob Chase about 1776. The mill was probably built before 1770. There was a new mill raised in 1785. In 1790, Matthew Porsaith, Josiah Porsaith, Michael Worthen and Benjamin Currier are taxed one-sixth each, and Gideon Currier one-third. Capt. Shackford subse- quently was an owner, and Cyrus Eaton, George Weeks, Daniel Clay and Alfred Dearborn. Samuel M. Edwards is now, 1868, the principal owner, and has put in a circular saw for sawing boards. BENJAMIN hills' MILL. Previous to 1741 Benjamin Hills had built a saw-mill on the North brook* on his farm. He sold one-eighth part of it in 1748 to Thomas Craig. Whether there were other owners, and how long it stood, is not known. June 3, 1784, Benjamin Hills, 3d, and others, raised a mill farther up the same stream. In 1791, Stephen Hills, Benjamin Hills, 3d, and Joseph Long were taxed one-third each. In 1792, Eliphalet Hills was taxed for one-sixth. 232 HISTORY OF CHESTEE. There was a mill kept up until 1816, when Benjamin Hills, Edward S. Hills and Joseph Long were taxed for one-third' each. French's corn-mill. October 6, 1785, Benjamin French raised a corn-mill on the same stream still farther up, nearly opposite where his grandson, David French, now lives. Mr. French died Jan. 18, 1797. The mill was taxed to his widow several years, and then to Sherburn Dearborn, who married her, down to 1820. Capt. Benjamin Currier and Gideon Currier once had a corn-mill on the same stream, opposite where Benaiah Spofford how lives. ISAAC hills' wind-mill. May 16, 1789, Isaac Hills, Esq., raised a wind-mill. He fitted it with the usual oblique vanes, and could do some business with it. But he conceived a plan of what he called an " air-mill." He had an octagon tower with large win- dows or doors in the several sides, to open on opposite sides, according to the direction of the wind. The wind was to pass through, and operate on a large floa<>-wheel in the inside. He first made a working model, and told to Mr- David Clark how it operated. Mr. Clark shrewdly enquired whether he put any corn in ; to which he replied in the negative. Mr. Clark said that that would make quite a difference, which he found to be true, as it never proved effective. The building was standing long within my rec- ollection, and its foundation is yet to be seen. ISAAC hills' corn-mill. In 1805, Isaac Hills, Esq., built a corn-mill on the stream below the Blake tan-yard. EBENEZER BASPORD'S MILI^S. Ebenezer Basford built a corn-mill with light stones to HISTORY OP MILLS, 233 operate by wind or by hand at pleasure. There was after- ward a water-mill back northeast of the house. THE LOCKE MILLS. The first Locke mill was on Exeter river, up near where Charles Moore, Sen., formerly lived, not far from the road from Wilbur's. It was probably built as early as 1780. It was owned by Capt William Locke, Robert Wilson, Esq., Lt. William Moore, John Basford, and I think that Domiu- icus Prescott once owned a share. It was burned, by Mr. Basford's leaving fire, March 27, 1796. In 1810 John Locke and Benjamin True, Jr., built a saw- mill further down the river, some eighty rods above True's house. About 1820 Mr. Locke built a corn-mill on the op- posite side of the stream. In 1847 it was rebuilt by John and True T. Locke, and a shingle-mill added. It was after- ' wards sold to John Wason, and was burnt in 18.57. THE KNOWLES MILL. In 1802 Nathan Knowles built three-eighths, Joseph Brown a quarter, Nathan Knowles, Sen., Dominicus Pres- cott, one-eighth each. New gears were built in 1838, and it was burnt in 1847. Charles Stevens built a new one in 1859. TOWLB AND SANBORN'S MILL. James Towle and Rufus Sanborn built a belted saw-mill on the North brook in 1848. mcmurphy's or Webster's mill. It seems by the following document, that there was an idea that there was iron ore somewhere in the vicinity, and that iron works might be erected on the Cohas. There was an act passed in 1719, the preamble of which sets forth that there is very good iron mine or ore in New 234 HISTORY OP CHESTER. Hampshire ; that the workuig of it was likely to prove of great advantage, and that sundry gentlemen have already advanced stock for setting up several furnaces, &c., and the act forbids carrying any ore out of the province under a penalty of ten pounds per ton. The British Parliament would encourage the manufacture of iron in the Colonies to be sent to Great Britain to be manufactured. By a statute of 23 of Geo. II., it is provided that after 1750 no subsidy, or custom, should be paid on any bar-iron imported from the Colonies into the port of London. The act also prohibits the erection of any mill for rolling or slitting iron, or any plating forge to work with a tilt-ham- mer, or any furnace for making steel, under the penalty of two hundred pounds ; that every such mill or furnace should be deemed a nuisance, and the Governor and Lieut.- Governor were required to cause them to be abated. So, though they might have made iron there, it would have been unlawful to have slit it into shoe shapes or nail rods, or converted it into steel ; and the Governor would have been bound to have abated it as a nuisance. May 16, 1739, there was a vote passed making a grant to John McMurphy, of land and a mill privilege, at " Mas- sabesic river," below the great pond, and a committee consisting of Mr. John Calfe Insin Jacob Sargent and Sam- uel Emerson, were appointed to finish this matter. The following is the report and agreement of this committee : " The said Committee for and in behalf of the said Pro- prietors, and as far as in them Lies, Persuant to a Vote of the said Proprietors Pased at the said meeting in may afForsaid, do by these Presents give, grant, E&fooff and Con- firm unto the Said John macmurphy, his heirs and assigns, for ever, free Liberty to Erect, Set up, and maintain a Grist mill at massabesick Biver, at any place he shall find most convenient below the Create Pond, Provided, and on this Condition, that the Said macmurphy, his Heirs or assigns, Shall Erect the said mill at the Place afforsaid, and fitt and compleat the Same so far as to grind Corn for the use of those that Shall bring it to the said mill to be ground, for the Custemary Toll, within two years from the deate hereof, — and the Said macmurphy Performs as is Expresed HISTORY OP MILLS. 235 in the third article ; and on failure of performing the Said mill as afforsaid, then the Priveledge to be forfited, and to Return to the Said Proprietors, and their Successors for- ever : and it is further agreed between the said Parties, and the Said Committee do hereby on the behalf of the said Proprietors Expresly limit and Provide, that the Said John macmurphy, his heirs or assigns, shall not build, Erect, and Place the Said grist mill on the Stream or River afforsaid so as to hinder, or be any Prejudice to the placing, Building and Erecting Iron works, a Sawmill, or mills, in Case the Stream will be sufficient for that Purpose, and the Same can be done without any Prejudice to the Said Grist mill ; and if the Said Proprietors Shall at any time Hereafter see meeat, or think Proper that the Said Iron works. Saw mill, or mills, or any of them. Should be built and Placed on the Said River at the place affors*", or near theirunto, and Should Resolve to have the same done, but that neither the said works, Sawmill, or mills, nor any other building, shall hereafter be Erected on the Said Stream so as to be any Prejudice, Inturruption or Incon- veniance to the Going, maintaining and Support of the Said Gi'ist mill : and further, in Case the Said Proprietors shall at any time hereafter Resolve to Build Iron Works in Case a s'ficiancy of oare or Iron mine can be found conveniantly, a Sawmill, or mills, or any of them, the Said macmurphy and his heirs Shall have the Liberty, and the Same is here- by granted to him and them, to Erect, build, and maintain the Said Iron "Works,-Sawmills, or mills, So Long as he and they Shall see Cause ; and Whenever he or they shall see Cause to Resign the said Priveledge, the Same shall Re- turne to the Said Proprietors, and their Successors, and the building and Labour of the said macmurphy or his heirs, that he or they shall have, done before such Resignation shall Happen, Shall be Valued by the Selectmen of the town of Chester affors'* for the time then being, and What- soever Sum the Said Selectmen shall Value the said build- ings and Labour at, the Said Proprietors shall Pay or Cause to be Paid, to the said macmurphy, his heirs or assigns, on demand, after such Valuation Shall be made. "Secondly, the Said committee. Pursuant to the said Vote, do hereby Give and Grant to the Said macmurphy, his heirs and assigns, fifty acres of Land at the falls of the said River, to be Laid out on both sides the said River, Equally to the out Lett of the said Pond, as- near and as conveniant for the accomodation of the said Grist mill, and other mills, 236 HISTORY OF CHBSTBE. or mill, or Iron works, as aforesaid, as the Said Land car be laid ; the same being Given and Granted by the saic Proprietors to the said macmurphy and his heirs, for hii Incouragement towards Building the Said Grist mill ; and in Consideration of the Grate Bxpence and Charge which he must necesserely be at to accomplish the same within the time Limeted herein, and the Said committee are to Proceed and Lay out the said fifty acres of Land in manner afors", as soon as the Same can be Conveniently done, and to make a Returne theirof by meets and Bounds, and Record the Same on the Said Proprietors' Book of Records, or Cause the same to be done as Soone as Laid out. More- over the Said Comittee Shall Lay out to the Said macmur- phy and his heirs, at his or their Request, a Small Quantity of Land at the Discretion of the Said Comittee, as shall be Efectuall to Prevent any Person or Persons from Iregularly and Clandestinely or unfairly drawing out the Water from the Said Pond, to the Deturment of the said mill or mills, or Works, as aforesaid ; and further, that the said mac- murphy, his heirs or assigns, shall have at all times here- after free and full liberty to flow and Raise' the Watter in the Said Pond, as he or they shall have need or occasion for the Carrying on the work and buiseness of the Said Grist mill, or Saw mill, or mills, or Iron Works, as afore- said. " Thirdly, that the Said macmurphy, in building the Said mill, or mills, or any of the Works theirunto belonging, Shall not Stop or Impede the course of the Fish up the said River, but shall and will leave, and Contrive, and make sufficient passage for that Purpose. Moreover, it is further agreed by and Between the Said Parties that the Said macmurphy, his heirs and assigns, shall and will at all times after the said Grist mill is fitted and Compleated for Grinding, as aforesaid. Grind for the Proprietors and Inhabitants of Chester aforesaid, and their Successors, be- fore and in Prefference of their Grists, to the Grists of any Other Person or Persons Whatever, for three days in a week forever (Viz.), Every tuesday, Wednesday & thursday, for- ever, and the Comittee appoynted and chosen by the Pro- prietors of Chester aforesaid, to Lay out the aforesaid Fifty acres of Land ab the falls of the afores'^ River, on both sides, to the out Lett of the aforsaid pond, and the Small Quantity of Land to Prevent the Iregular and Clandestine or Unfaire drawing out the Water from the afforsaid Pond, to the damiage of the afforsaid mill, or mills, or Iron HISTORY OF MILLS. 237 Works, is mr. John Calfe, Ensign Jacob Sargent & Samuel iEinerson, of Chester aflForsaid, allways Reserving a Lib- erty and Priveledge to the Proprietors and Inhabitents of the town of Chester afforsaid, to pass and Repass with- out Interruption too and from the afforsaid massabeecek River to Catch and take at the falls of said River, below •the afforsaid Pond, for nesecery famely Support, Such Pish as may be obtained." The small quantity of land to prevent the unfair drawing of water was laid out at the beach and valley, near where the Island Pond House now stands, to prevent making another outlet through the Long Pon(^. In 1750 John McMurphy sold the mills and land to Alexander McMurphy. The mill stood on the southeast side of tlae stream, several rods above the present road and above the present mill-pond, a*nd had a low head of water without flowing Massabesic ; and at a meeting of the pro- prietors, October 18, 1763, it was " Voted, not to support the flowing more than was natural. " Voted, that the privilege of grinding for the proprietors of Chester three days in a week at macmurphy's mill at Massabeeceek shall cease, and it shall become a common priviledge for grinding as other mills are, upon condition that the said macmurphy and his heirs shall forever keep, maintain and support a Grist mill there, upon his and their own charge." When a saw-mill was first built, or the Haselton mill below, is not known, and the traditions are vague and con- tradictory. If Potter be right, in his History of Manches- ter, that Alewife Falls, mentioned in the return of a road laid out December 10, 1751, page 680, were at the Hasel- ton mill, then that mill was built before that, and probably McMurphy had none. But if Samuel Gamble be right, that Alewife Palls were just below McMurphy's, and that the waste water mentioned in the return was the natural stream, and that there was a canal to carry the water to the saw-mill, then McMurphy had dug a canal and built a saw-mill before that date, and the Haselton mill is probably of a later date. (See History of Roads.) 238 HISTORY OF CHESTER. November 18, 1778, Alexander McMurphy sold for £1800, additional lot No. 66, No. 23, 2d P., 2d D., and the McMurphy grant, to John Sheldon, together -with the saw-mill and grist-mill. So there was a saw-mill there then. March 11, 1782, Sheldon conveyed to John Webster, for five hundred and seventy pounds in silver, at six shillings and eight pence per ounce, the McMurphy grant, including the house and mills. Webster dug a new and better canal. His son, Israel Webster, next owned the mills. About 1810 he sold to James Patterson a privilege above the Mc- Murphy mill, who built a saw-mill, and flowed Massabesic, and flooded Blancbard's mills, so that it entirely stopped them. The water for a long* time was above the base of the great stone by the road, at the head of the pond. Blanchard commenced an action, but the legal remedy was slow, and four young men (Esquire Blanchard's neigh- bors), having previously reconnoitered the premises, went one night and cut away the dam, which was a very haz- ardous performance. Patterson once owned the saw-mill below, but not the grist-mill, and he failed, and the premises went back under a mortgage. Mr. Webster's sons sold, and the mills are now occupied by Gilman Clough. Nothing definite has been learned about the Haselton mill. THE DEARBORN SAW-MILL, FORMERLY CALLED THE " NEW MILL." In 1751, Thomas Dearborn sold to six other persons, among whom were Theophilus Sargent, Winthrop Sargent, Sylvanus Smith, Ebenezer Dearborn and Thomas Wells, Jr., three-quarters of an acre and a half of land for a mill privilege at the south corner of lot No. 57, second part of the second division. The corner of the lot stood just below the north abutment of the bridge. They proceeded to erect a saw-mill. Thomas Dearborn built one quarter, the others an eighth each. We can hardly appreciate the HISTORY OP MILLS. 239 energy and enterprise of these men. There was no road nearer than the main road at Emerson's Corner, two miles distant, — Joseph Basford had a settlement where Wells C. Underhill now lives. The lumber, if drawn in the sum- mer, must be done over a rocky path through the woods, on one pair of wheels. None of them lived less than five miles from the mill and must have gone that distance to do all of the work. They built a small house for their accom- modation just north of where the Borough road now goes. In 1772, William White, administrator of Sylvanus Smith's estate, sold James Graham " one-eighth of Dearborn's saw-mill." The owners have been continually changing, but the " turns " have been kept along uninterruptedly, it is believed, ever since. Several years previous to 1810 nothing was done with the mill on account of a difficulty about flowing ; but in consequence of a vast amount of timber being blown down by the wind, " Cold Friday," Jan. 19, 1810, new gears were put in by Abner Blasdel, millwright, on the Hawkins model. The frame was rebuilt in 1821, and an entire new mill, with stone foundation, built in 1843, and a shingle- mill added in 1860. One-half of Lieut. Ebenezer Dearborn's share has re- mained in the family of his son Stephen until the present .time. The other half remained with Ebenezer and Jon- athan while they lived. Among the owners have been James Wason, Jr., Stephen Lufkin, Joseph Carr, Joseph Hill, B. P. Chase, Jonathan Emery, W. H. Underhill, Joseph Chase, Jr., Jacob Chase, Noah Weeks and others. hall's mill, now harwood's. In 1771 Caleb Hall bought of John S. Dearborn a part of lot No. 57, second part of second division, and erected a grist-mill. He went to the Catamount mountain in Aliens- town, for the stones, and worse-gritted stones could hardly be found. The runner, with the date on it, is the door-step at the shoe-shop, at Clarke's building in Auburn village. 240 HISTORY OF CHESTER. It was a great undertaking to go up through Chester woods and get them. They put up at what was then called the " Red House," and afterwards Simeon Carr's. John Aiken Jr., was the mill-wright. The mill was rebuilt about 1803, and about that time conveyed to his son, Moses Hall ; and afterwards re-conveyed to Caleb Hall ; and in the settle- ment of his estate, given to Elijah Hall. In 1823 or '24, Capt. David Hall, Elijah Hall and Isaac Hall built a saw-mill ; John Locke was mill-wright. The grist-mill was rebuilt about the same time. The mills passed into the hands of Rodney Allen, who rebuilt ; then to Noah Clark; and were burnt about 1845. In 1858, Rament Preston purchased and built a grist-mill, and he and his brothers, Nehemiah and Paschal, built a saw-mill. The part belonging to Rament Preston was after- wards purchased by Nathan K. Harwood. In 1797, Samuel Haynes, a young man from Grreenland, purchased of Caleb Hall a privilege a few rods below the grist-mill, and erected a fulling-mill and carried on cloth- dressing. In 1802 or '3, he sold to Moses Hall, who did something at cutting nails there. Mr. Haynes then pur- chased the place now owned by Alfred Sanborn, and built the house and a fulling-mill, and carried on the business until 1807, when he sold to Charles S. Bagley ; and in 1809 Bagley sold to Moses Chase. Mr. Chase in 1810 put in a carding machine, the third probably in the State. He sold the clothing department to Samuel D. Wason in 1812, and he, in 1814, sold to William Coult. Moses Chase sold the carding department to B. P. Chase, and in 1816 he sold it to William Coult, who put in another card- ing machine, and in 1820 it was burned. It was rebuilt, and new machinery was put in, and sold to Jonas B. Bow- man, who removed the machinery and took down the building. In 1865 Joseph Dunlap of Goffstown, a large lumber and wood dealer, built a new saw-mill, with a cir- cular saw, on the privilege. HISTORY OP MILLS. 241 CALPE AND BLANCHARD'S MILLS. At au adjourned meeting of the proprietors, Dec. 11, 1735, " Voted, The land which the Lotlayers Laid out at the Request of John Calfe for an amendment to two home Lotts and a half held by him, which Transcript was Read at the Last Proprietors' meeting, and Put to Vote for Con- firmation and Past in the Negative, was Reconsidered and Read at this meeting, and Put to Vote and Past in the Effer motive. " William Haley, Ithemer Berry, Enoch Colby, Silvanus Smith, moses Tiler, decents against the foregoing Vote." This tract, containing eighty acres, lay from just above the bridge crossing the mill-pond, above Auburn village, up to the bend in the brook near Campbell's bridge. At the same meeting it was " Voted that mr. John Calfe have Liberty to build a fulling mill at massabeecek brook between the two Ponds, agreeable to his own Proposals." The fulling-mill was accordingly soon built, and stood nearly opposite Nathan Griffin's barn. At a meeting of the proprietors, June 20, 1759, " Voted and Granted to Robert Calfe, Liberty to Erect and build, a Saw mill upon the Supposed Priveledge Granted to his father, John Calfe, To Set up a fulling mill Be- tween the two ponds at massabecek, and forEver to Injoy the Same with the Lands Left on Each Side of Said River for that use ; he, the Said Calfe, Procuring and allowing Soficient Highways Towards Penicook, as may be needfuU Through his Lands ; and he Paying to the Proprietors forty Pounds old tenor for the Same upon their Demand Within one year from this time, and Support. all Damages by- flowing." I The saw-mill was 'probably soon built. There was cer- tainly a fulling-mill and saw-mill there in 1771. The dam flowed all of the meadow around the " Little Massabesic," and up towards Clarke's mill, on the Oswego brook. Thomas Anderson, having purchased lot No. 107, and the meadows in it, which were flowed, in May, 1772, com- menced an action against Robert Calfe, and in May, 1773, 16 242 HISTORY OP CHESTER.^ there was a verdict for the defendajit. The plaintiff ap- pealed to the Superior Court, and September, 1773, the verdict for defendant, for costs, was £7 15s. 3d. Dec. 11, 1764, Jesse McFarland sold to Thomas Shir- ley fifteen acres at the north end of No. 123, the west side of the brook, and reserved the privilege of building half a mill. The mill probably was not built. Oct. 15, 1770, Robert Kennedy sold to Samuel Shirley (son of Thomas) fifteen acres, the west side of the brook, and fifteen acres on the east side, with the buildings. Sam- uel Shirley soon built a corn-mill on the east side. He also bought a part, or all, of lot No. 115, in which " Little Massabesic " and the meadows around it lie, and took a more summary process than Mr. Anderson had done to abate Oalfe's flowage. He procured a party of men, who were probably well stimulated, and proceeded to cut away Calfe's dam. Mr. Calfe prosecuted them for a riot, and Shirley became frightened, and to get out of it sold to Col. John Webster. Col. Webster sold to Joseph Blanchard, who had married Mr. Calfe's only daughter ; and Blanch- ard deeded one-half to Calfe in 1777. The Calfe dam was not rebuilt; the fulling-mill was removed to the Shirley privilege and the business was carried on there by Calfe and Blanchard. Mr. Blanchard built a small house and removed there. Mr. Calfe died in 1788, and Mr. Blanchard carried on the clothing business until 1796, when the shop was burned. Esq. Blanchard said that there was no fulling- mill between there and Canada ; and that they had cloth brought two hundred miles to be dressed. A saw-mill was probably built on the west side of the stream, soon after Blanchard purchased it. In 1794, William J. and John Folsom came to Chester and set up the manufacture of cut nails, which was carried on by them until 1806, and by Joseph Blanchard, Esq., until 1816. The nails were cut by water and headed by hand. Esq. Blanchard, from August, 1815, to October, 1816, cut and carried to the state prison, to be headed by the convicts, to the amount of $2,240.28. John Mel via HISTOEY OP MILLS. 243 had a blacksmith shop with tilt-hammer and started mak- ing scythes; but his foreman proving unskillful he soon abandoned it. Mr. Folsom and Mr. Melvin, having taken a large contract on the Londonderry turnpike and the bridge across the pond, left the mills in the fall of 1805. In 1825, Samuel D. Wason purchased the mills and rebuilt the saw-mill, and in doing some of the work in the old nail-shop it took fire, and .the shop and grist-mill were burned. In 1826, Col. Wason built a new grist-mill with two runs of stones. It was said by William Graham, Esq. , who had the title of the mills from Col. Wason and settled the bills, that he paid for seven barrels of New England rum used that summer by Wason's family and help. In 1830 Graham put in an iron cob-cracker, the first in town. In 1835, Jay T. Underbill and Elagg T. Underbill pur- chased, and built an edge-tool shop with two spiral-vent water-wheels (the first of the kind in this region), one to drive a tilt-hammer and the other to do the grinding and polishing. The tool business was carried on here by dif- ferent individuals,— J. T. Undeuhill, P. T. Underbill, John S. Brown, Nathaniel Brown and W. W. Leighton, under different firms uutil 1856, when J. S. Brown sold to John Clarke, W. W. Leighton and Jacob Lufkin, and the tool business was carried on by Leighton and Lufkin ; then by Leighton alone. In 1863, the saw-mill was rebuilt. In 1865, the concern was sold to George G. Griffin, and the edge-tool business ceased there. claek's saw-!mill. This mill was built in 1796, by Deacon William Wilson, Samuel Crombie, and Caleb Hall. It was partially burned twice, and about 1806 sold to John Clark, who repaired it, and about 1814 built a grist-mill. In 1832 the saw-mill was rebuilt. In 1833 a clapboard- and shingle-mill were put into the old grist-mill — the first in Chester. In 1838 a new grist-mill was built. The same year the Oswego dam went away, and carried away a part of the dam and 244 HISTORY OP CHESTER. the shingle-mill. In 1866, George P. Clark put in a new- water-wheel, and a circular saw for cutting boards. OSWEGO MILL. A saw-mill was first built by Eobert Wilson, Esq. I have heard my grandfather tell of working on it, I think the year he came to Chester, in 1771. The mill stood a few rods above the present.mill. There was probably a considerable period that there was no mill there. In 1799 James Shirley is taxed for a mill, and also in 1800, and Samuel Shirley for one-fourth and Alexander Shirley for three-fourths of a mill. So probably James built a saw-mill in 1798, and the others a corn-mill in 1799. These mills were a few rods below the present mill. The Shirleys sold to Edward and Stark Ray, in August, 1806. The one hundred and fifty acres sold by the proprietors to the Rev. Moses Hale, called the " Boston lot," with a heavy growth of timber, went with the mills, and they in- tended to do a large business lumbering, but the embargo, non-intercourse and war so depressed business, that after manufacturing lumber, drawing it to Martin's Ferry, and rafting it to Newburyport, they sold it for eight dollars per thousand. About 1819, Edward Ray, who had acquired the whole title, sold to John Clark, and he soon after to John H. Reid,who held it about ten years and sold it to Butterfield Carken, and he to James Davis. In 1835 Jay T. Underliill purchased, and commenced a dam. A stock company, " The Oswego Mill Company," was formed, a stone dam erected to flow Tower Hill pond (partly for a reservoir for the Blanchard mills), and a saw- mill was built. In June, 1838, a portion of the dam went away, under- mining and carrying away the mill. The privilege was sold to David and Franklin Howe, who built the dam about two-thirds its original height, and built a saw-mill and shingle-mill, with planing-machine, &c. It is now owned by Mr. E. P. Ofifut. HISTORY OP MILLS. 245 THE WHITE-HALL MILL. The first mill at White Hall, in Hooksett, was built by Major John Tolford, but the precise time is not known. What should induce him to build there is a mystery. The land flowed is a very little lower than the head of Isle Hooksett brook, which passes through Lakin's pond to Head's saw-mill, and the first season the water ran that way, giving him no head. He then built a dam at that end of his pond. In 1801 Hugh Tolford rebuilt it, and in 1803 or '04 sold to John S. Wheeler, and he soon sold to Captain Daniel Sawyer. In 1834 Captain Sawyer built a grist-mill and shingle- mill. The Browns early built a mill below the road, on Isle Hooksett brook. In 1790 Nathaniel Head, Esq., owned three-quarters, and Dr. James Brown one-quarter. About 1802 Nathaniel Head, Esq., built above the road, and owned the whole mill. In 1816 or '17 the present canal and wheel-pit were excavated, and a mill built. THE FACTORY MILL IN HOOKSETT. The first saw-mill at the falls was built by Thomas Coch- ran, of Bow, in 1787, which was carried away by a freshet. Cochran died in 1791, and it was sold to Rufus Harriman, and he sold to William Reside and Isaiao Rowel, who built two mills, which they owned in 1803. William Reside was drowned in the falls. William Otterson bought, and sold to the Hooksett Manufacturing Company in 1823, and they rebuilt, and built a grist-mill. The Hooksett Manufacturing Company was incorporated in 1823, and was composed of Messrs. John Bell, Samuel Bell, Isaac Hill and Richard H. Ayer, who erected a cotton-mill, forty by eiglity feet, three stories, 246 HISTOET OP CHESTER. exclusire of basement and attic, and run at first by tut wheels. In 1831 they blasted a canal through the ledge, put ii breast-wheels, and rearranged the machinery. It wai eventually merged with the Amoskeag Manufacturin| Company. About 1789 Nathaniel Martin and Laban Harriman bull a saw-mill above where the Mammoth road crosses Bush nel's or Lousy brook. There was a saw-mill afterward! built lower down on the same stream, at what was callec the " Smoke House," and was once owned by George Manter. About 1790 there was a saw-mill built on the same stream, above the road, near Martin's Ferry, by a man bj the name of Thompson, for John Stark, a son of General Stark. Benjamin Hall, son of Obededom, of Candia, built a mill on the stream from Beech-Hill pond, just above Chester turnpike. He owned it when Chester turnpike was built, in 1805, and several years after. It passed into the hands of James Sargent, and went down. About 1822 or '23 ii was rebuilt by a Mr. Greer, and, I believe, afterwards burnt. Lieut. Joseph Whittier built a saw-mill on Dalton's brook, which empties into the river above Martin's Perry, about 1810. THE MURRAY SAW-MILL. The precise time when this mill was built, or who buiH it, is not known. The earliest tradition I have about it is that Captain John Wason, bom in 1764, told that when he was a lad or young man, the owners met to take down the old mill. After they had completed the job, they tried to see who could lift the crank, weighing one hundred and sixty or one hundred and seventy pounds, the highest, at arm's end. He said that Benjamin Eaton could easily throw it over his head, and that Major Jesse Eaton was the next strongest, but could only get the crank about as high HISTORY OP MILLS. 247 as his breast. The story has been told that Mr. Eaton threw it over his head with his teeth, but that is rather apocryphal. The present mill was built in 1830. hook's mill. Israel Hook, or Hawke, owned lot No. 116, 2d P., 2d D., as early as 1796, and it was taxed to him until 1807. He probably built a saw-mill and grist-mill that year, and put his son James T. Hook there, as he was taxed for two mills in 1808. Phineas Hook owned an interest in the property. He sold to Samuel Sargeant and Jesse Baton. James T. Hook exchanged places with Samuel Hook in 1818. The mills were then owned by him and his son-in- law, Sebastian Spofford. The mills were burnt in 1825, and rebuilt. Abraham Hook and H. G. Smith, the presen^^ owners, have a circular saw, for sawing boards. MOSES Preston's mill. Moses Preston built a saw-mill in 1799, on the stream leading through the spruce swamp to Dearborn's saw-mill. It stood on additional lot No. 75, near the southwest end, and near Chester turnpike. It was owned by John Melvin and Samuel Underbill, Jr., in 1808, afterwards by Lt. Jacob Elliot, then by Daniel French, Esq. Lieut. Joseph Hill built a saw-mill on the Long Meadow brook, about half a mile Jbelow the main road, in 1801. Lieut. Josiah Underbill built a corn-mill on the small branch of the Long Meadow brook on his farm, in 1812. In 1832, his son, Jesse J. Underbill, converted it into an edge-tool shop, with tilt-hammer, grinding, polishing, &c. It was burnt in 1841, and rebuilt. Deacon E. H. Kelly built a saw-mill in 1812 ; rebuilt by Ills son Ephraim Kelly in 1833. CHESTER STEAM-MILL. In 1847 a stock coinpany was formed, and a steam saw- mill and grist-mill, with two runs of stones, were built on 248 HISTORY OF CHESTER. the old Lt. Dearborn place, near the Derry road, at an ex pense of about fourteen thousand dollars. It proved ai uuprofitable speculation, and after disposing of some per tions, the residue was sold to the Amesburj Manufacturinj Company, and removed. PORTER AND HEATH'S STEAM-MILL. In 1849, Porter and Heath, of Haverhill, Mass., pur- chased additional lot No. 30, which had a heavy growth o: timber on it, also some other land, and erected a saw-mill with a single saw, and also a gang, and light stones foi grinding corn, at an expense of nine thousand five hundred dollars. After working up the timber at little or no profit, the mill was sold and carried to Alton Bay. MILLS m CANDLi. The first mill in Candia was built by William Turner, at the Village, and was a saw-mill, and stood where the grist- mill now stands, above the road. In 1756, Jona. Blunt sold to Winthrop Sargent " one-eighth of a sawmill on lot No. 35, 3 D., which he bought of William Turner." When the road was laid out in 1758, it went " at the tail of the sawmill." Joseph Bean built the first grist-mill there, the date hot known. Mr. Elihu B. Cheney carried on cloth-dressing there many years. Asa Ordway purchased a carding-machine and put it into a mill which stood above, back of the church, where there was a saw mill. Mr. Ordway died in 1812, and Mr. Cheney bought the machine and ran it. Charles S. Bagley, of Goffstown, put up a mill below, and sold to Freeman Parker in 1821, who finished it and put in ma- chinery, and did carding and cloth-dressing till 1846, when he sold, and a saw-mill was put in. EASTMAN AND BEAN'S MILLS. February, 1756, William Eastman, of Kingstown, deeded to Samuel Eastman, of Kingstown, one quarter of lot No. HISTORY OP MILLS. 249 78, 3d D., on which a mill was built. In 1760 a road was laid out from the " reserve at Eastman's mill " northeast to the road from Dudley's. In 1760, Samuel Eastman and Samuel Eastman, Jr., had their rates abated on account of having their house and goods burnt. The house stood thirty or forty rods south of the mill. The road they prob- ably traveled to get there was from Chester by Lane's, and the first road into Candia, laid out in 1749, and following upon or near the gore between the old hundreds and third division. David Bean purchased the mill, and probably a house, both of which were destroyed by iBre running in the woods. He rebuilt, and the property descended to his son, Dea. Abraham Bean, who built at the Island, the present location, in 1812, and the saw-mill is yet standing. hall's, or north road mill. Obededom Hall was the first settler in the northwest part of Candia, about 1764, and soon after built a saw-mill on No. 42, 3d D., which has been kept up, and owned by the Halls, Browns, and others. maple-palls mill. This mill stands on the reserve between fifth and sixth ranges of lots in the third division, on the Oswego brook. Aaron Brown, Benj. Cass, Samuel Morrill, Theo. Clough, Benj. Rowe, Benj. Hubbard, David Brown and Samuel Cass have been proprietors. Date not known. GENESEE MILL. This mill is on the stream from Moose meadow to Tower Hill pond, and built by Benj. Hubbard, John Camet, Ste- phen Fifield and Capt. Jona. Brown. Date not known. patten's mill. There was early a saw-mill built on No. 128, 3d D., on the North Branch stream. The precise time when, and the owners, are unknown, but it has always been owned by a 250 HISTORY OP CHESTER. company of the neighbors. This is said to be the fifth mill on this privilege. It was built in 1833. KNOWLES'S OR CASS'S MILL. Ezekiel Knowles was the first settler, and built a corn- mill on No. 116, 3d D., in 1777. It was afterwards rebuilt by the Knowles family in 1805, and purchased by Col. Sam- uel Cass. He new-geared in 1830, and his son, J. Q. Cass, again in 1853. bmeeson's mill. A saw-mill was built before the Revolution by the Emer- sons, on the stream below Knowles's, and rebuilt some twelve rods lower down the stream in 1805 or '6, and an- other one built below the new road by Abraham . Emerson and Cofiiu Moore, with a circular saw, about 1855. MILLS IN RAYMOND. FREETOWN MILL. The Old-Hundred-Acre lots were laid out in 1728, and the 22d and 23d lots bound on the mill-pond, and 31st, 32d, 33d and 34th bound on the " highway that leads to the mill y* stands onLampereel River." There was therefore a mill, and a road made from it, previous to that time. In July, 1736, Ephraim Oilman, of Exeter, sold to James Campbell, of Chester, one half of all his undivided land in Chester, reserving " The mill and mill-pond At Freetown ; " and in 1769, Nicholas Gilman, who had in 1732 bought Edward Oilman's right, sold land at Freetown to Daniel Robie, and to J. Dudley at the same time. It is probable that the Gil- mans, and perhaps the Dudleys, of Exeter, built the mill and made the road. The mill stood a few rods higher up the stream than the present mill, and the dam was high enough to flow up by the Center to where Horatio Page lives, and the waste water ran a few rods north of the mill, where there was a mill just below the road, which was called the " Outlet mill " in the return of the road in 1759. HISTORY OP MILLS. 251 THE BRANCH MILL. The road frpm Chester hj the " Branch " to the old Exeter road was laid out in 1748, and it crossed the " N. Branch of Exeter river below the sawmill ; " so there was a mill there previous to that time, but it is unknown who built it or owned it for many years after. It is said that William Todd and perhaps Jethro Batchelder and Stephen Harden were owners. There was a mill there until about 1801, when it was carried away by a freshet. DUDLEY'S MILL. Samuel Dudley came from Exeter and settled on I^o. 87, old hundreds, where Judge John Dudley afterwards lived and built a saw-mill. In 1759 a road was laid out at the request of him and others, from Freetown by the Center, to the " river below Dudley's mill." There has probably been a mill there since that time, and now a very dilapi- dated frame yet stands. Joseph Dudley, a nephew of the Judge, came from Exeter and built a mill on Lamprey river, near where Elias True's mill now is, on No. 89, old hundreds. JONES'S MILLS. June 14, 1760, for the convenience of Ephraim Robin- son, Charles Run diet and John Leavitt, there was a road laid out " Beginning at the outlet of the pond above Jones' mill " which " crossed the brook between the two mills ; " so there were two mills there at that time. John Leavitt lived where they now, 1868, are building a large house. These were probably Exeter men, and the other two might never have lived in Raymond. I have learned nothing of Jones who gave name to the pond and mill. Clement DoUof lived a little lower down the stream and once owned some share of the mills. He perished in a snow storm February 1, 1794. One of the mills possibly might have been where the Hodgkins mill now is. Now, 1868, pre- paration is being made by blasting to lower the pond, aad 252 HISTORY OP CHESTER. by raising it four feet to create a power and do an exten- sive lumber business, making boxes, shocks, etc., owned by Moses Nutter and others. There was a mill on the Lamprey river, below Freetown; called Wallace mill, burnt in 1765 and the rates abated. John PuUonton and Jonathan Dearborn built a mill on the Patuckaway, on No. 2, old hundreds, called " Stingy Mill " because the liquor fell short at the raising. Jonas Clay deeded to Cornet John Lane No. 112, old hundreds, with one whole saw-mill and half of another. Daniel Lane and others had a saw-mill on the Branch brook when the road was laid out in 1772. Joshua Hall once had a saw-mill on his lot. No. 129, and George S. Smith and Henry H. Lane built a circular saw- mill on the same site in 1868. CHAPTER XI. PAUPERISM, KATES OR TAXES, AND MAIL AND STAGE FACILITIES. I do not propose to give any detailed history of pauper- ism in Chester, but to state a few cases as specimens of what the town was compelled to do. By an act passed May, 1719, it was enacted " That if any person come to so. journ in any town in the province and be there received and entertained by the space of three months, and not having been warned by the constable to leave the place, and the names of such persons, with the time of their abode there, and when such warning was given, returned to the quarter sessions ; such person shall be reputed an inhabitant of such town, and the town be liable to maintain such person. It is also enacted, that any person so warned out, and neg- lecting for fourteen days to remove, may by warrant from the next Justice of the Peace be sent from constable to PAUPERISM. 253' constable unto the town where he properly belongs, or had his Jast residence, at his own charge, if able to pay the same, or otherwise at the charge of the town sending him." In 1772 Robert Patten is paid for carrying Peter Lurvie's wife and three children to Coos ; but whether by legal pro- cess or not does not appear. There is also a charge " to going to Moses Underhill's in order to find out y'^ Names of y" People that come into y' long meadows, which was four- teen in Number, and Drawing y* warrants, and committing it to y'' Constable, to warn them out of town." Sixteen were warned out by John Patten, and one carried out of town. The pauper laws of one state have never been rec- ognized by the courts of other states, so that Chester could , not go into Massachusetts or Yermont to find a residence for paupers. Such was the case of Mrsj Smith, mentioned hereafter. There is on file a letter dated Dec, 1808, to the clerk of the court, enquiring if from 1782 to 1785 one Hannah . Seaver was warned out. Answered in the negative. In the town account for 1809 is a charge, " Paid the town of Enfield for the maintenance, Doctor's bill, and funeral charges of Hannah Seaver, $40.37." This did not prove a very protracted case. In 1789, Aquila Worthen, of Amesbury, in consideration of certain provisions for house-room, and specific articles for the maintenance of himself and wife, Rebecca Worthen, deeded to his son Stephen a place in Chester, now Auburn. Aquila Worthen lived in Chester one year, and probably was not warned out, and his wife, Rebecca, became a pau- per in 1798, and was supported by the town at a heavy ex- pense until her death in 1819, at the age of ninety-four years. Joshua Currier, a young man from Sandown, resided in Chester as a hired man, two years. In 1791 he was taxed, and the tax abated on account of minority. In 1792 he was taxed, and probably paid. He was either non compos or deranged, and became a pauper, and a lawsuit was had with Sandown, and in 1796 an execution was paid, of 254 HISTORY OP CHESTER. 150.67 ; and to Alpheus Ferrin for boarding fifteen weei and four days, $15.57 ; and he was supported at an expens of about a dollar per week until 1816, -when he strayed of and it was supposed that he died in the woods in the nort part of Hooksett, or Allenstown. I give the following case in detail as a matter of curioi ity, and to show the general fortune of Chester in paupe cases. State of New Hampshire, ) ToCapt. Simon Towl,Constabl Eockingham, ss. ) for the town of Chester, [l. s.] Greeting : — [l. s.] Sir, You are hereby required, in the name of th [l. s.] State, forthwith to warn Jeremiah Griffin, Sara: Griffin, his wife, and Eachael Griffin, Lydia Griffin ani Nathaniel Griffin, their children, (if they may be foun( within your precinct) forthwith to depart out of the towi of Chester, that they may be no further cost or charge t said town. Hereof fail not, and make return of this warrant wit' your doings thereon to the Clerk of the Session of th Peace of said County within sixty days of the date. Givei under our hands and seals, this twentieth day of July, llSi Isaac Blasdel, ) • William White, > Selectmen of Cheste: Stephen Chase, ) State of New Hampshire, ) Rockingham. j Pursuant to the within pn cept, I have executed the within warrant according to la\ Simon Towle, Constable. Chester, August 24, 1789. Chester Paupers, rec'd on file Aug. 26, 1789. Attest, N. Emery, Clerk. Copy Examined by N. Emery, Clerk. Griffin and his family became paupers, and it was he! that Constable Towle's return was bad, not stating the fad of what he had done, and the town was held chargeable fc their maintenance ; and in the town accounts for 1792, "> and '4, are charges for their maintenance. James Calfe, a son of John Calfe, made a settlement net the school-house at Auburn Village, and had one or moi PAUPERISM. 