44 H4 5 HIS Class. r h4 Book^JiiiHl Haverhill town Affairs One Hundred Years AGO \^% Only 50 Copies Printed /.Lfl^Lf^ The following pages are made up largely from the records of the Haverhill town clerk for the year 1809, with the exception of certain resolutions passed at a special town meeting in the sum- mer of 1812, which are given as a sort of supplement to the some- what elaborate resolutions passed at the annual town meeting three years earlier. Those were strenuous times one hundred years ago, and " the little republics " of that day felt it their duty to give voice and opinion, not only on matters local, but also state and national. The brief records of the town meetings of that time give more than a glimpse at the social and political conditions then prevailing Taxation then, as now, was a burning question, and the fathers had methods of their own of distributing its bur- dens. It is not certain that their descendants have improved on those methods. The inventory appended to the account of the town meeting merits careful study for its painstaking detail, a detail which might with jjrofit be followed in these latter years. William F. Whitcher. One hundred years ago Haverhill had arrived at the dis- tinction, which it maintained for many years thereafter, of being — with the possible exception of Hanover — the chief town in Grafton County in influence, both social and politi- cal. It was the center for county affairs, Plymouth being but a minor half shire town, and among its citizens were a larger number proportionally of professionally trained men and of large influence in the affairs of the State than in any other town in Northern New Hampshire. The more im- portant courts of the county were held at the Haverhill court house. The Academy was a flourishing educational institu- tion, and the town was divided into two parishes, each with its meeting house, one at Ladd Street and the other at Horse Meadow, and the custom of raising at least a part of the salary of its ministers had not been abandoned. No town house or town hall had as yet been constructed, and the town meetings, which were great occasions, were held alter- nately at the two meeting houses. The annual meeting of 1809 was held March 14 in the north parish meeting house, located at the southerly end of Horse Meadow street, in what is now the westerly part of the Horse Meadow cemetery, and which, after it was aban- doned as a place of worship, was owned and used as a barn by the late Lafayette Morse, until it was torn down some forty or more years ago. Party feeling was as strong if not indeed stronger a century ago than now, and the Federalists outnumbered their Democratic opponents about three to one. At the previous November election the Federalist candidates for presidential electors received 135 votes and the Demo- cratic candidates 59. At the March election the Federalist preponderance was still stronger, that staunch old Federalist, Jeremiah Smith, receiving 123 votes for governor, to 47 for John Langdon, his Democratic rival. The town officers chosen at this meeting indicate that William L. Marcy of New York did not originate the doc- trine that "to the victors belong the spoils," since none but orthodox Federalists were given the offices of importance. The voters of Haverhill then made their own choice of offi- cers, too, and did not leave it, as in these degenerate latter days, for the selectmen to appoint. The officers chosen were : ^ Moderator, Stephen P. Webster. Town Clerk, Ephraim Kingsbury. Selectmen, John Kimball, Michael Johnston, Richard Gookins. 1 Tliese town officers were the leading citizens. Stephen P. Webster, moderator and representative to the General Court, was a graduate of Harvard college, who came to Haverhill to be- come preceptor of the Academy in 1800 or 1801. He became clerk of the courts for Grafton County in 1805 and held this position for thirty years. A man of culture, of unimpeachable character, of charming manners, he was naturally a leader among the Federal- ists of his time. It was his hand, doubtless, which penned the Embargo resolutions adopted by the town in 1809. Aside from his office of clerk of court, he was for a dozen years moderator, select- man, six times representative to the General Court, and member of the Governor's Council in 1829. Ephraim Kingsbury, town clerk, was also at one time preceptor of the Academy, was a gradu- ate of Dartmouth, class of 1797, read law and was admitted to prac- tice, but does not seem to have engaged in active practice while a resident of Haverhill. He removed from town in 1834 and died in New York in 1855. He was for several years register of deeds for Grafton County, and his records as register, as well as those in the town clerk's books, are models of neatness and penmanship. John Kimball, eldest son of Amos, selectman and treasurer, one of the Representative to the General Court, Stephen P.Webster. Treasurer, John Kimball. Collector of Taxes, Capt. Stephen Morse, who was to have 3 per cent, of the total tax for collection. Constables, Stephen Morse, Jacob Williams. Surveyors of Highways, John Nelson, John Montgom- ery, Moody Ladd, David Merrill, Jacob Bayley, John Carr, John Jeflfers, Asa Ladd. Fence Viewers, Nathaniel Merrill, Michael Johnston. Hog Reeves, John Nelson, Noah Davis, John Pike, early settlers of the town, was prominent in town affairs, was a deacon in the North Parish church, colonel in the state militia represented the town in the General Court several times, and was a member of the board of selectmen for sixteen years. One of his sons, John, Jr., was a graduate of Dartmouth, a lawyer prominent in Vermont courts and in public life for many years. Another son of John was Dudley C, who was active in town affairs during the war of the rebellion, but after the sale of his farm at Horse Meadow to the County of Grafton, removed to Newbury, Vt., pur- chasing the Oxbow farm, now owned by his grandson, F. E. Kim- ball. None of the descendants of John Kimball now reside in town. Michael Johnston, eldest son of Col. Charles Johnston, lived on the homestead of his father at Haverhill Corner and was for many years active in town affairs. None of the family are now residents of Haverhill, and the homestead is now owned by Jesse R. Squires. Eichard Gookin, born in Boston in 1769, came to Hav- erhill in 1799. He first introduced wool carding machines into the United States, and obtained several patents for improvements on these machines. In connection with his brother Samuel, he man- ufactured the first of these machines in the United States, and re- moved the business of manufacturing from Boston to Haverhill in 1799, the machines being sold in all parts of the United States and Canada. With Obadiah Swasey he was owner of the famous "Fisher farm." Capt. Stephen Morse, tax collector, constable and tything- man, born in 1757, came from Massachusetts near the close of the Rev- olutionary War. He was tax collector for many years, a model one, and because of his persistence in gathering In the last dollar of the 8 John Lawrence, Joseph Morse, John S. Sanborn, Adams True, Timothy B. Bayley. Surveyors of Lumber, Timothy B. Bayley, Richard Gookins, John True. Tythingman, Capt. Stephen Morse. Sealer of Weights and Measures, Samuel Brooks. Sealer of Leather, Richard Gookins. The sum of $300 was voted to be raised for town expen- ses ; $300 for schools ; $200 " to hire preaching" and $800 for highways and bridges, two-thirds to be paid in labor at 8c. per hour and one-third in money to be expended at the discretion ot the selectmen. The voters of Haverhill, however, did not consider their work accomplished with the transaction of the regular rou- taxes was known as "Pinclier Morse." Tlie surveyors of highways, fence viewers and hog reeves were also for the most part leading citizens. One hundred years ago these were regarded as impor- tant offices. John^Nelson was a lawyer, a graduate of Dartmouth in the same class with Daniel Webster, but did not deem it be- neath his dignity to serve as highway surveyor and hog reeve. He was a lawyer of marked ability and ranked high at the Grafton County bar. John Montgomery, born in 1764, of Scotch ancestry, came to Haverhill from Andover, Mass., about 1793. He was one of the pioneer merchants at the Brook, and his house is still standing, the residence of J. LeRoy Bell. He was moderator as early as 1796, and in 1809 his name heads the list of taxpayers, his tax being $100.20. He represented Haverhill in the legislature, and during the war of 1812 was Brigadier General of the New Hampshire militia stationed at Portsmouth for the defence of the harbor. One of his granddaughters was the mother of Governor Frank W. Rollins. Moody Ladd was a son of Judge Ezekiel Ladd of Ladd Street, as was also Asa Ladd. David Merrill came to Ha- verhill in 1804 and settled on a tract of land north of Pool Brook, which was afterwards the town farm. One of his sons was the late Schuyler Merrill and the late Chester M. Carleton was one of his 9 tine business of a March town meeting. The 14tli Article of the Warrant read : "To express by vote or resolutions the opinion of the town upon the alarming condition of public affairs." The Jefferson Administration had just closed. The famous Embargo Act had been in force, and its effects upon New England industries and commerce were being realized to their fullest extent. The new ]Madison Administration was not popular. John Nelson, George Woodward and Nathaniel Merrill were appointed a committee to take into consideration this 14th article, and before the meeting dissolved reported reso- lutions, evidently carefully prepared beforehand, which were adopted, and the selectmen were ordered to get them printed in the Coos Courier. The resolutions were : ^^ Resolved^ As the sense of this meeting that the present situation of our country, both in its internal and external re- grandsons. John Carr came to Haverhill from Newburyport, Mass., prior te 1800. Joshua Carr, "the poet of Brier Hill," was one of his sons, and the late John E. Carr was a grandson. John Jeffers was one of three brothers who had just settled in the eastern part of the town near Coventry line, in a section which came to be known as the Jeffers Neighborhood. Major Nathaniel Merrill, born Ha- verhill, Mass., 1754, was one of the early settlers, and took up his land on the plain to the north of North Haverhill village, the farm now owned by Wilbur F. Eastman. He was a man of large influ- ence, public spirited, held at various times all the official positions within the gift of his fellow citizens, and did not, in 1809, deem it beneath his dignity to accept the office of fence viewer. He mar- ried Sarah Hazen, daughter of John Hazen, one of the proprietors. They had twelve children, one son who died in early life and eleven daughters. Of the latter, Sally married Aaron Hibbard of Bath, Elizabeth married Moses Swasey, Charlotte married Isaac Pearson, Polly married Nathaniel Runnells, Nancy married Oba- 10 lations, is truly interesting and alarming, and furnishes an extraordinary occasion for the expression of public opinion. Resolved, That we hold it an essential and established right, secured both by our National and State Constitutions, and on great and Extraordinary Conjunctures, the solemn duty of the people peaceably to assemble and express their sentiments and consult together for the common good. While the citizens now assembled claim this right and vin- dicate this truth, they disclaim the principle of resistance to any conslitutioncd law of their country. They claim merely the right to express their solemn and dispassionate opinion of the measures of their rulers, and to bring their complaints before them, believing that, elevated to power for the benefit of the people, and accountable to them for the correctness of their conduct in office, they will be inclined to I'espect the opinions and listen to the complaints of their constituents. diah Swasey, Lucinda married Abner Bailey of Newbury, Ruth married James Morse, and lier twin sister Hannah married John Page, Jr. Major Merrill moved to Piermout in 1816 and died there in 1825. Noah Davis, hog reeve, born in Connecticut about 1787, came to Haverhill from Hanover, and engaged in selling drugs and medicines and dry goods until 1825, when he removed to Al- bion, N. Y. He built the house later owned by the late George W. Chapman. His eldest sou, Noah, born in Haverhill, 1818, became known as one of the leading jurists of the country, and was one of the judges at the trial of William M. Tweed, the famous Tammany boss aud leader. Samuel Brooks came to Haverhill from Worces- ter, Mass., about the close of the Revolutionary War, and opened a store at the Corner, and was the owner of an oil mill at the Brook. He was active in town affairs, was town clerk, selectman, represented the town in the legislature, and was for several years register of deeds for Grafton County. Haverhill certainly had in 1809 an able set of town ofiBcers. In point of ability and influence the comparison with any one of the hundred years since is a favorable one. 11 Resolved, That we, the citizens now assembled, cherish national independence as the first and greatest of national blessings ; that we cherish the principles of the American Revolution which established that independence ; that we revere and cherish the Constitution of this State and of the United States whereby our Independence, our Rights and our Liberties were guaranteed ; that among the great and leading objects of the Revolution and of these Constitutions were the rights of Commerce under the protection of Gov- ernment, and the security of persons and property under the protection of the Civil Courts and the laws of the land. Resolved, That we have viewed with deep regret and concern the total destruction of our foreign, and the increas- ing embarrassments imposed upon our domestic commerce by certain laws of the United States called the Embargo laws ; nor are our anxiety and concern in any way dimin- ished by the extraordinary measures in which the same laws have been enforced. Indeed, the late law enforcing the Embargo has called forth our astonishment and surprise. We have been anxious for the safety of our Public Rights and Liberties. We have feared that the Constitution of our Country has been violated. For, considering the prom- inent features and provisions of the said laws, we have not been able consistently to reconcile them with that charter of our public rights and privileges which declares among our inherent and essential rights, that of "acquiring property and possessing property and, in a word, of seeking and ob- taining happiness" — which says that "in all controversies concerning property the parties have a right to a trial by a jury, and this method of procedure shall be held sacred,'' that "every subject hath a right to be secure from all un- reasonable searches and seizures of his person, his houses, 12 his papers and all his possessions," and that every subject of this state is entitled to a certain remedy by having recur- rence to the laws, for all injuries he may receive in his