255 children born there. He soon removed to Massachusetts, and a daughter Elizabeth married a man by the name of Smith. She became a widow, and removed to Eochester, N. H., and purchased a tenement, and became poor. At the February term of the Superior Court, 1823, Eochester commenced a suit for the support of Mrs. Smith, who had not been in Chester for fifty or sixty years. Chester proved that Mrs. Smith's property in Eochester was sufficient to give her a residence there, and Chester for once recovered their case. There are q. large number of notices served upon Ches- ter, on file, claiming support of paupers. In 1799, Han- over claims for the support of Mary Wormwood. She and William Wormwood were supported for a long period. In 1818 Londonderry claimed for the support of Sally Aiken. Samuel Aiken, 4th, of Chester, (Peter's son) mar- ried Sally Coffin, of Londonderry, who had inherited a con- siderable property. Between them they soon spent it, and Aiken abandoned his family, and they became paupers. Londonderry commenced an action for their maintenance, which was contested, but was decided against Chester, and in 1820 an execution for 1193.49 was paid, and 1104.00 for further support. She and two or three children were ' supported several years. In 1817 Weare claimed for the support of Joshua Willet's children ; Chichester claimed for the support of his wife. In 1835 Deering claimed for the support of Joshua Willet. They were supported a long time. Previous to the purchase of the farm and almshouse in 1822, it was customary to vendue the board of such of the paupers as were in town to the lowest bidder. They fre- quently fell into poor hands. As a specimen I give some of the conditions of sale, names of paupers, prices and purchasers in 1814, Joseph Blanchard, William Graham and Josiah Worthen, selectmen : " The purchaser to take them from their present res- idence, supply them with necessary meats and drinks, washing and lodging ; the selectmen to furnish clothing. 256 HISTORY. OF CHESTER. If any die, are to be paid in proportions ; the purchaser to find them rum, tobacco and snuff, if needful. " Paupers' Names. Purchasers. Nanny McDufifee, $40 00 to Elizabeth Shirley, Kebecca "Worthen, 51 70 James Hoit. Euth Badger, 47 00 Joseph Hills. Mrs. Hodgkins, 56 60 Jei'emiah Rand. Joshua Currier, 19 60 Joseph Brown. Thomas Benuet,* 66 00 Joseph Brown. Nancy Allen, 16 60 Jesse J. TJnderhill. Daniel Allen and wife, not sold, supplied. Kuth Hills, 29 12 Nathaniel Head. Eachael Sanborn's lame boy, 43 24 Mrs. Sanborn. Solomon Seavey, 42 51 Ms daughter Joanna." At the ,annual town meeting in Candia, 1824, " Voted, That the services and keeping of the paupers, twenty-four in number as per list presented by the Select- men, should be let by auction for the term of one year from the 20th of March, instant ; that they should be well used, and kept as well clothed as they now are ; and that one or more of the Selectmen should visit them as often as once in each month ; the purchaser to pay all bills incurred on their account, whether in , health or sickness, or death, for the above term of time." They were struck off at $131.50. In the warrant for holding the annual meeting, March 13, 1821, was an articLe, " To see if the town will make any alteration in the mode of supporting their poor, by building or purchasing a work-house, and buying land to set those to work who are able to labor ; or take any other measure that shall be thought best when met." It was " Voted, John Polsom, Esq., Capt. William Graham and Capt. Samuel Aiken be a committee to report on the sub- ject matter of said 14th article at the next annual town meeting." At the annual meeting, March 12, 1822, the committee made a very elaborate and able report, drawn up by Mr. * Tlnmas Bsnnet was non compos, and was brought from soma place unknown and left in Chester in the night, and was a pauper ten or twelve years. HISTORY OP THE TOWN OF CHESTER. 267 Polsom, stating replies they had received from Londonderry and Exeter as to the result of their experience. The com- mittee recommended to the town to purchase a farm, estab- lish a house of industry, and keep their poor all together in one place. • At a meeting holden April 2, 1822, " Voted, That the town purchase a suitahle farm and appropriate the same to the residence, support and employ- ment of the poor of said town." They appropriated any funds in the hands of the treas- urer ; to raise by tax twenty-one hundred dollars by seven annual installments ; and to raise by loan what is necessary. " Voted, That the Selectmen (John Folsom, Josiah Chase and Lemuel W. Blake) be a committee to purchase a farm." The selectmen purchased of Peter Shirley the farm where James Shirley, sen., first settled, and paid f 2,200. They made an addition to the house and repaired it. The stock, tools, furniture, &c., cost |1,226.29. Cost of the establishment, |3,426.29. RATES OK TAXES. The public expenses were at first borne by the original proprietors or grantees, and as they were mostly non-resi- dents they soon sold their rights, or parts of rights, to act- ual settlers, or other non-residents, who then became pro- prietors and chargeable with the expense. Some items have been given in the Proprietary History. The proprietors were sometimes slack in their payments which caused great embarrassment. In April, 1731, there was an act passed, the preamble of which recites, " That, Whereas the several towns of Ches- ter, Nottingham and Rochester labor under many incon- veniences in carrying on public affairs and especially in the maintenance and support of the gospel ministry among them, by reason of the great numbers of the proprietors of land within said townships living out of the Province, by which means the constables or collectors- of the aforesaid 17 258 HISTORY OF CHESTER. towns are unable to collect the rates due from their re- spective proprietors living out of the province as aforesaid." It was enacted tliat the lands within any of those towns might be extended on for rates and cost, to continue in force three years. Therq were continually votes being passed and committees raised for selling the rights of delinquents, but as there came to be inhabitants who were not proprie- tors the rates were levied on both ; but in what manner I have s'een notliing to indicate. An act passed in 1703 provides " that the justices, yearly at their December ses- sion, shall appoint one freeholder in each town to go through the town in which he belongs, unto every inhabi- tant, and take an account of such person's ratable estate, and shall deliver it to the selectmen between December and March each year, and such- person shall have power to ap- point one or more assistants." At a town-meeting held the last Tliursday of March, 1741, John Tolford and James Varnum were chosen " Invoice men to take the Invoice of the heads and Estates of the Whole town," which was taken. That document is in the Secretary's office and in the excellent hand-writing of Mr. Varnum. The town had never before been rated to the province and this inventory was for fixing the proportion. There are D houses and S houses. In some of the inventories the distinction is made of two-story houses and one-story houses, which is probably meant here. The following is the inventory ; interesting, as ^showing the taxable persons and property then in town : BATES OB TAXES. 259 An Invoise Taken of y" mens Estates whose names are here mentioned Between the month of December and March, which is in j'^ year 1741. Pr. James Varnum, John Tolford, Chester, Febuary 27*, 1741. InTois men. INVOICE TABLE. NAMES. 6 1 i i 1 '0 03 1 1 OS 2 1 i i 1 i 1 1 1 i i 'e 'i 4 5 1 1 'i 3 's 3 5 4 3 1 7 5 6 6 3 6 '2 5 ii 6 5 6 11 2 5 '3 2 13- 3 'e 2 9 3 '2 '2 '2 '2 '2 '2 '2 '2 '2 '2 i 1 1 i '2 1 3 2 1 1 1 i 1 1 'i 1 1 2 1 '2 1 '4 3 2 1 1 2 1 2 '2 2 1 1 '3 1 2 1 2 1 1 1 i i i 1 1 'i 1 i 1 1 'i i 1 1 i ; '2 ' 1 I 'i 1 1 1 1 2 i 'i 'i 'i "i '3 '2 i 'i i i '2 '2 2 i '2 '2 '2 '2 6' ■4 'i '2 i '2 3 '2 1 2 i i i William White Ebenezer Gial Nathan Hale John Clement James Shirley, Jtin James Willson Thomas Richardson Stephen Webster WId. Elisabeth UnderhiU. . Wid. Elisabeth KowoU William Turner Robert Mills Martha Forsith Sarall. Powell William Powell . . . Titus Wells Robert Graham, jun William^ Graham Joseph Clark 260 HISTORY OP CHESTER. INVOICE T AB'L'E — continued. NAMES. en 1 1 n o w to s 4 Hi i 1 1 4 m 3 1 i 'i i i i i 1 1 i 1 i -1 i 1 1 1 i i i •i ;1 1 ■1 ■1 6 i 1 'i 3 2 5 3 2 'i 3 27 33 17 23 11 11 19 19 19 12 8 23 12 13 23 15 5 12 15 15 23 15 24 17 19 19 13 I 2 5 4 's '8 1 1 2 8 2 2 2 8 2 '2 "3 7 1 6 '2 2 '2 '2 '2 2 2 '2 2 2 '2 2 4 '2 2 '2 2 '2 2 I 1 i 1 1 i 2 3 6 2 1 3 4 4 3 3 2 4 3 5 4 1 1 1 2 3 3 1 1 .3 i 1 2 2 1 1 i 1 1 1 i 2 1 1 2 i ,1 '2 i 1 1 2 2 1 1 .. '2 "2 2 2 2 1 2 5 2 6 4 1 2 i 1 4 2 1 2 1 6 2 4 '2 i '2 2 '2 '2 3 i -2 2 4 1 '2 2 4 1 1 2 2 1 2 i 1 2 1 1 5 3 6 1 i i i '2 "i '2 1 i i i 2 i 'i i 1 i 1 'i i i i '2 '4 2 v. Robert Calfe Danil Calfe John Fobs Henry Ambross Capt. Samll. Ingals Lieut. Ebenezer Derbon... . Ens. Jacob Sargent Nathan Webster Beiya. Hills William Wilson 1 Ephraim Hesseltine ■,. Thomas Wells William Talford John Shirley. Anthoney Towle Thomas Smith Enock Colbe 1 Jouathan Blnnt.- Jsaac Foss. .... 1 .Ebenezar Deebon, Jun 1 Peter Derbon William Healy..... 1 Robert Riinals Joseph Bassford ' ■Stephen Clav Archabald Macaphee Daniel Macaphee Alen TemMngton Robert Crage NathanalHall Jethro Tilton Isaac Foss, Jan James Wadwell Nathan Colbee Peter Clifford Joseph Davis Thomas Hill Thomas- Crage David mac*lure Wid. Mary Carswell Archabald Dalaph ■-■■ William Grimes, Jun id RATES OR TAXES. 26kl INVOICE TABJjIE— concluded. MoseB Hills John Karr Thomas Gllnn Henry Hall John Webater John Aken Bobert Willson. . . Francis Towle Hugb WilUon James Willson — William Craford... Samll. Hills Be'^la. Derbon Andrew Ciage Wintlirop Sargent. William IvaiT Jolxn KaiT, Jan.. Samuel Brown Thomas Derbon.. Paul Mac fason. . . John Moore Charles Moore Nathanal Wood. . . Jonas Clay Jonas Clay, Jun.. Jam'es BaAsford . . . The following from an old act in regard to making taxes, I insert as a curiosity : From " the Generall Lawes and Libaties of the Province of New Hampshire made by the Generall Assembly in Portsm", the 16* of March, 1679-80, and approved by the Presid* and Council. " Making Rates. " That there may be a just and eqiiall way of Raising means for defraying y' publique charge, boath in church and civill affairs, whereof every p'rson doth or may receive y'' benefit; these persons and estates shall be asseasted or rated as followeth: viz., to a single rate of a penny in the pound, every male person above the age of 16 years is valued at 181. ; and all l&nd within fence, med- dow or marsh, mowable, shall be at 6s. per acre ; all pasture lands without fence rate free; all oxen 4 years old and upward, 3s.; steers, cows and heiffers of three years old at 4s. ; steers and heiffers of 2 years old at 5s. ; yearlings 10s. ; horses and mares of 3 years old and upward, at 20s. ; sheep above one year old at 5s. ; swine above one year old at 10s. ; and all other estates whatsoever, in y' hands of whome it is at y" time when that shall be taken, shall be rated by some equall proportion by y° selectmen of each town w"" grate care y' p'ticulars be not wronged ; and all ships, ketches, boates, barques and all other vessells w"'soever shall be rateable, as allso all dwelling houses, wave houses, wharffs, mills and all handycrafts men as carpenters, masons, joiners, shoe- makers, taylors, tanners, curriers, butchers, bakers, or any other 262 HISTOEY OP CHESTER. artificers, victuallers, merch'' and innkeepers shall be rated by estymatyon." This was probably the law for a long period, as I have examined a reprint of the laws from 1706 to 1770, also all the acts in the Secretary's office during that period, without finding anything on the subject. The following is one page of an inventory, found among the papers of Deacon John Hills. There is no date, but it must have been as early as 1745, for Moses Tyler sold to Andrew McFarland that year. There is, on the back side, a footing, probably of the whole inventory. There are two taxed for faculties, — some trade, or other extra mode of making money. Mills, or a trade, were taxed as faculties in Hampton in 1732 : INVENTORY. Names. Nathaniel Wood Jonas Clay Joua. Saunders Henry Ambrose James Varnum Benj . Dearborn Robert Runnels William Healey King Calfe Beiy. Batchelder James Basford Itliamar Berry Jobn Allen Titus Wells Thomas Hill Eliphaz Sanborn John Underbill Page Bachelder Peter Clifford Joseph Clark Jona. Hall Moses Tyler James Calfe Nathl. Hall Oapt. Tilton Ebenezer Dearborn . . Peter Dearborn Widow Bowel Widow Underbill David Craige Nathan Webster, Jr.. Nathan Colby 80 649 66 100 53 55 59 51 RATES OR TAXES. 263 The following table shows the proportion of province rates in 1709, to raise £1720 : Portsmouth .... £377 10s. Dover 361 9 Exeter 826 8 Hampton New Castle £505 13s. 150 00 In order to show the relative progress of the several old towns in the province, I give the proportion of province rates to each £1000 : TABLE Showing the Pkoportion op Province Rates. TOWNS. Portsmouth . Dover . . . Exeter . . . Hampton . . Hampton Falls New Castle . Kingstown Newington Stratham . . Gosport . . Londonderry . Rye .... Greenland Oyster River . Somersworth < 1723. £ 171 171 s. d. 10 12 2 1728. 128 12 8 74 18 9 74 18 9 81 5 8 44 10 6 38 19 49 6 19 5 £ 3. 187 16 217 15 127 18 94 4 88 4 24 19 45 6 36 14 60 14 11 16 4 3 10 7 1 68 29 1732. £ «■ d. 142 16 3 103 13 5 114 3 6 94 12 6 90 16 8 21 3 2 54 8 25 1 4 57 4 7 62 13 32 16 35 15 10 97 16 3 39 16 6 TABLE II. TOWNS. 1742. 1753. 1762. Portsmouth Hampton Dover Exeter Londonden-y Chester Kingston Derryfleld Rumford Bow . • • £ s. 140 00 70 00 86 00 89 00 54 10 . 18 00 36 10 13 00 £ s. 95 00 34 12 70 08 47 00 51 12 33 17 40 00 5 05 24 00 £ s. 91 14 56 07 29 12 35 12 49 16 36 11 22 09 4 19 264 HISTORY OP CHESTER. Footings of the Inventokt in Chester in 1753. Polls . ' 241 Houses 179 Tillage 452 Mowing 1098 Pasture 670 Horses 58 Oxen 302 Cows 389 Three-year-olds 87 Two-year-olds 121 One-year-olds 170 Three-year-old colts ... 15 Two-year-old colts .... 12 One-year-old colts .... 11 Male slave 1 Orcharding 51 An act was passed July 3, 1766, providing that the Province rates might be paid in the following articles of produce at the following prices, new tenor : Well tanned sole leath- er per pound ... 4 00 Tallow per pound ..26 Winter and Spring cod- tish per quintal . 4 00 00 Pitch per barrel . . 3 00 00 Tar per barrel '. . . 2 00 00 Turpentine per ban-el 4 00 00» W. P. joists per M. . 4 00 00 W. P. boards per M. 5 00 00 W. O. two-inch plank perM 25 00 00 £ s. d. Bar iron per cwt . 00 00 Hemp per pound . 3 00 Indian corn, bush , 10 00 Rye • 10 00 Peas " 1 1 00 Winter wheat " i n 00 Barley " 10 00 Pork per pound 1 00 Beef Flax 9 3 00 Bees-wax " 5 00 Bay berry wax " 3 00 CENSUS OP 1767. Males. Females. T3 s ■H i i ¥ CD .s ^ g % i Towns. dS U >A V CO CO If 15 U O s U S cd s •o 'a 1 ^ ^ 1 Chester 116 168 100 21 295 153 7 2 34 916 Candia 27 68 99 100 68 1 363 Raymond 21 78 132 3 134 81 6 362 Derryfield 29 31 50 7 81 38 6 230 BATES OK TAXES. 265 INVENTOEY OF 1777. Polls Orchard Arable Mowrog Pasture Horses Tliree-years Colts. Two-years Colts. . . One- year Colt Oxen Cows 339 162 603 1751 2749 141 36 22 17 243 600 143 127>^ 205 449 852 51 10 24 11 115 241 131 71X 311 445 1033 49 5 6 6 76 229 Three-years old — Two-years old One-year old Rents of mills Stock in trade Money 257 331 317 £9500 280 3907 116 164 137 £29 125 683 87 138 118 £64 100 62 State tax, 1783, which must have been lawful money, as the Continental was worthless : — £ 643 8. d. Constable Joseph True to pay 643 5 9 Robert Witherspoon 361 12 10 Joseph Brown, Jr 80 00 00 PROPORTION FOR STATE TAX. Towns. 1773. 1789. 1803. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. Chester 22 8 - 16 2 10 11 19 - Candia 8 6- 8 2 4 6 4 7 Raymond 7 13 - 6 4 8 4 2 1 Concord • 13 14 - 12 7 4 10 8 2 Exeter 24 4 - 15 10 2 8 8 6 Londonderry ..... 35 15 - 20 15 3 15 2 1 Portsmouth 58 2 - _ _ _ 27 8 5 Derryfleld 3 12 - 2 10 4 2 2 - 266' HISTORY OF CHESTER. m o 00 to o (N t- o § "t ■^ 00 lO ■*. to to J to ■*fi TP •iJ to eo ^ » oo S s s s, ss •* u5 lO ^ ■^ <© i o •^ o 00 w lO o s CD «; lO CO °^ ■^ Til •*' ■*' id ■*■ -* )£} r lO g CO o (M lO ^_l lO 00 o 3 la c- CO t^ to CO 00 eo r-i eq rH 4& Jg ^_, q CO ci rH r-i « '"' «& t- to o cs O lO ^ « Cl lO o rt; to >q ■^ 00 _ IN CO ,^ ■^ o oo s o '"' oi o o £0 cq •* o 00 t-; CO b- t- ^ 2? sa to g: t- 00 CO en i g ?2 ~ t- g la 00 to 5 o t-t a h 1 I 1 13 0} c o 1 i 1 § e3 ■a B o 1 c; ■< c; ;^ H p U iS 1? U ja H t^ ft t- f« .q ■O S c * JS BATES OR TAXES. 267 The earliest tax-list which we have is for 1785, which is not inserted on account of its length. TABLE Showing the Ntjmbeb of Inhabitants, Number of Polls and Pbopobtion of State Taxes in Sb vekal Towns in 1820 ; also the Pkopoetion in 1829, Pop- ulation in 1860, Valuation and Pkopobtion in 1864. Towns. ^i a a e _J o o o s ■J3 ■s •43 p.4 Ah PM Ph 415 $9.03 $7.40 1,276 886 1,575 240 5.54 4.90 177 3.62 3.43 1,269 615 13.27 5.17 1,717 7.54 1,990 133 2.48 2.69 20,108 498 13.48 13.73 10,889 457 9.90 9.46 3,309 187 4.58 4.67 1,230 100 3.40 3.27 621 170 3.67 3.67 1,216 1,190 54.36 43.41 9 3.35 fL^ Chester Auburn* Candia Raymond , Londonderry Derryt Manchester Conoord Exeter Hampton Hampton Falls . . . Kingston Portsmouth 1,273 961 3,127 " 76i 2,338 2,114 1,098 572 847 7,327 $389,234 296,858 427,803 320,676 627,601 678,645 10,176,142 5,036,014 1,661,274 648,991 393,121 435,713 6,442,002 $2.99 2.29 8.29 2.47 4.83 5.24 78.38 38.84 12.79 4.22 3.02 3.36 49.67 * Incor porated June, 1845. t Incorporated July, 1827. These statistics are given to show the absolute and rel- ative progress of these tow^is. In 1732, Portsmouth had 479 polls ; Exeter had 333 ; Hampton had 224. In 1727, Hampton Palls had 224 polls ; and Kingston had 120. Up to 1833, in making taxes a specific value was put upon animals of each grade, irrespective of their real value, and also on acres of land. At tliat time there was an act passed requiring all property to be appraised at its cash value. 268 HISTORY OP CHESTER. STAGE AND MAIL FACILITIES. Besides occasional private conveyance for letters, there were sometimes persons who periodically traveled on horse- back and carried letters and newspapers. My grandfather took a Newburyport paper, during the Revolutionary war, which was probably brought by a "Post-rider." The Committee of Safety, Dec. 2, 1779, appointed Peter Robinson for the term of six months, to ride from the post- office in Portsmouth, to set out from thence Saturday morn- ing, and ride to Peterborough in this State, and send a man weekly to Charlestown, No. 4 ; and carry and return all public letters and dispatches free of charge, for which ser- vice he shall receive from the State the sum of three hun- dred pounds lawful money. [N. H. Hist. Col., Vol. 7, p. 211. J There was probably no regular mail or stage through Chester before 1793 or 1794. In the New Hampshire Reg- ister for 1794 there is the following list of deputy post- masters : Jeremy Libbey, Portsmouth ; J.W. Oilman, Ex- eter ; George Hough, Concord ; Samuel McClure, Hanover ; and Samuel Crosby, Charlestown. There might have been others, however, in the State. Tappan Robie, Esq., of Gor- liam, Maine, says that his uncle, Edmund Webster, was appointed postmaster about 1793 ; that he was clerk in his imcle's store, and acted as assistant in the post-office ; and the office supplied Chester, Sandown, Hampstead, Candia and Raymond, and perhai^s Londonderry. He recollects that Ozias Silsby, of Cliester, rode post and carried a mail from Portsmouth to Amherst. [He went to Peterborough.] The mail was carried on horseback. This supplied Chester with a mail. Chase, in the history of Haverhill, p. 453, " At this period (about 1791) newspapers and letters were carried through the country by persons who rode on horseback, called ' Post-riders.' Samuel Bean was post- rider from Boston to Concord, N. H. His route was through Andover, Haverhill, Atkinson, Kingstown, Exeter, STAGE AND MAIL FACILITIES. 269 Epping, Nottingham, Deerfield and Pembroke, to Concord ; returning, passed through Londonderry and Haverhill. He performed the route once a week. "The first stage from Haverhill to Boston was started about this time. It was a two-horse coach, by a Mr! Gage. He performed the route only ' when he had custom.' It took twelve hours to perform tlie journey. An advertise- mentin a Boston paper under date of April 9, 1798, informs the public that the ' Haverhill Stage Coach is complete, with genteel curtains and cushiuus, and an able pair of horses ready for service.' It was to set. out from Chad- wick's Ferry, in Bradford, on Tuesday the 16th, at six o'clock precisely, arrive at Mr. Abbot's, in Andover, before eight, and at Mr. Peabody's in Boston, before one. The proprietor gave notice that he intends in a short time that the stage shall perform this route twice a week. Fare, 3d. per mile. In November, 1793, a stage commenced running twice a week from this place [HaverhiUJ to Concord N. H., connecting with the Boston stage. It was owned by par- ties in this town, Chester, and Concord. The mail, how- ever, continued to be carried on horseback for several years after the establishment of a regular line of stages." Mr. Robie says that the first stage was owned by Rogers and Kendall. Mr. Chase further says, p. 454 : " At the celebration attending the opening of the Ando- ver and Haverhill Railroad to Bradford, Oct., 1837, Hon. Leverit Saltonstall, late of Salem, said he well recollected the first setting up of the first stage-coach between Boston and Haverhill, some forty or fifty years before, by Judge Blodg- ett, of Haverhill. It started very early in the morning from Haverhill, in order to have time to perform the dis- tance, and arrive comfortably in Boston before dark. The boys followed it through the villages, and the women put their heads out of the windows gazing upon the wonder ; and the welkin rang with the shout of ' The Stage ! The Stage ! ' A stage was afterwards established to run between Haverhill and Concord, N. H. This was considered a most extraordinary event ; and one of the leaders had a bell of a size nearly equal to that of the bell of an academy, sus- pended to his neck, the sound of which could be heard a great distance, to give the intelligence that the stage was coming!" I have heard it said that Mr. Benjamin Brown drove through Chester the first trip. A negro subsequently 270 HISTORY OF CHESTBB. drove. It is said that Matthew Templeton and others as- sembled at Dea. John Graham's to see the stage. Mr. Templeton was probably dressed in an uncouth manner, and had a large dentin his forehead, where his skull was broken, which caused some of the passengers to laugh. Mr. Templeton cautioned them against laughing, as they were all going to the d 1 together, with a nag&r to drive them. The earliest I recollect of a stage it passed over Chester turnpike twice a week each way, and was driven by a man by the name of Hall, and was owned by Kendall. This was in 1806. Some time after it was removed to the Lon- donderry turnpike. There were several changes each way, and at length there was one put on each route, when it was thought both must fail. There could not be business to support two stages. Thomas Pearson, of Haverhill, for a long time drove through Chester, and Nathaniel Walker, of Plymouth, through Londonderry. T'other Gilbs for a long time rode post on Silsby's route, from Exeter to Peterbor- ough. He rode horseback, carried a mail, and carried Portsmouth, Exeter and Amherst papers, and did express business generally. Edmond Webster died May 12, 1801, and Dr. John Win- gate, who married Sarah Webster, was appointed post- master. He lived in the Webster house, and held the office till 1807, when he removed from town, and Daniel French, Esq., was appointed April 25, 1807, who held the office until near the close of his life, when he resigned, and his son, H. P. French, was appointed. About 1826 a post-office was established at what is now Auburn village, called the " West Chester " office. David Currier, Esq., then David Currier, 3d, procured the estab- lishment of the office, and was appointed postmaster. The office was first served with a mail from Anderson's tavern, on Chester turnpike. Afterwards a mail was carried from Kingston, serving Hawke, Sandown and West Chester, to Hooksett. Afterwards, about 1827, the Haverhill and Con- cord stage ran dn the old road. About 1837 there was a STAGES AND MAIL FACILITIES. 271 post-office established at Walnut Hill called " East Ches- ter," and Kobert Shirlej appointed postmaster. After the building up of Manchester, about 1843, a stage was run, and carried a mail through West Chester, Candia, Deerfield, &c., to New Market, until 1863, when the mail was put on the cars, and the stage stopped, and Auburn had a daily mail. There are no postmasters given in the New Hampshire Register for Candia or Eaymond, before 1818. Probably those offices were established in 1817. Moses Fitts, Fred- eric Fitts, 1821, and Benjamin Pillsbury from 1822 to 1833, are named as postmasters in Candia. Joseph Blake is named as postmaster in Raymond from 1818 to 1835. According to the best information I have been able to ob- tain, there was a " post-rider " who carried a mail on horseback from Exeter or Portsmouth, to Concord, passing through Brentwood, Poplin, Raymond, Candia, South Deer- field and Allenstown, once a week each way. He also carried newspapers. There was for a season a post office at Anderson's, called " Candia Turnpike," and also one on Candia north road. About 1850 there was a joint stock company formed, and a stage run from Dover to Lowell, passing Raymond and Chester, which carried a mail. About 1734 Stephen Os- good, of Raymond, having purchased a large share of the stock, put on a stage from Pittsfield to Chester, connecting at Chester with the Lowell stage, which would supply Can- dia with a mail. These stages I think ran three times a week until the Boston and Maine railroad took the travel, ■in 1838 or 1839. After the Manchester and Lawrence railroad went into operation, a stage was run from Chester to Derry depot, which carried a daily mail, and the Haver- hill stage ran into Manchester, and finally ceased. For a long time after stages ran and mails were established, newspapers were carried by a post-rider. About 1808 or '9 one James Tallant, of Concord, rode post from Concord to Chester, and perhaps farther j and carried the " New Hamp- shire Patriot" and " Concord Gazette " in his saddle-bag s 272 HISTOEY OP CHESTER. but whether both papers could agree to be in one end, I do not know. After Tallaut, my brothers, Moses and John, had papers come by stage, and carried them on horseback through Candia, Deerfield, &c., to Exeter ; and my father, B. P. Chase, carried them through the Long Meadows to the Neck. CHAPTEE XII, LITERARY AND PROFESSIONAL. HISTORY OP SCHOOLS. — EARLY STATUTES IN RELATION TO SCHOOLS. Nov. 11, 1647. " It being one chief point of that old deluder, Satan, to keep men from the knowledge of the Scriptures, as in for- mer times by keeping them in an unknown tongue ; so in these latter times, by persuading from the use of tongues, that so at least the true sense and meaning of the original might be clouded by false glosses of saint-seeming deceivers ; that learning may not be buried in the grave of our fathers, in the church and commonwealth, the Lord assisting our endeavors : — " It is therefore ordered, that every township in the juris- diction, after the Lord hath increased them to the number of fifty householders, shall then forthwith appoint one within their town to teach all children as shall resort to him, to write and read, whose wages shall be paid either by the parents or masters of such children ; or by the inhabi- tants in general, by way of supply, as the major part of those that ordered the prudentials of the town shall ap- point ; provided those that send their children be not oppressed by paying much more than they can have them taught for in other towns. And it is further ordered, that where any town shall in- crease to the number of one hundred families, or house- holders, they shall set up a Grammar school, the master thereof being able to instruct youth so far as they may be fitted for the University : provided, that if any town neg- lect the performance hereof above one year, that every such town shall pay £6 to the next schopl, till they shall per- form this order." HISTORY OP SCHOOLS. 273 An act passed in 1714 provided, " That for building and repairing meeting-houses, minis- ters' houses, school-houses, and allowing a salary to a schoolmaster of each town within their province, the select- men in their respective towns shall raise money by an equal rate and assessment upon the inhabitants, in the same man- ner as in the present act directed for the maintenance of the minister ; and every town within this province shall, from and after the publication hereof, provide a schoolmaster for the supply of the town." An act passed 1719, provides, " That every town within this province having the number of fifty householders, or upwards, shall be constantly pro- vided of a schoolmaster to teach children and youth to read and write. And when any town or towns shall have the number of one hundred families or householders, there shall be a grammar school set up, and kept in every such town, and some disci'eet person, of good conversation, well in- structed in the tongues, shall be procured to be master thereof ; and every such schoolmaster to be suitably encour- aged, and paid by the inhabitants." The act empowers the selectmen to employ such masters, and raise money by way of rate to pay the same, and inflicts a penalty of twenty pounds for neglecting to settle such master six months. An act passed in 1721, provides, " That not only each town, but each parish of one hun- dred families, shall be constantly provided with a grammar school." A penalty of twenty pounds is inflicted upon the select- men for neglecting one month. An act passed January, 1779, recites in the preamble, that the penalties in the fore- going acts were originally set in paper bills-of-credit, and not in lawful money, and reducing the penalty to ten pounds- An act passed Dec, 1805, provided for dividing towns into districts, and empowered districts to raise money for building and repairing school-houses, . I^JJ- PHYSICIANS. 313 studied medicine with Dr. E. D. Murray ; M. D., Dartmouth 1824 ; commenced practice at Cliester, 1825 ; removed to' Great Palls, 1831 ; thence to Boston ; has been superinten- dent and resident physician of the Massachusetts State Hospital and member of the State Senate ; now resides in Maiden ; married Sarah, daughter of Hon. William M. Kichardson, 1826. Dr. Joseph Reynolds, son of Rev. F. Reynolds, born at Wilmington, Mass., Aug. 2,1800; studied medicine with Dr. James P. Chaplin of Cambridge ; M. D. at Boston, 1828 ; came to Chester, March, 1830 ; thence to Gloucester ; thence to Concord, Mass., 1852, where he still resides. Dr. William W. Brown, son of Ebenezer Brown and Mary Whittier ; born in Vermont, Aug. 28, 1804 ; fitted to the senior class of Union College, but was prevented by sickness ; studied medicine with Dr. John Poole at Brad- ford, Yt., and with Prof. Mussey ; M. D., Dartmouth ; Jan., 1831, commenced practice at Poplin, had an extensive practice in that and the neighboring towns ; removed to Chester, 1834,' and remained until 1845;- spent the winter of 1845 and '6 at the University and hospitals of New York ; then settled in Manchester ; was surgeon of the Seventh N. H. Yols. nearly three years. His son, William C, was hospital steward, and died soon after his return. His son, Charles L., was lieutenant in the Fourth N. H. Yols., died at Folly Island, S. C. Dr. Darius A. Dow, born at Sugar Hill, Plaistow, came to Chester about 1847 ; removed about 1850 ; married a daughter of Abel G. Quigg, and is said now to reside at Westford, Mass. Dr. Jacob P. Whittemore, son of Jacob Whittemorc and Rebecca Bradford, born at Antrim, May 10, 1810 ; studied medicine with Dr. Gregg of Hopkinton and Prof. Di.^i Crosby ; M. D., Dartmoutli, 1847 ; practiced at Hartford, Yt.,and Gilmanton; came to Chester, Dec, 1847; removed to Haverhill, Mass., 1864. His son, James H., M. D., Dart- mouth, 1861, is assistant physician at the McLean Asylum. Dr. James P. Brown, son of James Brown and Elizabeth 314 HISTORY OP CHESTER. "W. Langford, born oa the " Neck " in Chester, now Auburn, Sept. 6, 1838 ; studied medicine with Prof. Crosby ; M. D., Dartmouth, 1864"; settled in Chester, Oct., 1864, and is yet in active practice there. He married Abbie, daughter of Daniel Scribner and Ann Langford of Raymond. Dr. Geo. W. Manter, son of Francis Manter and Harriet Revall, born at Londonderry, Aug. 22, 1824 ;■ studied med- icine -with Dr. William H. Martin of Londonderry ; M. D. at Castleton (Vt.) Medical College, 1854; commenced prac- tice at Auburn, Feb., 1855 ; removed to Manchester, May, 1862, and is in practice there. Dr. Hanson C. Canney, son of Paul Canney and Eliza Han- son, born at Straiford, Nov. 17, 1841 ; studied medicine ■with John Wheeler, M. D., of Barnstead and Prof. A. B. Crosby ; M. D., Dartmouth, 1864 ; commenced practice in Auburn, 1865, and remains there. Dr. John Dearborn has resided in Chester several years, and is a botanic physician. The wife of Dea. Matthew Forsaith, the wife of Dr. Samuel Moore, and Mary Bradley, the wife of Caleb Hall, were noted in their day as midwives. These midwives bore the appellation of " Granny." The wife of Joseph Clark bore that appellation and probably officiated in that ca- pacity. Likewise Mary, the wife of Robert Gordon, and mother of David White's wife, who died about 1795 at a very advanced age. Capt. Ja'mes Shirley, who died 1796, was a seventh son and famous for curing king's evil or scrofula by the stroke of the hand. Henry West, born 1781, was also a seventh son, and people made long journeys to come to him and he made long journeys to visit patients. ATTORNEYS-AT-LAW. John Porter, son of Asa Porter and Mehitabel Crocker, was born at Haverhill ; graduated at Dartmouth in 1787 ; studied law ; was introduced into Chester by Toppan Web- ster, to do his collecting ; came April 1, 1790 ; i-emoved ECCLESIASTICAL — CONGREGATIONAL. 315 April 19, 1793, to Broome couaty, Canada East ; died there, time not known. Arthur Livermore came to Chester in 1793, and wfs ap- pointed a Justice of Superior Court December 21, 1799, which office he held until 1810 ; Chief Justice, from 1813 to 1816. He afterwards lived in Holderness, and died there. Daniel French immediately succeeded Judge Livermore ; died October 15, 1840. (See the Genealogy.) Amos Kent came to Chester in 1854; died June 8, 1824. (See the Genealogy.) Samuel D. Bell came to Chester in 1820 ; removed to Exeter in 1830. (See the Genealogy.) David Pillsbury immediately succeeded Samuel D. Bell, and removed to Concord in 1854. (See Graduates in Candia.) Henry F. French commenced practice in Chester in 1885, and practiced there till 1840. (See the Genealogy.) John Kelley, son of Simeon Kelley and Elizabeth Knight, born at Plaistow July 22, 1796, graduated at Amherst in 1825 ; studied law with Stephen Minot, of Haverhill, and E. Moore, of Boston, and was admitted to the Suffolk county bar ; practiced law three years ; taught at Atkinson six years, and at Adams Female Academy three years ; came to Chester in 1842, and removed, to Atkinson in 1844, and has been much engaged in surveying and civil engineering. CHAPTEE XIII. THE ECCLESIASTICAL, RELIGIOUS AND MORAL HISTORY. CONGREGATIONAL PARISH AND CHURCH. The proceedings of the town and parishes, in relation to building meeting-houses and settling and dismissing minis- ters, have already been given in the general history of the 316 HISTORY OF CHESTEE. town. The grantees and the early settlers were mostly of English descent, and were Congregationalists ; but Lt. Thomas Smith, John Smith, the Wilsons, and others who came early, were of Irish descent, and were Presbyterians. It is true that there was a prejudice of race, and each, of course, like all other sects in all countries, had a strong preference to their own doctrines and modes of worship.; but that the Irish were considered intruders, and that that degree of hostility prevailed that is represented in the " History of New Hampshire Churches," I see no evidence. Tliese Irishmen seem to have been just as freely elected to office — and that as soon as they came to town — as others. The L'ish being poor and few in number, joined in set- tling Mr. Hale, and, so far as appears, as promptly paid their taxes as others did. Of course, when their numbers increased, and Mr. Wilson came, they settled and had to pay him, to do which they no doubt had to practice great self-denial, and they did not wish to be taxed to pay another minister. A more noble document, as to its spirit, its language, and its penmanship, was never drawn, than the Presbyterian petition presented to the Governor, Coun- cil and Assembly, in 1737 (page 83). Then, in relation to the Congregationalists, they were the standing order, and, it is said, put Major Tolford and James Campbell to jail. They did no worse than my father did, by the warrant of the Presbyterian parish, as late as 1807, when he took a cow from Samuel Dnderhill and drove her off and sold her, to pay a minister tax. Mr. Underbill, being a Quaker, refused to pay. The cow brought three dollars more than to pay the tax, and I recollect distinctly " Aunt Sarah " came up Sunday morn- ing through the mud, and left the money, saying that the cow was hers, but the money was not, and she could not sleep with the cursed' stuff in the house ! Rev. Moses Hale was ordained October 20, 1731. He is said to have been a native of Boxford, and graduated at Harvard in 1722. Governor Wentworth's home lot lay on the road from the meeting-house to Shackford's Corner, ECCLESIASTICAL — CONGREGATIONAL. 317 which Mr. Hale bought May, 1730. By tlio charter, the first settled minister had a right through the town. The home lot was next to Governor Wentworth's, -^lich Mr. Hale had, and probably built a house where, or near where, the the Bell house now stands. The L part of that house was the Rev. Mr. Plagg's. Mr. Hale sold to Mr. Flagg, March, 1736. Mr. Hale's health was poor, and it was said that he was deranged, and after some negotiation, he was dismissed August 13, 1734. It does not appear that there was any difiBculty excepting Mr. Hale's inability. His wife appears on a deed as Abigail. He removed immediately to Haver- hill, and was there in 1756. The difficulties between the Cougregationalists and Pres- byterians have been given in the Proprietory History. The meeting that gave Mr. Flagg a call was holden June 23, 1736. The controversy about taxes, then commencing, would naturally produce some unpleasant feeling, and Mr. Wilson was of a retiring, cautious turn of mind. Mr. Flagg, on the other hand, was very social and genial, and was deter- mined to cultivate harmony and friendship with Mr. Wil- son. So one day he walked to Mr. Wilson's and rapped, and Mr. Wilson came to the door. Mr. Flagg introduced himself by saying that he was the minister who had recently come to Chester*; that there were no other ministers near, and that it became them to be on terms of friendship and intimacy. The only reply he received was an " Umph!" After talking a few minutes, he bade Mr. Wilson a good- bye, saying he would do himself the pleasure of calling again in a few days. He accordingly called again, but with a like result. The third time, after some hesitation, Mr. Wilson ventured to invite him in, and they ever after lived on terms of intimacy and friendship. Mr. Flagg was not what would be called at this day a revival preacher, but was suspected of leaning towards Ar- minianism, preaching good works, which was certainly good so far. He succeeded in keeping the parish united, 318 HISTORY OP CHESTER. and, so far as appears, united in liim during a ministry of nearly sixty years ; all who were not Presbyterians being taxed, and paying, except some who lived in Hooksett and others in Raymond sometimes having their rates abated. Nearly everybody at that day went to meeting riding on horseback, or in a sleigh in winter, the horses standing exposed to the weather, and the men, women and children, during tvi^o long services and intermission, sitting in a cold house without fire, excepting that the women might have a foot-stove. The usual preliminary to marriage was the publication of bans by the minister or town clerk ; but before the Eevo- lution a license was sometimes procured from the governor, for which it is said two crowns were paid. This mode was very convenient for the i^urpose of clandestine marriages, though not confined to such. Mr. Parker, in his History of Londonderry, p. 76, says : " The ministers of this town opposed the practice." Mr. Flagg approved of it, and of course all of those in the neighborhood wishing to be mar- ried under a license resorted to him, and they were there- fore called " Flagg marriages.'" The following is a copy of a license in the hand-writing of Gov. Wentworth : " Province of ) To Either of the Ordained Ministers New Hampshire, \ of the Gospel, of the Province Aforesaid: You are hearby Authorized and Impowered to Join to- gether in holy Matrimony, Mr. Robert MacMnrphy and Mrs. Jean Shirla, unless Some Lawful Impediment appears to you to the Contrary. Given at Portsmouth the Eleventh Day of February, 1747-8. B. 'WENTWOliTH." " Chester. These may Certify that Mr. Robert MacMurphy And Mrs. Jane Shirley were Lawfully Married This Tenth Day of March, 1747-8, pr Eben"- Flagg." It seems to have been a tolerably prolific marriage, for eight births are recorded on the back of the license ; also the death of the wife, Dec. 31, 1804, aged about eighty- four years. ECCLESIASTICAL — CONGKEGATIONAL. 31 9 Although most aged people when they see tlie degeneracy of the present age, look back to the good old times and say " It was not so when I was young," yet there 'vvere radical innovators even then, who disturbed the quiet of the con- servatives. There was then very little of the science of music known. The singing was mostly by rote, perhaps instinctive, like that of the birds. There were two metrical versions of the Psalms which were used in public and private worship. The English, called Tate and Brady's, containing also the Songs of Moses, Deborah, Solomon, some from Isaiah, Lamentations, &c., which was used by the Congregational- ists ; and the Scotch version, which was used by the Pres- byterians. The Scotch version is probably now used in Scotland, as an edition of the bible printed in Glasgow in 1858 contains it ; and Carleton, the correspondent of the " Boston Journal," tells that on the voyaige to England, after a religious service on board, a Scotch clergyman's conscience was not satisfied until he had sung one of those Psalms. The following are specimens : Sixth Psalm. {English version.) 1 . Lord, in thy wrath rebuke me not, Nor in tliy hot wrath chasten me, 2. Lord, pity me, for I am weak ; Lord heal me, for my bones vex'd be, 3. Also my soul is vexed sore ; How long, Lord, wilt thou me forsake ? 4. Return, Lord, my soul release ; O, save me for thy mercy's sake. 5. In death no mem'ry is of thee And who shall praise thee in the grave : 6. I faint with groans ; all night my bed Swims : I with tears my couch wash'd have, 7. Mine eye with grief is dim and old, Because of all mine enemies. 8. But now depart away from me. All ye that work iniquities. Because Jehovah now hath heard The voice of these my weeping tears ; 9. The Lord hath heard my humble suit, Jehovah will receive my pray'rs. 820 HISTORY OP CHESTER. 