per- son, his property or his character; to obtain right and jus- tice freely without being obliged to purchase it, completely and without any denial, promptly and without delay, con- formably to the laws. Resolved, That we are ready to expose ourselves to any hazard and to meet any sacrifices of life or fortune to pre- serve the peace, safety, honor and liberties of our Country whenever they shall be in danger. Resolved, That in the opinion of the citizens now assem- bled the Embargo Policy adopted and persevered in by the late Administration has not consulted the dignity nor interest of the Nation, nor have the immense sacrifices and losses thereby imposed upon the people been called for by the safety, honor or independence of the United States. Resolved, That we do not consider the late act entitled "An Act to interdict the Commercial intercourse between the United States and Great Britain and France and their dependencies and for other purposes," calculated to effectu- ally relieve us from the sufferings produced by the Em- bargo ; that in our opinion it is designed only as a partial retreat from the unwarrantable policy which has of late been pursued, and solely calculated to lull that laudable spirit which in New England is so easily raised to a flame and which can never be totally extinguished. Resolved, That it is the duty of every good citizen to endeavor by every constitutional and honorable means, to procure an immediate abandonment of the said policy, and a return to that honorable and dignified conduct which, in the year 1798, enabled the government, at that time sue- 13 cessfully to resist and gloriously to surmount difficulties and dangers more alarming than any which at present threaten us." Whatever the voters of Haverhill hoped to accomplish by these resolutions, it seems they did not lead to such a change of policy on the part of the Federal government as to pre- vent the declaration of war with Great Britain in 1812, nor did they prevent the growth of the Democratic party at the expense of the Federalists. But the Haverhill Federalists freed their minds and this was something. Perhaps James Madison subsequently did not receive the Coos Courier. In 1810 the vote for Governor was 120 for Jeremiah Smith and 77 for John Langdon. In 1811, 106 for Smith and 65 for Langdon, and at the March meeting of 1812 the vote for Governor was close, John Taylor Gilman, the Federalist candidate, receiving 95, while William Plumer, the Democratic candidate, received 90. War with England was recognized as inevitable, and Haverhill fairly represented in this March vote for Gov- ernor the spirit which prevailed in New Hampshire. There was no choice of Governor by the people, but a small Democratic majority in the legislature gave the election to Plumer. The actual declaration of war came June 18th, and Haverhill was near enough to the Canada line to have fears for her own safety. At least some of her citizens had such fears. A petition was presented to the selectmen to call a special town meeting. The reason assigned for the petition was the following: "We, the subscribers, inhabitants of Haverhill, taking under due consideration at this critical time the necessity of protecting the frontiers against foreign in- vasion, and against encroachment of savages, and the hard 14 task which falls upon those who are dratted to perform that service, are of opinion that they ought to have additional compensation from that allowed them by the General Gov- ernment as an encouragement for the more faithful dis- charge of their duty." Among the signers of this petition were Jonathan Hale, Stephen Wood ward, Stephen Morse, Jr., Caleb Morse, Obadiah Swasey, Amos Kimball, Ezra Bart- lett, John Page, John Osgood, Timothy A. Edson, John Page, Jr., Moses Dow, Jonathan Sinclair, Joseph Morse, Stephen Morse, 2d, and Timothy B. Bailey. A meeting was called by the selectmen for August 31, 1812, and at this meeting the town refused to vote the addi- tional compensation asked for. A motion to dissolve the meeting was negatived, and after considerable debate of an animated and acrimonious nature as to the legality of sub- sequent action, and after many voters, including nearly all the Democratic supporters of the Administration, had withdrawn from the meeting, the following votes and resolutions were passed : Voted to choose a committee to report by resolution or otherwise on the present situation of our national affaire. Voted that Ezekiel Ladd, David Webster, John Nelson, John Montgomery, John Kimball and Ezekiel Ladd, Jr., be committee. The following resolutions were reported to the meeting and adopted : "That Government is instituted for the common benefit, protection and security of the whole community and not for the private emolument of any one man, family or class of men. When, therefore, the administration of such a gov- ernment is so conducted that the common benefit of the whole community is neither the end proposed, nor the ob- ject attained, when the speculative opinions of visionary theorists have for a long time predominated in the councils 15 of the nation, by the influence of which a system of com- mercial restrictions has been adopted in direct opposition to the rules of practical wisdom and the dictates of universal experience — when a system of notorious antipathy to one of the great Belligerents of Europe and partiality if not sub- serviency to the other, has at length precipitated the nation unprepared into all the horrors and calamities of war, pre- mature, unnecessary, and impolitic, with an extensive range of sea coast comparatively defenseless and an im- mense amount of commercial capital exposed to inevitable capture and destruction, and when, amidst such a com- plication of errors and distress, the interest of a particular man and the instruments of a particular class of men en- gross the cares and attention of the Administration of our Government to the exclusion or neglect of the great concern of the Union, under such circumstances it is not only the right, but it is the imperious and indispensable duty of the people in an orderly and peaceable manner to assemble to consult upon the public good, and with firm, united and strenuous exertions to endeavor to restore wisdom to our councils and peace to our country. "Such a spirit of inquiry and investigation into the spirit and conduct of the rulers is the distinguishing characteristic of freemen, and the right of examination into the object, policy and operation of these measures, a primary and essential principle of every free government. It is to this spirit that Americans are indebted for their Liberty, their Independence, and all their privileges as a Nation ; it is to the firm, temperate and deliberate exercise of this right that they must look for the preservation, support and continu- ance of them. "These principles, so dear to the patriots of the Revolution, 16 at all times so important and in all countries so interesting to the friend of rational freedom, are in these times of un- precedented calamity, peril and distress rendered particu- larly dear, important and interesting to the advocates of liberty and the friends of peace, of commerce and philan- thropy throughout our once flourishing and happy republic. "Ist. Therefore, Resolved, That while we fully recognize and explicitly acknowledge as the fundamental principle of our Constitution "that a majority must rule," and while we as fully and explicitly denounce and discourage all forcible and unwarrantable opposition to constitutional laws and the constituted authorities of the Country, we cannot but remember that, although in a minority, Freemen still have rights in the Country, and that the Liberty of Speech and of the Press, publicity of debate and freedom of elections are essential to the existence of Republican government. "2d. Resolved, That in a country where the theory of the Government is that all power resides originally in, and is derived from the people, when all the magistrates and officers of government are but their substitutes and agents, and at all times accountable to them, it is essential to the preservation of the rights of the people and to a just, proper and impar- tial exei'cise of their electoral privileges, that all the chan- nels of information respecting public men and public meas- ures should be open to all. "3d. Resolved, Therefore, That we cannot but view with anxiety, apprehension and alarm the late proceedings in Cono-ress by which a system of measures has been deliber- ately matured and avowedly adopted to check the freedom and prevent the publicity of debate at the whim or caprice of a heated majority, and thus to conceal from the people the unfaithfulness of public men, and prevent the detection and exposure of the impolicy and inexpediency of public measures. 17 *'4th. Resolved, That we revere the principles and honor of the patriots of the Revolution, who in their example and conduct have spread a lustre over this country which we hope will never be tarnished by their descendants. The war which they waged was necessary and just ; it was in self- defense ; its objects were great ; they were the safety, lib- erty and independence of this country : They were attain- able. In such a war we would be foremost in tendering our fortunes and our lives. But until such an occasion shall again call us to arms, we cannot but believe that the interests and honor of the United States will require us to cherish the relations of Peace. We cannot discover in the present war that necessity, that justice and those great and attainable objects which sanctified the former ; drawn into it, however, by the constituted authorities of our country, we will, as good citizens, submit to the laws and make all the sacrifices which they require. But at the same time we are firmly resolved to exercise our inalienable rights of scruti- nizing the measures of our rulers, to bring them to the test of the maxims of wisdom and sound policy, and to use every legal and constitutional means of placing in the sev- eral departments of government men whose views shall be more conformable to the honor and interest of our country, and whose policy and wishes shall be more friendly to the establishment of peace. "5th. Resolved, That while we are necessitated wholly to disapprobate the policy of our national administration as in- volving the sacrifice of our dearest rights and tending to a dissolution of our national compact, we declare our firm attachment to the Constitution of the United States, and our determination to preserve it inviolate and to support the Union at every hazard. 18 "6th. Mesolved, That a frequent recurrence to the fun- damental principles of the Constitution of the United States, and a constant adherence to justice, moderation, temperance, industry and frugality, and all the social virtues are indis- pensably necessary to preserve the blessings of liberty and good government ; the people ought, therefore, to have a par- ticular regard to all those principles in the choice of their officers and representatives. "7th. Resolved, Therefore, That for the promotion of the above described objects, and for the maintenance of our rights and privileges, and for the advancement of the gen- eral vyelfare, we will unite with any other town or towns in this county by delegates to a county convention. "8th. Resolved, Therefore, That it is expedient to ap- point and we do hereby appoint Joseph Bell, John Smith and George Woodward to represent this town in a county convention for the county of Grafton, to meet at Orford on the 1st Tuesday of October next, to consult on and carry into effect the foregoing object. ^ 2 The convention at Orford was attended by delegates from the river towns of Grafton County, and a delegate was chosen to attend a convention of delegates from the New England States for the purpose of considering the state of the country and taking such action as might he deemed expedient under the circumstances. The Convention did not meet, however, till December 16, 1814. This was the famous Hartford Convention, the twenty-six mem- bers of which, respectable gentlemen though they were, were con- demded to political infamy. Massachusetts, Ehode Island and Connecticut sent twenty-three of these delegates with state sanc- tion. New Hampshire and Vermont, however, hesitated and the New Hampshire delegates, one each from Sullivan and Grafton Counties, the latter elected at the Orford meeting and the Ver- mont delegate from Windsor County, had only the authority de- rived from their respective counties. 19 *'9th. Resolved, That the Town Clerk be directed to re- cord in the Town Book the above resolves." The population of Haverhill in 1809 was approximately 1100. The census of 1810 gave a return of 1105. The selectmen in 180S assessed 219 polls and there were nine voters past 70 years of age who paid no poll taxes. These were Bryan Kay, Nathaniel Runnells, Amos Howard, Sam- uel Gould, Stephen Morse, 2d, Samuel Danforth, John Sevey, William Mitchell and Joseph Lee. The poll tax was $1.30 and the rate of taxation was 50 cents on each hundred dollars valuation, except on bank stock, on which it was 75 cents, and on money at interest, which called for a rate of $1.00. The fathers believed evidently that evi- dences of wealth like bank stock and money at interest should not escape taxation. It is interesting to know who the taxpayers and voters in Haverhill were 100 years ago, and a glance at the character of the property on which they paid taxes will throw strong light on the conditions of life and society at that time. Of the 219 polls assessed, 55 or one-fourth part were assessed a poll tax only. ^ These were : Jacob Abbott Benj. Wiser James Robertson Benj. Harvard 3 Of the larger nnmber of these 55 poll tax payers there is little knowledge. So far as known, none of them have descendants bear- ing the name in Havei-hill to-day. Benjamin Wiser was the father of a large family of children, and one of his sons, Benjamin, Jr., was one of the characters of the town in the fortys and fiftys. In fact, Ben. Wiser had nearly as much of a local reputation as was enjoyed by John Page, Jr., whose name appears in the above list and who, as trusted county and state official, as governor and United States senator, was for many years the first citizen not only of the town, but of Northern New Hampshire. 20 Nathan Bagley Freeman Hurlbutt Joseph Bullock Ebenezer Woodbury John Stevens Samuel Ames Grove Sanders John Jones Noah W Keniston Amos Bailey Charles P Feseenden Erastus C Cutler James Hutchinson Samuel Miller Grove Bowen Jacob Ingersoll Jonathan Lord Oliver Knapp Phineas Davenport Ezekiel L Bailey William Kimball Simeon Stafford Baldwin Pelton Thomas McCollister John Merrill William Hazelton Ahira Wright Jonathan Whitman Thomas Colby Aaron Whitney Josiah Elkins Isaac Martin Gideon Cole John Lawrence Nathan Ward Daniel Burton John Hartwell James Ladd, Jr Nathan Fitch John Page, Jr Hazen Bedell Lothrop Knapp Eliphalet Quimby Thomas Harbert Charles Morton Parley Harris Thomas Snell Jones Comfort Joy Jonathan Pool Richard Quimby The tax assessed on polls and property, leaving out those who were taxpayers only, merits a study in detail, raising the question whether the burdens of taxation would not be more equitably distributed were there a return to the old methods of careful and painstaking detail. It will be seen from the inventory that the tax upon each item was 21 assessed separately. The rate was 5 mills on each dollar of valuation, except as above mentioned in the case of bank stock and money at interest, and the tax assessed was as follows, for those paying a tax of ten dollars and upwards on real estate in addition to their personal property : Jacob Bailey, poll 2 horses . 