10. Let all mine enemies be ashamed And greatly troubled let them be : Yea, let them be returned back, And be ashamed suddenly. Sixth Psalm. [Scotch version.) 1 . Lord, in thy wrath rebuke me not, nor in thy hot rage chasten rae. 2. Lord, pity me, for I am weak ; heal me, for my bones vexed be. 3. My soul is also vexed sore ; but, Lord, how long stay wilt thou make ? 4. Return, Lord, my soul set free ; ■ O, save me for thy mercy's sake. 5. Because those that deceased are, of thee shall no remembrance have ; And who is he that will to thee give praises, lying in the grave ? 6. I with my groaning weary am, I also, all the night, my bed Have caused for to swim ; and I with tears my couch have watered. 7. Mine eye, consum'd with grief, grows old because of all mine enemies. 8. Hence from me wicked workers all, for God hath heard my weeping cries. 9. God hath my supplication heard, my pray'r received graciously. 10. Sham'd and sore vex'd be all my foes, shara'd and back turned suddenly. A Pakt of the Sixty-Fifth Psalm. (English version.) 1. Silence to thee ; thy praise, God, In Sion : paid shall be 2. The vt)w to thee, who hearest prayers, All flesh shall come to thee. 3. Works of iniquity prevail Against me sore do they ; But as for our transgres-si-ons. Thou shalt them purge away. ECCLESIASTICAL — CONGREGATIONAL. 321 4. O blessed is the man of whom Thou thy free choice dost make ; And that he may dwell in thy courts, Him near to thee dost take ; For with the good things of thy house Be satisfy'd shall we"; And with the holy things likewise That in thy temple be. 5. In righteousness thou by the things That dreadfully are done Wilt answer give to us, God, Of our sal-va-ti-on, On whom the ends of all the earth Do confidently stay ; And likewise they that are remov'd Far off upon the sea. 6. He, girt with might, doth by his strength Fix mountains ; he doth swage 7. The noise of seas, noise of their waves, Also the people's rage. ^ A Part of the Sixtt-Fifis Psalm. {Scotch version.) 1 . Praise waits for thee in Zion, Lord, to thee vows paid shall be. 2. thou that hearer art of pray'r,, all flesh shall come to thee. 3. Iniquities, I must confess, prevail against me do ; But as for our transgres-si-ons^ them purge away shalt thou.. 4. Blest is the man whom thou dbst choose,, and mak'st approach to thee. That he within thy courts, Lord, may still a dweller be ; We surely shall be satisfy'd witff thy abundant grace. And with the goodness of thy house, ev'n of thy holy place. 5. O God of oar salva-ti-on. Thou in thy righteousness. By fearful works unto our pray'rs thine answer dost express : 21 322 HISTORY OF CHESTER. Therefore the ends of all the earth, and those afiar that be Upon the sea, their confidence, Lord, will place in thee. 6. Who, being girt with pow'r, sets fast, by his great strength the hills. 7. Who noise of seas, noise of their waves, and people's tumult stills. 'Tire siBging was congregational. The minister read the Psalm, and repeated the first two lines, which the choris- ter took up and sang. A deacon in a pew directly in front of the pulpit then read a line, in which the whole congre- gation joined in singing ; then another line was read and sung, and so on, through the Psalm. As the reading was done by a deacon, it was sometimes called deaconing the Psalm. In the warning of a meeting of the Presbyterian parish, March 11, 1760, was an article " to see if the parish will raise any money for hiring a man to Pais the Salms in the meeting house." The practice of the minister's repeating the first two lines continued till quite a recent date — long after the occasion ceased. The same mode was practiced in family devotions. Colonel R. E. Patten, of Candia, tells me that his grandfather, Thomas Patten, continued the practice through his life, having but one tune, and that only the length of one line, and which suited all measures. I have iieard my mother tell of stopping, when passing in the ■evening, to hear John Craige and his housekeeper Ruth Porter and her son Samuel, who performed their devotions in the same way. However unscientific and unharmonious all this might appear to a scientific and practiced ear, it no doubt inspired as true and deep devotion as the great Music Hall organ will in a modern audience. It was also sometimes practiced at raisings to sing a Psalm after the frame was up ; and probably they some- times .sang with the spirit, if not with tlie understand- ing ; and I have heard of some very ludicrous parodies ECCLESIASTICAL — CONGREGATIONAL. 323 being made, -when a wag was called upon to " deacon the Psalm." The first meeting-houses were seated with long seats, which were common, each individual sitting where he chose or could get a seat. In March, 1762, the Presbyterians chose " Hugh Cromby, Cap. James Shirley, Robert Grayms, a Committee to Di- vide the seats in the old meeting house, or to act therein as they Shall see Propper." In the warning for March, 1764, the parish are notified to appear and hear the report of the committee. In a warning for a meeting of the Congregational parish for August 1, 1765, is an article " To see if the parish will vote to Chose a Committee to Seat the meeting house, to prevent Disorder in Said meeting house." Passed in the negative. This was to appropriate particular seats to indi- viduals or families. In Hampton records, 1650, is a record of the seating the meeting-house. There are seats assigned to Roger Shaw, William Marston, and others ; and the women's seats, Roger Shaw for a wife, Goodey Marston, Goodey Dalton, &c. In the same warning was an article " To see if the parish will vote that those persons that Come nighest the approved Rule of Singing may have the Previlidge of Being Seated to Gether in the Second Long Seat in the men's Galery, for the Benefit of helping Each other in said Rule ; and that they may be Seated to gather, to prevent Disorder they Desire to be Seated in said Seat, or Elsewhere, to Gather in Said meeting house." It was "Voted, that those parsons that Can Sing by Rule Shall Set to Gather in the meeting house in the front Short Seats in the men's Gallery." Here was an innovation. They had singing-schools, and had learned by rule, and of course had new tunes, and had a choir. How the conservatives bore it is not fully known. But I once heard Deacon Moses Richardson, who was one of the innovators, relate an anecdote upon the subject. Captain Amos Emerson was the chorister, and named the 324 HISTORY* OP CHESTER. tune to be sung loud enough to be heard all over the house, so that the- congregation knew what to sing. There was one tune which Jethro Colby would not hear, but when he heard it named would leave the house. On one occasion Captain Emerson agreed with the choir to name some other tune and then sing the bad one. So he gave out an agree- able tune in a loud, clear voice, and sung the disagreeable one, Mr. Colby, meanwhile, keeping his seat. Upon return- ing from meeting, Mr. Colby was inquired of why he did not leave, and replied that that tune was not sung; but was finally convinced by Captain Enuerson that it was. He was cured of leaving the house. About this time tlifi Anti-Pedo-Baptism began to creep in. In 1768 Moses Marshal and others asked to have the mesting-liouse doors opened to any Orthodox minister provi- dentially passing, which was negatived. In 1772 Gideon Eowel and Elijah Heath asked to have their rates abated, on account of professing to be Anti- Pedo-Baptist, which was negatived. At a parish meeting, October 12, 1770, it was "Voted to have Doct. Watts' Psalms and hymns sung in this con- gregation in the future." There seems to have been a compromise between the progressives and the conservatives about deaconing the Psalm ; for at a meeting May 6, 1789, there was a commit- tee chosen, consisting of Capt. Emerson, Capt. Towle, Lieut. John Dearborn, Maj. Dearborn and Stephen Morse, to consult with the singers and report. The result was, that in the forenoon the Psalm was to be sung witliout reading; twice in the afternoon to be read two lines at a time, and once sung without reading. Dea. John Webster and Dea. Joseph Dearborn were chosen to read the Psalm. " Voted, That the Singers Shall Lead the Singing, and other people Join with them as they think fit; and that the Singers shall appoint a man to pitch the tune among themselves." We may, perhaps, as well say what is to be said about singing here, as elsewhere. ECCLESIASTICAL — CONGREGATIONAL. 325 When "Watts' Psalms and Hymns were first introduced by the Presbyterians is not known, but could not have been so early as by the Congregationalists it is certain, for the Rev. Mr. Clark would not have tolerated it. In rela- tion to having a choir there had been some innovation and compromise, as we find, March 8, 1803, that the parish " Voted, That the Singing be carried on in the Singing Pew the whole of the day." About 1806 Samuel Graham carried his bass-viol into the meetiag-house thauksgiving day, but no sooner did he begin to sound it, than Dea. William Wilson took his hat and left in hot haste, and Moody Chase followed, who came into my grandfather's after meeting, being nearly ready to burst, and gave vent to the bile. I find an entry in a diary, Aug. 14, 1814 (which was Sunday), "Jesse J. Underbill carried a Bass Viol into the meeting house." Dea. Wilson moved to Henniker in 1809, and lived there until perhaps 1822 ; and meanwhile not only a bass-viol, but a clarionet was used, which he had to bear, enquiring " who blowed that whastle up there." At a meeting of the Congregational parish, March 23, 1808, " Voted, To give leave to the Singers to use a Bass viol in the meeting house, and Tenor one." Before musical instruments were introduced they had a home-made instrument, a kind of whistle, so constructed as to make it longer or shorter and thus give flatter or sharper sounds, which was used to " pitch the tune." There are now no church records to be found earlier than 1819. The Rev. Lauren Armsby, who was formerly pastor and wrote the history of the church in Chester for the " History of the New Hampshire Churches," says that there was a small book containing little of interest, and that the authority he used in the case of Mr. Bradstreet was mainly an account drawn up by Capt. John Emerson and the records of the Haverhill Association. As I have access to neitlier, I shall rely on him. 826 HISTORY OP CHESTER. Mr. Flagg became old and unable to perform the duties of his office. January, 1793, it was voted to hire the Rev. Mr. Bradstreet to supply the pulpit, and he was ordained Oct. 13, 1793. Mr. Bradstreet was apparently a young man of great promise, and the parish and church were as strong as any in the neighborhood, and the connection promised to be lasting and prosperous. But Mr. Brad- street's salary depreciated in value, and he, perhaps, might have been unduly avaricious, and was naturally rather lazy, and gradually grew remiss in his pastoral duties and shorter in his sermons, until he went through his exercises in less than half an hour, having no singing, — when it took about twenty minutes to ring and toll him there. When some one complained to him of the shortness of his sermons, he replied that he preached the worth of his money, and if they wished longer sermons they must pay more money. Of course an alienation grew up between him and the church and parishioners, though it is quite possible that the- blame was not all on one side. In 1814, about twenty of the parish removed their taxes to the Presbyterian parish, and many of them attended meeting there. In a commu- nication sent him in 1814, or early in 1815, approved by two-thirds of the male members of the church, they say : " They saw you initiated into the ministerial offices of the parish, and charged with the pastoral functions of the church in this place ; they saw you young, exemplary and assiduous to perform the duties of your charge. With this flattering example they had anticipated that numbers would have been added to their then large and flourishing church and congregation, and that you, Rev'd Sir, would have gone out and in before them ; would have solaced and supported the faint-hearted by your conversation and advice ; would have tempered and brought down the passions of the stub- born and high-minded ; and, in fine, that you would have proved an example for them in private and in pubhc, in person and in family." The letter goes on to state that their anticipations had been disappointed. The church had dwindled during Mr. Bradstreet's ministry from thirty male members to eleven. ECCLESIASTICAL — CONGREGATIONAL. 327 Mr. Bradstreet declined joiniMg in a mutual council, and an &x parte one was called, April 26, 1815. The council did not succeed in healing matters, and were recalled, with two additional churches, Oct. 11. They persuaded tlie parties to call a mutual council, which convened and sat eight days. The church had previously excommunicated Mr. Bradstreet, which the council condemned ; and they recommended that the church rescind their vote of excom- munication, and that both parties consent to a separation. Both parties wished to maintain their ground, and the dis- affected members carried the matter before the Association with which ]\[r. Bradstreet was connected. After a severe contest there, the disaffected majority, and Mr. Bradstreet and the adhering minority, backed down somewhat. Mr. Bradstreet asked a dismission, which was granted and con- firmed by a council, Oct. 7, 1817. Thus ended a very unpleasant and unchristian controversy. Rev. Leonard Jevvet, of HoUis, preached nearly a year and his health failed. In Dec, 1819, a call was extended to the Rev. Joei< R. Arnold, and he was ordained March 8, 1820. So much trouble had been experienced with Mr. Bradstreet, the parish made the condition in the contract that either party might end it by giving six months' notice. Mr. Arnold was a man of strong convictions and he expressed them strongly. Among other things, he saw the terrible evils of intemperance, and had his ideas quickened by a man dying in the road with a jug of rum by his side, sold by a member of his church, and preached against it, before the technical temperance movement came up, which gave offence to some. He was dismissed March 31, 1830. Feb. 28, 1828, the church resolved, " That it is the decided opinion of this church that it is inexpedient for professed Christians on any ordinary occa- sion to call for and drink spirituous liquors or wine at any store or tavern in this town." In August, 1830, a call was extended to the Rev. Jona- than Clement, which was accepted, and he was ordained Oct. 13. He graduated at Middlebury College in 1818. 328 HISTORY OP CHESTER. He was a teacher in the Phillips Academy at Andover ten years, and while there was one of the first signers of the pledge of the first temperance society formed on the prin- ciple of total abstinence from ardent spirits. He did not bring the subject into the pulpit until the opponents dared him to do it, saying that he had not done it, and dare not ; when he delivered, I think, three discourses, on three suc- cessive Sundays, which had a favorable effect not only on temperance, but on religion generally. June 13, 1832; the church " Voted to require from all those who shall here- after be received to their communion, a pledge to entire abstinence from the use of ardent spirits." There is a pledge of the same date having the names of thirty-three males and fifty-nine females appended to it. The period of Mr. Clement's ministry was the period of protracted meetings and of revivals. He was dismissed Sept. 10,1845. The Eev. Lauren Armsby began to preach Jan., 1846 ; was settled May 27. He graduated at Amherst in 1842. He was dismissed in 1856, and went West. He was a chap- lain in the army, and returned to New Hampshire, and is now, 1868, at Candia. Rev. H. 0. HowLAND was ordained Aug. 12, 1857. He was dismissed May 21, 1862, and removed to Pennsylvania. Rev. J. Logan Tomlinson was ordained Oct. 1, 1863. STATISTICS OP THE CONGREGATIONAL PARISH AND CHURCH. The earliest tax-list on the records is in 1801, when nearly everybody was taxed to either of the parishes, and there are two hundred and forty-three names, and a poll- tax is forty-seven cents. Capt. John Emerson paid the highest, five dollars and seventy-four cents ; Benjamin Hills the next, five dollars and twenty-six cents. Li 1810 two hundred and eight persons were taxed, and a poll-tax was sixty-seven cents. The largest, John Bell, ten dollars and sixty cents ; Stephen Chase the next, eight dollars and forty-one cents. In 1820 there were one hundred and eighty-seven persons ECCLESIASTICA"L — CONGREGATIONAL. 329 taxed, and a poll-tax was one dollar and eight cents. John Bell paid twenty dollars and seventy-nine cents ; Daniel French, sixteen dollars and ninety-four cents. In 1830 one hundred and ninety persons were taxed, and a poll-tax was eighty-four cents. Fifty-one of these paid an additional tax. In 1840 one hundred and ten persons were taxed, and a poll-tax was ninety-eight cents. In 1850 eighty-five persons were taxed, and a poll-tax was one dollar and twenty-five cents. In 1860 forty-seven persons are taxed to the amount of three hundred and seventy-three dollars and forty-two cents. The current expenses were six hundred and thirty- two dollars and fifty-four cents. The rest by subscription or unprovided for. What was called the " great revival " was in 1741, and in 1742 thirty-eight united with the church. Whole num- ber under Mr. Flagg, two hundred and forty-three to full communion, and two hundred and eighty-seven who owned the covenant. (N. H. Churches.) In December, 1819, the church drew up and signed a covenant, and there are the names of thirty males and fifty females appended to it. Rev. Joel R. Arnold, born at Westminster, Vt., 1794, was not a graduate. Admissions to the church during his ministry, one hundred and ten. Rev. Jonathan Clement, born at Danville, Vt., June 21, 1797, graduated at Middlebury, and studied at Andover Theological Seminary. Additions, two hundred and seven. He has been at Woodstock ; is now at Norwich, Vt. Rev. Lauren Armsby, born at Northbridge, Jan. 16, 1817, graduated at Amherst in 1842 ; studied at Union Theologi- cal Seminary one year, and at Andover two years. Addi- tions, sixty-one by profession, thirty by letter. Rev. Harrison 0. Howland, born at West Brookfield, Mass. June 25, 1813, graduated at Amherst in 1841, at Unioa Theological Seminary in 1844. Additions, twenty- six by profession, thirteen by letter. The charter of the two parishes has been given, page 330 HISTORY OF CHESTER. 92, and I had prepared a complete list of parish officers, but my work proves so voluminous that I reluctantly omit it. THE PRESBYTERIAN PARISH AND CHURCH. The prominent points of the history of the Presbyterian parish have been given in connection with the history of the town and Congregational parish, and little remains to be done more than to give a brief notice of some of the ministers, and touch upon some few points not before men- tioned. The Rev. John Wilson was ordained'- over the Presbyte- rian parish, and a church formed, in 1734, but by what ecclesiastical authority is not known, or of how many members the church was composed, as there are no records extant. Mr. Wilson continued his ministrations until his death, Feb. 1, 1779, and all that is known about his family is given in the genealogical part of this work; He was probably a very good, well-disposed man, and in all the controversies which arose about preaching at the Long Meadows, and dividing the parish, there is no evidence that any fault was found with him. I have heard my father say that his preaching was mostly expository ; tha,t he took some portion of scripture (in course, I think), and ex- plained and enforced it. He had either his discourses or skeletons of them, written, and often looked them over after entering tlie desk, but made no use of notes iu preaching. From the death of Mr. Wilson to the hiring the Rev. David Annan, in 1795, we have no record whatever, except raising money, and choosing committees to supply the desk, but have to rely exclusively upon tradition, and that is very meager, mostly what I have heard my father tell. The first of the stated supplies, I think, was a Rev. Mr. Clark, who, it is said, had been settled at White River, N. Y., and he supplied several years. He was probably some- what bigoted in his ideas, and eccentric in his manners, but a very sincere, good man, and faithful to his own con- ECCLESIASTICAL — PBESBYTERIAN. 331 victions. There are many anecdotes related of him, some of which I will relate. He was called upon to solemnize a marriage between James Calder and Molly Linn, and on the occasion they had tea, which he refused, saying he would have a bowl of barley broth. It might have been a patriotic motive which influenced him. He believed the old Scotch version of the Psalms to be the only proper matter to sing in religious worship, and held in great ab- horrence what he termed " "Watts' great bundle of psalms and imitatio'hs." « The singing was congregational, and he wished all to join. He said on one occasion, " Sing ! sing ! all o' yejand shame the devil ; for we read of the devil having a prayer, but never of his having a psalm ! " On one occasion lie took for his text the death of Joshua, and said that when they buried him, they buried a great deal of religion with him. Some country sleighs passing at the time, he added, " Yes ; and they are now carrying all the religion out of the land by sleigh-loads." The women of the present day cannot rightly claim the invention of all the foolish fashions. Their grandmothers and great-grandmothers had even the " waterfall," though in a little diiferent form. They let the foretop grow long, and combed it forward, and put a cushion called a " roll," on the head, and turned the hair back over it. Good Father Clark held this in utter abomination, it being a device of the great adversary. Sunday schools did not then exist, but the religious food for children was the Assembly's Catechism, which was the lesson for Sunday evening at home, and Saturday forenoon at school. It might be thought rather dry, if not strong food, for infant minds, though I do not at all regret that I was fed with it. Well, Parson Clark used to pay his parochial visits, and assemble the young people of the household, and chatechise them. On one occasion he made a visit to the family of Robert Wilson, Esq., who had some half-dozen daughters, and a brother-in-law by the name of Mitcliell having about 332 HISTORY OP CHESTER. as many more living in the same house. Now these girls were probably not much better nor much worse than the girls of the present day. They wished to be in the fashion, even if, in the opinion, of the minister, at the expense of serving the devil. Well, Father Clark had them seated around the room, and they, understanding that he was coming, had the rolls out of sight, and their hair combed smoothly down. Mr. Clark commenced by commending their modesty ; he had not in a long time seen such a mod- est compajiy of lasses ; they had none of those wicked rolls on their heads. Just at this instant Jonathan Wilson opened the door, and threw a lot of the rolls into Mr. Clark's lap, greatly to his horror, and to the chagrin of the modest lasses. What became of Mr. Clark is not known. The next minister that is known was the Rev. Tillotson Howe. Where he came fropa, or went to, is' not known. Anthony Somerby Stickney was quite active among the Presbyterians, and was collector of taxes, and one of the committee to hire preaching several years, though once there was a protest entered against it, because he was not a member o^ any church. Mr. Howe was hired, and boarded at Mr. Stickney's, and aftpr a while married Mr. Stickney's daughter. There was a man by the name of Hutchinson who preached awhile, and another by the name of Pickle, of whom nothing more is known. There was a Rev. James Davis, a 'revival preacher, who preached a few months, and caused a considerable religious excitement, and, it is was said, several conversions. The Rev. David Annan came from Scotland, and had preached awhile at Peterborough. He came to Chester and preached awhile, and Marcli 14, 1796, a written con- tract was entered into, eaigaging him for four years. He proved intemperate, and said and did many foolish, if not wicked things. He said he tried the experiment of pray- ing over one bed of onions and fiddUng over another, to see which would do best. The people became dissatisfied, and the Presbytery was about to discipline liim, and the ECCLESIASTICAL PRESBYTERIAK. 333 contract was dissolved October 7, 1799. It is said that he returned to Scotland, but some pf his sons remained in this country. The Rev. David McGregore, afterwards of Bedford, sup- plied the desk for some time. At a parish meeting, held May 30, 1803, a call was given to the Rev. Zaccheus Colby to settle. (He had been settled in Pembroke, and for his family connections, see the gene- alogy part of this work). In order to understand the history of the circumstances attending this call, it will be necessary to refer to the Presbyterian polity. The government of the church lay in a board of ruling elders, called the Session, who ad- mitted and disciplined the members, subject to an ajjpeal to the Presbytery. Members were required to bring for- ward all their children for baptism. These children stood in rather an anomalous position — partly, but not wholly, in the church. It was their duty, however, as soon as they came to years of discretion, to come into full communion with the church. In this way many became united with the church without any pretence of experimental religion, and seldom, if ever, came to the communion, or even to meeting. Then it was the custom for these baptized chil- dren, though never having joined in full communion, to bring their children forward for baptism. In some cases (perhaps with those in full communion, as well as those under the half-way covenant, as it was called), the child offered for baptism was born rather prematurely, reckoning from marriage ; in which case the parents, standing in the broad aisle, received a severe admonition, and made a very humble and penitent confession. I think that the same practice prevailed in the Congregational churches in respect to baptism, for I see that parents who never belonged to the church had their children baptized. A committee was chosen to wait on Mr. Colby and receive his answer, who reported with a communication from Mr. Colby which is here given in full : 334 HISTORY OF CHESTER. MR. COLBY S COMMUNICATION. Chester, June 11, 1803. To the Committee of the Presbyterian Society, — to be commu- nicated: — If different Ideas have been taken from my conversation on the Subject of Infant Baptism, it was doubtless owing to my neglect- ing to give my Ideas in positive terms relative to one part of the subject, which I thought proper to do at that stage of the business before us. Now it appears duty, and I feel happy to give you my sentiments in full and plain. I believe the children of believing Parents or Parent have right to Baptism, whether theirs by birth, or adoption. It ever has, and still does appear to me an error to admit Parents under the vows of the covenant to the Privilege of Baptism for their Children, when at the same time they tate themselves off from the communion of Saints at the Lord's Table. Though this lias been a custom with many, I do not find any thing in the Bible or in your Constitution to justify it in my view. If I should be active in the admission of any in this way, Avhile I verily believe it is wrong, to me it would be sin. God would hide his face from me and I should be troubled ; nor could you put confidence in a man who would sin against his own under- standing. Yet, as I believe this is among those things concerning which every one must be fully persuaded in their own mind, I feel no disposeduess to be offended with those Persons, Churches and Ministers who differ from me in Opinion. If, upon exchanges with neighboring Ministers, any of the People that I may have the charge of shall conscientiously think it their duty to offer their Children in Baptism, while they do not see it their duty to approach the Lord's Table, and the minister thinks it his duty to indulge them, I shall not attempt to hurt their minds or lord it over their consciences, but I must be excused from this practice, New additions upon this ground after my settlement in any place must" not expect Baptism for their Children by my own hand, until they be willingly moved by the love of Christ to come to his Table and whatsoever he commands. All this is plain in my view. 2*ly, You wish to know on what ground I consider, and in what light I view those Parents who have had Baptism for their Children, but have not come to the communion with Christ and his People at his Table, and what usage they may expect from me if I should become their Minister. Respecting this I observe, 1st, If I receive a church to my Pastoral care, I receive all her real proper members, for there must be no schism in the church. These Persons have been received by the church as real proper members ECCLESIASTICAL — PRESBYTERIAN. 335 of their Christian Body, and that upon their personal request, so are under their watch and care." It would not be right for nie to separate them from the Body to which they are joined by Holy Covenant. It would not be regular or Friendly for the Church to cut them off suddenly while they find no more error in them than they knew of at the time when they received them. Therefore their membership must be acknowledged. These Parents by profes- sion are on Gospel ground. They have professed the same Faitli in the Father, in the Son, in the Holy Ghost and in the Scriptures that every Christian does. They must not be drive]i from it, but they must live in it, and let their lives and conversation corres- pond with it. These Parents have made a solemn and everlasting Covenant before Angels' and men, with the Father, Son and Spirit, one God, to be his forever; promised to obey Christ as their King, from which they cannot go back with safety. They must not be driven back by any, but be encouraged by all to observe all Christ's sayings, and to do his Will in all things, that they perish not, nor be found wanting when weighed in the Bal- ance. Those deficiencies which were about them when they came into the Covenant, and 'have still been with them, must now be made up by stronger and more pure exercises of faith in, and love ■to Christ, whereby they will feel coastrained willingly to follow the Lamb wherever he calls them, and be willing to suffer almost anything rather than take themselves off, or be cut off from the communion of Saints at Christ's Table. "With those things in view, I think it will be my duty to Baptize the Children of these Parents until some other fault shall be found in them beside their omitting the Lord's Table, unless it shall appear plain to the Ses- sion, that their omission is from wicked inattention to the Scrip- tures, to their own Holy profession and Covenant, and from want of real love to Christ ; but not from pious Fear, i.e., an overbearing sense of the sacredness of the ordinance, and of their own vile- ness, which may be the case with some old Christians for a time. As these wish to have Baptism again for their Children before their approach to the Table, they must feel their Bonds to walk as circumspectly and live as religiously as though they had come to the Table for years. They must be sober and chaste in conversa- tion, temperate, just, kind, peaceable, attentive to the Scriptures, to all Religious Instruction which falls in their way, and prayer- ful in their Families and Closet. Then they may expect the same kind, gentle, loving and faithful usage from the Minister and Elders as old communicants receive, with whom they are equal subjects of discipline. "Wishing you divine direction and a Bles- sing on all your pious attempts to promote the cause of Christ among you and build up his church, I subscribe, your affectionate Friend, Zacheus Colbey. 336 HISTOEY OF CHESTER. I may perhaps as well here as elsewhere describe some of the customs of the Presbyterian church differing from others, or from present customs. I think they' held but two sacramental occasions at the Long Meadows (for I must rely mainly on my own recol- lections) yearly. These were great occasions. They held a fast on Thursday previous, which was kept with great strictness. I recollect that my grandmother would eat nothing before the going down of the sun. They would have two long sermons. In some places they would have sermons Friday and Saturday, though I think not usually at the Long Meadows, within my recollection ; although they might have had in earlier times. When Sunday came there was a general rush. In the first place there were the Presbyterians from the lower part of the town, who did not usually attend meeting here on account of the dis- tance, — James Wason, William Bell, Col. White, the Shir- leys, Forsaith, Tolford, etc., caipe up ; then many from Londonderry and other places who were communicants ; then a great many young people from this and the neigh- boring towns, moved by much the same impulse which carries multitudes to a Methodist camp-meeting at the present day. They had a plan for preventing any goat from mingling with the sheep, which was practiced some time within my recollection. Each church had a quantity of small pieces of metal stamped with the initials of the church, called tokens, which were distributed by the elders to the communicants. These were a kind of tickets of admission. The first part of the service was called " fenc- ing the Lord's table." I most vividly remember " Father Morrison " (who used to come over when they were destitute of an ordained minis- ter) with his broad Scotch brogue, with his spectacles, when not reading, up on his forehead. He would proceed to enujnerate the qualifications and disqualifications of wor- thily partaking of the ordinance, and invite those qualified and debar those not qualified. They had a long, narrow table, extending from near the pulpit 'to near the front ECCLESIASTICAL — PRESBYTERIAN. 337 door, covered with neat and white linen table-cloths, on which were placed the flagons of wine, and flat, thin cakes of unleavened bread on pewter platters covered also with neat white cloths for the purpose. The elements were both consecrated with one service. The communicants were invited to come forward and fill the table (seats on either side being provided) which was done first by the elderly communicants, the choir meanwhile singing a stanza or two. A favorite hymn for the occasion was the 13th of B. Ill; of Watts : " How sweet and awful is the place With Christ within the doors," and as the services proceeded, vacating and filling the seats, " "Why was I made to hear thy Toice, And enter while there's room 1 " and — " Pity the nations, our God, Constrain the earth to come." While the elements were being passed along the table by the elders, Father Morrison continued talking, making a most earnest and affectionate exhortation. The table was vacated and filled, the choir meanwhile singing, and it generally took three tables to serve the communicants, dur- ing which the same services were repeated. Mr. Morrison would make an exhortation to faithfulness to the commu- nicants, and a very affectionate appeal to the unrepentant. The whole was a very solemn and impressive service, and would last until nearly sunset. The whole was closed by a meeting and thanksgiving sermon on Monday. Dec. 31, 1822, the Session voted, " That the members of the church all partake at one time, the elderly members at the table as usual, and the remainder in the front body pews, or the adjoining pews." It may be proper here to say that there are no Session records extant previous to 1804, those kept previous to that time supposed to have been carried to Henniker by Dea. 22 338 HISTORY OF CHESTER. Wilson when he moved there about 1809, which is greatly to be regretted, as they would have been at least quite a curiosity. The records which we have contain very little of general interest, being merely a routine of business, ad- missions of members, and a few cases of discipline. Mr. Colby was reinstalled Oct. 13, 1803. Some time in the summer of 1808, while reading the hymn after sermon, he had a paralytic shock, so that he could not finish, and which disabled him. In January, 1809, he made a com- munication to the parish, saying that if he did not recover before March meeting he should resign, and that he would preach one sermon a day, if able, at his own house, which I think he did sometimes, although unable to stand. They had only temporary supplies, partly from the sem- inary at Andover, until Nov., 1812, when the Eev. William Harlow was hired, who supplied until 1815. Where he came from is unknown. He was apparently a sincere man, but of moderate abilities. He went to Plymouth county, Mass. They then employed a Mr. Wheeler, Philip Colby, and a Mr. White, as candidates, but neither of them suffi- ciently united the people to justify his settlement. In the fall of 1816, the Rev. Clement Parker, then of Cabot, Vt., or vicinity, was procured, and was ordained Peb. 19, 1817. The first Sunday schools at the Long Meadows were in 1819. They were held at the several school-houses after the meeting. The exercises were reading and recitation of passages of scripture and hymns. Earlier than this, perhaps as early as 1810, the children were required to commit to memory and meet statedly on a week day and recite passages to support points of theology. Emerson's Evangelical Primer, and a question book by Rev. Harvey Wilbur, afterwards famous as a lecturer on astronomy, were used as text-books. Rev. Mr. Parker was dismissed Oct., 1825, and Rev. Abel Manning supplied until 1831, when the Rev. Benjamin Sargent was hired, and installed April 19, 1838. The subject of abolition on Mr. Garrison's principle was first introduced at the monthly concert Jan., 1834, as one ECCLESIASTICAL — PRESBYTERIAN. 339 of the proper objects of prayer, which caused a great deal of excitement, as being very impropisr for the occasion. Mr. Sargent, liowever, expressed his gratification that it ■was introduced, said that he had some time felt an interest in the subject, but had not deemed it prudent to introduce it. Mr. Sargent was a man of very sensitive feelings, and he entered very warmly into the abolition movement, which was as warmly opposed in the parish, and in the Confer- ence and Presbytery with which he was connected. It was supposed that upon that subject he was a monomaniac, and that he embraced some very erroneous ideas, but whether any more erroneous than that slavery is a divine institution may be a question. The Temperance and Abolition movements excited a good deal of interest. The documents are very lengthy, and I will give sufficient abstracts to give a clear idea of their purport. In April, 1835, a preamble and resolutions were unanimously adopted by the Session, and the following pledge : " We hereby promise totally to abstain from the use of ardent spirits as a drink." " Voted unanimously that all the present members of the church be respectfully invited to sign the foregoing pledge ; and all new members be required to sign it before admission." There are seventy-six names appended to the pledge. Jan. 25, 1840, a vote was passed unanimously to strike out the word " required," and insert the words " respectfully invited." The Session at the same time passed a vote re- iterating their former convictions on the subject, and dis- claiming any power to exonerate any one, but yielded to what appeared to be the honest convictions of some people. In order for the general reader to understand what is to follow, it seems necessary to explain some points about the Presbyterian church. In 1794 the General Assembly gave their views of slave- holders as being " sinners of the first rank, and guilty of the highest kind of theft." In 1818, the Assembly gave their views of slaveholding, " that it was a violation of the moat 340 HISTORY OP CHESTER. sacred and precious rights of human nature ; utterly incon- sistent with the law of God, and irreconcilable with the gospel of Christ." Although all avowedly took the Bible for their guide and the Westminster Confession of Faith as an exposition of it, there was nothing like uniformity of belief in matters of speculative theology. Perhaps the most important point of difference, and the source of the others, was, the Old School held that Adam's sin was imputed to all his pos- terity , and therefore infants were actual sinners ; tlae New School held something different. It so happened that those portions of the church most tinctured with New School theory were somewhat tinctured with anti-slavery, and other reforms. The Old School element had the ascendency in 1837. The Assembly, in organizing, excluded the com- missioners from three synods in the Western Reserve, who were most contaminated by New School theory and anti- slavery, with the pretext that they came in under an un- constitutional plan of union, passed in 1801. In their circular letter they say: " One of the most formidable evils of the present crisis is the wide-spread and ever restless spirit of radicalism, manifest in both church and state. ... It has in succession driven to extreme fanaticism the great cause of revivals of religion, temper- ance, and the rights of man." There does not appear to have been any action this year on the subject of slavery. In 1838, 1 think, though I have not the minutes at hand? the New School had the ascendency, and the Old School portion seceded, sued for their portion of the funds, and finally recovered. During all these contentions about spec- ulative theology, slavery and slaveholders went entirely unrebuked, but the " Princetown Review," as well as the religious press, were publishing long and labored articles, proving from the Bible that slavery was right. The Londonderry Presbytery were in much the same condition as the Assembly. Part were Old School, and part were New; part were anti-slavery, and part pro-slavery. The first decision of the lawsuit was in favor of the New ECCLESIASTICAL — PRESBYTERIAN. 341 School, and their delegate, the Rev. E. L. Parker, was on his own motion instructed to go into the Assembly which had the decision of the civil court, but before he arrived there, a full bench had reversed the former decision, and he was forced to go into the Old School Assembly, and the connection has remained. At a meeting of the Session, held January 25, 1840, the following resolution was brought forward and adopted Resolved, that the following petition be presented by the Session to the Presbytery, at its next meeting, to be holden at Londonderry on the last Wednesday of April next. The Session of the Presbyterian Church in Chester to the Lon- donderry Presbytery : Dear Brethren, — ^^Ye would affectionately and respectfully re- quest you to pass a resolution withdrawing all ecclesiastical con- nection with both bodies claiming to be the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the United States, and to send copies of said resolution to both bodies claiming to be the General Assembly. The Session would assign the following reasons for passing such resolution and seceding from the bodies. 1st. The Session can see no possible good resulting from said connection. 2d. The sending up Commissioners involves an expense in time and money, which might be otherwise appropriated in the benev- olent operations of the day to produce great good, while it now produces very little, if any. 3d. "We cannot conscientiously be associated with the Old School Assembly, because it nourishes the awful sin of slavery in its bosom, enslaving their own brethren, reducing them to chattels, buying and selling them, and depriving them of the word of God ; and also because said Assembly has exercised the most arbitrary and unchristian authority, endeavoring to lord it over God's heri- tao-6 in cutting off three Synods, and passing such resolutions, if carried into operation, would cut off many of our ministers and some of our churches. We cannot conscientiously be associated with the New School Assembly, because they also tolerate slavery, and also because if said Assembly does tolerate such heresies as is said by some that they do, we cannot give them countenance. 