2 horses 3 winters 1 horse 2 winters 4 oxen 7 cows 3 neats 3 winters 3 neats 2 winters 20 acres mowing 15 acres arable land 24 acres pasture land 300 acres woodland buildings $400 Total John Kimball, poll 1 horse 1 horse 4 winters 1 horse 3 winters 2 oxen 3 cows 2 neats 3 winters 3 neats 2 winters 8 acres arable land 10 acres mowing: land 8 acres pasture land . $1.30 1.40 .60 .10 1.60 1.40 .30 .15 4.00 3.00 1.20 3.00 2.00 $20.05 $1.30 .70 .50 .30 .80 .60 .20 .15 1.60 2.0C .4C 22 1-3 of 100 acres woodland .34 buildings 1.00 Total tax . $9.89 John Sandborn, poll .... $1.30 2 horses 1.40 2 horses 3 winters .60 1 horse 2 winters .15 2 oxen .... .80 5 cows .... 1.00 5 neat 3 winters .50 7 neat 2 winters .35 8 acres arable land 1.60 25 acres mowing land 5.00 60 acres pasture land 3.00 Simpson Farm, 4 acres arable land . .80 4 acres mowing land . .80 4 acres pasture land . .20 2 house lots, Nos. 3 and 4, 1.50 50 acres woodland .50 buildings, $500 2,50 Total .... . $22.00 * Amos Kimball, poll .... $1.30 5 horses .... 3.50 1 horse 3 winters .30 2 oxen .... .80 13 cows .... 2.60 3 neats 3 winters .30 15 acres arable land 3.00 23 30 acres mowing land 6.00 32 acres pasture land 1.60 buildings, $600 3.00 6 bank shares . . . . 2.25 300 acres woodland . 3.00 J. Harriman, 70 acres Lot No. 50 N. . .75 70 acres Lot No. 35 N. , .75 B. Moores 100 acre lot No. 4 N. Total 1.50 $30.65 Benjamin Morse, poll .... 1.30 3 horses .... 2.10 2 oxen .... .80 2 cows .... .40 1 neat 3 winters .10 13 acres arable land 2.60 18 acres mowing land 3.80 12 acres pasture land .60 '' 1 acre orchard .30 Hancock Lot- I 9 acres mowing land 1.70 3 acres arable land .60 100 acres Lot No. 28 1.50 old chaise .12 buildings, $600 3.00 1 neat 2 winters Total .05 $18.97 4 Amos Kimball, one of the earliest settlers of the town, born in Bradford, Mass., August 31, 1750, went first from Bradford to Bar- net, Vt., but came to Haverhill about 1788, living for a time on Ladd Street, but later purchased the farms subsequently owned by his sons John and Francis D. and still later by the late Ezra S. and J. Porter Kimball. Amos Kimbf^ll was a man of great energy and force of character and was prominent in town affairs. 24 Thomas Morse, poll ..... $1.30 3 horses .... 2.10 1 chaise . . . . . .15 9 acres arable land 1.80 11 acres mowing land 2.20 8 acres pasture land .40 buildings, $200 1.00 money at interest, $600 . . 4.50 50 acres land . . . . 1.00 Total . $14.45 ^ Obadiah Swasey, poll .... $1.30 1 horse .... .70 3 cows .... .60 8 acres mowing land 1.60 1 sawmill & gristmill, net inc'me $96 8.00 buildings, 1300 1.50 Total .... . $13.70 Adams True, poll . . . . . $1.30 1 horse . . . . . .70 1 cow . . . . . .20 5 Obadiah Swasey, born in Haverhill, Mass., in 1775, came to Newbury, Vt., before 1800. He married Nancy, daughter of Maj. Nathaniel Merrill, and came to No. Haverhill about 1802, where he engaged with his father-in-law in sawing lumber, the settlement being known for years as Swasey's Mills and later as "Slab City." One of his daughters married John L. Woods, for whom Woods- ville was named; another became the wife of Dr. Henry B. Leon- ard, and four of his sons, Samuel, Benjamin, John H. and Nathan- iel M. became well known and leading citizens of Haverhill. Of the numerous descendants of Obadiah Swasey, none are now living in town. 25 70 acres Lot No. 21 S. .75 70 acres Lot No. 24 S. . .75 40 acres Lot No. 18 N. .25 To Mr. John Hazen, Jr. 16 acres arable land 3.20 10 acres mowing land 2.00 18 acres pasture land .90 buildings, $200 1.00 Total . . . . $11.05 B Timothy A. Edson, poll $1.30 1 horse .... .70 1 horse 4 winters .50 1 horse 3 winters .30 2 oxen .... .80 4 cows .... .80 3 neat 3 winters .30 3 neat 2 winters .15 10 acres arable land 2.00 20 acres mowing land 4.00 24 acres pasture land . 1.20 1 chaise .... .30 100 acres Lot No. 172, 2d r 2.00 70 acres No. 5 No., W. Porter .75 buildings 1450 . 2.25 Total .... $17.35 6 Timothy A. Edson came to Haverhill early in the nineteenth century and was for years one of the leading citizens, not only of the town, but also of the county. Besides holding various town offices, he was sheriff of the county for six years, 1813-1818. He was owner of the Hazen farm for some years and occupied it, and a road leading from the main highway to the meadow near the residence of David Whitcher is still known as the Edson road. He removed to Littleton in 1824 and lived there till his death, and his descendants became prominent in the business of that town. 26 David Merrill, poll . 2 horses 4 cows 2 oxen 4 winters 4 neat 2 winters 8 acres tillage 15 acres mowing land 12 acres pasture land buildings, $200 . Total . 1.30 1.40 .80 .60 .20 1.60 3.00 .60 1.00 $10.50 Nathaniel Merrill, poll $1.30 3 horses 2.10 2 oxen .80 5 cows 1.00 1 oxen 4 winters . .30 1 neat 2 winters . .05 8 acres mowing land 1.60 8 acres arable land 1.60 20 acres pasture land 1.00 1 chaise .25 70 acres Lot No. 7 .75 70 " " 38 .75 40 " " 17 .25 70 " " 2 .75 40 " " 4 .25 40 " " 17 .25 150 " woodland 1.50 buildings, $400 . 2.00 Total $16.50 27 ' Asa Porter, poll 11.30 6 oxen .... 2.40 4 oxen 4 winters 1.20 5 cows .... 1.00 5 horses . . . . . 3.50 2 horses 4 winters 1.00 2 horses 3 winters .60 3 horses 2 winters .30 1 old chaise .25 30 acres arable land 6.00 50 acres mowing land 10.00 20 acres pasture land . 1.00 50 bank shares at 175 28.12 house lot No. 7 . .75 40-acre lot, No. 25 . .25 100 " "25 1.50 270 " 1.50 40 " ... .25 " Few men were more prominent in the early history of Haver- hill than Col. Asa Porter. As early as 1771 he owned and operated a ferry across the Connecticut at Horse Meadow, still known as the Porter place. During the War of the Revolution his sympathies were with the Crown and he was voted an enemy by the Exeter authorities. He was arrested and kept a prisoner in Massachu- setts for some months, but was subsequently permitted to return to Haverhill on parole. In his later years he regained to some extent the esteem and confidence of his townsmen. His farm was a large and valuable one and was later owned by the late Samuel F. Southard. He was also the owner of large landed properties in Corinth and Topsham, Vt. He was a man of aristocratic tastes and habits, a graduate of Harvard College, and mingled but little socially with his neighbors. One of his daughters married Mills Olcott of Hanover and one of the Olcott daughters became the wife of Joseph Bell, another the wife of William H. Duncan, and still another of Rufus Choate. 28 100 " No. 24, 2d . . . 1.50 100 " " 12, 2, 70 and 40 3.25 buildings $1,300 . . . . 6.50 Total 172.17 Charles Bruce, poll $1.30 1 horse .70 1 horse 3 winters .30 1 horse 2 winters .10 2 oxen .80 7 cows 1.40 3 neat 3 winters . . . . .30 2 neat 2 winters .10 20 acres mowing land . 4.00 3 acres arable land .60 24 acres pasture land . 1.20 buildings, $150 .75 Total $11.55 ^Daniel Carr, poll $1.30 2 horses .... 