342 HISTORY OF CHESTER. We cannot fellowship either Assembly, because they indulge in unwarrantable, unchristian and disgraceful strife, — brother going to law with brother, — aud that before unbelievers. 4th. Because secession would tend to restore and keep peace in your own body. Difference of opinion existing among the mem- bers of the Presbytery, which Assembly the Presbytery should he connected with, occasions discussions and perplexities which wastes the time of your Sessions, which would all be removed by such a secession as we ask. This could not be granted, if not for any other reason, be- cause if Londonderry did not belong to the legal Presby- terian church, Major Pinkerton's heirs would reclaim their fund. At a meeting of the Session, February 14th, 1840, the following resolutions were unanimously adopted : Resolved, That for a man to claim property in man, upon which is founded the system of American slavery, is at all times and under all circumstances a gross usurpation of power, a heinous sin against God, and should be imme- diately repented of and forsaken. Resolved, That we will not invite any professed min- ister of the gospel to officiate as such in God's house, nor any professed Christian to commune with us at the Lord's table, whom we know to be guilty of this sin, "but will rather admonish all such of their sin and exhort them to repent- ance. Resolved, That we consider all who apologize for slave- holding, or in any way palliate its sinfulness, and thereby soothe the conscience of the slaveholder, and do not as far as in them lies warn the oppressor of his guilt and danger, to be guilty in the sight of God. Resolved, That we believe it to be agreeable to the spirit of the gospel voluntarily to associate so as unitedly to act against any moral evil, and we believe tliat the American Anti-Slavery Society is an association whose ob- ject is the entire abolition of slavery, and that we cordially approve of its measures. Resolved, That the clerk be directed to cause these resolutions to be published in the Herald of Freedom, and Christian Panoply, and transmit a copy to the Presbytery at its next meeting. A very long document dated June 9th, 1841, was pre- sented to the Session, of which' on account of its length an ECCLESIASTICAL — PRESBYTERIAN. 343 abstract only is inserted. Christian kindness and fraternal affection are expressed. The former expressions of the General Assembly and their present position and practice are recited ; and that the church in Chester, being an in- tegral part, was implicated, and that a further connection -would be to " consent with thieves, and to be partakers with adulterers." They say that church organizations and creeds are of mere human origin, and tend to divide the world into parties to war with each other ; and they pro- fess to fall back on Christ as their ruler and the gospel as their guide, and profess a willingness to suffer any obloquy or other result that might follow. They conclude by ask- ing to be dismissed from the church but not recommended to any other. The paper contained the following names : Amos Chase, Nathan Plummer, Mehitabel Plummer, Mary C. Plummer, Judith C. Plummer, Alonzo R. Dinsmoor, Louisa R. Dins- moor, Ruth Chase, Mary Gilbert, William Coult, Laura Coult, Catharine M. Porter, Grace McKinley, Ezekiel Pox Sarah Fox, James Ray, Lucy Ray, Ann C. Ray, Lucy S. Sargent. (Laura Coult afterwards erased her name.) The subject was taken up in Session, Aug. 12, 1841, and answered in a kind and fraternal manner. That the Ses- sion considered it altogether inconsistent with the princi- ples of the gospel and the rules of other churches to com- ply, unless it be with a view of joining some other church or forming a new one. Subsequently Benjamin Chase made a communication, which is not on the record, much the same, with the addition of his expressing his conviction that the New Testament taught the doctrine of non-resistance to the extent of not going to law, and instead of asking a dismission dismissed himself. At a meeting of the Session, December 17, 1842, " Voted unanimously, That all such members of this Church as are desirous of uniting to form a new Church in this place, under the name of ' The Second Congregational Church in Chester ' have liberty to do so ; and when they 344 HISTORY OP CHESTER. have so united in forming such a new church, or shall have united with such church, then their connection with this church shall cease." October 10, 1840, the parish voted to dissolve the con- nection between them and the Rev. Benjamin Sargent. In April, 1841, the Presbytery dissolved the pastoral re- lation, and at Mr. Sargent's request dissolved his connec- tion with that body. They express great concern for the future happiness of Mr. Sargent and in the welfare of the parish and church. In September, 1841, Rev. Samuel Ordwat was hired as stated supply and continued until Jan., 1843, when he or. ganized the Second Congregational church in Chester, and the Presbyterian church ceased to have an active existence. STATISTICS OP THE PRESBYTERIAN PARISH AND CHURCH. Tlie tax-lists and accounts commence at the same time of the Session records in 1804. • At that time nearly or quite everybody paid a tax to one of the parishes. A few of the Long Meadows paid to the Congregational parish. In 1804 there were one himdred and thirty-four persons taxed, of whom William Bell, George Bell, Lt. Jacob El- liott, Lt. Robert Forsaith, Andrew Jack, Wid. Mary Jack, William Mills, Heirs of David Mills, estate of Henry Moore, Robert Mills, Mary Moor, Capt. Simon Merril, William Shirley, Peter Shirley, Hugh Tolford, James Wason, James Wason 3d, Col. William White, Lt. William Wilson, Samuel Wilson, Edward Wilson, Mer- ibah and Susannah Wadwell and Robert Jack belonged to the lower part of the town. The highest tax was of Dea. E. H. Kelley, $8.71, the next of Lt. Elliott, $7.76. A single poll paid 73 cents. In 1820 one hundred and seventeen were taxed, of whom nine belonged at the lower part of the town. A poll tax was 11.09. In 1830 sixty-one were taxed, and a poll tax was 11.30. The last tax made was in 1841 when thirty-one were taxed and paid 1160.22, and the residue, about one hundred dollars, raised by subscription. ECCLESIASTICAL — SECOND CONGREGATIONAL. 345 There is a list of church members in 1802 containing ninety-five names. Hugh Tolford and wife, William Bell and wife, William White and wife, William Mills and wife, Hugh Shirley, Benjamin Melvin, Margaret Moore, and Jean McClellan, belonged to the lower part of the town, and Thomas Anderson, Sen., William Anderson and wife, the wife of Thomas Patten, and Jean, the wife of Joshua Moore of Candia. There is another list made October 27, 1827, containing the names of seventy residents and five who had removed from town. Col. William White and wife were all who remained of the old Presbyterians at the lower end of the town. The only means which we have of knowing who the B,ul- ing Elders were, is the titles prefixed to their names when they were elected to some office, which does not date their office. William White, Sen., is styled Deacon in 1732 ; Matthew Forsaith in 1749 ; William Leatch in 1752 ; Matthew Forsaith in 1766 ; Adam Wilson in 1777 ; William Tolford in 1780 ; John Graham, William Wilson and Jo- seph Blanchard were chosen in 1794 -and ordained by Mr. Annan ; David Currier and Ezekiel H. Kelley were chosen in 1800 ; B. Pike Chase and James Wason, Jr., were chosen in 1819 ; Dr. Nathan Plummer, Jr., and Samuel Dinsmoor were chosen in 1824, and John Folsom, Benjamin Chase and Amos Chase were chosen in 1833. I had prepared a complete list of the officers of the Pres- byterian parish, but my work is so voluminous that I omit it. THE SECOND CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH AND SOCIETY IN CHESTER. For some reason it was deemed expedient to dissolve the Presbyterian parish and church, and organize a Congrega- tional one. Accordingly, agreeably to an act passed July 3, 1827, " The Second Congregational Society in Chester " was organized June 11, 1842, and a code of by-laws adopted, 346 HISTORY OF MILLS. one article of which was that all moneys should be raised by voluntary subscription. The condition of membership was signing the by-laws and paying one dollar annually. On the first day of January, 1843, sixteen members of the Presbyterian church adopted articles of faith and a cove- nant, and were organized into a church by the Rev. Samuel Ordway, and assumed the name of The Second Congrega- tional Church in Chester. After the town of Auburn was incorporated, in 1845, the name of the society and church was altered to the First in Auburn. There is a list of mem- bers of the church up to May 3, 1857, containing eighty- CONOKEGATIONAI, ChUECH IN AUBUEN. ECCLESIASTICAL — BAPTIST. 347 six names. Eey. Samuel Ordway, who had been stated supply to the Presbyterian parish, continued to labor till the summer of 1846, when the Rev. James Holmes, a na- tive of Londonderry, a graduate of Dartmouth in 1838, commenced his labors and was installed pastor Dec. 5, 1849, and yet sustains that relation, but has asked a dis- mission. The Presbyterian parish deeded the society their prop- erty, consisting of the meeting-house and lot, and the parsonage. The parsonage was sold for six hundred dol- lars, and widow Elizabeth Bebee made the society residuary legatee, from which they received five hundred and forty- five dollars and twenty-nine cents. A new house of worship, with a vestry in the basement, was erected in l847, and dedicated in Feb., 1848, costing about twenty-six hundred dollars. Miles Burnham gave the land, and David Hall, of Roxbury, Mass., gave a bell. The old Presbyterian house was sold and taken down. HISTOEY OF the BAPTIST CHURCH. Although there were individuals who were Baptists in Chester, and might have been occasional preaching, there was no organized church until 1819, when a church was organized by the Rev. William Taylor, of Concord, consist- ing of sixteen members, of whom Capt. Pearson Richard- son, Walter Morse, Jacob Green, and Timothy Smith of Sandown, were prominent. Col. Stephen Clay and Josiali Chase united afterwards, and were active members. Walter Morse and Josiah Chase were the deacons. They wor- shiped in Capt. Richardson's hall until 1823, when a meet- ing-house was built on the west side of the Haverhill road, on home lot No. 13, which cost about two thousand two hun- dred dollars. They had for preachers, besides Mr. Taylor, Rev. Josiah Davis of Methuen, and the Rev. Duncan Dunbar, a Scotch- man, afterwards of New York city. Gibbon Williams was installed ; Geo. Kallock and John Upton were ordained 348 HISTORY OF CHESTER. pastors. A difficulty arose about a preacher, a part of the, society believing him to be corrupt and a part adhering to him, which for a time disorganized the church and society, and they had no preaching, and their early records were lost, and the meeting-house went to decay. At a meeting of the Portsmoiith Association, held at Newton, 1845, a committee, consisting of brethren Ayers of Dover, Gilbert of Northwood, Wheeler of Plaistow, and Swain of Brentwood, were appointed to visit the church in Chester and attempt to settle their difficulties. The committee met the church Jan. 13, 1846, and recom- mended to disband the existing church and organize a new one, which was accordingly done, and a church of fifteen members was formed, and William Bell chosen deacon and clerk. There are the names of sixty-three members on the records, and James D. Bell and Silas F. Leonard are the present deacons. The society had failed to hold their annual meeting, and April 9, 1859, a meeting of the cor- poration was held by a warrant of a justice of the peace. At subsequent meetings in 1860, a constitution and by- laws were adopted, to which twenty-two names are ap- pended. It was also voted to sell the old house and land, which was done ; the house for one hundred and ninety- seven dollars, and the land for twenty-six dollars. A small piece of land was purchased of Alfred S. Dearborn, near the town-house, and where Wilkes West's shop stood, for one hundred and seventy-five dollars, and a contract was made with Hiram S. Pollard to build a house for twelve hundred dollars, which was dedicated August 29, 1861. Preaching has since been had by various individuals, as stated supplies most of the time, paid for by voluntary subscription. METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. Methodism did not probably make much progress in Chester before 1800. In 1802 the Congregational parish voted to give in Levi Hoit's tax, and not tax him in future, provided he should pay for the support of the ministry in Poplin. ECCLESIASTICAL — METHODIST. 849 In March, 1805, William "Wilson, 4th, John Locke, and Widow Mary Moore, presented certificates that they belonged to the Methodist society in Poplin, signed by David Batch- elder, deacon. About 1807, John Clark came to Chester from Sandown. He purchased the farm of Deacon Adam and William Wil- son. He was a Methodist, and he procured the Rev. George Pickebing, a gentleman of Southern birth, — a man of education, tall, and of gentlemanly appearance, — who preached in Mr. Clark's house the first Methodist sermon preached at Long Meadows, probably about 1809. Mr. Pickering afterwards preached in the Long Meadow meet- ing-house. Mr. Clark named his oldest son for him. Mr. Clark being a man of energy and means, occasion- ally procured other preachers, among whom were Rev. John Broadhbad (who was once a member of Congress), Cass, Newhall, and others, who preached in Mr. Clark's house, the Kent liouse and barn, the Herrick house, and school-house, which then stood near the pond shore. When a new school-house was built, in 1827, at the s'te of the present one, near the bridge across the Blanchard mill-pond, the question arose whether that should be used by the Methodists. The Rev. Mr. Manning was then preaching to the Presbyterians, and had a strong antipathy to the Methodists, and said that if they were permitted to preach in it, he never would. The district, however, voted that it should be open for religious and moral meetings, and Mr. Manning was as good as his word, and refused to preach in it. There was a class formed early, and quarterly meetings held. In September, 1826, there is an entry in a diary, " Quarterly meeting at the Kent place." The old school- house would not be sufficiently capacious for such an|occa- sion, as people came from Hooksett, Candia and Chester to those meetings. In 1836 a meeting-house was built. A subscription was started, and fifteen hundred and seventy-five dollars sub- scribed, including four hundred by Mr. Clark. Mr. Clark ^ijilLEfe^i^-^^-J ECCLESIASTICAL — METHODIST. ' 351 took a contract to furnish a site and build a house for two thousand dollars, and whatever it cost more than others paid, he gave. December 4th, 1836, B. B. Hall was clapboarding the extreme top of the eastern gable, standing on a saw-horse which tipped over and precipitated him to the ground, by which he was badly injured, but survived. The house was dedicated July 20, 1827. Kev. Mr. Fales was stationed here in 1838, and after- wards Messrs. Quimbt, Steaens and Smith, and protracted meetings mere held, and accessions made. But a difficulty arose between some of the members, and they became dis- organized, and for a season meetings were not held, and the old records are lost. Since 1843 the desk has been mostly supplied by stu- dents from the Biblical Institute at Concord. In 1858 and 1859 the Rev. Joseph Scott, who had completed his studies, supplied, and was a man of talent, radical in his ideas, inflexible and persevering in his purpose, taking a high stand on the temperance and anti-slavery movements, and was active in getting up and sustaining the Band of Hope. He joined the New England Conference. There were twenty-seven church-members in 1859. In 1861 there were eighty-four scholars in the Sabbath school. In 1865 there were forty-one names on the list of members. The succeeding ministers have been, Messrs. Marsh, 1860 ; Spencer, 1861 ; DeForrest, 1862 ; H. B. Copp, from the Conference, 1863 ; R. J. Donalson, 1864 ; A. Folsom, from the Conference, 1866. THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH IN CHESTER. There was a church organized in 1851, by Rev. Elisha Adams, the Presiding Elder for Dover District, and Rev. Jambs M. Young, a member of the New Hampshire Con- ference, supplying. The same summer a church edifice was erected near the south line of No. 36, 2d P., 2d D., on the road from Chester to Candia. It was built under the 352 HISTOKT OP CHESTER. direction of Joseph Smith, Amos Southwick, Samuel M. Edwards, John Maynard, Isaac L. Seavey and Simon Haselton, and dedicated in October. It cost about one thousand dollars. The following are the names of the preachers who have ministered to the church and society : James M. Young, two and one half years ; Charles U. Dunning, two years ; George M. Hamlin, of the Biblical Institute, one year ; Jesse Brown, two years ; Henry Nut- ter, of the New Hampshire Conference, one year ; C. Henry Newell, of the Biblical Institute, two years ; Edwin S. Chase, one year ; Charles W. Harkins, one year ; Joseph T. Hand, one year ; John Keogan, one year ; True Whit- tier, one year ; Ezekiel Stickney, local preacher, one year ; Abraham Folsom, of the New Hampshire Conference. The average membership since 18.54, lias been about sixty. THE TEMPERANCE MOVEMENT. Drunkenness, or intoxication from the use of intoxicat- ing liquors, has prevailed since the days of Noah, and has been condemned by all good men. Prom the earliest time in the history of New England there has been legislation to regulate the sale of liquors to prevent drunkenness. By an act of the General Assembly of New Hampshire, passed 6th of George II., all taverners, innholders and retailers are required to procure a license. Taverners and innholders were required to pay an excise of eight peuce per gallon on all wine, rum, and other spirits, and retailers to pay six pence per gallon. By an act 4th of George II., nobody was allowed to sit tippling more than two hours, nor after ten o'clock at night ; and no taverner was allowed to trUst more than five shillings, or retailer more than twenty shillings. By an act passed in 1715, no apprentice or negro was allowed to have any kind of drink without special allow- ance of his master ; nor any other person after ten o'clock at night, nor to sit more than two hours, nor to drink to TEMPERANCE. 353 drunkenness, or other than strangers to remain in any tavern on the Lord's day. Tything-men were to be chosen to " inspect licensed houses, and inform against offenders, and had power to bring them before the next Justice of the Peace, without making information," and all persons were required to assist them. The number of taverns or ale- houses in the several towns was limited to, Portsmouth, six ; Hampton, three ; Dover, three ; Exeter, two ; New Castle, two ; Kingston, one, and Newington, one. By an actT passed February, 1/58, it is provided that no- body should be licensed in Londonderry without, being recommended by the selectmen, and not more than three taverners and three retailers. In 1761 the selectmen of Londonderry petitioned the General Assembly, represent- ing that they had not so many taverners and retailers as the public good required ; and an act was passed that the Ses- sion might license so many proper persons, well qualified, as will be for the advantage of the public, and no more. A stringent license-law was passed in 1791. At a meeting of the Haverhill Association, held at the house of Rev. Nathan Bradstreet, in Chester, on the second Tuesday of June (the 10th), 1812, action was taken with a view to discountenance the improper use of ardent spirits ; and it was voted " that no brother shall be deemed wanting in generosity or hospitality if he neglects to provide ardent spirits for his brethren, when they 'meet at his house." Rev. Messrs. Smith and Church were also appointed a committee to confer with the Londonderry Presbytery on the subject, and to obtain their cooperation with them in measures calculated to prevent the intemper- ate use of ardent spirits. The following preamble and rules of conduct were unan- imously adopted at the same time and place. The Haverhill Association being deeply impressed with the numerous evils which grow out of the excessive use of spirituous liquors, and feeling themselves to be under sacred obligations to be patterns of sobriety, and to avoid every appearance of evil, do agree to adopt the following general rules of conduct : 354 HISTORY OF CHESTER. 1. This association agree that they will consider the exhibition of spiritous liquors in their meetings as no part of brotherly entertainment ; and they agree in common cases of health to wholly refrain in their use. 2. The members of this Association, being acquainted with each other's determination, do decide that a brother of this body shall not be deemed deficient in the rites of hospitality, who omits in ordinary cases to set spiritous liquors before us in our common intercourse, but shall be considered as acting a decorous, brotherly and Christian part. 3. This Association do agree that they will, in their parochial visits, in their social interviews and circles, in their attendance on funeral and marriage solemnities, do all they deem consistent with Christian prudence to dis- countenance and suppress the common use of ardent spirits. 4. This Association, feeling a deep and tender concern for the temporal and eternal welfare of the people under their parochial care, beg leave to solicit their particular at- tention to this important subject. They unitedly and earn- estly recommend, that they would refrain from the use of ardent spirits in their friendly social intercourse ; and in particular on funeral occasions, when God is calling us to solemn thoughtfulness, that everything might be avoided which tends to weaken the impression and render us less mindful of our latter end. [Congregational Quarterly, April, 1864, p. 171.] There was a Moral Eeform Society formed in Chester, December 29, 1814, for the purpose of restraining profan- ity. Sabbath-breaking and intemperance. The members were pledged not to drink too much. These movements were good in themselves ; they were setting the face Zion-ward, but being merely local and on a low standard they did not get the community far that way, I do not know what the Haverhill Association, or any other, did at their private meetings, but I think that long after this it was a custom, if not an indispensable one, to have ar- dent spirits at ecclesiastical councils and ordinations, and I know that it was at funerals and at weddings. It is pertinent as a matter of history to describe the drink- ing usages of the times, and I will not go back of my own recollection. Chester was a farming town, and a large ma- TEMPERANCE. 355 jority of the people did not use ardent or distilled liquor constantly every day, though carpenters, masons and other mechanics expected to be furnished with it. The land s\xr- veyor could not run a straight line without it, and every farmer used it during his haying and reaping. On all pub- lic occasions, such as military trainings, raisings, and haul- ings, it was universally furnished. A guest was not cordially treated who had not the decanter placed before him. To get absolutely drunk was disgraceful, but not to get rather " tight." At the Long Meadows it was a custom for a por- tion of the men, especially in cold weather, Sunday noon to go to Captain Wason's bar-room and warm the outer man by a good fire, and many of them the inner man with a glass of liquor. I recollect one good deacon who would be- gin to cough as though there was something in his throat, and put one hand on his breast, observing that he did not feel very well, and reach out the tumbler for a glass of liquor. He apparently had much the same feeling when asked to make a prayer at an evening meeting. He did not feel well and would rather join with somebody else. The minister did not live near the meeting-house, and when a neighboring minister preached he, and some of the deacons to keep him company, went into what was called the session room and had a decanter of liquor placed be- fore them. At Chester a considerable portion of the congregation re- sorted to Captain Richardson's tavern, and he stood during the intermission in his bar to serve customers. The same was true at Derry at Dr. Isaac Thorn's store, and I saw the same opefetion at Windham as late as 1832. Then cider was a common drink at the table and in the field. When a lad, if a neighbor happened in on an errand, I had to draw a mug of cider to treat him with ; and had to put up half a gallon or a gallon, according to the number of hands, to carry into the field morning and noon. The liquor itself, though drank alone, was supposed to be bene- ficial at all seasons and in all temperatures ; but certain mixtures and preparations were invented to adapt it to the emperature of the occasion. 35j5 history of Chester. To clear the cobwebs from the throat in the morning and give an appetite for breakfast in summer, green tansy or ■wormwood was pounded, and the juice squeezed into the liquor. Flip was a favorite drink for cold weather. To make it, a " loggerhead " was needed, which was a piece of iron about six inches long and an inch square, with a shank or handle about three-eighths thick and two feet long. This was put into the fire and heated red-hot. A quart mug or pewter quart three-fourths full of malt or hop beer sweetened, and the hot loggerhead thrust in to heat it and make it foam, when half a pint of rum was poured in, and a mug of flip was produced, which was drank quickly while foaming. In taverns of good business one or more logger- heads were continually in the fire in winter. Take half a pint of rum, and add lemon juice to sour and sugar to sweeten, and water sufficient, and yoii had a mug or bowl of pimch, good to cool you in hot weather. The rum sweetened and hot water added made sling. Another mix- ture was toddy. The rum was put into a glass tumbler and a quantity of loaf sugar added. They had an instru- ment called a toddy-stick. It was seven or eight inches long and about an inch in diameter at the lower end, with which they crushed the sugar and stirred it up, and water was added and a little nutmeg grated in. The ringing noise of the toddy stick against the sides of the tumbler was very musical in the ears of the drinker. It was some- times poured into a bowl and the bowl filled with milk, which was milk-toddy. Still another mixture was egg-nogg. One or more eggs were put into a bowl with sugar. To beat up and thoroughly mix the eggs and sugar ,»they used a piece of wood about eight inches long, three-quarters of an inch in diameter, with a transverse piece two or three inches long inserted in the lower end. This was taken between the palms of the two hands, by rubbing which, gave a revolving motion. The half pint of rum and milk being' added and mixed, made a bowl of egg-nogg. During the war of 1812 spirits were very dear, and dis tilleries were erected and potatoes were distilled ; and po- TEMPERANCE. 357 tato whisky was produced, which was a very nauseous ar- ticle, but was drank with avidity by confirmed topers, and more or less by all. The great wonder is, that all were not drunkards. 1 do not suppose that the people of the Long Meadow* were very much worse than other people. The store-keepers had license to retg,il spirituous liquors, but not in less quantities than one pint, and that not to be drank on the premises ; but all the traders in town, I think, . excepting John Bell, did sell by the glass. Capt. Benj. Fitts did a large business at shoeing oxen, and it was a custom for every owner of the oxen shod to go to Sweet- ser's store and get a pint of New England rum, which made the shop the resort of loafers. At a town meeting held April 28, 1817, the selectmen were instructed to prosecute all persons who should violate the law relating to retailers. At the June session of the Governor and Council in 1817, Samuel D. Wason, who had commanded the militia company at the Long Meadows, was promoted to the office of major. He called out the company to fill the vacancy and treated the company and spectators to as much punch as they would drink. Among the spectators were some of the most respectable men of the parish, including church members and deacons. They did not keep the pledge of the Moral Eeform Society, but many of them were a good deal intoxicated. The next Sunday the Rev. Clement Parker delivered a discourse advocating total abstinence instead of moderate drinking, maintaining that ardent spirit was entirely useless ; that a man could do more work without it than with it. This is the first discourse, so far as I know or believe, ever delivered taking so high a ground. It caused a great deal. of talk. One old man asked for its publication, saying that he wished the world to know how great a fool Mr. Parker was. Young men said that it was the greatest folly to suppose that a man could work at haying and harvesting without rum, and that so long as they^were able to purchase a gallon of rum they would have it. It is possible that Mr. Parker's practice 358 HISTORY OP CHESTER. was not always as good as his preaching, but the writer was a convert, and has never tasted ardent spirit since. There were two other young men 'who soon after abandoned its use, David Currier and Pike Chase ; and there is one man in town over seventy years of age (Amherst Coult) who never drank any. Since the foregoing was written a book has come to hand entitled " History of Temperance in Saratoga County," which gives an account of forming a temperance society there on the principle of total abstinence, in 1808, which, though not relating to the history of Chester, may be in- teresting to preserve. The prime mover was Dr. Billy J. Clarke, who was born at Northampton, Mass., Jan. 4, 1778, and removed with his father, first to Williamstown, Mass., then to Pownal, Vt., where his father kept a store, and Billy was a clerk, dealing out liquors, against which his moral sense revolted, and he studied medicine, and commenced practice in Moreau, Saratoga county, N. Y. At the winter term of the Court of Common Pleas, at Ballstown, in 1808, he attempted to organize a County Temperance Soci- ety, but it was regarded by both bar and bench as visionary and impracticable. But on a stormy night in March, 1808, after a day of toil, visiting his patients, and wet and mud- dy, he entered the parsonage and accosted its occupant, Eev. Lebbeus Armstrong, and said, " Sir ! We shall become a community of drunkards unless something is done speedily to arrest the progress of intemperance." Dr. Clarke personally solicited a meeting of his neighbors, which was convened at Mawney's tavern, April 13, 1808, at which time it was resolved to form a temperance society, and " that the members of this meeting wholly abstain from all spirituous liquors." There are thirteen names re- corded as members. The book gives a biographical notice of Dr. Billy J. Clarke, Rev. Lebbeus Armstrong, Hon. Gardner Stow, and James Mott, the only survivors of the original members when the book was printed, in 1855. But liquor continued to be drank to great excess. About the first of December, 1821 , a new store was opened, and TEMPERANCE. . 359 by way of dedication, the owner treated free of charge, all who called on a certain day. One individual imbibed rather freely, and bought a jugful to carry home, but he never arrived there, having been found dead in the road the next morning. At the funeral it was thought that some of the family were not as sober as they should be. This aroused the Rev. Mr. Arnold to preach and talk against intemper- ance. Things however went on in the old track. In 1826, Dr. Lyman Beecher preached his six sermons against intemperance, which were printed and widely distributed. Nearly if not the first organized movement on the principle of total abstinence was at Andover, Mass. The Rev. Jonathan Clement, afterwards of Chester, who was then a teacher in the academy there, was one of the first to sign the pledge. The first organized action in Chester was in 1829. Dr. Justin Edwards, one of the formers of the first society, came to Chester and spoke on the subject. A call was issued for a meeting to consider the subject. One deacon refused tcf sign the call on the ground that a little did him good, and he did not wish to deny himself of a good thing because others abused it. He, however, afterwards signed the pledge and became a warm advocate of the cause. He said that he found all of the drunkards in town hanging to his skirts. The meet- ing was held and a society formed, pledging its members to total abstinence from all distilled liquors. I have not been able to find the records of that society. But meetings were held and the pledge was circulated, and the community were aroused as never before on the subject. Among other things enquiries were addressed to the retail- ers as to the quantity they sold, and the result was that about ten thousand gallons of New England rum were re- tailed in Chester that year, at a cost of at least four thou- sand dollars, besides tlae West India rum, gin, Hoyt, Emerson. Reuben Hall, a John Berry, killed. ii Ebenez'^ Berry, n James Akin, ti John McClennen, it Jerem'' Towle 11 378 HISTOEY OP CHESTER. Company. Company, "Wil"" "White, Emerson. Wil"" Moore, Robertson. Enos Jewell, Robertson. Jonath'' KaiT, Fry. Tho» Wells, Carr. Daniel Shirly, Emerson. "Wil" Fui-iiell, McClary. Henry True, it Benj" Akin, Emerson. Sam' Akin, It Sam' "Wells, Morrill. John Vance, Fry. Peter Wells, K EECEUITS SENT BY COL. WEBSTER, JULY 13, 1779. Kesidence. Went for Thomas "Whittaker, Chester, Chester. Reuben Sticknee, Raymond, it Timothy Clay, Candia, It Samuel Nay, • R. tt Timothy IngallSj- Chester, it Jacob Elliot, a ti Phineas Bean, Candia, Candia. Joseph Marston, Deerfleld, (t Josiah Tucker, Nottingham, KECRUITS SENT BY CHESTER. Raymond. Enlisted for Enlisted for Thomas "Wells, War. lAved in . Plymouth. Sam' Hoit, " Valentine Sargent, 3 years. George Cooper, ' ' Lived in Londonderry . Enos Jewell, " Jos. Davis, 3 years. Samuel Wells, " Sam. Richardson, " Jeremiah Griffln, " George Mansfield, " Oiven up to Meredith. Sam' Houston, 6mos. Peter Wells, " Lived in Bedford. W"" Garrison, 3 years. Moses Webster, 6 mos. Rich* Flood, " Sam' Robie, II Lived in Raymond. Reuben Tole, tt Stephen Keyes, " Dan' Parker, a TROOPS RAISED IN 1779 FOR SERVICE IN RHODE ISLAND. . Thomas Whittaker, Timothy Ingalls, Reuben Stickney (Raymond Jacob Elliott, enlisted for Chester), Hardy, July 28, 1779, two Timothy Clay, months, Samuel Nay (Raymond, for Dearborn Heath, July 28, 1779, Chester), two months. MILITAEY HISTORY. 379 Jonathan Wilson, ■ynUiam Moore, Benjamin True, Sam' Walker, John Knowles, John Brown, Robert Runnels, Isaac Blasdell, Moses Webster, John Aiken, James Russ, Jona. Burrow, Sergt., Cha= Hanson, Jedediah Knock, 8am' Akens, Barnard Merrill, Jon" Rankin, July 1, 1780. Phineas Stevens (Tamworth hired him first) , Daniel Shii-ley, Samuel Wells, Samuel Holt, William Moore, Stephen Lufkin, Robert Hastins, Reuben Hall, Geo. Cooper, James Aken, died, Jeremiah Towle, Henry True, John MoClennen, Jona. Knock, Abiel Stevens (Tamworth hired him first) . Gapt. Liv&rmore's Co., Third Begiment. Thos. Shronder, d., James Thompson, Josiah Wells, d., Thomas Wells, William White, d., John Barry, Eben' Barry, Parker Morse, Sergt., Robert Sharle, Daniel Sharle, William Moer, Joseph Brown, John Spiller, Benj. True, Jr., Caleb Richardson, Gilbord Morse, Theoder Morse, W" Garrison, John Lane, William Farnal, Sam' Dalton, Jona. Forsyth, John Vance, Barth" Stevens. July 1, 1781. Jos. Davis, Sam' Richardson, Sam' Houston, Moses Webster, Sam' Robie, Reuben Tole, Dan' Parker, Geo. Mansfield, Thomas Wells, Sam' Hoit, Geo. Cooper, 6 mos. 3 vears. (Mustered but claimed by Mass.)Enos Jewell, Southampton, Rich* Flood, Peter Wells, Stephen Keyes, Joseph Davis, Valentine Sargent, Valentine Sargent, Londonderry. Thomas Wells, Samuel Hoit, AUGUST 26, 1781. War. Joseph Davis, " Sam' Richardson, 380 HISTORY OP CHESTER. George Cooper, "War. Geo. Mansfield, Enos Jewell, " Sam' Houston, Bedford, 6 mos. Jere. Grifiin " Moses Webster, (Given up to Meredith), Sam' Eobie, Peter Mills, 3 years. Eeuben Tele, William Garrison, " Daniel Parker, Richard Flood, Raymond, Charles Mann, Stephen Keyes, Plymouth, Jonathan Conant. Valentine Sargent, Londonderry, APRIL 12, 1782. John Worth, Thomas Dollof, Reuben Stickney, Eben' Currier, Joseph Tucker, William Batchelder, Daniel Clay, William Hall, Abraham Brown, Daniel Doyne, Ed" Hamilton, Rob' H. Hill, Moses Basford, Andrew Nelson. There is a history of the First New Hampshire Eegi- ment, by Frederic Kidder, 1868, containing a roll of the enlisted men who served between January, 1777, and Jan- uary, 1782, which contains the names of John Knook and David Shirley of Chester, and of Thomas Capron of Candia, not on the foregoing list. The foregoing is a list of the soldiers furnished by Ches- ter, as correct as can be conveniently made from the army- rolls ; but those cover so much ground, and so many strange names occur, which are not assigned to any par- ticular town, that it is probably very incomplete. There are names of men on the town accounts to whom bounties were paid, and the names of others to whom notes were paid, probably for bounties, without being so designated, which mostly, if not all, are included in the foregoing rolls, so that it was not thouglit best to spend the time in col- lecting, and space in the History to print it. Great exertion had to be used to raise men. The town was divided into classes, according to the number of men to be raised, and one or more men assigned to each class, which they were required to raise. The town was also classed to raise beef and corn for the army, and also to support the soldiers' families. MILITARY HISTORY. 381 The following specimen of the requisitions was found among the papers of Col. Stephen Dearborn : To Capt. Stephen Dearborn and Robert Howe : Agree- ably to an act of the General Court and a vote of the town, the following persons who are named, with the amount of their ratable estate, are to procure an able- bodied, effective rdan for the Continental service three years, or during the war, to be ready to be mustered in on or before the 10th day of May next, or pay the fine agreea- ble to law and vote of the town. You are desired to notify each one in this list to meet and prescribe such method as they shall think proper in order to procure s'' man. Chester, April 29, 1782. Jabez Hoit, ) Selectmen Stephen Morse, V of Joseph Blanchard, ) Chester. £ a. d. £ ». d. David Richardson, 19 1 Barnard Bricket, 2 10 1 Joseph Can-, 3 6 10 John Claris:, 17 EzekielH.Kelley, 10 00 Abraham Morse, 12 "Widow Ann Carr, 9 3 Capt. Steph'n Dearborn ,2 14 Lieut. John Lane, 2 17 7 Caleb Hall, 1 12 1 Jona. Norton, 2 10 11 Jona. Emery, 1 14 4 Simon Norton, 12 00 Samuel White, 16 6 Joseph Norton, 2 18 8 Stickney, 3 Jona. Berry, 2 14 6 Moody Chase, 1 18 6 Jeremiah Griffin, 1 600 Wells, 2 2 8 Robert Rowe, 1 16 2 Jere. Underhill, 1 17 2 Samuel Murray, 1 13 6 Nath' Wood, 1 14 2 The following are recruits furnished by Candia, as found on various muster-rolls, and given, as found in the Adjutant-General's office : 1777. John Magoon, Stevens Bailey, Jonathan Green, Isaac Morse, 1778. Nehemiah Leavitt, John Kent, Asa Pierce, John Mitchell, John Colby, Eleazer Quimby, John Taylor. John Loveren, John Kent, James Tiel, Thomas Capron, 382 HISTORY OP CHBSTBK. Eben' Williams, James Jeel, ■William Wilkins, James Bragdon, Henry Gotham, David Hill, Nat. Wadley, Rob' Holland, David Bagley, Jonas Perry, W"" Patten, Henry Kimball, Daniel Libbe, Joseph Gilman, John Caldwell, Humprey Hunt. 1779. David Libbie, John Kent, John Caldwell, Phineas Bean, Michael Poor, Joseph Marston, John Anderson, John Grattan (2 mos) . John Loverin, 1780. Benjamin Eaton, Samuel Shannon, Samuel Clay, John Eaton, Edward Currier, Alex' Eaton. 1781. Col. John Webster certifies that he sent forward the fol- lowing four men for Candia, when there ought to have been five : John Wasson, Nathaniel UnderhiU, Jonathan Davis, Thomas Anderson. 1782. Jona. Morris, John Moore, Peter Cammet, Benja. Sanborn, Eben"' Eaton, Jason Hazard. Moses Norris, RECRUITS FURNISHED BY RAYMOND. Capt. Mark's Co., Col. Long's Begt. Benja. Fox, Ezekiel Holman. James Fullington, Col. Nathan Hale's Begt. W" Tole, J6= Fullongton, David Batchelder, Theo' Lovering, Jon" Fullonton, Ithiel Gorden. Capt. Wait's Co., Col. Stark's Begt. Richard Robinson. Capt. Bowell's Co., Col. Nathan Hale's Begt. William Towle, James Hersey, Joseph Fullington, John Lane, Ithiel Gordon, junr. Caleb Gilman, Eliphalet Gorden, Thomas Taylor, Amos D. Leavltt, Joseph Jewel. Aaron Sanborn, MILITARY HISTORY. 883 1779. Hezekiah Pollard, John Moore, James Libbey, James Mack, James Delap, Josiah Tucker, from Nott- ingham, enlisted for Ray- mond, 1780. W" Pat. Prescott, Timothy Jewell, 1781. Eliph* Gordon, James Libbey, of Candia, Theo' Loverin, Elijah Pollard, Ezek' Pollard, Barton Pollard, Hezekh Pollard, Eich* Robinson, Capt. Bos- ton's Co., Nat. Richardson, Jonathan FuUerton, Eow- ell's Co., John Fox, for two mos., Benj. Wliittier, enlisted for Kingston, Thomas DoUoflF, enlisted for Kingston, Jos. Dolloff Leavitt, en- listed for Kingston. Smith Cram, Richard Flood. "Wm. Towle, James "Wells, John Moore, of Chester, James Dunlap, of Massa- chusetts State, Ithiel Gordon, Eliph' Gordon, Theo' Lovrin, Joseph Fullerton, William Towle. The following is a list of soldiers who enlisted in the ai'my from Chester in the war of 1812, furnished by Josiah Porsaith : Josiah Forsaith, died August 18, 1868. Jonathan Currier, died at Sackett's Harbor. David Dolbier, of Raymond. Josiah Sanborn, discharged at Concord. Bradbury Moody Carr, died at Concord. John Colby, died at French Mills. Abner Blasdel, said to have deserted. Ebenezer Blasdel, died at Acworth. Samuel Davis, died at Concord. Joseph Neal. John Crawford, died at Nottingham in 1866, aged 80. Josiah Moore, died in 1821. Henry Moore, killed in battle. Moses Underhill, Jr. Benjamin Currier, Jr. Nathan Webster. John Dunlap, died in 1867. Nath' Griffln. William Griffln, died in the army. 384 HISTORY OP CHESTER. From Baymond. Amos Davies, killed at French Mills. Tlieophilus Stevens died. DRAFTED MEN. There was a draft made of men to defend Portsmouth harbor. The following is the roll of a company which served from May 24 to July 4, 1814, and were from the seventeenth regiment. Those from Chester are marked A ; Candia, B ; Raymond, ; Allenstown, D : George Evans, Capt., D, Samuel Aiken, Jr., Lieut., A, Noah Week, Ensign, A, "William Stanwood, Sergt., A, Jonathan Morrill, Sergt., A, Samuel W. Evans, Sergt., D, Eeuben Bean, Sergt., B, True C. Graves, Corp., John Dinsmore, " A, Moses Dudley, " B, James "Wilcomb, " A, Moses Crichet, Musician, B, Moses Chase, Musician, A. Privates. Josiah Anderson, B, Andrew Buntin, A, John Brown 3'^, David Brown 3*, Jona. 8. Brown, Ebenezer Brown, Jonathan Ball, A, Joseph Calfe, A, Zacheus Colby, A, Jonathan Cass, B, Jeremiah Chandler, Samuel Clark, Joseph Cressy, A, James Dinsmoor, A, Benjamin Edgerly, Nathan French, David Glidden, C, "William Greenoughj A, Phineas Haley, C, Henry Hall, A, John Johnson, A, Amos Kimball, A, John Lane, C, Thomas Leonard, John Mars, Charles Marston, A, Moses C. Magoon, C, Richard Morse, Supply Morse, Nath. Martin, Thomas Montgomeiy, A, Peter Niel, A, Nathan Poor, C, Jacob Randall, A, Richard Robie, B, Wadley Richardson, B, John P. Rowell, A, Orlando Spoiford, A, John Seavey, A, Richard Straw, Jona. H. Shaw, Henry Thatcher, C, Elisha Towle, C, Samuel Thompson, Daniel Towle, C, Enoch Worthen, B, John "Wilson, 8*, A, Stephen W^orthen, Jr., A, Abram Smith, Edmund Richardson. MILITAET HISTORY. 385 The following is a roll of the company of Capt. Samuel Collins, of Deerfield, which served three months from Sep- tember 12, 1814 : Moses Hezelton, 3*, Lieut., A, Henry Osgood, Ensign, C, Jonathan Oass, Sergt., B, James Severance, Sergt., A, Josiah "WTiicher, Corp., B, John Brown, Jr., " C, James C. Kand, " A. Squires Bachelder, B, Ebenezer Brown, C, John Brown, A, Joseph Clifford, B, Nehemiah Clay, A, Joseph Chase, Jr., A, Daniel Carr, A, Henry Cliffard, C, Kichard Currier, B, Gilman D. Cass, B, Jonathan Emerson, B, Privates. David Emerson, A, James P. French, B, Eeuben Gale, B, Phineas Healey, B, Peter M. Mills, A, Henry Morse, C, Samuel Roberts, C, Daniel Kobey, C, John Towle, B, Haly True, C, Daniel McDuffee, A. The following is a roll of the company of Capt. Samuel Aiken, Jr., of Chester, which served sixty days from Sept. 26, 1814. Samuel Aiken, Jr., Capt., A, William Aiken, Sergt., A, Joseph Hubbard, 1st Lieut., B, Samuel Lane, Corp., A, "VVm. Stanwood, Ensign, A, Francis Folsom, " C, Jabez Crooker, Sg't and Cl'k, A,Benjamin Rowe, " B, William Turner, Sergt., B, James Wilcomb, " A, Jonathan Morrill, Abel Read, Jeremiah Chandler, Orlando Spofford, A, John Hall, A, Benjamin Mills, A, William Greenough, A, John Davis, A, Ebenezer. Wilcomb, A, David Morrill, A, David Murry, A, John Shirley, A, 25 A, Nathan Brown, Musician, C, B, Richard Eaton, B, C, Gilman Lovering, C. Privates. Samuel Lane, Jr., A, Josiah Turner, B, Daniel Taylor, B, Gilman Richardson, B, Isaiah Lane, B, John Clark, B, Willis Patten, B, Moses Patten, B, John Colby, B, 386 HISTOBY OF CHESTER. John Butler, A, Benjamin Preston, A, Daniel Ball, A, John Dolby, A, Robert "Wilson, A, "William Dearborn, A, Jeremiah Band, Jr., A, L. H. Seavy, A, Jonathan Norton, A, Theodore Jewett, A, Robert Mills, A, Nathan "Webster, A, John Seavey, A, John Wilson, A, Henry "West, A, David Leach, A, James Calfe, A, Israel Blake, A, Eeuben Dinsmore, A, Stephen J. "Worthen, Jr., A, Mead R. Underbill, A, John Chase, A, Mathew Dickey, A, Jonathan ■\Villiams, Samuel Thompson, A, John Hosden, A, Joseph Brown, A, John A. Otterson, A, Joshua Martin, Jr., A, Jeremiah Brown, 'B, Parker Hills, B, Benjamin Eaton, B, Moses Stephens, B, Sewall Brown, B, John Moore, B, Moses Critchet, B, Biley Smith, B, Sargent French, B, James "Wilson, B, Aaron Rowe, B, "William Eaton, B, Jonathan Robey, Nathan Thorne, B, Joseph Band, B, Samuel Moody, C, Da-v-id Clifford, C, David Gill, C, David Brown, Jr., C, Supply Morse, C, Moses Healey, C, Daniel Scribner, C, James Dudley, Jr., C, Jonathan Holmau, C, Isaiah Cram, C, Nathaniel Towle, C, David Robie, C, John Smith, C. A ROLL OP MEN SENT INTO THE ARMY PROM CHESTER DIIEING THE REBELLION. Abbreviations used, — disch. dis., discharged for disability; re-e., re-enlisted; pro., promoted; Corp., Corporal; Serg., Ser- geant; k., killed; d., died; w'd, wounded; trans., transferred; des., deserted; rec, recruit. Second Regiment, mustered into U. 8. Service June 10, 1861. Three Years. Co. C, Andrew Nichols, w. Gettysburg, d. Andersouville , June, 1864. C, Charles J. Rand, disch. dis. E, Arthur T. Leonard, Corp., disch. dis. E, George S. Brown, pro. Corp. E, Aaron Everet, disch. dis. E, Joseph Everet, disch. dis. MILITARY HISTORY. 387 Becruits. I, "William Broard, trans, to Navy. I, Frank Donaghue. K, James Farrel. I, James McGuire, w'd June 3,' 1864. I, Frank Strickland, deserted. A, John E. Hartwell, enlisted Sept., 1865, mustered out, Dec, '65. Third Regiment, — Three Tears. B, Converse L. "Weymouth, w'd severely, disch. dis. Jan., 1865. D, John S. Blasdel, re-e. veteran, disch. dis., 1865. Fourth Segiment, — Three Years. C, Orrin T. Dodge, re-e. Feb., 1864. I, Franklin A. Brown, Corp., disch. dis. July, 1862. I, Charles M. Ordway, re-e. Feb., 1864. K, Stickne'y S. Gale, Serg., re-e. Feb., 1864. Fifth Regiment, — Three Years.. K, Joseph Bronilland, rec. Dec, 1863, k. at Petersburg, June, '64. H, Jacob Pollatscheck, rec. Dec, 1863. C, James Rogers, rec Aug., 1863. C, Joseph Trickey, rec Dec, '63, "w'd June, '64, d. Aug., 1864, at Alexandria, Va. Sixth Regiment, — Three Years. D, James Farrel, rec. Nov., 1863, deserted Camp Nelson, Ky., Dec, 1863. C, Henry Scott, rec. May, 1864. E, Thomas J. "Wilson, rec. Nov., 1863. C, "William M. Locke, re-e., Dec, '63, pro. Corp., d. dis. Aug. ,'64. C, William Smith, rec. May, 1864, disch. dis., Sept., 1864. Seventh Regiment, — Three Years. A, Henry O. Davis, re-e. Feb., 1864, pi-o. Corp., w'd severely Oct., 1864, disch. dis., Dec, 1864. Eighth Regiment, — Three Years. A, James M. M. Elliott, mus. Nov., 1861, dis. May, 1862. F, Joseph Everett, Corp., Dec, '61, pro. 1st Serg., k. Ft. Hudson, May, 1863. F, Charles H. Kent, mus.. Dec, 1861, trans, to V.R. Corps, May, '64. F. Samuel C. McDuffee, mus. Dec, 1861, disch. dis., Dec, 1863. F. John Robinson, " " " " Feb., 1863. 388 HISTORY OP CHESTER. Ninth Begiment, — Three Years. A, James A. Cole, mus. July 3, 1862. B, Charles F. Shaw, " " " disch. clis., Fredericksburg, Jan., 1863. Eleventh Regiment, — Three Tears. I, John Underbill, Serg., Sept., 1862, w'd Dec, '62, dis. March,'68. I, Da,niel S. West, Corp., " w'd severely May, 1864. I, William E. C. Cooledge, Sept., 1862. I, James M. M. Elliott, Sept., 1862. I, Warren J. Hills, Sept., 1862, missing in action, July, 1864. I, Dudley J. Marston, Sept., 1862, w'd Dec, 1862. I, Cyrus E. Koberts, Sept., 1862, trans, to I. C, Sept., 1863. I, Edmund T. Roby, Sept., 1862, des., June, 1864. I, Thomas O. Reynolds, Sept., 1862, "w'd Dec, 1862. I, Sewell W. Tenney, Sept., 1862, w'd Dec, 1862, disch. April, 1863. I, Nathaniel West, Jr., Sept., 1862. Fourteenth Begiment, — Three Years. Franklin C. Weeks, Asst. Surg., Sept., 1862, dis. dis.. Mar., 1864. F, Charles A. Clark, rec Jan., 1864. Fifteenth Begiment, — Nine Months — Oct., 1862. K, Wallace T. Larkin, 2d Lieut., Nov., 1862, disch. to accept pro- motion, Aug., 1863. K, Luther C, Stevens, Secgt. K, Albert F. B. Edwards, Corp. K, John A. Hazelton, Corp. K, Marston L. Brown. K, Milton S. Brown, disch. dis. July, 1863. K, Henry N. Brown. K, Emerson Childs. K, David F. Clay. K, John S. Currier, disch. di3., July, 1863. K, David C. French. K, Matthew Forsaith. K, George M. D. Mead. K, Samuel V. Osgood. K, Benj. F. Spofford. K, John W. West, 2d. Eighteenth Begiment, — Three Years. :Silas F. Learnard, Maj., July, 1865; not mustered; mustered out .as Captain, July, 1865. MILITARY HISTORY. 389 D, 'William S. Greenough, Capt., com. Sept., 1864. D, John Underhill, 2d Lieut., com. Sept., 1864. D, Albert F. B. Edwards, Corp. Sept., 1864, pro. to Sergt. ' D, Perley C. Ingalls, Wagoner, Sept., 1864. D, Eichard H. Currier. D, Samuel V. Osgood, pro. Corp, • D, George S. Smith, pro. Corp. D, Francis Savoie. D, Aaron D. Sargent, disch. dis. D, Isaac F. Underhill, pro. Corp. D, Albert Hason, d., dis. at City Point, Oct., 1864. H, Silas F. Learnard, Capt., com. Feb., 1865, pro. Major, July, 1865. H, Cyrus S. Dolloff, Sergt. H, Augustus P. Greenough, Sergt. H, John T. Lovitt, Corp. H, Joseph R. Morse, Musician. H, Ephraitn Nichols, Wagoner. H, Samuel S. Adams, pro. Corp. H, Willard E. Colburn. H, Albert B. Goldsmith, d., dis. at Concord, N. H., Feb., 1865. H, Henry H. Hook, d., dis. at Concord, N. H., Feb., 1865. H, Richard C. Lawrence, pro. Corp. H, Fred. D. Morse. H, William B. Robie. H, William H. Underhill. H, Benj. F. Underhill. Heavy Artillery. James P. Batchelder, mustered Aug., 1863, disch. dis., March, 1864. C, Joseph W. Chase, mustered Sept., 1864. K, Charles P. Abbott, appointed Artificer, Sept., 1864. K, Jacob J. Elliott, Sept., 1864. K, John W. Hazeltine, Sept., 1864. K, George H. McDufiee, Sept., 1864. K, Charles F. True, Sept., 1864. K, George F. Tebbetts. K, Elbridge Wason. K, Clement A. West. K, George W. Wilcomb. K, Charles H. West. K, John W. West, 2d. Sharpshooters. Silas W. Tenney, mustered Nov., 1861. 390 HISTORY OP CHESTER. The foregoing list is made from the report of the Adju- tant-General. There has been a list made by Miss Noyes of Chester, -which she calls the " Roll of Honor," which , does not contain the names of a number of foreign recruits credited* to Chester, and contains the following names not in the foregoing list: Louis Bell, Daniel Osgood, John Bell, Samuel S. Parker, Henry Beals, Curtis B. Eobinson, William Brown, Charles B. Kobie, Mark Carr, Edward I. Robie, Perley Chase, Joseph S. Eowell, Joseph Dane, D. Leroy Sanborn, Charles A. Dearborn, Page E. Smith, David J. Dearborn, Alphonso P. E. Smith, Lloyd G. Gale, John P. Spofford, James Gerah, Frederick Spollett, Nelson Gillingham, Charles L. Seavey, Jesse Hall, Daniel A. Webster, Joseph W. Hazelton, Eobert Wason, Kenniston, Frank C. Wood, Cyrus F. Marston, Charles C. Willey, Benj. F. Morse, Charles S. Wells, Frank Morse, Charles H. Weymouth. PROCEEDINGS OP THE TOWN OP CHESTER IN REGARD TO SOLDIERS. At a meeting held the 16th of May, 1861, the following preamble and resolution were passed : " Whereas, there exists open rebellion against the Govern- ment of this country, threatening the destruction of our glorious Union, and requiring the prompt action of every loyal citizen, therefore " Resolved, that the town of Chester pay each man, citi- zen of the town, who may enlist or has enlisted into the government, the sum of eleven dollars a month, and three dollars additional to such of said men as have famiUes, during such enlistment, and also provide to said men one rubber and one woolen blanket, fit for military service, provided they do not receive extra pay from any other state or town. Said sum of money to be paid on their return MIUTAEY HISTORY. 391 from service, or for the support of their families during their absence, out of any money in the town treasury not otherwise appropriated." At a meeting held January 7th, 1862, it was " Voted, that the town accept the act of the Legislature of New Hampshire in regard to furnishing aid to the fami- lies of volunteers, and approved July 4th, 1861, and that the selectmen be instructed to carry it out accordingly." At the annual meeting, March, 1862, it was " Voted, that the town instruct their selectmen to bor- row a sufBcient sum of money for the support of families of volunteers in the United States service, agreeably to the law for that purpose, approved July 4th, 1861." At a meeting, held August 30th, 1862, the following votes were passed : " Voted, to pay to all who enlisted or may enlist under the call of the President for three hundred thousand volun- teers, dated July 2, 1862, the sum of one hundred dollars. " Voted, that we pay volunteers (sufficient to complete our quota) under the call of the President of the United States for three hundred thousand militia, dated August 4tli, 1862, for nine months, the sum of one hundred and fifty dollars, and the same aid to their families that the three years volunteers receive, provided they do not re- ceive said aid from the statfe. " Voted, to instruct the town treasurer to issue proposals for five thousand dollars, to pay said volunteers on their being mustered into the United States service, and that said money be raised by five annual installments to pay said debt." At a meeting held August 1, 1863, it was "'Voted, that each drafted man (or substitute) be paid three hundred dollars, ten days after being mustered into service, and that the selectmen be authorized to borrow the sum of forty-five hundred dollars on the credit of the town for this purpose." At a meeting held January 4th, 1864, it was " Voted, to authorize the selectmen to borrow the sum of seventy-five hundred dollars on the credit of the town, to reimburse Silas F. Learnard for money he has or may pay out for volunteers under the last call of the President." At a meeting held May 4th, 1864, it was " Voted, to pay to each reenlisted soldier who has reen- 392 HISTORY OP CHESTER. listed to fill the quota of Chester under previous calls of the President of the United States, the sum of one hundred and fifty dollars each, additional, and voted to instruct the selectmen to borrow the sum of ten hundred and fifty dol- lars on the credit of the town for that purpose." At a meeting held June 7, 1864, it was " Voted, to pay to each person drafted from Chester and accepted, since May 1st, 1864, or who has furnished a substitute, the sum of three hundred dollars ; and to each person who may be drafted and accepted, or furnish a sub- stitute, to fill the quota of Chester, the same sum of three hundred dollars, and that the selectmen be instructed to raise, by taxation or otherwise, the sum of three hundred dollars for each person, as demanded by this vote. '' Voted, Silas P. Learnard, a war agent, to pay out all bounties to drafted men who are accepted or who furnish substitutes, and to control the raising of men to fill the quotas of Chester, and that he be paid the sum of thi-ee dollars jDor day, and expenses, for his services." At a meeting held July 16th, 1864, it was " Voted, that the war agent for the town be instructed to procure volunteers sufficient to fill the quota of the town of Chester under future calls of the President of the United States for volunteers for the army, by paying a town bounty not exceeding the amount authorized by the laws of the State, and the said agent shall have discretionary power to procure volunteers in anticipation of calls. And the selectmen are authorized to hire a sum of money not exceeding six thousand dollars, for said purpose." ■ At a meeting held September 1st, 1864, it was " Voted, that the selectmen (or war agent) be author- ized to pay to each volunteer citizen of the town who shall volunteer for one year to fill the quota of Chester under the last call of the President for five hundred thousand men, the sum of five hundred dollars." At a meeting held November 8th, 1864, it was " Voted to raise five thousand dollars in addition to the amount already raised, to pay the bounty to the soldiers who have enlisted from Chester, and instruct the selectmen accordingly." At a meeting held January 17th, 1865, it was " Voted, that the town pay the sum of five hundred dol- lars to each person, citizen of the town, who shall enlist to MILITAEY HISTORY. 893 the number not exceeding sixteen, and that the selectmen be authorized to hire the sum of eight thousand dollars for that purpose. " Voted, that the town pay Silas F. Learnard ten dollars for each enlisted man to fill the quota of Chester under said call, instead of three dollars per day and expenses, as before voted." ROLL OP ENLISTED MEN FOR AUBURN. First Regiment, Three Slonths, — Mustered in May, 1861. Co. , C, Amos W. Brown. Second Segiment, Three Tears, — Mustered, June, 1861. C, John Chase, pro. Corp., w'd at Gettysburg. C, John Davis, pro. Corp. • C, Hazen Davis, Jr., w'd slightly, July, 1863. C, Edwin Plummer, w'd slightly, July, 1863. C, Alfred J. Sanborn, disch. dis. July, 1861, re-e. Nov., 1864. D, John D. "Wood, rec. Sept. 1861, d. in hospital Nov., 1862. F, Felix C. Hackney, rec, d. Oct., 1865. Third Begiment Three Years, — Mustered, August, 1861. A, John C. Hagan, appointed Wagoner, mustei-ed out Aug., 1864, since died. H, Lanson Blake, re-e. H, Alonzo D. Emery, dis. Dec, 1861. H, Leroy McDuffee, pro. Sergt., re-e. Jan., 1864. Fourth Begiment, Three Tears, — Mustered, September, 1861. C, Henry C. Grifln, pro. Corp., re-e., Feb., 1864, w'd, cap. at Drury's Bluflf, d. in Libby prison, Sept. 10, 1864. E, Ebenezer S. Emery, disch. dis., Oct., 1862. E, Carlton C. Eichardson, re-e. Jan., 1864. G, William Gunstou, re-e. Feb., 1864, killed at Drury's Bluflf May 16, 1864. G, Amos W. Brown, re-e. Feb., 1864. K,. Thomas B. Platts, re-e. Feb., 1864. Fifth Begiment, Three Tears, — Mustered October, 1861. C, Isaac Boxall, rec. F, John Whitehouse, rec. F, Thomas Darty, rec. F, Murtz Sullivan, rec. Sixth Begiment, Three Years,— Mustered, Ifovember, 1861. I, Frederick Schaeflfer, rec. 394 HISTORY OP CHESTER. V "■' Seventh Begiment, Three Tears, — October, 1861. A, Thornton Hazen, w'd Ft. Wagner, July, '63, died of wounds Aug. 29, 1863. I, Otis F. Butrick, disch. dis. Aug., 1862. H, John "Walton, rec. Eighth Begiment, Three Tears, — Mustered December, 1861. D, Frank C. Wood, disch. dis. at Camp Parapet, La., July, 1862. Ninth Begiment, Three Tears, — Mustered July , 1862. A, Eben Bean, died at Washington Dec, 1862. A, George W. Goodwin. A, Moses Eeed, died at Richmond, Ky., April, 1863. A, Alonzo D. JEmery, trans, to Bat. E, U. S. Art. Sept., 1862. A, John D. Neller, rec. Dec, 1863, cap., died in Eebel prison at Salisbury, N. C, Feb., 1866. A, James R. Preston, trans, to Sixth N. H. Vols. June, 1865. B, Charles F. Shaw, disch. flis. at Fredericksburg, Ya., Jan. 15, '63. K, Charles- Delos, rec Dec, 1863, deserted Jan., 1864. Tenth Begiment, Three Tears, — Mustered August, 1862. A, Albert Plummer, Hospital Steward, pro. Asst. Surg. Jan., '65. A, Lucian Holmes, Corp., pro. Sergt., captured at Fair Oaks, Va., Oct., 1864, died in Rebel prison at Salisbury, Jan. 4, 1865. A, John y. Demeritt, died at Washington, Jan. 5, 1863. A, Jacob P. Buswell. A, Charles H. Buswell, trans, to U. S. S. Corps. A, Joseph L. Davis, died of wounds received June 3, 1864. A, Charles H. Grant, pro. to Corp., captured at Fair Oaks, Va. Oct., 1864, died in Rebel prison at Salisbury Feb. 14, '65. A, Edward M. Melvin, disch. dis. Dec, 1864. A, Henry 0. Moore, w'd June, 1864, died at De Camp Hospital, N. Y., Sept. 8, 1864. A, George B. Sanford. A, Franklin Shannon, died of wounds June 16, 1864. A, Charles Pingree, pro. to 2d Lieut, of Co. I, 23d U. S. colored volunteers, killed before Petersburg, July 3, 1864. Meventh Begiment, Three Tears, — Mustered August, 1862. B, John Cole, rec. Dec, 1863. K. William Clark, rec. Dec. 1863. Twelfth Begiment, TJiree Tears, — Mustered August, 1862. I, Felix C. Hackney, rec. Dec, 1863. E, James Krotzer, " " " [1864 H, James Murray, " " " killed at Cold Harbor June, E, William Moll, " " " deserted Nov., 1864. H, Oliver Rinker, " " " trans, to 2d N. H. Vols. MILITARY HISTOEY. 395 Fourteenth Begiment, Three Years, — Mustered September, 1862. D, Stephen C. Coult. Fifteenth Regiment, Nine Months, — Mustered October, 1862. E, Moses B. Davis. E, Daniel C. Abbott. E, "Willis H. Brown. E, Jesse Woods, d. E, Frank C. Woods, disch. dis., d. at Auburn. E, Jonathan Ballou, mustered out, Aug. 1863. Eighteenth Begiment, — Mustered September, 1864. H, Alexander M. Ballou. H, Jonathan Ballou. K, Sylvester E. Emery. K, Carlton Emery. K, Alfred D. Emery. K, Alonzo D. Emery. K, George A. Wood. First Begiment Cavalry — Mustered Dec., 1861. Troop. L, John S. Coffin, re-e. Jan., 1864. I, Warren J. Davis, capt'd June, 1864, paroled March, 1865. K, Chester C. Smith, disch. June, 1862. First Light Battery, Three Tears, — Mustered Sept., 1861. David H. Bean, bugler, re-e. Dec, 1863. Robinson Brown, bugler. James M. Buswell. John H. Goodwin, dropped from rolls, Oct., 1864. James M. Preston. William Preston. Benjamin S. Stewart, rec. Dec, 1863. Hugh B. Cochran, drafted. First Begiment Heavy Artillery, — Mustered Sept., 1864. Co. C, Edwin Coleman. C, George Coult. C, George E. Edmonds. C, Benjamin Eaton. C, Jacob Lufkin. C, Henry M. Preston. C, Stephen Pingi-ee. G, Charles H. Lyman, disch. dis., Jan., 1855. K, Joseph P. Brown. 396 HISTORY OP CHESTER. K, William G. Brown. K, Dennis Donovan. K, Luther Preston. K, Harrison Preston. K, Robert T. Plummer. K, Simon G. Prescott. K, Beuj. F. Sherburne. K, John E. White. M, George C. Kimball. Second Begiment Sharpshooters — Mustered November, 1861. Samuel F. Murry, 1st Lieut., 2d Lieut., pro. to Capt., Sept., 1863. F, Alfred J. Sanborn, w'd May, 1864, mustered out Nov., 1864. Those Who Furnished Volunteer Substitutes. Wells C. Underbill, Harrison Burnham, Andrew F. Fox, Joseph Un&erhill. Daniel Webster, Drafted Men. Evander G. Preston, Benj. D. Emery, John N. Claflin, Edward O. Prescott, George W. Hall, Charles H. Patten, Alexander M. Philip, Charles H. Merrill. W. I. Gilbert, Substitutes For Drafted Men. August Shaffer, Isaac Powell, James McKew, Patrick O'Niel, Edward Haley, Charles Bond, William Warren, Charles A. Varnham. Henry Cole, Commutation fee of three hundred dollars paid by Arthur Dinsmore. PROCEEDINGS OP AUBURN IN REGARD TO SOLDIERS. June 1, 1861, there was a town meeting to see if the town would give bounties to such as had enlisted or should enlist in the support of the Government in the present emergency. Also to see if the town would provide each of said men with one rubber and one woolen blanket fit for military service. The articles were dismissed. At a meeting, Sept., 26, 1861, it was ""Voted, to pay for the support of such of the wives MILITAEY HISTORY. 397 and families of those who have enlisted or may enlist in the service of the United States, as are entitled to support by the provision of an act of the Legislature passed last June session. " Voted, the selectmen be authorized to hire a sum of money not exceeding eight hundred dollars, and appropri- ate the same." At the annual meeting held March 11, 1862, " Voted, to raise a sum not exceeding three hundred dollars to aid the families of volunteers." August 14, 1862, " Voted, to raise eight hundred dollars to aid the fam ilies of volunteers. " Voted, to pay one hundred dollars to each man (citizen of our town), who has enlisted or may enlist to fill our quota of three hundred thousand three-years men. " Voted, to pay one hundred dollars to each man (citizen of our town), who may enlist to fill our quota of the last call for three hundred thousand nine-months men. " Voted, that the selectmen be authorized to borrow a sum not exceeding three thousand dollars on the credit of the town." Dec. 22, 1862, "Voted, that the selectmen be authorized to procure volunteers from this town or any other that may be credited to us, until our quota is filled, by paying a sum not exceeding one hundred dollars to each volunteer. " Voted, that the selectmen be authorized to hire on the credit of the town, a sum not exceeding six hundred dollars to carry the foregoing vote into effect, and pay the expense of recruiting and other incidental expenses." On motion, " Voted, to raise one hundred dollars in addition to'^the foregoing." March 10, 1863, " Voted, to raise a sum not exceeding a thousand dol- lars to aid the families of volunteers." Aug. 27, 1863, " Voted, that the town raise and pay to every drafted man who shall enter the service or furnish a substitute, the sum of three hundred dollars at the expiration of ten days after such drafted man or substitute shall have been mustered into the service of the United States. 398 HISTORY OF CHESTER. " Voted, that the selectmen be authorized to borrow or hire, on the credit of the town, a sum not exceeding six thousand dollars to carry out the foregoing vote." At a meeting held Oct. 3, 1863, the foregoing votes were rescinded. On motion, " Resolved, that the town raise and appropriate three hundred dollars as a bounty to each of the members of the enrolled militia of the state from the town of Auburn who may be, or have been, drafted or conscripted under the laws of the United States to serve in the army of the United States during the existing rebellion, or to the substitutes of such conscripts, and that. the selectmen be authorized to pay such bounty to the order of such drafted man, or his substitute, or his order, after ten days from the time when such drafted man or his substitute shall have been mus- tered into the service of the United States. "And that the selectmen hire on the credit of the town, the sum not exceeding eight thousand dollars to carry out the foregoing vote, and that they give the notes of the town, and therefore cause a copy of all such notes to be recorded by the town clerk in the records of the town. " Voted, that the selectmen borrow or hire on the credit of the town, a sum not exceeding eight hundred dol- lars, to carry out the laws of the state rendering aid to families of volunteers." Dec. 3, 1863, " Voted, that the town raise eight thousand dollars to encourage voluntary enlistment to fill the quota of said town under the last call of the President of the United States for three hundred thousand volmiteers : that the town assume and cash the United States and state boun- ties coming to each volunteer, upon their assigning the same to the town: that the town pay to each volunteer belonging to said town, who is entitled to 1402 United States bounty, upon his assigning all bounties that may be due him to the town, eight hundred dollars ; to each vol- unteer belonging to said town who is entitled to $302 United States bounty, upon his assigning all bounties that may be due him to the town, seven hundred dollars ; to each volunteer not resident in town, a sum not exceeding six hundred and fifty dollars upon a like assignment of his bounties ; said sums to be paid upon their being accepted and mustered into the United States service, and in no MILITARY HISTORY. 399 case shall a bounty be paid to any person enlisting after the quota is full : that the selectmen are hereby author- ized to borrow a sum not exceeding said eight thousand dollars to pay the aforesaid bounties and give the notes of the town for the same, — and cause a copy of said notes to be recorded in the book of the town clerk." April 2, 1864, " Voted, to pay all volunteers that have enlisted, or may enlist, to fill the quota of the town under the call of the President for two hundred thousand men, three hun- dred dollars. " Voted, to hire four thousand dollars on the credit of the town to carry out the foregoing vote." Aug. 8, 1864, " Voted, that the town raise and appropriate a sum not exceeding six thousand dollars to encourage voluntary en- listments in said town, and that the selectmen be author- ized to hire the same on the credit of the town, and that the town treasurer be instructed to pay to each volunteer for one year, or his substitute, or to the order of his substi- tute, the sum of one hundred dollars ; and to each volun- teer for two years, or his substitute, or to the order of his substitute, the sum of two hundred dollars; and to each volunteer for three years, or his substitute, or to the order of his substitute, the sum of three hundred dollars. Said sums to be paid when such volunteer, or his substitute, shall be mustered into the service of the United States. " Voted, that the town assume and cash the state bounty, and take an assignment back from the state. " Voted, to instruct the selectmen to hire the sum not exceeding six thousand dollars, to pay drafted men or their substitutes. " Voted, that any person putting in a substitute can take an assignment of the state bounty from their substitute, and have the same cashed by the town." August 16th, 1864, " Voted, to pay two hundred dollars in gold, or its equivalent, to each man, to pay expenses in procuring sub- stitutes. "Voted, to instruct the selectmen to hire a sum not exceeding eight thousand dollars to cash the state bounty. " Voted, that the selectmen be instructed to hire a sum not exceeding eight thousand dollars, to pay for procuring substitutes. 400 HISTORY OP CHESTER. " Voted, that the selectmen be authorized to pay three per cent, bonus on money, if it cannot be procured for less. " Voted, that the town appoint one agent to act iu uni- son with the selectmen in procuring substitutes." Andrew P. Fox was chosen agent. September 2d, 1864, " Voted, to instruct the selectmen to pay the sum of four hundred dollars in addition to the one hundred dollars which was voted at the meeting of August 8th, to citizen volunteers under the last call of the President. " Voted, an agent to see to the roll of the militia of this town." Kendrick Emery was chosen agent. " Voted, that the agent be paid the sum of three dollars per day, and his expenses. " Voted, to authorize the selectmen to hire on the credi*t of the town, a sum not exceeding eight thousand dollars, to pay their own citizens that have enlisted, or may enlist, to fill the quota of the town, under the call of the Presi- dent." January 9th, 1865, " Resolved, that the town raise a sum of money not ex- ceeding eight thousand dollars, and appropriate the same as bounties to such persons as may voluntarily enlist, as volunteers or as substitutes 'for enrolled or drafted men, to fill the quota of the town under the last call of the Pres- ident of the United States for three hundred thousand men to serve in the army and navy. " Resolved, that the town pay each man voluntarily en- listing or volunteering as a substitute for an enrolled or drafted man of this town, the sum of one hundred dollars for one year, two hundred for two years, three hundred for three years ; and to each man who has been an inhabitant of this town for three months preceding this meeting, en- listing in the quota of this town, the sum of six hundred dollars for one year, seven hundred dollars for two years, and eight hundred dollars for three years ; and that per- sons so enlisting by this vote to receive them or their order as soon as they are mustered into the service of the United States. " Voted, that the selectmen be instructed to raise a sum of money not exceeding eight thousand dollars, to carry out the foregoing vote." MILITARY HISTORY. 401 The following list of soldiers furnished by the town of Candia, and the bounties paid them, has been given by- Abraham Emerson, Esq. I prepared a list from the Adju- tant-General's Report, showing the companies and regi- ments in which they served, but the names of many were not found there credited to Candia, owing probably to the large number classed under " unknown," and some others who enlisted into Massachusetts regiments. The following list is certified by the selectmen as having enlisted from Candia into the service of the United States in 1861, or previous to any bounty being paid by the town : J. Lane Fitts, Stephen Dearborn, killed at James Island, George Emerson, killed at Fredericksburg, "Wells C. Haines, wounded at Bull Run, taken pris- oner, and died at Kich- mond, John G. Burbeck, David Bedee, "William Bedee, Richard B. Brown, John Brennard, Francis Fifleld, Edmund J. Langley, Lewis B. Carr, Edwin J. Godfrey, George W. Clay, . Rufus Ward, Henry Buzzell, Lorenzo Fifield, "William Norton, Richard Norton, Lucien Carr, Charles Turner, Horace Dearborn, Albert Harlow, Chester C. Smith, J. Henry "Worthen, John Sullivan, Stephen Fifleld, ' "VTilliam Robinson, James Gannon, George Robinson, "William Daniels, George A. Turner, Guilford Batchelder, E. Morrill, David R. Daniels, died in army, David Dudley, died in Mary- land, John Hall, "William Roberts, Charles B. Carr, E. Matthews, Charles Robinson, David Norton, Jr., Henry Norton, Reuben Batchelder. On the 17th of October, 1861, we find the following vote passed by the town of Candia in aid of volunteers : " That the selectmen be authorized and instructed to raise by loan, or otherwise, a sum of money not exceeding 26 402 HISTORY OF CHESTER. fire hundred dollars, and expend so- much of the same as they may think proper in aiding the families of such per- sons as have enlisted and been mustered into the service of the United States from this town ; the same to be expended agreeably to the law of New Hampshire, passed June, 1861. Also, that the same provision be granted to all who may hereafter enlist." At the annual meeting in March, 1862, the following vote was passed : " Voted, that the selectmen abate the poll-tax of all sol- diers4hat have enlisted into service from this town." At a legal town-meeting, held on the 14th day of August, 1862, the following votes were passed in the affirmative : " Voted, that one thousand dollars be raised to aid the families of volunteers. " Voted, that the selectmen hire, at the lowest possible rate of interest, a sufficient sum of money to pay each vol- unteer who has enlisted, or may enlist into the service of the United States for three years, and who has been mus- tered into said service to make up the quota of Candia, agreeable to the last call of the President for three hun- dred thousand men, two hundred dollars." At the same meeting it was " Voted, to add one hundred dollars, making three hun- dred to each volunteer." On the 13th of the same month it was " Voted, to pay the nine-months men one hundred and fift}' dollars each." The following is a list of names of those who received a bounty of three hundred dollars each, at the time Captain W. R. Patten enlisted his company. Here is the receipt : " We severally acknowledge to have received from the town of Candia the sums set to our names, agreeable to the vote of the town passed August 14th, 1682, to encourage volunteer enlistments into the service of the United States for the term of three years." "William E. Patten, Captain; E. Baxter Brown, 1st Lieut. "William Clark, sickened iu Heury "W. Rowe, the army, returned to Con- Lewellyn "Wallace, died in cord and died, army, Robert Clark, Charles R. Rowe, Ansell Emerson, George W. Hartford, MILITARY HISTORY. 403 Edwin Haines, Frank Sovaine, Edward B. Robinson, Thomas C. Eunnells, Oliver Haynes, George Mead, died, Dexter Read, Woodbury Hartford, Joel P. Bean, returned, died, Jesse D. Bean, N. P. Brown, Daniel Brown, Jr., died, E. W. Foss, C. E. Stacy, Charles E. "Wason, Manson M. Bricket, Levi Barker, Jr., Frederick F. Emerson, Charles M. Lane, Nathl. Hardy, died, Charles C. Page, Leonard F. Dearborn, George W. Griffln, Heman O. Mathews, Charles C. Brown, E. F. Brown, died, N. J. Dearborn, Rufus Ward, Ezekiel L. Shurtleff, John H. Harrison, Thomas J. Morrill, Joseph L. Gleason, Albert M. Morrill, Augustus B. Gile, James H. Morrill, Charles A. Jones, Hiram G. Gleason, George 0. Fifleld, Asa E. Buswell, John A. Gile, Daniel C. Davis, Woodbury D. Dearborn, Reuben H. Dunn, George W. Brown, Jr., William Collins. The following is a list of volunteers for nine months, who were paid a bounty of one hundred and fifty dollars each : Levi Barker, Andrew J. Mead, Daniel B. Langley, Edward P. Lane, died at New Orleans, Henry T. Eaton, Walter W. Bean, Franklin Clay, John H. Bean, Samuel C. Nay, P. Gerrish Robinson, Daniel Hall, died at New Orleans, Frederic Clay, Joseph Avery, George W. Taylor, Charles W. Hoit, John A. Haines. At a legal meeting held on the 10th of January, 1863, the following vote passed affirmatively : " That the selectmen be instructed to appropriate six hundi'ed dollars to aid the families of volunteers." At the annual meeting, 1863, it was " Voted, to raise one thousand dollars to aid the families of volunteers." 404 HISTOEY OP CHESTER. July 14th, 1863, it was " Voted, to appropriate two thousand dollars to aid the families of volunteers." At a legal meeting, held on the 2d day of September, 1863, the following vote was passed affirmatively : " To pay each drafted man three hundred dollars, whether he serves himself, or procures a substitute." At a meeting of the town, held on the 30th day of No- vember, 1863, to see what measures the town would take to fill its quota, the selectmen were instructed to procure a sufficient number of men at as low a rate as may be, and that the town raise a sum of money not exceeding eight thousand dollars, and appropriate as much as may be necessary in procuring said men. List of Volunteers under the call of October nth, 1863. Patrick Donnelly, Carl Neagle, Augustus Archer, George Smith, Charles Smith, George C. Brown, Edward Black, John Nelson, John Wilson, Martin Eapee, John Brown, Frederick McPherson, Horace Colburn, James "Webber, Nelson Hurd, Charles Fifield. At the annual meeting, 1864, it was voted to raise one thousand dollars to aid families of volunteers. At a meeting of the town, April 28, 1864, it was voted to pay veteran soldiers three hundred dollars bounty. At the same meeting it was voted to raise two thousand five hundred dollars, to be paid as bounties to raw re- cruits ; also to raise five thousand dollars to be expended in filling our future quotas, if any calls be made prior to March next. At a legal meeting of the town held Aug. 30, 1864, it was voted to raise fifteen hundred dollars to aid families of volunteers. At the same meeting it was voted to raise five thousand dollars in addition to what had already been raised ; and to pay to drafted men, or substitutes for drafted or enrolled men, the highest bounties allowed by law. MILITARY HISTORY. 405 At a meeting held Dec. 28, 1864, it was voted to pay volunteers, residents of Candia, six hundred dollars for one year. " Voted, to raise a sum not to exceed twelve thousand dollars, to pay volunteers or substitutes." Substitutes for Drafted Men. James O'Donnel, Thomas Marks, Carlz Fitzrun, John Stevens, James Snllivan, James Han. The above were paid three hundred dollars each, by the ,;;;/ tOWU. The following is a list of those enlisted in 1864, who were paid a bounty of four hundred dollars : James Thomas, Thomas Harvey, James "Wright, Edward Bailor, George Bower, Malcom McKinna, Charles Dearborn, George A. Turner, William Eobinson, Richard Howard, Alexander White, Robert Field, Nicholas Johnson, Cyrus W. Truel, Willie F. Eaton, John H. Brown, A. Frank Patten, Orlando Bi-own, Reuben H. Fitts, Sam' C. Nay. The following enlisted under the vote to pay six hundred dollars bounty : John C. Fifield, Orestes J. Bean, Lewis H. Gate, William G. Fitts, George L. Merrifleld, John L. Quimby, Lewis D. Moore, Samuel L. Carr, John H. Mears, Frank G. Bnrsiel. At the annual meeting, 1865, it was voted to raise twelve hundred dollars to aid families of volunteers. Here follows a list of substitutes furnished by enrolled men, to each of which the town paid a bounty of three hundred dollars : Joseph B. Quimby, Charles Fuller, Thomas Smith, John Curdines, 406 HISTOEY OP CHESTER. John Logan, Frank Rogers, James Cheney, James Green, Edmund Boyle, Frank Stanton, James "Webb, Wm. H. Williams, John Haynes, Jacob Shenan. The following list of the soldiers furnished by the town of Eaymond has been given by the Rev. Joseph FuUonton, who is preparing a history of Raymond ; as with the town of Candia, there are discrepancies between that and the Adjutant-General's Report : Sewel J. Tiltou, Capt., John A. Cram, Lieut., George B. Cram, George H. Tilton, John Brown, Orren T. Dodge, Samuel G. Bartlet, Warren True, Augustus A. True, Elias True, Jr., Elbridge G. Moore, "William B. Green, Hazen Currier, George P. Sargent, George S. FuUonton, J. Francis FuUonton, Henry Robinson, David T. Osgood, George S. Gove, George D. Rowe, George B. Robinson, Daniel R. Bean, Andrew C. Nowell, GUford F. Gilman, Charles H. Edgerly, John H. Dearborn, David W. Towle, Nathan H. Magoon, Thomas R. Tuttle, Isaiah G. Young, Chase O. Wallace, Wm. A. Wallace, Geo. W. Gilman, Elisha Towle, Nathaniel Emery, Richard Abbot, Rufus A. Tilton, Daniel W. Osgood, Nathan Norton, Jonathan P. Holman, Abraham S. Healey, John Gile, William H. Ferren, Charles H. Abbot, William H. Kenniston, Alvah Fogg, James Pecker, John H. Hill, Franklin P. Morrison, Horatio H. C. Morrison, Daniel W. Norton, Laomi G. Warren, George C. Johnson, James Card, Charles Dow, Jona. F. Brown, Timothy Gleason, George W. Healey, Samuel H. Robinson, James H. P. Morrison, Jesse F. Morrill, Josiah W. Lane, George M. Brown, Samuel C. Nay, (claimed by Candia), Frank S. Heath, MILITARY HISTORY. 407 Wm. Y. Griflan, Leonard Q. Tilton, Cyrus "W. Dwight, James O. Scribner, Charles E. Dodge, Joseph Gleason, Hiram Gleason, Edward Gleason, Charles H. Perkins, John D. Folsom, Daniel Robinson, John D. Brant, Robert P. Kennard, Joseph A. Littlefield, Samuel M. Heath, James L. Stevens, Samuel Spaulding, Abner Lowell, Charles L. Randlet, Cyrus E. Poor, Wm'. H. Thurston, Charles Jones, David S. Healey, George Tripp, Joshua Smith, Orren B. Cram, Samuel G. Healey, John M. Smith, Daniel Bachelder, George S. Gove. Those who furnished substitutes for Raymond : Charles W. Lane, T. M. Gould, M. D., William B. Blake, Saml. I. Locke, Charles A. Bachelder, Elisha T. Gile, Thomas B. Bachelder, John F. Lane, Horace G. Whittier, Irving Folsom. The following votes were passed by the town of Ray- mond, respecting raising men, paying bounties, &c. Sept. 28, 1861, voted to adopt an act authorizing cities and towns to aid the families of volunteers, and authorized the selectmen to pay the families of volunteers. April 6, 1862, six hundred dollars were appropriated. Aug. 22, 1862, voted to pay a bounty of two hundred dollars to all those who have enlisted since the first of August, 1862, and all that may enlist, to a number sufficient to fill the quota of the town for the six hundred thousand ; to be paid on their being mustered into service. The selectmen were also instructed to pay the families of volun- teers the full amount that the law allows. March 10, 1863, the selectmen were authorized to hire eight hundred dollars to pay the families of volunteers. July 31, 1863, Josiah S. James was chosen agent to see that the quota of the town was allowed. August 20, 1863, voted to pay a bounty of two hundred 408 HISTORY OP CHESTER. and ninety dollars to all those who are drafted and mus- tered into the service, and compelled to serve in the army of the United States, and also to all substitutes that may be mustered in and serve. September 24, 1863, voted to pay all men drafted from the town of Raymond, up to the present time, mustered into the service of the United States, or their substitutes, three hundred dollars, agreeable to an act of June, 1863. May 31, 1864, " Voted, that the town pay three hundred dollars, drafted on a call for two hundred thousand men, or their substitutes when mustered into service. " Voted, that the town pay two hundred dollars to all that have, or may reenlist, to keep the quota full for the town. " Voted, that the selectmen be authorized to hire men to enlist, to fill the quota of the town, all that the town may be called upon to furnish by the government in future, not to exceed three hundred dollars per man, and hire a sum not exceeding ten thousand dollars." June 5, 1864, the selectmen were authorized to hire substitutes for drafted men, and pay not exceeding three hundred dollars each, and also for those called for in future ; and to hire a sum not exceeding fifteen thousand dollars. December 26, 1864, " Voted to pay citizens of the town, who may volunteer, one hundred dollars in addition to the state bounty for ^one year, and two hundred dollars for two years. " Voted to pay substitutes for volunteers three hundred dollars. " Voted to pay drafted men all the law allows. " Voted to authorize the selectmen to advance the state bounty. " Voted to authorize the selectmen to hire not exceeding five thousand dollars." March 14, 1865, " Voted to refund to each and every person who may have provided a substitute the one hundred dollars paid by them, over and above the amount previously received from the town." CHAPTER XV. HOW THE EARLY SETTLEBS LIVED, OE THE INDUSTRIAL HIS- TORY OF CHESTER. Everybody ■will understand that the first tenements must have been log-huts with stone chimneys. As a specimen of the early chimneys, Joseph Basford built a frame house on the place where Wells C. Underhill lives, which was sold to Moody Chase in 1769, who reared in it a large family. His daughter Mary (wife of B. P. Chase) used to relate that they could see to work the longest by the light which came down chimney, of any place in the house ; and that the child who sat the farthest back against the back-log was the one who complained most of the cold. Cranes to hang their kettles over the fire were not in fashion, but two pieces of wood called " cross-bars" were put into the chimney, some three feet above the mantel-piece (which was of wood), and another called a " lug-pole " across them on which to hang " trammels." The ovens were built in beyond the back of the fireplace, so that the smoke came into one common flue. Then came half-flue ovens, being built about half way from the back to the jamb. Next came ovens built out to the jambs with a separate flue for the smoke, called whole-flue ovens. Perhaps there were no chimneys built without cranes, or with back ovens, since 1800, but a great many have been in use since then. Some of the fireplaces were so capacious as to burn wood four feet long. They would first put on a " back- log," from a foot to a foot and a half in diameter, and a " back-stick," smaller, on the top, then a " fore-stick," and small wood in front laid on andirons, if they were able to have them, if not, on stones. Where such a fire of good 410 HISTORY OP CHESTER. hard ■wood was in operation, it gave out a great amount of heat, and the cooking had to be done over such a fire. The ancient windows were of what was called " diamond glass." The sides of the panes were about five inches and the angles oblique. The longest diagonal stood perpen- dicular, so of course the outside of the casement was half- panes. The outside sash was of wood, and between the panes was lead. At a meeting of the Congregational par- ish April 21, 1743, Jacob Sargent, Benj. Hills and Enoch Colby were chosen a committee to sell the old lead and glass, and glaze the bouse with new sashes and glass. STOVES. I make a few extracts relating to the history of stoves, from an article in the " Scientific American" of Nov. 9, 1867. " Stoves are comparatively of recent general use, though they were known in this country as early as 1790. In that year Mr. Pettibone of Philadelphia was granted a patent for a stove which he claimed to be capable of warming houses by pure heated air. Pettibone's stove was soon after put up in the alms-house at Philadelphia. This was probably the first attempt to use, at least in this country. From this time forward, for many years, the stove was confined to public places ; its use for warming private houses or for cooking purposes not having been thought of. The long box-stove, capable of taking three-feet wood, was the only stove our ancestors knew anything about. The first advance towards a cooking stove was making the Franklin stove with an oven ; and the first that deserves the name was an oblong affair, having an oven running the whole length, the door of which was in front, directly over the door for supplying fuel ; and having also a boiler- hole and boiler on the back part of the top near the pipe. Then a stove similar in arrangement, with swelling elliptic sides was made, generally called the nine-plate stove. "About 1812 cooking stoves were made at Hudson from patterns made by Mr. Hoxie, wno was the first to elevate the fire-box above the oven. In 1815 William T. James of Lansingburgh, afterwards of Troy, made the stove known as the ' James stove,' which not only continued the leading cooking stove for nearly a quarter of a century, but may INDUSTRIAL HISTORY. 