1.40 1 horse 4 winters .50 2 oxen .... .80 3 cows .... .60 8 Capt. Daniel Carr, like his brother, Deacon John Carr, came to Haverhill from Newburyport prior to 1800 and settled on a farm on Brier Hill, now owned by his great-grandson and namesake, Dan- iel Carr. Deacon Daniel Carr, eldest son of Daniel, was for many years deacon of the now defunct Baptist church at No. Haverhill, and Major Samuel Carr, another son, was selectman for several years. A grandson, the late Daniel E. Carr, was twice a member of the legislature. 29 2 oxen 4 winters .60 3 neat 3 winters .30 3 neat 2 winters .15 14 acres mowing land . 2.80 3 acres arable land .60 12 acres pasture land . .60 1 chaise .50 buildings, $200 . . . . 1.00 Total .... . 111.15 ' Clark Woodward, poll .... $1.30 2 horses .... 1.40 4 oxen .... 1.60 4 cows .... .80 2 neat 2 winters . .10 2 acres arable land .40 10 acres mowing land 2.00 10 acres pasture land . .50 ImiU .... 3.00 70 acres Lot No. 59 .75 buildings, $150 . .75 Total .... . $12.60 Robert Forsaith, poll .... $1.30 2 horses .... 1.40 2 oxen .... .80 9 cows .... 1.80 " Clark Woodward was a son of Judge James Woodward, who first represented Haverhill in the legislature, and was a farmer living at Ladd Street. A brother of his, Joshua, inherited the James Woodward homestead, which is now owned by James Woodward, one of the oldest and most respected citizens of the town. 30 7 neat 3 winters . .70 8 neat 2 winters . .40 20 acres mowing land 4.00 5 acres arable land 1.00 30 acres pasture land 1.50 buildings, $350 . 1.75 Total . . 114.65 David Clark, poll $1.30 2 horses 1.40 2 horses 3 winters .60 4 oxen 1.60 10 cows 2.00 7 neat 3 winters . .70 7 neat 2 winters . .35 6 acres arable land 1.20 24 acres mowing land 4.80 30 acres pasture land 1.50 70 acres Lot No. 29 S. .75 buildings, |400 . 2.00 Total . 118.20 Moses Elkins, poll . . . . $1.30 1 horse .70 1 horse 4 winters .50 2 oxen .80 2 cows .40 4 neat 3 winters . .40 3 neat 2 winters .15 4 acres arable land .80 10 acres mowing land 2.00 24 acres pasture land 1.20 31 1 acre orchard buildings, |400 . Total ^^ Edmund Carleton, poll . 1 horse 4 oxen 3 cows 2 neat 3 winters . 2 neat 2 winters . 20 acres mowing land 24 acres pasture land 14 bank shares, $15 buildings, $500 . Total 11 Jonathan Sinclair, poll . 2 horses 3 cows 1 neat 2 winters . stock in trade 6 acres arable land .80 2.00 $10.55 $1.30 .70 1.60 .60 .20 .10 4.00 1.20 10.50 2.50 $22.70 $1.30 1.40 .60 .05 .50 1.20 10 Dr. Edmund Carleton, born in Haverhill, Mass., in 1771, came to Haverhill in 1796, and was a physician of wide and successful practice for more than forty years. He was the owner of a large farm near the Piermont line, afterwards owned by his son Arthur. One son, Edmund, Jr., was a graduate of Dartmouth College and was a leading lawyer in Littleton for many years. • 11 Capt. Jonathan Sinclair was one of the famous tavern keepers of the day and the large brick house on Court Street, at the Corner, owned for so many years by the late Dr. Phineas Spaulding and now known as the Crawford House, was made famous as his hos- tlery. 32 15 acres mowing land . 3.00 12 acres pasture land . .60 buildings, $300 .. 1.50 1 acre orchard .30 Total . . $10.45 ^'^ Ross Coon, poll .... 11.30 3 horses 2.10 1 horse 2 winters .10 4 cows .80 70 acres Lot No. 29, N. 1st, .75 stock in trade 1.50 buildings, $800 . 4.00 1 chaise .20 Total . . $10.75 13 Charles Johnston, poll . . . . $1.30 1 horse .70 2 oxen .80 4 oxen 4 winters . 1.20 12 Koss Coon was another of the old time landlords, and "Ross Coon's tavern" was noted for its good table — and most excellent bar. He was also called Dr. Coon, and knowing as little of theol- ogy as he did of medicine — both very, very little — also practiced and preached. He was one of the characters of his time and some of his quaint sayings are still quoted. 13 Col. Charles Johnston, born in Hampstead in 1737, from the year 1769, when he came to Haverhill and settled at Haverhill Cor- ner, till his death in 1813, was beyond question the foremost citi- zen of Haverhill in point of ability and influence. He was public spirited and was the founder or one of the founders of all the public institutions of the town. He gave the town the beautiful Common at the Corner, around which the village was subsequently built. He secured the removal of the court house and jail from its 33 2 cows .40 3 neat 3 winters . .30 6 acres tillage land 1.20 15 acres mowing land . 3.00 20 acres pasture land . 1.00 80 acres of 100 acre lot No. 18, S. 1.40 part of 100 acre lot A, No. 2, S. . 1.50 70 acre Lot No. 70, S. .75 3 bank shares . . . . 1.68 Total , 115.33 Michael Johnston, poll 11.30 2 horses 1.40 2 oxen .80 8 cows 1.60 1 cow 3 winters . .10 3 neat 2 winters . .15 6 acres tillage land 1.20 19 acres mowing land 3.80 18 acres pasture land .90 240 acre lots, Nos. 4 and 5 S. .50 1-2 100 acre lot No. 3, 2d r 1.00 2 bank shares 1.12 buildings, $500 2.50 Total .... . $16.37 first location, just above No. Haverhill, to the Corner. '11 A na i^amv He was a • Vifi fnnlr a. prominent part in the war of the Revolution, and the victory at Bennington was as much his as John Stark's; he was one of the incorporators of the Coos turnpike and of the Social Library, and he held for years the important official positions which were with- in the gift of his townsmen; was County treasurer, a member of the Executive Council, and for a period of twenty-six years, until disqualified by age, judge of probate for the County of Grafton. 34 ^* Joseph Bliss, poll . . . . -11.30 2 horses 1.40 3 cows .60 stock in trade 4.00 1 acre arable land .20 1 chaise .37 1 chaise .18 58 acres woodland 1.50 buildings, $900 . 4.50 Total 114.05 David Webster, 1 poll $1.30 1 horse .... .70 2 oxen . . . . . .80 3 cows .... .60 3 acres arable land .60 8 acres mowing land . 1.60 20 acres pasture land . 1.00 58 acres woodland 1.50 1-2 100 acre lot 2, No. 1, 2d r . 1.50 15 bank shares, 175 8.43 1 chaise .... .60 buildings, $700 . 3.50 Total .... $22.13 14 Joseph Bliss was the first postmaster ©f the town, holding his commission from George Washington, and for many years his house, still standing on Court street and in later years the resi- dence of the late Geo. W. Leith, was known as "the Bliss Tavern," and was perhaps the most aristocratic and exclusive of the many Haverhill hostleries. 35 15 Alden Sprague, 1 poll 1 horse 2 cows 16 bank shares 1 chaise buildings, $500 . Total . $1.30 .70 .40 9.00 .50 2.50 $14.40 16 George Woodward, 1 poll 1 horse 4 oxen 2 cows 2 neat 2 winters . 2 acres arable land 6 acres mowing land 20 acres pasture land 50 acres woodland 1 chaise buildings, $900 . Total . $1.30 .70 1.60 .40 .10 .40 1.20 1.00 1.50 .75 4.50 . . $13.45 15 Alden Sprague came to Haverhill prior to 1796, and was for years a distinguished member of the Grafton County bar. One of his daughters became the wife of James I. Swan of Bath, a noted lawyer of his day, and another became the wife of Hamlin Rand and the mother of the late Edward D. Rand of Lisbon and Charles W. Rand of Littleton. A grandson of Alden Sprague, Hon. E. C. Sprague, was one of the most prominent lawyers of western New York and bore a prominent and decisive part in the memorable Cleveland-Blaine campaign in 1884, as a friend of Mr. Cleveland. 16 George Woodward was another of the early lawyers of Haver- hill. He was born in Hanover in 1776, was a grandson of Eleazer Wheelock, first president of Dartmouth College, and graduated from that institution in 1793. He was a son of Judge Bezaleel "Woodward of Hanover and his name naturally appears as one of the delegates to the Orford convention before mentioned, the pre- cursor of the Hartford convention. 