411 yet be seen on board of small eastern coasting vessels, where, being cheap and durable, it supplies the place of a caboose." In the James stove, the oven was directly over the fur- nace, and the sides were swelled out to give place for an oval boiler on each side ; they were cast heavy and were very durable. They were very liable to burn whatever was in the oven, unless the utmost care was used. I have heard it related that when one of these stoves was first set up, the goodman waited to be called to breakfast uatil out of patience, and upon going into the house found the good- wife in a perfect storm : the stove was good for nothing, — the biscuit were burned, — and as a penalty for getting such a piece of furniture he would have to dispense with his breakfast. With a good deal of coaxing he prevailed on her to mix another batch, which, with careful atten- dance, he succeeded in baking, and at ten or eleven o'clock succeeded in having his breakfast. There was a cooking- stove made at Franconia (a heavy, coarse-made concern) earlier than the James stove was used here, but I think was never used in Chester. Jonathan Aiken, Esq., of Goffstown, had used one of them several years and thrown it by previous to 1836. Other patterns were soon intro- duced with the oven by the side of the furnace and under the furnace. People were very punctual in going to meeting, and some of them riding three, four, or even six miles on horseback, when there was not sleighing, their horses standing out of doors exposed to the cold, and they remaining in the meeting-house without fire during two long services and intermission, except that a part of the men would resort to the neighboring tavern where they could warm inside as well as outside. In 1821 Samuel D. Bell, Esq., drew up a subscription paper and carried it round and collected money and purchased a stove which was put into the Con- gregational meeting-house. In 1822 the Rev. Clement Parker went round at the Long Meadows and procured a subscription, and when people plead poverty he offered to 412 HISTORY OF CHESTER. advance the money and take his pay in wood. The stove ■was procured and put into the house in the broad aisle in front of the pulpit, the funnel going up nearly to the ceil- ing, and then out at the front window. The first time a fire was kindled the stove cracked, when the conservatives said, " / told you so." The first cooking stove in Chester was bought by Daniel French, Esq., in 1824. The next about the same time by Hon. Samuel Bell. The James pattern was perhaps the earliest here. The first cooking stove in the Long Meadows was one of the James, by Hon. John Polsom, about 1830, but not liking it, he carried it back ; and the first to permanently remain was a rotary, in which the top turned to bring five different boilers over the fire, bought in January, 1835, by the writer ; and several others were bought the same winter. Before cooking stoves were generally introduced, the tin baker was invented, and used to bake cakes, pies, Ac, before an open fire. It consisted of a tin box about twenty inches long, the bottom about a foot wide, inclining about twenty-two and a half degrees, and set on legs ; a perpen- dicular back four or five inches wide, with a hinge, and the top similar to the bottom, with a sheet-iron bake pan sus- pended between them, so that when the baker was set before the fire at a suitable distance, the inclined surfaces, top and bottom, reflected the rays of heat upon the materi- als to be baked. The first of these in the Long Meadows — probably in Chester — was bought by the writer in the spring of 1832. Previous to the stove or baker was the Dutch-oven, for baking, frying, &c. If was a shallow cast-iron kettle, with a cast-ii'on cover. The articles to be baked were put into it, over the fire, and the cover filled with coals. Previous to any of these devices, for roasting meat a spit was used. It was an iron rod about a yard long, with a crank at one end. The andirons had bearings to support the spit riveted to the side next the fire. The meat was attached to the spit, which was laid into these bearings, INDUSTRIAL HISTORY. 413 and the crank turned to bring all sides to the fire. I have seen the apparatus, but I think not in use. Another mode, which I have seen a great many times, was to suspend the spare-rib by a hook and line before the fire, with a dripping-pan under it, and one of the children would turn it with a stick. When the line became hard twisted, it would turn itself the other wa^ until untwisted. Before the introduction of stoves, they endeavored to " keep fire " by burying a good hard-wood brand in the ashes. When fire was lost, and neighbors were not at hand to borrow from, resort was had to flint and steel, with tinder (a cotton or linen rag burnt to coal) to catch, and a sulphur match to take from that ; or a gun, with a little powder and tow, was sometimes used. When stoves be- came common, about 1832 or '33, friction or lucifer matches were introduced. A story used to be told of a " Mother Hoit," who, when her fire was low, poured powder from a horn, intending to stop it off with her finger, but it proved too quick for her, and the horn went out at the top of the chimney. It used to be a saying, " as quick as Mother Hoit's powder-horn." Oliver Eaton, of Seabrook, informed us that it occurred there, and that he once heard the expression used on a wharf in New York by an English sailor, who said that he had heard it used on the wharves of London. The milk-pails then in use were wood, and the pans of earthen, tin not being used until within the present century. Their dishes were of pewter, the dresser — a set of open shelves — being set off with platters and plates, basins and porringers. These may be seen in the back- ground of the cut illustrating combing flax and spinning linen. Then the children had wooden plates, or, perhaps, a square trencher to eat from. I used a wooden plate when a boy, also a pewter spoon. Their spoons were mostly made of pewter. They were clumsy, and very liable to be broken. Robert Leathhead, who lived where Matthew Dickey 414 HISTORY OF CHESTER. lately lived, used to itinerate with ladle and spoon-mould to run pewter spoons. He was a religious man, a Presby- terian, and knew nothing of responses, or the use of amen, except as a finis to a religious exercise. On one occasion he put up with a family of Freewill Baptists or Methodists, who invited him to lead in their family devotions. He had but just commenced, when there came a loud, responsive " amen," which Mr. Leathhead took as a signal for him to close, which he reluctantly did. They had a piece of cooper's ware, called a piggin, hold- ing about a gallon, one stave of which projected four or five inches above, for a handle. _It served as a ladle to dip water, and also as a wash-dish. They also used a gourd- shell as a ladle. It had a long neck, like some species of squash, which made a convenient handle. One may be seen lying on the floor in the forementioned cut. Hard- shell pumpkin-shells were used to store balls of yarn and remnants of cloth. It was told of one old lady that at her death she had pumpkin shells which she carried from her father's at her marriage, fifty years before. Almost as a matter of course, coming poor into a new and hard, rocky country, our ancestors must have fared hard, and sometimes had a scanty living. I have heard it related that a lad, some sixty or seventy years ago, re- marked that he supposed Mr. So-and-so's folks lived well ; that they had meat att the year round — implying that his folks had not, which was probably true. I have heard the woman of the other family relate that they were short of meat, and boiled a small piece with some sauce and greens ; that they had a caller to dinner who was probably meat- hungry, and he took the whole and ate it. It was usual for a man who had a family to go to the " Falls," or to Haverhill, and get and salt a barrel of ale- wives, or the Derryfield folks of lamprey-eels. Once when the fish were rather short at the Falls, and many were wait- ing, one of the fishermen fell in and went down through the falls some distance, and when he got his head above water one of the anxious customers inquired : " And saw ye any fish in your downcoming ? " INDUSTRIAL HISTORY. 415 The English, by boiling beans very soft with their boiled dish, and thickening the liquor, made bean-porridge, which was a common and favorite dish. It has been said — I do not vouch for its truth — that when the man was going away with his team the woman would make a pot porridge and freeze with a string in, so that he could hang it on his sled-stake, and when he wanted to bait, would cut off a piece and thaw it. The Irish had a corresponding dish in barley-broth, barley being substituted for beans. It was related of old Mrs. Linn that she had company one day, and had some charming good broth, but forgot to put in the meat. The Irish used to churn their milk and cream together, and use the buttermilk as a common drink. There was another dish which was a great luxury, which was baked pumpkin and milk. In the autumn and early winter, take hard-shell pumpkins and cut a hole in the stem end sufficiently large to admit the hand, and scrape the in- side oui clean, and replace the top. If the oven was not, like Nebuchadnezzar's furnace, heated seven times hotter than it was wont to be heated, it was a great deal hotter than usual, and after the pumpkins were in, it was plastered around the lid to keep the heat in. Dr. Bouton, in his " History of Concord," says that they filled them nearly full of new milk, and ate directly from the shell, and that Governor Langdon, when boarding at Deacon Kimball's, preferred that mode as being the most genteel. I never saw that mode practiced, but have eaten pumpkin and milk a great many times. The shells were very useful to hold balls of yarn and remnants of cloth. Some wheat was raised, and the flour used, but most of the bread used was brown, composed of rye and Indian. Such a thing as purchasing flour was hardly known previ- ous to 1810, or later. A favorite and good method of cooking potatoes was to open the hot embers on the hearth, and put the potatoes in and cover and roast them. The most common drink was cider, but in warm weather beer was made. In some places malt-beer was used, 416 HISTORY OP CHESTER. but I have seen no indications that it ever was in Chester. It was commonly made of hops, though sometimes by boil- ing spruce boughs. Spruce beer has been made at my father's long since my recollection. Beer would be an indispensable article for every innholder in cold weather, for the purpose of making flip. When the people had large families it was not uncommon to have but one suit for each of the children, and the mother must wash and dry the clothes a/ter the children were in bed. I have heard an old man say that when he was a boy his mother made him wear his shirt backside for- ward half of the time, to make it wear out alike. The clothing was mostly of domestic manufacture. The men, however, sometimes wore leather small clothes of moose-hide, buck-skin or sheep-skin. The Committee of Safety (Col. N. H. Hist. Soc, vol. 7, p. 63) " agreed with Mr. Daniel Gilman for 100 coarse moose hide breeches at 18s." Simon Berry and William Locke came from Rye about the same time, and their fathers soon made a journey to Chester to see their sons. Mr. Berry wore a pair of sheep- skin breeches, and being caught in a shower, the breeches got wet and sagged to the calf of the leg. Mr. Berry took his knife and cut them off at the proper place at the knee ; soon the sun came out, and the breeches shrank, so they were as much too short as they had before been too long. Their sheep were of a coarse-wooled kind. The wool was carded with hand-cards, which was very laborious work for the women. Sometimes, to make it more cheer- ful, they would have a lee or wool-breaking. It was, I be- lieve, as much work to card as to spin it, and a woman's stint of spinning was fi.ve skeins per day, for which the usual price was fifty cents and board per week, perhaps less sometimes. INDUSTRIAL HISTORY. 417 r I 1 "~#~'Ln a ^— T7ii ' N. ^. ff • iF CjammG and Spinning Wool, Cotton ob Tow. In CofBn's " History of Newbury," under date 1794, it is said : " In June of this year the first incorporated woolen factory in Massachusetts was erected at the falls of the river Parker, at Newbury. The machinery was made in Newburyport, by Messrs. Standring, Armstrong and Guppy." Tliis was probably the first wool-carding done by machinery in this region, if not in the country, and I am so informed by Mr. Dustin, of Salem, N. H. The next was by Mr. Alexander, where Mr. John Taylor's factory now is, in Salem, N. H., soon after the year 1800. The people of Chester used to go there with their wool, and pay al'out 27 418 HISTORY OP CHESTER. eight cents per pound for carding. I believe Mr. Alexander did some manufacturing. In 1805, Samuel Haynes, of Chester, procured a carding machine, and ran it that season, and then returned it to the vender. The next carding machine in this region was made at Chelmsford, Mass., and put up at Poplin Roclcs, by Samuel Gibson, who came from Methuen, Mass., in 1806. The next carding machine was made by D. & J. Marsh, Haverhill, Mass., for Moses Chase, and set up in the Haynes fulling-mill, in 1810. Some of the conservatives, or fogies, were much offended at the innovation, as it would ruin the women, and make them idle and lazy. The cards were then all set by hand, giving employment to women and children to set the teeth. For men's wear, fulled cloth was made and dressed by the clothier at from ninepence to one shilling and sixpence per yard. Sometimes, to save this expense, heavy waled cloth was made and dyed with bark at home. For women's win- ter wear, " baize " was made and dyed green, or without any fulling or napping, dyed with redwood or camwood, and pressed, and called pressed cloth; or sometimes merely dyed with bark at home. Nearly every good house-wife would have a blue vat, in the form of a " dye-pot," in which, instead of dissolving the indigo at once with sulphuric acid, it was put in a bag and dissolved gradually in urine. Those old enough to remember the operation will retain vivid recollections of the operation of " wringing out the dye-pot," on their olfactories. Here was i dyed the wool for stockings, and mother's and grandmother's woolen aprons. Many times when I was a small boy, when I came from sliding, or other recreation, with my hands aching with cold, I had them wrapped in grandmother's blue woolen apron. For summer wear the men had a cotton and linen cloth caXled. fustian. The women had for dresses, aprons, Ac, plaids of various patterns. So occasionally a web was made for handkerchiefs. The raising of flax and the manufacture of linen was INDUSTEIAL *HISTORy. 419 first introduced by the emigrants from Ireland to London- derry, in 1719, and they were eminent in that line of man- ufacture. It may be wise to preserve a knowledge of the various processes of it. After the flax was " pulled," the seed was threshed off, and the flax was spread to rot. It lay exposed to the dews, rain and sun, until the woody part had become tender, so as readily to break in pieces. The fibre would meanwhile turn of a darker color, and become more pliable. After the sledding had broken up, about the first of March, the flax was " got out." The first operation was breaking. Bbeak:sg and Sttinglixg js'lax. 420 HISTORY Oy CHESTER. The flax-break was an oak stick some six feet long and a foot square, set on legs, with about four feet of it about half cut away diagonally, leaving one foot square of each end. Here were inserted four hard-wood slats, edgewise, with the upper edge sharp. To match this were another set of slats, one end inserted in a block called a " head," and the other in a wooden roller hung to the back part of the body of the break. The operation of breaking was to raise the top slats with the right hand, by means of a pin or handle in the head, and with the left hand put the flax into the break, and it was operated until the woody part of the flax was broken fine, and most of it fallen on the floor. The next operation was combing the seed ends by drawing it through a comb of twelve or sixteen iron teeth inserted in a board. The next operation was swingling. A board about seven inches wide and four feet long was set in a heavy block to keep it steady and upright. This was a " swingling board." A heavy wooden knife about two feet long was used to beat the flax over this board to separate the finer " shives " and the coarser tow. This operation was called " swingling." A very smart man, with good flax and a good dry day, and leaving it rather rough, would swingle forty pounds in a day, though twenty pounds would be an ordinary day's work. The breaking was about equal to the swingling, which would make ten to twelve pounds on an average, as ah ordinary day's work of dressing from the straw. The next process in the manufacture was combing. The flax comb was made by inserting teeth made of nail rods, say six inches long, and pointed, into a board or plank, which would be secured firmly to a chair, or something else. My grandmother's, yet in good condition, has twelve teeth, about half an inch apart, and seven deep, the teeth in each row standin§ opposite the spaces of the preceding row. The flax was drawn continually through this comb, until the "tow" or short and imperfect fibres of the flax were all drawn out. The flax was then ready to put upon the " distaff." The Irish, or linen wheel, was about twenty INDUSTRIAL HISTORY. 421 inches in diameter, liung on an iron crank, and was opera- ted by the foot on a treadle. The -wheel had two grooves in its circumference, one to receive a band to drive the fliers and the other to drive the spool with a quicker motion to " take up " the yarn. The distaff was a sapling about an inch thick, with four or five branches, which were tied together at the top. The flax was put on this and the thread drawn from it. Two " double skeins" was a day's work. *^fi-i-u<^feKc<#FI^ ^-^=2Kc<=^^-__ ^ Combing Flax axd Spinking Linen. The linen manufacture was quite a business with the Scotch Irish of Londonderry and Chester, making fine linen cloth and thread, and bleaching it and sending it to 422 HISTORY OF CHESTER. the towns to market." The beach of Massabesic was a fa- vorite place for bleaching. Linen constituted a very impor- tant part, with cotton, of household fabrics and barter, — shirts, sheets, table linen, summer dresses, handkerchiefs, meal bags, &c. There was a process to facilitate bleaching, called " buck- ing." It was to put the cloth or yarn into a tub, cover it with a cloth, and fill the tub with ashes, which were leached, the lye passing through the cloth. The process was re- peated at pleasure. After bleaching the cloth, came the final operation of " beetling," which was performed by folding the cloth and laying it on a flat, smooth stone. The beetle was of maple, or some hard wood, perhaps two feet long and five inches in diameter, two thirds the length turned down to a suita- ble size for a handle. The cloth was beaten with this, and the folds continually changed, until the whole web was ren- dered sufficiently pliable and soft. I have seen the opera- tion performed by laying the cloth on the stone hearth, and using the pestle. The smaller girls would take the " swingling-tow " and beat out the shives, and spin and double and twist it, and sell to the merchant for wrapping-twine. The older ones, to make their purchases at the store, would make all-tow, tow-and-linen, or cotton-and-linen cloth, to barter with the store-keeper. My sisters tell me that when one was about nine and the other thirteen, in 1810, the elder one spun the warp and the younger one the filling, and made a web of tow cloth, and bought them dresses ; and tliat tliey now have pieces of those dresses. Also the shoe-thread was of linen, and all shoes were then sewed. Pegging the soles is a modern invention. The people wanted ropes for bed cords, and other purposes, which were frequently, if not universally, of home manu- facture. The flax or tow was spun and warped in three strands, of the required length. A machine was made by taking three pieces of hard-wood board about a foot square, and making round tenons or bearings on the opposite cor- ners, forming cranks, one end of which was inserted in a INDUSTRIAL HISTOEY. 423 stationary standard with hooks, to which to attach the three strands of the rope. A shorter and movable piece of board with corresponding holes was put on to the other tenons, by moving which gave a crank motion, and twisted the strands. A simple crank at the other end twisted the rope. A small block, with three grooves for the strands, aided in " laying the rope even." In the culture of flax there was a weed very prolific in small seed, called " wild flax." This increased so fast that it was necessary once in two or three years to clean the seed. This was done by having a cylinder of tin or sheet-iron, perforated so as to let the wild seed pass and retain the flax seed. This screen was suspended on bearings, the seed put in and the machine turned by crank until the seed was cleaned. The two last named machines, I think, might have been seen about the premises of the late Jacob Chase, a few years since, probably made and owned by his grand- father. Tow was carded and spun on a large wlieel like cotton or wool. Cotton has been a constituent part of clothing as far back as I have any knowledge. It was of course carded and spun by hand until the starting of factories, when cot- ton warp was made and sold at the stores, and the weav- ing done by hand. Cotton was also sold at the stores. The weaver's reed or " slaie," was made of sticks of cane, whittled with a knife, and the twine wound by hand. Peter Aiken and James and Alexander Shirley were famous in Cliester for making them. Their looms were heavy, clumsy things. The web was sprung by the feet, the shuttle was thrown and the " lathe " swung to beat in the filling with tlie hands, so that with every throw of the sliuttle and beat of the " lathe," the hands had to be changed from one to the other. Five or six yards was a day's work of weaving. The yarn was reeled in threads of two yards each, forty of which made a " knot, " and seven knots a " skein," and fourteen knots a " double skein." The warp, for warping was wound on " spools," and the filling on " quills " made of elder. The spooling and quilling gave employment to' boys and girls. 424 HISTOEY OF CHESTER. Another branch of household manufacture was yarn cov- erlets for bed covers, in which a good deal of taste and mechanical ingenuity were displayed in the colors and fig- ures. Among those eminent for weaving this article in a great variety of figures was the wife of John Locke, and after her death his daughter Polly, now the wife of John Currier of Sandown. The tanners had no chemical process or hot liquor. To grind the bark they used a circular stone, generally a worn out mill-stone. They fitted a central post or shaft with wooden bearings, with a horizontal shaft or axletree, one end working with a wooden bearing in the post, the other end fitting and passing through the eye of the stone far enough to attach a horse. A circular platform of wood was built nearly twenty feet in diameter. As the horse made his circuit, the stone rolled over, crushing the bark. A hand was always in attendance to continually rake the coarse bark out under the stone, and shove the fine to the centre. The first bark-mill was invented and patented in 1808, by Paul Pillsbury (an uncle of Parker Pillsbury of aboli- tion notoriety), who was born at West Newbury, and lived at Byefield. Instead of the cylinder and cone being cast whole, as in modern mills, they were cast in segments, and fitted to wood. He sold his patent for two thousand dol- lars, but never got his pay. The first bark-mills introduced into Chester were at a later day, probably about 1812, and were cast whole, the cone being fitted to a perpendicular wooden shaft, and standing in the centre of the platform, and the horse attached to a sweep and traveling in the old track. The farmers were their own butchers, and carried the hides to the tanners, who tanned either by the piece or upon shares. Upper leather would tan in the course of the summer, and it would be a winter business to curry it. It was all shaved down with the currying-knife, there being no splitting-machines before 1810 or 1815. The sole leather took a year or more to tan. There is the name of Lemuel Clifford of Chester, tanner, in a deed as early as INDUSTRIAL HISTORY. 425 1734, but whether he actually tanned here is uncertain. Ichabod Robie, a grantee, was a tanner at Hampton Falls, and taught his sons the art. Pie settled his son John on home lot No. 35, about 1733, who had a yard where Robin- son's yard lately was, and he taught his sons the art. Sam- uel Robie settled on his father's lot, 116, and had a yard where the Blake yard lately was, and taught his son Ed. ward the art, who once carried on the business in Candia at the brook north of Parker's Corner. Tanner Martin set up the business in Chester Woods about 1780, and James Wason at the Long Meadows about 1785, and Capt. Ezekiel Blake came to Chester in 1792 and did quite a business at the Samuel Robie yard. There was no such thing as sale-shoe work then. The people carried their stock to the shoemakers, or sometimes shoemakers itinerated from house to house with their " kit." I recollect about fifty-five to sixty years ago, Mr. Stocker, a very small man, father of Aaron Wilcomb's wife, used to go through our neighborhood. It is said of Samuel Mur- ray that he would make shoes for Dea. John Hills, and that the Deacon would pay him in labor on the farm ; that Mr. Murray would work with the Deacon day-times and make shoes to pay him nights. At that time the utmost economy had to be practiced. All of the young people and some of the old ones went barefoot during the summer, and the maidens when going to meeting would either go barefoot until nearly there or wear thick shoes and carry the " morocco " ones in their hands to save the wear. Long within my recollection, the maidens going across to the Long Meadows to meeting carried their shoes in their hands until across the brook. The father and mother, if not the grandfather and grand- mother, had the horse with the saddle and pillion, and the younger oues walked, sometimes from three to six miles. The heel pegs were made with a knife. Sometime, prob- ably from 1812 to 1815, Mr. Pillsbury, the inventor of the bark-mill, fixed a tool to plow grooves across a block of maple, and then cross-plow it, which pointed the pegs, and 426 HISTORY OF CHESTER. then they -were split with a knife and malic fc. Mr. Pillsr bury soon got up improved machinery and did a large business at making pegs, and then pegged shoes were in- troduced. (See Shoe and Leather llcporter, July 16, 1868.) Boots were not in common use. They had "leggings" or " buskins," knit to reacli from the knee to the shoe, with the bottom widened so as to cover the shoe, and leather strings to tie them down. I wore them myself when a lad, and I have heard my grandfather say that he never had a pair boots of nor an outside coat before he was twjnty-one years old. Boots made by crimping in the ankles weio not in use before 1805 or '6, and they were known for many years as " Suwarrow boots," from the name of the Russian General Suwarrow. Before that the fronts ware in two parts. The foot had a tongue which went up two or three inches into the leg. They were gen- erally worn with white tops and small clothes or "breeches" which came down just below the knee. Breeches were generally worn till about that time, and some old men wore them ^ong as they lived.. PLOWS. The plows had the wroughtiron shares, the beam being very long with wooden mould-board, plated with old hoes and other scraps of iron. What are now bent for handles were then straight, and were called " thorough-shots," as was also the stud at the forward part of the irons, which INDUSTRIAL HISTORY. 427 projected far enough above the beam to attach the handles to it. The handles were long pieces of wood attached to the forward " thorough-shots," and also to those behind, with wooden pins, and extending back two feet or more behind, making a very long plow. Franklin Crombie, Esq., says that he measured one that formerly belonged to Mat- thew Templeton, which was nearly fourteen feet long. After a while the crooked handles were introduced, though within the present century. They then went into the woods and found a tree with as good a turn as they could, and split out their handles. When the turnpikes were built, in 1805, the Dutch plow was introduced. It was a triangular piece of iron, so made as to form a wing and point, and the forward part of the mould with a wooden land-side, plated and attached to the wood by a bolt. The plow was very short. Many of them were afterwards made by Abraham Sargent, Jr., and Daniel Wilson, as late as 1830. The first cast-iron plows, so far as I know, were the Hitchcock pattern. Probably the first brought into Chester was by Hawley Marshall of Brentwood, 1830-1833. Iron or steel shovels were not much, if any, used here, previous to building the turnpikes in 1805. They used to take a large red-oak tree and split out the shapes and make wooden shovels and have the edge shod with iron, which were called " shod shovels." July 9, 1775, the committee of safety ordered James Proctor paid nine pounds for " sixty Shod Shovels by him delivered." In Stephen Chase's diary Feb. 24, 1797, is an entry " Sawed great oak log, — making shovels." Mr. John Brickett of Haverhill was, as late as about 1810, famous for making shod-shovels. Tlie manure-forks were of iron, very heavy, with long handles like a pitch-fork handle. Hoes were made by common blacksmiths, of iron and laid with steel, and were frequently new-steeled. The scythe-snaths were either straight or with a natural bend, and home-made. Probably there- were none man- ufactured by being steamed and bent previous to 1810. The rakes were also of home manufacture, and much 428 HISTORY OF CHESTEE. heavier than the modern ones. The first that my father had of a different kind was a Sliaker rake in 1808. The pitch-forks were iron and very heavy and chimsy at that, steel ones not being used much before 1830. My grandfather's, made about 1762, are yet in good condition. WAGONS. When wagons were first introduced into Chester is not known. The first that I have seen any mention of a wagon is August, 1797. Lieut. Josiah Underbill charges Joseph Hall with " binding of wagon wheels," and in October of the same year, credits Mr. Hall for his " wagon to Haver- hill, 8s. 6d." It appears from Lieut. Underbill's accounts, that soon after that time he had a wagon built himself, and often let it to others. Simon M. Sanborn says that the first ox-wagon in that part of the town was owned by his grandfather, John Hoit, he thinks, not more than sixty-five years ago. Capt. Noah Weeks, born 1790, says that the first ox- wagon on the street was procured by Mr. Sweetser to draw his store-goods on ; and that he had taken eight barrels of cider on a cart with bags of apples on the top, and driven the team to Newburyport. It is related of one Moses Williams of Sandown, that he procured an ox-wagon to move a family from Danvers, and that he lay awake the night before starting, planning how he should turn his wagon when he arrived there. The mode of drawing boards on one pair of wheels was to have "drafts," — a spire about twenty feet long spread ^erJ wide, pinned on the top of the axletree and extending l)ack four or five feet, so that the boards were to bear on tlie drafts before and behind and not tip on the axletree. On such a vehicle large quantities of boards were drawn to Haverhill and Sweat's Ferry. It has been done within my own recollection by my father. The earliest light, one-horse wagons wpre about the year 1810. Deacon Walter Morse says that he had the first one m Cliester, about 1811. They were rather rough and INDUSTRIAL HISTORY. 429 heavy, the body on the axletrees, without thorougli-braccs or springs. The first gig-wagon in the Long Meadows was owned by Deacon James Wason, I think, about 1812. John Ordway, Esq., says the first he ever saw or heard of was made by Samuel Smith, of Hampstead, about 1809 or 1810. Before this, a few of the wealthiest had a heavy, clumsy, square-top chaise. In 1805 there were about twenty persons taxed in Chester for a chaise. The tire of wheels was formerly cut in pieces the length of tlie felloes, and nailed on. The whole or hoop-tire came into use with the gig-wagon. The first on oxcart wheels was about 1820- Short boxes were used, — for cart wheels, about three inches long, and for light wheels about two inches. The pipe boxes and iron axletrees, I think, were not used previous to 1820. The boxes were then made with a chamber, so as not to bear in the middle. They were not made without a chamber before 1830. Most of the traveling was done on horseback, and fre- quently double, — the man before, and the woman on the pillion behind. Mucla transportation, especially of small and light articles, such as bottles, jugs, sugar and butter- boxes, was done in saddle-bags. Most of the going to mill was also on horseback. Sometimes larger and heavier articles were transported long distances. When Wells Chase built his house in 1771, he brought windows ready glazed on horseback from Newbury. When he built a pair of cart-wheels in 1780, he and another man went to Deer- field for the iron on horseback. I find on his account-book a charge, " By myself and horse to Deerfield, 4,£ 16s., Old Tenor, to B. Fitts ; " also for a day " tiring the wheels." This iron was made in Deerfield by Daniel Ladd, on the Lamprey river, about a mile above Robinson's mills, South Deerfield. The ore was the bog ore, and was dug near the base of Saddleback mountain, and near Northwood line, and transported to the furnace. The quality was indiffer- ent, containing sulphur, or some other foreign substance, which made it difficult to weld ; but it answered a purpose, the supply from the mother country being cut off by the war. 430 HISTORY OP CHESTER. It is related of Deacon Jonathan Hall, that when he visited his daughter, the wife of Deacon Joseph Dear- born, at Rumney, he carried her a bag of meal on horse- back. When Jonathan, the son of Deacon Jonathan Hall, moved to Rumney with his wife and child, they went on horseback with two horses, and carried their bed and cook- ing utensils, and a child. She sometime — probably after- wards — carried a linen-wheel before her on horseback to Rumney. SNOW-SHOES. Snow-shoes were much used in traveling on foot on deep snows, and, presenting so large a surface, prevented slump- ing. The following description and the annexed cut are made fi-om a pair of snow-shoes which my grandfather bought about one hundred and five years ago, which are now in good condition : The snow-shoe consisted of a piece of tough, hard wood, generally about seven- eighths of an inch thick, bent at the front part in a semicircle about sixteen inches in diameter, and the hinder part elon- gated, so that the ends came together side by side, and were riveted- and loaded with a small piece of lead, so that when walk- ing that end would trail on the snow. Tlie extreme length was three feet. Near each end, and tenoned into the bow, were flat pieces of hard wood, to which, and to the bow, was fastened a strong netting of leather or green-hide. The foot was fast- ened near the toe by means of a leather strap and strings, while the heel was left free. A man used to them would travel with great ease, some said easier than on bare ground without. In 1703 Captain Tyng raised a company of volunteers at Dunstable, and marched to Winnipiseogee against the Indian enemy on snow-shoes, for wliich the survivors had INDUSTRIAL HISTORY. 431 a grant of land from the General Court of Massachusetts in 1736, lying on the east side of Merrimack river, three miles vide, extending from Litchfield to Suncook, which was called " Tyngstown." Once within my recollection my father took a bushel of corn on his shoulder and traveled on snow-shoes to Blanchard's mill, a distance of two miles and a half. I have, many times since I have kept house, traveled across to the Long Meadow meeting-house to meeting on snow-shoes. I have heard my grandmother tell of being caught out in a snow-storm at a childbirth, or other occasion, and walking home on snow-shoes. BLACKSMITHS. The blacksmiths did all kinds of work. They not only did the jobbing, such as shoeing, forging chains, plow-irons, &c., but made the axes and hoes, shod the shovels and made scythes. Slitting- mills wercnot common, and they took the Russia and Swede's bars and split them with a chisel, and drew the iron to its proper size and shape. Swings for shoeing oxen, I think were not used much, if any, before 1810, and not uniformly used until a much later. date. A bed of straw was prepared; the ox was thrown down and turned upon his back ; a man sat and held his head ; the fore and hind legs were drawn and lashed together, so that they crossed each other between the knee and ankle, and were shod in that position. Lieut. Josiah Underbill used to prepare the shoes and nails, and go up to Deacon Kelly's and in his stable shoe all the oxen from there to Martin's and White Hall. I find on Lieut. Underhill's ledger, 1798, charges for " a scythe, 6s.; laying a broad-axe, 9s. ; laying a hoe, 2s. 6 ; two new hoes, 9s.; shoeing a shovel, 3s. ; laying an axe, 3s. ; a crooked shave, 3s. ; new axe, 8s. ; breasting a mill-saw. Is. 4. [The saw was of iron, and when worn so as to be hollow on the breast, was heated, and the back struck on the anvil and so straighted.] Cutting new teeth on a mill-saw, 3s." 432 HISTORY OF CHESTER. SCYTHES. Although Lieut. Josiah Underhill, aud perhaps other blacksmitlis, made scythes, a large portion of those used in Chester must have been brought from abroad ; and al- though not particularly relating to the history of Chester, some facts may be worth preserving, and illustrate the his- tory of the times. Maj. Benjamin Osgood made scythes by hand at Methuen about fifty or sixty years ago. He was a very powerful man to work, and of great endurance ; and he once told me that he had worked from four o'clock in the morning till eight at night, with two sledgemen, who took turns in blowing and striking. They took Russia bars and split them up with a chisel, and also the steel, and they would make eight scythes in a day, so that four scythes would be a a very large day's work to make. The earliest scythes that I recollect were stamped with the name of " Waters." Sutton, now Millbury, Mass., was a great place for mak- ing scythes, and I have the following facts from Mr. Na- thaniel Waters, an aged man, through his grandson. He says that the first scythes made in this country were made at Salem, Mass., about the year 1700, entirely by hand. Quite early a man by the name of Putnam commenced making scythes by hand on Putnam Hill, in Sutton. There was an act of Parliament cited in the history of Mc- Murphy's mill, in this work, forbidding the use of tilt- hammers. Putnam, to evade the law, as he supposed, ran one by horse-power many years. About 1770 Deacon Asa Waters erected a shop in Sutton, and ran tilt-hammers in violation of the law, and several other shops were built in that region about 1795. The •' Waters " scythes and " Sut- ton " scythes, much used in Chester from fifty to sixty-five, or more, years ago, came from there. INDUSTRIAL HISTORY, 433 COOPERS. Coopers' work was of course done by hand and with coarse tools. The earliest howel for crozing the staves for the head, which I ever saw, was a small adz with the edge curved and a short handle, somewhat resembling in shape a shoe-hammer. When I wa^ a lad they had one at Dea. Morse's with which we used to crack nuts. This gave way before my day to a crooked shave or drawing-knife, with an iron shank for the right hand in the barrel, and a han- dle for the left outside. About 1815 the stock howel, a kind of heel-plane with a curved iron, was introduced. At that time and later, a large business was done at fish bar- rels, also on beef barrels ; and of course staves and hoop- poles were quite an article of traffic, as they were before that time. It appears by Lieut. Underhill's ledger, men- tioned under the head of " Blacksmith," that he took them in pay for his work and hired them drawn to Haverhill and Newbury. For a season, making " shocks " was quite a business. They were red-oak hogsheads for molasses, set up, trussed, pared and howeled, and taken down and bundled and sent to the West Indies. But so many unskillful men and cheats went into it that they ran it under. Corresponding with this was making hoops to go with these shooks. Making staves and heading was once quite a business, as was also cutting hoop-poles. Wood land was owned by non- residents, and the old hoop-pole men were not over-particular about their lines. One of them had a novice at the business helping him one day, who inquired if they had not got to his line ; he replied, " My line always goes till sunset, sir." Rum, beef and fish barrels, also molasses hogsheads, were made in Chester, and large quantities of stock carried to Haverhill, Newbury and other places and sold. There were no pail- and tub-factories, — all was done by hand. When we consider the enormous quantities of such articles turned out at these establishments now, we are led 28 434 HISTORY OF CHESTER. to wonder what is done with them on the one hand, and how our ancestors got along on the other. Their work was from the best materials and was heavy and substantial, and was carefully used. My grandmother was married in 1760, and soon went on to a farm, and procured a cheese- tub and milk-pail which were in use long after my recollec- tion, I think till her death in 1814, — at least fifty years. HATS. The wool for hats had first to be carded by hand and then " bowed." The bow was a catgut line fastened to a wooden bow, similar in form to an Indian's bow, which was struck by a wooden pin and snapped into the wool, which threw it into a light mass into the desired form. The bowing was quite a trade to learn. Probably "Hatter" Underhill was the earliest hatter in town, afterwards Dan- iel Greenough, Perley Ayer, Stiles, Daniel Langmaid and James French. POPLAR AND PALMLEAF HATS. Daniel Pressy was a wool-hatter, and resided below Ingalls' hill where Francis Chase now lives in Sandown, and had a brother-in-law by the name of Mason Lincoln, also a hatter, who worked with him, who was the inventor, or brought the art of getting out the stuff and making the hats. A gauge with several spurs at suitable intervals) from one-sixteenth to one-eighth of an inch, was passed heavily over a piece of poplar wood about eighteen inches long, then a jointer with the iron lying very flat cut the stuff off, which wa% braided with seven strands and sewed into hats. Mr. Lincoln and Micajah Rogers, who lived where John Hunkins lately lived, got up a set of tools, and commenced the business of getting out the stuff. Jonathan Bond, who lived where Ezekiel Currier now lives, got sight of the tools, some said clandestinely, and did a great busi- ness in getting out the stuff. It was at first a great secret, but it soon became an open one. This was in 1806, and INDUSTRIAL HISTORY. 