36 Samuel Brooks, 1 poll $1.30 1 horse . . . . . .70 2 oxen .80 1 cow . . . . . .20 1 chaise .15 stock in trade, $1,500 7.50 1 4 bank shares at $75 7.87 buildings, $800 4.00 a mill 2.00 Total $24.52 David Philbrick, 1 poll .... $1.30 3 horses 2.10 4 oxen . . . . . 1.60 4 cows .... .80 3 neat 3 winters . .30 2 neat 2 winters . •lo 4 acres arable land .80 15 acres mowing land . 3.00 10 acres pasture land . .50 20 acres woodland .40 buildings, $200 1.00 Total .... . $11.90 ^1 Edward Towle, 1 poll .... $1.30 2 horses .... 1.40 1 horse 2 winters .10 4 oxen .... 1.60 1 cow .... .20 4 neat 3 winters .40 12 acres arable land 2.40 22 acres mowing land 4.40 37 8 acres pasture land - - - .40 buildings, 11000 - - - 5.00 2 chaise - - - - .75 6 bank shares, $300 - - - 2.25 $300 at interest - - - - 2.25 Total ... - .|22.45 18 John Page, 1 poll $1.30 4 horses 2.80 1 horse 3 winters - - . .30 4 oxen 1.60 6 cows 1.20 10 neat 3 winters . . . I.OO 6 neat 2 winters . _ . ,30 19 acres arable land - - . 3,80 33 acres mowing land - . - 6.60 32 acres pasture land - - - 1.92 100 acres lot No. 3 - - - 3.00 100 acre Lot No. 20 N. - - 1.50 70 acres Lot No. 19 N. - - .75 70 acres Lot No. 54 S. - - .75 40 acres Lot No. 23 N. - - .25 280 acres 3.25 40 acres Lot No. 31 N. - . .25 70 acres Lot No. 21 S. - . .75 17 Edward Towle was one of a family notable in the history of the town. He was the eldest son of Simeon Towle who was born in Hampton in 1759 and who removed with his family to Haverhill in 1805. Edward Towle was the proprietor of the Towle stage tavern, which became the leading hostlery at the Corner for judges and lawyers, as well as for stage drivers and passengers, after the death of Joseph Bliss. One daughter of Edward Towle became the wife of Dr. Hiram Morgan, another the wife of Gerge W. Chapman and still another of George S. Towle of Lebanon. 38 70 acres Lot No. 24 - - - 75 1 chaise 20 1 acre orchard land - . . 30 buiidmgs, $!500 - - . 2 50 Total ... - S35 07 John Montgomery, 1 poll - - - - - $1 30 2 horses 1 horse 3 winters . _ - 6 oxen 3 cows 4 neat 3 winters . - - - 14 acres arable land - - - 25 acres mowing land 36 acres pasture land 3-4 of 100 acres Lot No. 8 - 1 coach, 1 new chaise, 1 old chaise stock in trade . _ - . 100 bank shares, $75 each - buildings, -fl,100 1 sawmill 1 gristmill - - - : - Total $100 20 18 Joliu Page was one of the very first settlers of Haverhill, com- ing to town bearing an ax and a small bundle of clothes in 1762. His name and those of his descendants have been writ large in the history of the town. His homestead is now in the possession of Mrs. Edward L. Page, the widow of his grandson. His wife Han- nah, the daughter of the Kev. Samuel Royce, the first minister in Landaff, bore him four sons, John, later Governor of the State, William Green, Samuel and Stephen Royce. Two of his great- grandsons, Charles P. and Frederick W. are residents of the town and are engaged in mercantile business at the corner. 1 40 15 2 40 60 40 2 80 5 00 1 80 1 50 2 60 12 50 56 25 5 50 4 00 2 00 39 ^9 Joseph Pearson, 1 poll - - - - 1 horse . . . - . 11 30 70 1 horse 2 winters 10 2 oxen . . . - ■ 80 3 cows . . . - 60 1 neat 3 winters - - - 10 5 acres arable land 1 00 10 acres mowing land - 2 00 25 acres pasture land - 1-2 of 100 Acre Lot No. 7 - 1 20 75 1 chaise . - - - 35 8 bank shares 4 50 2 neat 2 winters 10 buildings, 1300 - 2-3 of 3 mills 1 50 3 00 Total - - - - - 118 00 20 Moody Bedel, poll . . - - 1 horse . . - - 11 30 70 6 cows . - . - 1 20 10 acres arable land 2 00 10 acres mowing land - 28 acres pasture land - buildings, 1550 - 70 acres Lot No. 32, N. 2 00 1 40 2 75 75 70 acres " 34, " 70 40 acres " 29, " 25 40 " " 21, " 25 19 Joseph Pearson was another of the early settlers, coming to town from Boscawen, and as early as 1799 was the proprietor of a fulling mill at Oliverian Brook. The family was a prominent one for many years, but none of its members now reside in town. Joseph Pearson married a daughter of Col. Charles Johnston. 40 25 75 75 75 25 25 75 25 25 75 75 1-3 meadow lot No. 7 - - 12 70 (( 34, S 40 a 1 " 70 a 8 " 70 (( 45 " 70 (( 7 " 40 (( 9 N. 40 (( 19 " 70 (( 23 S. 40 (( 20 N. 40 (( 5 « 70 u 65 S. 70 i% 30 « Total $20 12 Ezekiel Ladd, 1 horse $ 70 2 oxen 80 3 cows - - . _ . 60 1 neat 3 winters - - - - 10 1 neat 2 winters - - - - 5 6 acres arable land . - _ 1 20 18 acres mowing land - - 3 60 1 acre orchard - - . . 30 24 acres pasture land - - - 1 20 20 Gen. Moody Bedel was the son of Col. Timothy Bedel of Revo- lutionary fame and one of the original proprietors of Haverhill, was born in 1764. He served as a boy in his father's regiment, and during the war of 1812, as commander of the Sixth Brigade of militia, was placed in charge of the district of New Hampshire for recruiting. He was also in active service during the war, and was distinguished for bravery at the head of his regiment at the battle of Lake Erie. The Bedel family was one of soldiers. One son of Moody, the late Gen. John Bedel of Bath, rendered good account of himself in the Mexican war and the war for the Union. 41 70 acres Lot No 9, 1st range 1-2 of 100 acres Lot No 19, S 2d r 100 acres Lot No 9, N buildings, 1600 - - - - 1 chaise . - - - - Total Samuel Ladd, poll 1 horse 1 horse 3 winters . . - 2 oxen 5 cows - - - - - 4 neat 3 winters ■ - - - 2 neat 2 winters - . - - 9 acres arable land 14 acres mowing land - 16 acres pasture land - buildings, 1500 - - - - 1 chaise . . . . . 200 acres Lot No. 10 - 40 acres " " - 100 " S . - . . 70 " Lot No. 44 N - Total - - - - James Woodward, poll _ _ _ - 2 horses _ _ . - 2 oxen _ _ _ - 4 cows _ _ _ - 1 neat 2 winters 10 acres arable land 16 acres mowing 40 acres pasture land - 1 75 75 1 50 3 00 30 il4 85 $1 30 70 30 80 1 00 40 10 1 80 2 80 80 2 50 30 1 50 25 1 50 75 $17 20 $ 1 30 - 1 40 80 80 05 2 00 - 3 20 2 00 42 1 chaise, $15 buildings , $600 2 acres orchard 70 acres Lot No. 51 70 acres No. 46 70 acres No. 45 70 acres No. 39 70 acres No. 3 .70 acres No. 22 40 acres No. 27 70 acres No. 75 40 acres No. 8 40 acres No. 10 1-2 100 acres land No. 21 70 acres " No. 57 - Total - Richard Gookin, poll - - - - 2 horses _ _ _ 4 oxen _ _ _ 4 cows _ _ _ 1 neat 3 winters 8 acres tillage land 15 acres mowing land - 12 acres pasture land 1 chaise, $130 12 1-2 bank shares 26 acres woodland Btock in trade, $200 factory and building $1000 Total 75 00 60 75 75 75 75 75 75 25 75 25 25 00 75 $23 65 $ 1 30 1 40 1 60 80 05 1 60 3 00 80 75 6 99 1 00 1 00 5 00 $25 29 43 Daniel Quimby, poll - - - 1 horse 1 horse 2 winters 4 oxen 6 cows 6 neats 3 winters 4 neats 2 winters 15 acres arable land 25 acres mowing land 35 acres pasture land buildings, $600 - 100 acres woodland Total - $ 1 30 70 10 1 60 1 20 60 20 3 00 5 00 1 75 3 00 1 50 Ud 95 ^1 Taxpayers whose assessment was less than ten dollars aside from those already enumerated as paying a poll tax only, were the following, the amount of tax being given for each : Moody L Chamberlain $1.70 Moses Abbott 16.90 Moses Campbell 2.00 Daniel Rowell 4.90 Joseph Fry .10 Richard Rowell .15 John S. Sandborn 3.02 Rice Howard 1.50 James Morse, 2.00 Christopher Seaton 4.05 John Morse, 2d 2.20 Bryan Kay 5.85 John True 4.65 Edward B. Crocker 2.05 Zachariah Bacon 7.85 Daniel Morse 6.10 21 The list of taxpayers contains the names of 145 persons aside from those who paid a poll tax only, whose tax was less than $10, and this list is an interesting one, containing as it does many names which were of large importance and influence in the early history of the town. 44 John Morse 16.40 Widowlsabella Johnson 1.25 Hazen Shelly 2.00 Ebenezer Jones 2.10 22 Joshua Howard 6.85 