435 the first hats sold for fifty cents each. It became a great business in all the region, nearly all the women and child- ren going into it, and all of the traders dealing in the hats. They were sent South and West in vast quantities. The price of common coarse hats eventually came down to four or five cents each. They were very light, — good summer hats, and in a rain would swell so as not to leak badly. The business was however overdone as to quantity and quality. William Hazelton of Chester, and John Ordway of Hampstead, dealt largely in these hats, and happened to be in Boston together in March, 1827. A dealer who pur- chased of them had just imported some palmleaf, and got a man by the name of King, from Rhode Island, to instruct in the art of making hats. They purchased stock and hired Mr. King to come up and instruct the girls at two dollars each. Mr. Hazelton and Mr. Ordway had twelve or fourteen girls each to learn the trade. Prom this begin- ning it became a great business. The leaf was then split with a knife by hand, and the hats were pressed by hand. For the fine hats they then furnished stock and paid one dollar each for making, and sold in Boston for one dollar and fifty cents. They were sent to South America and sold there for five dollars each. These facts are communicated by Mr. Ordway. Since writing the above, I have received the following account from Mr. Jabez Boyden, of South Dedham, aged about eighty years. He says that the first he ever knew of the palmleaf-hat business was in 1823 or '4, he does not remem- ber which. He was engaged in the sennit or braided-hat manufacture, and used to peddle them in Rhode Island. One day at a tavern in Newport, some one asked him why he did not hire a man by the name of King, whom he knew in that place, who knew how to make palmleaf hats braided whole. The man King said he had been a sailor, and had been captured by the Spaniards and put in prison where he learned to braid palmleaf hats. Mr. Boyden hired Mr. King to come to South Dedham and teach the girls to make them. He says that the first hat cost him 436 HISTORY OP CHESTER. fifty dollars. After he got everything ready he had to give five dollars for the first hat to new beginners, and one dol- lar each afterwards. The hats sold at from three to ten dollars each, according to quality. After Mr. King had worked for him three or four months, some one from New Hampshire offered him great pay to go there and teach the girls. He went and was gone a few months and returned. Mr. King was dissipated and would not work when he had money. About the time Mr. King came to South Dedham, a woman at Dedham Centre took an old hat to pieces and learned to make them, made one for her husband and claimed to be the first to invent the art of making them, and threatened to sue Mr. Boyden for infringing upon her rights. He got his first leaf from South Carolina, but it was not strong, so they chartered a schooner from Salem to go to Cuba and get a cargo. The first lot of hats he sent to New York was sold wholesale at two dollars and fifty cents each. POTASH. The boiling of potash was quite a business in early times. The early inhabitants burnt good hard, green wood, in an open fire, and made good ashes and an abundance of them, and nearly every trader took in ashes in pay for goods. I think that Col. Webster was a manufacturer. I find in merchant Blasdell's ledger, date 1770, an account of what his potash cost. The " potash Citals " were three hundred and twenty pounds ; bringing " the Citals from Haverhill," twelve pounds. The whole expense was six hundred and six pounds, equal to one hundred and one dollars. Robert Calfe made potash, and paid ninepence per bushel for ashes. In 1790 Samuel Shirley had a potash manufactory near the pond and paid .eight pence per bushel for ashes. After- wards George Bell, son of William, had a store on the east side of the road, opposite the pond, and made potash where Mr. Shirley had done. For a long period after John Bell came to Chester he had a manufactory, which I think was the last in Chester. INDUSTRIAL HISTORY. 437 CLOCKS. The early inhabitants had. few clocks. The people were poor, and clocks were scarce and dear. As a substitute, sun-dials were used. The dials were made of pewter with a triangular piece called the " gnomon " placed on the me- ridian to cast a shadow, and the circumference was grad- uated to show the hours. The English school-books then used gave rules for dialing. But dials were useless in the night and in cloudy weather. The earliest clocks were of English manufacture, and some had only an hour hand and struck but once at each hour. One, apparently very ancient, was owned by Dea. Eichard Haselton, and afterwards by his son Thomas. I am informed by the Rev. T. H. Miller that there were clocks made in Portsmouth about one hundred and fifty years ago, and that there was a clock-maker there by the name of Fitz, who flourished about one hundred years ago and later. There was a David Blasdell of Amesbury, born in 1712, who was a clock-maker. I have seen several of his clocks, one with the date 1741 on it. His son Isaac came to Chester in 1762 and carried on the clock-making business until his death in 1791. The clocks were of brass, rather heavily made, and to run one day. The line was of linen, passing over grooved wheels armed with points to prevent slipping. One line and one weight carried both time and striking. Chester people and others were supplied with these clocks as far as they were able to purchase. My grandfather, Wells Chase, made a great effort, and in 1788 purchased one, for which he paid twenty dollars for the movement, and had the case made. He paid a part of the purchase in wood at eight shillings per cord, drawn to Chester, where John West now lives. Col. Stephen Dearborn had one about the same time with the name of Mr. Blasdell's son Richard on it. My grandfather's is yet good, and I have it running. Mr. Blasdell made a few eight-day clocks near the close of his 438 HISTORY OF CHESTER. life. There was a Simon Willard, of Roxbury, Mass., who was a celebrated clock-maker, but I believe none of his clocks came to Chester. Timothy Chandler, of Concord, born April 25, 1762, first learned the trade of card-making, (wool cards) and at the expiration of his apprenticeship traveled on foot from Pomfret, Conn., about 1784. He did not go into card-making, but hired a man by the name of Cummings, who was an apprentice to Mr. Willard, and set up clock-making in Concord, and did a large business. He made eight-day clocks of a lighter and better finish than the Blasdell clocks. Several of these clocks came to Chester. It may not be improper to give here a short description of the manner in which clock work was once done, which I have from Abiel Chandler, son and successor to Maj. Tim- othy Chandler. The wheels were cast blank and the teeth were cut on a gear engine which was turned with one laand and the tool held down with the other. The teeth were rounded up with a file. The pinions were imported cut, but the lever had to be rounded with a file. Mr. Chan- dler, however, thinks that on the earlier pinions the teeth were sawed out by hand. The pivots were turned in a lathe composed of a spring pole overhead with a line pass- ing from it and around the piece to be turned, to a treadle operated by the foot, so that when the treadle was borne down the piece turned towards the operator and his tool would cut, the spring of the pole carried it back again. Sometimes, in such light work as clock-making, a bow sim- ilar to a fiddle bow was used, the string passing round the piece to be turned, and operated by one hand and a file held on by the other. I think the spring pole and treadle was the only lathe then in use by chair makers and cabinet makers. Tobias Cartland, of Lee, born 1765, did quite a business at chair making, and got out and carried a great deal of stuff to Portsmouth on horseback, and his lathe was standing two or three years ago. Mr. Chandler says that when Low & Damon set up chair making in Concord, in 1806, and for several years after, they used such a lathe. Levi and Abel Hutchins, of Concord, learned their trade of INDUSTRIAL HISTORY. 439 Mr. Willard and set up the business there about 1788, per- haps a little later than Maj. Chandler. The first, or one of the first clocks made by Abel Hutchins, is now owned by his grandson, and is running. The dial or face was made of an old brass kettle. Quite a number of their clocks came to Chester and sold for from fifty to sixty dollars each. They were well made and in well finished cases, and some of them at the top of the face showed the phases of the moon. Levi Hutchins, in his autobiography, says that probably he and his brother Abel made the first brass clocks that were made in New Hampshire, but Isaac Blasdell made clocks in Chester twenty-five • years before they did in Concord. James Critchet, of Candia, was a man of great mechani- cal genius. When a y oung man he saw a clock which had a cuckoo that crowed instead of striking, which excited his curiosity, and he made quite a number of wooden clocks which ran twenty-four hours ; one he made for Dea. Abra- ham Bean, and altered it to an eight-day clock. Making wooden clocks was not much of a business previous to 1820. From 1820 to 1830 the Connecticut clocks were hawked about the country by peddlers, and the movement sold for about twenty dollars, and many of them were put up in a corner of the room and run for many years without a case, and did good service. UMRRELLAS. It is said that there were a few umbrellas used in Prance and England early in the eighteenth century, but were not common there until about 1775, and a few were imported, but were not common previous to the year 1800. I think the first owned in the Long Meadows was bought by my mother, in 1804, and is yet in existence. The first in Chester is said to have been bought by Josiah Morse, Jr., the precise date not known, but probably a little earlier. The first owned in Sandown is said to have been purchased by a daughter of Deacon Nathaniel French, soon after the death of her father, which occurred April 30, 1803, for which she paid five dollars. 440 HISTOEY OF CHESTER. VARIOUS ACCOUNTS. In order to sliow liow our ancestors lived, in what they trafficked, and the prices of articles, I make extracts from various old accounts : Exeter, Nov. 14, 1754. Eec* of Mr. James "Wilson, two thousand and a half of red oak hog-s'^ staves, at sixteen pounds old tenor, per thous*. John Gilman, Jr. That -would he five dollars and thirty-three cents per thousand, drawn to Exeter. The next is from a ledger of " Merchant" Blasdell, who traded at Chester Street and did an extensive business, commencing in 1759. The money was old tenor, of which it would take six pounds to make a dollar. He charges Jesse Johnson with £ 8. 200 hoard nails, 2 4 A pound of Coffee, 16 A gallon of Molasses, 3 A pound of alum, 12 A thousand of boards, 24 00 He gives credit for " 30 primers, at £6 each ; 67 pair of buckles, large ones, at £1 : 10 ; small ones, at £1 : 5." This seems to have been with a dealer, as it is all on one page: £ s. 2 doz. and three buttons, 1 16 8J )"!» of serg-, 22 15 i y* buckram, 9 4i y'^ black shaloon, 12 7 i y* cottou cloth, 1 "Wife making a coat 4 10 " " jacket and breeches, 9 00 Bed blanket, 15 00 2 gallons N. E. rum, 8 00 2 qts. "W..I. rum, 3 00 •4 lbs. sugar, 2 8 4 thousand shingles, 32 00 1 paper of pins, 15 A mug, 1 00 1 lb. powder, 2 7 INDUSTRIAL HISTOBY. 441 Pewter basoD, 3 10 An ounce of indigo, 18 li yard of broadcloth, 18 00 li lbs. cotton wool, 2 17 1 gallon of molasses, 3 00 2 bread pans, 14 1 pair of cards and a slate, 6 18 2 bvisbels of corn, 6 00 1 gill of rum, 1 10 He charges James Croset with articles " when you broke your leg." Prom Wells Chase's account-book, 1771, Caleb Hall is charged " for self and oxen to Suncook, 12s." This was to the Catamount hill, in Allenstown, after mill-stones. 1791, Samuel Shirley is charged with " ashes at 8 pence per bushel." He is credited with " rum, at Is. 4 per quart, and tobacco at 2 pence per yard." They had tobacco for chewing, called " pig-tail," which was twisted into a cord about five-sixteenths of an inch thick, and rolled into bun- dles and sold by the yard. I will next give some items from a ledger of Lt. Josiah Underbill, commencing in 1797. The money is lawful, six shillings to the dollar. Although Mr. Underhill began very small at first (probably not far from 1780), his business was now large, extending to Daniel Davis and Jedediah Kimball, at White Hall in Hooksett, to John Clarke, Bricket and Murray, and to Dea. John Hills and Simon French, in Candia. John Clarke is charged "for a mill-saw, J2 : 8 : ; for breasting a saw. Is., 4." Their saws were iron, and when worn hollow, were heated, and the back struck on the an- vil and straightened. " Mending a mill-saw." In 1799, Alexander and James Shirley were charged with " paying for a German mill-saw 13 dollars." This was probably one of the earliest steel saws. The Shirleys owned the Oswego mill. They are at the same time credited with " 1000 boards at the mill, |5.00." There are several saws charged which he made, and quite often breasted. Scythes are quite frequently charged, usually at 442 HISTORY OP CHESTER. 7s. 6d., or 8s. each; narrow axes, at 8s.; new steeling, 4s. to 5s ; new hoes, 5s., new steeling, 2s. 6d. ; shoeing oxen, 7s. 6d. ; horse, 5s. 4d. James and Silas Hunter are charged " to making an instrument to haul teeth, 2s. 6." So it seems that he made surgical instruments. Stephen Chase is charged with " a pair of corks for his boys. Is. 4 ; shoe- ing a shovel, 2s. 6 ; for a gripe for the shay." Paul Adams is charged for " a hook and buckles for a sleigh harness and bits, 4s. 6." The hooks were attached to the leading lines to hitch to the bits. He is also charged with " mak- ing a loggerhead, 9d." They had a drink called flip, for cold weather, composed of rum and beer. The loggerhead was heated red hot, and immersed in the liquor to warm it and make it foam. There is work charged to the Folsoms, for " making and repairing their nail machinery." There are several charges for flax-comb teeth ; mending and making cranks for linen wheels ; spindles for woolen wheels, &c. He took much of his pay in barter. Heading was about four shillings per hundred, and staves about the same price. They were counted six score, or one hundred and twenty, to the hundred. They were then drawn to Haver- hill at about four dollars per thousand. He took coals at six cents per bushel. There are frequent credits for loads of pine (pitch wood for lights) . Prom the account-book of Richard Dearborn the follow- ing prices are learned : 1811, rum, 70 cts. ; molasses 60 cts. ; scythe, 11.00 ; salt, $1.00 ; souchong tea, f 1.00. 1812, mowing 67 cts. per day ; bark at Hampstead, $6.00 per cord ; cotton, 23 cts. ; sugar, 17 cts. ; dry pine wood, $2.00 per cord at Chester; calico; 34 cts. ; glass, 9 cts. per light. 1815, war prices, N. E. rum, $1.33 ; nails, 12 1-2 cts. ; scythe, $1.00. 1816, N. E. rum, 67 cts. 1817, rye w-as two dollars, in consequence of the cold season of 1816. James French is credited for a "napt hat," $4.00; a wool one, $1.75. 1815, James "Wason is creditec^ with a " four-wheel carriage to Deer- field." This was the first gig-wagon at the Long Meadows. From B. P. Chase's book : 1804, Polly Blasdel is cred- INDUSTRIAL HISTORY. 443 ited witli twenty -one weeks' work — housework and nursing — 110.50, and with an umbrella (the first in the Long Meadows and yet in a condition to be used), fS.OO. She is charged with " a yard and a half of baize, 75 cts. ; Pair of calf skin shoes, 1.12 ; Six yards of calico and a fan, 2.06 ; Five'yds. drugget, 2 1-4, checked, 3.50." 1803 to 1806, another girl, who worked for fifty cents per week, is charged : " Horse and side-saddle to Bow, 16 miles, 83 cts. ; Sheeting, 50 cents, & India cotton, 42 cts.; [This India cotton was a very coarse and thin cloth, not so good as the lowest priced shirting of the present day] 1 1-2 yds. striped linen for a loose gown, 50 ; 8 yards of calico, at 3s. 8, and a pair of mitts, 5.65 ; 4 yds. of woolen cloth for a great coat, & making, 4.83 ; one pair silk gloves, 1.08, 1 pr. calfskin shoes, 1.04, — 2.12; 6 yds. cotton and linen cloth, 3.00 ; Yellow baize, 42 cts. per yard." In 1819 he charges another girl, who, I have good reason to know, was one of the very best, who worked for sixty-seven cents per week at house-work, including spinning, milking, and nursing an invalid woman, " 1 pair cow-hide shoes, 1.34 ; 1 pair calf-skin shoes, 1.42 ; 1 pair morocco shoes, 1.57." THE DATE OF SOME OF THE HOUSES IN CHESTER. Capt. Samuel Ingalls was the first settler, had the first child born, and built the first framed house about 1732, which was taken down several years since to give place to the one where Humphrey Niles lives, on Walnut Hill. Probably the oldest house now standing is the old Fitts house. Dea. Bbenezer Dearborn deeded to his son Benja- min home lot No. 132, in 1735, and he is rated for a D (two-story) house in 1741, and the house was probably built between those periods. Dearborn sold to Nathan Fitts, in 1767. Lt. Ebenezer Dearborn was married in 1730 or '31, and the L part of the house ( where James R. Gor- dan lives ) probably was his first house, and older than the Pitts house. He afterwards built the front part, date not known. Francis Hills says that the house where Benjamin Hills lives, built by his great grandfather, Benjamin, Sea., 444 HISTORY OF CHESTER. was a garrison, and that the port holes Aay yet be seen through the boarding, though covered on the outside with clapboards. If that be the fact it jVas probably built as early as 17^0. Wells Chase and a fellow apprentice by the name of Moses Haskall took their tools on their backs, at Newbury, and came to Chester and built a house for Stephen Morse, in 1755, being the old part of the house where Gilman Morse now lives. The L part of the John Bell house, where William Greenough lives, was built by the Rev. Mr. Flagg ; time not known, but probably as early as 1750 or '60. It was moved back, and the front part built by John Bell, Esq., in 1806. Col John Webster built what is now Bachelder's hotel, in 1761. Probably the oldest house in Auburn was built by Joseph Calfe, who was married in 1746, and it might have been built previous to that, or they might have lived awhile in a log house. Barnard Bricket built the house where his grandson David P. Bricket lives, in 1766. Wells Chase built a one-story house where his grandson, Pike Chase, lives, in 1771 ; second story added in 1828. Col. Stephen Dearborn built a house the north side of the Borough road, east of the saw-mill, in 1761, but soon moved it on to the hill, and it is a part of the L or low part of the present house. The front, or two-story part, was built in 1776 or 1777. Samuel Murray lived in the cellar kitchen while building his house in 1781. Isaac Blasdel built the house in which John West lives ; Lt. Josiah Underbill and Jacob Chase built houses in 1785. Tappan Webster built where Mr. Orcutt lives, in 1787. 1788. William Hicks built where Woodbury Masters lives. 1791. Dr. Benjamin Page's house was burnt, April 5 ; a new frame raised April 30, sold to Joseph Robinson, who finished it. 1793. Alexander Eaton built the house opposite the Long Meadow meeting-house. 1794. Dr. Thomas Sargent built his house where John White lately lived. Cornet Isaac Lane built where his son Isaac lives. INDUSTRIAL HISTORY. 445 1796. Nathaniel "Woods and Joseph Linn built at the Long Meadows, and the Rev. N. Bradstreet where John W. Noyes lives. 1798. Samuel Underhill built where Geo. S. Underbill lives. 1799. Amos Kent built where Mrs. Aiken lately lived. 1800. Daniel French, Esq., built his house. Joseph Wetherspoon built where Henry Moore lives. It has been occupied by Moses Emerson, Charles Goss, John Bryant, and others. 1804. Gilbert Morse built what has been the' Congrega- tional parsonage, where Sarah Robinson lives. 1807. Jacob Elliott built about this year. 1808. Thomas Anderson built where his son Samuel now lives, in Auburn. Capt. David Hall built where Hazen Davis lives, in Auburn. Joseph Mills built about this year. 1809. Benjamin Hills built at the John Powel placet where Daniel Wilson lately lived. He had not moved into it before the cold Friday, January 19, 1810, and the wind moved it on its foundation. 1812. Josiah Haselton built where Lewis Kimball lives, on Walnut Hill. 1822. Thomas Coffin built where Rev. James Holmes lives. 1832. Jay T. Underhill built where Mr. Chamberlain now lives. 1833. Hon. Samuel Bell built his house. FIRES OCCURRING, SO PAR AS ASCERTAINED. Samuel Eastman and Samuel Eastman, Jr., house and goods, Candia, 1759 ; James Fullonton's house, Raymond, 1763 ; David Bean's mill and house burned in Candia > Dea. Richard Hazelton had his grist-mill burned, time not known ; Jonathan Berry's house, April 16, 1786 ; Phillip Griffin's house, March, 1788 ; Nathaniel Head, two barns and six oxen, Nov. 25, 1788 ; John Crawford's house, July 10, 1789; Dr. Page's house and barn, April 5, 1791; Joseph Blanchard's clothier's shop, July 10, 1795; Capt. 446 HISTORY OP CHESTER. Locke's saw-mill, March 27, 1796 ; Haselton's barn, Octo- ber, 1799 ; John Haselton's house, June 14, 1800 ; Daniel True's house, Jan. 6, 1801 ; James Stevens' blacksmith- shop, Dec. 12, 1801 ; Silas Cammet's house, May 1, 1802 ; Moses Preston's shop, Sept. 7, 1805 ; John Melvin's black- smith-shop, Dec. 11, 1807 ; Capt. Fitts's blacksmith-shop, Jan. 7, 1814 ; John Clark's house, July 15, 1818 ; Wilham Coult's fulling-mill, and two carding-machines and cloth- iers' tools, 1820 ; Samuel Anderson's tavern-stand in Candia, including a large two-story house with L, a large stable and barn, and all of the contents, including twenty-three horses and eleven swine, Oct., 1821 : the house of the widow of Robert Forsaith at Walnut Hill, May, 1822 ; the saw-mill and grist-mill of Samuel Hook and Sebastian Spofford, April, 1825 ; the grist-mill and old nail-shop at the Blanch- ard mills owned by Col. S. D. Wason, burned in the fall of 1825 ; the house of John French of Candia, April 21, 1831; Zaccheus Colby's house. May 24, 1837; Candia meeting-house, Jan. 25, 1838 ; Jesse J. Underhill's edge- tool shop, 1841 ; the Hall grist-mill, owned by Noah Clark, about 1845; the Knowles saw-mill, 1847 ; Bphraim Kelly's house and shop, April 25, 1850 ; William P. Underbill's barn and L to his house, Sept. 20, 1850 ; John Moore and John Wason's saw- and shingle-mill, 1851 ; Samuel Colby's house and barn, March 2, 1853 ; Hale True's house, formerly the house of Robert Wilson, Esq., 1853; Rich- ards and Greenough's store, and school-house No. 1, Dec 28, 1856 ; William P. Underbill's house and barn, Dec. 20, 1857 ; Capt. Moses Haselton's barn by lightning, 1862 ; Pollard's steam saw-mill, 1864 ; the Perley Chase house, June, 1867. TREES. Paul and Sylvanus Smith came from Hampton to Chester about 1730. Soon after making an opening they brought from Hampton some apple-trees on horseback and set out, one of which bore a peck of apples in 1868. A large elm at the Templeton place, at the Long Meadows, was set out when Matthew was just large enough to steady it, probably TOWN OFFICERS. 447 about 1746. Barnard Bricket came to Chester in 1765, and the great elm, whose top now extends eighty-five feet, and whose trunk at four feet from the ground, which is its smallest place, girts about fourteen feet, was then a small sapling, which he then pruned. It has several large branches, so that it is larger ten or twelve feet from the ground. The elm at Isaac Lane's was either a sapling growing there when Cornet John Lane came there in 1749 or set soon after. The elms in front of the French office, opposite the house, were set by H. P. French about 1829. The other trees above the old Melvin place were set by Mr. French, aided by T. J. Melvin and others, from 1831 to 1834. Those opposite the Melvin place were set by Mr. Melvin and John White in 1843. The trees on the Haver, hill road, near where the old Baptist church stood, were set by Silas F. Learnard in 1845. The three elms nearest the house of the writer, were set by Benjamin Chase, Jr., in 1855. The other elms and maples were set a year or two later. The maples in front of the house were set in 1867. CHAPTEE XVI. OR THE OFFICIAL HISTORY. It may not be improper, preliminary to giving a list of town officers, to say something about the duties of some that have become obsolete. There probably were laws on the subject previous to those I have examined. DEER INSPECTORS. It was supposed to be beneficial to preserve the deer and to destroy the wolves, though deer, being the natural game of the wolf, probably had a strong tendency to preserve the wolves. By an act of the 14th of George II, it is enacted that no deer shall be killed from the last day of December to 448 HISTOBT eP CHESTER. the first day of August annually, under the penalty of ten pounds ; and in case of inability to pay, to work forty days for the first offence, and fifty days for subsequent ofiences. Any venison or skin newly killed was evidence of guilt. Every town was required to choose two proper persons to inspect and search suspected houses. An act was passed in 1758, forbidding the killing any buck, doe or fawn, from the first day of December to the first day of August annually, under a penalty of fifteen shillings. Towns were authorized or required to choose two suitable persons annually, whose peculiar office it shall be to prevent as much as may be, the breach of this act; and shall have full power to search in any place withia their respective limits, to open any doors, chests, or other places, locked or concealed, where they shall have any reason to suspect any flesh or skin of buck, doe or fawn to be hid, etc. In 1741, James Campbell, Thomas Wells and Joshua Prescot were chosen a " committee to prevent the killing of Deer contrary to law." Deer-inspectors were chosen until 1797. HAYWARDS OR FIELD-DRIVERS. By an act of 4th George the First, 1719, towns were re- quired to maintain pounds, and that other persons, as well as hawards or field-drivers, take up and impound any swine, neat cattle, horses or sheep, as shall be found damage-feas- ant in any corn-field or other inclosure, or swine found unyoked or unringed, &c. An act of February 9, 1760, enacts that towns shall have full authority at their annual meeting to make rules and orders to prevent cattle and horses of such as are not free- holders going at large and grazing on any unfenced land. Animals found at large, contrary to such rules, shall b^ taken up and impounded by the field-driver, &c. Field- drivers were chosen in 1729, and until 1790. They had such officers in England. TOWN OFFICERS. -149 HOGREi;ji'ES. By an act of 4th of George First, 1719, towns are re- quired to choose two or more meet persons to see to the due observance of the laws and orders relating to swine? and with a penalty of twenty shillings for not serving. The hogreeve, upon complaint that any person neglects to yoke and ring his swine, is "to notify the owner ; and if he still neglects to yoke and ring them, the said officer shall yoke and ring them and have twelve pence." All swine going at large from the first day of April to the last day of October are to be yoked, and all the year to be sufficiently ringed. No yoke shall be accounted sufficient that shall not be the depth of the swine's neck, and half so much below, and the sole or bottom three times as long as the thickness of the swine's neck. There was an act passed in 1769, authorizing towns hav- ing commons to make by-laws respecting swine going at large, but they must not go without being ringed. The ringing was to insert a piece of iron wire through the hog's nose, bring the ends together, and twist them so that it should project about an inch above the nose, which would prevent rooting. There was a by-law made in 1792, that swine might go on any highway or common, being we^l ringed and not yoked, provided they did no damage ; b\it if damage was done, complaint might be made to the hog-constable (hog- reeve), who was to proceed according to law ; and such was the law for twenty-five years. Hogreeves were chosen in 1771. Until about 1820, most of the swine ran in the highway. It was a custom in Chester to choose every man lately married as hogreeve. FISHWARDS. An act was passed February, 1761, the preamble of which recited that, " Whereas, the catching of fish at Amoskeag Falls has been of great advantage," &c., and ' 29 450 HISTORY OP CHESTER. enacts that fisli shall not be caught at Amoskeag Falls be- tween sunset Saturday and sunrise Monday, under penalty of twenty shillings sterling. An act was passed May 5, 1764, forbidding catching fish in Merrimack river more than three days in a week — Tues- day, Wednesday and Thursday — under the penalty of four pounds. There have been various other acts passed regu- lating the catching of fish, and fishwards were chosen until a recent date. SEALERS OP LEATHER. By an act passed in 1701, it is enacted that no currier or shoemaker shall be a tanner, and no tanner or shoe- maker shall be a currier. Tanners and curriers were re- quired to do their work well, and shoemakers were for- bidden to work bad leather. AH leather was to be searched before it passed out of the hands of the tanner or currier, by searchers or sealers chosen by the towns, who should have two seals ; with one they should seal all leather well tanned, and with the other all leather well curried. They were empowered to search any lious? or place where they suspected there was leather unsealed, and sieze all insufficient leather. The sealers were to have one penny per hide for searching and sealing, and three pence per mile, after the first mile, traveling fee. Sealers of leather were chosen up to 1829. TYTHINGMEN. By an act passed in 1715, it was enacted that no taverner or retailer should suffer any apprentice, servant or negro to drink in his house ; nor any inhabitant after ten o'clock at night, nor more than two hours ; nor suffer any person to drink to drunkenness, or others than strangers to remain in his house on the Lord's day, under a fine of five shill- lings. The second section provided that the selectmen should see TOWN 0PFICEE3. 451 that at least two tythingmen should be annually chosen, whose duty it was to inspect all licensed houses, and inform of all disorders to a justice of the peace, and also inform of all who sell without license, and of all cursers and swearers. Bach tythingman was to have a black staff two feet long, with about three inches of one end tipped with brass or pewter, as a badge of office. In 1763, in the town accounts, is " Paid to Jabez Hoyt,'for a tythingman's staff, £1 ;" and in 1775, " Paid Wilkes West, for a tythingman's staff, 2s. 6d." The penalty for not serving when chosen was forty shillings, and in default of payment or want of property, was imprisonment. By an act passed December 24, 1799, for the better observance of the Lord's day, and repealing all other acts for that purpose, all labor and recreation, traveling, and rudeness at places of public worship on the Lord's day, are forbidden. Taverners are forbidden to entertain inhabi- tants of the town. The tythingmen had power to com- mand assistance, and forcibly stop and detain all travelers, •unless they could give sufficient reason. The tythingmen were required to inform of all breaches of the act, and their oath was sufficient evidence, unless invalidated. Having given the votes for Governor, and marked them, and the Representatives, to show the position of the town in regard to the political parties since 1803, it maybe necessary to give an outline of the various parties. The first division into political parties was in regard to the federal constitution ; those favoring it were Federalists, those opposing it, Anti-Pederalists. The Federalists pre- vailed, and the government under the constitution went into operation, and all united in electing and reelecting General Washington presidefit. But some had more faith in democracy, of the people, than others. The French Rev- olution occurred, and as they were avowedly fighting for lib- erty, for democracy, or republicanism, and they had aided us, there was a natural sympathy with them, while the government took neutral ground. Two parties grew up 452 HISTOET OP CHESTER. out of these elements, called the Federal and Republican. John Adams and Hamilton may be considered the represent- ative men of the Federal party, arid Jefferson of the Repub- lican. The Republicans prevailed, and Jefferson took the presidential chair in 1801. The political lines do not seem to have been drawn in Chester until 1803. The Republicans kept the control of the government through embargo, non-intercourse, war, and the European wars, — all exciting topics, — -and elected Munroe president by an overwhelming majority, in 1817. He took a very pacific course, and for various reasons the political elements were hushed, and he was reelected all but unanimously, and the old parties. Federal and Republican, were at an end. At the next presidential election. New England was nearly unanimous for J. Q. Adams. William H. Crawford was a caucus candidate ; General Jackson and Henry Clay were also candidates. There was no choice by the electors, and Adams was elected by the House. A furious opposition grew up. The parties were Administration and ■Opposition. At the next presidential election they were Adams and Jackson. Jackson prevailed, and his adherents became Democrats at last, and his opponents called themselves at first National Republicans, then Whigs. The Whig party were not successful, and sometimes the election went by default. The Abolitionists made some political demonstrations, and in 1840 formed the Free Soil party ; but it made very little progress. In the presidential election of 1856 the old Whig party became utterly extinct, and a new party was formed, the distinctive principle of which was to prevent the extension of slavery into new territory. It was named the Republican party. John C. Fremont was its candidate for president, who was defeated. There are some of the votes for governor whidi do not come strictly under the party names. Isaac Hill had been chief political manager, and had nearly everything his own way, but some of his own party were not entirely satisfied. TOWN OFF.'CEES. '453 In 1823, Saml. Dinsmore was the regular candidate for Gov- ernor, and Levi "Woodbury was nominated as aii indepen- dent candidate, and supported by all who were dissatisfied with Mr. Hill's management. He was elected, but Tyler- hed and went over to Mr. Hill. I think that in 1826, D. L. Morrill, though belonging to the Democrat party, was an independant candidate, in opposition to Pierce, the regu- lar nominee. TOWN OFFICERS Chosen at the first meeting under the charter of the town of Chester, held the 28th day of March, 1723. Thos. Phipps, Esq., Moderator. Capt. Tlios. Phipps, )or any two of them be Clement Hughes, Clerk. Ma,j. John Oilman, [ a Com. to receive and Samuel Ingalls, ) Coll. Peter Wiar, ) allow the accounts. Clement Hughes, J Selectmen. Benjamin Smith, ) „ ,„ . „, Caleb Tole, ) Clement Messarvy, purveyors of Zaccheus Clifford, Constable. Samuel Ingalls, ) highways. AT CHESTEK, MARCH 31, 1724. Edward Emerson, Moderator. Samuel Ingalls, Clement Hughes, Town Clerk. Jos. Works, Thomas Smith, Constable. Clement Hughes, ■Selectmen. Samuel Ingalls, I T^nt.i„„prB Ensign John Sanborn, Jos. Works, J ^0' ^^y^'^B- Timothy Kezar, AT CHESTER, MARCH 25, 1725. Capt. Henry Sherburne, Moderator. Samll. Ingalls, It/., Thomas Parker, Clerk. Thos. Smith, ( Lot-layers and Survey- Samuel Ingalls, ) James ViTiitney, j "" "^ highways. Jno. Sanborne, [ Selectmen. Samuel Ingalls, Coilstable. Thos. Packer, ) • Capt. Hemy Sherburne, Auditor,- AT EXETEK, MARCH 31, 1728. Clement Hughes, Moderator. James Wlilting, Constable, Clement Hughes, Clerk. Samuel Ingalls, ) John'Sanborn, ) Thomas Smith, ( Lot.-layerg. Clement Hughes, [ Selectmen. James Whiting, ) Eobert Smith, ) Samuel Ingalls, Surveyor of highways. 1727. This and all future meetings were held at Chester. Thomas Pierce, Moderator. Sajnuel Ingalls ) Clement Hughes, Clerk. Thomas Smith, ( Lot-layers. John Sanborn, ) James Whiting, ) Clement Hughes, [ Selectmen. Capt. Joseph Sherburne ) . ^.. Bobert Smith, ) Thomas Parker, f Auditors, William Powell, Constable. ' ' 454 HISTORY OP CHESTER. AT CHESTEE MARCH 28, 1728. Samuel Ingalls, Moderator. Eldad Ingalls, Clerk. Samuel Ingalls, ) Jacob Sargent, [ Selectmen. Thomas Smith, ) Jonathan Goodhue, Constable. William Powell, Surveyor of highways. ■William Wilson, 1 Tronpo-vipwfrii Benj. Philbrook, } Irenes-viewers. Samuel Ingalls, ) Eldad Ingalls, J Lot-layers. Jacob Sargent, ) Eldad Ingalls, Treasurer. MARCH 27, 1729. Eldad Ingalls, Moderator. Samuel Ingalls, Town Clerk. Ephraim Haselton, Constable. Samuel Ingalls, J Nathan Webster, J Selectmen, Wilham Wilson, Jacob Sargent, Nathan Webster, Survey's of highways. iSi^LS }Fence-viewers. James Wilson, Tythingman. Ephraim Haselton, } Samuel Ingalls, [ Lot-layers. Jacob Sargent, ) Jacob Sargent, Treasurer. MAKCH 7, 1730. Ebenezer Dearborn, Moderator. Samuel Ingalls, Town Clerk. John Tolford, Constable. Samuel Ingalls, ) Nathan Webster, [ Selectmen, Ebenezer Dearborn, ) Jacob Sargent, William Wilson, Enoch Colby, MABCH 25, 1731. Moses Leavitt, Moderator. Samuel Emerson, Town Clerk.* Jonathan Blunt, Constable. Ebenezer Dearborn Samuel Emerson, Enoch Colby, [- Selectmen. Samuel Ingalls, Jacob Sargent, Isaac Fobs, Thomas Wells, Sylvanus Smith, Surveyors of highway and fence- viewers. Thomas Glen, 1 TvthinfmiPn Thomas Haselton, J -Lythingmen. MABCH 30, 1732. Ichabod Roby, Moderator. Ebenezer Dearborn, Jr., Constable. Samuel Emerson, j Jacob Sargent, J Selectmen. Ephraim Haselton, hmgmen. Nathaniel Ambrose, ) mTr+i,;, Titus Wells, Jr. { ^^^^^^ Isaac Foss, ) Nathan Webster, [ Surveyors of highways, Thomas Glen, ) MARCH 29, 1733. Capt. Samuel Ingalls, Moderator, William Wilson, Constable. Capt. Samuel Ingalls, ) Thomas Wells, [ Selectmen. Thomas Glen, ) Samuel Emerson, j Ephraim Haselton, [ Lot-layers. Capt. Samuel Ingalls, ) Ithamar Berry, John Sherrila, Anthony Tole, Nathan Webster, James Wilson, ■ Surveyors of highways, reth''&k,}TytUngmen. ItatLrBLt,}^— ™-"- Enoch Colby, I meid-drivers Henry Ambrose, ) * i«ii-arivers. Jonathan Blunt, Pound-keeper. Lt. Ebenezer Dearborn, J Samuel Emerson, } Auditors. Nathan Webster, » He was re-elected till 1767. TOWN OFFICERS. 455 MABCH 28, 1734. Capt. Ichabod Eoby, Moderator. Anthony Towle, Constable. Jacob Sargeut, ) Samuel Emerson, \ Selectmen. Thomas Crlen, Enoch Colby, William Crawford, j Thomas WeUs, 1 Paul Smith, '.Surveyors of the Isaac Foss, f highway. Jacob Wella, j I Tythlngmen. Moses Tyler, ) John Calfe, J Auditors. Joha Aiken, ) Jonathan Blunt Ij-ence-viewers. Thomas Haselton, J Capt. Samuel logalls, ) Samuel Emerson, J Lot-layers. Ephraim Haselton, MAKOH 29, 1735. John Calfe, Moderator, John Karr, Constable. John CalfC) ) Samuel Emerson, [ Selectmen. Moses Tyler, ) SSS; SorveyorsofhigWays. Ephraim Haselton, Jacob Wells, J } Tythi ingmen. Paul Smith, James Whiting, James Norris, ' 1 ,,.._„. vinwpra Sylvanus Smith, / -l^ence-viewers. Capt. Ingalls, Samuel Emerson, [ Lot-layers. I have prepared a list of town officers for each year to the present time, but my work proves so voluminous that I am under the necessity of abridging and condensing it. MODEKATOKS. 1736 to 1739, Ensign Jacob Sargent. 1740, John Calfe. 1741, Capt. Samuel Inealls. 1742, Lieut. Ebeuezer Dearborn. 1743, John Calfe. 1744, Moses Tyler. 1745, Samuel Ingalla. 1746 to 1756, Capt Abel Morse. 1757 to 1760, John Webster. 1761, 'Abel Morse. 1762, 1763, John Webster. 1764, 'Samuel Eobie. 1765 to 1768, John Webster. 1769, Samuel Bobie. 1770 to 1775, John Webster. 1776, 1777, Samuel Eobie. 1778, 1779, John Webster. 1780, Jacob Chase. 1781, John Webster. 1782, Jacob Chase. 1783, Stephen Dearborn. 1784, John Webster. 1785, Jacob Chase. 1786, Eobert Wilson. 1787, Jacob Chase. 1788, Isaac Blasdel. 1789 to 1793, Jacob Chase. 1794, William White. 1795 to 1797, Jacob Chase. 1798, Joseph Blanchard. 1799, Jacob Chase. 1800, Joseph Blanchard. 1801, Henry Sweetser. 1802, William White. 1803, Joseph Blanchard.' 1804, Henry Sweetser. 1805, Joseph Blanchard. 1806 to 1808, Henry Sweetser. 1809 to 1812, John Bell. 1813 to 1816, Joseph Blanchard. 1817 to 1832, John Bell. 1823 to 1827, Samuel Ailcen. 1828, John Folsom. 1829 to 1835, Samuel Aiken. 1836 to 1841, David Currier, Jr. 1842, David Pillsbury. 1843, David Currier. 1844, David Pillsbury. 1845, David Currier. 1846, Perley S. Chase. 1847, 1848, Charles H. Bell. 1849 to 1869, Thomas J.Melvin. TO-WH 0LEBK3. 1731 to 1787, Samuel Emerson. 1788 to 1816, John Emerson. 1817 to 1823, Lemuel W. Blake. 1824 to 1826, William Eaton. 1827, 1828, Samuel D. Bell. 1829 to 1833, John S. Brown. 1834 to 1843, Isaac Tompkins. 1844, Benjamin Pitts. 1845 to 1848, William Qreenough. 1849 to 1851, Silas P. Learnard. 1852, Jacob P. Whittemore. 1853, 1854, William Greenough. 1855 to 1859, Lucien Kent. 1860 to 1865, William P. Eobie. 1866, Charles S. Wiloomb. 1867, Clement A. West. 1868, 1869, William Greenough. 456 HISTOBY OP CHESTER. lELSCTMEK. 1736, Samnel Ingalls, Ephraim Haseltine, Jacob Sargent. 1737, Samuel Emerson, John Calfe, James NorriH. 1738, Benjamin Hills, Nathan Webster, John Tolford.- 1839, Samuel Emerson, Tliomas Wells, Anthony Towle, John Telford, James Campbell. 1740, John Calfe, Ephraim Hasseltine, Enoch Colby, John Tol&rd, , John Karr. 1T41, Samuel Ingalls, , Benjamin Hills, James Campbell, John Calfe, "William Wilson. 1742, Ebenezer Dearborn, Nathan Webster, John Karr. 1743, Samuel Emerson, Enoch Colby, John Karr. 1744, John Eobie, John Web&ter, William Tolford. 1745, Moses Tyler, Ephraim Hasseltine, John Moore. 3746, Abel Morse, John Bobie, Andrew Craige. H47, Lieut. Ebenezer Dearborn, John Karr, John Robie. 1748, is lost from the Eecoids. 1T49, Abel Morse, John Tolftrd, Thomas Craige, James Yarnum, Robert Calfe. 1750, John Webster, Nathan Webster, Matthew Forsaitht 1751, John Webster, Matthew Forsaith, Nathan Webster. 1753, John Robie, Andrew Craige, Bradbury Carr. 1TB3, John Webster, Andrew McFarland, John Robie. 1754, Thomas Hasseltin^ James Sherala, Samuel Robie. 1765, Henry Hall, John Haseltine, Andrew Jack. 1756, John Eobie, Andrew Craige, Jacob Basford. 1857, Samuel Robie, Andrew Jack, Nathan Webster. 1758, Thomas Hasseltine, Stephen Webster, James Qaantaxt. 1759, Samuel Hilhi, Andrew Jack, Stephen Webster. 1760, John Robie, Jona. Blunt, John Tolford. 1761, Samuel Robie, Nathan Webster, Hugh Crombie. 1762, John Webster, Bradbury Carr, Matthew Forsaith. 176S, Matthew Forsaith, Nathan Webster, Benjamin Hills. 1764, Robert Wilson, Jr., John Robie, Abraham Fitts. 1765, Robert Wilsbn, Jabez French, John Webster. 1766, Matthew Foreaitli, John Robie, Nathan Web8t«r. 1767, John Underbill, , Robert Wilson, Ebenezer Dearbora. 1768, John UnderliiU, Robert Wilson, John Iiane. 1769, Stephen Morse, Thomas McMaster, John Ordway. 1770, John Robie,. Andrew Jack, Nathan Webster, 1771, John Robie, Andrew Jack. Nathan Webster, 1772, Samuel Eobie, Joseph True, Robert Wilson. 1773, Samuel Robie, Joseph True, Robert Wilson. 1774, Samuel Eobie,' Joseph True, Robert Wilson. 1775, Dr. John Oi-dway, Nathan Fitts, William White. 1776, Stephen Dearborn, David Witherspoon, Benjamin Hills. 1777, Stephen Morse, William White, JSTathan Fitts. - 1778, William White, Nathan Fitts, Samuel Haseltine. 1779, Pearson Richardson, Henry Moore, Edward Robie. 1780, Josiah Forsaith, Isaac Hills, Josiah Flagg. 1781, Stejjhen Morse, Benjamin Hills, William White. 1782, Jabez Holt, Stephen Morse, Joseph BlancharA 1783, Jabez Hoit, Joseph Lynn, Isaac Blasdel. TOWN OFFICERS. 457 1784, Isaac Blasdel, Jabez Hoit, ■William White. 1785, Isaac Blasdel, ■William White, Stephen Dearborn, 1786, Eobert Wilson, . Stephen Dearborn, Benjamin Long. 1787, Robert Wilson, Stephen Dearborn, Benjamin Long. 1788, Isaac Blasdel, William White, Stephen Chase. 1789, Isaac Blasdel, William White, Stephen Chase. 1790, Isaac Blasdel, William White, Stephen Chase. 1791, Isaac Blasdel, WUliam White, Stephen Chase. 1792, William White, Stephen Chase, Simon Towle. 1793, William White, Stephen Chase, Simon Towle. 1794, Stephen Dearborn, John Graham, Benjamin Hall. 1795, Stephen Dearborn, William White, Stephen Chase. 1796, Stephen Dearborn, William White, Stephen Chase. 1797, Stephen Chase, John Emerson, John Wilson, Jr. 1798, Stephen Desrborn, Jolm Emerson, John Wilson, Jr. 1799, William Moore, Jr., Benjamin Hall, B. Pike Chase. 1800, William Moore, Jr., Benjamin Hall, B. Pike Chase. 1801, William Moore, Jr., Benjamin Hall, B. Pike Chase. 1802, Stephen Chase, John Wilson, Josiah Underhill, 1803, Stephen Chase, John Wilson, Abraham Towle. 1804, Stephen Chase, John Wilson, ■ Abraham Towle. 1805, Stephen Chase, John Wilson, Abraham Towle. 1806, Stephen Chase, John Wilson, Abraham Towle. 1807, James Orr, Josiah Forsaith, John Folsom. 1808, James Orr, Josiah Forsaith, John Folsom. 1809, Joseph Blanchard, Stephen Chase, Ezekiel Blake. 1810, Joseph Blanchard, Stephen Chase, Ezekiel Blake. 1811, WilHam White, Benjamin True, Richard Dearborn, 1812, William White, "William Moore, William Graham. 1813, Joseph Blanchard, William Moore, William Graham. 1814, Joseph Blanchard, William Graham, Josiah Worthen. 1815, J'oseph Blanchard, Benjamin Fitts, Joseph Robinson. 1816, Joseph Blanchard, Benjamin Fitts, Joseph Robinson. 1817, WiUiam Graham, Moses Haselton, Jesse J. Underbill, 1818, William Graham, Moses Haselton, Jesse J. Underhill. 1819, William Graham, Jesse J. Underhill, Samuel Aiken. 1820, Samuel Aiken, William H. Underbill, Ephraim Kelly. 1821, William H. Underbill, Ephraim Kelly, William Moore^ 1822, John Folsom, Josiah Chase, Lemuel W. Blake. 1823, John Folsom, Josiah Chase, Lemuel W. Blake. 1824, John Folsom, Josiah Chase, Jethro Sleeper, 1825, Samuel Aiken, Nathan Knowles, 3d, Walter Morse. 1826, Samuel Aiken, Nathan Knowles, 3d, Walter Morse. 1827, Samuel Aiken, Thomas Cof&n, Daniel Wilson. 1828, Josiah Chase, Thomas Colpn, Daniel Wilson. 1829, John Folsom, David Currier, Jr., William Baselton. 1830, David Currier, Jr., William Haselton, Zaccheus Colby. 1831, Stephen Dearborn, Benjamin Fitts, Jr., Isaac Lane, Jr. 1832, Stephen Dearborn, Benjamin Fitts, Jr., Isaac Lane, Jr. 1833, Benjamin Fitts, Jr., Joseph Chase , Robert S. Irench. 1834, Joseph Chase, Roberts. French, William H. Underhill. 1835, Joseph Chase, i WiUiam H. Underhill, Samuel Anderson. 464 . HISTOEY OF CHESTER. Nancy, b. April 3, I8I6, m. John W. Noyes; Jane, July 16, 1818, m. Prof. Daniel J. Noyes; Isabel, b. Dec. 16, 1820. Samuel and Isabella also had 8. Lucy, b. June 7, 1788, m. Alvin Jones, of Boston, m. (2) James Kay, d. Sep. 20, 1854; 4. Jane, b. Aug. 6, 1790, u.m.; 5. John, b. Jan 2, 1793, went to Belfast; 6. William, b. April 25, 1795, m. Betsy, dau. of Archi. McDuffee; 7. Katharine, b. April 14; 1798, d. suddenly of some malignant disease, Sept. 9, 1819; 8, Mary, b. June 20, 1800, m. Levi Whitney, of Boston; is now alive; 9. Eobert, b. Feb. 5, 1804. AMBROSE. Nathl. Ambrose was the son of Henry and Hannah, and was b. at Salisbury, Mass., Dec, 14, 1677; m. Sarah Eastman, Dec, 1697. Cliildren:— I. Mizabeth, b. Oct. 2, 1698, m. Sampson Underbill and Benj. Batchelder. II. Henry, b. Aug., 1701, came to Chester, d. 1746. III. John, b. Sept. 28, 1707. IV. Sarah, b. June, 1716, m. a Veasey. V. Abigail, m. Joshua Prescott. Nathl. Ambrose and his sons Henry and John, and daughter Abigail, probably came to Chester in the fall of 1731. Mr. Am- brose bought the H. L. No. 110, of Alexander Craig, and lived a little west of the old Presbyterian meeting-house. His will was dated June 3, 1745, proved, June 26, 1745. His son Henry seems to have had no permanent place of residence in Chester, is not named in the will, and is taxed for nothing but a poll in 1741. John's wife was Elizabeth. He settled on Add. No. 97, a little west of Francis Hill's. He had six children, Robert, the oldest of whom, b. March 6, 1732, m. Mary Ethredgc, a grand- daughter of John Calfe, and sister to Joshua Hall's wife. John gave to Eobert one half of his farm, but he sold out and moved to the East Village at Concord, where the family have been con- spicuous. ANDEEWSON OE ANDERSON. Thomas Andkewson, as he is called in the early records, or Anderson, the present name, came from Ireland at the same time with David Dinsmore at the age of 13 years. He m. Jean Craige and settled on No. 132, 2d P. 2d D., where Luther Flint now liVes in Candia. In 1762 there was an article in the warning of the town-meeting to see what the town would do about a road, he GENEALOGY — BASPOED. 465 having lived in town more than five years and liad no road. It is said that he was a very strong, coitrageons man and once killed two bears with a pitch-wood knot. He d. Oct. 10, 1804; she d. June, 1780. Children :— 1. William, b. Aug. 6, 1756; m. ; lived on No. 133, 2d P., 2dD.; d. Sept. 19, 1808. 2. Joseph, b. June 17, 1758. 3. John, b. Dec. 19, 1769 ; went to Ohio. 4. Thomas, b. June 19, 1762 ; m. Elizabeth, dau. of James Gra- ham, and lived at the Long Meadows, on the Archi. Miller place. No. 81, 2d P. 2d D. He d. Jan. 5, 1841 ; she d. Aug. 1854, a. 79. 5. Agnes, b. May 14, 1764; m. Thomas Wilson of Candia; d. April 5, 1803. 6. Joseph, b. Oct. 28, 1766 ; went to Maine. 7. Allen, b. Feb. 25, 1769; moved to Holden, Mass.; d. June, 1839. 8. Samuel, b. Aug. 23, 1771 ; m. (1) Anna, dau. of Moses Sar- gent ; m. (2) Mary, sister of his 'first wife. He lived first on the homestead and after Chester turnpike was built he built there, and was widely known as a landlord. See "Fires." He d. 1850; his fii-st wife d. 1817. 9. Margaret, b. Dec. 9, 1773; m. (1) John Crawford; m. (2) Jonathan Sanborn ; d. July 21, 1847. 10. David, b. Jan. 1, 1779; m. Lydia Ayer; lived at Lebanon, N. H. Robert Andrewson was an early settler on No. 15, 4th D., in Derryfield (the Daniel Hall place) . On the Derryfleld records is "Robert Anderson, son of John and Gien his wife, married Sarah McQuestion, dauter of Hugh, Detf^ 2, 1742." There are the births of " Marj' and Gien." ARWIN. Henry Arwin was in Chester in 1767, lived and kept tavern after the Hatter Underhill style, on the old road, on No. 110, 4th D., and sold to Ezra Badger. BADGER. Ezra Badger bought Arwin's tavern stand ; kept a tavern in the same style, the guests sleeping on the floor. Mrs. Badger was a long time a pauper, and d. very aged, July 27, 1815. BASFORD. JACOB BASFORD was a grantee, and his wife was Elizabeth, and they lived at Hampton. In 1729, he deeded his estate in Hampton to his eldest son James, then of Dover, who was baptized May 9, 1697. James, about 1730, came to Chester, and settled on 30 466 HISTORY OP CHESTER. H. L. 146, since owned by Moses Hills, Jacob Hills, now Calvin Hills. ' He owned three lots, and at one time a large share of the old saw-mill and the saw-mill grant, and seems to have been a trading man, though not very thrifty, as there are a large number . of cases of debt on the court records against him, which were de- faulted, and his mother became a town charge. In Oct., 1735, he deeded his farm to his son Jacob, and Jan., 1737, he deeded to Moses Hills. His name is not on the inventory of 1741, but there is a John, probably his son, rated for a poll. Joseph Basfoed, probably another son of Jacob, m. Elizabeth, dau. of Jona. Goodhue, Jan. 8, 1746, and settled at the Long Meadows, on No. 73, 2d P., 2d D., where Wells C. Underhill now lives. The old house was taken down in 1851. They had Jona- than, Joseph, Jacob, Benjamin, Elizabeth, James and Aaron, but nothing is known qf them. In March, 1760, he joined with Nathaniel Wood and Elizabeth (the Wid. Goodhue), in selling to Jabez Hoit H. L. No. 8, the Goodhue or Clay place. The same year he sold to Wood, and in 1769 to Moody Chase, and in 1771 to Wells Chase, his lands at the Long Meadows. An anecdote is related of him, that while residing at the Long Meadows, some one told him that his mother had fallen into the well. He replied that he would " light his jnpe and hasten!" Jacob Basfoed, probably another son of the grantee, purchased the east half of No. 18, 2d P., 2d D., March, 1737, and settled near where Charles Stevens now lives ; he married Abigail Silver, at Haverhill, April, 1784. He went into the French war and died, 1760. The inventory of his estate was returned, 'Feb., 1761. Children : — I. John, b. 1741, lived on the homestead, and went to Maine. II. Ebenezer, born Nov. 9, 1744; m. (1) Mary Eichardson, Feb. 14,1765; lived near the homestead. CMldren: — 1. Sarah, born 1765. 2. Moses. 3. Abigail. 4. Ebenezer. 5. and 6. David and Jolm, 1772. 7. Keuben. He m. (2) Wid. Me- hitabel Young. Children: 8. Betsy, b. 1781, m. William Hoit, Jr., d. 1807. 9. Nathaniel. 10. Walter, b. July 22, 1785, m. Sarah, dan. of John Knowles, Jr. He d. Aug. 30, 1866; she d. Oct., 8, 1859. 11. Lucretia, born 1787, d. 1865. 12. Mary, 1790. 13. Amy, b. Nov. 10, 1794. Ebenezer d. Sept. 21, 1816. Mehitable d. April 10, 1836, a. 84. III. Abigail, b. Jan. 2, 1748. IV. Jacob, born April 22, 1750; m. Abigail, dau. of Jonathan Moulton, and lived on a gore between Add. Nos. Ill and 17, 2d P., 2d D., N. E. side of Great Hill. Children :— 1. Jonathan, m. Elizabeth, dau. of Geo. Marden. 2. Abigail, m. John, son of Dominicus Pi-escott, d. 1816. 3. Eebecca, m. GENEALOGY — BACHELDER. 467 Robert Knowles, d. Feb. 2, 1850. 4, Josiah, b. April, 1785, m. Betsy Osgood aud lived on the homestead; d. Nov. 13, 1835. 5. Richard, born 1789, m. Betsy, dau. of Master Morrice Gibbous ; lived near the homestead for a time, but went to parts unknown . Jacob d. 1813; his widow m. Jonathan Brown; d. 1841. V. James, born Aug. 8, 1754. VI. Mary, b. 1768. BARTLETT. When John Calfe sold his homestead in 1745, it was bounded by Samuel Baktlett, who lived on H. L. No. 87. He had a dau. Elizabeth; m. Jethro Colby, and lived there. They had a dau. Lydia, m. Edmund Sleeper and lived there. Mr. Bartlett had a dau. Abigail, m. Lieut. Ezekiel Worthen. He d. March 25, 1762, a. 57 ; she d. April 1, 1801, a. 85. BACHELDER. Page Bachelder was a son of Benjamin B. and Susanna Page, and was baptized July 20, 1707. In 1731, when the road by Asa Wilson's was laid out, he owned H. L. No. 104, and prob- ably lived near school-house No. 4, in Chester, and about that time had a mortgage of James Basford's place. He afterwards settled on Add. No. 65, afterwards owned by Capt. Edward Preston, W. H. and W. P. Underbill. He m. Elizabeth Hill March 24, 1744 (perhaps a second wife) . He d. 1766. Benjamin Bachelbee was a brother of Page ; baptized June, 1708, and lived on H. L. No. 138, on Chester Street, about where the house owned by Mr. Sargent stands. He m. for a second wife Elizabeth Ambrose, the widow of Sampson Underbill. He also owned the land opposite where Mr. White lived, which was sold by his administrator to Dr. Thomas Sargent in 1782. Hannah, the wife of Dr. Sargent, bought the homestead in 1785. There have since lived there, Dea. John Webster, John Kimball, the teacher of singing, and James French. Jetheo Bacheldek. There was a man of that name b. at Hampton in 1698 ; m. Dorothy Sanborn in 1721, who, I think, must have been too old to be the settler in Chester. On Chester records is Jethro Bachelder and Abigail, his wife . Chil., Mary, Daniel and Nathaniel. He lived in Raymond on 122 O. H., on the Todd road, and was a petitioner for the incorpora. tion of Raymond. BEAN. DAVID BEAN, b. 1726, m. Mary Judkins of Kingstown in 1748, d. 1793. He settled in Epping and built a set of buildings which 468 HISTORY OP CHESTER. were soon destroyed by fire. He then settled and built a house in Eaymond, and thence removed to Candia, at, or near the Island, and bought Eastman's mills, which were destroyed by fire from the woods. He raised a family of ten children, six sons and four daughters, all but one of whom married and had families. Dea. Abraham m. Mary, dau. of Nicholas Gordon of Poplin, and lived on the homestead, and had four sons, Joseph, David, Abraham and Gordon who all settled on the old homestead. He also had six daughters. David is named in a deed as of Chester in 1755, and was probably then in Raymond. He was surveyor of lumber in Candia in 1768. Abraham d. Oct. 29, 1833. Reuben Bean, son of David, had a son Moses, who learned the art of tanning and shoemaking, and set up at what is now Candia Village, and may be considered, in a sense, the father of the place, as it was the commencement of the shoe business there, and Dea. Samuel Dudley learned Ms trade of him. He also built the first meeting-house and was pastor of the church several years. He went to St. Joseph, Mich., and d. 1838. BELL. JOHN BELL, though not of the first colony to Loudondeny, in 1719, had a grant of land made to him in 1720, in Aiken's i-ange, on which he settled and spent the remainder of his life, and where his son John lived. After commencing a clearing and building a cabin, he returned to Ireland for his wife and two sur- viving children, in 1722. He was b. in the count}'' of Antrim, 1678, m. Elizabeth Todd, and had two sons and two dau. b. in Londonderry. He d. July 8, 1743; she d. 1771. The daughters, Letitia, Naomi, Elizabeth and Mary, all m. men by the name of Duncan. Samuel, b. Sept. 28, 1723, removed to Cambridge, N. Y. ; ,m. Sarah Storrow. John, b. Aug. 15, 1730, m. Mary Ann Gilmore, .dau. of James Gilmore, Dec. 21, 1758. He held various respon- isible ofiices. He d. Nov. 30, 1826; she d, April 1, 1822, a. 85. Children: — I. II. James and Ebenezek, d. in youth. III. Jonathan, m. Sai:ah "W., dau. of Josiah Flagg, Esq., lived ^and traded at the Toppan Webster place, in Chester; d. 1808. The ■widow m. Daniel French, Esq. IV. John, b. July 20, 1765. He received his early education in ^Londonderry, and when he arrived at manhood, being of an en- terprising disposition, he dealt for a time in the products of Can- ada. In this business he had occasion to make repeated journeys to Montreal, which were then no holiday excursions, but toilsome, and not without danger. At a later period he established himself .in trade in Chester, where he resided during the remainder of his GENEALOGT — BELL. 469 life. He was successful in business, and some years before Ms death retired with a competency. In 1817 he was elected a mem- ber of the Executive Council, and was annually re-elected for five successive years. In 1823 he received the appointment of High Sheriff for the county of Rockingham, and in 1828 was elected Governor of the State. He died March 23, 1836, having sustained through life the character of an honest man. He married, Dec. 25, 1803, Persis, daughter of Dr. Isaac Thorn, of Londonderry, who survived him more than a quarter of a century, dying in Nov., 1862, at the age of 84 years, beloved and deeply lamented. Gov. Bell had ten children : — 1. Mary Anne Persis, b. Sept. 2, 1804; m. Rev. Nathaniel Bou- ton, D. D., of Concord, where she died, Feb. 15, 1839, leaving five children. 2. Eliza Thorn, b. Jan. 23, 1806, m. Hon. John Nesmith, of Lowell, Mass. She d. Sept. 22, 1836, leaving one dau. 3. John, b. Nov. 15, 1807, educated at the Mil. and Scientific Inst., Norwich, Vt., d. in New York City, Jan. 26, 1828. 4. Susan Jane, d. in infancy. 5. Harriette Adelia, b. April 11, 1812, d. Aug. 29, 1836. 6. Jane Gibson, b. April 30, 1814, d. Aug. 4, 1835. 7. Caroline, d. in early childhood. 8. Christopher Sargent, b. June 4, 1819, grad. at Dartmouth College in 1838, commenced studying for the ministry, and died in Havana, Cuba, Jan. 20, 1839, where he had gone on account of a pulmonary affection. 9. James Isaac, b. March 1, 1821, entered Dartmouth College in 1837, left in the autumn of 1838 and made a voyage to the East Indies for the benefit of his health, and was lost with other pas- sengers in the ship Harold, which was burned at sea, Oct. 26, 1839. 10. Charles Henry, b. Nov. 18, 1823, grad. at Dartmouth College in 1844, studied law, and practiced at Chester, Somersworth and Exeter. V. Samuel, b. Feb. 9, 1770, grad. at Dartmouth, 1793, LL. D. Bowdoin, 1821. He studied law with Hon. Samuel Dana, of Am- herst; admitted to the bar 1796, practiced at Francestown till 1808, Amherst till 1810, removed to Chester 1812 ; lived on the Melvin place on the Street, and built a new house near where Thomas Dearborn had lived, H. L. No. 23, 1833; d. Dec. 23, 1850. He was Representative* from 1804 to 1806 ; Speaker 1803 and '6 ; was Senator and President 1807 and '8 ; Justice of the Superior Court 1816 to 1819; Governor of New Hampshire 1819 to '23; U. S. Senator 1823 to '35; Trustee Dart. 1808 to '11. He m. (1) Mehitable B., dau. of Hon. Samuel Dana; she d. 1810; m. (2) Lucy G., dau. of Jonathan Smith, of Amherst. Children; — 470 HISTORY OP CHESTER. 1. Samuel Dana, b. Oct. 9, 1798, grad. Harvard 1816, LL. D. Dartmouth, 1854. He read law in the office of Hon. George Sul- livan, of Exeter, admitted to the bar Feb. 1820, practiced at Mer- edith Bridge six months ; then in Chester till 1830 ; then cashier of Exeter Bank till 1836, when he resumed the practice of the law in Concord, and in 1839 he removed to Manchester. He was Eep- reseutative from Chester 1825 and 1826. He was appointed Solic- itor of Rockingham county 1823 ; Justice of the Court of Common Pleas 1848 ; Justice of the Superior Court 1849 to 1859 ; then Chief Justice, which office he resigned Aug. 1, 1864. He was one of the several commissionei's to revise the statutes of 2^ew Hamp- shire in 1830, 1842, and 1867. He was a very industrious man, and of varied acquirements, and especially eminent as an antiqua- rian, as the reader may see by a reference to the notice of the Chester grantees, p. 42, the materials of which he mainly fur- nished, probabljr without leaving his office. He m. Mary, dan. of NewellHealey, Aug, 8, 1826. He d. July 31, 1868 ; she d. 1864. Children : — 1. John James, b. Oct. 30, 1827. He studied law and practiced in Maine and Exeter; 2. Samuel N., b. March 25, 1829, grad. Dart., 1847 ; read law with BLon. William C. Clarke, and is in practice in Manchester; 3. Mary "W., m. John P. Newell, d. 1868. 2. John, b. Nov. 5, 1800, grad. Union, 1819 ; studied medicine with Dr. Shattuck of Boston, and afterwards at Paris; M. D., Bow doin, 1822 ; Prof. Anatomy, University, Vt. ; Editor of the N. Y. Med. & Surgical Journal; went South for his health, d. of consumption at La Fouche, Lou., Nov. 29, 1830. 3. Mary Ann, b. Oct. 26, 1802, m. John Nesmith, of Lowell, d. 1830. 4. James, b. Nov. 13, 1804, grad. Bowdoin, 1822, read law with his brother Samuel D. Bell, practiced at Gilmanton, Exeter and Gilford; U. S. Senator, 1856, to his death. May 26, 1857; m. Ju- dith Almira, dau. of Nathl. Upham. Charles Upham Bell, Bow- doin, 1863, now an Attorney at Exeter, is their son. 5. Luther V., b. Dec. 2, 1806; grad. Bowdoin, 1823; M. D., Dart., 1826; LL. D., Amherst, 1866; practiced in Derry, 1831 to 1837 ; Superintendant McLean Asylum for Insane, Charlestown, Mass; Surgeon, 11th Mass. Vols; Brigade Surgeon and Medical Director, Hooker's Division; d. Feb. 12, 1862, at Budd's Feriy, Va. He m. Frances, dau. of Dea. James PLnkerton, of Derry, 1836; shed. 1855. 6. George, b. June 24, 1829; grad. Dart., 1851; read law with Wheeler and Faulkner, of Keene; practiced in Chicago, Manchester and Cleveland ; he was Author of Bell's Digest. He was drafted and went into the army and d. soon after his retuni, Sept. 2, 1864. He m. Emma Preston. Ti Ml ^^ ^-^ %S) proved 1752. He had no real estate. His inventory was, " Two . Jackets, one pau- of cloth breeches, three old checked shirts, one old hat-cap, and handkerchief, one pair of old stockings, and an old blanket. Money and notes, old tenor, £536." He gives his cousin, Margaret McGregor, eldest dau. of the Rev. David Mc- Gregor, £310, and the residue after some small legacies. There was a Thomas Boid,. owned H. L. No. 27, in 1730, and probably lived on it, southwest of the Dearborn farm, near where the steam-miU lately stood. Nathaniel Boid was one of the first settlers in Derryfield, on No. 1, where J. G. Webster now lives. He signed the petition in 1748. The road laid out Sept. 16, 1748, ran to his fence. His wife was Margaret, and had Margaret, b. 1752, m. Archibald Gambel; William, b. 1765. There was a Nathan Boid on No. 16, in Derryfield. BEADLEY. JosiAH Bkadley m. Anna, dau. of Jonathan Moulton, and lived on his place, H. L. No. 113, where Hiram Basford now lives. He d. May 2, 1778. Chil. : — 1. Josiah, b. May 17, 1770, m. Phebe, dau. of Abel Webster, 1792, lived on the homestead, and went to Maine. 2. Jonathan, b. 1776. BRADSHAW. Joshua Beadshaw lived on H. L. No. 63, at the Josiah Chase place, on Walnut Hill. CMl. : — Peter, John and Sarah. BRADSTREET. Thp Rev. Nathan Bkadstreet is said in the History of New Hampshire Churches to have been born in Ipswich, Mass., in 1770 ; but I always understood that he was a native of Rowley. He grad. at Dart, in 1791, and studied theology at Newburyport. He m. 476 HISTORY OF CHESTER. Phebe Dexter, of Charlestown, a neice of Lord Timothy Dexter^ Aug. 10, 1796. Her father afterwards lived at "Westford, Mass., and when Mr. Bradstreet left Chester he went there. Mr. Brad- street built a house on H. L. No. 8, where John W. Noyes now lives. He d. Jan. 29, 1827. Children: — Freeborn, b. Aug. 22, 1799 ; 3Ielissa, b. 1801 ; Nathan Dexter, b. 1803; William, b. 1808; Susannah,h. 1811. Nothing is known of the children. See further. History of the Congregational Church. BLUNT. Capt. Jonathan Blunt was b. at Andover, about 1708, and was in Chester and had a saw-mill in 1730. In 1734, William Blunt, of Andover, deeded to Jonathan H. L. Nos. 1 and 12. He settled on No. 1, whore Sarah Robinson now lives. His wife was- Mary, and the)^ had eiglit children, the oldest, John, b. 1735. Joshua, b . 17-40, m. Mary Grove, and had Isaac, b. June 1780, d. March, 1865. 3£a7y Blunt, b. 1743, m. Maj. Richard Emery. Capt. Blunt was a prominent man in town, an innkeeper, and d. May 24, 1762. BROWN. Samuel Beown was in Bradford in 1734. John Jaques sold to him Add. No. 17, and Thomas Smith gave to his cousin, Samuel Brown of Bradford, No. 66, O. H., June, 1734. He came to Chester and built on No. 17, a little southwest of where Amos Green now lives. When an attempt was made in 1743 to have a road laid out across the lots by Karr's mill to Londonden-y, he agreed to give the present road across his land provided they would not go by his house. He signed the Presbyterian protest, Nov., 1735. He probably sold to John Mills, who afterwards lived there, and moved to where Jabez French first lived, on the east lialf of No. 17, 2d P., 2d D. He bore the appellation of Dr. Brown. His wife was Susannah. He d. May, 1794; she d. May :}. 1789. They had several children, the oldest of whom d. young. Of those whom we know any thing about: — I. Joseph, b. Feb. 23, 1768, m. (1) Lydia, dau. of Caleb Hall, 1782. Chil. : — Sara ; Abraham and Samuel, went to Maine ; Betsy, m. Moses Chase, son of B. Pike Chase. She d. Deo. 15, 1790. He m. (2) Lydia Mace, and had several cliildren who settled in San- down and Haverhill, Mass. He lived on the homestead; d. 1802. II. Jonathan, b. Nov. 22, 1760, m. Sarah, dau. of Jonathan Moulton, and settled in Poplin, now Fremont, about a mile south of the Rocke bridge. To distinguish him from another and older man, he was generally called " Chesherman Brown." Children : — 1. Jonathan, lived in Poplin. 2. Ebeuezer, m. Mary Whitcher, GENEALOGY — BROWN. 477 of Brentwood, and settled in VersMre, Vermont, and made iron from the bog ore there. They were the parents of Dr. William W. Brown, b. Aug. 28, 1804. See Physicians. 3. Eliphalet, set- tled in Vienna, Maine. 4. Josiah, went to sea and neyer returned. 5. Sally, m. Peter, son of Stephen Morse, of Chester, 1799. 6. Susannah, m. Moses H., son of Sherburne Sanborn, 1801, and lived in Poplin. Sarah d. March 15, 1822, and he m. (2) her sister Abigail, wid. of Jacob Basford. She d. 1841. in. David, b. Sept. 17, 1765, lived in Raymond on O. H. No. 100, near the railroad. Jedediah Brown came from Kensington, and settled on No. 11, O. H., and is mentioned in the return of a road across his lot in 1761. He had two sons, Levi and Josiah, and three daughters, Mary, Dolly and Abigail. I. Levi ,m. Elizabeth, dau. of Jona. Swain, Esq. Children : — 1. Jedediah, d. Nov., 1868. 2. Jonathan S., lived on the Swain place. 3. Libby. 4, Levi. 5. John, Esqr.,b. 1796, m. a Worthen, and has been noted as a land surveyor, and a very ingenious blacksmith. n. Josiah, lived in Raymond. There were three brothers by the name of Beown who came from Scotland and settled in the upper part of Chester, towards Sun cook. I. Samuel, m. Jean Gibson, in Scotland, and settled on No. 28, 6th D., on what is now the Hooksett poor-farm. Children: — I. Joseph. 2. Margaret. 3. Ann, m. Frederic McCutcheon, of Pembroke. 4. John, m. Betsy Burgin ; lived in Hooksett ; d. in Newbury- port a. 98. 5. Molly, m. Robert, son of Samuel Davis, who was drowned in Laken's pond, July, 1805. She died at Newburyport, a. 96. Nathaniel Head, Esq., related to me the following, which he said that he had from Mr. Brown and his wife : Some persons sowed a large quantity of rye on the plain on the east side of the river at Concord, and set stakes at each bushel, for the purpose of letting the reaping for the seed. Mrs. Brown prepared breakfast, nursed her child, and went to Concord, a dis- tance of five or six miles, reaped her bushel sowing, finishing be- fore any of the men, and returned home. II. Joseph, usually called doctor, on account of preparing drops for fits, m. Ann Otterson, a sister of William Otterson, and settled on land not gi-anted by the proprietors of Chester, near Head's saw-mill. He probably had a title from the proprietors of 478 HISTOET OP CHESTER. Suncook, but he, with others, was sued. (See page 40.) Chil- dren :— 1. Ann, m. James Knox, of Pembroke. 2. Joseph, settled at Peacham, Vt. ; m. 2d, Molly Gay. 3. Jenny. 4. Rachael. 5. James, also called doctor, m. Margaret Moore, 1793, and lived on the homestead, and afterwards on the west side of the river. 6. Lydia. 7. Mary. 8. Martha. Dr. Joseph d. 1796. III. William m. Ruth, dau. of Daniel McDuffee, of London- derry, and lived on No. 30, 5th D. Children: — 1. Daniel, m. Joanna Durgin, settled at Corinth. 2. Molly, m. Ezra Abbot, d. a. 83. 3. James, m. Molly McOurdy, settled at Grand Isle, Vt. 4. Sarah. 5. Oapt. John, m. Polly, dau. of Matthew Gault. 6. Capt. William, m. Sally Buntin, lived where Samuel, Sen., had lived. Children : — 1. Anna, b. Feb. 26, 1799, m. Col. John Head, d. April 3, 1849. 2. Hiram, b. Jan. 23, 1801. He was the first Mayor of Manches- ter. 3. Andrew. 4. John. 5. Calvin. Lt. William Beown was a ship-carpenter at Newburyport, and came to Chester in 1771, in company with his father-in-law, Ben- jamin Pierce. They purchased of James and Benjamin Crosett 274 acres of land lying in 86, 87 and 93, 2d P., 2d D. Mr. Brown lived where Israel Senter now lives, and Pierce fifty or sixty rods to the northeast. He d. 1805. Children: — 1. William, m. Sarah Sheldon, lived on the Pierce place. They went to Mount Desert, Me., with their children, and d. there, he a. 95, she over 90. 2. Joshua, went to Vermont, had a dau. Pamela, m. James Hoit. 3. Benjamin P., m. a dau. of Asa Bur- bank, lived at the intersection of the Rattlesnake-hill road with Londonderry Turnpike ; went to Vt. 4. Judith. 5. Eunice. 6. John, m. a Merril, on the homestead, and went West. Benjamin Brown came from Newbury, m. Prudence Kelly. He lived on Add. No. 85, where Nathan Morse had lived, and afterwards on the Street, H. L. No. 136, where Woodbury Masters now lives. He was a long time a partner in trade with Henry Sweetser. She d. Sept. 9, 1798; he married (2) Widow Lunt. He d. 1818, at Piscataqua Bridge. Children: — 1. Nancy, m. Henry Sweetser, 1798, d. April 28, 1799. 2. Mercy, m. Daniel French, 1799, d. March 8, 1802. 3. Hannah. 4. Lydia, b. Feb. 6, 1782, m. Toppan Eobie, Oct. 8, 1804, d. Feb. 23, 1811. GENEALOGY — BROWN. 479 5. Francis, b. Jan 11, 1784; grad. Dart. 1805; m. Elizabeth, dau. of Eev. Tristram Gilman, of North Yarmouth, Feb. 4, 1811, d. July 27, 1820. (See Graduates.) Chil.: — Samuel Gilman, Dart., 1831; Mary; and Frances, d. y. 6. Prudence, b. April 3, 1786, m. Rev. David Thurston, of Wiu- throp. Me., Oct. 31, 1811. Nathaniel Beown, b. at Hamilton Mass., Sept. 8, 1770, m. Mary Sleeeper, of Newburyport, who was b. March 16, 1779 ; re- sided at Newburyport until 1814 ; removed to Chester, on to the Elliot place. Children: — 1. John Sleeper, b. Nov. 6, 1797, m. Phoebe C, widow of Rev. Amasa Hayes, Nov. 1, 1832. He was, from 1823, Deputy Sheriff fourteen years ; 1865, Sheriff five years ; was Justice of the Peace, Notary Public, and Coroner; was several years in the Underbill firm, in the edge-tool business, and carried it on him- self several years at Auburn. In 1861 he was appointed Inspec- tor of Customs at Boston. 2. Nathaniel, b. Sept. 2, 1799, m. Sarah, dau. of "William Gra- ham ; was in the tool business ; lives in Auburn. 3. William C, b. Aug. 2, 1801. He was several years a teacher ; a teacher of music in Boston ; a composer of music ; a compiler of three collections of music, and author of a celebrated poem on rum. He was seven years editor of " Zion's Herald," the Methodist paper in Boston, and editor and publisher o the "Mother's Assistant.'' He has been twelve years Register of Probate of Suffolk County. 4. Simon, b. Nov. 29, 1802, m. Ann C, dau. of Hon. Daniel French, May, 1827. He learned the art of printing in the "Patriot" ofSce, at Concord. He was a partner in establishing the "Hingham Gazette;" and afterwards in publishing the "N. H. Spectator " at Newport. In 1837, went into the office of the Clerk of the U. S. House of Representatives; and was Secretary of the Commissioners of Public Buildings ; was in the General Post Office ; and Librarian of the House of Representatives from 1840 to 1848; since 1856, has been agricultural editor of the "N. E. Farmer," and is a practical farmer at Concord, Mass. In 1866, was elected Lieut.-Gov. of Mass.; and in 1867, Representative from Concord. 6. Mary, b. Dec. 18, 1806, m. F. T. Underhill. 6. Sarah 8., b. Oct. 4, 1810, m. Jay T. UnderhiU; d. Aug. 17, 1862. 7. Elizabeth I!.,h. Oct. 4, 1810, m. a Whitney; d. Oct. 24, 1864. 8. Charles H., b. Sept. 29, 1814, resides in Manchester. 480 HISTORY OF CHESTER. BRICKET. Barnard Bricket came from Newbury in 1765, and settled on No. 60, 2d P., 2d D., where his grandson David P. now lives. The great ehn was then a sapling which he trimmed. He m. Mary, dau. of Nathl. Hall, March 5, 1767. Ch. : — Josiah, b. Jmie 27, 1769, d. unm. Mary, m. Capt. Jacob Libby. Sarah, b. 1775, m. Josiah, son of Capt. John Sargent. Moses, b. June 6, 1780, m. Sally, dau. of David Pillsbury ; lived on the homestead ; d. Sept. 25, 1859 ; she d. Nov. 12, 1859, a. 79. Anna, b. 1783, m. Henry Clark. Barnard m. (2) Meliitabel French, of Hawke, 1798. He d. Aug., 1805. The wid. m. John Butterfleld; d. Feb. 7, 1824, a. 70. BUTTERFIELD. Zachariah settled about 1740, oh the west end of No. 21, 2d P., 2d D., near the road to the Norton place; had several children; d. in 1754. Nothing is known of the family. Aaron Bdttekfield settled near the east end of the lot where Stephen Pingree now lives; had one son, John, b. April 8, 1746, m. dau. of Israel Dolby, Sen., who d. Aug., 1805 ; lived on the homestead, had no children. He m. (2) Mehitable French, wid. of Barnard Bricket ; she d. Feb. 7, 1824, a. 70. He gave his property to Robert S. French. He d. Sep. 17, 1833. They came from Wil- mington, and had sometimes to go to town to garrison, and both signed the petition for soldiers in 1748. BURLEY. John Burlet m. Huldey, only dau. of Sylvanus Smith. He was a mariner; sailed from Newburyport in July, 1781, was taken by the British and carried to Ireland and imprisoned, and died there in the summer of 1782. They had John, b. July 3, 1780. The widow afterwards m. Daniel Greenough. BURPEE. Nathaniel Burpee came to Chester from Rowley in 1753, and settled on No. 37, 3d D., where Winthrop Wills had lived. He m. Esther Roth. He was one of the early settlers of Candia, having William Turner on one side, and Obed Hall on the other as neigh- bors. He was a tailor, and a teacher of singing. He was one of the first deacons. He was in the French war, and was at the siege of Cape Breton in 1746 ; d. 1815, a. 94. Children : — Jeremiah; USTathaniel, m. Dorothy Currier, lives on the home- stead; Nathan, Ezra, Mehitable; Sally, h. 1782, m. Peter Hall, Jr., d. 1831 ; Esther and Patty. GENEALOGY — CALFB. 481 BUSWELL. There was a William Buswell in Salisbury, who was one of the Commissioners to run the line between Salisbury and Hamp- ton, in 1667, but the records of Salisbury do not afibrd us any connection between him and Lt. Samuel Buswell, who came from that town to Chester in 1763. He was the son of John and Tabitha, b. Oct. 22, 1741. He m. Betsy, dan. of Capt. John Underbill in 1764. He settled on the west half of No. 120, 2d P., 2d D. He was a carpenter. He was in the Trench war and at Cape Breton, and also in the Kevolutionary war. Mr. Bus- well's son Samuel went to Georgia about the year 1800, against his mother's desire, as she supposed that she should never see him again. She having a strong taint of hypochondria, took her bed and never left it or spoke for 6 or 7 years. She d. Sept. 30, 1806- Lt. Buswell m. (2) Betty Smith, the widow of Jonathan Berry. Children : — I. John, m. Mehitable McClure, dan. of James McClure, in 1792, lived on the homestead and had: — 1. Samuel, m. Susan, dan. of Maj. Jesse Eaton. 2. Jacob, m. Mary Sargent, lives on the Dea. Kelly place, in Auburn. 3. Mahala. 4. Nancy. S.Richard. He d. 1851, a. 84. n. Moses, a physician, d. in Maine. ni. Sarah, m. Moses Underhill (son of the hatter) ; d. 1826, IV. Sichard, m. Sarah Berry, and was drowned. V. William, went to Canada. VI. Hannah. VII. David, lived in Bradford, N. H. C A L F E , or as now written C A L E F . John Calfe was a signer of a petition for a grant of Notting- ham. He was a clothier, and lived at Newbury, Mass. His parentage is not known, but he was probably a descendant of the famous Eobert Calfe, a merchant of Boston, who opposed the witchcraft delusion in 1692. He was one of the grantees of Ches- ter. He however sold his right to Tristram Knight and Thomas Pike, of Newbury, Jan., 1725, and by Knight sold to Jonathan Locke, the father of Capt. "William, and the Capt. settled on the 2d P., 2d D., No. 12. In 1724, he bought of Amos Cass half his right. The home lot was No. 100, on which Cass had built a house, and received settlement money. When he came to Chester is not certain, but he settled there. He bought another lot and a half "adjoining in 1734. He had an amendment to these lots of 80 acres, laid out in 1735, lying from where the ro'ad crosses the 31 482 HISTORY OP CHESTER. Blancliard mill-pond, up by Nathan Griffin's to Campbell's bridge, which the Proprietors refused to accept until he made proposals to build a fulling-mill, for which they gave him a grant in 1736, and he built the mill. He probably removed to the mill, but in 1745 he sold to a Towle, of Exeter, two home lots, reserving two acres on which "Robert Gordon lives," and it was his homestead " where. I now dwell." It was soon sold to John Stockman, and by him to Benjamin Severance, and his widow Ruth lived there many years. Where the house stood is now owned by Charles "Wilcom, southeast of the road from the hiU across to the Hills road. March 9, 1734, he was chosen one of a committee to adjust the selectmen's accounts, aud he held various offices. He m. Deb- orah King, of Boston, 1702. Children:— I. JoJm, b, 1703 ; m. Naomi Elliot. II. Deborah, b. 1705. III. William, b. 1706. IV. vl/ary, b. Feb. 1707; m. Ethridge, and had:— Nathl., who settled in Raymond ; Deborah, m. Joshua Hall ; and Mary, m. Rob- ert Ambrose, and went to Concord. V. (Tames, b. 1709 ; tirst settled on the amendment, and removed to Massachusetts. (See Hist. Pauperism.) VI. King, flrst settled on the farm owned by the writer, and went to Massachusetts. VII. Joseph, h. Oct. 31, 1718; m. Elizabeth Jewell, of Ames- bury, Sept. 80, 1746. He settled on Add. No. 64, just N. W. of the road over Bunker hill to Candia, where James Emerson after- wards lived. The house is still standing and probably the oldest in Auburn. He d. Dec. 21, 1793. They have five children on Chester records, all of whom d. young, of throat distemper. On one or more occasions while they were gone to the grave with one child, another died. They had, who survived: — 1. Jonathan, grad. at Dart., 1787, was pastor Cong. Ch., Bloomfieldand Lyman, Me.; d. April 25, 1845, a. 83. (See Graduates.) 2. Joseph, m. Eunice, dau. of Capt. James Silver, lived near the Long Meadow meeting-house. Male ch., James and Joseph. He d. about 1804. She d. Nov. 15, 1855, aged 86. 3. David, m. Mary Haselton, 1792 ; lived on the homestead ; exchanged farms with James Emerson and went to Londonderry. Had a son John, who was a woolen man- ufacturer at Moore's Village, aud resides in Manchester. VIII. There was a son Daniel, not on the Newbury records, but named in the will, and m. Mary Gile, 1743. Ch. :— Moses, b. 1744, but where he lived, or where went, is not known. IX. Robert, not on the records, m. Hannah Flanders, 1748. Sarah, b. June 12, 1749, m. Hon. Joseph Blanchard ; d. Dec. 2, GENEALOGY — CARR. 483 1793. Robert procured a grant and built a saw-mill, and was quite a business man. His first wife d. and he m. (2) Mary Folsoni, the widow of Samuel Bradley who was killed by the Indians. She Uved at Chester more than thirty years, butwent back to Con- cord about 1796, and d. at her grandson, Richard Bradley's, Aug. 10, 1817, aged 98. She was a woman of great energy and of superior education, having been brought up in the family of Nicholas Gihnan, father of Gov. J. T. Gilman. Robert Calfe d. 1788. John Calfe's will is dated March 11, 1748, proved May 25, 1748, and Robert was executor and residuary legatee. John's wife was then alive. CAMPBELL. James Casipbell's name is found on the records as an auditor in 1736. It is also on the Presbyterian protest, June, 1736, and the tradition is that he, with John Tolford, was imprisoned for not paying the minister rate. He lived on Add. lot No. 1, at the Perley Chase place. He removed from town and his name is found in Londonderry. KER, KERR, KARR, CARR. Different ways of writing the same name. In 1725, John Karr, of Chester, sold to Alexander Craige a home lot. There is a memorandum on the Proprietors' records, 1727, that " John Karr having bought John Shackford's additional lot, he and Caleb Towle had agreed to divide both lots crossways, and Karr to have the S. W. end and Towle the N. E. end of both lots." In April, 1730, he bought Add. No. 20. In the inventory of 1741, John Karr is rated for two mills. In 1743, a contemplated road was to pass Karr's mills, and also across Abel Morse's land. Jan. 18, 1743, John Karr and his wife Mary, of Chester, sold to Abel Morse, of Newbury, Add. lots 20 and 21. He then probably moved into Londonderry. He was a large land-holder. His estate was divided July, 1769. Heirs: John, was dead; Hugh; Ann Moore, wife of James Moore; Mary Karr and Margaret Kan-. There is a tradition that two men, Thomas Smith and John Karr, were captured by the Indians in 1724. It was prob- ably this man and not another, as has been supposed. (See notice of Thomas Smith.) The Nos. 20 and 21 is where Amos Morse lived; Shackford and Towle's, 22 and 23. Couch and Benj. Wil- son now own the southwest end. There was another John Karr or Ker, who was in Ireland in 1736, as appears by a certificate in the possession of his great grandson, Nathan Carr, of Candia: — "That John Ker and his 484 HISTORY OF CHESTER. wife ElizabethWilson lived within the bounds of this congregation from their infancy, behaving themselves soberly, honestly, alid piously, free from any Public Scandal!, so that they may be re- ceived as members of any Christian Congregation or Society where God in his Providence may order their lot, is certified. Bally WoUon, June 23, 1736, by Ja. Thompson." They were probably a newly married couple, and came immediately to tMs country. John Tolford sold to John Karr two home lots, Nos. 21 and 9, where his great grandson, Saml. CaiT, now lives, Feb. 28, 1738. Children : — I. John, b. 1737, m. Mary Wilson, dan. of Eobert, and settled on No. 66, 3d D, near the meeting-house, in 1764, and built the house in which Nathan Carr now lives, supposed to be the oldest house in Candia. He d. 1813, she d. 1829. CMl. of John Carr, Jr. : —Elizabeth, m. Samuel Clay, resided Concord, Vt. ; Ann, m. William, son of Dr. Cofllu Moore; John ; Robert, m. a Harden; Mary, m. William Murray ; Joseph, m. Nancy Brown, lived on the homestead, d. 1842. II. Mark, b. about 1743, m. Elizabeth, dau. of William Gil- christ; d. July 26, 1782. She m. Abraham, son of Capt. James Silver, and moved to New Chester ; she came back to Chester, d. Aug. 15, 1834, a. 86. Ch. Samuel, m. Mary Stinson, and lived on the homestead. III. Joseph, b. about 1744, m. Sarah, dau. of William Gilchrist, d. July 30, 1783. She m. (2) Robert Graham. Karr and Graham lived on the Robert Gilchrist place, -sphere Dr. Josiah I. Hall now lives, H. L. 10 and 43. John, Sen., d. Oct. 22, 1792, a. 75 ; Elizabeth, d. Sept. 22, 1781, a. 76. The fore-mentioned proposed road passing Karr's mills would cross the land of Abel Morse, John Karr, Jr., Robert Graham, and John Karr ; and in the inventory of 1741 there are John Karr, John Karr, Jr., Mark Karr and William Karr. In the return of the road from Derry road to Gilman Morse's, in 1740, it was at the " easterly end of the additional lots that Sam. Brown, John Mills and William Karr Lives on." William Karr probably Uved where Gilman Morse lives, and gave place to Stephen Morse, and moved into Londonderry, and had a son John who m. Mary, young- est dau. of John Aiken, Sen., who were the parents of the wife of Edmund Adams, at the mill. There was a Mark Karr at a later day near the foot of the hill, west of Haselton's grist-mill. Bradbdrt Karr is on the inventory of 1741, but his name is Carr in all other places. The other Karrs were of Scotch descent and were Presbyterians. It is said by his descendants that he was GENEALOGY — CHASE . 485 of "Welsh origin. He settled on Add. No. 71, where his great grandson, Geo. "W. Clark, now lives. His wife was Anna. Chil. : I. Joseph, b. Nor. 20, 1742, m. Hannah Ayer, lived on the homestead, d. Feb. 27, 1835 ; she d. Feb. 25, 1833. Chil. :— 1. Han- nah A., b. Nov. 10, 1765, m. Green, of Salem, Mass. 2. Joseph, b. Feb. 26, 1767, m. Betty, dau. of Daniel Kichardson, d. Oct., 1855. 3. Anna, b. Aug. 26, 1770, m. a Silver, and John Clark, Jr. , d. Jan. 18, 1859. 4. Bradbnry *i»>ody,b.Dec. 15, 1773, m. Susan, dau. of David Hall. He enlisi