Abial Willis 1.50 John J. Bedel 1.50 Moses Barron 1.50 Roger Willis 3.00 William Grimshaw 3.70 Richard Stevens 2.00 Abraham Rogers 2.10 23 James Abbott 7.40 Cyrus Allen 6-90 James King 8.90 Thos. Davis 2.00 John Carr 9.10 Jacob Bedel $3.60 Benj. Gould 3.00 Charles Wheeler 2.20 Nathan'l Runnells 1.20 Amos Howard 3.25 Elisha Hurlburt 3.17 El zabeth Crocker 3.75 Jona. Martin 1.50 Ephraim Hildreth 2.05 Stephen Morse 9.30 Joseph Morse 2.00 Moses Morse 2.00 James Abbot, Jr 2.35 Samuel Gould .30 Edward King 4.15 Jahleel Willis 3.42 Stephen Morse, 3d 3.20 22 Col. Joshua Howard was one of the young men who came to Haverhill with Jesse Harriman and Simeon Stevens in April, 1762, to begin the settlement of the Coos Country. He was the one pio- neer who remained, dying in 1839 at the advanced age of 99, at his home on what has been known for a century as Howard's Island, just north of the County Farm buildings. He did good service as an officer in the war of the Revolution, served the town in all of its important offices, represented the town in the Windsor conven- tion which attempted to form a state government, including the towns on both sides the Connecticut river; in short, for a period of half a century was recognized as a leading and useful citizen. 23 Deacon James Abbott was another of the oldest settlers. He was moderator of the town meeting as early as 1767, and was one of the early town clerks, though he could not have been chosen to this office because of the excellence of his penmanship. After the close of the Revolutionary war he removed to Groton, Vt., becom- ing one of the first settlers of that town. 45 Joseph Emerson $2.55 Henry Colby 3.66 Stephen Morse, 2d 2.00 James Jeffers 5.00 25 Billy Porter 4.42 Joseph Flanders, Jr 3.70 Sam'l Danforth .20 Sam'l Danforth, Jr. 3.35 Ira Martin 1.50 Supply Barnes 2.05 Jno. Sevey 1.10 David Forsaith 6.65 Alphens Ladd 1.80 Amos Blood 5.07 Abel Webber 1.75 William Mitchell .20 2^ Richardson French $8.75 Caleb Morse 8.05 Ebenezer Whitaker 8.15 John Jeffers 3.50 Joseph Flanders 4.65 Onisephorus Flanders 5.37 Silas Danforth 1.70 26 Andrew S. Crocker 8.10 Nath'l Hela 2.35 Lawson Drury 7.75 Benj. Young 1.60 Asa Ladd 7.85 John Lawrence 1.50 Stephen Lawrence .50 Abigail Coffin 2.10 John Hazeltine .20 24 Richardson French settled previous to 1800 in the vicinity of the pond which bears his name, near the center of the town, and gained great fame as a hunter and trapper. The late Andrew French of Brier Hill was one of his grandsons, and another grand- son living in town is Nahum W. French of North Haverhill. *5 " Billy " Porter was a brother of Col. Asa Porter who, after liv- ing at Horse Meadow for a time, settled on the "Turnpike" on what is still known as Porter Hill. One of his daughters became the wife of John Osgood, the famous clock-maker. 26 Andrew Savage Crocker, a native of Hollis, came to Haverhill early and was one of the selectmen as early as 1771 ; was also one of His Majesty's Justices of the Peace. During the war of the Revolution his sympathies were evidently with the Crown, though he never lost the respect of his townsmen. He lived at Horse Meadow and had one son, Edward Bass Crocker. The late Freder- ick Crocker of Pittsburg, Pa., Alvah Crocker of Fitchburg, Mass., and the wife of the late Hiram Carr of Boston were descendants of Edward B. Crocker. There is no representative of the family in town at the piesent time. 46 ■^" Avery Sanders Amos Home Geo. Kniglit Jacob Williams Joseph Edmonds John L. Corliss Stephen P. Webster John Nelson Coos Bank Building 2^ John Osgood William Clark 2° Israel Swan Stephen F. Heminway Bryan Morse $1.50 James Gould 12.30 2.25 Joseph Lee 1.15 1.40 Jona. Soper 2.70 5.80 James Porter 1.63 2.20 Noah Davis 4.00 4.70 Stephen Adams 1.55 6.90 Henry Hutchinson 2.05 2.50 . 1.50 ,8 William Barstow } Henry Barstow \ 9.10 7.25 T. L. Houghton 2.00 5.75 Moses Dow, Jr. 3.80 5.25 ^' Moses Dow 9.77 • 2.00 Ephraim Kingsbury 4.50 6.10 Aaron Dexter 2.00 27 Avery Sanders was a son of Jonathan Sanders, who came to Haverhill from Hampton in 1763. Avery Sanders was a soldier in the Eevolutionary war, enlisting for no less than five different periods of service. 28 Henry Barstow and William Barstow were the leading rejjre- sentatives of a family which exerted large influence in town for many years. They came from Campton when mere boys. Henry was born in 1787 and William was two years younger. Henry mar- ried first, Harriet, daughter of Capt. David Webster, and a daugh- ter of theirs married Merrill Pearson of Chicago. Ellen, a daugh- ter by his second wife, married Henry M. Ketchum of Chicago. Alfred, a son, became a leading lawyer in San Francisco; Anson, another son, a grain dealer in Oakland, Cal., while Gardner, an- other son, won large reijutation and wealth as a Chicago grain dealer. Henry Barstow was a leading merchant for years, a dea- con in the Congregationalist church, a prominent and influential citizen. His brother William became his partner after being a clerk in Gen. John Montgomery's store, and Federalist and Whig like Henry came into his reward as postmaster after the Tippeca- noe victory in 1840. George, a son of William, was educated at the Haverhill Academy and Dartmouth, read law with Robert Rantoul, wrote a history of his native state, went to California, where he 47 Obadiah Glines $2.20 Daniel Heath .40 Timotliy Bedel .70 John Pike 3.00 Isaac Pearson 9.30 Uriah Ward 3.50 Moody Ladd 5.10 William Harnley 1.70 Jesse Woodward 6.55 John Olnistead 1.75 John Belcher 2.00 Amos Chapman 1.50 Joseph Harbert 4.75 Joshua Wood 1.63 Jacob Woodward 3.70 Ezekiel Ladd, Jr. 9.50 Phineas Ayres 9.15 William Ladd 6.45 David Hildreth $2.55 John C. Butler 2.80 Benjamin Burton 1.70 Amos Davenport 1.70 Samuel Gookin 1.70 Joseph Ladd 3.40 Phineas Swan 4.30 Joshua Woodward 9.97 Simeon Olmstead 1.80 Elias Sterns 2.40 Timothy B. Bayley 2.45 Ephraim Crouch 1.50 William Cross 1.75 Joseph Olmstead 1.75 Benj. Swan 1.90 Jno. Smith 9.65 Thomas Johnson 9.59 enjoyed a large practice and was twice Speaker of the California House of Representatives. Another brother of Henry and William, Thomas, married a sister of Amos Tarleton and their daughter, Mrs. Jesse R. Squires, resides at the Tarleton homestead, Haverhill Corner. 29 John Osgood, born in Andover, Mass., in 1770, came to Haver- hill about 1795 and established himself in the business of clock making. He did good work, some of his old high clocks are still running and keeping good time after the lapse of more than a hundred years. He was town treasurer and town clerk for several years, and his records are marvels of neatness and accuracy. 30 Israel Swan, born 1768, was active in all town affairs. He mar- ried Abigail, daughter of Col. Charles Johnston. His children went to Ohio where their descendants have held honorable posi- tions. 48 The amount of tax assessed on the non-resident lands was $144.78. Among these non-resident lands was the Fisher farm of 2,500 acres, belonging to Joseph Pierce, Esq. This tract was valued at $6000 and the tax was 130.00. 31 Geu. Moses Dow was born in Atkinson, graduated at Harvard in 1769, was admitted to the bar, came to Haverhill about 1773 and divided honors with Col. Charles Johnston as first citizen, not only of Haverhill, but of the North Country. He refused an election to Congress in 1784, on the ground that he did not feel himself quali- fied for the duties of the high position. Just funny I He was the owner of the "Dow farm," now owned and occupied by Hon. Henry W. Keyes, another son of Harvard. He died in 1811. •"! mi mi iijii ° 0^3 996 992 3 ♦